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SOCAL FISH REPORT
June 3, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
June 3, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Diamond Valley Lake moves into the No. 1 spot this week thanks to the excellent largemouth bass bite. The cloudy weather has had the fish all over the surface on topwater baits and then continuing to hammer plastics and other baits when going deeper once the sun comes out. Many anglers have had 30-plus fish days and fish to seven pounds were reported this past week. If the bass don’t cooperate, the catfish and bluegill bites are also pretty much wide open. For an update on this action, check with the marina staff at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
2. A coming full moon means catfish, and the flathead catfish action on the lower Colorado River this weekend should be excellent. Even during the between moon phase this past week, there have been some very good catches from the canals and main river below Havasu. Most of the canals and backwaters have lots of small bluegill, so bait is easy to come by for night fishing. You can also use goldfish. For an update on this bite check with B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248 or Walter’s Camp at 760-854-3322.
3. The bass and bluegill action has been quietly good at Lower Otay Reservoir in San Diego County. Some of the bluegill have been in the two-pound class and the top bass this past week was a near-11-pounder. Taken on a jerkbait. This bite has really kicked into gear. This lake is only open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. For more information, call 619-465-3474 or to make a boat reservation, call 619-668-3274.
2. A coming full moon means catfish, and the flathead catfish action on the lower Colorado River this weekend should be excellent. Even during the between moon phase this past week, there have been some very good catches from the canals and main river below Havasu. Most of the canals and backwaters have lots of small bluegill, so bait is easy to come by for night fishing. You can also use goldfish. For an update on this bite check with B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248 or Walter’s Camp at 760-854-3322.
3. The bass and bluegill action has been quietly good at Lower Otay Reservoir in San Diego County. Some of the bluegill have been in the two-pound class and the top bass this past week was a near-11-pounder. Taken on a jerkbait. This bite has really kicked into gear. This lake is only open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. For more information, call 619-465-3474 or to make a boat reservation, call 619-668-3274.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Trout season is all but gone at the urban lakes, but the local mountain waters are starting to turn on with good action at Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, and Lake Hemet. In the Sierra, a lot of places are just fair, but there continues to be an excellent bite at Kirman Lake, the East Walker River, South Lake, and Bishop Creek. In the High Desert, Jess Ranch is still a good bet.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are in a post-spawn lull many places, but there are still some excellent bites. Top picks are Diamond Valley and Casitas. Casitas lulled a little, but still good. DVL is awesome with just about anything you throw. Both are producing great average-sized fish, perhaps in the three to four-pound range. Other good bets including Santa Margarita on the Central Coast, Castaic, Piru, and Skinner. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 3,600 bass reported, and Sutherland, Wohlford, El Capitan, Hodges, and both Upper and Lower Otay are all worth fishing. On the lower Colorado River, the smallmouth bass bite from Parker downstream is very good in the main river, and the largemouth bite is pretty darn good all in the backwaters and in Lake Havasu.
STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of the Southern California striper spots with Pyramid, Skinner, Silverwood, and Castaic all cranking out fish, mostly on anchovies. The California aqueduct near Taft is also excellent (and anglers are reminded there is an 18-inch mimimum size here). On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are one to three, and they are now in a deep water bite. Havasu also has a fair to good deep-water bite. Willow Beach lulled again. Near Blythe, the action is still fair to good at the diversion dam above town with fish over eight pounds again this week.
PANFISH: The Lake Isabella crappie bite is still going and 25-fish limits are still likely, but the bite is fading and the fish are getting smaller. Casitas remains good for bigger crappie to three pounds, but this is a live shad-only bite around the marina and it’s slowed over last week. Elsinore continue to slow, but Henshaw came back on, producing crappie to 1 1/2 pounds this past week. The bluegill and redear bites are wide open just about everywhere this week. Diamond Valley and Lake Perris are hot. But just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank. Take the kids bluegill fishing this weekend. Also the tilapia bite at the Salton Sea just won’t go away. Still good to excellent action. Tilapia are also being planted each week now at Corona Lake.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the flathead and channel catfish bite has been getting better each day for a month, with maybe a slight lull this weekend on the Colorado River thanks to the moon phase. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is hot for the big flatheads, and the channels are showing from Mead to Mexico. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is getting double loads of catfish plants each week), Jean’s Channel Cats, along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting two plants each week now. Urban water Elizabeth Lake has a good bullhead bite.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are in a post-spawn lull many places, but there are still some excellent bites. Top picks are Diamond Valley and Casitas. Casitas lulled a little, but still good. DVL is awesome with just about anything you throw. Both are producing great average-sized fish, perhaps in the three to four-pound range. Other good bets including Santa Margarita on the Central Coast, Castaic, Piru, and Skinner. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 3,600 bass reported, and Sutherland, Wohlford, El Capitan, Hodges, and both Upper and Lower Otay are all worth fishing. On the lower Colorado River, the smallmouth bass bite from Parker downstream is very good in the main river, and the largemouth bite is pretty darn good all in the backwaters and in Lake Havasu.
STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of the Southern California striper spots with Pyramid, Skinner, Silverwood, and Castaic all cranking out fish, mostly on anchovies. The California aqueduct near Taft is also excellent (and anglers are reminded there is an 18-inch mimimum size here). On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are one to three, and they are now in a deep water bite. Havasu also has a fair to good deep-water bite. Willow Beach lulled again. Near Blythe, the action is still fair to good at the diversion dam above town with fish over eight pounds again this week.
PANFISH: The Lake Isabella crappie bite is still going and 25-fish limits are still likely, but the bite is fading and the fish are getting smaller. Casitas remains good for bigger crappie to three pounds, but this is a live shad-only bite around the marina and it’s slowed over last week. Elsinore continue to slow, but Henshaw came back on, producing crappie to 1 1/2 pounds this past week. The bluegill and redear bites are wide open just about everywhere this week. Diamond Valley and Lake Perris are hot. But just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank. Take the kids bluegill fishing this weekend. Also the tilapia bite at the Salton Sea just won’t go away. Still good to excellent action. Tilapia are also being planted each week now at Corona Lake.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the flathead and channel catfish bite has been getting better each day for a month, with maybe a slight lull this weekend on the Colorado River thanks to the moon phase. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is hot for the big flatheads, and the channels are showing from Mead to Mexico. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is getting double loads of catfish plants each week), Jean’s Channel Cats, along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting two plants each week now. Urban water Elizabeth Lake has a good bullhead bite.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: None of the tagged trout in the “Fishin’ for 50K Trout Derby” were caught during the event this past weekend, but there were still 710 entries for the event, and they found generally trout action with the best bite for trollers working deeper water or still fishermen fishing 20-plus feet of water. Bass action is fair on spinnerbaits and spoons in the shallows, with quite a few smallmouth reported this past week. Crappie are starting to show in the east end. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or Big Bear Boat Rentals Fishing Big Bear Marina.
GREGORY LAKE: Fair to good trout action, with some quality fish report thanks to both DFG and county plants two week ago, and a DFG plant was scheduled for this week. The boat dock and other county facilities opened the end of April. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Very good action with a lot of limits reported here this past week on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, Thomas Buoyant lures, jigs, and Power Worms. Jim Whitten, Westminster, took a 6.8-pound rainbow on lemon lime twist Power Bait. Jimmy Bon, Green Valley Lake, caught the big fish of the week, a 9.6 pound rainbow trout on a pink jig. Plants of 2,000 pounds of Calaveras rainbow trout will go in this week, the week of June 15 and June 29. Each plant will have fish of six pounds and better. There is also a fair catch-and-release bite on largemouth bass. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Good to excellent action with a lot of limits caught early in the morning and late in the eveing. Mackerel, shrimp, inflated nightcrawlers, the marshmallow-meal worm combo have been the top baits, especially if dipped in Sonny’s Catfish Bait. The lake is planted with 2,200 pounds of cats every Thursday and each plant includes some trophy broodstock fish. Top fish this week included a 17-8 blue cat landed by Jim Alston, Pasadena. Kenny Johnson, Barstow, had a 16-12 cat, while Jorge Marcilino, Hesperia, caught a 16-pound blue. Wayne White Norco, landed a 15-8, and Nate Mullinax, Ontario, caught a 15-pounder. A 13-pounder was landed by Shawn Green, Phelan, and Joe Huerta, Fontana, had a 12-8. Arthur Roberts, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a 12-4. Some nice sturgeon continue to be caught each week. Tops this week was a 15-pounder landed by Scott Paloma, Victorville, and a 13-8 was landed by Jay Shirk, Adelanto. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout action was very good this past week with the best bite on Power Bait, especially in colors salmon peach, spring green, and rainbow. Nightcrawlers, and a variety of jigs and lures are also working for trout. Most fish are around two pounds with some bigger. The bass bite is good with anglers reporting success using Senkos or nightcrawlers. Bluegill are biting on mealworms, nightcrawlers, and small jigs with many fish near one pound showing. Catfish are showing on nightcrawlers and mackerel with the average fish weighting around two pounds. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. The lake will also be stocking catfish every Thursday all summer long. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: No report. There were DFG trout plant two and four weeks ago. County catfish plants are weekly now. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: County catfish plants kicked off two weeks ago and will be planted weekly through the summer. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: The county is planting catfish each week and the bite has been very good with a lot of five-fish limits posted over the past week, especially at Lot No. 8 in Basin Two. Natalia Carona, Riverside, had the week’s best cat at 7.6-pounds fishing dough bait and shrimp at the spillway. Ramon Bugarin, Santa Ana, landed a 5-8 cat on shrimp, while Luis Hedrano, Santa Ana, had a four-pounder. Sam Singsay, Santa Ana, had a limit of five cats that went 10-4 total, while Julio Bugarin, Santa Ana, had a limit of fish up to two pounds each. There is a very good bluegill bite, along with a fair bite on the largemouth bass and carp. Luc Drovin, Santa Ana, had a two-pound largemouth on a four-inch worm. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: County catfish plants kicked off two weeks ago and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: County catfish plants kicked off two weeks ago and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. The bite is very good with a lot of anglers getting at least two or three fish. Ruth Perkins, San Bernardino, had three cats to three pounds, while Jesus Navarrete, San Bernardino, also landed three fish with his top cat a two pounder. A few carp showing and some bluegill and bass are also being caught. 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: No DFG plants in over a month. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Cloudy weather this week made for great topwater largemouth bass action, but the fish are showing on plastics and under spins when the sun comes out and they move deeper. Johnny Sanchez, Yucaipa, caught a 19.5-pound limit fishing near restroom 2 with a Super Spook. Bob Stevens, Glendale, had the best report of the week with over 120 released bass. He was fishing with Roboworms along the dams. Trout action has been slow with the fish moving deep. The few reports have the trout along the west dam in 40 feet of water. Catfish have been good to excellent with a lot of limits for both shore and boat anglers fishing cut baits for fish to nine pounds. Raymond Greene, Compton, caught 4.23 and 5.87-pound cats fishing with nightcrawlers. The bluegill action is wide open with a lot of nice stringers reported on jigs and worms, and some quality crappie continue to show. Anel Leuk, Los Angeles, caught a 1.84-pound bluegill fishing with nightcrawlers. Bob Stevens, Glendale, caught a 2.57-pound crappie fishing along one of the dams. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. There is a petition going around to get a launch ramp extension (check with Last Chance B&T). Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Diamond Valley Marina.
