August 27, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. The striper bite has been excellent at Castaic Lake for the past two weeks with a lot of quality fish into the 10-pound range being caught. The best bite has been on anchovies or trolled shad-like baits, and the fish are showing all over the bait. For an update, check with the marina at 661-775-6232.
2. The largemouth action continues hot at Diamond Valley Lake with a lot of quality fish up to nine pounds on drop-shot plastics and topwater baits early in the day. For an update check with the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
3. Catfish? The best bite continues to be Hesperia Lake in the High Desert with the chance at a quality fish. The top fish this past week was a 25-pounder and there were a number of cats over 10 pounds. Call the tackle shop for an update at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

 TROUT: Generally good fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada with Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir top spots to fish. The Virginia Lakes are also good to excellent. The Bishop Creek drainage, Mammoth Lakes region, and June Lake loop are all generally pretty good throughout, but the mid-day heat shuts down the bite. In Southern California, deep trollers are finding good action at Diamond Valley, while the bites at Casitas, Cachuma, Perris, and Big Bear have been fair to good. Hemet Lake continues fair. In the Western Sierra, the upper Kern River is very good for the rainbows.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Diamond Valley Lake is wide open this past week with the best fishing of the summer on plastics and topwater. Barrett Lake remains very good for anglers with a permit. Casitas is also good but mostly on small fish, rivaling Diamond Valley. Sutherland, in San Diego County, is a top bet, but Perris, Skinner, Castaic, Cachuma, Isabella, Piru, Wohlford, San Vicente, and Lower Otay all have fair to good bass bites. Poway, El Capitan, and Hodges, all have fair bites, while Silverwood and Pyramid are also pretty fair.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood, Casitas, Skinner, and Pyramid have all been fair to good this past week, with Casitas the best bet, producing fishing to 10 pounds. The best action at all four has been on anchovies or frozen shad (if you can get it). A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too, in a fair bite. On the Colorado River, the best striper action has been an excellent bite in Mead where a lot of smaller fish to three pounds showing. Havasu slowed, but Mojave remains fair to good. Slow to fair action in the lower river.
PANFISH: Top bets for bluegill and redear include Perris, Elsinore, Casitas, Lower Otay, San Vicente, and Diamond Valley, about in that order, but the Perris bite has slowed again some this past week. On the Central Coast, Lopez has an excellent bluegill and redear bite with fish to a pound. Most Southern California crappie bites are off, but a there has been a surprisingly good crappie bite at Henshaw this past week with fish to two pounds. There are also still a slow to fair bites at Piru, Sutherland, and Elsinore. The Central Coast lakes are a better bet. Lopez and San Antonio have both been pretty good for the crappie.
CATFISH: The action at all of the planted-catfish lakes is very good. Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, and Hesperia Lake are planted each week and have generally good action. Hesperia is cranking out the biggest fish, but SARL and Corona both get bonus plants of 12 to 20 pounders again this week. All of the San Bernardino County Park lakes are being planted each week with catfish, and all are pretty good. Henshaw may have the best bite on non-weekly planted lakes with Diamond Valley a close second. Both are good to excellent and Silverwood, Skinner, and Pyramid are all good for cats, too. The lower Colorado River and river backwater, ditches, and canals have been consistently fair to good with both flatheads and channels showing in the catch.
 

