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SOCAL FISH REPORT April 8, 2009
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
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
1. The tilapia action at the Salton Sea stays as the No. 1 pick this week because the bite is simply spectacular. It is nothing to go down and catch 50 to a 100 fish in a full day of fishing along the east shoreline (the Highway 111 side). The fish also seems to be getting bigger with more fish in the one pound to two-pound range this week. The bite is still mostly on nightcrawler pieces fished on two-hook rigs on the bottom close to the shore. Most anglers are still fishing the state park headquarters’ jetty, but the action has been good from Bombay Beach to Salt Creek, too. For an update, call Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station at 760-393-3052.
2. The lower Colorado River moves into the No. 2 spot with its excellent flathead catfish action. The big fish are moving and flathead to 70-plus pounds were caught this past week. The best stretch is the water between Havasu and the Mexican border, which gives you a lot of leeway, but the Blythe and Palo Verde region is flathead central. For updates on this action, check with either B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248 or Walter’s Camp south of Palo Verde at 760-854-3322. Oh, the striped bass bite also turned on at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam upriver from Blythe with more quality fish in the 15 to 20 pound class than have been seen in a few years.
3. Closer to home, the striped bass action is excellent at Lake Skinner with a lot of fish to four pounds. The east end and launch ramp No. 2 the hotspots for bigger fish, but lots of fish are also showing at the dam and inlet. The best bite is still on anchovies and chicken liver, but anglers tossing shad-like swim baits are also getting fish. For a fishing update and last-minute advice, call the marina at 951-926-8515.
2. The lower Colorado River moves into the No. 2 spot with its excellent flathead catfish action. The big fish are moving and flathead to 70-plus pounds were caught this past week. The best stretch is the water between Havasu and the Mexican border, which gives you a lot of leeway, but the Blythe and Palo Verde region is flathead central. For updates on this action, check with either B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248 or Walter’s Camp south of Palo Verde at 760-854-3322. Oh, the striped bass bite also turned on at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam upriver from Blythe with more quality fish in the 15 to 20 pound class than have been seen in a few years.
3. Closer to home, the striped bass action is excellent at Lake Skinner with a lot of fish to four pounds. The east end and launch ramp No. 2 the hotspots for bigger fish, but lots of fish are also showing at the dam and inlet. The best bite is still on anchovies and chicken liver, but anglers tossing shad-like swim baits are also getting fish. For a fishing update and last-minute advice, call the marina at 951-926-8515.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Stocked 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 it’s big tagged trout event (that produced two $10,000 tags). All of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks have been good on trout, but all received their last county plants of the season. In San Diego County, Morena and Poway are cranking out the biggest fish, but Dixon, Wohlford, Jennings, and Cuyamaca are all pretty good bets. DFG-stocked reservoirs, especially Silverwood and Piru are all good bets, too, and Diamond Valley Lake is good to excellent but kind of gets overlooked in the trout game because of its excellent bass fishing.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Pretty much wide open largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fishing just about everywhere right now. From the Central Coast, where lakes like Nacimiento, which is wide open for spotties, are all hot, south to Otay and Morena and then east to the Colorado River, the action is good. Top picks? The lower Colorado River from Parker downstream is very good for smallmouth bass in the main river and largemouths in the backwaters (there was a 14-pounder his week). Diamond Valley Lake is a top bet, always. But Perris, Skinner, Hodges, and Lower Otay, are excellent. Casitas and Castaic are both hot. Even place like Puddingstone can crank out both a lot of fish and a quality bass. The redundant advice we’ve been giving for the past three weeks still applies: If it has bass, it is probably good. Go. For more details on a specific place, look at the individual lake reports below.
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. Castaic has probably been producing more quality fish in the eight to nine-pound class than other waters. On the Colorado River, the bite on fish to 20 pounds broke wide open at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam (north of Blythe) this week. Lake Mohave is good on fish to eight pounds on anchovies. Havasu has a good bite. Willow Beach also again produced some nice fish over 20 pounds. Not many wiper reports from Elsinore, but that bite is due, too. For Nacimiento fans, the white bass are stacked up in the narrows for the spawning run up into the river. This bite is getting better each day.
