SOCAL FISH REPORT April 1 2009

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SOCAL FISH REPORT

April 1, 2009

Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service

JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK

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1. The tilapia action at the Salton Sea has taken over the No. 1 pick this week because the bite is simply spectacular. It is nothing to go down and catch 75 to a 100 fish in a full day of fishing along the east shoreline (the Highway 111 side). The fish also seems to be getting bigger with more fish in the one pound range this week. The bite is still mostly on nightcrawler pieces fished on two-hook rigs on the bottom close to the shore. Most anglers are still fishing the state park headquarters’ jetty, but the action has been good from Bombay Beach to Salt Creek, too. For an update, call Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station at 760-393-3052.
2. Diamond Valley Lake continues to have perhaps the best largemouth bass bite in Southern California. There were at least two 10-pound class fish reported. The only drawback here is the low water level that keeps angles from launching their own boats. But the rental boat and shoreline action is awesome. For the latest on the action check with the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
3. Trout fishermen from all over the state will converge at Lake Isabella Saturday through Monday for the 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. Not only will the trout fishing be great thanks to massive plants of fish over the past 10 days, but there is a very real chance to win cash. Big cash. There are 1,000 tagged trout worth from $20 in cash all the way up to $20,000. The 20 grand fish is the top cash tag, but there are 10 tags worth $10,000 each. One or two of those top cast tags will be caught. For more information and to register for the derby go to 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. Fishing information call Bob's Bait in Bakersfield at 661-833-8657.

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FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

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TROUT: Stocked trout season is starting to wind down, but most of the lakes are still in full-stocking mode. In fact, Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake will get some of the biggest trout planted all year this week when 20-plus pounders are supposed to go in at both waters. Laguna Niguel Park Lake will get Lightning Trout next week. And Irvine Lake has been very good, too. All the High Desert waters are good bets with fish over four pounds possible at both Hesperia Lake and Jess Ranch. Isabella Lake is awesome and this weekend’s trout derby has 10 trout wearing $10,000 tags and one wearing a $20,000 tag. All of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks have been good on trout, and all get their last trout plants of the season this week. There’s a trout derby at Cucamonga-Guasti and some big fish were planted for this event. In San Diego County, Morena and Poway are cranking out the biggest fish, but Dixon, Wohlford, Jennings, and Cuyamaca are all pretty good bets. DFG-stocked reservoirs, especially Perris, Silverwood, and Piru are all good bets, too, and Diamond Valley Lake is good to excellent but kind of gets overlooked in the trout game because of its excellent bass fishing.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: This might seem redundant, but the last two week’s of advice, still applies: Go. If a water has largemouth bass, the bite is good right now. Even the higher elevation waters like Silverwood and Pyramid are starting to turn on. At lower elevations, the bites are wide open everywhere. Top bets include Diamond Valley, Otay, El Capitan, Skinner, Perris, Casitas, Castaic, all the Central Coast lakes, and -- oh, you get the idea -- if it has bass just go.
STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of the Southern California striper spots with Skinner, Pyramid, Silverwood and Castaic all cranking out small fish on anchovies. Castaic has probably been producing more quality fish in the eight to nine-pound class than other waters. On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to eight pounds on anchovies. Havasu has a good bite, and some action is starting even in the lower river. Willow Beach also came back on this past week with fish to 22 pounds reported. Not many wiper reports from Elsinore, but that bite is due, too. For Nacimiento fans, the white bass are packing into the narrows for the spawning run up into the river. This bite is getting better each day.
PANFISH: Lots of excellent crappie action again this week. Santa Margarita, Lopez, San Antonio, Buena Vista Lakes, are all good bets. Cachuma is also in this category. Diamond Valley Lake and Casitas Lake have been producing the odd big crappie and redear, but few anglers are targeting these two places. El Capitan is turning back on with a pretty good bite with some crappie over a pound, and Henshaw also has a good bite on crappie with more better fish again this past week. Irvine Lake is worth fishing, too, with some good catches with fish to pound or better. The bluegill and redear bites are still muddling along most places, but this warm weather should turn these bites on. Perris broke wide open this week, and anglers should watch DVL, Casitas, and Cachuma for redear.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the big flatheads seem to be on the move. Fish to 38 pounds were caught near Blythe this week, and more and more anglers are reporting fish over 15 pounds from Havasu to Yuma. Also a pretty good channel bite in this part of the lower river. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is getting catfish plants each week) and Jean’s Channel Cats which started its catfish season last week. Corona Lake and the Santa Ana River Lakes also were stocked with catfish two weeks ago and while most anglers are targeting trout here, there is a good bite for the few anglers tossing cut baits.

