TROUT: Some of the local mountain waters continue to have good action. Green Valley Lake and Lake Hemet are both top bets. Green Valley has been getting private plants all season and has continued to crank out a number of big, Jess Ranch trout. Big Bear Lake is tougher but still fair. In the Eastern Sierra, the bites are good on planted fish from north to south and the crowds have disappeared. For fly anglers, the East Walker River, upper Owens River, Hot Creek, Crowley Lake, and Kirman Lake all have good to excellent bites, with the Crowley streamer bite on around the wed beds. In the Western Sierra, the Kern River is excellent with a lot of dry fly action now morning and evening in the upper reaches, especially the Wild Trout stretch, but all the way downriver to Kernville.
     LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are mostly just fair right now, but there are flurries of decent morning and evening topwater bites. The top picks are again Diamond Valley, Perris, Casitas, El Capitan, Lower Otay, and Sutherland. Other decent bets include Pyramid, Castaic, Piru, Skinner, Silverwood, Wohlford, and Dixon. On the lower Colorado River, the smallmouth bass bite from Needles to the I-40 bridge, in Lake Havasu, and Havasu downstream through about Palo Verde is good, and the largemouth bite is starting to really improve in lower river backwaters.
     STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of the Southern California striper spots with Castaic and Skinner probably the best bets this week, but Pyramid and Silverwood are also good bets. The action at all four has been topwater, although Pyramid lulled this week and Silverwood has more bait fish than anything else. Diamond Valley may be the best bet for bigger fish but there were few reports this week. The California aqueduct near Taft is fair but with a lot of small fish. On the Colorado River, Willow Beach remains good for a few quality fish on big, trout-like baits. Mohave and Havasu have both improved on small fish to four pounds with improved surface action and more fish than in the past two months. The river stretch from Topoc to Laughlin is improving, too, especially the lower reaches. Few reports on wipers at either Elsinore or Hesperia this week.
     PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites remain good in a number of places, and the bite seems to be getting better as we move into fall. Diamond Valley, Lake Perris, El Capitan, and Lower Otay all are good bets, but most waters with bluegill and redear are cranking out fish for dedicated bluegill anglers. Crappie bites are off most places, but Isabella is still fair to good if you can fish a school of fish in flooded timber and fish live minnows. Lake Cachuma is also still producing fish at the narrows, and some fish are still showing at Piru. The Lake Elsinore crappie bite also looked like it might be coming back to life the last couple of week, but still light fishing pressure. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea s still very slow.
     CATFISH: Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, and Hesperia Lake all remain top bets for planted fish in the urban region. For wild fish, Skinner, Isabella, and Diamond Valley are all good, Cachuma and Pyramind are fair, and a number of the San Diego area lakes are improving, especially Henshaw and Lower Otay. The lower Colorado River is turning on again with good flathead and channel catfish action in the backwaters, canals and drain ditches. The main river is also starting to kick back into gear, too.

     SILVERWOOD: The striper action is good with the best bite on cut baits, mostly anchovies. Hot spots for stripers are Chemise Bay and the inlet. Art Gutierrez, Alta Loma, caught a mix of seven stripers and catfish totaling 28 pounds with fish to eight pounds on anchovies in Chemise Bay. The catfish bite is good in Chemise and Miller's Canyon on chicken liver, anchovies, or shrimp. The largemouth bass bite has been fair with the best action at the points on lizard patterns. The bluegill bite is fair with most of the action reported off the rocks by the docks. The trout action has picked up a bit but is still slow. The best bite for trout is still in deep water. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
     BIG BEAR LAKE: Light fishing pressure, but still just slow to fair trout action with the best bite for trollers or still fishermen fishing floating baits on long leaders in deep water. DFG trout plant this week. Bass action is fair with a few fish showing on spinnerbaits and topwater plugs. A few catfish are showing, especially in the evenings and at night. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or www.bigbearmarina.com.
     GREGORY LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
     GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Good trout action with a few big fish reported each week. Anglers who catch a rainbow over six pounds get a free “Green Valley Lake Six-Pound-and-Over Club” tee-shirt. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
     ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
     JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and two weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

