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SOCAL FISH REPORT
May 13, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
May 13, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The Lake Isabella crappie bite is wide open, off the hook, in a frenzy. The action is as good as it’s been in years, maybe decades. Most anglers are getting easy 25-fish limits and many anglers are catching and releasing over 200 fish a day. The best bite is on small minnows or jig with a Crappie Nibble, and the fish are holding tight to the bank in two to 10 feet of water. They are averaging from 3/4-pound to 1 1/2 pounds and they are showing all around the lake. For an update, call Bob’s Bait at 661-833-8657.
2. The bluegill bite at Lake Perris is awesome right now with buckets full of half-pounders leaving the marina on a daily basis, and a lot of bigger fish also being caught. The fish are in a spawning mode and are whacking baits and small jigs. One angler reported a 60-fish catch that weighed 90 pounds. For the smaller fish, the bite is excellent on bobber-suspended baits, but the bigger fish are best on small jigs or nightcrawlers fished on the slow fall in deeper water. There is a chance of a redear to two pounds in this action, if you can get a bait through the smaller fish. For an update, call the marina at 951-657-2179.
3. The Casitas Lake bass and crappie bite is excellent on live shad. There were bass to 12-12 and crappie to three pounds caught on the big candy bait this week, and it has been pretty easy to dip net enough shad for bait first thing in the morning. The bass are showing in six to 20 feet of water on structure all around the lake, while the crappie are almost exclusively in the marina. Both are taking shad about 20 to 1 over everything else. For an update, check with the marina at 805-649-2043.
2. The bluegill bite at Lake Perris is awesome right now with buckets full of half-pounders leaving the marina on a daily basis, and a lot of bigger fish also being caught. The fish are in a spawning mode and are whacking baits and small jigs. One angler reported a 60-fish catch that weighed 90 pounds. For the smaller fish, the bite is excellent on bobber-suspended baits, but the bigger fish are best on small jigs or nightcrawlers fished on the slow fall in deeper water. There is a chance of a redear to two pounds in this action, if you can get a bait through the smaller fish. For an update, call the marina at 951-657-2179.
3. The Casitas Lake bass and crappie bite is excellent on live shad. There were bass to 12-12 and crappie to three pounds caught on the big candy bait this week, and it has been pretty easy to dip net enough shad for bait first thing in the morning. The bass are showing in six to 20 feet of water on structure all around the lake, while the crappie are almost exclusively in the marina. Both are taking shad about 20 to 1 over everything else. For an update, check with the marina at 805-649-2043.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The Eastern Sierra has become deserted since the opener but the fishing remains good, if you can dodge the wind. Crowley, Convict, the June Lake loop waters, Bridgeport Reservoir, and both Upper and Lower Twin in Bridgeport are all good. Most of the Orange County lakes are still getting weekly plants of trout. Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Corona Lake have all been pretty good but plants are coming to an end. SARL and Corona are done as of this week. All the High Desert waters are good bets with fish over four pounds possible at both Hesperia Lake and Jess Ranch. Diamond Valley Lake is excellent. DFG-stocked reservoirs, especially Silverwood and Piru are good bets and at the upper elevations, Big Bear Lake and Hemet are also pretty good.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still good but a most waters are on the backside of the spawn. Casitas is a top bet with balls of shad allowing anglers to net the candy bait and fish to nearly 13 pounds this week. Include Castaic, Piru, Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley as good bets, and Silverwood as one of the spots with a budding bite, getting better with each warm day. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 5,000 bass reported, and Hodges, Otay and Morena are still pretty fair with most fish in a little post-spawn funk. On the lower Colorado River from Parker downstream is very good for smallmouth bass in the main river and largemouths in the backwaters.
STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of the Southern California striper spots with Pyramid, Skinner, Silverwood, and Castaic all cranking out fish, mostly on anchovies. On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are three or four. Havasu has a good deep-water bite. Willow Beach was quiet this week. Near Blythe, the action is still good at the diversion dam above town with fish to 20 pounds again this week. Also the wiper bite at Elsinore seems to be perking this week.