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WATER BY WATER REPORTS​

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

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SILVERWOOD: Continued fair to good action on trout and small stripers to about two pounds. The trout are showing around the marina and in most coves with the best bite on floating dough baits, nightcrawlers, and small trout plastics and jigs. DFG trout plant last week. Kyle Eckhard, Apple Valley, had a limit of trout to three pounds fishing the docks with wax worms. Stripers have been good on the points, Outhouse Cove, at the dam, and around the docks on small swim baits and anchovies. James McGreggor, Oak Glen, have four stripers with the best fish at three pounds fishing anchovies and blue and white Realistix swim baits. Improving action on largemouth bass in Chemise, but a few more carp and catfish starting to show but still mostly slow. Bluegill and crappie still very slow. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: All the lake’s marina and public ramps opened Wednesday this week. The trout action has been pretty good for this early in the season with both trollers and bait anglers reporting limits of 12-inch class rainbows this week. Trollers are working slowly with small copper Phoebes, while the bait anglers are fishing between the observatory and Juniper Point or off the rocks near the dam along the north shore. Top baits have nightcrawlers or floating dough baits. The key on the along the dam is to fish only 10 to 20 feet out from shore along the steep dropoffs. In May, there will be several plants of trophy trout for two major events. First, the Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic will be held May 16 and 17. Participants of the May Trout Classic who catch the biggest fish are awarded with cash prizes based on entries. This event will be followed by the “Fishin’ for 50K Trout Derby” on May 30-31 where 10 tagged fish are worth up to $50,000 will be planted. To learn more about these trout tournaments or to register log onto Big Bear Lake - Lodging At Big Bear Lake CA Vacation Cabins or call 800-424-4232. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or Big Bear Boat Rentals Fishing Big Bear Marina.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: Good trout and catfish action with plants of both species each week. Catfish have really been hot with a lot of three to five pounders in the catch, most showing on mackerel, shrimp, or nightcrawlers dipped in Sonny’s Catfish Bait. Top cat this week was a 23-pound blue landed by John Molina, Los Angeles, while Kyle Kent, Riverside, landed a 21 pounder. Shawn Forester, Downey, landed cats at 18 and 14 pounds, and Willie Bryant, Temecula, had a 16 3/4-pounder. A 15-8 was caught by Anthony Guerrero, Orange, while Chris Porter, Ontario, landed a 13-pounder. Jose Carreno, Montclair, had a 12-4. Hector Reeves, Chino, had five catfish that weighed 64-8, better than a 12-pound average. Most of the trout are showing on floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers, but a number of fish also were caught on shrimp this week. Top fish was an 11-12 rainbow caught by Valle Ray Parks, Fontana, while Frank LaMoore, Chino, had a nine-pounder. Juan Perez, Ventura, had an 8-4, and Dave Patterson, Palm Springs, caught an eight-pounder. Tom Banks, Brea, had rainbows at seven and 6-12. A few sturgeon are landed each week by the trout and catfish anglers. Raul Lopez, Los Angeles, had a 63-pounder he caught on shrimp from the east shoreline, while Mike Casey, Las Vegas, caught a 41-pounder. Cats are planted on Mondays and the trout on Thursdays. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Still inconsistent trout action here, but overall there are still a lot of fish being caught on Power Bait (especially garlic, salmon peach and orange) night crawlers and jigs. Most fish in the two-pound range, but some bigger fish. Also some bass to three pounds and better showing in the shallows on Senkos and drop-shot plastics. Top trout reported was a five-pound rainbow caught by John Adams, Victorville. He also had a 3-15. A 4-12 rainbow was landed by Jose Vasquez, Victorville, on a mini jig fished along on the western shore of lake 2. Carla Wade, Washington state, caught a 4-3 rainbow, while fishing partner Bill Adams, Hesperia, had rainbows at 3-13 and 3-5. Ted Tauchi, Joshua Tree, had a limit topped by trout at 4-4, 3-9 and three pounds. Dave Wolfe, Upland, caught trout at 4-4 and 3-5 fishing a natural Power Worm from the north shore of lake 2. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m, and it is stocked each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. There will be a basic fishing clinic April 4-5. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The last weekly country trout plant of the season goes in this week, and there were DFG trout plants last week and again this week. Overall good trout action. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: The final trout derby in the San Bernardino County Parks series of events at its lake will be held here from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The biggest 50 trout caught during this time frame qualify for cash and merchandise prizes. The four other events at different parks produced winning fish from 7-13 to over 19 pounds, and trophy rainbows are being planted for this event, too. Derby entry fee is $15 and the regular $7 parking fee also applies.
