|
April 30, 2008
JIM
MATTHEWS’
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Head
north. The crowds are gone after the opening weekend in the Eastern
Sierra, but the fishing is still excellent. It even looks like the windy
weather through the middle part of the week will moderate for the
weekend. Top spot in the Sierra? For fly-fishermen, it would have to be
the East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir where the browns and
rainbows are averaging -- averaging! -- 15 to 20 inches. But a close
second would be for the spawning rainbows that are packed into the
Owens, Convict and McGee creeks, and the smaller Crowley Lake
tributaries, Hilton and Crooked creeks. For catch and release anglers,
this fishing is exceptional on egg patterns for these Crowley Lake fish
that have run up out of the lake. For updates on the Walker, contact
Ken’s Sporting Goods in Bridgeport at 760-932-7707. For info on the
Crowley Lake spawners, check with Performance Anglers in Mammoth Lakes
760-934-2181, The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, or Sierra Drifters Guide
Service at 760-935-4250.
2. The ocean bite is finally breaking open with the spring white seabass
bite kicking into gear at Catalina Island early this week. On Monday, a
private boaters reported seeing big schools of seabass just under the
surface and all anglers on his boat limited in a few minutes. On
Tuesday, the Phantom (www.phantomfishin.com) was out with eight anglers
and three crew and the whole boat limited on white seabass to 40 pounds.
Once limited (one fish each) on the seabass, the anglers focused on
halibut and calico bass, getting four flatties to 18 pounds and 32
calicos. Tides get better every day this week and the weather is
improving into the weekend. Call Phantom Sportfishing at 562-221-5017 or
Pierpoint Landing at 562-983-9300 for an update on this bite.
3. Still can’t leave Diamond Valley Lake out of the top picks. The
largemouth bass bite is still excellent, maybe even better than last
week. The trout bite continues to rival anything happening in the
Sierra, and the catfish, bluegill, and crappie bites are all really
starting to take off. It is just one of the best places to fish in
Southern California. For updates, check with the marina staff at
951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT:
Generally good fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra on opening
Saturday, but slower fishing in many popular locations on Sunday. Top
bets include the East Walker River, Bridgeport Reservoir, upper Owens
River above Crowley, Crowley Lake, and Sabrina (through the ice and in
open water – ice fishing isn’t recommended this week, though). For ice
fishermen, Virginia Lakes and Rock Creek Lake were very good, but ice is
getting soft fast with warm, windy weather. So caution is advised there.
There is still very good trout action throughout the Southern California
region. Top bets are Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, and Irvine
Lake. In the High Desert, Hesperia Lake, Jess Ranch, and Mojave Narrows
all have been good this week, too. The San Bernardino County Park lakes
are all dwindling after the last plants of the season went in over the
last two weeks. In San Diego County, Wohlford, Dixon, Poway, Jennings,
Morena, and Cuyamaca have consistently fair to good bites after weekly
plants. In the southern Sierra, Lake Isabella and the Kern River are
both very good.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Diamond Valley, Casitas, Perris, Skinner, Castaic,
Cachuma, Isabella, Piru, Sutherland, San Vicente, and Lower Otay all
have been good this past week. Add in Silverwood and Pyramid. Poway, El
Capitan, Hodges, and Wohlford all have fair to good bites. On the
Central Coast, Nacimiento still has a good spotted bass bite, and Lopez
is worth fishing for largemouths. Keep in mind all of the local lakes
with bass still have fish on beds. While the spawn is winding down at
low-elevation waters, higher elevation waters are right in the middle of
the deal.
STRIPED BASS: Pyramid was good to excellent last week. Skinner has fair
to good action, too, and the reports coming in from Castaic and
Silverwood show these bites are also breaking open. On the Colorado
River, the best action has been at Havasu and Mead where a lot of
smaller fish to six pounds showing. Even the lower river below Havasu
has areas of fair to good action all the way to Palo Verde. No monster
fish at Willow or in Mohave reported this week, though.
PANFISH: The panfish bites are just starting to really turn on just
about everywhere. There are very good crappie bites at Buena Vista Lake
(near Taft) and Lake Isabella. While the Hodges bite slowed some, other
budding crappie bites to note are at Henshaw, Elsinore, Perris, Lopez,
and Piru. Bluegill and redear are also starting to improve across the
board. A few big bluegill are showing at Diamond Valley, Perris, and
Casitas, and there are bite starting just about in every water that has
these panfish.
CATFISH: More fish are showing at Hesperia Lake thanks to weekly plants
of pan-sized and trophy cats. Diamond Valley still has a pretty good
bite, and other waters throughout Southern California are just starting
to turn on. Many of the urban programs will be switching over the
catfish plants in the coming weeks as trout season winds down. The
Colorado River has been consistently good in the past week with
flatheads to 35 pounds reported.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The stripers are moving up and the action is good on
swimbaits and mackerel. There are small surface boils in the early
mornings and late evenings. George Simpson, Apple Valley, caught a 6-8
striper on anchovies and nightcrawlers by the dam. Eddy Ayala, Fontana,
landed a four-pound striper on anchovies in Cleghorn. Trout bite good by
the dam on meal worms and nightcrawlers. Trollers are having luck with
Needlefish and Super Dupers. Karen Paulson, Chino, caught a three-pound
trout. DFG trout plant this week. Largemouth bass action is slow to fair
with some fish being taken on plastics and nightcrawlers. Information:
marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store
760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The trout action improved with fish biting all over the
lake on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers are using Needlefish in
the red dot frog pattern or Thomas Buoyants. The hottest fishing areas
are near Trout Triangle and by Eagle and Lagonita Point. Bait anglers
are using dough baits and inflated nightcrawlers. Greg Long, Yucaipa,
caught a 5.09-pound rainbow. Upcoming events: May Trout Classic set for
May 17 and 18. Call (909) 585-4007 to enter or for information. Lake
information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods
909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Mostly slow action with a few trout on floating baits
fished close to the bottom. DFG trout plant last week. Information:
909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Green Valley Lake officially opens for the season on
Thursday, May 15, after a plant of Alpers' trout, and it is scheduled to
receive two plants per month. The lake is currently at full pool and
overflowing thanks to the heavy snowpack in the San Bernardino
Mountains. The 2008 fishing fees are $15 per day for adults, $10 for
children. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and parking is free. No
float tubes or private boats are allowed, but there are row boats
available for rent. The recorded information line is 909-867-20090.
Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: The lake has opened for the season. DFG trout plant last
week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers and Power Bait.
JENKS LAKE: The trout bite has been slow to fair, but some float tube
anglers have managed to get limits of holdover trout. No DFG plants yet
this season. The bass action has been fair with some quality fish
showing. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The weekly Monday catfish plants include 500 pounds of
brooder blue cats over 15 pounds. Even bigger trophy catfish from 25 to
35 pounds will be planted beginning in May. This week 2,200 pounds of
Alpers’ trout went in. The rainbow trout are mostly two-pounders with
some to 12 pounds. Top catches this week include James Bunt, Los
Angeles, who caught an 8-8 trout on nightcrawlers off the grassy bank.
Jo Rodriguez, Hesperia, caught an eight-pound trout in the inlet on
Power Bait. Nathan Rios, Glendale, caught a 7-8 trout off the northshore.
David Peterson, Barstow, caught a six-pound trout on meal worms. Top
catfish was a 18-4 landed by Marcus Yanez, Rialto, on shrimp. Greg
Johnson, Los Angeles, landed a 17-pounder off the north shore on the M&M
(marshmallow and mackerel) combo. A 35-pound sturgeon was caught by
Robert Robertson, Barstow, on nightcrawlers. Michael Steigar, Hemet,
caught a 19-pound sturgeon on mackerel. Day session hours are 6 a.m. to
5 p.m. with the night session fromn 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per
angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Very good trout action on both lakes with lots of limits and
fish over three pounds on Power Bait (sherbert, orange, yellow, and
nymph), inflated nightcrawlers doused with attractant, jigs, lures and
Senkos. Hot spots include the grassy point, the eastern logged shore and
the western shore of lake 3, as well as the northern, eastern and
western shores of lake 2. Dennis Gamble, Victorville, caught a 6-5 trout
on rainbow Power Bait. Jason Ocull, Apple Valley, landed a 5-11 trout.
Ronnie Byars, South Carolina, caught a 4-6 rainbow. Chris Littleton,
Rialto, caught a 4-4 trout on an orange Lip RipperZ. Mark Jackson of
Palmdale caught his 3 lbs 11ozs trout on a Power mouse near the drain on
lake the western shore of lake 3. Bass are fair with fish up to four
pounds drop-shot plastics, spinnerbait and Senkos. Hot spots for bass
include the northern shore of lake 3 and the western, southern and
northern shores of lake 2. Bluegill still not up yet, but should be on
beds in the next week or two. The Lakes' Hatchery stocks trout every
Friday year round. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or
www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Fair to good trout bite with fish up into the
seven-pound range and some bigger. Top baits are Power Bait (rainbow,
red, white and blue, and orange), nightcrawlers and plastic trout worms.
Action is best in the morning from both Pelican and Horseshoe Lake. DFG
trout plant this week. No more county trout plants will go in this
season. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair trout action with a lot of limits reported on
Power Bait, jigs, and nightcrawlers. Most of the fish are from one to
two pounds. DFG trout plant last week. No more county trout plants will
go in this season. Catfish season will kick off May 22. Information:
909-481-4205.
PRADO: Fair trout action with fish to two pounds on Power Bait
(chartreuse or rainbow). Catfish, bass, and carp remain slow. DFG trout
plant last week. No more trout plants will go in this season. Catfish
season will kick off May 22. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Still fair trout action this week with the best bite on Power
Bait, mini-jigs, and small trout plastics. Also a fair bite on bluegill
and carp, with the catfish still mostly slow. DFG trout plant last week.
No more county trout plants will go in this season. Catfish season will
kick off May 22. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair to good trout action this past week with some limits
reported on fish averaging from 1 1/2 to two pounds. Top trout baits
have been Power Bait (yellow or green) and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair
catfish action. Most of the cats are running two to four pounds and are
showing on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. DFG trout plant last week. No
more county trout plants will go in this season. Catfish season will
kick off May 22. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every
Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information:
909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The bass bite just keeps getting better. Anglers are
catching an abundance of fish at the east dam, off the southwest corner,
in Rawson Cove and in the shallows. Most fish have been reported in five
to 20 feet, with the bigger fish in deeper water. Drop-shotting purple
or green worms, Carolina rigged brush hogs, watermelon or green pumpkin
Senkos, flukes, and tube jigs were all reported as effective for bass.
Ande Walker, Burbank, caught a 6.5-pound bass. Tim Partee, Burbank, also
caught a 6.5-pounder. Shawn Cooley and Jeff Van Nimweson, Quail Valley,
caught a five fish limit totaling 20.15 pounds. Shore fisherman and
boaters have still been catching loads of trout. Hot spots include the
marina, the east dam, restroom 1 and 2, and the west dam. Shore anglers
have been relying on Power Bait, trout worms, mini-jigs, and Kastmasters.
Boaters found it is best to drift with nightcrawlers in the mornings.
Then when the sun gets high or the wind picks up try trolling a jointed
Rapala or nightcrawler on the surface. Dominic Donchig, Covina, landed a
7.82-pound trout on meal worms. Doug Caldwell, Upland, landed a
4.25-pound trout. Very few stripers. Anglers are using swimbaits, plugs
and large topwater baits. Good catfish bite on raw shrimp, anchovies and
mackerel in 10 to 20 feet, in the third cove and off the shoreline.
Sheldon Johnson, Hemet, caught an 8.03-pound catfish. Not too many
panfish reports this week, but anglers are fishing along the dam and
near the stairways on live worms for bluegill. Some crappie to
two-pounds have been reported. Upcoming events: “Spring Smackdown” trout
derby set for Saturday, May 17. Cash and prizes will be awarded in three
categories: adult boaters, adult shoreline and kids. Entry tickets are
$35 for adults and $10 for children. Lake and derby information:
800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle
951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: The bass action is still very good off the marina and at lots 5,
11 and 12. Top baits are nightcrawlers and plastics. Top bass was a
four-pounder landed by Priscilla Friedman, Fontana. Trout fair on worms,
Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trout hot spots also at lots 5, 11 and 12.
DFG trout plant last week. Very good bluegill bite in the marina on
crickets and meal worms. Most fish landed have been under a pound. The
crappie bite is good on jigs. Lorenzo Martinez, Los Angeles, caught a
two-pound crappie off the east side of the island. Dock fishing is
allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina
951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The largemouth bass action is still very good on jigs and
nightcrawlers in the east end and off Launch Ramp 2. Bill Justice,
Corona, landed a 4-5 largemouth on crankbait. Good striper bite on
anchovies in the inlet. Buck Miller, Escondido, landed a 5-6 striper.
