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FISH REPORT -- ONS-matthews-gollaz 14feb07
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marina operators, tackle shops and local fishermen we contact. Anglers catching large fish should send the information to Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427, or telephone 909-887-3444, so it can be included n this report. Faxes can be sent to 909-887-8180. E-Mail messages or fishing reports can also be posted to Jim Matthews at odwriter@earthlink.net and/or Cyndi Gollaz at cagurrola@charter.net.
Other complete versions are posted on a number of Web sites each week, including the Turner's Outdoorsman Web site (www.turners.com) and Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors Web site a href="."/" target="_blank">http://www.jesseshunting.com. The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning at each of these sites. The Outdoor News Service Web site is www.outdoornewsservice.com. The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Internet web page is located at the following address: www.dfg.ca.gov.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. For the third week in a row, Casitas Lake has produced largemouth bass over 11 pounds, and the sheer volume of fish is also improving. The fact the lake is finally also getting trout plants again has brought the big fish up to feed and the huge, trout-like cranks and swimbaits have been very effective. There have been good numbers of smaller fish showing on jigs and plastics. For an update, check with the marina staff at 805-649-2043.
2. Diamond Valley Lakes bass bite is excellent with more and more fish moving out of the depths. There is a good crankbait and swimbait bite now in relatively shallow water with some exceptional catches reported in the past week (like a 30-pound, five-fish limit). The bass are up on most points chasing bait. For updated fishing information, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
3. Lower Otay open with a bang this past week and it remains one of the top bets for bass in the region with a lot of fish up to six pounds reported. The bite is on everything from shiners and crawdads to plastics and spoons. There was also a new lake record blue catfish -- 92.1 pounds -- landed here this past week.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Lots of very good planted trout action right now. For big trout and big numbers of fish, the top bets continue to be Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, Laguna Niguel Park Lake, and Jess Ranch Lakes in the High Desert are all very good. Angler's Lake in Hemet and Hesperia Lake in the desert also have good bites. There is also a good bite on recent plants and holdover fish at Diamond Valley and Silverwood. Perris has been good, too. Virtually all of the urban lakes from San Diego County north into Los Angeles County are now being planted with trout, and the bites are good across the board at these places -- at least for the first couple of days after the plants. Little change in the top picks here. They include Wohlford, Dixon, Poway, Jennings, and Cuyamaca in San Diego County, along with all the San Bernardino County park lakes -- Yucaipa, Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, and Mojave Narrows.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Bass action is starting to kick into gear with the pre-spawn bass action taking off throughout the region. Casitas has been a consistently good spot with a number of big bass to 11-0 and another trout plant this week. Diamond Valley has broken open with excellent catches this week. Otay and Hodges opened to fishing last week in San Diego County, and Otay was hot but Hodges just so-so. Bass are showing with increasingly regularity at Castaic, Silverwood, Piru, Pyramid, El Capitan, and Murry. There are also some signs the lower Colorado River is also starting to shift out of the winter doldrums, too, with some largemouth starting to show in the lower river. Also some decent smallmouth catches in this same region.
STRIPED BASS: For Southern California waters, Castaic, Skinner and Pyramid are the top picks with a number of two to five-pound class fish showing on swimbaits, shad, anchovies, and sardines, with the odd double-digit fish. Silverwood has had a decent bite, also on smaller fish, mostly on cut baits. On the Colorado River, Mead broke wide open this past week, spurred on by massive trout plants, and quality fish are always possible at Willow Beach or the upper reaches of Lake Mojave. A few small stripers to four pounds are showing in Havasu in a spotty bite.
PANFISH: Most of the panfish bites are slow, but a couple of encouraging crappie bites of note this week. Lower Otay had a couple of exception crappie catches in its opening week of fishing. El Capitan and San Vicente also both still bear watching. The Buena Vista Lakes in the San Joaquin Valley, and Lake Lopez on the Central Coast are also both seeing improving crappie action. No redear or bluegill bites of note.
CATFISH: There was a lake record 92.1-pound blue catfish caught at Lower Otay on its opener this past week, in a spotty bite. Other spots worth watching include Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, the lower Colorado River, and Hesperia Lake, which continues to get weekly plants of catfish.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Trout bite excellent from the docks and off shore by the launch ramp on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Top catch was a four-pound trout by Arthur Pendington, Chino, on the nightcrawler and Power Bait combo off the docks. Striper bite is good off the points and docks on anchovies and Kastmasters. Top striper catch was a three-pound fish by Ron Roberts, Hesperia, off the docks on a swimbait. The catfish and carp bites are fair. Sam Holt, Fontana, caught a stringer of catfish and carp on anchovies and nightcrawlers off shore by the docks. DFG trout plant this week. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Slow trout action over most of the lake. A few fish are showing at the dam and in the Stanfield area on Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. No DFG trout plant in over two months. Information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow fishing with few reports. The boat house is now closed for the season. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: No reports. All facilities are closed until spring. Recorded information: 909-867-2009. ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: Closed for the season. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Better action this week with slightly clearer waters. Most catches have been made on Lip Ripperz plastics or Power worms. Dave Pearson, Santa Ana, landed the top three fish of the week. He caught a 13-8, a 13-pound and a 12-12 trout on Power Worms at the drain. John Scruggs, Hesperia, caught an 11-12 trout on Power Bait at the grassy bank. Richard Sturgis, San Bernardino, caught an 11-8 trout on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo. Randy Mays, Hesperia, caught a 9-12 trout off the north shore. Kyle Foster, Apple Valley, caught a 9-8 trout on a nightcrawler. The catfish are biting fair on mackerel. Doug Lewis, Los Angeles, caught a 22-pound catfish on shrimp, and Allen Stanton, Corona, caught an 18 and a 21-pound catfish on shrimp and dip bait. Each week 4,500 pounds of trout are planted, including a lot of trophy fish. Lightning Trout were planted Monday -- 2,000 pounds worth, including brood stock fish over eight pounds. Sturgeon over 100 pounds will be planted in March. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Good trout action from both lakes on Power Bait (rainbow, chartreuse, orange, and yellow), inflated nightcrawlers, Jakes' lures, and worms. Plenty of limits were caught again this week with fish over two pounds. The waters are a little murky from the runoff, so dousing baits in Power Bait dip or in Crave Gravy will help attract the fish. Good fishing from the eastern logged shore, the grassy point and the western shore of lake 2. James Aiken, hometown unknown, caught his limit in only 30 minutes. His top fish, five pounds, was caught on orange peel Power worms. Gil Rowe, Victorville, caught a 4-8 steelhead on a white Power worm off the north eastern shore of lake 3. Steve Carlson, Upland, caught 4-3 trout on a crappie jig off the western shore of lake 2. Mike Gorman, Glendora, caught a 4-2 steelhead on chartreuse Power Bait near the bridge of lake 2. Kodi Whalen, Ontario, caught a 3-11 rainbow on the Power egg and night crawler combo off the eastern shore of lake 2. Dave Ochoa, Hesperia, caught a 3-3 trout on rainbow Power Bait dipped in attractant off the western shore of lake 3. Upcoming events: this Saturday will be a prize weekend. There will be three prize categories for adults and two for children. All prizes will be given at 2 p.m. Lake hours are Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prize and lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The trout bite remains good on Power Bait or nightcrawlers or the pair used together. Monty Baker, Hesperia, caught five trout to two pounds on Power Bait and Velveeta. Tew Lewis, Victorville, had four trout to three pounds and an 11-pound catfish, all on nightcrawlers. The lake will continue to be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Trout bite is fair on yellow Power Bait and nightcrawlers, and should improve with this weeks DFG plant. The lake is stocked every Thursday through April 19 by the county. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: The lake will be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. Also a DFG plant this week. Entry fee is $10. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action. Most of the rainbows have been 1-8 to 2-8 and the bite has been best on floating baits. The lake will be stocked with trout again this week and every week through April 19 by the county. Also a DFG plant this week. Information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Trout bite remains good on jigs and Power Bait. The lake will continue to be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 with county fish. Also a DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Overall slow fishing. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Trout bite decent on Power Bait, mini jigs, Lip Ripperz plastics, Roostertails, and Kastmasters. Shore anglers are having better luck than boat anglers. The hot spot for landing trout is at the marina, while the holdovers are still popping up along the east dam and on the south side of the wave attenuator. Trenton Kasten, Temecula, caught a 5.15-pound trout fishing nightcrawlers near the marina. Albert Patino, South Gate, caught a 3.68-pound trout on Power Bait 30 feet down at the west dam. David M. Sutliff, Hemet, caught a 3.06-pound trout on green Powerbait off shore. The bass fishing is good on crank baits off the points and on swimbaits at the marina in the morning. Trolling cranks with downriggers or lead core in 50 to 55 feet of water are best for the deeper fish. The bass are chasing the trout around the shoreline, so plenty of fish have been landed in shallow water on crawdads or Senkos. On Valentine's day, Mike Collins, San Jacinto, landed five bass that weighed 29.73 pounds in two hours.
