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SOCAL FISH REPORT
May 20, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
May 20, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. For Memorial Day weekend, the Lake Isabella crappie bite has to stay our number one pick. This bite has been insane good, with virtually everyone getting 25-fish limits. The fish seemed to be getting smaller this week, which is usually a sign this bite is starting to wind down, but the moon phase is perfect and weather better. The action should last at least another week. 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 in most coves. They are averaging from 1/2-pound to 1 1/2 pounds and they are showing all around the lake, with the coves closer to the dam the best. For an update, call Bob’s Bait at 661-833-8657.
2. If you are going to the Eastern Sierra for the holiday, good choice. The whole region is pretty good and the weather is perfect. Make sure you plan a day hiking trip into Kirman Lake, a special regs water with trophy brook trout and cutthroats north of Bridgeport. The bite has been wide open with brookies to four pounds and cutts to six or more pounds reported in the past week. Twenty-fish days are not uncommon. For an update on this action and help with directions there, call Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport at 760-932-7707.
3. The Casitas Lake bass and crappie bite is excellent on live shad. There were bass to 13 pounds and crappie to 3 1/2 pounds caught on the big shad over the past week, and the bait remains pretty easy to dip net early each 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. While the bass can be caught on other bait, the crappie are a one-trick pony, only eating the shad. For an update, check with the marina at 805-649-2043.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
2. If you are going to the Eastern Sierra for the holiday, good choice. The whole region is pretty good and the weather is perfect. Make sure you plan a day hiking trip into Kirman Lake, a special regs water with trophy brook trout and cutthroats north of Bridgeport. The bite has been wide open with brookies to four pounds and cutts to six or more pounds reported in the past week. Twenty-fish days are not uncommon. For an update on this action and help with directions there, call Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport at 760-932-7707.
3. The Casitas Lake bass and crappie bite is excellent on live shad. There were bass to 13 pounds and crappie to 3 1/2 pounds caught on the big shad over the past week, and the bait remains pretty easy to dip net early each 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. While the bass can be caught on other bait, the crappie are a one-trick pony, only eating the shad. For an update, check with the marina at 805-649-2043.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: In the Eastern Sierra, Alpers’ Trout have been planted throughout the June Lake loop and Convict Lake and the DFG is putting fish almost everywhere this weekend. Crowley has been good, too. The East Walker is exceptional and could easily be one of the top picks in the state this week, especially for fly anglers. Kirman is also wide open for big brookies and cutts. Bridgeport Reservoir is also a good pick. In Southern California, the urban trout season is all but over, but Big Bear Lake has been very good, and trout are showing in good numbers at Silverwood, Gregory, and Hemet. In the High Desert, Jess Ranch is still a good bet.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are in a post-spawn lull many places, but there are still some excellent bites. Top picks are Casitas and Diamond Valley, and while Casitas might be better if you can get live shad for bait, DVL is awesome with just about anything you throw. Both are producing great average-sized fish, perhaps in the three to four-pound range. Other good bets including Santa Margarita on the Central Coast, and the only thing not putting it in the Casitas-DVL class is the long drive to get there. Other decent bets include Castaic, Piru, Skinner, and -- now -- Silverwood. The ‘Wood has really come on in the past week. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 5,000 bass reported, and Sutherland, Wohlford, and El Capitan are all very much worth fishing. On the lower Colorado River, the smallmouth bass bite from Parker downstream is very good in the main river, and the largemouth bite is pretty darn good 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. The California aqueduct near Taft is also excellent (and anglers are reminded there is an 18-inch mimimum size here). On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are one to three, and they are now in a deep water bite. Havasu also has a fair to good deep-water bite. Willow Beach was cranked out a 25- and 14-pounder on Wednesday this week, but those are the first stripers in a while. Near Blythe, the action is still good at the diversion dam above town with fish over eight pounds again this week.
