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SOCAL FISH REPORT
December 16, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews - Outdoor News ServiceDecember 16, 2009
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Diamond Valley Lake’s launch ramp reopens to the public on Sunday this week, and just in time for an excellent striped bass bite. A big plant of rainbows last week really turned on the stripers with at least three fish reported in the 26-pound class. The stripers are also excellent, it took over 25 pounds to win a charity event this past Saturday (and entry including being the first people to use the new extended ramp) and a seven-plus was the big fish. For the latest update and tips, call the marina at 951-926-7201 (Diamond Valley Marina) or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410 (Last Chance Tackle - Home).
2. Skinner Lake’s striper bite remains excellent, and while it didn’t produce any fish over 10 pounds (that were reported anyway), it still is a top pick just for the volume of fish being caught. The smaller fish are showing on chicken liver or anchovies, but the bigger swimbaits are best for bigger fish. And a DFG trout plant this week is likely to turn on those bigger fish again. For an update on this bite, call the marina at 951-926-8515.
3. The best place to catch planted trout? A lot of waters from San Diego to Bakersfield are getting weekly, or near-weekly plants of one to three-pound rainbows along with a few bigger fish, and a good trout angler should be able to scrape together a limit lots of places. But Corona Lake remains our top pick because of the length of time it’s been planted (over a month) and the fact that the fish from the big plant at Thanksgiving are starting to show (a 19 and 20-plus-pounder this week). Fish floating baits on an eight to 10-inch leader and you will catch more fish than with a long leader. For an update, call the Corona Lake tackle shop at 951-277-3321.
2. Skinner Lake’s striper bite remains excellent, and while it didn’t produce any fish over 10 pounds (that were reported anyway), it still is a top pick just for the volume of fish being caught. The smaller fish are showing on chicken liver or anchovies, but the bigger swimbaits are best for bigger fish. And a DFG trout plant this week is likely to turn on those bigger fish again. For an update on this bite, call the marina at 951-926-8515.
3. The best place to catch planted trout? A lot of waters from San Diego to Bakersfield are getting weekly, or near-weekly plants of one to three-pound rainbows along with a few bigger fish, and a good trout angler should be able to scrape together a limit lots of places. But Corona Lake remains our top pick because of the length of time it’s been planted (over a month) and the fact that the fish from the big plant at Thanksgiving are starting to show (a 19 and 20-plus-pounder this week). Fish floating baits on an eight to 10-inch leader and you will catch more fish than with a long leader. For an update, call the Corona Lake tackle shop at 951-277-3321.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open. Santa Ana River Lakes finally produced two fish over 20 pounds in a good overall bite. Corona Lake had fish at 19 and 20-8, and Irvine Lake has pretty wide-open action, too. All the San Bernardino County Park lakes are getting county fish this week, and Cucamonga Guasti is perhaps the best bet because it still has quite a few of the big fish planted for this past weekend’s trout derby. Hesperia Lake has been excellent and it’s getting 2,000-pounds of trout a week now. In San Diego County, Wohlford is excellent after the big plant for the opener. Cuyamaca is excellent and limits are showing in less than an hour for good anglers. Poway, Jennings and Morena all get trout this week, and Dixon was planted last week.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are just spotty right now, especially after this week’s weather, but there are still some quality fish up chasing trout in the regularly stocked lakes. The exception is Diamond Valley, which is good to excellent and trout plants are bring up some of the big boys. Other decent picks for a big largemouth include Castaic and Casitas. Smallmouth bass remain good in most of the Colorado River, especially from Needles south.
STRIPED BASS: The bites are pretty good at all the usual haunts. Skinner, Castaic, and Pyramid all are pretty good bets, with Silverwood slowing a little. Diamond Valley had a trio of fish over 26 pounds this week and a number of quality fish over 10. Skinner didn’t have the big fish this past week, but it got a DFG trout plant which should bring them back up. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off. Only Havasu has a pretty fair dawn, dusk, night bite.
PANFISH: The bluegill have all but died everywhere, but a few -- OK, one -- decent redear bite is lingering for diligent panfish anglers. That bite is Lake Perris with the action in in deep water on nightcrawler pieces or jigs tipped with bait in the marina area. Keep an eye on Puddingstone. Crappie bites have slowed everywhere this past week because of weather, but watch the bites on Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River and the Buena Vista lakes in the southern San Joaquin Valley. There were also two big crappie caught at Perris this week, but none before or since. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is slow, but watch this bite -- it was wide open much of the winter last year.