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: The good catfish bite continues, although it is receiving plenty of competition from both stripers and largemouth bass. The cats are biting best on anchovies and worms off the docks and coves. Top catfish was a 10-8 pulled out by Tony Williams, Hesperia, on mackerel. The striper bite is good on swimbaits and anchovies off the docks and points. Dwanye Adams, San Bernardino, caught a 5-5 striper at the inlet. The largemouth bass bite is also good for anglers using jigs and worms in the coves, especially Miller’s. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The rainbow trout bite improved this week for trollers using spoons. Bait anglers using slip bobbers rigged at 15 to 20 feet, or nightcrawlers have produced the most fish. Largemouth and smallmouth taking topwater poppers and small spinners near the docks and in Mallard and Papoose Bays. Catfish bite good off the east end on mackerel or any stink baits. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Slowish trout bite with a few fish reported on floating baits fished close to the bottom. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: A load of Alpers’ went in last week, 1,000 pounds, with another planted earlier this week. The Alpers’ and the rainbows are both good for anglers fishing trout teasers, jigs or plastic worms. Laury Detrick, Laguna Beach, pulled out a 4.8-pound rainbow trout on garlic Power Bait. 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. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No recent DFG trout plants. Trout bite slow to fair on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the occasional spark of action in the mornings and evenings when the waters cool down.
JENKS LAKE: Fair trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant this week. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE FISHING TOURNAMENT: There will be a fishing tournament at the lake of the Victor Valley College campus beginning 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 6. Entry fee is $10 per person and tickets are available at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Victorville, Hesperia Lake, and the college bookstore. All proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Club in Victorville. Information: 760-955-6700.
HESPERIA LAKE: Continued good action for both catfish and sturgeon. The sturgeon are taking mackerel and Power Bait, and the cats mackerel, nightcrawlers, shrimp, and Sonny’s Dip Bait. Top sturgeon pulled out this week was a 25-pounder caught by Melvin Kopacz, Norco. Ray Hurd, Phelan, landed a 15-pound sturgeon on mackerel. Top catfish was a 19-pound channel pulled out by Dennis Keller, Victorville. Richard Ladner, Riverside, brought in a 16-8 blue cat. Thomas Eiben, Barstow, caught a 16-pound channel off the east bank. Sam Mendoza, San Bernardino, landed a 13 3/4-pound catfish on mackerel. The lake is planted with 3,500 pounds of catfish every week. Day session hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout bite still on the slow side, but the action sparks and is good at times. Anglers are catching fish when working nightcrawlers, jigs or Power Bait. Hot spots include the eastern and northern shore of lake 2 and the grassy point of lake 3. Bass bite also improving with anglers reporting a fair bite off the western shore of lake 3 and the southeastern shore of lake 2 on Senkos. Bluegill taking lures and meal worms near pump house and off the western shore of lake 2 in a fair bite. 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: Still only fair for the trout. Anglers are using Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Catfish bite fair to good on various stink and blood baits, as well as meal worms and nightcrawlers in the cattails and off shore. Next catfish plant will go in this week. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. County catfish plants each week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite improved with the best bite in the mornings and evenings on shrimp, mackerel and the M&M combo (marshmallow and meal worm). The fish have ranged from one and a half to two pounds. Saydene Bouleut, Riverside, caught a limit of catfish totaling 16.9 pounds. Bass, bluegill and carp action remain slow.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good catfish bite on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal worms, or anything dipped in Sonny’s stink. Action is best in the afternoons. Weekly county plants go in with channels to two pounds. Good bluegill action on wax or meal worms. Mostly quarter- to half-pounders on stringers, fish to one pound are rare. Fair bite for carp and a few bass also showing on plastic worms. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair to good catfish fishing on mackerel, shrimp, Hog Wild or anything dipped in Sonny’s. Channel catfish plants are going in every week now. 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 hot bass bite continues. The topwater bite is solid for those fishing Spooks, Sammys or small poppers early in the day. The rest of the day is all about drop-shot plastics. Trout anglers reporting stringers with fish from two to four pounds with lots of holdover reported this past week. Trollers are using Needlefish, Kastmasters, or Rapalas. The catfish bite is good, excellent at times, on mackerel, shrimp or anchovies. The striper bite does not compare to the other species with slow to fair action, mostly on overcast mornings. Also still a pretty good catfish bite and fair panfish action. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Good bass bite with action reported on worms in dark colors along the beaches and grass beds. J.R. Hernandez, Covina, caught a three-pound largemouth. Fair to good trout bite, considering the hot weather. Anglers have pulled out limits of fish easily on Power Bait or nightcrawlers near the dam in deep water. Redear and bluegill bites are still perking along, although slower than previous weeks. The bite is best on wax or meal worms just off shore for smaller fish and in deeper water for bigger ones. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The catfish bite remains excellent off shore and boats. Shore anglers are using mackerel and boat anglers are using chicken liver. The best spots are in the inlet and off Ramp No. 2. Top cat was an 11-pounder pulled out by Bill Norton, Hemet. Victor Lopez, Riverside, caught a 10-pound catfish. The lake received a catfish plant last week, 500 pounds. The striper bite is inconsistent, but good when the bite is on. The good action comes in short waves in the early mornings and just before the lake closes. Anglers are using anchovies. Vincent Comstock, Oceanside, landed a three-pound striper. Bluegill action also good off the east end, along shore on meal worms. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Crappie and bluegill still the dominating the action, although the bite slowed to fair only. The bluegill are biting crickets or wax or meal worms. Crappie action best on nightcrawlers and small jigs off the west side marina. Jesse Ward, Fullerton, caught a 1-8 crappie. