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SOCAL FISH REPORT April 29, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
Compiled by Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. If you wisely skipped the crowded, windy, cold trout opener this past weekend and are planning, again wisely, to go up this weekend, here are two hot tips for you catch-and-release fly anglers. First, the Crowley Lake spawners are still showing in good numbers in the lower reaches of Convict and McGee creeks. Expect fish to 24-inches and weighing five pounds with a lot of two-pounders. Second, and this has been sort of a secret spot, upper Grant Lake where Rush Creek flows into the very low lake has been excellent for spawning rainbows running up out of Grant into Rush. A carbon copy of the Crowley scenario only with fewer people who know about it. For an update on these bites, check with the Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
2. Santa Margarita Lake on the Central Coast is one of the most scenic fishing spots in the state and the bass action has been excellent for two weeks now. Now is the time to go. There were fish at 9-13 and 8-1 caught this past week, and if you’ve never been, you’re missing a real treat. For an update on the bite, call the marina store (Wednesday-Sunday) at 805-438-1522.
3. Since it was too tough to decide if the flathead catfish bite or smallmouth bass bite was better on the Lower Colorado River, we’re leaving that up to you. But the bass action on the lower river is excellent in all of the backwaters for largemouth but the smallmouth action is even better in the main river. Fish the rip-rap areas from Havasu to Palo Verde and you will catch fish on small cranks, swim baits, and plastics. If that’s not your cup of tea, the big flatheads are turning on and this weekend into next week should excellent based on the moon phase. Soak big goldfish, bluegill or tilapia in the river’s deep holes or in the Palo Verde Valley’s irrigation ditches and you will hook some monster cats. Fish at 39 and 32 pounds were landed in a tournament this past weekend. For an update and advice where to fish, call B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248.
2. Santa Margarita Lake on the Central Coast is one of the most scenic fishing spots in the state and the bass action has been excellent for two weeks now. Now is the time to go. There were fish at 9-13 and 8-1 caught this past week, and if you’ve never been, you’re missing a real treat. For an update on the bite, call the marina store (Wednesday-Sunday) at 805-438-1522.
3. Since it was too tough to decide if the flathead catfish bite or smallmouth bass bite was better on the Lower Colorado River, we’re leaving that up to you. But the bass action on the lower river is excellent in all of the backwaters for largemouth but the smallmouth action is even better in the main river. Fish the rip-rap areas from Havasu to Palo Verde and you will catch fish on small cranks, swim baits, and plastics. If that’s not your cup of tea, the big flatheads are turning on and this weekend into next week should excellent based on the moon phase. Soak big goldfish, bluegill or tilapia in the river’s deep holes or in the Palo Verde Valley’s irrigation ditches and you will hook some monster cats. Fish at 39 and 32 pounds were landed in a tournament this past weekend. For an update and advice where to fish, call B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The Eastern Sierra trout opener was cold and windy, but the fishing was good in Crowley, Convict, all the June Lake loop waters, Bridgeport Reservoir, and both Upper and Lower Twin in Bridgeport. See the main report for details, but this is still a top place to be right now. Closer to home, 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 at the auxiliary dam. In San Diego County, Dixon, Wohlford, and Cuyamaca are all still pretty good bets. Diamond Valley Lake is excellent, too. DFG-stocked reservoirs, especially Silverwood and Piru are fair bets this week but Big Bear Lake is starting to turn on.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still good but a lot of places are on the backside of the spawn, or the fish are mostly off beds now. Still a lot of good action. On the Central Coast, Santa Margarita is excellent with bass to 9-1, Nacimiento is still wide open for spotties, and Lopez is pretty good, too, for largemouths. The action is pretty 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 11-plus pounds this week. Include Castaic, Piru, Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley as hot bets and Silverwood as one of the spots with a budding bite, getting better with each warm day. In San Diego County, Barrett opens this Saturday, and Hodges, Otay and Morena are still pretty fair with most fish in a little post-spawn funk. 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 120 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 except for one bigger fish. 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: A lot of crappie bites have fizzled in the past week. But top bets include Casitas, Elsinore, and especially Henshaw, which really broke wide open and has produced a number of 25-fish limits of fish to two pounds. Buena Vista Lakes improved again in recent days and is worth watching. The bluegill and redear bites are still muddling along most places, but Lake Perris is an exception with a wide open bluegill bite in the marina. Diamond Valley Lake is also worth fish for the bluegill and redear. Lastly, the warming spell will turn the tilapia wide open again at the Salton Sea. Even with cooler, windy weather this bite has still been good.