     HESPERIA LAKE: Very good catfish action with a lot of limits and a number of fish above the 10-pound mark each week. Inflated nightcrawlers, the marshmallow-meal worm combo, mackerel, or shrimp with scent have been the top baits. The lake has been receiving plants of 2,200 pounds of catfish each week, but got a bonus 3,000-pound plant three weeks ago. Wipers action has been spotty, but some are showing on nightcrawlers. Some sturgeon also continue to show each week, but the bite is mostly slow. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
     JESS RANCH: Good trout action this past week. Power Bait, especially in rainbow, garlic, and lemon twist has been the best bet for trout with nightcrawlers and a variety of jigs and lures also working well. The best bite has been before 11 a.m. The catfish bite is still good on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and mackerel. Victor Gutierrez, Victorville, caught a 14-13 catfish on mackerel from the north shore. The bass bite is fair with the best action on Senkos and spinnerbaits. The bluegill bite is very good on mealworms and small jigs. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. Starting October 5, the lake will be open Friday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. only. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
     MOJAVE NARROWS: Still fair to good catfish action, but the last plant of the season went in two weeks ago. Most of the fish are around two pounds and the best action has been on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Bluegill action has been good on small light colored jigs with most fish hand-sized. A few largemouth bass in the one-pound range have been caught on dark plastics off the island. Carp and trout slow. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

     CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: The last catfish plant of the season went in two weeks ago. There is also a good carp bite for those targeting them. Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: The catfish bite has been fair. Anglers using the marshmallow and mealworm combo or shrimp have had the most success for catfish. Last catfish plant of the season went two weeks ago. Good bluegill action all around the lake for those targeting them. The largemouth bass have been slow to fair with the best bite on soft plastics. Anglers are reminded that a California state fishing license is required to fish here. Information: 909-597-4260.
     YUCAIPA: Fair catfish action with the best bite on nightcrawlers, shrimp, and chicken livers. The last county catfish plant of the season went in two weeks ago. There is also a good bluegill bite. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
     GLEN HELEN: Good catfish action. The last plant of the season went in two weeks. The bluegill bite is good with a lot of smaller fish showing on small worms, mealworms, and crickets fished under bobber. Carp are fair to good on dough baits. Bass action fair. Information: 909-887-7540.
     MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
     SECCOMBE LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

     DIAMOND VALLEY: The striper bite was just fair this past week. The largemouth bass action is very good with most fish being caught in 20 to 40 feet of water. The bass are hitting on a variety of baits and presentations but flukes fished with scroungers or underspins, small cranks, and ice jigs have been the best bet. The bluegill bite is good with the best action along the dams on jigs, crickets, wax worms, and nightcrawler pieces. There have been quite a few fish in the one-pound class. Catfish action good with the best bite on cut baits in Rawson Cove. The trout bite is still slow with no fish reported in over a month. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. A launch ramp extension project is expected to begin in October and be completed by February. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201 or www.dvmarina.com, and Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.lastchancebaitandtackle.com.
     PERRIS: The bluegill and redear bite is good with a lot of 1/2 to 1 1/2-pound fish showing. The best bite for bluegill has been near the island, but the marina is also a good bet. Best action on crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait. The bass bite was good this past week with the best action on nightcrawlers or roboworms. The catfish bite fair to good. Good carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area. Some trout are still showing, but all from deep water off Sail Cove and along the dam. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
     SKINNER: The striper bite is very good with boils reported all over the lake with the heaviest concentration of activity in the east end. There has been a good topwater bite for stripers but the bigger fish are being caught by anglers fishing deeper water. Anchovies or chicken liver are still the top baits for stripers. Kevin Lee, Oceanside, caught eight striper totaling 14 pounds on chicken liver at the east end. The catfish bite was very good with mackerel and chicken liver working best. Top spots have been the dam, inlet, and the east end. The largemouth bass, bluegill, and carp are fair. Crappie and trout slow. Parking has been restricted for ramp No. 2 but the shoreline remains open for fishing. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
     ELSINORE: Few reports and continued very light fishing pressure with a fair number of carp and catfish reported off the public fishing beaches. Also fair to good bass action with a lot of 1 1/2 to two-pound fish showing on plastics, and there are an increasing number of reports of crappie again, mostly from deeper water structure spots. Water conditions are excellent. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
     CORONA LAKE: The two big catfish reported this past weighed in at 15 pounds and 14 1/2 pounds in a very good fall catfish bite here. Sean Carrasco, San Jacinto, landed the 15-pounder fishing with mackerel from a boat with mackerel, while the 14 1/2-pounder was part of a four-fish stringer landed by Jon Smith, Norco, that weighed in at 16 3/4 pounds. He was fishing with fresh skipjack from a boat. Darryl Waters, Corona, had five fish that weighed a total of 19 1/2 pounds, including a five-pounder. Earl Pierce, Temecula, landed five that totaled 18 1/2 pounds. Jose and Juan Hernandez, Ontario, teamed up to landed 15 cats that weighed 24 pounds and a 5 1/2 pounder was the top fish. The best action is still for boat anglers with the low water, and J.D.’s Mackerel, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and meal worms doused with scent have all been good bets for the catfish. Trout season tentative set to kick off October 13 or 14, and catfish plants are weekly at least through then. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
     EVANS LAKE: Slow to fair bass action on plastics and small reaction baits. Fair to good bluegill action around shoreline structure, rocks, and tules.
     RANCHO JURUPA: Fair to good catfish action. The last catfish plant of the season went in three weeks ago. Mackerel has been the top bait. Also the odd bass and carp showing up. Information: 951-684-7032.
     FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
     ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
     REFLECTION LAKE: Good catfish action with nightcrawlers working well. Catfish are planted on Thursday every other week. The lake's hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
     JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Very good catfish action on chicken liver with mackerel and nightcrawlers also producing some fish. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

