Fishing in April

I'm in charge of planning a camping trip for my son's scout troop in mid-April. They wanted to go to the desert but that seems like a 9 hour drive (this is a weekend trip). Several scouts have expressed interest in a fishing trip. Does anyone have any suggestions for a place to camp and fish with relatively decent chance of success at that time of year? Would probably be fresh water shore fishing; the ocean doesn't seem to be too alive that time of year. And I know the Sierras can be cold and pretty snowy still then.

Lake mendo

By the way, somplace within a few hours of the Bay area would be best.

Thanks James, is there shore fishing there? Is it for stripers? Do you know if that's hunting season then? These guys will be running around in the woods a lot.

Lots of woods around. Heavily planted with trout. Shore fishing all over google lake Mendocino u will see

collins lake is good as well especially for the kids.. camping at the beach by the dam or rent a site.. the stock lots of trout and some w tags.. kids love the ice cream at the store as well.. lots to do there  just my penny

Whiskeytown has 2 group sites that are nice. They are on the other side of the lake from the regular camp sites. You could make all kinds of noise and never bother anyone. Nice peninsula in the woods with good fishing on all sides.

collins lake is good as well especially for the kids.. camping at the beach by the dam or rent a site.. the stock lots of trout and some w tags.. kids love the ice cream at the store as well.. lots to do there  just my penny

I second this choice. 1 hour or so from Sac.

I think that Collins is a good choice as well.  San Luis Reservoir/O'neil Forebay is pretty close to you too.  There is camping there. Plenty of room. A lot of easy access. Striper, cats, panfish and bass would all be available in April. 

How about Jenkinson Lake/Sly Park up near Placerville?

The camping spots near the back are nice, and there is both hiking, fishing, kayaking .

-Cherie

Lake Del Valle, Livermore = Hetch Hetchy group camp site (I've seen scouts camp there before) or Wild Turkey group campsite

http://www.ebparks.org/parks/del_valle


ncka fishnchill event

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,10356.0.html

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,16993.0.html

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,26509.msg281557.html#new

Had many good memories at this lake with the NCKA Storm Troopers 

Folsom Lake in the spring is great.  The lake is full, the low elevation has the warm(er) weather, there's lots of campsites around the lake to choose from, etc.  To get that remote feeling, go out to the Rattle Snake Bar area on the East side of the lake out of the town of Cool.  It's a longer drive, but the road trip is beautiful.  I think it's called Peninsula Campground. 

      Nacimento !    Let me know I you need a few extra kayaks for your trip.