TROUT: The trout bite is generally good throughout Southern California at all of the urban waters. The best action is at the lakes planted each week. Those include Irvine, Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Hesperia Lake, and all of the San Bernardino County Park lakes. And Prado Park is hosting a derby this weekend and will be getting bonus fish. Hesperia Lake is getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week and has been excellent. Off-color water hasn’t slowed the bites at most waters. The next tier are the lakes planted alternating weeks (most everything else), including all of the popular waters in San Diego County, where Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, and Dixon all remain top picks with regular plants, but Cuyamaca remains perhaps the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers.
     BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still slow throughout the region, but there are finally signs of life a few places outside of Diamond Valley Lake, which has continued to be unseasonably and unbelievably good. Casitas, Otay, and El Capitan have been improving and the smallmouth action on the Colorado River looks like it might be poised to take off again, too. Diamond Valley is still the best bet, but it looks like some of the pre-spawn bite might be poised to start in the next couple of weeks. It’s that time of year. Some big fish are going to start popping.
     STRIPED BASS: The Diamond Valley bite remains a top bet with fish to 18-plus pounds this past week. Skinner remains slow, while Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood all are fair. Part of the problem still is very light fishing pressure and few reports on which to gauge the bites. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off. There were reports of a couple of huge fish at Willow Beach last week.
     PANFISH: Little to report on this front. Bluegill are quiet just about everywhere (OK, maybe check at Lopez on the Central Coast), and Lake Perris is only producing a few deep-water redear under a pound. Crappie bites even have seemed to lull. Only a few fish are showing at the Buena Vista Lakes (west of Bakersfield), and the hot bite at Lopez has turned quiet (or secret). The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, but even with better weather this past week, it was only fair. El Capitan in the San Diego region is looking like it might be turning on for crappie. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
     CATFISH: Slow most places, but there was a notable bite at Casitas in the Santa Ana Arm until the water flows dropped. It produced cats up into the 20-plus pound class for a few days last week. But the rain didn’t seem to perk much other action (or the anglers catching the cats were mum). Hesperia Lake has had a pretty good catfish bite thanks to plants this week and two weeks ago. It cranked out cats to 16-plus this past week.

     SILVERWOOD: The trout bite has been good with quite a few limits reported over the past week. The best bite has been in the Sawpit area, but both Miller and Cleghorn have produced rainbows. Small trout worms or floating dough baits have been the best bait. Ed Hartman, Anaheim, landed five rainbows on Power Worms and his big fish was a 4-8 rainbows out of Miller Canyon. Fair striper bite for boat anglers fishing at the dam and in main channel on shad-like swim baits and lures. Polly Morton, Chino, caught three stripers near the dock on Super Flukes and the big fish was a 9-8. Jackson Hallbrook, Lucerne Valley, had five stripers to 5-4 on PowerBait Jerk Shad in Sawpit. A few largemouth bass are showing, but the catfish, bluegill and crappie are all very slow. The park is closed every Wednesday and Thursday 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 parking areas, or marina. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
     BIG BEAR LAKE: Very little fishing pressure. No DFG plants in over a month. Fishing information: Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
     GREGORY LAKE: No reports. No recent DFG plants. Information: 909-338-2233.
     GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
     ARROWBEAR LAKE: No report.
