TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open. Trophy trout to 20 pounds are going into Corona and Santa Ana River Lakes this week. Both have been very good. Irvine is hot, Laguna Niguel Park Lake is churning, but Hesperia Lake is perhaps the top pick with lighter fishing pressure. All of the San Bernardino County Parks -- Yucaipa, Prado, Cucamonga-Guasti, and Mojave Narrows -- are pretty good after a month of plants, and Glen Helen kicked off its season last week with excellent action after DFG and county trout. Lake Dixon is also a pretty good bet
     LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are mostly just fair right now, but there are a lot of fish are up chasing shad and trout, packing on weight for winter. The top picks are again Diamond Valley, Castaic, and Casitas, Other decent bets include Pyramid, Piru, Skinner, El Capitan, along with Upper and Lower Otay. Smallmouth have been good in Pyramid and the lower Colorado River, especially from Needles south.
     STRIPED BASS: The bites are pretty good at all the usual haunts. Castaic, Skinner, Pyramid and Silverwood all are pretty good bets, but Skinner get DFG trout this week and has been wide open even before this plant. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure but Havasu is good in a morning and afternoon bite.
     PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are slowing most places, but Lake Perris is one of the few spots that continues to crank out fish for dedicated bluegill anglers. This will all start coming to an end when water temperatures drop and lakes turn over. Crappie bites have slowed everywhere, but the winter bite in Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is cranking on. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea perked with warm weather the past couple of weeks, but cool nights could chill this again.
     CATFISH: Slow most places. The Colorado River is a top bet with a few  quality flatheads. Hesperia Lake is the best bet of the urban lakes. For wild fish, the action is slow most places with only a few fish showing at Skinner, Diamond Valley, Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid. But all are tough.

     SILVERWOOD: Good striper action. Fishing anchovies or trolling trout-like lures has produced the best results for stripers, with some bigger fish starting to show. Del East, San Bernardino, caught a 17-pound striper on a rubber trout. The bite on rainbow trout is also good after the plant two weeks ago. Power Bait and Power Worms have been working best for trout with Cleghorn the top spot. Catfish bite has been good with the best at action for bigger catfish at the points on anchovies. Shelly Soniat, Moreno Valley, caught a 7-8 catfish on chicken liver at the inlet. The largemouth bass bite is fair with the best action at the points on lizards and other plastics. The bluegill bite is slow with most of the action reported off the rocks by the docks. The park is closed every Wednesday and Thursday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
     BIG BEAR LAKE: Very light fishing pressure but a pretty fair trout bite on pink-meated holdover fish for anglers trolling nightcrawlers and a flasher in Boulder Bay, off Grout Bay, and in front of the observatory. Bait anglers drifting nightcrawlers in deep water on long leaders from shore near the day are also scoring a few fish. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Bass action is slow to fair with the 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: No reports. Last DFG plant over a month ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
     GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
     ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
     JENKS LAKE: Very slow. Last DFG trout plant over a month ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

     HESPERIA LAKE: Trout, catfish, sturgeon, and wipers all continue to show in very good numbers. Catfish were planted last week and two weeks ago and action has been very good with many quality fish showing. Inflated nightcrawlers and cut baits have been working best for catfish. Jacob Matsom, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a 17-8 catfish on the mashmallow and mealworm combo at the grassy bank. Trout action has been very good after the plant last week with the best results on floating baits. Rudy De Angeles, Victorville, landed a 16-pound trout on Power Bait. Sturgeon action is still good with lots of double-digit catches each week. Bobby Bolinger, Victorville, caught a 30-pound sturgeon on anchovies at Sandy Point. Mark Jones, Riverside, hooked into a 26-pound sturgeon on Power Bait at the north shore. A bonus load of trout went in Monday and more catfish on Tuesday this week for the holiday weekend. 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: Trout action is very good with the best bite before 10 a.m. Power Bait, especially in rainbow, salmon peach, and garlic 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 two pounds are showing. Aaron Brooks, San Bernardino, caught 5-1 and 3-5 rainbows on salmon peach Power Bait from the grassy point of Lake 3. Catfish action is fair on mackerel and Power Bait. The bass bite is mostly slow with some action on Senkos and spinnerbaits. The lake is open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
     MOJAVE NARROWS: Trout action is fair to good on floating baits and jigs. County and DFG plants this week. There continues to be slow to fair catfish action, and the bluegill action has been fair 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 slow. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

     CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: The lake is hosting a junior fishing workshop Saturday, November 21 for children ages 5 to 11. The workshop goes from 8 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and will cover fishing fundamentals. Each child will be provided with the required fishing gear. The cost is $5 per child, and $10 for vehicle entry to the park. For registration call 909-387-2461. Very good trout action with another county plant this week and DFG and county fish last week. A few carp and catfish are also showing. Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: Trout action is good with both a county plant and DFG fish slated for this week. The catfish bite has been mostly slow. Fair bluegill action. Information: 909-597-4260.
     YUCAIPA: Very good trout action after plants from the county each week. There was also a DFG plant last week. Slow to fair catfish action. There is also a fair bluegill bite. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
     GLEN HELEN: County and DFG trout plants kicked off the trout season this past week and excellent action was the result. Many limits were reported with quite a few fish over two pounds. Mike Martinez, Chino Hills, caught a limit of trout with fish to three pounds on Power Worms. Slow catfish action, and the bluegill bite is slow to fair on small worms, mealworms, and crickets fished under bobber. Carp are fair on dough baits. Bass action slow. 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: Still fair trout action after DFG plants last week and the two weeks before. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

     DIAMOND VALLEY: Largemouth action slowed this week but the bite is still fair to good with a lot of quality fish into the double digits, most not reported. The largemouth have mostly moved into deeper water, but the bigger fish come up in the days after the trout plants to hammer the rainbows. Big swim baits are the ticket then. Otherwise, the fish are mostly in deeper water and showing on a wide range of plastics, jigs, ice jigs, and underspins. Steven Ekema, San Jacinto, caught a 7.56-pound largemouth on a Huddleston along the east dam. The stripers are on the trout and shad and anglers are fishing swimbaits right after the trout plants are following the birds and fishing shad-like baits on boils. Best action along the east dam. Jesse Mena, Hemet, caught an 18.59-pound striper on a Lunker Plunker at the east dam. Rainbow action has been very good with many limits reported on floating dough baits, trout jigs, and small, trout plastics. Best action in the marina cove and off the east dam with two-pound test. DFG trout plant last week. No catfish were reported this past week. Bluegill and crappie have slowed with only a few showing on jigs and nightcrawlers fished at the dam. 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: Good trout bite this past week. The best action has been along the north shore from Sail Cove to Lots 8 and 9, and a DFG plant this week should keep the action good. John Finn, Rancho Cucamonga, caught three trout to 1.8 pounds on nightcrawlers fishing near the launch ramp. The bluegill and redear action was fair to good this past week. The best bite for the panfish has been on crickets, meal worms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait. Frank Taylor, Moreno Valley, caught 30 bluegill to one-pound on wax worms and crickets. Joe Hernandez, Corona, landed a 2.1-pound redear on a redworm at Sail Cove. The catfish bite is just fair with the marina the top spot and mackerel the top bait. Bass action fair. Slow to fair carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area.  The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
     SKINNER: The striper bite was excellent again this past week with a lot of big fish showing. The inlet and ramp No. 2 were the hot spots once again with chicken liver and anchovies the top baits. If you want to land a big striper the big artificial lures fished in the early morning are still your best bet. Al "Chiken Liver" Thomas, Temecula, caught a 25-8 striper on a Luckycraft Pointer near ramp No. 2. Anton Nevmann, Escondido, hooked into a 21.7-pound striper on a trout swimbait near ramp No. 2. The trout action is very good. Ramp No. 2 has been the top spot with Power Bait, spoons, spinnerbaits, nightcrawlers, and troutmallows all producing fish. The largemouth bite picked up this last week with many anglers reporting bass in the three to four-pound range early in the day along the south shore. Chris Dones, Redondo Beach, landed a nine-pound largemouth on a Luckycraft at the east end. Catfish action is good with the dam and inlet the best spots. Some bluegill and carp are showing but not many anglers are targeting them. 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: Very light fishing pressure and few reports. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
     CORONA LAKE: A plant of trophy trout up to 20 pounds will go for the holiday weekend to augment the already-excellent rainbow trout action here where limits of trout have been common for shore, boat, and float tube anglers. The big trout this past week was a nine-pound rainbow caught by David Rodriguez, Corona, while fishing at the dam with rainbow Nitro Bait dough, while rainbows at eight and 6 1/2 pounds were caught by Bill Battle, Riverside. Kristeena Widmer, Riverside, also caught an eight-pound rainbow. Scott Duff, Anaheim, landed a 7-8 rainbow, and Sean Allen, Arrowbear, had a 7-4. A wide variety of floating dough baits and colors are being used by anglers, but chartreuse, yellow, rainbow, and white have been the top colors, with the green/chartreuse colors the top pick. Inflated nightcrawlers doused with garlic scent have also been good, and the small trout jigs and trout plastics are seeing a lot of use by many anglers. The lake is closed until Friday morning this week. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