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 and a couple pushing 40 pounds. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is the hot region for the big flatheads. Also a pretty good channel bite all along the lower Colorado River, too. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is getting catfish plants each week), Jean’s Channel Cats, along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting plants alternating weeks now.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still good but a lot of places are on the backside of the spawn, or the fish are mostly off beds now. Still a lot of good action. On the Central Coast, Santa Margarita is excellent with bass to 9-1, Nacimiento is still wide open for spotties, and Lopez is pretty good, too, for largemouths. The action is pretty 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 11-plus pounds this week. Include Castaic, Piru, Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley as hot bets and Silverwood as one of the spots with a budding bite, getting better with each warm day. In San Diego County, Barrett opens this Saturday, and Hodges, Otay and Morena are still pretty fair with most fish in a little post-spawn funk. 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 120 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 except for one bigger fish. 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: A lot of crappie bites have fizzled in the past week. But top bets include Casitas, Elsinore, and especially Henshaw, which really broke wide open and has produced a number of 25-fish limits of fish to two pounds. Buena Vista Lakes improved again in recent days and is worth watching. The bluegill and redear bites are still muddling along most places, but Lake Perris is an exception with a wide open bluegill bite in the marina. Diamond Valley Lake is also worth fish for the bluegill and redear. Lastly, the warming spell will turn the tilapia wide open again at the Salton Sea. Even with cooler, windy weather this bite has still been good.
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 and a couple pushing 40 pounds. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is the hot region for the big flatheads. Also a pretty good channel bite all along the lower Colorado River, too. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is getting catfish plants each week), Jean’s Channel Cats, along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting plants alternating weeks now.
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. DFG trout plant this 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 and county trout plants last week and quite a few limits were posted by anglers. The boat dock and other county facilities opened this past 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 three weeks ago.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The trout action remains fair to good, and there was a final bonus plant of fish on Tuesday this week. Top rainbow was an 8-8 caught Hector Camerano, Victorville, while James Jones, Long Beach, landed a 6-12. The best action has been on Power Bait or other scented floating baits. The catfish action is very good to excellent. There is now a double plant of 2,200 pounds of cats every Thursday and each plant includes some trophy broodstock fish. Top catfish this past week was a 22-8 flathead caught by James Aubershawn, Rialto, while Matthew Johnson, Phelan, landed an 18-pound channel. Steve Vanstein, Hesperia, landed a 12-8 blue, while Jason Phillips, Apple Valley, had a 12-pounder. 12-0 blue. Isaac Moore, Norco, landed a 10-pound channel. Top baits have been nightcrawlers or cut baits with Sonny’s dip bait, or one of the combo baits -- mackerel and meal worms or the M&M favorite, marshmallow-meal worm. 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 good this past week with the best bite before 11 a.m. on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and a variety of jigs and lures. Most fish from one to two pounds with some bigger. Dave Smith, Hesperia, caught a 5-12 rainbow on mackerel on the western shore of lake 2. Larry Wells, Apple Valley, landed 4-14 and 3-13 rainbows from the eastern shore of lake 3 using a Thomas Buoyant. Some catfish were reported with Frank Hilarides, Newberry Springs, landing a 10-7 on mackerel while fishing the western shore of lake 2. Both bass and bluegill action is starting to pick up and should only improve with warmer weather. Anglers are 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: There were DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago, and it has been four weeks since the last county plant. No reports. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: DFG trout plant last week. The action has been slow since the last county plant four 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 four weeks since the last county plant. There was a DFG plant last week, however. The bass action has been improving, especially around the tules along some of the shorelines. Also still a decent bite on carp. Catfish plants to start late in May. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair trout action, and there’s a DFG trout plant this week. Christian Chavez, Yucaipa, landed two rainbows with his best fish a 5 1/2-pounder. Both were caught on nightcrawlers from the top lake. Catfish are also starting to show with some fish to three pounds. Catfish plants will start later in May. The carp bite is pretty good for the few anglers targeting the fish. Robert Granado, San Bernardino, landed a pair of fish at 15 pounds and 11 1/2 pounds fishing bread in the middle lake. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Trout action has been slow with no plants the past three weeks, but a DFG plant is slated for this week. A few carp and catfish are starting to show, and some bluegill and bass are also being caught. Catfish plants to begin in late 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 three 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. John Haskin, Lemon Grove, caught 7.5 and 6.1-pounders on plastic worms at the west dam. Mike Cochran, Palm Desert, and Soth Uong, Lake Elsinore, each caught six-pound largemouth. Shao Chuan Wang, Riverside, landed a 5.54-pounder. Trout fishing has been fair. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Power Worms and mini jigs have been working best with most of the trout showing at the east dam or the coves west of the marina. David Rangel, Menifee, caught a 6.22-pound trout on a nightcrawler. Catfish are showing in pretty good numbers along the east dam and 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. One striper catch was reported along the west dam. 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: Another surprise striper was caught this week when Sonny Brandon, Riverside, landed and released a 32 1/2-pound striper drop-shotting a plastic worm off the swim beach. The lake record fish was released. Excellent action on the bluegill and redear, but the crappie action slowed way down. The carp bite is also pretty much wide open. Jason Goodloe, San Bernardino, caught 21 and 12 1/2-pound carp on dough bait at Lot No. 6. The marina area has been the hotspot for the bluegill and redear, although fish are showing off structure all over the lake. Bass are still in spawn mode, although many fish are done and have moved out of the shallows. Richard Yanez, San Jacinto, caught an 8-12 off the tire reef on a Creature Bait. Cory Lopez, Colton, caught a 4-14 bass on a Kastmaster. The trout action has been fair to good after a DFG plant last week. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striped bass action is good to excellent with lots of smaller fish at the dam, and better quality fish showing at the inlet, main channel into the east end, and off Ramp No. 2. Anchovies are the top bait. Most fish under two pounds, but a fair number up to five pounds. Kate Lopez, Moreno Valley, had three stripers to four pounds fishing chicken liver at Ramp No. 2. The largemouth bite is fair to good with a lot of fish still shallow and whacking plastics and nightcrawlers. Carp are also good on dough baits with a lot more fish showing shallow this week. Kyle Wittmore, Los Angeles, caught two carp with his top fish an eight-pounder. Improving catfish action with more and more showing on the cut baits. Steve Sullivan, Temecula, landed four cats to 10 pounds on chicken liver at the inlet. Bluegill and crappie are still slow, but a few ‘gills are starting to come in. 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: Still fair to good crappie and bass action. The bass are mostly on shallow structure, 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: Good trout action with four fish over the 16-pound mark this past week. Weekly trout plants that are expected to last through May, and warming water conditions are turning on the catfish action. Top fish was a 44.8-pound catfish landed by Steve Guardamondo, Mira Loma, while fishing the JD’s Bait from shore. Overall, the catfish action is just kicking into gear, but plants are now being made alternating weeks, with the most recent stock last week. Best rainbow trout was an 18 1/2-pounder landed by Jeremy Avalos, Riverside. Two trout at 17 1/2 pounds were caught, one by Jay Vaughn, Corona, and the other by Kamron Jamneshan, Corona. A 16 1/2-pounder was caught by Andy Reckers, Temecula. The best trout 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 trout baits have been chartreuse, orange and rainbow Nitro Baits or a nightcrawler soaked in Nitro Gravy. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: Fair bass action on plastics and small reaction baits. A few panfish are being caught around shoreline structure and tules.