The trout action has been fair to good, mostly on Power Bait, and there is also a DFG plant slated for this week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Continued good to excellent trout bite here with a lot of limits reported this past week. The best action has been at Lots No. 1 and 8. The last county plant of the season is set for this week and DFG will also put in rainbows. There is a fair bass bite along the cattails at Lot No. 8 toward the spillway, and a fair number of carp and catfish continue to be caught. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good trout action, especially in the bottom lake where some anglers have reported limits. The last county plant of the season is slated for Thursday this week. John Hare, Yucaipa, caught the week’s best trout, a 10-pounder from the bottom lake on green glitter Power Bait. Steve Christianson, Yucaipa, landed three trout to five pounds on yellow Power Bait from the top lake, while Gene Bielecki, Yucaipa, had four pan-sized rainbows from the middle lake on nightcrawlers and rainbow Power Bait. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: The last county trout plant of the season is set for this week, and there continues to be a good bite. DFG plant last week. Quite a few limits of fish up to two pounds reported on Power Bait and small trout jigs. A few carp and catfish are also showing. 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. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Excellent largemouth bass action with fish all over the shallows in a full-spawn mode. Still some fish that haven’t moved up yet holding off in deeper water structure. The fish are showing on a wide variety of plastics, jigs, and swim baits. A lot of quality fish showing with bass topping 10 pounds reported, but a lot of fish in the five-pound range. The trout action is very good after a plant last Friday and a lot of holdover fish are also showing. Dylan Jund, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a 5.44-pound rainbow. Increasing crappie reports by anglers fishing the south dam steps with small jigs and a few redear and bluegill also being caught, but few anglers are fishing for these species. Tanner Bliss, Menifee, landed a 2.55-pound crappie. Catfish are spotty, but Arden Hanline Jr., Spring Valley, caught a 21.2-pounder cat. Striper action has been slow with few reports. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Diamond Valley Marina.
PERRIS: Excellent bluegill/redear action and a wide open largemouth bass bite. The bass are on beds all around the lake and they are showing on plastics, especially drop-shot baits fished right along the shorelines and structure. Brittany Lewis, Beaumont, caught a 4-13 largemouth, while Elliott Lewis, also Beaumont, had five fish that average two pounds each. Both were using live shad in the marina. The bluegill and redear are showing in deeper water on nightcrawlers and crickets, but the bite has really turned on with the warm weather. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, caught 78 bluegill that weighed a total of 85 pounds fishing nightcrawlers in the marina. His big fish was a three-pounder. Also good action on panfish in Sail Cove, around the island, Lots 11 and 12, and in the east end. Also some crappie showing with the best bite on small jigs with Crappie Nibbles. There continues to be a consistently good bite on the carp for anglers targeting them with fish to 12 pounds or better. Also a few cats. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striped bass action came back on strong in the past week with good to excellent action on chicken liver and anchovies for anglers fishing the east end channel, and Ramp No. 2 channel from boats. Shore anglers are getting fish off marina point and the points around Ramp No. 2. Most of the fish are from one to three pounds on chicken liver at Ramp No. 2. Clay Wilken, Temecula, landed four stripers to 3-8, while John Thompson, Riverside, had six stripers to three pounds near Crappie Rock on anchovies. The largemouth bass bite is also good again with the fish back up in the shallows and showing on nightcrawlers and plastics. Lots of fish to three pounds. Bluegill just starting to show again in better numbers with warm weather, and the catfish and trout are spotty. Carp are pretty good for the anglers fishing dough baits. Mark Ramirez, Moreno Valley, had two carp to 10 pounds near Ramp No. 2 with a prepared carp bait. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Fair to good largemouth bass action. Chris Nickerson, Hemet, had five bass to three pounds. More and more fish are moving shallow to spawn. Few wiper reports this week, except for the recently-planted small fish that must be released. (There’s an 18-inch minimum size on the wipers.) Crappie are turning on with a couple of good catches in the past week off the Elsinore West Marina, including some real slabs. Derek Snyder, Elsinore, landed two crappie over 1 ½ pounds fishing the ledges off Rocky Point. Also some decent carp action. Information: Seaport Boat Launch: 951-245-9308.
