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SOCAL FISH REPORT
January 27, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News ServiceJanuary 27, 2009
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Well, the “fool’s errand” pick from last week was prophetic and the action was excellent on the big Humboldt squid out of San Diego and Oceanside. Seaforth Sportfishing and H&M Landing in San Diego and Helgren’s Landing in Oceanside all continue to make evening trips and anglers on boats out of these landings have been slamming squid. The average this week has been five or more per rod and the big cephalopods have been up into the 50-pound class -- bigger than during the past few weeks. This is staying the top pick. For updates, call Seaforth Sportfishing at 619-224-3383, H&M Landing at 619-222-1144, or Helgren’s Sportfishing at 760-722-2133.
2. The number two pick is staying the same, although it didn’t pan out for last week. Diamond Valley Lake’s striped bass sputtered a little, but the proposed Mt. Lassen Trout Plant last week was postponed to this week. But the news gets even better. DFG trout are slated to go in this week, too. If anything will turn on the striper action a double trout plant will do it. It’s still wise to call ahead to make sure the plants go in, but with a full moon, better weather, and trout, this could be amazing. For that update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410.
3. Road trip? The Innagural Buena Vista Lakes Two-Day Trout Derby will be held this Saturday and Sunday on Lake Evans, and a couple of bonus plants are going in for the event, including big fish. There are no additional fees to fish the derby (only the usual park entrance and fishing fee), and the big trout is worth $500 and there are a bunch of other prizes. Fishing should be excellent. For more information, call Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield at 661-833-8657. If there’s a drawback to this pick, it might be the weather. The southern San Joaquin Valley has been socked in with that bone-chilling fog the last couple of days.
2. The number two pick is staying the same, although it didn’t pan out for last week. Diamond Valley Lake’s striped bass sputtered a little, but the proposed Mt. Lassen Trout Plant last week was postponed to this week. But the news gets even better. DFG trout are slated to go in this week, too. If anything will turn on the striper action a double trout plant will do it. It’s still wise to call ahead to make sure the plants go in, but with a full moon, better weather, and trout, this could be amazing. For that update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410.
3. Road trip? The Innagural Buena Vista Lakes Two-Day Trout Derby will be held this Saturday and Sunday on Lake Evans, and a couple of bonus plants are going in for the event, including big fish. There are no additional fees to fish the derby (only the usual park entrance and fishing fee), and the big trout is worth $500 and there are a bunch of other prizes. Fishing should be excellent. For more information, call Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield at 661-833-8657. If there’s a drawback to this pick, it might be the weather. The southern San Joaquin Valley has been socked in with that bone-chilling fog the last couple of days.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open, and all the lakes are cranking out nice stringers of fish. Hesperia Lake is getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week now and cranked out trout to 10 pounds this week. Irvine Lake has been fair because of the rain, but it was open this week. Corona Lake’s water level rocketed up and it is now flowing over the dam, but the trout bite is still good. Santa Ana River Lakes was also off-color up but it had two plants last week (when no one was there) and another plant this week. All of the San Bernardino County Park Lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, Yucaipa, and Mojave Narrows -- also remain good in spite of the rains with a few nice fish over five pounds showing. In San Diego County, Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, and Dixon all remain top picks with regular plants, but Cuyamaca is perhaps the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are just spotty right now, with really just one big exception -- Diamond Valley Lake continues pretty good but with very light fishing pressure. There are a few quality fish showing at lakes where trout are being planted, with Casitas the best of those in a distant second place behind DVL. Smallmouth bass remain fair with flurries of good action in the lower Colorado River from Parker to Palo Verde. And there’s almost no fishing pressure.
STRIPED BASS: The Diamond Valley bite remains a top bet with fish to 14 1/2 pounds this past week. Skinner remains slow thanks to weather, while Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood all had light fishing pressure and are harder to gauge. Castaic saw some pretty decent action over the weekend. Before the storms, all three were fair with lots of two to five pounders showing at Pyramid. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off.
