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SOCAL FISH REPORT
March 3, 2010
Compiled by Jim Matthews Outdoor News ServiceMarch 3, 2010
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The Fred Hall Show is the best bet this week. The granddaddy of Southern California outdoor shows is running from today through Sunday at the Long Beach Convention Center and functions as the kick off to the spring fishing season. Virtually every fishing landing, sport fishing destination, and tackle manufacturer is represented and all of the local retail stores have booths with blow-out sales. Exhibitors from around the world are here, too, from those promoting peacock bass trips in South American, to nile perch in Africa, to taimen in Mongolia. Admission to the Hall Show is $15 for adults and kids are free. For more information, go to Fred Hall - Fishing Tackle, Boat & Travel Shows or call 805-389-3339 for more information or directions.
2. Lake Havasu on the Colorado River is having a very good bass bite --mostly smallmouth, but also pretty decent largemouth bass -- with the fish already moving shallow to spawn. If we can ever string a few nice weather days together this bite will break wide open. This is a sight fishing bonanza with a lot of quality smallies to four pounds. For an update on this action call Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
3. While Diamond Valley Lake was a little off this past week, it is still have the best largemouth bass bite in Southern California with the fish already moving up into the shallows to fan out spawning beds. While it’s not full-on spawn time, the fishing is pretty darn good for the season. For updates on the bite, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
2. Lake Havasu on the Colorado River is having a very good bass bite --mostly smallmouth, but also pretty decent largemouth bass -- with the fish already moving shallow to spawn. If we can ever string a few nice weather days together this bite will break wide open. This is a sight fishing bonanza with a lot of quality smallies to four pounds. For an update on this action call Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
3. While Diamond Valley Lake was a little off this past week, it is still have the best largemouth bass bite in Southern California with the fish already moving up into the shallows to fan out spawning beds. While it’s not full-on spawn time, the fishing is pretty darn good for the season. For updates on the bite, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Finally, most of the Los Angeles County urban waters have been cleared for trout plants and received fish this week. It should be a good weekend at most of these waters (see Trout Plants list). Other top bets continues to be Hesperia Lake, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and all of the San Bernardino County Park lakes (which all will be getting trophy trout this week). In San Diego County, Lake Cuyamaca remains the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers.
BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites are breaking wide open across the region and the poorer weather has not seemed to slow down this action. The movement of fish up onto beds to spawn is increasing daily, and top bets include Diamond Valley Lake, Casitas, Castaic (especially the lagoon), El Capitan, Lower Otay, Perris, Skinner, Cachuma, Isabella, and Puddingstone. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River looks like it might be poised to take off again, too, with very good reports at Havasu and the lower river again this week. Cachuma’s smallmouths are also picking up.
STRIPED BASS: Diamond Valley and Castaic are still the top bets, with some very good catches out of both this past week. Castaic cranked out a number of stripers over 10 pounds, while the few reports from DVL also had at least a couple of stripers over 10 pounds. Silverwood, the aqueduct near Taft, and Pyramid have all been producing a fair number of fish, and all three bites have shown improvements again this week in spite of the weather. On the Colorado River, the big news is the action at Havasu looked like it might be opening up a little at mid-lake of Windsor Beach and up at the mouth of the river.
PANFISH: Some budding bites to report here, with crappie and redear starting again at Perris. Also still some crappie showing at Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River and there were some real quality fish starting to show at Casitas. The fledgling bites at El Capitan and Otay seemed to stay in a holding pattern. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea also saw its bite nipped in the bud with cooler conditions. A bite to watch: Lake Havasu’s redear action.
CATFISH: Hesperia Lake has been pretty good, and certainly better than anyplace else for cats. Hesperia had a 2,000-pound plant last week to keep it perking. A few cats are showing at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, and a few fish are also showing in Casitas’ Santa Ana Arm. The channel catfish action was also picking up along the whole lower Colorado River, especially in the warmer backwaters and irrigation ditches, and there were a handful of flatheads reported, too.
BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites are breaking wide open across the region and the poorer weather has not seemed to slow down this action. The movement of fish up onto beds to spawn is increasing daily, and top bets include Diamond Valley Lake, Casitas, Castaic (especially the lagoon), El Capitan, Lower Otay, Perris, Skinner, Cachuma, Isabella, and Puddingstone. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River looks like it might be poised to take off again, too, with very good reports at Havasu and the lower river again this week. Cachuma’s smallmouths are also picking up.
STRIPED BASS: Diamond Valley and Castaic are still the top bets, with some very good catches out of both this past week. Castaic cranked out a number of stripers over 10 pounds, while the few reports from DVL also had at least a couple of stripers over 10 pounds. Silverwood, the aqueduct near Taft, and Pyramid have all been producing a fair number of fish, and all three bites have shown improvements again this week in spite of the weather. On the Colorado River, the big news is the action at Havasu looked like it might be opening up a little at mid-lake of Windsor Beach and up at the mouth of the river.
PANFISH: Some budding bites to report here, with crappie and redear starting again at Perris. Also still some crappie showing at Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River and there were some real quality fish starting to show at Casitas. The fledgling bites at El Capitan and Otay seemed to stay in a holding pattern. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea also saw its bite nipped in the bud with cooler conditions. A bite to watch: Lake Havasu’s redear action.
CATFISH: Hesperia Lake has been pretty good, and certainly better than anyplace else for cats. Hesperia had a 2,000-pound plant last week to keep it perking. A few cats are showing at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, and a few fish are also showing in Casitas’ Santa Ana Arm. The channel catfish action was also picking up along the whole lower Colorado River, especially in the warmer backwaters and irrigation ditches, and there were a handful of flatheads reported, too.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: Very little fishing pressure. No DFG plants in over a month. Fishing information: Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. No recent DFG plants. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No report.
JENKS LAKE: Closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Excellent fishing with rainbow trout, Lightning trout, and catfish all showing in very good numbers. The trout have been best on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait in bright colors. Martin Shear, Long Beach, caught a 12-pound rainbow trout on a Lip RipperZ. Pablo Garcia, Barstow, hooked into a 10-pound lightning trout using a crappie jig. Catfish action has been best for anglers using mackerel and shrimp. Shawn Jones, Hesperia, landed a 25-pound blue catfish using the marshmallow and mealworm combo. James Adams, Redlands, got an 18-8 channel cat using mackerel. A few sturgeon continue to show each week with Irvin Zavala, Rancho Cucamonga, scoring the top sturgeon this week at 18 pounds on a nightcrawler. The lake will be planted with both trout and catfish this week, including many trophy-size catfish. 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. Cost will be reduced to $10 on Mondays but price remains the same the rest of the week and no other discounts apply to the Monday special. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Fishing has been good to excellent for trout with Power Bait working best in colors spring green, orange, and salmon peach. Inflated nightcawlers, jigs, and small trout lures are also working well. Top spots have been the eastern logged shore and the western shore from the pump house to the bridge of lake 3 and the northern and eastern shores of lake 2. Jerry Young, Apple Valley, caught a limit of trout to 5-8 on a Mepps from the eastern shore of lake 2. The occasional catfish is still showing with Daniel Mantooth, Victorville, getting a 13-11 near the bridge of lake 2. The lake is open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Friday from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Trout action has been excellent. Best bite has been on Power Worms, Power Bait, and nightcrawlers. County plants are weekly now through the rest of the season, and DFG plants this week, two, and four weeks ago. The lake will be receiving a special plant of trophy trout on March 4 from Mt. Lassen. James Morgan, Lucerne Valley, caught three trout to 3-8. Other species mostly slow with the cold weather. Due to the recent flooding in the park, Horseshoe Lake has been temporarily closed due to some damage it received, however, Pelican Lake is remains open and will continue to be planted. The fourth of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here Saturday, March 20, with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The last derby in the series will be at Glen Helen, April 10. All derbies are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair trout action with fish averaging about one pound. Best bite has been on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. County plants are every week now through the rest of the season, and there were DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. The lake will also be receiving a special plant of trophy trout on March 4 from Mt. Lassen. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Excellent trout action with many limits reported. County trout are planted every week the rest of the season and DFG plants went in last week and three weeks ago. There was also a bonus plant of 2,000 pounds of trophy trout that went in three weeks ago and the lake will be receiving another special plant of trophy trout this week from Mt. Lassen. The catfish bite is picking up with fish to 7.1 pounds reported. Top spot for cats has been the back side of the lake. There has also been a good carp bite recently with fish to 15 pounds reported. Bass action has been slow but should pick up as the weather continues to warm up. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good trout action with the best bite in the lower lake. County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season and DFG plants went in last week and three weeks ago. The lake will be receiving a special plant of trophy trout this week from Mt. Lassen. There has also been a fair carp bite for those targeting them. Slow other species. The lake is hosting a junior fishing workshop on March 6 for kids ages five to 11. The workshop is set to run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the registration fee is $5 per child with a $10 vehicle entry fee. To register call 909-387-2461. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Excellent trout action. County plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season and DFG trout plants went in last week and three weeks ago. The lake will be receiving a special plant of trophy trout this week from Mt. Lassen. Shermond Johnson, San Bernardino, caught a 3.8 pound trout on a Power Worm at Snack Bar Lagoon. Julio Ibarra, Fontana, landed three trout to 3.5 pounds on Power Bait at the large lake. Kevin Hixson, 9, Fontana, hooked two trout to 3.2 pounds on yellow Power Bait at the large lake rock wall. Catfish and carp action has been good recently as well. Slow other species. The final derby of San Bernardino County Regional Park’s five events will be held here Saturday, April 10, with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The derby is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). 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 and three weeks ago. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The weather this past week slowed the largemouth action some but fish are still showing all around the lake in relatively shallow water with a lot of fish already fanning out beds -- and more showing up every warm day. Largemouth are being caught on a wide-variety of plastics with some bigger fish on the big trout-like swim baits. Trout action slowed some this past week but a few limits were reported from the west shoreline on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and spinnerbaits. The striper action was slow this past week with only a few catches on LA Sliders and BBZs, but the fish landed were mostly over 10 pounds. There were few panfish reports this past week with the colder weather, but there have been some crappie off the dams in 20 to 30 feet of water. For general lake, launch, and fishing information, call 800-590-LAKE, the marina at 951-926-7201 or Diamond Valley Marina, or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Last Chance Tackle - Home.
PERRIS: The panfish bite has started to turn on with several anglers reporting excellent fishing at the marina. Joe Hernandez, Corona, and Robert Cabe, Perris, teamed up to catch 12 crappie totaling 18 pounds with a 2.2-pounder topping their catch. Also some better quality redear starting to show, too. The largemouth action is also picking up with some decent action on swimbaits and nightcrawlers. Bob Dilts, Sun City, caught a 4.1-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler on the east side of the island. The trout bite is good at Launch Cove and Sail Cove on nightcrawlers, trout worms, and Kastmasters. Other species slow. The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The trout action remains the best bet after a plant last week. Best bite for shore anglers at Ramp No. 2, with boat anglers seeing a decent bite in the east end with a few holdover fish. Top baits have been Power Bait, Power Worms, Kastmasters, and spinnerbaits. Mary Garcia, Moreno Valley, caught four trout to three pounds on inflated nightcrawlers at the east end. The largemouth action was good with nightcrawlers and dark colored plastics working well. Top spots for largemouth were the east end, south shore, and near Marina Point. Art Fields, Hemet, landed two largemouth to 6.2 pounds on plastic worms at the east end. The striper bite picked up a little this past week. Deep water near the dam and the inlet remain the top spots with ramp No. 2 and Marina Point also a good bet. Mathew Blake, San Diego, hooked into six stripers to five pounds on chicken livers at the dam. The catfish, carp, bluegill, and crappie are all mostly slow with only an occasional incidental catch. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Very light fishing pressure and few reports. Shouldn’t the crappie bite be starting about now? Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: In spite of half the weekend being washed out by rain, anglers still managed to land at least 45 limits of rainbow and Lightning Trout over the past week in a very good bite. The big fish were a pair of 5 1/2-pounders. One topped a 10-fish stringer caught by Will Jefferson, Apple Valley, and Jose Martinez, San Diego, while fishing green Nitro Bait from a boat. The 10 fish weighed a total of 17 1/2 pounds. The other 5 1/2 was caught by Jacob Olachia, Temecula. Matt and Paul Maldonado, both Rancho Cucamonga, landed 10 rainbows for a total of 17 pounds from shore. Bright-colored trout plastics, jigs, and floating baits have all been working well, but adding a scent like Eagle Claw Gravy in garlic helps the action. Weekly rainbow trout plants. Brown trout and sturgeon will be plant March 18. Information: 951-277-4489 or default b.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Other species slow.