Mike Collins pic
img src="."/images/bass_dvl_feb2007_mike_collins_san_jacinto_29.73_limit.jpg" alt="IPB Image" border="0">
Honree and Evan Davis, New York, caught a 4.7, a 5.6 and 5.9-pound bass on plastic worms near restroom 2. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, caught a 4.88-pound bass 45 feet deep while lead core trolling a jointed trout pattern Rapala. Ted Wilson, Chino, caught four bass totaling 15 pounds. The odd striper showing up on trout-like lures. Brent Malinowski, Norco, caught a 12.89-pound striper fishing the west dam on a swimbait. David E. Trevino, Chino Hills, caught a nine-pound striper on an A.C. Plug. Catfish bite fair. Doug Hagadorn, Valley Center, caught a 32.80-pound catfish on a pig n jig off the north shore, which now is the Diamond Valley catfish record. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: The action continues to improve with fair to good bass, crappie and trout bites. Plenty of rainbow limits from lots 11 and 12 on pieces of nightcrawlers, on silver or gold Kastmasters, or on yellow or green Power Bait. Chad White, Riverside, caught a 1.1-pound trout on yellow Power Bait. Bass action fair and improving from the marina docks and in Sail and Rock Climbers coves with fish to six pounds. Crappie bite good on red or white jigs. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, caught a 2.8-pound crappie on jigs off the marina docks. DFG trout plant last week. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: After last weeks 1,200-pound DFG trout plant, the trout bite is excellent. The ramps and the east end areas are boiling with trout action. Ben Rodgers, Romoland, caught a 3.5-pound trout on nightcrawlers at ramp 2. Paul and Kaitlyn Snyder, Menifee, caught a 3.5-pound stringer of trout on Power Bait at ramp 2. Striper action remains good. Scott Read, Riverside, caught a six-pound striper off the north shore. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: No reports.
CORONA LAKE: Very good bite with many anglers reporting limits of trout, and there were five more rainbows better than 10 pounds landed this past week. Lightning Trout will be planted late Wednesday night this week, and each of the next two weeks. The biggest trout reported was a 12 1/2 pounder landed by Ron Bowser, Indio, while fishing a jig at the dam. Tommy Rodriguez, Chino, and Richard Westphalen, Arcadia, each caught rainbows that weighed in at 11 pounds. The best action has been on chartreuse Nitro Bait or nightcrawlers dipped in corn-flavored Nitro Gravy, with the dam area -- whether fishing from boat or shore -- is still the best spot. Lightning Trout will be stocked three consecutive weeks starting this week. Tundra & Lightning Fishing Tournament set for Sunday, Feb. 25. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout bite on Power Bait.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Good trout bite from all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel or anchovies. Upcoming events: Fishing derby every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Trout bite fair to good with most fish to three pounds and the best bite on lime twist or spring green Power Bait. Nightcrawlers have also been successful. Catfish action slowed, but a few fish are still showing on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout action fair to good on Power Bait. Catfish action slow. Upcoming events: Fishing derby set for Saturday, Feb. 10 and for Saturday, Feb. 24. Derby and lake information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Still a good trout bite, especially with warmer temps. The lake has a new sonar sensor, which can detect the size of the fish in addition to the location of the fish on the lake. Catfish still snoozing. The pond will be stocked regularly with rainbow trout through March. Lake open daily Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on all Monday holidays. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: The bite is picking up with warmer temps. People are going out in boats again. Trout bite best on nightcrawlers, and most fish are feeding off the bottom in three to four feet of water at Camp 5 and off the south side of the peninsula (Camp 2). DFG trout plant last week. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants in over two months. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good trout action continues and there will be giant plants of Lightning Trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms this week and the following two weeks. There have been a lot of limits reported in the past week, and another six trout over the 10-pound mark have also been landed. The biggest fish was a 19.8-pounder caught by Robert Vandevelde, Modjeska, while fishing a nightcrawler doused with White Lightning Grease in the Bubble Hole. Bryan Robbs, Costa Mesa, had a 15-pound rainbow, while Varian Virgen, Buena Park, landed trout at 12 and 8 pounds fishing rainbow. Tom Moua, Diamond Bar, caught an 11 1/2-pounder, Rick Zeno, Stanton, landed an 10 1/2, and Pedro Villa, Anaheim, caught a 10-pounder. Information: 714-632-7830 or www.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: The overall bite improved and many larger trout were caught this week. Bite best in the early morning by the running intake pipe in Sierra Cove. Shore fishing best off the west shoreline on salmon eggs, or the Power Bait/nightcrawler combo, while trollers are fishing mid-lake with firetiger-colored Rapalas or Roostertails. Howard Jameson, Perris, caught an 11.9-pound trout on a Roostertail off the west shore. Perry Green, Anaheim, caught an 11.4-pound trout on a Thomas Buoyant at mid-lake. Paul Castaneda, Idaho, caught a 10.3-pound trout on a Rapala at mid-lake. Mark Zerby, Long Beach, caught a 10-pound trout on a nightcrawler off the west shore, and Johnny Faiello, Long Beach, caught an 8.8-pound trout on a Roostertail also off the west shore. Stan Kong, Anaheim, caught a 7.12-pound trout on Power Bait off the west shore, and James Anna, 9, Trabuco Canyon, caught a five trout limit totaling 17.1 pounds on nightcrawlers off the west shore. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing good to excellent with lots of limits. Fish from two to three pounds. Plant this week. Best trout bite on Power Bait, Power worms, inflated nightcrawlers dipped in sauce, and gold Kastmasters. Largemouth bite fair with fish from one to two pounds. A 6-8 largemouth was landed last week. Pig n jig combinations in dark colors best for the bass. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: The trout action continues fair with trollers and still fishermen working the east end of the lake. The action should pick up after this weeks DFG plant. Needlefish, Kastmasters, Rapalas for the trollers and drifted nightcrawlers and orange Power Bait are best for fishermen. Most of the fish are from 1-8 to four pounds and some anglers are getting limits. Bite best in two to 20 feet of water. Other species are very slow or getting no pressure. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Bass bite very good. Best action in 30 to 40 feet. Top catch was an 11-8 landed by Tomas Pimiental, Placentia, on a swimbait. Mike Vergini, Los Angeles, caught an 11-pound bass on a swimbait. Jack Neu, San Marcos, and John Rosenfield, San Marcos, caught ten bass totaling 65.5 pounds. Plenty of fish in the seven to eight-pound range on live crawdads and leadhead jigs. Jim Mason, Oakview, caught a limit two days in a row with a six-pound average on leadhead jigs. Smaller fish, in the three and four-pound range, are biting on plastic worms or nightcrawlers off shore. A few catfish here and there. Kenny Mann, Oakview, caught a 22-pound catfish on mackerel. Redear and crappie slow. Trout plant slated for this week. Lake information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: No trout yet, but DFG plants should resume in the next two weeks. The striper action slower this week, but boaters are still having fair action, especially in the Fish Arm. A 21-8 striper was caught at Castaic Landing, but the angler chose to remain anonymous. Justin Artenburn, Arizona, caught an 11-8 striper on sardines, and Angela DeLuca, Saugus, caught a 4-8 striper on nightcrawlers from fish arm. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Bass bite excellent on drop-shotting jigs, small plastic worms, or nightcrawlers. The trout bite is fair near the dam, in Santa Felicia, from the main lake, and in the narrows. Trollers are having success with four to five colors of leadcore and the usual lures. Bert Fortin, Norwalk, caught a 1-8 trout on a Rapala. Larry Burns, Los Angeles, caught a two-pound trout on a Thomas Buoyant in the narrows. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: A 1,000-pound DFG trout plant went in this week. The action should pick up, at least for a few days, on nightcrawlers and anchovies. Some stripers are biting in the marina area on topwater baits, nightcrawlers and anchovies. Water levels are up and boats are able to launch. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: Few reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Slow to fair bite. Some bass and catfish have been landed. The catfish are biting mackerel and nightcrawlers, while the bass are hitting all topwater plastics. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Slow to fair trout action with the best bite the first couple of days after a trout plant, mostly on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Also a few cats showing, but that bite has slowed way down. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No reports.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779. HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Trout action decent on Power Bait. DFG plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed to all fishing until spring of 2007. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: The lake opened last week and the bass fishing is fair. There were 277 anglers who reported 109 bass and seven crappie. Top catch was a 4.06-pound largemouth caught by John Curry, San Marcos, on a plastic worm. Jack Mason, El Cajon, caught a 3.5-pound largemouth on spinnerbait, and Bill Watson, Escondido, landed a three-pound largemouth on a crank bait. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Good bass bite and some quality crappie showing. Everything else slow. This past week, there were 322 anglers who reported catching 435 bass, 48 crappie, eight blue catfish and six channel catfish. The lake is open on Thursdays and Saturdays for fishing and boating only. No rental boats are available. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: The lake opened last week and 604 anglers reported catching 854 bass, 346 crappie, 98 rainbow trout, 30 channel catfish, 12 bluegill and two blue catfish. James Odom, San Diego, caught a 92.10-pound blue catfish on mackerel, which is the new lake record. Gary Smith, Compton, caught a 16.55-pound blue catfish on mackerel. Top largemouth bass was a 6.9 pounder by Stephen Patek, San Diego, on a Carolina rig. Michael Callabrese, San Diego, caught a 6.5-pound largemouth on a plastic worm. The crappie are really worth noting, too, with some exceptional stringers of fish reported. Roy McCord and Maurice Clady, both San Diego, had 50 crappie that weighed 68 1/4 pounds with slabs to 2.15 pounds, all on jigs in the Harvey Arm. Rob Shannon and Paul Rodriguez, El Cajon, had 35 crappie to 2.35 pounds. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: The lake opened last week and 51 anglers reported 42 bass. DFG trout plant went in two weeks ago. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Good bass action, but very little crappie action this week. In all, there were 237 anglers that reported 466 bass, 49 bluegill, five crappie, five channel catfish and three blue catfish. Top catch was a 10.06-pound largemouth bass by Rick Long, Garden Grove, on a Rat-L-Trap. Kathy Reutter, Ramona, caught a four-pound largemouth on a shiner. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday only, and the boat launch reopened for private boaters this past Saturday. Lake information: 619-465- 3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Still an overall slow bite with only a few bass and rainbow trout showing. This past week, there were 99 anglers who reported catching 64 rainbows, 26 bass, and three bluegill. Jarad Jerauld, San Diego, caught a 6.35-pound largemouth on a Castaic trout. The lake is open only for shore fishing seven days a week. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Slow fishing. Not too many reports other than the 22 bass and 11 channel catfish landed by the 64 anglers checked. Mickanl Orange, Escondido, caught three channel catfish to 10.35 pounds on mackerel. Bobby Tsutsui, El Cajon, caught six largemouth to 3.1 pounds on crawdads. The lake is open to fishing Saturday through Tuesday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: The lake is closed to fishing and boating until March. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Trout action fair with a number of quality rainbows reported. Hot baits are still green Power Bait and nightcrawlers and the top spot has been east of Willow Cove. Hailee Pryor, Temecula, caught a 7-15 rainbow on rainbow Power Bait off senior shoreline. Frank Romeo, Escondido, caught a 4-10 rainbow on green Power Bait also off the senior shoreline. Bass action making some noise. Dennis Young, Valley Center, caught a 7-5 bass on a live crawdad in Willow Cove, and Roy Hammond, Escondido, caught a 4-13 bass on a Castaic swimbait off senior shoreline. The crappie bite is decent on spinners. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No DFG trout plants in over a month. DIXON: Trout action has been good on rainbows to five pounds with the best action between piers 3 and 4 and off Jack Creek Pier. Theres also a decent bite in Trout Cove. Top baits have been rainbow Power Bait or nightcrawlers. The lake will be stocked with 1,200 pounds of trout this week. The bass bite improved this week with a lot more fishing pressure. Lots of fish are in the pre-spawn mode. Fair numbers of bass were caught 35 feet deep this weekend. No catfish reported this week. The lake is open daily to 7 p.m. Information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Trout fishing is good with many limits and big trout from boats and off shore mostly on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Some fish have also been landed on Rapalas and Kastmasters. The bite is best in Half Moon Bay and off Jump-off Point for shoreline anglers. From boats, the Boulder Bay area is best. Lori Stone, Oceanside, caught a 5.22-pound trout on the Power Bait/nightcrawler combo from mid-lake. Fred Cook, Escondido, caught a 5.08-pound trout on a Kastmaster from Boulder Bay. Aaron McHugh, La Mesa, caught a 4.24 and a 3.78-pound trout on nightcrawlers from mid-lake. Thunder trout (1,000 pounds) will be planted this week, and lightening trout will be planted Tuesday, Mar. 6. The catfish bite is good on mackerel along the log boom. The bass and bluegill bites are slow. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. The lake will also be open Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 19. Information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The lakes water level continues to rise in time for the spawning season and anglers are having lots of luck. The trout bite is good on Chartreuse Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers under a water float at Cactus Patch and in Hermit Cove. The bite is best before 7:30 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. The bass bite slowed down this week, and only a few were caught on jigs. During the day the bass are suspended off the points, and move to shallow water at dusk. Upcoming events: free fishing class 1 p.m. Sunday will give instruction fishing floating baits and Trout Teaser-type jigs for trout. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Trout bite improved to good and almost everyone has been going home with a limit. Brandon Hooper, Campo, caught five trout totaling 10 pounds. Jeff Simpson, El Cajon, caught a 6-15 trout on a Kastmaster. Debra Parson, El Cajon, caught a 4-6 trout on Power Bait. DFG trout plant last week. The boat launch is open, but no boats over 19-feet recommended. Boat rentals are limited to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Oddly just fair action. Mt. Lassen trout plant slated for this week. The Power Bait and nightcrawler combo are producing the most fish at the Lone Pine, Finger Jetty and south end. Bob Tooley, Descanso, landed a 4-6 rainbow, while Nicole Watanabe, Santa Ysabel, caught a four-pounder. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
ENSHAW: Catfish bite fair on shrimp for boat anglers. Carp and crappie are both very spotty with just a few of each showing. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: The fishing is awesome. Over 90,000 trout went in last week, and another trout plant is expected later this week. Best striper bite is in Saddle Cove on LA sliders (trout swimbaits). On some days, over 30 stripers from five to 13 pounds have been landed. Action on smaller stripers is out of the Las Vegas Wash area in 70 feet of water. Most fish are 2-8 or smaller and are biting on cut anchovies. The best bite is between 11 am and 2 pm. Information: 702-564-3058.