CORONA LAKE: There 15 trout over the 10-pound mark, and a 19-pound rainbow landed by Mike Riddick, Corona, was the week’s best fish. There were also lots of limits of Nebraska Tailwalker rainbows with the fish averaging from one to three pounds. Floating dough baits, nightcrawlers and wax worms doused with garlic Nitro Gravy are the top baits. Other big fish: Jason Benton, Rialto, had a 16-8 rainbow on a trout worm at the dam, while 15-8 rainbows were landed by Dean Sloan, Glendora, Jeremy Avalos, Riverside, and Grant Albee, Whittier. Albee also had an eight-pounder. Trout at 15 pounds were caught by Santos Hernandez, Los Angeles, while Wes Wright, Fullerton, had fish that size on two different days. Trophy rainbows to be planted again this week. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: Spotty trout action with DFG plants two and four weeks ago. Catfish action is slow. Fair to good bass bite on worms or plastics and a few panfish starting to show around shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Slow to fair trout action with the last county plant two weeks ago, and the last DFG plant the same week. Catfish plants to begin late May. A few carp and bass showing now. Ray Simmons, Hemet, caught an 11-1 carp and a 4-8 bass, both on nightcrawlers. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Home.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good catfish action and a few trout are still showing, with nightcrawlers working for both species. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Fair to good trout action and a DFG plant last week. Both shore and boat anglers are scoring. Still slow other species, but a few catfish and bass are starting to show. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good trout action with a lot of limits of up to five pounds and better on orange Nitro Bait (dough) and the Nitro trout worms, also in orange. The big fish was a 7 3/4-pound rainbow landed by Justin Haney, La Mirada, while fishing the Bubble Hole. Mo Watanabe, Fountain Valley, caught a five-fish stringer that weighed in at 14 pounds total, including a 5 1/2-pound rainbow, all caught on chartreuse floating bait at Levitz’ Corner. Vanessa Thomas, Ontario, had four trout, all between three and 3 1/2 pounds. The lake is scheduled to be planted with trophy rainbows this week, including fish topping 20 pounds. There will be 24-hour fishing this Friday and Saturday nights. Information: 714-632-7830 or log on at fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
IRVINE LAKE: Very good trout action continues, and there’s a good bite on bass and crappie. Top trout reported was a 15-10 rainbow caught by Jason Myers, Silverlake, on a Power Mouse near the dock. Dave Sylvain, Lakewood, caught a 9-8 rainbow trout on Gulp, while Omar Banks, Moreno Valley, caught an 8-10 rainbow on a Nitro worm near the dock. Best action has been along the west shore, at Trout Island, near the dam, and on Santiago Flats. Most trout are ranging from one to five pounds, with some larger specimens on the stringers. Power Mouse offerings in white and chartreuse combinations were best, fished on 14 to 18-inch leaders. Trollers scored trout on firetiger-color Rapala CD5s. The crappie are in 10 feet of water suspended over brush piles and all the fish are in the 3/4-pound to one-pound range. Excellent numbers of two to five-pound largemouth bass are also being caught on drop-shot plastics and jerkbaits Some bass chasers report releasing 20 or more fish per day. (Bass are strictly catch and release at Irvine.) The Western Outdoor News Tournament is scheduled for April 18, and all anglers must pre-register for the tournament to fish the lake this date. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Good trout action with the best action from boats in front of the dock, the far bubble hole, three pipes, the flats, the small island and down by the dam. The best fishing spots from the shore have been next to the concession building to the point and at the launch ramp. Top baits have been spring green, chartreuse and rainbow Power Bait, power mouse in multiple colors, night crawlers inflated with garlic scent. Chartreuse, flat orange, white and bubble gum colored Power Worms and silver Kastmasters are best artificials. Fly fishermen have been doing well in the flats, at the small island, and three pipes with olive and black midges. Top fish include a pair of 5-8 Lightning Trout, one caught by Nick Cahanding, Oceanside, and the other by Doug Vedvick, Culver City. Bonus plant of trout April 6, including more Lightning Trout. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or Laguna Niguel Lake.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

