Question for "ripvanbl" Lake Oroville

Driver · Newbie Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 38 City: Bakersfield

My question is about Lake Oroville. How low is the lake at end of July, first of August. How much wind, boats on the lake thourgh the week, Big question HOW SMOOTH, etc. I ask this as we are going to say on a houseboat for a week next summer at this lake and I have never been there. (And before you ask, Family owns the houseboat, and this settled the question and many trips to lakes as to which lake to stay at.) So, all the info. would help alot. Thank you in advance for the help.

jklein · Posted: Nov 04, 2004 2:33 pm Post subject:

I was there in June and during the week it was unreal. We went out on a Thursday late afternoon until dark and we saw one other boat in three hours.

The lake can get a bit choppy in the early to late afternoon, but there are several arms that run in different directions so you can usually find a spot where there's no wind. The problem is that the arms are kind of far apart so you might have to drive for a while.

I would recommend Oroville. It's probably the fourth best place to go in NorCal after:

1. Shasta
2. Delta
3. Bullards Bar

I might put Bullards bar before the delta, but you can always find smooth water at the delta. For pure beauty and nice clean water, Bullards though.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

I can back up jklein on this one also. I literally took a run on Friday afternoon across the main body of the lake and it was perfect glass. You'll like it a lot.

sperbet · Outlaw Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 208 City: Truckee

I would put Oroville on the top of that list, although I have never been to Bullards. I used to go to Chico and have been out at Oroville a ton of times. It is always warm and never gets chopped out. I have seen Shasta get pretty wind blown. Oroville is a great lake, definitely one of my favorites

chaz28o · Posted: Nov 05, 2004 6:13 pm Post subject:

New Melones is another lake I like. Shasta is my favorite, Bullards Bar is good (during the week) New Melones (like Shasta) is a good lake on the weekend (in addition to during the week

Hockeyplayer · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 10:48 am Post subject:

jklein · Posted: Nov 08, 2004 9:43 am Post subject:

If you're up north of Sacto, I would stick to my original list minus the delta.

However, if you're venturing to the central part of NorCal, then I would recommend McClure then New Melones in that order.

I've never been to Don Pedro, but I've heard it can get windy there.

ripvanbl · Posted: Nov 08, 2004 10:42 am Post subject:

Well, people have already covered the basics. Oroville is pretty awsome most of the time. It can get windy from the middle of July through the middle of August, but of course that can vary depending on how hot it is that week. The drift wood wasn't a big deal this year, but every year it's different.

I launch out of Lime Saddle because I prefer the north part of the lake, but my last trip out in the middle of October, I was able to ride the middle part of the lake while heading to Bidwell for a bite and a few drinks.

My uncle has a houseboat on Lake Don Pedro, and I'd say the conditions are mostly about the same during the time frame you are looking at. Awsome water in the morning, drink beer in the middle of the day, then awsome riding in the afternoon.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask, and if you want to head up sooner, let me know and we'll see about getting you out there. I just bought an '05 Sanger, so we're good to go Very Happy

.

J-Ro · Posted: Nov 08, 2004 11:13 am Post subject:

If you are only coming as far as central california, I would recommend (For Houseboating) in order...

1) Nacimiento
2) McClure
3) Pedro

Near Sacramento

1) Shasta
2) Bullards
3) Oroville

Long Drive
1) Powell!!!

Driver · Newbie Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 38 City: Bakersfield

Thanks for the input guys. We will be going to Oroville as the houseboat will be rent free. As for the other lakes, Been to Nacimiento very nice lake when its low and not on a weekend.
Plan on one trip to the Delta and maybe Oroville Memorial Day weekend to check out the houseboat for what will be needed for vacation and the lake.
ripvanbl, Maybe we will see you on Memorial Day weekend if all goes well, and I just got a 04 Calabria ( big step up from 97 Maxum) so we should be just fine.