Recreation Alive and Well at Cachuma Lake

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The fish are biting, and there are fantastic wildlife viewing and boating opportunities at Cachuma Lake despite the lack of rain. The lake still has many coves to explore and 90+ foot lake depths. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is a beautiful outdoor destination set amidst oak woodlands in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. For easy trip planning, Cachuma Lake now takes online reservations for all campsites at www.sbparks.org. At Cachuma Lake you will find practically everything you need for a relaxing lakeside getaway in the great outdoors: Year-round cabin, tent, yurt, and RV camping, boating, boat and kayak rentals, fishing, wildlife cruises on the lake, the Neal Taylor Nature Center, bird watching, hiking, photography, picnics, and a general store. Mild temperatures, typically sunny skies, and celebrated fishing conditions make year-round camping here exceptionally rewarding. Located off scenic Highway 154 in the Santa Ynez Valley, Cachuma Lake is midway between the coast of Santa Barbara, area wineries, and the Danish community of Solvang. Visit the Parks website at www.sbparks.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS: We are now in Wildlife Cruise Season! See Year-Round Nature Programs, below.

Trout Plants at Cachuma Lake – The next one will be Thursday, March 20 and plants will continue through spring. There will be six plants total (3 more remaining), and each load will include at least 4000lbs of rainbows. Most of the plants will be triploid rainbow trout, which can reach trophy size. Each plant will include 300lbs of 9-lb fish or better, with a balance of 1.5- to 8-lb fish. Trout plant dates are as follows:

1. Wednesday, November 6, 2013 2. Thursday, December 12, 2013 3. Thursday, January 9, 2014 4. Thursday, March 20, 2014

5. Wednesday, April 2, 2014 6. Thursday, April 10, 2014

YEAR-ROUND NATURE PROGRAMS:

Full load Triploid Trout Full load Triploid Trout Full load Rainbow Trout Full load Triploid Trout Full load Triploid Trout Full load Triploid Trout

NOTICE: THIS IS A CHANGE IN WILDLIFE CRUISE SCHEDULE. March 1st begins Wildlife Cruises! Bald eagles are still around and make showings in March.

Wildlife Cruises at Cachuma Lake – Two-hour cruises are offered mornings Saturdays & Sundays 10am-12pm, and afternoons 3pm – 5pm Fridays and Saturdays. Santa Barbara County Park Naturalists lead 2-hour cruises that focus on wildlife including local and migratory birds, flora, geology, and Native American and settler history. $15/adults $7/kids (4-12 years old; please, no children under 4). Reservations: (805) 686-5050 weekdays, (805) 686-5055 weekends. $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call G:PARKS-ADMINISTRATIONPRESS RELEASES2014 Press Releases14-004 Cachuma Activity Calendar 2014.03a.doc

the naturalists’ office at (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit www.sbparks.org and click on “Nature Cruises”.

Cachuma Lake Nature Walk – Every Saturday, 10-11:30 am; meet at the Nature Center. Santa Barbara County Park Naturalists and interpretive guides lead an easy paced 1⁄2-mile walk on the Don Wimpress Nature Trail. Free with $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Large groups are encouraged to call in advance, (805) 688- 4515.

Cachuma Lake Junior Ranger Program – Every Saturday, 12:30-1:30 pm; meet at the Nature Center.

Kids earn a badge with the help of a Cachuma Park Naturalist as they learn about wildlife and care of the natural environment. $2 per child in addition to the $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit the Calendar of Events at www.sbparks.org.

NEAL TAYLOR NATURE CENTER AT CACHUMA LAKE:

Neal Taylor Nature Center – Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Sunday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Exhibits and hands-on displays for all ages feature local wildlife, birds, plant life, geology, local history, as well as a gift and book shop. Free admission with $10 per vehicle Park day use fee. For more information call (805) 693-0691, see park bulletin boards, or visit www.clnaturecenter.org.

OUTDOOR RECREATION AT CACHUMA LAKE:

Cachuma Lake Hiking – There are four miles of trails for self-guided hikes within the Park. Pick up a trail guide at the front gate. $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit www.sbparks.org. Also, within a 15 minute drive of Cachuma, you can access multiple hiking trailheads in Los Padres National Forest.

Cachuma Lake Fishing – Fishing from shore in the campground or from a boat is open all year with a valid fishing license. The lake supports healthy populations of rainbow trout, large- and smallmouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish. Monthly trout plants are already going on! The next one is Thursday, March 20. 4000 pounds will be planted, including several hundred pounds of triploid rainbow trophies. See www.sbparks.org for the trout planting schedule, the Weekly Fishing Report, and for strict boat inspection and launch requirements to control invasive plants and animals.

Cachuma Lake Marina & Boat Rentals – Open daily (March 1-10 6am-6pm and March 11-31 7am-7pm). Boat rentals, party boats, pontoon boats, kayak rentals, slip rentals, 1-day fishing licenses and a full bait and tackle are available. Call (805) 688-4040 for prices and specific times. $10 Park Admission per vehicle.

Bow Fishing for Carp – Bow fishing is permitted at Cachuma Lake. Permits are free and obtained at the lake. See Carp Bow Fishing at Cachuma Lake at www.sbparks.org for completed information and regulations.