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SOCAL FISH REPORT
Compiled by Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service
May 27, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews Outdoor News Service
May 27, 2009
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The Lake Isabella crappie bite has to stay our number one pick. This bite has continued to be one of the most consistent, hot bites in the region with 25-fish limits limits common. Some anglers are catching-and-releasing over 50 fish a day. While most of the fish are half- to three-quarter pound, there are still quite a few fish to two pounds being caught. The bite has been best on small minnows this past week, but a small jig with a Crappie Nibble will still catch fish. Focus on structure and you’ll get fish. This bite could stall quickly, so a check on the action is advised. Call Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield at 661-833-8657 for the latest info.
2. While the rest of Southern California’s bass bites seem to be lulling a little, Diamond Valley Lake just continues to sizzle. One angler reported a 120-fish catch-and-release day this past week -- and the fish are showing on everything from topwater to swimbaits to plastics and jigs on the bottom. And if the bass don’t cooperate, but bluegill bite is breaking wide open and fish to two pounds are being caught now. For an update on this action, check with the marina staff at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
3. The holiday boat traffic crush is gone, and the flathead catfish action should be just wide open on the lower Colorado River this coming week as we head into the full moon. Live bluegill, goldfish, or tilapia fished in main-river pools and eddies or in drainage ditches will produce a lot of fish over 20 pounds. Will this be the year someone lands an 80-plus pound flathead from the river? For an update on this bite check with B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248 or the gang at Walter’s Camp at 760-854-3322.
2. While the rest of Southern California’s bass bites seem to be lulling a little, Diamond Valley Lake just continues to sizzle. One angler reported a 120-fish catch-and-release day this past week -- and the fish are showing on everything from topwater to swimbaits to plastics and jigs on the bottom. And if the bass don’t cooperate, but bluegill bite is breaking wide open and fish to two pounds are being caught now. For an update on this action, check with the marina staff at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
3. The holiday boat traffic crush is gone, and the flathead catfish action should be just wide open on the lower Colorado River this coming week as we head into the full moon. Live bluegill, goldfish, or tilapia fished in main-river pools and eddies or in drainage ditches will produce a lot of fish over 20 pounds. Will this be the year someone lands an 80-plus pound flathead from the river? For an update on this bite check with B&B Bait in Blythe at 760-921-2248 or the gang at Walter’s Camp at 760-854-3322.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Trout season is all but gone at the urban lakes, but the local mountain waters are starting to turn on with good action at Big Bear Lake, where the lake record was broken with an 18.7-pounder, Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, and Lake Hemet. In the Sierra, a lot of places are just fair, but there continues to be an excellent bite at Kirman Lake, East Walker River, South Lake, and Bishop Creek. 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 Diamond Valley and Casitas. Casitas is best if you get live shad for bait, while 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 Silverwood. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 3,700 bass reported, and Sutherland, Wohlford, El Capitan, Hodges, and both Upper and Lower Otay 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 all 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 lulled again. 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 and Henshaw slowed way down. The bluegill and redear bites are wide open just about everywhere this week. Diamond Valley and Lake Perris are hot. But just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank with the hot 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. Tilapia are also being planted each week now at Corona Lake.
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 for a month, with maybe a slight lull this weekend on the Colorado River thanks to boat traffic. 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 a good 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 Diamond Valley and Casitas. Casitas is best if you get live shad for bait, while 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 Silverwood. In San Diego County, the Barrett remains awesome with over 3,700 bass reported, and Sutherland, Wohlford, El Capitan, Hodges, and both Upper and Lower Otay 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 all 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 lulled again. 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 and Henshaw slowed way down. The bluegill and redear bites are wide open just about everywhere this week. Diamond Valley and Lake Perris are hot. But just about every water with bluegill is really starting to crank with the hot 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. Tilapia are also being planted each week now at Corona Lake.
