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SOCAL FISH REPORT
February 10, 2010
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
February 10, 2010
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The action on the big Humboldt squid slowed at the more northerly spots this past week for obvious reasons, but this action will stay our top pick, especially with moderating weather. The squid are still showing from San Diego all the way into the Santa Monica Bay. The boats out of Seaforth Landing, which have pioneered this fishery over the last couple of years, are seeing the best scores with eight to 10 squid per angler per evening trip. The best part is that the squid are running up into the 50-pound class. Contact Seaforth Landing at 619-224-3383
2. There are two 30-pound class rainbow trout swimming in Southern California. The state record-sized rainbows were released in Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake this week and anglers can see video clips of the release at The Lakes web site at fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake. The fish were planted as part of a big fish promotion at the two waters where the angler who lands the biggest fish could win a $5,000 Alaskan fishing trip. Both lakes are a little murky because of rain, but both also still have a pretty darn good trout bite if you fish shallow water and scent-enhanced floating baits on short leaders. For updates, you can call SARL at 714-632-7851 or Corona at 951-277-3321.
3. Department of Fish and Game biologists say at least some of the largemouth bass at Diamond Valley are already moving shallow to spawn, and with forecast warmer weather and a new moon on Sunday, DVL might be the place to head for a little sunny day plastic worm tossing for largemouths that are averaging from 3 1/2 to 5 pounds. There is no water in the state that has a better average size largemouth than DVL. Oh, and there could also be good striped bass and trout action, too. To get the latest on the bite, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410.
2. There are two 30-pound class rainbow trout swimming in Southern California. The state record-sized rainbows were released in Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake this week and anglers can see video clips of the release at The Lakes web site at fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake. The fish were planted as part of a big fish promotion at the two waters where the angler who lands the biggest fish could win a $5,000 Alaskan fishing trip. Both lakes are a little murky because of rain, but both also still have a pretty darn good trout bite if you fish shallow water and scent-enhanced floating baits on short leaders. For updates, you can call SARL at 714-632-7851 or Corona at 951-277-3321.
3. Department of Fish and Game biologists say at least some of the largemouth bass at Diamond Valley are already moving shallow to spawn, and with forecast warmer weather and a new moon on Sunday, DVL might be the place to head for a little sunny day plastic worm tossing for largemouths that are averaging from 3 1/2 to 5 pounds. There is no water in the state that has a better average size largemouth than DVL. Oh, and there could also be good striped bass and trout action, too. To get the latest on the bite, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: This is reading like a broken record, but the trout bite is still generally good throughout Southern California at all of the urban waters. The best action is at the lakes planted each week. Those include Irvine, Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Hesperia Lake, and all of the San Bernardino County Park lakes. Hesperia Lake is getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week and has been excellent. Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake were stocked with a pair of 30-pound rainbows. Off-color water hasn’t slowed the bites at most waters. The next tier are the lakes planted alternating weeks (most everything else), including all of the popular waters in San Diego County, where Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, and Dixon all remain top picks with regular plants, but Cuyamaca remains perhaps the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers.
BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still mostly slow throughout the region, but there are increasing signs that the pre-spawn movement of fish up into shallower water is beginning. Top indicators of this are all of the San Diego City lakes, Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Perris, and Casitas Lake. While Diamond Valley has been the hands-down best bass water, Casitas, Otay, and El Capitan have been improving each week. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River looks like it might be poised to take off again, too, and Cachuma’s smallmouths are also picking up. It looks like some of the pre-spawn bite might be poised to start in the next couple of weeks, especially with the warmer weather and good moon phase. It’s that time of year. Some big fish are going to start popping.
STRIPED BASS: The Diamond Valley and Castaic are the top bets. DVL has stripers over 12 pounds and Castaic has fish just over 10 pounds. While Skinner has been tough, there was a 20-plus this past week. Silverwood, Pyramind, and the California aqueduct are all producing a few fish. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off.