PANFISH: The bluegill have all but died everywhere, but one decent redear bite is lingering for diligent panfish anglers. That bite is Lake Perris with the action in deep water on nightcrawler pieces or jigs tipped with bait in the marina area. Crappie bites are surging a couple of places with others keying up to take off. Top bet for bigger fish are the Buena Vista Lakes (west of Bakersfield). On the Central Coast, Lopez Lake turned on with a number of 25-fish limits posted before the storms, but the fish are all just under a pound. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, and quite a few crappie are showing at El Capitan and Lower Otay in the San Diego region, but both were off in the past week. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
CATFISH: Slow most places, but water flowing into most lakes from the rain has a tendency to turn on the catfish bites. Casitas is a notable spot for this kind of activity in the Santa Ana arm of the lake. Perris, Skinner, and all of the San Diego area lakes can also see their catfish bites perk after rains, but there hasn’t been much evidence of that yet. Catfish could still be our sleeper picks of the week, especially with the full moon this weekend.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are just spotty right now, with really just one big exception -- Diamond Valley Lake continues pretty good but with very light fishing pressure. There are a few quality fish showing at lakes where trout are being planted, with Casitas the best of those in a distant second place behind DVL. Smallmouth bass remain fair with flurries of good action in the lower Colorado River from Parker to Palo Verde. And there’s almost no fishing pressure.
STRIPED BASS: The Diamond Valley bite remains a top bet with fish to 14 1/2 pounds this past week. Skinner remains slow thanks to weather, while Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood all had light fishing pressure and are harder to gauge. Castaic saw some pretty decent action over the weekend. Before the storms, all three were fair with lots of two to five pounders showing at Pyramid. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off.
PANFISH: The bluegill have all but died everywhere, but one decent redear bite is lingering for diligent panfish anglers. That bite is Lake Perris with the action in deep water on nightcrawler pieces or jigs tipped with bait in the marina area. Crappie bites are surging a couple of places with others keying up to take off. Top bet for bigger fish are the Buena Vista Lakes (west of Bakersfield). On the Central Coast, Lopez Lake turned on with a number of 25-fish limits posted before the storms, but the fish are all just under a pound. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, and quite a few crappie are showing at El Capitan and Lower Otay in the San Diego region, but both were off in the past week. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
CATFISH: Slow most places, but water flowing into most lakes from the rain has a tendency to turn on the catfish bites. Casitas is a notable spot for this kind of activity in the Santa Ana arm of the lake. Perris, Skinner, and all of the San Diego area lakes can also see their catfish bites perk after rains, but there hasn’t been much evidence of that yet. Catfish could still be our sleeper picks of the week, especially with the full moon this weekend.
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. Last DFG plant over a month ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Continued very good trout action. Plants of 2,500 pounds of trout are going in each week this month. Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers have been working best. Michael Quiloz, Barstow, caught a 10-pound trout on Power Bait. Jesse Garcia, Victorville, also hooked into a 10-pound trout on Lip RipperZ. The catfish bite picked up after another plant last week. Mark Jones, Rialto, landed a 15-pound channel cat on a mackerel and mealworm combo. The last sturgeon and wiper plants were in November but a few of each show each week. Tonya Fairburn, Hesperia, caught a 15-pound striper on anchovies. 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. Starting this Monday, 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 trout action with Power Bait, nightcawlers, jigs, and small trout lures all working well. The best action is before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. and the best areas have been the east and west shore of lake three and north and southwest shores of lake two. 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 fair to good. 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 a DFG plant went in last week. Other species mostly slow now with the cold weather. 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 was a DFG plant this week and three weeks ago. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: The trout action has been fair on jigs or chartreuse and rainbow Power Bait, and with the water a little milky, adding scent is really helping get a few fish on the stringer. County trout are planted every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. All other species very slow. The third of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here Saturday, Feb. 6, with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The lake will receive a bonus plant of trophy trout for this event. Other parks hosting derbies are as follows: Mojave Narrows, March 20; and Glen Helen, April 10. All derbies are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good 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 and two weeks ago. Slow other species. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Good trout action with quite a few limits reported in recent days. County plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season, except for the last week in February. DFG trout plants went in this week and two weeks ago. Very slow bite on catfish, bluegill, bass and carp. 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 this week. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Striper action slowed some this past week. The points near the marina and the inlet have been the top spots with swimbaits and big topwater lures working best. Tim Marrifield, Poway, caught three stripers at 14.5 pounds, 8.29 pounds, and 8.23 pounds. Rainbow trout action has remained good. The plant from last week had to be pushed back due to weather, so the lake is slated for a trout plant once again this week. Floating dough baits, inflated nightcrawlers, trout jigs, and small trout plastics have been working best. Best action in the marina cove and off the east dam with two-pound test. The largemouth bass action is just fair. Anglers have had success using swimbaits from the surface down to 15 feet of water and also using bait or jigs in 30-45 feet of water. No catfish reports this past week, but top spots have been near the attenuator and the east dam on mackerel, shrimp, and anchovies. Also no panfish reports. 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: Horrible conditions much of the past week led to very slow overall action, but the few anglers out during the brief decent weather periods found a spotty trout bite in the marina and launch ramp coves and Sail Cove area on inflated nightcrawlers, floating baits, and trout plastics or jigs. Joe Hernandez, Corona, caught one three-pound rainbow off the shoreline near the launch ramp on a trout worm. DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. A few redear also continue to be caught in the marina. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, caught four redear to a pound on red worms. The bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish bites have all been very slow. Also few reports of carp, but some fish are still showing at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area. The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striped bass bite has continued very slow this past week, but the trout action has been pretty fair and the DFG was slated to plant again this week. Ramp No. 2 has remained the top spot for the rainbows, although some are coming from the east end. Arturo Mendoza, San Jacinto, caught a limit of five trout up to 1-8 fishing Power Bait at Ramp No. 2. Joan Goodwin, Riverside, caught a six-pound holdover rainbow on a nightcrawler in the east end. A few largemouth bass have also come from the east end, mostly on dark plastics, and a handful of catfish were reported at the dam on chicken liver. Other species are 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: The lake has come up 12 vertical feet and water has been pouring over the top of the dam since last Friday thanks to heavy rains, but this hasn’t slowed the trout action much, with five-fish limits common. Heavily scented dough baits and inflated nightcrawlers or flashy, bright lures are the best baits. The fish are staying close to the bottom so short leaders are recommended. The big fish this past week and the leader in the big fish event ongoing through Feb. 28 was a 19-pound, 10-ounce rainbow caught by Adrian Pintor, North Hollywood, while fishing nightcrawler. The winner of this derby will get an Alaskan fishing trip worth $6,000. Other good catches this past week included a 10-fish, 27 1/2-pound catch made by Adrian Pintor and fishing buddy Frank Duarte, also North Hollywood, a few days before Pintor caught his huge trout. Isreal Ruiz, Corona, caught a 6 1/4-pounder, while Vince Gallardo, Pomona, caught five trout that weighed 13 pounds total, including a 5 1/2-pounder. Information: 951-277-4489 or default b.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Other species slow.
