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SOCAL FISH REPORT April 22, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Eastern Sierra Nevada trout opener is this weekend. Waters from Big Pine to Bridgeport that have been closed since Nov. 15 reopen to fishing this Saturday and the action is traditionally some of the best the region sees all year. This is partially because the fish haven’t seen a bait or lure since last year, and it’s partially because the DFG and private hatcheries have been planting fish in virtually all of the roadside waters for the last two weeks. While catching fish is certainly only a part of the Sierra opener experience, the top spots for this weekend are follows: a) Crowley Lake because a half-million trout planted each year make this an obvious pick and the views of the Sierra are spectacular; b) South Lake or Rock Creek Lake or Virginia Lakes, you pick, they are all likely to be frozen over and give California anglers a rare opportunity to act like they have something in common with people who say “Eh” and tow portable houses onto the Minnesota ice each winter; c) Convict Lake because the place’s history reads like a Zane Gray novel and they’ll bring you breakfast burritos from the restaurant while you fish; d) Hot Creek because it’s the closest thing California fly anglers have to fabled spring creeks like those in Yellowstone, Pennsylvania, or England; e) the East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir because it has more and bigger trout than ever in its storied history thanks -- finally -- to good fishery and water management. And last, you might consider stopping by Mono Lake for just 15 minutes. It doesn’t have trout -- or any other fish for that matter -- but it would be a great place to pose for a photo with a big rainbow you caught at Gull Lake. Now that would be a photo to send to friends.
2. The Elsinore crappie action has just continued to perk along and the quality is dazzling. The average crappie are in the 1 1/2-pound range with fish to nearly three pounds reported. Slabs. Most of the fish are showing on small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles. For an update on the bite, call Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308 or the Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
3. Lake Perris’ crappie and bluegill bites in the marina have been excellent this past week. You can also find these fish schooled up on what little structure there are other places in the lake. The crappie are running up to three pounds and most are around a pound, and pound bluegill are caught every day. Both are mostly showing on small jigs tipped with a bait. For an update, call the marina at 951-657-2179.
2. The Elsinore crappie action has just continued to perk along and the quality is dazzling. The average crappie are in the 1 1/2-pound range with fish to nearly three pounds reported. Slabs. Most of the fish are showing on small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles. For an update on the bite, call Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308 or the Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
3. Lake Perris’ crappie and bluegill bites in the marina have been excellent this past week. You can also find these fish schooled up on what little structure there are other places in the lake. The crappie are running up to three pounds and most are around a pound, and pound bluegill are caught every day. Both are mostly showing on small jigs tipped with a bait. For an update, call the marina at 951-657-2179.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The Eastern Sierra trout season kicks off this week and excellent fishing is forecast for all roadside waters, north to south. Heavy stocking by DFG over the past two weeks. The urban trout season is starting to wind down, but the Orange County lakes are still getting weekly plants of trout. Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, Laguna Niguel Park Lake, and Corona Lake have all been pretty good. All the High Desert waters are good bets with fish over four pounds possible at both Hesperia Lake and Jess Ranch. Isabella Lake is still very good after heavy plants for its big tagged trout event. In San Diego County, Morena and Poway are cranking out the biggest fish, but Dixon, Wohlford, and Cuyamaca are all still pretty good bets. Diamond Valley Lake is excellent, too. DFG-stocked reservoirs, especially Silverwood and Piru are good bets.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bite are still very good most places, but the spawn is actually starting to wind down in many lower elevation waters. On the Central Coast, Nacimiento is still wide open for spotties, and Santa Margarita has big largemouths stacked up in the shallows with a lot of fish from six to eight pounds. The action is good at all points south, including Casitas, which is a top bet with balls of shad allowing anglers to net the candy bait and fish to 13-plus pounds this week. Include Castaic, Piru, Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley as hot bets. In San Diego County, Hodges, Otay and Morena are top bets, but all slowed a notch over the past week. On the lower Colorado River from Parker downstream is very good for smallmouth bass in the main river and largemouths in the backwaters.
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 fish, mostly on anchovies. On the Colorado River, the bite on fish to 20 pounds is very good at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam (north of Blythe) again this week. Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are three or four. Havasu has a good to excellent bite. Willow Beach was quiet this week. For Nacimiento fans, the white bass are stacked up just before the narrows for the spawning run up into the river. This bite is getting better each day.