     EVANS LAKE: Slow to fair bass action on plastics and small reaction baits. Fair bluegill action around shoreline structure, rocks, and tules.
     RANCHO JURUPA: DFG planting trout here last week. DFG trout went in three weeks in a row and the bite has been pretty good. Slow other species except for a few bluegill. Information: 951-684-7032.
     FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.
     ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
     REFLECTION LAKE: No report. 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 trout action, mostly one one to two-pound fish. Best bite on most trout dough baits and nightcrawlers. Plants twice a month through April. Still a few catfish showing on chicken liver with mackerel. 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: Fair to good trout action. The early morning or late evening have been the best times for trout. DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Most of the rainbows are pan-sized, with some bigger. Slowing bass action, and only a few bluegill, catfish and carp being caught. 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: Trophy trout have been planted for this Thanksgiving weekend and the action has been excellent over the past week with scads of limits and rainbows to eight pounds-plus reported. The top trout reported was an 8-6 rainbow landed by Craig Joachim, Anaheim, fishing chartreuse Nitro Bait dough near the boat dock. He also had a trout at 6-5. Ioy Chang, Los Angeles, landed an eight-pounder on a nightcrawler at the Bubble Hole, and David Mahood, Fullerton, had a 7-12 on the same bait and in the same spot. Steve Higginbotham, Lakewood, landed a seven-pounder, while Nathan Cardenas, Placentia, had a 6-8. The big fish of the week was an 85-pound sturgeon caught and released by Rob Willis, Torrance, fishing a nightcrawler off La Palma Point. SARL is closed Thanksgiving but will reopen Friday. 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: Execellent trout action once again this week. Trollers have been seeing the best results, but anglers using bait have also been doing well. Richard Natividad, Baldwin Park, caught a 9-14 trout on Pautzke’s Eggs at Trout Island. Sam Smith, Lake Forest, landed a 9-10 trout on a Roostertail at the dam. Richard Fish, Mission Viejo, hooked into a 9-8 trout on Norman crankbait at mid-lake. Michelle Farnsworth, Diamond Bar, got a nine-pound trout on a nightcrawler at the flats. Some catfish are still showing. Anglers are encouraged to release any blue catfish over 10 pounds and reminded that they are required to release any catfish over 20 pounds. Bass action is fair in 15 to 20 feet of water near Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Slow to fair bluegill bite with meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks working best. The lake will be closed Thansgiving Day. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
     LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout season kicked off last week with a plant of 5,000 pounds of rainbows and trout action has been very good. Lots of limits were reported and many fish are around three pounds. Fair bass and bluegill action. The bluegill are best at Three Pipes, the back side of the lake, and near the island on nightcrawlers and mealworms. Bass action has been best on dark plastics or topwater in the early morning. Slow to fair catfish bite on shrimp, mackerel, and nightcrawlers. The lake will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. 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: Continued light fishing pressure, but there’s a pretty good trout bite for trollers and bait anglers fishing Cachuma Bay and at the dam. Top baits have been Power Baits and nightcrawlers, while trollers are using Needlefish near the surface. There was a DFG plant last week and the next Calavaras plant will be in early December. There is still a pretty fair bite on smallmouth bass on the rocky points, mostly on plastics and jigs. A few reports of catfish and some crappie were reported in Cachuma Bay on small Rapalas this past week, but that bite has been spotty. The odd redear and bluegill showing in the east end and Stork Flats on nightcrawler pieces. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html. The marina is closed and boat rentals have ceased, effective in mid-October. The marina isn’t expected to be reopening in the near future, but the boat launch is still open. For fishing information updates, anglers should now call the general store at 805-688-5246.
     CASITAS: Pretty fair bass action this past week with the fish focused on shad right now. The candy bait are showing in the surface early and late in the day and anglers dip-netting the bait -- which has been tough -- are doing best, but cranks, small shad-like swinbaits, and even spinnerbaits are all working pretty well. Top fish reported was an eight-pounder caught by Travis Walkers, Oakview, on a crank, while Sean Flaherty, Ventura, landed a six-pounder on a swim bait. There was a DFG trout plant last week at the Santa Ana launch, and the trout action was good into the weekend but has slowed since. While few crappie have been reported, Zack Barid, Ventura, had a few fish on small mini jigs with his best at 2.5 and 2.6 pounds. There also continue to be a few bluegill and redear along with the odd catfish. 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: Overall slowdown in the action over the past week. The water level has come up 12 feet and the water temperatures have dropped. This has pushed the shad into deeper water and the stripers have followed them down and the best bite has been on cut baits this week rather than swimbaits. The bite is still pretty fair, however. Trout were planted last Monday at the West Ramp, but it didn’t seem to bring any stripers up, but the trout action was pretty good there for a few days. There is also still a good bite on trout in the lower lake. Catfish action is slowing, but still fair on nightcrawlers or mackerel. The bluegill and crappie action is still fair on wax worms and meal worms in the lower lake. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.
