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Lake Tulloch, California, USA

Also known as:  Tulloch Lake

An impoundment of the Stanislaus River, Lake Tulloch is part of a much larger water system and provides water for both irrigation and recreation. With its recreational boating, fantastic fishing, and local gold rush history, Lake Tulloch has something for everyone. Created in 1958 with the construction of the Tulloch Dam and power plant, Lake Tulloch is one if three reservoirs in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties, California…
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    • All About Lake Tulloch, CA

    Lake Locations: USA - US West Region - California - Gold Country Region, CA -

    An impoundment of the Stanislaus River, Lake Tulloch is part of a much larger water system and provides water for both irrigation and recreation. With its recreational boating, fantastic fishing, and local gold rush history, Lake Tulloch has something for everyone.

    Created in 1958 with the construction of the Tulloch Dam and power plant, Lake Tulloch is one if three reservoirs in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties, California that make up the Tri-Dam Project. The three reservoirs, including Beardsley Reservoir and Donnells Reservoir, are operated by the Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts. Together the three provide water to irrigate 117,500 acres in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. The farms raise almonds, walnuts, grapes, and grass for pasture.

    Lake Tulloch is on the middle fork of the Stanislaus River downstream from the much larger New Melones Lake. The New Melones Dam is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, and water levels on Lake Tulloch fluctuate based on the need of New Melones. Fishing on the lake benefits from the cold water releases from New Melones Dam. The California Department of Fish and Game stocks Lake Tulloch with rainbow trout, and there are also healthy populations of German brown trout. Trolling for trout is productive, and shore fishing in the fall and winter is also good. Crappie fishing is best in late winter and spring, while bluegill fishing is best in spring and summer.

    In addition to fishing, Lake Tulloch is popular during summer for recreational boating, waterskiing, wind surfing, wake boarding, sailing, and swimming. Most of the private land around the lake is residential development, but there is public access for a fee on the North and South shores. There is also a public marina.

    Development around the area that became Lake Tulloch started with the gold rush in the 1840’s. The nearest town to the lake, Copperopolis, started for a different reason. As the name suggests, Copperopolis in Copper Valley, Calaveras County, was developed for copper ore. Previously known as Copper Canyon, the town started in 1861 and grew as demand for Civil War bullets increased the need for copper. Today Copperopolis Town Square, a planned community, is a charming place to visit. The town has restaurants, shops and various accommodations all while maintaining its historic flavor.

    In addition to exploring the historic gold rush towns, the area around Lake Tulloch has a variety of winter sports including both downhill and cross-country skiing. Accommodations in the area include private vacation rentals, camping, hotels and motels. There is also an RV Campground on the shore of Lake Tulloch.

    Although started for the purely practical reasons of irrigation and power generation, the benefits of Lake Tulloch have grown. Fishing, boating, and water sports along with the rich history of the surrounding area make Lake Tulloch a destination for the entire family.

    Things to Do at Lake Tulloch

    These are some activities in the Lake Tulloch, CA area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Wind Surfing
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Cross-Country Skiing

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Tulloch?

    Lake Tulloch has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bluegill
    • Brown Trout
    • Crappie
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Tulloch

    If you’re considering a Lake Tulloch lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake Tulloch Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Tulloch lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Tulloch Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts

    Surface Area: 1,260 acres

    Shoreline Length: 55 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 504 feet

    Maximum Depth: 80 feet

    Water Volume: 59,935 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1958

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