SOCAL FISH REPORT - March 25, 2009

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SOCAL FISH REPORT

March 25, 2009

Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service

JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK​

1. Lake Nacimiento on the Central Coast is almost never in any of these top three slots, but the excellent crappie bite here (with fish to 2 ½ pounds showing on most stringers) makes it the top pick. The fish are thick around the marina and in the backs of most coves with brush and catches of 20 to 50 fish per angler has been common. Add in a good bite on spotted bass and white bass in the back of the narrows, and it makes it worth the trip north. For an update call the Nacimiento Resort at 805-238-1056 or Welcome to Lake Nacimiento.
2. Diamond Valley Lake has a spectacular largemouth bass bite. It’s so good the 10-pounders are whacking bare hooks. Hey, you can believe it or not. That’s the story and they had a photo of the fish and the grinning angler. Five-fish, 25-pound class limits have been pretty common in the past 10 days. While bass bites are good everywhere, this is one of the best. 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.
3. Lake Poway has been excellent for planted trout the past two weeks, with a lot of trophy rainbows in the mix, and another big plant this week makes this one of the top picks in the region. Lots of rainbows over four pounds and up to a little over 10 in the past week. Best action has been slow-trolling along the back shoreline or still fishing in the same area (Bucktail Bay or near Restroom Landing) with an inflated nightcrawler. Of course, the bass action is good here, too. For more fishing information, call the lake information line at 858-668-4770 or the Lake Poway Grill and Tackle at 858-486-1234.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Stocked trout season is still in full swing with a lot of trophy trout showing right now. Irvine Lake had a new lake record (22.6 pounds) caught this week, and Santa Ana River Lakes had 20 fish over 10 pounds reported. Corona Lake and Laguna Niguel Lake are both excellent with a shot at quality fish. All the High Desert waters are good bets with fish over five pounds possible at all three -- Hesperia Lake, Jess Ranch, and Mojave Narrows. 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. All of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks have been good on trout, with Prado and Glen Helen the top bets. Yucaipa slowed down and scanty reports from Cucamonga-Guasti make it a risky bet. In San Diego County, Morena and Poway are cranking out the biggest fish, but Dixon, Wohlford, Jennings, and Cuyamaca are all pretty good bets. DFG-stocked reservoirs, especially Perris, Silverwood, and Piru are all good bets, too.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Take what we said last week and repeat it to yourself louder: Just go. If it has largemouth bass, the bite is good right now (except at high elevation waters). Bites are breaking wide open everywhere with male bass all over the shallows fanning out beds and the big females moving up to look around for the best males. Some lakes are in full spawn mode and others are just getting the first flood of males into the shallows. If it has black bass, it’s worth fishing right now. Like we said last week: Just go.
STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of the Southern California striper spots with Skinner, Pyramid, Silverwood and Castaic all cranking out small fish on anchovies. On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to eight pounds on anchovies. Havasu has a good bite, and some action is starting even in the lower river. While it lulled again because of rain Sunday, watch for the Elsinore wiper bite to kick back into gear, and for Nacimiento fans, the white bass are packing into the narrows for the spawning run up into the river. This bite is getting better each day.