PANFISH: A lot of crappie bites have continued to fizzle in the past week. The one incredible, glowing exception is the awesome bite at Lake Isabella, where 25-fish limits are the rule with fish running from a half to 1 1/2-pounds. Casitas remains good for bigger fish to three pounds, but this is a shad-only bite around the marina. Elsinore also remains pretty good with a lot of 1-8 fish again 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. Diamond Valley Lake is also worth fishing for the bluegill and redear, and Corona Lake cranked out a three-plus pounder and some good stringers of fish to a pound or more. But just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank with the warmer weather. Take the kids bluegill fishing this weekend. Also the tilapia bite at the Salton Sea just won’t go away. Still good to excellent action.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the flathead and channel catfish bite has been getting better each day this week. Fish to 35 pounds reported in recent days. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is hot 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, along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting two plants each week now. Urban water Elizabeth Lake has an excellent bullhead bite.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are in a post-spawn lull many places, but there are still some excellent bites. Top picks are Casitas and Diamond Valley, and while Casitas might be better if you can get live shad for bait, DVL is awesome with just about anything you throw. Both are producing great average-sized fish, perhaps in the three to four-pound range. Other good bets including Santa Margarita on the Central Coast, and the only thing not putting it in the Casitas-DVL class is the long drive to get there. Other decent bets include Castaic, Piru, Skinner, and -- now -- Silverwood. The ‘Wood has really come on in the past week. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 5,000 bass reported, and Sutherland, Wohlford, and El Capitan are all very much worth fishing. On the lower Colorado River, the smallmouth bass bite from Parker downstream is very good in the main river, and the largemouth bite is pretty darn good 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. The California aqueduct near Taft is also excellent (and anglers are reminded there is an 18-inch mimimum size here). On the Colorado River, Lake Mohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies, but most are one to three, and they are now in a deep water bite. Havasu also has a fair to good deep-water bite. Willow Beach was cranked out a 25- and 14-pounder on Wednesday this week, but those are the first stripers in a while. Near Blythe, the action is still good at the diversion dam above town with fish over eight pounds again this week.
PANFISH: A lot of crappie bites have continued to fizzle in the past week. The one incredible, glowing exception is the awesome bite at Lake Isabella, where 25-fish limits are the rule with fish running from a half to 1 1/2-pounds. Casitas remains good for bigger fish to three pounds, but this is a shad-only bite around the marina. Elsinore also remains pretty good with a lot of 1-8 fish again 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. Diamond Valley Lake is also worth fishing for the bluegill and redear, and Corona Lake cranked out a three-plus pounder and some good stringers of fish to a pound or more. But just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank with the warmer weather. Take the kids bluegill fishing this weekend. Also the tilapia bite at the Salton Sea just won’t go away. Still good to excellent action.
CATFISH: The big improvement in the catfish bite has come on the lower Colorado River where the flathead and channel catfish bite has been getting better each day this week. Fish to 35 pounds reported in recent days. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is hot 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, along with Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are both getting two plants each week now. Urban water Elizabeth Lake has an excellent bullhead bite.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: Very good trout action with a near-lake record caught this past week. The best action has been for trollers working deeper water or still fishermen fishing 20-plus feet of water. Sean Bell, Apple Valley, landed a 14.58-pound rainbow that missed the lake record by just .11-pound. There was also a 13.83-pounder caught by George Buress, San Diego, which was the lake’s third biggest trout ever caught. DFG trout plant this week. Bass action is fair on spinnerbaits and spoons in the shallows. Crappie are starting to show in the east end. The lake is hosting a “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: Slow to fair trout action, but both DFG and county plants went in this week for the weekend chamber trout derby. This event has a $10 entry fee, and anglers can sign up at the hardware store, the 7-11, or at the boat house. Top rainbow reported at the boat house was a 3.35-pound Sierra ‘Bow landed by Brock Santana, Crestline, on Saturday. The boat dock and other county facilities opened the end of April. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake reopened with very good trout action after both DFG and 2,000 pounds of Calavaras trout were planted last week. There will also be a plant this week and then weekly plants starting in mid-June. Thomas Buoyants, Power Worms, nightcrawlers, and tube jigs have all been working well for trout, but most of the fish have been small, under a pound. There is also a fair catch-and-release bite on largemouth bass. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Excellent catfish action with full limits common for many, if not most, anglers. The lake is planted with 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. Big cat this past week was a 16-12 landed by Mack Bishop, Moreno Valley, while Pat Chavez, Apple Valley, landed a 16-8. Tri Huynh, Long Beach, caught a 13-pounder, and Lewis Know, Rialto, had an eight-pound cat. Some nice sturgeon continue to be caught each week, and the trout are still showing in spotty numbers even though the last plant was three weeks ago. Top sturgeon was an 18-pounder landed by Pedro Sanchez, San Bernardino, while Elias Morales, Phelan, caught the top trout at 6-8. 