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 for a month, with maybe a slight lull this weekend on the Colorado River thanks to boat traffic. 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 a good bullhead bite.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: There were two new lake records caught this past week. Kevin Bremer, Fontana, caught a 27.82-pound channel catfish near Gilner Point. This monster eclipsed the old record by .79 pounds. Erin Dominguez, Trabuco Canyon, landed an 18.69-pound rainbow trout at the south shore on a nightcrawler. Her fish shattered the old lake record by four pounds. Overall, the trout action has been very good with the best action for trollers working deeper water or still fishermen fishing 20-plus feet of water. 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: Fair to good trout action over the holiday weekend, with some quality fish report thanks to both DFG and county plants. The boat dock and other county facilities opened the end of April. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Excellent trout action over the holiday weekend with a lot of limits reported. The two biggest fish of the weekend were both caught by Jabin Brown, Whittier. One was a 7-15 and the other was a 6-15, and the big fish was caught on green Power Bait, while the smaller fish was landed on a pink Power Worm. Bobby Carrillo, Hesperia, caught a 4-6 rainbow on a silver Kastmaster. Michael Friedrichsen, Running Springs, landed a 4-1 rainbow on nightcrawlers. Weekly trout plants begin in mid-June. There is also a fair catch-and-release bite on largemouth bass. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three 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 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. Some nice sturgeon continue to be caught each week. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout action was very good this past week with the best bite on Power Bait, especially in colors salmon peach, spring green, and rainbow. Nightcrawlers, and a variety of jigs and lures are also working for trout. Most fish are around two pounds with some bigger. Sam Guthrie, Ontario, caught a limit of trout totaling 14.3 pounds with a 7.8-pounder topping the catch. Guthrie was fishing with a chartreuse-colored Power Worm along the eastern shore of lake 3. Bob Brumpton, Apple Valley, landed a limit of trout to 4-4. The bass bite is good with anglers reporting success using Senkos or nightcrawlers. Bluegill are biting on mealworms, nightcrawlers, and small jigs with many fish near one pound showing. Catfish are showing on nightcrawlers and mackerel with the average fish weighting around two pounds. 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: No report. There was a DFG trout plant last week and another three 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 last week and will be planted weekly through the summer. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Fair to good catfish and carp bites, fair bass action. County catfish plants kicked off last week and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Slow trout action and few other species showing, but there’s good news. County catfish plant kicked off last week and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: County catfish plant kicked off last week and the cats will be planted weekly through the summer. 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: Continued excellent bass action. The bite is on a wide variety of baits including fluke-and-scrounger combos, Senkos, drop-shot finesse worms, jigs, lizards and Brush Hogs. Jerkbaits fished in the early morning have also been working well. Bob Stevens, Glendale, caught and released over 120 bass on Roboworms fishing along the dams. Trout fishing has been slow as the fish continue to move deeper. Trout were planted three 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. The panfish bite is starting to break open with many anglers having success along the dams with small jigs or live worms. Bob Stevens, Glendale, caught a 2.57-pound crappie. 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. The bass bite was also very good this past week with several nice fish reported. Danny Clothier, Grand Terrace, caught an eight-pound bass on a Green Senko at the marina. Alexis Cutz, Rialto, landed a four-pound largemouth, also on a Green Senko. Trout are still pretty fair after DFG plants last week and four weeks ago. 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. Most of the fish are under four pounds. 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: Everything has slowed down a notch over the past week, especially the crappie, which have become a whole lot tougher. Lots of boat traffic doesn’t help. Catfish are the best bet, with a good bite early and late in the day, and bluegill remain fair. Bass are very spotty. Also very few wipers reported this past week, except for a few undersize fish from this year’s plant showing (there is an 18-inch minimum size). Carp are good on dough baits. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: The catfish, bluegill, and crappie bites all continue to be good, and the tilapia action is also starting to take off. However, the trout action is all but gone with the warming water conditions. While no one reported any brute bluegill this past week (at least nothing to match the 3-4 from two weekends ago), there continues to be a lot of hand-sized to one-pound fish showing on wax worms from shore. The crappie are also pretty good with most of the fish in the half-pound range, but some bigger showing on yellow and white mini jigs. The summer catfish bite is good to excellent with plants twice a week this season. Most of the fish are running from two to four pounds, and five-fish limits are pretty common, and anglers buying 24-hour passes are getting full 15-fish stringers on cut baits, nightcrawlers, and J.D.’s mackerel. Tilapia are now planted each Tuesday. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night. Information: 951-277-4489 or fishinglakes.com, Santa Ana River Lakes - Corona Lake - Anaheim Lake.
