SOCAL FISH REPORT March 11, 2009

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SOCAL FISH REPORT March 11, 2009

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service

JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK​

1. You can just about never go wrong putting Diamond Valley Lake in the top spot, but the bites might be problematic this week as we move out of a full moon on Tuesday night. But the DVL largemouth are aleady moving into the shallows, nosing out places to spawn and the bite on these fish is really starting to take off. There’s also been a very good trout bite and the crappie are staring to show. For the latest on the action check with the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. It looks like both the wiper (hybrid stripers) and largemouth bass are starting to take off at Lake Elsinore this week. Wipes to 7-8 were reported and largemouth to 5-0 have been caught. All are really, really fat fish. Also remember that small wipers were planted earlier this year, and there are lots of these little guys around. Remember wipers can’t be kept until they are 18-inches. You can get information at the Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308.
3. Hot trout bite at Irvine Lake over the past week with fish to 12 3/4-pounds reported and consistent limit-style fishing on pan-sized fish for both shoreline bait anglers and trollers working mid-lake. There’s also a good and improving crappie bite for tiny jig tossers. For an update on the action, check with the tackle shop staff at 714-649-9111 or log on at Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Still good to excellent planted trout action at most of the major players over the past week. Santa Ana River Lakes cranked out a 20-plus pounder amid a very good bite, and Irvine Lake was producing double and even triple limits for some anglers. Corona Lake and Laguna Niguel Lake are both excellent with a shot at quality fish. Isabella Lake is very good and a smart guy might want to pre-fish for the early April trout derby where there will be 10 trout with $10,000 tags and one wearing a $20,000 tag. Smaller trout derby at Mojave Narrows this Saturday with a cruise the top prize. All of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks have been excellent on trout, with Yucaipa producing a few quality fish over 10 pounds each week, Prado good for limits, Mojave Narrows getting a double plant, Cucamonga-Guasti and Glen Helen both producing lots of fish. Hesperia Lake and Jess Ranch are both good bets. In San Diego County, Dixon, Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, and Cayamaca are all pretty good bets.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Even more bass are starting to move into the shallows this week as waters warm and days lengthen. Top bets this week include Diamond Valley, Otay, Casitas, Perris, and the lower Colorado River. In waters with trout plants, the big swimbait routine is likely to turn up a big fish, but pitching plastics and live bait will get more fish. Other good bets including Castaic, Piru, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, all of the Central Coast lakes (Nacimiento, San Antonio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita), and Hodges, Wohlford, El Capitan, and Poway. The reality is that anyplace with largemouth bass is worth fishing right now, especially lower elevation waters that are more advanced into the spawn. And don’t forget the smallmouth bass bite on the lower Colorado River from Havasu to Palo Verde that continues to improve.
STRIPED BASS: All the striped bass bites sputtered over the past week except Castaic, which cranked out some quality fish over 15 pounds after last week’s trout plant. Skinner, Pyramid, and Silverwood are all fair bets on fish to eight pounds, and Diamond Valley continued to lull with no reports. Spots on the Colorado River between Willow Beach and Lake Mohave have also been pretty fair with fish in the teens every week now and some bigger fish. Havasu and Mead are also good for smaller fish. It also looks like the Lake Elsinore wiper bite is starting to take off with a couple of fish over six pounds this week.
PANFISH: Top bets for crappie include Perris, Henshaw, Casitas, San Antonio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita. And our sleeper crappie pick remains Diamond Valley, where a couple of whopper fish have been reported again in the past week with almost no fishing pressure. The few bluegill and redear showing are mostly quality fish, but the bites are still just spotty. Top bets include Perris and Otay, but they are tough. Lopez is also producing a few fish.