CACHUMA: Good crappie action with most fish over a pound and some to nearly three pounds. Best bite in the narrows on small jigs in red and white or chartreuse. The bass action has been improving with each warm day and both the largemouth and smallmouth are good as the fish move shallow to spawn in the shallows and on points around structure. The trout action has been slow, but the fish showing are pretty good quality. Trollers are using Rapalas, Needlefish, or Kastmasters with fish mostly in the 1-8 to two pounds range. Not much shore or bait fishing action. Redear are still mostly slow. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: The largemouth bass bite is very good with a lot of fish showing in the shallows on plastics and nightcrawlers. Top fish this past week was a 10-12 bass caught by Joe Albertson, Oakview, on a swimbait. Bass at eight pounds were landed by Travis Walters, Oakview, and Jason Christman, Moorpark, and both were using plastics. Bob Blocker, Ventura, caught bass at five and four pounds on plastics. There will be a Kid’s Derby Saturday with a trout plant for the junior anglers. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Winds hampered fishing this past week, but the action on stripers to nine pounds and largemouth bass has continued good. The stripers are best on spoons, swim baits, and -- most of all -- cut baits. Tom Ohanalin, Bakersfield, caught two stripers at nine and four pounds on frozen shad and swim baits off the West Ramp. Erin Hage, Valencia, landed five stripers to eight pounds on cut baits at the dam. There was also trout plants last week in the big lake and lagoon but that bite has just been fair. The largemouth bass have been on beds with good action in the shallows on plastics with fish to four pounds. While the panfish bites are still off, Todd Davis, Oxnard, landed a 3.9-pound bluegill from the Fish Arm on a trout tube. This is probably a lake record for bluegill. There is good carp action with fish exceeding 10 pounds for the very few anglers fishing the carp. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Still fair to good trout action after a DFG trout plant last week. A lot of limits reported on Power Bait, nightcrawlers or plastic trout worms. The crappie bite remains good on fish under a pound, but stringers of 10 or more fish have been common for anglers fishing small jigs. Bass are improving each day and there is a pretty decent bite on plastics and nightcrawlers with the fish staging to spawn. There has been decent bluegill and redear action and a few catfish reported. Winds closed the lake Monday. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: There was a trout plant on Monday this week and the bite has been pretty good since, mostly on floating baits or small lures. The largemouth action is getting better by the day with the fish preparing to spawn. Fish to five pounds reported in the past week. There is still a spotty bite on small stripers to four pounds for anglers fishing both from shore or boat with anchovies, nightcrawlers, or smaller shad-like lures. Best spot for shore anglers has been below the gate house. Slow other species. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant last week and fair to good action since. The bass bite is fair to good with a lot of fish along the shorelines. Bluegill and crappie are still mostly slow, but a few fish are showing on small jigs and the action is improving daily. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants last week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Some largemouth bass starting to show, too. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant this week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: The lake will reopen in May. Fees to fish here have gone up, making it $20 per angler and $46 for motor rentals. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: Good bass action. The 309 anglers checked reported 404 bass, 12 crappie, and one catfish. Top bass was a 7.15-pounder caught by Willie and Mathew Waller, Temecula. Maria Cerna, Escondod, landed a 10.95-pound channel cat. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on the weekends only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: Still good bass and crappie action here with 145 anglers reporting 219 bass, 96 crappie, 44 bluegill, 13 channel cats and four blues. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: The bass bite broke wide open in the past week. There 279 anglers who reported 416 bass, 20 channel cats, 15 crappie to nearly two pounds, 13 bluegill to 2/3s pound, five rainbow trout, three blue cats, and two redear. Top fish was a 71 1/2-pound blue cat landed by Brian Cummings, Inglewood, on mackerel. Scoot Talmadge, Chula Vista, landed a 25.65-pound blue. Top bass were a 9-8 and 9-0, both caught by Chip Gilbert, San Marcos. Rodney Green, Chula Vista, had an 8.1-pound bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