EVANS LAKE: Slow to 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. 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 last week and three weeks ago. The largemouth bass, bluegill, carp, and catfish bites have also started picking up. Ted Stoak, Wildomar, caught a five-pound channel cat and a two-pound trout on nightcrawlers at the dam. James Anderson, Lake Hemet, caught two bass at two pounds each while fishing the east bank. 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: Catfish action is pretty good with plants twice a week, and quite a few trout continue to be caught. Both the trout and catfish are running from one to 3 1/2 pounds with a few bigger fish. The best catfish of the week was an eight-pounder landed by Andy Sanchez, Manchester, Kentucky, fishing shrimp with Gravy at Levitz’ Corner, while the top rainbows were a pair that both weighed 3 3/4 pounds. One was caught by Jeremy Hicks, Orange, also at Levitz, and the second was landed by Deandre Hendley, Lancaster, off La Palma Point. The biggest fish of the week was a 70-pound class sturgeon caught and released by Mike Manley, Anaheim, while fishing with a nightcrawler off the Sandy Beach. A typical catch was posted by Emily, Mario, Miguel, and Noemi Mariveya, all of West Covina, fishing on a 24-hour family pass. The four caught nine trout and three catfish and the total stringer weighed in at 26-pounds, four-ounces. There is 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: The bass action was excellent this past week with many three to seven-pound fish reported on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. The most productive spot for bass was along the Red Clay Cliffs near the deep rocky structure or the vegetation in the shallows. Don Spencer, Chino Hills, landed a 6-8 largemouth on a crankbait near the Red Clay Cliffs. Joe Slater, Orange, caught a 6-5 bass, also on a crankbait, at Rocky Point. 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 fair with shrimp and mackerel fished in 25 to 30 feet of water working best. 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. The lake is hosting a "No-Limit" trout event June 6-7. The normal five fish limit on trout will be suspended for these two days, and prizes will be awarded for top stringers. The official kick off of catfish season will be June 12 with a plant of 10,000 pounds slated to go in just before the event. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: The lake was planted with 1,500 pounds of catfish last week before the Memorial Day weekend. Most of the fish are from 1-8 to four pounds. Cut baits on the flats has been the hot ticket for the cats. Next plant of 1,000 pounds of cats will be June 15. Bass action has been fair with fish to three pounds showing on crawlers, cranks, dark-colored plastics and topwater baits early and late in the day. Excellent bite on small bluegill all around the lake on meal worms and nightcrawler pieces. Still a few trout showing at the inlet. 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 last 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 nine-pounder landed by Robbi Martinez, Ventura, fishing the candy shad. Danny Ford, Ventura, landed an 8-8 on a nightcrawler, while Thomas Colby, San Diego, caught an eight-pounder on a plastic worm. Last Wednesday double trout plant led to fair action in the Wadleigh Arm over the weekend, but the bite has been slow since. Some catfish are showing on live shad, nightcrawlers or mackerel with fish to eight pounds reported. Sean Flaherty, Ventura, landed a 10-pounder on the shad. The redear action is improving with each warm day, and some quality fish are being caught, mostly around tules. 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. Roger Snowbarger, Ojai, had four fish on the shad that were all about two pounds each. 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: The winds were calm this past week and the fishing improved greatly. Small schoolie-sized striper from one to four pounds continue to be caught along the buoy line and Ski Arm. Some bigger striper have been reported near the shore lines in fish arm. Bob Caffey, Antelope Valley, caught over 20 stripers with fish to eight pounds. The largemouth action is good to excellent with plastics, nightcrawlers, and Senkos all working well. The catfish bite picked up this past week and many fish in the two to three-pound range are showing on mackerel, shad, and nightcrawlers. Trout were planted last week and they are on the DFG list again for this week. The has been fair to good. Few bluegill or crappie reports, but there's a very good carp bite for anglers targeting them. Several carp in the 15 to 20-pound range have been reported. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: There’s still a fair bite on crappie on small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles, but this action seems to be winding down. Some of these fish are approaching two pounds. Trout have been fair to good after a DFG plant last week. 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. 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 last week. 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 last week. 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 three weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant last week. Trout and catfish plants three weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG catfish plant last week. Trout and catfish plants three weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Catfish plant last week and three 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 plants this week and three weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant last week. Trout plant three weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant last week. Trout and catfish plants three weeks ago.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. DFG catfish plants last week and three weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plants last week and three weeks ago. There was also a trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Excellent bass fishing. This past week there were 190 anglers checked and they reported catching 3,730 bass, 18 bluegill, eight crappie, and three bullhead. 