     LAKE HEMET: Good trout action. DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Most of the rainbows are pan-sized, with some bigger. Fair bass action. Good bluegill action. There is also a very good carp bite for those targeting them. The occasional catfish is also showing. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
     FULMOR LAKE: No recent DFG trout plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

     SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: The catfish bite has stayed good over the past week, and quality fish from the plant of trophy fish two weeks ago continue to be landed. Top fish this past week was an 11-4 catfish that was part of a 13-fish stringer landed by Daniel LeBoeuf, Orange, Courtney Poore, Brea, and Sarah Imes, La Mirada. The total weight of the 13 fish was 27 1/2 pounds and all were caught on mackerel at Three Pipes. Roland Hoshizaki, West Covina, caught a 7 3/4-pound channel cat to top off his 12-pound, four-fish stringer, all caught on shrimp and marshmallows. Nazri, Gilbert, and Hamlett Vahe, all Glendale, caught 12 cats with the best a 6 1/2-pounder, and they were fishing nightcrawlers. Top baits have been shrimp or nightcrawlers doused with Gravy, but mackerel or the marshmallow-meal worm combo have also been productive. The fish are showing all around the big lake. Private boats are no longer being allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes do to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system. Trout plants have been pushed back to at least Oct. 13, but catfish will be planted weekly through then. There is 24-hour fishing every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Information: 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
     ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com.
     IRVINE LAKE: Catfish action is very good again this week. Mackerel, shrimp, Gulp, and DuMong's still the best bets. The west shore, Santiago Flats, and Boat Dock Cove were the top spots again this week. Scott Nakata, Garden Grove, caught a 12-4 catfish on shrimp at the rockpile. Anglers are encouraged to release any blue catfish over 10 pounds and reminded that they are required to release any catfish over 20 pounds. Crappie fishing remains good for those targeting them. There is a good crappie bite in the early morning and late evening on white Atomic Tubes. Bass action was good this past week with the best action along the west shore and at Rocky Point. Good numbers of bluegill are showing for those using meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks. The lake will be open until 11 p.m. Thursday nights and until 2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night all summer long. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
     LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: No report. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

