Lake McSwain is in the only lake in California that offers 'brook trout' exclusively. Lake McSwain fills from Lake McClure from about 400 feet down. The water temperature stays around 50 degrees year round and is gin-clear. For this reason, trout can be caught from Lake McSwain year round with fish up to 2+ pounds. Trout are planted on a regular basis by the Department of Fish & Game.

Trollers find good action while fishing nightcrawlers behind flashers or the FT and Perch Rapalas in the #5 series. Bank fishermen often have better luck than trollers using rainbow and chartreuse Powerbait, nightcrawlers, or salmon eggs near the Brush Pile, the Handicap Dock, and the face of the dam.