CATFISH: Slow most places. Hesperia Lake is still the best bet of the urban lakes, but it is slowing down with the cold. A few cats are still showing at Corona and Santa Ana River Lakes, too. For wild fish, the action is slow most places with only a few fish showing at Skinner, Diamond Valley, Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid. But all are tough.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are just spotty right now, especially after this week’s weather, but there are still some quality fish up chasing trout in the regularly stocked lakes. The exception is Diamond Valley, which is good to excellent and trout plants are bring up some of the big boys. Other decent picks for a big largemouth include Castaic and Casitas. Smallmouth bass remain good in most of the Colorado River, especially from Needles south.
STRIPED BASS: The bites are pretty good at all the usual haunts. Skinner, Castaic, and Pyramid all are pretty good bets, with Silverwood slowing a little. Diamond Valley had a trio of fish over 26 pounds this week and a number of quality fish over 10. Skinner didn’t have the big fish this past week, but it got a DFG trout plant which should bring them back up. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off. Only Havasu has a pretty fair dawn, dusk, night bite.
PANFISH: The bluegill have all but died everywhere, but a few -- OK, one -- decent redear bite is lingering for diligent panfish anglers. That bite is Lake Perris with the action in in deep water on nightcrawler pieces or jigs tipped with bait in the marina area. Keep an eye on Puddingstone. Crappie bites have slowed everywhere this past week because of weather, but watch the bites on Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River and the Buena Vista lakes in the southern San Joaquin Valley. There were also two big crappie caught at Perris this week, but none before or since. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is slow, but watch this bite -- it was wide open much of the winter last year.
CATFISH: Slow most places. Hesperia Lake is still the best bet of the urban lakes, but it is slowing down with the cold. A few cats are still showing at Corona and Santa Ana River Lakes, too. For wild fish, the action is slow most places with only a few fish showing at Skinner, Diamond Valley, Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid. But all are tough.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: Very little fishing pressure. No DFG plants in a month. Everything else very slow. 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. Last DFG plant over a month ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Overall the trout action is very good with a lot of trout in the three to five pound class on stringers. Lots of limits reported. Plants of 2,000 pounds of trout are going in each week through December. The catfish bite remains fair with the last plant going in two weeks ago. The last sturgeon and wiper plants were in November but a few of each show each week. 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 very good this past week despite the storms. The best bite has been before 10 a.m. on Power Bait, especially in spring green, salmon peach, and garlic. Nightcrawlers and a variety of jigs and lures also working well. Limits are common and many fish over two pounds are showing. Ken Henderson, Azusa, caught a 3-8 rainbow on a Power Mouse from the western shore of lake two. Kiana Zavala, Covina, landed a 3-7 rainbow on garlic Power Bait from the northern shore of lake two. Catfish action is fair on shrimp and mackerel with the best bite near the southeastern shore of Lake 2. The bass bite is mostly slow with some action on Senkos and spinnerbaits. The lake is open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Trout action has been very good, and both county and DFG plants were slated for this week. Best bite has been on floating baits in a variety of colors and light leaders and small trout jigs. Brad Wilson, Lucerne Valley, had three trout to 3 1/2 pounds fishing rainbow Power Bait in the north end of the lake. County plants are weekly now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February. Other species mostly slow now with the cold weather. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Good action on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. Plants are every week now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February. Also a DFG plant last week. A few carp and catfish are also showing. The first of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies was last Saturday. The top trout worth a $500 Turner’s Outdoorsman gift certificate landed during the derby was an 11-11 rainbow caught by Mike Nguyen, Rancho Cucamonga, on green Power Bait. Kevin Hixon, Fontana, caught a 2-6 rainbow, while Alex Solis, Ontario, caught a 2-4. Upcoming derby dates and locations are as follows: Yucaipa, January 9; Prado, February 6; Mojave Narrows, March 20; and Glen Helen, April 10. All derbies are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Fair to good trout action with pink, orange, chartreuse, and rainbow Power Bait working best. County fish are going in this week and every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. DFG plant this week. The catfish bite has been mostly slow. Spotty bluegill action. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: There will be a junior fishing workshop here this Saturday for kids ages 5 to 11. The young anglers will be taught all the basics and then will fish with their new skills. Loaner tackle available. Call 909-387-2461 to register. Good trout action after the plant last week. County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season, except the last week of February. There was also a DFG plant last week. Slow other species. The second of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here Saturday, Jan. 9 with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The lake will receive a bonus plant of trophy trout for this event. Big trout in the first derby held this year was an 11-11 rainbow, and the biggest fish landed during the derby series last year was a 19 1/2 pounder. Other parks hosting derbies are as follows: Prado, February 6; Mojave Narrows, March 20; and Glen Helen, April 10. All derbies are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair to good trout action. Juan Arias, Fontana, caught a 6-11 rainbow on corn Power Bait. County plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season, except for the last week in February. There was also a DFG plant last week. Slow catfish action, and the bluegill bite is slow to fair on small worms, mealworms, and crickets fished under bobber. Carp are fair on dough baits. Bass action slow. 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: Slowis trout action with the last DFG plants three and four weeks ago. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Excellent striper action with lots of double digit fish reported and some over the 20-pound mark. Trout-like swimbaits fished at the inlet or east dam has been the ticket for stripers after the trout plants last week. Christian Alkire, Hermosa Beach, caught the biggest striper of the week at 26.48 pounds fishing with a swimbait from shore. Shaun Riding, Hemet, was not far behind with a 26.24-pounder caught on a Z-plug near the east dam. Matt Thompson, Hemet, landed two stripers at 26.14 and 22 pounds fishing along the east dam with Z-plugs. Scott Reed, Riverside, hooked a 17.81-pound striper on his fly rod near the east dam. Rainbow trout action has been very good after a triple plant last week. Floating dough baits, trout jigs, and small trout plastics have been working best. Best action in the marina cove and off the east dam with two-pound test. The largemouth bass bite has also continued to be good. The charity derby this past weekend is a good indicator of how good. There were 62 boats in the nasty weather and most had limits in the 18-pound range for five fish. It took over 25 pounds to win and the top fish was over seven pounds. Best of all, the event raised $5,000 for charity. No catfish were reported this past week. Bluegill and crappie have slowed with only a few showing on jigs and nightcrawlers fished at the dam. The launch ramp is currently closed but will reopen for boat launching this Sunday, December 20, two months ahead of schedule, with the completion of the ramp extension. For general lake and fishing information, call 800-590-LAKE, the marina at 951-926-7201 or Diamond Valley Marina, or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Last Chance Tackle - Home.
PERRIS: Light fishing pressure this past week. Just fair trout bite after the plant three weeks ago, but another DFG plant was slated for this week. Nightcrawlers and dark-colored Power Worms have been working best for trout, and anglers have reported success near the marina and Lots 5 and 6. Bass action fair with the early morning bite best. The bluegill and crappie action has slowed and it's almost entirely redear being caught now as far as panfish go. The best redear bite is on small nightcrawlers or small jigs tipped with a bait around the marina. Larry Rosby, Moreno Valley, caught two crappie at 1.8 and 1.4 pounds on jigs at the marina. The catfish bite is slow with the marina the top spot and mackerel the top bait. Slow carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area. The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striper bite was excellent again this past week, but for the first time in several weeks, no fish over 15-pounds were reported. The inlet, south shore, and ramp No. 2 were the hot spots with chicken liver and anchovies the top baits. If you want to land a big striper the big artificial lures fished in the early morning are still your best bet. Ray McCullough, Lake Elsinore, caught 10 stripers to 10 pounds on a swimbait near ramp No. 2. The trout action is very good. Ramp No. 2 has been the top spot with Power Bait, spoons, spinnerbaits, nightcrawlers, and Troutmallows all producing fish. DFG trout plant this week. The largemouth bite remained fair with the east end and south shore producing a few fish. Catfish action is slow to fair with the south end the best spot. Some bluegill and carp are showing but not many anglers are targeting them. Parking has been restricted for ramp No. 2, but the shoreline remains open for fishing. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Very light fishing pressure and few reports. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: Limit-style trout fishing and another pair of big trout were caught this week. One was a 20-pound, nine-ounce rainbow caught on Sunday by Terry Hartog, Menifee, on salmon eggs at the dam, while the other big fish was a 19-pounder landed by Shelby Howell, Wildomar. Top trout baits have been chartreuse, corn yellow, and rainbow Eagle Claw Nitro Bait dough dipped in garlic Nitro Garvy. Inflated nightcrawlers doused with the garlic scent have also been good. The key for both the nightcrawlers and the floating baits has been to use leaders no more than a foot long to keep the bait near the bottom where the fish are cruising. Small trout jigs and trout plastics are also working well. There were at least 33 limits of rainbows were reported by anglers, and another plant is scheduled for this week. A couple of typical limits include the five-fish, 14-pound limit caught by Wes Wright, Fullerton, tossing orange plastics from his float tube. Miguel Montez, Riverside, caught five at 10 1/2 pounds, including a 3 1/2-pounder. George Padilla, Pomona, also had a 12-pound, five-fish limit with his best also a 3 1/2-pound rainbow. A few sturgeon and catfish are showing and one angler -- who apparently was supposed to be at work -- landed catfish at 20 1/2 and 23 pounds but wouldn’t leave his name. Information: 951-277-4489 or default b.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Other species slow.
