SOCAL FISH REPORT - March 4, 2009

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SOCAL FISH REPORT

March 4, 2009

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service

JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK​

1. Unsettled weather makes the top choice easy. Go to the Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Boat, and Travel Show held today through Sunday this week at the Long Beach Convention Center. If it has anything to do with fishing, you can find it here. The event fills the convention center to overflowing. 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.
2. If you must go fishing, the striper at Lake Skinner is probably the best bite in the region with very good action on fish to six pounds for anglers fishing anchovies, frozen shad, or small swimbaits. While the weather over the past few days has lulled other bite, the Skinner action has seemed to hold up. Check with the store at 951-926-1505 or the marina at 951-926-8515 for the latest on this bite.
3. We’re putting the tilapia action at the Salton Sea back in our top picks just because this action is likely to be less affected by the unsettled weather than other places. These fish are mostly from six ounces to a pound but you can catch ice chests full on pieces of nightcrawlers from the jetty at the state park headquarters. For an update, check with Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station at 760-393-3052.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Still good to excellent planted trout action at most of the major players over the past week. Glen Helen Regional Park Lake had the biggest fish in the region at nearly 20 pounds. All of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks have been excellent on trout, with Yucaipa, Prado, Mojave Narrows, Cucamonga-Guasti, and Glen Helen all producing lots of fish. Irvine Lake, Corona Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Laguna Niguel all have been pretty good action, with both Irvine and Laguna Niguel continuing to producing more fish over 10 pounds than normal. Lagunal Niguel was planted with the Emerald Trout last week, SARL and Corona still have quite a few Lightning Trout from plants two weeks ago, and Irvine recently got a load of browns and brookies. In the High Desert, Hesperia Lake and Jess Ranch are both good bets. In San Diego County, Dixon, Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, Miramar, Lower Otay, Murray, and Cayamaca are all pretty good bets, and a new lake record at over 13 pounds came from Wohlford.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Lots of bass starting to move this week, and most of the usual haunts are really going to start cranking especially as we move into Tuesday’s full moon. Top bets this week include Otay, Casitas, Diamond Valley, Perris, and the lower Colorado River. In waters with trout plants, the big swimbait routine is likely to turn up a big fish, but pitching plastics and live bait will get more fish. Other good bets including Castaic, Piru, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, all of the Central Coast lakes (Nacimiento, San Antonio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita), and Wohlford, El Capitan, and Poway. Heck, anyplace with largemouth is worth fishing right now. Little spots like Puddingstone could make your day. The pre-spawn bite is kicking into high gear. There’s also a decent smallmouth bass bite on the lower Colorado River from Havasu to Palo Verde that continues to be worth mentioning.
STRIPED BASS: All the striped bass bites sputtered over the past week except Skinner’s. The action has been good to excellent action at Lake Skinner. Castaic, Pyramid, and Silverwood are all fair bets on fish to eight pounds, and Diamond Valley lulled this week with no reports. Spots on the Colorado River between Willow Beach and Lake Mohave have also been pretty fair with fish in the teens every week now and some bigger fish. Havasu and Mead are also good for smaller fish. While we’re getting few reports on Elsinore, the wiper bite here is worth watching.
PANFISH: Crappie bites are really taking off at a lot of places with the bluegill/redear action still lagging behind. Top bets for crappie include Otay, Perris, Henshaw, Casitas, San Antonio, Lopez, and Santa Margarita. And our sleeper crappie pick would be Diamond Valley, where a couple of whopper fish have been reported again in the past week with almost no fishing pressure. The few bluegill and redear showing are mostly quality fish, but the bites are still just spotty. Top bets include Perris and Otay, but they are tough. Lopez is also producing a few fish.
CATFISH: Overall, still slowish catfish bites, but some improvements are brewing across the board. The lower Colorado River is starting to turn on, and planted waters are starting to turn on. Hesperia Lake is get catfish plants weekly now and that bite is pretty good. Other spots to watch include Diamond Valley Lake, the Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, and Lake Isabella.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS​