CATFISH: Overall, still slowish catfish bites, but some improvements are brewing across the board. Both Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes are being planted with broodstock catfish this week, and Hesperia Lake is on a weekly catfish plant schedule. The lower Colorado River is starting to turn on with more flatheads beginning to show. Other spots to watch include Diamond Valley Lake, the Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, and Lake Isabella.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS​

SILVERWOOD: Miller and Outhouse are the hot spots for the trout and the action is fair to good thanks to back-to-back plants the past two weeks. Anglers are using worms or nightcrawlers. Melissa Lopez, Fontana, caught a 2-2 rainbow. Slow to fair largemouth action with only a few caught on plastics, mostly still in deeper water with no signs of fish moving up shallow to spawn yet. Also a fair to good striper bite on anchovies in Miller’s with most of the fish under four pounds. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Light fishing pressure, although some trout anglers fishing near the observatory or off the rocks near the dam have reported a slow trout bite on nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. All the lake’s marinas and public ramps are closed and will reopen April 1. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: Currently closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: More mixed action with good bites on the trout, catfish and sturgeon. Some trout over 10 pounds have been caught on nightcrawlers or nightcrawlers combined with Power Bait, especially off the north shore and near the drain. The catfish bite sparked recently with some fish over 20 pounds. Catfish and trout plants are weekly. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Tougher trout bite this week, but persistent anglers still were able to get fish. Top baits and lures are Power Bait (orange, salmon peach and spring green), nightcrawlers, jigs, Kastmasters and Rapalas. Hot spots include the eastern logged shore to the pump house as well as the western shore near the bridge of lake 3 and the northern and eastern shores of lake 2. Mark Rubio, Duarte, scored a 6-1 rainbow on an orange Power Worm. John Osika, Ontario, caught a 5-15 rainbow on a LipRipperZ worm. Rick Carpenter, Apple Valley, caught a 5-9. Patrick Gray, Covina landed a 4-7 rainbow. Andre Tom Halford, Ontario, reeled in a 4-3 rainbow. The lake’s hatchery stocks every Friday. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Both county and DFG trout plants this week for the Trout Derby to be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The first place winner will receive a $1,200 cruise, with second place a $500 gift card from Turner’s Outdoorsman, and third place a tent and sleeping bags from Camping World. County trout plants are weekly through April. There has been a very good trout bite for anglers fishing Power worms or Power Bait. A free Junior Fishing Workshop will take place March 28th. To receive more information or enroll in the workshop: 909-387-2461. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good trout bite on Power Bait. County trout plants are weekly through April, and a DFG trout plant went in week before last. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, April 4. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Continued good to excellent trout action here, and a lot of quality rainbows continue to show. Anglers are saying this is the best trout season here in the past six years. Best action on floating baits and nightcrawlers at lots 1, 6, 7, 8, with the points at 1 and 8 the hot spots. A fair and improving bite on catfish with warmer weather, and some quality carp are showing. Top rainbow was a 4-3 caught by Danny Hill, Upland, on garlic Power Bait. Zachary Blessing, Upland, had a 3-8 trout, while Pedro Garcia, Garden Grove, landed five rainbows topped by a 2 3/4-pounder, all on green glitter Power Bait. Best carp this week was a 13-8 caught by Alex Lo, 10, Pomona, on a nightcrawler. Matt Peebles, Corona, had a 7-6 carp on rainbow Power Bait. County trout plants are each week through April, and a DFG plant went in last week. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action over the past week and some nice fish continue to be landed, especially from the middle lake, but both the top and lower lakes are good, too. County plants are weekly through April. DFG trout plant this week, too. Excellent mid-lake trout bite. Ray Fonseca, Hemet, landed a 15-8 rainbow on a small trout jig. Donna Palakawong, Rancho Cucamonga, landed a 12-8 trout on yellow Power Bait, while Ty Jensen, Upland, caught a 10-2 trout on a Power worm. Ruben Zendejas, Fontana, landed a 6-12, while Danny Idem, Yucaipa, had a 5-12. To receive more information or enroll, please contact 909-387-2461. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Very good to excellent trout bite for those using Power Bait or small trout jigs, and some quality fish have been landed in the past week. County trout plants with 1,000 pounds of fish are weekly through April and a DFG trout plant this week. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: The bass are on beds and are biting Senkos, scroungers, drop-shot rigged purple plastics, and green pumpkin or watermelon brush hogs. Most bass have been caught in three to 10 feet. Trout fishing slowed a bit this week, but there were still some notable catches and an overall fair to good bite. Nightcrawlers, mini jigs, and trout worms were the most reported baits. Shore anglers seemed to do better than the boaters. The trout were caught in as little as three feet. Charlie Vasquez, La Puente, caught a 6.5-pound trout fishing off shore with a Kastmaster. Striper fishing was slow this week. Try fishing near the inlet tower or the east dam with swimbaits, either trolling as deep as 50 feet, or throwing into boils. Catfish bite sluggish. Fish with mackerel, anchovies or shrimp. Panfish have been gradually moving into the shallows so the hot bite is just around the corner. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Diamond Valley Marina.