     CACHUMA: Fair catfish action on mackerel and nightcrawlers for shore anglers fishing in Mohawk and Harvey’s Bay for shore anglers with and boat anglers are getting fish behind the island, in the narrows, and Santa Cruz Bay in 10 to 20 feet of water. Trout are still in deep water at the dam and off Johnson’s Cliffs. Trollers are scoring fishing eight to 10 colors of leadcore and Needlefish or Rapalas. Bait anglers are fishing in 50 to 70 feet of water. Crappie are still fair in the narrows on shad-colored cranks, especially for trollers working three colors of lead core. Not hot action, but quite a few fish to 1 1/2 pounds reported. Just a few redear and bluegill showing in the east end and Stork Flats on nightcrawler pieces, and the largemouth and smallmouth bites have both improved to fair with the best action on drop-shotted plastics and a few fish on topwater. 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: There continues to be a pretty good bass bite early and late in the day with the best action off points in 20 to 30 feet of water on plastics and live bait. Shad are still available for dip-netting very early in the morning. Lots of smaller bass, but some quality fish. Tops this week were a pair at eight pounds; one by Tim Holt, Oakview, on a plastic worm, and the other by Phil Rhone, Ventura, on a nightcrawler. Danny Ford, Ventura, caught a seven-pounder on a live shad. Bluegill and redear remain fair to good in most coves on nightcrawlers or red worms in 10 to 15 feet of water. Trout dead. Private boats are being allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
     CASTAIC: Very good action on stripers continued this past week with fish boiling all over the lake. The topwater is the best bet, but there has also been a fair bite on cut baits and a good bite for trollers. Largemouth bass is very good on nearly any bait or presentation with the topwater bite best. Catfish action is fair with most of the fish being caught by anglers using nightcrawlers or mackerel. The trout are slow with only a few holdover fish showing for diligent trollers or bait anglers. The bluegill and crappie action is very good on wax worms and meal worms at the lower lake. There is also a good carp bite. Information: 661-775-6232.
     PIRU: Fair to good bass action on plastics, nightcrawlers, and surface baits early and late in the day. Trout pretty good for the trollers working deep water or for still fisherman tossing baits in deep water. The crappie bite is still fair on small jigs with most three-quarter pounders. The fish are off most shorelines in 12 to 18 feet of water. The bluegill and redear are also part of this mix with a pretty good bite on these panfish, along with some fish at 1/2-pound or better. Catfish slow. Information: marina 805-521-1500, x208 or www.camplakepiru.com.
     PYRAMID: The striper action slowed down early this week and the topwater bite all but shut off, but with warm winds starting again Wednesday, the action seemed to be improving again. The quality of the fish also is getting better with more four and five-pound class fish. Water continues to flow into the lake from the aqueduct, and the channel has been the best area with swim baits and suspended baits good. Also a fair bite on anchovies. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bites are both pretty good, with the smallies best off the island on plastics, while the largemouth are best on cranks, jerkbaits, and plastics with some topwater in Serrano and Posey. Channel catfish are fair, mostly in the channel and off the marina rocks on anchovies. Bluegill turned on with a good bite around the marina and in most coves, with some fish up to a pound. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
     QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
     PUDDINGSTONE: Fair to good action on largemouth bass on plastics with some good crankbait and topwater fish early and late in the day. The bluegill bite remains good on meal worms, crickets or wax worms fished in eight to 12 feet of water. Catfish slow to fair. No recent DFG plants. Information: 909-599-8411.
     SANTA FE DAM: Catfish bite is pretty fair on cut baits. Good bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. No recent DFG plants. Information: 626-334-1065.
     ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No recent DFG plants.
     ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     ELIZABETH LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     HANSEN DAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
     HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
     JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     LEGG LAKES: No recent DFG plants.
     LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

