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FISH REPORT -- ONS-matthews-gollaz 14mar07 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 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. The warm weather has broken open the bass and crappie bites all over Southern California, so picking the three top spots is difficult. But the Diamond Valley Lakes bass bite is excellent and a notch above everyplace else. More and more bass are moving out of the depths, and there is a good crankbait and swimbait bite in relatively shallow water (10 to 15 feet). The really exceptional catches continue to mount up. Limits of bass that weighed 25 to 30 pounds are reported every week, if not daily, and there are more and more bass over eight pounds being caught now, too. For updated fishing information, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. The ocean action for giant squid has been excellent for over a month and hasnt been in our top picks even though it should have been. With the bite expanding into Orange County waters and occasionally even into the Santa Monica Bay, it has to be include now. All of the Orange County and San Diego Landings are running evening charters for the 20 to 50 pound squid. Bring rain gear and go. If you need information on gear or want specific dock counts, check on-line at www.976-tuna.com.
3. Casitas Lake, while still a top pick for bass, remains in the spotlight of our top picks for its newly emerged crappie bite. Quality fish and some nice stringers were reported this past week with a number of crappie over the two-pound mark. Yes, there were also six bass over 10 pounds. For an update on the when and where of the crappie bite, check with the marina staff at 805-649-2043.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Still good trout action throughout the region's low elevation, planted waters. Top bets continues to be Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, Laguna Niguel Park Lake, and Hesperia Lake. Angler's Lake in Hemet and Jess Ranch Lake in the high desert also have good bites. There is also a good action on recent plants and holdover fish at Diamond Valley, Silverwood, and Perris. 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 good to excellent with some fish already moving up onto beds throughout the region, especially lower elevation, warmer waters. Diamond Valley has broken wide open with excellent catches for five weeks now on swimbaits. Casitas has been a consistently good spot with a number of big bass to 11 pounds this past week. El Capitan, San Vicente, and Lower Otay have been good in San Diego County, and Sutherland improve this past week. Bass are showing with increasingly regularity at Perris, Castaic, Silverwood, Piru, Pyramid, and Murry. The lower Colorado River has also really started to turn on in the past week with some excellent reports, especially from the warmer backwaters. 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 but there were few reports from here this past week. On the Colorado River, Mead has been spotty but a few good fish reported, 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: A number of crappie bites are starting to take off. Casitas broke open this week. Buena Vista Lakes in the southern San Joaquin Valley is pretty good. On the Central Coast, Lopez Lake has a good crappie bite and the bite at Santa Margarita is ramping up, too. The Nacimiento bite also turned on, and the white bass are starting to run up into the river. Better crappie bites were reported at both El Capitan and Lower Otay this week. But there are still no bluegill or redear bites of note, although a few redear are starting to show at Cachuma and San Vicente had some decent bluegill action this week.
CATFISH: Overall, the catfish bites are still mostly spotty with the exception of the Hesperia Lake bite that broke wide open two weeks ago. Several more big fish over 20 pounds again this week. Other bites worth noting include a sleeper bite on catfish at Santa Ana River Lakes, mostly on trout guts. The lower Colorado River, especially in irrigation ditches around Blythe and Palo Verde, the flathead action is starting to go. There were several fish in the 20-pound class this past week.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Trout bite consistently good. The bite is best off the docks and shore by the launch ramp on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Top catch was a four-pound fish by Kenny Bevins, Hesperia, on a worm off the dock. James Garcia, Whittier, caught a five-pound stringer of trout on lemon twist Power Bait. Top fish was three pounds. DFG trout plant this week. The largemouth bass bite is starting to kick in a little bit with the warm weather with some decent fish to 4-0 report by anglers fishing plastics off the main lake points and around the marina. Few stripers reported this past week, and zip on the cats. 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: Red hot bite on both catfish and trout. Several trout over 10 pounds have been landed on Power Bait or plastics. Top trout catch was a 15-8 by Bill Wands, Hesperia. Jack Perry, Pomona, caught a 13-8 trout, and Clark Seny, Ontario, and Paul Angel, Upland, each caught an 11-12 trout. Richard McMillan, Fontana, landed a 9-8 trout. The catfish are hitting shrimp and the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo. Gary Roberts, Sunnymead, caught a 42-8 catfish. Jesse Cole, Riverside, caught 35- and 38-pound catfish, while Tarone Buragua, caught a 27-8 cat. Catfish will be planted every week through summer. Sturgeon to be planted the end of this month, including fish over 100 pounds. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout action good on Power Bait (spring green, rainbow and lemon twist), jigs and lures with anglers using a six- to 18-inch leader. Hot spots include the northern shore, the eastern shore and the western shore near the bridge of lake 3 as well as the northern and eastern shores and the inlets of lake 2. Lake hours are Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The trout bite remains good on yellow and white trout jigs, Power Bait, salmon eggs, or inflated nightcrawlers with fish from one to two pounds. The catfish action is slow to fair with a fish showing on nightcrawlers. The lake will continue to be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Good trout bite on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and small jigs. Lots of fish to 2-0 with some bigger. David Quintero, Ontario, landed a 5-0 trout, while Charles Rote, Chino, had trout at 4-0 and 3-0. Juan Garcia, Alta Loma, and Wilfe McMichael, Bloomington, each landed 3-0 rainbows. The lake is stocked every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG plant last week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: The lake will be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant last 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. DFG trout plant last week. Fishing derby scheduled for March 31 and April 1. Entry fee is $10. Derby or lake 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. 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 last week. Fishing improved to fair. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Excellent bass bite on swimbaits, Senkos, Ikas, and Carolina- or Texas-rigged, six-inch or larger plastics or Creature baits. Bigger is better. Boat anglers have had the most success, but shore fishermen have had luck with live crawdads. The bass have been holding in 10 to 30 feet of water off the main points, submerged mounds, and coves with heavy structure. Mike Collins, San Jacinto, caught a 29.76-pound limit of largemouth this past week -- nearly a six-pound average. The lake was planted with 2,400 pounds of rainbow trout last week, and the rainbow trout bite has remained good for both shore anglers and boat anglers fishing small jigs, lure, and floating baits. Lots of fish to 2-0. No striper action this week. Not too much catfish this action, and not crappie or bluegill reported. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Good bass action this week with fish moving into shallow waters. Top bass was a 10-1 by Mack Robinson, Moreno Valley, on a silver Kastmaster from the east end. Mark Sanchez, Moreno Valley, caught a seven-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler from the east end. The trout bite is good, and plenty of fish from last weeks plant have been landed between the launch ramps and the east end in deeper water. Jay Grammatico, 10, Moreno Valley, caught a 1-4 trout on a garlic nightcrawler from the east end. DFG trout plant last week. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600. S
KINNER: Excellent striper and trout bites again this week. The lake received an 800-pound rainbow trout plant this week to keep the rainbow action hot. John Thomlinson, Vista, caught an eight-pound stringer of trout on nightcrawlers at Ramp 2. Top fish was three pounds. Good bass bite as the fish move into a spawning mode. Tom Krueger, Moreno Valley, caught a six-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler from the east end. The catfish and bluegill bites are fair. Bill Masterson, Corona, caught a 6-2 catfish on a spinner from the east end. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: No reports.
