Anderson Lake

Description: Anderson Reservoir is the largest man-made lake in Santa Clara County, Northern California. The reservoir can store 90,373 acre-feet of water. Its surface area is 1,271 acres. This lake while modest in size compared to most well known lakes offers plenty of fishing opportunities from shore, but the prime fishing points and coves are best accessed by boat.

Anderson is a popular lake among both anglers and waterskiers so the lake can be somewhat busy during the warmer months. Luckily for anglers there are protected slow zones on both sides of the lake, as well as in the largest coves. There is a 35 mph speed limit on the main lake as well.

Anderson has the potential to be a big bass lake, but fluctuating water levels always seem to hurt the spawn. There is also currently no stocking program in Anderson, unlike some of the other regional lakes. The lake is well known for holding large numbers of small bass (12 inches and under), crappie, catfish, and carp. While not the best lake to go for lunker bass, Anderson offers anglers plenty of fishable water on both ends of the lake, making it a great place to practice techniques.

TT Tip: While Anderson doesn't hold many large bass, anglers can be rewarded with huge numbers of fish in the spring and summer. There is also the outside chance to catch a 4+ lb fish if you are lucky. The south portion the lake near the bridge is popular among both shore anglers and boaters that spend time working the edges and rock wall. In the north end of the lake the coves also hold fish, and working plastics down the structure lined outcroppings can yield fish throughout the year. In the Summertime Crappie fishing with tube jigs can be downright unstoppable.

History: Anderson dam and reservoir was named for Leroy Anderson, the key founder and first president of the Santa Clara Valley Water Conservation District. It was built in 1950, on a 500-acre dairy and cattle ranch along Coyote Creek purchased from the estate of John Cochran and his wife, Aphelia Farmington.