SOCAL FISH REPORT February 25, 2009

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SOCAL FISH REPORT

February 25, 2009

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service

JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK​

1. Crappie bites are starting to take off all over Southern California, but the biggest fish are showing from an unlikely candidate: Lake Perris. In the past week there have been crappie at 2 3/4 and 3 1/4 pounds caught from this western Riveside County water. Most of the fish are still coming out of 25 feet or more of water in the marina or some of the structure spots in the east end. Small jigs tipped with a scented bait are the best bets. This bite is likely to get better as we head into the full moon on March 10th. There has also been a pretty good bite on the bass, trout, and carp here. For an update on the bite, check with the marina staff at 951-657-2179.
2. The striper bite broke wide open this past week during the new moon at Lake Skinner with very good action on linesides up to six pounds for anglers fishing anchovies, frozen shad, or small swimbaits. The bites are nearly as good at Silverwood, Castaic, Diamond Valley (especially for bigger fish) and Pyramid, but Skinner has been the most consistent. Check with the store at 951-926-1505 or the marina at 951-926-8515 for the latest on this action.
3. Perhaps the best largemouth bass action this past week has been at Lower Otay Reservoir (and its sister water, Upper Otay, for walk-in anglers). This San Diego City water reservoir cranked out fish to 12 pounds and the bulk of the action is already in shallow water. This lake is open to fishing only on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. For lake information, you can call the lake recording at 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations can be made at 619-668-3274 or via e-mail by writing to ssmith@sandiego.gov.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Still good to excellent planted trout action at most of the major players over the past week. Corona Lake cranked out the two biggest fish of the week, including a lake record-tying 24-8 and another fish at nearly 20 pounds. But Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Laguna Niguel all have been pretty good, with both Irvine and Laguna Niguel continuing to producing more fish over 10 pounds than normal. Lagunal Niguel was planted with the Emerald Trout this week, SARL and Corona still have quite a few Lightning Trout from plants last week, and Irvine recently got a load of browns and brookies. All of the San Bernardino County park lakes, but especially Prado Park Lake and Yucaipa Park Lake, are good bets thanks to weekly plants and some quality fish. There were trout to 9-12 reported during this weekend’s trout derby at Prado (which attracted over 550 anglers). In the High Desert, Hesperia Lake, Jess Ranch, and Mojave Narrows are all good bets. In San Diego County, Dixon, Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, Miramar, Lower Otay, Murray, and Cayamaca are all pretty good bets.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Lots of bass starting to move this week, and most of the usual haunts are really going to start cranking over the next couple of weeks. Top bets this week include Otay, Casitas, Diamond Valley, Perris, and the lower Colorado River. In waters with trout plants, the big swimbait routine is likely to turn up a big fish, but pitching plastics and live bait will get more fish. Other good bets including Castaic, Piru, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, all of the Central Coast lakes (Nacimiento, San Antonio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita), and Wohlford, El Capitan, and Poway. Heck, anyplace with largemouth is worth fishing right now. Little spots like Puddingstone could make your day. The pre-spawn bite is kicking into high gear. There’s also a decent smallmouth bass bite on the lower Colorado River from Havasu to Palo Verde that continues to be worth mentioning.
STRIPED BASS: All the striped bass bites are improving this week, and there has been downright good to excellent action at Lake Skinner. Castaic, Pyramid, and Silverwood are all fair bets on fish to eight pounds, and Diamond Valley has been cranking out some bigger fish to 21 1/2 pounds. Spots on the Colorado River between Willow Beach and Lake Mohave have also been pretty fair with fish in the teens every week now and some bigger fish. Havasu and Mead are also good for smaller fish. While we’re getting few reports on Elsinore, the wiper bite here is worth watching.
PANFISH: Crappie bites are really taking off at a lot of places with the bluegill/redear action still lagging behind. Top bets for crappie include Otay, Perris, Henshaw, Casitas (for bigger fish), San Antonio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita. And our sleeper crappie pick would be Diamond Valley, where a couple of whopper fish have been reported with almost no fishing pressure. The few bluegill and redear showing are mostly quality fish but the bites are still just spotty. Top bets include Perris and Otay, but they are tough. Lopez is also producing a few fish.