RANCHO JURUPA: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout action in both lakes. Slow other species. Trout Derby set for January 23. 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: Very good trout action, mostly one one to two-pound fish. Best bite on most trout dough baits and nightcrawlers. Plants twice a month through April. Still a few catfish showing on chicken liver with mackerel. 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: Still very little fishing pressure. Last DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Other species slow. 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 DFG trout plants. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Two big rainbows landed here this past week. Chris Van Aagten, Ontario, landed a 20-8 rainbow fishing near the boat dock with a white trout jig, and Alex Chavez, Buena Park, caught a 20-2 on a jig. Overall very good trout action with a number of limits reports and another plant went in Wednesday this week. The average fish are running from one to four pounds and many stringers have kicker fish over that four-pound mark. Carlos Ortiz, Buena Park, have a five-fish, 18-pound stringer that was anchored with a 5 1/2-pound rainbow, while Jacko Smith, San Pedro, topped off his five-fish limit with a 4 1/2-pounder. Roland Hoshizaki, West Covina, and Chico Cisneros, Torrance, teamed up to landed 10 trout with a total weight of 23 pounds, and their top fish was a 3 1/2-pounder. The best action has been on floating dough baits, especially Eagle Claw Nitro Bait in the chartreuse and rainbow colors, inflated nightcrawlers dipped in Nitro Gravy, or one of the small trout jigs or plastics on the market. The key to getting bit has been to keep leaders short with nightcrawlers and floating baits, no more than eight to 10 inches long, so the bait stays near the bottom. A sleeper bait has been the marshmallow-salmon egg combination. A $20 off boat rental coupon is available on The Lakes web site through Dec. 23 at default b. Private boats are no longer being allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes do to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system. Information: 714-632-7830.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
IRVINE LAKE: Very good trout action this past week. Power Bait has been the most productive bait and the top spot was Santiago Flats. Albert Rotta, Lomita, caught a 13-4 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Woody’s Cove. A bonus plant of trophy trout are slated to go in this week, in addition to the normal plant. Bass action is good to excellent in 15 to 20 feet of water near Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Some catfish are still showing. Slowish bluegill bite with meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks. Fishing in the Kids Lagoon has been excellent after a plant of brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout last week. Kids who catch one of each species of trout will be entered into a prize raffle. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trophy trout were planted last week and there is fair overall action with fish to 10 pounds reported on floating baits and small trout jigs. Slow to fair bass and bluegill action. 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: A DFG trout plant was slated for this week and a plant also went in last week. Light fishing pressure but a pretty good trout bite for trollers and bait anglers fishing Cachuma Bay and at the dam. Top baits have been Power Baits and nightcrawlers, while trollers are using Needlefish near the surface. There is still a pretty fair bite on smallmouth bass on the rocky points, mostly on plastics and jigs in deeper water. Slow other species. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks Department Home. The marina is closed and boat rentals have ceased, effective in mid-October. The marina isn’t expected to be reopening in the near future, but the boat launch is still open. For fishing information updates, anglers should now call the general store at 805-688-5246.
