Fishing
FISHING AT LAKE CHABOT
HINTS AND TIPS - TROLLING
Lake Chabot trolling in the Spring is one of the most productive ways to catch trout. One of the most basic, but still very productive ways, is to troll a nightcrawler behind a set of flashers. Use a ball bearing swivel above your flashers and 18 to 20 inches of leader between your flashers and your nightcrawler. Another productive trout trolling method is to use a rainbow trout patterned lure such as a Rapala. Let your lure out about 75 feet with no weight on the line. If you get a hit, be sure to double back over that spot for a second shot at what could be a school of trout. The best place to troll for Trout at Chabot is between Indian Cove and Raccoon Point.
HINTS AND TIPS - BAITS
Bait fishing is also a popular method for catching trout at Chabot. Use a sliding-sinker-rig with a small treble hook for Power Bait or for nightcrawlers use a size 6 or size 8 snelled hook. This same rig works well for catfish with a much larger hook, try a size 1 or size 2, and chicken liver, anchovies or mackerel. Honker Bay and around the Island are great spots to try for catfish during the summer months. Dough baits are the best bet for trout fisherman. Experiment with colors like chartreuse and white.
BEST TIME TO FISH
Fish early in the morning these months to take advantage of the increasingly good trout fishing. Regular trout plants should help to boost the action. Take advantage of limited crowds and boat specials during the week.
A variety of baits and lures are available in our marina shop! Come Visit.
Facility Details
FISH PLANTS:
Typically we plant about 1200lbs of trout every two weeks during the season!
Connect to the Easy Bay Regional Park’s Online Angler!
LAKE CHABOT FISHING RECORDS
BLACK CRAPPIE
A record black crappie for Lake Chabot, weighing 2.34 lbs., was caught mid-morning on Wednesday (Aug. 16, 2017) by Francisco Escobar of Castro Valley.
Escobar had rented a boat and was fishing between Coots Landing and Alder Point, using an undisclosed lure. After catching the record fish, he released it back into the lake.
The previous record, set in 1989 by Tony Ornelas, was 2.13 lbs.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
On October 28, 2016, Ryan Reynolds of San Mateo caught and carefully released this huge 19 lbs. largemouth bass using a jig near Alder Point! He easily beat our old lake record by two pounds. This is one of the biggest bass caught here at Lake Chabot in over 14 years. Our previous lake record is held by Louis Vasquez from 2002 for a bass weighing in at 17 lbs.
This is some of the best bass fishing we’ve seen. Bass fishing has been steady for the last several weeks with some bass anglers catching and releasing good numbers.
View Fee Schedule
| Fee Name | Amount | Capacity |
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Boating
Rentals are on a first-come, first-serve basis. We do not take advanced reservations.
At Lake Chabot, we offer many boat rentals to get you out on the water for exploration and fun! We have pedal boats, row boats, single and double kayaks, electric, fishing, pontoon, and covered boat rentals available! Check out the Rate Schedule below for rental information.
Boat Rental Rates vary by boat type and usage.
Facility Details
Fishing Rods
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Daily: $15
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Security Deposit: Drivers License or other state-issued ID
Life Jackets, Battery, Volleyball/Horseshoe Sets
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Daily: $5
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Security Deposit: Drivers License or other state-issued ID
Specials
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Seniors (62 years+) receive half-off boat rentals Monday through Friday.
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Military, Veterans, Police, and Fire Personnel receive 50% off boat rentals, including patio boats, Monday through Sunday.
Need To Know
Please view our Policies page for more information.
Pedal and Rowboars allow 4 people max.
Single and Double Kayaks hold max 225lb per person.
Electric Boats (Standard and Covered) allow 4 people max.
Pontoon Boats (Fishing and Deluxe) allow 8 people max.
View Fee Schedule
| Fee Name | Amount | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Pedal Boats | Hourly: $30; 2HR: $44; 4HR: $51; Daily: $68 | 4 person max |
| Rowboats | Hourly: $30; 2HR: $44; 4HR: $51; Daily: $68 | 4 person max |
| Single Kayak | Hourly: $30; 2HR: $44; 4HR: $51; Daily: $68 | 225 lb max per person |
| Double Kayak | Hourly: $39; 2HR: $52; 4HR: $64; Daily: $79 | 225 lb max per person |
| Standard Electric | Hourly: $39; 2HR: $62; 4HR: $76; Daily: $94 | 4 person max |
| Deluxe Electric | Hourly: $61; 2HR: $80; 4HR: $103; Daily: $133 | 4 person max |
| Fishing Pontoon | 1 hr. $73; 2 hrs. $139; 3 hrs., $194; 4 hrs. $239 | 8 person max |
| Deluxe Pontoon | 1 hr. $104; 2 hrs. $199; 3 hrs. $278; 4 hrs. $341 | 8 person max |
Tours
The Lake Chabot Queen is a guided tour of the lake, providing a wonderful experience for all ages! One hour tours are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.
For group and private tour inquiries, please contact us.
Facility Details
Online tickets close the Thursday before each tour date. For additional questions and more information regarding purchasing tickets after the online booking window, please call the café at 510-247-2526.
Regularly scheduled tours can be booked for private events by reserving all 20 seats, when available. Off-schedule charters start at $250 per hour. For inquiries, please contact us at info@golakechabot.com.
Need To Know
All sales are final; no refunds are available.
Please view our Policies page for more information.
Queen Tours allow 20 people max.
View Fee Schedule
| Fee Name | Amount | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Ticket | $10 | Public Boat Tour Capacity: 20 |
| Child Ticket | $6 | Public Boat Tour Capacity: 20 |
Park Store
Stop by our onsite shop for items you may have forgotten or can't go without! Located at the main office building by the cafe, find snacks and drinks, lakeside sundries (hats, sunscreen, water bottles), bait & tackle, and branded apparel. We also sell state fishing licenses and the daily access permits required to fish on the lake.
Need To Know
Please view our Policies page for more information.
Park Amenities
This 315-acre anglers oasis sits in the heart of Castro Valley but you’d never know it by your surroundings. Miles of parkland and trails make Chabot a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The Lake Chabot Fishing Outfitters provide a well-stocked bait and tackle shop, rod and reel rentals, boat rentals and a cafe serving cooked-to-order breakfast and lunch. Because Chabot is a drinking water reservoir, swimming and gasoline motor boats are not allowed. Chabot is very popular with trout anglers and like most EBRPD (East Bay Regional Park District) lakes, it has a regular trout and catfish planting program. The best trout bite can be found from the fall through spring months, catfish during the summer months. Some impressively sized, Largemouth Bass have been caught here including the lake record, a 17 lbs. 10 oz. caught in 2002. Catfish, Crappie and Bluegill can provide good summertime fishing.
Facility Details
HIKING
Many walking and hiking trails are available for nature enthusiasts.
PARKING
Parking for Lake Chabot is available in the main parking off of Lake Chabot Rd for a fee or on the street on a first come, first served basis.
LAKE CHABOT PICNIC SITES
Chabot has many first-come, first-served picnic sites available, as well as a number of group sites. To reserve a group site, call East Bay Regional Park District at (510) 562-2267.
LAKE CHABOT TENT & RV CAMPING
Tent and RV camping are available year-round at nearby Anthony Chabot Campground. To reserve a tent or RV site, call East Bay Regional Park District at (510) 562-2267.