CATFISH: Overall, still slowish catfish bites, but some improvements are brewing across the board. The lower Colorado River is starting to turn on, and planted waters are starting to turn on. Hesperia Lake is get catfish plants weekly now and that bite is pretty good. Other spots to watch include Diamond Valley Lake, the Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, and Lake Isabella.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS​

SILVERWOOD: Very good to excellent trout action reported by those fishing in Outhouse Cove, Cleghorn and Miller’s Canyon. Power Bait, spinners, plastic trout worms, inflated nightcrawlers, and Trout teasers are the hot baits. Top trout of the week was a 2 3/4-pounder landed by Chris Mayner, San Bernardino. Jeremy Miller, Hesperia, pulled out a 1 3/4-pound trout, while Issack Wienston, Whittier, caught a one-pound trout. Striper bite fair to good in Outhouse on anchovies or ‘crawlers. Slow to fair largemouth reports with only a few caught off shore on plastics. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Light fishing pressure, although some trout anglers fishing near the observatory or off the rocks have reported a slow trout bite on nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. All the lake’s marinas and public ramps are closed and will reopen April 1. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: Currently closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: Good to excellent bite for rainbow trout, sturgeon and catfish. Rainbows are heating up off the north shore and in the inlet on Power Bait, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Top fish was a 10-8 caught by Craig Avila, La Puente. Jeff Quiros, Riverside, pulled out an 8-8 rainbow while Antonio Simon, Hesperia, caught an eight-pounder. Wilson Taylor, Victorville, and Billy Zavala, Lancaster, each pulled out a 6-8 rainbow. Top sturgeon went to Joseph Acosta, Phelan. He had a 25-pounder on anchovies off Catfish Point. Brian Contreras, Barstow, caught a 12-8, while Bobby Acecedo, San Bernardino, had a 10-pounder. Mackerel and shrimp have been the ticket for the catfish. Billy Zavala, Lancaster, also caught an 18-8 blue cat. Xavier Castilo, Apple Valley, landed a 15-pounder, while Mario Byers, Covina, pulled out a 14-8. Catfish and trout plants are weekly. 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: Plenty of trout have been biting on a variety of baits such as Power Bait (salmon peach, rainbow and lemon twist), nightcrawlers, jigs and lures. Anglers reported limits with fish from two to three pounds. Hot spots include the eastern shore of lake 3 to the pump house as well as the western shore from the drain to the bridge. Lake 2’s north and south western shores also provided good spots for anglers. Mike Oliver, Victorville, landed a 6-2 rainbow on a black tube jig. Tony Convarrubias, Alhambra, reeled in 5-2 and 4-8 trout. John Varga, Glendora, had a 5-1 rainbow. Juan Reyes, Corona, pulled out a 4-1 rainbow, while Theisman Perez, Apple Valley, caught a 3-9 trout. The lake’s hatchery stocks every Friday. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: County trout plants are weekly through April. DFG trout week before last. Very good trout bite for anglers fishing Power worms or Power Bait. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, March 14. The first place winner will get a $1,200 cruise. A free Junior Fishing Workshop will take place March 28th. To receive more information or enroll in the workshop: 909-387-2461. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good trout bite on Power Bait. County trout plants are weekly through April, and a DFG trout plant went in last week. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, April 4. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Over 550 anglers participated in Saturday’s trout derby here. Henry Fabela, Pomona, took first place with his 9-12 rainbow, using four-pound line and Power Bait, and he won a $500 Turner’s Outdoorsman gift certificate. Robert Page, 11, Victorville, had the second biggest trout at 8-9, while Thomas Ramirez, Pomona, was third with a 7-7 rainbow. There are two more San Bernardino County Park Trout Derbies left this season. Mojave Narrows Regional Park, Victorville, will host the next derby March 14th, and the first place winner here will get a $1,200 cruise. The last derby of the season will be held April 4th at Cucamonga Guasti Regional Park, Ontario. For more information on the derbies, call 909-387-2757. Overall, the trout action has been very good to excellent with a lot of limits reported over the past week. Top spots have been Lots 1, 6, 7, and 8, with the points the best spots. County trout plants are each week through April, and a DFG plant went in last week. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action over the past week and some nice fish continue to be landed. County plants are weekly through April, although the last DFG trout plant was one month ago. Junior Fishing Workshops for children ages 5 through 9 are being held this Saturday at Yucaipa Regional Park. To receive more information or enroll, please contact 909-387-2461. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Very good to excellent trout bite for those using Power Bait or mackerel. County trout plants with 1,000 pounds of fish are weekly through April. 