Weekly Fishing Report

November 26, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. The wide open largemouth and striper action at Diamond Valley Lake has continued this week. Oh yea, the trout are pretty good, too. The key to the bass and striper bite was the DFG plants of subcatchable brown trout a couple of weeks ago. This turned on the bass and stripers and the fish are still looking for the small trout. Best baits are five to six-inch, trout-like topwater and swim baits to catch quality largemouth to six pounds and stripers to 18 pounds. For breaking updates, check with the marina staff at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410. You can also get more information on the lake at www.dvmarina.com.
2. There continues to be a good bluegill and redear bite (mostly redear) at Lake Perris. The action has been on crickets and red worms off the marina docks and fish to a pound or better have been showing. This bite is likely to sour with cooler weather, so you might want to hit it before things change too much. In fact, calling ahead after the weather this week is a good idea. For an update on this bite, check with the marina staff at 951-657-2179.
3. Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake are both getting planted with huge rainbow trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms this week. This is the season’s first plant of huge trout up to and above the 20-pound mark. The fish were planted Wednesday afternoon after the lakes closed (both lake complexes closed at 2 p.m.), and they were undisturbed all day Thanksgiving day and the lakes reopen to fishing Friday morning. Finesse anglers are going to hang some big fish this weekend at both lakes. For an update on SARL, call the tackle shop at 714-632-7851, and for Corona Lake call 951-277-3321.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, and Hesperia Lake are all excellent with their trout seasons now in full swing. SARL and Corona are getting 20-pound-plus trout this week for the holiday weekend, and all three are also getting Nebraska Tailwalkers this season. Irvine Lake is also fair with browns, rainbows, brookies, and steelhead all showing. Diamond Valley has a good bite for shore anglers and trollers working out of rental boats, but there is light fishing pressure now that the lake is closed to private launching. Buena Vista Lakes near Taft in the southern San Joaquin Valley had its annual derby Saturday. Lots of big fish planted. Most waters in SoCal are getting trout plants now or will get them soon. All the San Bernardino County Park lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, and Yucaipa -- are good this week. In the Western Sierra, the upper and lower stretches of the Kern River remain very good, both seeing some of the best fishing of the year. Fly anglers should note that the upper Owens, which is open year around to catch-and-release fishing, is wide open, but the foul weather could make access tough this weekend.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: There is generally fair late fall bass action across the region. Casitas, Perris, and Diamond Valley Lake are all good in about that order of preference, with big fish starting to show after DFG trout plants at all three. Castaic, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, Skinner, Piru, Otay, and Wohlford all have slow to fair. Poway, and El Capitan are a little slower.
STRIPED BASS: Castaic cranked out a few big fish two weeks ago, but that bite seemed to go in the tank. Silverwood and Skinner have been good on smaller fish, while Pyramid is just fair. Diamond Valley also has some good striper boils going on and fish to 18 pounds were reported this week. 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 Perris, Lopez, and Diamond Valley. Go before cold weather shuts it down. 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 slowing way down, but the fall bite on bigger, hold-over or wild fish is worth watching. Corona Lake cranked out several fish from 16 to 28 pounds this past week. Other places to watch include Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, Hesperia Lake, Skinner, Diamond Valley, Henshaw, El Capitan, Otay, and Silverwood. The lower Colorado River and river backwater, ditches, and canals have been fair with both flatheads and channels showing in the catch, but very light fishing pressure.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: Trout and striper bites improved with recent cool weather. Striper bite good to excellent on anchovies, minnows and worms in Miller’s and Cleghorn. Top striper was a 3 3/4-pounder by Jeremy Wilson, Los Angeles. Bobby Meredith, Baker, pulled out a three-pound striper. Trout bite good to excellent, and has been since the 1,500-pound plant on Nov. 14. Another DFG plant is slated for this week. Power Bait and Kastmasters are top producers for the trout. Ron Garcia, Victorville, landed a stringer of three trout totaling 6 1/2 pounds. Top fish was 2 1/4-pounder. Fair bass bite on worms or plastics. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Trout bite fairish on Power Bait or nightcrawlers fished off the south shore near the dam. Other species slow. The west ramp is closed for the season. The east ramp remains open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Slowish trout bite with a few fish reported on floating baits fished close to the bottom. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: 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. 