Lake Gregory fishing starts with one question: is the closure lifted?
Lake Gregory is an 84-acre San Bernardino Mountains lake with walk-around shoreline access, a mapped personal-boat launch, fishing-boat rentals, private fish plants and CDFW trout stocking. But right now the trip decision comes before the tackle decision.
San Bernardino County Regional Parks currently says fishing in Lake Gregory is closed until further notice. The normal fishing, ramp, fee and shore-access information below is preserved so you can plan efficiently once the County officially reopens fishing.
Current Lake Gregory fishing status
As of this article’s August 20, 2026 verification, San Bernardino County Regional Parks is posting: “Lake Gregory Fishing Closed: Fishing in the lake is closed until further notice.”
At the same time, Lake Gregory Community Recreation Company’s normal fishing page still shows “open year round,” sunrise-to-sunset hours, fishing passes, boat rentals and stocking dates. Those are useful normal-operation details, but they do not cancel the County’s current closure.
Wait for County reopening.
Only when fishing is open.
County Regional Parks currently says no night fishing.
Confirm reopening before driving.
Do these five checks in this order
County status comes before everything else.
Most California anglers age 16+ need a sport fishing license.
Lake Gregory’s fishing fee is separate from CDFW licensing.
A personal boat adds a launch fee and safety rules.
Apply bag limits and the OEHHA mercury advisory.
What Lake Gregory anglers actually need to know
These fees describe the operator’s currently published normal-operation pricing. They do not grant permission to fish while the County closure remains active.
“Ramps” search intent: the official map shows one mapped boat-launch area
Anglers commonly search for “Lake Gregory ramps,” but San Bernardino County’s official Lake Gregory map identifies a single Maintenance Yard, Shop, Garage, Sheds and Boat Launch area on the east side of the lake.
Shore fishing access zones — not invented “secret spots”
The County map does not designate named “best fishing holes.” It identifies access landmarks. The practical way to use it is to choose a parking/access zone, then walk legal open shoreline after fishing reopens.
North Shore / North Beach
The clearest walk-in starting zone because Lake Gregory specifically designates Lot A as North Shore parking.
This is an access recommendation, not a guarantee that fish are holding there.
South Beach
Convenient from Lot B. During summer recreation, swimming and beach activity can make portions of this shoreline unsuitable for safe casting.
San Moritz / west side
Lot C serves San Moritz Lodge and gives you another starting point for walking the western side rather than remaining in a crowded beach zone.
Full-lake scout
The County’s official map labels the complete fitness trail around the lake at 2.51 miles. That makes Lake Gregory unusually practical for anglers willing to walk and change banks.
Pick the lot before unloading rods, chairs and tackle
| Parking lot | Official designation | Best planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Lot A | North Shore | Most direct starting point for North Shore access. |
| Lot B | South Beach | South-side access; account for active swimming/beach use. |
| Lot C | San Moritz Lodge | Useful west-side alternative and walking-loop starting point. |
One launch, non-gas boating rules
Lake Gregory’s normal personal launch operates from sunrise to sunset. The operator accepts durable personal boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes and other staff-approved vessels.
Annual launch users must display the current Lake Gregory registration sticker. Day launch passes are published as non-refundable.
Rental boats are a different decision from the personal launch
Last rental normally 4 PM.
Operator recommends pre-booking.
Lake Gregory has two stocking information streams
This is a major improvement over treating one stocking calendar as the whole story. CDFW publishes state trout-plant weeks, while the Lake Gregory operator publishes additional dated trout/catfish plants.
CDFW 2026 trout-plant schedule
CDFW publishes stocking as a week of plant, not an exact guaranteed day.
Trout
Trout
Trout
Trout
Trout
Trout
Lake Gregory operator’s 2026 schedule
| Published date | Species | Published amount | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 7 | Calaveras trout | 1,000 lb | Past published plant date. |
| May 14 | Calaveras trout | 1,000 lb | Past published plant date. |
| June 12 | Catfish | 1,000 lb | Operator also published a June 12 stock alert. |
| July 17 | Catfish | 1,500 lb | Past published schedule date. |
| August 14 | Catfish | 1,500 lb | Published schedule date has passed; schedule page alone is not proof the plant occurred. |
| September 18 | Catfish | 1,500 lb | Future scheduled plant; verify before planning around it. |
What fish should Lake Gregory anglers prepare for?