PANFISH: Lots of excellent crappie action bites continue this week. Top bets are, from north to south, Nacimiento, Santa Margarita, Lopez, Cachuma, Casitas, Elsinore, Perris, Diamond Valley Lake, and Henshaw. Elsinore, Casitas, and DVL have pumped out the biggest fish recently. Elsinore and Perris have the most consistent bites locally and great overall quality. Buena Vista Lakes improved again in recent days and is worth watching. 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 that is turning around. Perris and Casitas both improved, and DVL is worth fishing even if not many anglers are targeting the panfish. Tilapia are awesome in the Salton Sea and more and more are showing in the lower Colorado River with the warming weather.
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. More 12 to 25-pound fish again this week, especially in the Blythe-Palo Verde region 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 a couple weeks ago.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bite are still very good most places, but the spawn is actually starting to wind down in many lower elevation waters. On the Central Coast, Nacimiento is still wide open for spotties, and Santa Margarita has big largemouths stacked up in the shallows with a lot of fish from six to eight pounds. The action is good at all points south, including Casitas, which is a top bet with balls of shad allowing anglers to net the candy bait and fish to 13-plus pounds this week. Include Castaic, Piru, Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley as hot bets. In San Diego County, Hodges, Otay and Morena are top bets, but all slowed a notch over the past week. On the lower Colorado River from Parker downstream is very good for smallmouth bass in the main river and largemouths in the backwaters.
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 fish, mostly on anchovies. On the Colorado River, the bite on fish to 20 pounds is very good at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam (north of Blythe) again this week. Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are three or four. Havasu has a good to excellent bite. Willow Beach was quiet this week. For Nacimiento fans, the white bass are stacked up just before the narrows for the spawning run up into the river. This bite is getting better each day.
PANFISH: Lots of excellent crappie action bites continue this week. Top bets are, from north to south, Nacimiento, Santa Margarita, Lopez, Cachuma, Casitas, Elsinore, Perris, Diamond Valley Lake, and Henshaw. Elsinore, Casitas, and DVL have pumped out the biggest fish recently. Elsinore and Perris have the most consistent bites locally and great overall quality. Buena Vista Lakes improved again in recent days and is worth watching. 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 that is turning around. Perris and Casitas both improved, and DVL is worth fishing even if not many anglers are targeting the panfish. Tilapia are awesome in the Salton Sea and more and more are showing in the lower Colorado River with the warming weather.
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. More 12 to 25-pound fish again this week, especially in the Blythe-Palo Verde region 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 a couple weeks ago.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: Fair to good trout action for trollers working three colors or leadcore with Needlefish. Shore fishing remained good on Power Bait and nightcrawlers, especially at the observatory and near the dam. The key on the along the dam is to fish only 10 to 20 feet out from shore along the steep dropoffs. DFG trout plant last week. 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 cash prizes based on the number of entries. For information or to register for this event, call 909-585-4007. This event will be followed by the “Fishin’ for 50K Trout Derby” on May 30-31 where 10 tagged fish worth up to $50,000 will be planted. For more information on this event 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: Fair to good trout action. There were DFG trout plants Wednesday this week and two weeks ago, and a county plant is slated for this Friday to coincide with the opening of the boat dock and other county facilities this weekend. 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 two weeks ago.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The trout action remains fair to good, but this week’s plant will be the last trout stock of the season. Top trout was a seven-pound rainbow caught by Martin Sanders, Adelanto, on Power Bait, while Richard Johnson, Fontana, caught a 5-12 on a Kastmaster. Catfish action has been good to excellent thanks to the warm weather. Jesse Hutchingson, Hesperia, had the week’s best fish, an 18-pound channel on garlic mackerel. Tommy Felix, Norco, had a 16-pound blue on a nightcrawler dipped in Sonny’s Catfish Bait. Matt Bowers, Hesperia, landed a 12-12, while Jose Medrano, Riverside, caught a 10-12. Louise Garcia, Elsinore, landed a 10-8, and Samual Jones, La Puente, caught a 10-pounder. Catfish plants are already weekly, but the allotment is being bumped up to 2,000 pounds per week and several plants of huge broodstock fish are planned for this spring and summer. While a few sturgeon are caught each week, there will be no more plants until fall. Phillip Moore, Victorville, caught the best sturgeon this week at 15 pounds. 