PANFISH: Lots of excellent crappie action again this week, but some of the bites lulled this week. Top bets are Santa Margarita, Lopez, San Antonio, Cachuma, Elsinore, Diamond Valley Lake, and Casitas Lake. All of these have produced a lot of fish this week, but Santa Margarita, Elsinore, and Casitas have pumped out the biggest fish, all three cranking fish in the three-pound class. El Capitan has a fair to good bite, and Henshaw also has a good bite on crappie. Irvine Lake is worth fishing, too, with some good catches with fish to pound or better. The bluegill and redear bites are still muddling along most places, but this warm weather should turn these bites on. Perris is the one bright spot with wide open action in the marina for the second week in a row. 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. Fish to 70 pounds were caught 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: Pretty much wide open largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass fishing just about everywhere right now. From the Central Coast, where lakes like Nacimiento, which is wide open for spotties, are all hot, south to Otay and Morena and then east to the Colorado River, the action is good. Top picks? The lower Colorado River from Parker downstream is very good for smallmouth bass in the main river and largemouths in the backwaters (there was a 14-pounder his week). Diamond Valley Lake is a top bet, always. But Perris, Skinner, Hodges, and Lower Otay, are excellent. Casitas and Castaic are both hot. Even place like Puddingstone can crank out both a lot of fish and a quality bass. The redundant advice we’ve been giving for the past three weeks still applies: If it has bass, it is probably good. Go. For more details on a specific place, look at the individual lake reports below.
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. Castaic has probably been producing more quality fish in the eight to nine-pound class than other waters. On the Colorado River, the bite on fish to 20 pounds broke wide open at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam (north of Blythe) this week. Lake Mohave is good on fish to eight pounds on anchovies. Havasu has a good bite. Willow Beach also again produced some nice fish over 20 pounds. Not many wiper reports from Elsinore, but that bite is due, too. For Nacimiento fans, the white bass are stacked up in the narrows for the spawning run up into the river. This bite is getting better each day.
PANFISH: Lots of excellent crappie action again this week, but some of the bites lulled this week. Top bets are Santa Margarita, Lopez, San Antonio, Cachuma, Elsinore, Diamond Valley Lake, and Casitas Lake. All of these have produced a lot of fish this week, but Santa Margarita, Elsinore, and Casitas have pumped out the biggest fish, all three cranking fish in the three-pound class. El Capitan has a fair to good bite, and Henshaw also has a good bite on crappie. Irvine Lake is worth fishing, too, with some good catches with fish to pound or better. The bluegill and redear bites are still muddling along most places, but this warm weather should turn these bites on. Perris is the one bright spot with wide open action in the marina for the second week in a row. 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. Fish to 70 pounds were caught 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
SILVERWOOD: The striper bite continues good with most of the fishing showing in Outhouse Cove and the Chemise area on anchovies and small swim baits. Travis James, Hesperia, caught six stripers that weighed 16 pounds total, and his big fish was a four-popunder. He was fishing anchovies and Realstix minnow baits in Chemise. Robert Murdock, Riverside, had seven stripers and a largemouth that weighed 15.5 pounds, and his big striper was a 4.2-pounder. He was fishing anchovies and a Blade Dancer in Quiet Cove. The trout bite remains pretty good and a DFG plant was slated for this week. Best action has been in Miller’s Canyon and Cleghorn. April Lee, San Bernardino, caught a limit of rainbows that weighed seven pounds and her top fish was a 2.7-pounder, all on spring green Power Bait and worms. The largemouth bass bite is improving each warm day with more and more fish showing in the shallows. Catfish are also improving, showing on cut baits, but still in deeper water. No carp, bluegill or crappie reports. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Little change here with pretty decent trout action. Trollers and bait anglers reporting limits of 12-inch class rainbows. Trollers are working slowly with small copper Phoebes, while the bait anglers are fishing between the observatory and Juniper Point or off the rocks near the dam along the north shore. Top baits have nightcrawlers or floating dough baits. The key on the along the dam is to fish only 10 to 20 feet out from shore along the steep dropoffs. In May, there will be several plants of trophy trout for two major events. First, the Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic will be held May 16 and 17. Participants of the May Trout Classic who catch the biggest fish are awarded with cash prizes based on entries. This event will be followed by the “Fishin’ for 50K Trout Derby” on May 30-31 where 10 tagged fish worth up to $50,000 will be planted. To learn more about these trout tournaments or to register log onto Big Bear Lake - Lodging At Big Bear Lake CA Vacation Cabins or call 800-424-4232. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or Big Bear Boat Rentals Fishing Big Bear Marina.