October 29, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. While trout season is kicking off a lot of places this week, including Irvine Lake with a big plant of rainbows, browns, brookies, and steelhead, the action at Santa Ana River Lakes for the new Nebraska Tailwalkers has been excellent with many, if not most, anglers reporting limits of trout weighing up to four pounds or a little better. Mt. Lassen rainbows are going in this week. For an update, call the tackle shop at 714-632-7851, the recording at 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
2. River trout fishermen should head up to the Kern River to get in on the excellent fall fishing going on in both the upper and lower rivers. The flows are down and the trout are showing in excellent numbers with fish to four pounds or better reported each week. Fly anglers should check with the Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com for updates on patterns and where to fish. Bait and lure anglers should call Bob's Bait in Bakersfield at 661-833-8657 or the James Store at 760-376-2424 for tips.
3. Casitas Lake has been overlooked as a top bass spot lately and the fall bite is as good or better here than anywhere else. Live shad have been up on the surface and anglers getting a dip or two are having excellent fishing. Without the shad, plastics, nightcrawlers, or small trolled lures have been the best for the bass. Top fish this past week was a 10-plus for the second week in a row. For an update on the action check with the marina at 805-649-2043.
 

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, and Hesperia Lake are all excellent with their trout seasons now in full swing. All three are also getting Nebraska Tailwalkers this season. Irvine Lake starts its trout season this week with a 20,000-pound plant of browns, rainbows, brookies, and steelhead. Big Bear Lake also picked with a plant again this week. Diamond Valley has a fair bite for trollers working out of rental boats, but light fishing pressure now that the lake is closed to private launching. It will get trout planted this week, too. Few other bites of note, but most waters in SoCal will be getting trout plants within the next two to three weeks. In the Sierra, most places have slowed. Exceptions include the East Walker and lower Owens for fly anglers. In the Western Sierra, the upper and lower stretches of the Kern River are very good, seeing some of the best fishing of the year.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: There is generally fair to good fall bass action across the region. Casitas, Perris, and Diamond Valley Lake are all good in about that order of preference. Castaic, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, Skinner, Piru, Otay, and Wohlford all have fair to good. Poway, and El Capitan are a little slower. Hodges closed this week.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood, Castaic, Skinner, and Pyramid have all been fair with no standout reports this past week and no big fish. Most of these lakes are producing fish to four pounds with an occasional bigger fish at Castaic. Diamond Valley also have some striper boils going on and fish to 15 pounds were reported this week. A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too, but that action is slow. On the Colorado River, the best striper action has been the fair to good bite in Mead where a lot of smaller fish to three pounds showing. Havasu and Mojave are also fair on smaller fish.
PANFISH: Top bets for bluegill and redear include Lopez, Diamond Valley, Perris, and Lower Otay. Most Southern California crappie bites are off, but there is still a few fish showing at Elsinore and Cuyamaca. The Central Coast lakes of Lopez and San Antonio both have been pretty fair for the crappie, too, with Lopez producing some bigger fish.
CATFISH: The action at all of the planted-catfish lakes is still good, but this is winding down rapidly, but the fall bite on bigger, hold-over or wild fish is picking up. While no monsters were reported this week, we’ll remind you that Otay cranked out a 90-plus pounder last week and that Corona Lake had a near 40-pounder. Top fish this week was a near 36-pounder from Lower Otay. Other decent bets include Santa Ana River Lakes, Hesperia Lake, Skinner, Diamond Valley, Henshaw and Silverwood, all are worth fishing. The lower Colorado River and river backwater, ditches, and canals have been consistently fair to good with both flatheads and channels showing in the catch.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: Trout action picking up each week thanks to DFG plants with a good bite reported this week. Cleghorn is the most reported area with anglers using worms or Power Bait to pull out most fish. Top trout of the week was a two-pounder landed by Allen Hamill, Apple Valley. Last trout plant, 1,500 pounds, went in on Oct. 17, with another one from the DFG this week. Striper and catfish bites fair to good, too. The stripers are showing off the docks and near the dam on anchovies or nightcrawlers, while the catfish have been reported from all over on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Top striper was a 16-pounder by Jordan Barshay, Woodland Hills. Top cat was a 10-pounder by James Martin, Pinion Hills, on anchovies from Quiet Cove. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The rainbow trout bite sparked this week, and should continue with a DFG plant slated. Power Bait or nightcrawlers fished off the south shore near the dam is the best formula for catching fish. Top trout was a 7.68-pounder caught by Juan Jouel, Big Bear City. Jim Hass, Long Beach, pulled out a 4.73-pound rainbow. Joseph Foulger, 11, San Pedro, caught a 3.04-pound trout. