Lake Clementine
- Status
- Power boating closed Oct 15-Apr 14
- Mussel rule
- Quarantine or decontamination seal
- Launch fee
- $10 motorized; $10 day use
- Speed limit
- 40 mph; 5 mph in buoyed areas
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
- Camping
- Restrooms
About this lake
Status: Lake Clementine closes to power boating every winter, October 15 to April 14. Hand-launched paddle craft can still launch.
Lake Clementine is a lake behind the North Fork Dam on the American River, in the Auburn State Recreation Area just outside Auburn.
Golden mussel rules
Since April 14, 2025, every trailered or motorized boat must show an intact quarantine seal (30 days) or decontamination seal, verified by staff, before launching. No one may launch a motorized boat or trailer from the shoreline. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowboats and hand-launched craft with electric trolling motors are exempt but must be clean, drained and dry.
Lower Lake Clementine (boat launch)
The motorized launch fee is $10 and day use is $10. Only 25 boat trailers are allowed, up to 50 feet with the vehicle. Boats and skiers travel counterclockwise; the maximum speed is 40 mph and 5 mph inside buoyed areas, with no wake at the ramp, marina and camps. No wake surfing, parasailing or beach starts. Fifteen boat-in campsites ($38 a night) open May 15 to September 15 by reservation on ReserveCalifornia. No dogs are allowed on the lake or in the campground.
Upper Lake Clementine (day use)
Upper Lake Clementine is day use only, with no motorized boats. It's open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., holds 150 cars ($10), and needs a parking reservation on summer weekends. It closes for winter October 15 to April 14.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Upper Lake Clementine: from I-80 take Foresthill Road 5.5 miles, then Upper Lake Clementine Road 2 miles of dirt (high clearance recommended). The lower boat launch is on Lake Clementine Road.
Golden mussels
Get a quarantine or decontamination seal before you come; staff check it at the launch. Hand-launched paddle craft are exempt but must arrive clean, drained and dry.
- Boat-in camping
- 15 sites, $38/night, May 15-Sept 15
- Dogs
- Not allowed at Lake Clementine
- Auburn SRA
- (530) 885-4527
What's here
Launch
Lower Lake Clementine boat launch, 25 trailers max
Kayaking
Hand-launched paddle craft allowed year-round
Fishing
Brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, carp, catfish
Camping
15 boat-in campsites (ReserveCalifornia)
Restrooms
Chemical toilets at the boat-in camp
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- Trailered and motorized boats need an intact quarantine or decontamination seal verified by staff; no launching motorized boats or trailers from the shorelineparks.ca.gov ↗
- Power boating closed October 15 to April 14; counterclockwise traffic; 40 mph max, 5 mph in buoyed areas; no dogs; no wake surfing or parasailingparks.ca.gov ↗
- Hand-launched non-motorized craft and hand-launched electric trolling motors are exempt from the seal program but must be clean, drained and dryparks.ca.gov ↗
Reviews
N/A
0 reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what to expect.