TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open. Trophy trout to 20 pounds were planted into Corona and Santa Ana River Lakes last week, but only Corona produced any of the whopper. Both have been very good. Irvine is hot, Laguna Niguel Park Lake is churning, and Hesperia Lake remains good. All of the San Bernardino County Parks -- Yucaipa, Glen Helen, Prado, Cucamonga-Guasti, and Mojave Narrows -- are pretty good. 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 has been the hands-down best bet for both numbers and quality over the past week. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off. Only Havasu has a pretty fair 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 panfish anglers. Also a few redear at Casitas. Crappie bites have slowed everywhere, but the winter bite in Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is cranking on, and some quality fish are starting to show in Buena Vista lakes. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea perked last week but slowed again with cooler weather. Keep an eye on this bite -- it was wide open much of the winter last year.
     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: Very good striper action. Anything shad-like has been best but fishing anchovies or trolling trout-like lures has also worked well. Victor Hughes, Apple Valley, caught nine stripers to 7-8 on Realistix at Twin Coves. Sheila Hornak, Chino, landed six stripers to 6-8 on a Kastmaster fishing the mid channel. The bite on rainbow trout is good after the plant two weeks ago. Power Bait and Power Worms have been working best for trout with Cleghorn the top spot. Virgil S. Lee, Hesperia, caught five trout to four pounds on Power Bait and Power Worms at Cleghorn. Catfish bite has been slow to fair with the best at action for bigger catfish at the points on anchovies. 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: The bite slowed a bit due to the weather this past week, but fishing is still good. Sturgeon action was very good this past week with lots of five to 10 pounders and the occasional bigger fish showing. Johnny Michaels, Los Angeles, caught the top sturgeon this past week at 48 pounds on shrimp. Catfish were planted two and three weeks ago and action has been good with many quality fish showing. Inflated nightcrawlers and cut baits have been working best for catfish. Mike Morris, Hesperia, landed an 18-pound catfish on mealworms. Trout action has been good with the best results on floating baits. Aaron Garcia, Victorville, got a 12-8 trout on jigs. Some wipers are also showing with the best action on nightcrawlers. 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. Call the lake for plant information. 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, lemon twist, 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. Armando Acevedo, Ontario, caught a 3-14 rainbow on a Trout Teaser at the north shore 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 plant this week, and DFG fish last 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: Very good trout action due to the consistent weekly county plants. Also a DFG plant last week. A few carp and catfish are also showing. The first of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here Saturday, Dec. 12, with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500. The lake will receive a bonus plant of trophy trout for this event. Last year it took at least a 10 ½-pound rainbow to win the top prize at each event, and the biggest fish landed during the derby series was a 19 1/2 pounder. Other parks hosting derbies are as follows:  Yucaipa, January 9; Prado, February 6; Mojave Narrows, March 20; and Glen Helen, April 10. All derbies are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: Trout action is good with a county plant this week and DFG trout last 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 two weeks ago. James Medlock, Yucaipa, got a limit of trout to 6-8 on jigs fishing the top lake. Ray Fuerte, Grand Terrace, landed a limit of trout to six pounds in a brown mini jig in the middle lake. Jordan Medlock, Yucaipa, caught a limit of trout with fish to six pounds. Fair catfish action. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
     GLEN HELEN: Fair to good trout action after the plant last week, but no county plant is slated for this week. The weekly county plants will return next week. 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: Slow to fair trout action after DFG plants two and three weeks ago. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

     DIAMOND VALLEY: Excellent striper bite this past week. LA Sliders, Z Plugs, and Lunker Punkers were the top baits for stripers. Jesse Mena, Hemet, caught two stripers at 16.71 and 11.59 pounds on a Lunker Punker near the east dam. Seth Cittel, Winchester, caught a 15.5-pound striper. Largemouth action is good. 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. Rainbow trout 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. Trout were planted 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 is currently closed but will reopen for boat launching December 20, two months ahead of schedule, with the completion of the ramp extension. A combination bass and trout fishing competition will be held at Diamond Valley Lake Saturday, Dec. 12 with proceeds to benefit Valley Wide Recreation, a group benefiting youth athletic and outdoor activities in the Hemet-San Jacinto area. Entry fee is $220 for bass anglers ($80 in options available) and $60 for trout anglers (or $20 for kids 15 and under). Anglers fishing this event will be the first to use the new ramp to launch private boats and fish the lake. For more tournament information or to sign up, call Last Chance Bait and Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410 or to to www.lastchancebaitandtackle.com. For general lake and fishing information, call 800-590-LAKE, the marina at 951-926-7201 or www.dvmarina.com, or Last Chance Bait and Tackle (numbers above).