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow to fair trout bite with a few fish reported on floating baits fished close to the bottom. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish, but the last plant was over a month ago and morning temperatures have been in the 20s. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: No reports. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: The trout action is really starting to take off with a good bite this week on Power Bait or nightcrawlers at the inlet and off the east bank and north shore. Albert Chavez, Pinion Hills, pulled out a 5 3/4-pound trout. John Agguire, Hesperia, and Mark Herrera, Barstow, both pulled out five-pound trout. The sturgeon and catfish are still consistent with fair bites for both. Power Bait is the top bait for the sturgeon and nightcrawlers or Power Bait will do it for the catfish, too. Top catfish was an 18-pounder landed by Jaime Lopez, Victorville. Steve Peterson, Chino, pulled out a 16-8 blue catfish on shrimp. Top sturgeon was a 15-pounder from Roger Custer, Adelanto. Ozzy Duran, Bakersfield, landed a 10-pound sturgeon. Trout plants are twice a week, including an upcoming 1,000-pound plant from Jess Ranch. A sturgeon plant, 2,500 pounds, will go in next week. Day session hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout bite continues to be very good on lakes 3 and 2 for anglers using Power Bait (spring green, rainbow and chartreuse) nightcrawlers, jigs and for trollers using Kastmasters or Rapalas. Most trout caught are near or over two pounds with some over three. Hot spots include the grassy point, eastern logged shore and the north shore near the pump of lake 3 as well as the northern and eastern shores of lake 2. Bass are biting Senkos off the eastern and northern shores of lake 3 with anglers reporting good action off the eastern shore of lake 2 near the wall. Catfish bite good on mackerel and shrimp off the eastern shore of lake 2. The hatchery stocks trout every Friday year round. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Fair catfish on various stink baits and blood baits, as well as nightcrawlers or meal worms. A county trout plant will go in on Saturday, Nov. 15. Anglers have reported some action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Trout season is almost here with a plant slated for the first week of November. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite fair on nightcrawlers, mackerel, and shrimp. Last catfish plant was Sept. 11. Bernie Ewell, Ontario, landed two catfish, one at seven and the other at three pounds. He was fishing nightcrawlers and mackerel. Trout plants begin in early November. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair catfish action on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal worms, or anything dipped in Sonny’s stink bait. Action is best in the afternoons. Last catfish plant was in September. Fair bluegill action on wax or meal worms. Mostly quarter- to half-pounders on stringers, fish to one pound are rare. Trout plants will begin next week. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair catfish fishing on mackerel, shrimp, Hog Wild or anything dipped in Sonny’s. Trout plant slated for next week. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. Shoreline access has been expanded and rental boats will remain available. Bass anglers are still struggling because of the closure, but have reported fair to good action on swimbaits or LA Sliders. Kenneth Ho, Temecula, caught several stringers of bass totaling 22 fish over the past week, all on crawdads off various points. Trout bite should begin to take off this week with slated plants. Top baits are Power Bait, mini jigs, Roostertails and Kastmasters. Striper have surfaced and boils have been spotted with a few fish reported off the north shore points on floating swimbaits or large topwater lures. Matt Thompson, Hemet, landed a 15.59-pound striper on an LA Slider off the marina. The easy-to-come-by bluegill bite slowed, and anglers have had to work for their fish. Mini jigs or live worms near the restrooms or dams are still producing decent stringers, however. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Very good bluegill action with fish from a quarter-pound to 1 1/2 pounds. The bite is best off the marina on crickets. Two anglers pulled out 1-8 bluegill this week -- Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, and Bob Walker, Moreno Valley. The catfish bite is also very good on anchovies or mackerel near the dam. Kialami Tenorio, Gavilan Hills, caught a 15-pound catfish. Good crappie bite on crappie jigs from all over. Trout bite not so hot, but should improve with a DFG trout plant that’s going in this week. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The catfish bite is still very good, although it isn’t as hot as it has been the past couple of weeks. Dropping water temps are the cause of this. The fish are from four to six pounds with anglers using mackerel or chicken liver off Ramp No. 2 and the east end. Edward Norton, Anza, caught a six-pound cat from the inlet. Kelly Torres, Temecula, pulled out a four-pounder. Striper bite trails the catfish bite, but there is still good action on anchovies, swimbaits and chicken liver at the inlet and off the north and south shores. Don Jordan, Oceanside, caught a two-pound striper. Bass and bluegill bites fair with some action off the east end and south shore for both species. The first trout plant is slated for Thursday, Nov. 6. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Crappie action continues to dominate with a fair to good bite on nightcrawlers and small jigs. Bluegill action fair on crickets and meal worms. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair, but slower than usual lately. Carp fair off the east end on dough balls. Catfish and bass are hit and miss. No signs of trout, yet. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: The trout action has been hot ever since the Nebraska Tailwaker rainbows were planted last week with limits reported right through the weekend. The biggest was a 4 1/2 pounder caught by Greg Sanchez, Chino, to top off his 13 1/2-pound, four-fish stringer on strawberry Power Bait. Joe Conklin of Stanton had six trout to four pounds, while Uishal Singh, Covina, also landed a four-pound Tailwalker. Most stringers has trout to 3 1/2 or four pounds, and the hot baits were floating dough baits. The catfish bite has also remained good for the few anglers fishing the cats. Corey Salery, Los Angeles, landed five cats that weighed 10 1/2 pounds total on mackerel and chicken liver. Trout plants weekly. There is 24-hour fishing this Friday and Saturday. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Catfish action fair with the most action reported on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass action on plastics and crankbaits, and fair action on small bluegill action around the shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Catfish remain the name of the game here. Anglers are catching a fair number of fish to four pounds with an occasional bigger fish. No more catfish plants this season, but trout plants are slated to begin next week. Upcoming events: Trout tournament scheduled for January 24. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair to good catfish action on nightcrawlers or shrimp. No more catfish plants will go in, but trout plants will begin next 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: The first trout plant of the season went in this week. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the most talked about trout baits here. Catfish bite good to excellent. Mornings to about 11:30 a.m. is when the bite is best, and then things pick back up from 2 p.m. until sunset off the island. Mackerel, shrimp and stink baits are producing the most. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Trout action has improved with the cooler weather and shore anglers catching as many fish as boat anglers. Best action on inflated nightcrawlers or trolling. Pete and Payton Wynn, Hemet, caught two limits of rainbows on Saturday with fish to 1 1/2 pounds. Lyne Fleming, Anza, landed his five-fish limit, including one trout at three pounds, while fishing nightcrawlers off the point. Raul and Raul Sanchez Jr., Downey, trolled Needlefish to landed seven trout to two pounds. DFG trout plant this week. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good trout action after last week’s plants of the new “Tailwalker” rainbows from Nebraska. Limits of fish up to 4 1/2 pounds the rule the first two or three days after the plant. Top troutreported were a trio of 4 1/2 pounders. Bob Torez, Bellflower, and Samuel Todd, Irvine, each topped off their five-fish limits with 4 1/2 pound rainbows. Torez’ limit weighed in at 14 3/4 pounds and he was using white Nitro eggs, while Todd’s fish totaled 15 1/2 pounds and he was fishing with nightcrawlers doused with Nitro Gravy. Sandra Suzane, Fullerton, had the other 4 1/2-pounder fishing Nitro Bait in lemon-lime color. The catfish bite continues good, if not neglected. James Jordan, Inglewood, landed three cats to 2 1/2 pounds fishing mackerel off the northshore. Trout plants are weekly, and there is 24-hour fishing Thursday through Saturday this week. 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: The good catfish bite continues with fish caught on mackerel near the dam and off the Santiago Flats. This action should continue through mid- to late-November. Most of the attention will shift to trout this week with the trout opener and major plants of fish. Top catfish of the week went to Nick Vega, Garden Grove, who pulled out a 12-pounder. Donovan Swann, Fontana, caught a 10.9-pounder. Some trout are already biting with anglers using Salmon eggs or trolling with Rapalas by the buoy line and off Rocky Point and the Santiago Flats. Trout opener scheduled for this Friday, Halloween. There will have been 20,000 pounds of rainbows, brooks, browns and steelhead planted. The lake was closed Wednesday and Thursday this week in preparation for the opener. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Good bass bite with fish from one to two pounds reported recently, and a few better. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms, crankbaits, and topwater lures in dark colors are best. Biggest fish was a 4 1/4-pound largemouth. Bluegill good on half nightcrawlers. Crappie good on assorted crappie jigs. Catfish bite good on nightcrawlers and mackerel at the point, near the launch ramp and at the opening of the inlet. Top catfish pulled out was a 6 1/4-pounuder. The launch ramp and the inlet entrance are the hot spots. Upcoming events: Float Tube Derby scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Nov. 20, to kick off the trout season. The lake will be closed to shore and boat anglers that day. Register by email to lnlake@cox.net or call 949-201-9884. Trout opener set for Friday, Nov. 21 beginning at 6 a.m. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