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair, but slowing down with a few fish in the four-pound range and bigger landed off shore on shad or for trollers using various lures. Carp fair to good off the east end on dough balls. The cats are showing at the state park on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Consistent plants have kept the catfish bite very good with a lot of limits. Also good tilapia action. The cats are best around the sunken timber for boat anglers with cut baits doused with prepared scents the best bet. Richard Trujill, Camarrilo, caught a 13-pound catfish on J.D's mackerel while fishing near the west dock. George Martinez, Gardena, caught a 10-pounder on shrimp while fishing from boat. Matt Wilson, Temecula, caught an 8-12 catfish on shrimp fishing in the middle of the lake. Shannon Chavez, Corona, landed a 7-8 catfish on J.D's mackerel while fishing from boat. There were bonus plants of 12 to 20 pounders last week and some more of those big fish will go in this week, along with the regular weekly plants. Tilapia are best on nightcrawlers. Lots of fish in the 1 1/2 to two-pound range have been reported, and the biggest tilapia are in the three-pound range. All-night passes available Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday night this week because of the Monday holiday Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Catfish action fair with the most action reported on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Still some slow to fair bass action on plastics and crankbaits. Some small bluegill action around the shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Catfish still the name of the game here. Anglers are catching a fair number of fish to three pounds with an occasional bigger fish. Catfish are scheduled to be planted every other week through the summer, with a plant last week. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Catfish plants and fishing derbies every other week. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair to good catfish action on nightcrawlers or shrimp. A catfish plant, 500 pounds went in last week. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Excellent catfish bite with heft stringers being pulled out on chicken liver and nightcrawlers. The bite is exceptional in the mornings before noon and in the afternoons. Catfish are planted when the current stock goes below 2,000 pounds. Extra fish are already in for Labor Day. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday holidays, including Labor Day. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Slow trout action for shore anglers with a perk in the bite in the early morning and evening hours, with a few limits posted. Trollers are still getting fish on Needlefish, and bait anglers drifting nightcrawlers in deep water are also scoring. Most of the rainbows are 1/2 to 1 1/4 pounds with some bigger. Last DFG plant July 22. Fair bass action on plastics and crawdads. Catfish fair on shrimp and nightcrawlers. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good catfish action continues here this week, but none of the big cats over 12 pounds planted last week showed up. Another plant of those larger catfish are going in for the holiday weekend. There will also be 24-hour fishing Thursday through Sunday nights because of the Monday holiday. The best catfish bite is still for boat anglers fishing the deeper water, but nearly as many fish are coming from shore with the cats being caught all the way around the big lake, in Chris’ Pond, and the Catfish Lake. A wide variety of cut baits and prepared baits are working on the cats, but most anglers are adding scents to improve the action. Nightcrawlers with added scent were working especially well this past week. Top catch was made by Bill Thurston, Riverside, who landed a 9-8 catfish which was part of his five fish stringer totaling 21 pounds. Thurston was fishing with shrimp and mackerel at La Palma Point. Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove, caught a 15 fish stringer of catfish totaling over 30 pounds on mackerel and shrimp fishing the bubble hole. Bobbie James, Monrovia, landed a 7-12 catfish on mackerel which was part of his four fish stringer totaling 16 pounds. Special discount coupons available from the lake web site at www.fishinglakes.com (then click on “Special Promotions”). 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: Catfish bite slowed down, but is still fair to good. The best baits continue to be DuMong’s, mackerel, shrimp, or Gulp. Hot spots are off the Santiago Flats and near the docks. Rick Redmon, Garden Grove, pulled out a 10-9 catfish on mackerel near the docks. Ronson “Catmando” Smothers, Los Angeles, caught nine-pound and eight-pound catfish on mackerel at mid-lake. Crappie bite very good along the fence line and at the hump on jigs. Tom Black, James Black and Marlon Meade, Anaheim, reported three limits of crappie totaling 15.1 pounds on Berkley Atomic Tubes. Bass bite good to excellent for morning anglers fishing plastic worms and topwater. Mark Higashi, Los Alamitos, caught a seven-pound largemouth bass. Bluegill and redear still biting near the docks or off the west shore on meal worms or wax worms. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nighfishing is Thursdays until 11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m., this weekend marks the end. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Bass bite fair to good. Reported fish are in the one to three-pound range and have been landed on drop-shot plastic worms (in dark colors) in the early mornings and late evenings on topwater and crankbaits in bluegill patterns. Good catfish bite on mackerel, shrimp dipped in garlic sauce and chicken liver off the launch ramp and at the back side of the small island. Crappie and bluegill good on assorted crappie jigs, meal worms and half nightcrawlers fished off a bobber. 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: Still a slow bite for trout, but OK for the few anglers putting in the extra work and trolling deep, 40 feet plus, with Needlefish, Kastmasters or Rapalas. Not too much reported from bait anglers. Crappie bite spotty with a few fish on jigs. Bass bite slow to fair with only a few decent waves of action on plastic worms in the early morning. Catfish bite continues to be slow, but with a few sparks reported this week on shrimp, mackerel or anything dipped in stink baits. 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: Catfish bite good here with fish to seven pounds or better on mackerel, shrimp and stink bait. Robert Drull, Camarillo, caught a nine-pound catfish on spinnerbait. Bass action good, just not too many big ones reported this week. Largemouth are biting plastics and spoons all over. Bluegill and redear are biting fair in the shallows of the coves on meal or wax worms. Trout are deep by the dam, 40 plus feet. Few have been reported, but those that have were landed by trollers using Needlefish or Rapalas. Private boats are again being allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The striper bite perked this week for bait anglers using anchovies or worms, and for the trollers dragging shad-like lures. Most of the fish have been in the three to five-pound range, with the bite consistent all over the lake. Shawn Robbins, Riverside, pulled out 10 stripers totaling 67 pounds. Top fish was 10 pounds. Greg Machut, Long Beach, also caught 10 stripers with his top fish also a 10-pounder. Chris Hansen, Thousand Oaks, caught an eight-pound striper, which was the top fish on his 38-pound stringer of 10. The good largemouth bass bite continues with fish taking plastics or shad off the points. Won Kim, Santa Monica, pulled out a five-pound largemouth from Fish Arm. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Continued slow trout bite, although anglers have had a preview of the fall bass bite. Bass have been biting plastic worms and lures. Fair crappie action 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: Largemouth bass continues to be the dominating species with a fair to good, sometimes excellent, bite. Anglers have reported the most fish up shallow early in the day on drop-shot plastic worms. Slow to fair trout action with anglers catching a few fish only at random on Power Bait, anchovies, and nightcrawlers. Fair striper bite. The bigger stripers, 10 pounds plus, are occasionally chasing the trout. Best action reported on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for trout and stripers. Catfish action improving with a fair to good bite on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Fair to good catfish bite, with excellent action during the cooler parts of the day, mornings and evenings. Pieces of mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers are the top choices for the cats. Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits, and live worms. The fish are deep. 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: Catfish bite remains fair for a majority of the day. The bite improves to good in the later part of the day, and anglers have landed fish to four pounds on mackerel, shrimp or chicken liver. Slow to fair bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No recent plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No recent plants.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LEGG LAKE: No recent plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Catfish action fair on cut mackerel or shrimp. Fair carp action with fish in the 1-8 to two-pound range on dough balls. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Continued good bass action. This week 124 anglers checked 1,014 bass, and 73 bluegill. Reservations for September are available through Ticketmaster. Call (619) 220-8497. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Fair bass and bluegill bite. This week 75 anglers checked reported 35 bass, 17 bluegill 12 crappie and two channel catfish. Margaret Leinsky, San Diego, caught several largemouth bass on topwater and a six-pounder drop-shoting with Robo worms. 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: Improved bass bite. This week 103 anglers reported 144 bass, six channel catfish, five crappie, one bluegill and one blue catfish. The lake is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 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: This week 256 anglers reported 375 bass, 342 bluegill, four channel catfish and one redear. 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: This week 11 anglers checked reported 28 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: Fair to good bass and bluegill bite. This week 80 anglers reported 136 bass, 133 bluegill, six redear and two channel catfish. 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. The City of San Diego has confirmed that the reservoir will close sometime this month due to lowering water levels. Angler should call ahead before going. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Bluegill and bass bites continue on the downfall, although with the bluegill bite nearly down to nothing. This week 66 anglers checked reported 25 bass and two bluegill. 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: The bluegill bite perked. This week 45 anglers checked reported 75 bluegill, 10 bass and seven channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are currently unavailable. The launch ramp and boat dock are temporarily closed due to low water levels. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: No report. 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: Fair channel catfish bite on cut mackerel, chicken liver, nightcrawlers and shrimp off the east end. Scott Osborn, Valley Center, pulled out a 2-5 channel catfish on live golden shiners in Boat Dock Cove. Gary and Keith Greetis, Valley Center, caught several limits of channel catfish. Their top fish was a 1-8 on chicken liver off the Senior Shoreline. Bass and bluegill also fair. Bass anglers fishing worms in dark colors, and bluegill on wax or meal worms. Crappie bite fair on golden shiners and finger jigs. There is a temporary ban on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: Only one weekend left of the nightfishing season, August 30 marks the final day. The catfish plants will also end this week with a 2,000-pound plant. The catfish action has been good off shore in the Boat Dock Cove area on nightcrawlers and cut mackerel. Fair bluegill bite on meal worms and wax worms. Fish have been in the one to two-pound range with some larger in the mix. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The biggest fish of the season was pulled out from here last week. Aleksandr Yermakov, caught a 21.5-pound catfish. Quite a few limits and other good-sized cats were pulled out this week, including a 14.5-pounder by Mike Rosell. Escondido, on mackerel in Boulder Bay. Upcoming events: A contest taking place each week will award the angler with the heaviest catfish a $100 prize. The angler must record the weight of his/her fish between 7 a.m. Wednesday and lake closing Sunday to qualify. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset, including Labor Day. Nightfishing continues on Friday and Saturday night through September 6. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Channel catfish bite good on mackerel or nightcrawlers at the buoy line and in Hermit Cove. Larry Harmon, Lakeside, landed a 32-3 blue cat off Sentry Point. Dan Heiser, El Cajon, caught a 14-8 blue cat. Bass bite good, and improving as fall approaches. Bass anglers are pulling fish to two pounds out off the shore on plastic worms. Only one week of nightfishing remains. The lake is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Labor Day. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. Lake information: Ranger Hugh Marx, 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: The bluegill continues to lead the action with a good bite on wax and meal worms. Other action has been slow, with only a few bass and catfish reported. 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: Crappie and bass bites still good, keeping anglers busy. Crappie anglers are using jigs and minnows, bass anglers are using plastic worms. Good channel catfish action on shrimp and mackerel. 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. The lake is now taking reservations for a new RV area located in the overflow camping area. Upcoming events: free fishing class Saturday at 10 a.m. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Channel catfish bite continues to be exceptional. No big fish over 30 pounds reported, although Jason Araujo, Fontana, pulled out a 12-pound channel cat. Anglers are fishing mid-lake and pulling out channels over 10 pounds on mackerel, nightcrawlers or shrimp. Good crappie action along the dam on white jigs. The lake is open from 6 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Nightfishing ends next week. Rental boats can only be rented during daytime hours, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: The night striper action in the Vegas Wash is still the best action here on anchovies and plastics. Fish are still showing in the Vegas Wash during the day, and it’s just exceptional at night. Anglers have been using artificial lights and have attracted an abundance of fish in the 13- to 18-inch range. The night catfish bite is fair to good for anglers using lights and then fishing anchovies. Launching conditions at South Cove are almost impossible with the dropping water levels.
