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SOCAL FISH REPORT
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
March 31, 2010
Compiled by Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
March 31, 2010
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Lake Isabella is still a top bet for trout fishing after this weekend’s big trout derby where six of the 11 high dollar tagged fish were landed -- all $10,000 tags. Since only 255 of the 1,000 tagged trout were caught, that means that something like 75 percent of the thousands of pounds of rainbows put in for the derby are still in the lake. Stein Cove and the dam have been hot spots and garlic Power Bait is the hot bait. For an update on the action, call Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield at 661-833-8657.
2. Lake Nacimiento’s crappie action exploded two weeks ago and the bite was sizzling through the weekend, and then the weather changed. This is still a top prospect, but don’t go without calling ahead to check on the action. Anglers had been getting 25-fish limits of 1 1/2 and two pounders. While good anglers are getting the fish on the small jigs, using small minnows made it easy for even novices to get a limit. For an update on the bite, call the Nacimiento Resort at 805-238-1056.
3. Diamond Valley Lake stays in the top picks because of its excellent largemouth bass and crappie action. If you don’t want to drive to Isabella or Nacimiento, it remains the number one pick closer to home for most Southern Californians. The weather change and the back side of the full moon will make things tougher this week, but this is likely still to be the best bet in Southern California. For updates, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410.
2. Lake Nacimiento’s crappie action exploded two weeks ago and the bite was sizzling through the weekend, and then the weather changed. This is still a top prospect, but don’t go without calling ahead to check on the action. Anglers had been getting 25-fish limits of 1 1/2 and two pounders. While good anglers are getting the fish on the small jigs, using small minnows made it easy for even novices to get a limit. For an update on the bite, call the Nacimiento Resort at 805-238-1056.
3. Diamond Valley Lake stays in the top picks because of its excellent largemouth bass and crappie action. If you don’t want to drive to Isabella or Nacimiento, it remains the number one pick closer to home for most Southern Californians. The weather change and the back side of the full moon will make things tougher this week, but this is likely still to be the best bet in Southern California. For updates, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: There continues to be good action at all of the planted trout lakes in Southern California, with Los Angeles County urban waters getting DFG fish at least every two weeks and San Bernardino County lakes stocked at least once a week (and sometimes twice). The private lakes, Hesperia, Corona, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Irvine Lake, are all getting weekly fish and have been very good. In San Diego County, Lake Cuyamaca remains the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers, and it also received DFG fish this week. This will all start winding down in April. Riverside County park lakes got their last plants of the season last week, and the last county plants for San Bernardino County parks is next week.
BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites had pretty much broken wide open across the region, so of course the weather gets funky and musses things up. After these fronts pass through these bites should surge back on. Top prospects are Diamond Valley Lake, Lower Otay, Perris, and El Capitan. Casitas, Castaic, Piru, Pyramid, Hodges, Skinner, Cachuma, and Puddingstone are all nearly as good. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River has been very good from Havasu south, and the largemouths are now as good. Cachuma’s smallmouths are also picking up. Further up on the Central Coast, Nacimientio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita are all very good, too. The spotted bass are particularly good at Naci -– or were until these fronts moved in.
STRIPED BASS: Diamond Valley and Castaic are still the top bets, with some very good catches out of both this past week. Pyramid, 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. On the Colorado River, things are finally turning around in Mead, Mohave, and Havasu, but it’s just the beginning.
PANFISH: Weather turned down some hot crappie bites several notches. Keep an eye on the action at Nacimiento on the Central Coast, Piru, Diamond Valley, Casitas, and the Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, in about that order. Other crappie bites that looked to be taking off have completely fizzled. The redear bites are worth noting and fishing at Perris and Topoc Gorge on the Colorado River. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea broke wide open this past week, but the wind and cooler weather stalled it again by mid-week.
CATFISH: Hesperia Lake has been very good, and certainly better than anyplace else for cats. A few cats are showing at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes. The channel and flathead action was also starting to surge along the whole lower Colorado River, especially in the warmer backwaters and irrigation ditches.
BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites had pretty much broken wide open across the region, so of course the weather gets funky and musses things up. After these fronts pass through these bites should surge back on. Top prospects are Diamond Valley Lake, Lower Otay, Perris, and El Capitan. Casitas, Castaic, Piru, Pyramid, Hodges, Skinner, Cachuma, and Puddingstone are all nearly as good. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River has been very good from Havasu south, and the largemouths are now as good. Cachuma’s smallmouths are also picking up. Further up on the Central Coast, Nacimientio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita are all very good, too. The spotted bass are particularly good at Naci -– or were until these fronts moved in.
STRIPED BASS: Diamond Valley and Castaic are still the top bets, with some very good catches out of both this past week. Pyramid, 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. On the Colorado River, things are finally turning around in Mead, Mohave, and Havasu, but it’s just the beginning.
PANFISH: Weather turned down some hot crappie bites several notches. Keep an eye on the action at Nacimiento on the Central Coast, Piru, Diamond Valley, Casitas, and the Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, in about that order. Other crappie bites that looked to be taking off have completely fizzled. The redear bites are worth noting and fishing at Perris and Topoc Gorge on the Colorado River. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea broke wide open this past week, but the wind and cooler weather stalled it again by mid-week.
CATFISH: Hesperia Lake has been very good, and certainly better than anyplace else for cats. A few cats are showing at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes. The channel and flathead action was also starting to surge along the whole lower Colorado River, especially in the warmer backwaters and irrigation ditches.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: There is far to good trout action with quite a few limits of holdover fish reported over the past week, and the DFG also planted again this week. Top spots have been Boulder Bay, Windy Point, Stanfield Cutoff, and Juniper Point with the best action for anglers tossing floating baits into 12 to 20 feet of water. The lake’s marina and launch ramps open April 1. The two big events coming up. The May Trout Classic is May 15-16, and the Fishing for 50K event is June 5-6. Fishing information: Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
JENKS LAKE: Closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Excellent fishing this past week with trout, catfish, and sturgeon all showing in good numbers. Inflated nightcrawlers, shrimp, and the marshmallow and mealworm combo have been working best for the cats and sturgeon. Top strugeon this past week was a 37-pounder caught by David Han, Alhambra, on shrimp. Jose Reyes, Fontana, also scored a nice sturgeon at 25 pounds on an inflated nightcrawler. Tyrone Jones, San Bernardino, landed a 29-pound catfish on the marshmallow and mealworm combo. Steve Johnson, Apple Valley, hooked into a 22-pound blue cat using a nightcrawler. Very good trout action continues with quite a few nice fish reported again this week. Jason Delacruz, Lake Elsinore, caught a 15-pound trout and Evona Kasson, Crestline, got a 14-pound trout. Both were fishing with Power Worms. The lake will be planted with Lightning Trout and catfish this week. 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: Trout action was fair to very good this week. Power Bait or inflated night crawlers doused with attractant or jigs have been working best. Most trout are in the two pound range with some bigger. Best action after 10 a.m. Hot spots included the pump house, the northern and eastern shores of lake 3, and the northern and eastern shores of lake 2. Karin Barela, Hesperia, caught a 5-12 rainbow on salmon peach Power Bait from the northern shore of lake 2 near the inlet. 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 was excellent this past week. Best bite has been on Power Worms, Power Bait, and nightcrawlers. Robert Farmer, Victorville, caught five trout to four pounds on Power Bait. County plants are weekly now through the rest of the season, and a DFG plant went in this week. The lake also received a special plant of trophy trout for the derby. The county plant this week will go in on Friday as opposed to Thursday like past weeks. Other species mostly slow with a few bass and catfish showing. 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. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Excellent trout action with the best bite has been on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. Niles Sanchez, Upland, caught five trout totaling eight pounds with a 3-8 topping the catch. County plants are every week now through the rest of the season, and there were DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. The county plant this week will go in on Friday as opposed to Thursday like past weeks. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Trout action action slowed this past week with the wind and warm weather. Top baits have been chartreuse and orange Power Bait with basin No. 2 and lots 5, 7, and 8 the top spots. David Ader, Stanton, caught a six-pound trout on Power Bait. County trout are planted every week the rest of the season and DFG plants went in last week and four weeks ago. The county plant this week will go in on Friday as opposed to Thursday like past weeks. Catfish action has picked up a bit with some fish showing on mackerel and Power Bait. Bass action has been mostly slow but should pick up as the weather continues to warm up and the bass move in to spawn. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good trout action. Adrian Becerra, Ontario, caught a 7-12 largemouth on a lure in the middle lake. County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season and DFG plants went in two and four weeks ago. The lake also received a special plant of trophy trout four weeks ago from Mt. Lassen. The county plant this week will go in on Friday as opposed to Thursday like past weeks. Mostly slow other species. 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 a DFG trout plant went in three weeks ago. The lake also received a special plant of trophy trout four weeks ago from Mt. Lassen. The county plant this week will go in on Friday as opposed to Thursday like past weeks. Dustin Barnes, Yucaipa, caught five trout to 1-14 on Turbo Dough at the large lake. Some catfish and carp have been showing 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. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Largemouth action continues to improve, with many fish in the shallows now, and biting better than in previous weeks. The trout plant last week produced some very good trout. Vic Vaniman, Riverside, caught a 13-4 rainbow on nightcrawlers. Christopher Turgeon, Riverside, landed a 12.27-pound trout on a Lip RipperZ. Striper bite has been good since the trout plant with swimbaits the best bet. Steve Ekema, Hemet, landed a 22.58-pound striper on a swimbait fishing near the marina. Kris Massie, Hemet, caught a 17.36-pound striper fishing from shore with a BBZ. The panfish action is picking up with many two-pound crappie reported again this past week. Catfish slow. Anglers are reminded of the new 25-fish combined limit on crappie and all sunfish (redear and bluegill). The limit is 25 for any combination of the species. 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 largemouth bite has been good this past week with most fish up shallow and a lot of bass on beds. Best action off lots 11 and 12 or Benasconi Beach on nightcrawlers and plastics. Bill Cartone, Los Angeles, caught a 5.7-pound largemouth on a Kastmaster at Launch Ramp Cove. Colton Reyes, Riverside, caught two largemouth totaling 10.12 pounds fishing near lots 11 and 12. The redear bite is good with the best action on redworms or nightcrawlers in the marina of north side of the island. Rodrigo Espinosa, caught eight redear totaling 6.3 pounds on redworms at the marina. Carp have been seen in very good numbers spawning all along the shallows at the east end of the lake. Some trout continue to show but the bite is just fair. A DFG plant this week should perk that bite. 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 largemouth bite slowed this past week because of a drop in water level. The largemouth are now holding in 12-18 feet of water and dark plastics fished along the bottom is the best bet for these fish. Jimmy Mitchell, San Diego, caught two largemouth to 6.8 pounds on plastic worms at the south shore. Striper action is breaking wide open with a few reports of nice catches at ramp No. 2 and in the main channel on anchovies and chicken liver Most of the fish are small (12-inches), but some to six pounds. Trout are just fair and fishing from boat the east end is still the best bet. Some bluegill have started to show near the south shore and ramp No. 2 on nightcrawlers with fish to 1-8 reported this week. Catfish action is mostly slow. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: The bite has been very spotty in spite of nicer weather until this week. The crappie are stacked up in the brush and channels, but they are simply not biting. The water temperature on Wednesday was still only 58 degrees. There is a fair bite on largemouth bass, but no wipers have been reported. The catfish and bluegill are also slow. Even carp are not showing. Starting in early April, boat rentals will be available for the first time through the new William’s Bait, Tackle, and Boat Rental out of Elsinore West Marina. For more information, contact William’s Bait, Tackle, and Boat Rental at 951-642-0640 or Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: Three trout plants last week led to excellent rainbow trout action this past week with over 50 limits of trout reported at the bait shop, and the week’s largest rainbow was a an 18 1/2-pounder caught by Dave Durniok, Buena Park, while fishing near the fence at the dam from shore with rainbow floating bait. Gus Cisneros, Corona, had 10 brown trout from the previous week’s plants that weighed 27 1/2 pounds, and the big fish was a five pounder. All were taken on trout plastics fishing from a boat. Lupe and Jamie dela Torre, Corona, had 10 rainbows that weighed in at 19 1/2 pounds, included a 6 1/2-pound rainbow. Michael and Jessica Muller and Wes Werner, all Murrieta, had 10 rainbows that weighed 18 pounds and the big fish was a six-pounder. Jaime Rivas, Pomona, caught five rainbows, including a 5 3/4-pounder, for an 11 3/4-pound stringer, while Jose Navarro, Riverside, also had a five-fish catch that weighed 10 pounds and included a 5 1/2-pound rainbow. Another 5 1/2-pound rainbow was landed by Chad Streelman, Corona. The hot spots for the rainbows have been down by the dam at the fence or around flooded timber. Most boat and float tube anglers have been hanging around the stocking tube 50 yards off the shoreline. A few sturgeon and crappie also being caught, but most anglers fishing for trout. Information: 951-277-4489 or Indy Lakes Fishing Lakes and Campground.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Some bass are starting to be caught by anglers tossing plastics and small jerk baits near shoreline structure.