WILLOW BEACH: Lilly Eastern, 7, Las Vegas, caught a 13-pound striper on an A.C. Plug. Many trout limits have been landed on Power Bait and spinners. The overall bites for both species are good. Weekly rainbow trout plants each Friday have made for continued good action on fish from 12 inches to five pounds. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Mostly slow striper action, but few fish are biting. A.C. plugs still the bait of choice. No recent trout plants, and none expected for the near future. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: A spotty trout bite near Davis Camp and Riverside Resort thanks to recent plants. Fair striper bite in the morning and evenings along the river near Bullhead. Most of the stripers are small, but a few bigger fish were reported. Water levels are higher during the day for boat fishing.
NEEDLES: Topock area remains the best spot for stripers, with a pretty decent bite on small fish. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Catfish and bass bites fair, mostly along the shorelines. Some catfish over 10 pounds with a fair bite on anchovies and chicken liver dipped in stink bait. Decent striper bite. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Very few fish caught. Shad at Sand Point and a few stripers have been landed. Overall bite slow and very few fishermen have been out. The water is still about 50 degrees. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Slow to fair action on smallmouth bass in the main river, but otherwise slow fishing throughout this stretch of river. Catfish very spotty.
BLYTHE: The fish are starting to bite. Clay Freeman, Blythe, caught a 5-8 bass on a plastic. He also landed a four-pound tilapia on plastics. Water temps are going up, so its going to continue to get better. No flathead reports this week. Information: 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river channel, and a fair largemouth bite in the backwaters. Channel and flathead catfish are slow to fair with most of the flathead cats small, in the two to five-pound range.
PICACHO AREA: Very light fishing pressure, but overall fair fishing with a few flatheads, largemouth, bluegill, and stripers reported.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Still light fishing pressure and slow overall action, although warmer temps are helping the situation. The water surface is up to about 54 degrees. Largemouth are biting on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Catfish bite decent on anything that stinks and the crappie bite is also fair on small live minnows. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is still fair for channel catfish and large redear and bluegill. All biting on worms. In the main Colorado River, the catfish bite has been fair on chicken liver or worms dipped in stink bait, but there is very light fishing pressure and very few flatheads have been reported.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow fishing. Nothing reported this week. Information: Red Hill Marina 760-348-2310, Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052. Weather information: 760-352-3360, Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast 760-398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports. Channel catfish are fair on mackerel or anchovies.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass have been reported. ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No report.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Good trout action with plants last week and again this week. The trout are running from two pounds to four pounds with a few even bigger. Other hot spots have been the main point, the jetty, and the PGA side of the lake. Power Baits and nightcrawlers doused with scent have been the hot bait. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA GENERAL: General trout season opens April 28 throughout Inyo and Mono county. Only selected waters in the two counties remain open to fishing year around. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com.
BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Owens River below Crowley Lake remain open to fishing year around. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley has been good for fly anglers, but the lower Owens has been tough, although flows have come down and things are improving. On March 1 catch and release anglers will be able to fish the waters of Hot Creek, the upper Owens River above the Benton Crossing Bridge and the East Walker River below the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Lower Owens is slow with the flows up and down. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Decent trout bite in the upper river on salmon eggs and crickets. The flows are perfect. Fair to good catfish bite on shad and live minnows from the lake. Some crappie action. DFG trout plant last week. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The upper Kern has a good trout bite. The river below Isabella has also been fair with some good flurries of action on crickets. The flows are perfect for fishing in both reaches. DFG trout plant last week from Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar and from Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach. Information: James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Slow catfish bite. The striper bite improved slightly on lug worms and live minnows, and an occasional catfish on cut bait. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Trout planted last week and the bite remains good on Power Bait and garlic oil. Crappie action good on small live minnows.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Trout bite still fair on Power Bait and spinners best baits. DFG trout plant last week.
MING LAKE: Plenty of trout have been landed here on Power Bait with garlic oil. DFG trout plant last week. The bass bite picked up due to warmer temps. BRITE LAKE: The trout bite is good on Power Bait and spinners.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Still has the best trout action in the Western Sierra. Ceson Ruiz, Bakersfield, caught a six-pound trout on Power Bait. Best luck is with spinners, Kastmasters, or Power Bait with garlic oil. Crappie bite also good. Most fish 1-8 to two pounds on live minnows. Information: Concession 661-763-1268, Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Trout bite fair. Bass and bluegill action is slow to fair, with the bass showing on plastics and nightcrawlers and the bluegill still best on wax and meal worms. DFG trout plant last week.
SUCCESS LAKE: Fishing remains tough due to low water levels. Some trout have been landed. DFG trout plant one month ago. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Trout bite fair and steady. DFG trout plant one month ago. A good bass bite between 10:30 a.m. and noon on plastic worms. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Not too many fish have been reported in the past two months. Very light fishing pressure. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Crappie biting fair on jigs and worms, and the bass bite spotty on Senkos. Trout bite fair. DFG trout plant this week. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Action improved and anglers have had success in Dip Creek, Town Creek, and in the narrows. Some white and spotted bass and crappie were caught on plastics and nightcrawlers. A 16-inch trout was also landed. Lower water temperatures have kept the best fishing at about 20 feet deep. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Trout bite good after another 1,500-pound plant, for the second week in a row. The bite is best off shore or in Cottonwood Cove on nightcrawlers or on rainbow and green Power Bait. Good crappie bite in 35 to 40 feet of water at the dam on jigs and live minnows. The fish are running from one to two pounds, and a few bass are showing up in the catch. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked this with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE: Centennial Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Trabuco Creek, Tri-city Lake, Yorba Linda Park Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake, Evans Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Park Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Park Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
MARIPOSA: Merced River from Redbug Bridge downstream to South Fork.