Rainbow / stocked trout
CDFW and the operator both publish trout stocking information, making trout one of the lake’s most visible managed fisheries.
Catfish
Operator stocking shifts heavily toward catfish during summer. California specifically lists Gregory Lake with a five-catfish bag limit.
Resident warmwater fish
California’s Lake Gregory consumption advisory specifically covers black bass, crappie, bullhead, common carp and tule perch.
Simple approaches for Lake Gregory after reopening
Stocked trout
Light spinning gear, small spoons/spinners and legal trout bait are practical starting options. On a compact lake, move when a bank produces no activity rather than treating one stocking-area rumor as permanent truth.
Summer catfish
Bottom-oriented bait presentations fit the lake’s summer catfish program. Early or later daylight periods can also reduce heat and recreational pressure.
Bass / crappie
Think structure, shade, depth change and edges rather than the most recent trout or catfish plant.
These are general fishing strategies, not a claim about today’s bite, water temperature or current fish location.
See what Lake Gregory trout fishing looks like when the lake is open
This third-party video is useful for visual context and basic trout technique. It was uploaded November 6, 2021 and must not be used as evidence of 2026 conditions or reopening status.
Lake pass and California fishing license are two different things
Your state license and Lake Gregory annual pass use different clocks
Valid for 365 days from the purchase date.
Operator says its annual pass is valid for the calendar year.
California Second Rod Validation costs $20.26 in 2026
CDFW’s Second Rod Validation allows an angler to use two rods or lines in inland waters where two rods are otherwise lawful.
Lake Gregory bag and size rules anglers should save
| Species | California baseline | Lake Gregory application |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | Inland lakes/reservoirs: 5 trout daily, 10 in possession unless special regulation applies. | Relevant because both CDFW and the operator stock trout. |
| Black bass | General lake/reservoir rule: 5 daily with a 12-inch total-length minimum, unless special regulation applies. | OEHHA includes black bass in its fish-consumption advisory. |
| Catfish | California specifically lists Gregory Lake with a 5-catfish bag limit. | Important during the operator’s summer catfish program. |
| Sunfish + crappie | Combined bag limit of 25 sunfish and crappie of all species; no general size limit unless a special rule applies. | OEHHA specifically includes crappie in the lake advisory. |
California Free Fishing Day does not cancel a Lake Gregory closure
CDFW’s next 2026 Free Fishing Day is Saturday, September 5. The basic sport fishing license is waived that day, but bag limits, size limits, gear rules, fishing hours and closures remain in effect.
The Lake Gregory local fishing fee is separate from California’s state license; do not assume it is waived unless the operator/County specifically announces that.
Lake Gregory is not a night-fishing lake under current Regional Parks operations
Last rental normally 4 PM.
Forgot gear? The lake normally has an on-site tackle option
Lake Gregory’s Bait & Tackle Shop sells bait, fishing tackle, fishing equipment, snacks and drinks, and the operator also advertises rod and boat rentals.
A legal keeper can still have an eating limit
California OEHHA maintains a Lake Gregory fish-consumption advisory based on mercury. Meal guidance differs by species and by age/sex group.
Women age 18–49 and children age 1–17
Common carp
Bullhead
Tule perch
Black bass
Crappie
Women age 50+ and men age 18+
Bullhead or common carp
Tule perch
Crappie
Black bass
Fishing closure, mercury advice and harmful algal blooms are separate issues
Fishing closure
County currently says fishing is closed until further notice. The reason is not stated on the notice reviewed.
Mercury advisory
OEHHA’s Lake Gregory advisory concerns how much of certain fish people should eat.
Harmful algal blooms
OEHHA separately recommends checking California’s HAB portal for current bloom reports before water-contact recreation.
Lake Gregory Regional Park
24171 Lake Drive
Crestline, CA 92325
833-360-5253
909-338-2233
909-387-2757
Your first Lake Gregory trip after reopening
- Verify the County has removed the fishing closure.
- Check your CDFW license date. A 365-day California license runs from purchase date.
- Buy or confirm your Lake Gregory fishing pass. The local fee is separate.
- Choose your access zone. North Shore, South Beach or San Moritz side.
- If launching, confirm personal-boat access. Add the launch fee and leave the gas motor at home.
- Carry an accessible PFD for everyone aboard. Children must wear their life jackets under the lake’s launch rules.
- Save the correct species limit. Trout, catfish, bass and crappie have different rules.
- Do not assume an old stocking calendar predicts today’s bite.
