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SOCAL FISH REPORT
October 21, 2009
Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
October 21, 2009
Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Diamond Valley’s largemouth bass bite remains excellent. You can catch them on just about any presentation anywhere on the lake. Lots of smaller fish, but just enough fish to six pounds to keep things interesting. Add in a shot at a striper to 23 pounds, and you have the No. 1 pick of the week. For the latest update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 (Diamond Valley Marina) or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410 (Last Chance Tackle - Home).
2. Castaic Lake’s striped and largemouth bass action is excellent, and some quality stripers are showing in the mix with fish at 12 and 17 pounds this week. The bite is best on live shad or shad-like baits and some of the action is topwater. Follow the boils in the morning and you’ll be into fish. For an update on the bite check with the marina at 661-775-6232 or go to Castaic Lake | Home.
3. This is staying in the top picks one more week, but you should clip this out and save it. This bite will last right through the end of the trout season in the Eastern Sierra. Kirman Lake near Bridgeport continues to crank out the trophy brookies and cutthroats. The action is wide open in the main cove on the lake for fly anglers with fish to 26 inches reported this week. In case you didn’t know, Kirman is a spring-fed lake and rich with aquatic crustaceans and insects, and a 25-inch fish will weigh in the six to eight-pound range. For an update on the bite and directions how to hike into the lake, call Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
2. Castaic Lake’s striped and largemouth bass action is excellent, and some quality stripers are showing in the mix with fish at 12 and 17 pounds this week. The bite is best on live shad or shad-like baits and some of the action is topwater. Follow the boils in the morning and you’ll be into fish. For an update on the bite check with the marina at 661-775-6232 or go to Castaic Lake | Home.
3. This is staying in the top picks one more week, but you should clip this out and save it. This bite will last right through the end of the trout season in the Eastern Sierra. Kirman Lake near Bridgeport continues to crank out the trophy brookies and cutthroats. The action is wide open in the main cove on the lake for fly anglers with fish to 26 inches reported this week. In case you didn’t know, Kirman is a spring-fed lake and rich with aquatic crustaceans and insects, and a 25-inch fish will weigh in the six to eight-pound range. For an update on the bite and directions how to hike into the lake, call Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The urban trout season is rolling into gear with plants the last two weeks at Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, and Hesperia Lake, and all three have been cranking out fair to good numbers of rainbows. Most everyone will be stocking by the early part of November. In the local mountains Big Bear is still producing a few fish, especially at the mouth of Grout Bay, and Lake Hemet is still pretty good. In the Eastern Sierra, the bites are slowing in the planted trout waters, but for fly anglers, the East Walker River, upper Owens River, Hot Creek, Crowley Lake, and Kirman Lake all have good to excellent bites, with the Crowley streamer bite on around the wed beds. In the Western Sierra, the Kern River recovered and has a very good dry fly bite early and late in the day.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites mostly just fair right now, but the cooler evenings are really starting to turn on the bite across the boat as the fish come up to chase shad and pack on some weight for winter. There are a number of decent morning and evening topwater bites, and a surge in bigger fish. The top picks are again Diamond Valley, Perris, Castaic, Casitas, El Capitan, along with Upper and Lower Otay. Other decent bets include Pyramid, Piru, and Skinner. Silverwood was planted with trout, but didn’t crank any big fish last week. On the lower Colorado River, the smallmouth bass bite from Needles to the I-40 bridge, in Lake Havasu, and Havasu downstream through about Palo Verde is good, and the largemouth bite is starting to really improve in lower river backwaters.
STRIPED BASS: The bites were fair to good and improving at all the usual haunts. Castaic, Skinner, Pyramid and Silverwood all are pretty good bets, and some bigger fish are showing everywhere and a number of topwater bites came back on with the warmer weather. Diamond Valley may be the best bet this week after producing a couple of quality fish to 23 pounds this week. On the Colorado River, Willow Beach continues to produce a few quality fish on big, trout-like baits, but mostly in the pre-dawn hours. Mohave is fair on small fish to four pounds, but Havasu is good to excellent with a great topwater morning and afternoon bite. Hesperia Lake was planted with wipers two weeks ago and has been pretty good, but Elsinore has been very quiet.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites remain good in a number of places, and the bite seems to be getting better as we move into fall. Diamond Valley, Lake Perris, El Capitan, and Lower Otay all are good bets, but most waters with bluegill and redear are cranking out fish for dedicated bluegill anglers. There were some good reports at Piru and Skinner this week. Crappie bites have slowed most places, but the Isabella bite came back on a little after last week’s rain. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is still very slow.