PERRIS: Largemouth and crappie lead the show here with fair to good action on both. Bass are up on beds, but the lake level has been so low the fish are having trouble finding structure. Cassie Brool, Banning, caught a 3.06-pound bass in the marina. Crappie action good off the launch ramp on crappie jigs or minnows. Don Wilbanks, Mission Viejo, caught a 2.5-pound crappie. Carp action good off the east end on corn and dough baits. DFG trout plant this week. A percentage of each DFG trout plant will have non-reward and reward tags attached on some one to four-pound rainbows from the load. The tags will look like green spaghetti noodles attached right below the dorsal fin. Reward signs indicating information where to return the tags are posted around the launch ramps, marina and lake entrance. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Bass and striper bites slowed due to cooler weather, but anglers reported a fair to good fishing week for both species. Stripers are biting in the inlet and off the east end on anchovies or mackerel. Juan Martians, Oceanside, caught a 4-8 striper off marina point. Largemouth reported off Marina Point, too, primarily on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. Jenn Brooks, Riverside, caught a four-pound bass. A 1,500-pound trout plant went in two weeks ago, and another plant by the DFG is slated for this week. A two-pound rainbow was caught by Mike Brighton, Vista. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Bass and wiper bites are both starting to turn on. The bass are in the shallows spawning and the bigger wipers are showing, too. Chris Nickerson, Hemet, caught a five-pound largemouth. Sony Phem and Gioi Van Trinh, Long Beach, caught 7-8 and 6-4 wipers from Whisker’s Fishing Beach on shrimp. There also continues to be fair to good action on undersize wipers, which must be released. A plant of these fish went in early January. The fish were all under eight inches when planted and anglers cannot keep wipers until they reach the 18-inch minimum size. Information: Seaport Boat Launch: 951-245-9308.
CORONA LAKE: Good to excellent trout action. Top fish was an 18-pound rainbow landed by Curtis Carver, Palm Springs, fishing green Nitro Bait from a boat at mid-lake. An eight-pound rainbow topped a five-fish stringer weighed in by Dallas McCurry, Menifee, that totaled 18 pounds. Paul Berinson, Temecula, had just four rainbows, but they totaled 21 pounds and his catch also had an eight-pound rainbow. Mike Thompson, Riverside, landed a 7 1/2-pound rainbow to top off his seven-fish, 23-pound stringer. Mike Sunderhaft, Lake Elsinore, had a five-fish catch that weighed 18 pounds and included a six-pounder. Mitch Wilson, Riverside, caught a seven-pound Lightning Trout, while a five-pound Lightning topped a 12 1/2-pound, five-fish stringer caught by Ron Carpenter, Simi Valley. The best action has been for boat anglers fishing mid-lake waters, but shore anglers are also scoring near the dam and along the shorelines below the bait shop. Top baits have been floating doughs and nightcrawlers, and it never hurts to add scent. Plant of trophy broodstock catfish this week in addition to the usual loads of trout. Night fishing Friday and Saturday. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout bite with anglers reporting the best action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Catfish action is slow on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass bite on worms or plastics.