The holdover trout bite is fair on Power Bait, nightcrawlers or dough
near Launch Ramp 2. DFG trout plant last week. Fair to good bluegill
action on meal worms off the east end. Some early season catfish biting
on chicken liver and crankbaits. Fish to two pounds. Information: store
951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: Crappie bite fair to good on nightcrawlers off the west
side marina. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair with a few fish in the
four-pound range landed off shore. The carp have a fair to good bite off
the east end on dough balls. The cats are showing at the state park on
mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Good bluegill bite on wax worms.
Some bass action at the southeast end on plastics. Information:
Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Trout fishing stayed hot with lots of rainbows over
10-pounds landed this past week. The bite on trout is still very good
with the best action for boat anglers. Due to warmer water temperatures
the trout are staying in the deep water. Dough baits and nightcrawlers
have both been working well for trout. Top fish this past week was an
18-4 rainbow caught by Marcos Perez, Corona. Johnny Moore, Rancho
Cucamonga, landed a 13-4, Mark Thompson, Riverside, caught a 12-pounder,
and Frank Patella, Alta Loma, caught an 11-5. Top stringer this week was
caught by Dale Cotton, Orange, who had three rainbows totaling 37-8.
More and more catfish are being reported each week with the majority
being caught on mackerel and shrimp. There also continue to be some
panfish -- bluegill and crappie -- and bass caught each week. Special
plant again this week of Sierra rainbows, a new strain of full-finned,
brilliant-colored rainbows from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms. Information:
951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Very slow. The odd trout is still showing from winter plants
and a few bass and panfish are showing for anglers fishing the
shorelines. The lake is still muddy from dredging with low visibility.
RANCHO JURUPA: Trout action slow to fair on Power Bait and worms. Most
fish are in the one to two-pound range. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout plants go in every other week and there is a
fair bite on small spinners and floating baits. Fair catfish bite from
all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel or
anchovies. Upcoming events: fishing derby every Saturday from 7 a.m. to
4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is closed this week, perhaps permanently.
REFLECTION LAKE: The lake is planted with 500 pounds of rainbow trout
each week through April. The trout bite has been very good on chartreuse
or rainbow Power Bait. Information: 951-654-7906 or
www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: The catfish bite is on with good action on
nightcrawlers, chicken liver, dough bait and mackerel. Catfish are
planted when the current stock goes below 2,000 pounds. One will go in
this week. The trout are scarce, and have been reduced to $3 per pound
to make room for the catfish. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: The bass bite has been good with the best action on plastics
and crawdads. Fair to good trout action with the best bite on
nightcrawlers. Power Bait and Power Worms are also working well for
trout, and trollers have also been having some success on Kastmasters.
Average fish size was 10 inches, and the fish are showing all over the
lake. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. 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: The big rainbows continue to show and the general
trout action remains good, in spite of the warm weather. The
newly-planted Sierra Rainbows are starting to show after a big plant
last week, and the catfish bite is warming up with the water
temperatures. Trout fishing has been best for boat anglers at the bubble
hole. Warming water has caused the fish to move into deep water. Top
baits continue to be the floating dough baits or inflated nightcrawlers.
Ryan Nguyen, Westminster, and Chris Taylor, North Hollywood, each caught
13-pound rainbows. Russ Ingram, Glendale, caught an 11-8 rainbow, and
Kerry Gayagas, Ontario, landed an 11-pounder. Levon Bodjoukya, North
Hollywood, caught a 10-pound trout. The catfish bite is starting to pick
up with the warm weather. Anglers have been having the best success for
these fish by the road, the bubble hole, and at La Palma Point. Top
baits are shrimp, mackerel, and the M&M combo (marshmallow and
mealworm). The new Mt. Lassen Trout Farms’ Sierra Rainbow Trout are also
again slated to be planted this week. Information: 714-632-7830 or
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: The good trout action is keeping anglers very busy. Many
fish over 10 pounds have been landed on a variety of baits, including
Power Bait, nightcrawlers, Kastmaster mini-jigs and trout dough. Hot
spots include Boat Dock and Woody’s Cove, as well as the flats and off
the red clay cliffs. Top trout was a 10-14 caught by Rick Reese,
Riverside. George Campos, Los Angeles, landed a 10-pounder. Mitz Onizuka,
Irvine, caught an 8-2. Tim Morlan, Anaheim, landed an eight-pounder.
Andrea Forsell, Redlands, caught a 3-1 brown. Good bass bite, with a lot
of fish in the two to four-pound range. Most legitimate sight-fishing
techniques are working very good, with dropshot-rigged lizards and tubes
being used. Crappie anglers haven’t been as good this week, although
fish to a pound and a half have been reported on Atomic Teasers. Catfish
to five pounds are becoming active on all trout dough baits. An 11-10
carp was landed this week by James Anna, Trabuco, on Power Bait in Boat
Dock Cove. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming events: The
first Night-Time Bass Tournament in several years will be held May 10,
with signups only available at the lake or Angler’s Marine. The lake’s
summer catfish opener is scheduled for June 6. Information: 714-649-9111
or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: No more trout plants will go in this season, but the
catfish plants are just around the corner, with the first one slated for
the week prior to Memorial Day Weekend. The trout bite is fair on
inflated nightcrawlers doused in garlic or corn Trout Dip or Power Bait
(red, white and blue or chartreuse) dipped in garlic Nitro Gravy in the
flats and off the launch ramp. Fighting Frog Lip RipperZ and Trout
SpoonZ are top lures for the big trout. The fish are in the two to
three-pound range, with some over. Plenty of bass action on fish in the
one- to three-pound range. The best action has been on dark-colored
plastic worms in deeper water by the dam. Some crappie showing on small
crappie jigs (chartreuse or white). The occasional catfish on mackerel
or nightcrawlers in the flats and by the launch ramp on nightcrawlers
dipped in garlic. 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: Fair trout bite in five to 20 feet for trollers using red
Needlefish and nightcrawlers. The trout are from 1 1/2 to two pounds,
with some over six pounds. Bait anglers are using rainbow Power Bait and
nightcrawlers. The trout bite is best in Cachuma Bay, just outside the
marina and on the flats. Bass bite fair in the mornings on crankbait and
plastics in the Jackrabbit Flats. Crappie bite fair on jigs and
nightcrawlers in Bobcat Canyon. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. 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 live shad are still driving the bass wild. The fish are
also taking swimbaits and plastic worms. Top bass this week was an 11-2
caught by Peter Thompson, Los Angeles, on shad. He also caught 8-2, 6-8
and 6-4 largemouths. Eric Bernaldo, Las Vegas, caught a 9-8 largemouth.