CATFISH: Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, and Hesperia Lake all remain top bets for planted fish in the urban region. For wild fish, Skinner, Isabella, and Diamond Valley are all fair to good, while Cachuma, Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid are fair. A number of the San Diego area lakes are improving but some nice catches at El Capitan and Lower Otay. The lower Colorado River is turning on again with good flathead and channel catfish action in the backwaters, canals and drain ditches. The main river is also starting to kick back into gear, too. Top fish down here was a 35-pound flathead this week.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites mostly just fair right now, but the cooler evenings are really starting to turn on the bite across the boat as the fish come up to chase shad and pack on some weight for winter. There are a number of decent morning and evening topwater bites, and a surge in bigger fish. The top picks are again Diamond Valley, Perris, Castaic, Casitas, El Capitan, along with Upper and Lower Otay. Other decent bets include Pyramid, Piru, and Skinner. Silverwood was planted with trout, but didn’t crank any big fish last week. On the lower Colorado River, the smallmouth bass bite from Needles to the I-40 bridge, in Lake Havasu, and Havasu downstream through about Palo Verde is good, and the largemouth bite is starting to really improve in lower river backwaters.
STRIPED BASS: The bites were fair to good and improving at all the usual haunts. Castaic, Skinner, Pyramid and Silverwood all are pretty good bets, and some bigger fish are showing everywhere and a number of topwater bites came back on with the warmer weather. Diamond Valley may be the best bet this week after producing a couple of quality fish to 23 pounds this week. On the Colorado River, Willow Beach continues to produce a few quality fish on big, trout-like baits, but mostly in the pre-dawn hours. Mohave is fair on small fish to four pounds, but Havasu is good to excellent with a great topwater morning and afternoon bite. Hesperia Lake was planted with wipers two weeks ago and has been pretty good, but Elsinore has been very quiet.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites remain good in a number of places, and the bite seems to be getting better as we move into fall. Diamond Valley, Lake Perris, El Capitan, and Lower Otay all are good bets, but most waters with bluegill and redear are cranking out fish for dedicated bluegill anglers. There were some good reports at Piru and Skinner this week. Crappie bites have slowed most places, but the Isabella bite came back on a little after last week’s rain. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is still very slow.
CATFISH: Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, and Hesperia Lake all remain top bets for planted fish in the urban region. For wild fish, Skinner, Isabella, and Diamond Valley are all fair to good, while Cachuma, Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid are fair. A number of the San Diego area lakes are improving but some nice catches at El Capitan and Lower Otay. The lower Colorado River is turning on again with good flathead and channel catfish action in the backwaters, canals and drain ditches. The main river is also starting to kick back into gear, too. Top fish down here was a 35-pound flathead this week.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
BIG BEAR LAKE: Very light fishing pressure, but improved trout action for both bait anglers drifting nightcrawlers in deep water on long leaders and trollers working off Grout Bay. DFG trout plant this week. Bass action is fair but the topwater bite is waning with the cooler weather. Best bite on plastics and jigs on the points. Catfish slow, too. 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: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Slow trout action with no plants since mid-September. Boat rentals have ceased, and the lake is slated to close October 31. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Last DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Excellent fishing this past week. The first trout plants of the season went in two weeks ago and they are showing in good numbers. Most of the fish are in the one to three-pound class and they are showing on floating baits. In addition, the action on hybrid stripers (wipers) is good after plants two weeks ago. Alex Reynosa, Victorville, caught a 3-8 wiper on a nightcrawler. There continues to be a very good catfish bite with a lot of limits and a number of fish above the 10-pound mark each week. Inflated nightcrawlers, the marshmallow-meal worm combo, mackerel, or shrimp with scent have been the top baits. Albert Williams, Riverside, caught a 16-pound blue cat on mackerel with Hog Wild at Sandy Point. The sturgeon bite is also good after the plant two weeks ago with several fish over 15 pounds reported. Eric Jones, San Bernardino, caught a 20-pound sturgeon, on an anchovie at from the north shore. The lake will continue receiving plants each week of either trout, catfish, wipers, or sturgeon, with multiple plants many weeks. 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: Very good trout action this past week. Power Bait, especially in rainbow, garlic, salmon peach, and lemon twist has been the best bet for trout with nightcrawlers and a variety of jigs and lures also working well. Limits are common and many fish over two pounds are showing. Ron Young, Rialto, caught a 7-14 rainbow on green jig from the eastern shore of lake 2. The bass bite is slow to fair with the best action on Senkos and spinnerbaits. The bluegill bite is fair on mealworms and small jigs. The lake is open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or Jess Ranch Lakes-The Official Site.
