TROUT: The urban trout season kicked off last week with a very good bite at Hesperia Lake after it’s first trout plants of the season, and Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake were to receive their first trout this week. Most everyone will be stocking by the early part of November. It comes just in time. The local mountains lulled into a deep funk, with Big Bear, Green Valley, and Gregory all slow. Hemet is still pretty good. In the Eastern Sierra, the bites are slowing in the planted trout waters, but 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 blew out with the storm and it would be wise to wait for a week -- or at least call ahead -- before going up to fly-fish this stream.
     LARGEMOUTH BASS: The weather change has the largemouth bass bites mostly just fair right now, but there are flurries of decent morning and evening topwater bites. There also seems to be a surge in bigger fish with cooling water conditions. Trout plants starting this week will also spur on those trophy-sized bass (Silverwood was to be planted with rainbows this week). The top picks are again Diamond Valley, Perris, Castaic, Casitas, El Capitan, along with Upper and Lower Otay. Sutherland and Barrett are now closed. Other decent bets include Pyramid, Piru, Skinner, and Silverwood. 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: Rain and wind seemed to knock all the Southern California striper bites in the head this week, but this could turn around very quickly. Before the storm, the bites were fair to good and improving at all the usual haunts. Castaic, Skinner, Pyramid and Silverwood are were good before the rain and could turn right back on, and there were even some topwater bites returning. Diamond Valley may be the best bet this week after producing a couple of quality fish this week. On the Colorado River, Willow Beach continues to produce a few quality fish on big, trout-like baits, but mostly in the pre-dawn hours. Mohave and Havasu are both fair on small fish to four pounds. Hesperia Lake was planted with wipers last week and has been pretty good.
     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. While rain slowed most of these bites, warm weather could turn them right back on. Crappie bites have slowed most places, and even the Isabella bite was shut down by huge inflows of water from the rain. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is 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 fair to good, while Cachuma, Casitas, and Pyramid are fair and might improve thanks to the rain. A number of the San Diego area lakes were improving but the weather change didn’t seem to help this this past week. 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. Top fish down here was a 35-pound flathead this week.

     SILVERWOOD: The weather change ran most anglers away from the lake, but the striped bass and catfish action has been good right up until the weather change. The stripers have been best in Chemise and Miller, with some good topwater fishing, and a solid bait bite on anchovies. Quite a few fish on Kastmasters or Krocodile-type lures, too. Most of the stripers are from two to seven pounds. Dave Tarango, Apple Valley, had a five-fish, 20-pound stringer, and his best was a 4.7-pounder. He was using Pencil Poppers in Miller. Tim Cancel, Playa del Rey, had 10 fish that weighed 22 pounds fishing Krocodiles in Miller’s Canyon. Catfish are best at the dam, but they are showing all around the lake on chicken liver and shrimp. Sajid Arroyo, San Bernardino, had two cats at seven and 2 1/2 pounds fishing chicken liver at the dam. The largemouth bass bite has been fair with the best action at the points on lizards and other plastics. The bluegill bite is slow to 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 to fair in deeper water. First DFG trout plant of the season was scheduled for this week, almost a month earlier than expected. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
     BIG BEAR LAKE: Very light fishing pressure, and slowish trout action with the best bite for trollers or still fishermen fishing floating baits on long leaders in deep water. DFG trout plant last week. Bass action is fair but the topwater bite is waning with the cooler weather. Best bite on plastics and jigs on the points. Catfish slow, too. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or www.bigbearmarina.com.
