Memorial Day longshot: a great spot for a family new to the

[strollinbones]

Greetings fellow campers,
Some family friends have expressed an interest in going first-time car camping with us over Memorial Day. We'd love for their first time to be a great one, but reservations this late will be tough. Nevertheless, we're looking for a place that might have (in priority order):

1-reservable space for 2 families.
2-a lake to canoe in.
3-a relatively small development. Those 100+ site campgrounds are kinda tough.
4-an elevation not too high, lest the water be insanely cold in late May.
5-for dad here, maybe a stream or river within easy reach to fly fish?

Our preferred locations (Lakes Basin, Ice House, and a few others) seem to be too high to enjoy this early, so I'm at a bit of a loss. Best to be below 5000 ft maybe? I've been poring over Stienstra's camping book to try and find a winner.

I'm in the Bay Area, so spots from the Feather River down to northern Yosemite would be viable. Non-Sierra suggestions welcome too, if you have them.
All suggestions appreciated! Thanks!

StrollinBones

[rlown]

Blue lakes south of 88 on the east side of the summit. Two nice lakes. Great fishing. assuming the weather holds for a clear Memorial day. We used to go there almost every Memorial day.

[Electra]

Cherry Lake and Lake Eleanor would seem ideal with your criteria. You could camp at Cherry lake and canoe both Cherry and Eleanor or there is a walk-in/canoe camp on Eleanor (1/2 mile or so) as well as other canoe camping available. Plenty of creeks to fish, elevation around 4800-5000, decent hiking, about an hour drive from HWY 120/3.5-4 hours from bay area.

[dave54]

Keep your options open.

Despite the popularity of Memorial Day being the start of 'the summer camping season' historically that weekend is often cold and unsettled. IIRC about 2 out 3 years the weather is stormy, at least in the northern reaches of your area.