     PERRIS: Good trout bite after the DFG trout plant last week. Nightcrawlers have been working best for trout, and anglers have reported success near the marina and 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. The catfish bite is just fair with the marina the top spot and mackerel the top bait. Gabriel Garcia, Perris, caught a 15.2-pound catfish on a Brush Hog near Lots 11 and 12. Bass action fair with a couple of nice fish reported this past week. The early morning has been the best time to get a bass. 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, south shore, and ramp No. 2 were the hot spots 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. Mike Buchanan, Hemet, landed a 19-pound striper on a jerkbait at the inlet. Gary Smith, Compton, caught 10 and 12 pounds on chicken liver at the south shore. 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. Catfish action is fair to 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: The wide open trout bite at Corona Lake has continued this past week and a plant of trophy rainbows for Thanksgiving paid off for Mark Darr, Lake Elsinore, who landed an 18 1/2-pound rainbow on Wednesday this week, while Mark Thompson, Riverside, caught a 17 1/2-pound rainbow on Saturday. These are the two biggest trout landed so far this season in Southern California. Both fish were planted last week. Other good catches include a five-fish, 20-pound stringer caught by Wes Wright, Fullerton, including an eight-pound rainbow, while float-tube fishing with rainbow Nitro Bait. Frankie and Taylor Rodriguez, Hacienda Heights, landed three trout including a nine pounder, and Patrick Tryon, Ramona, landed a 9 1/2-pound rainbow. Top baits have been chartreuse, corn yellow, and rainbow Eagle Claw Nitro Bait dough dipped in garlic Nitro Garvy. Inflated nightcrawlers doused with the garlic scent have also been good, and the small trout jigs and trout plastics are seeing a lot of use by many anglers. In total, there were at least 30 limits of rainbows were reported by anglers. Sturgeon and tilapia are also being caught. Top sturgeon this week was caught by Jim Davis, Elsinore, and it weighed in at 90 pounds. Davis caught the fish from a boat while fishing with chicken liver and mackerel. The tilapia action has been good with the fish stacked up in the shallow water at the south end of the lake, and some of the fish are topping three pounds. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglake.com.
     EVANS LAKE: Slow to fair bass action on plastics and small reaction baits. Slow bluegill action around shoreline structure, rocks, and tules.
     RANCHO JURUPA: County trout plant slated for this week, but the last DFG plant was two weeks ago. Very good action with fish in both lakes. Slow other species except for a few bluegill. Trout Derby set for January 23. 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: Trout limits were common over the past week, and there were at least 65 trout topping four pounds reported. The two biggest fish were a matching pair of 9 1/2 pounders. One was landed by Rick Avila, La Habra, fishing the green Nitro Bait dough at Levitz’ Corner, while the other was caught by Jennifer Rodriguez of East Los Angeles in Chris Pond on the same bait. Jason delaCruz, Lake Elsinore, landed a nine-pounder to top off his three fish, 16-4 limit fishing corn yellow Nitro Bait. Vincent Virgen, Buena Park, had the top stringer of the week, with his five trout weighing in at 34 1/2 pounds -- nearly a seven-pound average -- and his top rainbow was an 8 1/2 pounder. Mike Taylor and Jeff Verharst, both Sunland, had nine trout that weighed 53 1/2 pounds, including an eight pounder. Other eight-pound rainbows were caught by Frank Corral, Los Angeles; Jay David, Hawthorne; Joe Romero, Covina, and Vladimir Kaye, Costa Mesa. None of the trout over 15 pounds planted last week were caught, however. Floating baits, small jigs, and inflated nightcrawlers fished in to the top three feet of the water column has been the way to catch a limit. A couple of nice two-pound crappie were caught by anglers tossing small, white jigs this week. An Eagle Claw $20 off boat rental coupon is available on The Lakes web site through Dec. 23 at www.fishinglake.com. 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.