RANCHO JURUPA: County and DFG trout plants last week. Lots of limits reported with trout to two pounds or better. J.C. Smith, Ontario, landed a 9-4 rainbow on a pink and white Power Worm, while David Peterson, Riverside, had a limit of rainbow trout topped by a 4-3, all on Kastmasters. While the catfish bite is just starting to perk, Oscar Flores, Rubidoux, landed a 1-12 channel fishing shrimp. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair trout bite. Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Home.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Rainbow trout bite slowing down, although the bite is fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait with fish at about a pound each. The change in water temps may bring on some early channel catfish plants starting next month. 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: Nice weather drew lots of anglers and the trout action was very good with a lot of limits reported over the past week, largely thanks to a DFG plant this week. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good trout action with rainbows at 18 1/2 and 21 pounds landed over the past week. The 21-pounder was caught by John Nixon, Carson, while fishing with chartreuse Nitro Bait at Levitz’ Corner, while George Perez of Paramount topped off his 30-pound, three-fish stringer with the 18 1/2-pound rainbow. Steve Valle, Walnut, had an eight-pound rainbow to top off his three-fish catch that weighed 13-2, while Keith Young, Arcadia, landed a seven-pounder. Other seven-pound rainbows were caught by Scott Nakata, Garden Grove, and Daniel Fernandez, Carson. Jerry Olalde, Placentia, had a 17-pound, five-fish limit and his best fish was a five-pounder. The rainbows are showing all over the big lake and Chris’ Pond with the floating dough baits catching the most fish, but inflated nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, and Lip RipperZ plastics have also been productive. There will be a bonus, early-season plant of broodstock catfish this week and 24-hour fishing Friday and Saturday nights. Trout plants are weekly. Information: 714-632-7830 or log on at fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
IRVINE LAKE: Very good trout action with double and sometimes triple limits reported for the rainbows. Some steelhead are also being caught. Power mice or Power Bait are best for bait anglers with trollers scoring with Rapalas or Shad Rap SR05’s in firetiger and chartreuse colors. Best trout catches were reported in Woody’s Cove, with Trout Island, the west shore and near the dam also good bets. Most trout are from one to five, with a few six pounders and better. Sherry Leonhardt, San Clemente, caught the top fish of the week, a 12-12 rainbow. Jim Sanchez, San Clemente, landed a 10-6, and Bob Nordstrom, Placentia, had 9-2 and 7-6 trout. Johnny Lopez, Garden Grove, brought in a nine-pounder on nightcrawlers. Jay Earles, Redondo Beach, caught an 8-12 trout on a Needlefish, while Robert Avemaria, Placentia, had a 7-12 trout on Velveeta cheese on the flats. The crappie are spawning, which means the fish are hanging out at the tops of flooded trees. Slabs to two pounds are biting on white or yellow Atomic Tubes with a meal worm trailer, along with darthead-rigged white two-inch minnows. Bass anglers are finding their quarry moving up, with good numbers of largemouth in the two to four-pound class holding in 15 to 25 feet of water. Some fish are starting to bite on reaction baits, in addition to the standard dropshot-rigged plastics. Bluegill are still deep, with a few hand-sized fish being taken on mealworms when found, but no catfish were reported this week. Call ahead for up-to-the-minute road conditions. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: A load of 2,000 Emerald trout and 1,000 pounds of trophy rainbows to six pounds went in two weeks ago, with another plant set for this week. The overall bite is good to excellent off shore, at the point, and launch ramp. Longer leaders (12 to 14 inches) have been the ticket. Top baits continue to be Power Bait, mini jigs, lures, and inflated nightcrawlers dipped in scent. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or Laguna Niguel Lake.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