Carl Ashley, Ventura, landed 8-8 and 6-8 largemouth on shad. He also
caught a stringer of 10 crappie on live shad. Steve Gray, Ventura,
landed 20 largemouth with fish from two to three pounds on shad. The
trout action is fair at the Coyote Launch Ramp. Laren Campos, Ventura,
caught a four-pound trout. Fair to good bluegill and redear on live
worms. Catfish bite very slow. Crappie bite fair with an improving
action on jigs and live shad. Nightfishing scheduled for Thursday,
Friday and Saturday. Private boats will again be allowed at Casitas in
the near future, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock
requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. Information:
805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Fair to good largemouth bass bite, with fish from two to four
pounds. The fish arm and the lagoon are the hot spots for the bass on
plastics and swimbaits. Bobby Hernandez, Jr., Glendora, caught a
two-pound largemouth bass on plastic worms. The striper bite is fair to
good, with a few fish in the double-digits on anchovies or frozen shad.
Some carp still lurking near the west ramp on frozen shad. Trout were
planted last week, 1,500 pounds at the lagoon, and aside from a few
holdovers the action is just fair. The Ski Cove is closed for the
remainder of the spawning period this season. DFG trout plant this week.
Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Fair trout bite on Power Bait, plastic worms and nightcrawlers for
bait anglers. Trollers have been using Kastmasters, Rapalas or
Needlefish in 65 to 85 feet. Most fish are in the one to two-pound
range, with an occasional four-pounder or better. Slow to fair crappie
action in 10 to 20 feet on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound,
with a few over. Bass action fair on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in
10 to 15 feet. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park
805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: Good bass bite for anglers throwing jigs and plastics up
shallow. Lot of fish on beds. A trout plant, 3,000 pounds, went in three
weeks ago, and the bite is fair on anchovies and nightcrawlers. The
bigger stripers should come out and go after the trout from the plant,
but the striper bite has been very good on fish to six pounds this with
fish showing on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below
the gatehouse is the best area for trout and stripers. Many anglers have
caught easy limits this week. Catfish are still slow, but a 15-pound
catfish was caught last week. No bluegill or crappie reports, yet. DFG
trout plant this week. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession
661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Decent trout action on Power Bait or Lip RipperZ plastics
and worms. DFG trout plant last week. Slow to fair bass bite off the
east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits and live worms. Fair
bluegill action on meal and wax worms. Crappie bite fair on small jigs.
The action is best in or around Sailboat Cove. Information:
909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Fair to good trout action on nightcrawlers. DFG trout
plant last week. Fair bluegill action on worms and nightcrawlers in the
afternoon. Most fish are under a pound. Fair catfish action on mackerel,
shrimp or chicken liver. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. DFG catfish plant last
week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week. Information:
213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite at the drop offs on Power Bait or
nightcrawlers. Some fair carp action with fish in the 1-8 to two-pound
range on dough balls. DFG trout plant last week. Information:
818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed for fishing, but will reopen on May 7.
Reservations available through Tickemaster. Call (619) 220-8497. Lake
information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: The crappie bite slowed, but the bass action improved. This week
135 anglers checked reported 69 bass, 55 crappie, 39 bluegill, and seven
channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing and boating Wednesday,
Saturday and Sunday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: The pressure eased, and so did the bass bite. This week 106
anglers checked reported 186 bass, 28 crappie, 12 bluegill, four channel
catfish and one blue catfish. The lake will be open Thursday through
Monday for fishing. Permits on Thursday, Friday and Monday will only be
available through the Iron Ranger/Pay Station by the concession building
(exact change only). Boat rentals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
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: The bluegill bite is hot. This week 155 anglers reported 270
bluegill, 62 bass, nine crappie, nine channel catfish, four rainbow
trout and one carp. 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: Fair to good bass bite. This week 25 anglers reported
catching 27 bass. 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/.
SAN VICENTE: Very good bluegill action. This week 65 anglers reported
188 bluegill, 137 bass, 89 redear, 15 channel catfish and three blue
catfish. Michael Williams, San Diego, caught a 49.20-pound blue catfish
on mackerel. Paula Gilham, San Diego, caught a 23-pound channel catfish
on chicken liver. Jameel Bingham, San Diego, landed a 2.25-pound
bluegill on meal worms. The lake is open Thursday through Sunday for
fishing and boating. Rentals are available Thursdays and Fridays only.
The shoreline from the launch ramp to the buoy line is closed to all
activities. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Very good rainbow trout action. This week 145 anglers checked
reported 98 rainbow trout, 77 bass and 40 bluegill. DFG trout plant last
week. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat
rentals are available Saturday and Sunday. Information: 619-465-3474 or
www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Fair rainbow trout action. This week 70 anglers checked
reported 32 rainbow trout, 18 bass and seven channel catfish. The lake
is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals available Saturday
and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: The bass action is excellent. This week 84 anglers checked
reported 371 bass, 31 crappie and five channel catfish. Leonard Jones,
San Diego, caught a 5.05-pound largemouth on OBB jigs. Richard White,
San Diego, caught a 4.87-pound bass. The lake is open for fishing and
boating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boar rentals available on
Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or
www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: The good trout bite will continue with 1,200 pounds going in
this week. Best trout areas have been in Boat Dock Cove, off the Senior
Shoreline, and in Willow Cove. Top baits have been Power Bait,
nightcrawlers or Power worms. The bass are mainly in the shallows biting
Senkos, swimbaits, crawdads, live golden shiners, and plastic worms.
Jonas Banuelos, Vista, caught a 5-11 bass on a blue and white Panfish
Assassin at the west buoy line. Squire Greenlee, Valley Center, caught a
3-8 bass. Crappie have started to bite with the water warming and
rising. The catfish bite is picking up with some decent channel cats
landed on shrimp or anchovies. Carp fishing also on the upswing. There
is a temporary ban on private boat launches, canoes, kayaks, float
tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to quagga mussels.