PANFISH: Little to report on this front. Bluegill are quiet just about everywhere, and Lake Perris is only producing a few deep-water redear under a pound. Crappie bites even have seemed to lull. Only a few fish are showing at the Buena Vista Lakes. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, but its still in a funk. El Capitan in the San Diego region looked like it might be turning on for crappie, but it has fizzled in the past week. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
CATFISH: Slow most places, but there is again a notable bite at Casitas in the Santa Ana Arm where the runoff enteres the lake. It produced cats up into the 20-plus pound class again this week. But the rain didn’t seem to perk much other action except for a fair bite at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes. Hesperia Lake has had a pretty good catfish bite thanks to plants this week and two weeks ago. It cranked out cats to 15-plus this past week.
BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still mostly slow throughout the region, but there are increasing signs that the pre-spawn movement of fish up into shallower water is beginning. Top indicators of this are all of the San Diego City lakes, Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Perris, and Casitas Lake. While Diamond Valley has been the hands-down best bass water, Casitas, Otay, and El Capitan have been improving each week. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River looks like it might be poised to take off again, too, and Cachuma’s smallmouths are also picking up. It looks like some of the pre-spawn bite might be poised to start in the next couple of weeks, especially with the warmer weather and good moon phase. It’s that time of year. Some big fish are going to start popping.
STRIPED BASS: The Diamond Valley and Castaic are the top bets. DVL has stripers over 12 pounds and Castaic has fish just over 10 pounds. While Skinner has been tough, there was a 20-plus this past week. Silverwood, Pyramind, and the California aqueduct are all producing a few fish. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off.
PANFISH: Little to report on this front. Bluegill are quiet just about everywhere, and Lake Perris is only producing a few deep-water redear under a pound. Crappie bites even have seemed to lull. Only a few fish are showing at the Buena Vista Lakes. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, but its still in a funk. El Capitan in the San Diego region looked like it might be turning on for crappie, but it has fizzled in the past week. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
CATFISH: Slow most places, but there is again a notable bite at Casitas in the Santa Ana Arm where the runoff enteres the lake. It produced cats up into the 20-plus pound class again this week. But the rain didn’t seem to perk much other action except for a fair bite at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes. Hesperia Lake has had a pretty good catfish bite thanks to plants this week and two weeks ago. It cranked out cats to 15-plus this past week.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: Very little fishing pressure. No DFG plants in over a month. Fishing information: Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. No recent DFG plants. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No report.
JENKS LAKE: Closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The lake is slated to receive another plant of both catfish and trout this week. Trout action has been very good with Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers have been working best. Sal Padilla, Rialto, caught a nine-pound trout using Lip RipperZ. The plant last week and the rain has helped keep the catfish bite strong with lots of nice catches reported. Logan Jones, Barstow, caught a 15-pound channel catfish on the mackerel and mealworm combo. Norm Martin, Silver Lakes, landed a 13-pound blue catfish on mackerel and garlic. The last sturgeon and wiper plants were in November but a few of each show each week. Tim Walters, Victorville, hooked into a 20-pound sturgeon on a nightcrawler. 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. Cost will be reduced to $10 on Mondays but price remains the same the rest of the week and no other discounts apply to the Monday special. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Good to excellent trout action with Power Bait working best in colors spring green, rainbow, and salmon peach. Nightcawlers, jigs, and small trout lures are also working well. Jaysen Vincent, San Bernardino, caught a 3-5 trout from the western shore of lake 3 on rainbow Power Bait. The lake is normally open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Friday from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Trout action has been excellent. Best bite has been on Power Worms, Power Bait, and nightcrawlers. County plants are weekly now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February, and DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. Eric Jimenez, Hesperia, caught five trout to 3-8 on pink Power Worms at the west shoreline of Pelican Lake. Other species mostly slow now with the cold weather. Due to the recent flooding in the park, Horseshoe Lake has been temporarily closed due to some damage it received, however, Pelican Lake is remains open and will continue to be planted. The fourth of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here Saturday, March 20, with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The last derby