RANCHO JURUPA: A few carp and bass showing. Catfish plants to begin late May. 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: An 18 1/2-pound rainbow trout and a 55-pound sturgeon were the highlights of the bite here this past week, but many anglers reported limits of rainbow trout to five pounds. The 18-8 rainbow was caught by Blake Woodward, Chino, while Joe Iona, West Covina, caught and released the 55-pound sturgeon. Greg and Margie Brock, Rancho Dominguez, fished Power Bait in Chris Pond to catch 10 rainbows that weighed 18 pounds total and included a four-pounder as their top fish. Ruben Garcia, Paramount, along with Pete and Delilah Cruz, Anaheim, had 10 rainbows for 17 1/2-pounds, topped by a 3-8 rainbow, all on orange Power Bait. The hot trout action has been on chartreuse and rainbow Nitro Bait or with garlic-flavored Nitro Gravy on nightcrawlers. The best spots have been Levitz’ Corner and the pump house, but fish are showing all around the big lake and in Chris’ Pond. Trout will continue to be planted each week through May and catfish are being planted in alternating weeks right now with the most recent plant last 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: Trout action remained excellent this week with many one to four-pound fish reported. The fish are moving deeper with the hot weather and were often found at depths of 20 feet or more by midday. Power Bait and the Power Mouse combo continued to be very productive for trout with white, chartreuse, and green working best. Trollers are having success fishing brown trout-colored J07 Rapalas and cop-car or frog-colored Needlefish. Productive spots for trout included west shore, boat dock cove, and Trout Island. Several limits of catfish were reported on shrimp, mackerel, and chicken liver in Boat Dock Cove and Santiago Flats. 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 very good on fish to six 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: The largemouth bas action has continued to be very good, especially for anglers dipping a little live shad and fishing in the mornings before the afternoon winds kick up. P.J. Damas, Ojai, landed an 11-8 bass on a live shad, while Brandon LeMay, Ojai, had a 9-8, also on shad. Travis Siros, Camarillo, caught a nine-pounder on a Robo Worm, and Travis Walters, Oakview, had largemouth at eight and seven pounds on shad. Catfish are very slow, but Kevin Oslund, Oakview, landed an eight-pound cat on a live shad. The bluegill and redear are starting to perk in the Wadleigh Arm and Station Canyon with a few fish to a pound, and the crappie bite is very good on live shad if you can find a school of fish. Shaun Flaherty, Ventura, had six crappie with 2-4 the average fish. Half of his fish were taken on live shad and the other half on mini jigs. Trout were planted last Friday and the bite has been pretty good since on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. 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: Striper action slowed from last week but is still fair to good. Stripers have been particularly good at the back buoy line with a lot of fish in the two to three-pound range. Top fish this week was a 21-8 caught by Jimmy Wong, West Covina, while fishing in the Fish Arm. Steve Cooper, Lakewood, and Jim Zabala, West Covina, caught 20 stripers totaling over 65 pounds on cut bait at the bouy line. The largemouth bite picked up a little this week with the best results on plastics, nightcrawlers, and jigs. Lots of fish to three to four pounds with a few over 10 pounds reported. Few bluegill or crappie reports, but there’s a good carp bite for anglers targeting them. Trout were planted in the lagoon last week, and the bite was pretty good over the weekend. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Very good trout and crappie action this past week. The last DFG trout plant was last week. Crappie are showing around structure, mostly on small jigs tipped with a bait or Crappie Nibble. The bass action continues to be pretty fair with a lot of fish still shallow. Also some quality bass reported this past week. There was a 16-pound fish reported in an ABA tournament, and a 7-7 was landed by Victor Piche, Piru. Bluegill and redear are also starting to turn on with some fish up to a pound. Catfish still spotty. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: The striper bite remains pretty good with some nice stringers of fish reported on anchovies and swim baits. Most of the fish are from four to 15 pounds. Last trout plant was the 13th and that action is spotty. Largemouth bass are still good on beds showing on plastics and reaction baits. Some catfish showing in the main channel. Slow other species. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: First DFG catfish plant of the season this week. There was also a DFG trout plant last week. The trout have been pretty fair and the bass bite remains good with still a lot of fish shallow. Bluegill are improving on small jigs or baits like meal worms, crickets or wax worms fished in six to 15 feet of water. Few crappie reports. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: First DFG catfish plant of the season this week, and there was a DFG trout plant last week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair to good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout and catfish plants this week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants 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: DFG catfish plant this week.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants this week.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout and catfish plants this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week, and there was a DFG trout plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake will reopen this Saturday. 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 with fish up to 8-6 reported. The 365 anglers checked reported 273 bass, one bluegill, 32 crappie, and 20 channel cats. 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 121 anglers checked and they reported 152 bass, 112 bluegill, 5 crappie, six channel cats, and three blue cats. Mike Williams, San Diego, caught two blue catfish at 21.6 pounds and 5.85 pounds. Kent Sweigart, San Diego, caught 12 and six-pound catfish on mackerel. 