Where to take the kids?

Fairly new to the area and bought a fishing kayak a few weeks ago. Well the kids want to go out on their kayak and catch some fish too. Only thing is I do not know the area yet. I do not mind going out myself and learn the water and not catch anything all day. On the other hand the kids do not want to paddle around for nothing and come home to mom empty handed. Not looking for any secret places but somewhere they are sure to catch something (any type of fish) to show mom.

I live in the Natomas area and have been to Lake Natoma fishing with no luck a few times. I have caught some small bluegill and sunfish at the mouth of the American River. Other than that I have not done too much exploring yet.

Thanks for any help!

How old are your children?

The number one rule in my book, especially younger children, is just to put them on fish.  Don't worry about trophies, just keep them busy, in which case, panfish isn't a bad option.

They are 8 and 10 year old boys. Those are my thought as well keep them busy with lots of fish rather than big ones. I would take them to the mouth of the American River where I have been but I do not like all the people on boats in that area, not safe enough to me for them to be paddling around.

True that on safety.  Not familiar with the greater Sac area but lots of folks live in your neck of the woods.  Hopefully somebody will chime in with suggestions.

Hi from a retired coastie.  Welcome

Give us a little more info.  Do you have 3 kayaks, one each for you and the kids?  Or do you have one kayak with 3 people on it, or some combo of shore fishing while taking turns on a single kayak?  That info will help with options. 

In general, Ice House reservoir is one good option near Sac for planter trout - either shore fishing with inflated crawlers/powerbait or trolling with a sidekick dodger with grub/crawler or small rapalas.  Just took my 5-yr old fishing buddy up there over Memorial Day and caught his first trout, banking it.

How far are you willing to travel? I just got back from Iron gate Reservoir , we caught over 800 small yellow perch and crappie. It is about two hours from Redding to the north. Great place for kids to catch a lot of fish.

Jeff

The mouth of the AR is a definite no no right now. Too many drunk boaters and jet skiers.
There are some calm spots on the AR that hold shad right now, it's just a scary river though and they are pretty young.

I'd say go east and hit some of the Sierra lakes for trout.

Good luck!
Matt

Another option is Mather Lake in Rancho.  Small lake but can get the kids on bass, cats and bluegills.

Thanks for the info, I'll have to check a few of those out. Shad sounds like it would be fun. I'm from the southeast so I havnt seen too many trout or know excactly how to catch them other than by accident a week ago. Just like the kids I have some learning to do myself as I have never been fishing in the ocean either.

They have a tandem kayak they play around in and sometimes sit on the back of mine. I wouldnt drive more than an hour to get them OTW.

Retired. Sounds like freedom, only about halfway there. Maybe see OTW sometime.

I'm local to you.  Best places around with no motor boats to yak fish are Mather AFB pond, William B pond, and rancho seco lake.  Really good Donaldson trout to over 10# and good bass at lake amador in ione is close to with minimal boat traffic. 

Natomas is tough to fish if you don't know the lake,  it's tough if you do know the lake. 

Folsom lake is fishing great, but big boats will run you down.  You can launch at rattlesnake bar and paddle north, it's only a few 100 yards to the 5mph area.  Throw 5" senkos at every tree in the water, stay as far away from the trees as you can, or they spook.

Just got a call from 5 of my friends that are camping at rancho seco.  Fish are on the munch.  I'm heading out in a few hours.  If you get out there I'm in the suburban with blue noodles on top holding my hobie.  I got a small trailer, not going out there without AC.  Most of us will be in float tubes.  I will put you on fish.  Senkos, Yamamoto creature baits, flukes, chatterbaits, and Buzzbaits all night.

Darn! I work nights during the week. Would have been nice to get out there and do some fishing. Thanks for the headsup too but sorry I couldnt make it. Have to get me when I'm not busy.

Darn! I work nights during the week. Would have been nice to get out there and do some fishing. Thanks for the headsup too but sorry I couldnt make it. Have to get me when I'm not busy.

The bit was good. Got most of my fish on frogs and spooks.   Bunch over 4#, a 5.5 and a 6.9.   My buddy had a 8.1.  Best part was breaking off on a hookset and seeing my feet in the sky for about 5 seconds at the point of no return.  Went swimming.   All my friends were holding up my dive score.  Lol.  Right before I went in A-hole friend see's me teetering and starts singing that drowning song from phill Collins.  I went in LMAO.

Delta backwaters for bluegill, on redworms & #10 or #8 hook