TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open, and all the lakes are cranking out nice stringers of fish. Top bets continue to be Corona Lake, Hesperia Lakes, Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Laguna Niguel Park Lake. All of the San Bernardino County Park Lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, Yucaipa, and Mojave Narrows -- were scheduled to be planted with trophy trout this week, making them perhaps the top picks. But Corona and SARL both received double plants. Big fish of the week again came from Corona Lake at 22 pounds. In San Diego County, Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, and Dixon all remain top picks with regular plants, but Cuyamaca is perhaps the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers.
     LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are just spotty right now, with really just one big exception -- Diamond Valley Lake is continues very good. There are a few quality fish showing at lakes where trout are being planted, with Casitas the best of those in a distant second place behind DVL. Smallmouth bass remain fair with flurries of good action in the lower Colorado River from Parker to Palo Verde. And there’s almost no fishing pressure.
     STRIPED BASS: The bites are pretty good at all the usual haunts. Skinner, Diamond Valley, and Pyramid all are pretty good bets, with Castaic a notch behind, and Silverwood behind Castaic. No whoppers anywhere this week, but Diamond Valley has been producing more big fish than any of the other waters in the region. Lots of two to five pounders showing at Pyramid and Skinner. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off. Only Havasu has a slow to fair dawn, dusk, night bite.
     PANFISH: The bluegill have all but died everywhere, but one decent redear bite is lingering for diligent panfish anglers. That bite is Lake Perris with the action in deep water on nightcrawler pieces or jigs tipped with bait in the marina area. Keep an eye on Puddingstone. Crappie bites are surging a couple of places with others keying up to take off. Top bets are the bites on bigger fish at Buena Vista Lakes (west of Bakersfield) and Isabella. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, but not place is sizzling. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
     CATFISH: Slow most places. Hesperia Lake is still the best bet of the urban lakes, but it is slowing down with the cold. For wild fish, the action is slow most places with only a few fish showing at Skinner, Diamond Valley, Casitas, and most of the San Diego area lakes. Overall, every place is tough.

     SILVERWOOD: Continued decent striper and trout action. There were DFG plants last week and three weeks ago, and the beach store area, Miller Canyon, and Cleghorn Canyon have been the top spots for the rainbows with Power Bait working best. The striper action is best on shad-like cranks or swimbaits or cut anchovies. Top spot for stripers has been Miller Canyon. Catfish bite has been slow to fair with a few fish showing on anchovies in deep water. The largemouth bass bite is slow to fair with the best action off rocky points on lizards, jigs, or live bait. The bluegill bite is very slow. 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 parking areas, or marina. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
     BIG BEAR LAKE: Very little fishing pressure. No DFG plants in over a month. Fishing information: Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
     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: Closed. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

     HESPERIA LAKE: Overall the trout action is very good with a lot of limits reported. Plants of 2,500 pounds of trout are going in each week through December. Power Bait and Lip Ripperz have been working best. The catfish bite is slow to fair but a few fish continue to show. The last sturgeon and wiper plants were in November but a few of each show each week. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
     JESS RANCH: Continued very good trout action with Power Bait, nightcawlers, jigs, and small trout lures all working well. The best action is before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. and the best areas have been the east and west shore of lake three and north and east shore of lake two. Ricardo Cruz, Ontario, caught 3-9 and 4-5 rainbows fishing with a green and brown crappie jig. The lake is closed New Year’s Day. The lake is normally open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Friday from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
     MOJAVE NARROWS: The big news is a bonus plant of trophy-class rainbow trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms is going in this week. Trout action has been very good with the weekly county plants. A DFG plant also went in this week. Best bite has been on floating baits in a variety of colors and light leaders and small trout jigs. County plants are weekly now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February. Other species mostly slow now with the cold weather. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

     CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: The big news is a bonus plant of trophy-class rainbow trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms is going in this week. Good action on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. County plants are every week now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February, and there was a DFG plant this week. Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: The big news is a bonus plant of trophy-class rainbow trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms is going in this week. Overall, the trout action has been spotty with the best bite on jigs or chartreuse and rainbow Power Bait. County are planted every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. DFG plant this week, too. The catfish bite was fair this past week with anglers targeting them having some success. Slow other species. Information: 909-597-4260.