RANCHO JURUPA: DFG trout plants last week and two weeks ago, and a county plant also 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. 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: Light fishing pressure but pretty good action in spite of rain and off-color water. The lake got a double plant of trout last week and another stock this week. Most of the trout are in the one to two-pound range, but a lot of stringers have four to six-pound rainbows. The top fish this past week was a 7 1/2-pound rainbow landed by Abel Navarro, Los Angeles, while fishing with chartreuse Eagle Claw dough at La Palma Point. He also had a six-pounder on his stringer. Dan Rochin, Fullerton, caught a 6 1/2-pound rainbow. Kory Allen, Garden Grove, had a five-trout stringer that weighed in at 11 1/4 pounds fishing a green Eagle Claw Worm in Chris Pond, while Bill Moldenhaver, Laguna Niguel, and Kaitlin Crom, Costa Mesa, had seven rainbows that weighed 11 3/4 pounds on orange dough. The trick to catching trout here is to keep the bait -- a dough bait or inflated nightcrawler, either lathered up in scent regularly -- on a short, six to eight-inch leader so the bait is close to the bottom. 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 has been just fair due to the weather conditions. Anglers fishing with bright-colored baits with scent have had the best results. John Gillabert, Santa Ana, caught a 13-6 rainbow trout on a Rapala fishing mid-lake. Al Rotta, Lomita, got a 13-pound rainbow trout on Power Bait at the west shore. A plant of 2,000 pounds of hybrid stripers set for this week. These are one to two-pound fish, and like all bass in Irvine, they will be catch-and-release only. One angler also landed a big carp this past week. Jose Garcia, Hawthorne, landed a 20-1 carp on Power Bait at the west shore. 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: Slow to fair trout bite and this week's trout plant was cancelled due to weather. Top spots have been the mouth of the creek inlet, the launch ramp, and Three Pipes. Inflated nightcrawlers or bright colored Power Bait with scent have been working best. Due to the muddy conditions along the shoreline, a $10 discount is being offered on all-day boat rentals. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or Laguna Niguel Lake.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: The lake was closed the majority of last week due to the rain. The lake is now open. The water level has risen 7.5 feet since January 17, and there was a DFG trout plant this week. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks Department Home. The marina is closed and boat rentals have ceased, effective in mid-October. The marina isn’t expected to be reopening in the near future, but the boat launch is still open. For fishing information updates, anglers should now call the general store at 805-688-5246.
CASITAS: Still light fishing pressure but a few catfish are showing in the Santa Ana River arm where the most flow is entering the lake. While there have been few reports back to the marina, the inflow usually triggers a pretty good bite on bigger catfish to 20 pounds and better on mackerel chunks or other cut baits. There was a DFG trout plant scheduled for this week. Fair action on small spinners or floating baits. The largemouth bass bite has been fair on two to four pounders in 15 to 35 feet of water on plastics, jigs, and ice jigs. Crappie and redear slow. Private boats are allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The weather has improved the striper bite this past week with many fish in the one to six-pound-range showing. The forebay buoy line and Sharron's Rest were the top spots. Matt Fullove, Castaic, landed 11-pound and 10-pound stripers using nightcrawlers and anchovies in the Elizabeth Arm. The largemouth bite is fair on natural colored plastics fished in Fish Arm along the points or in the backs of the coves. Nathan Paricosa, San Juan Capistrano, caught a 9.6-pound largemouth on a Roboworm at the lower lagoon. The trout action has been fair to good, mostly on small spinners or floating baits. The lagoon has remained a good bet with largemouth and trout showing in fair numbers. Information: 661-775-6232 or Castaic Lake | Home.
PIRU: Light fishing pressure this past week, but there has been fair trout action after last week’s DFG trout plant at the marina. The best action has been on floating baits and small lures and jigs. The largemouth bass action is slow on jigging spoons and ice jigs in 30 to 50 feet of water. A few crappie continue to show on small jigs, and bluegill and redear are very slow on nightcrawlers and red worms. Catfish very slow. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or Lake Piru Recreation Area.