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: Trout action was fair to excellent this past week with the best bite before 10 a.m. on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and a variety of jigs and lures. Most fish from one to two pounds with some bigger. Jonathan Contreras, Lakewood, caught four trout that weighed 12-4 total with the largest a 4-8. All were taken on a Power Mouse combo (white Power Egg/red Power Worm) fished along the eastern logged shore of lake 3. Andrew Carrillo, 8, Hesperia, caught a 4-1 rainbow using yellow Power Bait. Bass and bluegill are still waiting for the spring warm-up, but anglers are finally reporting some action near the wall of lake 2 and the north shore of lake 3. 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. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: The last weekly country trout plant of the season went in three weeks ago, and there were DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. No reports. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: DFG trout plant this week. The action has been slow since the last county plant three weeks ago. Catfish plants will begin the end of May. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Still a fair number of trout being caught even thought it’s been three weeks since the last county plant. There is a DFG plant slated for this week, however. The bass action has been improving, especially around the tules along some of the shorelines. Also still a decent bite on carp. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Slow to fair trout action, with the middle lake the best spot to still get rainbows. There have been no trout plants in three weeks, but some anglers are still getting nice stringers of fish. Catfish are also starting to show. Robert Granado, San Bernardino, caught a seven-fish stringer of trout to two pounds and catfish to three pounds from the middle lake. He was using Power Bait for the trout and shrimp for the cats. Denise Patterson, Cathedral City, caught three rainbows and a four-pound bass, also from the middle lake. Catfish plants will start in May. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Trout action is slow with no plants in three weeks. A few carp and catfish are starting to show, and some bluegill and bass are also starting to be caught. Catfish plants to begin in May. 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 two weeks ago. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Bass action remains excellent on drop-shot plastics worms, Brush Hogs, Senkos, and plastic grubs. Matt Thompson, Hemet, caught an 8.15 pound bass fishing with Senkos on the west dam, while Stephen Heathcoat, Hemet, caught an 8.03-pounder on a Brush Hogs on the west dam.John Haskin, Lemon Grove, landed bass at 7.5 and 6.1 pounds fishing with plastic worms on the west dam. Bailey Riley, 12, Hemet, caught a 4.57-pound bass fishing with a Zara Spook on the north shore. Trout fishing has been fair to good on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, and mini jigs, mostly at the east dam. Keith Draxlen, Hemet, caught an 8.75-pound rainbow from shore with a Kastmaster. Dale Rangel, Menifee, caught a 6.22-pound trout fishing with nightcrawlers, while Danai Mamuong, Santa Ana, landed a 6.16-pounder with a crankbait. Catfish are showing in pretty good numbers along the east dam, the third cover for the shoreline crowd, and near the wave attenuator. Cut baits best. The panfish reports have remained scanty, but each week a few quality redear or crappie are reported. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. There is a petition going around to get a launch ramp extension (check with Last Chance B&T). Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Diamond Valley Marina.
PERRIS: Excellent action on the bluegill, redear and crappie this past week with the bass just a little behind. The marina area has been the hotspot for the bluegill and crappie, although fish are showing off structure all over the lake. There have been a lot of quality crappie in the bite. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, caught 15 crappie to three pounds off the marina docks. Many fish in the 1 1/4 to 1 1/2-pound range. Best action on small jigs tipped with wax worms, meal worms, crickets, or Crappie Nibbles. Bass are still in spawn mode, although many fish are done and have moved out of the shallows. Darren Hall, Perris, caught a 4-13 largemouth on a blue plastics at the island, and Brittany Lewis, Beaumont, landed a 4-4 on a shad in the marina. The trout action has been fair to good and a DFG plant was slated for this week. Also pretty good carp action. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striped bass action is good at the inlet and dam on chicken liver, anchovies, and nightcrawlers with a lot of fish under two pounds, but a fair number up to five pounds. The channels up into the east end and Ramp No. 2 are best for bigger fish. Skielur Allard, Riverside, had three stripers to 4-8 on anchovies. Art Silva, Moreno Valley, landed 10 smaller stripers to a pound on chicken liver at the dam. The largemouth bite has really improved with a lot of fish still shallow and whacking plastics and nightcrawlers. Mike Langdon, Los Angeles, caught and released 15 largemouth to five pounds on plastic worms. Carp are also good on dough baits with a lot more fish showing shallow this week. Improving bluegill and catfish action, but the crappie are still slow. The odd trout is also still showing, but it’s been over a month since any plants. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Good crappie and bass action. The bass are mostly in shallow water in a spawn mode, while the crappie are stacking up around structure. The average crappie has been 1 1/2 pounds with fish up to nearly three pounds reported. Carp have improved again with warmer weather, and a fair number of catfish are being caught. Wipers are spotty. Anglers are reminded that wipers under 18-inches long must be released. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: Very good trout action and at least 22 rainbows from 14 3/4 pounds to 19 3/4 pounds caught by anglers this past week. The 19 3/4-ppounder was caught by Tony Uribe and Kevin Jimenez, both of Perris, while fishing a Nitro Egg from shore, while Andrew Sanchez, Cerritos, landed a 19 1/2-pounder. Trout at 19 pounds were reported by James Johnston, Pomona, Jessie Enriquez, Baldwin Park, Leroy Chacon, Fontana, and Michael Lopez, Wildomar. On of the top stringers of the week, which consisted of three trout at 18 1/2, 18 and 17 1/2 pounds, was landed by Doi Luong, Chino. Jorden Cook, Murrieta caught an 18 1/2 pounder. Lee Bachelor, Claremont, landed an 18-pounder, and Juan Melendez, Riverside, also had an 18-even. The best action has been from a boat or float tube in the main channel from the dam out to mid-lake, but shore anglers are also scoring a lot of fish along the whole west side of the lake. Top baits have been chartreuse, orange and rainbow Nitro Baits or a nightcrawler soaked in Nitro Gravy. A few catfish and crappie are also showing for the few anglers targeted these species, and catfish plants are now every other week starting with this week’s stocking of channels. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: Still a fair bite on bass, but the fish are spooky in the shallows. Best action on plastics and small reaction baits. Trout are slow. A few panfish starting to show around shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Slow trout action with the last county and DFG plants a month ago. Catfish plants to begin late May. A few carp and bass showing. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: No report. 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 Park, a Hemet California RV Park and Family Campground.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good catfish action on nightcrawlers. 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: Very good trout action over the past week thanks to bigger crowds and nicer weather. Lots of limits for both trollers and shore anglers. The last DFG plant was two weeks ago. Jon Wright, Indio, had two one-pound rainbows trolling Roostertails. Still slow other species, but a few more 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: A flurry of big trout hit the scales last Thursday when 17 rainbow trout between 17 1/4 and 19 1/2 pounds were weighed in at the tackle shop. The 19 1/2-pounder was caught by Jeff Carpenter, Lomita, to top off his four-fish stringer that weighed in at 75 1/2 pounds at the Bubble Hole on floating bait. The other three fish on that stringer were all in the 18-pound class, too. Another 19 1/2-pound rainbow was landed by Robert Ojeda, Van Nuys, fishing a nightcrawler at the pump house. Trout at 18 3/4-pounders were caught by Anthony Perez, Azusa, to top off his nine-fish catch that weighed 28 pounds, Anton Smith, Santa Monica, and Justin Stallings, Chino. An 18 1/2-pound rainbow was caught by Frank and Larry Aquila, Orange, while Larry Houchan, Long Beach, also had trout at 18 1/2 and 18 1/4 pounds. Mark Serrano, Downey, caught a 17 3/4-pounder, as did Chales Hallam, Buena Park. Trout at 17 1/2 pounds were caught by Manual Mugica, Anaheim, Jordan Mugica, Anaheim, and Don Alvarado, Los Angeles. The hot trout action has been on chartreuse and rainbow Nitro Bait or with garlic-flavored Nitro Gravy on nightcrawlers, and the best spots have been Levitz’ Corner and the pump house. Trout plants weekly, probably through May. Catfish plants start this week and will go in every other week. 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: Excellent trout action during the Western Outdoor News Tournament this past Saturday, and the heavy plants prior to the event kept the action good into this week. The fish are moving deeper with the hot weather, but nightcrawlers, Gulp! Trout Dough, Power Bait and Power Mouse combinations all are producing for bait anglers, while trollers are fishing firetiger-color CD05 Rapalas. Productive spots for trout included Woody’s Cove, the west shore, Sierra Cove, and Boat dock Cove. Top trout was a 17.6-pound rainbow landed by Chris Merritt, Riverside, on a nightcrawler near the ramp, to win the WON event.