PANFISH: Lots of excellent crappie action again this week. Santa Margarita, Lopez, San Antonio, Buena Vista Lakes, are all good bets. Cachuma is also in this category, but the weather slowed it more than the others, but it still cranked fish to two pounds. All Diamond Valley Lake and Casitas Lake to this list, but few anglers are targeting the crappie at these two places. El Capitan is turning back on with a pretty good bite with some crappie over a pound, and Henshaw also has a good bite on crappie but most are half-pounders. Irvine Lake is worth fishing, too, with some good catches with fish to pound or better. The bluegill and redear bites are still muddling along most places, but this warm weather should turn these bites on. Watch Perris, DVL, Casitas, and Cachuma for redear.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the big flatheads seem to be on the move. Fish to 35 pounds were caught near Blythe this week, and more and more anglers are reporting fish over 15 pounds from Havasu to Yuma. Also a pretty good channel bite in this part of the lower river. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is not getting catfish plants each week) and Jean’s Channel Cats which started its catfish season this week, too. Corona Lake and the Santa Ana River Lakes also were stocked with catfish last week and are providing decent action with little pressure on the cats.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS​

SILVERWOOD: Good trout and striper action. The trout are showing around the marina and in most coves with the best bite on floating dough baits, nightcrawlers, and small trout plastics and jigs. DFG trout plant slated for this week. Sammy Granger, Fontana, caught three trout up to three pounds on Power Worms around the docks. Stripers have been good on the points and at the dam on small swim baits and anchovies with most of the fish four pounds and under. Carrie Chandler, Lucerne Valley, had two stripers and her best fish was a six-pounder. Improving action on largemouth bass, but a few more carp and catfish reported this week. Sharon Lange, Anaheim, landed a 10-pound catfish on anchovies last week. Bluegill and crappie still very slow. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Still relatively light fishing pressure but a consistent bite with the best action between the observatory and Juniper Point or off the rocks near the dam. Most of the fish are in the one to three pound range and the bite has mostly been on nightcrawlers or floating dough baits, but the first limit of trout jig fish were reported this week. Also the first bass are starting to show, but the bulk of this action is still a few weeks off. All the lake’s marinas and public ramps are closed and will reopen April 1. In May, there will be several plants of trophy trout for two major events. First, the Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic will be held May 16 and 17. Participants of the May Trout Classic who catch the biggest fish are awarded with cash prizes based on entries. This event will be followed by the “Fishin’ for 50K Trout Derby” on May 30-31 where 10 tagged fish are worth up to $50,000 will be planted. To learn more about these trout tournaments or to register log onto Big Bear Lake - Lodging At Big Bear Lake CA Vacation Cabins or call 800-424-4232. 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: 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: Continued good trout and catfish bites and both species are stocked each week, with the cats going in on Mondays and the trout on Thursdays. The trout are showing on most usual trout baits, with Power Bait and nightcrawlers the top bets. Cats are best on nightcrawlers, the M&M (marshmallow-meal worm) combo, and cut baits. A lot of anglers are dipping their catfish baits in Sonny’s. There have also been a good number of sturgeon in the mix this past week. Gene Ball, Hesperia, had a 15-pound sturgeon, a 12-pound catfish, and a seven-pound trout, all on nightcrawlers at the inlet. Top catfish of the week was a 39-pounder landed by Donald Green, Riverside, while the best trout were at pair of 7-8 rainbows, one landed by Donald Green, Riverside, and the other by Eddie Quzada, Hesperia. Top sturgeon was a 20-pounder caught by Tim Conrad, Llano. 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: Again the weather made for erratic fishing, but overall the bite is still good for anglers fishing Power Bait in a variety of colors or inflated nightcrawlers, jigs, or small trout plastics. Average fish are close to two pounds and hot spots are the grassy point, eastern logged shore and western shore of lake 3 from the bridge to the pump house, as well as the northern and eastern shores of lake 2. Top trout of the week was a 6-13 landed by Danny Kodama, Fullerton, fishing a jig, while Roy Fukushima, Orange, landed a 5-7 rainbow to top off his 17-pound limit. Rod Kaihara, Fullerton, had a 5-2 trout and his cousin Mark Kaihara, also Fullerton, landed a 4-12, with both anglers having limits on Trout Teasers. Chad Gibbons, Rancho Cucamonga, landed a 4-14 rainbow. The is stocked every Friday from its own hatchery. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be basic fishing clinics March 28-29 and April 4-5. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Good trout bite and county trout plants are weekly through April. There is also a DFG plant slated for this week. 