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Good trout and catfish action with plants of both species this week, and there will be a bonus plant of trophy cats this week. Catfish have really been hot with a lot of three to five pounders in the catch, most showing on mackerel, shrimp, or nightcrawlers dipped in Sonny’s Catfish Bait. Top cat was a 21-pounder landed by Mathew Hall, Hesperia, while Karen Hutcheson, Costa Mesa, landed an 18 1/2-pounder. Guy Martin, San Diego, landed a 16-pound flathead, while Greg Perry, Lancaster, caught a 15-pounder. Frank Phillips, Cypress, had cats at 13, 8, 6 1/2 and six pounds. Cats at 13 pounds were landed by Jim Austin, Chino, and Cindy Smith, Redondo Beach, and a 12 1/2-pounder was caught by Juan Menton, Los Angeles. Andy Larson, Anaheim, had eight and 12 pounders. Top trout was a 9 3/4-pound rainbow landed on Power Bait by Victor Medrano, Covina, while Steve Higgins, Fontana, caught an eight-pounder on a nightcrawler. Kris Kline, Gardena, was using the marshmallow-meal worm combo to land trout at 7 3/4-pounds and six pounds. A few sturgeon continue to show each week for both trout and catfish anglers. Randy Wilson, Indio, caught this week’s best -- a 19-pounder he landed while fishing shrimp. 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: Once the high winds eased up this week, the trout bite was on. Anglers used Power Bait (especially salmon peach, chartreuse, spring green), inflated nightcrawlers, jigs, and lures to catch fish. Hot spots included the grassy point and the eastern logged shore to the pump house of lake 3 as well as he northern, eastern and southern shores of lake 2. Most trout were near or over two pounds. James Bon, Green Valley Lake, caught a limit on Trout Teaser jigs that weighed 17 pounds and include fish at 4-11, 4-10, and 3-3. Ramon Garcia, Riverside, landed trout at 4-8 and 3-11 on a crappie jig-Power Worm combo. A few bass are showing, but the bite is still off from two weeks ago. 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 last week, but the DFG is slated to plant again this week. Overall good trout action. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Saturday’s trout derby drew 389 anglers, and the big fish prize of a $500 gift card to Turner’s Outdoorsman was won by Brian Carter, Ontario, with a 14-13 trout caught on a small jig. Jamie Nazario, Whittier, was second with a 7-12 rainbow, while the third and fourth place prizes went to Paul Kish, Baldwin Park, with trout at 7-4 and 6-2. The trout action has been fair to good, mostly on Power Bait, but the last county plant of the season was last week. Catfish plants will begin the end of May. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Continued fair to good action with the best action at the point at Lot No. 1 and near the dam. Jamie Turner, Coroma, caught a six-pound rainbow on Power Bait at Lot No. 2. The final county plant of the season was last week, and the DFG also stocked last week. A fair number of bass are showing and the carp action has been pretty good. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: The trout action has been good after the last county plant of the season April 2, and DFG trout were slated to go in this week. Adrian Cornajo, Riverside, caught a 7 3/4 pound rainbow from the top lake on rainbow Power Bait. Tom Myers, Yucaipa, landed a 5 3/4-pounder on yellow Power Bait from the middle lake, while Shane and Shawn Beaty, both Yucaipa, had seven trout with their stringer topped by a 5 1/4-pound rainbow, all from the bottom lake. Catfish season to kick off in May. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Trout action remains good with a lot of anglers catching limits of rainbows, primarily on Power Bait. The last county plant of the season went in last Thursday. Top rainbow reported was a 7-10 caught by Candy Gonzales, Fontana, on salmon-colored Power Bait. Ray Perry, San Dimas, landed a five-pounder, while Phil Bitt, San Bernardino, caught a three pounder. Ed Price, San Bernardino, had a limit of five rainbows that weighed 11 pounds total, and his big fish was a 2-8. A few carp and catfish are also showing. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The wide open bass action continues here with fish still all over the shallows on beds. Senkos and Ikas in watermelon, drop-shot rigged six-inch plastics in purple, and Texas-rigged watermelon Brush Hogs were the top baits this past week. The south corner of the east dam and west dam, behind restroom 3, and near restroom 2 were the hot spots for bass. Tom Urmin, Menifee, caught an 8.6-pound largemouth fishing with a six-inch plastic in the third cove of the shoreline. Kevin Nakada, San Diego, caught a 6.7-pound bass fishing a swim bait at the west dam. Ed Torres, Los Angeles, caught a five-pound largemouth jigging by the West Dam. Trout action remains very good for anglers fishing small jigs, inflated nightcrawlers, or Power Bait. Matt Johnson, Hemet, caught a 7.3 pound trout fishing with Power Bait in the third shoreline cove. Ed Sakamoto, Kent Shoji, James Higashida, and Neil Higashida, all of Rolling Hills, caught a total of 23.95 pounds of trout using mini jigs near the east dam. The lake is slated to get a plant of Mt. Lassen rainbows this week. Striper action has been slow, but one 22-pounder was reported. Catfish are starting to show, but almost no one is targeting cats. Chris Couch, Ontario, caught a 6-15 cat on nightcrawlers near the wave attenuator. The panfish action has been slowly getting better over the past three weeks with more and more crappie, bluegill, and redear showing, but still few anglers targets the