     JENKS LAKE: Closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

     HESPERIA LAKE: This week the lake is slated to get a plant of 1,500 pounds of catfish in addition to the 2,500 pounds of trout. Trout action has been very good with Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers have been working best. Kyle Blanchard, Riverside, caught a 16-4 rainbow on Power Bait. Harry Piles, Indio, caught 12-pound and 14-8 trout on nightcrawlers. The catfish bite has been good after a plant two weeks ago and action should continue with this week’s plant. Tray White, Bakersfield, caught a 16-4 blue cat on mackerel. Victor Huerera, Los Angeles, caught a 13-8 channel cat on shrimp. Mike Olan, Las Vegas, caught a 12-pound flathead on a nightcrawler. The last sturgeon and wiper plants were in November but a few of each show each week. Daniel Whiteman, Ventura, caught a 42 pound sturgeon on shrimp. Gary, Tom, and Kathy Lawson, Temecula, caught 10 wipers in the 2-8 to 4-8 range on anchovies. 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. Cost will be reduced to $10 on Mondays but price remains the same the rest of the week and no other discounts apply to the Monday special. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
     JESS RANCH: Good to excellent trout action with Power Bait working best in colors spring green, rainbow, chartreuse, and orange. Nightcawlers, jigs, and small trout lures are also working well. Thomas Watanuki, Apple Valley, caught a 5-14 rainbow on a green lure from the northern shore of lake 2 near the inlets. The lake is normally open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Friday from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
     MOJAVE NARROWS: Trout action has been excellent. Best bite has been on Power Worms, Power Bait, and nightcrawlers. County plants are weekly now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February, and DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. Winston Reed, Big Bear City, caught a 3-8 trout. Other species mostly slow now with the cold weather. Due to the recent flooding in the park, Horseshoe Lake has been temporarily closed due to some damage it received, however, Pelican Lake is remains open and will continue to be planted. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

     CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair trout action with fish averaging about one pound. Best bite has been on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. County plants are every week now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February, and there was a DFG plant this week and three weeks ago. Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: The third of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here this Saturday, Feb. 6, with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The lake will be closed this Thursday and Friday in order to prepare for the derby. The trout action has been slow this past week. Bright colors of Power Bait have been working best, and with the water a little milky, adding scent is really helping get a few fish on the stringer. County trout are planted every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. There is also a bonus plant of 2,000 pounds of trophy trout going in prior to the derby. Other parks hosting derbies are as follows: Mojave Narrows, March 20; and Glen Helen, April 10. All derbies are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). All other species very slow. Information: 909-597-4260.
     YUCAIPA: Good trout action. County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season, except the last week of February. DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. Trout to 8-8 and many limits were reported. There has also been a good carp bite for those targeting them. Slow other species. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
     GLEN HELEN: Good trout action with quite a few limits reported in recent days. County plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season, except for the last week in February. DFG trout plants went in last week and three weeks ago. Robert Garcia, Ontario, caught a limit of trout totaling nine pounds with a three-pounder topping the catch. Garcia was using green and yellow Power Bait at the large lake. Catfish and carp action has been good recently as well. Isac Rodriguez, Redlands, caught a six-pound carp on nightcrawler at the large lake. Slow other species. 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: Striper action was excellent this past week with many big fish reported thanks to two trout plants last week. Swimbaits, plugs, and large topwater lures were the ticket. Top spots were the points near the marina and the inlet. Steve Nicholas, Hemet, caught two stripers at 14.28 and 18.65 pounds fishing from shore with a Lunker Punker. Gabriel Correa, Riverside, landed a 16-pound striper fishing along the west dam with a swimbait. Kenny Baldwin, Highland, got three stripers at 13, 12.5, and 10 pounds using a Producer Plug. Mark Franco, Yucaipa, brought in four stripers at 11.2, 10.8, 10.2, and 9.11 pounds fishing near the inlet with a jointed Rapala. Other anglers to land stripers over 12 pounds were Matthew Johnson, Hemet, Sheldon Johnson, Hemet, Chuck Chambers, Moreno Valley, and Mike Southerland, Fontana. Largemouth action was good to excellent this past week. Swimbaits fished slowly in 40 to 60 feet of water produced some of the best stringers this past week. One angler reported a five fish stringer totaling 45 pounds with a fish over 13 pounds topping the catch using this method. No catfish reports this past week, but top spots have been near the attenuator and the east dam on mackerel, shrimp, and anchovies. There have been a few reports of good crappie action but anglers have not been very eager to give up their methods or spots. Fishing in 20 to 30 feet of water off the dams with nightcrawlers or jigs has been a good bet for crappie in the past. For general lake, launch, and fishing information, call 800-590-LAKE, the marina at 951-926-7201 or www.dvmarina.com, or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.lastchancebaitandtackle.com.
