January 7, 2009

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. Corona Lake is always a sleeper trout spot, but this week it came out of the shadows by producing the four best rainbows caught in Southern California in the past week -- fish from 18 to 19 pounds. It’s also slated to get another plant of these trophy Mt. Lassen fish this week. The lake is full again and the water is clearing after the last rains and the overall trout bite has been good with a lot of limits posted. For an update on the bite, check with the tackle shop at 951-277-3321 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
2. Irvine Lake continues to see some of the best big-fish action it’s had in years with another pile of rainbows over 10 pounds in the past week, including a 15-pounder. Trollers and bait anglers are getting the fish and they are showing over much of the lake but the west shore and Santiago Flats are the top spots. There is also a free (with lake admission) trout seminar conducted by trout expert Marlon Mead from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. For an update on this bite, call the Pro Shop at 714-649-9111 or log on at www.irvinelake.net.
3. There has been a very good largemouth bass and crappie bite at Casitas Lake over the past week, especially for anglers who have been able to dip a few live shad for bait. Bass to 13 pounds and crappie to over three pounds have been reported over the past week, most on shad. Remember, private boats are again being allowed at Casitas, but boaters must have the boat inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. For an update on the bite and information on boat launching, call the marina at 805-649-2043.
 

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: This is the peak of the planted trout season across Southern California, and most waters have cleared since recent rains and fishing very well. Top bets include the usual, heavily planted waters, including Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Laguna Niguel. All of the San Bernardino County park lakes, but especially Prado Park Lake and Yucaipa Park Lake, are good bets thanks to weekly plants. In the High Desert, Hesperia Lake, Jess Ranch, and Mojave Narrows are all good bets. In San Diego County, Dixon, Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, Miramar, Lower Otay, Murray, and Cayamaca are all pretty good bets.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: There is slow to fair winter bass action across the region. Casitas is a top bet, especially if you can net some shad for bait, with fish to 15 pounds this week. Diamond Valley Lake slowed, but it is still worth fishing. Perris, Castaic, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, Skinner, Piru, Otay, Wohlford, El Capitan, and Poway can always produce a decent fish this time of year. Very light bass pressure everywhere. There’s also a decent smallmouth bass bite on the lower Colorado River from Havasu to Palo Verde.
STRIPED BASS: Top bets this week are Diamond Valley (again cranking out fish to 22-plus pounds), Skinner, Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood. All five have been fairly consistent on smaller fish with a few bigger fish showing from Castaic. No more fish from Perris, but it cranked out several fish from 12 to 22-plus pounds two weeks ago. This bears watching. On the Colorado River, there is a slow to fair bite at Mead on smaller fish to three pounds. Havasu is also slow to fair on smaller fish, too.
PANFISH: Top bet for bluegill and redear is Lopez Lake but that bite is just fair. The Perris and Diamond Valley bites have sputtered but that might be more to light fishing pressure than off action. Most Southern California crappie bites are off, but Elsinore remains a fair bet on fish a pound and under and the Perris bite looked to be coming back on this week.
CATFISH: The late winter catfish bite has been mostly slow but a few quality fish are showing each week. Top bets included Diamond Valley, El Capitan, Casitas, Silverwood, Otay, and Hesperia Lake (where there’s also a good shot at a sturgeon). Henshaw and Isabella also remain fair to good bets for a stringer of smaller fish. The lower Colorado River and river backwater, ditches, and canals have been fair for channel cats, but very light fishing pressure.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: The trout bite perked this week with very good action reported by those fishing off the docks, near the marina and in Chemise Bay. Top trout was a 4-8 by Luis Avila, San Bernardino, on worms. His top fish was one on his nine-pound limit. Bobby Warren, Upland, pulled out a four-pound trout on a Power Worm. Jeremy Bennett, Hesperia, caught a 2-8 trout on Power Bait. Striper bite good on anchovies or small swim baits but most fish are small, under four pounds. Catfish bite remains fair on mackerel or nightcrawlers. All other species slow. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: All the lake’s marinas and public ramps are closed for the season and will reopen in early this spring. Trout fishing has been fair for shore anglers fishing the Stanfield Cutoff region and at the dam with floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers. Other species slow. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: No reports. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: Trout and catfish are the hot bites with anglers reporting several good-sized fish for both species. Trout action best off the north shore and from the inlet on Power Bait, Lip RipperZ worms and Thomas Buoyants. Ed Johnson, Whittier, landed an 11-pound trout. Sam Clemons, Victorville, caught a 9-8 trout on Power Bait off the grassy bank. Rodger Martinez, Redlands, caught an eight-pound trout on a crappie jig off the east bank, while Daren Hudson, Fontana, landed a 5-8 trout on a Panther Martin. The sturgeon bite slowed over last week, although some fish have still been pulled out on jigs and Power Bait, but the fish are significantly smaller than last week. Cameron Evans, Fontana, caught a 15-pound sturgeon from the finger. The catfish bite improved this week to very good on shrimp, mackerel or nightcrawlers dipped in garlic. Hot spots for the cats are off the north shore and Sandy Point and near the drain. Joe Torrez, Apple Valley, caught a 15-pound cat. Tim Simmons, Hesperia, landed a 12-pound catfish, while Kenny Jones, San Bernardino, caught 5 3/4, 6 1/2 and 6 3/4-pound catfish. Trout plants are twice a week. A 3,000-pound sturgeon plant went in mid-November. Day session 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 fair to good from both lakes on Power Bait (spring green, salmon peach and chartreuse), jigs and lures. Most trout have been near or over two pounds. Hot spots include the northern and the western shore from the bridge to the pump house of lake 3 as well as the western and northern shores of lake 2. The lake’s hatchery stocks every Friday. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lakes will be open regular hours throughout the holidays. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: County trout plants are weekly through April. DFG trout this week. Anglers have reported fair to good trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Slow other species. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good trout action. County trout plants are weekly through April, and there was also a DFG trout plant this week. Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Good to excellent trout action in Basin 2 and there continues to be a lot of quality fish in the county and state plants. County trout plants are each week through April, and there was a DFG plant this week. Tony Briones, Chino, caught a five-trout limit that weighed in at 14-4, including a 7-4 rainbow, all on chartreuse Power Bait. Nathan Gonzalez, Ontario, had a 3.9-pound rainbow from Basin 2, also on Power Bait. Rick Sanchez, landed three rainbows to three pounds on rainbow Roostertails, while Carlos Alvarez, Corona, had four trout to two pounds on salmon eggs. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action. County plants are weekly through April, but there hasn’t been a DFG plant in a month. Don Krener, Yucaipa, landed a 10-pound rainbow, while Tony Salgado, Mentone, had a 9 1/2-pounder to top off his three-fish stringer. Ray Fonseca, Yucaipa, had three trout that weighed 14.4 pounds total. Information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair to good trout action with some quality rainbows showing each week. County trout plants are weekly through April and there was a DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Slow catfish bite. 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: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Bass action slow to fair. Decreasing surface temps have driven bass to deeper water with some decent catches reported between 40 and 50 feet on ice jigs, Carolina-rigged plastics, and underspins. A few random bass have been caught near surface on swimbaits, but most reports have come from deep. Trout bite fair to good with some decent catches on nightcrawlers, Kastmasters, mini jigs, Power Bait or trout worms. The east dam, and the third cove to the right of the marina are the current hot trout spots. Jacob Nowicki, Wildomar, caught a 4.5-pound trout. Ty Smith, Chino, landed a 2.5-pound trout. Striper bite fair on Z-plugs or shaker heads. Cha Yang, Banning, pulled out the top fish of the week, a 23.7-pound striper on a swimbait off the west shore. Patrick O’Hanlon, Aguanga, landed a 20.54-pound striper. Catfish action isn’t the main focus for anglers, but some have reported fair to good action with fish over 10 pounds on their stringers. Chris “Trollmeister” Hagopian, Redondo Beach, pulled out 11.2 and 13.57-pound cats fishing with mackerel near the quarry. Terry “Pontoon” Lairson, Huntington Beach, caught 11.50 and 10.50-pound catfish on mackerel near the quarry. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: The buzz of last week’s 22.7-pound striper pulled out by Ryan Devlin, Ontario, on Lunker Plunkers is still keeping anglers going after the stripers, although no big fish have been reported since. Trout bite fair to good on Power Bait. Nathan Rojas, Chino Hills, caught a three-pounder. Fair to good bass action, too, with fish reported on spinnerbaits and plastic worms off the island and the points in the coves. Top bass was a 4-8 by Christopher Castillo, Banning. Garett Watanabe, Torrance, pulled out a three-pound bass. The redear and crappie bite has started to come back on for anglers fishing small jigs in the marina. DFG trout plant week before last. A DFG trout survey is ongoing. A percentage of each DFG trout plant will have non-reward and reward tags attached on some one to four-pound rainbows from the load. The tags will look like green spaghetti noodles attached right below the dorsal fin. Reward signs indicating information where to return the tags are posted around the launch ramps, marina and lake entrance. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Good trout bite on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The best bite is off Ramp 2 and the North Shore. Ray Hernandez, Temecula, pulled out a six-pound trout on Power Bait at Ramp No. 2. Brandon Hevsun, Westminster, caught a limit of trout to three pounds on nightcrawlers off Ramp No. 2. The striper bite is also very good with fish reported on spinnerbaits and topwater baits in the morning hours. Trout-like swimbaits have also been attracting the stripers. All other species slow. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: The crappie bite remains fair on minnows or crappie jigs. Bluegill action also fair on crickets and meal worms, and a few largemouth are showing on plastics and shad-like swim baits. Carp fair off the east end on dough balls. Catfish slow. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action slow, even slower than usual lately. Information: Lake Marina at 951-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Two trout at 18 pounds, another at 18 1/2, and a 19-pound rainbow were caught here over the past week. Greg Loper, Corona, landed the 19-pounder fishing cheese at the dam, while the 18 1/2-pounder was caught by Gary Hoofer, Westminster, on chartreuse Nitro Bait from a boat. Kelly McGregor, Norco, was fishing a worm to land one of the 18-pounders, and Tim Cerny, Riverside, landed the other 18-pound rainbow on orange Nitro Bait. One of the week’s best stringers was a six-fish catch made by Adam and Matt Albert of Temecula that weighed in at 28 1/2 pounds and included an 11 1/2-pound rainbow. Santiago Palacios, West Covina, had a five-fish stringer that weighed 24 pounds, including a seven-pounder. Christian Djurasebic, Huntington Beach, caught nine rainbows on jigs that weighed in at 29 pounds and his big fish was also a seven-pounder. The lake is now full and water is running over the spillway. Trout plants are weekly. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Fair trout bite with anglers reporting the best action on nightcrawlers and worms. Catfish action is slow on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass bite on worms or plastics.
RANCHO JURUPA: Good trout bite with a DFG plant two weeks ago, and a county plant last week. Lots of limits reported with trout to two pounds or better. Best action on small trout plastics and garlic, rainbow, and corn Power Bait. Other species are slow with a few cats. Upcoming events: Annual trout derby scheduled for January 24. Entry fee is $10 in advance, $12 day of event. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair trout bite. Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Fair to good catfish action on nightcrawlers or shrimp. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Trout season is in full swing, with a good to excellent bite. Power Bait (in all colors) and nightcrawlers are the most talked about trout baits here. Trout are planted twice a month with double loads. Plant this week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. The lake will be open New Year’s Eve and day. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Light fishing pressure, but the trout action remains fair from both boat and shore. Audrey Carver, 9, and Sophie Carver, 5, both Idyllwild, caught five rainbows to two pounds on nightcrawlers with dad Luis. Russ Hickey and Aaron La Plante, Orange, landed four trout to two pounds trolling Tazmanian Devils in yellow and orange. No DFG plants in over a month. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good rainbow trout action this past week with a lot of fish in the five- to seven-pound class. Top fish was an 8 1/2-pounder that topped off and eight-fish stringer caught by James and Sam Ratanan, Ontario, while fishing nightcrawlers off the sandy beach. The whole stringer weighed in at 25 pounds. A rainbow at 7 1/2 pounds was caught by Jerry Stanley, West Covina, as part of a five-fish limit weighing 17 1/2 pounds on orange Power Bait off the sandy beach. Richard Huntley and Tanner Janssen, both La Habra, had rainbows at 7 1/2 and 6 1/2 pounds fishing Lip RipperZ near the boat ramp. James Neal, Ontario, also had a 7 1/2-pound Nebraska Tailwalker fishing corn-flavored Nitro Bait near the pump house. Mike Sergeant, Buena Park, had a 10-fish stringer that weighed 29 pounds, including a seven-pounder, with all of his trout caught at the Bubble Hole on rainbow Nitro Bait. Top baits have been the rainbow and chartreuse Nitro Bait or inflated nightcrawlers spiced up with Nitro Gravy. Trout plants are weekly and trophy rainbows are slated for this week. Information: 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: Excellent trout action with both steelhead and quality rainbows in the mix. Another load of steelhead will go in next week in time for the derby on the Jan. 17. Trolling proved to be the most productive this week for those using firetiger Rapalas along the west shore and off the Santiago Flats. Bait anglers saw some action on Power mice, Power Bait or Power worms. Tim Williams, Orange, pulled out the top fish of the week, a 15-4 rainbow off Rocky Point. Jason Allingham, Corona, pulled out a 14-2 rainbow on a Panther Martin. Don Tucker, Irvine, caught a 14-2 rainbow on a Panther Martin off the Red Clay Cliffs. Ty Wythey, Tustin, landed a 13-8 trout at Trout Island. Efren Tabback, Covina, caught a 12-14 rainbow trout. Brent Fisher, Lakewood, landed a 12-pound rainbow. Upcoming events: A free trout fishing seminar is scheduled for Saturday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Instruction will be given by Marlon Meade with topics to include trolling, bait fishing, and jig fishing techniques. The seminar is free with paid admission. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout bite good to excellent with many limits reported. A 1,000-pound steelhead plant went in week before last with another one slated for Monday. Hot spots for the trout are off the point, in the flats, at the entrance of the inlet and near launch ramp and near the concession. Top baits are chartreuse or orange Power Bait, red, white and blue Gulp, inflated nightcrawlers or LipRipperZ lures. Slow to fair bass bite on drop-shotted plastic worms in dark colors in the inlet. Crappie and bluegill in the 1/2-pound range have been reported on nightcrawlers or crappie jigs but the bite is tough. Catfish are still showing up. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The lake will be open regular hours New Year’s Day. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