MOJAVE NARROWS: DFG trout plant last week. Also still fair catfish action. Bluegill action has been good on small light colored jigs with most fish hand-sized. A few largemouth bass in the one-pound range have been caught on dark plastics off the island. Carp and trout slow. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: A few carp and catfish. Ed Kindel of Adelanto, along with daughters Rebecca and Samantha, caught seven carp to three pounds on dough bait Tuesday this week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: The catfish bite has been slow to fair. Last catfish plant of the season went in over a month ago. Good bluegill action all around the lake for those targeting them. The largemouth bass have been slow to fair with the best bite on soft plastics. Anglers are reminded that a California state fishing license is required to fish here. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Slow to fair catfish action with the best bite on nightcrawlers, shrimp, and chicken livers. The last county catfish plant of the season went in over a month ago. There is also a good bluegill bite. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Slow to fair catfish action. The last plant of the season went in over a month ago. The bluegill bite is good with a lot of smaller fish showing on small worms, mealworms, and crickets fished under bobber. Carp are fair to good on dough baits. Ed Kindel, Adelanto, caught three carp on dough baits, with two at eight pounds each. Bass action slow to fair. 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: The largemouth bass action is excellent with the largemouth hitting shad all over the lake. The best bet has been crankbaits, Scroungers, and underspins. The panfish bite is good with the best action along the dams on jigs, crickets, wax worms, and nightcrawler pieces. There have been quite a few fish in the one-pound class. The striper bite was good this past week with spoons, Little Georges, Tail Gunners, Scroungers, and white underspins working best. Hubert Zimara, Long Beach, landed a 17.09-pound striper on Lunker Plunker in the third cove to the right of the marina. Also a report of a 23-pounder. Catfish action is slow but the best bite has been on cut baits at the east dam or Rawson Cove. The trout bite is still slow but should pick up soon as the first plant of the season is slated for this week. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. A launch ramp extension project is beginning and it is slated to be completed by February. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201 or Diamond Valley Marina, and Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or Last Chance Tackle - Home.
PERRIS: The catfish bite picked up some and is good with mackerel or chicken liver working best. Damian Smith, Durate, caught a 15.12-pound catfish on a nightcrawler fishing near lots 11 and 12. The bluegill and redear bite is fair to good. The best bite for bluegill has been on crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait. Larry Rosby, Moreno Valley, caught 20 bluegill totaling 15.4 pounds with fish to 1.6 pounds on crickets and redworms. The bass bite was just fair, with some flurries of good action. Eric Guzman, Redlands, caught an eight-pound bass fishing near the dam outlet. Slow to fair carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area. Some trout are still showing, but all from deep water off Sail Cove and along the dam. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Catfish action is very good. The east end, dam, inlet, or south shore have been the best bets for catfish. Craig Allard, Riverside, landed 10 catfish to nine pounds on anchovies and mackerel at the inlet. The striper bite is just good with most of the action in the early morning on topwater lures. The largemouth bass bite has really turned on with fish showing all along the north and south shores as well as the east end. Most of the largemouth are smaller but quite a few over three pounds reported. Mondo Perez, Orange, caught three bass to 7-8 on a Rapala at the east end. Bluegill action is good. Crappie and trout slow. Parking has been restricted for ramp No. 2 but the shoreline remains open for fishing. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Very light fishing pressure. But the few bass anglers on the water are reporting fair to good action with fish to four pounds. Catfish and carp anglers are also still getting a few fish off the public beaches. No crappie or wiper reports. Water conditions remain excellent. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: While trout have moved to center stage with the first plants of the season last week and more scheduled for this week, anglers are seeing more than rainbows on the end of their lines. With cooling water conditions, the tilapia and catfish are showing in good numbers, and the sturgeon are finally starting to rouse from their summer slumber. The big fish of the week was a 90-pound class sturgeon caught and released by James Childress, Los Angeles, while fishing with mackerel from a boat for catfish. The best catch of tilapia was a nice stringer of six fish caught by Oliver Valdez, Corona, that weighed in at 18 pounds last Thursday, and he caught another five-fish stringer the next day that weighed 11 1/2 pounds. Meanwhile, the top catfish was a six-pounder landed by Robert Sagget, Riveside, while David and Tony Garcia, Riverside, caught 10 cats that weighed 22 pounds total. Trout are showing on Kastmasters, inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent, and Nitro Bait. Sam Wilson, Covina, had one of the first trout limits of the fall when he landed five rainbows that weighed eight pounds, while Brent Riley, Yorba Linda, caught six trout for 10 pounds. Wilson was fishing Kastmasters from a boat, while Riley was using orange and chartreuse floating baits. 