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 first week of April, and a DFG trout plant went in last week. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, April 4. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Continued good to excellent trout bite here with a lot of limits reported this past week. The best action has been at Lots No. 1 and 8. Top rainbow this past week was a 7.1-pounder caught by David Day, Baldwin Park, on a Kastmaster at Lot No. 1. There is a fair to good bass bite along the cattails at Lot No. 8 toward the spillway. Also a fair number of carp continue to show for the anglers targeting them. Vladimir Khalfin, North Hollywood, had carp at 10-8 and 10 pounds fishing dough bait in Basin No. 2. Only two county trout plants remaining this season, this week and next week. There was also a DFG plant last week. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: The trout action has been tough this past week with only a few fish reported. This is in spite of both county and DFG trout plants last week, and both will be planting again this week. The last county plant of the season will be next week. Brian Wilson, Redlands, did catch a 7 1/2-pound rainbow on Power Bait from the top lake. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Still a good trout bite thanks to both county and DFG plants this week and last week. Fewer big fish, but quite a few limits of fish up to two pounds reported on Power Bait and small trout jigs. Ron Kawai, Azusa, landed five trout to two pounds, while Salvador Serrano, Fontana, had two trout to 1-8. A few carp and catfish are also showing. Salvador Navarri, Fontana, landed a three-pound carp on dough bait and a two-pound catfish on stink bait. Last county trout plant of season next 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 this week. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: The largemouth bass bite is pretty much wide open with fish on beds and the action very good on Senkos and Ikas in watermellow, drop-shot plastics in purple, and Texas-rigged brush hogs in watermellow. But these fish will take just about anything. The best bass of the week -- a 10-pounder landed by Matt Thompson, Hemet -- apparently ate a bare hook near the marina. Also a good trout plant, and a new lake record fish at 15.45-pounds was caught by Andrew Aralos, Hemet, on Power Bait at the east dam. Mike Dickinson, Hemet, had two trout totaling 12.76, while Archie Kerkhoff, Palmdale, caught an 8.44 pound trout fishing with a Senko near the quarry. Vincent Ledesma, Sun City, caught a 5.8 pounder. Striper action has been slow, but there was a flurry of hot action during the storm on Sunday with fish to 11 pounds reported by trollers working shad-like baits. Catfish are still spotty, but a few fish are starting to show on cut baits and nightcrawlers. The crappie, redear, and bluegill bites are all starting to take off but still getting very light fishing pressure. Young angler Devontae Lewis, Beaumont, caught a 2.16-pound redear fishing with a nightcrawler on the point to the left of the marina. 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: Wind and rains put a damper on the fishing over the weekend, but the bass and trout bites are still very good here. The largemouth bass are spawning and there have been a lot of 2-8 to nearly five-pound fish reported in the past week on plastics, nightcrawlers, or jigs. Don Wilbanks, Moreno Valley, and Lisa Parker, Murrieta, each had a 4.7-pound largemouth bass. The trout action also remains fair to good and a DFG plant is slated for this week. The crappie, redear, and bluegill bites are all also starting to improve, and some quality fish of all three species are being caught, especially around the marina. For the crappie, small jigs with Crappie Nibbles are the best bet. The bluegill and redear are showing on nightcrawlers. Also a pretty consistent bite on the carp for anglers targeting them. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Falling water levels and a cold spell over the weekend were not good for the bass and bluegill, but the striper and trout action really turned on during the weather. Trout have been best near Ramp No. 2 on floating dough baits and small jigs. Dennis Myers, Oceanside, caught a limit of trout that weighed nine pounds total and his best fish was a three-pounder. He was fishing rainbow Power Bait at Ramp No. 2. Stripers are best in the east end, off main lake points, and near Ramp No. 2 on cut anchovies. Bob Slamal, Riverside, caught and released a 20-pound class striper fly-fishing last Wednesday. Kevin Hedrick, Irvine, caught three stripers to 13 pounds on Thursday. The average fish has been in the three-pound class. The largemouth bass slowed during the cooler, windy weather, but the fish were back up in the shallows at mid-week and the bite was taking off again. Lots of smaller fish to two pounds with some bigger stuff mixed in. Plastics and nightcrawlers are best. The bluegill bite also slowed over the weekend, but was starting again at mid week, especially in the east end. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Fair to good largemouth bass action. More and more fish are moving shallow to spawn. Few wiper reports this week, except for the recently-planted small fish that must be released. (There’s an 18-inch minimum size on the wipers.) Few crappie reports, but some carp are being reported, including fish up to 12 pounds. Information: Seaport Boat Launch: 951-245-9308.