panfish. Some reports of good stringers of bluegill and redear at the stairs on the east 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: Excellent bluegill and redear action continues with the best action right in the marina area, but fish are showing on structure around much of the lake. Most are hand-sized and up with some into the pound-plus category being caught on crickets, wax worms, nightcrawlers, or small jigs tipped with baits. The largemouth bass bite remains very good with a lot of fish still on beds. Raymond Morgan, San Bernardino, caught a six-pounder fishing at Lots 11 and 12 with a nightcrawler, and he also landed a nine-pound catfish. Overall, catfish are spotty. A few anglers have had good stringers of crappie in the past week, but schools of fish have been harder to locate than the bluegill. Carp remain good on dough baits. Yuy Akopyan, Marina del Rey, landed 10 carp that weighed 80 pounds and the top fish was a 20-pounder. All were taken on cooked peas. Trout are spotty, but a DFG plant this week should perk this bite. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striped bass action is excellent with the east end and launch ramp No. 2 the hotspots this week, especially for bigger fish. Lots of smaller stripers are showing at the dam and inlet on chicken liver and anchovies. Nate Doane, Oceanside, had three stripers to four pounds on chicken livers in the east end. The largemouth bass have flooded back into the shallows this week in a major spawn move to beds. Jerry Smith, Riverside, caught a three-pound largemouth on a plastic lizard off the marina point. Carp action is very good with some quality fish showing on dough baits. Steve Chio, Moreno Valley, landed four carp with his best a 15-pounder fishing the east end. The trout action has slowed way down with only a few reported. Bluegill are starting to show, but there have been no crappie reports this past week. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Fair to good largemouth bass action and a good crappie bite. The bass are mostly in shallow water in a spawn mode, while the crappie are stacking up around structure. Derek Snyder, Elsinore, returned this week and landed a 2.9-pound crappie. Carp are good for anglers targeting these fish with dough baits. Anglers are reminded that wipers under 18-inches long must be released. Information: Seaport Boat Launch: 951-245-9308.
CORONA LAKE: Good to excellent trout action and quite a few largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill are starting to show as well. This past week there were at least 13 rainbows over the 13-pound mark weighed in at the tackle shop, with the biggest a 23-pound rainbow landed by Joe Loza, Corona, while fishing with rainbow-colored Power Bait from shore. Mike Palacio, Diamond Bar, caught a 19.6-pounder on a nightcrawler, while an 18-pounder was landed Caesar Martinez, Moreno Valley, with green Nitro Bait. There were three rainbows at 17 1/2 pounds caught -- one by Tim Hagerman, Norco, the second by Jaime Ramirez, Devore, and the last by Raymond Sosa, Fontana. Seventeen-pound rainbows were caught by Gerrit Verhagen, Wildomar, and Bryan Bath, Yucaipa. Both shore and boat anglers are scoring good catches, and limits have been pretty common on floating dough baits in rainbow, chartreuse, corn-yellow, and orange or inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. There will be 24-hour fishing Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights this Easter week. 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. Jeff Soto, Riverside, caught a 6-8 largemouth this past week on a Senko. Trout are slow. A few panfish starting to show around shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Slow trout action with the last county plant three weeks ago, and the last DFG plant the same week. 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: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV 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: Fair to good trout action with a number of limits posted this past week for both trollers and shore anglers. A DFG plant is scheduled for this week. Shawn Robinson Sr. and Shawn Jr., both of LaVerne, caught limits of rainbows to two pounds on Thomas Buoyant spinners from shore at the peninsula. Marna Sanders, Temecula, caught a two-pound trout at the dam on a Roostertail. Ryan Schneider, 11, Temecula, caught a five-fish limit of 13-inch rainbows fishing Power Bait at the spillway. Still slow other species, but a few catfish and bass are starting to show. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: At least 30 rainbow trout topping 10 pounds were caught here in the past week and most were in the 17 to 19-pound range. The bite has been best on chartreuse and rainbow-colored Nitro Bait or other floating dough baits, but the small trout worms and jigs have also been good, especially the Nitro Worms and Lip RipperZ. Nightcrawlers, dipped in Nitro Gravey and inflated, have also been a top bait. Levitz’ Corner and the Bubble Hole are the top spots, but fish have been showing virtually all around the big lake. The biggest rainbow was a 19 1/2-pounder caught by Vinnie Lun, Santa Ana, fishing a lime-colored floating dough bait at Three Pipes. A 19-even was caught by Gordon Meloeny, Oak Park, and there were a pair of 18 3/4-pounders caught, one by Tim Morland, Anaheim, and the other by Mike Gurunlian, Palos Verdes. Varian Virgen, Fullerton, caught an 18 1/4-pound rainbow, while Mike Applewood, Bellflower, had an 18.4-pounder. David Mack, Lakewood, had an 18.3-pound trout. Tramel Kerl, Los Angeles, caught