![Rollins Lake - Photo by Jason Scallin 2023](https://rollinslakesideresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rollins-Header.webp)
We love our beautiful and peaceful home lake. In case you aren't familiar with Rollins Lake, here are some fun facts about one of the best recreational lakes in Northern California.
Rollins Lake has it all. You can Jet Ski, Water Ski, Fish for a number of types of fish, Hike, Swim, Canoe, ride Paddle Boats, Stand Up Boards, and so much more.
Below is an aerial view of Rollins Lake so you can see the entire lake, its shape and proximity.
![Aerial Map of Rollins Lake](https://rollinslakesideresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rollins-Aerial-Map.webp)
Earliest Recorded Exploration
The Fish Hatchery
Visible Old Mine Tunnels
How Rollins Lake Was Named
Nevada County and Placer County came together in 1921 and created the Nevada Irrigation District (NID). The first step in creating Rollins Lake was to create a dam on the Gold Rush-era land.
Rollins Dam was named after physician and prohibition leader Dr. Jarret Laben Rollins. Dr. Rollins was an integral part of establishing the Bear River Water and Power Co. which later joined with NID to acquire other private systems. Dr. Rollins died of a heart attack in 1933.
In 1966, a ceremony was held to officially dedicate the future reservoir in his name, starting with the Rollins Dam project.
![Aerial photo of Rollins Dam in 1964](https://rollinslakesideresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rollins-Dam-Aerial-1964.webp)
Facts about the water
Rollins Dam is on Bear River which starts west of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Placer County. Water from Bear River comes from the Drum Canal at Spaulding Lake, located on the southern section of the Yuba River.
Drum Afterbay (aka Upper Bear River) is where the water flows out of Spaulding Lake. From there, water flows into the Middle Bear River where Dutch Flat Reservoir is and then it flows through the Alta Powerhouse.
Water continues flowing from there and then merges with Steephollow Creek, the largest tributary in the upper watershed, before getting to Rollins Lake. After Rollins Lake, water flows into Lake Combie, Wolf Creek, Camp Far West Reservoir and joins the Feather River south of Yuba City.
Eventually, water flows into the Sacramento River 20 miles northwest of Sacramento.
What Swims Under The Surface
It has been reported that the fish to catch in Rollins Lake include German Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout Massachusetts Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Redear Sunfish, Bullhead Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Blue Catfish. See a list of the most commonly caught fish in Rollins Lake.
We recommend practicing catch and release while here, but if you plan on consuming fish caught out of Rollins Lake/Reservoir, we recommend taking a look at the advisory based on mercury levels from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Please be safe.
![Rollins Lake Fish - Largemouth Bass](https://rollinslakesideresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fish-Largemouth-Bass2.webp)
Camping Options
Campgrounds here are owned and operated by NID (Nevada Irrigation District). There are campsites around the lake in areas such as Greenhorn, Long Ravine, and Orchard Springs, to name a few.
Overall, there are around 250 campsites with various services available. Campgrounds provide bathrooms, showers, barbecue grills, picnic areas, volleyball courts, and fire pits. The campground at Greenhorn has a general store and arcade.
For the most accurate information and list of campgrounds, visit the NID Campground Information page.
Boating Options
SEASONAL Facilities at NID campgrounds offer boat launches and Rollins Lake Boat Rentals offer ski boats, wakeboard boats, pontoon boats and fishing boats as well as kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes for rent.
For the most accurate information and rental availability, visit the NID Contact page.