     PIRU: DFG trout plant last week with pretty good action on the smaller rainbows since. Few reports again this week, but there continues to be a fair to good bass bite, mostly on crankbaits in 30 feet of water. The crappie bite is still fair on small jigs in 40 feet of water. The bluegill and redear are either slow or not being targeted right now. Catfish slow with only a few showing on nightcrawlers and cut baits. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or www.camplakepiru.com.
     PYRAMID: Good trout and striped bass action. There was a DFG last week and three weeks ago, and there has been a good bite since on floating baits and small lures, mostly around the marina and main channel. The best striper action has been on jerk baits in the marina, channel, around the island, Yellowbar. Most of the fish are in the one to five-pound range with some better quality fish showing up into the 10-pound range. 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 slowing with the fish 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 trout action after a DFG plant last week. Fair to good action on largemouth bass on plastics with some topwater fish early and late in the day. The bluegill bite has been fair on meal worms, crickets or wax worms fished in eight to 12 feet of water. Catfish slow to fair even after last weeks DFG plant. Information: 909-599-8411.
     SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago. Trout fair to good on floating baits and trout jigs. The catfish bite is pretty fair on cut baits. Slowing bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Some largemouth bass on plastics. Information: 626-334-1065.
     ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant this week.
     ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago.
     HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
     HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 213-261-0113.
     JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant this week.
     LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. 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: The lake is closed for the season. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     EL CAPITAN: The 110 anglers checked reported catching 111 bass, five bluegill, 19 crappie, and 14 catfish. The lake is open Thursday through 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: Catfish slow, but there continues to be a pretty good bluegill bite. 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: No report. 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 slow to fair this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics near structure. 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. The lake is now closed weekdays and will only be open Saturday and Sunday each week. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boating ban. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
     DOANE POND: No recent DFG plants.
     DIXON LAKE: Trout action is very good. Quite a few limits reported and fish to 6.58 pounds were reported. Trout were planted this week. There is a fair bass bite with some topwater activity in the early morning. Fair bluegill action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
     POWAY: Trout season kicked off this week with a plant of 1,500 pounds. Bass action is fair to good. The catfish action was fair to good, especially for anglers fishing the log boom. 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. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
     JENNINGS: The trout bite finally picked up and is good with a few limits reported. The lake will receieve trout plants each week for the duration of trout season. Cactus Patch, the fishing float, and Shadow Cove have been the top spots for trout this week with salmon peach Power Bait the top choice for bait. Some catfish are still showing on chicken livers, mackerel, and nightcrawlers at the dam buoy line and Hermit Cove buoy line. The bass bite is slow to fair with the fish in about 15 to 25 feet of water and hitting on Senkos in natural colors. Dawn and Dusk have seen the best action for bass. The lake will be open for Thanksgiving Day from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. 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: Trout season is now underway with a plant of 1,000 pounds going in this week. Catfish action is fair with some hitting mackerel and chicken liver. Bass action has been mostly slow but with the trout plant this week, the big bass should be out feeding. Slow other species. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.
     CUYAMACA: Excellent trout action due to the weekly plants. Many anglers have been reporting getting limits in under an hour of fishing. The largemouth bass bite is fair. 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: Few reports. Slow to fair catfish action on shrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel. The bluegill bite has been fair near the dock. A few crappie, bass, and carp showing, too. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

