Castaic Lake

Castaic Lake is a reservoir in Los Angeles County with two water bodies that together cover over 4,500 hectares of parkland with around 47 kilometers of shoreline. The deepest basin reaches down to about 45 meters and sits nestled between gentle hill ranges north of Los Angeles.

The dam was built in 1972 as part of the California water project and has since secured the water supply for the region. The facility stores water from distant source areas and distributes it across Southern California through a complex network.

Anglers fish for bass, catfish and occasional rainbow trout while local agencies provide catch recommendations to protect health. Walkers use the shoreline trails for outings with views over the open water and surrounding hills.

The park opens daily at sunrise and closes at sunset except on December 25. Boaters should note the separation between motorized and quiet water zones that allow different activities in each area.

The area divides into two separate lakes with their own use rules: the upper one allows motorized boats and water sports while the lower one permits only kayaks and canoes. This division ensures that quieter and louder activities do not collide with each other.