     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: Good trout action this past week. Garlic Power Bait has been the most productive bait and the top spots have been Trout Island, Santiago Flats, Boat Dock Cove, and the west shore near the dam. Kevin Slape, Huntington Beach, landed a 10-6 rainbow on a Mira Shad near the dam. Bobbi Hotinger, Orange, hooked into a 7-6 rainbow trout on a Rapala. Mike Hammer, Irvine, caught a 7-6 rainbow trout on a Power Mouse at Trout Island. Some catfish are still showing. Adam Pombrello, Huntington Beach, got a 16-4 flathead catfish on a pig-n-jig on the flats. 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 is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
     LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout plant slated for this week. Overall fair to good trout action after a plant of 5,000 pounds for the opener two weeks ago. Slow to fair bass and bluegill action. 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: DFG trout plant Wednesday this week. While there is 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. Next Calavaras plant will be in early this month. 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: Just fair bass action with the fish focused on shad when they come up, but most are holding in 30 to 60 feet of water and the bite is best on ice jigs, spoons, leadheads or plastics. Some smaller fish on cranks when the bass are up chasing shad late in the day. Bill Griffith, Oxnard, had an eight-pound bass on an ice jig. Mark Lumsden, Oakview, had a 7-8 bass on live shad, and Mark “Chief” Torrez, Camarillo, landed a six-pounder on a Huddleston swim bait. Trout were planted Wednesday, but the trout got stuck and only a partial load was netted out of the tank and put in the lake at the Santa Ana ramp. A few redear are still showing on nightcrawler pieces with a couple of fish around a pound reported in the marina this week. Catfish are mostly slow, but Ken Tasch, Ventura, landed a 15-pounder on mackerel. Private boats are 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: DFG trout slated for both the upper lake and lower lagoon this week, and the bite has been very good on on Power Bait, small spinners, and small pieces of nightcrawler. Fair striper action with a bit of a slump this past week. Most of the fish are still showing from he shoreline to the right of the marina on anchovies, sardines, nightcrawlers, shad, and blood worms. Most of the fish being reported are around 4 to 9 pounds, but Scott Lizacowski, Canyon Country, caught a 14.8-pounder on a topwater bait last week. The largemouth bite is very good on shad-like cranks and swimbaits, with plastic worms also a good bet. All of the coves in the Fish Arm are producing fish with the best action early and late in the day. Rene Renossa, Castaic, landed largemouth bass at 12.1 and 9.5 pounds on a Realistic Minnow. Catfish action has slowed and very few bluegill and crappie action have been reported. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.
     PIRU: DFG trout plant this week with pretty good action on the smaller rainbows. 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 action and a DFG plant went in this week. The last DFG plant was two weeks ago, and there has been fair to good action on floating baits and small lures, mostly around the marina and main channel. Still fair 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. Just fair bluegill and redear action on live bait fished in 15 to 35 feet. Some of the redear are in the pound range. Channel catfish are slow 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: Good trout action after a DFG plant this 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 with the last DFG plant two weeks ago. Information: 909-599-8411.
     SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants this week and last week. 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 catfish plant this week and trout were planted last week.
     BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week and trout were planted last week.
     CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
     ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week and trout were planted last week.
     EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
     HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Also a DFG catfish plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
     HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week and trout were planted last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
     JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week and trout were planted last week.
     LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     LEGG LAKES: DFG catfish plant this week and trout were planted last week.
     LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week and trout were planted last week.
     MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. 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 53 anglers checked reported catching 54 bass, 13 crappie, and two catfish. Randy Lewis, Ramona, caught a 10.2-pound largemouth on a Senko at the north end. 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: Trout season is set to kick off December 12 with a big plant of 4,500 pounds. 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 8-10 were reported. Trout were planted last 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: Very good trout action after the plant last week. Todd DerOvanesian, San Diego, caught a 5-12 trout on a Rapala at the Log Boom. Bass action is fair. The catfish action was fair with anglers fishing the log boom having the most success. 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 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 in very deep water. 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 kicked off last week and anglers reported good action after the plant. Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Power Bait have been working best for trout. Catfish action is fair with some hitting mackerel and chicken liver. Bass action has been mostly slow but with the trout plants 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. 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 in deeper water at 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. 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. Slow 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 fair to good 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. 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 slow to 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 slow this past week, but 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 and area canals are just fair for catfish. 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 slowing all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches. Leo Brogen, Blythe, caught a few stripers to seven pounds and a number of small catfish on Goose Flats fishing cut bait this past week. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
     PALO VERDE: The catfish action is fair with a lot of nice catches of flatheads and channels on bluegill with fish to 10 pounds in the past week. Bluegill tougher, but still some good catches of fish in isolated holes. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are all but unfished rght now, so a report is tough. There hasn’t been a bass boat in the lagoon for three weeks. The smallies have been pretty good along the rip-rap north of here, however. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
     PICACHO AREA: Fair to good largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. The channel catfish action is fair 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: A few 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 along the north shore with both the state park and Yacht Club jetty both producing decent numbers of smaller fish. The cooler weather this past week has slowed things. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
     ALAMO RIVER: Few reports, but the catfish action is fair on nightcrawlers and cut baits.
     COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports, but the catfish action has been fair 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 last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
     SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant last 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 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 this week, and the lower Owens was also planted. 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 chill. 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 in the four to seven-pound range with some bigger fish. The bite has been on blood worms, sand worm, and shad-like crankbaits and Gitzit-like swim baits. The catfish remains also pretty good on cut baits. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     HART PARK LAKE: DFG plant last 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 last week and three weeks ago. Still slowish trout action. Other species also slow.
     RIVER WALK PARK: Good trout action after a DFG plant last 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 last 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 last week.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: Fair trout action with some decent catches reported, mostly on corn Power Bait. Lots of trout to three pounds with a few bigger fish. Best action is in shallow water within 15 feet of the bank. The winter crappie bite looks to be starting. Charles Dickerson, Bakersfield, landed crappie at 1-12 and two pounds on live minnows. 2-0 and 1-12 crappie on minnows. Catfish, carp and bass mostly slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     WOOLLOMES LAKE: Very good trout action after DFG plant last week. Best action has been on corn Power Bait. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.
     SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant three 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: Mostly slow action with only a few bass and the odd bluegill showing. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

     SAN ANTONIO: Very few reports. 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 action still slow, but a few crappie are showing on small jigs. The cats have been spotty. Very light fishing pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
     LOPEZ: Light fishing pressure, but a few crappie and redear are showing. Bass spotty, catfish slow. 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: Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
     SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake.
     SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
     VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake.
     INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Owens River (Section 2).
     FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.

CATFISH PLANTS

     The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish this week.
     LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Lake, Hollenbeck Lake, Legg Lake, Lincoln Park Lake.

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. Most of the boats were back in for the Thanksgiving holiday, but several are en route back south again and the bite should pick up where it left off. The Royal Polaris had 35 yellowfin over 200 pounds on its most recent trip.
     LOCAL SQUID FOR BAIT: Several San Pedro boats had live squid for bait for the first time this season, and it translated into pretty good bass action with some quality calicos reported in recent days. The Tradition was out mid-week with 13 anglers who landed 75 bass along with a nice smattering of sheephead, perch, and bonito. The Persuit with live squid went to Catalina Wednesday with 32 anglers and found pretty good mixed bag fishing with rockfish, bass, perch, whitefish, and sculpin in the bag. All along the coast, there has been a decent pick on the bass for the half and three-quarter day boats with the other species filling up the sacks. Three to six fish per rod has been the norm.
     SAND DABS FOR DINNER: A couple of landings are running sand dab trips and the action is wide open. The Sea Angler out of 22nd Street Landing was out with 15 anglers and they caught nearly 2,000 sand dabs Wednesday.
     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 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.