PERRIS: The bluegill and redear bite remains wide open with a lot of 1/2 to 1 1/2-pound fish showing. The marina is good, but the bigger fish are showing in eight to 15 feet of water around deeper water structure all around the lake. Crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait are the best bets. The bass bite was also very good this past week with several nice fish reported. Robert Klocki, Mira Loma, caught a 10-pound bass on a jerkbait near Lot 12. Trout are still pretty fair after a DFG plant two weeks ago. Good carp action at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, Rock Climber's Cove area. Bob Gaines, Irvine, landed a 26.5-pound carp fly-fishing with an eight-weight rod and a damsel fly nymph tied by his wife Yvonne. He released the fish, his personal best carp on the fly. A few catfish are also being caught, but mostly by accident by bluegill, bass, and trout anglers. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striped bass action remains good to excellent with lots of smaller fish at the dam and inlet on anchovies. Most of the fish are under four pounds. Jacob Rogers, Los Angeles, caught 10 striper to four pounds on anchovies at the dam. The largemouth bite is good with a lot of fish still whacking dark plastics and nightcrawlers, and there has been some topwater this past week early and late in the day. Carp are fair on dough baits with a lot more fish showing shallow. The catfish bite is fair on mackerel and chicken liver. Some bluegill are showing along the south shore and at the east end. Crappie and trout are slow. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Catfish and carp are the best bet here right now, with pretty good bites on both. There is also a spotty bite on the older age-class wipers with some fish to six pounds being caught. Regular Bill Bray, Elsinore, landed and released five wipers on Saturday and two more on Sunday with fish to five pounds in his catch. There is an 18-inch minimum size on the wipers. Crappie are tough now with only a few being caught. Small bluegill are good. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: The catfish and tilapia action continues to be very good. Catfish action is best on shrimp with garlic Gravy or J.D.’s Mackerel fished on the bottom from a boat around the trees on the southeast side of the lake or along the east side near the dam. Most of the fish are from 1 1/2 to three pounds. Tilapia are best in shoreline areas on half a nightcrawler fished on the bottom on under a bobber. Al Hinton, Los Angeles, caught 15 catfish on shrimp that weighed in at 26 1/2 pounds. Freddy Jarmillo, Los Angeles, had 13 fish that weighed 23 pounds. Biggest catfish reported this week were a pair of 7 1/2 pounders. One was landed by Steven Shores, Riverside, fishing mackerel at the dam, while Daniel Brite and Kellen Fasan, both San Diego, had seven catfish, including fish at 7 1/2 and seven pounds while fishing mackerel at the dam. Sturgeon will be planted for the weekend of June 20-21, and anglers will now be allowed to keep the sturgeon. Catfish are planted twice a week, and tilapia are planted each Tuesday. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: Slow to fair bass action on plastics and small reaction baits. Good bluegill action around shoreline structure, rocks, and tules.
RANCHO JURUPA: Good catfish action after a plant May 21, with another plant scheduled for Thursday this week. Plants are now every other week, and the best bite has been on mackerel. Also the odd bass and carp showing up. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Good catfish action with nightcrawlers working well. Catfish are planted on Thursday every other week. The lake's hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Park, a Hemet California RV Park and Family Campground.