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. Fair to good bluegill action around shoreline structure, rocks, and tules.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair catfish action. The last catfish plant of the season went over a month ago. Mackerel has been the top bait. Also the odd bass and carp showing up. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: Catfish plants last week and the next stock is set for October 30, and then trout season will kick off in November. There is also a catfish derby this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and prizes will be given out for the event. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: 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: Very good catfish action on chicken liver with mackerel and nightcrawlers also producing some fish. 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: Very good trout action. DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Most of the rainbows are pan-sized, with some bigger. Fair bass action. Good bluegill action. There is also a good carp bite for those targeting them. The occasional catfish is also showing. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent DFG trout plants. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: In spite of warm weather, the trout action was surprisingly good with many anglers reporting five-fish limits fishing early and late in the day when it was cooler. The first plant of the season was last week and more are slated each week through the winter. Ethel Green, Home Gardens, landed a 4 1/2-pound rainbow fishing chartreuse floating bait at Levitz’ Corner. Rick Haney, Anaheim, landed five rainbows that weighed in at 6 1/2-pounds, while Glen Murakami, Brea, had five that weighed 5 1/2 pounds. Nick Nee, Gardnerville, Nev., landed five one-pounders. The top baits were nightcrawlers doused with Eagle Claw Nitro Gravy or chartreuse Nitro Bait. Light leaders seemed to earn more strikes and fish. In spite of warmer weather, the cool evenings continue to drop the water temperatures, and this is starting to turn on the sturgeon action. Wai Seto, Los Angeles, caught two sturgeon at 3 3/4 and three pounds fishing nightcrawlers off the Sandy Beach Monday. There also continues to be a pretty fair catfish bite. Phil Edgar, La Habra, landed four cats on nightcrawlers that weighed in at 5 1/2 pounds. Private boats are no longer being allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes do to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system. 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: Catfish action was very good this past week. Mackerel, shrimp, skipjack, and bonito were the top baits once again. Top spots were the west shore, Santiago Flats, and near the dam. Nick Vega, Garden Grove, caught a 15-pound blue cat on bonita at Santiago Flats. Omar Banks, Rialto, hooked into a 12.14-pound channel cat on mackerel at the Dam. Fred Amburgey, Costa Mesa, caught an 11.6-pound catfish on mackerel. Anglers are encouraged to release any blue catfish over 10 pounds and reminded that they are required to release any catfish over 20 pounds. Crappie fishing slowed some but the average size of the crappie caught has increased with fish to two pounds reported. The early morning and late evening bite on white Atomic Tubes has been best. Bass action slowed some this past week but there is still a fair to good bite on plastics fished around structure. Fair bluegill bite with meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks working best. The occasional sturgeon is also showing with Ronson Smothers, Los Angeles, landing a 49.6-pound sturgeon on mackerel fishing the middle of the lake. The lake will be open until 11 p.m. Thursday nights and until 2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night through October 31. The lake will be open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting November. The lake will be closed to the public November 2 through November 5 while it stocks over 20,000 pounds of trout to kick off the season. There will be a "VIP Fishing Day" on November 5 where members of the public can fish a day early by purchasing a $150 pass in advance. The pass will include a steak lunch and a motor boat rental. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: No report. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or Laguna Niguel Lake.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: The largemouth and smallmouth bites have both improved to fair with the best action on drop-shotted plastics and a few fish on topwater. Fair catfish action on mackerel and nightcrawlers in 10 to 20 feet of water. Trout are still in deep water at the dam and off Johnson’s Cliffs. Trollers are scoring fishing eight to 10 colors of leadcore and Needlefish or Rapalas. Crappie are finally slowing down with only the odd fish still caught. Just a few redear and bluegill showing in the east end and Stork Flats on nightcrawler pieces. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks Department Home. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: There continues to be a pretty good bass bite. The fish have been off points in 20 to 30 feet of water on plastics and live bait. Lots of smaller bass, but some quality fish from six to 10 pounds. The catfish have been fair to good on cut baits. Bluegill and redear remain fair to good in most coves on nightcrawlers or red worms in 10 to 15 feet of water. Trout still very slow. 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: Striped bass and largemouth bass action has been excellent on live shad or anything shad-like. Lots of two-pound largemouth reported over the weekend with some bigger. The striper action was also good there was again some topwater action this past week, especially around Old SS with many boils in the early morning. The occasional big striper is also showing for anglers throwing big plugs in the morning hours. Jonny Giordano, Valencia, caught a 16.8-pound striper on a trout swimbait at the dam. Sam Sullivan, Castaic, landed an 11.8-pound striper on a grub at Old SS. Catfish action is fair with most of the fish being caught by anglers using nightcrawlers or mackerel. The trout are slow with only a few holdover fish showing for diligent trollers. The bluegill and crappie action is also still fair to good on wax worms and meal worms at the lower lake. There is also a good carp bite. Information: 661-775-6232 or Castaic Lake | Home.
PIRU: Few reports with a fair to good bass bite on plastics and nightcrawlers and a few trout showing for trollers. The crappie bite is still fair on small jigs in 12 to 18 feet of water. The bluegill and redear are also part of this mix with a pretty good bite on these panfish, along with some fish at 1/2-pound or better. Catfish slow. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208 or Lake Piru Recreation Area.
PYRAMID: The striper bite has been fair over the past week with very spotty surface action and only fair action on bait and swimbaits. The fish have scattered all over the lake with cooling water temperatures and winds. The aqueduct is still flowing so the water is moving through the main channel. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are a better bet with pretty fair to good action on suspended cranks and swim baits. Also a fair to good bite on bluegill and redear on live bait fished in 12 to 20 feet. Some of the redear are in the pound range. Channel catfish are fair, mostly in the channel and off the marina rocks on anchovies. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Fair to good action on largemouth bass on plastics with some good crankbait and topwater fish early and late in the day. The bluegill bite has been fair to good on meal worms, crickets or wax worms fished in eight to 12 feet of water. Catfish slow to fair. No recent DFG plants. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: Catfish bite is pretty fair on cut baits. Good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. No recent DFG plants. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No recent DFG plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LEGG LAKES: No recent DFG plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. 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 52 anglers checked and they reported catching just 10 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on the weekends only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: The 127 anglers checked reported catching 135 bass, 12 bluegill, 50 crappie, and five catfish. Ernest Porter, San Diego, caught three catfish totaling 58.2 pounds with a 36.6 pounder topping the catch. The lake is open Thursday through Saturday and Monday for fishing. Rental boats 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.
LOWER OTAY: There were 135 anglers checked who reported catching 66 bass to 5.1 pounds, 121 bluegill, and 24 catfish to 21 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will not be renting boats November, December, or January. 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 to good bass action. The 10 anglers checked reported landing 16 bass to 4.7 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is open. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: No report. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are not availble during October and November. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MIRAMAR: No report. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are not available during October and November. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or City Lakes and Recreation Program | Water Department. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
SUTHERLAND: The lake is now closed for fishing and will reopen March of 2010. 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 catfish action is mostly slow with the last plant over a month ago. Mackerel and chicken liver are the top baits and the top spots are the buoy line areas. The bass fishing was fair to good this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics. Bluegill and crappie are fair. Trout are slow with only a few showing in deep water at the mouth of the canal or along the west buoy line. Carp action has been good on dough baits. The lake is now closed weekdays and will only be open Saturday and Sunday each week. 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 last week.