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 bite is consistent with anglers reporting good to excellent action. Top rainbow trout was a 14 3/4-pounder by Harold Swift, Corona, on Power Bait. Jim Brackston, Victorville, landed a 12-pound rainbow trout on shrimp off the North Shore. Karen Anderson, Orange County, pulled out 9 1/2 and 10 3/4-pound rainbows off the grassy bank. Les Brown, Apple Valley, landed a 6-8 rainbow trout. Sturgeon action sparked this week, with several fish over 20 pounds caught. Top sturgeon was a 63 1/2-pounder caught by Terry Rohand, Garden Grove, on shrimp. Erin Eelivin, Los Angeles, landed a 49-pound sturgeon. Randy Farnsworth, Brea, caught a 39-8 sturgeon. Dennis Nelson, Fontana, pulled out a 37-pounder. Trout plants are twice a week. A 3,000-pound sturgeon plant also went in this 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: Fair to good trout action on Power Bait (salmon peach, spring green and orange), nightcrawlers, jigs, lures and plastics. Most trout were near or over two pounds with many over three. Hot spots include the grassy point, the eastern logged shore to the pump house as well as the northern and eastern shore of lake 2. Tim Blacksher, Ontario, caught a 6-7 trout on a Trout Teaser. Casey Wahl, Apple Valley, landed a 5-2 rainbow. Jessica Shandor, 12, Riverside caught a five-pound rainbow. Josh Cox, Apple Valley, landed a 4-11 rainbow on a silver Kastmaster Don Chandler, Hesperia, caught a 4-9 rainbow., Tim Wood, Hesperia, landed a 4-1 trout on. Helen Tsuyuki, Los Angeles, caught a 3-15 rainbow. Adrian Ceja, 9, Rialto, caught 3-11 and 3-3 rainbows at the inlet of lake 2. Dave Fitton, Riverside, pulled out a 3-12 trout topping off his 12-pound limit. Bill Collinsworth, Victorville, caught a 3-1 rainbow on a bubblegum Power Worm Garrett Stanford, 4, and his dad Matt Stanford, Hesperia, each caught a limit with a 3-11 and 4-11 the top fish. 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: County trout plants are weekly through April. Anglers have reported fair trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Fair catfish on various stink baits and blood baits, as well as nightcrawlers or meal worms. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good trout action. County trout plants are weekly through April. Last DFG trout plant was three weeks ago. Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Good trout action. County plants are each week through April, and there was a DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Best action on floating baits. Catfish bite fair on nightcrawlers, mackerel, and shrimp. Bernie Ewell, Ontario, had a pair of 3 1/2-pound catfish using summer sausage for bait. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout bite and some trophy rainbows were part of the plant last week, with the big fish put in the top lake. James Medlock, Yucaipa, caught a 9-12 rainbow on a jig from the top lake. Jason Calderilla, Colton, had three trout and his biggest was an eight pounder, also on jigs from the upper lake. County plants are weekly through April, and the last DFG trout plant was three weeks ago. Still fair catfish action with the best bite in the afternoons. Last catfish plant was in September. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair to good trout action with some quality rainbows to four pounds reported. Chuck Ouellette, San Bernardino, caught a limit of rainbows this week. County trout plants are weekly through April while the last DFG trout plant was three weeks ago. Fair catfish fishing on mackerel, shrimp, Hog Wild or anything dipped in Sonny’s. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: The trout fishing is very good. Power Bait, nightcrawlers and shrimp are the top baits. The striper bite has also stayed consistent with some real quality fish showing on topwater baits in the marina area. Chris Nickerson, Hemet, caught an 18.43-pound striper, and Sam Gann, Riverside, landed 13.96-pound striper. Early morning fishermen have been landing loads of good largemouth to six pounds, but anglers aren’t weighing in the fish at the marina -- as if you could keep a bite this good secret. The bigger largemouths are showing on the same swim baits anglers are using for the stripers, but smaller swim baits, jigs and plastics are also working. Some channel catfish action also reported near the quarry on mackerel. A few fish over 15 pounds were reported. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Bass bite dominates with a big fish reported this week. Jimmy Moreno, Moreno Valley, caught a 10-pound largemouth. Plastic worms and nightcrawlers are best for the bass in the marina and off the east end of the island. Todd Bellah, Yucaipa, caught a 5-5 bass on a green Robo worm. Catfish bite also very good off the marina on sardines or mackerel. Joseph Balley, Moreno Valley, landed a 20-pound catfish. He also pulled out a number of bluegill and redear under a pound. Redear up to a pound or better are showing around much of the lake on big red worms. Crappie action fair on minnows or crappie jigs. DFG trout plant scheduled for 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 dominates, despite recent cooler weather. The bite is very good on mackerel and anchovies off the north shore and in the inlet. Top cat was a 12-pounder landed by Pete Harrell, Riverside, on mackerel. Harrell caught a total of four fish for 33 pounds. Jimmie Davis, Lake Elsinore, landed a 10-pound catfish on a stringer of four cats and a striper totaling 30 pounds. Cheryl Hepsom, Corona, landed an eight-pound catfish. Stocker trout are producing for anglers off shore. An 800-pound plant went in last week. DFG trout plant slated for this week. Good striper bite in the early mornings on swibaits or anchovies. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Crappie action sluggish with a slow to fair bite on small jigs. Bluegill action fair on crickets and meal worms, and a few largemouth are showing on plastics and shad-like swim baits. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action slow, even slower than usual lately. Carp fair off the east end on dough balls. Catfish slow. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Good to excellent rainbow trout action and the lake will be planted with fish in the 20-plus pound class this week. The catfish bite is also very good for the few anglers fishing the cats. Fred Brouthon, Los Angeles, caught and released cats at 16, 19, 25 and 28 pounds this past Saturday fishing shrimp from a boat. Last Wednesday, he had cats at 16 and 18 pounds. Shrimp, the nightcrawler-marshmallow combo, and other cut baits have been best for the cats. The trout are best on floating baits, inflated nightcrawlers, and small trout jigs and plastics, and all are improved by adding scent. Top rainbow this past week was a 7 1/2-pounder landed by Joe Fernandez and Darrel Black, both of Fontana, who had 12 fish that weighed 32 pounds. Sam and Patrick Wetzler, Quail Valley, had six rainbows that weighed 19 1/2 pounds, including a seven pounder. There were also four trout at five pounds landed. David Tyler, Lake Elsinore, had one of the five-pounders to top off his 17 1/4-pound five-fish stringer. Traves Broadbent, Menifee, and Joe Gargarda, Corona, each had 17-pound, five-fish stringers with five-pounder as their best fish. Walter Valencia, Corona, and Rene Daminic, Alta Loma, caught four trout that weighed 13 pounds total, with a five as their top fish. The first plant of huge, 20-plus pound Mt. Lassen Trout Farms rainbows went in on Wednesday. The lake is closed Thanksgiving Day but reopens Friday. 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: Trout plant last week kicked off the season here, and the action has been fair to good for the rainbows. Lots of rainbows to two pounds reported. Another trout plant went in last Thursday, with one expected late this week. Ruben Ramirez, Riverside, had five trout to 2-8 on Power Bait, while David Peterson, Riverside, caught a two-pound rainbow. Best action on small spinners and Power Bait (garlic). Other species are slow with a few cats. 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. Trout plants are every other week. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Trout season is in full swing, with a good to excellent bite. Plant went in last week. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the most talked about trout baits here. Catfish bite almost nonexistent with all but a few hibernating for the winter. Trout will be planted twice a month with double loads. 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. DFG trout plant this week. While most trout are 10 to 16 inches long. 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 to excellent trout action with a lot of limits posted over the past week, but most anglers are getting at least two or three fish and the rainbows and most stringers have at least one trout in the four-pound class. Big rainbows topping 20 pounds olanted this week. The best action has been on small trout jigs, trout plastics, floating baits (mostly in chartreuse and rainbow), inflated nightcrawlers, and Kastmaster-type spoons. Kevin Slape, Upland, had a five-fish limit topped by a 5.4-pounder. He was kayak trolling with Mira-Shad lures. Tony Parise, Long Beach, and Ray Burk, Orange, had 10 rainbows totaling 27 pounds, including a four-pounder, fishing chartreuse Nitro Bait. The first plant of huge, 20-plus pound Mt. Lassen Trout Farms rainbows was planted Wednesday this week, and the lakes are closed Thanksgiving Day. They will reopen to fishing on Friday. 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 bite remained on the sluggish side last week as the area recovered from the Santa Ana winds and fires. Some anglers did report areas with fair to good action for the rainbows. Power mice, salmon eggs and Power worms were the most productive trout baits. Hot spots were off shore, Trout Island, and the Santiago Flats. Over 20,000 pounds of rainbows, brooks, browns and steelhead were planted three weeks ago, and there are still plenty of fish in the lake. Bass bite fair on jigs with fish in the two to four-pound range. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout season kicked off last Friday, and the Catch-and-Release Float Tube Derby produced some quality fish over five pounds. Overall trout action has been fair since. Just fair bass action with most fish in the one to two-pound range. The best action is one drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms in dark colors and 4 1/2-inches long. Catfish still fair on nightcrawlers and mackerel on the main point and inlet. Bluegill bite fair on half nightcrawlers. Crappie fair to good on assorted crappie jigs. 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: Trout bite fair to good for those fishing salmon eggs, Power Bait and nightcrawlers in the coves. Not too many names recorded, but anglers have pulled out fish to two pounds. DFG trout plant this week should help the action. Bass bite fair with fish to three pounds pulled out on plastic worms. Only a few cats producing action, the fish are deep. 