in the series will be at 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). For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair trout action with fish averaging about one pound. Best bite has been on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. County plants are every week now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February, and there is a DFG plant slated for this week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Fair trout action. Brad Bruton, Phelan, had a pair of rainbows to 2-10, while Paul Reyes, Corona, caught three trout to 2-8. Richard Melendez, Baldwin Park, also landed a 2-8 rainbow. County trout are planted every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. DFG plants this week, two, and four weeks ago. There is also a bonus plant of 2,000 pounds of trophy trout that went in last week. All other species very slow. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair trout action. County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season, except the last week of February. DFG plants this week, two, and four weeks ago. There has also been a fair carp bite for those targeting them. Slow other species. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Excellent trout action. County plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season, except for the last week in February. DFG trout plants this week, two, and four weeks ago. Summer Wellnite, Mira Loma, caught four trout to 6.6 pounds on Power Bait. Catfish and carp action has been good recently as well. Slow other species. The final derby of San Bernardino County Regional Park’s five events will be held here Saturday, April 10, with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The derby is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). 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: Striper action was very good this past week with many big fish reported once again. Swimbaits, plugs, and large topwater lures were the ticket. Top spots were the points near the marina cove and the east dam. Ranier Bernal, Fontana, caught a 12.82-pound striper fishing from shore with a swimbait. Pete Olbera, Perris, got a 12.70-pound striper fishing the east dam with a white fly. Brian Altadonna, Sun City, landed a 12.43-pound striper fishing the west shoreline with a BBZ. Largemouth action was good this past week. Swimbaits, creature baits, and crankbaits in 20 to 30 feet of water were working best. James Mehan, Winchester, caught an 18.5-pound limit trolling a shad Rapala along the east dam. No catfish reports this past week, but top spots have been near the attenuator and the east dam on mackerel, shrimp, and anchovies. There have been a few reports of good crappie action but anglers have not been very eager to give up their methods or spots. Fishing in 20 to 30 feet of water off the dams with nightcrawlers or jigs has been a good bet for crappie in the past. For general lake, launch, 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: Good trout bite. The trout have been showing all along the west side of the lake with Lots 11 and 12, the launch ramp area, and the marina all good bets. The largemouth bass action is fair on plastics, swimbaits and nightcrawlers. Ryan Devlin, Ontario, caught 11.2 and 10.6-pound largemouths on a swimbait. A few redear continue to show, mostly off the marina docks, but few fish are over 3/4-pound now. Red worms, nightcrawler pieces, and small jigs have all been getting a few fish. Carp are mostly slow, but a few are being caught in Sail Cove and off Lots 11 and 12. Other species very slow. The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday 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 trout action has remained the best bet here this past week thanks to a DFG trout plant two weeks ago, and another DFG plant is slated for this week. The best bite has been around Ramp No. 2 and the east end on PowerBait dough and nightcrawlers. Roy Dawson, Temecula, caught five trout to three pounds on a nightcrawler at the east end. The largemouth action picked up this past week. Howie Edwards, Oceanside, landed seven largemouth to 5.6 pounds. The striped bass bite has been slow to fair this past week. Hunter Hough, Palm Springs, caught a 17.5-pound striper on a swimbait at Ramp No. 2. The odd catfish is being caught by striper anglers, but they are very slow. A few bluegill reported, but the bite is mostly slow. 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: Continued good trout action with over 30 limits of rainbows reported and the week’s top fish was a 21-pound rainbow landed by William Speulda, Wildomar. A 10-trout stringer caught by Kevin Fabian, Corona, weighing in at 21 pounds total. Sue and Thomas Stovall, Highland, had 10 rainbows for 15 pounds, and their top fish was a four-pounder. Joe Mesa, Corona, caught five trout for 12 pounds and his top rainbow was a 4 1/2 pounder. Andrew Bauscory and Jeff Avina, both Santa Ana, landed 10 rainbows for 26 pounds total, and the big rainbow on the stringer was a 6 1/2 pounder. Dorian Gonzales, Fontana, and Nichole Gonzales, Whittier, teamed up to land seven rainbows with a seven-pounder topping their catch. The steady flow of runoff water into the lake has also stirred up the catfish action. The key for consistent trout action when the water has been off color has been to use a bright-colored floating doused with Eagle Claw Gravy in garlic or one of the other scents. Information: 951-277-4489 or default b.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Other species slow.