CORONA LAKE: Both the trout and catfish bites have been excellent this past week. The warm weather has stirred up the catfish, and the trout have moved to deeper water and are cruising close to the bottom. Short, six-inch leaders have been the key to fishing floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers. Chartreuse and corn yellow Nitro Bait fished with Nitro Gravy or Grease has been the best bait, but a few fish are still showing on inflated nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or small jigs and trout plastics. The biggest rainbow this past week was a 20-pounder landed by Chuck Shamblin, Riverside, while fishing corn yellow Nitro Bait near the dam. Jarred Musby, Corona, landed a 15 1/4-pound rainbow, and Mike Drofycz, San Bernardino, had a limit of five trout that weighed 18 pounds. His big fish was an 11 1/2-pound rainbow. The catfish have been in the flooded trees and the best action has been on cut mackerel for both shore and boat anglers. Fred Offeney, Riverside, had a 5-0 catfish on mackerel. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout bite on Power Bait.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant last 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 also good. Catfish action still slow, but a more fish are still showing on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Lots of three- to five-pound rainbows all over the lake and plenty were caught during last weeks derby. Each week over 1,000 pounds of trout are planted. Upcoming events: Fishing derby set for March 24. Lots of prizes and $100 can be won. 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, but the warm weather should perk this bite. The pond will be stocked regularly with rainbow trout through the end of March and then catfish plants take over. 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 trout bite is good on inflated nightcrawlers by the dam. Joe and Quincy Olsen, La Quinta, caught two limits of trout at the dam. Top fish was a 3-8 on an inflated nightcrawler. Samuel Sierra, 12, Chino, caught a limit of trout on Power Bait. Top fish was three pounds. Steve and Marge Hooton, Dessert Hot Springs, caught four trout near the dam on Power Bait. All fish were about a pound each. DFG trout plant this week. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Fridays until 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants in nearly three months. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: There were 12 trout over the 10-pound mark reported this past week, and four of the rainbows topped 20 pounds and two others were in the 19-pound class. The biggest fish was a 22 1/2 pound rainbow landed by Jim Soliz, South El Monte, while fishing rainbow Power Bait at the boat dock. A 21 1/2-pound rainbow was landed by Alex Flores, Downey, while Ayaz Uddin, Anaheim, landed a 21-pounder. Mike Valdez, Orange, caught a 20 1/2-pounder. Ed Locke, Sr., Long Beach, landed a 19 1/4-pound rainbow, while Pedro Villa, Anaheim, caught a 19-pound trout. There will be double stockings of big fish each week for the rest of the month. along with steelhead trout this week and each of the next two weeks. The warm weather has also turned on the catfish bite, although few anglers are fishing the cats. The best baits have been trout guts in the big lake or the usual catfish baits fished in the Catfish Lake. The same pair of anglers -- David and Pancho Garcia, both of Santa Ana -- have been fishing trout guts and bringing home stringers of cats to 7 1/4 pounds each week. This past week's stringer of 14 fish weighed in at 30 1/4 pounds. 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: A trout hot spot is along the buoys at the mouth to Sierra Cove, but even more fish have been landed by trollers using firetiger Rapalas, with the smaller lures getting the nod due to the extremely clear water. Most bait anglers have had success on the Power Bait/nightcrawler combination. Kenny Cameron, Northridge, landed a 9.2-pound trout on Power Bait. Brad Sampson, Lakewood, caught an 8.8-pound trout on a Rapala on the flats. Kreg Burbridge, Alta Loma, landed an 8.4-pound trout at mid-lake. Chris Goodwin, Orange, caught a 7.2-pound trout near the dam. Stan Jackson, Mission Viejo, 6.2-pound trout on Power Bait off the west shore. The largemouth are moving up, with lots of three and four pounders on crankbaits or Rapalas. Crappie action picked up at the Santiago Flats with a few fish in the one-pound range biting on mini-jigs. Oddball catch of the week: Fred Tovyk, Riverside, caught a 40-pound sturgeon. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing good to excellent. The lake received a double plant of trout this week. Most fish are in the two- to 3 1/2-pound range. Best fishing is to the right of the concession and off the points on Power Bait, nightcrawlers dipped in sauce and Power worms. Trollers are having luck with gold Kastmasters. Fly fishermen are having success behind the big island with olive midges. Bass bite fair with fish in the one to two-pound range. Bite best on assorted plastics. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Trout action good, especially when trolling at the east end in five to 10 feet of water with Needlefish. Only a few bass have been showing, also from the east end. The bass action is expected to pick up. Redear, crappie, and catfish are quiet. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: A lot of bass action with quality fish routine. The fish are moving into the shallows getting ready to spawn. Best fish was an 11-8 bass caught by John Marini, Tarzana, on a swimbait. Joe Zitko, San Pedro, also landed an 11-8 bass on a live crawdad. Frank Marini, Tarzana, caught a 10-pound bass also on a swimbait. Bill Griffith, Ventura, caught a 10, seven, and a three-pound bass on crankbait. Mark Mitran, Ojai, caught two 10-pound bass on crawdads. Paul Dobson, Lakeside, caught a 9-8 bass on Senko. Trollers, however, are not having too much luck. Crappie bite decent on nightcrawlers and white mini-jigs. Frank Bennett, Ojai, caught 15 crappie with his top fish at three pounds. He also had an 8-8 bass on his stringer. Harold Cho, Camarillo, caught 30 crappie, with the largest at 2-8. Trout plant this week at the Santa Paula Ramp. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Trout action fair in the upper lake, but better in the lagoon. No more plants in the upper lake until October. The striper action is also fair, especially in the Fish Arm. Largemouth bass are still spotty. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Bass fishing is excellent with most fish from two to three pounds. Top fish was a 9-8 bass on a plastic worm, however the angler didnt leave a name. Floyd Schmidt and John Patrick, Camp Pendelton, caught a 6-1 bass on a plastic worm off the north end. DFG trout plant this week. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: Striper bite decent on anchovies. The trout and catfish action is fair to good. Trout biting best on anchovies, Power worms, and Power Bait. Trout plant this week. 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: Trout and cats have the best bites. The catfish are biting cut mackerel and nightcrawlers, while the trout are hitting green Power Bait. Bass are spawning yet, but more and more fish are showing, and there have also been reports of bluegill and crappie showing with the occasional redear. In the next two weeks things should open up. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Still a slow to fair trout action mostly on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. DFG trout plant last week. Also a few cats showing, but that bite has slowed way down. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last 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 two months.