Al Tagami, La Mirada, caught a 14.99-pound rainbow trout on a mini jig at Trout Island, while Alfonso Diaz, Tustin, landed a 14.76 pounder on a nightcrawler at Woody’s Cove. Derek Haywood, Garden Grove, had an 11.5-pound rainbow on a Power Mouse at Boat Dock Cove, while Riverside’s Paul Mintzer caught 10.6-pounder on a nightcrawler at the red clay cliffs. Crappie remain good with fish to two pounds reported on white Berkley Atomic tubes fished near flooded vegetation. Numbers of bluegill are increasing for those using meal worms or waxworms in the shallows near the docks. Bass action has also been good on fish to five pounds, still on beds and whacking plastics. Catches of 20 fish per day were common this past week. A night bass tournament will be held 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, May 8. Entry fee is $150 per two-person team and includes dinner. Limited to 50 teams. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Good trout action. Plants last week of rainbows and Lightning Trout. Some bass are showing on plastics in the shallows, and the bluegill action is improving with warmer weather. 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: The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been fair to good with most fish shallow for spawning. Plastic worms and nightcrawlers top baits. Trout action fair with trollers getting fish in 25 to 30 feet of water on Needlefish and Rapalas. Crappie remain fair to good in the narrows with the fish averaging better than a pound and showing on small jigs. Redear still spotty, but the catfish bite is starting to take off with a few fish to 10 pounds reported this past week. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Continued good to excellent bass action, and shad were available for netting all of the past week until Wednesday this week. Best action on two to three pounders, mostly in six to 20 feet of water on plastics, nightcrawlers, and the live shad. Nanci Carbajal, Sylmar, caught a 13-8 bass on live shad fishing with guide Marc Mitrany, Ojai Angler, Ojai. Chris White, Oxnard, landed a 13-pounder, also on shad. Tim Arnhart and Dan Haberlack, both Los Angeles, each caught eight-pound bass, and Arnhart had a 17-pound cat, all on the live shad. David Regan, Oxnard, caught two six-pound bass on Wednesday. Caleb Todd, 9, Ojai, caught his first bass, a three-pounder, on a nightcrawler. Catfish have mostly been incidental catches, but the anglers targeting redear and crappie are getting a few quality fish. Willis Hand, Ojai, reported catching and releasing nine redear to two pounds, all full of eggs. On Tuesday, Roger Snowbarger, Ojai, landed a three-pound crappie from what he calls “world headquarters,” his pontoon boat at the marina. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 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: Stripers and largemouth bass bites have remained good. Stripers have been particularly good at the back buoy line with a lot of fish into the five-pound class, and even more bigger fish this past week right after the trout plant in the main lake last Thursday. The launch ramp and dam have also been good spots with most fish showing in about 15 feet of water on cut baits. Top fish reported was a 15.8-pounder caught by Jon Salkeld, Castaic, who also had a nine pounder fishing trout-like lures at Kong Island. Ed Sher, San Fernando Valley, had four fish that weighed 32 pounds, including a 12.9-pounder, all caught on cut bait at the dam. The largemouth are taking plastics and swim baits, but the fish have moved slightly deeper this past week. Lots of fish to three pounds. Jason Blackwell, Norwalk, landed a 9.4-pound largemouth on a plastic in the Fish Arm, while Kimberly Clayton, Palmdale, had a 6.7-pounder. Thomas Ragno, Sherman Oaks, caught a 5.3-pound bass. Few bluegill or crappie reports, but there’s a good carp bite for anglers targeting them. Trout plant in the lagoon this week. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Slow trout action with the most recent DFG plant four weeks ago. Power Bait, nightcrawlers or plastic trout worms have been the top baits. The crappie bite slowed but some fish still being reported. Good bass action on plastics and nightcrawlers with the fish in a spawn mode. There has been decent bluegill and redear action and a few catfish reported. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: Good striped bass and largemouth bass action. The stripers are best in the main channel and below the gate house on cut baits. The largemouths are mostly shallow and showing on nightcrawlers and plastics with fish to three pounds. There was a trout plant last week and the bite is still fair on floating baits or small lures. A few catfish are starting to show. Slow other species. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week with a pretty good bite. 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 with warmer weather. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant this week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair to good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass in the shallows on plastics. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