SILVERWOOD: Miller and Outhouse are the hot spots for the trout. Last week’s 1,800-pound plant kept the bite fair to good, and another DFG plant this week should keep it going. Anglers are using worms or nightcrawlers. Mandy Fairchild, Apple Valley, caught three totaling 4 3/4 pounds with her top fish 2 1/2 pounds. Slow to fair largemouth reports with only a few caught off shore on plastics. Also a fair to good striper bite on anchovies in Miller’s. Top striper was a six-pounder caught by Alexis Carmona, California City, off the north side of the lake. Dave Tarange, Apple Valley, caught a 5-11 striper. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Light fishing pressure, although some trout anglers fishing near the observatory or off the rocks near the dam have reported a slow trout bite on nightcrawlers, floating baits, or salmon eggs. Jeff Fleck, Garden Grove, landed a 3-0 rainbow Sunday on Power Bait. All the lake’s marinas and public ramps are closed and will reopen April 1. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: Currently closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: More mixed action with good bites on the trout, catfish and sturgeon. Some trout over 10 pounds have been caught on nightcrawlers or nightcrawlers combined with Power Bait, especially off the north shore and near the drain. Mike Marshal, Ventura, caught a 13-8 trout. Alan Rios, Pomona, landed an 11 3/4-pound trout. Pay Hayward, Corona, caught a 10-8, while Juan Sanchez, Ontario, reported a 10-pounder. Don Beasley, Los Angeles, caught a 9 3/4-pounder, while Clark Johnson, Riverside, had a 9 1/4-pound trout. A 122-pound sturgeon was the talk of the week. Chris Devco, Las Vegas, caught the big fish on anchovies off the island. Richard Kent, Newport, landed a 67-pound sturgeon off the east side. The catfish bite sparked recently with some fish over 20 pounds. Michael Watkins, Reseda, caught a 21 1/4-pound blue, while Ralph Martinez, Los Angeles, landed an 18 1/4-pounder. Catfish and trout plants are weekly. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Plenty of trout have been biting on a variety of baits such as Power Bait (salmon peach, rainbow and lemon twist), nightcrawlers, jigs and lures. Anglers reported limits with fish from two to three pounds. Hot spots include the eastern shore of lake 3 to the pump house as well as the western shore from the drain to the bridge. Lake 2’s north and south western shores also provided good spots for anglers. The lake’s hatchery stocks every Friday. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: County trout plants are weekly through April. DFG trout three weeks ago. Very good trout bite for anglers fishing Power worms or Power Bait. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, March 14. The first place winner will get a $1,200 cruise. A free Junior Fishing Workshop will take place March 28th. To receive more information or enroll in the workshop: 909-387-2461. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good trout bite on Power Bait. County trout plants are weekly through April, and a DFG trout plant went in last week. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, April 4. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Continued good to excellent trout action here, and a lot of quality rainbows continue to show. Top fish was a 15.1-pounder landed by James Martinez, Highland Park, while fishing with a jig at the Lot No. 1 rocks. Jose Quintero, Riverside, caught a 10-pounder on a worm at lot No. 6. Phanna Pok, Texas, landed a 9-8 on a crappie jig in Basin 2, while Rick Alberto, Chino, topped off his limit with an 8.7-pounder. County trout plants are each week through April, and a DFG plant went in this week. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action over the past week and some nice fish continue to be landed. County plants are weekly through April. To receive more information or enroll, please contact 909-387-2461. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Very good to excellent trout bite for those using Power Bait or small trout jigs, and some quality fish have been landed in the past week. On Sunday, Kevin Hixon Jr., Fontana, landed what is believed to be a new lake record rainbow trout at 19 1/2 pounds fishing a white Power Worm. Parris Campbell, Pinon Hills, had a 15-12 to top off his four-fish catch, all on chartreuse Power Bait. Tom Tongdee, Redlands, landed a limit of rainbows and his big fish was a 13-12, all caught on small trout jigs. County trout plants with 1,000 pounds of fish are weekly through April. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Good bass bite for those drop-shotting rigged worms, Texas-rigged creature baits, Senkos, or swimbaits. Most reports have the fish down 10 to 25 feet off the points. Shore and boat trout anglers reported a lot of limits on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, mini jigs, or Kastmasters. Mark Franco, Temecula, caught a 35.3-pound limit with his biggest fish at eight pounds. Michael Boochie, Murrieta, caught a 6.93-pound. Jeremy Hammond, Murrieta, caught a 6.19-pound trout fishing to the right of the marina, while Jeremy Campbell, Lakewood, caught a 6.14 pounder trout. Matt Thompson and Jack Kashersky, both Hemet, caught their limits with the 10 fish totaling 49.39 pounds. Striper fishing was slow this week, but the upcoming trout plant should improve the bite. The most consistent spots have been the inlet tower or the east dam. Anglers have caught stripers on swimbaits or trolling down 50 feet. Winter time is not the best time to fish for cats, but there has been some big fish caught over the past few weeks. Mackerel, anchovies and shrimp have been the typical baits. Joseph Alvarnto, Riverside, caught an 11.13-pound catfish fishing off shore with anchovies. Panfish are starting to kick into gear. Brandon Taylor, Mira Loma, caught a 2.76-pound crappie fishing with a spoon along the east dam. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Diamond Valley Marina.
PERRIS: Crappie and bluegill bites sparked here but the action is still just fair. Both are hitting off the docks on crappie jigs or mini jigs. Larry Rosby, Moreno Valley, caught a two-pound crappie. Some bass have also been pulled out with a fair to good bite on nightcrawlers. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, caught a three-pound bass. Carp continue to be fair to good for anglers fishing dough baits or corn. Bo Matthews, San Bernardino, landed a 12-4 carp on corn out of the east end on Monday. A percentage of each DFG trout plant will have non-reward and reward tags attached on some one to four-pound rainbows from the load. The tags will look like green spaghetti noodles attached right below the dorsal fin. Reward signs indicating information where to return the tags are posted around the launch ramps, marina and lake entrance. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Top bites for the bass and stripers here. The striper bite is excellent all over the lake on cut baits, especially mackerel. Victor Hernandez, Corona, caught a 25-pound stringer of stripers with his top fish a four-pounder out of the east end. Bass to 2 1/2 pounds are also showing in the east end on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. Kathy Jones, Riverside, landed a five-pound bass. Just a fair catfish bite, however, John Christy, Wildomar, caught a 10-3 catfish. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: A few crappie are starting to show, and the odd bass was caught this past week. There continues to be fair action on small wipers that must be released. A load of 18,000 of these fish went in the first week of January. The fish were all under eight inches when planted and anglers cannot keep wipers until they reach the 18-inch minimum size. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308.
CORONA LAKE: Excellent trout bite on fish up to six pounds. The best action has been for boat anglers fishing mid-lake waters, but shore anglers are also scoring near the dam and along the shorelines below the bait shop. Marty Stellman, Placentia, landed five-trout that weighed 15 pounds fishing nightcrawlers from a boat, and his best rainbow was a six-pounder. David Cruz, and David Jr., both Montclair, were just one fish shy of a double limit, but their nine-fish stringer weighed in at 17 1/2 pounds and included a five-pounder. Rene and Kyle Viramontes, Gardena, had 15 trout that weighed 25 pounds and their best fish was a four-pounder. Raul Moran and Jesse Frostud, Corona, landed 10 trout that weighed 21 pounds. Most anglers are fishing rainbow, chartreuse, or orange floating dough baits, nightcrawlers doused with scent, or small trout jigs and plastics. All are taking fish. Trout plants each week. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout bite with anglers reporting the best action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Catfish action is slow on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass bite on worms or plastics.
