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SOCAL FISH REPORTS
November 11, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
November 11, 2009
Compiled by Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Diamond Valley is getting trout plants on a regular basis with another scheduled this week. This has been turning on the striped bass action with stripers better from 10 to just over 20 pounds this week. There are also a few big largemouth up chasing the trout. Regular say you should follow the flocks or stocks to catch stripers: fish just after a plant or run to birds diving on bait. Cast the big trout-like swimbaits or the shad-like ones. 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. Corona Lake has had the best trout fishing of any of the waters being planted in Southern California -- including its sister water Santa Ana River Lakes and nearby Irvine Lake (which has been very good, too, however) -- and it will get its first plant of trophy rainbows over 10 pounds this week. Limits of fish to five pounds have been common and the plant this week should just keep this bite sizzling. For an update, call Corona at 951-277-3321.
3. Lake Skinner’s striper bite, with a few quality fish to 22-plus pounds this past week, is really turning on. The first trout plant of the season was slated for last week but was pushed back to this week. If this plant finally makes it in, there could be more trophy-class fish this week. For a nice stringer of two to three pounds, you can use cicken liver, anchovies, jerkbaits, and topwater plugs. For an update on this bite, call the marina at 951-926-8515.
2. Corona Lake has had the best trout fishing of any of the waters being planted in Southern California -- including its sister water Santa Ana River Lakes and nearby Irvine Lake (which has been very good, too, however) -- and it will get its first plant of trophy rainbows over 10 pounds this week. Limits of fish to five pounds have been common and the plant this week should just keep this bite sizzling. For an update, call Corona at 951-277-3321.
3. Lake Skinner’s striper bite, with a few quality fish to 22-plus pounds this past week, is really turning on. The first trout plant of the season was slated for last week but was pushed back to this week. If this plant finally makes it in, there could be more trophy-class fish this week. For a nice stringer of two to three pounds, you can use cicken liver, anchovies, jerkbaits, and topwater plugs. For an update on this bite, call the marina at 951-926-8515.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The urban trout season is really rolling now. With Corona wide open, Santa Ana River Lakes starting to churn, Hesperia Lake is good, and Irvine Lake really hot. All four are getting weekly plants now and the action will just get better as the season progresses. Corona and SARL are both getting trophy fish over 10 pounds this week. A sleeper bet is the Buena Vista trout derby Saturday with trout to 22 pounds planted. Anglers can fish Sunday through Tuesday for only the vehicle entrance fee. All of the San Bernardino County Parks kicked off their trout season with plants and good fishing this past week (except Glen Helen which starts Nov. 21). Lake Dixon was pretty good. 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 with a DFG plant this week. This is the last weekend of regular trout season in the Eastern Sierra, but most bites have been slowing. The exception is Crowley Lake which just continues to be excellent. In the Western Sierra, the Kern River is still pretty good and Isabella fish are starting to stack up in the river mouth.
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 board as the fish come up to chase shad and newly planted trout 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, Castaic, and Casitas, Other decent bets include Pyramid, Piru, Skinner, El Capitan, along with Upper and Lower Otay. 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 fair to good in lower river backwaters.
STRIPED BASS: The bites are 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 thanks to trout plants. Diamond Valley may be the best bet this week after more trout plants. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure but Havasu is good in a morning and afternoon bite. Hesperia Lake was planted with wipers and has been pretty good, but Elsinore has been very quiet.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are slowing most places, but Lake Perris is one of the few spots that continues to crank out fish for dedicated bluegill anglers. This will all start coming to an end when water temperatures drop and lakes turn over. Crappie bites have slowed most places, but the Isabella bite is still there, and the Topoc Marsh bite on the Colorado River is surging right now. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is still very slow.
CATFISH: Slow most places. The Colorado River is a top bet with a surge of quality flatheads in the lower river this past week, including a 50-pounder. Hesperia Lake is the best bet of the urban lakes. For wild fish, Skinner, Isabella, and Diamond Valley are all fair to good, while Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid are pretty fair, too.
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 board as the fish come up to chase shad and newly planted trout 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, Castaic, and Casitas, Other decent bets include Pyramid, Piru, Skinner, El Capitan, along with Upper and Lower Otay. 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 fair to good in lower river backwaters.
