December 10, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. The largemouth and striper action at Diamond Valley Lake is still probably one of the best bets for the whole region, especially as we move into the full moon on Friday. The fish have shifted to keying on shad, and the bite is best on shad-like swim baits and jerk baits. Stripers to nearly 14 pounds were reported by anglers this past week during the poor in-between moon phase. For updates, check with the marina staff at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. The trout plants in Lake Mead seem to have stirred up the big stripers and the full moon Friday could really turn on this bite. Two weeks ago during the new moon and rotten weather, two anglers from Henderson landed 27 quality stripers to 28 pounds casting and trolling A.C. Plugs and A.C. Hatchery Trout. This bite should be excellent again coming around Friday’s full moon. For an update check with the Willow Beach marina at 928-767-4747 or at Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464.
3. Henshaw is our sleeper pick of the week with good catfish and crappie bites. While the catfish are mostly pan-sized fish and the crappie are mostly under a pound, there have been good stringers of both reported over the past week. For an update, call the resort store at 760-782-3501.
 

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Irvine Lake is very good after another plant of trophy fish two weeks ago for the holiday. Also still some browns, and brookies showing. Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, and Hesperia Lake are all good with a lot of rainbows in the eight-pound class and a few bigger showing at all three. 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. Most waters in SoCal are getting trout plants now and just about everyplace is good. Morena and Wohlford both kick off their trout seasons with week. All the San Bernardino County Park lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, and Yucaipa -- are good with weekly county plants.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: There is still generally fair late fall bass action across the region. Casitas and Diamond Valley Lake are both fair to good, with big fish starting to show after DFG trout plants at all most lakes. Perris slowed, but still worth watching after trout plants. Castaic, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, Skinner, Piru, Otay, and Wohlford all have slow to fair bites. Poway and El Capitan are a little slower. Very light bass pressure everywhere.
STRIPED BASS: Lake Mohave broke open this two weeks ago with some big fish to 28 pounds showing at the trout stocking spots between Cottonwood Cove and Willow Beach. Diamond Valley is a good bet with fish to nearly 14 pounds this past week. Castaic cranked out a few more big fish to 22 pounds reported. Silverwood and Skinner have been good on smaller fish, while Pyramid is just fair. Back on the Colorado River, there is still a fair bite at Mead on smaller fish to three pounds. Havasu is also fair on smaller fish, and Mojave has small fish showing at the opposite end of the lake (near the dam) where the big fish are showing.
PANFISH: Top bet for bluegill and redear is Lopez Lake but that bite is just fair. The Perris and Diamond Valley bites have slowed down this week. Most Southern California crappie bites are off, but Henshaw and Elsinore are fair to good bets on fish a pound and under, but the Perris bite slowed this past week. San Antonio is a fair to good bet if you are heading to the Central Coast.