DIXON LAKE: The catfish bite is slow to fair with the last plant of the season over a month ago. There is a fair bass bite with some topwater activity in the early morning. Fair to good bluegill action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Trout season is slated to start in early November. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Bass action slowed as the shad have dissipated. The catfish action was fair to good, especially for anglers fishing the log boom or the fishing pier. The last catfish plant of the season went in over a month ago. Some bluegill are still showing in Hidden Bay but the bite is mostly slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The bass bite is fair with the fish in about 15-20 feet of water and hitting on Senkos in natural colors. Dawn and Dusk have seen the best action for bass. Some cats are being caught from shore where you can reach the channel from Hermit Cove and Big Rock. Your best bet is to fish from a boat in 80 to 100 feet of water. Frank Smith and Jason Walratne, both of El Cajon, teamed up to catch a 9-8 blue cat on mackerel at Sentry Point. The first trout plant of the season is scheduled for this week and plants will continue to be planted each week for the rest of trout season. Twilight boat rentals are returning -- $20 for the last three hours the lake is open. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or Lake Jennings - Helix Water District Drinking Water Reservoir.
MORENA: Fishing is mostly slow for all species. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Continued fair to good trout action with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. The hot spots have been the dam buoy line and the willows. Plants this week and two weeks ago. The largemouth bass bite is fair with a few nice fish reported this week. Bill Westman, Anaheim, landed an eight-pound bass on nightcrawlers. The crappie action is good for those targeting them, but they are small. The occasional catfish is also showing. Don Mumper, San Diego, caught a 12-pound catfish from the T-Dock. 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: Fair to good catfish action on shrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel. The bluegill bite has been good near the dock. A few crappie, bass, and carp showing, too. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Stripers fair over much of the lake, with Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam all producing fish on cut anchovies or live shad. Fair to good catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is fair off the points, with some surface action early in the mornings.
WILLOW BEACH: Spotty striper action on big, trout-like lures. The trout action has been good with lighter fishing pressure. The fish are stacking up making the action good throughout the week. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Still weekly trout plants. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers is improving. The best bite has still be in the southern portion of the lake, especially in the coves around the power lines and at the dam with most of the fish under three pounds. Anchovies and sardines in 15 to 45 feet of water, but also some topwater action early and late in the day now. Bass spotty, but some topwater action early and fish on plastics around structure the rest of the time. Catfish are fair on cut baits. Bluegill are showing in fair to good numbers in most coves and around structure. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Overall slow fishing with only a few stripers and catfish showing on drifted anchovies. A few anglers are getting some quality stripers. Trout plants should begin late in October. Next fishing derby will be in November. Half the pot goes to the angler with the biggest fish per category, remaining proceeds go to the Special Olympics. Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: There is a pretty fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river from Needles south to I-40, especially on topwater lures early in the day. Fair striper action, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under three pounds. A few catfish showing and the bite is improving. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: The action on small striped bass and smallmouth bass has been fair to good with improving action this week. Most of the stripers are still under two pounds, a few bigger fish are showing each week. The smallmouth are mostly under a pound but showing in good numbers on crankbaits and small spinnerbaits in main current chutes and along river rip-rap. The bite is especially good in the gorge. Catfish are also pretty good on the same drifted baits with fish up to five pounds common. There’s also a fair bite on catfish in Topoc Marsh. 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: Continued excellent striped bass action with morning and afternoon boils in the upper end of the lake. Best action from the mouth of the river to California and Thompson bays. Rat-L-Traps, Chug Bugs, Spooks, Sassy Shad and similar lures all producing fish. Bait bite only fair with most fish in 15 feet or shallower water. Smallmouth good on jerkbaits and grubs on rocky points, while the largemouth are fair to good on flipped bait in tules and cattails. Channel catfish action very good on cut baits, and a few flatheads are showing on live bluegill. Redear are still fair, with good quality fish showing but not the numbers. Top are has been weed lines up in the river. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been fair this past week, and the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are good. Bluegill and redear are good in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Flatheads are just fair on goldfish and shiners.
BLYTHE: The catfish bite remains good in main river and area canals, ditches, and backwaters. Lots of smaller fish showing right now, but a few to 20 pounds each week. There is a very good smallmouth bite in the main river on small cranks and topwater, and the largemouth bite is also improving in area backwaters on plastics, cranks, and live bait. The bluegill action is good all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The catfish action has really turned on in the past couple of weeks with a lot of nice catches of channel and flatheads. Fish to 22 pounds reported. The largemouth bass are also pretty good in the backwaters with fish to five pounds showing on topwater and frog imitations. Smallmout bass good along rip-rap and sandbars. Stripers are slow. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: Fair to good largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers, with a topwater bite early and late in the day. The channel catfish action is fair to good on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is just fair on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action good on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits, with more and more topwater action early and late in the day. Channel catfish and flatheads are both just fair with the heat. Few crappie, but the bluegill are still fair with some flurries of good action early in the morning. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or Martinez Lake Resort.