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: Very good bass action with most of the fish between two and five pounds. Most bass have been caught in 10 to 25 feet near the dam or off the south shore points on drop-shot-rigged finesse worms, Senkos, Ikas, or swimbaits. Some nice fish from seven to 10 pounds have been reported, especially for swimbait anglers. Mike Furr, Riverside, caught a 4.59-pound bass. Shore and boat anglers did well on the trout this week. While trout numbers decreased, the big fish kept biting. The east dam is the hot spot with Power Bait, nightcrawlers or mini jigs to baits. Most reports have trout in very shallow water down to 10 feet. Roy Leevano, Ontario, pulled out a 7.58-pounder on a plastic crawdad in the third cove to the right of the marina. Matt Johnson, Hemet, caught out a 6.96 pound trout. Derek Tryon, Murrieta, caught a 7.52 pounder. Three days of consecutive trout plants from DFG and Mt. Lassen helped the trout bite and kept the striper action going strong. Anglers have been trolling and casting swimbaits near the inlet tower and the west dam. Catches have ranged from the surface down to 50 feet. Paul Thompson, San Bernardino, landed a 21.6 pound striper. Louie Vega, Hemet, caught a 17.35-pounder, while Sam Chavez, San Jacinto, caught an 11.59 pound striper fishing with a Spro BBZ-1 by restroom 2. Winter time is not the best time to fish for cats, but there has been some big fish caught recently on mackerel, anchovies or shrimp. Panfish slow, although a few reports have trickled in. Johnny Duangmala, Hemet, caught a 2.91-pound crappie. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Diamond Valley Marina.
PERRIS: The trout action is the best here with lots of small-sized fish, under two pounds, caught on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. The bass and crappie bites are on the rise with fair action reported for both this week, including some real quality fish. The marina is the hot area for the crappie. Larry Rosby, Mission Viejo, caught a 3-3 crappie on a crappie jig, while Meliten Fuentes, San Jacinto, caught a 2-12 crappie. Swimbaits are the best bet for bass anglers. Ryan Devlin, Ontario, caught a 10-7 largemouth just off the launch ramp. DFG trout survey is ongoing. Carp action is fair and improving on dough baits, especially from Lots 11 and 12 into the east end. Mikh Rudyak, North Hollywood, caught a 12-pounder fishing a homemade corn-meal bait last Friday. He and his four fishing partners also had a number of smaller fish around three pounds. A percentage of each DFG trout plant will have non-reward and reward tags attached on some one to four-pound rainbows from the load. The tags will look like green spaghetti noodles attached right below the dorsal fin. Reward signs indicating information where to return the tags are posted around the launch ramps, marina and lake entrance. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The stripers stole the show with good to excellent action reported off the east end, at the inlet, and off Ramp no. 2 on anchovies or nightcrawlers. Most stripers have been from three to six pounds. Jim Davis, Lake Elsinore, pulled out a 35-pound stringer of stripers with a five-pounder the top fish. Good largemouth bass action on nightrawlers or plastic worms off the east end and along shore. James Vanguard, Temecula, pulled out a 4-8. Trout bite improved with good action off and around Ramp no. 2 for those using nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Samantha Moore, Riverside, caught a two-pound trout. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Fair to good action on small wipers that must be released. A load of 18,000 fish went in the first week of January. The fish were all under eight inches when planted and anglers cannot keep wipers until they reach the 18-inch minimum size. A few crappie are starting to show, and the odd bass was caught this past week. Few reports on other species. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308.
CORONA LAKE: Steve Weitzeil, Murrieta, and his grandson Donald teamed up to land a 24 1/2-pound rainbow trout this past Friday, tying a lake record that has stood since 2003. The pair was fishing with orange Eagle Claw Nitro Bait at the dam when the big fish was hooked. The trout action has been excellent over the past week with a good mix of Lightning Trout, Nebraska Tailwalkers, and the super trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms. Both boat and shore anglers have been scoring limits of trout when fishing nightcrawlers doused with Nitro Gravy, chartreuse or orange floating baits, or the small Nitro Worms. Besides the lake record, there was also a 19 1/2-pound rainbow caught by Nick Johnson, Riverside, while fishing an orange Nitro Worm from the shore. But the bulk of the action has been on trout from one to six pounds with five-fish limits weighing from eight to 14 pounds common. Some typical limits included the 10 trout that weighed 19 1/2 pounds caught by Frank and Jim Harrison, Mira Loma, with the big fish a four-pounder. Tony and Joe Hui, West Covona, had 10 trout that weighed 19 pounds and included a three-pound rainbow. Devin Ferris, Norco, and Dennis Ferris, West Covina, had 10 trout topped with a pair of two pounders and the combined limits weighed in at 16 1/2 pounds. Dan Phillips, Temecula, caught five Lightning Trout for his limit, including a 6.8-pounder, while Mike Childs, Fallbrook, also had a Lightning Limit that weighed 10 pounds total, including a three-pounder. Shane Travers, Murrita, weighed in a 5 1/2-pound Lightning Trout, and Ken Wendell, Whittier, had a 5 1/4-pound Lightning trout on his stringer. Trout plants each week. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout bite with anglers reporting the best action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Catfish action is slow on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass bite on worms or plastics.