     BARRETT: Very good bass fishing. This past week there were 74 anglers checked and they reported catching 1,203 bass. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     HODGES: There were 46 anglers checked and they reported catching 23 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on the weekends only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     EL CAPITAN: The 100 anglers checked reported catching 174 bass, 171 bluegill, four crappie, and three catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Saturday and Monday for fishing. There are no boat rentals during June, July, and August. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     LOWER OTAY: There were 133 anglers checked who reported catching 152 bass to 6.8 pounds, 185 bluegill to 1.7 pounds, and 21 catfish to 13.7 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     UPPER OTAY: Fair to good bass action. The 12 anglers checked reported landing 19 bass to four pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is open. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     MURRAY: The 71 anglers checked reported catching 43 bass, 21 bluegill, and six catfish. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     MIRAMAR: There were 59 anglers checked and they reported catching 25 bass, 37 bluegill, and five catfish. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     SUTHERLAND: There were 29 anglers checked and they reported catching 24 bass, four catfish, and 29 carp. Leonard Jones, San Diego, caught a 9.1-pound largemouth on a crankbait. The lake is open on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available. Water level is very low and boat launch is allowed at your own risk. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     WOHLFORD: The catfish action slowed a bit once again this past week but some fish are still showing. Mackerel and chicken liver are the top baits and the top spots are the buoy line areas. The last catfish plant of the season went in over a month ago. Khamsouk Sophabmixay, Escondido, caught a 16-12 channel catfish on a crawdad at the west end of Senior Shoreline. The bass fishing was fair to good this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics. Sam Bush, Cardiff, caught a 5-3 bass on a creature lure in Boat Dock Cove. Bluegill and crappie are fair. Trout are slow with only a few showing in deep water at the mouth of the canal or along the west buoy line. Carp action has been good on dough baits. The lake is now closed weekdays and will only be open Saturday and Sunday each week. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boating ban. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
     DOANE POND: No DFG plants in over a month.
     DIXON LAKE: The catfish bite is slow to fair with the last plant of the season over a month ago. There is a fair bass bite with some topwater activity. Fair to good blue action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
     POWAY: Bass action was very good again this past week despite the fact that the topwater activity slowed down. Lorenzo Rodriguez, Poway, landed an 8-8 bass from the fishing pier. The catfish bite was fair to good. The last catfish plant of the season went in over a month ago. Eric Burns, San Diego, caught a 7.1-pound catfish on mackerel. Some bluegill are still showing in Hidden Bay. Trout action slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
     JENNINGS: Catfish action was hit or miss again this past week. Shore anglers had very little success while anglers fishing from boat near the main buoyline doing well. The last catfish plant of the season went in over a month ago. Nightcrawlers or mackerel with scent have been working best. The bass bite is still mostly slow. Anglers have had some success using Rapalas, TD Minnows, and spoons on boils. Creature baits have also started to work for bass. Some redear are still showing on mealworms and wax worms but the fish have moved deeper and become more difficult to locate. Upcoming events: Free fishing class on catfish fishing 1 p.m. Sunday hosted by Ranger Hugh Marx. For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
     MORENA: The catfish bite is fair on mackerel, chicken liver, and nightcrawlers. There is a good carp bite for those targeting them. Bass, bluegill, and crappie are slow. Anglers are requested to release any blue catfish they catch under five pounds. The lake is now closed to all private boat launching due to low water level. Price of boats and permits has been reduced Monday through Thursday. Permits are $3.50 and boat rentals just $20 for the whole day. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
     CUYAMACA: No results available from this past weekend’s trout derby. Continued fair to good trout action with Power Bait and nightcrawlers working best. The hot spots have been the dam buoy line and the willows. The largemouth bass bite is fair with a few nice fish reported this week. The crappie action is good for those targeting them, but they are small. The occasional catfish is also showing. A plant of 1,700 pounds of rainbows are slated for this week. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
     HENSHAW: Good catfish action. The best bite has been all along the shoreline using shrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel. Donald Jones, Twentynine Palms, hooked two catfish to 5.5 pounds on shrimp. The bluegill bite has been good near the dock. The crappie action is also good with fish averaging around a pound each and some bigger. There is also a fair bass bite. Fair to good carp action. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