RANCHO JURUPA: County trout plants of 1,500 pounds are going in alternating weeks this year. There was a plant last week and a DFG plant two weeks ago. County plant next week. No reports. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Good trout bite with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. Slow catfish and bluegill action. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Park, a Hemet California RV Park and Family Campground.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good trout action, mostly on one to two-pound fish. Best bite on most trout dough baits and nightcrawlers. Plants twice a month through April. Still a few catfish showing on chicken liver with mackerel. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Still just slow to fair trout action with no recent DFG plants. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent DFG trout plants. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: The trout action has continued to be good thanks to weekly plants. The average trout has been around one to 1 1/2 pounds, but many stringers have three to six-pound rainbows. The top trout reported this week were a pair of 6 1/2 pounders. The first was part of a seven-fish, 15-pound stringer caught by Erik Buena, East Los Angeles, fishing rainbow Nitro Bait along the east shoreline. The other was landed by Carlos Sanchez, Orange, fishing chartreuse Nitro Bait near the boat dock. Ulyses Garcia, Huntington Park, 15-fish stringer that weighed in at 22 pounds with a 5 1/2 pounder his best fish. All were landed on chartreuse Nitro Bait off the Sandy Beach. Ken Sakamoto, Riverside, landed a 5 1/2-pound Lightning Trout, while John Nakamura, Walnut, caught a 5 1/4-pound rainbow. Brown trout and sturgeon plant slated for March 18. Private boats are no longer allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes due to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system. Information: 714-632-7830.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
IRVINE LAKE: Trout action was good this past week. Woody's Cove, Boat Dock Cove, Trout Island, and Santiago Flats were the top spots. Ron Larsen, Seal Beach, got a 12-4 rainbow trout on a nightcrawler at Woody’s Cove. Dan Wackerman, Corona, landed a 10-1 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Woody’s Cove. Largemouth action has really picked up this past week with many smaller males being caught in the shallows. Lyn Cardiel, Santa Ana, caught an 8-1 largemouth bass on a jig at the west shore. Jose Granado, Fountain Valley, hooked into a 6-1 largemouth bass on nightcrawlers at Boat Dock Cove. James Smiley, Lake Forest, scored 40 largemouth bass with a 3-8 topping the catch on jigs at Rocky Point. Some anglers have reported landing crappie using mini jigs along the fenceline. 4,000 pounds of hybrid stripers were planted just over a month ago but the bite never really kicked in on these fish. The occasional catfish is still being landed. Fishing in the Kids Lagoon has been very good. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Fair to good trout action after a plant last week. The top spots have been Bubble Hole and in front of the dock, Three Pipes, and the small island. The backside of the island and near Three Pipes were the best spots for fly anglers once again. Quite a few bass are starting to move shallow in a pre-spawn mode. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or Laguna Niguel Lake.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Trout action has been fair to good after the private plant last week. Gary Hughes, Goleta, caught and released 14 trout fishing all over the lake. Bass action is slow to fair for both largemouth and smallmouth, but quite a few fish have been seen moving shallow in a pre-spawn bite. Slow other species. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks Department Home. The marina is closed and boat rentals have ceased. The marina isn’t expected to be reopening in the near future, but the boat launch is still open. For fishing information updates, anglers should now call the general store at 805-688-5246.