an 18 1/4-pounder and a 17-8, while Steve Nguyen, Anaheim, landed an 18-2 rainbow. Trout at 18-pounds even were posted by Charles Hallam, Buena Park, Carlos Pareno, West Covina, and Robert Brumfield, Carson. Trout in the 17-pound class included catches made by Daniel Fernandez, Colton, Don Pinkerton, Anaheim, Tom Olson, Gardena, Jimmie Tobar, Long Beach, Bill Smith, Long Beach, Greg San Luis, Chino Hills, Nick Stanzione, Redondo Beach, Gary Garcia, Los Angeles, Freddie Huerta, Pasadena, and Pedro Villa, Anaheim. Weekly plants of the Nebraska Tailwalkers will continue at least through April. There will be 24-hour fishing Thursday through Saturday this 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: Good to excellent trout and crappie action. Trout are best on the Power Mouse combo, Power Bait, and nightcrawlers, along with Atomic Tubes and Atomic Teasers. Crappie chasers are finding large numbers of their quarry suspended at five to 20 feet of water over submerged trees. Easy limits of slabsides are biting on white or yellow Atomic Tubes either with or without a trailer. Most crappie are males from 1/2 to a pound, as they stage up waiting for the larger females. Bass anglers are seeing good action on largemouth to four pounds and fish to seven pounds have been reported on spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastics with the fish showing in the shallows on beds and out into 20 feet of water. Many bass anglers have reported 20 to 35-fish days in the past week. Slow action on catfish and carp, but almost no one is fishing for them right now. Top trout this week was an 11-6 rainbow reported by Frank Duarte, Huntington Beach, on a mini jig in Woody’s Cove. The Western Outdoor News Tournament is scheduled for April 18, and all anglers must pre-register for the tournament to fish the lake this date. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Good trout action on floating baits, but lure and fly anglers are also getting their share of fish. Bonus plant of rainbows and Lightning Trout went in Monday this week. 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 bass action has been improving with each warm day and both the largemouth and smallmouth are good as the fish move shallow to spawn in the shallows and on points around structure. Fair to good crappie action with most fish over a pound and some to nearly three pounds. Best bite in the narrows on small jigs in red and white or chartreuse. The trout action has been slow, but the fish showing are up to two pounds. Trollers are using Rapalas, Needlefish, or Kastmasters. Not much shore or bait fishing action. Redear are still mostly slow. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: The bass bite is still very good with a lot of fish still on beds, but some fish are already moving off. The best action has been on nightcrawlers and plastic worms, unless you can get a dip net of shad. The shad has been the No. 1 bait and the baitfish were showing up around the launch ramp until the latest weather front moved in. Top catches this week include fish at 9-8, seven, and six pounds, all caught by Travis Walters, Oakview, on live shad. Jason Wedel, Ventura, had bass at eight pounds and 5-8, also on shad. John Cataloupo, Oakview, caught an 8-8 bass on a swimbait. The redear bite is fair to good in five to 15 feet of water, mostly in Station Canyon, on nightcrawler pieces and red worms. Fish to 1-8 reported. A few crappie are also showing up. Shaun Flaherty, Ventura, had eight crappie that weighed 17 pounds total. His best was a 2.9-pounder, and all were caught on micro jigs. Trout were planted this past Saturday for a kid’s derby and that bite is fair. Catfish are slow, but Mazin Naser, Orange County, caught a six-pound cat on shrimp. 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: A trout plant this past week really turned on the bite for bigger stripers, but high winds really made the fishing tough many days. Top fish reported was a 28.6-pounder caught by Ken Hemer, Castiac, on a big swim bait at Sharon’s Rest from a rental boat. Kareem Momamed, Anaheim, landed a 24.5-pounder at the dam, while Donald Jackson caught a 20.5-pounder at the dam. Sid Page, Calabassas, had stripers at 16.9 and 16.6 pounds in the Fish Arm. The largemouth bass bite has been good with a lot of fish on beds in the shallows and taking plastics, small jigs, and nightcrawlers. Lots of fish to three pounds. Few bluegill or crappie reports, but there’s a good carp bite for anglers targeting them. Warren Mouran II, San Fernando, landed a 33.4-pound carp in the lagoon on a nightcrawler. Trout plant this week in the lagoon. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Still fair trout action with the most recent DFG plant two weeks ago. Power Bait, nightcrawlers or plastic trout worms have been the top baits. The crappie bite remains good on fish under a pound, but stringers of 10 or more fish have been common for anglers fishing small jigs. Bass are improving each day and there is a pretty decent bite on plastics and nightcrawlers with the fish staging to spawn. There has been decent bluegill and redear action and a few catfish reported. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: There was a trout plant last week and the bite is fair to good on floating baits or small lures. The largemouth action is getting better by the day with the fish moving shallow to spawn. Fish to four pounds reported in the past week. There is still a spotty bite on small stripers to four pounds for anglers fishing both from shore or boat with anchovies, nightcrawlers, or smaller shad-like lures. Best spot for shore anglers has been below the gate house. Slow other species. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week, fair to good action. The bass bite is fair to good with a lot of fish along the shorelines. Bluegill and crappie are still mostly slow, but a few fish are showing on small jigs and the action is improving daily. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout 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 starting to show, too. 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: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