CACHUMA: Fair trout action, but anglers still have to put in some extra time and work for anything over a pound. Trollers are working 30 to 40 feet with Needlefish, Kastmasters or Rapalas. Some bait anglers have reported fish in the one to two-pound range on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant this week. Crappie bite spotty with a few fish on jigs. Bass bite slow to fair with only a few fish showing early mornings. Catfish bite continues to be slow, but with a few good ones reported on shrimp, mackerel or anything dipped in stink baits. For quagga mussel and the new boat launching information, log on at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html. Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: The shad are all over, and anglers are netting them in big numbers and using them to pull out some quality bass. Overall, the bite is fair if you don’t have the shad. Nightcrawlers and trolled lures fished right at the surface are the best alternatives. Early morning bite is best. Top largemouth bass was a 10 1/4-pounder caught by Martin Lasmin, Oak View. Robby Martinez, Ventura, pulled out an eight-pound bass on jigs. Mike Kane, Camarillo, caught a six-pounder, as well as a stringer full of two and three-pound bass. Trout and catfish bites both poor. Private boats are again being allowed at Casitas, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Action is on the slower side here with low, murky waters. Anglers have seen no signs of trout. The last trout plant, 1,000 pounds, went in Oct. 6, and not too many holdovers have been reported. A DFG trout plant is slated for this week, so improved action is near. The word out is that the bass action is fair with fish reported on worms and swimbaits. No names or confirmation, but the story is a 10-pound largemouth was pulled out this week. Striper bite on the slow side, but signs of some action on anchovies, however no recorded catches or names. A few cats have also been pulled out, but nothing bigger than eight pounds. Mackerel or shrimp working for the cats. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: The fall bass bite is kicking into gear with fair to good action on plastic worms and lures in 10 to 15 feet. Trout have been tough, but a DFG trout plant this week should put more trout on anglers’ stringers. Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any type of plastic worms are the hot picks for the trout. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: Shore fishing and boat fishing are both in full swing. Striper bite still sluggish, with a few fish reported under four pounds and the odd fish over 10. Best action on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers. Largemouth and smallmouth bites improved over the weekend on plastics and swimbaits. Some catfish reported in the channels on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill reports. DFG trout plant this week. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair catfish bite on pieces of mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits, and live worms. The fish are deep. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant this week. The bite is picking up with some reported catches on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Catfish bite still fair, but good action later in the day on mackerel, shrimp or chicken liver. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Closed for the season. The lake will reopen next spring. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Tough bass action during the last week of fishing. This week 90 anglers reported 30 bass. Hodges is now closed until February. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Bass bite fair to good. This week 114 anglers reported 174 bass, 21 crappie, two channel catfish and one blue catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: Good bluegill and bass bites. This week 196 anglers reported 409 bluegill to nearly a pound, 314 bass to seven pounds, 19 channel catfish and one blue catfish. Ella Arneson, Imperial Beach, caught a 35.80-pound blue catfish on mackerel fishing near the buoy line. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: Good bass bite. This week 10 anglers checked reported 30 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: The lake is closed and is expected to remain closed for six to nine years for dam reconstruction. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
MURRAY: No individual catch report. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: No individual catch report. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: The lake is closed. The lake is open for fishing and boating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boar rentals available on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: The action is dominated by channel catfish and bass. Channel catfish bite good on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers, while the bass bite is fair on Power Bait, shad, swimbaits or nightcrawlers. Chris Linker, Valley Center, landed a 4-12 bass on crankbait off Bass Point. Fair crappie bite on jigs. Jerry Harris, Riverside, landed a 1-8 crappie, while Larry Rosby, Moreno Valley, caught a 1-7. Trout opener set for Saturday, December 13, 4,500 pounds of trout will go in. The lake is open Saturdays and Sundays through the trout opener. There is a temporary ban on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: A 2,000-pound trout plant is scheduled for this week, and the official season opener is set for Nov. 7. The bass action is fair with fish caught in the 10-pound range. Some anglers have reported catching loads of bass in Trout Cove with some to six pounds. Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Fair bass action this week. The lake is slated to receive 4,000 pounds of trout on Nov. 5 from Chalk Mound Trout Ranch in Nebraska, and half will be trophy-sized. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset during the month of October. Beginning Saturday, the lake will go back to its Wednesday through Sunday schedule. Float tubes, private motors and anchors, and live bait are banned at the lake due to potential quagga mussel contamination. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The lake received 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout last Friday, with another 1,000 from Mt. Lassen going in this week. The bass are still going after the planted trout. Anglers are throwing trout imitation lures to fool them. Fair to good catfish action with fish reported on Power Bait, mackerel or shrimp off the boat dock, near the buoy line and in the rock quarry area. The lake is now open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 p.m. Lake information: Ranger Hugh Marx, 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Some big bass over seven pounds have been landed here recently. Bass anglers are experiencing good action on crawdads and swimbaits off the North Boat Dock, especially. Bluegill bite fair on pieces of nightcrawlers. Catfish bite good with fish reported on chicken liver or mackerel. The area below the cabins is best. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers off the T-Dock. Another 1,000-pound Jess Ranch plant going in this week.The channel catfish bite hangs on with fair action on worms or mackerel. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: A good crappie bite off the docks. Lee Mallory, Hemet, pulled out 11 crappie to two pounds. Lyle Daniels, Santa Ysabel, caught 30 crappie over a two-day period, with a one-pounder his top fish. Channel catfish action fair to good. Chad Stephens and Spencer Suazo, both El Cajon, and Bob Irwin, Ramona, caught seven channel catfish, with a 3.5-pound top fish. Vern Schweitzer, Santa Ysabel, landed a three-pound channel catfish. The lake is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Nightfishing is over. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Water levels are on the rise, although the overall bite is sluggish. Small stripers, from eight to 10 inches, and catfish have slow to fair bites in the Vegas Wash area. The stripers are also chasing the shad in Gypsum Wash and near the Boulder Bay pier with some better action reported in these areas. Anchovies and plastics continue to be the best baits for stripers. The night catfish bite is fair to good for anglers using lights and then fishing anchovies
WILLOW BEACH: Trout bite still good and consistent. The new fishing pier is the spot for trout. Anglers are using salmon eggs, green Power worms or floating baits just off shore. Trollers are also catching trout on Jakes, Panther Martins and spoons. Trout continue to be planted every Friday. Stripers spotty. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: The bite is very good from early to mid-morning for small stripers on anchovies. Fair catfish bite for both on cut baits. Stripers reported are small, seven to 14 inches, while the cats have been 15 to 20 inches. Trolling techniques are productive in Cottonwood Cove. Lake levels are steady. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Good striper bite. The first trout plant of the season went in and the action is fair on Power Bait or nightcrawlers.
NEEDLES: Striper bite fair with only small fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Water levels are up, and so is the bite, but still take caution when launching. Some bass have been caught on Senkos. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper action fair to good with the best bite in the early morning around the reefs and points with fish to four pounds or greater. Fair smallmouth and largemouth bass. The fish are 13 inches and up. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds or better on shrimp and mackerel. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite fairish with some fish greater than 20 pounds, and a few 30-pounder lurking in the water. The bass bite has been just fair in the main river for smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds and bigger reported this week. Bluegill bite fair to good in most backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Water temperatures and levels are up, and the bass action is fair to good in the backwaters and smallies on the river rip-rap. Also improving action on schoolie-sized stripers in the river with fish to four pounds reported. Very good flathead action. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair catfish bite on mackerel. Few reports. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. 
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action fair on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel catfish bite fair, and the crappie bite is also fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to be the best fishing spot, especially for the channel catfish. Fair to good channel catfish action, and just a fair redear, and bluegill bite. Catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms in the river and backwaters. The flatheads have been fair in the main river, mostly on live bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

