The large ramp on the other side of the bridge is open for launching. At times it can get pretty windy, so bring something to hold down … Since it was windy, the shorelines in and near the main lake had muddy water late in the day. Drive-in campsites are available for RVs and tent campers, and there are also primitive boat-in or hike-in campsites. The area now covered by Lake Sonoma was once mined for quicksilver (mercury), hence the name "Quicksilver Trail. Facilities include chemical toilets, free sheltered picnic areas, a car-top boat launch (no trailers allowed), and a swim beach. Please read our commenting policy No profanity, abuse, racism, hate speech or … ". ~Our NEW HEADQUARTERS is in Point Reyes Station, next to the gas station. Monday ended up with 20 fish. The Friends of Lake Sonoma (FOLS) is a non-profit support group that assists the Corps with its educational and visitor services programs. First time float tube fishing up at Yorty Creek with the OG fishing homie. Lake Sonoma is a summer hot spot for boaters of all types. It is operated in cooperation with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Fishing is phenomenal at Lake Sonoma. Submerged trees left after the filling of Lake Sonoma provide an excellent underwater habitat for a wide variety of game fish, including bass, perch, channel catfish, sunfish and bluegill. Hunting at Lake Sonoma is strictly controlled. From 101 in Cloverdale: ~ Take the exit for South Cloverdale Blvd. Lake Sonoma & the Marina are OPEN for Labor Day! * Summit Lake to Cinder Cone/Butte lake * Bumpass Hell to King's Creek * Mill Creek Falls * Sonoma Ridge Trail @ Jack London State Park * Yorty Creek Cocktails June (5) May (13) April (7) March (9) February (4) January (11) 2012 (96) December (10) Many old homesites -- and the historic Skaggs Springs Resort -- sit at the bottom of Lake Sonoma, now providing safe harbor for fish. Lake Sonoma to reopen some trailheads, parking lots ahead of Memorial Day weekend. We have single and double kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and inner tubes right next to the boat launch at Yorty Creek. It is home to the Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery and the Milt Brandt Visitors Center, which currently is open to the public only through the efforts of the Friends of Lake Sonoma. Tours and Classes are available any day from the Lake Sonoma Resort Area for private groups. A section of the road slipped away and a giant oak fell across it during last week’s series of storms that impacted the area for five straight days. ... the Yorty Creek Overlook, boat launch and beach, the Liberty Glen Campground and all boat-in campsites. ~ Turn RIGHT on South Cloverdale Blvd. It also offers extensive opportunities for recreation, including hiking, swimming, horseback riding, archery, fishing, hunting, boating, and camping. There are two main picnic areas -- the Warm Springs Recreation Area, located at the base of the dam across from the Milt Brandt Visitors Center, and the Yorty Creek Recreation Area. A nice family area for picnicking, swimming, bank fishing, and picnics, Yorty Creek is located far up the Dry Creek arm and can be accessed by boat only. Lake Sonoma, which was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1983 during the construction of Warm Springs Dam, provides for flood control and irrigation. THE PRESS DEMOCRAT. It’s all here at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area. More than 4,000 school children visit the fish hatchery each year to learn about conservation, the environment and efforts to save threatened and endangered species of trout and salmon. Largemouth bass are usually found up the forks of the lake along the Dry Creek Arm, Cherry Creek, Warm Springs, and Yorty Creek. Bridge Crew Later in the week, we will begin repairs on Hot Springs Road, to reopen the road to the Yorty Creek Recreation Area at Lake Sonoma. Whatever you’re after, Lake Sonoma delivers. Lake Sonoma Recreational Area is located in western Sonoma County, near the communities of Healdsburg, Cloverdale and Geyserville in Northern California. Lake Sonoma Yorty Creek launch - Lake Sonoma - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! Nailed a bunch on the Mr B bladed jig/ football head jigs and some crankbaits. The approximately 8,000-acre Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1986. It is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and, through management of the Sonoma County Water Agency, is the main source of water for more than 600,000 residents and businesses in the North Bay. Lake Sonoma offers 40 miles of pristine trails with panoramic views for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Lake Sonoma has more than 50 miles of coastline and 40 miles of trails. Depending on the deer population, FOLS also offers guided deer hunts during deer hunting season in the fall, with specific limitations on the number of bucks that can be taken during a season. Great spot for bbq, picnics, and hanging out with family and friends. finally had a few hours to get out and fish and enjoy some spectacular wx after a week of chores and honey-do's, so headed up to yorty creek to hit some of my favorite spring spots only to find that my favorite structure was about 10ft above the water line , knew the lake was down this year but havent been to yorty to really see how far, but still was able to boat a limit of 14-15in LMB. Campsite options from Yorty Creek Our tax identification number is 94-2260679. There are roughly 100 designated boat-in campsites that all include vault toilets, a lantern holder that can double as a food hanging hook, and even your own picnic table with a view. ***Please note that campsites in Warm Springs Arm are too far of a paddle from our Yorty Creek location.