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 but set to open May 2. Reservations for all of May go on sale 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 through Ticketmaster at 619-220-8497. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: The overall bite improved this week. There were 226 anglers who reported 162 bass, 23 crappie, and 10 bluegill. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Crappie bite good, bass fair, everything else slow. This past week, there were 420 anglers who reported catching 464 bass, 559 crappie, 20 blue catfish, 14 channel catfish, and 10 bluegill. Top catch was an 8.85-pound largemouth by Ted Becharas, Poway, on a crawdad. Top crappie catch was a 2.45 pounder by Gary Smith, Compton, that topped off a 22 fish stringer that weighed 22-4. Keith Boswell and Jimmy Magnabosco, both Lakeside, had 40 crappie that weighed 45 pounds with a 2.1-pounder the top fish. Alex Kluender, 7, San Diego, caught a 2.15-pound largemouth on plastics. 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: Fair to good bass and crappie action. This week 427 anglers reported catching 396 bass, 109 crappie, 58 rainbow trout, 23 channel catfish, and nine bluegill. Harvey Arm and the Otay Arm have been the hot spots. Top fish was 6.8-pound largemouth by Bill Collins, Chula Vista, on a plastic worm. Harry Rodgers, Chula Vista, landed a 6.6-pound largemouth on crawdads. Jaime Roldan, Imperial Beach, caught a six-pound largemouth on a plastic worm, and Mike Green, Chula Vista, caught a 5.7-pound largemouth. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: There were 39 anglers who reported 50 bass in a pretty good catch-and-release bite. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Good bass action and fair bluegill action, but no crappie reports this week. In all, there were 238 anglers who reported 389 bass, 86 bluegill, three redear, and one channel catfish. Top fish was 16.65-pound channel catfish landed by Will Larson, Spring Valley. 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 a slow to fair overall bite with only a few bass and rainbow trout showing. This past week, there were 225 anglers who reported catching 81 bass and 44 rainbow trout. Doug Boley, San Diego, caught a 13.10-pound largemouth on a plastic worm. Dustin Kasinak, San Diego, caught a 2.85-pound rainbow on a plastic worm. 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. No reports this week. The lakes launch ramp is closed. 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 bass bite remains good. This week the 156 anglers checked reported catching 275 bass, six crappie, one channel catfish, and one blue catfish. Top fish was a six-pound largemouth caught by George Thorton, Santee, on a crawdad, while Joe Rehm, Encinitas, caught a 4.55-pounder on a Senko. Riley MacLean, Ramona, caught a two-pound crappie on a crappie jig. The lake is on a Friday through Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Trout fishing has been very good on green Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. Hot spots have been off the north shore, east of Willow Cove, and in Boatdock Cove. Rudy Renteria, Oceanside, caught an 11-5 rainbow in Boatdock Cove. Tim Walston, Oceanside, caught a 7-8 trout also in Boatdock Cove on an inflated nightcrawler. The bass action has improved with warmer temps. Roy Hammond, Escondido, caught a 5-8 bass on a swimbait near the west buoy line. Crappie bite decent. Carol Bouley, Vista, landed a 2-11 crappie on a crappie jig near the south shore rock pile. Brett Aleshire, San Marcos, caught a 2-10 crappie on a live golden shiner. A 1,200-pound plant is slated for this week. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: Trout action has been good on rainbows to five pounds with the best action between piers 3 and 4 and at the buoy line. Theres also a decent bite in Trout Cove. Top baits have been rainbow Power Bait or nightcrawlers. The lake was stocked with 1,200 last week and another one is slated for this week. Very few bass are showing, and the action has slowed due to a drop in water level. No catfish reported this week. The lake is open daily to 7 p.m. Information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The lake received 1,000 pounds of Lightening Trout last week. The action is fair, but improving after last weeks downfall. Some limits. Boat anglers fishing Boulder Bay area and Jump Off Point had the best luck. Power Bait and nightcrawlers were the choices for best bait, although broken-back Rapalas and Kastmasters were also good. The catfish bite is still good along the log boom with mackerel the best bait. The bass are starting to stir as the water warms up. The bluegill bite remains slow. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The lakes big bass are becoming more active. Arden Hanline Jr., Spring Valley, caught a 13-8 bass on a swimbait -- the best of the season so far. Trout bite fair on Kastmasters. Larry Laumann, La Jolla, caught a three-pound trout. 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: Good rainbow and Thunder Trout bites. Soaking baits in Yum Trout Killa is best. DFG trout plant one month ago. 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: Decent trout bite due to warmer weather. Thunder, Alpers, and DFG rainbows are being landed. Top spots have been the lone pine tree, the north shore, or the tee dock. G. Wagner, Wisconsin, caught a 6-4 trout on a Power worm. Stephane Votzwinkler Sr., Coronado, caught a six-pound trout on a Power worm from Chambers Park, and Stephane Votzwinkler, Jr., Coronado, caught a 4-2 and a four-pound rainbow trout, on Power worms, also from Chambers Park. Melanee Garls, Spring Valley, landed a 4-4 Alpers tagged trout on the Power Bait and nightcrawler combo at the lone pine. The catch was good for a free night's stay in one of the Cuyamaca Condos. Jeff Virissimo, Ramona, landed a three-pound Thunder trout on the Power Bait and nightcrawler combo at the lone pine. Best areas for fly fishing is in Azalea Creek for spawners and the mouth of the creek for staging trout. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: 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: Good striper action. A 13-pound striper was caught by Tony Reyes, Las Vegas, on a trout imitation lure. Lots of fish have been landed in the coves and have ranged from three to 13 pounds. Rainbows are still being planted on Monday and Friday. Information: 702-564-3058.