     YUCAIPA: The big news is a bonus plant of trophy-class rainbow trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms is going in this week. Good trout action. County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season, except the last week of February. There was also a DFG plant last week. Slow other species. The second of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here Saturday, Jan. 9 with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The lake will receive a bonus plant of trophy trout for this event. Big trout in the first derby held this year was an 11-11 rainbow, and the biggest fish landed during the derby series last year was a 19 1/2 pounder. Other parks hosting derbies are as follows: 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). Lake information: 909-790-3127.
     GLEN HELEN: The big news is a bonus plant of trophy-class rainbow trout from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms is going in this week. Excellent trout action. County plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season, except for the last week in February. DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. David Kiriakos, San Bernardino, caught three trout to 9-13 on a pink tube jig fishing the large lake. Slow catfish action, and the bluegill bite is slow on small worms, mealworms, and crickets fished on the bottom. 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 trout action with the last DFG plant a month ago. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

     DIAMOND VALLEY: The striper action was very good with some nice fish reported this past week. Trout-like swimbaits fished at the inlet or east dam has been the ticket for big stripers. Jason Pae, Los Angeles, caught a 16.3-pound striper fishing from shore with a swimbait. Taylor Happe, Valley Center, caught his first striper at 15.18 pounds fishing with a homemade lure near the west dam. Saydene Boundleat, Riverside, caught a 15.15-pound striper fishing with a Lunker Punker. Rainbow trout action has been slow even after the plant last week. Floating dough baits, trout jigs, and small trout plastics have been working best. Best action in the marina cove and off the east dam with two-pound test. The largemouth bass bite is very good. Many anglers are reporting 15 to 20 fish catches on plastics. Some catfish are showing near the attenuator in 20 feet of water on mackerel, shrimp, and anchovies. Bluegill and crappie have slowed with only a few showing on jigs and nightcrawlers fished at the dam. The launch ramp reopened for boat launching last Sunday, two months ahead of schedule, with the completion of the ramp extension. 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 951-658-7410 or www.lastchancebaitandtackle.com.
     PERRIS: DFG trout plant this week should keep the rainbow trout bite pretty good. Nightcrawlers and dark-colored Power Worms have been working best for trout, and anglers have reported success near the marina and Lots 5 and 6. Bass action fair with the early morning bite best. The bluegill and crappie action is slow, but a fair number of redear continue to show on small nightcrawlers or small jigs tipped with a bait around the marina. The catfish bite is slow with the marina the top spot and mackerel the top bait. Slow 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 has continued very good with the inlet and ramp No. 2 still the top spots. The fish are mostly keyed on the shad, but the bigger fish are going for the stocked rainbows. Top fish reported this past week was a 13-pounder caught by Dave Sanders, Riverside, on a white swimbait, while Jerry Bailey, San Diego, landed an eight-pounder on a trolled swimbait. Most of the stripers are in the two to three-pound range and showing on live shad (if you can dip some) or frozen anchovies. The trout also have been fair to good and a county plant on Wednesday this week should perk the bite. County plants are alternating weeks. Ramp No. 2 has been the top spot with Power Bait, spoons, spinnerbaits, nightcrawlers, and Troutmallows all producing fish. DFG trout plant last week. The catfish remain fair along the south shoreline on cut baits. Largemouth spotty in the east end and south shore. 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. Rumors of a budding crappie bite can’t be confirmed. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
     CORONA LAKE: Excellent trout action with over 60 limits reported this past week, and a double trout plant went in this week. This week’s big fish was a 22-pounder caught by Dominique Rogers, Colton, while fishing from shore with floating dough bait, but most fish are in the one to two-pound range, but a lot of stringers have at least one fish up into the three to five-pound class. Roy Mondez, Baldwin Park, had a 12-pound, five-fish stringer that included a 6-4 rainbow. Shon Roberts and Matt Thomas, both Riverside, had 10 fish that weighed 20 3/4 pounds, and their big fish was a six-pounder. Eddie Garcia, Covina, topped his 13 1/4-pound limit with a 5 3/4-pounder rainbow, and another 5 3/4-pounder was the big fish on a five-fish stringer posted by Joseph Roundtree, Murrieta, that weighed 16 1/2 pounds. The trout are showing on a wide variety of floating baits in bright colors, inflated nightcrawlers, trout jigs, and plastics, but one factor that seems to add to all the baits’ effectiveness is garlic scent. There was also a 36 1/4-pound sturgeon caught by Gustave Rodriguez, Santa Ana, fishing a nightcrawler. There is 24-hour fishing Friday and Saturday this week. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglake.com.
     EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Other species slow.
     RANCHO JURUPA: County plant this week and DFG fish went in last week. The action has been very good. Other species are slow. 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 on 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: Still very little fishing pressure and only a few trout reported. Other species slow. 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: Good rainbow trout action with limits common and most stringers holding at least one or two bigger trout from three pounds up into the five and six-pound class. A double trout plant went in this week to keep the bite hot. Micah Chan, Whittier, had a five-fish stringer that weighed 17 1/2-pounds and included a 6 1/2-pound rainbow. Cory and Jim Frutos along with Gary Drew, all West Covina, had 15 rainbows totaling 27 1/2 pounds and their big fish was a five-pounder. Tanner and Marc Thompson, West Los Angeles, had nine rainbows that weighed 15 1/2 pounds and including a 4 1/2–pounder as the top fish. The hot baits have been floating dough baits in bright colors, either the Eagle Claw Nitro Bait or Berkley Power Bait. The other hot bait has been an inflated nightcrawler dipped in Eagle Claw Gravy. Both baits should be fished on short leaders, under 12-inches, to keep the bait close to the bottom where the rainbows are cruising. Anglers fishing a “Trout Mouse” have also been scoring limits. This is a small trout worm trailed behind a ball of floating dough fished drop-shot style. A few real quality carp also continue to be caught, mostly by accident on trout baits, but a 13-pound carp was landed by Craig Joaquin, Anaheim, and a nine-pounder was caught by Dino Siever, Palm Desert. There is 24-hour fishing this Friday and Saturday. 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: Very good trout action again this past week. Nightcrawlers have been the top bait with Power Bait and Rapalas also producing fish. Trout Island, Boat Dock Cove, and Santiago Flats were the top spots. A bonus plant of trophy trout went in two weeks ago. Omar Banks, Moreno Valley,  landed a 15-10 rainbow trout on a Power Worm at Boat Dock Cove. Art Kahchatorian, North Hollywood,  got a 13-4 rainbow trout on a Lip Ripper at Woody’s Cove. Wally Korbler, 7, Newport Coast, caught a 12-10 rainbow trout on an SC Shiner in the middle of the lake. Bass action is good in 15 to 20 feet of water near Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Some bluegill and catfish are showing but the action is mostly slow. Fishing in the Kids Lagoon has been excellent after a plant of brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout three weeks ago. Kids who catch one of each species of trout will be entered into a prize raffle. The lake will be open on New Year's Day. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
     LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout plant scheduled to be planted this week. Overall a fair to good trout bite with the point, the launch, and the creek inlet top spots for shore anglers. For boat anglers, three pipes, the bubble hole, and the flats by the dam are best. Power Bait and Power Worms have been best. Trophy trout were planted three weeks ago. Slow 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: A DFG trout plant went in this week and the action has been pretty good with light fishing pressure. Best action in Cachuma Bay for trollers and bait anglers. The dam area also pretty good. Top baits have been Power Baits and nightcrawlers for still fishermen, while trollers are using Needlefish and bright-colored Rapalas near the surface. There is still a pretty fair bite on smallmouth bass on the rocky points, mostly on plastics and jigs in deeper water. Slow other species. 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: Continued tough fishing, but a DFG trout plant Wednesday this week at the Coyote Launch ramp could bring a few of the big largemouths for anglers tossing big, trout-like swimbaits and cranks. Top bass this week was a seven-pounder caught by Matt Wheatley, Oakview, on a plastic, while Brent Hardson, Ventura, landed fish at 6-12 and 5-8 on nightcrawlers. The action has mostly been in 15 to 40 feet of water on live bait, plastics, and jigs. Also some suspended fish on spoons and ice jigs. Trout spotty before the plant with only a few on small spinner and floating dough baits. Catfish very spotty, but a few have been reported by anglers fishing mackerel in 15 to 20 feet of water. Ken Tatsch, Ventura, landed an eight-pounder, while Brett Anders, Ventura, had a six-pounder. Redear very slow. 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: Striper action was good this past week. Swimbaits have been working best after the trout plants, and the DFG trout went in both the upper lake and lagoon this week. Sardines fished at the forebay buoy line has also been working well for the stripers. Kong Island has also been a good bet for smaller stripers. There is a good trout bite in the lower lake on salmon eggs, Power Bait, and small grubs. The largemouth bite is fair 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. 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 plants this week and two weeks ago, and the bite has been pretty good on floating baits and small lures and jigs. The largemouth bass action is still fair on deep-running cranks, jigging spoons, and ice jigs in 30 to 50 feet of water. A few crappie continue to show on small jigs, and bluegill and redear are spotty on nightcrawlers and red worms. Catfish very slow. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or www.camplakepiru.com.