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 105 anglers who reported 124 bass to 2.15 pounds, 28 bluegill to .75 pounds, nine crappie to .7 pounds, and five channel catfish to 8.4 pounds. 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 14 anglers reported catching 35 bass to 4.05 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: Fair bass action with a few panfish starting to show. There were 67 anglers who reported 38 bass, 5 bluegill, and 23 rainbow trout. Bob Baker, La Mesa, caught a 13-pound bass and a 2.1-pound bluegill -- both caught on nightcrawlers. Trout were planted last 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 134 anglers who reported catching 40 rainbows, (last plant on March 24th), 14 largemouth bass, and nine 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. Mike Allen, San Diego, and his daughter teamed up to catch a limit of trout totaling 20-6 on green Power Bait at the Senior Shoreline. The last trout plant of the season goes in next week. Bass action is fair to good with a lot of fish still shallow. Vincent Sengchan, San Diego, caught a 4-2 bass off the Senior Shoreline using a Fish Trap lure. Hayden Heck, Valley Center, landed a 3-8 bass in Boatdock Cove using a dark green plastic worm. Crappie bite is just fair on the rocky outcroppings. Ben Myong, Lake Forest, landed a 1-8 crappie. Some catfish starting to show on cut baits at the two buoy lines. 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: Very good trout action this week with many fish in the two to four-pound range. Whiskey Bay and buoy line are seeing the most action and the best bite has been on inflated nightcrawlers, red Power Worms, small green crappie jigs, Kastmasters, and Roostertails. Bass action is very good with many fish in the shallows to spawn. No big bass reported this week. Catfish slow. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. A daily permit is required for entry. The Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Fees have increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5. Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, half motorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The bass bite continues to be very good over most of the Lake. Hector Vaca, Vista, caught a three-pound bass on a plastic worm off the fishing pier. Trout fishing was still slow this week but should pick up with with a special plant going into the lake. 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 being the best area to catch one. The bluegill bite picked up this week and is very good by the second tank on the Log Boom. 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 on inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent and fished on a two-foot leader. Several limits of trout were reported for anglers fishing the buoy line by slow drifting nightcrawlers. 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 fair trout action. Mt. Lassen Trout plant last 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: Excellent trout action all over the lake. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been best with Pumphouse Cove, Kitchen Cove, and the north shore being the hot spots. DFG trout plant this week. Dan Hollister and Jene Calloway, both Lake Cuyamaca, caught five trout and four catfish with a 3-10 trout topping the catch. Jake Dvorchak, 9, Jamul, caught a limit of trout on nightcrawlers at the north shore. A few bass have also been showing with fish up to nine pounds reported. The crappie bite is also good for those targeting them. Upcoming events: Supervising ranger Willard Lepley offers 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: The crappie bite improved to very good this past week with good numbers showing all along the shoreline on bright colored jigs. Limits of 25 crappie were common with fish up to two pounds reported. Vern Shweitzer, Santa Ysabel, caught limits of 25 crappie on consecutive days with fish up to two pounds. Catfish remain fair to good with fish to four pounds reported. Most anglers getting two to five cats on nightcrawlers or cut baits. Some bass are still showing. 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: There was a 19-4 striper caught by Chris Winslow, Cedar City, Utah, on an A.C. Plug at mile marker 49 last Friday, but that was the only striper reported this past week. 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: Winds have hampered the action much of past week, but there’s still a pretty good bite on stripers from three to five pounds. The Cottonwood Cove region, Arizona Bay, Katherine’s Landing, and the dam areas are also good. Most of the fish deep and showing on anchovies. The largemouth bass action is also good with fish to 4-8 reported in the past week with a lot of fish in shallow water. Catfish are also improving and the shoreline areas two miles south of Cottonwood very good on cut baits. 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 catfish and bass action is excellent. The flathead action is really taking off with a number of quality fish reported in the past week. Chris Pope, Blythe, had five flatheads to 18 pounds, while Jason Peoples, Blythe, landed a 25-pounder. A catfish tournament this past weekend produced fish at 39 and 32 pounds for the top two teams. The bass bite is very good for largemouths in the backwaters and smallmouths in the main river. Adam Wagner, Beaumont, and Daniel Foxworth, Grand Terrace, fished the Goose Flats backwaters last Friday and caught and released 23 largemouths. They fished the main river north of the freeway on Saturday and landed 17 smallmouth in less than two hours before heading back to Goose Flats for another seven largemouth. Not bad for two days of fishing. The striper bite at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam continues to perk along. Jose Vaca, Blythe, reported stripers to 12 pounds fishing at night with his Vaca jig this past week. 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 more and more flatheads are being caught now. The crappie bite is fair on small live minnows. 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 remained good this past week, only slowed a little by cooler weather and winds. As the weather warms up, the action should ramp back up to the spectacular pace it’s has been keeping all spring. 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.