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 one to two pounds with some bigger. Brandon Westover, Victorville, caught a 7.1-pound rainbow on a nightcrawler from the northern shore of lake two. George Frasier, Apple Valley, caught a limit of trout totaling 11 pounds with a 3.9-pounder topping his catch. Bluegill are biting on mealworms, nightcrawlers, and small jigs with many fish near one pound showing. Catfish are showing up to three pounds on nightcrawlers and mackerel. The bass bite is also excellent with anglers reporting success using Senkos or nightcrawlers. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. The lake will also be stocking catfish every Thursday all summer long. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: There was a DFG trout plant this week and another two weeks ago. County catfish plants begin this week. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: County catfish plants kicked off this week and will be planted weekly through the summer. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. The action has been slow in the past week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Fair catfish, carp, and bass bites. County catfish plant kick off this week and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. Last trout plant was a DFG plant four weeks ago. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Slow trout action and few other species showing, but there’s good news. County catfish plant kick off this week and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: County catfish plant kick off this week and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. Trout are slow with the last DFG plant three weeks ago. A few carp showing and some bluegill and bass are also being caught. 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: Excellent bass action this past week with many anglers reporting 20 to 40 fish days. They have been biting a wide variety of baits including fluke and scrounger combos, Senkos, drop-shot finesse worms, jigs, lizards and Brush Hogs. Shawn Cooley, Quail Valley, caught 100 bass in six hours of fishing. Cooley's catches were mostly in the four to seven pound range and were caught at the east dam. Trout fishing has been slow. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Power Worms and mini jigs fished at the east dam has been the best option for trout. Trout were planted two weeks ago. The catfish bite remained excellent this past week with the marina, the east dam, and the rock quarry continuing to be the hot spots. Cut baits have been best. Sammy Mendoza and Daemi Beltran, both of Corona, caught 8.64 and 8.93-pound catfish while fishing from shore with nightcrawlers and Hog Wild. The panfish bite is picking up with the warmer weather and bluegill are starting to be seen in the shallows all along the dams and the bite is just starting to take off. Few crappie reports in recent days. 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 good, but the bigger fish are showing in eight to 15 feet of water around deeper water structure all around the lake. Crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait are the best bets. Claude Byrd, Los Angeles, caught 75 bluegill on crickets fishing near the island. Aaron Brumfield, Los Angeles, landed 50 bluegill on crickets and mealworms at the island. Both had fish over a pound. Trout are still pretty fair after DFG plants this week and three weeks ago. The best bite continues to be in Sail Cove, Lots 5 and 6, and the marina. The largemouth bass bite is fair, but 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. A few catfish are also being caught, but mostly by accident by bluegill, bass, and trout anglers. 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. Bill Williams, Oceanside, caught four stripers to five pounds each on mackerel at the inlet. Cathy Garrett, Los Angeles, caught 10 stripers to two pounds on anchovies at the inlet. Carp are also good on dough baits with a lot more fish showing shallow. The catfish bite is good on mackerel and chicken liver. The largemouth bite is fair with a lot of fish still whacking plastics and nightcrawlers, but the spawn in done. Some bluegill are showing along the south shore and at the east end. Crappie and trout are slow. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: The crappie bite remains fair to good and some quality fish to nearly two pounds again reported this week, and most continue to be in the 3/4 to one pound range. 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, 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 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 catfish, bluegill, and crappie bites are all good, but the trout action is slowing. Some of the bluegill are real quality fish. The best this past week was a 3 1/4-pounder caught by Paul Fornicola, Corona, as part of a five-fish, 10-pound stringer caught on green meal worms and wax worms. Arliss White, Wildomar, landed 20 bluegill that weighed 15 pounds total, and his big fish was a 1 1/2-pounder, and Dave Berry, Murrieta, landed 10 bluegill, all at one pound each. Both anglers were using wax worms from shore. The crappie are nearly as good with a lot of half-pounders being caught along with a few bigger fish. Mogo Romhn, Corona, caught 10 crappie fishing yellow and white mini jigs that weighed 17 pounds total. His big fish was a 3 1/2-pounder. Catfish are now being planted twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. The big fish this past week was a 17 1/4-pounder caught by Melisswa Martinez, Moreno Valley, as part of a 24-hour pass, 15-fish stringer that weighed 47 3/4-pounds. Jim Davis, Elsinore, caught five cats on his J.D.’s Mackerel bait that weighed 36 1/2-pounds, including a 14-pounder. Earl Savard, Moreno Valley, landed a nine-pound cat on mackerel, while Susan Davis, Elsinore, had an 8-12 cat to top off her 28-pound stringer of five-fish. While the trout have slowed, Andrew Villareal, Corona, caught a 13-pound rainbow, and Joe Webb, Upland, landed four trout to 3-8. The best action has been in deep water on chartreuse Nitro bait. Tilapia are now planted each Tuesday. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night now, and all-night fishing will also be allowed this Sunday for Memorial Day weekend. 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: Good to very good catfish action with nightcrawlers working well. Catfish are planted on Thursday every other week. 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 Park, a Hemet California RV Park and Family Campground.