CORONA LAKE: A 17-pound class trout and three in the 13-pound range where the top rainbows landed in an excellent trout bite. Bob Sawyer, Corona, was the angler who landed the week’s best fish, a 17.2-pound rainbow fooled with salmon peach Nitro Bait. Jim Lindsey, Riverside, caught a 13.8-pounder, while Noe Alcia, Menifee, had a 13 1/2-pounder. Mike, Tammy, and Brad Nickerson, all Los Angeles, topped off their 15-fish, 28-pound stringer with a 13-4 rainbow. Quite a few limits were reported. Cathy, Russ, and Katie Reynolds, all Diamond Bar, had 15 rainbows that weighed a total of 26 pounds and their top trout was a nice five-pounder. Adam Phillips, San Bernardino, bought two permits and landed nine trout that weighed 13 pounds, including a 5-8 rainbow. Coty Griewe, Fontana, have five trout topped by a 1-8. Ron Bencomo, Alta Loma, topped off his 13-pound, six-fish stringer with a three-pounder, while Ramon Villanueva, Pico Rivera, landed eight trout weighing in at 11 pounds total, including a two pounder. Trout plants again this week and more trophy rainbows next week. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: Fair trout action after a DFG plant last week and three weeks ago. Best bite on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Catfish action is slow on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Fair to good bass bite on worms or plastics.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair to good trout action with a few limits reported this past week. There were both county and DFG plants last week, but this was the final county plant of the season. Top baits have been Power Bait, especially those with yellow. Fred Fredrick, Ontario, caught a 6-14 rainbow, while limits were posted by Robert Berry, Riverside, and Leslie Kanawah, Riveside, and both anglers topped those limits with three pounders. Chris Rodriguez, Riverside, also had a three-pounder. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair trout bite. Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Home.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good catfish action and trout are also still showing, with nightcrawlers working for both species. Trevor Creech, Riverside, landed a five-pound catfish this past week, but most of the fish are in the two-pound range. Terminator update: This notorious catfish, estimated in the 80-pound range, took four rods into the lake last season and has started breaking lines again this year. 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: Fair to good trout action and a DFG plant this week should keep that action good. Cold, rainy weather this past weekend kept most anglers away. Still slow other species. 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: There were at least 22 rainbows larger than 10 pounds caught here in the past week, and the big fish was a 21 1/2-pound rainbow. The big fish action was thanks to a big plant of the oversize trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms. Anthony Williams, Anaheim Hills, landed the 21-8 rainbow fishing a nightcrawler at the pump house. An 18-pound trout was caught by Jim Rico, Hawthorne, on rainbow Nitro Bait at La Palma Point. Greg McCloud, Seal Beach, and Clem Nunez, Riverside, each landed 17-8 rainbows, while Steve Jaimenez, Montebello, caught a 17-2. Arturo Valesquez, West Covina, had a 17-pounder, while Joseph Olivarez, Covina, landed a 16-even. There were three trout landed at 15 3/4-pounds, one caught by Jonathan Olalde, Pomona, one by Ayaz Uddin, Anaheim Hills, and the last by Frank Bin, La Cresenta. Timothy Dunn, Ranchos Palos Verde, landed a 15-8, as did Daniel Fernandez, Carson. Larry Houthin, Long Beach, caught a 15 1/4-pounder, while Rick Kizzee, Hawthorne, landed a 15-even. Nightcrawlers and Nitro dough were the hot baits this past week. Most anglers were inflating the nightcrawlers and adding Nitro Gravy or Nitro Grease, and the best colors for the floating Nitro Bait were rainbow, chartreuse, strawberry, orange and white. A number of quality fish were also caught on Lip RipperZ and Trout Magic trout jigs, Roostertails, and a variety of small trout worms. Another trout plant this week and a second plant of the trophy trout next week. 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: A new lake record rainbow trout at 22.6-pounds was caught this week by Greg Stotesbury, Mission Viejo, breaking the long-standing record by just .05-pound. There is a good bass bite overall with good action along the west shore, Trout Island, and near the dam. Top producing Power Bait colors have included white and chartreuse and the Gulp Trout Dough in chunky cheese. Best Power Mouse combination was a chartreuse Gulp Egg with a natural brown Power Trout Worm trailer. Leaders from 14 to 18 inches worked best. Lots of limits and many anglers have quality fish on their stringers. Barry Mains, Orange, had a 10-12 rainbow trout on an SC Shiner at the flats, while Hunter Pitts, 3, Orange, caught a 10-1 rainbow trout on a Kastmaster near the docks. The bass and crappie action is also excellent with a lot of bass anglers reporting catching and releasing 30 or more fish per boat with the best action on Senkos, ripbaits, drop-shot plastics, and jigs. Don Spencer, Diamond Bar, landed a 7-5 largemouth on a flipping jig on the flats, while Audrey Shipnovick, Laguna Hills, caught a 5-9 largemouth on a Senko. Crappie anglers found good numbers of slabs of a half-pound up to two pounds. The crappie were holding in the tops of flooded trees, and are hitting best on white Berkley Atomic Tubes, either with or without a meal worm trailer. Carp are spawning in large numbers in Sierra Cove, but little fishing effort has been directed toward theme except for a few European carp specialists. Only a handful of catfish were checked in, but Vitali Sviridov, Hollywood, landed a 16-2 carp on carp dough on the flats. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout action has been very good and there was a big plant on Monday that included Lightning Trout. Top action has been the shoreline next to the dock, the point, and the launch ramp areas, while boat anglers are fishing the bubble hole, three pipes and the flats. Best action has been on Power Bait in spring green, chartreuse, and rainbow, and many anglers are fishing the Power Mouse combo. Inflated nightcrawlers are always good, and Power Worms in chartreuse, orange, and bubble gum colors are also producing. For fly fishermen, the hot ticket has been to fish the flats and off the small island with olive and black midges. 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: Continued good crappie action with most fish over a pound and some to nearly three pounds. Best bite in the narrows on small jigs in red and white or chartreuse, but some fish also showing on small Shad Raps trolled slowly. The bass action has been improving with each sunny day and both the largemouth and smallmouth are pretty good now, with the fish flooding into the shallows and points to spawn. Mostly small males right now. The trout action has been slow, but the fish showing are pretty good quality. Trollers are using Rapalas, Needlefish, or Kastmasters with fish mostly in the 1-8 to two pounds range, but a 6-8 was reported this past week. Most of the fish are still in less than 30 feet of water targeting the shad. Not much shore or bait fishing action. Redear are still mostly slow. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Windy, rainy weather Sunday slowed the bass bite, but it was very good before and has already picked back up since with fish to 8-12 reported since Tuesday. Parker Marquez, Oakview, landed a seven-pounder on a plastic, while Martin Sierra, Newberry Park, caught a five-pounder on a nightcrawler. The crappie and redear are lagging behind the bass and still just a few coming into the marina scales. Catfish are slow, but Pisa Victoria, Oxnard, landed a nine-pound bass fishing a plastic for bass. Trout are slow, but there will be a Kid’s Fishing Day the first weekend of April and plants are expected for that event. 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: A small trout plant (both big lake and lagoon) last week did more for the striper bites than it did for the trout action, and a number of quality stripers were reported. Best was a 32.2-pounder caught by Ken Hemer, Castaic, on a BBZ swimbait. He had nice stringers of stripers both Thursday and Friday last week fishing the dam just to the right of the marina. Scott Lizakowski, Canyon Country, caught a 12.1-pounder to top off his four-fish, 39-pound stringer. Matt White, Castaic, had an 8.9-pounder. The largemouth bass bite is very good with a lot of smaller males already on beds in shallow water and bigger females still off in eight to 20 feet of water. Top fish was a 12-pounder caught in a weekend tournament and bass to seven pounds have been reported in the lagoon. Trout were slated to be planted again this week in the lagoon. A few bluegill are starting to show, and there is good carp action with fish exceeding 10 pounds for the very few anglers fishing the carp. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Very good trout action and there was a DFG trout plant on Monday this week that should keep this action good. A lot of limits reported on Power Bait, nightcrawlers or plastic trout worms. The crappie bite broke open this past week with good action. Most of the crappie are under a pound, but stringers of 10 or more fish have been common for anglers fishing small jigs. Bass are also improving and fish to 12 pounds were caught in the past week, mostly on plastics and nightcrawlers with the fish staging to spawn. There has been decent bluegill and redear action and a few catfish reported. Chris Williams, Pacoima, had a limit of trout to four pounds and 19 bluegill. Fisher Bradford, 8, had a 1.7-pound rainbow. Winds closed the lake Monday. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: Weather made for tough fishing conditions over the weekend, but there is still a spotty bite on small stripers to four pounds for anglers fishing both from shore or boat with anchovies, nightcrawlers, or smaller shad-like lures. Best spot for shore anglers has been below the gate house. Last trout plant was March and the bite has been slow in recent days. Largemouth bass action is really starting to improve with a lot of smaller fish, under two pounds, showing on nightcrawlers, plastics, and swim baits. Slow other species. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790. QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week should improve the slow trout action. The bass bite lulled with the cold but it turning back on this week with the warm weather with a lot of fish along the shorelines. Bluegill and crappie are still mostly slow, but a few fish are showing on small jigs. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants this week and last week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Some largemouth bass starting to show, too. 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.