PYRAMID: Few reports again this week, but a few stripers are showing. Most of the fish are two to five pounds and they were showing on swim baits and cut baits. The bigger fish are best in the marina with the smaller fish in the main channel. The trout action perked after the DFG plant this week with Power Bait, small trout jigs, or plastics best. The largemouth and smallmouth bass, redear, and catfish are all mostly slow. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Fair trout action after DFG plants two and four weeks ago. Best action on floating baits. Slow to fair action on largemouth bass on plastics in deeper water. Slow other species. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Fair action on floating baits, trout plastics, and trout jigs. The catfish, bluegill, and largemouth action all very slow. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two and four weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: The lake is closed for the season. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: The 130 anglers checked reported catching 180 bass, 14 crappie, seven bluegill, and three catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: The 139 anglers checked reported catching 172 bass to 8.59 pounds, five bluegill to 1.3 pounds, four crappie to 1.8 pounds, and one 12.3-pound channel catfish. 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 four anglers who reported catching six bass to 4.3 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is open. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: No report, but there was a trout plant Jan. 21. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MIRAMAR: There were 110 anglers who caught 93 trout, four catfish, and two bluegill. Last plant was Jan. 19 (3,000 pounds) and the next plant will be Feb. 1. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are not available during October and November. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: Closed. It will reopen 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 has slowed with the heavy rains creating murky water conditions. Inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been working best. 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 new bass boat-type rentals available. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boating ban. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent DFG plants.
DIXON LAKE: Fair to good trout action. Whiskey Bay and Pier No. 3 have been the top spots. Several trout over five pounds were reported once again this week. Bass action is mostly slow with a few fish showing in Trout Cove. Some catfish are also showing. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Good trout action this past week despite light fishing pressure due to the rains. Many limits were taken and the top spots were the east shoreline, near the fishing pier, and mid-lake. The catfish action was very good with Boulder Bay the top spot. Nick Kayser, Poway, landed a nine-pound blue catfish on mackerel at the Log Boom. Bluegill action slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The weather slowed the trout and bass action some, but the catfish bite picked up. The trout bite is still fair to good. The lake will receive trout plants each week for the duration of trout season. Cactus Patch, Half Moon Cove, and Sentry Point have been the top spots for trout, with inflated nightcrawlers and salmon peach Power Bait top baits. Jake Alarez, 9, and John Visser, both of Lemon Grove, caught 10 trout and 10 catfish. They landed the trout on Power Bait at Sentry Point and the catfish on chicken livers at the buoy line. Catfish are still showing on chicken livers, mackerel, and nightcrawlers at the dam buoy line and Hermit Cove buoy line in very deep water. The bass bite is slow with the best action on crawdads at the quarry. 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: No report. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Excellent trout action for anglers braving the elements. Many anglers have been reporting getting limits in under an hour of fishing. Other species are mostly slow. The lake is now closed on Wednesdays and does not open until 10 a.m. on Sundays for fishing, this schedule will continue through January until waterfowl season closes. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or Lake Cuyamaca Home Page.
HENSHAW: 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 has picked back up and weekly plants continue. 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 seven to 15 pounders on A.C. Plugs or similar lures. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Slow to fair striper action in the southern portion of the lake, especially in the coves around the power lines and at the dam with most of the fish under three pounds. Anchovies and sardines in 15 to 45 feet of water. Bass and bluegill very spotty. Catfish are slow on cut baits. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: The trout bite continues to be the only highlight here with overall good action and the monthly plant at Davis Camp and the Sportsman’s Access went in last week with 4,000 fish averaging 12 inches planted. The bite has been best from the casinos all the way down to Rotary Park. Information: Riveria 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: The crappie action has continued to be just spotty but it is hanging on with an occasional good stringer reported. The best action is still at north dike and Five Mile Landing on minnows and Roadrunner jigs. A few catfish are showing from the marsh but that is slow. Smallmouth bass are slow to fair in the main river on small cranks and drop-shotted plastics with a lot of one-pound fish. Very slow action on stripers and catfish in river. Topoc Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: Park Moabi at 760-326-3831 or Phil’s Western Trader at 928-768-4954.