     PERRIS: Better weather this past week helped the action here and a DFG trout plant helped kick the trout bite into gear with a fair number of nice stringers landed. Josh Whithead, Nuevo, caught three trout to 2.3 pounds on nightcrawlers. The trout have been showing all along the west side of the lake with Lots 11 and 12, the launch ramp area, and the marina all good bets. The largemouth bass are also starting to perk a little on plastics, swimbaits and nightcrawlers. Todd Retsch, Oregon, caught a trio of bass to 5.7 pounds on swimbaits at the dam, while Ron Walton, Moreno Valley, caught a 3.6-pounder largemouth on a nightcrawler. A few redear continue to show, mostly off the marina docks, but few fish are over 3/4-pounder now. Red worms, nightcrawler pieces, and small jigs have all been getting a few fish. Carp are mostly slow, but a few are being caught in Sail Cove and off Lots 11 and 12. Other species very slow. The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday 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. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
     SKINNER: The trout action has remained the best bet here this past week thanks to a DFG trout plant last week. The best bite has been around Ramp No. 2, but the holdover rainbows are showing in the entire east end of the lake on PowerBait dough and nightcrawlers. Jeff Larson, Wildomar, had three rainbows to three-pounds on worms in the east end. Joe Garcia, Vista, had four rainbows to 1 1/2 pounds on PowerBait at Ramp No. 2. The striped bass bite has improved a little over the last two weeks, but it still remains slow with only a few fish coming from very deep water on cut baits or deeply trolled lures. Dennis Shepherd, Murrieta, caught five stripers to five pounds on swimbaits for a full day of hard effort. The odd catfish is being caught by striper anglers, but they are very slow. A few largemouth and bluegill reported, but those bites are also very slow. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
     ELSINORE: Very light fishing pressure and few reports. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
     CORONA LAKE: Water remains off-color and spilling over the dam, but the trout action continues pretty good on with heavily scented baits. Whether you use a dough bait or an inflated nightcrawler, the key is to add scent to the bait and then keep adding new scent every 10 or 15 minutes. Garlic Gravy has been one of the most popular additive scents this past week. Baits also must be kept on a short leader so they are close to the bottom. Six-inch leaders have proven about right this week. Andre Bouscory and Jerry Avina, both Santa Ana, teamed up to land 10 rainbows for 26 pounds total, including one of the week’s best rainbows at 6 1/2 pounds. Roger Wilmosky and Tonya Lenherdt, both Fullerton, caught four rainbows with their top fish also a 6 1/2 pounder. The big news, however, was a 103-pound sturgeon landed by Scott James, Corona, on chicken liver fishing from a boat. A few other sturgeon have also been caught in the past couple of weeks, with shrimp a top bait. There is 24-hour fishing this Friday and Saturday. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglake.com.
     EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Other species slow.
     RANCHO JURUPA: County trout plants of 1,500 pounds are going in alternating weeks this year. The most recent plant was last Thursday and the next plant will be Feb. 11. A DFG trout plant was also scheduled for this week. No reports. Information: 951-684-7032.
     FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
     ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
     REFLECTION LAKE: Good trout bite with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. Fair to good catfish action, with some bluegill still showing as well. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
     JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good trout action, mostly on one to two-pound fish. Best bite on most trout dough baits and nightcrawlers. Plants twice a month through April. Still a few catfish showing on chicken liver with mackerel. 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: Trout action is mostly slow with simply no reports in the past week. No recent trout plants. 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: Runoff has dimmed the water clarity but anglers are still seeing good stringers of rainbow trout come from the lakes complex, and a few sturgeon are also showing. A plant of trophy-sized rainbows was slated for this week, and there have been a total of four major plants over the last three weeks. The best action is on floating dough baits on short leaders, keeping the bait within six to eight inches of the bottom. Norris Neale, Lakewood, had the week’s top rainbow, a 6 3/4-pounder caught on a trout worm off the Toad Road. The two sturgeon reported at the tackle shop were both right at four-pounds, and both were landed on floating dough baits. Mike Gonzales, Pomona, landed one, and the other was caught by Christian Villanueva, Santa Ana. Both were caught off the Sandy Beach. There is 24-hour fishing this Friday and Saturday night. Ongoing big fish derby runs through Feb. 28 had a $6,000 Alaskan fishing trip as the top prize. Private boats are no longer allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes due to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system. Information: 714-632-7830.