STRIPED BASS: The bites are 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 thanks to trout plants. Diamond Valley may be the best bet this week after more trout plants. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure but Havasu is good in a morning and afternoon bite. Hesperia Lake was planted with wipers and has been pretty good, but Elsinore has been very quiet.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are slowing most places, but Lake Perris is one of the few spots that continues to crank out fish for dedicated bluegill anglers. This will all start coming to an end when water temperatures drop and lakes turn over. Crappie bites have slowed most places, but the Isabella bite is still there, and the Topoc Marsh bite on the Colorado River is surging right now. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is still very slow.
CATFISH: Slow most places. The Colorado River is a top bet with a surge of quality flatheads in the lower river this past week, including a 50-pounder. Hesperia Lake is the best bet of the urban lakes. For wild fish, Skinner, Isabella, and Diamond Valley are all fair to good, while Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid are pretty fair, too.
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 plants last week and three weeks ago. Bass action is slow to fair with the 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 two and four weeks ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Very slow. Last DFG trout plant over a month ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Trout, catfish, sturgeon, and wipers all continue to show in very good numbers. Inflated nightcrawlers and cut baits have been working best for catfish with a number of fish over 10 pounds again this week. Trout action has been good with the best results on floating baits. 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: Trout action picked back up and fishing is now very good with an excellent bite before 10 a.m. Power Bait, especially in orange, rainbow, spring green, 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. Catfish action is fair on mackerel and Power Bait. 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: Trout season kicked off this past week and the action was excellent after both DFG and county plants. There continues to be fair to good catfish action, and the bluegill action has been fair 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 slow. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Trout season is under way after the county plant last week and both DFG and county fish are slated for this week. Very good action. A few carp and catfish are showing. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Trout season is under way after the county plant last week, and both DFG and county fish are slated for this week. The catfish bite has been mostly slow. Fair to good bluegill action. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Trout season is under way with both county and DFG plants last week, and county trout are going in again this week. Very good action. Slow to fair catfish action. There is also a fair bluegill bite. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Trout season is set to kick off November 21 and will run through April. Slow to fair catfish action, but the bluegill bite is pretty 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. 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: This is the second week in a row that DFG trout are slated to be planted in this downtown San Bernardino water. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Very good largemouth bass, trout, and striper action. The largemouth have mostly moving into deeper water, but the bigger fish come up in the days after the trout plants to hammer the rainbows. Big swim baits are the ticket then. Otherwise, the fish are mostly in deeper water and showing on a wide range of plastics, jigs, ice jigs, and underspins. The stripers are on the trout and shad and anglers are fishing swimbaits right after the trout plants r following the birds and fishing shad-like baits on boils. Trout plant slated for this week and the rainbow action has been good on floating dough baits, trout jigs, and small, trout plastics. Best action in the marina cove and off the east dam with two-pound test. Miya, Oriya, Dyami Arviso, Green Acres, had 10 trout that weighed 20 pounds fishing the east shore line with Power Bait. Ted Reed, Chino Hills, landed a 20.1-pound striper on a Z-Plug, whilel Stephan Kosal, Ontario, had a 19.16-pounder. Eddie Martinez, Fontana, landed a 16.7-pounder, and Luis Rodriguez, Fontana, had a 13.94-pounder. Jeff Gallagher, San Diego, caught an 11.75-pound striper and Beau Brenton, Canyon Lake, landed a 10.76-pounder. Catfish have slowed, but a few anglers are still scoring some good stringers. Terry Lairson and Chris Hagopian, both Huntington Beach, landed four cats totaling 30 pounds, including one at 14.1-pounds. All of mackerel near the marina. Bluegill and crappie have slowed with only a few showing on jigs and nightcrawlers fished at the dam. Veterans and active duty military get free parking passes today through Sunday. 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 park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. The bluegill and redear action was good this past week and even a few crappie have been showing. The best bite for the panfish has been on crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait fished near the marina of the island. The catfish bite is good with the marina the top spot and mackerel the top bait. The bass bite was fair. Todd Kire, San Clemente, caught seven bass to four pounds on nightcrawlers and plastic worms. Slow to fair carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area. Trout action has been slow, even after the plant last week and another DFG plant is slated for this week. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striper bite was good this past week. There has been some topwater action in the early morning and late afternoon. Larger shad-colored baits have been working best for the bigger stripers with chicken liver and cut anchovies also producing well for smaller stripers. The first county trout plant got pushed back from last week and is once again slated for this week which should make the striper bite even better. Hunter Hough, Palm Springs, caught a 22.4-pound striper on a Lunker Plunker at the inlet. The largemouth bass bite has remained good with dark plastics still working best. Top spots for largemouth have been the southshore and the east end. Catfish action is fair to good but are mostly being caught in deeper water. The east end, dam, inlet, or south shore have been the best bets for catfish. Dan Fleming, San Marcos, caught two catfish to 12 pounds on a sardine at the inlet. Bluegill action is just fair. Crappie and trout slow but the trout bite should pick up after the plant. 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 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. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
CORONA LAKE: The trout bite has been wide open and there were over 40 trout limits checked in at the tackle shop over the weekend. The quality of the trout has also been excellent with every stringer having at least a couple of three to five pounders with some bigger. Top trout reported was an 11.3-pound rainbow caught by Steve Netter, Riverside. A 5 3/4-pounder topped the eight-fish stringer landed by James and Kyle Nelson, Lake Elsinore, weighing in at 20 pounds. John Torres, Highland Park, landed a 5 3/4-pound rainbow, while Adam Smith and Matt Jackson, Little Rock, had 10 trout that weighed 30 pounds and their best fish was a 5 1/2-pounder. The best action has been on chartreuse, orange, yellow, and rainbow Nitro Bait, but small trout worms and micro jigs have also been getting good stringers of fish. Tilapia, sturgeon, and catfish bites have also been pretty good for the few anglers targeting these gamefish. The sturgeon are getting better each week and the best bite has been on shrimp with fish to seven pounds. The tilapia are running up to four pounds and showing mostly on nightcrawler pieces. The catfish are mostly showing on cut baits and fish to 4 1/2 pounds were caught this past week. Season’s first trophy trout plant set for this week with rainbows over 10 pounds to be stocked. 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: First DFG trout plant of the season went in last week and has resulted in a good trout bite. Follow-up DFG plant this week. Slow other species. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: Catfish plants last week and trout season will kick off in November. 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 first trout plant of the season is slated for Nov. 11. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair to good trout action. The early morning or late evening have been the best times for trout. DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Most of the rainbows are pan-sized, with some bigger. Rich Vindone, Mira Loma, caught a limit of trout on nightcrawlers. Fair bass action. Good bluegill action. There is also a fair to 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: Just fair trout action this past week in spite of massive plants for the official kick off of trout season here. Water temperatures in the lakes’ complex have been falling this week and the bite is improving. Anglers fishing early in the morning and at night have managed limits with a lot of three to five pounder. Dave Beaver, Anaheim, was fishing small jigs in Chris’ Pond to land three rainbows for 11 1/2 pounds and his top trout was a 5-12 rainbow. Ed Kakes, Long Beach, caught a 4 1/2-pounder trout on a nightcrawler, while Jacko Smith, San Pedro, landed a four-pound trout on a Lip Ripperz. Juan Hernandez, Hesperia, also had a four-pounder on a Roostertail. The season’s first plant of trophy trout over 10 pounds is set for this week. Besides the trout, the sturgeon have also started biting pretty well with the cooling water with a number of fish from three to six pounds reported, and one whopping 150-pounder caught and released by Jeff Bradley, Carson, on shrimp at the yellow pipe. The sturgeon are showing on floating trout baits, nightcrawlers, and shrimp. Anglers can keep two sturgeon smaller than 15 pounds, but bigger fish must be released. The handful of anglers fishing for catfish this past week had very good fishing with limits pretty easy. Santiago Palacios, West Covina, landed five catfish that weighed a total of 13 1/2 pounds and his top fish was a five pounder. All were caught on shrimp. Ronnie Lu, Garden Grove, had five cats for 15 pounds and his best was a 5-4, and he was also fishing shrimp. 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: Trout season kicked off this past week with a plant of 20,000 pounds of fish. This huge plant resulted in wide-open fishing for anglers. Limits were the rule with just about any sort of trout bait working well. Daniel Michael, Pico Rivera, landed a 9-6 rainbow trout on an Atomic tube at the west shore. Mike Traut, Costa Mesa, caught a 7-6 trout on a Luhr Jensen Needlefish at mid-lake. John Struckman, Fullerton, hooked into a 7-2 rainbow on a Rapala. Some catfish are still showing with mackerel, shrimp, skipjack, and bonito the top baits once again. 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 is fair. Bass action is fair in 15 to 20 feet of water near Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Fair bluegill bite with meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks working best. The lake will is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or Irvine Lake - Fishing and Camping in Orange County, Southern California.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout season will kick off November 19 after a plant of 5,000 pounds of rainbows. There is a special catch-and-release float-tube event on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and cost is $50 per person. The float tube event is limited to the first 75 anglers signing up. Fair bass and bluegill action. The bluegill are best at Three Pipes, the back side of the lake, and near the island on nightcrawlers and mealworms. Bass action has been best on dark plastics or topwater in the early morning. Slow to fair catfish bite on shrimp, mackerel, and nightcrawlers. 