     LAKE MEAD: Stripers fair over much of the lake, with Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam all producing fish on cut anchovies or live shad, and the action has improved this week. Night fishing under lights is still a good bet, but cooler weather is making the day bite as good. Fair catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is fair off the points, with some surface action early in the mornings.
     WILLOW BEACH: No reports of big stripers in the past week with light pressure, but a bonus plant of trout last week really turned on the rainbow action. The stripers have been showing from the dam all the way down to Mile Marker 49 with quite a few fish from 15 to 20 pounds. The trout action normally slows by Monday or Tuesday after the Friday plants, but the fishing has been wide open all this past week because of the bigger-than-normal plant last week and light fishing pressure. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. This week’s plant is normal-sized. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
     LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers in improving with the cooler weather this past week and improving moon phase. The best bite has still be in the southern portion of the lake, especially in the coves around the power lines and at the dam with most of the fish under three pounds. Anchovies and sardines in 15 to 45 feet of water fished under a submersible light at night is still the best bet. Bass spotty, but some topwater action early and fish on plastics around structure the rest of the time. Catfish are fair on cut baits. Bluegill are showing in fair to good numbers in most coves and around structure. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
     LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: The Bullhead Special Olympic Derby finished up last week and the winners in the three categories were all caught in the last week of the event. Top striper was a 23.25-pounder landed by Rex Price, Bullhead City, on a rainbow-colored Bomber. Bill Trude, Bullhead City, won the trout category with a 4.52-pound rainbow, while John Burka, Bullhead, won the catfish category with a 13.82-pounder. Overall still light pressure. Trout are mostly slow, with the stripers fair. Most of the stripers are under two pounds, and they are showing from the Big Bend area all the way downriver to Havasu. Best bite on drifted anchovies. Catfish have been fair to good in the deeper holes with quite a few fish over 10 pounds reported. Next derby in November. Half the pot goes to the angler with the biggest fish per category, remaining proceeds go to the Special Olympics. Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.
     NEEDLES AREA: There is a pretty fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river from Needles south to I-40, especially on topwater lures early in the day. Slow to fair striper action, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under three pounds. A few catfish showing and the bite is improving. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
     TOPOCK AREA: The action on small striped bass and smallmouth bass has been fair to good with improving action this week. Most of the stripers are still under two pounds, a few bigger fish are showing each week. The smallmouth are mostly under a pound but showing in good numbers on crankbaits and small spinnerbaits in main current chutes and along river rip-rap. The bite is especially good in the gorge. Catfish are also pretty good on the same drifted baits with fish up to five pounds common. There’s also a fair bite on catfish in Topoc Marsh. Topoc Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: Park Moabi at 760-326-3831 or Phil’s Western Trader at 928-768-4954.
     HAVASU: Striped bass bite has steadily improved this past week with pretty good topwater action before the sun hits the water and then a fair bait bite into mid-morning on drifted sardines or anchovies. Windsor Basin south to Black Rock still top areas for stripers, but most are under two pounds. Smallmouth bass are good on topwater, cranks, and plastics in eight to 14 feet. There continues to be good catfish action with a lot of four to 10 pound fish showing on frozen sardines and mackerel in most of the bays and coves at night and early and late in the day. A few flatheads over 10 being caught on live bluegill. The redear are good around the grass beds with a lot of fish topping a pound on nightcrawlers. Information: Angler’s Pro Shop at 928-854-2277, Black Meadow Landing at 760-663-3811, or Havasu Springs Resort at 928-667-2205.
     PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been fair to good this past week, and the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are good. Bluegill and redear are good in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Flatheads are just fair on goldfish and shiners.
     BLYTHE: The catfish bite remains good in main river and area canals, ditches, and backwaters. Lots of smaller fish showing right now, but a few to 20 pounds each week. Greg Sutherland, Verde Valley, Ariz., caught a five-pound channel cat, while Roger Sheets, Blythe, landed a 7-12 flathead. There is a very good smallmouth bite in the main river on small cranks and topwater, and the largemouth bite is also improving in area backwaters on plastics, cranks, and live bait. Joe Adame, Blythe, landed six largemouth bass on topwater and nightcrawlers in a local ditch. The bluegill action is good all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
     PALO VERDE: The catfish and bass action is really starting to pick up, and there has continued to be a pretty good bluegill bite. The best catfish bite is still at night, for both flatheads and channels. The main river has a good smallmouth bite along the rip-rap in the main river, while the largemouth are starting to show in better numbers in the backwaters early and late in the day, and the topwater has been very good this past week. Stripers are slow. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
     PICACHO AREA: Fair to good largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers, with a topwater bite early and late in the day. The channel catfish action is fair to good on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is just fair on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
     MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action good on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits, with more and more topwater action early and late in the day. Channel catfish and flatheads are both just fair with the heat. Few crappie, but the bluegill are still fair with some flurries of good action early in the morning. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or www.martinezlake.com.
     YUMA AREA: Bass action is good in the main river and river backwaters on minnows and plastics and there’s a morning topwater bite. Both channel catfish and flathead are just fair in the main river with the flatheads showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to fair to good for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

     SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite has continued slow with light fishing pressure due to the heat. The few tilapia that are showing have mostly been small. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
     ALAMO RIVER: Few reports, but the catfish action is fair with quite a few fish showing on nightcrawlers and cut baits.
     COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports, but the catfish action has been fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut baits. A few stripers, largemouth, and bluegill.
     ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
     FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
     WEIST LAKE: Last No report. Information: 760-352-3308.
     SUNBEAM LAKE: No Report.
     LAKE CAHUILLA: No report. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

     GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or www.bishopvisitor.com, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites are: www.KensSport.com (Bridgeport region), www.TheTroutFly.com (mostly fly-fishing), www.SierraDrifters.com (mostly fly-fishing), and www.CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com (Crowley Lake only). All of these sites generally have reports updated each week, with the top two the best.
     COLEVILLE-TOPAZ REGION: The West Walker River has continued very good for planted and wild trout with a lot of fish on hopper dries or a hopper and dropper two-fly rig. Cooler weather this week could knock down the hopper activity. Little Walker River is good for brookies and rainbows. Kirman Lake is excellent on brookies to 20 inches (and a Kirman brookie that size weighs five pounds or more) and cutthroats to 25 inches this past week. Several anglers reported 15 to 30 fish days. Best action on nymphs, scud and streamer patterns for float-tubing fly anglers. Roosevelt, Lane, and Poore all good, too. Information: Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.
     BRIDGEPORT REGION: Flows have been consistent on the East Walker in the 100 to 120 range this past week and the bite has been very good early and late in the day. While there had been a good hopper bite, that is slowing with the cooler weather. Still morning and evening caddis, and some morning trico and PMD action. Best brown reported in past week was in the 20-inch class. Bridgeport Reservoir has been good for float tube and boat anglers fishing the East Walker River channel and other creek channels. Yellow Power bait and gulp eggs as well as ‘crawlers are all producing for the bait fishermen. For fly anglers, it's been the best with soft hackles, streamers, and midging under an indicator. Twin Lakes have been just fair with a tougher bite for bait, lure, and fly anglers on pan-sized fish. The Virginia Lakes -- Big Virginia, Little Virginia, and Trumbel -- all excellent. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
     LEE VINING REGION: Lower Rush Creek in the special regulation section has been good on small caddis dries or a two-fly rig with fish to 16 inches reported, but water level is getting low. Some baetis hatches. Below 395, Rush is good but the fish are very small. Tioga, Saddlebag, Ellery and Lundy lakes are all good to excellent for bait, lure, and fly anglers. Lots of fly-bubble fish. Information: www.dipperflyfishing.com.
     JUNE LAKE LOOP: Light fishing pressure but generally good action throughout the loop, especially on planted trout with floating baits or for fly anglers fishing streamers around weed beds or midge pupae under an indicator. Best bite is early and late in the day. Walker and Parker lakes are both good, and all higher elevation waters are generally good. Nights are already getting cooler up high and the aspens are getting colored-up, especially up high. More and more browns showing in stream mouths and outlets. Information: Ernie’s Tackle at 760-648-7756.
     MAMMOTH AREA: Crowley Lake is good to excellent on midges under indicators in 12 to 15 feet of water or perch streamers along the weed beds. The best numbers of fish seem to be in the inlets, but fish are showing around much of the lake. Some good surface action most mornings. Algae problem subsiding. The perch action is also good in 14 to 40 feet of water on small jigs fished to suspended fish or trolled lures. The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are both very good for fly anglers. In the Mammoth Lake, all the lakes are good on holdover plants. The Twin Lakes have a pretty good morning callibaetis mayfly hatch and spinner fall but cooler weather is shutting that down. San Joaquin has been tough. Good action on planted trout in Rock Creek and Rock Creek Lake. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181, Convict Lake Resort at 760-934-3800, Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301, Tom’s Place at 760-935-4239.
     BISHOP AREA: Sabrina Lake fair with some fish in the two-pound class, mostly at the inlets. South Lake is good at the dam and inlets in the upper lake, mostly on planted fish, but quite a few brookies to 13 inches are being caught in these inlets. More browns each week. Trollers also getting a lot of holdover Alpers’ fish to three pounds. Bishop Creek is generally good on planted trout, with some wild fish. North Lake good for shore anglers and float tubers with a very good bite. The lower Owens River remains good for fly anglers. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair for lure, jig, bait, and fly anglers, especially for float tubers fishing near the inlet. Owens Gorge good for small browns on small dries. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,
     BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Generally fair to good action in the small streams after regular DFG plants. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

     LAKE ISABELLA: Still a pretty fair crappie bite on live minnows (and jigs after you find a school) in flooded timber from boats or float tubes. No one is reporting limits, but the catches of six to 10 fish have been common and the quality if good with most over a pound. The catfish action remains good on frozen shad, Sonny’s Dip Bait, and clams. Fair trout action at the auxiliary dam in deep water. Some decent bass on cranks and plastics, also topwater early and late in the day. There is good action on bluegill, mostly on wax worms. Carp fair to good in shallows. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     KERN RIVER: The roadside section of the upper Kern has been good for fly anglers. Good caddis hatch early and late and a morning baetis hatch. Water levels are falling (150 cfs this week) and so are water temperatures, making fishing good further downstream each week. Best action is still in the upper couple of miles of the roadside stretch or on above the Johnsondale Bridge in the wild trout section. The lower river flows are around 500 cfs and the smallmouth bass action is off the hook. Excellent action in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. Most fish are small, but it is wide open. The South Fork of the Kern from Rockhouse upstream has been very good for fly anglers but water levels are very low. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or James Store 760-376-2424.
     TULE RIVER: All of the usual stocking areas, including the lakes at Balch Park, were planted three weeks ago by the DFG and the action has been spotty on crickets, salmon eggs, and Jake’s lures. Information: www.clm-services.com or www.balchpark.com.
     AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Generally just fair striped bass action on bloodworms and some fish on swim baits. Most of the action is on small stripers, with as many under as over the 18-inch keeper size. The catfish bite is fair on cut baits, with shad the best. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     HART PARK LAKE: The bluegill bite remains good on wax worms, meal worms, or red worms. The carp action is also still fair to good on Powder Bait. Slow bass action.
     TRUXTUN LAKE: Bluegill are good on wax worms or crickets. The carp action remains fair to good on dough baits and Powder Bait. Slow bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics.
     RIVER WALK PARK: The bluegill bite is good on crickets, wax worms, and meal worms. Bass are very slow with a few on plastics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits.
     MING LAKE: Bluegill are good on wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and red worms. Good carp action on fish on Powder Bait, but other dough baits are also working. The bass and crappie bites are very slow.
     BRITE LAKE: No report. No DFG plants in over a month.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: The lake levels are down, but the bluegill bite has been good on wax worms, meal worms, and nightcrawler pieces. Fair catfish action on frozen shad and Sonny’s Dip Bait. Good carp action on Powder Bait. Bass, stripers, and crappie all slow, but the odd crappie still being caught on live minnows, and a few more largemouth are showing at first and last light on topwater baits. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     WOOLLOMES LAKE: The bluegill bite has really started to turn on, and quite a few quality fish are showing up in this bite, which has been best on wax worms, crickets, red worms, or meal worms.
     SUCCESS LAKE: There is a good bluegill bite, but other species are mostly slow with the odd bass showing on topwater early and late in the day. Information: 559-781-2078.
     KAWEAH LAKE: Fair to good bass bite on live bait and plastics, but the bite is almost all at night. Bluegill are good. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

