LivewellCalifornia · Placer County · Reservoir
Hell Hole Reservoir
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Hell Hole Reservoir, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
California also has statewide guidance
California publishes rules that apply to reservoirs across the state — 10 recommendations covering 5 species — in addition to anything listed for Hell Hole Reservoir below.
Strictest statewide rule: Striped Bass — For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB.
What's safe to eat from Hell Hole Reservoir
Brown Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16" | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Over 16" | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Crayfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Kokanee
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Lake Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Is it legal to keep?
These are California's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | 18" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: California — California DFW
Getting on the water
- Boat Ramp (14N33) boat ramp 1.7 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.8 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.4 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.