WILLOW BEACH: Good trout bite immediately following the weekly plants on salmon eggs or floating baits just off shore. Trollers are also catching trout on Jakes, Panther Martins and spoons. Trout continue to be planted every Friday. Stripers spotty. New fishing dock is open for fishing. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: The small striper action is exceptional. Anglers are using anchovies at night for the best catches. Not too much noise from the stripers, however. A few random reports of catches have been made, but nothing as good as last seasonís bite. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Still a slow striper bite, with few reports. Little to no trout bite. Catfish also spotty.
NEEDLES: Striper bite slow to fair with only small fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Catfish bite fair on nightcrawlers and anchovies. A few bass biting on plastics. Some bluegill around structure. The stripers are nonexistent, and the crappie bite is almost as slow, other than a few fish reported at random on jigs. Water levels are up, but still take caution when launching. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper action picked back up with a fair to good bite in the early morning around the reefs and points. Early morning casting and trolling with jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps will also help turn on the bite. Large and smallmouth bass fishing fair on topwater just before dawn. All these bites should perk with coming full moon Saturday. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair to good catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds or better on shrimp and mackerel. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite fair to good with some fish close to 20 pounds, and a rare one 30 or more. The bass bite has been just fair in the main river for smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds and bigger reported this week. Bluegill are fair to good in most backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Water temperatures and levels are up, and the bass action is fair to good 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. Very good flathead action. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: OK catfish bite on mackerel. Few reports. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action fair 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 Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma is the best fishing spot, especially for the channel catfish. Fair to good channel catfish, redear, and bluegill bite throughout the area. Catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms in the river and backwaters. The flatheads have been fair to good in the main river, mostly on live bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: Slow to fair tilapia bite with waves of actions and some reported stringers of fish reported, but the heat and flies are so bad most anglers are only fishing early in the morning. Check on the action with the state park staff before you go. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052. Weather information: 760-352-3360, Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast 760-398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass has been reported. Also some stripers.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LAKE CAHUILLA: No report. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: 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: The fishing is excellent at Bridgeport Reservoir with anglers catching loads of fish in the inlet and springs where the water is cooler. Recently, the fish have been most active in the mornings. Damsels, callibaetis, and midges are all over the place. The water temps at the East Walker remain above 70 degrees. It is asked that anglers wait until the temps drop below 70 before fishing (early morning only) because the stress of catch-and-release fishing with the temps this high is hard on the fish. Flows are around 90 cfs. Virginia Lakes are very good. Big Virginia’s fly and bait bite is hot. Twin Lakes fishing fair for trollers fishing on top. West Walker River good from 395 bridge down the canyon into the town of Walker, both stockers and wild fish showing on dries and droppers. For the East Walker River flows, you can check this website for real time flow data: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv?10293000. Fishing information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: June, Gull and Silver and Grant Lake have all been excellent. Lots of surface activity at all four. Yellow and red streamers are a good choice along the weed beds at Silver Lake. Callibaetis and Damsel patterns have been good mid-morning. Gull has been fishing best with a variety of nymphs and midge patterns. Rush Creek is running low, 21 cfs, which means the bite isn’t as good, and it’s not a recommended spot to fish. The evening has been good for dry fly fishing with good caddis hatches. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: The bite at Crowley Lake is wide open for fly-fishermen. McGee Bay is still the hot spot for anglers fishing midges in seven to 12 feet of water. Nice 18 to 20-inch cutthroats, and rainbows and browns to 22 inches have been pulled out. The fish are spread out and the whole bay is producing. The bite at Hot Creek is fair to good, but the thickness of the weeds is making things a bit complicated. Water is dirty and high, but still fishable. Use small tricos in the early morning and PMDs after 10 a.m. Good stocker trout action in Mammoth Creek and all the Mammoth Lakes -- Mary, Mamie, Gull, and George. The water temps are warming, so the bite is deep during the late morning and evening. The San Joaquin River is really coming down and the fishing is good for wild and stocked fish. The area between Rainbow and Lower falls is a good spot. A dry/dropper setup is a good bet. Sotcher and Starkweather lakes both are good. Convict Lake bite good for rainbow trout at the inlet and outlet on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. Upcoming events: Labor Day Trout Stock Fishing Derby set for August 30 and September 1. For fishing info, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or www.performanceanglers.com.
BISHOP AREA: A lot of hit and miss action, but ones that were patient were catching fish throughout the Bishop Creek drainage. Slow action at Sabrina with only a few planted fish showing. The drift fishing is better for those casting with nightcrawlers or Power Bait between the points. Salmon eggs at Dingleberry Inlet also producing. Lee and Scott Lulovics, West Hills, landed a four-pound Alper on Power Bait. Tom Trisdale, Corona, pulled out a 3-8 Alper on a red Power worm. Bishop Creek and Intake II were planted this week. Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fair to good for trout and perch. The trout are biting Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) has a good early bite. Flows are at 369 cfs below Pleasant Valley. Tricos hatch around 7 a.m., baetis start mid-morning. 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.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Pretty decent bite in both the lower Owens River. Diaz Lake slow. Plants this week at Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