HAVASU: Weather this week has kept the bite very slow overall. Some spotty action for stripers on shad-like baits early in the morning or after dark, and the action is mostly around the island. The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is very slow with only occasional fish showing on slow-fall plastics, vertical jigging, or live shad. Channel catfish and flatheads very slow. 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: Slowish overall action all along the lower river. A few catfish continue to show from the canals and main river, but the bite is tough. The highlight is that the smallmouth bite in the main river along the rip-rap is still slow to fair with little fishing pressure this week. Largemouth and bluegill are mostly slow, and no striper reports this week. A few bluegill can be caught on warm afternoon from backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Very light fishing pressure. The catfish action has been slow to fair with very few anglers fishing and even fewer reports. Bluegill are also tough, but still some a few showing from deeper holes in the main backwater. The largemouth are slow, but the smallmouth action is still fair, but there’s no pressure right now. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: Slow largemouth bass action with a few fish on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. The channel catfish action is fair on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is very slow on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Overall slow fishing. Largemouth bass action slow to fair on plastics and live bait. Channel catfish and flatheads are both slow. Few crappie, but the bluegill are still fair with some flurries of good action early in the afternoons. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is 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 very slow this week thanks to weather chilling the water even more. Little pressure at either the state park and Yacht Club jetty this week and very few fish reported. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: General trout season 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 has been all but impossible this week thanks to heavy snow. 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 was an Alpers’ trout plant recently that produced some quality fish. 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 this 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
LAKE ISABELLA: Little fishing pressure this week with the weather, but the catfish bite has continued fair to good at the Engineer Point and French Gulch areas on frozen shad with fish to six or seven pounds showing in this bite. A few quality largemouth bass continue to be caught on jigs fished in deep water around structure, and there is a fair trout bite at the auxiliary dam on floating baits. Other species are slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Generally dismal trout fishing in the whole upper Kern River. The few fish caught this past week were on small, deeply fished nymphs or salmon eggs. The Wild Trout stretch is even slower with the cold water conditions. The lower river is slow, too, with only a few small smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. 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 slow to fair with a lot of keeper fish over the 18-inch minimum size. The best action has been on blood worms, but more and more lure fish are being caught on shad-like crankbaits or Gitzit-sytle lures the best bets. Also still a few catfish showing. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Best action on Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are very slow.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Action finally improving a little on the trout. Other species very slow.
RIVER WALK PARK: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Few reports with rain and now fog. Before the spate of bad weather, the hot ticket had been to fish tiny mini jigs or Trout Traps just 12-inches under a rattling bobber. The rainbows were also showing garlic Power Bait, chunky cheese Gulp!, and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Fly anglers fishing midges are also having very good success. Bass and bluegill very slow.
MING LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Fair to good action on Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are slow.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant a month ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout action continues pretty good with quality fish a part of many stringers. The trout are best on garlic Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. The Innagural Two-Day Trout Derby will be held this Saturday and Sunday on Lake Evans. Only fees are usual park entrance and fishing fees, and the top prize for the biggest trout is $500 with $200 for the smallest rainbow. In the 15-and-under category, the biggest trout is worth $100 and the smallest worth $25. Also many other prizes. The winter crappie bite is also still pretty 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: DFG trout plant a month ago. Slowish action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Other species mostly slow with a few bass still showing in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Mostly slow action on other species with only a few bass and the odd redear showing. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Very few reports. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action with 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 with the wet weather. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Very light fishing pressure with storms this week, but the bite was pretty good on crappie with some anglers posting 25-fish limit of 3/4-pound fish fishing jigs 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.
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Wilderness Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, La Mirada Lake, Lake in Hollenbeck Park, Legg Lake, Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE: Centennial Regional Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Regional Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Tri-City Park Lake, Yorba Regional Park Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Lake Cachuma.
VENTURA: Casitas.
INYO: Lower Owen River from Stewart Lane to Laws, Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
RIVERSIDE: Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Cahuilla, Perris Reservoir, Skinner Reservoir.
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park Lake, El Prado Regional Park Lake, Glen Helen Regional Park Lakes, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Regional Park Lake.
KERN: Hart Park Lake, Lake Truxton, Ming Lake, The Park at River Walk lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, King 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.