     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: Trout action was good this past week. Boat Dock Cove saw the best action because it was one of the areas with the clearest water after the rains. Power Bait has been a good bet, and several anglers reported easy limits while trolling Rapala TD07s. David Nunn, Orange, got an 11-pound rainbow trout on a Thomas Buoyant at the west shore. Mike Sachse, Santa Ana, hooked into a 10-10 trout on a Rapala at the west shore. Victor Joaquin, Orange, caught his own 10-10 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the west shore. Raymond Gonzalez, Santa Ana, reeled in a 9-4 rainbow on a Mira-Shad fishing mid-lake. A plant of 2,000 pounds of hybrid stripers went in last week and they have spread throughout the lake but the action has not kicked in on these fish just yet. Another plant is slated for this week of the one to two-pound fish, and like all bass in Irvine, they are catch-and-release only. Largemouth action has been fair to good with fish showing in the two to three-pound range. The occasional catfish is still being landed. Santiago Carrillo, Silverado, landed a 14-pound channel catfish on chicken liver at the inlet. Fishing in the Kids Lagoon has been very good. Kids who catch one of each species of trout will be entered into a prize raffle. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
     LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: No report. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

     CACHUMA: Bass action is fair for both largemouth and smallmouth. Top spot was the east end of the lake. Steve Morris, Lompoc, got a four fish stringer of bass consisting of both largemouth and smallmouth fishing the upper end of the lake in 20 to 35 feet of water with a drop-shot rig. Trout action just fair despite a DFG trout plant last week. Jim Stornetta, Santa Maria, caught a limit of trout fishing mid-lake. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html. The marina is closed and boat rentals have ceased. 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: Bass fishing has improved with more fish working shallow in 10 to 15 feet of water on plastics and nightcrawlers, but the best bite is still in deeper water. Travis Walters, Oakview, had a 9.3-pound largemouth on a plastic this past week. The catfish action in the Santa Ana Arm of the lake has slowed as the flow of water from the rains slowed. The action had been pretty fair on chunks of mackerel. Joey LeSuer, Ojai, caught a 21-pounder, and Shaun Flaherty, Oakview, landed a 16-12. The bite has slowed this week. The scheduled DFG trout plant last week did not go in, and that bite is slow. Crappie and redear also slow. Private boats are allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
     CASTAIC: The action is still a little slow for both stripers and largemouth. The stripers that are being caught are mostly small and are showing on anchovies (if you can get them), sardines, and nightcrawlers. Kong Island, the forebay buoy line, and Sharron's Rest were the top spots. The occasional big striper is still showing on swimbaits fished along the shoreline near the marina or the corner of the dam near the tower. Ken Hemer, Castaic, caught an 8.6-pound striper on a Tail Spinner at the marina. The largemouth bite is just fair. Anglers have been using spoons and jigs along the points or in the backs of the coves with some success. The lagoon has remained a good bet with largemouth and trout showing in fair numbers. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.
     PIRU: Continued light fishing pressure this past week, but there has been fair trout action with the most recent DFG plant two weeks ago. The best action has been on floating baits and small lures and jigs and the marina area is best. The largemouth bass action is slow to fair on jigging spoons, ice jigs, and plastics in 30 to 50 feet of water. A few crappie continue to show on small jigs, but the bluegill, redear, and catfish are mostly very slow. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or www.camplakepiru.com.