RANCHO JURUPA: Excellent trout action after the plants last week -- which were the last trout plants of the season. Many anglers reported scoring limits. Inflated nightcrawlers, Power Bait, and small jigs or trout worms have been the best bet. Roy Zintzun, Lake Elsinore, caught a limit of trout with fish to 3-8. A few catfish are starting to show, too. There is a new bait and tackle shop at the lake. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-0171.
ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Good trout bite with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. Catfish action has picked up and is now good. A few bass are showing. Bluegill fair. 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: Fair trout action since the DFG trout plant three weeks ago, with the best bite near the dam for shore and boat anglers. Chris Barclay, Calimesa, caught four trout on Roostertails, all in the one to two pound range. 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: Triple trout plants last week led to excellent rainbow trout action, and a lot of brown trout from the previous week contined to show. The big tout of the week was a 16 1/2-pound rainbow landed by Rey de Jesus, Lomita, while fishing with an Eagle Claw egg just to the right on the boat ramp. Six-pound rainbows were landed by Rodney Lopez, Hacienda Heights, to top off an 11-4 limit, and Jimmy Chiu, Anaheim. Robert Mitchell, Gardena, had one of the best stringers of the week, landing just four trout that weighed a total of 14-4, including a 5-2 rainbow. Paul Carrasco and Tasha Hazelwood, both Highland, caught a mix of 11 browns and rainbows that weighed 27 pounds, including a five-pound ‘bow. Arturo Velasquez, West Covina, have five browns that weighed 14 1/2 pounds, while Alex Matsuoka, Anaheim, had five rainbows that went 9-4, including a 5 1/2-pounder. A few sturgeon to 11 1/2 pounds and catfish to 9-4 were landed. 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: The trout action improved this past week with a pretty good bite and a lot of limits reported on fish from one to four pounds with a few bigger fish in the six to eight-pound range. Most of the rainbows are showing on a variety of Power Bait products with the new garlic flavors working very well. But trollers and boat still-fishermen using inflated nightcrawlers or Power Mouse combos have also been getting fish. The largemouth bass bite remains very good with the fish in the shallows on beds and showing on plastics and reaction baits. Catfish are still fair on the flats and creek mouths, while the crappie are slow. There is also a decent carp bite for those targeting them. 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: No report. 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. There was a 4,000-pound plant two weeks ago. Trout have been hitting a variety of baits and lures but nightcrawlers seem to be the best bet. James Thurber, Simi Valley, caught 16 rainbows on lures fishing in 15 feet of water. Bass action is fair for both largemouth and smallmouth with quite a few fish moving into the shallows to fan out beds. Plastics and jigs have been working well for the bass. Matt Naretto, Santa Barbara, caught four smallmouth, five largemouth, and one carp using nightcrawlers near Arrowhead Island. Matt's top fish was the carp which weighed 10 pounds. Also a few crappie showing at the island. Catfish and redear slow. 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 weather fronts moving through have made the bass action a little tougher this week, but still generally good action on plastics and nightcrawlers with the fish still in the shallows. Paul Beppu, Oxnard, five bass with the big fish at six and seven pounds and three others between four and five. He was fishing plastics and jigs. Travis Walters, Oakview, landed two bass at 5-8 and six pounds on plastics. Wilbar Beckwith, 93, Santa Paula, caught eight bass from two to three pounds on plastics. Trout action has been very good since the 5,000-pound trout plant for the kid’s derby this past weekend. The event drew over 1,000 kids. The best trout action has been for trollers working 20 to 30 feet of water with Needlefish. Shore anglers had good luck over the weekend on spinners and dough baits, but most of the fish have moved off the shorelines into deeper water. Wells Hall, Santa Barbara, had limit of trout topped by a 2-12, all on trolled Needlefish. No crappie or catfish reports this past week Private boats will be inspected for quagga mussels and face a 10-day dry dock requirement before being allowed to launch. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Striper bite is very good with anchovies and sardines working best and swimbaits have also been producing quite a few fish. Most fish are two to four pounds, but some bigger. The dam has been the top spot especially in the evening hours for stripers. Largemouth bass are moving shallow, and are biting on jigs, plastics, and small shad like baits in a good bite. Best action early and late in the day. The bass bite in the lagoon is just fair, with drop shoting plastics the best bet. The crappie are also starting to show in very good numbers in the lagoon with fish to two pounds reported. Other species slowish. Information: 661-775-6232 or Castaic Lake | Home.
PIRU: The largemouth bass and crappie bites have been good to excellent this past week, but windy, cooler weather with the storm fronts lulled things a little. Anglers were reported 60-fish days on the bass with most fish from one to two pounds, but quite a few fish to five pounds. The black crappie have been running from 3/4-pound to two pounds and showing on small jigs and grubs. The bass are in 15 feet of water or less, while the crappie are in 12 to 25 feet. Also improving redear and bluegill action on nightcrawler pieces in the same depths. Catfish still slow. Trout are very slow with no plants since Jan. 18, and none likely anytime soon. There will be a night bass tournament April 24. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or Lake Piru Recreation Area.
PYRAMID: The striper bite has been much better this past week with quite a few fish to seven pounds reported. Most are still coming in on anchovies or sardines fishing in the main body of the lake, but there’s also a decent bite on swimbaits that look like shad or rainbow trout. Trout have slowed way down with no plants since Jan. 25. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bites are improving with the warm weather, with the males moving up into the shallows to fan out beds. Best action for both species in 15 to 30 feet on plastics and jigs. There are bass tournaments nearly every weekend for the next six weeks. The redear, bluegill, and catfish are all 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 plants last week and three weeks ago. Good 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 plants last week and three weeks ago. The bass action has improved, but only a few bluegill and catfish reported. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake will reopen May 1 and tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: Fair bass action with a few catfish and crappie reports. Ed Arledge, San Diego, landed a 10.05-pound largemouth on a crankbait at the dam. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: Very good largemouth bass bite with 142 anglers reporting 323 bass, 13 crappie, 11 bluegill, and two blue catfish landed. 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 is very good with 224 anglers landing 336 bass to 5.7 pounds, and four crappie to one pound. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake only has boat rentals on Saturday and Sunday. 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 14 anglers who caught 20 bass to three pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for catch-and-release fishing (only artificial lures with single, barbless hooks), 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: Fair bass action. This past week 79 anglers landed 31 bass. 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: No report. Most recent plant was March 17. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. The lake is no longer renting boats of any kind, and the launch ramp is closed due to low water levels. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water.