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marina operators, tackle shops and local fishermen we contact. Anglers catching large fish should send the information to Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427, or telephone 909-887-3444, so it can be included n this report. Faxes can be sent to 909-887-8180. E-Mail messages or fishing reports can also be posted to Jim Matthews at odwriter@earthlink.net and/or Cyndi Gollaz at cagurrola@charter.net.
Other complete versions are posted on a number of Web sites each week, including the Turner's Outdoorsman Web site (www.turners.com) and Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors Web site a href="."/" target="_blank">http://www.jesseshunting.com. The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning at each of these sites. The Outdoor News Service Web site is www.outdoornewsservice.com. The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Internet web page is located at the following address: www.dfg.ca.gov.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. For the third week in a row, Casitas Lake has produced largemouth bass over 11 pounds, and the sheer volume of fish is also improving. The fact the lake is finally also getting trout plants again has brought the big fish up to feed and the huge, trout-like cranks and swimbaits have been very effective. There have been good numbers of smaller fish showing on jigs and plastics. For an update, check with the marina staff at 805-649-2043.
2. Diamond Valley Lakes bass bite is excellent with more and more fish moving out of the depths. There is a good crankbait and swimbait bite now in relatively shallow water with some exceptional catches reported in the past week (like a 30-pound, five-fish limit). The bass are up on most points chasing bait. For updated fishing information, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
3. Lower Otay open with a bang this past week and it remains one of the top bets for bass in the region with a lot of fish up to six pounds reported. The bite is on everything from shiners and crawdads to plastics and spoons. There was also a new lake record blue catfish -- 92.1 pounds -- landed here this past week.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Lots of very good planted trout action right now. For big trout and big numbers of fish, the top bets continue to be Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, Laguna Niguel Park Lake, and Jess Ranch Lakes in the High Desert are all very good. Angler's Lake in Hemet and Hesperia Lake in the desert also have good bites. There is also a good bite on recent plants and holdover fish at Diamond Valley and Silverwood. Perris has been good, too. Virtually all of the urban lakes from San Diego County north into Los Angeles County are now being planted with trout, and the bites are good across the board at these places -- at least for the first couple of days after the plants. Little change in the top picks here. They include Wohlford, Dixon, Poway, Jennings, and Cuyamaca in San Diego County, along with all the San Bernardino County park lakes -- Yucaipa, Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, and Mojave Narrows.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Bass action is starting to kick into gear with the pre-spawn bass action taking off throughout the region. Casitas has been a consistently good spot with a number of big bass to 11-0 and another trout plant this week. Diamond Valley has broken open with excellent catches this week. Otay and Hodges opened to fishing last week in San Diego County, and Otay was hot but Hodges just so-so. Bass are showing with increasingly regularity at Castaic, Silverwood, Piru, Pyramid, El Capitan, and Murry. There are also some signs the lower Colorado River is also starting to shift out of the winter doldrums, too, with some largemouth starting to show in the lower river. Also some decent smallmouth catches in this same region.
STRIPED BASS: For Southern California waters, Castaic, Skinner and Pyramid are the top picks with a number of two to five-pound class fish showing on swimbaits, shad, anchovies, and sardines, with the odd double-digit fish. Silverwood has had a decent bite, also on smaller fish, mostly on cut baits. On the Colorado River, Mead broke wide open this past week, spurred on by massive trout plants, and quality fish are always possible at Willow Beach or the upper reaches of Lake Mojave. A few small stripers to four pounds are showing in Havasu in a spotty bite.
PANFISH: Most of the panfish bites are slow, but a couple of encouraging crappie bites of note this week. Lower Otay had a couple of exception crappie catches in its opening week of fishing. El Capitan and San Vicente also both still bear watching. The Buena Vista Lakes in the San Joaquin Valley, and Lake Lopez on the Central Coast are also both seeing improving crappie action. No redear or bluegill bites of note.
CATFISH: There was a lake record 92.1-pound blue catfish caught at Lower Otay on its opener this past week, in a spotty bite. Other spots worth watching include Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, the lower Colorado River, and Hesperia Lake, which continues to get weekly plants of catfish.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Trout bite excellent from the docks and off shore by the launch ramp on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Top catch was a four-pound trout by Arthur Pendington, Chino, on the nightcrawler and Power Bait combo off the docks. Striper bite is good off the points and docks on anchovies and Kastmasters. Top striper catch was a three-pound fish by Ron Roberts, Hesperia, off the docks on a swimbait. The catfish and carp bites are fair. Sam Holt, Fontana, caught a stringer of catfish and carp on anchovies and nightcrawlers off shore by the docks. DFG trout plant this week. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Slow trout action over most of the lake. A few fish are showing at the dam and in the Stanfield area on Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. No DFG trout plant in over two months. Information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow fishing with few reports. The boat house is now closed for the season. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: No reports. All facilities are closed until spring. Recorded information: 909-867-2009. ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: Closed for the season. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Better action this week with slightly clearer waters. Most catches have been made on Lip Ripperz plastics or Power worms. Dave Pearson, Santa Ana, landed the top three fish of the week. He caught a 13-8, a 13-pound and a 12-12 trout on Power Worms at the drain. John Scruggs, Hesperia, caught an 11-12 trout on Power Bait at the grassy bank. Richard Sturgis, San Bernardino, caught an 11-8 trout on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo. Randy Mays, Hesperia, caught a 9-12 trout off the north shore. Kyle Foster, Apple Valley, caught a 9-8 trout on a nightcrawler. The catfish are biting fair on mackerel. Doug Lewis, Los Angeles, caught a 22-pound catfish on shrimp, and Allen Stanton, Corona, caught an 18 and a 21-pound catfish on shrimp and dip bait. Each week 4,500 pounds of trout are planted, including a lot of trophy fish. Lightning Trout were planted Monday -- 2,000 pounds worth, including brood stock fish over eight pounds. Sturgeon over 100 pounds will be planted in March. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Good trout action from both lakes on Power Bait (rainbow, chartreuse, orange, and yellow), inflated nightcrawlers, Jakes' lures, and worms. Plenty of limits were caught again this week with fish over two pounds. The waters are a little murky from the runoff, so dousing baits in Power Bait dip or in Crave Gravy will help attract the fish. Good fishing from the eastern logged shore, the grassy point and the western shore of lake 2. James Aiken, hometown unknown, caught his limit in only 30 minutes. His top fish, five pounds, was caught on orange peel Power worms. Gil Rowe, Victorville, caught a 4-8 steelhead on a white Power worm off the north eastern shore of lake 3. Steve Carlson, Upland, caught 4-3 trout on a crappie jig off the western shore of lake 2. Mike Gorman, Glendora, caught a 4-2 steelhead on chartreuse Power Bait near the bridge of lake 2. Kodi Whalen, Ontario, caught a 3-11 rainbow on the Power egg and night crawler combo off the eastern shore of lake 2. Dave Ochoa, Hesperia, caught a 3-3 trout on rainbow Power Bait dipped in attractant off the western shore of lake 3. Upcoming events: this Saturday will be a prize weekend. There will be three prize categories for adults and two for children. All prizes will be given at 2 p.m. Lake hours are Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prize and lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The trout bite remains good on Power Bait or nightcrawlers or the pair used together. Monty Baker, Hesperia, caught five trout to two pounds on Power Bait and Velveeta. Tew Lewis, Victorville, had four trout to three pounds and an 11-pound catfish, all on nightcrawlers. The lake will continue to be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Trout bite is fair on yellow Power Bait and nightcrawlers, and should improve with this weeks DFG plant. The lake is stocked every Thursday through April 19 by the county. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: The lake will be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. Also a DFG plant this week. Entry fee is $10. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action. Most of the rainbows have been 1-8 to 2-8 and the bite has been best on floating baits. The lake will be stocked with trout again this week and every week through April 19 by the county. Also a DFG plant this week. Information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Trout bite remains good on jigs and Power Bait. The lake will continue to be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 with county fish. Also a DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Overall slow fishing. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Trout bite decent on Power Bait, mini jigs, Lip Ripperz plastics, Roostertails, and Kastmasters. Shore anglers are having better luck than boat anglers. The hot spot for landing trout is at the marina, while the holdovers are still popping up along the east dam and on the south side of the wave attenuator. Trenton Kasten, Temecula, caught a 5.15-pound trout fishing nightcrawlers near the marina. Albert Patino, South Gate, caught a 3.68-pound trout on Power Bait 30 feet down at the west dam. David M. Sutliff, Hemet, caught a 3.06-pound trout on green Powerbait off shore. The bass fishing is good on crank baits off the points and on swimbaits at the marina in the morning. Trolling cranks with downriggers or lead core in 50 to 55 feet of water are best for the deeper fish. The bass are chasing the trout around the shoreline, so plenty of fish have been landed in shallow water on crawdads or Senkos. On Valentine's day, Mike Collins, San Jacinto, landed five bass that weighed 29.73 pounds in two hours.