JEAN’S CHANNEL CATS: Excellent catfish action on chicken liver, dough baits, and nightcrawlers. Clay Schutt, Quail Valley, landed a 7 1/2-pound catfish while his sons Corey and Branden landed 13 other catfish. 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: Good trout action after DFG plants two and four weeks ago. Jim and Vivian Grauty, Riverside, each caught a limit of trout on nightcrawlers off the peninsula. The largemouth bass, bluegill, carp, and catfish bites have also started picking up. 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: The catfish bite is hot thanks to plants coming in twice a week. Limits have been common, and the top action this past week has been on shrimp fished at Levitz’ Corner. A seven-pound cat was caught by Eric Apelian, Lakewood, and a 10-fish, 26-pound catch was made by Jonathan Ahumada, Bellflower. Stan and Glenda Corona, Orange, had 14 fish that weighed 24-pounds. All three catches were made on shrimp at Levitz’ Corner. Sturgeon will be planted for the weekend of June 20-21, and anglers will now be allowed to keep the sturgeon. Catfish are planted twice a week. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night. 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: The bass action was excellent again this past week but the average fish size was slightly smaller with most fish in the two to three-pound range. Crankbaits fished along the Santiago Flats was working best this past week. Trout action was fair to good with trollers seeing the best results. Power Bait and the Power Mouse combo continue to be productive as well. The fish are moving deeper with the hot weather and were often found at depths of 20 feet or more by mid-day. Catfish action improved to good with shrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel fished down to 20 feet working best. Crappie action was slow to fair this week with the best bite on white Atomic tubes fished near structure. Good numbers of bluegill are showing for those using meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks. The lake is hosting a "No-Limit" trout event this Saturday and Sunday. The normal five fish limit on trout will be suspended for these two days, and prizes will be awarded for top stringers. The official kick off of catfish season will be June 12 with a plant of 10,000 pounds slated to go in just before the event. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Catfish fair to good for 1-8 to four pounders. Cut baits on the flats have been the hot ticket for the cats. Next plant of 1,000 pounds of cats will be June 15. Bass action has been fair with fish to three pounds showing on crawlers, cranks, dark-colored plastics and topwater baits early and late in the day. Excellent bite on small bluegill all around the lake on meal worms and nightcrawler pieces. Still a few trout showing at the inlet. 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: Trout action remains pretty good for trollers and bait fishermen at the dam working 20 to 30 feet of water. The fish are running up to two pounds, and there was a DFG plant two weeks ago. The bass bite, for both smallmouth and largemouth, has been just fair to good with a lot of fish showing on plastics and topwater. There is still a fair crappie bite in the narrows on small jigs and cranks, but more of the fish are under a pound than over now. The bluegill and redear bites are both pretty good. Catfish are also starting to show in the narrows on cut baits. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Continued good largemouth bass action, but the bite was a little slower this past week. While shad are still a top bait, plastics and nightcrawlers were just as productive this week. Brittney Chisam, Camarillo, landed a 10-12 bass, the week’s best, on a spinnerbait. Andre Fredrichsen, Ojai, landed a nine-pounder on a plastic, and Easton Perez, Oakview, had a seven-pounder on the live shad. A few cats are showing, but the bite is not hot yet. Bob Blocker, Ventura, caught a 17-8 cat on mackerel. Still a fair redear bite with the best bite off the Sunken Island and in Station Canyon on half nightcrawlers or red worms. Still a few big crappie showing on the live shad around the marina, but that bite also has been tougher. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Small schoolie-sized striper from one to four pounds continue to be caught along the buoy line and Ski Arm. Some bigger striper have been reported near the shore lines in fish arm. The largemouth action is good to excellent with plastics, nightcrawlers, and Senkos all working well. The catfish bite picked up this past week and many fish in the two to three-pound range are showing on mackerel, shad, and nightcrawlers. Trout were planted last week and two weeks ago, and the lagoon is on the DFG list for this week. The rainbows have been fair to good. Few bluegill or crappie reports, but there's a very good carp bite for anglers targeting them. Several carp in the 15 to 20-pound range have been reported. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Generally fair to good action overall. The crappie bite is still fair on small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles, but there are fewer of the bigger class fish being caught. Lots in the 1/2- to 3/4-pound range. The bluegill and redear are also part of this mix with a pretty good bite on these panfish, along with some fish at 3/4-pound or better. Bass are good on plastics, nightcrawlers, and some on reaction baits, including a budding topwater bite. Most are under two pounds, though. Catfish still spotty. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: Trout were planted Wednesday this week, and this could spur both the trout fishing and the action on bigger stripers. The bite on the smaller stripers has been good with the water flowing sporadically. When water is flowing into the lake, the bite takes off, but it has been fair to good even when the channel isn’t moving. Most of the fish are one to four pounds, with occasional bigger fish, and the best action has been at Yellow Bar and in the channel on drifted baits, mostly anchovies, but some fish are showing on cranks and swimbaits. Good bluegill action with a lot of fish shallow now. Also improving catfish action on cut baits. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout and catfish plants two weeks ago. Just fair action on both, but the bluegill bite is very good to excellent on meal worms, crickets or wax worms fished in four to 15 feet of water. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout and catfish plants two weeks ago. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers, while the cats are best on cut baits. Good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and a DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
ELIZABETH LAKE: The catfish and bullhead are really starting to bite with fair to good action on cut baits with scent fished in eight to 12 feet of water. DFG trout plant last week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this weeks. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plants this week and two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant last week and a DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Excellent bass fishing. This past week there were 194 anglers checked and they reported catching 3,665 bass, 147 bluegill, and four crappie. 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: There were 243 anglers checked and they reported catching 142 bass, 34 bluegill, 72 crappie, and eight catfish this past week. 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: The 131 anglers checked reported catching 106 bass, 57 bluegill, 12 crappie, eight carp, and 10 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 and bluegill action with some other fish showing as well. There were 249 anglers checked who reported catching 320 bass to 10.78 pounds, 513 bluegill to two pounds, and six catfish. Larry Henson, Ramona, caught a 10.78-pound largemouth on a jerkbait fishing the Harvey Arm. 