CASITAS: The largemouth bass bite is starting to break open with more and more bass moving into the shallows and already on beds. While the weather has hampered the fishing, there have been some good scores in the past week on fish averaging two to four pounds. The crappie bite is also starting to turn on with the fish staging in 15 to 20 feet of water. There are also still a few catfish showing for anglers fishing in the Santa Ana River Arm where the water comes in during rains. Trout slow and no plants are likely in the near future. Private boats are allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Fair striper action in spite of the weather with some quality fish over 10 pounds starting to show. Most of the fish are one to three pounds, and the action has been best on anchovies or sardines, with squid or nightcrawlers are decent back-up baits. Sharron’s Rest, Elizabeth Canyon, Kong Island, and the fore bay buoy line are the top spot. The largemouth bass bite has been improving with some fish starting to show up in shallower water for the spawn, but most of the action is still 10 to 25 feet of water on plastics and jigs. The lagoon seems to be ahead of the main lake with some fish already in shallow kicking out beds and the bite has been good, especially for float tubers. Also still a few cats showing on cut baits. Trout are slow with the last plants Jan. 12. Information: 661-775-6232 or Castaic Lake | Home.
PIRU: Best action has been on largemouth bass in 15 to 40 feet showing on plastics and jigs. The crappie are also starting to improve on small jigs in 20 to 25 feet. Trout are very slow with no plants since Jan. 18, and none likely anytime soon. Bluegill, redear, and catfish are mostly slow, too. There will be a public bass tournament March 21. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or Lake Piru Recreation Area.
PYRAMID: A fair bite on smaller stripers on anchovies and sardines in deeper water in the main body of the lake. Also an occasional fish on a swimbait. The last DFG trout plant was Jan. 25, and only a few fish are still showing on PowerBait or small lures. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bites are improving, but they are still mostly in deeper water and showing on plastics and jigs. The redear, bluegill, and catfish are all very slow. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week -- first in over a month. Fair action on largemouth bass on plastics with more and more fish showing in shallower water. A few redear are also showing again. Slow other species. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant this week. The catfish, bluegill, and largemouth action all slow. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plants this week and last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and last week.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: Slow to fair bass action. There were 132 anglers checked and they reported catching 88 bass, 11 crappie, and one catfish. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: The largemouth bass bite is really starting to take off here, and the crappie bite is improving again. This past week, 116 anglers landed 204 bass and 47 crappie. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: The bass bite was slowed a little by the weather change but many fish are still moving tight. There were 136 anglers this past week who reported catching 274 bass, nine crappie to 2.98 pounds, and one channel catfish at 12.56 pounds. Ryan Test, El Cajon, caught a six-pound largemouth on a Carolina Rig in Harvey Arm. Mike Green, Chula Vista, landed a 5.1-pound bass using a plastic in Harvey Arm. Vance Willar, Chula Vista, caught a stringer of bass totaling 10.7 pounds with a four-pounder topping the catch. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will not be renting boats November, December, or January. Rentals resume Feb. 6 on a Saturday-Sunday schedule. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
UPPER OTAY: There were five anglers who landed 10 bass to 3.45 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for catch-and-release fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is open. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: The bite here is still tough. There were 35 anglers checked and they reported catching just 16 bass and two trout. DFG trout plant this week. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. DFG trout plant this week. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. The lake is no longer renting boats of any kind.
MIRAMAR: Tough bite. There were 42 anglers who caught two bass and three trout. A trout plant this week should improve the action. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. The lake is no longer renting boats of any kind.
Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water.
SUTHERLAND: Closed. It will reopen later this month. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Trout action was good this past week. Inflated nightcrawlers and green Power Bait have been working best. Top spots for trout are Senior Shoreline and all the western points. Cliff Chambers, Escondido, caught a 5.75-pound rainbow on Power Bait. Some catfish are still showing on cut baits at the buoy lines. Trout were planted last week and three weeks ago. The bass fishing was slow to fair this past week but there was one notable catch. Bill Dickey, Ramona, landed a 10.25-pound largemouth on Power Bait while fishing for trout. The lake is open seven days a week. There are four bass boat-type rentals available. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boating ban. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent DFG plants.