***. Kayaks, Canoes, and SUPs @ Yorty Creek Recreation Area, Lake Sonoma is the perfect destination for every kind of camping enthusiast no matter what time of the year. The Yorty Creek Recreation Area launch site on Lake Sonoma provides a slightly quieter feeling then other areas of the lake because it is located in an area that has large no wake areas. There will be other uses occurring at Lake Sonoma during the hunt, so please be The festival coincides with the return of Steelhead Trout to the hatchery, where they spawn a new generation of fish. Up this crazy winding road, is a little hidden gem in sonoma county. Nestled in the beautiful coastal foothills of Sonoma County, California, Lake Sonoma is surrounded by world famous vineyards and land that is rich in history. ~ Turn LEFT toward South Cloverdale Blvd. It also plays a pivotal role in the reproduction of threatened and endangered species of trout and salmon. YORTY CREEK - Will be closed Monday through Thursday next week while Sonoma County chip seals Hot Springs Road! Boats are recommended to access areas west of Cherry Creek (2/3 of the hunt area). Larger boats can be launched at the main ramp near the Rockpile Road bridge and driven around. Prior to the building of Warm Springs Dam and the formation of Lake Sonoma, the area was inhabited by generations of Dry Creek and Cloverdale Pomo Indians, plus Anglo and Mexican farmers and ranchers. The bigger largemouth were in 6-10 feet of water. The man was reached around 10:50 a.m. near the Yorty Creek campground area on the northeast side of the lake. Sonoma and Healdsburg Crews are partnering with Cal Fire; Install bridge decks at Odd Fellows' summer crossing. ~Blue Waters Kayaking is NOW OPEN for Rentals, Tours, & Classes. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Permits are required for boat-in camping and can be acquired at, Falcon’s Nest (36 Hour Rentals Suggested due to headwinds on return paddle), Broken Bridge Group Camp (36 Hour Rentals suggested due to headwinds on return paddle). Yorty Creek Recreation Area is located within the Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area. Yorty Creek launch at Lake Sonoma–water like glass! Lake Sonoma is the perfect destination for every kind of camping enthusiast no matter what time of the year. Lake Sonoma extends 9 miles on Dry Creek and 4 miles on Warm Springs Creek. See the Lake Sonoma website for additional information. Due to declining federal budgets, the role of FOLS is rapidly increasing as the demand for volunteers to take up some of the slack continues to grow. The Friends of Lake Sonoma is recognized as a non-profit cooperative association under section 501 (c) 3 of the United State Internal Revenue Service tax code. We operate on a fiscal year from January 1 to December 31. Primary recreational opportunities are listed below. We self registered for a campsite at park headquarters at the southern end of the lake then drove up to Yorty Creek … Sonoma and Healdsburg Crews are partnering with Cal Fire; Install bridge decks at Odd Fellows' summer crossing. Directors Emeritus:  Gordon Amrein, Linda Clapp, Paul Finn, Dave Harmeson, Tony Pettis, Phil Pinto, Arnold Santucci, Ken Screechfield, Richard Thomas. Hunting at Lake Sonoma is strictly controlled. As the largest freshwater recreational area in Sonoma County, Lake Sonoma contributes more than $12 million annually to the local economy. There are beautiful campsites around the edge of the lake, lots of shoreline to explore, and plenty of fishing — the lake contains one of California’s only landlocked steelhead populations. Each year, the Friends of Lake Sonoma sponsors the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival, held the first Saturday following the Super Bowl in early February. If you’re thinking about taking a day trip to Lake Sonoma via the Yorty Creek access on Hot Springs Road out of Cloverdale, you may want to delay your excursion. We have single and double kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and inner tubes right next to the boat launch at Yorty Creek. Follow Blog via Email. Lake Sonoma and the private marina (including our private campground and boat rentals) are open and available for booking online.. Visitor Center and Fish Hatchery The Visitor Center and Fish Hatchery are located at the park entrance and are open to The Lake Sonoma Marina offers a boat ramp, full-service marina, boat slips, rentals and a store. (up to 150 people). Overview Nestled at the end of California's prestigious wine country, Dry Creek, Lake Sonoma is one of the prime recreational areas in Northern California. The protected waters make for the perfect swimming hole to enjoy with family or any size group. All rights reserved. The lake was created with the completion of the Warm Springs Dam in 1983. Maintained By Kreck Design. floods, stores water for irrigation and municipalities, and creates a lake for recreation. 