     PYRAMID: A DFG trout plant last week (Jan. 25) has led to pretty decent trout action, especially in the marina area. The best bite has been on small spinners and spoons and PowerBait-type dough baits. The striper bite has been spotty with a few smaller fish to five pounds caught on swim baits and cut bait, but a 20-pounder was reported at the dam this past weekend. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bites are just starting to perk a little with the better weather, but they are still mostly in deeper water and showing on plastics and jigs. The redear, bluegill, and catfish are all very slow. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
     QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
     PUDDINGSTONE: Slowing trout action with the last DFG plant three weeks ago. Best action on floating baits. Slow to fair action on largemouth bass on plastics in deeper water. A few redear are also showing again. Slow other species. Information: 909-599-8411.
     SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Slow to fair action on floating baits, trout plastics, and trout jigs. The catfish, bluegill, and largemouth action all very slow. Information: 626-334-1065.
     ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant four weeks ago.
     CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
     ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant four weeks ago.
     EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
     HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
     HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
     JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant last week.
     LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant four weeks ago.
     MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. 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 www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     HODGES: The lake is closed for the season. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     EL CAPITAN: The 171 anglers checked reported catching 163 bass, 66 crappie, four bluegill, and four catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     LOWER OTAY: The 169 anglers checked reported catching 213 bass to 7.3 pounds, five bluegill to .89 pounds, and four crappie to .8 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will not be renting boats November, December, or January. Rentals resume Feb. 6 on a Saturday-Sunday schedule. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     UPPER OTAY: There were seven anglers who reported catching 13 bass to 4.8 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for catch-and-release fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is open. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     MURRAY: There were 45 anglers checked and they reported catching 33 trout, one catfish, and six bass. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. DFG trout plant this week. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. The lake is no longer renting boats of any kind.
     MIRAMAR: There were 92 anglers who caught 36 trout and nine bass. Trout plant slated for this week. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. The lake is no longer renting boats of any kind.
 Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.
     SUTHERLAND: Closed. It will reopen in March. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     WOHLFORD: Trout action is starting to rebound after the heavy rains. Inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been working best. Rick Frisbey, Escondido, caught a 3-7 rainbow on green Power Bait. Some catfish are still showing on cut baits at the buoy lines. Jeff Wingo, Lemon Grove, caught a 4-7 catfish on a nightcrawler in Willow Cove. Trout were planted last week. The bass fishing was slow to fair this past week. Slow other species. The lake is open 7 days a 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: No recent DFG plants.
     DIXON LAKE: Very good trout action after the plant last week. Nightcrawlers, rainbow Power Bait, small crappie jigs, Power Worms, Rooster Tails, Kastmasters, and Thomas Buoyants have all been producing for trout. Chris Stedman, Escondido, caught the top trout so far this season at 11 pounds on a Rattletrap. Aiden Olinger, 5, Vista, landed a 4-8 rainbow on a nightcrawler at the north buoy line. Bass action is mostly slow with a few fish showing in Trout Cove. Some catfish are also showing on chicken liver, mackerel, and shrimp. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
     POWAY: The annual free kids fishing derby this Saturday, February 6. Registration begins at 6 a.m. and fishing will continue until noon. The participating youths will be invited for a lunch immediately following the derby, and then at 1 p.m. the award ceremonies will begin. 4,000 pounds of trout will be planted and the lake will be closed for fishing and boating Thursday at noon and remain closed all of Friday in preparation for the event. Adult fishing will be closed until 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Trout fishing has been inconsistent with fair to very good action reported. Some limits were reported and a couple big fish were taken. Top spots were the middle of the lake, the eastern shore, and near the fishing pier. Taylor Stone, Poway, caught a six-pound trout on a nightcrawler fishing mid-lake. Steve Nelson, Poway, landed a six-pound rainbow on a nightcrawler and Power Bait combo in Hidden Bay. Alexandra Krupnak, Poway, hooked into a 5.25-pound rainbow at the east shore. Bass action fair. Very good catfish bite in Boulder Bay. Slow other species. The lake will also be closed February 15 for Presidents’ Day. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
     JENNINGS: The trout bite is still fair to good. The lake will receive trout plants each week for the duration of trout season. Cactus Patch, Half Moon Cove, and Sentry Points have been the top spots for trout, with inflated nightcrawlers and salmon peach Power Bait top baits. The bass bite is fair with the best action in 40 to 50 feet of water. Crawdads, jigs, and drop-shotted plastic worms have been working well. Swimbaits should also be productive for largemouth but no anglers have been using them. Very light fishing pressure for catfish but the bite is good as some anglers continue to land catfish while fishing for trout. Twilight boat rentals are returning -- $20 for the last three hours the lake is open. The lake will be open Monday, January 18. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
     MORENA: Trout action is fair to good. Nightcrawlers have been the top bait. Jerry Garcia, El Cajon, caught a 9-10 rainbow. Dan Deems, Descanso, landed a five-pound trout. Catfish action has been fair with anglers using lighter line and weight setups seeing much better results. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
     CUYAMACA: Excellent trout action with many anglers getting limits in under an hour of fishing. Other species are mostly slow. 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 www.lakecuyamaca.org.