RANCHO JURUPA: County trout plants of 1,500 pounds are going in alternating weeks this year. The next plant is slated for this Thursday. A DFG trout plant went in last week. No reports. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Good trout bite with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. Fair to good catfish action, with some bluegill still showing as well. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Park, a Hemet California RV Park and Family Campground.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good trout action, mostly on 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: Trout action is mostly slow with simply no reports in the past week. No recent trout plants. 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: Weekend rains dimmed the water clarity, but diligent anglers are still seeing good stringers of rainbow trout, and the rain has really turned on the catfish action. Caesar Torres, Perris, landed a 5 1/2-pound rainbow fishing orange Nitro Bait at the Bubble hole. Shane Holman, Garden Grove, topped off his five-fish limit with a 4 3/4-pound rainbow on rainbow PowerBait, while J.R. Reynold, San Gabriel, had a 4 3/4 pounder on Sierra Gold. Ulysses Garcia, Huntington Park, caught 10 rainbows on a 24-hour pass that weighed a total of 18 pounds on chartreuse floating bait off the Sandy Beach. Best bite is in shallow water close to shore on floating baits or Trout Mouse combo fished on short leader and short casts are best. Ongoing big fish derby runs through Feb. 28 had a $6,000 Alaskan fishing trip as the top prize. Private boats are no longer allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes due 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: Trout action was good this past week. The lake will be receiving a special plant of steelhead this week and the fish for this plant will be averaging around five pounds. Todd Scullin, Lake Elsinore, caught a 14-2 rainbow trout on a Rapala fishing mid-lake. Mike Ferber, Orange, got an 11-6 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Woody’s Cove. A plant of 2,000 pounds of hybrid stripers went in each of the last two weeks but the action has not kicked in on these fish just yet. Largemouth action has been fair to good with fish showing in the two to three-pound range. The occasional catfish is still being landed. Fishing in the Kids Lagoon has been very good. 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. daily. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: No report. 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: Bass action is good for largemouth and fair for smallmouth. Nick Salvicci, Paso Robles, landed eight bass while using a drop-shot setup. Trout action good and the last DFG trout plant was two weeks ago. 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. 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: Improved bass and catfish action this week. The catfish are stacked up in the Santa Ana Arm of the lake feeding in the off-color water where runoff has come in from recent rains. The fish are all in 15 feet of less of water and showing on nightcrawlers and cut mackerel. Robert Shirk, Santa Paula, fished two days this past week and caught cats at 20, 18, and 12 pounds using mackerel or nightcrawlers for his fish. Some of the largemouth bass seem to be moving shallow with anglers reporting fish from 10 to 35 feet of water with plastics, jigs, and nightcrawlers the best bets. Doug Carlson, Ventura, had a limit of bass to 6-8 fishing plastic worms. Crappie and redear are both slow, and trout are very slow with no plants since Jan. 14. The rain has raised the lake level about five feet, which is still 23 feet from full pool. In 2005 El Nino rainbows brought the lake up to within three feet of spilling and the last time the lake spilled was in 1998. 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: The action on stripers has picked up since last week. Small stripers have been showing in Elizabeth Canyon and Sharron's Rest. The occasional big striper is still showing on swimbaits fished along the shoreline near the marina or the corner of the dam near the tower. Brian Shepard, Castaic, caught nine stripers totaling 27.5 pounds with a 10-8 topping the catch. Brian Orlowsi, Castaic, landed four stripers totaling 16 pounds with a 9.9-pounder topping the catch. Both anglers were fishing with squid at the forebay buoy line. The largemouth bite is just fair with nightcrawlers fished deep working best. The lagoon has remained a good bet with largemouth and trout showing in fair numbers. Information: 661-775-6232 or Castaic Lake | Home.
