Sonoma and Healdsburg Crews are partnering with Cal Fire; Install bridge decks at Odd Fellows' summer crossing. The Lake Sonoma Marina offers a boat ramp, full-service marina, boat slips, rentals and a store. Monetary and in-kind donations to the Friends of Lake Sonoma are considered to be tax deductible, unless limited by law. Tours and Classes are available any day from the Lake Sonoma Resort Area for private groups. Recent Posts. Follow Blog via Email. With its outstanding kayaking, hiking and fishing opportunities, Lake Sonoma is truly a superb getaway. Each year, the Friends of Lake Sonoma sponsors the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival, held the first Saturday following the Super Bowl in early February. Fishing is phenomenal at Lake Sonoma. The Friends of Lake Sonoma relies on strong partnerships with key govenmental agencies and businesses, including: United States Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Back Country Horsemen of California -- North Bay Chapter, Copyright © 2020. Well over a … Visitor Center Milt Brandt Visitor Center (707) 433-9483 Directions & Lake History/Factoid Directions: From Healdsburg, 10 miles northwest on Dry Creek Road. Many old homesites -- and the historic Skaggs Springs Resort -- sit at the bottom of Lake Sonoma, now providing safe harbor for fish. It also plays a pivotal role in the reproduction of threatened and endangered species of trout and salmon. 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). Primary recreational opportunities are listed below. Join 473 other followers Email Address: Follow . There will be other uses occurring at Lake Sonoma during the hunt, so please be ~ Turn LEFT toward South Cloverdale Blvd. The Milt Brandt Visitor Center parking lot is open for boat inspections, but the Visitor Center is still closed, as are Yorty Creek, recreation areas (outdoor gym, disc golf course, dog run) the Overlook and Liberty Glen Campground. (We closed our Inverness Site this winter), Explore Lake Sonoma for the day or stay longer to enjoy one of the many boat-in camping sites, Located in the beautiful wine country in Sonoma County the warm weather, dog friendly attitude, and extensive trail system at Lake Sonoma gives the outdoor enthusiast a wide array of options. Catfish are found in shallow inlets and coves. By Fishnbro Water Temp: 52-58 Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility) Report: Went out on Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th. 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. 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. 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. 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. ~Blue Waters Kayaking is NOW OPEN for Rentals, Tours, & Classes. Visitor Center and Fish Hatchery The Visitor Center and Fish Hatchery are located at the park entrance and are open to Whatever you’re after, Lake Sonoma delivers. It is operated in cooperation with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Hunting at Lake Sonoma is strictly controlled. Directors Emeritus:  Gordon Amrein, Linda Clapp, Paul Finn, Dave Harmeson, Tony Pettis, Phil Pinto, Arnold Santucci, Ken Screechfield, Richard Thomas. Sonoma and Healdsburg Crews are partnering with Cal Fire; Install bridge decks at Odd Fellows' summer crossing. 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. floods, stores water for irrigation and municipalities, and creates a lake for recreation. Maintained By Kreck Design. ~ Turn RIGHT on South Cloverdale Blvd. When full, the surface of Lake Sonoma is more than 2,700 acres. ". Monday ended up with 20 fish. Kayakers will enjoy exploring the lake’s scenic shoreline and coves, surrounded by 8,000 acres of oak woodland. 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. Permits are required for boat-in camping and can be acquired at www.recreation.gov. Lake Sonoma has more than 50 miles of coastline and 40 miles of trails. 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. See the Lake Sonoma website for additional information. We operate on a fiscal year from January 1 to December 31. Lake Sonoma to reopen some trailheads, parking lots ahead of Memorial Day weekend. 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. 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. 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. It’s all here at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area. Lake Sonoma offers 40 miles of pristine trails with panoramic views for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Lake Sonoma is a summer hot spot for boaters of all types. The bigger largemouth were in 6-10 feet of water. The Friends of Lake Sonoma (FOLS) is a non-profit support group that assists the Corps with its educational and visitor services programs. 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. Yorty Creek Recreation Area is located within the Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area. Created by the construction of Warm Springs Dam in 1983, the lake provides for flood control, irrigation and recreation. 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 & the Marina are OPEN for Labor Day! 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. ~Our NEW HEADQUARTERS is in Point Reyes Station, next to the gas station. 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. 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. 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. Boats are recommended to access areas west of Cherry Creek (2/3 of the hunt area). Yorty Creek launch at Lake Sonoma–water like glass! 