The 590-acre reservoir is located in Cayucos, about 10 minutes north of Morro Bay on the Central Coast of California. From Highway 1, take the Old Creek Road exit for two miles until you reach the access gate on the southeast shore.
Whale Rock is open during the general trout season from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with about two miles of shoreline open to the public.
A self-registration booth is set up at the entry gate where anglers can enclose a day use fee of $2 for adults and $1 for children.
According to officials, no more than 300 to 400 fishermen visit the lake because boats aren’t allowed and bass are nowhere to be found.
There’s nothing but steelhead here, thanks to an enhancement project that began at the reservoir in 1992, offsetting the ecological impact the dam had on Old and Cottontail creeks.
Now, landlocked steelhead are around all season long (from April to November).
While live bait is not allowed, artificials and flies are welcome. When traditional trout and steelhead dries or nymphs aren't working, go with a Muddler Minnow or another large streamer. Big flies can produce big results. They don’t call it Whale Rock for nothing.