CASITAS: Very light fishing pressure and the overall action is still tough. A few bass are showing, but the odd bigger bass are coming up in 10 to 15 feet of water and chasing big, trout-like swimbaits, while the bulk of the action is in 35 to 50 feet of water on suspended fish for anglers fishing spoons or ice jigs. Also some fish on structure in those same depths on leadheads, plastics, or live bait. Top bass this week was a nine-pounder caught by John Leary, Culver City, on a swimbait. Zack Baird, Ventura, caught a seven-pounder on a swimbait, while Rob Morin, Ventura, had a six-pounder on a nightcrawlers. Trout were planted Tuesday at the Coyote Launch ramp and there is fair action there on small spinners or Power Bait. Redear and catfish are both very slow. Private boats are 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: DFG trout planted in both the upper lake and lower lagoon this week and two weeks ago, and the bite has been good on Power Bait, small spinners, and small pieces of nightcrawler. Improving striper action thanks to the trout plant. Most of the smaller fish from four to nine pounds are still showing from the shoreline to the right of the marina on anchovies, sardines, nightcrawlers, shad, and blood worms. A few double-digit fish reported on trout-like swim baits. The largemouth bite is fair on shad-like cranks and swimbaits, with plastic worms also a good bet. All of the coves in the Fish Arm are producing fish with the best action early and late in the day. Catfish action has slowed and very few bluegill and crappie action have been reported. Information: 661-775-6232 or Castaic Lake | Home.
PIRU: DFG trout plant Tuesday this week and the bite has been good since on the usual floating baits and small lures and jigs. The largemouth bass action is still fair on deep-running cranks, jigging spoons, and ice jigs in 30 to 50 feet of water. A few crappie continue to show on small jigs, and bluegill and redear are spotty on nightcrawlers and red worms. Catfish very slow. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or Lake Piru Recreation Area.
PYRAMID: DFG trout planted Monday in the marina and the bite is very good on Power Bait. The plant also turned on the striper action with 10-fish limit of stripers to five pounds common on swimbaits and even topwater lures since the plant Monday. The bigger fish are best in the marina with the smaller fish in the main channel. Still light fishing pressure. The largemouth and smallmouth bass, redear, and catfish are all slow. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Fair to good trout action after DFG plants this week and two weeks ago, mostly on floating baits. Fair action on largemouth bass on plastics in deeper water. Slow other species. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago with good action on floating baits, trout plastics, and trout jigs. The catfish and bluegill bites slowed, but the odd largemouth is still being caught. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, catfish plant two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, catfish plant two weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, catfish plant two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Also a DFG catfish plant two weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, catfish plant two weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, catfish plant two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKES: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago, and trout were planted three weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG DFG trout plant last week, catfish plant two weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: The lake is closed for the season. 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: The 26 anglers checked reported catching 17 bass, four bluegill, and 12 catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats 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.
LOWER OTAY: No report. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will not be renting boats November, December, or January. 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: No report. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is open. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: No report. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MIRAMAR: The 71 anglers checked reported catching 63 rainbow trout, four bass, three catfish, and seven bluegill. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are not available during October and November. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: Closed. It will reopen March, 2010. 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 season started last week with a plant of 4,500 pounds and fishing was very good. Quite a few trout in the four to six-pound-range were reported, with a 6-8 topping this week's catches. Rito Reyes, Oceanside, landed a 5-10 rainbow on nightcrawlers and Power Bait in Boat Dock Cove. Some catfish are still showing west of Senior Shoreline. Carlos Alberto Jr, Murrieta, caught four catfish totaling 14-2. The bass fishing was slow to fair this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics near structure. Bluegill and crappie are fair. The lake is now closed weekdays and will only be open Saturday and Sunday each week. 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: No recent DFG plants.