CACHUMA: Slow to fair trout action. DFG planted trout two weeks ago. Trollers have reported the best bite on Rapalas with a 1-8 to two-pound average for fish pulled out. Catfish action fair in the narrows on mackerel or nightcrawlers with most fish from three to 10 pounds. Crappie and redear bite fair in 30 feet on nightcrawlers or small jigs. Bass bite slow to fair, some fish reported from deep by trout anglers. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: The bass bite is good with anglers using shad to catch the most and best-sized fish, but plastics and swimbaits are also good bets. Donnie Boyd, Ojai, pulled out a 13-pound largemouth on a swimbait. He also caught six and eight-pounders. DFG trout plant this week at the Santa Ana Launch Ramp, and so far the bite has improved with a fair to good bite on shad. Roger Snowbarger, Ojai, pulled out a 2-8 trout on shad. The crappie bite is very good for those who have the shad. Mike Kane, Camarillo, landed five crappie totaling 17-pounds. Private boats are again being allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 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: Light fishing pressure and off-color water are still the word here, although both the striper and largemouth bites remain fair, mostly in deeper water. Some early morning surface action from 7 to 10:30 a.m. but very spotty and no big fish reported. The best largemouth bite has been on small plastics and small swim baits. Striper have been landed near the dam or off shore. Good trout action with some rainbows to two pounds showing from both the upper and lower lakes, most are half-pounders. DFG plant again this week. Other species are very slow. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: DFG trout plant last week, but still just fair action on both the holdover and fresh plants. Top baits include Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any type of trout worm. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. Slowish bass action, but some are still reporting a few fish to two pounds on plastic worms. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: DFG trout plant last week. Action fair for the stripers on anchovies or nightcrawler. Shad-like swimbaits and cranks are also good producers. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers. Dylan Santos, Los Angeles, caught several stripers with a couple fish reported just under three pounds. Largemouth and smallmouth bites improved over the weekend on plastics and swimbaits. Some catfish reported in the channels on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair catfish bite on pieces of mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits, and live worms. The fish are deep. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant this week. The bite is picking up with some reported catches on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Catfish bite still fair, but good action later in the day on mackerel, shrimp or chicken liver. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent trout plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair catfish action on Power Bait and mackerel dipped in attractant. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Closed for the season. The lake will reopen next spring. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Hodges is now closed until February. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Much improved bass and crappie action. This week 66 anglers reported 151 bass, 55 crappie, and one channel catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: No report. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: No report. DFG trout plant this week. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
MURRAY: No individual catch reports. DFG trout plant this week. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: This week 124 anglers reported 56 rainbow trout, four bluegill, three bass and one blue catfish. DFG trout plant this week. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Closed for fishing until spring. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: A 1,500-pound plant of rainbow trout went in on Wednesday. The trout bite has been good with some nice limits of rainbows pulled out. Plastic worms or nightcrawlers have been the most reported baits. Hot spots are Willow and Boat Dock Cove. Matt Herrera and James Santana, Vista, each caught a 4-2 trout. The crappie bite slowed, although Bob Jessee, Escondido, brought in a 2-3 crappie caught off the South Shore Rock Pile. Fair channel catfish bite on cut mackerel, shrimp, chicken liver, or nightcrawlers near the South Shore Rock Pile and in Oakvale Cove. New rental boats are available for rent at the lake. They rent for $46 for all day. There is a temporary ban on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant one month ago
DIXON LAKE: Another 3,000 pound plant went in two weeks ago and the fish are still biting. Good trout bite reported from Whisker Bay and Trout Cove on rainbow colored Power Bait, small green mini-jigs, Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants. A daily permit is required for entry. The Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: A 1,500-pound plant of rainbows went in again last week. Trout bite fair to good with the best waves of action in the early morning. Anglers reported limits with fish from two to three pounds, including some Nebraska rainbows. Slow trolling along the back shore of the lake with nightcrawlers and Power Bait is also a good way to pull out some trout. The bass bite is slow over most of the lake. Catfish bite fair to good in Boulder Bay and off Jump Off Point. The bluegill bite is slow in Hidden Bay. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to sunset. Float tubes, private motors and anchors, and live bait are banned at the lake due to potential quagga mussel contamination. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Fair to good bass bite in deeper water off the points. Trout bite fair in Sentry or Shadow Cove on inflated nightcrawlers dipped in scent and fished on a four-foot leader. Catfish bite fair in the backs of the coves, especially by the dam and buoy line. Shrimp and crawlers are top choices for the cats, especially when dipped in scent. A Mt. Lassen plant of 1,000 pounds went in week before last. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. Lake information: Ranger Hugh Marx, 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Trout bite good on Kastmasters. The last plant was in early December. Devine Connell, Lake Morena, pulled out a 3-11 rainbow on nightcrawlers. Russ Sisley, Lakeside, caught a two-pound rainbow on a Roostertail near the public dock. Bass bite slow, but a few have been reported on crawdad-colored jigs or shiners. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 6 a.m. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Trout plant by the DFG this week. Best action on Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. Mike Rizzo, San Diego, had a seven-pound rainbow on a Power Bait-worm combo. Patrick Higgins, Julian, landed a 4-8 rainbow. 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. Winter hours will start Dec. 1 with tackle shop hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Catfish bite fair to good on nightcrawlers or shrimp. Fair crappie bite on minnows. Plenty of crappie to one pound have been caught off the docks recently. The lake is open from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. the other five days of the week. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Overall bite remains slow to fair. Small stripers, from eight to 10 inches, and catfish are the most active in the Vegas Wash area. The better action has been reported in the afternoons. The best stripers have come from 40 feet deep to those fishing with anchovies. The stripers are also chasing the shad in Gypsum Wash and near the Boulder Bay pier with some better action reported in these areas. The night catfish bite is fair to good for anglers using lights and then fishing anchovies. No largemouth or trout reports.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout action has slowed with a few fish still showing, but there is very light fishing pressure. Stripers slow. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Striper bite slow to fair with the best action on nightcrawlers or anchovies. Anglers haven’t been able to catch the shad, which had been the bait for the best action in the past. Most fish are small and under three pounds. Slow to fair action on bluegill and largemouth bass in 10 to 15 feet in submerged trees and brush. The largemouth are best on plastics and the bluegill are taking crickets and worms. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Trout plants are bi-weekly through the winter. Fair to good action Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Slow striper bite.