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: A 1,500-pound DFG trout plant went in at the Santa Ana Launch Ramp Wednesday, the first plant of the season. This should perk the action on the rainbows. Bass action fair to good on plastic worms, nightcrawlers, and some topwater lures. Top bass was an 8-8 caught by Randy Westbury, Oak View, on a Rapala. Rob Morin, Camarillo, landed a 5 1/2-pound bass. A few catfish are still biting, but the fish are deep. Adam Casey, Oak View, brought in 10 and 15-pound catfish on shad. Some redear action reported in the Wadleigh Arm. 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. The lake is open everyday, including all holidays. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The bass and trout bites improved, although no individual catches were reported. The largemouth bass are going after a number of baits including worms and Power Bait in a fair to good bite, especially in the lagoon. The fish are from one to three pounds, with word of a few seven pounders. Striper bite fair with limits reported o swimbaits with fish from eight to 12 pounds just after sunrise to 10 a.m. A few cats reported with a slow to fair bite. Trout bite on the slow side, last plant was on Nov. 14, 900 pounds. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Trout bite improving with two DFG trout plants over the last three weeks. Anglers are pulling out limits with fish to two pounds on Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any type of trout worm. Bev Willis, Ontario, pulled out a 2-8 trout. The trout bite is best just off shore immediately following the plants. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. Slowish bass action, but some are still reporting a few fish to three pounds on plastic worms. Jesse Hernandez, San Dimas, landed a two-pound bass. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: Striper bite fair to good on anchovies with most fish under four pounds, with a few better. Some action also reported on 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 and there are plenty of holdovers rainbows. Just not many reported this week. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. 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 this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant one month ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
ELIZABETH 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 three weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. 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: Hodges is now closed until February. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Bass slowed. Bluegill nonexistent. This week 67 anglers reported 52 bass, 45 crappie, four channel catfish and three blue catfish. Stu Cvrk, San Diego, caught three blue catfish and two channel catfish for 14 1/2 pounds. Top fish was a 3 1/2-pounder on mackerel. Bob Carlson, El Cajon, landed 12 blue cats totaling 18.30-pounds. Top fish was a 2.10-pounder on crappie jigs. 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: No report. 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: No report. 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. DFG trout plant three weeks ago, 1,800 pounds, and a channel catfish plant two weeks ago, 2,000 pounds. 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: Planted with 4,500 pounds of Chalk Mound Trout Ranch rainbows. Plants are weekly. 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: Closed for fishing until spring. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Channel catfish bite slow to fair bite off the Senior Shoreline and near the West Buoy Line. Crappie bite fair to good on jigs or live golden shiners. New rental boats are available for rent at the lake. They rent for $46 for all day. 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: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: Another 1,500 load of trout will go in this week and will help the already good bite. Lots of action in the coves on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Jack Jones, Vista, caught the top fish, a 7-12 trout on nightcrawlers. Grant Cummings, Mira Mesa, landed a six-pound trout on a shad Rapala. Guthrie Cliff, Vista, landed a 5-5 trout on spinnerbait. A daily permit is required for entry. The Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The big trout are going after gold Kastmasters, crappie jigs and spoons off the North Shore and across the lake in the corner where the shoreline and Log Boom meet. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to sunset. 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 will be open Thanksgiving Day. The big trout are thing the deep–diving crankbaits in Shadow Cove. A 1,000-pound Mt. Lassen load will go in this week. The catfish bite is expected to surface with the upcoming rains, so anglers should come ready with their stink bait. The lake is now open Friday, Saturday and Sunday fro 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 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: The trout season will kick off in December, but in the meantime anglers are seeing fair bluegill, bass and catfish bites. Catfish action fair to good on mackerel or shrimp with fish to eight pounds reported. The area below the cabins is best. Nicholas Weiss, Lake Morena, caught a 7.5-pound channel catfish on chicken liver in Horseshoe Cove. Steve Boykin and Mark Renfro, El Cajon, pulled out a stringer of 10 channel catfish totaling 21.5 pounds on chicken liver. 