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: Good bass action for walk-in anglers. The 10 anglers checked reported landing 24 bass to 3.15 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: Slow to fair bass action, but the panfish bite is starting to heat up. The 146 anglers checked reported catching 50 bass, 114 bluegill, 11 trout, and one catfish. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MIRAMAR: Mostly slow action with a spotty pick on rainbow trout, and some bass and bluegill showing. There were 81 anglers checked and they reported catching 11 rainbow trout, 25 bass, and 40 bluegill. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: No creel checks are being conducted, but the bite is fair to good for bass and a few cats and panfish are showing. The lake is open on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available. Water level is very low and boat launch is allowed at your own risk. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: The trout bite disappeared with warming water temperatures, but the catfish action is good for smaller fish all around the lake. Mackerel and chicken liver are the top baits and the top spots are the buoy line areas. The bass fishing is good, mostly for smaller males in an early morning bite. Crappie can now be found around submerged willows and are showing on Finger Jigs and small shiners and the fish are averaging better than a pound each. Bluegill are hitting red worms or meal worms in good numbers. Trout are slow with only a few showing in deep water at the mouth of the canal or along the west buoy line. Carp action has been good on dough baits. 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: DFG trout plant four weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: The bluegill bite is fair to good in the shallows with some fish topping a pound. Slow trout action with the last plant of the season four weeks ago. Bass and catfish are both slow to fair. Pier No. 2 has completed construction and is now open. 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 $50. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Fishing for all species was slow again this past week, except for bass which remain fair to good, mostly on smaller fish. Trout action slow. The catfish bite is best at the Log Boom. Some bluegill are showing by the second tank on the Log Boom. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfish action was slow with the best bite around the bird trees and Hermit Cove on nightcrawlers and mackerel, both doused with scent. Catfish will be planted every other week all summer long. Trout action was generally slow but with some success reported at the fishing float and Shadow Cove. Best action has been on inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent and fished in the deep waters. Bass are scattered and post-spawn. Plastics are best with some sporadic topwater action. Upcoming events: Free fishing class on bait fishing for rainbow trout 1 p.m. Sunday hosted by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: No recent reports. Water temperature 68 degrees. Bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish are fair, trout slowing. Price of boats and permits has been reduced Monday through Thursday. Permits are $3.50 and boat rentals just $20 for the whole day. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Continued excellent trout action all over the lake and a DFG plant was slated for this week. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been best with Lone Pine, the north shore, and the dike being the hot spots. Trout were planted last week and two weeks ago. Another trout plant is slated for this week as well. The largemouth bass bite is really starting to turn on as the bass are moving into the shallows on beds and some bigger fish have been reported. Christian Peters, 13, El Cajon, and Josh Esquibel, 9, Jamul, caught a 9-7 bass on a Senko. Joseph Olive, Alpine, caught a four-pound bass at the dock. There is also a good crappie bite for those targeting them. 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: Catfish action has been very good on shrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel. There is also a fair to good crappie bite with some good catches made again this past week. The best bet for crappie has been small jigs with red or white heads. Guy Prouezano, Chula Vista, caught 14 crappie to 1.5 pounds. David Tenney, San Diego, caught six crappie to 1.5 pounds. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Stripers fair to good over much of the lake, with Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam all producing fish on cut anchovies or live shad. Fewer fish on artificials. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is fair off the points.
WILLOW BEACH: A little slow for the stripers, especially the bigger fish, but some three to five pound stripers have shown off the fishing pier on anchovies. Big stripers still in a lull, but could turn on with full moon. Trout action remains good after the Friday plants. Small spinners, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, and floating baits best for the rainbows. A few catfish are starting to show in the bigger pools down river. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Just fair stripers this past week, mostly on fish from two to five pounds. Most of the fish are still showing in deep water from all areas, with the Cottonwood Cove region, Arizona Bay, Katherine's Landing, the Power Lines, and the dam areas all decent spots. Most of the fish are showing in 20-plus feet of water and most of the bite has been on anchovies. A spotty largemouth bass bite. Catfish are improving and the shoreline areas on cut baits. Bluegill are also showing in good numbers in most coves and around structure. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Spotty action right now with only a few stripers showing in this stretch of the river. Tom Gallant, Bullhead City, caught a 12.09-pounder on a anchovy this past week. A few catfish are also being caught on the same baits striper anglers are using. Even though there hasn’t been a trout plant since March, there are still a few rainbows to 15 inches showing, mostly on small spinners and nightcrawlers. Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: Fair striper action downriver, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under three pounds. A few catfish showing. Fair largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: The striped bass bite has been pretty good early in the morning from the I-40 bridge down into Topoc Gorge for anglers drifting anchovies or anchoring up in the bigger pools and fishing the bait. Most of the stripers are small, in the one- to two-pound range. Quite a few catfish to 15 pounds are showing up in this bite, too. Topoc Marsh has been fair for catfish, spotty for largemouth bass, but good for bluegill. River margins and backwaters are also good for the small bluegill. 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: The largemouth bass bite has been fair to good for anglers flipping jigs, tubes, Senkos, or plastics worms along the cattails and tules, and there has been a pretty good topwater bite on frogs or buzz baits early and late in the day. Most of the largemouth are around two pounds. The stripers are scattered and the action is just fair with the best bite in 40 to 50 feet of water south of the island on cut anchovies. Most of the stripers are in the two-pound range, but a few bigger fish continue to show. Some fish are also moving up into the river on the upper end of the lake to spawn. Shad schools are frequently on the surface along shorelines early in the day, and there’s also some topwater and near-surface action at dawn on shad-like surface baits, cranks, or swimbaits. Smallmouth bass are fair to good on the main lake’s rocky points, including an early morning topwater bite. Redear are in full spawn in most coves and the bite very good. Catfish are fair, mostly showing in deep water. Information: Angler’s Pro Shop at 928-854-2277, Black Meadow Landing at 760-663-3811, or Havasu Springs Resort at 928-667-2205.
PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been very good this past week and the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are also very good. Bluegill and redear are both spawning in backwaters and quiet water in the main river and the action is good. Flatheads are also pretty good on goldfish and shiners.
BLYTHE: The catfish and bass action is pretty good in the main river, canals, and backwaters, and the striped bass bite is still fair at the diversion dam north of town with fish to six pounds. The stripers are best early and late in the day or at night on Vaca Jigs or live bluegill, goldfish, or tilapia fished in the white water just below the dam. The flathead action best on live bluegill or goldfish with fish to 20 pounds each week now. Mark Ammerman, Costa Mesa, had four flatheads at 32, 17, 11, and nine pounds, all on bluegill. The area backwaters and ditches have pretty good for largemouths. Scott James, Corona, caught a 10-8 largemouth on mackerel at McIntyre Park, while Joe Adame, Blythe, landed a five-pound bass in the 10th Avenue Canal. The bluegill action is excellent all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The flathead and channel catfish bite is very good with a lot of quality fish being caught, mostly on live goldfish or bluegill in the area backwaters and ditches. The largemouth bass bite slowed a little this past week, but it’s still fair to good in the river backwaters and main river. Pretty Water and Cibola Lake are still both top areas. Smallmouth pretty good in the main river along the rip rap. Spotty action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: Very good largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. Even some topwater action starting. The channel catfish action is good on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is also taking off with some quality fish showing on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action fair to good on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits, with more and more topwater action each week now. Channel catfish and flatheads are both good. The crappie bite has lulled, but the bluegill action is very good in all the backwater lakes and along the tules in the main river. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is fair to good in the main river and river backwaters on minnows and plastics and there’s a morning topwater bite now. Both channel catfish and flathead action is good in the main river with some quality flatheads showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads each week. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to good for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite is still good but off from the blistering pace of the past couple of months. Still not uncommon to have 30-plus fish days all along the east shoreline (the Highway 111 side) from Bombay Beach to Mecca Beach to Salt Creek and up to the state park headquarters fishing jetty, where most of the fishing pressure is concentrated. Still no reports from the other side of the sea. The fish are running from half-pound up to nearly two pounds, but most remain in the 3/4-pound to one-pound range. The action is still on nightcrawler pieces fished on the bottom. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports, but the catfish action has improved in the past two weeks with quite a few fishing showing on nightcrawlers and cut baits. COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports, but the catfish action has improved in the past two weeks with quite a few fishing showing on nightcrawlers and cut baits. A few stripers, largemouth, and bluegill.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: Last No report. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No Report.
LAKE CAHUILLA: No report. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or Bishop, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743.
COLEVILLE-TOPAZ REGION: The West Walker River remains tough because of runoff but fishing is still fair for persistent bait anglers. Little Walker River is also high, but still fair for brookies and rainbows. Kirman Lake is still very good on brookies to 19 inches, shaped like footballs, and weighing up to four pounds, and cutthroat trout to 24 inches and in the six- to eight-pound range. Twenty-fish days are not uncommon. Best action on scud and streamer patterns for float-tubing fly anglers with small jigs working for shore-bound lure anglers. Information: Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River remains one of the top spots in the Sierra with with excellent action on 12 to 25-inch browns. The best bite has been on midge pupae patterns and caddis nymphs, but there’s also a good streamer bite early and late, and more and more dry fly action each day (mayfly and caddis). Flows have been consistently in the 192 to 230 cfs range over the past two weeks, with flows slightly below last week. Bridgeport Reservoir has been fair to good with the best action mid-day on inflated crawlers and Power Bait, with a few on trolled lures in hot colors. Lots of fish to four pounds. Also a daily callibaetis hatch for the fly anglers. Twin Lakes are both fair to good on planted rainbows for trollers, bait anglers, or fly-bubble fishermen. The West Walker River and most of the smaller streams in the region are still blown out with runoff, high and muddy. The Virginia Lakes -- Big Virginia, Little Virginia, and Trumbel -- have all been good, with the best bite on small jigs and lures, but also fair action on floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
LEE VINING REGION: High water in most of the creeks in this region as runoff is peaking. Lee Vining Creek is still pretty good for bait anglers fishing baby nightcrawlers, chartreuse Power Bait, or salmon eggs. Lure anglers are fishing spinners while fly anglers are fishing weighted nymphs under and indicator. The areas between the campgrounds is best. Lower Rush Creek in the special regulation section has been good on small caddis dries or a two-fly rig. Tioga Lake is just fair with the best bite on the usual baits, gold spoons, or wooly buggers, olive leeches, or hare’s ears for fly anglers. Ellery Lake is good at the inlet for both bait, lure, and fly anglers. Saddlebag Lakes was still opening up, but the action was expected to be good near the outlet. Lundy Lake’s water level is coming up very quickly and the bite is good for bait, lure, and fly anglers. Information: Untitled Document.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: The action has been improving at all of the lakes in the June Lake Loop with the cooler weather. Lots of fish to 1-8 showing in June, Gull, Silver and Grant, and all were planted with Alpers’ trout before Memorial Day and a lot of those fish are still being caught. Walker and Parker lakes are both fair to good, and most of the trails to higher elevation waters are open. Still quite a bit of snow up high, and it was supposed to snow in the Loop on Friday this week and then clear out for the weekend. Information: Ernie’s Tackle at 760-648-7756.