Mike Collins pic
img src="."/images/bass_dvl_feb2007_mike_collins_san_jacinto_29.73_limit.jpg" alt="IPB Image" border="0">
Honree and Evan Davis, New York, caught a 4.7, a 5.6 and 5.9-pound bass on plastic worms near restroom 2. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, caught a 4.88-pound bass 45 feet deep while lead core trolling a jointed trout pattern Rapala. Ted Wilson, Chino, caught four bass totaling 15 pounds. The odd striper showing up on trout-like lures. Brent Malinowski, Norco, caught a 12.89-pound striper fishing the west dam on a swimbait. David E. Trevino, Chino Hills, caught a nine-pound striper on an A.C. Plug. Catfish bite fair. Doug Hagadorn, Valley Center, caught a 32.80-pound catfish on a pig n jig off the north shore, which now is the Diamond Valley catfish record. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: The action continues to improve with fair to good bass, crappie and trout bites. Plenty of rainbow limits from lots 11 and 12 on pieces of nightcrawlers, on silver or gold Kastmasters, or on yellow or green Power Bait. Chad White, Riverside, caught a 1.1-pound trout on yellow Power Bait. Bass action fair and improving from the marina docks and in Sail and Rock Climbers coves with fish to six pounds. Crappie bite good on red or white jigs. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, caught a 2.8-pound crappie on jigs off the marina docks. DFG trout plant last week. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: After last weeks 1,200-pound DFG trout plant, the trout bite is excellent. The ramps and the east end areas are boiling with trout action. Ben Rodgers, Romoland, caught a 3.5-pound trout on nightcrawlers at ramp 2. Paul and Kaitlyn Snyder, Menifee, caught a 3.5-pound stringer of trout on Power Bait at ramp 2. Striper action remains good. Scott Read, Riverside, caught a six-pound striper off the north shore. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: No reports.
CORONA LAKE: Very good bite with many anglers reporting limits of trout, and there were five more rainbows better than 10 pounds landed this past week. Lightning Trout will be planted late Wednesday night this week, and each of the next two weeks. The biggest trout reported was a 12 1/2 pounder landed by Ron Bowser, Indio, while fishing a jig at the dam. Tommy Rodriguez, Chino, and Richard Westphalen, Arcadia, each caught rainbows that weighed in at 11 pounds. The best action has been on chartreuse Nitro Bait or nightcrawlers dipped in corn-flavored Nitro Gravy, with the dam area -- whether fishing from boat or shore -- is still the best spot. Lightning Trout will be stocked three consecutive weeks starting this week. Tundra & Lightning Fishing Tournament set for Sunday, Feb. 25. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout bite on Power Bait.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Good trout bite from all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel or anchovies. Upcoming events: Fishing derby every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Trout bite fair to good with most fish to three pounds and the best bite on lime twist or spring green Power Bait. Nightcrawlers have also been successful. Catfish action slowed, but a few fish are still showing on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout action fair to good on Power Bait. Catfish action slow. Upcoming events: Fishing derby set for Saturday, Feb. 10 and for Saturday, Feb. 24. Derby and lake information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Still a good trout bite, especially with warmer temps. The lake has a new sonar sensor, which can detect the size of the fish in addition to the location of the fish on the lake. Catfish still snoozing. The pond will be stocked regularly with rainbow trout through March. Lake open daily Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on all Monday holidays. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: The bite is picking up with warmer temps. People are going out in boats again. Trout bite best on nightcrawlers, and most fish are feeding off the bottom in three to four feet of water at Camp 5 and off the south side of the peninsula (Camp 2). DFG trout plant last week. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants in over two months. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good trout action continues and there will be giant plants of Lightning Trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms this week and the following two weeks. There have been a lot of limits reported in the past week, and another six trout over the 10-pound mark have also been landed. The biggest fish was a 19.8-pounder caught by Robert Vandevelde, Modjeska, while fishing a nightcrawler doused with White Lightning Grease in the Bubble Hole. Bryan Robbs, Costa Mesa, had a 15-pound rainbow, while Varian Virgen, Buena Park, landed trout at 12 and 8 pounds fishing rainbow. Tom Moua, Diamond Bar, caught an 11 1/2-pounder, Rick Zeno, Stanton, landed an 10 1/2, and Pedro Villa, Anaheim, caught a 10-pounder. Information: 714-632-7830 or www.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: The overall bite improved and many larger trout were caught this week. Bite best in the early morning by the running intake pipe in Sierra Cove. Shore fishing best off the west shoreline on salmon eggs, or the Power Bait/nightcrawler combo, while trollers are fishing mid-lake with firetiger-colored Rapalas or Roostertails. Howard Jameson, Perris, caught an 11.9-pound trout on a Roostertail off the west shore. Perry Green, Anaheim, caught an 11.4-pound trout on a Thomas Buoyant at mid-lake. Paul Castaneda, Idaho, caught a 10.3-pound trout on a Rapala at mid-lake. Mark Zerby, Long Beach, caught a 10-pound trout on a nightcrawler off the west shore, and Johnny Faiello, Long Beach, caught an 8.8-pound trout on a Roostertail also off the west shore. Stan Kong, Anaheim, caught a 7.12-pound trout on Power Bait off the west shore, and James Anna, 9, Trabuco Canyon, caught a five trout limit totaling 17.1 pounds on nightcrawlers off the west shore. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing good to excellent with lots of limits. Fish from two to three pounds. Plant this week. Best trout bite on Power Bait, Power worms, inflated nightcrawlers dipped in sauce, and gold Kastmasters. Largemouth bite fair with fish from one to two pounds. A 6-8 largemouth was landed last week. Pig n jig combinations in dark colors best for the bass. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: The trout action continues fair with trollers and still fishermen working the east end of the lake. The action should pick up after this weeks DFG plant. Needlefish, Kastmasters, Rapalas for the trollers and drifted nightcrawlers and orange Power Bait are best for fishermen. Most of the fish are from 1-8 to four pounds and some anglers are getting limits. Bite best in two to 20 feet of water. Other species are very slow or getting no pressure. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Bass bite very good. Best action in 30 to 40 feet. Top catch was an 11-8 landed by Tomas Pimiental, Placentia, on a swimbait. Mike Vergini, Los Angeles, caught an 11-pound bass on a swimbait. Jack Neu, San Marcos, and John Rosenfield, San Marcos, caught ten bass totaling 65.5 pounds. Plenty of fish in the seven to eight-pound range on live crawdads and leadhead jigs. Jim Mason, Oakview, caught a limit two days in a row with a six-pound average on leadhead jigs. Smaller fish, in the three and four-pound range, are biting on plastic worms or nightcrawlers off shore. A few catfish here and there. Kenny Mann, Oakview, caught a 22-pound catfish on mackerel. Redear and crappie slow. Trout plant slated for this week. Lake information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: No trout yet, but DFG plants should resume in the next two weeks. The striper action slower this week, but boaters are still having fair action, especially in the Fish Arm. A 21-8 striper was caught at Castaic Landing, but the angler chose to remain anonymous. Justin Artenburn, Arizona, caught an 11-8 striper on sardines, and Angela DeLuca, Saugus, caught a 4-8 striper on nightcrawlers from fish arm. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Bass bite excellent on drop-shotting jigs, small plastic worms, or nightcrawlers. The trout bite is fair near the dam, in Santa Felicia, from the main lake, and in the narrows. Trollers are having success with four to five colors of leadcore and the usual lures. Bert Fortin, Norwalk, caught a 1-8 trout on a Rapala. Larry Burns, Los Angeles, caught a two-pound trout on a Thomas Buoyant in the narrows. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: A 1,000-pound DFG trout plant went in this week. The action should pick up, at least for a few days, on nightcrawlers and anchovies. Some stripers are biting in the marina area on topwater baits, nightcrawlers and anchovies. Water levels are up and boats are able to launch. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: Few reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Slow to fair bite. Some bass and catfish have been landed. The catfish are biting mackerel and nightcrawlers, while the bass are hitting all topwater plastics. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Slow to fair trout action with the best bite the first couple of days after a trout plant, mostly on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Also a few cats showing, but that bite has slowed way down. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No reports.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779. HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Trout action decent on Power Bait. DFG plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed to all fishing until spring of 2007. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: The lake opened last week and the bass fishing is fair. There were 277 anglers who reported 109 bass and seven crappie. Top catch was a 4.06-pound largemouth caught by John Curry, San Marcos, on a plastic worm. Jack Mason, El Cajon, caught a 3.5-pound largemouth on spinnerbait, and Bill Watson, Escondido, landed a three-pound largemouth on a crank bait. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Good bass bite and some quality crappie showing. Everything else slow. This past week, there were 322 anglers who reported catching 435 bass, 48 crappie, eight blue catfish and six channel catfish. The lake is open on Thursdays and Saturdays for fishing and boating only. No rental boats are available. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: The lake opened last week and 604 anglers reported catching 854 bass, 346 crappie, 98 rainbow trout, 30 channel catfish, 12 bluegill and two blue catfish. James Odom, San Diego, caught a 92.10-pound blue catfish on mackerel, which is the new lake record. Gary Smith, Compton, caught a 16.55-pound blue catfish on mackerel. Top largemouth bass was a 6.9 pounder by Stephen Patek, San Diego, on a Carolina rig. Michael Callabrese, San Diego, caught a 6.5-pound largemouth on a plastic worm. The crappie are really worth noting, too, with some exceptional stringers of fish reported. Roy McCord and Maurice Clady, both San Diego, had 50 crappie that weighed 68 1/4 pounds with slabs to 2.15 pounds, all on jigs in the Harvey Arm. Rob Shannon and Paul Rodriguez, El Cajon, had 35 crappie to 2.35 pounds. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: The lake opened last week and 51 anglers reported 42 bass. DFG trout plant went in two weeks ago. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Good bass action, but very little crappie action this week. In all, there were 237 anglers that reported 466 bass, 49 bluegill, five crappie, five channel catfish and three blue catfish. Top catch was a 10.06-pound largemouth bass by Rick Long, Garden Grove, on a Rat-L-Trap. Kathy Reutter, Ramona, caught a four-pound largemouth on a shiner. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday only, and the boat launch reopened for private boaters this past Saturday. Lake information: 619-465- 3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Still an overall slow bite with only a few bass and rainbow trout showing. This past week, there were 99 anglers who reported catching 64 rainbows, 26 bass, and three bluegill. Jarad Jerauld, San Diego, caught a 6.35-pound largemouth on a Castaic trout. The lake is open only for shore fishing seven days a week. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Slow fishing. Not too many reports other than the 22 bass and 11 channel catfish landed by the 64 anglers checked. Mickanl Orange, Escondido, caught three channel catfish to 10.35 pounds on mackerel. Bobby Tsutsui, El Cajon, caught six largemouth to 3.1 pounds on crawdads. The lake is open to fishing Saturday through Tuesday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: The lake is closed to fishing and boating until March. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Trout action fair with a number of quality rainbows reported. Hot baits are still green Power Bait and nightcrawlers and the top spot has been east of Willow Cove. Hailee Pryor, Temecula, caught a 7-15 rainbow on rainbow Power Bait off senior shoreline. Frank Romeo, Escondido, caught a 4-10 rainbow on green Power Bait also off the senior shoreline. Bass action making some noise. Dennis Young, Valley Center, caught a 7-5 bass on a live crawdad in Willow Cove, and Roy Hammond, Escondido, caught a 4-13 bass on a Castaic swimbait off senior shoreline. The crappie bite is decent on spinners. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No DFG trout plants in over a month. DIXON: Trout action has been good on rainbows to five pounds with the best action between piers 3 and 4 and off Jack Creek Pier. Theres also a decent bite in Trout Cove. Top baits have been rainbow Power Bait or nightcrawlers. The lake will be stocked with 1,200 pounds of trout this week. The bass bite improved this week with a lot more fishing pressure. Lots of fish are in the pre-spawn mode. Fair numbers of bass were caught 35 feet deep this weekend. No catfish reported this week. The lake is open daily to 7 p.m. Information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Trout fishing is good with many limits and big trout from boats and off shore mostly on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Some fish have also been landed on Rapalas and Kastmasters. The bite is best in Half Moon Bay and off Jump-off Point for shoreline anglers. From boats, the Boulder Bay area is best. Lori Stone, Oceanside, caught a 5.22-pound trout on the Power Bait/nightcrawler combo from mid-lake. Fred Cook, Escondido, caught a 5.08-pound trout on a Kastmaster from Boulder Bay. Aaron McHugh, La Mesa, caught a 4.24 and a 3.78-pound trout on nightcrawlers from mid-lake. Thunder trout (1,000 pounds) will be planted this week, and lightening trout will be planted Tuesday, Mar. 6. The catfish bite is good on mackerel along the log boom. The bass and bluegill bites are slow. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. The lake will also be open Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 19. Information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The lakes water level continues to rise in time for the spawning season and anglers are having lots of luck. The trout bite is good on Chartreuse Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers under a water float at Cactus Patch and in Hermit Cove. The bite is best before 7:30 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. The bass bite slowed down this week, and only a few were caught on jigs. During the day the bass are suspended off the points, and move to shallow water at dusk. Upcoming events: free fishing class 1 p.m. Sunday will give instruction fishing floating baits and Trout Teaser-type jigs for trout. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Trout bite improved to good and almost everyone has been going home with a limit. Brandon Hooper, Campo, caught five trout totaling 10 pounds. Jeff Simpson, El Cajon, caught a 6-15 trout on a Kastmaster. Debra Parson, El Cajon, caught a 4-6 trout on Power Bait. DFG trout plant last week. The boat launch is open, but no boats over 19-feet recommended. Boat rentals are limited to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Oddly just fair action. Mt. Lassen trout plant slated for this week. The Power Bait and nightcrawler combo are producing the most fish at the Lone Pine, Finger Jetty and south end. Bob Tooley, Descanso, landed a 4-6 rainbow, while Nicole Watanabe, Santa Ysabel, caught a four-pounder. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
ENSHAW: Catfish bite fair on shrimp for boat anglers. Carp and crappie are both very spotty with just a few of each showing. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: The fishing is awesome. Over 90,000 trout went in last week, and another trout plant is expected later this week. Best striper bite is in Saddle Cove on LA sliders (trout swimbaits). On some days, over 30 stripers from five to 13 pounds have been landed. Action on smaller stripers is out of the Las Vegas Wash area in 70 feet of water. Most fish are 2-8 or smaller and are biting on cut anchovies. The best bite is between 11 am and 2 pm. Information: 702-564-3058.
