Best Fishing Pond Santa Rosa Near Me

4worldlovers:
Come visit Howarth Park, the "jewel" of Santa Rosa. This 138-acre community park provides endless recreational opportunities with a beautiful lake for fishing and boating, a softball field, tennis courts, picnic areas, unique playground structures, miles of hiking and jogging trails, and an amusement area featuring a miniature train ride, carousel, animal farm and pony rides.


For park operational updates, please call 707-543-3425 or visit our Facebook page.

4worldlovers: Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Spring Lake Regional Park's development. Come along on guided walks, paddles and other outings and learn more about the park's history and natural resources and the improvements we're making to the park throughout the year.

Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa is one of Sonoma County's most popular parks, featuring trails, boating, camping, picnic areas, the Environmental Discovery Center and a seasonal swimming lagoon, water park and boat rentals.

Spring Lake features nearly 10 miles of trails. The Spring Lake Loop Trail is a 2.3-mile paved loop around the lake with views of forested hillsides. The multi-use trail accommodates walkers, runners and cyclists and is ADA accessible. The trail elevation is mostly flat, with a brief incline to the main dam.

Unpaved trails such as Fisherman’s Trail and the Horse Loop intertwine with the paved trail and offer less-traveled routes around the lake. Trails connect to adjacent Trione-Annadel State Park and the city of Santa Rosa's Howarth Park.

The Spring Lake swimming lagoon features a water park and recreational swimming from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Lifeguards are on duty daily during the summer. The lagoon area includes a sandy beach, the Sonoma Burger Snack Shack, lawns shaded by redwoods and multiple picnic sites.


The Water Park: The Water Park features inflatable, floating play structures on the swimming lagoon. Admission is $10 per person per session. Online reservations are highly recommended. Children must be 6 or older, at least 42 inches tall and know how to swim. Learn more about the Water Park.

Swimming: Swimming hours at the lagoon are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission is free. Life vests are available to use for free.

Water quality: Water in the swimming lagoon is chlorinated, filtered and tested to ensure quality exceeds state standards.

Water Bark dog swim: The Water Bark is a multi-weekend off-leash dog party where pets are invited to play in the lagoon after the summer swim season ends. Learn more about the Water Bark dog swim.

Located at the swimming lagoon, Sonoma Burger's Snack Shack serves burgers, hot dogs, vegan options, seasonal slushees, beer, wine and more. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Spring Lake is a 72-acre reservoir for boating (no gas engines) and paddling. All boaters and paddlers must wear a floatation device while on the lake. The lake surface is sometimes marked by azolla, an aquatic fern. Azolla growth varies due to weather conditions, and Regional Parks coordinates treatment to have the most lasting benefit for seasonal boating.

Newanga Avenue entrance: A year-round paved boat ramp for boats up to 16 feet is at the end of the Newanga Avenue entrance. Trailered boats (electric motors only), kayaks and paddleboards can launch here.

Violetti Road entrance: Kayaks and paddleboards can be rented and launched from the parking area at the end of the Violetti Road entrance from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Rentals are available: 10:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; and 10:15 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Hourly rental rates for kayaks are $14 for a single and $18 for a tandem. Hourly rental rates for stand-up paddleboards are $14. Online reservations are highly recommended.

Spring Lake has 31 campsites set amid an oak woodland above the lake. Tent, trailer, and RV campers are welcome. Three campsites feature sleeping cabins.

Reservations are required and can be made up to 12 months in advance online or by calling the reservations office at (707) 565-2267 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Picnics: Spring Lake offers numerous picnic tables with barbecue grills throughout the park as well as five group picnic areas available for reservation by calling (707) 565-2041.

Environmental Discovery Center: The Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake is a natural history center featuring hands-on displays and exhibits for children and families.

Fishing: Large-mouth bass, sunfish, and catfish can be caught year-round at Spring Lake. A California fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older.