WILLOW BEACH: Better action this week. Dorris Salt, Vegas, caught a 25-4 striper, and Curtis Easter, Boulder City, caught a 22-4 striper, both on AC Plugs. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: John Mullenbrock, Las Vegas, caught a 22-pound striper on an AC Plug from Cottonwood Cove. Fish ranging from three to 13 pounds have been landed on LA Sliders. 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: Shad are showing at Sand Point and a few stripers have been landed there on shad-like lures. 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, especially in the area ditches and backwaters where the water warms sooner than the main river. Some decent bass catches are being made, and a few flatheads are starting to show. Jack Williams, Blythe, caught a 7-3 largemouth from the backwaters on a shiner. Rafael Terrones, San Bernardino, caught flatheads at 20, 17, 12, and 12 pounds on goldfish from the local ditches. 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 and channel cats small, with nothing over five pounds reported.
PICACHO AREA: Very light fishing pressure, but overall fair fishing with a few flatheads, channel cats, largemouth, bluegill, and stripers reported.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Still light fishing pressure but improving fishing and the warmer temps are helping the situation. Largemouth are biting on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel 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 the past two weeks. The trout are running from one to four pounds with a few even bigger. Almost all of the action has been at the outlet this past week, with Power Baits and nightcrawlers doused with scent the hot baits. DFG trout plant last week. Catfish derby set for April 20-21. 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.
BRIDGEPORT AREA: In the newly-opened catch-and-release stretch of the East Walker River below the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam the fishing has been tough due to low water flows and cold water temperatures.
MAMMOTH AREA: The new catch-and-releases, year-around fishing areas on Hot Creek and the upper Owens River above the Benton Crossing Bridge have been a contrast. Hot Creek has been very good, producing some outside fish from five to seven pounds, although smaller fish are the norm. Nymphing under indicators and fishing emergers have been the best bets. Meanwhile, the upper Owens River is tougher. A lot of good fish are up out of Crowley in a spawning mode, but the water is cold and the fish are tough with only a few being caught on nymphs and egg patterns.
BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fishing good and open to shore fishing and float tubing. People are also throwing lures, including small Rapalas and Needlefish. Pulling streamers with a sinking line will also work. Good bite on worms and Power Bait off shore. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley for browns from eight to 12 inches on just about any dry fly -- but the fish are spooky. The Wild Trout section of the Owens has been good to excellent. Nice warm weather and a lot of dry fly hatches have made for excellent action. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Lower Owens Valley streams fair to good, and plants are going into Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Shepherds Creek, Symmes Creek, and Tuttle Creek again this week. The lower Owens has been slow. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Catfish bite good and with the best bite on minnows and shad. A few trout here and there. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Decent trout bite in the upper Kern River on salmon eggs and crickets. The river below Isabella has also been fair with some good flurries of action on crickets. Bass are also biting on silver spinners and nightcrawlers. The flows are perfect for fishing in both reaches. DFG trout plant last week. Information: James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striper bite good on lug worms, and live minnows, and an occasional catfish biting on Sonnys stink bait. Jesus Alvarez, Bakersfield, caught a 34-pound striper this past week. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Good bass on minnows, nightcrawlers, and jigs. The bluegill are fair on wax worms and crickets.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Good crappie and bass bite on minnows. Some bluegill action on wax worms and crickets.
MING LAKE: Some trout on garlic oil and Power Bait, but the bass are dominating with the best bite on minnows, nightcrawlers and jigs.
BRITE LAKE: The trout bite is fair on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and spinners.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout season is primarily over, and only a few were landed on Power Bait this week. Bass bite good on minnows, Brush Hogs, and crankbait. The bluegill are biting fair on wax worms, and the crappie are fair on minnows. Information: Concession 661-763-1268, Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Trout bite fair. Bass and bluegill action have improved 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: Crappie bite good at the boat docks on minnows. The bass bite is also fair on minnows. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: A good bass bite between 10:30 a.m. and noon on plastic worms and Brush Hogs. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Few report and still 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: The fishing is good. The water is clear. White bass have been landed in the narrows, and the fish are moving toward their spawning areas. Most white bass are in the two-pound range. Some crappie have been landed near the dam. Town Creek, Las Tables, and Christmas Cove have been the areas with the most action. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Trout bite excellent off shore or in Cottonwood Cove on nightcrawlers or on rainbow or green Power Bait. Trout from 1-8 to 2-8 were brought in. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the best bets. A DFG trout plant this week. A few crappie, redear, and bluegill have been landed. The crappie are hitting crappie jigs 20 to 30 feet down. Red or meal worms are best for the bluegill. The bass bite is also good, and the fish are biting in the shallows, already moving up to spawn. The area at the top of Lopez Arm, Wittenberg Arm, and above the bridge have been roped off for spawning. 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, Tri-city Lake. RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Strawberry Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Lytle Creek (Middle and North forks), Silverwood Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek, Rose Valley Lakes
INYO: Cottonwood Creak, Diaz Lake, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Shepherds Creek, Symmes Creek, Tuttle Creek.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Kern River (Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach). MARIPOSA: McSwain Reservoir.
MERCED: Los Banos Detention Reservoir, Merced River from McSwain Dam to Merced Falls, Yosemite Lake.
STANISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Turlock Reservoir, Woodward Reservoir
MONTEREY: El Estero Lake.
TUOLUMNE: Tulloch Lake.