WILLOW BEACH: Lilly Eastern, 7, Las Vegas, caught a 13-pound striper on an A.C. Plug. Many trout limits have been landed on Power Bait and spinners. The overall bites for both species are good. Weekly rainbow trout plants each Friday have made for continued good action on fish from 12 inches to five pounds. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Mostly slow striper action, but few fish are biting. A.C. plugs still the bait of choice. No recent trout plants, and none expected for the near future. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: A spotty trout bite near Davis Camp and Riverside Resort thanks to recent plants. Fair striper bite in the morning and evenings along the river near Bullhead. Most of the stripers are small, but a few bigger fish were reported. Water levels are higher during the day for boat fishing.
NEEDLES: Topock area remains the best spot for stripers, with a pretty decent bite on small fish. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Catfish and bass bites fair, mostly along the shorelines. Some catfish over 10 pounds with a fair bite on anchovies and chicken liver dipped in stink bait. Decent striper bite. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Very few fish caught. Shad at Sand Point and a few stripers have been landed. Overall bite slow and very few fishermen have been out. The water is still about 50 degrees. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Slow to fair action on smallmouth bass in the main river, but otherwise slow fishing throughout this stretch of river. Catfish very spotty.
BLYTHE: The fish are starting to bite. Clay Freeman, Blythe, caught a 5-8 bass on a plastic. He also landed a four-pound tilapia on plastics. Water temps are going up, so its going to continue to get better. No flathead reports this week. Information: 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river channel, and a fair largemouth bite in the backwaters. Channel and flathead catfish are slow to fair with most of the flathead cats small, in the two to five-pound range.
PICACHO AREA: Very light fishing pressure, but overall fair fishing with a few flatheads, largemouth, bluegill, and stripers reported.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Still light fishing pressure and slow overall action, although warmer temps are helping the situation. The water surface is up to about 54 degrees. Largemouth are biting on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Catfish bite decent on anything that stinks and the crappie bite is also fair on small live minnows. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is still fair for channel catfish and large redear and bluegill. All biting on worms. In the main Colorado River, the catfish bite has been fair on chicken liver or worms dipped in stink bait, but there is very light fishing pressure and very few flatheads have been reported.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow fishing. Nothing reported this week. Information: Red Hill Marina 760-348-2310, Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052. Weather information: 760-352-3360, Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast 760-398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports. Channel catfish are fair on mackerel or anchovies.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass have been reported. ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No report.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Good trout action with plants last week and again this week. The trout are running from two pounds to four pounds with a few even bigger. Other hot spots have been the main point, the jetty, and the PGA side of the lake. Power Baits and nightcrawlers doused with scent have been the hot bait. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA GENERAL: General trout season opens April 28 throughout Inyo and Mono county. Only selected waters in the two counties remain open to fishing year around. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com.
BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Owens River below Crowley Lake remain open to fishing year around. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley has been good for fly anglers, but the lower Owens has been tough, although flows have come down and things are improving. On March 1 catch and release anglers will be able to fish the waters of Hot Creek, the upper Owens River above the Benton Crossing Bridge and the East Walker River below the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Lower Owens is slow with the flows up and down. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Decent trout bite in the upper river on salmon eggs and crickets. The flows are perfect. Fair to good catfish bite on shad and live minnows from the lake. Some crappie action. DFG trout plant last week. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The upper Kern has a good trout bite. The river below Isabella has also been fair with some good flurries of action on crickets. The flows are perfect for fishing in both reaches. DFG trout plant last week from Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar and from Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach. Information: James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Slow catfish bite. The striper bite improved slightly on lug worms and live minnows, and an occasional catfish on cut bait. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Trout planted last week and the bite remains good on Power Bait and garlic oil. Crappie action good on small live minnows.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Trout bite still fair on Power Bait and spinners best baits. DFG trout plant last week.
MING LAKE: Plenty of trout have been landed here on Power Bait with garlic oil. DFG trout plant last week. The bass bite picked up due to warmer temps. BRITE LAKE: The trout bite is good on Power Bait and spinners.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Still has the best trout action in the Western Sierra. Ceson Ruiz, Bakersfield, caught a six-pound trout on Power Bait. Best luck is with spinners, Kastmasters, or Power Bait with garlic oil. Crappie bite also good. Most fish 1-8 to two pounds on live minnows. Information: Concession 661-763-1268, Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Trout bite fair. Bass and bluegill action is slow to fair, with the bass showing on plastics and nightcrawlers and the bluegill still best on wax and meal worms. DFG trout plant last week.
SUCCESS LAKE: Fishing remains tough due to low water levels. Some trout have been landed. DFG trout plant one month ago. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Trout bite fair and steady. DFG trout plant one month ago. A good bass bite between 10:30 a.m. and noon on plastic worms. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Not too many fish have been reported in the past two months. Very light fishing pressure. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Crappie biting fair on jigs and worms, and the bass bite spotty on Senkos. Trout bite fair. DFG trout plant this week. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Action improved and anglers have had success in Dip Creek, Town Creek, and in the narrows. Some white and spotted bass and crappie were caught on plastics and nightcrawlers. A 16-inch trout was also landed. Lower water temperatures have kept the best fishing at about 20 feet deep. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Trout bite good after another 1,500-pound plant, for the second week in a row. The bite is best off shore or in Cottonwood Cove on nightcrawlers or on rainbow and green Power Bait. Good crappie bite in 35 to 40 feet of water at the dam on jigs and live minnows. The fish are running from one to two pounds, and a few bass are showing up in the catch. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked this with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE: Centennial Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Trabuco Creek, Tri-city Lake, Yorba Linda Park Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake, Evans Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Park Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Park Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
MARIPOSA: Merced River from Redbug Bridge downstream to South Fork.