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 144 anglers checked and they reported catching 175 bass, 27 bluegill, 135 crappie, and 12 catfish this past week. 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 44 anglers checked reported catching 66 bass, 30 bluegill, nine crappie, and 12 catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: Fair to good bass and bluegill action with some other fish showing as well. There were 319 anglers checked who reported catching 386 bass to 7.88 pounds, 452 bluegill to 2.6 pounds, one redear, and 14 channel cats. Rod Green, Chula Vista, caught two largemouth at 7.3 and 6.8 pounds on crawdads fishing Harvey Arm. Lonnie Wheaton, Lakeside, landed four bass totaling 16.3 pounds with a 7.3-pounder topping the catch. Luke Gagnon, Murrieta, got a 1.1-pound bluegill on a mealworm at Bushlow Cove. Devin Crearrer, San Diego, caught an 8.4-pound catfish on a nightcrawler in Harvey Arm. 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: Good bass action for walk-in anglers. The 24 anglers checked reported landing 47 bass to 4.15 pounds. 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: Slow to fair bass action, but the panfish bite is starting to heat up. The 51 anglers checked reported catching 22 bass, 208 bluegill, two redear, two trout, and six 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, and the bluegill action is coming alive. There were 113 anglers checked and they reported catching seven rainbow trout, 28 bass, and 85 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. 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 continued to slow, but some are still showing in the deeper water near the west buoy line or the mouth of the canal. The last trout plant of the season went in three weeks ago. The bass bite is good with the best action in the early morning or late afternoon. Joe Norton, Valley Center, landed a 7-13 bass at the west buoy line. The catfish bite has continued to improve with the warm weather. Cut baits fished at the buoy line have been the best bet for catfish. Felix Lopez, Escondido, caught a 4-7 catfish on nightcrawler at the west end of Senior Shoreline. Crappie bite is fair on the rocky outcroppings and submerged willows. Some bluegill are showing on mealworms and redworms. Carp action has been good on dough baits. 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 four weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: The bluegill bite picked up this past week as fish are starting to show in the shallows. Paul Santos, Escondido, caught a 1-8 bluegill on a pink Power Worm. Slow trout action with the last plant of the season three weeks ago. Nightcrawlers, Power Worms, Power Bait, Kastmasters, and Roostertails have been working best for trout. Bass and catfish are both slow to fair. 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 was slow again this past week with the occasional bigger fish reported. The bass bite is fair to good all over the lake. Toua Chang, San Diego, caught a 7.75-pound bass on a plastic at the Log Boom. Trout action slow. 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. The catfish bite is best at the Log Boom. Shane Aviano, Rancho Bernardo, landed an 18-pound catfish on a jerkbait at Jump Off Point. Some bluegill are showing by the second tank on the Log Boom. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfish action was slow with the best bite around the bird trees and Hermit Cove 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 was generally slow but some limits were reported at the fishing float and Shadow Cove. 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 25 to 30 feet of water. Drop-shotted four-inch worms, frogs and chug bugs are the best bet. 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: No recent reports. Water temperature 68 degrees. Bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish are fair, trout slowing. 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 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Continued excellent trout action all over the lake. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been best with Lone Pine, the north shore, and the dike being the hot spots. Trout were planted last week and another plant is slated for this week. The largemouth bass bite is starting to turn on as the bass are moving into the shallows on beds. There is also a good crappie bite 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 slowed way down with the fish moving off the shorelines, but the catfish action remained good at the dam with a lot of two to three pound fish on cut baits and nightcrawlers. John Lowell, Temecula, caught an 11-9 cat recently. The bass bite is still fair for anglers targeting them, and a 10-pounder landed by Lane Yuel, Palomar, was the best this past week. 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: No big stripers reported this past week, but the trout action remains 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 very good 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 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 or buzz baits early and late in the day. Most of the largemouth are around two pounds. The stripers are scattered and the action is just fair with the best bite in 40 to 50 feet of water south of the island on cut anchovies. Most of the stripers are in the two-pound range, but a few bigger fish have shown recently, including fish at 31, 27, and 15 pounds in the striper derby two weekends ago. Some fish are also moving up into the river on the upper end of the lake to spawn. 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 with fish to six pounds. 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. The flathead action best on live bluegill or goldfish with fish to 20 pounds each week. The best action this past holiday weekend was in the drainage ditches because of all the boat traffic on the main river. 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 Thursday through Monday.
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 the catfish action has improved in the past two weeks with quite a few fishing showing on nightcrawlers and cut baits. 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.