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

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Bridgeport Reservoir’s trout bite is hanging on, but low temps and levels are making it tough. There is a dirt area for launching by the dam. Fish early and late out of float tubes. Temps have cooled down on the East Walker, overnight freezing temps, with improved water flows to about 59 cfs. Fair bite with some quality browns being landed. Virginia Lakes fair. Big Virginia Lakes’s fly and bait bite is still decent. Twin Lakes fishing fair for trollers fishing on top. West Walker River fair from 395 bridge down the canyon into the town of Walker, both stockers and wild fish showing on dries and droppers. For the East Walker River flows, you can check this website for real time flow data: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv?10293000. Fishing information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: The cold weather is here and all the lakes on the Loop -- June, Gull, Silver and Grant are feeling the temp change. Nighttime temps have dropped well below freezing, and morning temps are very low, but the big fish love it. Float tubbing with the big streamers is a good combination for fish. Also try midging the outlet and inlet of Silver and near the reeds on the far side of Gull and June. Rush Creek flows are about 13 cfs, and the action is fair for those nymphing early. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: The bite at Crowley is on the slow side with very low water levels, as well as low water temps. Anglers are finding good fish in the warm spots, where the temps are 56 to 58 degrees. The Island, Six Bays and Sandy Flat have some decent action, including 20-inch cutthroats. The bite at Hilton has slowed, but a few big ones remain, 20 plus inches, including some cutthroats. Good early morning and late afternoon and evening action in Mammoth Creek and all the Mammoth Lakes -- Mary, Mamie, Gull, and George. The fly-fishing options are best at Mamie and Twin Lakes with fish feeding on midges. The road to San Joaquin is now closed and will probably not reopen until next season. Convict Lake bite fair for rainbow trout at the inlet and outlet on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. The fall fishing derby began last week and will continue through Nov. 15. Over $7,000 in prizes will be given. Entry is $15. For fishing info, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or www.performanceanglers.com.
BISHOP AREA: A lot of hit and miss action, but patient anglers are catching fish throughout the Bishop Creek drainage. The bite at Lake Sabrina is on the slow side, but that’s due to the recent very cool temps. Fish the inlet with salmon eggs, Power Bait or Gulp for the best action. Shore anglers are using nightcrawlers and a bobber or Power Bait and Gulp combined. Sabrina’s landing is closed for the season, but the closing weekend was eventful. Temps were warm, and the fish were biting all over on white jigs, nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. Michelle Connell and Ben Ramsoell, Victorville, caught 6 3/4, 5 1/2, 4 1/2 and 4 1/4-pound trout off shore. Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fair to good for trout and perch. The trout are biting Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The lower Owens River has flows at 147 cfs, which are perfect, and in combination with the weather make the bite good to excellent. Tricos hatch around 7 a.m., baetis start mid-morning. For flow information on the whole Owens River system, you can get information here: http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/aqueduct/showAqueductMap.ladwp?contentId=LADWP_AQUERTD_SCID. For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Pretty decent bite in the lower Owens River and local creeks coming off the Sierra, mostly for planted trout and wild fish now. Diaz Lake slow. Plants this week only in Big Pine Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Taboose Creek, and Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie action is back with a fair bite on minnows in the trees. Fish from a quarter to a half-pound have been reported.. Fair catfish bite on shad and clams. Few bass reports. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Both the upper and lower river have hot bites for the trout. In the upper river, the fish are good-sized with some to four-pounds and better. The lower river bite is just as good. Salmon eggs and Power Bait are the top baits. Some decent smallmouth action on crankbaits and swimbaits out of the lower river. DFG trout plants at Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, and at Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The catfish bite is very good on mackerel, shrimp or Sonny’s. Fair to good action on small stripers, from three to five pounds, with blood worms.