DIXON LAKE: Fair trout action. Nightcrawlers, rainbow Power Bait, small crappie jigs, Power Worms, Rooster Tails, Kastmasters, and Thomas Buoyants have all been producing for trout. Bass action is mostly slow with a few fish showing in Trout Cove. Some catfish are also showing on chicken liver, mackerel, and shrimp. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Fishing picked back up this week. Very good trout action with anglers fishing the back side of the lake and near Jump Off Point showing the best results. Bill Davidson, Bonita, caught an eight-pound trout on a mini-jig at the east side of the lake. Roy Allen, Murrieta, landed a seven-pound rainbow on a nightcrawler while trolling. Some small bass are showing and the bite should improve as the weather warms up. There is still a decent catfish bite in Boulder Bay. Matt Sinor, Poway, hooked into a seven-pound catfish on mackerel at the north shoreline. Bluegill slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Good trout action this past week. Salmon peach Power Bait has been the top bait with Cactus Patch, Half Moon Cove, and Sentry Points the top spots. The bass are scattered right now and the bite is mostly slow, but that should change in the coming weeks as the bass move into pre-spawn. Not many anglers are targeting catfish but mackerel with scent fished at the dam buoyline has been the best bet. Information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: Trout fishing has been good this past week. Anglers using nightcrawlers have seen very good action with many limits reported in under two hours of fishing. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Good to excellent trout action with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. Other species are mostly slow. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or Lake Cuyamaca Home Page.
HENSHAW: No report available. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
FLOW INFORMATION: Reservoir elevation levels and flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are available at this web site with information updated hourly: Bureau of Reclamation: Lower Colorado Region - Lower Colorado River Operations Schedule.
LAKE MEAD: Mostly slow action with a spotty striped bass action with fish in deeper water at the dam. Still some decent action in Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam on cut anchovies, sardines, shad-like lures. Most fish under four pounds. But a few bigger fish are showing after trout plants. Slow catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is slow to fair off the points in deeper water.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout bite is fair to good with weekly plants. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Slow striper action with a few fish showing in an evening or early morning bite on big, trout-like plugs. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Overall slow striper action but a few more fish are starting to show in the Cottonwood area and main lake upstream from the dam. Best bet is to slow-troll or drift with anchovies or sardines. Bass and bluegill also very slow throughout the lake, but a few more largemouth are starting to show. Catfish are slow on cut baits. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: The trout bite has been good after a plant last Wednesday. There are monthly plants at Davis Camp and the Sportsman’s Access, and 4,000 fish averaging 12 inches were planted last Wednesday, and the next plant is set for March 16. The bite has been best from the casinos all the way down to Rotary Park. Other species are slow, but a few stripers are to 12 pounds are starting to follow the big plugs. An April 50-50 Derby has been set up to benefit Special Olympics. Entry is $12 per category (stripers, catfish, and trout). Information: Riviera Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: Very light fishing pressure. There is a slow to fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river from Needles south to I-40, mostly on small cranks. Slow striper action, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under two pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: The bass action is starting to pick up in both the marsh and in the main river, with the largemouth starting to nose around in the shallows in a little pre-spawn movement. In the main river, the smallmouth bass are getting more active by the day, and some decent catches have been posted on plastics and small cranks. Overall light fishing pressure, but there continue to be few catches of crappie at Catfish Paradise and South Dike, with the best bite on live minnows and Roadrunner jigs, with some fish to two pounds. The main river has been slow for stripers, but the bite is finally starting to improve. Topoc Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: Phil’s Western Trader at 928-768-4954 or Capt. Doyle’s Fun Fishing at 928-768-2667.