CACHUMA: DFG trout plant this week. With decent action on trout to two pounds for trollers using Rapalas, Needlefish or Kastmasters. Bait anglers are fishing Power Bait, nightcrawlers or plastic worms. Catfish bite fair in the narrows on mackerel or nightcrawlers with most fish from three to 10 pounds. Crappie and redear bite fair in 30 feet on nightcrawlers or small jigs. Bass bite slow to fair, some fish reported from deep water by trout anglers. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: More good bass action with more and more fish moving shallow every day. Henry Lee, Diamond Bar, caught a 10-8 largemouth, which was the best fish of the week. Nightcrawlers, jigs and plastic worms are the hot baits. Fair crappie bite, including fish to two pounds on small jigs. DFG trout plant slated for this week. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The area near the upper main ramp was planted with trout by the DFG last week. Big stripers were the result of this plant. Big swim baits were key to these fish. Scott Kenzel, Saugus, landed a 17-pound striper, while Rod Heikkila, Tujunga, caught a 16.9-pound striper. Scott Lizakowski, Canyon Country, reported a 10-pound striper. Fair largemouth bass bite on swimbaits, Senkos, and plastics as the fish think about moving shallow to spawn. Brett Packard, Castaic, caught a 6.9-pound largemouth. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: DFG trout plant this week. Top baits include Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any type of trout worm. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. Slowish bass action, but some are still reporting a few fish to two pounds on plastic worms. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: DFG trout plant last week, which slightly improved the bite. Some trout under a pound reported in a fair bite. Action fair for stripers to five pounds on anchovies or nightcrawler. Shad-like swimbaits, spinnerbaits and cranks are also good producers. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers. Largemouth and smallmouth bites fair on plastic worms or swimbaits. Some catfish reported in the channels on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week. Good bite for trout on nightcrawlers. Crappie, bass and bluegill bites fair. Nightcrawlers producing for the bass with mini jigs working best for crappie and bluegill. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant this week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: The lake will reopen in May. Fees to fish here have gone up, making it $20 per angler and $46 for motor rentals. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: Good bass action. The 153 anglers checked reported 278 bass to 9.28 pounds and six crappie. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on the weekends only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: Bass bite slowed down a bit, but the action remains very good. This week 197 anglers checked reported 312 bass, 100 crappie, 14 blue catfish and two channel catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: More pressure and improved bass action. This week 255 anglers reported 316 bass, 19 crappie, 18 channel catfish, five bluegill, four blue catfish, two rainbow trout and one carp. Mackerel is the hot bait for the catfish and Bushlow Cove is the hot spot for the catfish. Top fish of the week was an 18.10-pound blue catfish caught by Mike Woodward, Long Beach. Benton Lorenza, Chula Vista, landed a 17.50-pound blue, while Gary Smith, Compton, had a 12.60-pounder. Largemouth bass action best for those using spinnerbaits or jerk baits. Ryan Test, El Cajon, caught a 7.70-pound largemouth, and Bob Collins, Chula Vista, reported a 6.40-pounder. 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 bite for walk-in anglers. This week 14 anglers pulled out 17 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: Bass bite slowed down. This week 46 anglers reported 10 rainbow trout, 10 bass, four redear and three bluegill. 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: This past week the 138 anglers checked reported 67 rainbow trout, 27 bass and one channel catfish. 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: The lake reopened last week with very good bass action, including some quality fish. John Mikkelsen, Temecula, landed a 11.55-pound bass, while Mike Donegan, Ramona, caught a 10.6-pound largemouth. Greg LeRoy, San Diego, hand a 8.1-pounder, while Ernie Rodriguez, Ramona, caught a 6.85-pounder. The lake will then be open on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Trout fishing is good with some nice-sized rainbows being caught. Willow Cove has seen the best trout action and nightcrawlers have been the most consistent bait. Blas Romero, Escondido, caught a five-pound trout on a limit that weighed 16-10 total. Male bass are starting to move into the shallows. When the water temperature rise to about 58 degrees, expect the bass action to explode. Fees at the lake have increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5. Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, half motorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50. There is a temporary ban on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: A load of 1,500-pound load of trout went in last week and another is set to arrive in two weeks. Good trout action with fish from two to four pounds reported in Whiskey Bay and Trout Cove. Hot baits are rainbow Power Bait, small green crappie jigs, Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants. Bass action is slow but will improve as water temps increase slightly and fish start moving into the shallows. Catfish action was surprisingly slow with the recent storms. Stormy weather usually turns the bite on in the Jack Creek area. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. A daily permit is required for entry. The Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Fees have increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5. Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, half motorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: A load 2,500 pounds of trout went in this week. There were many limits with fish from three to five pounds caught. The best bet is slow trolling or picking a spot along the back shore of the lake on nightcrawlers. Best shoreline spot is across the lake in Bucktail Bay near the Restroom Landing. Most consistent lures continue to be Kastmasters and Rapalas. The bass bite continues to improve over most of the lake. The water temperature is up to 60 degrees and from the activity in the shallows, it appears that the spawn may only be a couple of weeks away. The catfish bite is good with the Log Boom being the best area to catch one. The bluegill bite is slow. There is fishing and boating on Wednesdays through Sundays. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Trout bite slowed with only fair to good action in Half Moon Cove and by Cactus Patch. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the top baits. A 1,000-pound load of Mt. Lassen trout went in last week. The male bass are out, but the females are being shy. Good action on jigs, swimbaits and creature baits along shore. Fair catfish bite on nightcrawlers and mackerel. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. hosting by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: The trout are still going off. Lots of big fish and limits. Kimberly Cyree, National City, landed a 12-14 rainbow on a nightcrawler. Beau Wessel, El Cajon, caught a 10-6 on Power Bait. The bass showing in a good to excellent bite. Shawn Hanselka, San Diego, caught a 3-8 largemouth on nightcrawlers. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 6 a.m. Boats over 19 feet aren’t recommended for launching. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Fair to good trout bite on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the best bite at the Lone Pine. DFG trout plant this week. Upcoming events: Supervising ranger Willard Lepley offers a free fishing class every Saturday at 10 a.m. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or Lake Cuyamaca Home Page.
HENSHAW: Light pressure but the crappie action is still giving anglers something to talk about. Some catfish action reported. Open daily 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motor boats are available for rent daily depending on the weather. Large amount of shoreline access and a 150-foot Fishing Float puts anglers in some good areas holding fish. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Trout bite fair to good from Hemmingway to Boulder Bay. Trout plant week before last. A few stripers were caught near Boulder Bay up to 15 pounds. The stripers are also chasing the shad in Gypsum Wash. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. No largemouth reports.
WILLOW BEACH: Stripers still showing in decent numbers at Mile markers 55 and 48 on A.C. Plugs or anchovies. Loren Candis, Los Angeles, caught a 13-6 striper. Trout plants resumed with stockings every Friday. The rainbow action is fair to good on nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Good trout action with easy limits still common at stocking areas. The bite is best for those fishing Power Bait, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers, especially in the mornings. Shore anglers have been catching a few smaller stripers off the south points on cut baits, anchovies or squid. No reports of largemouth bass. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Trout plants are once a month at Davis Camp and Riverside Park. Fair to good action Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Slow striper bite.