     GREGORY LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and four weeks ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
     GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Slow to fair trout action with no plants since mid-September. Boat rentals have ceased, and the lake is slated to close October 31. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
     ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
     JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

     HESPERIA LAKE: Excellent fishing this past week. The first trout plants of the season went in last week and they were already showing in good numbers. Most of the fish are in the one to three-pound class and they are showing on floating baits. Steve Fong, Los Angeles, had a 3-8 rainbow on Power Bait. In addition, the action on hybrid stripers (wipers) also picked up after plants last week. Gary Easton, Monclair, caught a 2-12 wiper on mackerel. There continues to be a very good catfish bite 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. Tommy Jiminez, San Bernardino, caught an 18-pound blue cat on a nightcrawler. The sturgeon bite also turned on after last week's plant with several fish around the 20-pound mark caught. Mathew Nelson, Hesperia, got the top sturgeon at 24 pounds on mackerel. The lake will continue receiving plants each week of either trout, catfish, wipers, or sturgeon, with multiple plants many weeks. 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: Very good trout action this past week. Power Bait, especially in rainbow, garlic, spring green, salmon peach and orange has been the best bet for trout with nightcrawlers and a variety of jigs and lures also working well. Limits are common and many fish over three pounds are showing. Jim Bon, Green Valley, got a limit of trout totaling 21 pounds with a 6-11 topping the catch. Sal Garcia, Riverside, landed a 6-7 trout at the eastern shore of lake 3. The bass bite is just fair with the best action on Senkos and spinnerbaits. The bluegill bite is 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: First DFG trout plant of the season slated for this week. Still fair to good catfish action, but the last plant of the season went in four 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 four weeks ago. There is also a good carp bite for those targeting them. Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: The catfish bite has been slow to fair. Last catfish plant of the season went in four 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: Slow to fair catfish action with the best bite on nightcrawlers, shrimp, and chicken livers. The last county catfish plant of the season went in four weeks ago. There is also a good bluegill bite. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
     GLEN HELEN: Slow to fair catfish action. The last plant of the season went in four 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 slow to 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 largemouth bass action is very good with most fish being caught in 25 to 35 feet of water. The bass are hitting on a variety of baits and presentations with topwater the best bet in the morning and then spoons or plastics fished deeper the rest of the day. The panfish 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. The striper bite was fair to good this past week. Mike Krammerer, San Jacinto, caught a 14.57-pound striper fishing the northwest side of the lake with a Yo Zuri 3D minnow. Catfish action is slow but the best bite has been on cut baits at the east dam or Rawson Cove. The trout bite is still slow. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. A launch ramp extension project is beginning and it is slated to 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 catfish bite picked up some and is good with mackerel or chicken liver working best. Tom Avis, Hemet, caught a 10-pound catfish on mackerel at Marina Cove Point. The bluegill and redear bite is fair to good. The best bite for bluegill has been on crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait. Frank Taylor, Riverside, caught 40 redear and bluegill with fish to 1-8 on wax worms, red worms, and crickets. The bass bite was just fair, with some flurries of good action. One tuber reported a bass topping eight pounds this week. Slow to fair 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: Fishing for all species improved this past week. Catfish action is good on anchovies or chicken liver fished at the east end or social security point. The striper bite is very good with the east end and inlet still the top spots and anchovies and chicken liver the top baits. The largemouth bass bite improved as anglers have reported catching them all along the north and south shores. Most of the largemouth are smaller but quite a few over three pounds reported. Frank Holt, Lake Elsinore, caught a 7-8 largemouth on a dark plastic worm at the south shore. Bluegill action is good. 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: Simply no reports coming in with few anglers fishing right now. Water conditions remain excellent. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
     CORONA LAKE: The first trout plants of the season were slated to arrive Thursday this week. The lake will be planted with three different hatchery fish this season, all reputed to look, act, and taste more like wild fish. The rain this week is already raising the water level helping cool the water, making conditions ideal for trout, but the weather hasn’t hurt the catfish action. And thanks to a bonus plant of trophy cats last week, there have been a lot of five to seven pound fish, with a few bigger. The top catfish this past week was a nine nine-pounder landed by D.J. Berry, Lakeland Village, while fishing with mackerel from a boat. Anthony Yu, Ontario, had a six-pound cat on a nightcrawler, while Juan Diaz, Corona, landed a six-pounder, but he was fishing with shrimp. Larry Sanchez, Temecula, have five cats that weighed 12 1/2 pounds and his best was a five-pounder, all on J.D.’s Mackerel. Also still a few tilapia to three pounds showing on the cooling conditions should turn on the sturgeon bite. 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 catfish action. The last catfish plant of the season went over a month ago. Mackerel has been the top bait. Also the odd bass and carp showing up. Saul Llamas, Riverside, landed a 25-pound carp to go along with his three catfish. Information: 951-684-7032.
     FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: Catfish plants are slated for this week and October 30, and then trout season will kick off in November. There is also a catfish derby this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and prizes will be given out for the event. 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: Very 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 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 first trout plants of the season were slated to go in on Wednesday this week from Jess Ranch. The Jess Ranch rainbows are one of three strains of wild-looking rainbows slated to be stocked this season, along with browns, brookies, and Lightning Trout for special events. Catfish action has been good with a number of quality fish this week. The big catfish of the week was a seven-pound fish landed by Santiago Palacios, West Covina, on the marshmallow-meal worm combination. Roy Trejillo, Claremont, and Andy Rivera, Covina, teamed up to land nine cats that weighed 23 pounds total, and their big fish was a 6 1/2 pounder. Marcus Chin, Tustin, also landed a 6 1/2 pounder, while Christian Rimando, Anaheim, caught a six-pounder. Top baits have been shrimp or nightcrawlers doused with Gravy, but the marshmallow-meal worm combo has also been productive. The fish are showing all around the big lake, with Chris’ Pond and the Catfish Lake getting very little pressure. 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. 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 was good again this week. Top catfish was a huge 59.8-pound blue cat caught by Ronson “Catmando” Smothers, Los Angeles, on mackerel in the middle of the lake. Mackerel, shrimp, skipjack, and bonito were the top baits once again. Top spots were the west shore, Santiago Flats, and Rocky Point in 10 to 50 feet of water. Chris Hagopian, Redondo Beach, landed a 14.8-pound catfish on mackerel fishing the middle of the lake. 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 slowed some but the average size of the crappie caught has increased. The early morning and late evening bite on white Atomic Tubes has been best. Bass action slowed some this past week but there is still a fair to good bite on plastics fished around structure. Fair bluegill bite with meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks working best. The lake will be open until 11 p.m. Thursday nights and until 2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night through October 31. 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: The largemouth and smallmouth bites have both improved to fair with the best action on drop-shotted plastics and a few fish on topwater. Fair catfish action on mackerel and nightcrawlers 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. 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. 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 and shad were still available most mornings before the storm front moved through mid-week. The fish have been off points in 20 to 30 feet of water on plastics and live bait. Lots of smaller bass, but some quality fish. Brothers Gordon and Jeremy Kelly, Ojai, caught and released more than a dozen bass from two to eight pounds fishing live shad and big wooden cranks. Jim Brooks, Ventura, caught a 7-12 bass on live shad. Last week. The catfish have also been good, and that bite appeared to be taking off on Wednesday. Top fish was a 14-pounder landed by Robert Thomas, Camarillo, on mackerel. On Wednesday, Eric Najolia, Ventura, and his friends landed six catfish with the two best fish at 9-8 and 7-8 tops, all on mackerel.
Bluegill and redear remain fair to good in most coves on nightcrawlers or red worms in 10 to 15 feet of water. Trout still very slow. 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: Prior to mid-week’s storm the striped bass and largemouth bass action has been good with flurries of excellent action for anglers who managed to dip net a few live shad. Lots of two-pound largemouth reported over the weekend with some bigger. The striper action was also good on the live shad and there was again some topwater action this past week, especially at the dam early and late in the day. 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. The bluegill and crappie action is also still fair to good on wax worms and meal worms at the lower lake. There is also a good carp bite. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.
     PIRU: Few reports with a fair bass bite on plastics and nightcrawlers and a few trout showing for trollers. The crappie bite is still fair on small jigs 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 bite has been fair over the past week with very spotty surface action and only fair action on bait and swimbaits. The fish have scattered all over the lake with cooling water temperatures and winds, and this week’s rain will just continue that trend. The aqueduct is still flowing so the water is moving through the main channel. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are a better bet with pretty fair to good action on suspended cranks and swim baits. Also a fair to good bite on bluegill and redear on live bait fished in 12 to 20 feet. Some of the redear are in the pound range. Channel catfish are fair, mostly in the channel and off the marina rocks on anchovies. 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 has been fair to 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: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     HODGES: There were 57 anglers checked and they reported catching just 38 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 188 anglers checked reported catching 170 bass, nine bluegill, 63 crappie, and nine catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Saturday and Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     LOWER OTAY: There were 157 anglers checked who reported catching 92 bass to 4.8 pounds, 119 bluegill, and 16 catfish to 29.5 pounds. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will not be renting boats November, December, or January. 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 11 anglers checked reported landing 18 bass to 4.7 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: No report. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are not availble during October and November. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     MIRAMAR: No report. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are not available during October and November. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     SUTHERLAND: The lake is now closed for fishing and will reopen March of 2010. 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 is mostly slow with the last plant over a month ago. Mackerel and chicken liver are the top baits and the top spots are the buoy line areas. The bass fishing was fair to good this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics. 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: DFG trout plant this week.