PANFISH: A lot of crappie bites have fizzled in the past week. But top bets include Isabella for sheer volume of one-pounders and Casitas for big fish to three pounds. Elsinore also came back on with a lot of 1-8 fish this past week, and Henshaw continues to be good. The bluegill and redear bites are breaking wide open just about everywhere this week. Lake Perris is ultra hot in the marina. Diamond Valley Lake is also worth fishing for the bluegill, redear, and crappie, but just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank with the warmer weather, finally. Also the tilapia bite at the Salton Sea just won’t go away. While winds slowed it some, it’s still excellent.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the flathead and channel catfish bite was excellent during the full moon this past week. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is the hot region for the big flatheads, and the channels are showing from Mead to Mexico. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is getting double loads of catfish plants each week), Jean’s Channel Cats (which had a double load last week), along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting plants this each week now. Urban water Elizabeth Lake has an excellent bullhead bite.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still good but a most waters are on the backside of the spawn. Casitas is a top bet with balls of shad allowing anglers to net the candy bait and fish to nearly 13 pounds this week. Include Castaic, Piru, Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley as good bets, and Silverwood as one of the spots with a budding bite, getting better with each warm day. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 5,000 bass reported, and Hodges, Otay and Morena are still pretty fair with most fish in a little post-spawn funk. On the lower Colorado River from Parker downstream is very good for smallmouth bass in the main river and largemouths in the backwaters.
STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of the Southern California striper spots with Pyramid, Skinner, Silverwood, and Castaic all cranking out fish, mostly on anchovies. On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are three or four. Havasu has a good deep-water bite. Willow Beach was quiet this week. Near Blythe, the action is still good at the diversion dam above town with fish to 20 pounds again this week. Also the wiper bite at Elsinore seems to be perking this week.
PANFISH: A lot of crappie bites have fizzled in the past week. But top bets include Isabella for sheer volume of one-pounders and Casitas for big fish to three pounds. Elsinore also came back on with a lot of 1-8 fish this past week, and Henshaw continues to be good. The bluegill and redear bites are breaking wide open just about everywhere this week. Lake Perris is ultra hot in the marina. Diamond Valley Lake is also worth fishing for the bluegill, redear, and crappie, but just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank with the warmer weather, finally. Also the tilapia bite at the Salton Sea just won’t go away. While winds slowed it some, it’s still excellent.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the flathead and channel catfish bite was excellent during the full moon this past week. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is the hot region for the big flatheads, and the channels are showing from Mead to Mexico. Other places of note include Hesperia Lake (which is getting double loads of catfish plants each week), Jean’s Channel Cats (which had a double load last week), along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting plants this each week now. Urban water Elizabeth Lake has an excellent bullhead bite.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: Good trout action with the best action for trollers working deeper water or still fishermen fishing 20-plus feet of water. Big trout plant Wednesday this week for the Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic this weekend, which is sold out. The Classic will be followed by the "Fishin' for 50K Trout Derby" on May 30-31 where 10 tagged fish worth up to $50,000 will be planted. For more information on this event or to register log onto Big Bear Lake - Lodging At Big Bear Lake CA Vacation Cabins or call 800-424-4232. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or Big Bear Boat Rentals Fishing Big Bear Marina.
GREGORY LAKE: Fair to good trout action. There were DFG and county trout plants two weeks ago, and DFG trout were slated for this week. The boat dock and other county facilities opened the end of April. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities reopen this Saturday and both DFG and 2,000 pounds of Calavaras trout will be planted before the weekend opener. There will also be a plant before Memorial Day weekend and then weekly plants starting in mid-June. There is also a fair catch-and-release bite on largemouth bass. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The catfish action is very good to excellent. There is now a double plant of 2,200 pounds of cats every Thursday and each plant includes some trophy broodstock fish. Top baits have been nightcrawlers or cut baits with Sonny's dip bait, or one of the combo baits -- mackerel and meal worms or the M&M favorite, marshmallow-meal worm. Some nice sturgeon continue to be caught each week, and the trout are still showing in spotty numbers even though the last plant was two weeks ago. 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: Trout action was very good this past week with the best bite before 10 a.m. on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and a variety of jigs and lures. Most fish from two to three pounds with some bigger. James Renteria, 11, El Monte, caught a 6-11 rainbow at the northern shore of lake two. Brian Martin, Victorville, landed 5-11 and 4-11 rainbows. Both bass and bluegill action continue to improve with warmer weather. Some bluegill up to 1 1/2-pounds are showing near the wall in lake two. Catfish are showing up to three pounds on nightcrawlers and mackerel. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: There was a DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago. County catfish plants begin next week, just before Memorial Day weekend. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. The action has been slow since the last county plant four weeks ago. Catfish plants will begin the end of May. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Fair catfish, carp, and bass bites, but the first county catfish plants will go in next week for Memorial Day weekend. Last trout plant was a DFG plant three weeks ago. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Slow trout action and few other species showing. Catfish plants will start next week, just before Memorial Day weekend, but a few holdover fish are already starting to be caught. Charles Park, Yucaipa, landed a limit of cats up to a pound from the top lake fishing nightcrawlers. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Trout are slow with the last DFG plant two weeks ago. A few carp and catfish are starting to show, and some bluegill and bass are also being caught. Catfish plants will begin next week just prior to Memorial Day weekend. 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: No DFG plants in over a month. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Bass action remains good with Texas-rigged lizards, and brush hogs, Senkos, jigs, and drop-shot rigged straight-tail plastics in purple variations have been the most reported baits. Underspins or Scrounger fluke combos have produced while fishing shad schools. Jake Oliver, Fontana, caught an 11.9-pound bass fishing with a Rapala in the south corner of the west dam. Bill Williams, Visalia, caught an eight-pound bass fishing with plastics on the west dam. Trout fishing has been fair as surface water temps climb. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Power Worms and mini jigs have been working best with most of the trout showing at the east dam or the coves west of the marina. Trout were planted last week. Terry Harden, Redlands, caught a 6.5-pound trout at the south shore with a Zeko's Rainbow. The catfish bite was excellent this past week with the marina, the east dam, and the rock quarry being the best spots. Cut baits have been producing well for cats to nearly 14 pounds. Quade Wynn, Hemet, caught a 9.79-pound catfish from shore on shrimp. Ricardo Martinez, San Jacinto, caught an 8.77-pound cat fishing with a spinner bait near the marina. Anthony Sanchez, El Monte landed an 8.7-pounder fishing from shore with anchovies. The panfish bite picked up significantly this week. There have been a couple of impressive crappie catches recorded, but few anglers are testing this action. Many anglers have reported success on bluegill using small jigs and live worms at the dams. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. There is a petition going around to get a launch ramp extension (check with Last Chance B&T). Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Diamond Valley Marina.
PERRIS: The bluegill and redear bite remains wide open with a lot of 1/2 to 1 1/2-pound fish showing. The marina is a hot spot, but the fish are showing all around the lake around any structure on crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait. Jim Simpkins, Pomona, caught 57 bluegill up to a 1 1/2-pounder. Simpkins also landed a 1 3/4-pound redear. Trout are still pretty fair after DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. The best bite continues to be in Sail Cove, Lots 5 and 6, and the marina. The largemouth bass have slowed way down, but still in a fair bite. Most of the fish have backed out of the shallows. Good carp action at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, Rock Climber’s Cove area. Fish to 10 pounds reported on dough baits. A few catfish are also being caught. Gene Sierra, Bloomington, landed a 10-pound catfish on a Panther Martin while fishing for trout. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striped bass action remains good to excellent with lots of smaller fish at the dam and inlet on anchovies, chicken liver and nightcrawlers. The odd big fish are showing early in the morning, mostly on swim baits or topwater lures. Harry Ruggle, Los Angeles, caught six stripers to four pounds on chicken liver at the inlet, while Ruth Jones, San Diego, caught 10 stripers to two pounds at the dam, also on chicken liver. The largemouth bite is fair with a lot of fish still whacking plastics and nightcrawlers, but the spawn in done. Antonio Bracken, Temecula, caught two bass to three pounds on plastics in the east end. Carp are also good on dough baits with a lot more fish showing shallow this week. More and more catfish are starting to be taken, too, by the striper anglers. Crappie and trout are slow. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: The crappie bite turned back on this past week going into the full moon with a lot of fish up to nearly two pounds reported and the average fish over a pound. Most have been caught on jigs or live shad in deeper water. The crappie have finished spawning. The catfish bite has also broken wide open, mostly on lake dropoffs, but most fish are under three pounds. The bluegill have moved shallow in a full spawn mode with good action on hand-sized fish. Mostly on bobber-suspended crickets, meal worms, or red worms. The wipers have also been showing in better numbers of the past two weeks, with a lot of undersize fish from this year’s plant showing (there is an 18-inch minimum size) and a fewer number of fish from six to 14 pounds from previous year’s plants. Carp are fair to good on dough baits. Largemouth bass have remained spotty, perhaps in a post-spawn funk. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: The bite on bigger rainbows continues to be good and many anglers continue to post limits. The big fish this past week were a pair of rainbows that weighed 17 pounds. One was landed by Caesar Martinez, Moreno Valley, and the other by Earl Savard, Moreno Valley. Edwardo Silva, Covina, caught a 16-pounder, and James Camacho, Riverside, and his family had a 13-pound rainbow topped an eight-fish stringer of trout and catfish that weighed 24 1/2 pounds total. Tito Baltaxar, Moreno Valley, landed a 12-pound rainbow. The best action has been inflated nightcrawlers with Gravy or Nitro Bait in rainbow, green, or orange. The whole west shoreline has been good, but boat anglers are still getting a few more fish in the deep-water spots at mid-lake and near the dam. Catfish action is also really starting to take off with the plants going in each week now, and a lot of fish to 2 1/2 pounds are being caught by anglers fishing prepared mackerel baits. Top cat this past week was a 16-pounder landed by Melissa Welford, Norco, on her own mackerel bait. On this Sunday, anglers will be allowed into the lake at half price and there will be no limit on the rainbow trout. Both trout and catfish plants this week, but this is the last trout plant of the season. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night now. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: Fair bass action on plastics and small reaction baits. Good bluegill action around shoreline structure, rocks, and tules.