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: Good bass action. The 232 anglers checked reported 352 bass, 12 crappie, and two blue catfish. Top bass was an 11.35-pounder caught by Seth Silana, Poway, on a Zoom crawdad. John Mikkelsen, Temecula, landed an 8.7-pound bass on a jig, while Geroge Chapman, Escondido, caught a seven pounder on a plastic worm. Top crappie was a 2.2-pounder caught by Adam Perez, Poway. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on the weekends only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: Still good bass and crappie action and improving bluegill action. There were 187 anglers this past week who reported 142 bass, 68 crappie, 38 bluegill, 18 channel cats and seven blues. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: Continued good bass action with just a smattering of other fish. There 312 anglers who reported 482 bass, 27 bluegill to a pound, 14 crappie to 1-8, eight channel cats to 10 pounds, four blue cats to 13 pounds, two redhear, and one rainbow trout. The top bass was a 10.1-pounder caught by Bob Baker, La Mesa, on a Rat-L-Trap. 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 20 anglers reported catching 30 bass to six pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: Slow to fair overall action. There were 81 anglers who reported 19 bass, seven rainbow trout, and two bluegill. 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 fair bite on rainbow trout. There were 139 anglers who reported catching 56 rainbows, (last plant on March 24th), 35 largemouths, and one bluegill. 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 good for bass and a few cats and panfish are showing. Greg LeRoy, Ramona, landed an 8.65-pound largemouth on a crankbait, while Danny Pritchard, Ramona, caught a 5.85-pounder on a crawdad. Nicole Marshall, Ramona, landed a 1.35-pound crappie on a spoon. 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 action remains good with plants last Wednesday and again this week with the best action in Willow Cove and Boat Dock Cove. Nightcrawlers and floating dough baits have been the top bets. Victor Sarabia, Escondido, weighed in a stringer of five rainbows totaling 18-8 this week, with his top fish a 5-2. All were caught on chartreuse Power Bait. Squire Greenlee, Valley Center, caught a 4-1 rout on a green Power Worm in Boat Dock Cove. The bass are all over the shallows and the bite has been pretty good. Jose Garlejo, Escondido caught a 7-12 largemouth on a six-inch plastic. Crappie are fair but improving, mostly on the rock outcroppings. Walter Blevins, Bonsall, landed a 1-8 crappie on a black and green jig at the south shore rock pile. Also improving catfish action on mackerel and chicken liver at the two buoy lines. Kalea Pryor, Mayo, Florida, caught a 4-5 channel in Willow Cove on a nightcrawler. Carp good but few anglers fishing them. Fears of quagga mussels have kept a ban on private watercraft in place. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: Continued good trout action over the past week with a lot of fish in the two to four-pound range with the best bite in Whisker Bay and at the buoy lne. Trout Cove has been comparatively quiet. Also some fish reported in Catfish Cove. Top baits have been nightcrawlers, white or ed Power Worms, small trout jigs, Kastmasters, and Roostertails. Trout were planted last week and there is a plant of Nebraska Tailwalkers slated for this week to keep the bite hot for Easter weekend. No trout will be planted next week. The bass action is heating up with small males on beds, but most bigger females still off in deeper water. Catfish slow. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Fair trout action but the bite is dwindling since the last plant of the season on March 24. Best action is slow trolling along the back shoreline with Kastmasters or Rapalas or still fishing in Bucktail Bay with an inflated nightcrawler. Michael Filippone, Carmel Valley, landed a seven-pound rainbow, while Linda Anderson, Carlsbad, caught a six-pounder. Bass are very good with a lot of fish in the shallows showing on plastics and nightcrawlers. At least one bass over 10 pounds was reported this past week. Catfish fair at the log boom. Bluegill are slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Continued fair to good trout action in Half Moon Cove and Cactus Patch on inflated nightcrawlers dipped in scent and fished on a two-foot leader. Bass action excellent with the fish in full spawn mode and males all over the shallows and showing in good numbers of plastics and small jigs, but few bigger bass. Slow catfish bite on nightcrawlers and mackerel. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. hosted by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: The bite on quality rainbows continues strong here, and this week’s top fish was a 14-pounder landed by Dave Moniz, Julian. He also caught a 6-9, while his son Tony landed a 6-2. Mt. Lassen Trout Farms plant last week. Fair to good action on small bass, but few bigger fish reported. Bluegill are still spotty, but a few showing on nightcrawlers. Crappie slow. Catfish fair on nightcrawlers. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Fair to good trout action especially for anglers fishing an inflated nightcrawler or Power Bait dipped in Pautzke’s Krill Gel and fished just off the bottom at the buoy line or along the north shore. 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: The catfish bite has been improving here and the crappie bite is still pretty good, with bigger fish showing for boat anglers fishing at the buoy line. Most of the crappie action has been off the end of the fishing dock. Chanes Lee, Moreno Valley, caught 10 crappie to two pounds using green jigs with black heads while fishing from the end of the dock. Kevin Burnett, Compton, caught five 3/4-pound crappie. The cats are also showing off the dock and from the shoreline. John Sco, San Diego, had three catfish to two pounds fishing shrimp, while Rich Beilke, Escondido, caught four one-pounders. Ronald Palmer, Buena Park, caught three cats to three pounds on nightcrawlers off the north shore. Carp are very good with fish to three pounds reported along with some good stringers. Alex and Mike Malkis, Los Angles, teamed up to bring landed 14 carp to three pounds on dough balls. Vern Schweitzer, Santa Ysabel, also caught 14 carp on dough baits and his best fish was a six-pounder. While there have been only a handful of bass reports, Archie Taylor, Wildomar, caught an eight-pound bass while using worms fishing from a boat at the dam. He also had two 1/2-pound bluegill. 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: Fair to good striper action with some quality fish reported again this past week. Paul Thompson, Henderson, landed a 23-pounder on a soft swim bait, while Frank Easter, Las Vegas, caught a 16-8 on Wednesday this week on a BBZ-1 swimbait. Trout plants are each week on Friday and the bite has been good on nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Continued good striped bass action with a lot of one to three pound fish for both shore and boat anglers in the Cottonwood Cove area. The hotspot has been Arizona Rock with fish to six pounds reported on anchovies in the past week. Also a good striper bite near the dam and around Katherine’s Landing. The largemouth bass bite has also been fair to good with a lot of fish showing on points and staging to spawn. Best action on plastics. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Trout plants are once a month at Davis Camp and Riverside Park. Fair to good action Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Slow striper bite.
NEEDLES: Fair striper action 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 starting to take off and there were a few reports of crappie in the past week. Catfish are also pretty decent with the warmer weather. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Water levels are still low. Take caution when boat launching.
HAVASU: 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: Busy week on the lower river this week. The striper bite broke wide open just below the Palo Verde Diversion dam. Jose Vaca, Blythe, caught several stripers from 15 to 20 pounds on his home-made red and white Vaca jigs. The fish are stacked up in the white water below the diversion. The largemouth and smallmouth action is good and a 14-pound largemouth was reported. Also tilapia are starting to showing in the river backwaters with fish to two pounds. Still just spotty bluegill and crappie action, however. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: A near-state record flathead catfish topping 70 pounds was caught this past week, but all the details aren’t available yet. Overall the flathead and channel catfish bite is very good. Keith Roddy and Willie Mays, both San Fernando Valley, caught over 100 pounds of catfish over a recent three-day trip. Chris and Jamila Crawley, Los Angeles, landed a 25-pound flathead. The largemouth bass bite is very good in all the river backwaters and main river. Pretty Water and Cibola Lake are both top area, but the fish are showing everywhere now. A few bluegill and crappie also showing. 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: Excellent tilapia action with catches of 20 to 50 fish per angler for few hours of fishing common. The action 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 with most on the smaller end of that 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: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: General trout season reopens April 25th, but year-around and special regulation waters are open now. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or Bishop.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River has been dynamite with flows at 50 cfs on Wednesday this week. There have been bluewing olive hatches daily and the trout are taking midges subsurface. Lots of nice fish showing on dries, nymphs and streamers. Brown trout to six pounds in the past week with lots in the two to four-pound class. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or /www.kenssport.com.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open to year-around fishing. Very good midge hatches in the upper Owens and sporadic baetis. Some rainbows to 24 inches. Hot Creek has also been good, also with midge and mayfly hatches, but the food is all on the small side, think 18 to 22s. For fishing info, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or Performance Anglers Fly Fishing Guide Service and Outfitters Mammoth Lakes, CA.