COLEVILLE-TOPAZ REGION: The West Walker River was planted with a load of three-pounder rainbows the Wednesday before the opener, and there was also a load of regular DFG stockers, but few of the fish started showing up until late Sunday when one angler reported landing an 18-inch rainbow and a two-pound brown. Flows are up, making fishing a little difficult. Little Walker River good for small, wild fish. Few reports from backcountry waters, but Kirman Lake is open and there is good foot access. No reports, however. Information: Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River was excellent for the trout opener with a lot of 14 to 20-inch brown reported by catch-and-release fly anglers on dries, nymphs and streamers. Crowded for opener, but many anglers are still reporting 30-fish days. Bridgeport Reservoir was excellent this weekend with about a 50-50 mix of browns and rainbows, mostly still fishing with nightcrawlers or Power Bait or trolling small, minnow-like lures or blades. Bob Wichham, Camarillo, landed a 4-8 rainbow from the reservoir. Dustin Selden, Menifee, had a 4-8 rainbow and a 3-8 brown to top off his limit. Logan Frey, 10, Twin Lakes, landed a five-pound brown and a 3-8 rainbow. Lower Twin Lake was good for both shore and boat anglers trolling small lures or fishing Power Bait. Top fish was a 6-1 rainbow caught by Evan Eyraud, Bakersfield. Upper Twin was in the same league, producing an eight-pound rainbow for Kenny Turturici, San Mateo, on a trolled CD 7 Rapala in brook trout color. Steve Lang, Westwood, landed a 4-7 rainbow on a rainbow Needlefish, and the derby was won by a pair of 4-5 rainbows. One was caught by Brian Kotz, Irvine, on sherbert Power Bait and the other was landed by Mitch Graff, Santa Clarita, on a Phoebe. Virginia Lakes were very for the handful of ice fishermen that augered holes in ice and fished nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or mini jigs in white or chartreuse. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
LEE VINING REGION: Lower Rush Creek was fair for fly anglers fishing a two-fly dry-dropper rig with an elk hair caddis and beadhead prince nymph. Lee Vining Creek was good for planted fish and some wild trout, especially between the campgrounds for those willing to bush whack through the willows to get to the secluded pools and toss black and gold Panther Martins or green or black Roostertails. Salmon eggs or crawlers were a good second choice. Lundy Lake has very low water levels because of dam work, but the bite was very good on rainbow Power Bait, inflated crawlers, gold Kastmasters, or red and gold Thomas Buoyants. With Highway 120 west closed, there was no access to Ellery, Tioga, and Saddlebag lakes. The road is supposed to be opened to the park boundary this weekend. Information: Untitled Document.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Generally good fishing throughout the Loop lakes, including a good number of broodstock rainbows. Top fish in the region was a 10-8 rainbow caught by Bill Denault, Santa Barbara, to win the June Lakes Derby. June also produced a 6-10 for Chris Neal, Huntington Beach, and a six-pounder for Mike Plummer, Loomis. Rico Morales, Fontana, caught a 4-9 rainbow. All three big fish were caught on Power Bait. As usual, Gull Lake produced the biggest limit of the opener, a 23-pound stringer of fish rainbows for John Weisfoss, Oxnard, all on Power Bait. His top fish was a 6-2, but all were over three pounds. Top fish from Silver Lake was a 5-9 caught by Felix Menchaca, Lancasters, on a gold Kastmaster, while Grant’s best fish was a 4-7 landed by Benny Diaz, Ontario, on a rainbow Rapala. Top brown trout in the whole Sierra came from Little Walker Lake (off the north end of the June Lake Loop). It was a 10-2 landed by David Wohler, El Dorado, fishing a nightcrawler. Rush Creek produced a 3-13 rainbow for Steven Copstello, Montclair, fishing a nightcrawler between Silver and Grant. A hot spot for fly anglers was the upper end of Grant Lake where spawning rainbows were stacked up in the mouth of Rush Creek. Lots of quality rainbows to four pounds in this stretch. Information: Ernie’s Tackle at 760-648-7756.