RANCHO JURUPA: A few carp and bass showing. Catfish plants to begin late May. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: No report. 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 www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Excellent catfish action on nightcrawlers after a double load of cats last week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair to good trout action with some limits reported, but a DFG plant is slated for this week. The largemouth bass and catfish bites have also really improved over the past week with the warmer weather. Bev Eveland, Crestline, landed a five-pound largemouth, while Jennifer Araby, Hemet, caught a 6-4 catfish. Both were using nightcrawlers. 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: The last trout plant of the season will go into the lake this week and on Sunday admission to the lake is half price and there is no limit on the trout. Trout action has been good with limits of rainbows to eight pounds have been common. Samantha Gray, Anaheim, had the top trout this week at eight pounds fishing yellow Nitro Bait at Three Pipes, while Logan Ariallina, Anaheim, landed a 6 1/2-pounder on a nightcrawler at the Bubble Hole. Enrique Estrada, Los Angeles, had five trout weighing 10 1/2 pounds total, and Maria Solis, Lancaster, had five that weighed 14 1/2 pounds. John and David West, both Duarte, caught eight trout to 4-12 and the whole stringer weighed 21 1/2 pounds. The catfish bite is getting better daily with weekly plants now. Top catfish was a 12 1/2-pounder caught by Jimmy Sushi, Anaheim, fishing shrimp at the Bubble Hole, while Rick Haney, Garden Grove, landed five catfish to 3-8 on shrimp with Gravy at Three Pipes. His five-fish stringer weighed in at 15 3/4 pounds. There is now 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night. 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: Trout action was very good this past week with trollers seeing the best results. Power Bait and the Power Mouse combo continue to be productive as well. The fish are moving deeper with the hot weather and were often found at depths of 20 feet or more by mid-day. Adelso Estrada, Wilmington, landed a 10-10 rainbow on Power Bait at Woody's Cove. Catfish action was good with nightcrawlers and chicken liver working well. Top spots for catfish were Boat Dock Cove and the back of the flats. Joshua Williams, Compton, caught a 9-2 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats. Crappie action was fair this week with the best bite on white Atomic tubes fished near the docks or Sierra Cove. Numbers of bluegill are showing for those using meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks. Bass action has remained very good with many fish still in the shallows. Plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits have all been working well for bass. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: No reports. 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: The largemouth and smallmouth bass bite has been fair to good with a lot of fish still shallow, but most of the spawn seems done. Plastic worms and nightcrawlers top baits, but more and more fish are showing on reaction baits. Trout action fair with trollers getting fish in 25 to 30 feet of water on Needlefish and Rapalas. Crappie slowing, but a still a fair bite in the narrows with the fish averaging better than a pound and showing on small jigs. Redear reall starting to improve with the warmer weather, but the catfish bite is still spotty with only a few fish reported. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: The largemouth bass bite continues very good on live shad, which can still be dip-netted most morning, and plastics worms. Top fish this past week was a 12-12 largemouth caught by Scott Parrish, Goleta, on a shad. Kyle Williams, Inglewood, landed a 10-pounder. Ken Wolfe, Oxnard, landed four bass to 3-8, and three crappie to three pounds fishing shad near the docks. The big shad are showing each morning at the docks, but only for about the first two hours and only on live shad. All of the fish are from two to three pounds. Roger Snowbarger, Ojai, has fished this bite each day this past week, landing from two to eight fish per trip. David Regan, Oxnard, had four crappie to three pounds on Wednesday. The redear action has been fair to good, too, with a few catches of fish up to 1-8 reported on nightcrawler chunks, mostly in Station Canyon. Catfish are also just starting to turn on with the warmer weather. Ellen Piles, Ventura, had a 10-8 cat on mackerel. Trout are slow, but there was a double-load DFG plant last Friday at the Coyote launch. Those fish bite well until Sunday but has disappeared since. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Winds have hampered much of the action all through this past week, but the striper bite has held up for small, schoolie-sized fish from one to four pounds, with the best bite at the dam, west ramp and the shoreline north of the marina. Cut anchovies and small swim baits. The largemouth bite is fair to good on plastics, nightcrawlers, and most of the fish have been under three pounds. Few bluegill or crappie reports, but there's a good carp bite for anglers targeting them. Also very few catfish reports this past week, but better and warmer weather should turn this bite on. Trout were planted in the lower lake this past week and provided pretty good action through the weekend. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Very windy this past week which really hampered fishing, but there’s still a pretty good bite on crappie on small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles. Some of these fish are approaching two pounds. Trout have been spotty, but a few anglers are getting fish and a limit was posted on Wednesday. Last DFG plant was three weeks ago. The bass action continues to be pretty fair but most of the fish are small. Bluegill and redear are also starting to turn on with some fish up to a pound. Catfish still spotty. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: The striper bite is still good in spite of winds this past week, but the water pouring in this week so the fish have scattered back out this past week, with the best bite still at Yellowbar and in the main channel. Eric Reynolds, Lancaster, and Jason Marxmiller, Saugus, each had 10 fish limits of stripers to 4-8 fishing cut baits at Yellowbar. Miguel Santiago, North Hollywood, five stripers to three pounds fishing nightcrawlers off the marina rocks, The trout bite has been fair since the plant earlier this month, and the largemouth bass are fair to good, mostly back out of the shallows on deeper points. A few catfish also starting to show, but few reports on bluegill or crappie. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: First DFG catfish plant of the season went in last week and a few are already being caught. There was also a DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago, and those fish are providing pretty good action. The bass bite has slowed with the spawn mostly over, but the bluegill is breaking wide open on small jigs or baits like meal worms, crickets or wax worms fished in less than 10 feet of water. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: First DFG catfish plant of the season last week and DFG trout were slated for this week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair to good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
**ELIZABETH LAKE: The catfish and bullhead are really starting to bite. Wilton Mays, Pacoima, caught 60 bullhead to 2 ½-pounds earlier this week fishing worms and shrimp doused with Amaysing Blood Dip bat in 12 feet of water. DFG trout plant last week and the action has been fair since, mostly on floating baits.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant last week.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, and there was a DFG catfish plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Excellent bass fishing. No angler checks to report. 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 with some crappie showing as well. No angler checks to report. 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: Fair bass bite with some crappie and panfish showing as well. No angler checks to report. 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: Continued fair to good bass action with just a smattering of other fish. No angler checks to report. 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: Fair bass action for walk-in anglers. No angler checks to report. 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: Fair bass action with a few panfish starting to show. No angler checks to report. 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: Mostly slow action with a spotty pick on rainbow trout. No angler checks to report. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: No creel checks are being conducted, but the bite is fair to good for bass and a few cats and panfish are showing. The lake is open on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available. Water level is very low and boat launch is allowed at your own risk. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Trout fishing is good with nice-sized rainbows being hauled out of Boat Dock Cove and along Senior Shoreline. John Moller, Vista, caught a 5-4 trout on a mini-jig at the east end of the lake. Joey Martinez, Chula Vista, caught a 5-3 trout on a nightcrawler at the west buoy line. The last trout plant of the season went in last week. Bass action is fair to good with a lot of fish still shallow. Rod Kiar, Escondido, landed a 6-13 bass on a Senko at the west buoy line. Crappie bite is fair on the rocky outcroppings and submerged willows, but the water level is expected to drop in the coming days and this will hurt the crappie bite. Carp action has been good on dough baits. Catfish are starting to show as the weather warms. Cut baits fished at the buoy line have been the best bet for catfish. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. 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 this week with many limits taken. Whiskey Bay and buoy line are seeing the most action with Catfish Cove also producing some fish. The best bite has been on inflated nightcrawlers, red Power Worms, small green crappie jigs, Kastmasters, and Roostertails. Last trout plant of the season went in last week. Bass action is very good with fish to 10-pounds reported. Jed Dickerson, Memphis, TN, caught a 10-pound bass on a small plastic swim bait. Catfish slow. Pier No. 2 has completed construction and is now open. 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: The bass bite slowed, but is still good over most of the Lake. Trout fishing was slow once again this week. The best bet is slow trolling or picking a spot in Bucktail Bay near the Restroom Landing and fishing nightcrawlers, Kastmasters, or Rapalas. The catfish bite is fair with the Log Boom being the best area to catch one. The bluegill bite is good by the second tank on the Log Boom. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Trout action slowed this past week and fish are still moving into deeper water. Best action has been on inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent and fished in the deep waters. Bass are scattered and post-spawn. Most are being caught off the points in 20 feet of water, and while some have been spotted in the shallows near the trees, those fish generally aren't biting. Drop-shotted 10-inch black Power Worms or four-inch margarita Mutilator plastic worms are the best bet. Catfish are being caught around the bird trees and the floating boathouse on nightcrawlers and mackerel, both doused with scent. Catfish will be planted every other week all summer long starting May 15. Redear are starting to show in the shallows. Upcoming events: Free fishing class on bait fishing for rainbow trout 1 p.m. Sunday hosted by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: Still some trout showing but the bite is slowing. The bass bite continued to improve with fish to eight pounds reported on plastic worms. The bluegill and crappie bite turned on this past week and the action is excellent. Nightcrawlers, waxworms, redworms, and mealworms have all been working well. Some catfish are starting to show on mackerel, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver. Price of boats and permits has been reduced Monday through Thursday. Permits are $3.50 and boat rentals just $20 for the whole day. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Excellent trout action all over the lake. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been best with Pumphouse Cove, Lone Pine, and Fletcher Island being the hot spots. Greg Peck, San Diego, caught a 3.15-pound trout at Pump House Cove using a silver lure. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. The largemouth bass bite is fair. The crappie bite is good for those targeting them. 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: The crappie bite remained very good this past week with good numbers showing all along the shoreline on bright colored jigs and live minnows. Catfish action was very good with many limits reported. Mackerel and shrimp have been working best. Ralph Thomas, Los Angeles, caught a limit of catfish with a four-pounder topping the catch. The bass bite is still fair for anglers targeting them. Darrel Langley, Mesa Grande, caught a 6-10 bass. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Stripers fair to good in Boulder Bay and Gypsum Wash. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is just starting with a fair to good bite in the coves.
WILLOW BEACH: Still spotty striper action, but the trout action remains fair to good, but only right after the Friday plants. Small spinners, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, and floating baits best for the rainbows. A few catfish are starting to show in the bigger pools down river. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Fair to good action on stripers from three to five pounds. The Cottonwood Cove region, Arizona Bay, Katherine's Landing, the Power Lines, and the dam areas are all top spots. Most of the fish are showing in 20-plus feet of water and most of the bite has been on anchovies. A spotty largemouth bass bite. Catfish are improving and the shoreline areas two miles south of Cottonwood has been very good on cut baits. Bluegill are also starting to flood into the shallows and showing in fair numbers and that bite is improving with each warm day. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Mostly slow action. A few catfish on cut baits, but not a lot of action right now. Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: Fair striper action downriver in the Topoc area. Most stripers are under two pounds. A few catfish showing. Fair to good largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: The largemouth bass bite is fair to good in Topoc Marsh and along the main river structure. Catfish have been good this past week with the warmer weather in going into last Friday’s full moon. Topoc Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: Park Moabi at 760-326-3831 or Phil’s Western Trader at 928-768-4954.
HAVASU: The largemouth bass bite has been very good for anglers flipping jigs, tubes, Senkos, or plastics worms along the cattails and tule matts and there has been a pretty good topwater bite on frogs early and late in the day. Most of the largemouth are around two pounds, but fish up to six pounds are showing daily. The stripers are scattered, but the bite if fair to good for anglers fishing deep-water in the old river channel in 48 to 52 feet of water with cut anchovies after chumming a spot. Some fish are also moving up into the river on the upper end of the lake to spawn. Most of the stripers are around 2-8, but fish to 17 pounds reported in the past two weeks. Shad schools are frequently on the surface along shorelines early in the day, and there’s also some topwater and near-surface action at dawn on shad-like surface baits, cranks, or swimbaits. Smallmouth bass are fair to good on the main lake’s rocky points, including an early morning topwater bite. Redear are in full spawn in most coves and the bite very good. Catfish are fair, mostly showing in deep water. Information: Angler’s Pro Shop at 928-854-2277, Black Meadow Landing at 760-663-3811, or Havasu Springs Resort at 928-667-2205.
PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been very good this past week and the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are also very good. Bluegill and redear are both spawning in backwaters and quiet water in the main river and the action is good. Flatheads are also pretty good on goldfish and shiners.