CATFISH: The late fall-winter bite has been mostly slow but a few quality fish are showing each week. Top bets included Diamond Valley and Hesperia Lake (where there’s also a good shot at a sturgeon), but Henshaw is best for stringers of smaller fish. 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: The last trout plant was two weeks, a 1,500-pound load from the DFG, but the bite remains good to excellent and another plant is slated for this week. Best action is on worms, Power Bait or nightcrawlers. James White, Hesperia, pulled out a 2-8 rainbow. Striper bite fair to good on anchoives or mackerel in Chemise and by the dam. Catfish bite fair to good on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Top catfish was a nine-pounder pulled out by Eddie Ayala, Fontana. Steven Valenti, Hesperia, caught two channel cats totaling 11-8, with his top fish a 6 1/2-pounder. Largemouth bass bite fair to good on worms or jigs, but very light fishing pressure. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: All the lake’s marinas and public ramps are closed for the season and will reopen in early next spring. Trout fishing has been fair for shore anglers fishing the Stanfield Cutoff region and at the dam with floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant two weeks. Other species slow. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishing fee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May 14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. 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:Trout and sturgeon dominate here with good bites for both species. Trout bite best on Power Bait, jigs and nightcrawlers. Bill Nazer, Culver City, caught a 41-8 sturgeon on nightcrawlers from the drain. Dean Caruso, Long Beach, landed an 18-8 sturgeon off of North Shore. Phillip Martinez, Phelan, caught a 9 1/4-pound trout on Power Bait. Gabe Johnson, San Bernardino, pulled out 8-8 trout from the drain. Trout plants are twice a week. A 3,000-pound sturgeon plant also went in mid-November. 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: Good to excellent trout action on both lakes. Anglers are most successful with jigs, lures, nightcrawlers and Power Bait (spring green, chartreuse, red-white-and-blue, and salmon peach). The fish are in the two to three pound range. Hot spots include the grassy point, eastern logged shore and the western shore particularly near the pump house of lake 3 as well as the south eastern, northern and western shores of lake 2. Lots of limits were reported. Tony Martinez, Glendora, pulled out 5-1 and 3-7 rainbows. Clayton Siddens, Apple Valley, caught a 4-12 rainbow on an orange Roostertail. Bob Barr and Craig Adkinson, Phoenix, landed 4-8 and 4-3 rainbows. Merv Shandor, Victorville, caught a 4-5 rainbow. Anthony Graham, 9, Bloomington, caught 4-1 and 3-3 rainbows. James Engleman, Hesperia, caught a 3-15 rainbow. Myke Carlton, Victorville, caught a 3-15 rainbow on a Power Mouse. Bill Adams, Hesperia, landed a 3-15 rainbow. Joseph Jaramillo, West Covina, landed a 3-12 trout. James Scoggins, Redlands, pulled out a 3-6 trout on lemon twist Power Bait. 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. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. 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, and there was also a DFG trout plant last week. Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Good trout action, mostly in Basin 2, with a lot of fish to three pounds. Joe Sanchez, Chino, landed four rainbows that weighed 8 1/2 pounds, including a 3 3/4-pounder, all on rainbow Power Bait. County trout plants are each week through April, and there was a DFG plant last week. Also still a few catfish and bass showing. Catfish bite fair on nightcrawlers, mackerel, and shrimp. Larry Shishido, Chino, landed three cats to 2 1/2 pounds on shrimp. Frank Pedroza, Ontario, landed two bass, one at three pounds and the other at 2 3/4 pounds. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: The good trout bite continues this week and more quality rainbows have been reported this week. The best was a 10-pounder caught by Larry Mathis, Calimesa, flyfishing with a wooly bugger. Alex and Anthony Placencia, Colton, had a stringer of trout to seven pounds, while Albert Virgen, San Bernardino, landed rainbows at four and three pounds. County plants are weekly through April, and there was also a DFG plant last week. Fishing derby set for this Saturday and there will be a bonus 2,000-pound plant Friday, when the lakes will be closed to fishing. Derby fee is $15 which can be paid on that day. Fishing license required. Prizes range from $35 to $500 in value. Slow catfish action with the best bite in the afternoons. Last catfish plant was in September. Lake and derby information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Good trout action with some quality rainbows showing each week. One angler weighed in an 8-5 this past week from the small lake. County trout plants are weekly through April and there was a DFG trout plant last week. Slow catfish bite. 