PIRU: The trout action has slowed way down with the last plant three weeks ago. There has been a fair and improving bass bite with some quality fish showing. In a weekend tournament two weeks ago, a 10-1 bass was caught by Kerry Kline, Fillmore, and James Campbell and Kenny Thon, both Gardena, landed two bass at 9.75 and 5.1 pounds. Best bass site on jigging spoons, ice jigs, and plastics in 30 to 50 feet of water. A few crappie continue to show on small jigs, but the bluegill, redear, and catfish are mostly very slow. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or Lake Piru Recreation Area.
PYRAMID: Still a fair trout bite since the last plant two weeks ago. The best bite has been on small spinners and spoons and PowerBait-type dough baits. The striper bite has been spotty with a few smaller fish to five pounds caught on swim baits and cut bait, but a 20-pounder was reported at the dam this past weekend. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bites are just starting to perk a little with the better weather Wednesday, but they are still mostly in deeper water and showing on plastics and jigs. The redear, bluegill, and catfish are all very slow. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Slow trout bite with last DFG plant four weeks ago. Slow to fair action on largemouth bass on plastics in deeper water. A few redear are also showing again. Slow other species. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant four weeks ago. Slow action. The catfish, bluegill, and largemouth action all very slow. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. 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: There were 58 anglers checked and they reported catching 27 bass, one crappie, and two catfish. Richard Walker, Ramona, landed a 7.2-pound largemouth on a lizard fishing Narrows. 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 120 anglers checked reported catching 162 bass and 11 crappie. Larry Wilson, Poway, landed a 10.1-pound largemouth fishing drop-shot in the north arm. 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: The 112 anglers checked reported catching 102 bass to 4.7 pounds, 13 crappie to 3.46 pounds, and five catfish to 17.8 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will not be renting boats November, December, or January. Rentals resume Feb. 6 on a Saturday-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: There were six anglers who reported catching nine bass to 4.9 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for catch-and-release 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: There were 45 anglers checked and they reported catching 33 trout, one catfish, and six bass. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. DFG trout plant this week. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. The lake is no longer renting boats of any kind.
MIRAMAR: There were 92 anglers who caught 36 trout and nine bass. Trout plant slated for this week. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. The lake is no longer renting boats of any kind.
Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department.
SUTHERLAND: Closed. It will reopen in March. 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 picked back up this week. Inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been working best. Charles Carpenter, Escondido, caught a 7.05-pound trout on green Power Bait at Boat Dock Cove. Some catfish are still showing on cut baits at the buoy lines. Trout plant slated for this week. The bass fishing was slow to fair this past week. Slow other species. The lake is open 7 days a week. There are four 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: Fair trout action. Nightcrawlers, rainbow Power Bait, small crappie jigs, Power Worms, Rooster Tails, Kastmasters, and Thomas Buoyants have all been producing for trout. Bass action is mostly slow with a few fish showing in Trout Cove. Some catfish are also showing on chicken liver, mackerel, and shrimp. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The annual free kids fishing derby was this past Saturday, and 4,000 pounds of trout were planted. Trout action was good with top trout spots in Half-Moon Bay, near the fishing pier, and the back side of the lake. Some limits were reported and many fish over five pounds were reported. Kishore Chennai, India, landed an 8.5-pound trout on a nightcrawler near the fishing pier. Alex Vigil, Vista, landed three 6-8 trout and one five-pounder fishing the shoreline. Bass action fair. Very good catfish bite in Boulder Bay. Slow other species. The lake will also be closed February 15 for Presidents’ Day. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The trout bite has been up and down due to the weather this past week. Some days showed very good fishing and others it was slow. The lake will receive trout plants each week for the duration of trout season. Cactus Patch, Half Moon Cove, and Sentry Points have been the top spots for trout, with inflated nightcrawlers and salmon peach Power Bait top baits. The bass bite is fair with the best action in 40 to 50 feet of water. Crawdads, jigs, and drop-shotted plastic worms have been working well. Swimbaits should also be productive for largemouth but no anglers have been using them. No anglers are fishing for cats but the conditions are prime in Hermit Cove to land some catfish. Twilight boat rentals are returning -- $20 for the last three hours the lake is open. The lake will be open Monday, January 18. Information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: Trout action is fair to good. Nightcrawlers have been the top bait. Catfish action has been fair with anglers using lighter line and weight setups seeing much better results. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Excellent trout action with many anglers getting limits in under an hour of fishing. DFG plant this week. Other species are mostly slow. 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: No report available. 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. Most fish under four pounds. But a few bigger fish are showing after trout plants. Slow catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is slow to fair off the points in deeper water.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout bite is fair to good with weekly plants. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Slow to fair striper action. Night fishing has been the best bet with a fair number of five to 10 pounders on A.C. Plugs or similar lures, but there were rumors of a pair of 40-plus pounders in the past week. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Continued very slow striper action in the southern portion of the lake. Only a few fish reported from 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. The Cottonwood area seems to be starting to turn around a little for the stripers, but still very tough. Bass and bluegill also very slow throughout the lake. Catfish are slow on cut baits, but a few were reported this past weekend during the full moon. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: The trout bite continues to be pretty good. There are monthly plants at Davis Camp and the Sportsman’s Access, and the last stock was three weeks ago, when 4,000 fish averaging 12 inches were planted. The next stock is slated for Feb. 24 with the same numbers to go in. There will also be a kid’s fishing clinic at Davis Camp right after that next plant on the 24th. The bite has been best from the casinos all the way down to Rotary Park. Other species are very slow. An April 50-50 Derby has been set up to benefit Special Olympics. Entry is $12 per category (stripers, catfish, and trout). Information: Riviera Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: There is a slow to 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 two pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: There has been fair action on both crappie and bass in the marsh this week. The crappie are best in the north dike area on minnows or Roadrunner jigs, while the bass are showing throughout the area, mostly on slow-fished plastics or jigs. The main river has been slow for stripers, but there continues to be a decent pick on smallmouth bass from Needles all the way to Lake Havasu. Best action on small cranks and drop-shotted plastics. 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: While the bite has been slow overall, a couple of recent bass events have taken five-fish, 18-pound limits to win, with most of the fish showing on jigs and deep-running cranks. There is also pretty decent smallmouth action up in the river. The striper action is very spotty, too, with only a few fish showing on shad-like baits early in the morning or after dark, with the Havasu Springs and dam are the best in the past week. Largemouth, channel catfish, flatheads, and redear also very slow. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
PARKER STRIP: Mostly very slow action. Channel catfish have been slow this past week, but the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are fair at best. Bluegill and redear are slow in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Few flathead reports.