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 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. The warm weather has broken open the bass and crappie bites all over Southern California, so picking the three top spots is difficult. But the Diamond Valley Lakes bass bite is excellent and a notch above everyplace else. More and more bass are moving out of the depths, and there is a good crankbait and swimbait bite in relatively shallow water (10 to 15 feet). The really exceptional catches continue to mount up. Limits of bass that weighed 25 to 30 pounds are reported every week, if not daily, and there are more and more bass over eight pounds being caught now, too. For updated fishing information, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. The ocean action for giant squid has been excellent for over a month and hasnt been in our top picks even though it should have been. With the bite expanding into Orange County waters and occasionally even into the Santa Monica Bay, it has to be include now. All of the Orange County and San Diego Landings are running evening charters for the 20 to 50 pound squid. Bring rain gear and go. If you need information on gear or want specific dock counts, check on-line at www.976-tuna.com.
3. Casitas Lake, while still a top pick for bass, remains in the spotlight of our top picks for its newly emerged crappie bite. Quality fish and some nice stringers were reported this past week with a number of crappie over the two-pound mark. Yes, there were also six bass over 10 pounds. For an update on the when and where of the crappie bite, check with the marina staff at 805-649-2043.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Still good trout action throughout the region's low elevation, planted waters. Top bets continues to be Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, Laguna Niguel Park Lake, and Hesperia Lake. Angler's Lake in Hemet and Jess Ranch Lake in the high desert also have good bites. There is also a good action on recent plants and holdover fish at Diamond Valley, Silverwood, and Perris. 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 good to excellent with some fish already moving up onto beds throughout the region, especially lower elevation, warmer waters. Diamond Valley has broken wide open with excellent catches for five weeks now on swimbaits. Casitas has been a consistently good spot with a number of big bass to 11 pounds this past week. El Capitan, San Vicente, and Lower Otay have been good in San Diego County, and Sutherland improve this past week. Bass are showing with increasingly regularity at Perris, Castaic, Silverwood, Piru, Pyramid, and Murry. The lower Colorado River has also really started to turn on in the past week with some excellent reports, especially from the warmer backwaters. 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 but there were few reports from here this past week. On the Colorado River, Mead has been spotty but a few good fish reported, 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: A number of crappie bites are starting to take off. Casitas broke open this week. Buena Vista Lakes in the southern San Joaquin Valley is pretty good. On the Central Coast, Lopez Lake has a good crappie bite and the bite at Santa Margarita is ramping up, too. The Nacimiento bite also turned on, and the white bass are starting to run up into the river. Better crappie bites were reported at both El Capitan and Lower Otay this week. But there are still no bluegill or redear bites of note, although a few redear are starting to show at Cachuma and San Vicente had some decent bluegill action this week.
CATFISH: Overall, the catfish bites are still mostly spotty with the exception of the Hesperia Lake bite that broke wide open two weeks ago. Several more big fish over 20 pounds again this week. Other bites worth noting include a sleeper bite on catfish at Santa Ana River Lakes, mostly on trout guts. The lower Colorado River, especially in irrigation ditches around Blythe and Palo Verde, the flathead action is starting to go. There were several fish in the 20-pound class this past week.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Trout bite consistently good. The bite is best off the docks and shore by the launch ramp on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Top catch was a four-pound fish by Kenny Bevins, Hesperia, on a worm off the dock. James Garcia, Whittier, caught a five-pound stringer of trout on lemon twist Power Bait. Top fish was three pounds. DFG trout plant this week. The largemouth bass bite is starting to kick in a little bit with the warm weather with some decent fish to 4-0 report by anglers fishing plastics off the main lake points and around the marina. Few stripers reported this past week, and zip on the cats. 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: Red hot bite on both catfish and trout. Several trout over 10 pounds have been landed on Power Bait or plastics. Top trout catch was a 15-8 by Bill Wands, Hesperia. Jack Perry, Pomona, caught a 13-8 trout, and Clark Seny, Ontario, and Paul Angel, Upland, each caught an 11-12 trout. Richard McMillan, Fontana, landed a 9-8 trout. The catfish are hitting shrimp and the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo. Gary Roberts, Sunnymead, caught a 42-8 catfish. Jesse Cole, Riverside, caught 35- and 38-pound catfish, while Tarone Buragua, caught a 27-8 cat. Catfish will be planted every week through summer. Sturgeon to be planted the end of this month, including fish over 100 pounds. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout action good on Power Bait (spring green, rainbow and lemon twist), jigs and lures with anglers using a six- to 18-inch leader. Hot spots include the northern shore, the eastern shore and the western shore near the bridge of lake 3 as well as the northern and eastern shores and the inlets of lake 2. Lake hours are Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The trout bite remains good on yellow and white trout jigs, Power Bait, salmon eggs, or inflated nightcrawlers with fish from one to two pounds. The catfish action is slow to fair with a fish showing on nightcrawlers. The lake will continue to be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Good trout bite on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and small jigs. Lots of fish to 2-0 with some bigger. David Quintero, Ontario, landed a 5-0 trout, while Charles Rote, Chino, had trout at 4-0 and 3-0. Juan Garcia, Alta Loma, and Wilfe McMichael, Bloomington, each landed 3-0 rainbows. The lake is stocked every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG plant last week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: The lake will be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant last 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. DFG trout plant last week. Fishing derby scheduled for March 31 and April 1. Entry fee is $10. Derby or lake 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. 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 last week. Fishing improved to fair. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Excellent bass bite on swimbaits, Senkos, Ikas, and Carolina- or Texas-rigged, six-inch or larger plastics or Creature baits. Bigger is better. Boat anglers have had the most success, but shore fishermen have had luck with live crawdads. The bass have been holding in 10 to 30 feet of water off the main points, submerged mounds, and coves with heavy structure. Mike Collins, San Jacinto, caught a 29.76-pound limit of largemouth this past week -- nearly a six-pound average. The lake was planted with 2,400 pounds of rainbow trout last week, and the rainbow trout bite has remained good for both shore anglers and boat anglers fishing small jigs, lure, and floating baits. Lots of fish to 2-0. No striper action this week. Not too much catfish this action, and not crappie or bluegill reported. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Good bass action this week with fish moving into shallow waters. Top bass was a 10-1 by Mack Robinson, Moreno Valley, on a silver Kastmaster from the east end. Mark Sanchez, Moreno Valley, caught a seven-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler from the east end. The trout bite is good, and plenty of fish from last weeks plant have been landed between the launch ramps and the east end in deeper water. Jay Grammatico, 10, Moreno Valley, caught a 1-4 trout on a garlic nightcrawler from the east end. DFG trout plant last week. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600. S
KINNER: Excellent striper and trout bites again this week. The lake received an 800-pound rainbow trout plant this week to keep the rainbow action hot. John Thomlinson, Vista, caught an eight-pound stringer of trout on nightcrawlers at Ramp 2. Top fish was three pounds. Good bass bite as the fish move into a spawning mode. Tom Krueger, Moreno Valley, caught a six-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler from the east end. The catfish and bluegill bites are fair. Bill Masterson, Corona, caught a 6-2 catfish on a spinner from the east end. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: No reports.