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: A 1,200-pound load of Jess Ranch trout are going in for the holiday weekend. The recent trout planted have been active and anglers are reporting more fish, under five pounds. Chambers Park is the hot area for the trout. Clarence Bunch, La Mesa, landed a five-pound trout on nightcrawlers from the Dike area. Eric Phillips, San Diego, caught a 4-8 trout. Kelly Peterson, Lakeside, pulled out a 4-3 trout, on the nightcrawlers and Power Bait combo. Christina Stremeu, San Diego, caught a 3-8 trout. Brain Travis, San Diego, landed a 3-4 trout. Phyllis Bunch, La Mesa, landed a three-pounder and Sidney McKenzie, La Jolla, pulled out a two-pound trout. 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. Winter hours will start Dec. 1 with tackle shop hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Fair to good crappie bite in the Fish-n-Float area on crappie jigs and minnows. Laurence Jorden, Rob Slaughter, and Tony Woodad, all Rialto, caught 21 crappie, with a two-pound best fish. Lyle Daniels, Santa Ysabel, pulled out 27 crappie in two days with fish in the one to one and half range. Catfish bite also fair to good. Canuto Ruiz and Roberto Trujillo, Oceanside, and Jose Barajas and Japolinar Rodriguez, Vista, pulled out 10 catfish, including a six-pounder. 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 still on the rise, and the overall bite is fairish. Small stripers, from eight to 10 inches, and catfish have slow to fair bites in the Vegas Wash area. Sparks of better action for both species occur in the afternoons. 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. Few largemouth bass reports.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout bite very good. The fishing pier area remains the hot spot for the 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 plants go in every Friday. Stripers slow. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Bluegill and largemouth bites fair to good. The action for both is fair to good. The fish are in the submerged trees and brush, largemouth biting plastics and bluegill taking crickets and worms. 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: Fair striper bite. Trout plants are bi-weekly through the winter. 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. Take caution when launching. Some bass have been caught on Senkos, but overall spotty action. 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 or better catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds or better on shrimp, nightcrawlers in stink and mackerel. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite remains the top bite, with a few fish in the 15-pound range or better reported. The bass bite is 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: Fair to good bass bite, especially for the smallies, on plastic worms. Also improving action on small stripers in the river with fish to five pounds reported. Good flathead action but very light fishing pressure. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair catfish bite on mackerel. Not too many fish reported over three pounds, however. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action slow to fair on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel catfish bite fair, and the crappie bite is slow to fiar 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. 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: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: Last week marked the last day of trout season throughout the region, except on the year-around and special regulation waters. 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: East Walker River is very low but the fly-fishing bite fair. Nevada portion of the river is better. Fishing information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open to year-around fishing. The upper Owens has been excellent for fly anglers fishing dries for smaller fish and streamers for some hog fall spawners out of Crowley. Fish to four pounds and better have been landed. 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: Only Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the Owens River gorge, and lower Owens River remain open to anglers. The Wild Trout stretch of the Owens has been excellent with low flows and a very good morning dry fly bite. For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Only the lower Owens and Diaz Lake remain open and fishing has been slow at both. No more plants until next season. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Some big bass over three pounds have been caught here recently on crawdads and deep-diving plugs. Don Williams, Bakersfield, caught a 10.8-pound bass on crawdads. Crappie bite fair on small minnows. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Fair catfish bite on shad. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow to fair trout bite in the upper and lower river. The lower river bite is best on 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 two weeks ago. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Good action for stripers on blood worms or pumpkin seed Gitzits. Most fish are in the three to eight-pound range, but a few big ones have been pulled out. JR Gutierrez, caught a three-pound striper. The catfish bite is very good on mackerel, shrimp or Sonny’s.
HART PARK LAKE: Largemouths lead the action here with a good bite on plastic worms. Fair trout bite. DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Mostly bass here. Largemouth bite fair to good on plastic worms or minnows to five pounds. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic.
