There are various styles of these places, everything from basement level halls where it is generally dark, and there is a prize associated with the fish you catch (gambling involved in some locations). There are places where it is straight fishing, just indoors and this ranges from huge greenhouses to docks that are enclosed (I found places in US (Arkansas & Texas) that is set up this way). Then there are places across Asia, where you catch what you will eat...literally. You catch, the waiter takes away and brings back prepared the way you want it. 
Now here is what I find attractive about this. The concept that I can go anytime and any weather and there is fish waiting is basically convincing enough for a try. Kind of like a super market, where I am not going to the orchard to pick my own fruit or to a farm to milk my own cow - I just buy it. I know it's different with fishing and the environment is part of the experience, but remember you are stuck in the city. The experience is altogether different, especially when you look around and there are people literally elbow to elbow around you, but that's part of this experience. These places usually charges anywhere from $30 - $50 for an entrance fee, but seems like there isn't a lack of customers at these places. Well, that's one way to fish.
It is a lake that has taught me the basics of bass fishing, as well as other game fish. It is a place that has rarely let me down, almost always producing a good amount of fishing action. It's a place with such a diverse landscape that it never ceases to amaze me. 
It's a place where wildlife greets you when you arrive early in the morning...everything from deer to coyotes. It's surrounding architecture and bridges allows you to dream for the time you are there of a very different place, taking you to a different time. It's a place where you can find people sitting at the banks, either in prayer or thinking about things & beings much bigger than we are. 
The high altitude of the mountains keeps the water nice and cool for the rainbow trout, sturgeon, smallmouth bass, crappie, and bluegills that are stocked all year round. You can purchase a California fishing license right at the tackle shop, as well as a day pass to the lake. There are some selection of flies and other gear, but bring what you need as it's limited in selection. The lake is strictly catch and keep, and no fish can be released except for undersized small mouth. The shop gives you a small piece of paper with the daily catch size and number limit. It was windy when I went, and even thought it was still late summer, it was pretty cold (bring warm clothing).
I started by walking around the entire lake, fishing from one spot to another but not spending more than 10 min in one spot. I wanted to see the entire lake and walk in the land that surrounds it. Like the drive up, the land around it had a lot of different faces to it. From mud that was nearly knee deep to dry, crackled land that had me lost for a moment, and onto rocky, bushy areas. It took me a good 4 hours to walk around the entire lake, and it was a fast paced walk. I saw people on floaters and on boats fishing in the water, but with the wind and all, I decided to stay on land and discover it that way. The fishing was okay for that day, producing smaller fish, but I guess I was focused more on discovering the lake than fishing that day.
No longer delay, let us hasten away in the track of the sea gull's call, The sea is our mother, the cloud is our brother, the waves are our comrades all.What though we toss at the fall of the sun where the hand of the sea-god drives?He who holds the storm by the hair, will hide in his breast our lives.
Sweet is the shade of the cocoanut glade, and the scent of the mango grove, And sweet are the sands at the full o' the moon with the sound of the voices we love;But sweeter, O brothers, the kiss of the spray and the dance of the wild foam's glee;Row, brothers, row to the edge of the verge, where the low sky mates with the sea.
It was a weekend to remember, fishing next to my friend, the stripers, and the beautiful ocean. For me it's a special feeling, going back home to NYC and discovering what I didn't know about it (the excellent fishing). I am sure I will be back next season to meet these stripers again. Keep fishing Charles and see you on the water again soon! Happy Birthday my friend!