     PYRAMID: With no DFG trout plant for two weeks, the trout action is just fair on Power Bait on small trout jigs or plastics. Stripers remain pretty fair in the channel with a few still showing in the marina. Also some fish at the dam. The stripers are two to five pounds and they are showing on swim baits and cut baits. The bigger fish are best in the marina with the smaller fish in the main channel. Still light fishing pressure. The largemouth and smallmouth bass, redear, and catfish are all slow. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.
     QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
     PUDDINGSTONE: Fair to good trout action after DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. Best action on floating baits. Slow to fair action on largemouth bass on plastics in deeper water. Slow other species. Information: 909-599-8411.
     SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Fair to good action on floating baits, trout plastics, and trout jigs. The catfish and bluegill bites slowed, but the odd largemouth is still being caught. Information: 626-334-1065.
     ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last.
     DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
     ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
     HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
     HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
     JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     LEGG LAKES: No recent DFG plants.
     LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

     BARRETT: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     HODGES: The lake is closed for the season. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     EL CAPITAN: The 88 anglers checked reported catching 106 bass, eight bluegill, 53 crappie, and 23 catfish. Vince Orana, Lakeside, caught a 10-pound largemouth bass on a jig at the north arm. 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: No report. 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, but there was a DFG trout plant this week. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. 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: Closed. It will reopen March, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     WOHLFORD: Trout action is excellent. Quite a few trout in the four to six-pound-range were reported again this week. Trout were planted last week. Ron Bloom, Escondido, caught the top fish this past week at 6-3 on green Power Bait at Willow Cove. Some catfish are still showing west of Senior Shoreline. The bass fishing was fair this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics near structure. Bluegill and crappie are fair. The lake is open 7 days a 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. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait, and small jigs have been working best. Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Thomas Buoyants have also been working well. Trout were planted three weeks ago. There is a fair bass bite with some topwater activity in the early morning. Slow to fair bluegill action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Some catfish are also showing. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
     POWAY: Slow to fair trout action this past week with a couple bigger fish reported. Hidden Bay was the top spot. Trout were planted two weeks ago. 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. The lake will receive 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, 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 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. Twilight boat rentals are returning -- $20 for the last three hours the lake is open. The lake will be open daily Christmas Day through January 3, 2010 5:45 a.m. through 5:15 p.m. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
     MORENA: Fair to good trout action after a DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Power Bait have been working best for trout. Catfish action is slow 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. Other species are mostly slow. The lake is now closed on Wednesdays and does not open until 10 a.m. on Sundays for fishing, this schedule will continue through January until waterfowl season closes. 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: No report available. 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: Mostly slow action with a 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: Very good trout action with light 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. Slow  striper action on big, trout-like lures. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
     LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers slow, with cold, windy weather much of the past couple of weeks. The best bite has still been 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 and bluegill very spotty. Catfish are slow on cut baits. 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 or better reported. Most are pan-sized. Trout were planted two weeks ago. The action on smaller smallmouth bass is still pretty good 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, slow fishing with very 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. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