     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 in the early morning. Fair to good bluegill action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Trout season is slated to start in early November. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
     POWAY: Bass action slowed as the shad have dissipated. The catfish action was fair to good, especially for anglers fishing the log boom or the fishing pier. The last catfish plant of the season went in over a month ago. Some bluegill are still showing in Hidden Bay but the bite is mostly slow. Trout action slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
     JENNINGS: There continues to be a decent bass bite along the edges in the morning. The key is to drag something ugly off the bank into the water very slowly, or skip a jig or tube under the overhanging trees. The key is a very slow retrieve. The deepest that fish have been caught during the day is 15 to 20 feet on the points. Some cats are being caught from shore where you can reach the channel from Hermit Cove and Big Rock. Your best bet is to fish from a boat in 80 to 100 feet of water. The first trout plant of the season is schedule for next week. Twilight boat rentals are returning -- $20 for the last three hours the lake is open. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
     MORENA: Fishing is mostly slow for all species. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
     CUYAMACA: 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. Plants last week and next week. 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. 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: Fair to good catfish action on shrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel. The bluegill bite has been good near the dock. The crappie action is also fair with fish averaging around a pound each and some bigger. A few bass and carp showing, too. 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, but the action slowed early this week. 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: The striper bite has been pretty much confined to the early morning hours from 2 a.m. to dawn with a fair number of fish taken right off the beach on big, trout-like lures. The trout action has been good with lighter fishing pressure. The fish are stacking up making the action good throughout the week. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Still weekly trout plants. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
     LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers in improving with the cooler weather this past week. 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: Overall slow fishing with only a few stripers and catfish showing on drifted anchovies. Trout plants should begin late in October. Next fishing derby will be 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: Still a pretty decent striped bass bite with 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 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. Bob Claylor, Hemet, landed a 35-pound flathead in a local canal this week. 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. Fly-fishing celebrities Carl Richards and Mike Allen, both Long Beach, fly-fished the main river and local canals early this week and landed both smallmouth and largemouth to two pounds. Keegan Clemens, Jake Clemens, and Paul Arquette, all Rancho Cucamonga, caught 12 smallmouth and three largemouth on Roostertails and hot dog chunks fishing south of Twin Palms Resort (above diversion dam). 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 fair to good, 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. 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 good for planted and wild trout with a lot of fish nymphs under and indicator. Little Walker River is good for brookies and rainbows. Kirman Lake is excellent on brookies to 25 inches and cutts to 27 inches this past week. Several anglers again 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: Snow throughout the high country this week. Flows have been consistent on the East Walker in the 90 to 100 cfs range this past week and the bite has been very good early and late in the day. Not a lot of dry fly action, but a good nymph bite on just about anything size 16 or smaller. There is also a pretty good streamer bite starting. Bridgeport Reservoir has been good for shore, 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 still good. 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, and Ellery all slowed down with the cold weather, but Lundy remains good bait, lure, and fly anglers. Information: www.dipperflyfishing.com.
     JUNE LAKE LOOP: Snow this week and light fishing pressure. Just fair action throughout the loop, with the best bite on holdover planted trout or brown trout. Best bite is early and late in the day. Walker and Parker lakes are both good, especially for browns and brookies in the stream mouths. 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, but it’s the perch streamer bite that has really turned on in the past couple of weeks. Stripping the flies along weed beds is the hot ticket. A lot of fish with shoulders are showing now and two, three or more fish over 18-inches for a morning of fishing is common. The algae is completely gone and the fish are stacking up in the North Arm (Owens River) of the lake. Also quite a few browns in Whiskey Bay, McGee Bay, and the mouth of Hilton Creek. The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are both very good for fly anglers. In the Mammoth Lakes, all the lakes are slowing down with the snow this week, but there is a good brook trout bite in the stream mouths. The Twin Lakes have a pretty good morning with a lot of midging fish early and late in the day, even in the snow. Fair action on holdover 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: Light fishing pressure throughout the Bishop Creek drainage, but the action is fair at all the lakes, especially at the inlets for browns and brookies. Sabrina Lake has been pretty good with a lot of holdover rainbows, some to three pounds. 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. Trollers also getting a few holdover Alpers’ fish to three pounds. Bishop Creek is fair on holdover planted trout, with some wild fish. North Lake good for shore anglers and float tubers with a very good bite, mostly on holdover rainbows. 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 DFG plants, and Baker, Big Pine, and Long Pine creeks were all planted this week. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

     LAKE ISABELLA: Rain in the high country muddies up both forks of the Kern and poured a lot of off-color water into the lake mid-week. Few reports since then, but except for the catfish action, most of the bites that had been going are expected to slow. The influx of water might just make the catfish action better. There had been a fair to good crappie bite on live minnows in flooded timber from boats or float tubes, and the bass action has been decent on cranks, plastics, jigs, and live bait. Slow to fair trout action at the auxiliary dam in deep water. Carp fair to good in shallows. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern rocketed up from 152 cfs at Kernville on Tuesday to over 2,500 cfs by 4 p.m. Wednesday. Needless to say, it blew out the very good roadside fly-rod action from Kernville all the way up past the Johnsondale Bridge into the Wild Trout section of the river. With clearing weather the flows will probably drop back down about as quickly as they shot up and the river should clear quickly. Check with one of the local shops if you plan to go up this weekend. The lower river flows continue to be low and the smallmouth bass action remains very good in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. Most fish are small, but it is wide open. Improving catfish action, too. The South Fork of the Kern from Isabella upstream was also blow-out with runoff at mid-week. 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, have not been planted for over a month and the action is very slow. Information: www.clm-services.com or www.balchpark.com.
     AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Generally just fair to good striped bass action on bloodworms and some fish on swim baits. Some very good reports of pre-dawn action on crankbaits early this week with fish to five pounds. 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: First DFG plant of the season is slated for this week. 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: Trout plant by the DFG is schedule for this week. 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: First trout plant of the season was schedule by the DFG this week. 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: DFG trout plant this week, first of the season. 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: DFG trout plant last week.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: The Taft Trout Derby is schedule for Nov. 14, and the lake will be planted with over a ton of trout prior to this event, including the usual assortment of huge rainbows topping 10 pounds. 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: DFG trout plant slated for this week. It is the first plant of the season. 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: Runoff from storm affecting the lake. There was a good bluegill bite, but other species were mostly slow with the odd bass showing on topwater early and late in the day. Information: 559-781-2078.
     KAWEAH LAKE: Runoff from storm making most coves murkey. Fair to good bass bite on live bait and plastics before the storm. Bluegill were good. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

     SAN ANTONIO: Heavy rains blew out the fishing. Catfish the best bet on cut baits until water clears. Information: 805-472-2818.
     NACIMIENTO: Heavy rains shut down the spotted bass bite. Catfish 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: Slow action after heavy rains. A few catfish are also coming out, working stained water. Light pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
     LOPEZ: Weather shut down the good action on bluegill and redear, the bass bite, and only a few catfish have been reported this week. 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: Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Silverwood Lake.
     SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.
     INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, North Lake, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha).
     MONO: Convict Creek, Lee Vining Creek, Mary Lake, Rock Creek (Section II), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes (Mammoth), Virgina Lakes (Upper and Lower).
     FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
     KERN: Hart Park Lake, Lake Truxton, Lake Woollomes, Ming Lake, The Park at River Walk Lake.
     MADERA: Corrine Lake.
     MARIPOSA: McSwain Reservoir.
     MERCED: Merced River (from McSwain Dam to Merced Falls).
     TUOLUMNE: Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Moccasin Creek.

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 FISHNG STILL EXCELLENT: San Diego all but missed the rain event that whacked most of Southern California, but the wind and swell still made the action difficult at mid-week. But through the weekend, the tuna action has remained excellent with just very little angler participation. The yellowfin are still showing as close as 50 miles to the coast and the big mass of fish are from 100 to 180 miles off the coast with the multi-day boats fishing on San Martin just hammering the fish. Add in a good pick on the yellowtail and dorado, and it’s a shame so few anglers are taking advantage of this bite. Many skippers are saying it’s the best yellowfin action in at least the last five years both in volume and quality.
     ISLANDS NEWS: Even lighter fishing pressure at the islands than on the tuna fishing grounds with the storm and there were more weather-related problems the further north you go. The few skippers running out to San Clemente or Catalina at mid-week, but before the storm there continued to be good action on yellowtail and quality calico bass at Clemente. At Catalina Island, there was 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 slower in recent days because of the wind/swell/rain which led to light fishing pressure. Many skippers, especially from the more northern landings, are focusing on the whitefish, sheephead, and rockfish again.
     LOBSTER SEASON: The lobster season opened Oct. 3 and the bug netting has improved since the storm. The bugs like to crawl in good tides and during storms.
     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 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.