NEEDLES: Striper action slow to fair with only small fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Water levels are lowering. Take caution when launching. Fair catfish bite. Fair largemouth bass action on Senkos or swimbaits. Slow crappie bite, but that should change soon. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper bite fair with the best bite in the early morning around the reefs and points with fish to four pounds. Anchovies and jigs have been the top producers. Fair smallmouth and largemouth bass. The fish are 13 inches and up. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair catfish and flathead action with some to 10 pounds or better on shrimp, nightcrawlers dipped in stink and mackerel. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Fair bass action in the main river for smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds and bigger reported this week. Flathead bite fair with some fish to 15 pounds reported. Bluegill bite slow to fair in most backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Fair to good bass bite, especially for the smallies, on plastic worms. Also improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. Fair flathead action but very light fishing pressure. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair catfish bite on mackerel. Not too many fish reported over three pounds, however. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action slow to fair on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel catfish bite fair, and the crappie bite is slow to fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too, but the action is spotty. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to be the best fishing spot. Fair to good channel catfish action, and just a fair redear, and bluegill bite. Catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms in the river and backwaters. The flatheads have been fair in the main river, mostly on live bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: No report. Check on the action with the state park staff before you go. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052. Weather information: 760-352-3360, Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast 760-398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass has been reported. Also some stripers.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant one month ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant one month ago.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: General trout season is closed, but year-around and special regulation waters remain open. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River remains very low with unstable flows and freezing areas. Fishing is not recommended at this time. Fishing information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open to year-around fishing. No recent reports. For fishing info, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or www.performanceanglers.com.
BISHOP AREA: Only Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the Owens River gorge, and lower Owens River remain open to anglers. The Wild Trout stretch of the Owens has been fair to good with low flows and a decent mid-day dry fly bite. DFG plant at Pleasant Valley this week. Lower Owens also planted. For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Only the lower Owens and Diaz Lake remain open and fishing has been slow at both. Lower Owens planted with trout last week. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Crappie bite fair to good on small minnows. Good trout bite on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. DFG trout plant this week. Also pretty decent action on catfish for anglers fishing near the dam. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Last trout plant was in late November on both the upper and lower. There are not likely to be more plants in the near term. Fish are still in the upper and lower areas, but the pressure has been light so the action is slow to fair. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Good striper bite on blood worms, large minnows, anchovies or pumpkin seed Gitzits. Also a good and very odd topwater bite for the stripers. Most fish are in the three to eight-pound range, but a few big ones have been pulled out. A 33-pound striper was reported. The catfish bite is very good on mackerel, shrimp or Sonny’s.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite. DFG trout plant this week.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic.
RIVER WALK PARK: Fair trout action after plants. DFG trout plant this week.
MING LAKE: Fair to good trout bite. DFG trout plant this week. Some bluegill action also reported.
BRITE LAKE: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant last week. Some catfish reported, too.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout bite is best with some big-sized fish reported on Power Bait and or nightcrawlers. Another 17-pound trout was caught this week by Alan Walker, Bakersfield. Ron Walker, Bakersfield, pulled out a 12-pound trout, and Tyler Jones, 12, Bakersfield, also had a 12-pounder. Good catfish bite with some big fish pulled out this week, too. Sam Carrigan, Bakersfield, pulled out a 33-pound catfish. Larry Brown, Bakersfield, caught 9-8 and 24-pound cats on shad. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Crappie bite slow to fair on crappie jigs or minnows. The midday bite is best. Some fish from 1/2 to a pound have been caught. Striper action is fair to good with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Largemouth bass bite fair around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair to good catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Trout bite slow to fair action for holdovers on salmon eggs or nightcrawlers. Only a few fish from a half to a pound have been caught recently. Another 3/4-pound trout was pulled out this week by Marco Lopez, San Diego. Fair largemouth bass bite on Brush Hogs, plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have pulled out limits with largemouth from two to three pounds and some smallmouth also starting to show. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Fair to good action for spotties on plastics, jigs, and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines. Anglers are reporting an abundance of fish caught in the mornings and evenings. Largemouth and smallmouth action fair on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite with more showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Bluegill and redear bites are slow to fair on crickets or wax and meal worms. Trout bite fair trollers using Needlefish or Kastmasters in 30 to 40 feet. Most fish are from one to two pounds and bait anglers have pulled some out on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Bass bite fair with some action by the dam. 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:
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hansen Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, Santa Fe Flood Control Basin.
ORANGE: Yorba Regional Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake, Lower Otay Lake, Lake Morena, Lake Murray.
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park, El Prado Regional Park, Mojave Narrows Regional Park, Seccombe Park.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Rancho Simi Community Park.
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.
KERN: Hart Park Lake, Isabella Lake, Lake Wollomes, Lake Ming, The Park at River Walk Lake, Truxton Lake.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman
www.976-TUNA.com