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: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Trout bite is very good, and this week’s record-sized catch highlighted the action. Cesar Cruz, Hemet, holds the new lake record with a 15.06-pounder he caught on a Thomas Buoyant off the north corner of the east dam. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mini jigs, and Power worms have been the best baits. DFG trout plant this week, so the bite should remain good. Bass fishing fair to good. Bass have been caught at varying depths from the surface to down 50 feet with plastics, live bait, and jerk baits all producing fish. The striper bite slowed down this week, but this week’s trout plant should help things. Stripers have been feeding on either shad or trout, so the trout-like swimbaits have been the hot ticket. Jesse Mena, Hemet, caught a 13.8-pound striper on shad off the east dam. Mike Krininger, Riverside, caught a 13.9-pounder on a Z-plug. Terry “Pontoon” Lairson, Huntington Beach, caught a 10.77-pound striper. Catfish just keep on biting. “Pontoon” Lairson pulled out a 19.5-pound catfish near the quarry on mackerel. Johnny Moore, Rancho Cucamonga, caught 6.5 and 8.34-pound cats fishing off shore with mackerel. Crappie are very scarce, although one decent fish was caught this week. Caade Egri, 13, La Quinta, caught a 2.14-pound crappie on a nightcrawler near the saddle dam.  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: Slow fishing. The bite for crappie, bluegill and redear became very inconsistent with only a few bluegill showing on crickets, wax worms, or meal worms in lots 11 and 12. Bass bite fair with some reports on jigs near the dam and off the east island. Fair carp action with fish reported on garlic nightcrawlers. Brando Scott, Las Vegas, caught a four-pound carp. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Trout bite good to excellent for those fishing off shore and from boats with nightcrawlers and Kastmasters-type lures. Willie Pickins, Bloomington, landed a 2-8 rainbow off Launch Ramp 2. Rick Langley, Fallbrook, pulled out a 2-4 trout. A 500-pound DFG trout plant went in this week. Striper bite providing just as much action. Best bite reported in the inlet on anchovies or worms. The morning bite is better than any other time. Clint Barnes, Cherry Valley, caught a 4-5 striper. Catfish bite remains good for patient anglers using anything dipped in stink baits. Bass bite fair with fish up into the three-pound range. Overall light fishing pressure. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Fair crappie action on minnows and crappie jigs. Bluegill action fair on crickets and meal worms, and a few largemouth are showing on plastics and shad-like swim baits. Carp fair off the east end on dough balls. Catfish slow. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action slow, even slower than usual lately. But there is big news the wiper front. The lake will get a bonus plant of 18,000 seven-inch wipers within the next 45 days. They should reach the 18-inch minimum size for anglers to keep by spring, 2010, and help knock down threadfin shad numbers in the process Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Rainbow trout at 22 and 19 1/2 pounds led this past week’s excellent trout bite, but many anglers had trout in the eight-pound class. The 22-pounder was caught by Steve Schmidt, Ontario, while fishing a nightcrawler at mid-lake from a boat, while the 19 1/2-pound rainbow was caught by George Alvarez, Brea, on chartreuse Power Bait at the dam. Top stringers included a five-fish catch by Andrew Glover, Mission Viejo, that weighed in at 18 pounds and included an eight-pound rainbow. Philip Parham, Corona, caught an 8 1/2-pound rainbow to top off his seven-fish, 24-pound stringer, while Brady and Trent Hall, Corona, caught five rainbows that weighed 20 pounds, including one at 8 1/4 pounds. Cory Jugas, Moreno Valley, landed nine trout for 25 1/2 pounds, and his best weighed 8 1/2 pounds, and Eric Eyserece, Murietta, landed three rainbows that went 18 1/2 pounds total, including an 8 3/4-pounder. Even with the low water level, the best action is still for boat anglers fishing mid-lake spots. Top baits have been floating Nitro Bait or Power Bait with chartreuse and orange the best colors, and some fish are showing on nightcrawlers or Lip RipperZ’ jigs. Plants each Wednesday. Cash payout derby Dec. 21. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout bite with anglers reporting the best action on nightcrawlers and worms. Catfish action is slow on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Fair bass bite, also on worms or plastics. Josh Barranco, Riverside, had bass at four and two pounds this past week.
