Fall Trout Fishing Crystal Lake | Angeles National Forest

In this video, I take a trip to the Angeles National Forest to chase some Fall Rainbow Trout at Crystal Lake. This is the first time I have been to this lake since April 2020. In addition, this is my first time float tubing this lake. Crystal Lake was recently stocked (at the time of the video), so I wanted to give it a shot in hopes of getting my first limit at this lake. The lake had decent water visibility which made for a perfect situation to throw natural color mini jigs, but did have a lot of weeds along the bank and some algae on the surface. I started with the #42 1/32 oz. Mini Jig in the morning and had great success, After a while, the trout appeared to get used to my mini jig as I did not get a solid bite for about an hour. Therefore, I switched colors to the #31 1/32 oz. Mini Jig and was able to hook the trout again. Lastly, I decided to see if I could land any trout from shore after float tubing all day. In order to reach the fish I decided to throw a 7/8” rattle bobber with a 5’ leader to my 1/32 oz. Mini Jig and was able to pick a few fish off. Overall, it was a fun day and I look forward going to back again. Thanks for watching and stay tune for more videos to be released soon.
Gear used in this video:
Rod: 9’ UL Custom Spinning Rod
Reel: Shimano 23 Vanquish C2000S
Line: 4 lb Berkley Low-vis Green Nanofil
Leader: 4 lb Daiwa J-Fluoro
Bait: SaTan Baits #42 (Morning) & #31 (Afternoon) 1/32 oz. Mini Jig
Bobber: 7/8” Mr. Crappie Rattle Pear Bobber
Float Tube: Creek Company ODC 420 ULT

[@TrailToughTrailers]

At the end of 8th grade I ran away from home and stay at Crystal Lake for two + months camping and hiding out from the Rangers (for not paying camp fees). LIVE at the amphitheater starring "SMOKEYYYYYYYY the Bear" July 4th weekend 1970!!!! It was amazing time to an 8th grader. I had two friends who were older and 1 of which drove, so they would hang out on weekends bringing up food. When we all were together we stayed in an Oasis tent by Coleman in the campground. The rest of the time I would just sleep under the stars hiding. I'll never forget that model tent, as it was made with a "NEW" material and was 8 x 10 and boy it was the best (at the time). Fishing was okay most of the time, hot during the afternoons unless it rained. I saw a couple of black bears and a cougar... the cougar scared the crap out of the three of us. As I recall, higher up the mountain was a Boy Scout camp called Deer Flats... at least that how I remember it and it was there where I had establish my base camp and we saw the cougar!!! YIKES!!! Because it was an "Organized Camp," unless a group was there, the place was empty and AWESOME. The road going up was gated closed unless the place was being used. The Rangers only went up to help the organized groups. Wow... Life was simpler, your mind wasn't bombarded with nonsense and BS.... your imagination was your biggest toy box, and each day seemed Tom Sawyer lazy. Oh to be a kid again BACK THEN!!!

[@michaels2569]

That's so great to see the lake full again. I remember seeing videos that showed that the lake was dying and nearly dried up.

[@SaTanBaits]

Indeed, hopefully El Niño this year will maintain the water level. The lake is great to fish again with the CDFW stocking the lake again.

[@augustwest8559]

I’ve fished crystal lake in the late 70s. The shore line was shoulder to shoulder with fishermen. 5 lb trouts were common. If you showed up early enough you could read a boat. I think shire fishing was better. The camp grounds were super nice too. The lake had large mouth bass and catfish.

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Seems like every time I drove up there, it was just a mud hole. Pretty little pond when it has water in it.

[@SaTanBaits]

Yep, it’s nice scenery close to home. I’m glad the rain helped out and allowed the Department of Fish and Wildlife to stock the lake this year.

[@gladegoodrich2297]

I spent 25 years in W. Covina before I escaped to So. Utah 34 years ago.

[@jamesreck8476]

I was not aware that they allowed float tubes, good to know.

[@SaTanBaits]

Yep, many people float tubed it that weekend. You just have to carry it from the parking lot to the lake and back.

[@ebruddah]

I thought you weren't supposed to make contact with that water. You heard that back in the day it flooded the bathrooms when the water level got too high and it's been that way ever since.

[@SaTanBaits]

Per US Forest Service Website, you are not allowed to swim in the lake. No restrictions on launching boats, float tubes, or kayaks at this time.

[@KimchiJerry]

What’s the action on that rod? It bends way too much so I’m assuming it must be slow action ? You should try Okuma Guide Select Pro UL 7’6” rods because they have moderate/moderate fast action so the bend isn’t so significant and it whips quick enough so your mini jigs cast farther and not straight down. But that nanofil line is top tier 👌 love it 👏

[@SaTanBaits]

This rod is a 9’ 4 weight fly rod converted into a spinning rod. Action is moderate fast.

[@KimchiJerry]

@@SaTanBaits oh that’s why ! Seems like a lot of people are doing that now but I wouldn’t mess with a fly rod unless it’s a cheap one. But it seems more flimsy than a moderate fast 🤔 idk.

[@yepyep340]

@@KimchiJerry FYI it's a slow action rod. Like a old Kencor PAC 73 Japanese S glass . I have been fishing mini jigs since the 80's. IMO a 5' Kencor is 1-6 Lb is best for float tube fishing. You can achieve the same jig action by extending your index finger while reeling; letting the line bump your finger as the bail turns if your rod tip is not as parabolic. Nothing will cast as far as a slow fly rod blank or kencor style rod. But if you are tubing distance should not matter.

[@DarkBullCapital]

where do the fish come from? Is it a dead lake, meaning no live up stream source?

[@SaTanBaits]

Trout are stocked from Department of Fish and Wildlife (typically Spring-Fall). There is bass and green sunfish in the lake as well. Lake is mainly dependent on rain and snow for its water level. It may get some water from a spring as well. No inlets or outlets.

[@LedGuitar1218]

Look out for Jason Voorhees!😮

[@troutbandit9097]

You killed on the Satan jigs

[@vertstang123]

Are they still stocking it? I haven't seen a mention on the schedule from DFW in a couple months.

[@SaTanBaits]

No recent stocks that I’m aware of. Most likely they will not stock till Spring and maybe February at the earliest. There should be plenty of holdovers in the lake though.

[@Mr.REEP0]

Any crappie or bass in there?

[@SaTanBaits]

I’ve seen largemouth bass and green sunfish in there before.

[@jamesreck8476]

Do they have an aerator installed?

[@SaTanBaits]

Yes there are three aerators at the lake that were on that day.

[@WendellFrohweinSR]

DO you need an adventure pass to fish there?

[@SaTanBaits]

Yes, you can get a daily pass for $5 or 12 month pass for $35 which will allow you to buy a second vehicle 12 month pass for an additional $5.

[@WendellFrohweinSR]

@@SaTanBaits at7-11 or turners?

[@SaTanBaits]

⁠@@WendellFrohweinSRthey are currently available at Young’s Tackle (Bellflower, CA), Performance Tackle (Los Alamitos, CA), and Longfin Tackle (Orange, CA).

[@indexoptionstrading]

it would have been much nicer and courteous if you shared the location an how to get there. Whats the point of making this video if you don t want to share basic information. We sure can find it without your help and will not be thankful

[@SleepysoldierOG]

Google maps 🤡

[@maxagius8165]

It’s called crystal lake u bozo

[@dvsmike]

Start at the 210 fwy, exit Azusa ave, go north until you see crystal lake sign.

[@evgrin1507]

What a dump. They should stock catfish in it

[@oniiggechan3733]

Because they don’t include trash fish?