     HENSHAW: No report available. 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: www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/rivops.html.
     LAKE MEAD: Mostly slow action with a spotty striped bass action with fish in deeper water at the dam. Still some decent action in Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam on cut anchovies, sardines, shad-like lures. Most fish under four pounds. But a few bigger fish are showing after trout plants. Slow catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is slow to fair off the points in deeper water.
     WILLOW BEACH: Trout bite is fair to good with weekly plants. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Slow to fair striper action. Night fishing has been the best bet with a fair number of five to 10 pounders on A.C. Plugs or similar lures, but there were rumors of a pair of 40-plus pounders in the past week. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
     LAKE MOHAVE: Slow, slow, slow striper action in the southern portion of the lake. Only a few fish reported from 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. The Cottonwood area seems to be starting to turn around a little for the stripers, but still very tough. Bass and bluegill also very slow throughout the lake. Catfish are slow on cut baits, but a few were reported this past weekend during the full moon. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
     LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: The trout bite continues to be pretty good. There are monthly plants at Davis Camp and the Sportsman’s Access, and the last stock was two weeks ago, when 4,000 fish averaging 12 inches were planted. The next stock is slated for Feb. 24 with the same numbers to go in. There will also be a kid’s fishing clinic at Davis Camp right after that next plant on the 24th. Top fish reported this week were a 6.19-pound cutthroat landed by Barry Gordon, Bullhead, off his own dock fishing nightcrawlers. Matt Furgeson, Bullhead, had rainbows at 4.15 and 2.78 pounds on nightcrawlers at the Riverside Casino. The bite has been best from the casinos all the way down to Rotary Park. Other species are very slow. An April 50-50 Derby has been set up to benefit Special Olympics. Entry is $12 per category (stripers, catfish, and trout). Information: Riviera Marina at 928-763-8550.
     NEEDLES AREA: There is a slow to fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river from Needles south to I-40, mostly on small cranks. Slow striper action, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under two pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
     TOPOCK AREA: There has been fair action on both crappie and bass in the marsh this week. The crappie are best in the north dike area on minnows or Roadrunner jigs, while the bass are showing throughout the area, mostly on slow-fished plastics or jigs. The main river has been slow for stripers, but there continues to be a decent pick on smallmouth bass from Needles all the way to Lake Havasu. Best action on small cranks and drop-shotted plastics. 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: While the bite has been slow overall, a recent bass event shows that the deep water smallmouth action is pretty decent for anglers fishing up in the river or fishing vertical jigs in deeper water for two to three-pound fish. The striper action is very spotty, too, with only a few fish showing on shad-like baits early in the morning or after dark. , and the action is mostly around the island. Largemouth, channel catfish, flatheads, and redear also very slow. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
     PARKER STRIP: Mostly very slow action. Channel catfish have been slow this past week, but the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are fair at best. Bluegill and redear are slow in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Few flathead reports.