JEAN’S CHANNEL CATS: Excellent catfish action on chicken liver, dough baits, and nightcrawlers. There was a double load of catfish planted two weeks ago. 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: Good trout action after DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. The largemouth bass, bluegill, carp, and catfish bites have also started picking up. 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 catfish action is kicking into high gear and the Lakes complex will be planted twice a week with fish from 1 1/2 to four pounds throughout the summer season. Cats are showing in the big lake, Chris’ Pond, and the Catfish Lake and the best action has been on cut baits or nightcrawlers doused with scent, especially Nitro Gravy. Richard Haney, Garden Grove, caught a limit of five cats that weighed in at 18 1/2 pounds total, including a 4 1/2-pounder, all on shrimp dipped in Nitro Gravy off Levitz’ Corner. Mary Gray, Anaheim, landed a 4 1/2-pounder on a nightcrawler in the Catfish Lake. Trout action also remains fair, but warming water conditions has affected the bite. The last trout plant of the season went in last week but a few good catches have been made over the past week. The top trout reported was a 4-8 rainbow caught by Joe Watanabe, Fountain Valley, as part of a five-fish stringer that weighed in at 13-8. Jeremy Hicks, Orange, landed a 3-12 rainbow, while David Factor, La Mirada, caught five trout to 3-8. There is now 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night, and Sunday night will also have all-night fishing for Memorial Day weekend. 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 again 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. Catfish action was good with several limits of two to four pounders reported. Shrimp and mackerel fished in 25 to 30 feet of water has been the best bet for catfish. Crappie action was fair this week with the best bite on white Atomic tubes fished near structure. Good numbers of bluegill are showing for those using meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks. Bass action is good with plastics and jerkbaits working well in this post-spawn period. 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: Trout action remains pretty good for trollers and bait fishermen at the dam working 20 to 30 feet of water. The fish are running up to two pounds, and there was a DFG plant on Wednesday this week. The bass bite, for both smallmouth and largemouth, has been just fair with the fish off the beds. Some surface action starting with the best bite early in the morning. There is still a fair crappie bite in the narrows on small jigs and cranks, but more of the fish are under a pound than over now. The bluegill and redear bites are both getting better with each warm day and some pretty good catches have been made in the past week. Catfish are also starting to show in the narrows on cut baits. 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 good on live shad, which can still be dip-netted most morning, and plastics worms, spinnerbaits, and surface baits (on overcast days). Top bass this past week was a 10-8 largemouth caught by Greg Kincaid, Camarillo, on a live shad. Kyle Williams, Inglewood, landed a 10-pounder on a plastic, while Steven Orsburn, Buelton, landed an 8-4 on shad. Bass at eight pounds were caught by Steve Abel, Camarillo, and Mark Lunsden, Oakview, both on live shad. Sergio Avila, Moorpark, landed bass at 6-8 and 4-8, and the average fish are 2-8 to 4-8, and they are showing in good numbers. There was a surprising double trout plant on Wednesday this week from the DFG and they were already being caught in good numbers by Wednesday afternoon. Some catfish are showing on nightcrawlers or mackerel with fish to eight pounds reported. The redear action is improving with each warm day, and some quality fish are being caught. Bob Morin, Camarillo, landed a 2-8 redear on nightcrawler. Crappie also continue to show around the docks. Not big volume, but some of the fish are up to three pounds and all are showing on the live shad. 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 again hampered much of the action all through this past week. Small schoolie-sized striper from one to four pounds were still showing with the best bite at Fish Arm and Ski Arm. Albert Saldana, Inglewood, managed to land a pair of slightly bigger striper at six and seven pounds. The largemouth action is 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 last week and the bite was fair for anglers fishing near the dam and the ramp. Gabriel Baca, San Gabriel, caught five trout with fish to 3.6 pounds on an orange trout tube at the dam. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: 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 DFG plant this week should perk that action for the holiday weekend. 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 and some good stringers reported. Catfish still spotty. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208.
