Currently Lake Merced is fairly stable after many years of dropping water levels and catchable trout are being stocked most summer months by the California Department of Fish and Game.

We post the dates when stocking occurs so that you might a better chance of catching these fish.  Catfish are also planted from time to time.

Water quality continues to be an issue with almost continuous blue-green algae blooms.  Most people report that the fish taste bad due to the presence of this algae. Freshly planted trout do not taste bad since they are not generally in the lake long enough to pick up this muddy taste.

A study of the fishery was conducted and the complete document can be downloaded here.  Among the recomendations noted was an idea to plant a native sport fish the Sacramento Perch here since they can be self sustaining at Lake Merced.

Perhaps one of the most serious of problems continues to be the lack of infrustructure and fishing services at the lake.  We once had a number of fishing piers and a boat house where you could rent a boat, buy a fishing license as well as bait and tackle.  See some history here.