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 recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant last week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake will reopen May 2. 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: Fair to good bass action. The 276 anglers checked reported 322 bass, 40 crappie, and one 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: There were 113 anglers this past week who reported 105 bass, 65 crappie, 11 blue catfish and 10 channel cats. 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: Continued fair to good bass action with just a smattering of other fish. There 211 anglers who reported 252 bass to 7.26 pounds, 19 bluegill to .65 pounds, and one 11-pound channel catfish. 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: Fair to good bass action for walk-in anglers. The bass are up in the shallows and this past week 11 anglers reported catching 16 bass to 4.65 pounds and two bluegill to a half pound. 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: Fair bass action with a few panfish starting to show. There were 86 anglers who reported 36 bass, 18 bluegill, eight rainbow trout, and four channel cats. Trout plant slated for this week. 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 pick on rainbow trout. There were 145 anglers who reported catching 29 rainbows, (last plant on March 24th), 20 largemouth bass, and eight channel catfish. 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. 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 fishing is good with nice-sized rainbows being hauled out
of Boat Dock Cove and along Senior Shoreline. Green Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers have been the top producers. Daniel Anderson, Escondido, caught a 4-12 rainbow on a nightcrawler on Senior Shoreline. Victor Sarabia, Escondido, landed a 4-6 on green Power Bait in Willow Cove, while Brenda Howard, Oceanside, weighed in a 44-4 trout caught on a pink Power Worm. Trout plant this week. Bass fair to good with a lot of fish still shallow. Crappie fair on the rocky outcroppings. Ben Myong, Lake Forest, landed a 1-8 crappie. Some catfish starting to show, especially at the two buoy lines. Blas Romero, Escondido, caught a 6-9 catfish near the west buoy line using chicken liver and shrimp. Carp are also all over the shallows in a spawn mode. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boating ban. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON LAKE: Good trout bite with the best action in the Whisker Bay, the buoy line areas, and Trout Cove. Inflated nightcrawlers, white or red Power worms, green trout jigs, Kastmasters, and Roostertails are the top baits. Trout plant Wednesday this week. The bass action is fair to good with a lot of fish on plastics and nightcrawlers. The 12th Annual Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club Trout Derby will take be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26. The $500 grand prize will be awarded for the largest trout along with other daily winners. The cost of fishing permits will be $14 for adults, $10 for youth (eight to 15) and seniors over 60. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The bass bite is fair to good with a lot of fish shallow. Plastics, nightcrawlers to baits. Trout fishing was slow this week with the last plant of the season March 24. The best bet is slow trolling or picking a spot in Bucktail Bay near the Restroom Landing and fishing nightcrawlers, Kastmasters, or Rapalas. The catfish bite is good with the log boom. The bluegill bite is slow but improving with the warmer weather. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Trout action is fair with fish moving into deeper water, but still a few limits posted this past week. Best action has been Sentry Point, Eagle Point, Cactus Patch, and the buoy line, mostly on inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent and fished on a two-foot leader. Bass are scattered. Most are being caught off the points in 20 feet of water, but quite a few are along the banks. Drop-shotted 10-inch black Power Worms or four-inch margarita mutilator plastic worms are the best bet. Catfish are being caught around the bird trees and the floating boathouse on nightcrawlers and mackerel, both doused with scent. Upcoming events: Free fishing class on bait fishing for rainbow trout 1 p.m. Sunday 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: Windy this past week, but still good trout action. John Oats, Spring Valley, landed an 8-2 on Power Bait. Randy Minniear, Lakeside, caught a 6-9, while Johanna Atkins, also Lakeside, caught a six-pounder. Mt. Lassen Trout plant this week. Bass fair on plastics. Bluegill improving with nightcrawlers and wax worms the top bait. Some catfish starting to show. Price of boats and permits has been reduced Monday through Thursday. Permits are $3.50 and boat rentals just $20 for the whole day. 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 Pumphouse Cove. Both DFG and Jess Ranch plants 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: Some good bass catches reported this past week. Gary Batterman, Ramona, landed bass at five pounds, while Lane Yule, Palomar Mountain, caught a seven-pounder. Catfish remain fair to good with fish to four pounds reported. Most anglers getting two to five cats on nightcrawlers or cut baits. Crappie still good off the Fish-N-Float dock with up to 10 fish or more per stringer reported. Louis Daniels, Sacramento, landed 16 crappie on jigs with Crappie Nibbles and the fish were up to three pounds. Lyle Daniels, Santa Ysabel, caught 24 crappie on minnows over two days that averaged about 1 1/2-pounds each. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Stripers fair to good in Boulder Bay and Gypsum Wash. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is just starting with a fair to good bite in the coves.