DERBY ALERT: Striper derby will continue through August 31. Biggest striper of the month earns $100 cash. Entry is free, but anglers must sign up at Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield. For more information, call 661-833-8657.
LAKE ISABELLA: Catfish bite remains the best with excellent action on clams and liver. Fair to god bass bite on crawdads. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The Kernville area has a fair to good trout bite on salmon eggs and spinners. The flows have dropped drastically in the upper river, so the bite is very good for trout on flies, crickets, and salmon eggs. The lower river flows have gone down so the fishing is picking up. The hatchery at Kernville has started planting the area with trout, and the bite is picking up. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: Few reports, little to no action.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The catfish bite is good to excellent on mackerel and clams. Christopher Rodriguez, Bakersfield, landed a 23-pound catfish on anchovies. Striper bite good on blood worms, primarily at night. J.R. Apodaca, Bakersfield, caught a six-pound striper on jigs, which leads the derby.
HART PARK LAKE: Bluegill action good on wax worms and crickets. Good carp bite on dough balls.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Bluegill action good to excellent on meal worms and crickets. Good carp bite on dough bait. Catfish bite decent.
MING LAKE: Fair to good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Good carp bite on dough bait.
BRITE LAKE: Catfish bite fair on anchovies. Also a few bass showing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good catfish liver, mackerel or Sonny’s. Bluegill bite good on wax worms.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets. Bass bite fair on minnows and plastics. Consistent, good carp bite on dough bait.
SUCCESS LAKE: Improved action. Decent bass bite on plastic worms. Bluegill bite good on wax worms and crickets. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Slow to fair bass bite on Senkos. Fair bluegill on wax or meal worms. Levels still high. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Crappie action remains good. The bite has been very consistent off shore on crappie jigs and minnows. Striper action even better, with an exceptional bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Little to no smallmouth action, however the largemouth action remains fair to good around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair to good, and improving catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Good largemouth bite on Brush Hogs, plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have pulled out limits with largemouth to five pounds or better on some. The early morning bite from sunrise to 9 a.m. is the best time. Fair trout bite on Power Bait or worms. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: The overall action improved and the bite for most species is fair. The spotted bass are best on plastics and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines. Some anglers have reported catching close to 20 fish in a day’s fishing. Largemouth and small action fair with the largemouth action slightly better with fish reported on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite with more showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: The bluegill bite remains red hot on crickets and wax worms. Anglers are landing up to 100 bluegill in one trip with fish from one half to three-quarter pounds. A few one pound or better have also been pulled out. Good crappie bite on crappie jigs and minnows. Fish to two pounds or better have been reported over the past few weeks. Bass action also very good on plastic worms in Cottonwood Cove. The trout bite is surprisingly decent even with the lake temps in the 70s. Bait anglers have reported easy limits on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. 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.
SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork.
SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake 2), Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
FRESNO: Courtright Reservoir, Hume Lake, Huntington Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam, Shaver Lake, South Fork of San Joaquin, Ward Lake, Wishon Reservoir.
KERN: Kern River from Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville, Kern River from Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach.
MADERA: Corrine Lake, Lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake.
TULARE: Balch Park Eastern Lake, Balch Park Western Lake, Hedrick Pond Campground Pond, Kern River from Brush Creek to Fairview Dam, Kern River from Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge, North Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Wishon Campground, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Ceder Slopes, upper Peppermint Creek.
TUOLUMNE: Deadman Creek, Lyons Canal, Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake, Powerhouse Stream, South Fork of the Stanislaus River, Stanislaus River Clark Fork.