HART PARK LAKE: Largemouths lead the action here with a good bite on plastic worms. DFG trout plant this week.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Mostly bass here. Largemouth bite fair to good on plastic worms or minnows to five pounds. DFG trout plant this week.
MING LAKE: Fair to good bluegill bite on wax worms and meal worms. Improved bass bite. DFG trout plant this week.
BRITE LAKE: Fair trout action. The lake received a plant this week. Some catfish reported, too.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good bluegill bite on wax or meal worms. Fair catfish on shad. A few bass have been reported. Trout opener is Nov. 15, about 1,700 pounds will be planted that week and each week through the season. Derby Alert: Taft Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby at Lake Evans on Nov. 22. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Good bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets
SUCCESS LAKE: Improved action. Decent bass bite on plastic worms. Bluegill bite good on wax worms and crickets. The levels are still very low. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair bass bite on Senkos. Fair bluegill on wax or meal worms. Levels still high. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Crappie bite fair in deep water with most fish under a pound but a few to two pounds. The bite has been consistent off shore on crappie jigs and minnows. Striper action fair to good with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Little to no smallmouth action, however the largemouth action remains fair to good around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair to good, and improving catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Good largemouth bass bite on Brush Hogs, plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have pulled out limits with largemouth to five pounds or better on some. Some smallmouth also starting to show. The early morning bite from sunrise to 9 a.m. is the best time. Fair trout bite on Power Bait or worms. DFG trout plant this week. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Good to excellent action for the spotties on plastics and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines. Some anglers have reported catching close to 20 fish in a day’s fishing. Largemouth and small action fair with the largemouth action slightly better with fish reported on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite with more showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Bluegill and redear bites are still very good to excellent, and have some competition from the trout recently. Anglers have reported several limits and a fair to good trout bite near the dam on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers have reported good trout action with Needlefish or Kastmasters. Frank Sciarrilli, and Bob DeWaide, both Arroyo Grande, each caught a limit of fish combining for 8 1/4-pounds. Bluegill and redear action continues to be reported on red worms, wax worms and crickets by the Ranger’s Boat House. Taryn Iabitoli, Arroyo Grande, caught several easy bluegill this week. Bass bite fair with some action by the dam. Gary Sewell, Santa Maria, pulled out 3.4 and two-pound bass. DFG trout plant this week, previous plant went in Oct. 9. Information: 805-489-1006.

TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked this week with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Dam, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Silverwood Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
VENTURA: Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake
INYO: Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake 2, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Convict Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2).
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Hart Park Lake, Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville, Kern River from Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach, Ming Lake, the Park at River Walk Lake, Truxton Lake.