     FLOW INFORMATION: Reservoir elevation levels and flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are available at this web site with information updated hourly: www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/rivops.html.
     LAKE MEAD: Spotty striped bass action with fish moving into deeper water toward the dam. Still some decent action in Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam on cut anchovies, sardines, shad-like lures. Fair catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is fair off the points in deeper water.
     WILLOW BEACH: 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. Spotty striper action on big, trout-like lures. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
     LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers slowed. 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. Bass spotty. Catfish are fair on cut baits. Bluegill are showing in fair numbers in most coves and around structure in 12 to 25 feet of water. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.
     LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Fair to good trout action in the Laughlin bridge area with fish to four pounds reported. Most pan-sized. The action on smaller smallmouth bass is excellent with the fish along the river rip-rap in big numbers. Lipless cranks are the best bet for the smallies. Other than trout and smallmouth, slowish fishing with only a few stripers and catfish showing on drifted anchovies. The November derby is ongoing with half the pot going 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, mostly on small cranks. 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 crappie action is really turning on at north dike and south dike in the Marsh, but the action is almost exclusively on live minnows. A few largemouth also in this bite. Weather finally cooling, and there is still a good bite on smallmouth bass in the main river, but mostly small fish until you get downstream almost to Havasu. Also a fair bite on two to three-pound stripers on anchovies. Catfish are fair same drifted baits with fish up to five pounds. 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: The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing slowed way down. Only a few fish are showing on slow-fall plastics, vertical jigging, or live shad. The striper bite is still fair with the fish on live shad at the island, London bridge, Site 6, and throughout the  Windsor Basin. Best action on live shad or white Rat-L-Traps, bass Assassins, or similar lures. Lures that have glow in dark luminescence help when fishing at dusk, after dark, or around lights. Best action afternoon evening or pre-dawn. Channel catfish fair on cut baits, and a few flatheads are still showing on live bluegill. Redear slowed way down but top area has been weed lines up in the river. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
     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: Lower river canals are just fair for catfish as the fish adjust to the higher levels after water came back up. Main river still good for the cats. There is good smallmouth action in the main river on small cranks and jigs, and the largemouth bite is fair in area backwaters on plastics, cranks, and live bait. The bluegill action is fair all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
     PALO VERDE: The catfish action is still pretty good with a lot of nice catches of channel and flatheads. The largemouth bass are also pretty good in the backwaters with fish to five pounds showing on plastics and still some topwater stuff. Smallmouth bass good along rip-rap and sandbars. 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: Some good night and early morning striper reports at the lake mouth to the river. 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 still a decent 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 is fair to good along the north shore with both the state park and Yacht Club jetty both producing decent numbers of smaller fish during this warmer weather. 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: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-352-3308.
     SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