MAMMOTH AREA: Convict Lake has been fair with limits hard to come by this past week, but some quality fish continue to come in. Alpers’ trout will also be planted this week and next week. Top fish reported was a 4-3 landed by Gabe Torres, Palm Springs, on a Trout Teaser jig at the inlet. Joe Klahorst, Fullerton, had a 3-6, and Chris Jones, Irvine, landed a 2-2 rainbow. The Convict Spring Derby with over $8,000 in prizes kicked off on Monday this week and continues through June 15. Entry fee is $15. Crowley Lake has been much tougher over the past week for fly anglers with the fish widely scattered. Diligent tubers fishing midges under indicators are still getting fish. Bait and lure anglers also facing tougher conditions, but overall fair action. Several browns up to four pounds were reported this week, but most rainbows in the two to three-pound class. The upper Owens River remains good, but Hot Creek has been tougher because of runoff. In the Mammoth Lake, all the lakes are ice-free and fishing fair to good. Good action on planted trout in Rock Creek. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181, Convict Lake Resort at 760-934-3800, Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301, Tom’s Place at 760-935-4239.
BISHOP AREA: South Lake received its first DFG plant of the season this past week and Alpers’ trout were planted this week. Fishing continued to be excellent despite afternoon thunderstorms with occasionally heavy rain and pea-sized hail. Crawlers floated with an orange or red Gulp Egg was the best bait this week with fish to two pounds reported. South Fork Bishop Creek slowed a bit this week but most folks were able to scratch a few fish on salmon eggs or mini-jigs in Parcher’s Hole, Willow Camp, and Weir Pond. North Lake was outstanding this week with both shore anglers and float tubers enjoying a solid bite on fish to three pounds. DFG and Alpers’ plants really got the bite going in a hurry following the holiday weekend. Lake Sabrina has been on the slow side, but it was also planted with Alpers’ trout this week. George Kirby, Bishop, caught a four-pound brown trout on a trolled Rapala. Best bite was at the inlets on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Bishop Creek Canyon Summer Classic Derby began Monday and it is held on South Lake, Sabrina, North Lake, Intake II, Weir Pond and both forks of Bishop Creek. All waters receive tagged fish for the derby which runs through the end of the month. Registration is $5 per person, and you can register at Parchers Resort, South Lake Landing, Bishop Creek Lodge, Lake Sabrina, Cardinal Village, Creekside RV Park, Culver’s Sporting Goods, Mac’s Sporting Goods and the Bishop Chamber of Commerce. Anglers catching a tagged fish will win prizes worth up to $300. The lower Owens River remains good. Fly anglers are seeing some caddis and mayfly surface activity, but most of the action is subsurface on midge and baetis nymph patterns fished pretty deeply (like right on the bottom) under strike indicators or streamers swept along the undercuts and tailouts. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been very good for lure, jig, bait and fly anglers, especially for float tubers fishing near the inlet. Owens Gorge good for small browns on small dries with some stones coming off now. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Generally fair action but no recent DFG plants. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
BAKERSFIELD AREA CARP DERBY: Bob’s Bait is having a month-long carp derby with the largest carp weighed in during June winning a $100 cash prize. There is no entry fee. This will be followed by a catfish derby in July and a striper derby in August. For information, call Bob’s Bait at 661-833-8657.
LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie bite is starting to wind down. The fish have backed out of the shallows and are in deeper water now, but it’s still possible to catch a 25-fish limit on minnows or small jigs. There have also been fewer quality fish, with most crappie in the half to three-quarter pound range. Most locals say this bite has another week or so left and then it will be over. The trout action is red hot, with a lot of limits reported on spinner and Power Bait for fish up to two pounds. Best action has been at the auxiliary dam area. Catfish are also fair to good, mostly on frozen shad and other cut baits. Bass have been fair to good, with some flurries of hot action followed by a slow bite. Most fish on minnows, plastics, cranks, and topwater, and some fish over five pounds reported. Good action on small bluegill, too. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Runoff subsiding in the upper Kern, and the wild trout action is fair to good with an excellent palm morning dun hatch each evening at 7:30 p.m. The South Fork has been excellent and all of the upper elevation tribs are also good on the wild trout for catch-and-release anglers. Anglers are reminded this part of the river is not being stocked any longer and catch-and-release fishing is prudent. Lower Kern River has been spotty with only fair action on small bass. Few trout. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or Fly Fishing the Kern River) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Very good striper action on fish 18 to 22-inches, but few bigger fish. The best bite is on sand worms and blood worms, but some fish are showing on shad-like cranks and swim baits early and late in the day. The catfish bite is fair on nightcrawlers and cut baits. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: The bluegill carp bites remain good to excellent. The ‘gills are best on wax worms, meal worms, or red worms, whle the carp are best on Powder Bait. Slow to fair bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics with the best action early and late in the day.
TRUXTUN LAKE: The carp action remains very good with a lot of fish to six pounds, occasionally bigger, on dough baits and Powder Bait. Bluegill are also excellent with lots of good stringers have been reported, mostly on wax worms. Slow to fair bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics, but the bite is good only early and late in the day.
RIVER WALK PARK: The bluegill bite is very good on crickets, wax worms, and meal worms. Bass are spotty with the best action on plasics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits early and late in the day.
MING LAKE: Very good carp action on fish to 10 pounds. Best action has been on Powder Bait, but most dough baits are working. Bluegill are very good on wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and red worms. The bass bite is slow to fair on nightcrawlers, minnows, and plastics early and late in the day. The crappie bite is very slow. The lake is closed to boating now into August while repairs are made, but the lake remains open to fishing during this time.
BRITE LAKE: No report. No DFG trout plants for over a month.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Very good carp and catfish action on dough baits and Powder Bait. The cats are also showing on frozen shad and Sonny’s Dip Bait. The bluegill bite is very good with a lot of fish on wax worms and crickets. The bass action has slowed to just fair with the best bite still on minnows and plastics early and late in the day. Crappie slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: Bass fair, bluegill good, and the crappie bite slow. No DFG trout plants in over a month. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair to good bass bite on live bait and plastics. Bluegill are good. No DFG trout plants in over a month. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Few reports, but a few stripers are showing on topwater early in the day. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action is fair to good with the fish moving out of the shallows and on to outside points. Some topwater early and late in the day. Slow to fair crappie bite with fish from 3/4 to a pound, mostly on crappie jigs in Harris Creek. Fair to good catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: Fishing slowed down again this past week. The white bass have spawned and scattered all over the lake. Water level is dropping and the largemouth and spotted bass are tougher with falling water levels. Slowing crappie bite in the Heritage area and Dip Creek. Lots of big carp in the marina for the few anglers fishing them. Information: 805-238-1056 or Lake Nacimiento Resort and Marina.
SANTA MARGARITA: All the bites slowed down during the between moon phase this past week, but there’s still been fair largemouth bass action on plastics, cranks, with a little evening and morning topwater action. Dusty Kahler, Atascadero, had bass at 8-10 and eight pounds drop-shotting plastics at the dam, while Mary Ann Cashdan, Templeton, landed a five-pounder in the marina on a plastic worm. Charlie Wyrick, Paso Robles, had two bass to 4-11 and two cats to six pounds. The catfish action is also still fair, but improving. The double DFG plant two weeks ago hasn’t let to much of anything, action-wise. There have only been a few crappie report, and the Bluegill and redear bites have also been fair over the past week. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Fair crappie bite on Strawberry Flats reported on red worms and jigs. Bass remain fair to good on swimbaits, plastics, nightcrawlers, and jigs fished on main lake points. Bluegill are good with a lot of fish on red worms, crickets, wax worms and small jigs. A few catfish. 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: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon, Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.
SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake, Lytle Creek (Middle and North Forks).
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
VENTURA: Piru Lake.
INYO: Bishop Creek (Lower), Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Sabrina Lake.
MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lundy Lake, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Upper and Lower), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Big and Little).
FRESNO: Big Creek near Huntington, Big Creek near Kings, Dinkey Creek, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, Rancheria Creek, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, South Fork San Joaquin, Tamarack Creek, Tenmile Creek, Ward Lake.
KERN: Isabella Lake.
MARERA: Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Lewis Creek, Lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake, Upper Big Creek, West Fork Chiquito Creek.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Upper Nacimiento River.
TULARE: Balch Park (eastern and western lakes), Big Meadows Creek, Hedrick Campground Pond, Middle Fork Tule River, North Fork of Middle Fork of Tule River (at Wishop Campground), South Fork of Middle Fork of Tule River (at Camp Nelson and Cedar Slopes), Upper Peppermind Creek.
TUOLUMNE: Beaver Creek, Lyons Canal, Lyons Reservoir, Middle Fork Stanislaus Rive, Middle Fork Tuolumne River, Moccasin Creek, North Fork Stanislaus River, Pinecrest Lake, Powerhouse Stream, South Fork Tuolomne River, Stanislaus River (Clark Fork).
CATFISH PLANTS
The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish this week.
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Lake, Hollenbeck Lake, Lincoln Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake.