DIXON LAKE: Trout action is very good. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, and small jigs have been working best. Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Thomas Buoyants have also been working well. Trout were planted last week and three weeks ago. There is a fair bass bite with some topwater activity in the early morning. Fair bluegill action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Some catfish are also showing. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Fair to good trout action this past week, and the bite should improve with a plant this week. Lorenzo Rodriguez, Poway, caught a 5.5-pound rainbow on Power Bait. Bass action is fair. The catfish action was fair with anglers fishing the log boom having the most success. Some bluegill are still showing in Hidden Bay but the bite is mostly slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The trout bite good with a few limits reported. The lake will receieve trout plants each week for the duration of trout season. Cactus Patch, the fishing float, and Shadow Cove have been the top spots for trout with salmon peach Power Bait the top choice for bait. Some catfish are still showing on chicken livers, mackerel, and nightcrawlers at the dam buoy line and Hermit Cove buoy line in very deep water. The bass bite is fair with the fish in about 15 to 25 feet of water and hitting on Senkos in natural colors. Dawn and Dusk have seen the best action for bass. Twilight boat rentals are returning -- $20 for the last three hours the lake is open. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: Fair trout action but a DFG plant this week should perk things. Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Power Bait have been working best for trout. Catfish action is slow with some hitting mackerel and chicken liver. Bass action has been mostly slow but with the trout plants the big bass should be out feeding. Slow other species. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Excellent trout action due to the weekly plants. Many anglers have been reporting getting limits in under an hour of fishing. Other species are mostly slow. The lake is now closed on Wednesdays and does not open until 10 a.m. on Sundays for fishing, this schedule will continue through January until waterfowl season closes. 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: Mostly light fishing pressure but there has been a fair crappie bite on live minnows and nightcrawlers. Boat rentals cost $35 for a full day and $30 after 1 p.m. The lake is open daily from 6 a.m. until sunset but on Wednesdays and Saturdays the lake is open at 5 a.m. for waterfowl hunting. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
FLOW INFORMATION: Reservoir elevation levels and flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are available at this web site with information updated hourly: Bureau of Reclamation: Lower Colorado Region - Lower Colorado River Operations Schedule.
LAKE MEAD: Mostly slow action with a spotty striped bass action with fish in deeper water at the dam. Still some decent action in Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam on cut anchovies, sardines, shad-like lures. Fair catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is fair off the points in deeper water.
WILLOW BEACH: Very good trout action with light fishing pressure. The fish are stacking up making the action good throughout the week. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Still weekly trout plants. Slow striper action on big, trout-like lures. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers slow. The best bite has still been in the southern portion of the lake, especially in the coves around the power lines and at the dam with most of the fish under three pounds. Anchovies and sardines in 15 to 45 feet of water. Bass and bluegill very spotty. Catfish are slow to fair on cut baits. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Fair to good trout action in the Laughlin bridge area with fish to four pounds or better reported. Most are pan-sized. Trout were planted Tuesday this week. The action on smaller smallmouth bass is still pretty good with the fish along the river rip-rap in big numbers. Lipless cranks are the best bet for the smallies. Other than trout and smallmouth, slow fishing with very few stripers and catfish showing on drifted anchovies. Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: There is a pretty fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river from Needles south to I-40, mostly on small cranks. Slow striper action, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under three pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: The crappie action continued in a bit of a lull with the cold weather this past week, but there are still a few fish showing at north dike and Five Mile Landing on minnows and Roadrunner jigs. A few decent catfish are also showing from the marsh. Smallmouth bass are still pretty fair in the main river on small cranks and drop-shotted plastics with a lot of one-pound fish. There’s a spotty bite on stripers and catfish in river. Topoc Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: Park Moabi at 760-326-3831 or Phil’s Western Trader at 928-768-4954.
HAVASU: Overall slow fishing. The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing slowed way down. Only a few fish are showing on slow-fall plastics, vertical jigging, or live shad. The striper bite is still fair with the fish on live shad or shad-like baits in low-light or dark. The island, London bridge, Site 6, and throughout the Windsor Basin continue to be the top spots. Lures that have glow in dark luminescence help when fishing at dusk, after dark, or around lights. Channel catfish and flatheads very slow. Redear also slowed way down, even up in the river. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been slow this past week, but the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are fair to good. Bluegill and redear are still fair in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Flatheads are just fair on goldfish and shiners.