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 for persistent bait anglers. Little Walker River also pretty much blown out. Kirman Lake 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 for float-tubing fly anglers with small jigs working for shore-bound lure anglers. Information: Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River remains on fire with excellent action on 12 to 25-inch browns. The best bite has been on midge pupae patterns and caddis nymphs, but there’s also a good streamer bite early and late, and more and more dry fly action each day (mayfly and caddis). Flows have been consistently in the 220 to 230 cfs range over the past week. Bridgeport Reservoir has been fair to good with the best action mid-day on inflated crawlers and Power Bait, with a few on trolled lures in hot colors. Lots of fish to four pounds. Also a daily callibaetis hatch for the fly anglers. The Virginia Lakes have been fair to good, with Little Virginia the best on small trout jigs or Lip RipperZ spoons. Twin Lakes are both fair to good on planted rainbows for trollers, bait anglers, or fly-bubble fishermen. The West Walker River and most of the smaller streams in the region are blown out with runoff, high and muddy. 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 slow, but mostly ice free. Highway 120 will be open through Yosemite. Lundy Lake’s water level 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. 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: South Lake has been wide open with a lot of rainbows and browns to 14 inches and some bigger fish. Justin Hutchins, Simi Valley, caught a 4-13 rainbow on rainbow Power Bait. Water level is coming up and the dock could be open by the first weekend in June. South Fork of Bishop Creek was planted with both DFG and Alpers’ fish for the holiday and the bite was very good. Andrew Acker, Highland, landed a 2-15 rainbow on a pearl mini-jig. Robin Bishop and Marianne Krpan, both Beaumont, caught a nice stringer of Alpers’ trout to two pounds on chunky cheese Power Bait from the creek. Intake II and the main fork of Bishop Creek have also been good, and Sabrina Lake is fair to good. 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. 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 last weekend for the holiday, including Diaz Lake. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie action here remains good to excellent. The bite may have slowed a snick from last week, but nice stringers of fish are still common, especially for anglers using the live minnows. All the coves and most shoreline areas are producing fish, but the spots nearer the dam have been best, and 25-fish limits are still common. The average fish have been half to 3/4-pounders, but many anglers are still finding schools of fish over a pound and up to two pounds. The catfish bite broke wide open this past week on frozen shad with a lot of anglers reporting big stringer of fish to four pounds. The trout action remains fair to good, especially at the auxiliary dam, and the DFG planted last week. One angler reported catching and releasing 70 crappie, a half dozen trout, lots of bluegill and catfish, and even a couple of bass – all from one spot. A few more bass have been reported this week, but this bite is still surprisingly 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. One angler caught and released 20 rainbows on salmon eggs fishing the Park at Kernville. 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 18 to 24-inches, but few bigger fish. The best bite is on sand worms and blood worms, but some fish are showing on shad-like cranks and swim baits early and late in the day. The catfish bite is also starting to take off with fair action on nightcrawlers and cut baits.
HART PARK LAKE: Slow to fair bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics with the best action early and late in the day. The bluegill bite reman good to excellent on wax worms, meal worms, or red worms. Carp also remain excellent on Powder Bait.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Slow to fair bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics, but the bite is good only early and late in the day. The carp action remains very good with a lot of fish to six pounds, occasionally bigger, on dough baits and Powder Bait. Bluegill are also excellent with lots of good stringers have been reported, mostly on wax worms.
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 early and late in the day. 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 slow to fair on nightcrawlers, minnows, and plastics early and late in the day. Bluegilla re very good on wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and red worms. The crappie bite is very slow. 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: No report. No DFG trout plants for over a month.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Very good carp and catfish action on dough baits and Powder Bait. The cats are also showing on frozen shad and Sonny’s Dip Bait. 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 early and late in the day. 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. Slowing crappie bite in the Heritage area and Dip 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. Double DFG trout plant last week. 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: Fair crappie bite 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: Castaic Lake, El Dorado Park lakes, Elizabeth Lake, Legg Lake.
INYO: Bishop Creek Dam Intake No.2, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, Lower Bishop Creek, lower Owens River below Tinemaha Reservoir, lower Owens River from Stewart Lane to Laws, North Lake, South Lake.
MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, lower Virginia Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek, Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, upper Owens River from Benton Crossing to Crowley Lake, upper Virginia Lake.
FRESNO: Big Creek near Huntington, Dinkey Creek, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, Rancheria Creek, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Tamarack Creek, Tenmile Creek.
MADERA: Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Lewis Creek, lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake, Upper Big Creek, West Fork Chiquito Creek.
TULARE: Balch Park (eastern and western lakes), Big Meadows Creek, Hedrick Campground Pond.
TUOLUMNE: Beaver Creek, Lyons Canal, Lyons Reservoir, Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Middle Fork Tuolumne River, Moccasin Creek, North Fork Stanislaus River, Pinecrest Lake, Powerhouse Stream, South Fork Tuolumne River, Stanislaus River Clark Fork.