     BLYTHE: Warmer weather this week has improved the catfish action in the main river and local canals, many of which are still off-color after last week’s tornado. Merlin Richens and Larry Williams, both Utah, caught eight channels and one flathead this pat week. Joe Adame, Blythe, caught a three-pound channel cat. The smallmouth bite in the main river along the rip-rap has also perked a little, but still is just fair, and a few largemouth are starting to be caught now. Bluegill still slow. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
     PALO VERDE: Very light fishing pressure. The catfish action has improved this past week with the better weather, and a few bass and bluegill are starting to show from the area backwaters. The main river is still mostly slow, but a few channels and smallmouth bass are starting to be caught. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
     PICACHO AREA: Slow action with no reports in the past week. A few cats and largemouth had been starting to show before the latest round of storms last week.
     MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Improving bass and catfish action. Largemouth bass fair on plastics and live bait. Channel catfish and flatheads are both improving but the bite is still spotty. Few crappie and bluegill yet. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or www.martinezlake.com.
     YUMA AREA: Bass action is slow in the main river and a little better in river backwaters on minnows and plastics. Both channel catfish and flathead are slow in the main river with only the rare flathead showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

     SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite is still very slow but a few days of warm weather could kick this bite back on. Little pressure at the state park jetty or the Yacht Club jetty this past week. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
     ALAMO RIVER: Few reports.
     COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports.
     ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
     FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
     WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
     SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks.
     LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

     GENERAL: General trout season reopens in Inyo and Mono counties on Saturday, April 24. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or www.bishopvisitor.com, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites for the winter are: www.KensSport.com (Bridgeport region), www.TheTroutFly.com, and www.SierraDrifters.com.
     BRIDGEPORT REGION: Cold and icy conditions and flows on the East Walker remain very low and the bite is very tough in the afternoons in the runs and pools. Most action on midges and caddis nymph patterns. This is a catch-and-release water open year-around. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
     MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek, both open to year-around catch-and-release fishing, but access is tough with a lot of snow-slogging required. That said, Hot Creek has been pretty fair on midges and small mayflies patterns with some dry-fly action. The Upper Owens is tough with the fish not up out of Crowley in big numbers, yet, but those in the river are concentrated in a few pockets. The action on smaller, resident trout is spotty. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
     BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair to good and there was an Alpers’ trout plant recently that produced some quality fish. The Wild Trout section of lower Owens River remains just fair for fly anglers with little surface activity now. The lower Owens from Laws to Stewart Lane and Pleasant Valley did get DFG trout plants last week. Owens Gorge fair for small browns. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,

WESTERN SIERRA

     LAKE ISABELLA: The trout bite has been pretty fair at the auxiliary dam on nightcrawlers and floating dough baits, and there has continued to be a fair to good catfish bite in the French Gulch and Engineer Point areas on frozen shad. The odd good largemouth also continues to be caught, but that bite is still pretty tough. Other species are slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     KERN RIVER: Continued slow fishing along the whole upper Kern River. The few fish caught this past week were on small, deeply fished nymphs or salmon eggs. The lower river is slow, too, with only a few small smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or James Store 760-376-2424.
     AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striped bass bite is still pretty fair and a lot of 24-inch class fish, well over the 18-inch minimum size, have been caught on blood worms or sand worms this past week. Also still a few catfish showing. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     HART PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Fair action on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers doused with garlic scent. Other species are very slow.
     TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Just fair trout action. Flies and jigs under a float still working, but the usual floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers also working. Other species very slow.
     RIVER WALK PARK: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Just fair action. Bass and bluegill very slow.
     MING LAKE: Pretty fair trout action on PowerBait and garlic nightcrawlers. DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Other species are slow.