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: Overall light fishing pressure, but the trout action has been pretty good after a plant of 4,000 fish last week from Calavaras Trout Farm. The best action has been in Cachuma Bay for both bait fishermen with Power Bait and trollers working Needlefish. Most fish around a pound. There is still a pretty fair bite on smallmouth bass on the rocky points, mostly on plastics and jigs. A few reports of catfish and some crappie were reported in Cachuma Bay on small Rapalas this past week, but that bite has been spotty. The odd redear and bluegill showing in the east end and Stork Flats on nightcrawler pieces. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at Santa Barbara County Parks Department Home. The marina is closed and boat rentals have ceased, effective in mid-October. The marina isn’t expected to be reopening in the near future, but the boat launch is still open. For fishing information updates, anglers should now call the general store at 805-688-5246.
CASITAS: Slow to fair bass action this past with the best bite early and later in the day on nightcrawlers and plastics, with some fish on topwater and reaction baits. The catfish are very slow, but the 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, but the first plant is slated for Thanksgiving week. 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 with many fish in the two to nine-pound range. Fish Arm has been the top spot for both stripers and largemouth. Catfish action is good in both lakes with most of the fish being caught by anglers using nightcrawlers or mackerel. The trout action is fair to good in the lower lake after the plant two weeks ago and the lagoon was planted last week. 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: store 805-521-1500, x206 or Lake Piru Recreation Area.
PYRAMID: Good trout and striped bass action. There was a DFG plant last week and there has been a good bite since on floating baits and small lures. Best action has been around the marina, but the fish are spreading out. The best striper action has been on jerk baits in the marina and around the island and Yellowbar. Most of the fish are in the one to three-pound range. Good flow of water from the aqueduct continues. 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 slowing with the fish 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 trout action after a DFG plant two weeks ago. Fair to good action on largemouth bass on plastics with some 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, but a DFG catfish plant is slated for this week. Information: 909-599-8411.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant last week, and a DFG catfish plant this week. Trout fair to good on floating baits and trout jigs, and the catfish bite is pretty fair on cut baits. Good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week and again this week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and two weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish plant last week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. 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: The lake is closed for the season. 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 123 anglers checked reported catching 181 bass, three bluegill, 11 crappie, and 10 catfish. 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: No report. 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: No report. 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 just fair 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. Lake Wohlford carp have been dying off for an unknown reason. It's too early to be sure but it could be the same virus that killed off so many carp in the Colorado River. 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 two weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: Trout season kicked off last week with the first plant of the season and resulted in good action. This week a plant of 4,500 pounds of trout is slated to go into the lake in preparation for the derby lasting through November 15. There is a fair bass bite with some topwater activity in the early morning. Fair bluegill action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Bass action picked up this past week and is good. The catfish action was fair to good, especially for anglers fishing the log boom or the fishing pier. Nick Kayser, Poway, caught a 15-pound catfish on mackerel at the log boom. 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. Trout season is set to begin November 18. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The bass bite is slow to 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. Trout season kicked off three weeks ago and the bite has been slow to fair. Another plant is slated for this week and should help improve the trout bite. 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: Catfish action was fair with lots of three to four-pound fish showing this week. Good bass action with the fish in shallow water and hitting on small cranks and poppers in the early morning. Slow other species. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
CUYAMACA: Very good trout action with trollers having the best success. Plants this week, last week, and three weeks ago. The largemouth bass bite is fair. The crappie action is good for those targeting them, but they are small. The occasional catfish is also showing. 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: Few reports. Slow to fair catfish action on shrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel. The bluegill bite has been fair near the dock. A few crappie, bass, and carp showing, too. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
FLOW INFORMATION: Reservoir elevation levels and flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are available at this web site with information updated hourly: Bureau of Reclamation: Lower Colorado Region - Lower Colorado River Operations Schedule.