LONG-RANGE ACTION: The long range boats out of San Diego continue to see excellent yellowfin tuna fishing on 10 to 17-day trips to the Hurricane Bank with a lot of fish from 100 to 300-plus pounds showing. For an update on this action, check the latest reports on 976-TUNA.
GIANT SQUID SHOWING: The giant squid action has been good for the twilight boats making runs for the 35 to 50-pound Humboldt squid. The Seaforth, out of Seaforth Sportfishing in San Diego, was out Tuesday evening with 18 anglers who landed 54 squid to 50 pounds. The action has been consistent and more and more squid are showing off San Diego and Oceanside each week.
MEXICAN ROCKFISH: While there is a rockfish fishing closure all along the Southern California coast January and February, A number of San Diego-based boats are making the run into Mexican waters on two-day rockfish charters. The Black Pearl reported in this week with near limits of six to 10-pound reds along with 27 ling cod.
LOCAL BASS AND SCULPIN: Local half- and three-quarter boats are focusing on sand bass and sculpin during the rockfish closure and finding generally good action. With live squid available for bait, the New Del Mar out of Del Mar Sportfishing has been seeing a great bite for this time of year. On Wednesday, 25 anglers landed 161 quality sand bass along with a handful of other fish. Without the candy bait, boats further south have been scratching fewer fish.
ISLAND NEWS: Almost no boats have been out to Catalina or San Clemente islands in the past week, so there’s not much to report.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting instructional charters throughout the year, offering advice to beginning or veteran anglers and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. Some of the first trips of the year are two-day island freelance trips aboard the Big Game 90 for white seabass, yellowtail, calico bass and rockfish. The first of these trips leaves April 1, followed by trips on April 26 and May 10. Cost for these trips is $200 per person and they fill up quickly. For more information on upcoming 976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426 or go to the website at www.976-TUNA.com.