Rental boats available. Information: 760-839-4346 or
www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: The trout action is very good. Plenty of fish are still lurking
after last week’s 2,400-pound plant last week. The best baits have been
yellow Power Bait, nightcrawlers and Thomas Buoyants. Hot spots have
been in Trout Cove and near pier No. 3. Average trout is between one and
two pounds A few catfish were reported on cut mackerel or nightcrawlers
in the deeper parts of the lake or near the buoy. Lake information:
760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The trout bite slowed, although some fish over 10 pounds have
been landed on Power Bait, nightcrawlers and worms. Fair bass bite along
the shorelines on plastic worms. Tony Orlinda, Ramona, caught a
9.1-pound trout on nightcrawlers. Vito Ligeralde, Mira Mesa, landed an
8.3-pound trout, at the east end. Anthony Poynor, Santee, caught a
6.5-pound trout. No more trout plants will go in this season. The
bluegill bite is still slow. Some catfish starting to show on mackerel
along the Log Boom. The shoreline is now open for fishing in the curtain
area. The lake is open for fishing Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise
(6 a.m.) to sunset. No outside boats are allowed on the lake due to
quagga mussel fears. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway
information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Trout trollers are still experiencing a good bite between the
boat dock and fishing float, as well as near Cactus Patch and in Sentry
Cove. Anglers and boaters are using Power Bait or Gulp. The bass bite is
inconsistent, however. Some fish are in 15 to 25 feet of water on
swimbaits or drop-shot worms. The redears are spawning. Try meal or wax
worms. Channel cats are close to shore and under the trees and are
biting chicken liver or nightcrawlers. The first catfish plant of the
season will go in the week of May 12, with plants following on May 19,
June 2, June 23, July 14, July 28 and Aug. 11.Upcoming events:
Nightfishing starts May 16. The lake is open on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Lake information: Ranger Hugh Marx,
619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: The trout bite is still hanging on with the best bite in the
late morning, and early afternoons on Power Bait, rainbow Rapalas or
Kastmasters. The last plant was in March, but holdovers have been landed
near the launch ramp or off the shoreline. Boaters are also catching
limits by the dam in Paradise Cove and working the northern shoreline
toward the dam. Fly fishermen have found good fishing at the Cottonwood
Creek area. Bass fishing is improving on plastics as the water warms.
The big bass are starting to bite with fish to 11 pounds in the boat
launch area and in Cabin Cove. The boat launch is open. Rowboats and
motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday. Information:
24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Very good trout bite. Action best in Pumphouse Cove and at
Chambers Park the east lake on float tubes and lures. Flyer fishermen
are also having some luck. Bait anglers are using nightcrawlers and
Power Bait. Connie Lares, San Diego, landed a 9.25-pound rainbow on
green Power Bait. Andy Hamilton, 13, and Tim Gleason, 12, San Diego,
each caught a double-limit of trout at the Lone Pine. DFG trout plant
this week. Upcoming events: San Diego Fly Fishers is sponsoring
Lend-A-Rod programs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. It includes free
bait and tackle and fishing tips. Private boats are not allowed on the
lake in order to prevent a quagga mussel outbreak. Information:
760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: The crappie bite has slowed drastically, although the bite
remains fair on crappie jigs. The catfish bite is fair to good around
the dock. Small bass have been landed in the shallows, right off shore
on plastics. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: The shad are moving closer to shore, and some anglers have
netted them in the Las Vegas wash area. The striper are all over the
shad, and are going after the shad-imitation lures. Some trout action
now on small spinners and floating baits in the evenings. No more trout
plants will go in until fall. The largemouth and smallmouth action is
fair to good with fish to eight pounds reported in the past week, most
in the one to two-pound range. Channel catfish bite is good in the Vegas
Wash on anchovies and squid.
WILLOW BEACH: Striper bite is fair to good, but there have been very few
reports over the past week. Rainbow trout bite fair on Power Bait,
spinners, Panther Martins, Roostertails, floating baits, and salmon
eggs. Trout are stocked every Friday, and the bite is best for the first
day or two after the plant. Also a few crappie showing. Information:
928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing in Cottonwood Cove is fair to good for catfish and
small stripers. Power Bait, worms and Woolly Buggers have all been
working for rainbow trout. Trout from two to three pounds have been
landed. Crappie bite fair near El Dorado Canyon, Money Hole, and up near
Willow Beach on crankbaits or anchovies. Largemouth bass and the
occasional smallmouth are also being caught on plastics. Information:
702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: The trout bite is slowing, but the bite is still fair.
The last plant of the spring went in three weeks ago. Also spotty
striper and catfish action near Harrah’s Casino on anchovies. Some good
stripers have been landed in the Big Bend area. Decent smallmouth action
at Davis Camp.
NEEDLES: Fair striper action on small fish downriver in the Topoc area.
A few catfish are starting to show and some crappie are also biting in
the gorge. Largemouth action still spotty. Information: Premier Sports
760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Slow to fair striper action, but a few crappie and bass
are starting to show, especially the bass. Catfish slow to fair on
mackerel, anchovies, worms, or shrimp. The marsh can be accessed by boat
at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information:
928-768-2350.
HAVASU: The striper bite is fair to good all over the lake with a lot of
fish to four pounds. The stripers are keying on shad, so swimbaits and
small cranks are a good bet. The smallmouth and largemouth bass bites
are fair to good, especially the smallmouth. Some bass in the three to
four-pound range have been landed off the point at Six Site. Also a good
redear bite with fish on beds in the Sandpoint area. Information:
760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair catfish action with some flatheads to 12 pounds
reported in an improving bite. The smallmouth bass action has improved
to good, and there are more and more largemouth showing each day.
Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Good flathead action with fish in the 30-pound plus range. Big
Willie Mays, Pacoima, caught a 35-pound flathead on a redear in the main
river. A lot of flatheads in the seven to 10-pound range biting daily.
Bass bite has been good in the main river for smallmouths and in the
ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds
reported this week. Bluegill are still spotty but improving.
Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Good overall bite. Water temperatures and levels are up, and
the bass are improving in the backwaters and smallies on the river
rip-rap. Also improving action on schoolie-sized stripers in the river
with fish to four pounds reported. Information: Walter's Camp
760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Some catfish and bass action reported. Both bites fair to
good.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Fair to good largemouth bite on cranks, spinnerbaits
and plastics. Channel catfish bite decent, and the crappie bite is also
fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main
river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The bite at the Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is improving
with a fair to good for channel catfish, large redear, and bluegill. All
biting on worms. In the main Colorado River, the channel catfish bite
has been fair on chicken liver or worms dipped in stink bait. The
flatheads are also starting to get active. Largemouth bass in the main
river and backwaters started to really turn on this weekend.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Very good tilapia action at the state recreation area. Even
some rumors of corvina, but no confirmed reports. Information: Red Hill
Marina 760-348-2310, 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.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Slow to fair trout action on Power Bait (rainbow) or
nightcrawlers. Crappie action good around the docks, but most are small.