CATFISH PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be stocked this week with one-pound channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game.
NO PLANTS

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

CHANNEL ISLANDS UPDATE: There continues to be great rockfish action for Channel Island boats. The weather has been flat and calm -- typical fall weather. Limits of bottom grabbers was the rule this week, along with a sprinkling of calico bass, bonito and a few other surface fish. The biggest news is that market squid are moving in to the region so exotics like white seabass may start to become more evident shortly.
LOS ANGELES LANDINGS UPDATE: For the Los Angeles-based sport fleet, the Tanner and Cortez Banks continue to be the best game in town. Anglers aboard the Freedom from 22nd Street Landing as well as the Toronado from Pierpoint Landing continue to catch yellowtail to over 40 pounds on these banks. On most trips, you can expect at least one fish per rod, as well as lots of big bonito and plenty of great-eating whitefish, too. At San Clemente Island, there is fair to good action on yellowtail while the calico bass and bonito have provided anglers with good sacks of fish. There is also some excellent rockfishing here, too. Catalina Island has provided good bonito fishing, a few yellowtail, and some rockfish. In the near-coast waters, the torrid bonito bite has slowed for now and the action has turned to sculpin and rockfish.
ORANGE COUNTY LANDINGS UPDATE: For local boat fishing off Orange County, there continue to be a few bonito, barracuda, calico bass, and sand bass around, as well as the odd halibut. Many of the local boats have been fishing for sculpin and rockfish, making for some great fish taco parties. The bonito bite has slowed here, but the hope is that it's temporary and will come roaring back.
SAN DIEGO LANDINGS UPDATE: It’s hard to believe that “Happy Halloween” may be followed by the cry of “hook-up” for anglers fishing out of San Diego Landings, but it seems more like June than October. There is good kelp paddy yellowtail fishing and the decent albacore action continued in one day range of San Diego. The longfins have been small, in the five- to 10-pound class, and they have been mixed in with lots of skipjack about the same size. The local boats have had hit and miss bonito action but plenty of sculpin and rockfish to fill the sacks.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting instructional charters throughout the year, offering beginning or veteran anglers advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. The next trip is a two-day lingcod special aboard the Black Pearl out of Channel Islands Sportfishing on Nov. 7. Limited to 20 anglers, cost is $270. For more information on upcoming Shimano/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, Hueneme, 805-488-2212; Malibu Pier Sportfishing, 310-328-8426; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, 310-822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, 310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro, 310-832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San Pedro, 310-547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-432-8993; Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, 562-983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, 949-675-0550; Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside, 760-722-2133; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, 619-221-8500; H&M Landing, San Diego, 619-222-1144; Seaforth Landing, San Diego, 619-224-3383; Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-223-1627; Islandia Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-222-1164.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.
 

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

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

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

RECENT BIG CATCHES

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

October 19, 2008 - This almost lake record, 93.40-pound blue catfish, was caught by Michael Williams, National City, on mackerel from Harvey Arm of Lower Otay.

October 11, 2008 - Pam Kalina, Big Bear City, with new Big Bear Lake record bass. The fish weighed 5.9-pounds and Kalina caught the fish on a firetiger Rapala off Juniper Point last week.

October 9, 2008 - Randy Muirhead, Glen Ivy, broke his own lake record for largemouth bass at Corona Lake by catching an 18 1/4-pounder  while fishing a crawdad-colored crankbait from his pontoon float tube.

October 4, 2008 -  Brian Cummings, Inglewood, caught this 23-pound albino catfish at Lower Otay on mackerel from the bouy line.

October 2, 2008 - Don Roberts of Valley Center nailed this 4-pound rainbow on a jig at Lake Sabrina.

September 20, 2008 - Mits Onizuka of Irvine with a 17-pound channel catfish caught on mackerel in the flats at Irvine Lake.

September 8, 2008 - Terrence Berg holds up Patrick Raahauge’s 27-pound yellowfin tuna caught 20 miles off Mission Bay.

September 2, 2008 - This 17-10 largemouth bass was landed at Corona Lake by Randy Muirhead of Glen Ivy setting a new lake record. It is also one of the best bass landed in Southern California this year.

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

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

August 9, 2008 - Jeremy Smith of Twentynine Palms caught this 4-pound class bass out of Evans Lake.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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