YUMA AREA: Bass action is good in the main river and river backwaters on minnows and plastics and there’s a morning topwater bite. Both channel catfish and flathead are just fair in the main river with the flatheads showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to fair to good for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite has continued slow with light fishing pressure. The few tilapia that are showing have mostly been small. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports, but the catfish action is fair with quite a few fish showing on nightcrawlers and cut baits.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports, but the catfish action has been fair to good 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. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or Bishop, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites are: Ken's Sporting Goods - Home (Bridgeport region), The Trout Fly Mammoth Lakes, California (mostly fly-fishing), Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service, Mammoth Lakes. Flyfishing Guide Service for Trout. Fly Fish Owens River from guided driftboats in Bishop. Flyfish Crowley Lake and Bridgeport in guided flats boats. Full service outfitter for Hot Creek, Uppe (mostly fly-fishing), and Crowley Lake Fish Camp (Crowley Lake only). All of these sites generally have reports updated each week, with the top two the best.
COLEVILLE-TOPAZ REGION: The West Walker River has continued good for planted and wild trout with a lot of fish nymphs under and indicator. Little Walker River is good for brookies and rainbows. Kirman Lake is excellent on brookies to 20 inches and cutts to 26 inches this past week. Best action on nymphs, scud and streamer patterns for float-tubing fly anglers. Roosevelt, Lane, and Poore all good, too. Information: Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Flows have been consistent on the East Walker in the 70 to 90 cfs range this past week and the bite has been very good early and late in the day with more dry fly action this week. There is also a pretty good streamer bite starting. Bridgeport Reservoir has been good for shore, float tube, and boat anglers fishing the East Walker River channel and other creek channels. Yellow Power bait and gulp eggs as well as ‘crawlers are all producing for the bait fishermen. For fly anglers, it's been the best with soft hackles, streamers, and midging under an indicator. Twin Lakes have been just fair with a tougher bite for bait, lure, and fly anglers on pan-sized fish. The Virginia Lakes -- Big Virginia, Little Virginia, and Trumbel -- all still good. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or Ken's Sporting Goods - Home.
LEE VINING REGION: Lower Rush Creek in the special regulation section has been good on small caddis dries or a two-fly rig with fish to 16 inches reported, but water level is getting low. Some baetis hatches. Below 395, Rush is good but the fish are very small. Tioga, Saddlebag, and Ellery all slowed down with the cold weather, but Lundy remains good for bait, lure, and fly anglers. Information: Untitled Document.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Light fishing pressure. Just fair action throughout the loop, with the best bite on holdover planted trout or brown trout. Best bite is early and late in the day. Walker and Parker lakes are both good, especially for browns and brookies in the stream mouths. Information: Ernie’s Tackle at 760-648-7756.
MAMMOTH AREA: Crowley Lake is good to excellent on midges under indicators in 12 to 15 feet of water, but the perch streamer bite hot. Stripping the flies along weed beds is the hot ticket for quality rainbows and browns with a lot of fish over 18-inches. The algae is completely gone and the fish are stacking up in the North Arm (Owens River) of the lake. Also quite a few browns in Whiskey Bay, McGee Bay, and the mouth of Hilton Creek. The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are both very good for fly anglers. In the Mammoth Lakes, all the lakes are slowing down, but there is a good brook trout bite in the stream mouths. The Twin Lakes have a pretty good morning bite with a lot of midging fish early and late in the day. Fair action on holdover planted trout in Rock Creek and Rock Creek Lake. 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: Light fishing pressure throughout the Bishop Creek drainage, but the action is fair at all the lakes, especially at the inlets for browns and brookies. Sabrina Lake has been pretty good with a lot of holdover rainbows, some to three pounds. South Lake is good at the dam and inlets in the upper lake, mostly on planted fish, but quite a few brookies to 13 inches are being caught in these inlets. Trollers also getting a few holdover Alpers’ fish to three pounds. Bishop Creek is fair on holdover planted trout, with some wild fish. North Lake good for shore anglers and float tubers with a very good bite, mostly on holdover rainbows. The lower Owens River remains good for fly anglers. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair for lure, jig, bait, and fly anglers, especially for float tubers fishing near the inlet. Owens Gorge good for small browns on small dries. 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 fair to good action in the small streams after DFG plants, and Baker, Big Pine, and Long Pine creeks were all planted last week. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: The lake level came up a little and there continues to be good catfish action, mostly on frozen shad and cut baits. There is still a pretty decent crappie bite on live minnows in the French Gulch area. The bass action has been decent on cranks, plastics, jigs, and live bait. Slow to fair trout action at the auxiliary dam in deep water. Carp fair to good in shallows. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern are back down to under 500 cfs and the river is fishing very well in the 20-mile roadside stretch above Kernville with a very good early and late dry fly bite. The Wild Trout section of the river above the Johnsondale bridge is also good. The lower river flows continue to be low but the water remains a little muddy. The smallmouth bass action remains fair to good in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. Most fish are small. Improved catfish action with quite a few cats in the pools on nightcrawlers and cut baits. The South Fork of the Kern from Isabella upstream is back down but still fishing just so-so. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or Fly Fishing the Kern River) or James Store 760-376-2424.