HAVASU: The largemouth and smallmouth bass bites are really starting to take off with a lot of fish already up on beds. In this past weekend’s WON Team Tournament, there were 28 boats and it took 20.17 pounds for five fish to win. J. J. Gibbs, Havasu, and Ray Lillard, Needles, had the top weight, and their big fish was a 5.72-pound smallmouth. Three of fish were taken sight fishing. Big fish of the event was a 5.73-pound largemouth. Average fish were two to three pounds. The striped bass are showing in the main lake chasing shad with some fish on top. Best areas have been in the main lake off Windsor Beach and up in the mouth of the river. Best action cut baits and shad-like cranks and swimbaits. Channel catfish, flatheads, and redear are still mostly slow with light fishing pressure, but Dennis Supernaw, Bullhead City, caught a 2.19-pound redear this past week. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
PARKER STRIP: Mostly very slow action. Channel catfish have been slow this past week, but the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are fair at best. Bluegill and redear are slow in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Few flathead reports.
BLYTHE: Most bites have perked in this region with better catfish and bass action in the area backwaters. The smallmouth bite in the main river is also fair with quite a few fish reported along the rip-rap. The catfish are best on cut baits and nightcrawlers. Still very few flatheads, and the bluegill and crappie are still mostly slow. No striper reports either. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The catfish bite in the backwaters and main river has been fair on cut baits. A few more largemouth bass and bluegill are starting to show from the area backwaters, and the smallmouth bite has been pretty decent in the main river. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: A few cats and largemouth are showing, but still very light fishing pressure.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Improving bass and catfish action. Largemouth bass fair on plastics and live bait. Channel catfish and flatheads are both improving but the bite is still spotty with the channels better than the flatheads. Few crappie and bluegill yet. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is slow in the main river and pretty fair in river backwaters on minnows and plastics. Channel catfish are fair and improving, but flatheads remain mostly slow.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Continued slow tilapia action and light fishing pressure. And it doesn’t look like we’re going to have those two or three warm days in a row that will kick this bite into high gear. Free kayak tours are being run beginning at noon each Sunday. Naturalist Fredda Stephens guides the two-hour tours, and the park has 15 kayaks for use. Call the visitor center at 760-393-3810 to reserve a kayak, or you can bring your own canoe or kayak and attend. Fishing information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: General trout season reopens in Inyo and Mono counties on Saturday, April 24. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or Bishop, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites for the winter are: Ken's Sporting Goods - Home (Bridgeport region), The Trout Fly Mammoth Lakes, California, and Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service, Mammoth Lakes. Flyfishing Guide Service for Trout. Fly Fish Owens River from guided driftboats in Bishop. Flyfish Crowley Lake and Bridgeport in guided flats boats named the Trout Magnet. Full service outfit.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: The East Walker remains very low and the bite is very tough. What little action reported is on midges and caddis nymph patterns with a few streamer fish. No big few and few anglers are fishing the Nevada stretch. This is a catch-and-release water open year-around. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek, both open to year-around catch-and-release fishing, but access is tough, mostly snowmobile-only or snowshoes to much of the Owens. Road can be a sink-hole mess. Hot Creek has been pretty fair on midges and small mayflies patterns with some dry-fly action. The Upper Owens is also tough with bigger fish concentrated in a few pockets, but some good flurries of activity. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair to good and there was a DFG plant this week. The Wild Trout section of lower Owens River has had a good mid-day BWO-emerger bite, especially closer to the dam. The lower Owens below Tinnemaha was planted this week, and the stretch from Laws to Stewart Lane received trout two weeks ago. The bite has been just fair. Owens Gorge fair for small browns. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: There continues to be a decent catfish bite at Engineer Point on frozen shad with most fish pan-sized up to four pounds. There is a fair to good trout bite at the auxiliary dam and in the Kern River arm on nightcrawlers and floating dough baits. There have now been two Alper’s trout plants as part of the stocking for the 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby set for March 27-29 with over $200,000 in prizes this year. (For more information go to 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby.) DFG trout also went in last week. The largemouth bass bite has been slowly improving, too, with more and more fish starting to move shallow and some action has been as shallow as 10 feet. Other species are slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Good trout action in the upper Kern from Power House No. 3 to the Kernville Park and the DFG is slated to plant this stretch again this week. Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, and small spinners have all been good. The flyfishing has also improved over the past week with some quality fish up to four pounds showing on small nymphs (No. 18 or 20) fished under an indicator. The lower Kern is still fair after the plant two weeks ago in the Richbar and Hobo locations, mostly on crickets, Power Bait, and eggs. A few bass also are showing on nightcrawlers and plastics in the lower river. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or Fly Fishing the Kern River) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striped bass bite has been pretty fair with a lot of 20 to 25-inch fish showing on small swimbaits and blood worms or sand worms. Very light fishing pressure. No catfish reported. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago, and the bite has been pretty good on the new garlic-flavored PowerBait, the green pumpkin color, and the hatchery formula baits. Nightcrawlers doused with garlic scent are also a good bet. Light fishing pressure. Other species are very slow. Annual Kid’s Derby is ongoing Saturday for kids 14 and under.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Fair to good trout action on garlic PowerBaits. Other species still slow. Light fishing pressure with the poor weather.