CORONA LAKE: Both the trout and catfish bites have been excellent this past week. The warm weather has stirred up the catfish, and the trout have moved to deeper water and are cruising close to the bottom. Short, six-inch leaders have been the key to fishing floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers. Chartreuse and corn yellow Nitro Bait fished with Nitro Gravy or Grease has been the best bait, but a few fish are still showing on inflated nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or small jigs and trout plastics. The biggest rainbow this past week was a 20-pounder landed by Chuck Shamblin, Riverside, while fishing corn yellow Nitro Bait near the dam. Jarred Musby, Corona, landed a 15 1/4-pound rainbow, and Mike Drofycz, San Bernardino, had a limit of five trout that weighed 18 pounds. His big fish was an 11 1/2-pound rainbow. The catfish have been in the flooded trees and the best action has been on cut mackerel for both shore and boat anglers. Fred Offeney, Riverside, had a 5-0 catfish on mackerel. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout bite on Power Bait.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant last 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 also good. Catfish action still slow, but a more fish are still showing on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Lots of three- to five-pound rainbows all over the lake and plenty were caught during last weeks derby. Each week over 1,000 pounds of trout are planted. Upcoming events: Fishing derby set for March 24. Lots of prizes and $100 can be won. 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, but the warm weather should perk this bite. The pond will be stocked regularly with rainbow trout through the end of March and then catfish plants take over. 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 trout bite is good on inflated nightcrawlers by the dam. Joe and Quincy Olsen, La Quinta, caught two limits of trout at the dam. Top fish was a 3-8 on an inflated nightcrawler. Samuel Sierra, 12, Chino, caught a limit of trout on Power Bait. Top fish was three pounds. Steve and Marge Hooton, Dessert Hot Springs, caught four trout near the dam on Power Bait. All fish were about a pound each. DFG trout plant this week. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Fridays until 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants in nearly three months. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: There were 12 trout over the 10-pound mark reported this past week, and four of the rainbows topped 20 pounds and two others were in the 19-pound class. The biggest fish was a 22 1/2 pound rainbow landed by Jim Soliz, South El Monte, while fishing rainbow Power Bait at the boat dock. A 21 1/2-pound rainbow was landed by Alex Flores, Downey, while Ayaz Uddin, Anaheim, landed a 21-pounder. Mike Valdez, Orange, caught a 20 1/2-pounder. Ed Locke, Sr., Long Beach, landed a 19 1/4-pound rainbow, while Pedro Villa, Anaheim, caught a 19-pound trout. There will be double stockings of big fish each week for the rest of the month. along with steelhead trout this week and each of the next two weeks. The warm weather has also turned on the catfish bite, although few anglers are fishing the cats. The best baits have been trout guts in the big lake or the usual catfish baits fished in the Catfish Lake. The same pair of anglers -- David and Pancho Garcia, both of Santa Ana -- have been fishing trout guts and bringing home stringers of cats to 7 1/4 pounds each week. This past week's stringer of 14 fish weighed in at 30 1/4 pounds. 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: A trout hot spot is along the buoys at the mouth to Sierra Cove, but even more fish have been landed by trollers using firetiger Rapalas, with the smaller lures getting the nod due to the extremely clear water. Most bait anglers have had success on the Power Bait/nightcrawler combination. Kenny Cameron, Northridge, landed a 9.2-pound trout on Power Bait. Brad Sampson, Lakewood, caught an 8.8-pound trout on a Rapala on the flats. Kreg Burbridge, Alta Loma, landed an 8.4-pound trout at mid-lake. Chris Goodwin, Orange, caught a 7.2-pound trout near the dam. Stan Jackson, Mission Viejo, 6.2-pound trout on Power Bait off the west shore. The largemouth are moving up, with lots of three and four pounders on crankbaits or Rapalas. Crappie action picked up at the Santiago Flats with a few fish in the one-pound range biting on mini-jigs. Oddball catch of the week: Fred Tovyk, Riverside, caught a 40-pound sturgeon. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing good to excellent. The lake received a double plant of trout this week. Most fish are in the two- to 3 1/2-pound range. Best fishing is to the right of the concession and off the points on Power Bait, nightcrawlers dipped in sauce and Power worms. Trollers are having luck with gold Kastmasters. Fly fishermen are having success behind the big island with olive midges. Bass bite fair with fish in the one to two-pound range. Bite best on assorted plastics. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Trout action good, especially when trolling at the east end in five to 10 feet of water with Needlefish. Only a few bass have been showing, also from the east end. The bass action is expected to pick up. Redear, crappie, and catfish are quiet. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: A lot of bass action with quality fish routine. The fish are moving into the shallows getting ready to spawn. Best fish was an 11-8 bass caught by John Marini, Tarzana, on a swimbait. Joe Zitko, San Pedro, also landed an 11-8 bass on a live crawdad. Frank Marini, Tarzana, caught a 10-pound bass also on a swimbait. Bill Griffith, Ventura, caught a 10, seven, and a three-pound bass on crankbait. Mark Mitran, Ojai, caught two 10-pound bass on crawdads. Paul Dobson, Lakeside, caught a 9-8 bass on Senko. Trollers, however, are not having too much luck. Crappie bite decent on nightcrawlers and white mini-jigs. Frank Bennett, Ojai, caught 15 crappie with his top fish at three pounds. He also had an 8-8 bass on his stringer. Harold Cho, Camarillo, caught 30 crappie, with the largest at 2-8. Trout plant this week at the Santa Paula Ramp. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Trout action fair in the upper lake, but better in the lagoon. No more plants in the upper lake until October. The striper action is also fair, especially in the Fish Arm. Largemouth bass are still spotty. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Bass fishing is excellent with most fish from two to three pounds. Top fish was a 9-8 bass on a plastic worm, however the angler didnt leave a name. Floyd Schmidt and John Patrick, Camp Pendelton, caught a 6-1 bass on a plastic worm off the north end. DFG trout plant this week. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: Striper bite decent on anchovies. The trout and catfish action is fair to good. Trout biting best on anchovies, Power worms, and Power Bait. Trout plant this week. 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: Trout and cats have the best bites. The catfish are biting cut mackerel and nightcrawlers, while the trout are hitting green Power Bait. Bass are spawning yet, but more and more fish are showing, and there have also been reports of bluegill and crappie showing with the occasional redear. In the next two weeks things should open up. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Still a slow to fair trout action mostly on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. DFG trout plant last week. Also a few cats showing, but that bite has slowed way down. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last 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 two months.
