Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

Cachuma Lake is a Santa Barbara County reservoir on Highway 154, about 12 miles east of Solvang and 22 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. County Parks runs the recreation area, which has a marina, rentals, bait shop and slips. It's a drinking-water reservoir with a 42-mile shoreline and a reputation for bass, trout, crappie and catfish.

Layout

The boat launch facility is at 1 Lakeview Drive, and the marina and rental dock sit next to it. Park day use is open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset, and the bait shop and rentals run 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the last boat rental at 4 p.m. All boats must return before closing.

Inspection and quarantine

Cachuma has a strict mussel program. Trailered vessels need a 30-day quarantine before first launch. Boats must be clean, drained and dry, with drain plugs removed on arrival and kept out at all times, even for tagged vessels. After inspection, boats get a color-coded launch tag on the vessel and trailer. The lake doesn't recognize tags from other agencies. Kayaks, canoes and simple boats may qualify for a same-day launch after inspection and a pressure wash or engine flush.

Other rules

Swimming is prohibited. Only commercially purchased worms and night crawlers are allowed as live bait. Boats also need current California registration and a Mussel Fee Paid sticker.