RANCHO JURUPA: County and DFG trout plants this week. Lots of limits reported with trout to two pounds or better. Nathan Ochoa, Riverside, landed a 6-15 rainbow on green and white swirl Power Bait. Judd Sowry, Riverside, Juan Castellanos, Mira Loma, Donald Hersh, Moreno Valley, and Nhut Nguyen, San Bernardino, each had two-pound rainbows on their stringers. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair trout bite. Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or Reflection Lake RV Home.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good to excellent trout bite. Power Bait (in all colors) and nightcrawlers are the most successful baits. Trout are planted twice a month with double loads. Plant last week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. The lake will be open New Year’s Eve and day. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Nice weather drew lots of anglers and the trout action was very good with a lot of limits reported over the past week, largely thanks to a DFG plant last week. Sean Sturdivant, Ian Bukowski, Jason Cove, and Aaron Sturdivant, all Beaumont, had limits of rainbow to 1 1/2 pounds fishing the southwest side of dam with Power Bait. Eric and Danny Morrison, Anaheim, landed five trout to two pounds on Power Bait from shore. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Rainbow trout up to six pounds are pacing the hot trout action with many anglers getting limits while fishing floating dough baits and small trout plastics. The best bite has been at Levitz’ Corner, near the boat dock, and at Three Pipes. The big fish reported over the past week was a 9 1/2-pound rainbow landed by Aiden Crocker, Santa Ana, while fishing at Levitz’ Corner with a Nitro glow worm. Adolph Rangel, Yorba Linda, had a seven-fish stringer that weighed 22 pounds, including a 7 1/4-pounder, while Allan Kennedy, Tustin, caught five trout that weighed 16 pounds and his best was a six-pounder. Enrique Estrada, Los Angeles, also landed a six-pound rainbow to top off his three-fish, 11-pound stringer. Trout plants are weekly. Information: 714-632-7830 or log on at fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
IRVINE LAKE: Very good trout bite with fish to 14 pounds and several caught over 10. Some browns were in the mix of rainbows caught. Power Bait is the hot bait for trout anglers fishing off the west shore, near Trout Island and near the dam. Al Roth, La Mirada, landed a 14-8 rainbow on a Kastmaster at the flats. Gene Tisdale, Buena Park, caught a 10-14 rainbow. Mike Reyes, Santa Fe Springs, reported an 8-12 rainbow, while Dale Payne, Lomita, landed an 8-8. Gene Groszewski, Lakewood, caught an 8-2 rainbow at the red clay cliffs, and Rich Roster, Studio City, caught an eight-pounder. Richard Hurley,La Habra, landed a 4-1 brown on an SC Shiner at mid-lake. Crappie from hand-size up to about three-quarters of a pound are starting show in the shallow stickups and off the docks on white Atomic tubes tipped with a mealworm. A few catfish to three pounds are bitting nightcrawlers around running creeks, and a few bluegill are hitting mealworms in the shallows. Bass anglers have caught fish to four pounds by dropshotting in 25 feet. The flats road is open, but is subject to closure due to muddy conditions. Call ahead for up-to-the-minute road conditions. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: A load of 2,000 Emerald trout and 1,000 pounds of trophy rainbows to six pounds went in last week. The overall bite is good to excellent off shore, at the point, and launch ramp. Longer leaders (12 to 14 inches) have been the ticket. Top baits continue to be pink and yellow Power Bait, mini jigs, lures, and inflated nightcrawlers dipped in scent. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or Laguna Niguel Lake.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