Also a good bullhead bite. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: Trout season is closed throughout most of this region. General
trout season opener will be Saturday, April 26. 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: Fair to good fishing for the opener this past
weekend, with the best action on the East Walker River and Bridgeport
Reservoir. Twin Lakes were fair with no huge browns reported. The West
Walker was fair. In the backcountry Kirman was very good while Poore
was, well, pretty poor. Virginia Lakes were good through the ice. Top
trout in the region was a 6-12 brown from Bridgeport Reservoir caught by
Patty Bently, Garnerville, Nev., on a Rapala. For the East Walker River
flows, you can check this website for real time data: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv?10293000.
Fishing information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: All the lakes; June, Gull, Silver and Grant were pretty
fair opening day, but slowed some on Sunday and then winds the rest of
the week made for tougher fishing. June Lake probably had the best
action overall, but Gull was good, too. Grant was slowest with low water
levels, although some brown trout have been showing from the upper end
of the lake. Top fish was a 9-14 rainbow caught from June by Troy
Miller, Big Pine, on salmon eggs. Scott Olafason, Garden Grove, caught a
9-4 from Gull. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or
June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: Crowley Lake had over 700 boats on Saturday and a busy
shoreline. The action was fair overall, but some anglers reported very
good fishing in the bays where water entered the lake. Top fish at
Crowley was a 8-8 brown caught by Mike Pickler, Bishop, on Saturday.
David Buckman, Crowley Lake, landed a 7-15 brown. Lots of 14 to 16 inch
rainbows. Convict was fair to good. The upper Mammoth Lakes were mostly
still frozen over. Only Twin Lakes was ice free. Fair to good ice
fishing on upper lakes, and very good action at the Twins, where some
big Alpers’ rainbows were caught. Bryan Friedman, LipRipperZ president
from Walnut, caught five trout that weighed in at 18.4 pounds total,
with the big fish a five-pounder. Jason and Alicia Schumacher, Chino
Hills caught 10 trout that went 29.2 pounds. Neck Perez, Hacienda
Heights, had five at 14 1/2 pounds, while Joseph Maldonado, Walnut,
landed five that weighed 13.2 pounds. Hot Creek good for fly anglers.
Mid-day dry fly action at both on midge, mayfly and caddis hatches. The
Upper Owens, McGee and Convict creeks all good for spawning rainbows up
out of Crowley. Nymphing or eggs patterns fished below an indicator the
best bet. Hilton and Crooked creeks also good for spawners. R.G. Fann,
San Bernardino, caught and released several 18 to 19-inch class rainbows
up to three pounds over opening weekend. Becky Matthews, San Bernardino,
caught and released a 20-inch rainbow -- her best trout ever. Rock Creek
Lake was good for ice fishermen. Bill Spice, Santa Rosa, caught a
6.35-pound rainbow through the ice there. Spice and Mike Neley, Menifee,
had limits on Saturday from Rock Creek Lake and eight of their 10 fish
were better than two pounds each. Fishing information: The Troutfitter
760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or Performance
Anglers at 760-924-2181.
BISHOP AREA: Bishop Creek was good, especially Intake II, and Sabrina
Lake produced a brown trout at 2 1/2 pounds for Don McLaughlin, Thousand
Oaks. The bite was good for ice fisherman and those fishing the open
water at the dam and far upper end. Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the
lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below
Pleasant Valley Reservoir) were fair to good. are open to fishing in
this region, but the whole region opens Saturday. Good bite below the
Wild Trout stretch thanks to plants last week by the DFG in the Steward
Lane to Laws stretch, but flows are ripping. Fly-fishing good in the
Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley. Top action on dry/dropper rigs.
For flow information on the whole Owens River system, you can get
information here: http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/aqueduct/showAqueductMap.ladwp?contentId=LADWP_AQUERTD_SCID.
For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581,
or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 (web site fish report at http://www.performanceanglers.com/fish_report.php).
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Pretty decent bite in both the lower Owens
River and Diaz Lake. Plants this week at Convict Creek, Lee Vining
Creek, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek
(Sections 1 and 2), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek and West Walker Rivers
(Sections 2 and 3). Information: 760-876-4444 or go to
www.lonepinechamber.org.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Very good crappie bite. The fish are in the shallows on
minnows and jigs. Anglers have reported lots of fish to two-pounds to
2-8. Fair to good catfish bite on shad. Trout fair in deep water at the
dam and at the mouth of the Kern River. Fishing information: Bob's Bait
661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The Kernville area has a fair to good trout bite on salmon
eggs and silver spinners. The flows are rising in the upper river, but
it’s still fishable. Fair trout bite in the lower river. Still too cool
for the bass, but the action should start to pick up as it warms.
Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or
www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: The action from the last trout plant is slow to fair.
No more trout plants will go until next season.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Excellent striper bite on blood worms and lug worms,
as well as Gitzits. Peter Buar, Bakersfield, caught a 23-pound striper
on anchovies. Juan Morales, Bakersfield, caught a 3-8 striper on lug
worms. Daniel Crowder, Bakersfield, also caught a 3-8 striper. Jose
Juarez, landed a two- and a three-pound striper on shad. Very good
catfish action on anchovies and shad. Roberto Rivera, Bakersfield,
caught an 11-pound catfish on chicken liver.
HART PARK LAKE: Bluegill action good on wax worms and crickets. Good
bass action on brush hogs, and Senkos. Fair to good carp bite on dough
balls. Trout action fair, but winding down, on Power Bait and
nightcrawlers.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Bluegill action good on wax worms and crickets. Fair bass
bite on nightcrawlers, live minnows and brush hogs. Good carp bite on
dough. Catfish bite picking up. Fair trout bite.
MING LAKE: Very good bluegill action on wax worms. Fair to good bass
bite on Senkos, plastic worms and minnows. Fair trout action on Power
Bait.
BRITE LAKE: Trout bite is fair on Power Bait and spinners, with boat
anglers having the best success in deeper water. Shore anglers having a
tougher time as the trout head deep with warming temperatures.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The crappie bite is exceptional on minnows and jigs.