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. Lake Sonoma and the private marina (including our private campground and boat rentals) are open and available for booking online.. Boats can be launched at two public sites -- one near the dam and another at the Yorty Creek Recreation Area near Cloverdale. Lake Sonoma, which was closed under County of Sonoma order due to Covid-19 restrictions, is gradually reopening. Lake Sonoma is the perfect destination for every kind of camping enthusiast no matter what time of the year. Many anglers do well fishing from the … Lake Sonoma extends 9 miles on Dry Creek and 4 miles on Warm Springs Creek. Lake Sonoma has one traditional, drive-in campground (Liberty Glen Campground) along with a large number of primitive campgrounds intended as boat-in, hike-in, or equestrian sites. The approximately 8,000-acre Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1986. The Lake Sonoma Marina offers a boat ramp, full-service marina, boat slips, rentals and a store. It also offers extensive opportunities for recreation, including hiking, swimming, horseback riding, archery, fishing, hunting, boating, and camping. 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. The festival coincides with the return of Steelhead Trout to the hatchery, where they spawn a new generation of fish. The park boasts an archery range and a disc golf course, plus a fenced-in dog park. Since it was windy, the shorelines in and near the main lake had muddy water late in the day. Night fishing seems to produce the best results. Lake Sonoma Recreational Area is located in western Sonoma County, near the communities of Healdsburg, Cloverdale and Geyserville in Northern California. 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. Campsite options from Yorty Creek Lake Sonoma to reopen some trailheads, parking lots ahead of Memorial Day weekend. (up to 150 people). MARY CALLAHAN. YORTY CREEK - Will be closed Monday through Thursday next week while Sonoma County chip seals Hot Springs Road! 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. 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. We have single and double kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and inner tubes right next to the boat launch at Yorty Creek. At times it can get pretty windy, so bring something to hold down … ... the Yorty Creek Overlook, boat launch and beach, the Liberty Glen Campground and all boat-in campsites. Facilities include chemical toilets, free sheltered picnic areas, a car-top boat launch (no trailers allowed), and a swim beach. 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. 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. Only car-top boats are allowed to launch from the Yorty Creek access. Great spot for bbq, picnics, and hanging out with family and friends. Nailed a bunch on the Mr B bladed jig/ football head jigs and some crankbaits. Please read our commenting policy No profanity, abuse, racism, hate speech or … Drive-in campsites are available for RVs and tent campers, and there are also primitive boat-in or hike-in campsites. Please note: Due to extremely low water levels, our private launch ramp is not in a usable state. 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. 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. ***Please note that campsites in Warm Springs Arm are too far of a paddle from our Yorty Creek location.***. Lake Sonoma Yorty Creek launch - Lake Sonoma - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! 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 self registered for a campsite at park headquarters at the southern end of the lake then drove up to Yorty Creek … The lake was created with the completion of the Warm Springs Dam in 1983. 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. 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. Up this crazy winding road, is a little hidden gem in sonoma county. We have single and double kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and inner tubes right next to the boat launch at Yorty Creek. The man was reached around 10:50 a.m. near the Yorty Creek campground area on the northeast side of the lake. 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. Lake Sonoma lies nestled in the beautiful coastal foothills of Sonoma C ounty, a forty-five minute drive north of Santa Rosa. * 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) Larger boats can be launched at the main ramp near the Rockpile Road bridge and driven around. Hunting at Lake Sonoma is strictly controlled. All rights reserved. Yorty Creek Recreation Area on Lake Sonoma YORTY CREEK RECREATION AREA is 4 miles from the town of Cloverdale at the end of Hot Springs Road. The large ramp on the other side of the bridge is open for launching. The Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery is California's most modern. 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. 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. Our tax identification number is 94-2260679. As the largest freshwater recreational area in Sonoma County, Lake Sonoma contributes more than $12 million annually to the local economy. The area now covered by Lake Sonoma was once mined for quicksilver (mercury), hence the name "Quicksilver Trail. First time float tube fishing up at Yorty Creek with the OG fishing homie. 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. THE PRESS DEMOCRAT. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Directors: Dora Azevedo, Nikki Baxes, Harry Bosworth, Jayson Collard, Donna Meier, Marshall Turbeville, Kasey Wade, Jim Wilmes and Burrell Wyle. 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. The protected waters make for the perfect swimming hole to enjoy with family or any size group. 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