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.

NO PLANTS

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

SAN DIEGO UPDATE: Fishing remains good for the San Diego fleet with a whole lot more action on the yellowfin tuna, some of the fish as close as nine to 12 miles offshore all the way down hundreds miles south. The schools are stacked up. Dorado kelp paddy fishing is still good along with a few yellowtail. And don’t count the albacore or bluefin tuna out as we still see plenty in the counts.
ISLANDS UPDATE: Catalina Island and San Clemente Island are both producing a mix of the three b’s -- bass bonito and barracuda -- for the surface action. The white seabass are taking some time off in the Channel Islands -- slow for the past week. Rockfish is always outstanding and remains hot this week.
NEARSHORE UPDATE: Local action is slower with a few bass and bonito the high point for the San Diego half-day and three-quarter day boats staying close to the coast. They have also been consistently catching yellowtail each day. The Coronado Islands show signs of yellowtail that are just boat shy, and this could pop off at any time. We recommend you have a pole with heavy 30- to 50-pound line to stop these big yellowtail if given the opportunity.
ISLANDS UPDATE: Catalina Island and San Clemente Island are both producing a mix of the three b’s -- bass bonito and barracuda -- for the surface action. The white seabass are taking some time off in the Channel Islands -- slow for the past week. Rockfish is always outstanding and remains hot this week.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting a whole series of August and September charters during the peak of the exotics’season. These instructional charters are held throughout the year, offering beginning anglers or veterans advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. These August and September trips are all two-day adventures. The leave date and boats are as follows: Aug. 17 aboard the Ocean Odyssey, Aug. 25 on the Pacific Quest, Aug. 30 on the El Dorado, Sept. 9 on the Dolphin II, Sept. 21 on the Pacific Queen, and Sept. 28 on the Condor. 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.
 