SUTHERLAND: No report. Lake is only open Saturday and Sunday. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Good trout fishing with mostly smaller fish being caught. Willow Cove continues to be the hot spot for trout with green Power Bait and nightcrawlers the top baits. Alana Elliot, Murrieta, scored a 5.69-pound trout on a nightcrawler at Senior Shoreline. The largemouth action is starting to really pick up with the warmer weather as many males are moving into the shallows. The crappie bite is also picking up with many fish around two pounds reported this past week. Josh Gordon, Escondido, caught a 5.05-pound largemouth, and 2.2 and 1.9-pound crappie on a rattletrap. There were even a few catfish reported this past week. Abraham Villa, San Diego, caught a 4.35-pound catfish at the west buoy line on shrimp. The lake is open seven days a week. There are four bass boat-type rentals available. The lake will now be offering a couple new discounts on motor boat rentals. Seniors will be able to rent motor boats for $20 every tuesday. Active military will get the same $20 motor boat rentals on the first and third Saturday of every month. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boating ban. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: Very good trout action. The buoy line and Whisker Bay have been the top spots with many limits reported from those areas in the early morning. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mini jigs, pink and orange Power Worms, Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Thomas Buoyants have all been producing fish. Largemouth bass action was just fair. Some males are starting to move into the shallows but most of the fish are holding at around 15 feet of water. Warmer weather could trigger the bass to really take off. Slow other species. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Very good trout action with many limits reported. 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. Bluegill slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Good largemouth bite this past week. The bass are in 20 feet of water and are bedding deep and sticking tight to cover so they are hard to see, but action has been good. Trout are being caught primarily mid-lake in 50 feet of water on nightcrawlers. Eagle Point, Cactus Patch, and the concrete steps were all good bets for trout this past week. The catfish action has been good with limits reported at either end of the dam buoy line. Information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: No report. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Very good trout action with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. DFG plant last week. Other species are still mostly slow but a few anglers reported catching catfish. 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. 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: Finally improved action this past week with stripers starting to show under schools of shad in 40 to 50 feet of water in the main channel and mouths of most of the coves on cut anchovies, sardines, shad-like lures. Most fish under four pounds. The largemouth bass are also starting to stage in the shallows for the spawn with fair action in five to 20 feet of water on plastics. Slow catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp.
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: The largemouth bass spawn is starting to kick into gear with some fish already moving shallow and fanning out nests. Also improving striper action over the past week with the fish mostly in 30 to 50 feet. Best action in the Cottonwood area and main lake upstream from the dam. Best bet is to slow-troll or drift with anchovies or sardines. 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 is just fair and the weather change has made things windy much of this week. The last trout plant until fall went in last week at Davis Camp and the Sportsman’s Access with 4,000 fish averaging 12 inches planted. These plants are made between October and March. The trout bite has been best from the casinos all the way down to Rotary Park but fish are showing as far down river as Topoc Gorge. There has also been improvement on the largemouth bass, which are starting to move shallow, and there have been increasing striper reports from Topoc Gorge upriver into the Bullhead region, mostly on cut baits, but also some lure fish. There is an April 50-50 Derby to benefit Special Olympics. Entry is $12 per category (stripers, catfish, and trout). Information: Riviera Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: There is fair and improving smallmouth action in the main river from Needles south to the I-40 bridge and one into Topoc Gorge, mostly on small cranks. Improving striper action, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under two pounds on cut bait. Catfish still mostly slow. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: Topoc Gorge below the I-40 bridge is really starting to take off for largemouth, smallmouth and redear. The back bays are four degrees warmer than the main river and the one-pound redear continue to show on nightcrawlers and small jigs tipped with bait. The bass have been best on plastics with the fish moving onto beds in good numbers. Even a few rainbow trout are being caught in the gorge. Topoc Marsh has also been good for bass, with the North Dike area best spot. Also still a decent crappie bite in the marsh at Catfish Paradise and South Dike, but most of the fish are around a pound or less and showing on live minnows or Roadrunner jigs. The stripers in the main river reall improved over the past week with one report of a pair of anglers landing 27 fish in the gorge. 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 very good with the spawn in full swing. Lots of fish from one to three pounds of both species are being caught, and a few fish over five pounds reported this past week. The bite is best on plastics, swim baits, and small jigs. The stripers are improving in the main lake over the old river channel in 30 feet of water around schools of shad. Best bite on slow-trolling anchovies or cut bait still-fished. Redear are starting to show in decent numbers up in the river in the sun-warmed back waters. Channel catfish, flatheads still mostly slow. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
PARKER STRIP: The action has been improving over the past week with better catfish and smallmouth bass action. The cats are showing in most of the pools on cut baits, while the smallmouth bass are along the rip rap and starting to whack small cranks and swim baits. Bluegill and redear are improving in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Few flathead reports.