- If eating your catch, check the OEHHA advisory.
- Leave before night-fishing assumptions become a problem. Normal fishing access is sunrise–sunset.
Ten Lake Gregory fishing mistakes this guide now prevents
Current status beats normal-operation copy.
The official map shows one mapped boat-launch area.
It is a practical access zone, not a promise of fish.
They are separate.
It is a Jan–Dec calendar-year pass.
Gas motors are not permitted.
Plant schedules can change.
Regional Parks is not currently offering night fishing.
State license waiver does not override a local closure.
Harvest law and consumption advice answer different questions.
Use this script before driving up the mountain
Solve the state-license part before the lake reopens
Only recheck the information that can change
County closure
Fishing / stocking
Boat launch
CDFW stocking
CDFW license fees
Fish consumption
Lake Gregory fishing questions answered
Is Lake Gregory fishing open right now?
As of this article’s August 20, 2026 verification, San Bernardino County Regional Parks says fishing in Lake Gregory is closed until further notice. Recheck the County notice before traveling.
Why does Lake Gregory’s fishing page still say open year-round?
The concessionaire’s fishing page describes normal operating conditions. San Bernardino County is separately displaying a current temporary fishing closure. Treat the active County closure as controlling until it is removed.
Why is Lake Gregory fishing closed?
The current County notice reviewed for this guide says fishing is closed until further notice but does not state a reason. This article therefore does not speculate about the cause.
How many boat ramps are at Lake Gregory?
San Bernardino County’s official Lake Gregory map identifies one mapped boat-launch area associated with the maintenance yard, shop, garage and sheds. Anglers should not expect multiple public launch ramps around the lake.
How much does it normally cost to fish Lake Gregory?
The operator currently lists a $15 daily fishing pass and a $125 annual calendar-year fishing pass. A California state sport fishing license is separate.
Can I launch my own boat at Lake Gregory?
During normal operation, Lake Gregory publishes a $10 daily personal launch fee and an $89 annual calendar-year launch pass. Durable personal boats, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and other staff-approved vessels may use the launch.
Are gas motors allowed at Lake Gregory?
No. Lake Gregory’s published personal-boat rules state that gas motors are not permitted. An accessible life jacket must be onboard for every person, and children must wear life jackets.
Where can I shore fish Lake Gregory after reopening?
The official County map identifies North Shore/North Beach, South Beach and the San Moritz side as major access landmarks. Lot A serves North Shore, Lot B serves South Beach and Lot C serves San Moritz Lodge. Use these as access zones rather than assuming they are guaranteed fishing hotspots.
How far is the trail around Lake Gregory?
San Bernardino County’s official Lake Gregory map labels the full fitness trail around the lake at 2.51 miles.
What fish are stocked in Lake Gregory?
CDFW publishes trout planting weeks for Gregory Lake, while the Lake Gregory operator separately publishes trout and summer catfish stocking dates. Future stocking dates should always be verified before planning a trip around them.
What is the Lake Gregory catfish limit?
California’s freshwater regulations specifically list Gregory Lake with a five-catfish bag limit. Fishing must first be legally open.
Do I need a California fishing license at Lake Gregory?
Most anglers age 16 or older need a valid California sport fishing license. The Lake Gregory local fishing pass is a separate fee and does not replace the CDFW license.
Can I fish Lake Gregory with two rods?
California sells a Second Rod Validation, priced at $20.26 in 2026, for two-rod use in inland waters where two rods are otherwise lawful. The validation does not override water-specific gear restrictions.
Can I fish Lake Gregory on California Free Fishing Day?
Only if Lake Gregory itself is open to fishing. September 5, 2026 is a California Free Fishing Day, but statewide license relief does not override a County closure, bag limit, gear restriction or fishing-hour rule.
Is there a Lake Gregory fish-consumption advisory?
Yes. California OEHHA maintains a mercury-based Lake Gregory advisory. Meal guidance differs for common carp, bullhead, tule perch, black bass and crappie and also differs by age and sex group.
Reopening beats stocking dates, ramp fees and fishing rumors
Lake Gregory has a simple layout, walkable shoreline, active stocking programs and a personal launch that make it a practical Southern California fishing destination. But as of , the most important fact is still the County’s fishing closure.
Once fishing officially reopens, choose an access zone from the County map, keep the California license separate from the lake pass, verify the latest stocking information, follow species limits and check the mercury advisory before eating your catch.