Talk to me about Englebright

Hi all--

Looking to do some camping/ fishing/ paddling for my birthday in a couple weeks, and wanted to find out what the hive mind is on Englebright.  Would be likely going on a Thursday and staying also Friday night.  Kinda enthused about a kayak-in camping trip with my wife. 

Would also love to hear any recommendations for any other similar lakes with good near-to-the water camping and good scenery/ possible fishing from about the Grass Valley area to the north and say, Scott's Valley to the South from the pacific to about del valle?

Thanks in advance,

Ron

We are camping there in 2 weeks.  If your trip is after that, I'll be able to fill you in.
I've only been there a few times and never camped so I have limited info right now.  I can tell you that there are some decent sized kokes there.

Englebright is cool in that you can boat in and camp along the lake. At least you used to be able to. Been years since I've been there.  It's kinda line a wide river.  You can get your boat stuck if not careful if the water level changes.

Bullard Bar is up Marysville Rd past Collins lake. Have done really really well chasing bass there. Haven't been in kayak since that was before I discovered them but it's on my list. There's a couple campgrounds there as well.

We were there feb 14th... water levels do fluctuate 3-6 feet in a matter of hrs... fishing is great in the morning and evening. Boat in camp sites are in a bit. Longish paddle, we mother-shipped in set up, and Kayaked from there... Great place but use the first ramp. second is Steep!!!

Thanks for the intel everybody!  I did camp at Collins a month or so ago during the only lightning storm we've had this year , and that was a good time, in spite of getting hammered with rain for two days... nice to know this is just 'round the corner.  On that trip we'd talked of going to Bullard, but didn't.

 I noticed the info on the widely variable water level; I'll make sure to really secure the yaks if we keep them on the beach.  May just end up walking them up to camp to be safe. 

Only thing that looks like it might be a buzz-kill would be water skiers, any thoughts if that would be an issue this time of year? I suspect the water's got to be pretty cold still.

We are camping there in 2 weeks.  If your trip is after that, I'll be able to fill you in.
I've only been there a few times and never camped so I have limited info right now.  I can tell you that there are some decent sized kokes there.

Hey Joel, might end up being an impromptu meet-up; we'd be there around the 16th, probably a day or two on either end.

was just up there, the water does fluctuate a bit. the camp sites are a bit of a paddle and the nicer more secluded ones are further up towards the top. like someone said its a river basically.  the early mornings and eves are best for fishing. The upper yuba section gets good bobber/fly action as soon as the sun dips behind the mountain. paddling up from the store about halfway on the right hand side is a small little waterfall/stream inlet that we limited on planters. got a few fish trolling the right side going towards the dam
didnt see any skiers, it was really quiet and relaxing.
you should have a good time.

Thanks!  Sounds like a good time.  Might do the rent a boat to schlep the gear, then yak up thing.  Just mathing it out for now, but definitely sounds like a good time!

Math... $5.00 to launch and camp off season. Some big bass and trout off points and rocky areas. Hooked into one with 15lb test and it broke me off! Took my fav bomber too!!!

Hey Joel, might end up being an impromptu meet-up; we'd be there around the 16th, probably a day or two on either end.

We will be there the weekend of the 11th.  We are using a friend's boat to get our gear to the far back I think. 

Hey Joel, might end up being an impromptu meet-up; we'd be there around the 16th, probably a day or two on either end.

We will be there the weekend of the 11th.  We are using a friend's boat to get our gear to the far back I think.

Missed it by that much, report, please when available!

Math... $5.00 to launch and camp off season. Some big bass and trout off points and rocky areas. Hooked into one with 15lb test and it broke me off! Took my fav bomber too!!!

OK, I'm sold!

Maybe next time.  This is from last summer.

Here's my info (& fishing report).  We camped at Dixon Hill campground since we wanted to be near the confluence so one of the guys could go gold panning.  I fished upriver a bit and caught one small trout the first day.  I mostly fished between our camp and the "no water ski" line for the remainder of the trip.  Due to this being a guys trip, beer seemed to take precedence over evening fishing and we stayed up way to late to get up early to fish the morning.  So all of my fish were caught in the middle of the day.  I used a small blue/silver kastmaster and a black wooley bugger both top-lined.  I caught a couple more trout and a squaw.  I tried trolling for kokes but didn't have a single hit. 

I tried for bass near the Cherokee campground (could see them in the weeds) but I don't target bass and I had limited gear so I had no success.  I do think the the Cherokee camp is a better camp spot for fishing access.  It's pretty shallow near Dixon (~8-14 ft) whereas it's near 40 feet out from Cherokee.

Good luck with your trip.

(Borrowed a gopro for this trip but I am not much of a photographer)

Thanks for the trip report, Joel!

That's a nice looking fish you got there.

Quick question: was there a lot of water skiing going on?  Have a feeling that might be a spousal deal breaker

Not much water skiing at all that I saw but definitely none above the no ski line.  Check out the map to see what I mean. 

Not much water skiing at all that I saw but definitely none above the no ski line.  Check out the map to see what I mean.

Thanks, I think we're a go!