RANCHO JURUPA: Very good action after a DFG trout plant last week. Lots of rainbows to two pounds reported with some bigger. Best action on small spinners and garlic, rainbow, and corn Power Bait. Three-pound rainbows were reported by Chris Ann Valhunt, Corona, Robert Berry, Mira Loma, Jerry Sutton, Pedley, Chris Hollis, Mira Loma, and Leslie Kanawah, Mira Loma. Not a lot of limits, but most anglers had from one to three trout. Other species are slow with a few cats. Upcoming events: Trout tournament scheduled for January 24. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair trout bite. 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: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Fair to good catfish action on nightcrawlers or shrimp. 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 slated for this week. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the most talked about trout baits here. 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 fair to good and shore anglers catching as many fish as boat anglers, but there has been very light fishing pressure. Best action on inflated nightcrawlers or Power Bait. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Most trout are 10 to 16 inches long. Joey Lorenzo, Pomona, and three buddies caught 18 trout. Lorenzo had two at three pounds each. They were fishing the point. 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: Very good action with a lot of rainbows up into the eight-pound range and a few bigger. The biggest trout reported was a 10-pounder caught by Keith Barron, Whittier, as part of the three-fish 15-pound stringer. Scott Lee, Garden Grove, had four rainbows weighing 27-8, including a 9-8 trout, while Brian Carlson, Mira Loma, caught a nine-pounder to top off his 22 1/2-pound three-fish stringer. Roland Cortez, Carson, landed a nine-pounder. Santiago Palacios, La Puente, caught five trout that weighed 20 pounds total and his big fish was an eight pounder, and Ricardo Zepeda, Santa Ana, landed two rainbows at eight and 6 1/2 pounds. The best action has been on the floating baits and nightcrawlers fishing at the Bubble Hole, off the sandy beach, and Levitz’ Corner. Small jigs and plastics have also been good bets, with Lip RipperZ the hot lures. Trollers working mid-lake have also been scoring. Trout plants each Wednesday with trophy Tailwalkers to be planted Dec. 17 and a $20 all-cash payout, big fish derby set for Dec. 20. 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: Good trout action with some fish over the 10-pound mark. Slightly murky water conditions meant bait was more productive than trolling. Chartreuse Power Bait or a Power Mouse combo have been the best. Hot areas are off the west shore, in Sierra Cove, near Trout Island, Santiago Flats, off the docks, and near the dam. Phil Sarbert, Huntington Beach, pulled out an 11-14 rainbow on a Kastmaster in Sierra Cove. Jacob Drake, 10, and Lucas Drake, 7, both La Habra, landed a 10-fish limit of trout totaling 16-1. Bass anglers found fair numbers of two-pound largemouth on Carolina-rigged plastics. Some two to six-pound catfish were also caught by those pursuing the trout. Very good numbers of fish have been pulled out of the Kids Lagoon. A special “Grand Slam” event for children runs in December in the Kids Lagoon. The first 25 anglers who score all three species of trout (rainbow, brook, and brown) during December will qualify for a Fish-Off and receive a special commendation from the DFG’s “Fishing Passport” program. Another stocking of mixed species will go into the Lagoon this week. Water level continues to rise by several inches a day. The lake is expected to reach nearly full pool capacity by January 1. 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 bite fair to good with many limits reported and average fish size from two to 2 1/2 pounds. A trout plant went in last week. Hot spots for the trout are off the point and launch ramp and near the concession. Top baits are chartreuse Power Bait, orange Gulp or inflated nightcrawlers. Fair bass bite on dropshotted plastic worms and various crankbaits. Crappie and bluegill in the 1/2-pound range have been reported on nightcrawlers or 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: CACHUMA: Trout bite picking up with fair to good action. The bite is best in five to 25 feet just outside the marina and in Cachuma Bay. Trollers are doing best with a flasher and a ‘crawler or red Needlefish, while still fishermen are successful with nightcrawlers or rainbow Power Bait. DFG trout plant this week. Catfish bite good in the back of the narrows in 20 feet on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Average fish is from five to eight pounds, with some reported from 17 to 20 pounds. Crappie and redear bite fair in 30 feet on nightcrawlers. 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: 1,500-pound DFG trout plant went in this week at the Santa Ana Launch Ramp and the trout bite has improved. The fish are in the one-pound range, on average. Top trout was a two-pounder pulled out by Kelly Peters, Ventura, on a spinner. Art Alonzo, Santa Paula, caught a limit of trout totaling 5 1/2 pounds. Kent Reed, Ventura, caught a limit totaling about the same. Bass bite exceptional with the fish chasing the shad on the surface. Tyce Carpenter, Ventura, pulled out a nine-pound bass on nightcrawlers, however. 