RANCHO JURUPA: County and DFG trout planted last week. Lots of limits reported with trout to two pounds or better. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair trout bite. Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Home.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good to excellent trout bite. Power Bait (in all colors) and nightcrawlers are the most successful baits. Trout are planted twice a month with double loads. Plant this week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. The lake will be open New Year’s Eve and day. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Few reports in spite of much better weather this past week. There has been a fair to good trout bite, and a DFG plant was slated for this week. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Very good trout action with a lot of Lightning Trout over the past week. The fish are mostly in the one to three-pound range, but a lot of trout from four to six pounds were in the mix. Tyler Mahoney, Garden Grove, had five trout that weighed 19 pounds total, including a seven-pounder. Rod Kerfoot, Garden Grove, landed a 6-4 as part of his catch, while Jason and Pops Clark, Duarte, had a 5-12 to top off their 12-fish, 25-pound catch. Kevin Cohn, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a five-pound rainbow, while Ron Grass, Anaheim, landed a limit that weighed 15-8 and including a 4-8 trout. The best action over the past week has been on floating dough baits, especially Eagle Claw’s Nitro Bait in the chartreuse or yellow. Hot spots have been the Bubble Hole, the sandy beach, and Chris’ Pond. Trout plants are weekly. Information: 714-632-7830 or log on at fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
IRVINE LAKE: Nightcrawlers are the name of the game here. Fish to 10 pounds or better have been pulled out on half or whole crawlers. Combining one into a Power mouse combo can also do the trick. Trollers have reported some action on firetiger Rapalas. The west shore, Trout Island and near the docks are the hot spots for the good to excellent trout bite. A pair of 11-6 rainbows topped this week’s action. Kirk Way, Huntington Beach, and Kevin Ames, Brea, were the lucky anglers who landed these top fish. Marty Saucedo, Costa Mesa, landed an eight-pound rainbow at the flats. Denise Osiecki, Lake Forest, landed a 3-14 brown trout. Only a few of the steelhead from last week’s stocking were caught, along with some brook and brown trout. A few crappie are starting to show and some 3/4-pounders have been caught in the shallow weedy areas on white mini jigs tipped with a mealworm. A few bluegill over a pound are also showing. Fair largemouth action with fish in the three-pound class biting in 30 feet along the west shore points on drop-shot rigged plastics and jigs. Catfish from two to four pounds are showing up where the creeks run into the lake on nightcrawlers or mackerel. The flats road is open, but is subject to closure due to muddy conditions. Call ahead for up-to-the-minute road conditions. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Another 2,000 pounds of Emerald trout and 1,000 pounds of trophy rainbows to six pounds went in this week. The overall bite is good to excellent off shore, at the point, and launch ramp. Longer leaders (12 to 14 inches) have been the ticket. Top baits are pink and yellow Power Bait, mini jigs, lures, and inflated nightcrawlers dipped in scent. Dave “Tiny” Pearson, Garden Grove, pulled out a 12.5-pound trout on a Lip RipperZ jig at the launch ramp. Joseph Canale, Orange, pulled out an 11.4-pounder, as did Phil Hildebrandt, Anaheim. Tyler Lehto, Huntington Beach, caught nine and 11-pounders. Jamie Murphy, Aliso Viejo, caught a10.5-pounder while Omar Sanchez, Laguna Niguel, caught a 10-pounder. 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: DFG trout plant last week. With decent action on trout to two pounds for trollers using Rapalas, Needlefish or Kastmasters. Bait anglers are fishing Power Bait, nightcrawlers or plastic worms. Catfish bite fair in the narrows on mackerel or nightcrawlers with most fish from three to 10 pounds. Crappie and redear bite fair in 30 feet on nightcrawlers or small jigs. Bass bite slow to fair, some fish reported from deep water by trout anglers. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: The bass bite has continued to perk along and a pair of nine pounders and an eight-pounder were pulled out by Rod Thigpin, Santa Paula. Overall, bass are fair to good in the shallows, five to 10 feet, on crankbaits or swimbaits. A few catfish still making the reports, although things have been pretty slow. David Regan, Oxnard, pulled out a 12-pound catfish. Some very good crappie reports, including a few two and three pounders from Shaun Flaherty, Ventura, on mini jigs. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 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: Weather and light pressure kept the striper action fair. Anglers fishing swimbaits or topwater plastics had the most luck. Larger fish over 10 pounds have been reported in 60 to 100 feet, especially in the late mornings and early afternoon hours, although the average have been from four to seven pounds. Top striper was a 21-4 caught by Mike Taylor, Tujunga. Largemouth bass action improved over last week with a number of fish to four pounds reported on plastics or nightcrawlers off the west ramp and in the fish arm. Michael Chambers, Minnesota, pulled out a nine-pound stringer with his top fish a four-pounder. Jason Styles, Granada Hills, caught a two-pound largemouth while Kent Scraper, Saugus, pulled out a 1-5. DFG trout plant last week but not too much action reported. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Top baits include Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any type of trout worm. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. Slowish bass action, but some are still reporting a few fish to two pounds on plastic worms. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: Fair trout bite on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. No plants in two months. Action fair for stripers to five pounds on anchovies or nightcrawler. Shad-like swimbaits, spinnerbaits and cranks are also good producers. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers. Largemouth and smallmouth bites fair on plastic worms, lures or swimbaits. Some catfish reported in the channels on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant last week. Good bite for trout on nightcrawlers. Crappie, bass and bluegill bites fair. Nightcrawlers producing for the bass with mini jigs working best for crappie and bluegill. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant last week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant one month ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Fair trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Closed for the season. The lake will reopen in May. Fees to fish here have gone up, making it $20 per angler and $46 for motor rentals. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: Great improvement in the bass bite. The 211 anglers checked reported 138 bass, 10 crappie and 10 channel catfish. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on the weekends only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: Bass bite slowed, although fair to good action still reported. This week 129 anglers checked reported 195 bass, 26 crappie and three channel catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: Good bass bite. This week 400 anglers reported 395 bass to 12.05 pounds, 73 crappie to 2.05 pounds, six bluegill and five channel catfish to 15 pounds. Jhon Phongsavan, San Diego, caught a 15-pound channel catfish, the top fish of the week, on mackerel from Harvey Arm. Gary Smith, Compton, pulled out a 9.80-pound channel cat. Daniel Espinoza, El Cajon, landed a 12.05-pound largemouth, the top bass in some time. Josh Jones, Spring Valley, caught a 6.70-pound largemouth. The weekend’s ABA tournament produced some good bass, too. Cameron Smith and Chuck LaVigne were the first place team with an 18.98-pound limit, while Art Berry and George Pernicano took second with a 16.22-pound limit and a 9.22-pound top fish. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
UPPER OTAY: Very good bass bite for walk-in anglers. This week 10 anglers pulled out 29 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: This week 62 anglers reported seven bass and two rainbow trout. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MIRAMAR: Last week’s city plant improved the rainbow trout action. This past week the 141 anglers checked reported 143 rainbow trout, 11 bass and two channel catfish. The water level will drop this week. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: Currently closed, but will reopen for fishing and boating on Saturday, March 7. The lake will then be open on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Very good trout bite on nightcrawlers in Willow Cove. Ron Bloom, Escondido, caught a five-pound trout in Willow Cove on a nightcrawler while Rex Blackmon, Escondido, pulled out 3-8 and 3-13. Channel Catfish have been hitting cut mackerel, shrimp, chicken liver, and night crawlers near the South Shore Rock Pile, in Oakvale Cove, and Willow Cove. Some bass have begun to stir and fish to eight pounds have been caught occasionally in the usual rocky outcroppings. Crappie also showing in a fair to good bite for the first time in awhile. Jerry Harris, Riverside, caught a 1-10 crappie in Boat Dock Cove. Fees at the lake have increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5. Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, half motorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50. There is a temporary ban on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: The lake received a 1,500-pound plant last week with two upcoming plants set for March 4 and 18. Good trout action with fish from two to four pounds reported in Whiskey Bay and Trout Cove. Hot baits are rainbow Power Bait, small green crappie jigs, Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants. Evan Burchell, Escondido, caught a 5-8 rainbow. Bass action is slow but will improve as water temps increase slightly and fish start moving into the shallows. Catfish action was surprisingly slow with the recent storms. Story weather usually turns the bite on in the Jack Creek area. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. A daily permit is required for entry. The Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Fees have increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5. Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, half motorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Anther week of large trout. Over 15 from seven to 11 pounds have been weighed in the past two weeks. The best bet is slow trolling or picking a spot along the back shore of the lake with nightcrawlers. A plant of 1,500 pounds went in last week with another one set for March 11. Best shoreline spot is across the lake in Bucktail Bay near the Restroom Landing. Most consistent lures are Kastmasters and Rapalas. Fair to good bass action on plastics or nightcrawlers. The catfish bite is good with the Log Boom being the best area to catch one. The bluegill bite is slow. During the month of February the gates to Lake Poway will open at 6 a.m. There is fishing and boating on Wednesdays through Sundays. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Bass and trout action are both on the rise this week. Good bite for trout in Cactus Patch and Half Moon Cove on inflated nightcrawlers. Another 1,000-pound load of Mt. Lassens will go in this week. Bass bite best on jigs and creature baits off the points. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. hosting by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: Good to excellent trout bite with lots of limits reported with bigger fish. Best bite is on Power Bait or nightcrawlers with fish reported near the dam. Louis Bertussi, El Cajon, caught the top fish of the week a 12-8 rainbow, only four ounces below the current lake record. Judy Bossard, Jacumba, pulled out a 7-10 rainbow. David Waters, San Diego, also had a 7-10 trout. Very few bass reports. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 6 a.m. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Trout remain the talk here with good action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the best bite at the Lone Pine. DFG trout plant three weeks ago and a plant from Jess Ranch went in week before last. Upcoming events: Supervising ranger Willard Lepley offers a free fishing class every Saturday at 10 a.m. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or Lake Cuyamaca Home Page.
HENSHAW: Light pressure but the crappie action is still giving anglers something to talk about. Some catfish action reported. Donald Holt, San Diego, caught four cats with a six-pounder topping his catch. Open daily 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motor boats are available for rent daily depending on the weather. Large amount of shoreline access and a 150-foot Fishing Float puts anglers in some good areas holding fish. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Trout bite fair to good from Hemmingway to Boulder Bay. Trout plant week before last. A few stripers were caught near Boulder Bay up to 15 pounds. The stripers are also chasing the shad in Gypsum Wash. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. No largemouth reports.
WILLOW BEACH: Stripers still showing in decent numbers at Mile marker 55 and 48 on A.C. Plugs or anchovies. Allan Cole, Boulder City, caught a 16-pound striper on an A.C. Plug. Trout plants resumed with stockings every Friday. The rainbow action is fair to good on nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Good trout action with easy limits still common. The bite is best for those fishing Power Bait, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers, especially in the mornings. Shore anglers have been catching a few smaller stripers off the south points on cut baits, anchovies or squid. No reports of largemouth bass. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Trout plants are once a month at Davis Camp and Riverside Park. Fair to good action Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Slow striper bite.