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 190 anglers checked reported 502 bass, 13 crappie, and three channel cats. Top bass was a 6.3-pounder caught by Richard Kelly, Del Dios, on a crawdad. The fish topped off his 15.8-pound limit. 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: Still fair to good bass and crappie action here with 105 anglers landed 72 bass, 61 crappie, six bluegill, four blue cats, and two channel cats this past week. 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: Fair bass action but other species slowed thanks to the weather. There were 173 anglers who reported catching 268 bass, 10 crappie, six channel cats, three bluegill, and one blue cat. Top bass was a 10.7-pounder landed by Mike O’Conner, Ocean Beach, on a Senko. Steve Brecko, Murrita, caught a 6.6-pounder. Top cat was a 20-pound blue landed by Brian Cummings, Inglewood. 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 bass are up in the shallows and this past week 10 anglers reported catching 29 bass to 5 1/2 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 action. Just 32 anglers reported three bass and one redear ovr the past week. 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: Just fair bass and trout action but a plant was slated for this week. This past week, 101 anglers reported 30 bass, 30 trout, and one 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 report this week. 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: Fair to good trout action. There was a plant last week and the next plant will be next week. Best action in Willow and Boat Dock coves on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Victor Sarabia, Valley Center, caught a 5-1 rainbow in Willow cove on Power Bait, while Bob Blackburn, Escondido, landed a five-even on a nightcrawler in Boat Dock Cove. The largemouth bass bite improving with each warm day with a lot of fish in the shallows now. Scott Osborne, Valley Center, had a five-pounder on a plastic worm, while Jeremy Pierce, Oceanside, landed a 4-6. Crappie also starting to show in better numbers. Cliff Chambers, Escondido, landed a 1-12 on a green jig west of the Senior Shoreline. Fears of quagga mussels have kept a ban on private watercraft in place. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: Good trout action after a plant of Nebraska Tailwalkers last week. Next plants will be April 1 and 8. Top action in Whicker Bay and the buoy line areas on inflated nightcrawlers, Power Worms, small jigs, Kastmasters, or Roostertails. Bass action is very good with fish flooding the shallows to spawn. Most fish are small. Catfish slow. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Very good trout action continues and another plant is slated for this week (1,500 pounds). There were a lot of quality trout landed, with the big fish a 10.2-pounder caught by Rick Cole, Yorba Linda, on a firetiger Rapala at mid-lake. Jeff Tinderholt, Chula Vista, caught a 10-even, while Austin Baron, Carmel Mountain, had an eight-pounder. There is a good bass bite over much of the lake as the fish move tight into the shallows to spawn. James Brassil, Rancho Bernardo, landed an 8.2-pound bass on a jig in Hidden Bay. A few cats are showing at the log boom, but the bluegill bite is slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Good trout bite in Half Moon Cove and Cactus Patch on inflated nightcrawlers dipped in scent and fished on a two-foot leader. Mt. Lassen plant last week. Bass action excellent with the fish in full spawn mode and males all over the shallows and showing in good numbers of plastics (especially lizards) and small jigs, but few bigger bass. Slow 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. 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: Very good trout action with some impressive limits posted. Tom Bossard, so Tommy Bossard, and Steve Dar, all Jacumba, caught 15 rainbows topped by trout at 11-4, 9-7 and 6-4, all on Power Bait. Richie Bowman, Encinitas, landed five trout including a 10-14. More and more bass are showing in shallow water and anglers fishing jigs and drop-shot plastics are getting fish to three pounds. Panfish are still slow, but the odd bluegill and crappie were reported this past week. Catfish still slow. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Fair to good trout action especially for anglers fishing an inflated nightcrawler or Power Bait dipped in Pautzke’s Krill Gel and fished just off the bottom at the buoy line or along the north shore. John and Isaac Baay, Julian, landed a five-pound rainbow, while David Brown, San Diego, caught a 4-8. A plant of 1,200 pounds from Jess Ranch this week. Upcoming events: 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: Still fair crappie action with most fish running about a half-pound and showing off the Fish-N-Float on live minnows or small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles. Lyle Daniel, San Ysabel, landed five crappie with his best a 3/4-pounder.Sidney Corbin, Los Angeles, had five to a half-pound, while Feng Nien Yu, El Monte, landed seven crappie to a half-pound. A few bass are showing, too, and Jerry Davis, Temecula, landed a seven-pounder on a nightcrawler. Few cats, but Greg Thomas, Temecula, caught a three-pounder. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Trout bite fair to good from Hemmingway to Boulder Bay. A few stripers were caught in Boulder Bay and decent action in Gypsum Wash. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is just starting with a fair bite.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout plants are each week on Friday and the bite has been good on nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. Few striper reports in the past week. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Good to excellent striped bass action with a lot of one to three pound fish for both shore and boat anglers in the Cottonwood Cove area. The hotspot has been Arizona Rock with fish to six pounds reported on anchovies in the past week. Also a good striper bite near the dam and around Katherine’s Landing. The largemouth bass bite has also been fair to good with a lot of fish showing on points and staging to spawn. Best action on plastics. 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. Improving largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: The largemouth bass bite is starting to take off and there were a few reports of crappie in the past week. Catfish are also pretty decent with the warmer weather. 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.
HAVASU: Striper bite lulled over the weekend, but has surged again this week with good action on shad or swimbaits or slow-trolled 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, and the largemouth bite is really starting to turn on with fish moving shallow to spawn. 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. Improved largemouth and smallmouth bass action with the fish getting in a spawn mode. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: The flathead catfish bite is pretty good for this early in the season with several fish to 15 pounds reported in the past week. There will be a big team catfish tournament April 24-25 out of Mayflower Park. The largemouth bass bite is also really taking off in area ditches and backwaters, and the smallmouth bite is good in the main river along river rip-rap with fish to 3-8 reported in a local tournament this past weekend. No bluegill or crappie to speak of yet, though. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The largemouth bass bite is breaking wide open in the backwaters along this stretch of the river. Pretty Water and Cibola Lake are the hotspots right now, but most of the region is very good and each warm day makes the bite better. A few bluegill and crappie also showing. Improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. The flathead action is getting better each day and there’s a pretty good bite on channel cats now. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Bass action fair to good with better and better action each day. The best bite is on plastic worms or nightcrawlers as the fish move shallow to spawn. Fairish catfish bite on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones.