     BRITE LAKE: No DFG trout plant in over a month.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout action continues pretty good with quality fish a part of many stringers after this past weekend’s Innagural Two-Day Trout Derby on Lake Evans. The top fish was a 13 1/2-pounder caught by Jose Rodriguez, Bakersfield, on a small swim bait. Lots of quality fish still in the lake. The winter crappie bite is slow to fair on live minnows with fish to two pounds showing. A few catfish are also starting to show, but no big fish this week. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     WOOLLOMES LAKE: No DFG trout plants in over a month. Slow action. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.
     SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Other species mostly slow with a few bass still showing in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
     KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Mostly slow action on other species with only a few bass and the odd redear showing. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

     SAN ANTONIO: Very few reports. Information: 805-472-2818.
     NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action with jigs, plastics, and swim baits all producing fish. Other species slow. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
     SANTA MARGARITA: Bass action still slow, but a few crappie are showing on small jigs. Very light fishing pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
     LOPEZ: Very light fishing pressure, but the bite was pretty good on crappie at the dam. The bass bite has been fair with the smallmouth bass best in the finger coves near the dam. Few other reports. 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 http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/index.asp.
     ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Central Park Lake.
     SAN DIEGO: Chollas Reservoir, Lindo Lake, Murray Reservoir.
     IMPERIAL: Sunbeam Lake, Wiest Lake.
     INYO: Lower Owens River from Stewart Lane to Laws.
     RIVERSIDE: Lake Evans, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.
     SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake.
     FRESNO: Avacado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.

CATFISH PLANTS

     No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

     LONG RANGE TUNA ACTION AWESOME: The action on cow and super cow yellowfin tuna continues to be awesome for the long-range boats out of San Diego fishing down off the tip of Baja, but rain and wind the last several day have plagued the boats fishing these grounds. Anglers on the Royal Polaris had 19 fish on Tuesday from 80 to 150 pounds in spite of stormy weather. The action was excellent from late last week into Saturday before the weather changed and several fish in the high 200-pound class were posted. This bite has been nothing short of phenomenal.
     HUMBOLDT SQUID STILL EXCELLENT: Anglers have been seeing excellent action on the giant Humboldt squid out of San Diego, Oceanside, and now all the way up into the Santa Monica Bay. The best trips are twilight boats that run from 6 p.m. until guys get bored or have their fill of squid. The catch has been four to five per squid per person on slower nights and up to eight or 10 per rod on the average, wild fishing evenings. And the fishing has been wild much of the past week on these 15 to 50-pound Humboldts. Most landings from the Santa Monica Bay into San Diego are now running twilight squid jaunts.
     MEXICO ROCKFISH TRIPS: The overnight to and two-day rockfish trips out of San Diego targeting Mexican waters continue to have excellent fishing for a wide range of rockfish, including lings and cows. Limits have been common, and the weather this past week has generally been very good.
     ISLAND UPDATES: Better weather conditions has allowed for private boats and a few skippers are running their charter boats out to the local islands, but across the boat, the exotics are still not showing. White seabass and yellowtail are mostly absent from the catch, but Catalina and Clemente have had pretty decent calico bass and bonito action.
     LONG BEACH HALIBUT DERBY: The annual Long Beach Sportfishing Halibut Derby is ongoing. The big fish at the top of the list right now still just under 13 pounds. Every one riding a sportfishing trip out of Long Beach is eligible, and for more information, anglers can go to www.LongBeachSportfishing.com.
     LOCAL NEARSHORE ACTION: In spite of better weather, there is little change on this scene. The half- and three-quarter day boats are seeing just a pick on the bass and sculpin. The best bite still has been in the Santa Monica Bay with three to five mixed fish per road had been common on most days.
     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. The next charter is a two-day, Mexican-waters rockfish trip aboard the Black Pearl leaving Feb. 26. Cost is $199 and limited to 22 anglers. To book a spot or find out about other upcoming 976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426 or go to the website at www.976-TUNA.com. Anglers may also want to mark the calendar for the five-day Palmas de Cortez trip to the East Cape May 2-7, the Fiesta de 976-TUNA annual sportsman’s tournament and educational event.

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 has merged with Channel Islands Sportfishing; 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.