MAMMOTH AREA: Crowley Lake was tough opening day because of cold temperatures and high winds. But the weather calmed down for Saturday evening and Sunday, and the bite was good for shore anglers fishing Power Bait or nightcrawlers off Sandy Point, Green Banks, and Leighton Spring, while boat anglers found good action off the mouth of McGee Creek and Sandy Point. Trollers were working three to four colors of leadcore and Rapalas or Needlefish. Better average quality fish this year with a lot of two to five-pound fish reported. Top rainbow was a 5-8 caught by Troy Miller, Big Pine, and top junior angler in the Crowley Lake Fish Camp derby was Tyler Bishop, Bakersfield, who caught a 4-3 rainbow. The upper Owens River and Hot Creek both fished very well for fly anglers, in spite of tough conditions most of Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Good baetis hatches on Hot Creek at mid-day for dry fly fishing, and nymphing was good the rest of the time. Midges also a good bet at both spots. Convict Lake opened cold but with little wind, and action was good to excellent with a lot of limits at 10 pounds total or better. Overall, there were 16 rainbows over four pounds and another 24 between three and four weighed in. Top fish opening day was a 6-5 caught by Daniel Schumert, Hacienda Heights, on a worm on the north side of the inlet at the back of the lake. Nancy Saxton, Ridgecrest, landed a 5-9, while on Sunday Mark Sanapoli, San Ramon, caught a 5-6. Top baits were Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and small trout jigs, with salmon eggs best in Convict Creek. From today through June 14, the Convict Lake Resort will host its annual Spring Derby with over $8,000 in prizes for the top 60 anglers. In the Mammoth Lake, only Lower Twins had any open water, but almost no one fished the upper lakes basin because the road ended at Tamarack Lodge. Mary, Mamie, George, and Horseshoe all remain frozen. Rock Creek Lake remains frozen, but there was pretty good action on planted trout in Rock Creek. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181, Convict Lake Resort at 760-934-3800, Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301, Tom’s Place at 760-935-4239.
BISHOP AREA: The Bishop Creek drainage was snowy and icy opening morning and several vehicles went off the road bed. Sabrina Lake mostly had rotten ice and little open water and just a few anglers who had fair fishing. Intake II was mobbed and only had fair action. Bishop Creek was generally good for patient stream anglers fishing salmon eggs and nightcrawlers. 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. 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: The crappie bite is off the hook. Lots of nice stringers of fish up to three pounds are showing on small minnows and small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles at Camp 9, Kissack Cove, and Joughin Cove. Trout action remains good, especially at the dam. Kyah Atkins-Absher, 2, Bakersfield, landed four trout to 14 inches, her first fish. The catfish bite is finally taking off, but the largemouth bass action is still spotty. 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 to six pounds, mostly on blood and sand worms, but also fish are Gitzits and Lucky Crafts LV 500s and Pointer 100s. The catfish bite is also improving.
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. The carp action is also very good with a lot of fish to six pounds, occasionally bigger, on dough baits and Powder Bait. 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 is fair on nightcrawlers, minnows, and plastics, but the carp bite is very good with a lot of fish topping six pounds. Best action has been on Powder Bait. Also a few decent catches of crappie this past week on small minnows. 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 last week.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The crappie bite has been fair 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 frozen shad and Sonny’s dip bait. There will be a catfish plant this week and a derby Saturday with a $250 top prize for the biggest cat and $100 for the smallest in two age categories. (Info call Parks and Recreation 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 two weeks ago. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Good bass 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: 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. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action is good in the coves and shallow areas, but much of the spawn in done. 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 in the narrows, 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. Lots of big carp in the marina for the few anglers fishing them. Information: 805-238-1056 or Welcome to Lake Nacimiento.
SANTA MARGARITA: Good bass action with a lot of fish still shallow. Top fish was a 9-13 bass landed Wednesday this week by Scott West, Morro Bay, on a nightcrawler in Murphy’s Bay. Montana Tassey, Taft, had three bass to 8-1 on Sunday fishing Rat-L-Traps, while Charles DeBerry, La Habra, landed three bass to 5-4 fishing cranks in the narrows. Jerome Clayton, Inglewood, landed two bass and a crappie with his top bass at 4-12. Catfish and bluegill have been improving but the action remains spotty with only a few showing. 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 still shallow. Best bite on plastics, reaction baits, and nightcrawlers. 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: 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.
ORANGE: Laguna Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Yucaipa Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Georges Creek, Independence Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Sheperds Creek and Symmes Creek.
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
TULARE: Middle Fork Tule River, North Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Wishon Campground, Peppermint Creek, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Ceder Slopes.
CATFISH PLANTS
The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish this week.
LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