LANDING CONTACTS

Southern California: Virg's Sportfishing, Morro Bay, 805-772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, 805-595-7200; Sea Landing, Santa Barbara, 805-963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing, Ventura, 805-658-1060; Channel Islands Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-985-8511; Captain Hook's Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-382-6233; Port Hueneme Sportfishing, Hueneme, 805-488-2212; Malibu Pier Sportfishing, 310-328-8426; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, 310-822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, 310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro, 310-832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San Pedro, 310-547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-432-8993; Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, 562-983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, 949-675-0550; Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside, 760-722-2133; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, 619-221-8500; H&M Landing, San Diego, 619-222-1144; Seaforth Landing, San Diego, 619-224-3383; Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-223-1627; Islandia Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-222-1164.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.
 

The fish report is copyrighted and any use or reposting of the report, or portions of the report, is prohibited without written permission. Posting of links to the fish report on the Outdoor News Service web site is allowed.

The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Internet web page is located at the following address: www.dfg.ca.gov.

For comprehensive saltwater fishing reports and information visit our companion site: www.976-tuna.com

RECENT BIG CATCHES

Photos are listed by date of catch, not when they are received. If you've recently submitted a photo or heard of a big catch, you might have to scroll down to find the image.

December 26, 2008 - Glen Casale, Trabuco Canyon, landed this 14-2 rainbow trout at Irvine Lake the day after Christmas.

December 26, 2008 - Wilton “Big Willie” Mays, Pacoima, caught seven, 10, 11 and 20-pound catfish at Hansen Dam lake fishing mackerel dipped in a home-made attractant.

December 21, 2008 - Stan Santos, Corona, holds up his 20 1/2-pound Mt. Lassen Trout Farms rainbow caught at Corona Lake on an orange Nitro Worm while fishing from a float tube.

December 16, 2008 - Rick Clark, Escondido, landed this 27-pound striper (and two other smaller stripers) while fishing at Lake Skinner with topwater plugs at the inlet.

December 7, 2008 - Cobra Rondeau, Yucaipa, age 12, with a three-pound rainbow trout caught from Yucaipa Regional Park lake.

December 6, 2008 - Aaron Karbowski of Azusa with a three-pound Nebraska Tailwalker caught at Santa Ana River Lakes.

November 29, 2008 - Peter Steinwald, 12, of Upland caught and released this two-pound smallmouth bass -- his first -- while fishing the Coachella Canal south of Indio. He was throwing a spinnerbait.

November 28, 2008 - Brenden Gates of Fullerton shows off his 21 1/2-pound rainbow caught at Santa Ana River Lakes while fishing strawberry Nitro Bait at the boat dock.

November 26, 2008 - Ryan Webb (left) and Allan Cole, the designer of the A.C. Plug, where fishing Lake Mojave the day before Thanksgiving to land 27 striped bass totalling 270 pounds. They are holding up the four biggest fish 28, 26, 20 and 20 pounds. All caught on A.C. Plugs. The pair are from Henderson, Nev.

November 9, 2008 - Stefan Guintoli of San Diego caught this 8-4 trout on spoons in Half Moon Bay of Lake Poway.

October 30, 2008 - Glenn Harwood, Long Beach, caught this nice three-pound rainbow while trolling in Bridgeport Reservoir.

October 30, 2008 - Frank Duarte, Huntington Beach, with his 12.2-pound rainbow trout taken from Irvine Lake's Sierra Cove while fishing a yellow and white mini jig.

October 30, 2008 - Michael Ross, Garden Grove, llimited on rainbows to three pounds and browns to four pounds at Bridgeport Reservoir by slow, slow, slow trolling Rapalas and broken back Rebela (No. 7s in brown and rainbow trout or bright orange).

October 19, 2008 - This almost lake record, 93.40-pound blue catfish, was caught by Michael Williams, National City, on mackerel from Harvey Arm of Lower Otay.