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 but set to open May 2. Reservations for all of May go on sale 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 through Ticketmaster at 619-220-8497. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: The overall bite improved this week. There were 226 anglers who reported 162 bass, 23 crappie, and 10 bluegill. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Crappie bite good, bass fair, everything else slow. This past week, there were 420 anglers who reported catching 464 bass, 559 crappie, 20 blue catfish, 14 channel catfish, and 10 bluegill. Top catch was an 8.85-pound largemouth by Ted Becharas, Poway, on a crawdad. Top crappie catch was a 2.45 pounder by Gary Smith, Compton, that topped off a 22 fish stringer that weighed 22-4. Keith Boswell and Jimmy Magnabosco, both Lakeside, had 40 crappie that weighed 45 pounds with a 2.1-pounder the top fish. Alex Kluender, 7, San Diego, caught a 2.15-pound largemouth on plastics. 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: Fair to good bass and crappie action. This week 427 anglers reported catching 396 bass, 109 crappie, 58 rainbow trout, 23 channel catfish, and nine bluegill. Harvey Arm and the Otay Arm have been the hot spots. Top fish was 6.8-pound largemouth by Bill Collins, Chula Vista, on a plastic worm. Harry Rodgers, Chula Vista, landed a 6.6-pound largemouth on crawdads. Jaime Roldan, Imperial Beach, caught a six-pound largemouth on a plastic worm, and Mike Green, Chula Vista, caught a 5.7-pound largemouth. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: There were 39 anglers who reported 50 bass in a pretty good catch-and-release bite. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Good bass action and fair bluegill action, but no crappie reports this week. In all, there were 238 anglers who reported 389 bass, 86 bluegill, three redear, and one channel catfish. Top fish was 16.65-pound channel catfish landed by Will Larson, Spring Valley. 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 a slow to fair overall bite with only a few bass and rainbow trout showing. This past week, there were 225 anglers who reported catching 81 bass and 44 rainbow trout. Doug Boley, San Diego, caught a 13.10-pound largemouth on a plastic worm. Dustin Kasinak, San Diego, caught a 2.85-pound rainbow on a plastic worm. 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. No reports this week. The lakes launch ramp is closed. 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 bass bite remains good. This week the 156 anglers checked reported catching 275 bass, six crappie, one channel catfish, and one blue catfish. Top fish was a six-pound largemouth caught by George Thorton, Santee, on a crawdad, while Joe Rehm, Encinitas, caught a 4.55-pounder on a Senko. Riley MacLean, Ramona, caught a two-pound crappie on a crappie jig. The lake is on a Friday through Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Trout fishing has been very good on green Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. Hot spots have been off the north shore, east of Willow Cove, and in Boatdock Cove. Rudy Renteria, Oceanside, caught an 11-5 rainbow in Boatdock Cove. Tim Walston, Oceanside, caught a 7-8 trout also in Boatdock Cove on an inflated nightcrawler. The bass action has improved with warmer temps. Roy Hammond, Escondido, caught a 5-8 bass on a swimbait near the west buoy line. Crappie bite decent. Carol Bouley, Vista, landed a 2-11 crappie on a crappie jig near the south shore rock pile. Brett Aleshire, San Marcos, caught a 2-10 crappie on a live golden shiner. A 1,200-pound plant is slated for this week. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: Trout action has been good on rainbows to five pounds with the best action between piers 3 and 4 and at the buoy line. Theres also a decent bite in Trout Cove. Top baits have been rainbow Power Bait or nightcrawlers. The lake was stocked with 1,200 last week and another one is slated for this week. Very few bass are showing, and the action has slowed due to a drop in water level. No catfish reported this week. The lake is open daily to 7 p.m. Information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The lake received 1,000 pounds of Lightening Trout last week. The action is fair, but improving after last weeks downfall. Some limits. Boat anglers fishing Boulder Bay area and Jump Off Point had the best luck. Power Bait and nightcrawlers were the choices for best bait, although broken-back Rapalas and Kastmasters were also good. The catfish bite is still good along the log boom with mackerel the best bait. The bass are starting to stir as the water warms up. The bluegill bite remains slow. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The lakes big bass are becoming more active. Arden Hanline Jr., Spring Valley, caught a 13-8 bass on a swimbait -- the best of the season so far. Trout bite fair on Kastmasters. Larry Laumann, La Jolla, caught a three-pound trout. 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: Good rainbow and Thunder Trout bites. Soaking baits in Yum Trout Killa is best. DFG trout plant one month ago. 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: Decent trout bite due to warmer weather. Thunder, Alpers, and DFG rainbows are being landed. Top spots have been the lone pine tree, the north shore, or the tee dock. G. Wagner, Wisconsin, caught a 6-4 trout on a Power worm. Stephane Votzwinkler Sr., Coronado, caught a six-pound trout on a Power worm from Chambers Park, and Stephane Votzwinkler, Jr., Coronado, caught a 4-2 and a four-pound rainbow trout, on Power worms, also from Chambers Park. Melanee Garls, Spring Valley, landed a 4-4 Alpers tagged trout on the Power Bait and nightcrawler combo at the lone pine. The catch was good for a free night's stay in one of the Cuyamaca Condos. Jeff Virissimo, Ramona, landed a three-pound Thunder trout on the Power Bait and nightcrawler combo at the lone pine. Best areas for fly fishing is in Azalea Creek for spawners and the mouth of the creek for staging trout. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: 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: Good striper action. A 13-pound striper was caught by Tony Reyes, Las Vegas, on a trout imitation lure. Lots of fish have been landed in the coves and have ranged from three to 13 pounds. Rainbows are still being planted on Monday and Friday. Information: 702-564-3058.