UPPER OTAY: Good bass action for walk-in anglers. The bass are up in the shallows and this past week 15 anglers reported catching 46 bass to nearly five pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: Slow to fair overall action. There were 44 anglers who reported 10 bluegill, four bass, four rainbow trout and two redear. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MIRAMAR: Mostly slow action with a spotty bite on rainbow trout. There were 117 anglers checked who caught 33 trout, 22 largemouths, and five channel cats. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: No creel checks are being conducted, but the bite is fair to good for bass and a few cats and panfish are showing. Patrick Wangler, San Diego, caught a 2.45-pound largemouth. The lake is open on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available. Water level is very low and boat launch is allowed at your own risk. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Trout plant this week, and the action has been good in Willow Cove and Boat Dock Cove on nightcrawlers. Victor Sarabia, Escondido, weighed in a stringer of five trout totaling 13-10 caught on green Power Bait in Willow Cove. Several other trout into the four-pound class reported. The bass bite is kicking into gear and a number of fish are showing in the shallows. Travis Smith, Escondido, landed a 5-12 on a chatter bait at the west buoy line. Crappie are starting to show, including some quality fish. Alvin Stephens, Riverside, had the largest Crappie of the week weighing 2-1 caught on a shiner in Boat Dock Cove. Rodney Hendricks, Fountain Valley, came in a close second with a two-pounder. Anton Newman, Escondido, caught a stringer of five crappie weighing a total of eight pounds. Fears of quagga mussels have kept a ban on private watercraft in place. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: Good trout action and plants are slated for this week and next week. Top action in Whisker Bay and the buoy line areas on inflated nightcrawlers, Power Worms, small jigs, Kastmasters, or Roostertails. Bass action is very good with fish flooding the shallows to spawn. Most fish are small. Catfish slow. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: While the trout action was slower this past week, the bite is still pretty decent with fish up to eight pounds. The big rainbow was landed by
Marvic Marquez, Poway. The best bet is slow trolling or picking a spot along the back shore of the lake using nightcrawlers, while the best shore fishing spot is in Bucktail Bay near the Restroom Landing. No more trout plants this season. The bass bite continues to improve over most of the lake as the fish move shallow to spawn. The catfish bite is fair at the log boom, while the bluegill bite is slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Good trout bite in Half Moon Cove and Cactus Patch on inflated nightcrawlers dipped in scent and fished on a two-foot leader. Bass action excellent with the fish in full spawn mode and males all over the shallows and showing in good numbers of plastics (especially lizards) and small jigs, but few bigger bass. Slow catfish bite on nightcrawlers and mackerel. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. hosted by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: For the second time in three weeks the lake record for trout has tumbled. Charlie Blevins, Alpine, broke the previous record with his 14-12 rainbow caught on a Thomas Buoyant. Lots of big trout are still being landed. Wania Benyamin, El Cajon, topped a stringer with a 7-8 rainbow. Mt. Lassen trout are slated to be planted this week. Bass are spotty, but fish are starting to move shallow. A few bluegill and redear showing, but most are being caught by anglers fishing nightcrawlers for trout. Crappie, catfish slow. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Fair to good trout action especially for anglers fishing an inflated nightcrawler or Power Bait dipped in Pautzke’s Krill Gel and fished just off the bottom at the buoy line or along the north shore. Trout plant last week. Upcoming events: A free fishing class every Saturday at 10 a.m. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or Lake Cuyamaca Home Page.