PYRAMID: The striper bite remains good and the water is flowing sporadically. When water is flowing into the lake, the bite takes off, but it has been fair to good even when the channel isn’t moving. Most of the fish are one to four pounds, with occasional bigger fish, and the best action has been at Yellow Bar and in the channel on drifted baits, mostly anchovies, but some fish are showing on cranks and swimbaits. Trout action is spotty, but the bluegill bite is starting to take off with the fish moving shallow to spawn. Cassius Hillman, Bakersfield, landed a 1-4 bluegill in the channel on a cricket. A few catfish also starting to show. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout and catfish plants this week for the holiday weekend. Just fair action on both, but the bluegill bite is very good to excellent on meal worms, crickets or wax worms fished in six to 15 feet of water. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout and catfish plants this week for the holiday weekend. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers, while the cats are best on cut baits. Good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Trout and catfish plants two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG catfish plant this week. Trout and catfish plants two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Trout and catfish plants two weeks ago.
ELIZABETH LAKE: The catfish and bullhead are really starting to bite with fair to good action on cut baits with scent fished in eight to 12 feet of water. DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Trout plant two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Trout and catfish plants two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKES: DFG catfish plant this week. Trout and catfish plants two weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plants this week and two weeks ago. There was also a trout plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Excellent bass fishing. This past week there were 195 anglers checked and they reported catching 4,424 bass, 101 bluegill, and 13 crappie. 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: There were 187 anglers checked and they reported catching 182 bass, 20 bluegill, 43 crappie, and 20 catfish this past week. Sakhoeun Song, San Diego, landed a 24.2-pound blue catfish on shrimp. 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: The 22 anglers checked reported catching 53 bass and 21 bluegill. 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. There were 242 anglers checked who reported catching 295 bass to six pounds, 159 bluegill, 11 green sunfish, and 16 channel cats. 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. The 22 anglers checked reported landing 10 bass to 2.7 pounds and 10 bluegill. 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. The 76 anglers checked reported catching 56 bass to 6.1 pounds, 113 bluegill, and three catfish. 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. There were 110 anglers checked and they reported catching 12 rainbow trout, 22 bass, and five bluegill. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: No creel checks are being conducted, but the bite is fair to good for bass and a few cats and panfish are showing. There were reports of several nice bass caught this week as well. Leonard Jones, San Diego, caught an 8.2-pounder, and John Woolman, Julian, caught a 7.65-pounder. 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: The trout bite slowed a bit, but some are still showing in the deeper waters near the west buoy line or the mouth of the canal. The last trout plant of the season went in two weeks ago. The bass bite is good. Doug Brown, Lafayette, LA, caught a 9-1 largemouth on a plastic worm at the west buoy line. Crappie bite is fair on the rocky outcroppings and submerged willows. Lee Dross, San Diego, landed a 1-9 crappie near Boat Dock Cove. 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 three weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: Slowing trout action with the last plant two weeks ago, but the bass bite remains fair to good on plastic worms, swim baits. Catfish also showing some improvement. 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: Fishing for all species slowed again this past week with the occasional bigger fish reported. Bass action is fair to good all over the lake. Gus Sakis, Rancho Bernardo, caught a 6-8 bass at the fishing pier. The best bet for trout is slow trolling or picking a spot in Bucktail Bay near the Restroom Landing and fishing nightcrawlers, Kastmasters, or Rapalas. Greg Halmaghi, San Diego, caught an eight pound rainbow on Power Bait at the north shoreline. The catfish bite is best at the Log Boom. Some bluegill are showing by the second tank on the Log Boom. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Good catfish bite with the best action around the bird trees and the floating boathouse on nightcrawlers and mackerel, both doused with scent. Catfish were planted last week and will be planted every other week all summer long. Trout action is slow. 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, but those fish generally aren't biting. Drop-shotted 10-inch black Power Worms or four-inch margarita Mutilator plastic worms are the best bet. Redear are starting to show in the shallows. The lake will be open 5:45 a.m. through midnight on both Friday and Saturday, and 5:45 a.m through 8:30 p.m Sunday and Monday for the holiday weekend. After the holiday weekend the lake will return to its normal summer schedule. 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. Trout plant slated for this week. 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 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. The bass bite is still fair for anglers targeting them. 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 fair to good in the coves.