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: A trout plant went in and the stripers came up with some quality fish landed on trout-like swimbaits. Top fish was a 22-pounder caught by Scott Kenzel, Saugus, from the Fish Arm. Ken Hemer, Castaic, pulled out a 12.6-pound striper. Aaron Jeffry, Westminster, landed a stringer of stripers totaling 11.2 pounds from the Ski Arm on swimbaits. Largemouth bass bite tougher this week, but some fish in the one to two-pound range were caught. Flukes, worms, small swimbaits, and crankbaits were some of the more productive bass baits. Trout bite slow, in spite of the plant last week. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: DFG trout plant this week. Anglers are pulling out limits with fish to two pounds on Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any type of trout worm, with the best bite right after the plants. Angie Lopez, Victorville, caught a 1 3/4-pound rainbow. 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. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: DFG trout plant this week. Not too many individual catches reported, but slow to fair action on nightcrawlers. 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. 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 this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Closed for the season. The lake will reopen next spring. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Hodges is now closed until February. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Bass slowed. Bluegill nonexistent. No individual catch reports. 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. 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 last week. 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: Trout fishing begins this Saturday with Wohlford’s first rainbow plant of the season, a 4,500-pound load of large “Tail Walkers” from Chaulk Mound. After this Saturday, Wohlford will stay open seven days a week, except for Christmas Day. Channel Catfish have been hitting cut mackerel, shrimp, chicken liver, and nightcrawlers off the south shore rock pile and in Oakvale Cove. Bass action has slowed a bit lately. Hayden Heck, Valley Center, caught a 1-4 bass on a nightcrawler off Senior Shoreline. New rental boats are available for rent at the lake. They rent for $46 for all day. 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 this week.
DIXON LAKE: Another 1,500-pound trout plant went in this week. Some large trout have been landed in Whiskery Bay and in Trout Cove. Fish are in the five to seven-pound range. Miguel Torres, Escondido, caught a seven-pound trout on a nightcrawler in Catfish Cove. Forest Bradford, Oceanside, landed a 6-6 trout. Don Hickman, Oceanside, caught a 5-2 trout on rainbow Power Bait. The lake will be stocked with another 3,000 pounds on Dec. 23. 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: Another 1,500-pound load of trout will go in this week. The trout bite was slow going into this plant. Try slow trolling across the center of the lake with nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Trout are deep, down 30 to 40 feet. Best lures are gold Kastmasters or fire tiger Rapalas. The bass bite is also slow. Water is still being added to the lake. With the inflow of water, the catfish bite is very good at the Log Boom, in Boulder Bay and off Jump Off point. The bluegill bite is slow to fair, with the best action in Hidden Bay. 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: Trout action fair with the best bite for anglers fishing in Shadow Cove and near Cactus Patch on inflated crawlers. Ashley Kay, 11, El Cajon, caught a four-pound rainbow on chartreuse Power Bait. Fair catfish action reported on nightcrawlers off Sentry Point. Bass action also fair on green and brown worms fished in 30 feet off the points. Another 1,000-pound plant went in Tuesday. The lake is now open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 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 begins this week with the first plant of the season. In the meantime, catfish anglers have reported fair to good action on mackerel or shrimp. The area below the cabins is best. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 6 a.m. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: A 1,200-pound load of Jess Ranch trout went in this week with some trophy fish in the plant. Fair to good trout action reported on rainbows five pounds. Chambers Park is the hot area for the 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: Catfish bite continues good on nightcrawlers or shrimp. Caunto Ruiz, Robert Trujillo and Antonio Ceballos, all Oceanside, along with Apolinar Rodriguez, Vista, and Manuel Negrete, Temecula, together caught 25 catfish with their top fish a five-pounder. Lyle Daniels, Santa Ysabel, caught five off the dock with his largest weighing two pounds. Tim Reilley and Michael Loxe, Lakeside, caught five catfish with a 1 1/2-pound top fish. Fair crappie bite on minnows Lyle Daniels, Santa Ysabel, caught 23 off the dock. Robert Slaughter, Tony Woodord, and Larry Jordan, all Lakeside, pulled out 25 crappie, with their biggest weighing one-pound. The lake is open from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. the other five days of the week. The lake will close at noon on Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Water levels have stabilized, but the overall bite remains slow to fair. 