NEEDLES: Fair striper action for fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. Most stripers are under two pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Water levels are still low. Take caution when boat launching. Slow bite for most species with only waves of fair action for the catfish or largemouth. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper bite good to excellent on shad or swimbaits, especially in the mornings. The daytime bite is slower with limits produced for those slow-trolling anchovies. Shad continue to school up near Thompson Bay and Havasu Springs, so those are the top areas for the stripers. Smallmouth bass hitting soft plastics, Rat-L-Traps and eight to 12-foot diving crankbaits. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish and flatheads have both been fair with some to 10 pounds or better reported on shrimp, nightcrawlers dipped in stink bait, and mackerel. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Fair bass action in the main river for smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds and bigger reported this week. Flathead bite fair with some fish to 15 pounds reported. Bluegill bite slow to fair in most backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Fairish bass bite, especially for the smallies, on plastic worms. Also improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. Fair flathead action but very light fishing pressure. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fairish catfish bite on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action slow to fair on cranks, spinnerbaits, and plastics. Channel catfish bite fair, and the crappie bite is slow to fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too, but the action is spotty. Information: 928-783-9589 or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to be the best fishing spot with fair to good channel catfish action, and just a fair redear and bluegill bite. Channel catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms. The flatheads have been fair in the main river, mostly on live bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite is back in high gear with good action at the state park headquarter’s jetty. Most of the fish are from six ounces to a pound and hitting nightcrawler pieces fished on the bottom. But there are still very few reports from other areas of the sea with most anglers concentrating on this one spot. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass has been reported. Also some stripers.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: General trout season reopens April 25th, but year-around and special regulation waters are open now. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or Bishop.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River sparked and despite low flows and very cold temps some found luck fishing large pools and deeper runs. Flows are expected to continue rising, with a better bite each week. Midge emerger patterns are the top bait, but some bigger fish are showing on streamers. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open to year-around fishing. Improved action in the upper Owens with some of the bigger rainbows stacked up in the bigger pools. Flows at Hot Creek are around 100 cfs, and this bite is good with blue-wing olive mayfly hatches some days, but the midge hatches are consistent. For fishing info, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or Performance Anglers Fly Fishing Guide Service and Outfitters Mammoth Lakes, CA.
BISHOP AREA: Only Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the Owens River gorge, and lower Owens River remain open to anglers. Flows on the lower Owens are about 120 cfs and the bite is wide open with a mid-day blue-wing olive hatch for both wild browns and holdover rainbows. Rainbows to 20 inches have been reported by drift-boat anglers stripping Punk Perch patterns, and a couple of honest 100-fish, catch-and-release days were reported. For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Only the lower Owens and Diaz Lake remain open and fishing has been slow at both. No recent plants. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Good trout action at the Auxiliary Dam area on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. No largemouth or crappie reports. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for April 4-6. A number of tagged trout worth big cash will be planted for the event. Applications are available at 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few trout reported. The upper river remains fair on salmon eggs. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or Fly Fishing the Kern River, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Fair striper action for those fishing bloodworms or sand worms. No recent reports of catfish.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic.
RIVER WALK PARK: Fair trout action after plants. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Lots of bluegill are lurking in the water so the early Spring bite should really take off this year. Not too many reports yet, however.
MING LAKE: Fair to good trout bite. DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
BRITE LAKE: No reports. Lake had been closed because of rain, snow, mud. DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good trout bite on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Jason Gabler, Bakersfield, pulled out a nine-pound trout. Fair to good largemouth bass action for those fishing minnows or plastic worms. Polo Cantu, Bakersfield, pulled out a six-pounder. Crappie action fair on minnows. No reports of catfish. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Very good crappie bite with fish from 3/4 to a pound. Crappie jigs and nightcrawlers are best. Striper action also fair to good with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Largemouth bass bite fair around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair to good catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Trout bite perked slightly with good morning and afternoon action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair largemouth bass bite on Brush Hogs, plastics, or crankbaits with most fish from two to three pounds and some smallmouth also showing. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: The bite for spotties remains fair to good on plastics, jigs, and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines with the best bite mornings and evenings. Largemouth and smallmouth action fair on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite, but more have been showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 or Welcome to Lake Nacimiento.
LOPEZ: Trout and largemouth bass bites really turned on. Good largemouth action reported near the dam on white spinnerbaits and nightcrawlers by the dam and in Cottonwood Cove. Ryan Wilson, Arroyo Grande, pulled out a 7-1 largemouth while Matthew and Max, 5 and 10, Santa Maria, teamed up and caught a four-pounder. Very good crappie action, too with fish to two pounds or better reported on crappie jigs. A few anglers brought in fish to 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 pounds. An oddball carp was caught this week. Kyle Roland, Bakersfield, pulled out the 9-8 pounder on nightcrawlers. Redear and bluegill are scarce. 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:
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Lake Cahuilla, Perris Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Glen Helen Regional Park Lake, Yucaipa Regional Park Lake.
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Regional Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Central Park Lake, Mile Square Regional Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Trabuco Creek, Tri-City Park Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
MADERA: Bass Lake, H. V. Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
MARIPOSA: Lake McClure, McSwain Reservoir.
MERCED: Los Banos Reservoir, Merced River from McSwain Dam To Merced Falls, Yosemite Lake.
TULARE: Kaweah River, Lake Success.
TUOLUMNE: Don Pedro Reservoir, New Melones Lake.