BISHOP AREA: The lower Owens River remains good. Fly anglers are seeing 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. For fishing information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Spotty action, but DFG plants in Lone Pine Creek and the lower Owens River should perk the bite. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: There were 8,820 entries for the 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby this past Saturday through Monday and 173 of the 1,000 tagged fish were caught, including two of the $10,000 tags. David Tascione, Bodfish, and Oran Rankin, Bakersfield, each caught tagged trout worth $10,000, while Josephine Martinez, Delano, won the $1,000 prize for the longest trout, a 23 1/2-inch rainbow. Overall, over $30,600 was paid out. The $20,000 tagged trout, which was not caught, is still worth $1,000 if caught in the next 30 days by anyone registered for the derby, and there are still dozens of tagged fish worth $100. For more complete derby results and information go to 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. The trout action has been good, especially at the auxiliary dam. The largemouth bite is improving daily, and Robert Martinez, Taft, caught a 10.1-pound largemouth while fishing for trout during the derby. A few crappie are finally starting to show around the marina docks on minnows, but the catfish remain mostly slow. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few trout reported. The upper river remains fair on salmon eggs and flies for holdover fish and wild trout. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or Fly Fishing the Kern River, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Good striper action on fish from three to eight pounds, mostly on blood worms and sand worms, but more and more fish are showing on plugs like the Lucky Crafts LDR 10s and 15s. Catfish are still mostly slow.
HART PARK LAKE: Good bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics, but bluegill are still sluggish. The trout action has slowed way down with the last DFG plant a month ago.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair to good bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics with the fish in full-on spawn more. Bluegill still spotty. Trout have slowed way down with the last DFG plant a month ago.
RIVER WALK PARK: The bass bite is good with the fish in the shallows spawning. Best action on plasics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits. Some bluegill are just starting to show. Trout have slowed to almost nothing with the last DFG plant a month ago.
MING LAKE: The bass and crappie bites are fair to good, and a few real quality crappie continues to be caught each week. Trout have slowed to nearly nothing with the last plant a month ago. The lake will be closed from April 13 into August for repairs.
BRITE LAKE: Slow trout action with the last DFG plant a month ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The largemouth bass bite is very good minnows, Senkos, Brush Hogs, and nightcrawlers with the fish all over the shallows spawning. The catfish bite is fair to good with more and more fish showing each week, and frozen shad have been the best bait. Still fair crappie action on small minnows and jigs, but this bite has continued to slow from the hot bite of two weeks ago. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: Water level is back up and the bass bite is very good with a lot of fish on plastics. The crappie action is fair with the best bite up around the bridge. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Good bass bite with many fish on beds now. Best bite on live bait and plastics. Still few crappie reports. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: The striped bass bite has been pretty good off the north shore, and shad have been thick in all the marina areas and can be dipped for bait. The 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 in the narrows and there has been good action on fish to four pounds. Also a good crappie bite on jig with fish to 2 1/2 pounds with anglers reporting stringers of 20 to 40 fish each. Lots of big carp in the marina for the few anglers fishing them. Information: 805-238-1056 or Welcome to Lake Nacimiento.
SANTA MARGARITA: The bass and crappie bites remain excellent with the bass in the shallows and the crappie schooled up to spawn, too. The crappie are stacked up in structure with the area between the first and second camps opposite the marina and up in the narrows. Colin Hutchinson, Santa Margarita, had a stringer of five crappie topped with a 2.4-pound fish. All were caught in the narrows on small jigs. Jeff Hodges, Santa Maria, had the week’s top bass -- a 9.6-pounder caught near the marina. Catfish have been spotty this past week. 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. Good crappie action on crappie jigs. Redear and bluegill are spotty. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries. For updates in Southern California and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at 562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call 559-243-4005, x183.
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake, Strawberry Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Lion Canyon Creek and Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA: Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.
FRESNO: Kings River (below Pine Flat Dam), San Joaquin River (below Friant Dam), Woodward Park Lake.
MARIPOSA: Lake McClure.
MERCED: Los Banos Reservoir, Yosemite Lake.
MONTEREY: El Estero Park Lake.
TUOLOMNE: Don Pedro Reservoir, New Melones Lake
