Backpacking and fishing in So Cal mountains

[OldsRocket]

Is there someplace where you can backpack to, set up camp, and fish nearby? Lakes, rivers, or streams would do. Is there anyplace like that in So Cal?

[Hikin_Jim]

It's not really what S. Cal. is known for. You'd have a lot better luck driving a few hours north to the Sierra. I have seen fish locally -- in the past. The fish I've seen locally were pretty small, and, with the drought, I bet a lot of them are gone.

However, anywhere there's a decent sized stream you could set up camp and try your luck. Even if you catch nothing, you'll have a good time doing it. Just don't count on fish for dinner on S. Cal. backpacking trips.

HJ

[RichardK]

Over the last 15 years, we saw people fishing Icehouse Canyon creek many times. We never saw a fish caught or in the water. The only fish I know of are in the Mt. Baldy Trout Pond.

[Rumpled]

Look into the Sant Ana river area. I know in the past that trout were planted there.
Trabuco Creek has had planting, but no camping there.
Look at the Fish and Game website for where they plant and the very cumbersome regulations.

[Sose]

Fish fork creeks below pine mountain ridge north of mt. Baldy usually have trout. Kind of hard to get to though.

[OldsRocket]

Thank you for the suggestions! I will definitely look into the Santa Ana River. I do remember seeing that they planted trout there. Thank you!

[beantown]

try siberia creek trail to bear creek, there is an old abandoned NF hike in campground down there you could camp at. Bear creek is a wild place. I hiked down there last fall from snow valley on the 18, its steep, and saw lots of sign of bear down there, the creek was flowing good. My dogs got ticks, watch out.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsint ... Trail+1W04

[Hikin_Jim]

try siberia creek trail to bear creek, there is an old abandoned NF hike in campground down there you could camp at. Bear creek is a wild place. I hiked down there last fall from snow valley on the 18, its steep, and saw lots of sign of bear down there, the creek was flowing good. My dogs got ticks, watch out.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsint ... Trail+1W04

What kind of shape was the trail in? I've been wanting to get over there.

HJ