     TOPOCK AREA: The crappie action continued in a bit of a lull with the cold weather this past week, but there are still a few fish showing at north dike and Five Mile Landing on minnows and Roadrunner jigs. A few decent catfish are also showing from the marsh. Smallmouth bass are still pretty fair in the main river on small cranks and drop-shotted plastics with a lot of one-pound fish. There’s a spotty bite on stripers and catfish in river. 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: Overall slow fishing. The striper bite is still fair with the fish on live shad or shad-like baits early in the morning or after dark, and the action is mostly around the island. Lures that have glow-in-the-dark luminescence are a good idea. The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing slowed way down. Only a few fish are showing on slow-fall plastics, vertical jigging, or live shad. Channel catfish and flatheads very slow. Redear have also slowed way down. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
     PARKER STRIP: Little change. Channel catfish have been slow this past week, but the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are fair. Bluegill and redear are still fair in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Flatheads are just fair on goldfish and shiners.
     BLYTHE: Few reports. Slowish overall action all along the lower river. A few catfish continue to show from the canals and main river, but the bite is tough. The highlight is that the smallmouth bite in the main river along the rip-rap is still fair with some flurries of good action on small cranks and jigs. Largemouth and bluegill are mostly slow, and no striper reports this week. A few bluegill can be caught on warm afternoon from backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
     PALO VERDE: Very light fishing pressure. The catfish action has been slow to fair with very few anglers fishing and even fewer reports. Bluegill are also tough, but still some a few showing from deeper holes in the main backwater. The largemouth are slow, but the smallmouth action is still fair, but there’s no pressure right now. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
     PICACHO AREA: Slow largemouth bass action with a few fish 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 very slow on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.
     MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Overall slow fishing. Largemouth bass action slow to fair on plastics and live bait. Channel catfish and flatheads are both slow. Few crappie, but the bluegill are still fair with some flurries of good action early in the afternoons. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or www.martinezlake.com.
     YUMA AREA: Bass action is slow in the main river and a little better in river backwaters on minnows and plastics. Both channel catfish and flathead are slow in the main river with only the rare flathead showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to fair for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

     SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite is slow along the north shore areas, with both the state park and Yacht Club jetty producing very few fish this week and those that have been caught have been small. Cold weather and water conditions have the fish pretty lethargic. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.
     ALAMO RIVER: Few reports.
     COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports.
     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 reopens in Inyo and Mono counties on Saturday, April 24. 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: Cold and icy conditions and flows on the East Walker remain very low and the bite is fair in the afternoons in the runs and pools. Most action on midges 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, but access has been very difficult. 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 Wild Trout section of 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. No plants in region this week. Owens Gorge fair 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: Little fishing pressure, but there are three bites of note. First, a few really toad largemouth bass are showing on jigs fished in deep water around structure. Randy Richardson, Bakersfield, caught a 16-8 last Monday and Glen Richardson, caught a 13-pounder earlier in December. Both were released. Second, there is a pretty good crappie bite on live minnows at French Gulch Marina. These are mostly quality fish over 1-8. Last the catfish bite has also come back on a little in the French Gulch area on frozen shad. Other species are slow, but some trout are showing at the main dam. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern are low and the river is fishing slow in the 20-mile roadside stretch above Kernville with the best action on small nymphs in the cold water. The Wild Trout stretch is even slower with the cold water conditions. The lower river is fair for smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics, but 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 striped bass bite has been good with a lot of keeper fish over the 18-inch minimum size. The best action has been on blood worms, but more and more lure fish have been reported in the past week with shad-like crankbaits or Gitzit-sytle lures the best bets. Also still a few catfish showing. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     HART PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. Best action on Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are very slow.
     TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. Still oddly spotty action. Other species very slow.
     RIVER WALK PARK: DFG trout plant this week. The bite had slowed before this stock. The hot ticket has been to fish mini jigs or Trout Traps just 12-inches under a rattling bobber. The rainbows are also showing garlic Power Bait, chunky cheese Gulp!, and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Bass and bluegill very slow.
     MING LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. Fair action on Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are slow.
     BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: The winter crappie action is starting to take off here with some quality fish showing on live minnows. In fact, most of the fish are over 1 1/2 pounds. Mark Nelson, Bakersfield, had crappie at 2-8, 1-12 and 1-12 on minnows. The trout action has continued fair on corn Power Bait, and the best action is still close to shore. Elias Zacarias, Bakersfield, landed a 4-12 rainbow. Big trout are slated to be planted for this weekend. Catfish are also starting to show. Mervin Williams, Bakersfield, caught a 22-pound cat on frozen shad this past week. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     WOOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. Fair to good action on corn Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.
     SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago, fair action. Other species mostly slow with a few bass still showing in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
     KAWEAH LAKE: Trout plant three weeks ago, with fair action. Mostly slow action on other species with only a few bass and the odd redear showing. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

     SAN ANTONIO: Very few reports. Information: 805-472-2818.
     NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action with jigs, plastics, and swim baits all producing fish. Other species slow. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
     SANTA MARGARITA: Bass action still slow, but a few crappie are showing on small jigs. 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, Santa Fe Reservoir.
     ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Park Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Tri-city Lake, Yorba Linda Regional Park Lake.
     RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake, Skinner Lake.
     SAN BERNARDINO: Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Prado Park Lake.
     SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake, Morena Lake, Murray Lake.
     SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
     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, Woodward Park Lake.
     KERN: Brite Valley Resrvoir, Hart Park Lake, Lake Truxton, Lake Woollomes, Ming Lake, The Park at River Walk Lake.

CATFISH PLANTS

     No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

     LONG RANGE FLEET REENGAGING: The long range fleet out of San Diego was back in for Christmas, but most of the boats running 14-day and longer trps are back en route south or are leaving in the next few days to hit the big tuna grounds off the tip of Baja California. The big tuna are showing from the Gordo Banks off San Jose del Cabo and out into the Pacific. The action on 100 to 200-pound fish has been excellent, even for the panga fleet out of San Jose, but the attraction is for the even bigger cows from the high 200-pound range into the mid-300s. The scores on those fish have been spectacular again this season. There are also five to seven-day trips beginning that will be fishing the Cedros Island region for big yellowtail. Amazingly, all of the long range boats are seeing tuna as close as 180 miles or so south of San Diego and off San Martin Island as they run south.
     HUMBOLDT SQUID IN SAN DIEGO: The big Humboldt squid have stolen the show out of San Diego for local boats. The New Seaforth out of Seaforth Sportfishing has pioneered this fishing and the action has been excellent for two weeks. This is all twilight and after-dark fishing and the squid are running from 15 to 30 pounds. The big cephalopods come up out of deer water off the Nine Mile Bank, and other landings are going to be sending out boats, probably starting this weekend.
     CATALINA UPDATE: Since Christmas a few more sport boats are looking at Catalina Island this week and seeing pretty good signs of yellowtail and white seabass. While few catches have been posted, skippers are reporting quite a few fish and the availability of squid for bait has boosted hopes there could be a decent winter bite. In the meantime, anglers aboard the Option out of Pierpoint Landing reported wide open bonito fishing at Catalina along with a pretty decent pick on the calico bass this week while looking for yellows and seabass.
     LOCAL NEARSHORE ACTION: With rockfish and other bottom fish closures starting Friday, the outlook for the local near-shore fishing all along the coast is not bright. The availability of squid for bait has kept the sand bass action pretty decent, but without the bottom fish adding heft to the sacks, the pickings are likely to get pretty slim. The exception is sand dabs, which remain wide open on the few trips being run each week.
     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 Jan. 22. Cost is $199 and limited to 22 anglers. 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.