CACHUMA: DFG trout plant week before last. With decent action on trout to two pounds for trollers using Rapalas, Needlefish or Kastmasters. Bait anglers are fishing Power Bait, nightcrawlers or plastic worms. Catfish bite fair in the narrows on mackerel or nightcrawlers with most fish from three to 10 pounds. Crappie and redear bite fair in 30 feet on nightcrawlers or small jigs. Bass bite slow to fair, some fish reported from deep water by trout anglers. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Another good week of bass action with an 13-pounder topping the charts. Jeff Davis, Port Hueneme, caught the big fish on a plastic worm. Nightcrawlers, jigs and plastic worms are the hot baits. Ken Brown, Oxnard, caught an 11-8 bass. Gary Murphy, Ventura, and Eric Stewart, Huntington Beach, each pulled out nine-pounders. Fair crappie bite, including fish to two pounds on small jigs. DFG trout plant expected this week. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Striper action fair on swimbaits or topwater baits. Larger fish over 10 pounds have been reported in 60 to 100 feet, especially in the late mornings and early afternoon hours, although the average have been from four to seven pounds. Largemouth bass action improved over last week with a number of fish to four pounds reported on plastics or nightcrawlers off the west ramp and in the fish arm. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Top baits include Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any type of trout worm. Jeanie Ornelas, West Covina, caught a two-pound trout. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. Slowish bass action, but some are still reporting a few fish to two pounds on plastic worms. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: DFG trout plant this week, which should help struggling bite. Action fair for stripers to five pounds on anchovies or nightcrawler. Shad-like swimbaits, spinnerbaits and cranks are also good producers. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers. Largemouth and smallmouth bites fair on plastic worms, lures or swimbaits. Some catfish reported in the channels on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Good bite for trout on nightcrawlers. Crappie, bass and bluegill bites fair. Nightcrawlers producing for the bass with mini jigs working best for crappie and bluegill. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant this week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant las week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Closed for the season. The lake will reopen in May. Fees to fish here have gone up, making it $20 per angler and $46 for motor rentals. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
HODGES: Good bass action. The 186 anglers checked reported 159 bass, five channel catfish, three bluegill and two crappie. George Grlicky, Del Diso, caught an 8.50-pound largemouth bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on the weekends only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: Great improvement in the bass bite. This week 247 anglers checked reported 415 bass, 89 crappie, four blue catfish and one channel catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: The pressure dropped off a bit, but the bass action remains good. This week 260 anglers reported 224 bass, 60 crappie, 20 bluegill and 11 channel catfish. Mackerel is the hot bait for the catfish and Bushlow Cove is the hot spot for the catfish. Johnny Rogen, Lakeside, caught five channel catfish totaling 37.55 pounds with his top fish an 8.95-pounder. Largemouth bass action best for those using spinnerbaits. Nic Elliot, Chula Vista, caught a 6.50-pound largemouth. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
UPPER OTAY: Very good bass bite for walk-in anglers. This week nine anglers pulled out 21 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: Big improvement in the bass action. This week 74 anglers reported 74 bass, two rainbow trout and one redear. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MIRAMAR: This past week the 154 anglers checked reported 112 rainbow trout, five bass and one channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: Set to reopen for fishing and boating Saturday. The lake will then be open on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Good trout bite. Best fishing reported begins at 9:30 a.m. and stays solid through the early afternoon with nightcrawlers the best bait all day. Ken Frattini, Vista, caught a 4-14 trout on a chartreuse Power worm in Willow Cove. The Bass are moving into the shallows and fish to eight pounds have been caught occasionally in the usual rocky outcroppings. Chris Linker, Escondido, caught a 4-4 on crankbait at Bass Point. Fees at the lake have increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5. Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, half motorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50. There is a temporary ban on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: Another 1,500-pound load of trout went in this week and another is set to arrive in two weeks. Good trout action with fish from two to four pounds reported in Whiskey Bay and Trout Cove. Hot baits are rainbow Power Bait, small green crappie jigs, Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants. Bass action is slow but will improve as water temps increase slightly and fish start moving into the shallows. Catfish action was surprisingly slow with the recent storms. Stormy weather usually turns the bite on in the Jack Creek area. Pier No. 2 remains closed due to construction until further notice. A daily permit is required for entry. The Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Fees have increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5. Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, half motorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Good trout bite with fish over 10 pounds caught. The best bet is slow trolling or picking a spot along the back shore of the lake with nightcrawlers or plastic worms. A plant of 1,500 pounds went in week before last with another one set for mid-week. Best shoreline spot is across the lake in Bucktail Bay near the Restroom Landing. Most consistent lures are Kastmasters and Rapalas. Fair to good bass action on plastics or nightcrawlers. The catfish bite is good with the Log Boom being the best area to catch one. The bluegill bite is slow. There is fishing and boating on Wednesdays through Sundays. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Excellent trout bite in Hermit Cove and off and near Eagle Point. Colored Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the top baits. A 1,000-pound load of Mt. Lassen trout will go in this week. The male bass are out, but the females are being shy. Good action on jigs, swimbaits and creature baits along shore. Fair catfish bite on nightcrawlers and mackerel. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. hosting by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: A new lake record for trout was set here. Stan Kieniewicz, Vista, caught a 13-8 rainbow on Power Bait. More big fish were also pulled out, including an 11-2 by Dave Gehrke, Escondido, and an 8-14 for Gordon Gardne, San Diego. In total, over 12 trout exceeded five pounds this week. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 6 a.m. Boats over 19 feet aren’t recommended for launching. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Fair to good trout bite on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the best bite at the Lone Pine. No recent DFG plants, although some Jess Ranch trout went in three weeks ago. Upcoming events: Supervising ranger Willard Lepley offers a free fishing class every Saturday at 10 a.m. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or Lake Cuyamaca Home Page.
HENSHAW: Light pressure but the crappie action is still giving anglers something to talk about. Some catfish action reported. Open daily 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motor boats are available for rent daily depending on the weather. Large amount of shoreline access and a 150-foot Fishing Float puts anglers in some good areas holding fish. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