LAKE MEAD: Spotty striped bass action with fish moving into deeper water toward the dam. Still some decent action in Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam 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: 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. Spotty striper action on big, trout-like lures. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers slowed. 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. Bass spotty. 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: The first trout plants of the season went in Oct. 13 and the next plant was slated for this week. Best trout action on both sides of the bridge at Laughlin. Other than trout, slowish fishing with only a few stripers and catfish showing on drifted anchovies. The November derby is ongoing with half the pot going 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: Some crappie are starting to be caught in the Topoc Marsh at both north and south dikes, mostly at night, and almost exclusively on live minnows. A few largemouth also in this bite. Weather finally cooling, and there is still a good bite on smallmouth bass in the main river, but mostly small fish until you get downstream almost to Havasu. Also a fair bite on two to three-pound stripers on anchovies. Catfish are fair same drifted baits with fish up to five pounds. 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 lake is turning over and the largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing slowed way down. Only a few fish are showing on slow-fall plastics, vertical jigging, or live shad. The striper bite is still pretty good with the fish on live shad at the island, London bridge, Site 6, and throughout the Windsor Basin. Best action on live shad or white Rat-L-Traps, bass Assassins, or similar lures. Lures that have glow in dark luminescence help when fishing at dusk, after dark, or around lights. Best action afternoon evening or pre-dawn. Channel catfish fair on cut baits, and a few flatheads are still showing on live bluegill. Redear slowed way down but top area 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: Lower river canals are very low right now but anglers are still reporting good action on catfish in canals and main river. Canal levels to go back up this week. Good catfish action with Blythe anglers Leo Brogen and Santos Vega both getting nice stringers of fish on Goose Flats. There is good smallmouth action in the main river on small cranks and jigs, and the largemouth bite is fair in area backwaters on plastics, cranks, and live bait. The bluegill action is still fair to 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. Jack and Shannon Hull, Blythe, topped off a three-fish stringer of flatheads with a 50-pounder this past week, all on goldfish in the Cibola area. The largemouth bass are also pretty good in the backwaters with fish to five pounds showing on topwater and frog imitations. Smallmouth 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 still a decent 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: General trout season closes in most of Inyo and Mono counties on Sunday, Nov. 15. 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 is slow to fair on holdover planted trout and wild trout with a lot of fish nymphs under and indicator through deeper runs and pools. Water very low. Little Walker River is good for brookies and rainbows. Kirman Lake is excellent on brookies to 18 inches but few cutts 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 on the East Walker remain very low (around 19 cfs), dropping from 40 cfs last week and 200 cfs the week before. The bite is tough, but the fish are stacked up in the runs and pools and a few fish are being caught on streamers and caddis nymph patterns. Bridgeport Reservoir has been slow to fair, but a few good fish are showing off the face of the dam in the evenings. Twin Lakes have been really improved over the past couple of weeks with browns and rainbows showing up in the catch. The Virginia Lakes -- Big Virginia, Little Virginia, and Trumbel -- all still fair to good for this last weekend of the trout season. 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 or midge dries or a two-fly rig with fish to 16 inches reported, but water level is very low. Saddlebag and Ellery slowed way down but Lundy remains good for bait, lure, and fly anglers. Information: Untitled Document.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Light fishing pressure. Just slow to 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, and the perch streamer bite remains hot for quality rainbows and browns with a lot of fish over 18-inches. 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 slow at all the lakes, but a few fish are showing at the inlets of the creeks, mostly browns and brookies. Sabrina Lake very spotty now, but South Lake is good at the dam and inlets in the upper lake. Bishop Creek is fair and probably the best bet on holdover planted trout, with some wild fish. North Lake is slow to fair 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. DFG plant at Pleasant Valley this week. 