BLYTHE: The catfish and bass action is excellent, and the striped bass bite is still good at the diversion dam north of town. The stripers are best early and late in the day or at night on Vaca Jigs or live bluegill, goldfish, or tilapia fished in the white water just below the dam. Most of the stripers are four to eight pounds, but some fish up into the 20s are caught each week. The flathead action best on live bluegill or goldfish with fish to 20 pounds each week now, and largemouths are excellent in all the river backwaters. Smallmouth are good along the main river rip-rap with a lot of fish to 1 1/2 pounds, mostly on small cranks or topwater lures. The bluegill action is excellent all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches in a full-on spawn. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The flathead and channel catfish bite is very good with a lot of quality fish being caught, mostly on live goldfish or bluegill in the area backwaters and ditches. Robert Pierce, manager of Walter’s Camp, caught a 25-pound flathead over the weekend. The largemouth bass bite is very good in all the river backwaters and main river. Pretty Water and Cibola Lake are both top areas, but the fish are showing everywhere now. Smallmouth pretty good in the main river along the rip rap. Improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Very good largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. Even some topwater action starting. The channel catfish action is good on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is also taking off with some quality fish showing on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action good to excellent on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits. Channel catfish and flatheads are both very good. The crappie bite is fair on small live minnows. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is very good in the main river and river backwaters on minnows and plastics. Both channel catfish and flathead action is really getting good in the main river with some quality flatheads now showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to good for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Winds hampered the tilapia action again this past week, but the bite has remained excellent between the blows. Catches of 20 to 50 fish per angler are still common and the bite is good all along the east shoreline (the Highway 111 side) from Bombay Beach to Mecca Beach to Salt Creek and up to the state park headquarters fishing jetty, where most of the fishing pressure is concentrated. Darn few reports from the other side of the sea. The fish are running from half-pound up to nearly two pounds, but most remain in the 3/4-pound to one-pound range. The action is still on nightcrawler pieces fished on the bottom. 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: Last No report. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No Report.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Last DFG trout plant over a month ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or Bishop, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743.
COLEVILLE-TOPAZ REGION: The West Walker River remains tough because of runoff but fishing is still fair on DFG plants last week. Little Walker River good for small, wild fish. Few reports from backcountry waters, but Kirman Lake is open and the action for fly and jig anglers has been excellent with brookies to four pounds or better and cutthroat to six pounds. Information: Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River remains excellent with a lot of 14 to 22-inch browns reported by catch-and-release fly anglers on dries, nymphs and streamers. Bridgeport Reservoir has been tough because of wind, but the bite is excellent when anglers can get on the water. Lots of browns and rainbows in the three-pound and better class. Fredrick Ward, Anaheim, landed a 5-8 rainbow on Wednesday this week fishing a ‘crawler. Both Upper and Lower Twin Lakes remain fair to good for both trollers and bait anglers. Bob Ingram, Petaluma, landed a 5-10 rainbow at the creek outlet in Lower Twin. Virginia Lakes are still frozen over and providing good ice action on nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or mini jigs in white or chartreuse. Anglers should check conditions before ice fishing, this week’s warm, windy weather can make the lake’s ice rotten quickly. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
LEE VINING REGION: High water in most of the creeks in this region as runoff is peaking. Lee Vining Creek is still pretty good for bait anglers fishing Captain America Power Bait, worms, salmon eggs or yellow Panther Martins, Phoebes, Mepps or nymph fly patterns under an indicator. Lower Rush Creek in sthe special regs section has been good on small caddis dries or a two-fly rig. Tioga, Ellery, and Saddlebag lakes are all still frozen, but warmer, windy weather this week is likely to take the ice off quickly this week. Highway 120 is open to the park boundary. Lundy Lake is still very low, but the bite is good for rainbows. Information: Untitled Document.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Windy and continued light fishing pressure since the opener, but generally still pretty fair fishing on June, Gull, Silver and Grant, mostly for anglers fishing baits, with inflated nightcrawlers and floating baits the best bet. Information: Ernie’s Tackle at 760-648-7756.
MAMMOTH AREA: Windy much of this past week, and that has made fishing most of the lakes tough. Convict Lake had little boat activity because of winds, but the weather was improving this week. Alper’s trout were planted last week. Perry Vanscoy, Bakersfield, had a 2-4 rainbow last Friday on a Needlefish off the south shore. Crowley Lake continues to be plagued by winds, but the bite remains excellent for shore anglers fishing Power Bait or nightcrawlers off Sandy Point, Green Banks, and Leighton Spring, while boat anglers have had good action off the mouth of McGee Creek and Sandy Point. Lots of fish over three pounds. The upper Owens River and Hot Creek both have been very good for fly anglers. In the Mammoth Lake, the Twin Lakes are losing ice fast, but most of the waters in the upper basin remain covered. The warm, windy weather this week could take that off very fast and ice fishing isn’t recommended now. Rock Creek Lake is now ice free and the fishing has been pretty fair. The resort is opening this weekend and the lodge will be open by Memorial Day. Good action on planted trout in Rock Creek. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181, Convict Lake Resort at 760-934-3800, Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301, Tom’s Place at 760-935-4239.