NEEDLES: Fair striper action for fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. Most stripers are under two pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Slow bite for most species with only waves of fair action for the catfish or largemouth. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Water levels are still low. Take caution when boat launching. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper bite good to excellent on shad or swimbaits, especially in the mornings. The daytime bite is slower with limits produced for those slow-trolling anchovies. Shad continue to school up near Thompson Bay and Havasu Springs, so those are the top areas for the stripers. Smallmouth bass hitting soft plastics, Rat-L-Traps and eight to 12-foot diving crankbaits. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish and flatheads have both been fair with some to 10 pounds or better reported on shrimp, nightcrawlers dipped in stink bait, and mackerel. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Fair bass action in the main river for smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds and bigger reported this week. Warm days really turn on this bite. Flathead bite fair with some fish to 15 pounds reported. Bluegill bite slow to fair in most backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Fairish bass bite, especially for the smallies, on plastic worms in the main river. The backwater largemouth action is also getting better with each warm day. Also improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. Fair flathead action but very light fishing pressure. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fairish catfish bite on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action good to excellent on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits with the fish flooding the shallows. Channel catfish bite fair, and the crappie bite is slow to fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too, but the action is spotty. Information: 928-783-9589 or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action in the main river and river backwaters has really picked up in the past week on minnows and plastics. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to be the best fishing spot for channel catfish action, sme bass, and a fair redear and bluegill bite. Channel catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms. The flatheads have been fair in the main river, mostly on live bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

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

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: General trout season reopens April 25th, but year-around and special regulation waters are open now. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or Bishop.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River sparked and despite low flows and cold nighttime temps. The larger pools and deeper runs continue to produce on midge emerger patterns and streamers. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open to year-around fishing. Improved action in the upper Owens with some of the bigger rainbows stacked up in the bigger pools. Flows at Hot Creek are around 100 cfs, and this bite is good with blue-wing olive mayfly hatches some days, but the midge hatches are consistent. For fishing info, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or Performance Anglers Fly Fishing Guide Service and Outfitters Mammoth Lakes, CA.
BISHOP AREA: Only Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the Owens River gorge, and lower Owens River remain open to anglers. Flows on the lower Owens are about 101 cfs and the bite is good for those fishing deep. Rainbows to 20 inches have been reported by drift-boat. For fishing information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: The lower Owens below Tinnemaha and Lone Pine Creek are both fair to good after plants for the early opener this past weekend. Few reports from Diaz Lake. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Good trout action at the Auxiliary Dam area on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant this week and last week. Allen Meaney, Bakersfield, caught a limit of trout with fish to a pound on nightcrawlers. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for April 4-6. There will be 1,000 tagged fish worth cash, including a $20,000 fish and 10 fish at $10,000 each. Applications are available at 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few trout reported. The upper river remains fair on salmon eggs. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or Fly Fishing the Kern River, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Fair striper action for those fishing bloodworms or sand worms. Some catfish action, too. Andrew Smith, Bakersfield, caught a six-pound catfish on liver.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant this week.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic. DFG trout plant this week.
RIVER WALK PARK: Fair trout action after plants with another DFG plant this week. Lots of bluegill are visible in the water so the early spring bite should really take off this year. Not too many reports yet, however.
MING LAKE: Fair to good trout bite. DFG trout plant this week.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Lake is open for fishing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Trout, crappie, bass and striper bites all good. Trout action best for anglers using Power Bait. Good crappie bite, but the fish are small. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Very good crappie bite with fish from 3/4 to a pound. Crappie jigs and nightcrawlers are best. Striper action also fair to good with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Largemouth bass bite fair around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair to good catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: The bite for spotties remains fair to good on plastics, jigs, and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines with the best bite mornings and evenings. Largemouth and smallmouth action fair on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite, but more have been showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 or Welcome to Lake Nacimiento.
SANTA MARGARITA: Trout bite perked slightly with good morning and afternoon action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair largemouth bass bite on Brush Hogs, plastics, or crankbaits with most fish from two to three pounds and some smallmouth also showing. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Trout and largemouth bass bites remain the best with good action for both. Most largemouth action reported near the dam on white spinnerbaits and nightcrawlers by the dam and in Cottonwood Cove. Very good crappie action, too with fish to two pounds or better reported on crappie jigs. A few anglers brought in fish to 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 pounds. Redear and bluegill are scarce. Information: 805-489-1006.

TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, Santa Fe Flood Control Basin.
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Regional Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Central Park Lake, Mile Square Regional Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Trabuco Creek, Tri-City Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Reservoir.
SANTA BARBARA: Lake Cachuma, Lion Canyon Creek, Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Lake Piru, Rancho Simi Community Park Lake, Reyes Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Lake Cahuilla, Perris Reservoir, Skinner Reservoir.
SAN BERNARDINO: Glen Helen Regional Park Lakes, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Yucaipa Regional Park Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Hart Park Lake, Isabella Lake, Lake Truxton, Ming Lake, The Park at River Walk Lake.