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 best stripers have come from 40 feet deep to those fishing with anchovies. The stripers are also chasing the shad in Gypsum Wash and near the Boulder Bay pier with some better action reported in these areas. The night catfish bite is fair to good for anglers using lights and then fishing anchovies. No largemouth or trout reports.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout action remains good to excellent, with an excellent bite reported in the early morning. 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. For stripers, see the Lake Mohave report below. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Trout plants have really kicked off the striper bite. Anglers have reported an abundance of stripers on A.C. plugs or similar lures for the bigger fish in the upper end of the lake, or anchovies and nightcrawlers for smaller fish closer to the dam. Fair action on bluegill and largemouth bass in 10 to 15 feet in submerged trees and brush. The largemouths are biting plastics and the bluegill are taking crickets and worms. Lake levels are steady. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Trout plants are bi-weekly through the winter. The action is fair on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair striper bite.
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 lowering. Take caution when launching. Fair catfish bite. Fair largemouth bass action on Senkos or swimbaits. Slow crappie bite, but that should change soon. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper bite fair with the best bite in the early morning around the reefs and points with fish to four pounds or greater. Anchovies and jigs have been the top producers. 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: 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. Flathead bite fair to good with some fish to 15 pounds reported. 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, but the action is spotty. 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 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: No more fishing in this 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 is still hanging on. 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 is good 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. Big fish have been pulled out from the Interpretive Center of Hot Creek. 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. DFG plant in the lower Owens last week. 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. Lower Owens fishing fair with midday hatches. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Crappie bite fair to good on small minnows. Bass bite good on crawdads. Also pretty decent action on catfish for anglers fishing near the dam. DFG plant for Isabella this week. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: No reports. Trout plants may be a thing of the past for the Kern. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Good striper bite on blood worms, lug worms or pumpkin seed Gitzits. Most fish are in the three to eight-pound range, but a few big ones have been pulled out. The catfish bite is very good on mackerel, shrimp or Sonny’s.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite. DFG trout plant this week.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout bite on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic.
MING LAKE: Fair bluegill bite on wax worms and meal worms. DFG trout plant this week.
BRITE LAKE: Fair trout action. Trout plant two weeks ago. Some catfish reported, too.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Still some good-sized trout here. Justin Hurtado, Bakersfield, caught a 12-pound trout on garlic Power Bait. Joe Morales, Bakersfield, landed three three-pound trout on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The catfish action still good. Call Bob’s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Good bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets. Trout plant two weeks ago.
SUCCESS LAKE: Trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Trout plant week before last. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Crappie bite remains fair to good on crappie jigs or worms. The bite improves in the afternoons when it warms up. 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. Largemouth bass bite 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: Trout bite slow with only a few holdovers reported on salmon eggs or nightcrawlers. Fair to 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. 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, 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 limits in 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. Norma Escalara, Ventura, pulled out two two-pound trout. 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. 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:
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Cerritos Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hansen Lake, Legg Lakes, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE: Laguna Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Diamond Valley Reservoir, Perris Lake, Skinner Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Silverwood Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir and Owens River Section 2.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Hart Park Lake, Isabella Lake, Ming Lake, River Walk Park Lake, Truxton Lake.