WILLOW BEACH: Better action this week. Dorris Salt, Vegas, caught a 25-4 striper, and Curtis Easter, Boulder City, caught a 22-4 striper, both on AC Plugs. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: John Mullenbrock, Las Vegas, caught a 22-pound striper on an AC Plug from Cottonwood Cove. Fish ranging from three to 13 pounds have been landed on LA Sliders. 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: Shad are showing at Sand Point and a few stripers have been landed there on shad-like lures. 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, especially in the area ditches and backwaters where the water warms sooner than the main river. Some decent bass catches are being made, and a few flatheads are starting to show. Jack Williams, Blythe, caught a 7-3 largemouth from the backwaters on a shiner. Rafael Terrones, San Bernardino, caught flatheads at 20, 17, 12, and 12 pounds on goldfish from the local ditches. 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 and channel cats small, with nothing over five pounds reported.
PICACHO AREA: Very light fishing pressure, but overall fair fishing with a few flatheads, channel cats, largemouth, bluegill, and stripers reported.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Still light fishing pressure but improving fishing and the warmer temps are helping the situation. Largemouth are biting on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel 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 the past two weeks. The trout are running from one to four pounds with a few even bigger. Almost all of the action has been at the outlet this past week, with Power Baits and nightcrawlers doused with scent the hot baits. DFG trout plant last week. Catfish derby set for April 20-21. 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.
BRIDGEPORT AREA: In the newly-opened catch-and-release stretch of the East Walker River below the Bridgeport Reservoir Dam the fishing has been tough due to low water flows and cold water temperatures.
MAMMOTH AREA: The new catch-and-releases, year-around fishing areas on Hot Creek and the upper Owens River above the Benton Crossing Bridge have been a contrast. Hot Creek has been very good, producing some outside fish from five to seven pounds, although smaller fish are the norm. Nymphing under indicators and fishing emergers have been the best bets. Meanwhile, the upper Owens River is tougher. A lot of good fish are up out of Crowley in a spawning mode, but the water is cold and the fish are tough with only a few being caught on nymphs and egg patterns.
BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fishing good and open to shore fishing and float tubing. People are also throwing lures, including small Rapalas and Needlefish. Pulling streamers with a sinking line will also work. Good bite on worms and Power Bait off shore. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley for browns from eight to 12 inches on just about any dry fly -- but the fish are spooky. The Wild Trout section of the Owens has been good to excellent. Nice warm weather and a lot of dry fly hatches have made for excellent action. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Lower Owens Valley streams fair to good, and plants are going into Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Shepherds Creek, Symmes Creek, and Tuttle Creek again this week. The lower Owens has been slow. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Catfish bite good and with the best bite on minnows and shad. A few trout here and there. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Decent trout bite in the upper Kern River on salmon eggs and crickets. The river below Isabella has also been fair with some good flurries of action on crickets. Bass are also biting on silver spinners and nightcrawlers. The flows are perfect for fishing in both reaches. DFG trout plant last week. Information: James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striper bite good on lug worms, and live minnows, and an occasional catfish biting on Sonnys stink bait. Jesus Alvarez, Bakersfield, caught a 34-pound striper this past week. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Good bass on minnows, nightcrawlers, and jigs. The bluegill are fair on wax worms and crickets.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Good crappie and bass bite on minnows. Some bluegill action on wax worms and crickets.
MING LAKE: Some trout on garlic oil and Power Bait, but the bass are dominating with the best bite on minnows, nightcrawlers and jigs.
BRITE LAKE: The trout bite is fair on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and spinners.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout season is primarily over, and only a few were landed on Power Bait this week. Bass bite good on minnows, Brush Hogs, and crankbait. The bluegill are biting fair on wax worms, and the crappie are fair on minnows. Information: Concession 661-763-1268, Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Trout bite fair. Bass and bluegill action have improved 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: Crappie bite good at the boat docks on minnows. The bass bite is also fair on minnows. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: A good bass bite between 10:30 a.m. and noon on plastic worms and Brush Hogs. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Few report and still 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: The fishing is good. The water is clear. White bass have been landed in the narrows, and the fish are moving toward their spawning areas. Most white bass are in the two-pound range. Some crappie have been landed near the dam. Town Creek, Las Tables, and Christmas Cove have been the areas with the most action. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Trout bite excellent off shore or in Cottonwood Cove on nightcrawlers or on rainbow or green Power Bait. Trout from 1-8 to 2-8 were brought in. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the best bets. A DFG trout plant this week. A few crappie, redear, and bluegill have been landed. The crappie are hitting crappie jigs 20 to 30 feet down. Red or meal worms are best for the bluegill. The bass bite is also good, and the fish are biting in the shallows, already moving up to spawn. The area at the top of Lopez Arm, Wittenberg Arm, and above the bridge have been roped off for spawning. 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, Tri-city Lake. RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Strawberry Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Lytle Creek (Middle and North forks), Silverwood Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek, Rose Valley Lakes
INYO: Cottonwood Creak, Diaz Lake, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Shepherds Creek, Symmes Creek, Tuttle Creek.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Kern River (Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach). MARIPOSA: McSwain Reservoir.
MERCED: Los Banos Detention Reservoir, Merced River from McSwain Dam to Merced Falls, Yosemite Lake.
STANISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Turlock Reservoir, Woodward Reservoir
MONTEREY: El Estero Lake.
TUOLUMNE: Tulloch Lake.
