Spring Lake Regional Park

Photo
Credit Lori Parmalee.
Spring Lake Kayak, Canoe, SUP & Kayak Fishing Information
Spring Lake is a tranquil
paddling getaway. On a hot
summer’s day, there is often barely a
ripple on the water. While
you’re paddling along
picturesque coves and sandy
inlets, Spring Lake will take
you to the heart of nature, despite its close proximity to
the city. You can paddle along
the shore, while keeping a
lookout for the diverse wildlife
in the area, including river
otter, deer, bobcats,
turtles,
beaver and many
bird species that call Spring
Lake home.
Spring Lake is a small 72
surface acre lake perfect for
novice kayakers. It lies within
Spring Lake Regional Park, a
320-acre public park, in
southeastern Santa Rosa. It is
one of Sonoma County's
most-visited parks. Spring Lake
is a flood control reservoir
open to paddling, sailing and
fishing. The park also has a
spring-fed swimming lagoon,
campground, and environmental
education center open to the
public Wednesdays-Sundays.
Spring Lake is a paddler’s
paradise with easy access, great
weather, and many sights to see
which provides relaxing paddling
opportunities perfect for
beginners and those wanting to
float around and fish. If you
are looking to spend the day on the
water with friends and family
Spring Lake is the perfect
choice..
The lake allows beach
launching of kayaks, canoes and
SUP boards.
Launching sites are available at
the south entrance at 5585
Newanga Avenue, where the
campground is located. You can
access the Environmental
Discovery Center/swimming
lagoon/Lakeside Grill/boat
rentals at the north entrance,
at 393 Violetti Road.
Fishing is a
popular activity at Spring Lake.
Large-mouth bass, sunfish and
catfish can be caught here
year-round. Spring Lake is
planted with small trout. The
rumor has it, Spring Lake
produces trophy-size monster
bass. Bass at an estimated 16 to
19 pounds have been caught at
Spring Lake by a park ranger
which was documented. A fish
was caught and reported by Paul Duclos,
weighing it at 24 pounds, then
released but it wasn’t
officially documented. Since
then Spring Lake has been
inundated by fishermen,
especially on weekends. A
California fishing license is
required for fishermen 16 and
older.
Open: Spring Lake Regional Park
is open daily open 7:00 a.m. to
sunset. The campground is open
daily May through September.
October through April the
campground is only open on
weekends and holidays.
The lake is open year-round for
boating, kayaking, paddle
boarding, and windsurfing.
Electric motors are allowed, but
gas motors are not. Life jackets
must be worn at all times while
on the water. The boat ramp,
located at the Newanga Avenue
entrance, can accommodate craft
up to 16 feet long.
Fees: There is a fee to park,
for day use and to camp.
Lake Facilities: The lake’s
amenities include sandy beaches,
as well as a 3-acre lagoon for
summer swimming, trails for
walking, hiking, bicycling and
horseback riding and a 72-acre
lake for sailing, SUP boarding,
canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
Dogs are allowed on leashes no
longer than 6 feet. License
required. Dogs are not allowed
on the swimming lagoon beach.
The 320-acre park also features
a 31-site campground, picnic
areas with barbecues, a par
course, and the Environmental
Discovery Center. The Lakeside
Grill, a seasonal cafe at the
swimming lagoon, features a
cook-to-order menu, bistro
seating on the beach, wine and
beer service, and kayak and
paddleboat rentals.
Spring Lake has 200 picnic
tables with barbecues throughout
the park and five group picnic
areas available for reservation
at Ph:707 565-2041.
The swimming lagoon features a
sandy beach, lawn, picnic tables
and barbecues, and is s
taffed by
lifeguards. Inner tubes can be
rented at the adjacent Lakeside
Grill. Water quality of the
spring-fed lagoon is regularly
monitored by Sonoma County
Health Services. The lagoon can
be reached via the Violetti Road
entrance. Admission is free, but
there is a fee for parking.
Restrooms and drinking fountains
are provided near the swimming
lagoon.