MING LAKE: Fair bluegill bite on wax worms and meal worms. DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
BRITE LAKE: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Some catfish reported, too.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Last week’s trout derby and trout opener had some good-sized fish. The derby winner was Jimmy Salazar. He pulled out an 8 1/4-pound trout on garlic and chunky cheese Power Bait for the $1,000 prize. The catfish action was also good here with a 23-pounder pulled out by Jerry Vaugh, Bakersfield, and a 33-pounder by Trent Abraham, Bakersfield. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Good bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets. DFG trout plant this week.
SUCCESS LAKE: Very slow. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Low, low levels. Some bass reported on small worms. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Crappie action fair to good on crappie jigs or worms. The bite improves in the afternoons, however. Anglers have reported crappie stringers with 10 to 20 fish caught in a few hours. Striper action is 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 is fair 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. Trout bite slow with only a few holdovers reported on salmon eggs or nightcrawlers. Last plant was a month ago. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Fair to good action for spotties on plastics (worms and jigs) and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines. Anglers are reporting an abundance of fish caught in the mornings and evenings. Largemouth and smallmouth action fair 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. A few trout in the two to three-pound range were reported recently. Bluegill and redear action continues best on red worms, wax worms and crickets by the Ranger’s Boat House. Bass bite fair with some action by the dam. DFG trout plant one month ago. 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:
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Silverwood Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Perris Lake, Lake Skinner.
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Cerritso Park Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Dam Lake, Legg Lakes, Puddngstone Lake, Pyramid Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River from Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach, Lake Wollomes.
MADERA: Bass Lake, Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
MERCED: Yosemite Lake.
STANISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Woodward Reservoir.
TULARE: Kern River from Brush Creek to Fairview Dam, Kern River from Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

LOCAL BOTTOM FISH ACTION: From San Diego up into the Channel Islands, the name of the game is rockfish. Cooling water temperatures have just about shut off all the surface bites and most skippers are switching to bottom fish. For the San Diego and Orange County-based boats, that mostly means sculpin. For the Los Angeles County north boats, the action is on rockfish. There is particularly good rockfish action in the Channel Islands with limit-style fishing the rule most days. Some ling cod are still showing out of these more northern landings, but the ling season closes Dec. 1.
SAN DIEGO ONE-DAY ACTION: Only a couple of boats were out over this past weekend looking for the tuna that have been biting good right through mid-November, but with so little coverage, the skippers were only able to find a few skipjack and none of the albacore and yellowfin tuna that had been showing in the catch. Maybe the fat lady has finally sung on this bite.
SAN DIEGO LONG RANGE UPDATE: The multi-day fleet is seeing spectacular fishing on eight-day and longer trips. The Royal Star returned from an 11-day trip to Las Rocas this week with 12 tuna over 200 pounds, including a 381.1-pound yellowfin caught by Dennis Williams of Carlsbad that is a pending 130-pound line class IGFA world record. There were also 308 and 290-pound fish caught on this trip. Fishing in the same area, Kevin Leong of Blackwater (fluorocarbon line) had a 231-pound yellowfin on 100-pound test while aboard the Red Rooster III. At Alijos Rocks, the yellowfin and yellowtail action is wide open. The Intrepid out of Point Loma Sportfishing was on a 10-day trip that returned on Wednesday with yellowtail to 55 pounds and yellowfin to 130 pounds.
LOBSTER HOOP NETTING: The lobster season is in full swing with generally fair to good hoop-netting all along the coast. Rain generally improved the crawl with Catalina Island, Santa Monica Bay, and San Diego regions all decent. The key is focusing on kelp and rocky structure to find the bugs with the best action in 20 to 70 feet of water.
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. 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.

November 9, 2008 - Stefan Guintoli of San Diego caught this 8-4 trout on spoons in Half Moon Bay of Lake Poway.

October 30, 2008 - Glenn Harwood, Long Beach, caught this nice three-pound rainbow while trolling in Bridgeport Reservoir.

October 30, 2008 - Frank Duarte, Huntington Beach, with his 12.2-pound rainbow trout taken from Irvine Lake's Sierra Cove while fishing a yellow and white mini jig.

October 30, 2008 - Michael Ross, Garden Grove, llimited on rainbows to three pounds and browns to four pounds at Bridgeport Reservoir by slow, slow, slow trolling Rapalas and broken back Rebela (No. 7s in brown and rainbow trout or bright orange).

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.