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

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

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

RECENT BIG CATCHES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Philip Friedman of Torrance while at Catalina Island Caught this 50-pound class white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rods with Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.
 

May 24, 2008 - Philip Friedman, Jr. of Torrance caught this 50-pound class white seabass while at Catalina Island. He was fishing a live squid on a Seeker rod with sn Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.

May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Terrence Berg of La Mirada was at Catalina Island when he caught this 60- pound class white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rod with an Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound test Berkley fishing line.

May 23, 2008 - Pedro Villa of Anaheim caught this 10-0 rainbow on a nightcrawler with garlic gravy at the sandy beach of Santa Ana River Lakes.

May 18, 2008 - Brian Cummings, Inglewood, (top) with a 25-pound flathead catfish and Tony Ferguson, Riverside, (above) with a 30-pound flathead catfish. Both were landed on the Colorado River. They were fishing live bluegill in the Palo Verde region.

May 17, 2008 - Robert Sloan of Valley Center with a  7.62-pound bass caught on a plastic worm near restroom No. 2 at Diamond Valley Lake.

May 15, 2008 - Kevin Deemer of Hemet with 6-0 and 5-0 bass caught on jerkbaits near restroom No. 2 at Diamond Valley Lake.

May 15, 2008 - Rico Gutierrez (left) and his buddy Brett Phillips, both of San Diego, show off Gutierrez' 10 1/2-pound rainbow trout caught on Power Bait off the south shore at Lake Poway.

May 14, 2008 - Kevan Branchfield of Hemet landed this 10.3-pound rainbow on a Power Bait-nightcrawler combo fishing in Boulder Bay at Lake Poway.

May 10, 2008 - Jeff Soto of Riverside caught and released this four-pound largemouth at Evans Lake (Fairmount Park). He also landed a six-pounder earlier in the month.

May 9, 2008 - Nick White of Silver Lakes holds up a 3 1/2 to four-pound rainbow he caught and released at Lundy Lake on a mini jig.

May 9, 2008 - Marco Luna of Apple Valley holds a four-pound class rainbow he caught and released from Upper Twin Lake in the Eastern Sierra. He was fishing a mini jig at Mono Village.

May 9, 2008 - This is Dixon Lake's Dottie after she was found dead. Dottie weighed 25 pounds at the peak of her life when she was accidentally snagged, weighed, and released. That news started a frenzy to land her legally and topple the world record of 22-4.

May 7, 2008 - Emily Kropko, Perris, holds a four-pound class Diamond Valley Lake rainbow trout.

May 3, 2008 - Kevin and Bianca Clow, San Diego, with an 8.7-pound trout on a Gotcha Plug caught outside Half Moon Bay at Lake Poway.

May 3, 2008 - Mark Barlow, Phelan, hooked this 200-pound class sturgeon at Hesperia Lake, but even with the help of four other anglers and two nets, they couldn't land the fish before the line broke and it swam off.

May 3, 2008 - Kathleen and Kaira Berry, Wildomar, caught this nice batch of bluegill behind the Bait Shop at Corona Lake with wax worms fished beneath a bobber.

May 2, 2008 - Terrence Berg of La Mirada caught this 220 thresher shark off San Diego on The “Wide Load” with a Avet PRO EXW 30/02 on 50 Pound Ande Line and a Seeker Rod. The fish ate a slow trolled lure with a live mackerel attached.

May 1, 2008 - Devin Preston, Glendora, caught this rainbow from Mammoth Creek. The fish was 23 inches and about 4 pounds.

April 27, 2008 - Derek Snyder of Corona was using pink Puddle Bug jigs under a bobber in heavy cover at Lake Elsinore to land these two crappie -- one at 1 1/2 and the other at two pounds.

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 at Intake II on Bishop Creek.

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 a live redear for bait.

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 at 5:30 a.m.

April 26, 2008 - Andy Hall, Highland, 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.

April 24, 2008 - Marcos Perez, Corona, with an 18 1/4-pound rainbow trout from Corona Lake.

April 21, 2008 -  Se Ier of Long Beach with a couple of striped bass caught from shore at Lake Silverwood near the dam.

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 20, 2008 - Emily Kropko, Perris, caught a pair of rainbows at 1-6 and 1-4, one on a lure and one on Power Bait at Silverwood 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.

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.