BLYTHE: Warmer weather this week has improved the catfish action in the main river and local canals, many of which are still off-color after the most recent round of rains. The smallmouth bite in the main river along the rip-rap has also perked a little, but still is just fair, and a few largemouth are starting to be caught now. Bluegill still slow. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Very light fishing pressure. Palo Verde Lagoon still murky, access still difficult with four-wheel drive almost mandatory to reach Walter’s Camp. The warmer weather this week is perking things with some catfish action starting, and a few bass and bluegill are starting to show from the area backwaters. The main river is still mostly slow, but a few channels and smallmouth bass are starting to be caught. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: Slow action with no reports in the past week. A few cats and largemouth had been starting to show before the latest round of storms last week.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Improving bass and catfish action. Largemouth bass fair on plastics and live bait. Channel catfish and flatheads are both improving but the bite is still spotty. Few crappie and bluegill yet. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is slow in the main river and a little better in 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.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite is still very slow but a few days of warm weather, as finally forecast through the weekend, could kick this bite back on. Little pressure at the state park jetty or the Yacht Club jetty this past week. 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 plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: General trout season reopens in Inyo and Mono counties on Saturday, April 24. 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 and the bite is very tough in the afternoons 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, but access is tough with a lot of snow-slogging required. That said, Hot Creek has been pretty fair on midges and small mayflies patterns with some dry-fly action. The Upper Owens is tough with the fish not up out of Crowley in big numbers, yet, but those in the river are concentrated in a few pockets. The action on smaller, resident trout is spotty. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair to good and there continue to be a few nice Alpers’ rainbows being caught. The Wild Trout section of lower Owens River remains just fair for fly anglers with little surface activity now. The lower Owens from Laws to Stewart Lane and Pleasant Valley did get DFG trout plants last week. 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
SPORTSMAN’S SHOW: The 33rd annual Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat, RV & Outdoor Living Show will be this Friday through Sunday at the Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield, with hundreds of exhibitors. Speakers include Mr. Finesse Don Iovino, Kern River fly expert Guy Jeans, writer and bass pro Steve Merlo, and a host of other anglers. There will also be a kids’ trout pond. Admission is $8 for adults ($6 with a canned or non-perishable food donation) and kids 12 and under are free. Information: 661-393-0793 or www.CalShows.com.
LAKE ISABELLA: Finally better weather. The trout bite has been pretty fair at the auxiliary dam on nightcrawlers and floating dough baits, and there has continued to be a fair to good catfish bite in the French Gulch and Engineer Point areas on frozen shad. The odd good largemouth also continues to be caught, but that bite is still pretty tough. Other species are slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Continued slow fishing along the whole upper Kern River, but it was reported that the first DFG trout plant since the trout stocking lawsuit went in Wednesday at the Kernville Park. The lower river is slow, too, with only a few small smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. This stretch of the river was also supposed to be planted this week. 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 mostly tough, but the fish showing are mostly nicer quality with a lot of 24-inch class fish, well over the 18-inch minimum size. Small swimbaits and blood worms or sand worms are the best baits. Only a few cats showing. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Fair action on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers doused with garlic scent. Other species are very slow.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Just fair trout action. Other species very slow.
RIVER WALK PARK: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Fair to good action on the rainbows. Bass and bluegill very slow, but Jackson Lamay, Bakersfield, landed a six-pound largemouth this past week. There will be a Sheriff Activities League fishing derby 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
MING LAKE: Pretty fair trout action on PowerBait and garlic nightcrawlers. DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Other species are slow.
BRITE LAKE: No DFG trout plant in over a month.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout action continues pretty good with quality fish a part of many stringers. The bigger rainbows were planted as part of the derby two weeks ago. The winter crappie bite is slow to fair on live minnows with fish to two pounds showing. A few catfish are also starting to show, but no big fish this week. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No DFG trout plants in over a month. Slow action. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.
SUCCESS LAKE: No DFG trout plants in over a month. Other species slow with a few bass still showing in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: No DFG trout plants in over a month. 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 jigs, 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: Very light fishing pressure, but the bite was pretty good on crappie at the dam. The bass bite has been fair with the smallmouth bass best in the finger coves near the dam. Few other reports. 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.
ORANGE: Centennial Park Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Park Lake, Tri-City Park Lake, Yorba Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake, Moreno Reservoir.
RIVERSIDE: Lake Cahuilla, Lake Perris, Lake Skinner.
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Park lake, Prado Park lake, Glen Helen Park lake, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Park Lake.
KERN: Hart Park Lake, Lake Truxton, Ming Lake, The Park at River Walk lake.
FRESNO: Avacado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam, Woodward Park lake.
CATFISH PLANTS
No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.