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 slow action with no recent plants. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to Lone PineChamber of Commerce | the Other Side of California.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: There continues to have 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 marina area. The bass action slow with the best bet on cranks, plastics, jigs, and live bait. Few trout up around cemetery, and just slow to fair trout action at the auxiliary dam in deep water. Carp action has slowed way down. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern are back down to around 370 cfs and the river is fishing fair to good in the 20-mile roadside stretch above Kernville with a dry fly bite most morning, predominately on smaller fish. Some nice fish showing in the Johnsondale Bridge stretch. Dennis Conradi, Bakersfield, had a limit of pan-sized rainbows on salmon eggs. The lower river is clearing and has been pretty good for smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. Most fish are small. Also some crappie, catfish, and trout showing in the lower river. Duane Perry, Bakersfield, landed a 1-12 crappie and a limit of trout throwing a Roostertail for bass. 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 and the best striper of the fall-winter season was reported this week when Gary Dias, Bakersfield, landed a 21-pound, 40-inch fish on an anchovy. The bite is pretty good on bloodworms, sand worms, and a few fish on shad-like cranks. The catfish remains pretty good on cut baits. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Just fair trout action after the DFG plant two weeks ago, with the best bite on Power Bait, Gulp trout baits, and green, garlic nightcrawlers. There is also a pretty good night bite on catfish. The bluegill bite remains good on wax worms, meal worms, or red worms. The carp action is also still fair on Powder Bait. Slow bass action.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Slow trout action after plants this week and each of the last two weeks. No one can figure out why. The few fish coming in are showing on the usual array of floating baits and the green, garlic nightcrawlers. Bluegill are fair 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: Wide open trout action, and the DFG plant this week makes three weeks in a row. Best action 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 fair on crickets, wax worms, and meal worms. Bass are very slow with a few on plastics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits.
MING LAKE: Very good trout action after DFG plants two and four weeks ago on nightcrawlers, especially the garlic versions. Bluegill are fair on wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and red worms. Slow to fair 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 plant two and three weeks ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The Taft Trout Derby is schedule for this Saturday, Nov. 14. Entry is $20 for adults, $10 for kids. 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 (and at least one over 20 pounds). Evans will be open to trout fishing Sunday through Tuesday and anglers only have to play the $6 vehicle entrance fee, not the fishing fee. The lake will then be closed until Saturday, Nov. 21, when both the parking and fishing fees will be charged.
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: Very good trout action with another DFG plant this week. This is three weeks in a row of plants. Best action has been on garlic nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The bluegill bite is fair on wax worms, crickets, red worms, or meal worms.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. 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: Still few reports except for catfish, which have been pretty good. Best bet on cut baits. 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 slowed in the marina area on dough baits. Information: 805-238-1056 or Lake Nacimiento Resort and Marina.
SANTA MARGARITA: Bass slow with good anglers lucky to get a fish a day. The crappie have been improving with some nice fish coming in on small red and white jigs. The cats have been good. Light pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Fair to good action on bluegill and redear with wax worms, meal worms and crickets the top bet. A few crappie showing on jigs. 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: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake.
ORANGE: Laguna Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga Guasti Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake, Silverwood Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Park Lake, Lindo Lake, Murray Lake.
INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
FRESNO: San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir.
KERN: Lake Truxton, Lake Woollomes, The Park at River Walk Lake.
MARIPOSA: Lake McClure.
STANISLAUS: Turlock Lake
TULE: Lake Success
TUOLUMNE: Cherry Lake, Don Pedro Reservoir, New Melones Lake, Tulloch Reservoir.
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.
LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