October 11, 2008 - Pam Kalina, Big Bear City, with new Big Bear Lake record bass. The fish weighed 5.9-pounds and Kalina caught the fish on a firetiger Rapala off Juniper Point last week.

October 9, 2008 - Randy Muirhead, Glen Ivy, broke his own lake record for largemouth bass at Corona Lake by catching an 18 1/4-pounder  while fishing a crawdad-colored crankbait from his pontoon float tube.

October 4, 2008 -  Brian Cummings, Inglewood, caught this 23-pound albino catfish at Lower Otay on mackerel from the bouy line.

October 2, 2008 - Don Roberts of Valley Center nailed this 4-pound rainbow on a jig at Lake Sabrina.

September 20, 2008 - Mits Onizuka of Irvine with a 17-pound channel catfish caught on mackerel in the flats at Irvine Lake.

September 8, 2008 - Terrence Berg holds up Patrick Raahauge’s 27-pound yellowfin tuna caught 20 miles off Mission Bay.

September 2, 2008 - This 17-10 largemouth bass was landed at Corona Lake by Randy Muirhead of Glen Ivy setting a new lake record. It is also one of the best bass landed in Southern California this year.

August 22, 2008 - Donavan Swan, Fontana, caught a stringer of catfish totaling 24-8 on mackerel fishing near the boat dock at Santa Ana River Lakes.

August 18, 2008 - Eddie Rodriguez and Freedie Lopez, both of Wilmington, caught this nice bunch of catfish totaling over 27 pounds while fishing with mackerel at Santa Ana River Lakes.

August 9, 2008 - Jeremy Smith of Twentynine Palms caught this 4-pound class bass out of Evans Lake.

July 25, 2008 - Derek "Kid Wiper" Snyder with a seven-pound, six-ounce wiper taken in Lake Elsinore, off Rocky Point. Notice the much larger girth compared to a striped bass.

July 23, 2008 - Adam Cavazos, Menifee, caught this 4-9 largemouth bass near the west dam of Diamond Valley Lake on a crank bait.

June 26, 2008 - Jose Garlejo of Escondido caught this 18-6 blue catfish at Lake Wohlford.

June 26, 2008 - Doug Bader, Orange, with an 11 1/2-pound catfish he caught on mackerel with Nitro Gravy at Santa Ana River Lake while fishing from a boat near Levitz' Corner.
 

June 24, 2008 - Lake Perris gave up these four limits of rainbow trout to trollers, left to right, Bob Camp, Tom Roberts, Paul Ringdahl, and Bob Ghossain, all of Riverside. They were fishing in 30 feet of water at the dam with Needlefish, and the fish went up to 3 1/2 pounds.

June 18, 2008 - Cliff McDonald, Needles, holds a pair of stripers, both in the four-pound range, he caught at Lake Mohave.

June 15, 2008 - Scott Lopez, Indio, landed this striped bass weighing 4.8 pounds fishing a nightcrawler on four-pound test line in the Coachella Canal near Indio.

June 15, 2008 - Dan Doran, Bishop, hauled in a 5-3/4 pound rainbow from Sabrina Lake fishing a Thomas Buoyant.

June 13, 2008 - Adrian Pintor, North Hollywood, nailed this nice 15.6-pound Irvine Lake channel cat on cut mackerel fishing on Santiago Flats.

June 13, 2008 - Gavin Velasco of Poway with 3.5-pound, 3.4-pound, and 2.6-pound trout caught on nightcrawlers off the Lake Poway pier.

June 13, 2008 - Vincent Hunt of Moreno Valley with a 26-8 catfish caught on J.D.'s Catfish Bait near the trees in the south end of Corona Lake.

June 8, 2008 - Alex Benton of Long Beach nailed this 13.06 pound channel catfish on Irvine Lake's Santiago Flats while fishing mackerel.

June 7, 2008 - this 42-pound flathead was caught by Brian Cummings, Inglewood, from the Colorado River - Palo Verde area on a bluegill.

June 7, 2008 - Lee Bell of Bishop caught this 3-3/4 pound rainbow at Lake Sabrina on rainbow Gulp.

June 7, 2008 - Lori Carnahan, Sky Valley, caught this 3 1/4-pound brown trout at Lake Sabrina on a Rapala.

June 6, 2008 - Mike Mills of Poway caught this 1-0 bluegill on a Meal Worm in Hidden Bay at Lake Poway.

May 30, 2008 - Taxidermist Jeff Soto, Riverside, fished Evans Lake (Fairmount Park, Riverside) on Friday morning and caught and released five bass to six pounds in two hours of fishing.