BLYTHE: The lower river has broken wide open over the past week with the catfish, bass, and panfish bites all really starting to sizzle with the warm weather. While winds, a falling barometer, and a waning full moon have slowed things since mid-week, it’s time to think about heading to the river. The flatheads are really cranking on, and the channel cats are showing in ditchs, canals, and the main river on cut baits. Seton Walker, Blythe, landed flatheads at 30, 29, and 25 pounds from local ditches on goldfish. The smallmouth are in a spawn mode, and the largemouths are on beds in all of the backwaters, too. Small reaction baits and plastics are all producing a lot of fish from one to three pounds. Joe Adame, Blythe, caught a four-pound cat on chicken liver and four bass to 1-8 on topwater lures off Sixth Street. Bluegill are also starting to show in good numbers. Only crappie and tilapia are still slow, and very few stripers have been reported. There will be a Southern California Catfish Association weekend event April 23-25. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The flathead and channel cats are really turning on in the backwaters and main river this past week, but the largemouth bass action in the lagoon and Cibola Lake (on the Arizona side) has been good to excellent with fish on beds. Reaction baits, plastics, and live bait are all taking fish. The smallmouth bite is also breaking wide open in the main river, mostly on small cranks. Bluegill fair to good, but few crappie reports. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: Very good largemouth bass action in the backwaters and river margins, and the catfish -- both flatheads and channels -- are also starting to show in much better numbers. Bluegill good, too.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action has been good with some flurries of excellent action over the past week. A few crappie reported in recent days, and the flatheads are starting to go on live bluegill and bluegill. Channel cats are good on cut baits in both the main river and backwater lakes. Bluegill also schooling up and showing in pretty decent numbers. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Largemouth bass action is very good in the whole region with the fish in a full-on spawn mode. Live bait, plastics, and cranks all good bets. The catfish bite also turned on this past week, with some good catches on channels on cut baits and a flurry of quality flatheads on live goldfish and bluegill.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite broke wide open this past week with many weekend anglers filling ice chest with 3/4 to one-pound tilapia, with a few fish approaching two pounds. The best bite has been off the state park headquarter’s jetty, but there is very light fishing pressure other places on the sea. Nightcrawler pieces are the only baits catching any fish. Is anyone even using anything else? Free kayak tours are being run beginning at noon on April 11 and April 25. 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 plant this week and two weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant three 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. 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 were DFG plants last week. The Wild Trout section of lower Owens River has had a good mid-day BWO-emerger bite, especially closer to the dam, but flows rocketed up this past week making fishing tough. Below the Wild Trout stretch a few nice holdover browns and rainbows are showing for anglers fishing the banks or floating the lower river. Mike Moreno, Creston, caught and released a 27 1/2-inch rainbow fishing a streamer with Sierra Drifters Guide Service. Owens Gorge fair for small browns. All of the streams in southern Inyo County (open since the early trout opener) received DFG fish last week, including Cottonwood Independence, Shepherd, Symms, and Tuttle creeks along with Diaz Lake. Long Pine Creek got trout two weeks ago. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872-8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: The 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby was the most successful ever in terms of cash payout. While the number of entrants was down this year from last year’s record number (8,800). The 6,547 fishermen landed 255 of the 1,000 tagged trout -- including six of the $10,000 tags. Shelly Eskew, Bakersfield, landed the three-day event’s biggest trout at 21 3/4 inches fishing purple Power Bait on a pink rod. The catch won the $1,000 big fish prize. The $10,000 tag winners were Mark Maxwell, Fillmore, Curt Studebaker, Bakersfield, Matt Bradbury, North Edwards, Larry Loudermilk, Bodfish, and Jesus Rodriguez, Bakersfield. Complete information is available on the derby web site at 21st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. Overall, the trout action was just fair beneath balmy skies, with garlic Power Bait the best way to collect a limit. Winds hampered fishing since Sunday, but there is still decent trout action and a good catfish bite on shad, clams, and nightcrawlers with a lot of cats to five pounds. Bass slowed with the cool, windy weather this week. Crappie still very slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: All the approved plant spots in both the upper and lower river will get DFG trout again week, including the stretches from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park in the upper river and from Sandy Flat to Lower Richbar in the lower river. The action has been excellent and there has been an unusual number of quality trout to five pounds or better in the river above Kernville. Best action on salmon eggs and crickets for the planters in both the upper and lower section. The flyfishing above Kernville was pretty good this past week with the best action on No. 10 stonefly nymphs, No. 16 mayfly nymphs, and crane fly patterns fished on the surface early and late in the day. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or Fly Fishing the Kern River) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: There continues to be a fair to good bite on keeper-sized stripers with the best action in the evenings. Blood worms, sand worms, sardines, and live minnows have all been productive, but still not a lot of fish coming in on lures. No catfish reported. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: The bluegill bite is fair to good on wax and meal worm, and the bass action has been pretty good as the fish move shallow to spawn. The largemouth are best on plastics and nightcrawlers. Trout are slowing down and the last plant of the season was three weeks ago, but a few still showing on garlic Power Bait. Carp are starting to show in good numbers on homemade dough baits or Powder Bait.