MARIPOSA: Lake McClure, McSwain Reservoir.
MERCED: Los Banos Reservoir, Merced River from McSwain Dam To Merced Falls,
Yosemite Lake.
STANISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Turlock Lake, Woodward Reservoir.
TUOLUMNE: Cherry Lake, Don Pedro Reservoir, New Melones Lake, Tulloch Reservoir.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

LONG-RANGE ACTION: While most boats were either coming in or going out to the long range fishing grounds off Cabo San Lucas in the Hurricane Bank region, there has been very good action on these trips with most 10 to 14-day and longer trips seeing streaks of good action on 200-pound to over 300-pound yellowfin tuna. In between the action on the big fish, there has been pretty much a wide open bite on 20 to 70 pounders, wahoo, and dorado. Most boats are also running into the Baja coast on the way back up to catch yellowtail and even a few rockfish.
SAN DIEGO ROCKFISH AND YELLOWTAIL: The 1 ½-day fleet out of San Diego has been tapping in on the very good rockfish and yellowtail action off Punta Colonet. The Pacific Voyager out of Seaforth Sportfishing was out with 23 anglers on a weekend trip, returning Sunday with 38 yellowtail (out of over 100 hookups) from 22 to 35 pounds and limits of rockfish, including 31 lings to 18 pounds.
CATALINA AND CLEMENTE UPDATE: Skippers taking boats out to Catalina and San Clemente over the past week have seen signs of a better winter bite. Catalina Island has some squid on the backside with some white seabass working the candy bait, but nothing hot yet, mostly thanks to winds and swell. On the front side yellowtail have started to come back to life a little, and there were flurries of very good bonito action this week. At Clemente, the rockfish action has been excellent with a lot of quality salmon grouper and reds, but there have been some yellowtail under bird schools this week off the west end of the island, but the fish are sinking out quickly.
LOCAL NEARSHORE NEWS: A little pocket of squid off Redondo Beach made for decent fishing this past week on calicos, sand bass, and sheephead, and there was one day of excellent white seabass action. On Friday, the Redondo Special out of Redondo Sportfishing was out with just eight anglers in its morning half-day run and they caught 10 white seabass to 28 pounds, one halibut, 60 sand bass, 20 calicos, and a sheephead. On the afternoon trip, the 12 anglers landed a seabass, 82 sand bass, 25 calicos, three whitefish and three bonito. While the seabass bite didn’t stay on through the weekend, there has been generally good bass fishing since, albeit in smaller volume.
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 event is a special adult-child trip leaving on Dec. 30 aboard the El Dorado out of Long Beach Sportfishing. Sponsored by United Anglers of Southern California and the 976-TUNA youth fishing program, the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. trip only costs $50 per adult ticket, and each adult gets to bring to junior anglers 15-and-under free. (Additional kids are just $20 each.) The trip includes all loaner rods, tackle, bait and teaching. A perfect event for newcomers. 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.

December 7, 2008 - Cobra Rondeau, Yucaipa, age 12, with a three-pound rainbow trout caught from Yucaipa Regional Park lake.

December 6, 2008 - Aaron Karbowski of Azusa with a three-pound Nebraska Tailwalker caught at Santa Ana River Lakes.

November 29, 2008 - Peter Steinwald, 12, of Upland caught and released this two-pound smallmouth bass -- his first -- while fishing the Coachella Canal south of Indio. He was throwing a spinnerbait.

November 28, 2008 - Brenden Gates of Fullerton shows off his 21 1/2-pound rainbow caught at Santa Ana River Lakes while fishing strawberry Nitro Bait at the boat dock.

November 26, 2008 - Ryan Webb (left) and Allan Cole, the designer of the A.C. Plug, where fishing Lake Mojave the day before Thanksgiving to land 27 striped bass totalling 270 pounds. They are holding up the four biggest fish 28, 26, 20 and 20 pounds. All caught on A.C. Plugs. The pair are from Henderson, Nev.

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 - 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.