BISHOP AREA: The Bishop Creek drainage has been good and Sabrina Lake is now ice free and providing pretty fair action. Intake II has been fair to good. Bishop Creek was generally good for patient stream anglers fishing salmon eggs and nightcrawlers. The lower Owens River remains good. Fly anglers are seeing some caddis and mayfly surface activity, but most of the action is subsurface on midge patterns fished pretty deeply under strike indicators or streamers swept along the undercuts and tailouts. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been very good for lure, jig, bait and fly anglers, and a DFG plant went in this week. Owens Gorge good for small browns on small dries with some stones coming off now. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Generally good action with DFG plants last week and two weeks ago. Diaz Lake also still pretty fair for trout. No plants in the region this week, however. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Unbelievable crappie action here over the past week. Most anglers are getting easy 25-fish limits and many anglers are catching and releasing over 200 fish a day. The best bite is on small minnows or jig with a Crappie Nibble, and the fish are holding tight to the bank in two to 10 feet of water. Best of all, the fish are averaging from 3/4-pound to 1 1/2 pounds. This is the best crappie bite here in years, and fish are showing all around the lake, not just at Camp 9, Kissack Cove, and Joughin Cove any longer. Trout action remains good, especially at the dam. The catfish bite is finally taking off, but the largemouth bass action is still spotty, Fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few trout reported, but more and more smallmouth and largemouth bass are starting to be caught. The upper river is fair to good for wild fish, and anglers are reminded this part of the river is not being stocked any longer and catch-and-release fishing is prudent. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or Fly Fishing the Kern River) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Very good striper action on fish from three to six pounds, mostly on sand worms and blood worms, but some fish are showing on shad-like baits. The catfsh bite is also starting to take off. Adrian Murilloa, Bakersfield, caught a six-pound cat. Near Alpaugh, Sal Lucetero and Dan Davis, both Bakersfield, had a nice stringer of catfish and carp to two pounds.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics, but bluegill are improving. Carp are excellent on Powder Bait.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics. The carp action is also very good with a lot of fish to six pounds, occasionally bigger, on dough baits and Powder Bait. Bluegill improved with warmer weather and stringers are more common.
RIVER WALK PARK: The bass and bluegill bites are fair. Best bass action on plasics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits. Bluegill best on crickets, wax worms, and meal worms.
MING LAKE: Awesome carp action on fish to 10 pounds. Best action has been on Powder Bait, but most dough baits are working. The bass bite is fair on nightcrawlers, minnows, and plastics. A few crappie still showing. The lake is closed to boating now into August while repairs are made, but the lake remains open to fishing during this time.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Very good carp action on dough baits and Powder Bait. Althugh some crappie bite still showing on small minnows, this bite has slowed way down. The bluegill bite is very good with a lot of fish on wax worms. The bass action has slowed to just fair with the best bite still on minnows and plastics, but the catfish bite is starting to take off on frozen shad and Sonny's dip bait. There will be a catfish plant again this week. Janice Wages, Bakersfield, won the recent catfish derby with a 4-10 cat. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: Bass fair and the crappie bite slow. DFG trout plant four weeks ago. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Good bass bite on live bait and plastics. Still few crappie reports. DFG trout plant four weeks ago. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Striped bass fair to good on live shad, if you can net some bait. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action is good in the coves and shallow areas, but much of the spawn in done. Fair crappie bite with fish from 3/4 to a pound, mostly on crappie jigs in Harris Creek. Fair to good catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: The bite for spotties is very good on plastics, jigs, and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines with the best bite mornings and evenings on fish to four-pounds. Largemouth and smallmouth action is nearly as good. White bass are still in the narrows in a pretty fair bite. Also still a few crappie reported. Lots of big carp in the marina for the few anglers fishing them. Information: 805-238-1056 or Lake Nacimiento Resort and Marina.
SANTA MARGARITA: Good bass action with a lot of fish still shallow, but the spawn in mostly done. Bluegill really took off this week with a very good bite, but catfish remain just fair. No more trout plants this season. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Bass action is good at the dam, main lake points, and up in the coves. Most of the fish are done spawning, and the best bite is now on reaction baits. The redear are really taking off with a very good bite, and the crappie remains fair to good and they have moved shallower. 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.
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Jackson Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Lincoln Park Lake.
ORANGE: Laguna Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Strawberry Creek.
SAN BERNARDINO: Green Valley Lake, Miller Canyon Creek, Silverwood Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.
INYO: Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Bishop Creek Intake 2, Bishop Creek Lower, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Sabrina Lake, South Lake.
MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir.
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
CATFISH PLANTS
The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish during the week of May 4, 2009.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake, Murray Lake.