BLYTHE: Lower river and area canals are just fair for catfish. There is good smallmouth action in the main river on small cranks and jigs, and the largemouth bite is slow to fair in area backwaters on plastics, cranks, and live bait. The bluegill action is slowing all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches, but if you find a school of fish you can still connect. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The catfish action remains fair with some decent catches of flatheads and channels on bluegill with fish to 10 pounds in the past week. Bluegill tougher, but still some good catches of fish in isolated holes. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are fair but with very little pressure. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: Fair largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. The channel catfish action is fair on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is slow on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: A few striper reports at the lake mouth to the river. Largemouth bass action fair on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits, with more and more topwater action early and late in the day. Channel catfish and flatheads are both slow. Few crappie, but the bluegill are still fair with some flurries of good action early in the afternoons. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is fair in the main river and river backwaters on minnows and plastics. Both channel catfish and flathead are slow in the main river with only the rare flathead showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to fair for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite slowed along the north shore with both the state park and Yacht Club jetty. Cold weather chilled the bite the past two weeks. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: General trout season closed in most of Inyo and Mono counties on Nov. 15. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or Bishop, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites for the winter are: Ken's Sporting Goods - Home (Bridgeport region), The Trout Fly Mammoth Lakes, California, and Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service, Mammoth Lakes. Flyfishing Guide Service for Trout. Fly Fish Owens River from guided driftboats in Bishop. Flyfish Crowley Lake and Bridgeport in guided flats boats named the Trout Magnet. Full service outfit.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Cold and icy conditions and flows on the East Walker remain very low (54 cfs) and the bite is fair in the afternoons on fish stacked up in the runs and pools. Most action on midges and caddis nymph patterns. This is a catch-and-release water open year-around. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek, both open to year-around catch-and-release fishing, are both are good for fly anglers. The Owens has quite a few quality rainbows and browns up from Crowley. Access to both waters is tough thanks to snow in the valley. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the lower Owens River, and the Owens River gorge remain open to year-around fishing. The Wild Trout section of lower Owens River remains good for fly anglers, and the lower river was planted with trout this week. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair for lure, jig, bait, and fly anglers, especially for float tubers fishing near the inlet or at the dam. DFG planted at Pleasant Valley last week and two weeks ago. Owens Gorge fair for small browns. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Little fishing pressure. A few reports suggest there’s still a slow to fair catfish bite on frozen shad, and that the trout action is spotty at the cemetery and auxiliary dam on Power Bait. Everything else is very slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern are low and the river is fishing slow in the 20-mile roadside stretch above Kernville with the best action on small nymphs in the cold water. The Wild Trout stretch is even slower with the cold water conditions. The lower river is fair for smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics, but the fish are small. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or Fly Fishing the Kern River) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striped bass bite has been good with a lot of keeper fish over the 18-inch minimum size. The best action has been on blood worms, sand worms, and shad-like crankbaits or Gitzit-sytle lures, but a 33-pound striper was caught Wednesday this week by Roy Shepherd, Bakersfield, fishing anchovies. He said it was the first day he’s been fishing in 34 years. Only a few catfish showing, but more and more anglers are reporting largemouth bass on Rat-L-Traps here. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago. Best action on Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are very slow.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Spotty action. Other species very slow.
RIVER WALK PARK: Slow trout action with the last DFG plant three weeks ago. The few holdover fish being caught are showing on garlic Power Bait, chunky cheese Gulp and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Bass and bluegill very slow.
MING LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Fair action on Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are slow.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Fair trout action with the bite best on corn Power Bait fished within 15 feet of the bank. The winter crappie bite looks to be starting, but with light fishing pressure this past week there were few reports. Catfish, carp and bass very slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Just fair action with the best bite on corn Power Bait. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, fair to good action. Other species mostly slow with a few bass still showing in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Trout plant last week with a fair bite. Mostly slow action on other species with only a few bass and the odd redear showing. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Very few reports. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action with cranks, plastics, and swim baits all producing fish. Other species slow. Information: 805-238-1056 or Lake Nacimiento Resort and Marina.
SANTA MARGARITA: Bass action still slow, but a few crappie are showing on small jigs. Very light fishing pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Light fishing pressure, but a few crappie and redear are showing. Bass spotty, catfish slow. 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. For trout plants statewide, you can visit the DFG's web site at California Department of Fish & Game Fisheries Fish Planting Schedule by Regions.
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Tri-city Lake, Yorba Linda Regional Park Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake, Skinner Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Prado Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake, Morena Lake, Murray Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake.
INYO: Owens River (Section 2).
FRESNO: Acocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.
KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Hart Park Lake, Lake Truxton, Lake Woollomes, Ming Lake.
CATFISH PLANTS
No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.