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

LOWER DESERT WATERS

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

EASTERN SIERRA

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

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Good trout action at the Auxiliary Dam area on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant this week with Alpers’ planted last week. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for April 4-6. There will be 1,000 tagged fish worth cash, including a $20,000 fish and 10 fish at $10,000 each. Applications are available at 20th Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few trout reported. The upper river remains fair on salmon eggs. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or Fly Fishing the Kern River, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Fair striper action for those fishing bloodworms or sand worms. Isaiah Arbizu, 5, Bakersfield, caught a three-pound striper on blood worms His brothers Frank, 10 and Richard, each caught three-pounders.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic. Kevin Webb, Bakersfield, caught a 15-pound carp on chicken liver.
RIVER WALK PARK: Fair trout action after plants. Maddison and R.J. Barron, Bakersfield, caught a limit of fish from 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 pounds. Maddison took first prize for the weekend’s tournament with these fish. Martin and Marissa Baschbacher, Bakersfield, caught two limits of trout to two pounds. Charles Goehring, Bakersfield, caught a two-pound trout on a mini jig. Lisa Mayler, Bakersfield, landed a one-pounder. Lots of bluegill are visible in the water so the early spring bite should really take off this year. Not too many reports yet, however.
MING LAKE: Fair to good trout bite.
BRITE LAKE: No reports. Lake had been closed because of rain, snow, mud.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Trout, crappie, bass and striper bites all good. Trout action best for anglers using Power Bait. Jason Gabler, Bakersfield, caught a nine-pound trout. Cornell Warren, Bakersfield, landed a 13pound striper on a jig. Pollo Cantu, Bakersfield, caught a six-pound bass on a minnow and a 12pound catfish, while Kenny G, Bakersfield, landed a 1 3/4-pound. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant one month ago.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

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

TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Park Lake, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Wilderness Park Lake, Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, La Mirada Lake, Hollenbeck Park, Legg Lake, Lincoln Park Lake, Pyramid Lake.
INYO: Lone Pine Creek, lower Owens River below Tinemaha Reservoir.
RIVERSIDE: Lake Evans, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park Lake, El Prado Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Seccombe Park Lake, Silverwood Lake, South Fork of the Santa Ana River.
ORANGE: Laguna Lake, Yorba Regional Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Reservoir, Lindo Lake, Murray Reservoir.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, Pine Flat Lake, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.
KERN: Isabella Lake.
MADERA: Bass Lake, H. V. Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
TULARE: Kaweah River, Lake Success.