RIVER WALK PARK: Good trout action after DFG plants last week and two weeks ago. The new garlic PowerBait and garlic nightcrawlers the best baits. The carp action is also starting to turn on with homemade dough baits and Powder Bait the best bets. The bluegill bite slowed with the cooler weather this week, but they can still be caught on waxworms.
MING LAKE: Fair to good action after DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Best bite on PowerBait and garlic nightcrawlers. More and more largemouth bass are also starting to show on plastics and nightcrawlers and they start moving into the shallows for the spawn. The carp action has continued to improve with very good action on Powder Bait.
BRITE LAKE: No DFG trout plants in over a month.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout action is winding down with no plants in several weeks. The few trout still being caught are showing on garlic nightcrawlers and PowerBait. While there is still light fishing pressure, the crappie bite has improved on live minnows, and a few more catfish were reported this past week. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant last week, which improved the action. The bluegill bite is starting to improve on red worms or meal worms.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week after no plants in over a month. But it’s the bass action that has been improving with some fish starting to move shallow. The best action is still in 12 to 20 feet of water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Last plant over a month ago. Slow action on other species with only a few bass and the odd redear showing, but all the warmwater species seem to be improving. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: No report. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: Very little fishing pressure with the rains, but there continues to be some decent spotted bass action with jigs, plastics, and swim baits. No reports on other species. The lake level has gone from 11 percent capacity in October to 46 percent, and continued rain is just kicking the level up more. Information: 805-238-1056 or Lake Nacimiento Resort and Marina.
SANTA MARGARITA: Rain, rain and more rain has slowed the action to a crawl, but there is still a pretty fair bass bite for the diligent few anglers fishing plastics around structure and some fish are already up shallow. A few crappie are showing on small jigs, too, but the fishing pressure has been very light. The rain has jumped the lake level 27 feet, going from 55 percent of capacity to 94 percent last week and it has continued to creep up with rain this week. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: The bass bite has been fair with more fish starting to move shallow with the best bite on plastics and cranks. Top spots have been Cottonwood Cove and near the launch. Crappie have been pretty good at the ranger’s boat house and Strawberry Flats on jigs or red worms. Rains have jumped the lake from 48 percent to nearly 60 percent of capacity. Few other reports. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries this week. For updates in Southern California and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at 562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call 559-243-4005, x183. For trout plants statewide, you can visit the DFG's web site at California Department of Fish & Game Fisheries Fish Planting Schedule by Regions.
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Park Lake, Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Wilderness Park Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hansen Lake, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, La Mirada Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Legg Lake, Lincoln Park Lake, Little Rock Reservoir, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Resrvoir, Santa Fe Dam.
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Central Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Trabuco Creek.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Reservoir, Lindo Lake, Murray Reservoir.
INYO: Lone Pine Creek, Lower Owens River below Tinemaha Reservoir, Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
RIVERSIDE: Diamond Valley Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park Kernville.
CATFISH PLANTS
No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.