TRUXTUN LAKE: The carp bite has been very good on Powder Bait. Bluegill and bass had been improving daily with the warmer weather, but they’ve lulled a little in recent days. Some crappie are also starting to be caught. Last DFG trout plant three weeks ago, and this bite has slowed way down.
RIVER WALK PARK: A few bass are starting to show on minnows, nightcralwers, and plastics. The carp action is also starting to turn on with homemade dough baits and Powder Bait the best bets. The bluegill bite, which had been breaking wide open on waxworms and meal worms, was kicked in the teeth this week by the cold front moving through. Last DFG trout plant was three weeks ago and this bite has slowed way down.
MING LAKE: There is a good carp bite here on Powder Bait or other dough baits, and the bass action is fair to good on brush hogs as the fish move tight into the shallows to spawn. Also a fair number of bluegill on wax worms. The trout bite has slowed way down with the last DFG plant three weeks ago. Still a few showing on garlic-doused Power Bait or nightcrawlers.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago. No reports.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Wind and cold weather made the crappie bite hit and miss the last few days, but a few quality fish up to two pounds are still being caught. The best action has been on small minnows fished early and late in the day or at night. The bluegill action is fair with some flurries of good activity. A fair catfish bite on cut baits. The trout action has slowed, but a few are still coming in. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: The bluegill bite is pretty good on red worms, meal worms, or wax worms, and more and more bass are showing on plastics in the shallows. DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago. The rainbow bite had slowed before this week’s plant.
SUCCESS LAKE: Fair to good bass action, but trout are just fair after plant two weeks ago. Some bluegill and catfish also starting to show. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago and fair action. The bass and redear are really starting to take off with both moving shallower, preparing to spawn. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: No report. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: The crappie action was good through the weekend, but slowed way down with the weather change and moon phase. This bite is expected to come back on. Over the weekend, 25-fish limits were common, and most were from 1-8 to two pounds. There continues to be a pretty good spotted bass bite, and good white bass action in the narrows. A few catfish starting to show. Information: 805-238-1056 or Lake Nacimiento Resort and Marina.
SANTA MARGARITA: The bass bite has been breaking wide open, but the storm fronts this have lulled the bite. The fish are still moving shallow, most not deeper than 20 feet, and plastics have been the best baits. Over the past three weeks, there have been four bass from 11-1 to 11-8 landed. The water temps are still working their way up, but a few nice crappie from 2-8 to 3-0, but only a few. A few cats are showing, but the bluegill and redear are still mostly slow. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Fair to good bass bite with the fish all over the shallows fanning out beds. Lots of 1 1/2 to two-pound fish, but a number of quality fish also landed. The crappie bite is also good with a lot of one-pound class fish showing on small jigs in Mallard Cove, the ranger’s boat house, and Strawberry Flats. 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, Kenneth Hahn park lake, La Mirada Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Lincoln Park Lake.
ORANGE: Laguna Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Lake Perris.
SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Lake Gregory, Mller Canyon Creek (at Lake Silverwood SRA), Santa Ana River, South Fork Santa Ana River.
IMPERIAL: Wiest Lake, Sunbeam Lake.
KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Kern River (Democrat Beach to lower Richbar; Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville; Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach), Lake Woollomes.
CATFISH PLANTS
No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.