WILLOW BEACH: No big stripers reported this past week, but the trout action remains good to excellent, especially right after the Friday plants. Best action on nightcrawlers and salmon eggs. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: The Cottonwood Cove region striper bite remains good with a lot of nice stringers of fish up to 5-8. Martin and Jim Duarte, of Las Vegas and Idaho, caught 18 stripers that weighed 51 pounds total fishing anchovies in the wind on Saturday. . Arizona Bay, Katherine’s Landing, and the dam areas are also good. Largemouth bass action is improving in most coves, and a few catfish are starting to showSome fish to eight pounds. Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Mostly slow action with only the odd trout still showing and a few small stripers.
NEEDLES: Fair striper action downriver in the Topoc area. Most stripers are under two pounds. A few catfish showing. Fair to good largemouth bass action. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: The largemouth bass bite is good and there were a few more 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: 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 with pretty fair action on cut baits. 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 bite, across the board, is very good on this stretch of the lower river and points south. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action has broken wide open. The flathead catfish action has been good with a lot of fish from 12 to 25 pounds caught. Tilapia are very good, too. The striper bite at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam has continued good with fish to 18 pounds reported this week with the best bite just after dark or before first light. Also improved action on bluegill and crappie in area backwaters this week. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The flathead and channel catfish bite is very good with a lot of quality fish being caught, mostly on live goldfish or bluegill, which anglers are starting to catch in area backwaters and ditches. The largemouth bass bite is very good in all the river backwaters and main river. Pretty Water and Cibola Lake are both top areas, but the fish are showing everywhere now. Smallmouth pretty good in the main river along the rip rap. Improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Very good largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers as the fish move shallow to spawn. The channel catfish action is good on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is also taking off with some quality fish showing on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action good to excellent on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits with the fish flooding the shallows. Channel catfish bite good, and the crappie bite is slow to fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, and this bite is really starting to break open. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is very good in the main river and river backwaters on minnows and plastics. Both channel catfish and flathead action is really getting good in the main river with some quality flatheads now showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to good for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite remains excellent, and it’s starting to feel like summer here with the high temperature early this week at 103 degrees. But a lack of winds has keep the fish action really good. Catches of 20 to 50 fish per angler are common and the bite is good 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 is concentrated. The fish are running from half-pound up to nearly two pounds, but most remain in the 3/4-pound to one-pound range. The action is 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: Last DFG trout plant over a month ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: Last DFG trout plant over a month ago.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Last DFG trout plant over a month ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: General trout season reopens this Saturday. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or Bishop, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River has been dynamite with flows still low and very fishable. Lots of nice fish showing on dries, nymphs and streamers. Many anglers are reporting 30-fish days, which is unbelievable for the Walker. The whole region opens this weekend and all the roadside waters, from the West Walker to Upper and Lower Twin to Bridgeport Reservoir have been planted. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: All of the main lakes in the loop are ice free and all have been planted for the opener. Full report next week.
MAMMOTH AREA: Upper lakes basin still mostly locked in ice with limited road access, but all the other waters in the region, including Crowley and Convict Lakes, Mammoth Creek, Convict and McGee creeks, and Rock Creek have been planted with trout. Rock Creek Lake is still frozen. The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open to year-around fishing. Very good midge hatches in the upper Owens and sporadic baetis. 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 some caddis and mayfly surface activity, but most of the action is subsurface on midge patterns fished pretty deeply under strike indicators or streamers swept along the undercuts and tailouts. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been very good for lure, jig, bait and fly anglers, and a DFG plant went in this week. Owens Gorge good for small browns on small dries with some stones coming off now. The Bishop Creek drainage looks good for opener. Sabrina still has ice, but there is open water. Ice fishing might be problematic here. South Lake has good ice cover and should provide good ice fishing. North Lake is likely to be completely open. Intake II is open and there was only patchy snow below 9,000 feet along Bishop Creek. 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 all of the waters this week for the trout opener should kick everything into gear, including Diaz Lake. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Still very good trout action and the crappie bite has taken off this week with quality fish in the 1 1/2-pound range showing at Camp Nine and Joughin Cove on minnows. The best trout bite has been on floating baits, nightcrawlers, and small lures fished at the auxiliary dam, but fish are showing around much of the lake. The largemouth bite is still sputtering along, but the fish should be stacking into the shallows. Catfish still oddly slow. Fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few trout reported, but more and more smallmouth and largemouth bass are starting to be caught. The upper river is fair to good for wild fish. The fly anglers have been seeing a broad range of insect hatches, including a major crane fly hatch that has the fish focusing on these big bugs in the evenings. But there’s also been hatches of black stones, yellow sallies, big march browns, and sporadic blue-wing olives. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or Fly Fishing the Kern River) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Very good striper action on fish from three four five pounds, mostly on blood and sand worms, but also fish are Gitzits and Lucky Crafts LDR 10s and 15s. Catfish are still mostly slow, but the carp bite is pretty good. Tim White, Alysa Jalving, and Dan Evans, all Bakersfield, caught two-fish striper limits with fish to seven pounds on anchovies. Jorge Madnigal and Jose Tapen, both Bakersfield, had a pair of six-pound cats on anchovies, and a legal sturgeon (at 50-inches) was reported this week.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics, but bluegill are improving. Carp are excellent on Powder Bait.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair to good bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics with the fish still spawning. The carp action is also very good with a lot of fish to six pounds, occasionally bigger, on dough baits. Bluegill improving with some good catches now.