The fish are spread out all over the lake. The bass bite has slowed
down. Catfish bite fair to good on Sonny’s and shad. Bluegill bite good
on wax worms.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair to good bluegill action on wax worms and crickets.
Bass bite good on minnows and plastics.
SUCCESS LAKE: The levels are up, and anglers are able to launch boats.
Action slow. Bass bite fair, at times, on plastic worms and Senkos.
Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair crappie bite on small minnows. Fair bass action on
Senkos. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good striper action in Bee Rock Cove and Harris
Creek on anchovies and swimbaits. The smallmouth are scarce, however the
largemouth bite is fair to good around the rocky points on swimbaits,
spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair catfish action on anchovies.
Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Largemouth bass action fair to good on Brush Hogs,
plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have landed their limit with largemouth
to five pounds on some stringers. The early morning bite, from sunrise
to 8 a.m. is best. Fair to good trout bite on Power Bait or worms.
Decent crappie action on jigs near the river. DFG trout plant this week.
The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information:
805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Continued good spotted bass action on plastics and spoons.
The spotted bass are in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines.
Anglers reported catching 12 to 15 fish by putting in two to three
hours. Fair white bass bite. Information: 805-238-1056 or
www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Bass action very good on jigs, nightcrawlers or plastic worms,
especially in Wittenberg Canyon. Fair crappie action in 25 to 30 feet
across from the marina and near the boat house on jigs. Good bluegill,
perch and redear action on meal and wax worms. Catfish bite spotty. Try
anchovies or shrimp. Fair trout action on nightcrawlers and rainbow
Power Bait in Cottonwood Cove, off the Cottonwood shoreline, off the
points, and across from the marina. Trollers are also having luck just
outside Cottonwood Cove on Needlefish and silver Kastmasters. Most fish
are under the two-pound mark. DFG trout plant this week. Information:
805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of
trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county,
will be restocked this week with catchable-size rainbow trout from the
Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon, Elizabeth Lake,
Little Rock Reservoir, Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.
SAN BERNARDINO: Miller Canyon Creek, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake,
Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork, Silverwood Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek
Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Diaz
Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek,
Owens River (Below Tinnemaha), Pine Creek, Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek,
Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Mammoth
Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Rush Creek, Sherwin
Creek and West Walker Rivers (Sections 2 and 3).
VENTURA: Piru Lake.
CATFISH PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of
trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county,
will be stocked this week with one-pound channel catfish by the
Department of Fish and Game.
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake,
Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park
Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Lake, Tri-City Park Lake,Yorba Regional Park
Lake.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman
www.976-TUNA.com
CHANNEL ISLAND UPDATE: Excellent rockfishing for everyone fishing in the
Channels Islands region. Anglers aboard the Coroloma out of Ventura
Sportfishing continues to hammer out limits of rockfish with lots of
fine eating vermillion rockfish. The rest of the Channel Islands’
landings are also doing excellent and waiting for a surface bite or even
a nice run of Channel Island halibut.
LOS ANGELES LANDINGS UPDATE: Catalina Island started to pump out some
good white seabass in a good bite. Sinclair Wallace from San Pedro took
his private boat to Catalina and saw a school of approximately 100 white
seabass swimming just below the surface. He and two friends limited out
in just a few minutes. The following day, skipper Tino Valentine of the
Phantom saw the same spectacle of nature: 50 to 100 white seabass
swimming just below the surface of the water. The anglers on the Phanton
also limited out on white seabass to 40 pounds. Ten-year-old Brian
Meckley, Fullerton, caught his first white seabass, a beautiful
32-pounder. The Phantom anglers also had four halibut to 18 pounds and
32 calico bass. There is also a good rockfish and sculpin bite for
anglers on the local boats as we await the spring surface action to
really kick into gear. Still no sign of bonito and barracuda but it’s
got to happen any day now.
ORANGE COUNTY LANDINGS UPDATE: Anglers aboard the Seahorse out of Dana
Wharf Sportfishing have been looking for yellowtail at San Clemente
Island and catching a few. The water there is warming up and could break
loose at anytime. Good rockfish action there, in the meantime, along
with improving calico bass action. Catalina Island boats are all over
the white seabass and anglers are hoping along with everyone that the
spring bite is finally on. Anglers on the 3/4-day boats have been seeing
a good bonito bite at Catalina Island, as well as lots of rockfish and a
few barracuda. Good rockfish, sculpin along with a few nice halibut for
the local fleet. The water temps along the coast have really warmed up
so we may see some excellent barracuda and bonito fishing soon.
SAN DIEGO LANDINGS UPDATE: While nothing has show up offshore yet,
everyone is thinking about albacore. Some boat skippers are already
talking about heading out that way. There have been excellent signs of
bonito and barracuda at the Coronado Islands, but that came to a sudden
halt as water temps fell. That bite will come roaring back just as fast
when the water warms up again. Local boat anglers are catching a few
bass along with rockfish and sculpin.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA and Shimano host
instructional charters throughout the year, offering beginning anglers
or veterans advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different
saltwater species. The next trip is a two-day trip aboard the New Lo An
leaving May 2. This one costs $275. There is also special Cino de Mayo
trip May 4-9 to teach anglers the basics of fishing Baja. This trip will
be held out of Palmas de Cortez. For more information on upcoming
Shimano/976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426.
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.
This report is published by 11 daily newspapers in Southern
California each week. Frequently it is edited for space. A complete
version is posted on the Outdoor News Service web site each week (www.outdoornewsservice.com).
The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning at this site. 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. |
.jpg)
For comprehensive saltwater fishing reports and
information visit our companion site:
www.976-tuna.com
RECENT BIG CATCHES
April 27, 2008 - Becky Matthews, assisted
by brother Randy Fann, both San Bernardino, holds up a 20-inch, 3
1/2-pound class rainbow caught and released on Hilton Creek just
above Crowley Lake opening weekend.
April 26, 2008 - Bryan Friedman, Walnut,
with a 4 1/2-pound Alpers Trout caught opening day of trout fishing
in the Eastern Sierra.
.jpg)
April 26, 2008 - Wilton (Big Willie) Mays of Pacoima landed this
35-pound flathead catfish just before dawn while fishing in the
Colorado River using live redear for bait.
.jpg)
April 26, 2008 - Mike Martinez, Moreno
Valley, with the largest trout reported in the Eastern Sierra for
the 2008 trout opener. The 9-pound, 15-ounce rainbow trout was
caught at Convict Lake on a small jig 5:30 a.m.