     SAN ANTONIO: Overall the fishing is very spotty due to low water. Catfish the best bet on cut baits. A few striper boils reported this week. Few reports. Some largemouth and smallmouth showing early on shad-like swim baits, plastics, and nightcrawlers. Some bluegill, but crappie are slow. Information: 805-472-2818.
     NACIMIENTO: Very low lake levels. Still some fair spotted bass action on rocky points on plastics with a morning topwater bite for both largemouth and spots. Slow crappie and white bass action, but the catfish are fair on cut baits, mostly early and late in the day. Carp remain pretty fair in the marina area on dough baits. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
     SANTA MARGARITA: Fair bluegill and redear action, and better bass action this past week. A few catfish are also coming out. Light pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
     LOPEZ: Fair action on bluegill and redear on structure around much of the lake. Best action on nightcrawlers with fish topping a pound. Both largemouth and smallmouth are fair on plastics, with some surface action early and late in the day. Catfish also remain fair to good with some quality fish showing. Information: 805-489-1006.

TROUT PLANTS

     Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries this week. For updates in Southern California and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at 562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call 559-243-4005, x183. For trout plants statewide, you can visit the DFG's web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/index.asp.
     SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake.
     INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
     MONO: Convict Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections I and II), Sherwin Creek.
     KERN: Isabella Lake.

CATFISH PLANTS

     The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish this week.
     No plants this week.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

     TUNA FISHING UPDATE: Continued excellent yellowfin tuna action for San Diego and Orange County-based boats on overnight, 1 1/2-day, and two-day trips fishing just 60 to 100 miles from port. Windy conditions are likely through this weekend, so the conditions could get tougher over the next few days, but scores over the past week have been excellent. The boat the Indian was on a two-day trip over the weekend with 18 anglers, and they had full two-day Mexican limits of yellowfin (180 fish) along with a handful of dorado and yellowtail. The First String reported in with 100 yellowfin Wednesday even with winds coming up. Limits or near-limits of yellowfin, along with at least a few yellowtail and dorado off kelp paddies, have been the rule. Even some of the 3/4-day boats were getting into fish. The Freelance out of Davey’s Locker was out with 29 anglers on Monday and had 147 yellowfin, 21 skipjack, the best 3/4-day boat score of the season. The tuna action has spread all the way up the coast. The Pacific Queen, operating out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay was out Wednesday with 21 anglers who caught 50 albacore to 40 pounds and four bluefin. The bluefin story of the week, goes to Trinh Vu, Buena Park. He was fishing aboard the Constitution over the weekend and hooked, and after an hour of boat wrangling and battling, a 167-pound bluefin was on the deck.
     ISLANDS NEWS: Continued light pressure at the islands because of the hot tuna action. The few skippers fishing at San Clemente continue to find good action on yellowtail and quality calico bass to eight pounds. Catalina Islands is also seeing a decent bite of the calico bass with a few yellowtail on the front side for anglers who have small mackerel baits.
     NEARSHORE UPDATE: The coastal bites from the Channel Islands south to San Diego have been pretty good with most half- and three-quarter day skippers reporting half-limits of bass, mostly calicos but also some sand bass, along with a mixed catch of whitefish, sheephead, rockfish and the occasional white seabass. Until Wednesday, the Spitfire out of Marina del Rey Sportfishing, had pretty much posted bass limits most of the past week, and there have been some good flurries on sheephead and white seabass. To the north, the Sea Jay out of Channel Islands Sportfishing in Oxnard was on a full-day charter with 11 anglers and Monday and they sacked limits of calico bass and a halibut.
     INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting instructional charters throughout the year, offering advice to beginning or veteran anglers and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species.
The next trip is a two-day tuna trip aboard the Dolphin II leaving on Oct. 11. This trip is limited to just 25 anglers and costs $299. This is followed by another two-day trip aboard the Pacific Queen leaving on Nov. 6. This trip is limited to 28 anglers with a cost of $250. To book a spot or find out about other upcoming 976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426 or go to the website at www.976-TUNA.com.

LANDING CONTACTS

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