RIVER WALK PARK: The bass and bluegill bites are fair. Best bass action on plasics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits. Bluegill best on crickets, wax worms, and meal worms.
MING LAKE: The bass bite good on nightcrawlers, minnows, and plastics, but the carp bite is even better with a lot of fish topping six pounds. Best action has been on Powder Bait. The lake is closed boating-only now into August while repairs are made, but the lake remains open to fishing during this time.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The crappie bite came back on here with fair action on small minnows, and the bluegill bite has started with the best bite on wax worms. The bass action has slowed to just fair with the best bite still on minnows and plastics, but the catfish bite is starting to take off on cut baits. There will be a catfish derby May 2 with a $250 top prize for the biggest cat and $100 for the smallest in two age categories. (Info call Parks and Rec at 661-868-7000.) The carp bite is very good on Powder Bait mixed into a dough, with a lot of quality carp over five pounds showing. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: Bass fair, but the crappie bite slowed. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Good bass bite on live bait and plastics. Still few crappie reports. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Shad are showing on the surface in big schools and it’s pretty easy to dip net some for bait. The bait is translating into a fair to good striped bass bite with fish to nine pounds reported in the past week. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action is good in the coves and shallow areas as the fish spawn. Fair to good crappie bite with fish from 3/4 to a pound, mostly on crappie jigs in Harris Creek. 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 nearly as good. White bass are stacked up just before the narrows (second bend continues to be the hot spot), and there has been good action on fish to four pounds. Also a good crappie bite on jigs with the average fish over a pound and anglers are 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: Still fair to good bass action with a lot fish still shallow. Top fish this week was a 7-10 caught by 10-year-old Evan Parks, Paso Robles. The remain schooled up to spawn, too, but the action is still just fair with some quality fish showing. Catfish have been improving with a 10-6 caught by Mike O’Keefe, Templeton, and a four-pounder landed by Tim Paulson, Atascadero. No more trout plants this season. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Bass action is 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. Bass at 4-4 were caught by Dan Mann, San Luis Obispo, and J.R. Miranda, Grover Beach. But Mann’s two-pound redear caused a bigger stir. The redear are just starting to show, and there is a pretty good bite on crappie, but they are still in deeper water, not in the shallows and spawning yet. Trout slow with the last plant March 31. 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 this week. 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: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
SANTA BARBARA: Lion Canyon Creek, Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA: Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek, Rose Valley Lakes.
ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Cucamonga-Guasti Park Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork.
DIEGO: Murray Lake.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake 2), Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Bishop Creek (Lower), Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Virginia Creek, West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
FRESNO: Big Creek (near Huntington),Big Creek (near Kings), Dinkey Creek, Kings River(below the Pine Flat Reservoir), San Joaquin River (below the Friant Dam), Shaver Lake, Tamarack Creek, Tenmile Creek, Wishon Reservoir.
KERN: Alder Creek, Brite Valley Reservoir, Cedar Creek.
MADERA: Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Lewis Creek, lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake, Upper Big Creek, West Fork Chiquito Creek.
MONTEREY: El Estero Park lake.
NACIMIENTO: Barney Schwartz Park lake, Upper Nacimiento River.
TULARE: Bone Creek, Bravo Lake, Dry Meadow Creek, Nobe Young Creek, Peppermint Creek.
TUOLOMNE: Beaver Creek, Deadman Creek, Lyons Canal, Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Middle Fork Tuolumne River, Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake, Powerhouse Stream, South Fork Tuolumne River, Stanislaus River-Clark Fork.