WILLOW BEACH: While the striped bass bite has been slow much of the past month, Allan Cole, Henderson, caught stripers at 14-8 and 25-pounds Wednesday morning this week fishing his A.C. Plug, a 12-inch original. Trout remain fair to good 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 two to five pounds, but the warm weather has driven the fish deep. 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: Spotty to fair striped bass bite for those working at it with drifted anchovies. The fish are running from 1-8 to 5-8. Catfish are good in the marsh and main river on cut baits. Bass fair in the backwaters. Good bluegill/redear action at the lower end of the Topoc Gorge where it opens up into Havasu with a lot of fish to a pound reported. 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 mats 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 some to six pounds have been reported, especially in the upper end of the lake. 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 fair to 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. Top fish reported was a 35-pounder caught by Danny Flannery, San Diego, on a goldfish from the main river. Chris Pope, Blythe, landed three flatheads that weighed a total of 40 pounds and his big fish was a 27-pounder. He was fishing goldfish in a local drain ditch. 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. 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 and there’s a morning topwater bite now. 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: The tilapia bite slowed a little this past week, but the bite is still good and catches of 20 to 30 fish per angler per day are still common 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. Still no 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: Few reports, but Ryan Cooper, Brawley, caught a 39.37-pound flathead catfish fishing a live bluegill to win a local catfish tournament over the weekend.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports, but the catfish action has improved in the past two weeks with quite a few fishing showing on nightcrawlers and cut baits. A few stripers, largemouth, and bluegill. Ryan Cooper, Brawley, landed a 9 1/2-inch, pound-class bluegill from the East Highline canal.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: Last No report. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No Report.
LAKE CAHUILLA: No report. 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 to good thanks to DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. Little Walker River good for small, wild fish and it was also planted this week. Few reports from backcountry waters, but Kirman Lake is open and the bite is wide open on brookies to 19 inches, shaped like footballs, and weighing up to four pounds, and cutthroat trout to 24 inches and in the six to eight pound range. Twenty-fish days are not uncommon. Best action on scud and streamer patterns. Information: Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River remains excellent with a lot of 12 to 25-inch browns reported by catch-and-release fly anglers on dries, nymphs and streamers. Flows have been up this week at 228 cfs on Tuesday and Wednesday, but still good action for dry fly and nymph anglers. Bridgeport Reservoir has been fair, with bait fishing probably the best bet, but trollers and fly anglers targeting the daily callibaetis hatch are also scoring. The Virginia Lakes are likely to be ice free by weekend, but Big Virginia may still have rotten ice. The bite has been good in ice-free Little Virginia. Twin Lakes are both fair to good on planted rainbows for trollers, bait anglers, or fly-bubble fishermen. All planted for the weekend. 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 the special regs section has been good on small caddis dries or a two-fly rig. Tioga, Ellery, and Saddlebag lakes are in various states of becoming ice free. Highway 120 will be open through Yosemite for the weekend. Lundy Lake is coming up very quickly and the bite is very good. Work on the power plant is done and just in time to catch the runoff. All waters in the region heavily planted by the DFG for the weekend. Information: Untitled Document.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Trophy Alpers’ rainbows were planted in all four lakes, June, Gull, Silver and Grant, and the DFG added its fish, too. The action has been fair this past week, but some anglers have been getting easy limits. Walker and Parker lakes are both fair to good and ice free. Tioga Pass (Highway 120) into Yosemite opened Wednesday this week. Information: Ernie’s Tackle at 760-648-7756.