TULE RIVER: Very slow. All of the usual stocking areas, including the lakes at Balch Park, have not been planted for over a month. Information: California Land Management - CLM, operator of outdoor recreation facilities, campgrounds, RV, recreational vehicle, cabins and related hospitality services, ca, calif. or Balch Park Pack Station Home.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Striper bite improving a little bit, with more and more topwater early and late in the day on Gitzits and crank. Most of the action is till on blood worms and sand worms. The catfish remains pretty good on cut baits. A seven pounder was caught by Jose Juarez, Bakersfield, on chicken liver on Wednesday this week. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Good trout action over the weekend after the first DFG plant of the season last week. Best action on Power Bait and Gulp trout baits. The bluegill bite remains good on wax worms, meal worms, or red worms. The carp action is also still fair to good on Powder Bait. Slow bass action.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair to good trout action after the season’s first plant by the DFG last week. Best action on floating baits. Bluegill are good on wax worms or crickets. The carp action remains fair to good on dough baits and Powder Bait. Slow bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics.
RIVER WALK PARK: Good trout action after the season’s first DFG plant last week. The best bite has been on garlic Power Bait, with corn Power Bait and chunky cheese Gulp also decent bets. Green, garlic nightcrawlers have also been good. The bluegill bite is good on crickets, wax worms, and meal worms. Bass are very slow with a few on plastics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits.
MING LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and there has been fair to good action since on floating dough baits. Bluegill are good on wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and red worms. Good carp action on fish on Powder Bait, but other dough baits are also working. The bass and crappie bites are very slow.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The Taft Trout Derby is schedule for Nov. 14, and the lake will be planted with over a ton of trout prior to this event, including the usual assortment of huge rainbows topping 10 pounds. The lake levels are down, but the bluegill bite remains good on wax worms, meal worms, and nightcrawler pieces. Fair catfish action on frozen shad and Sonny’s Dip Bait. Good carp action on Powder Bait. Bass, stripers, and crappie all slow, but the odd crappie still being caught on live minnows, and a few more largemouth are showing on plastics and cranks. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: Fair to good trout action after the DFG’s first trout plant of the season last week. Best action has been on floating dough baits. The bluegill bite remains good on wax worms, crickets, red worms, or meal worms.
SUCCESS LAKE: Fair to good bluegill bite, fair bass action on cranks and plastics, but other species were mostly slow. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair to good bass bite on live bait and plastics, and quite a few bluegill are showing. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Catfish the best bet on cut baits. Few reports. Information: 805-472-2818.
NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action with cranks, plastics, and swim baits all producing fish. Catfish fair on cut baits, mostly early and late in the day. Carp remain pretty fair in the marina area on dough baits. Information: 805-238-1056 or Lake Nacimiento Resort and Marina.
SANTA MARGARITA: Improving bluegill and bass action with cooling conditions. A few catfish are also coming out. Light pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Fair to good action on bluegill and redear, the bass bite is fair, and only a few catfish have been reported this week. 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 Lagoon, Elizabeth Lake, Pyramid Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake.
INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Owens River Section 2, and Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir.
MADERA: Corrine Lake.
MERCED: Yosemite Lake.
TUOLUMNE: Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Moccasin Creek.
CATFISH PLANTS
The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish this week.
No plants this week.