     GENERAL: General trout season closed in most of Inyo and Mono counties on  Nov. 15. 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 for the winter are: www.KensSport.com (Bridgeport region), www.TheTroutFly.com, and www.SierraDrifters.com.
     BRIDGEPORT REGION: Flows on the East Walker remain very low (around 19 cfs) and the bite is fair to good on fish stacked up in the runs and pools and a few fish are being caught on streamers and caddis nymph patterns. This is a catch-and-release water open year-around. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
     MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek, both open to year-around catch-and-release fishing, are both very good for fly anglers. The Owens has quite a few quality rainbows and browns up from Crowley. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
     BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the lower Owens River, and the Owens River gorge remain open to year-around fishing. 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 or at the dam. DFG plant at Pleasant Valley last week. Owens Gorge good for small browns. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,

WESTERN SIERRA

     LAKE ISABELLA: There continues to be fair catfish action, mostly on frozen shad and cut baits. The crappie bite is finally slowing and the bass action has been very spotty. Few trout up around cemetery, and just slow to fair trout action at the auxiliary dam in deep water on Power Bait. Carp action slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern are low and the river is fishing slow to fair in the 20-mile roadside stretch above Kernville with the best action on small nymphs as the water continues to cool. Wild Trout stretch also just fair. The lower river is pretty good for smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics, but the water is very low and the fish are small. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or James Store 760-376-2424.
     AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striper bite has been very good with a lot of quality, keeper fish over the 18-inch minimum size and even some bigger fish rumored. he bite has been on blood worms, sand worm, and shad-like crankbaits and Gitzit-like swim baits. Jacob Fritz, Bakersfield, landed a four-pound striper on a nightcrawlers. The catfish remains also pretty good on cut baits. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     HART PARK LAKE: DFG plant slated for this week. Fair to good action, mostly on Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. There is also a pretty fair night bite on catfish. The bluegill bite slowing with only a few fish on wax worms, meal worms, or red worms. The carp action is also still fair on Powder Bait. Slow bass action.
     TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Still slowish trout action. Other species also slow.
     RIVER WALK PARK: Wide open trout action, and another DFG plant was scheduled for this holiday week. Best action on garlic Power Bait and chunky cheese Gulp also decent bets. Green, garlic nightcrawlers have also been good. Bass and bluegill slow.
     MING LAKE: DFG trout plant this week with a good bite on Power Baits and garlic nightcrawlers. Bluegill are slow to fair with a few on red worms. The bass, crappie, and carp bites are very slow.
     BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: Very good trout action since Saturday’s opener with a lot of limits and quite a few quality fish. Edward Fernandez and Gavin Yourgugez, each of Bakersfield, had six-pound rainbows, while Chloe Ann-Marie Cantou, Bakersfield, had trout at four and two pounds. Other species are slowing, but still a fair bite on bluegill and the odd bass and catfish. Carp and crappie. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     WOOLLOMES LAKE: Very good trout action, and a DFG plant was slated for this week. est action has been on garlic nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The bluegill bite is slow to fair on wax worms, crickets, red worms, or meal worms.
     SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Still fair action. Slowing bluegill action, but still pretty fair bass action on cranks and plastics. Other species were mostly slow. Information: 559-781-2078.
     KAWEAH LAKE: Fair bass bite on live bait and plastics, and quite a few bluegill are showing. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

     SAN ANTONIO: Still few reports except for catfish, which have been pretty good. Best bet on cut baits. Information: 805-472-2818.
     NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action with cranks, plastics, and swim baits all producing fish. Catfish fair on cut baits, mostly early and late in the day. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
     SANTA MARGARITA: Bass slow with good anglers lucky to get a fish a day. The crappie have been improving with some nice fish coming in on small red and white jigs. The cats have been spotty. Light pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
     LOPEZ: Fair action on bluegill and redear with wax worms, meal worms and crickets the top bet. A few crappie showing on jigs. The bass bite is fair, 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.
     LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake.
     ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Laguna Lake.
     RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake, Skinner Lake.
     SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Silverwood Lake.
     SAN DIEGO: Chollas Park Lake, Lindo Lake, Murray Lake.
     FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.
     KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Hart Park Lake, Lake Truxton, Lake Woollomes, Ming Lake, The Park at River Walk Lake.
     MIRPOSA: Lake McClure.
     STANISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Woodward Reservoir.
     TUOLUMNE: Don Pedro Reservoir, New Melones Lake.

CATFISH PLANTS

     No catfish plants this week.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

     LONG RANGE SCENE AWESOME: The long range fleet out of San Diego is again having an excellent yellowfin tuna season on 10 top 21-day trips to the tuna grounds off Cabo San Lucas, and some absolutely huge fish are coming in. The Excel returned this week with a 343-pound yellowfin caught by Carl Dorton, Tarzana. The second best fish on this trip was a 286-pounder caught by Carl’s son Mark Dorton of Calabasas. On a Shogun trip which returned over the weekend, top fish was a 289-pounder caught by Peter Jones, Dana Point, with the second best a 280-pound yellowfin landed by Bill Taylor, San Diego. Most skippers are recommending anglers not keep any fish under 100 pounds on these trips.
     ISLAND YELLOWTAIL: There has been a very consistent pick on the yellowtail at both San Clemente and the Coronado Islands this past week. At Clemente, six-pack charters and some larger sportboats are getting 15 to 30 pound fish in a good bite. On Monday, the Option with six anglers had 20 yellowtail from 15 to 30 pounds. At the Coronado Islands, the 3/4-day boats out of San Diego are cashing in on a decent bite on fish up to 20 pounds. This is the beginning of a pretty darn good winter bite.
     LOCAL SCENE: Little change for the half and three-quarter day boats from the Channel Islands south to San Diego. The anglers on these boats are seeing generally good mixed bag action with virtually everything open right now. If the surface fish don’t cooperate, the rockfish are there, but most bags are pretty full of calico bass, sheephead, blue perch, whitefish, sculpin, and rockfish. Again, there is just very light angling pressure in spite of the generally decent fishing.
     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 charter is a two-day rockfish trip aboard the Black Pearl leaving Dec. 18 on fishing rock cod and lingcod in Mexican waters. Cost is $199 and limited to 22 anglers. This will be followed by another rockfish trip on the Pearl Jan. 22. 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.