HENSHAW: Fair catfish action on nightcrawlers and chicken liver with fish to seven pounds reported, but the crappie is fair to good off the Fish-N-Float and shoreline toward the dam on live minnows or small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles. Kevin Burnett, Santa Ysabel, caught one crappie at two pounds, but most are half to three-quarter pounds. Carp are good on dough baits. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Trout bite fair to good from Hemmingway to Boulder Bay. A few stripers were caught in Boulder Bay and decent action in Gypsum Wash. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is just starting with a fair to good bite.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout plants are each week on Friday and the bite has been good on nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. More and more stripers are being reported this past week. A 22-poundr was caught by Mike O’Donnell, Las Vegas, at Mile Marker 51 on an A.C. Plug. An 18.68-pounder striper was caught by Curtis Easte Boulder City, at Mile 52. Wes Flesh, Las Vegas, landes eight stripers one day and seven the next. His fish all were five to 17 pounds and were caught on homemade lures between markers 47 and 50. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Continued good striped bass action with a lot of one to three pound fish for both shore and boat anglers in the Cottonwood Cove area. The hotspot has been Arizona Rock with fish to six pounds reported on anchovies in the past week. Also a good striper bite near the dam and around Katherine’s Landing. The largemouth bass bite has also been fair to good with a lot of fish showing on points and staging to spawn. Best action on plastics. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Trout plants are once a month at Davis Camp and Riverside Park. Fair to good action Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Slow striper bite.
NEEDLES: Fair striper action for fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. Most stripers are under two pounds. A few catfish showing. Improving largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: The largemouth bass bite is starting to take off and there were a few reports of crappie in the past week. Catfish are also pretty decent with the warmer weather. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Water levels are still low. Take caution when boat launching.
HAVASU: Continued fair to good striper action this week on shad or swimbaits or slow-trolled anchovies. Smallmouth bass hitting soft plastics, Rat-L-Traps and eight to 12-foot diving crankbaits, and the largemouth bite is really starting to turn on with fish moving shallow to spawn. Even catfish are turning on and a 38-pounder was caught last week. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been fair with some to 10 pounds or better reported on shrimp, nightcrawlers dipped in stink bait, and mackerel. Some flatheads starting to show on goldfish and shiners. Improved largemouth and smallmouth bass action with the fish getting in a spawn mode. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: The flathead catfish bite is pretty good for this early in the season with several fish to 15 pounds reported in the past week. Bill Toburn, Blythe, landed a 38-pounder this past week. There will be a big team catfish tournament April 24-25 out of Mayflower Park. The largemouth bass bite is also really taking off in area ditches and backwaters, and the smallmouth bite is good in the main river along river rip-rap with fish to 3-8 reported. No bluegill or crappie reported. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The largemouth bass bite is breaking wide open in the backwaters along this stretch of the river. Pretty Water and Cibola Lake are the hotspots right now, but most of the region is very good and each warm day makes the bite better. A few bluegill and crappie also showing. Improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. The flathead action is getting better each day and there’s a pretty good bite on channel cats now. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Bass action fair to good with better and better action each warm day. The best bite is on plastic worms or nightcrawlers as the fish move shallow to spawn. Fairish catfish bite on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action good to excellent on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits with the fish flooding the shallows. Channel catfish bite fair, and the crappie bite is slow to fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too, but the action is spotty. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action in the main river and river backwaters has really picked up on minnows and plastics. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to good for channel catfish action, some bass, and a fair redear and bluegill bite. Channel catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms. The flatheads have been fair in the main river, mostly on live bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: If the excellent tilapia action can get better, it has. Anglers are still filling ice chests full with fish and there have been good reports from all along the east shoreline (the Highway 111 side) from Bombay Beach to Mecca Beach to Salt Creek and up to the state park headquarters fishing jetty, where most of the fishing pressure has been concentrated. Most of the fish are still from six ounces to a pound, but there are a lot more of the bigger fish this week. The action is still mostly on nightcrawler pieces fished on the bottom. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass has been reported. Also some stripers.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: General trout season reopens April 25th, but year-around and special regulation waters are open now. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or Bishop.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River has been dynamite with flows at 91 cfs on Wednesday this week. There have been bluewing olive hatches daily and the trout are taking midges subsurface. Lots of nice fish showing on dries, nymphs and streamers. Brown trout to eight pounds in the past week with lots of four to five pounders. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open to year-around fishing. Very good midge hatches in the upper Owens and sporadic baetis. Some rainbows to 24 inches. Hot Creek has also been good, also with midge and mayfly hatches, but the food is all on the small side, think 18 to 22s. For fishing info, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or Performance Anglers Fly Fishing Guide Service and Outfitters Mammoth Lakes, CA.