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 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action in the main river and river backwaters has really picked up on minnows and plastics. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to be the best fishing spot for channel catfish action, some 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: Little change here with a wide open tilapia bite. The action lulled with wind and cooler weather Sunday, but it has surged right back on by mid-week. 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. There is an occasional bigger fish. One group reported landing 600 fish over two days. More and more anglers are now also fishing at Salt Creek and Mecca Beach, where the bite is also very good. 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 last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: General trout season reopens 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 flows have been coming up and the bite is good for browns and rainbows feasting on perch fry coming out of the reservoir. There are also daily hatches of midges with some early mayfly and stonefly hatches, too. 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. Very good midge hatches in the upper Owens and sporadic baetis hatches on overcast days. Some rainbows to 20 inches. Hot Creek has also been good, also with midge and mayfly hatches, but the food is all on the small side, think 18 to 22s. 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: Flows on the lower Owens below Pleasant Valley remain about 100 cfs and the action has been very good, but the flows could bump up just about any day now. Fly anglers are seeing pretty good caddis hatches and some mayfly surface activity during low-light or clouded conditions. Some quality fish also showing on streamers fished in tailouts. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been very good for lure, jig, bait and fly anglers. Owens Gorge good for small browns on small dries with some stones coming off now. 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: Spotty action. No plants in the lower Owens below Tinnemaha, Lone Pine Creek, or Diaz Lake since the early opener three weeks ago. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: The front that moved through this past weekend dropped snow all around the lake on Sunday and really dropped temperatures, but the weather has been warming since and the trout bite is still very good. The private trout plants start this week for the big trout derby next weekend. Most fish around a pound and showing on floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers. Largemouth bass, crappie and catfish all still slow. 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 and flies for holdover fish and wild trout. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or Fly Fishing the Kern River, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The cold weather didn’t seem to slow the striper bite with fair to good action on blood worms and sand worms with some bigger fish on plugs. Catfish are still mostly slow.
HART PARK LAKE: Slow to fair trout bite on nightcrawlers and Power Bait after a DFG plant two weeks ago. Continued improving bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics, but bluegill are still sluggish.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic after a DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Fair to good improved bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics. Bluegill still spotty.
RIVER WALK PARK: DFG plant two weeks ago and still a few trout showing, mostly on floating baits. The bass bite is fair to good, and some bluegill are just starting to show.
MING LAKE: The bass and crappie bites are the big news here this week with fair to good action on both, including some quality crappie on minnows. Also still slow to fair action on trout with the last DFG plant two weeks ago.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Still a few fish showing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Cold weather snap made the fishing a little tougher, but the crappie bite has come back on this week with continued good action on slabs topping two pounds. The best bite has been on small shiners and jigs. There is also a good bass bite as the fish start into spawn mode. Lots of smaller males in shallow. Trout remain fair. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: Water level is back up and the bass bite is very good with a lot of fish on plastics. The crappie action is also improving this week with the best bite up around the bridge. DFG trout plant last week and the bite has been pretty fair. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fairly decent bass bite as the fish stage for spawning. Best bite on live bait and plastics. Still few crappie reports. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good crappie bite with fish from 3/4 to a pound, mostly on crappie jigs. Striper action also fair with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Largemouth bass bite really starting to perk with the best bite on rocky points and into the coves with swimbaits, plastic worms, and nightcrawlers the best bets. Slow to fair catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: The bite for spotties is very good on plastics, jigs, and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines with the best bite mornings and evenings. Fish to four-pounds reported in a weekend tournament. Largemouth and smallmouth action is starting to catch up as the fish get in a spawn mode. The big news is that the white bass are starting to stack up in the narrows and there has been good action on fish to four pounds. Also a good crappie bite on jig with fish to 2 1/2 pounds with anglers reporting stringers of 20 to 40 fish each. Lots of big carp in the marina for the few anglers fishing them. Information: 805-238-1056 or Welcome to Lake Nacimiento.
SANTA MARGARITA: The bass and crappie bites are both excellent here with the bass in the shallows and the crappie schooled up to spawn, too. Stewart Merrill, Goleta, caught and released seven bass to 10-5 on blue and black jigs with a trailer in the narrows. Doug Rice, Atascadero, who caught a near-record 13-2 two weekends ago, landed an 8-8 bass on Saturday. The crappie are stacked up in structure with the area between the first and second camps opposite the marina the hot spot. Forrest Powell and Forrest, Jr., both Atascadero, had 30 crappie with fish to 1-8, all caught on green or black and white jigs. Even the catfish are starting to show. No more trout plants. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Largemouth bass action is very good at the dam, main lake points, and up in the coves, with the smaller males already in the shallows. Best bite on plastics, reaction baits, and nightcrawlers. 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, and the trout bite is slowish. 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. 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.
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Trabuco Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake, Hemet Lake, Perris Lake, Strawberry Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Lion Canyon Creek and Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA: Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek, Rose Valley Lakes.
FRESNO: Avacado Lake, Kings River (below Pine Flat Dam), San Joaquin River (below Friant Dam).
MERCED: Yosemite Lake.