April 26, 2008 - Andy Hall, San
Bernardino, holds a 1 1/2-pound rainbow he caught and released on
Hilton Creek opening weekend in the Eastern Sierra.
April 26, 2008 - Don McLaughlin, Thousand
Oaks, with a 2 1/2-pound brown trout from Lake Sabrina, on a gold
Kastmastr through the ice.
.jpg)
April 24, 2008 - Marcos Perez, Corona,
with an 18 1/4-pound rainbow trout from Corona Lake.
.jpg)
April 21, 2008 - Se Ier of Long
Beach with a couple of striped bass caught from shore at Lake
Silverwood near the dam.
.JPG)
April 20, 2008 - Steve England of Mission
Viejo caught this 10-0 brown trout on a Thomas Buoyant at Woody's
Cove of Irvine Lake.
April 20, 2008 - Santiago Palacios of La
Puente with an 80-pound sturgeon caught at Corona Lake.
April 18, 2008 - MarkOehlerking of Irvine
with a 12-pound brown trout caught at Santa Ana River Lakes.
April 17, 2008 - Corona Lake produced these five Lightning
Trout for Brian Scrivens of West Covina on chartreuse Nitro Bait at
the dam.
April 16, 2008 - Proof that crappie bites
are kicking into gear all over Southern California, Todd Johnson of
Long Beach shows off two crappie approaching two pounds each he
caught at Diamond Valley Lake's east dam.
April 14, 2008 - Rich Garcia of Beaumont
with a 9.02-pound bass from Diamond Valley Lake's south shoreline
while fishing in 15 to 20 feet of water using a jig.
April 10, 2008 - Nestor Valladares,
Fontana, with a 17 1/2-pound rainbow caught at Corona Lake.
April 4, 2008 - Sonny Carbajal of Los
Angeles with a 10.1-pound trout caught on a chartreuse nitro worm at
Santa Ana River Lakes.
April 3, 2008 - Arturo Velazquez of West
Covina caught this 12-8 trout on chartreuse nitro with garlic gravy
at Santa Ana River Lakes.
April 1, 2008 - Nhan Doan, Moreno Valley,
Ca, with an 11.2-pound largemouth from Lake Perris caught on a
Triple Trout swimbait from shore.
March 30, 2008 - Tommy Megrditchian of
Escondido caught this 10-8 bass on anchovies at Lake Wohlford.
March 25, 2008 - Seng Ire, Long Beach, with a 12-pound bass
caught at Lake Perris on a deep-running crank while float tubing.
.jpg)
March 24, 2008 - Ray Turner, Moreno
Valley, with 268-pound sturgeon caught from Hesperia Lake. The fish
was 85-inches long with a 51-inch girth.
.jpg)
March 20, 2008 - Bob Caffey, Acton, caught this 28-inch brown
trout from the lower Owens River.
.jpg)
March 20, 2008 - James Williams of
Los Angeles caught this 19-8 trout at Santa Ana River Lakes.
March 9, 2008 - This 7-1 largemouth was
caught at Lake Hemet by Rick Cargo of Riverside.
.jpg)
March 1, 2008 - Nikki Risco, age 11, of
Sun City with 6.1-pound trout caught on a nightcrawler at
Diamond Valley
.jpg)
March 1, 2008 - Mike Collins of San
Jacinto caught a 1.5-pound bluegill in the middle of the lake at 50’
using an ice jig at Diamond Valley
February 28, 2008 - Casitas Lake produced
this
13.5-pound and this 6-pound bass. Both were caught on 12-inch swim baits by Mark
"Chief" Torrez, B.A.S.S. Federation California state champion.
.jpg)
February 28, 2008 - Barry Taylor of Corona
with 22 3/4-pound rainbow caught at Santa Ana River Lakes. It
took Taylor an hour to land on two-pound test and rainbow Nitro Bait
doused with Nitro Grease.
February 20, 2008 - Brandon Cotton, editor
of Fish Rap, caught this 62-pound white seabass off LaJolla.
February 16, 2008 - Scott Holley of Torrance with an 8-0 bass caught
at Diamond Valley lake.
February 14, 2008 - Steve Romero of
Temecula caught a 12-2, the biggest trout of the season, so far, at
Dixon Lake. He used a Kastmaster in Whisker Bay.
Web1a.jpg)
February 8, 2008 - Allan Cole of
Henderson, Nev., caught this 50-pound, 48 1/2-inch long striped bass
while fishing at Mile Marker 40 below Willow Beach on an A.C. Plug.
February 8, 2008 - Shaw Gallegher of
Bellflower nailed this 13.16 pound trout at Irvine Lake's Trout
Island on a Power Worm.
.jpg)
February 6, 2008 - Mark Ward of Blythe with
three bass caught in the Colorado River. They were 2 1/2 to 4
pounds.
.jpg)
February 6, 2008 - John Hudspith of
Torrance caught this 11-pound rainbow at Irvine Lake.
January 08, 2008 - Bob Caffey of Acton caught this 11-pound
bass at Pyramid Lake, one of the best bass from this lake in years.
January 02, 2008 - Gary Goemer of Irvine
caught this 14 pound trout at Irvine Lake.
January 02, 2008 - This 14.2-pound trout
was landed by San Chow of Westminster at Irvine Lake
.jpg)
December 23, 2007 - Robert Coleman of
Rancho Cucamonga caught this 202-pound sturgeon at Hesperia Lake.
This was formerly the biggest fish caught from freshwater in Southern
California.
December 22, 2007 - Robert Metzger of Hesperia with his
19-7 striper he caught on a swimbait in Miller’s Canyon of Lake
Silverwood.
.jpg)
December 15, 2007 - Here is a photo of the winning fish
from the derby at Cucamonga Guasti. The fish was caught by Ray
Moreno of Ontario.
November 11, 2007 - The derby winner at Lake Dixon. This
10.22-pound trout was caught on a nightcrawler by Connor Rasmussen
of Escondido.
2.jpg)
November 1, 2007 - 180-pound former Hesperia Lake record sturgeon
caught by Ed Paradise of Grove City, Pennsylvania.
2.jpg)
October 31, 2007 - Bobby Toliver of Ontario with a
135-pound sturgeon he caught at Hesperia Lake.
October 27, 2007 - Francisco Rios caught this 20-9 catfish
at Lake Wohlford.
|