MAMMOTH AREA: Convict Lake has been good and Alpers’ trout were planted again this week. Crowley Lake continues to be good 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 ice free and most of the upper basin lakes are ice free or losing the ice fast. Rock Creek Lake is ice free and the fishing has been pretty fair. The resort is opening last weekend and the lodge will be open this weekend. 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 fair to good. North Lake, South Lake and Sabrina Lake are all fair on floating baits and Jake’s. 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. Only Bishop Creek and the Owens River got DFG fish 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 at all the water this week, including Diaz Lake. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: It’s crappie mania. The unbelievable crappie action continues in all the coves and most shoreline areas here with limits of 25-fish the rule not the exception. The average fish have been smaller this week, with most half to 3/4-pounders, but many anglers are still finding schools of fish over a pound and up to two. 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. The bite seems to get better the closer to the dam you fish. The trout action remains pretty good, especially at the auxiliary dam, and the DFG is planting this week. A few more bass have been reported this week, but this bite is still surprisingly off. The catfish bite is also taking off. 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 cranks and swim baits. The catfish bite is also starting to take off with fair action on nightcrawlers and cut baits.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics. The bluegill bite has broken wide open with very good action. Carp also remain 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 have also broken open with the warm weather and lots of good stringers have been reported.
RIVER WALK PARK: The bass are fair, but the bluegill bite has really taken off with a very good bite. 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. The crappie bite has slowed, but the bluegill are pretty good now. 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 four 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 and crickets. 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. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.
SUCCESS LAKE: Bass fair, bluegill good, and the crappie bite slow. No DFG trout plants in over a month. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Good bass bite on live bait and plastics. Bluegill also pretty good now. Still few crappie reports. No DFG trout plants in over a month. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Few reports, but a few stripers are showing on topwater early in the day. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action is fair to good with the fish moving out of the shallows and on to outside points. Some topwater early and late in the day. 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: Fishing slowed down this past week. The white bass have spawned and scattered all over the lake. Water level is dropping and the largemouth and spotted bass are tougher with falling water levels. Still a fair crappie bite in the Heritage area and Deip Creek. 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: Very good largemouth bass action on plastics, cranks, and now and evening topwater bite is starting. Top fish this past week was a 13-pounder landed by Richard Capper, Atascadero, on a four-inch Senko, while Edward Iliff Sr., Atascadero, landed a 9-15 on a Rat-L-Trap. Ok, we lied. After saying there would be no more trout plants this season, the DFG dumped a double load in this week on Tuesday. Bluegill and redear action is very good with a lot of hand-sized fish and some bigger. Only a few crappie and catfish. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Some good crappie reports this past week on Strawberry Flats with fish to two pounds-plus reported on red worms and jigs. Bass remain fair to good on swimbaits, plastics, nightcrawlers, and jigs fished on main lake points. Bluegill are good with a lot of fish on red worms, crickets, wax worms and small jigs. A few catfish. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries this week. For updates in Southern California and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at 562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call 559-243-4005, x183. For trout plants statewide, you can visit the DFG’s web site at California Department of Fish & Game Fisheries Fish Planting Schedule by Regions.
LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork, Silverwood Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Lower, Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker Lake, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I and II), Rock Creek Lake, Rush Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper), West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
Fresno: Big Creek near Huntington, Big Creek near Kings, Courtright Reservoir, Dinkey Creek, Hume Lake, Huntington Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, Rancheria Creek, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Shaver Lake, South Fork San Joaquin, Tamarack Creek, Tenmile Creek, Ward Lake, Wishon Reservoir.
Kern: Alder Creek, Cedar Creek, Isabella Lake.
Madera: Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Lewis Creek, Lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake, Upper Big Creek, West Fork Chiquito Creek.
Stanislaus: Turlock Lake.
Tulare: Balch Park (eastern lake), Balch Park (western lake), Big Meadows Creek, Bone Creek, Dry Meadow Creek, Hedrick Campground Pond, Middle Fork Tule River, Nobe Young Creek, Peppermint Creek, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Ceder Slopes.
Tuolumne: Beaver Creek. Cherry Lake, Lyons Reservoir, Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Middle Fork Tuolumne River, Pinecrest Lake, South Fork Tuolumne River, Stanislaus River Clark Fork, Tulloch Reservoir.
CATFISH PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, 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 18, 2009.
LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