42.8 °F Now Feels Like 38.5 °F Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Sonoma County Airport (23.4 miles) Relative Humidity 87% Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Sonoma County Airport (23.4 miles); Rain Today 0in (0in Last Hour) Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Sonoma County Airport (23.4 miles) Wind W 3.4mph Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Sonoma County Airport (23.4 miles) Bridge Crew Later in the week, we will begin repairs on Hot Springs Road, to reopen the road to the Yorty Creek Recreation Area at Lake Sonoma. To help control the burgeoning population of feral pigs, the Friends of Lake Sonoma offers archery and crossbow pig hunting to licensed hunters for a fee from late November through late March. Permits are required for boat-in camping and can be acquired at www.recreation.gov. MARY CALLAHAN. Backpacker types will appreciate the little bit of extra weight that kayak camping provides, while other folks may want to utilize the extra space that our canoes provide. There are roughly 100 designated boat-in campsites that all include vault toilets, a lantern holder that can double as a food hanging hook, and even your own picnic table with a view. Created by the construction of Warm Springs Dam in 1983, the lake provides for flood control, irrigation and recreation. Some sites located away from the shoreline are designated for hike-in or equestrian sites, but the majority are open to all modes of access. Recent Posts. Sonoma County Regional Parks purchases 500 acres near Monte Rio Published on November 9, 2020 Sonoma County Regional Parks has acquired more than 500 acres in Monte Rio through a collaborative effort to preserve critical coastal range forest and create a diverse trail system in what will be the first regional park for this part of the county. Only car-top boats are allowed to launch from the Yorty Creek access. The Lake Sonoma Marina offers a boat ramp, full-service marina, boat slips, rentals and a store. The Yorty Creek Recreation Area launch site on Lake Sonoma provides a slightly quieter feeling then other areas of the lake because it is located in an area that has large no wake areas. Directors: Dora Azevedo, Nikki Baxes, Harry Bosworth, Jayson Collard, Donna Meier, Marshall Turbeville, Kasey Wade, Jim Wilmes and Burrell Wyle. Catfish are found in shallow inlets and coves. The park boasts an archery range and a disc golf course, plus a fenced-in dog park. Kayakers will enjoy exploring the lake’s scenic shoreline and coves, surrounded by 8,000 acres of oak woodland. There are two main picnic areas -- the Warm Springs Recreation Area, located at the base of the dam across from the Milt Brandt Visitors Center, and the Yorty Creek Recreation Area. Monetary and in-kind donations to the Friends of Lake Sonoma are considered to be tax deductible, unless limited by law. By Fishnbro Water Temp: 52-58 Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility) Report: Went out on Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th. Many anglers do well fishing from the … Nestled in the beautiful coastal foothills of Sonoma County, California, Lake Sonoma is surrounded by world famous vineyards and land that is rich in history. Since I was paddling and drifting back to Yorty Creek (fortunately the wind was blowing in a favorable direction), I casted the crankbait and caught quite a few smallmouth. When full, the surface of Lake Sonoma is more than 2,700 acres. The Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery is California's most modern. Lake Sonoma lies nestled in the beautiful coastal foothills of Sonoma C ounty, a forty-five minute drive north of Santa Rosa. Well over a … With its outstanding kayaking, hiking and fishing opportunities, Lake Sonoma is truly a superb getaway. A nice family area for picnicking, swimming, bank fishing, and picnics, Yorty Creek is located far up the Dry Creek arm and can be accessed by car from the city of Cloverdale. Lake Sonoma, which was closed under County of Sonoma order due to Covid-19 restrictions, is gradually reopening. Filled in 1983 by the Army Corps of Engineers after the construction of Warm Springs Dam, Lake Sonoma extends 9 miles up the Dry Creek Valley and 4 miles up the Warm Springs drainage, creating the Dry Creek and Warm Creek arms of the lake. When full, Lake Sonoma has more than 2,700 acres of surface water, making it a boater's paradise  Several areas of the lake are designated for water skiing and some areas are no wake. Boats can be launched at two public sites -- one near the dam and another at the Yorty Creek Recreation Area near Cloverdale. 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