BISHOP AREA: The lower Owens River remains good. Fly anglers are seeing pretty good caddis hatches and some mayfly surface activity during low-light or clouded conditions. Some quality fish also showing on streamers fished in tailouts. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been very good for lure, jig, bait and fly anglers. Owens Gorge good for small browns on small dries with some stones coming off now. For fishing information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Spotty action, but DFG plants in Lone Pine Creek and the lower Owens River should perk the bite. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Excellent trout action on tap for the 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby to be held Saturday through Monday this week. It features 1,000 tagged trout worth from $20 in cash all the way up to $20,000. In past years, the top tagged trout was worth $10,000, but this year there will be 10 trout wearing $10,000 tags and the new top prize of $20,000. There have been over 13,000 pounds of trout planted over the past two weeks for this event with the lake plant of trophy Alpers’ rainbows to go in Friday. For more information and to register for the derby go to 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. The trout action is excellent and a few crappie are finally starting to show around the marina docks on minnows. But the bass action is still lagging a little with the warmer weather and the catfish have been slow. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few trout reported. The upper river remains fair on salmon eggs and flies for holdover fish and wild trout. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or Fly Fishing the Kern River, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striper action remains good on fish from three to eight pounds, mostly on blood worms and sand worms, but more and more fish are showing on plugs like the Lucky Crafts LDR 10s and 15s. Catfish are still mostly slow.
HART PARK LAKE: Slow trout bite on nightcrawlers and Power Bait after a DFG plant three weeks ago. Continued improving bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics, but bluegill are still sluggish.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic after a DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Fair to good bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics. Bluegill still spotty.
RIVER WALK PARK: DFG plant three weeks ago and still a few trout showing, mostly on floating baits. The bass bite is fair to good, and some bluegill are just starting to show.
MING LAKE: The bass and crappie bites are fair to good action on both, including some quality crappie on minnows. Also still slow to fair action on trout with the last DFG plant three weeks ago.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Still a few fish showing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Still very good crappie action on small minnows and jigs, but fewer of the really big slabs this past week. The largemouth bass bite is good Senkos, Brush Hogs, and nightcrawlers with the fish all over the shallows in a full-on spawn mode. A few catfish are showing, too. Robert Rivera, Bakersfield, landed a 25-pounder on chicken livers. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: Water level is back up and the bass bite is very good with a lot of fish on plastics. The crappie action is also improving this week with the best bite up around the bridge. DFG trout plant two weeks ago, and the bite has been fair. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fairly decent bass bite as the fish stage for spawning. Best bite on live bait and plastics. Still few crappie reports. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good crappie bite with fish from 3/4 to a pound, mostly on crappie jigs. Striper action also fair with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Largemouth bass bite really starting to perk with the best bite on rocky points and into the coves with swimbaits, plastic worms, and nightcrawlers the best bets. Slow to fair catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: The bite for spotties is very good on plastics, jigs, and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines with the best bite mornings and evenings on fish to four-pounds. Largemouth and smallmouth action is starting to catch up as the fish get in a spawn mode. White bass are starting to stack up in the narrows and there has been good action on fish to four pounds. Also a good crappie bite on jig with fish to 2 1/2 pounds with anglers reporting stringers of 20 to 40 fish each. Lots of big carp in the marina for the few anglers fishing them. Information: 805-238-1056 or Welcome to Lake Nacimiento.
SANTA MARGARITA: The bass and crappie bites are both excellent here with the bass in the shallows and the crappie schooled up to spawn, too. The crappie are stacked up in structure with the area between the first and second camps opposite the marina the hot spot. Even the catfish are starting to show. No more trout plants. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Largemouth bass action is very good at the dam, main lake points, and up in the coves, with the fish in spawning mode. Best bite on plastics, reaction baits, and nightcrawlers. Very good crappie action, too, with fish to two pounds or better reported on crappie jigs. A few anglers brought in fish to 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 pounds. Redear and bluegill are scarce, and the trout bite is slowish. Information: 805-489-1006.

TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries. For updates in Southern California and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at 562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call 559-243-4005, x183.
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake, Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE: Centennial Lake, Laguna Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Tri-city Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Cucamonga Guasti Park Lake, Prado Pake Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Murray Lake.
INYO: Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Section 2).
FRESNO: Kings River (below Pine Flat Dam), San Joaquin River (below Friant Dam), Woodward Park Lake.
MARIPOSA: McSwain Reservoir.
MERCED: Merced River (from McSwain Dam to Merced Falls).