October 8, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. There have been four trout plants in Hesperia Lake since last Thursday to launch the trout season. Most of the other major private lakes start their trout programs later this month, but this high desert lake is getting a jump on its competition. The action is getting better by the day, with the best bite on Lip Ripperz jigs in chartreuse and orange tipped with meal worms. No big trout yet, but a lot of fish to four pounds. There is also still good catfish action and a shot at a sturgeon over 15 pounds. For an update call the lake tackle shop at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
2. What is up with Corona Lake? Twice in the last month, largemouth bass over 17 pounds have been caught by the same angler, and he said the bite on big fish is hot. (The action is also good on catfish, tilapia, and bluegill.) While this little lake gets almost no pressure from the bass crowd, this does not sound like a fluke. Some of you shoreline, rental boat, and float-tube bass anglers need to check this out (and send us photos). For a fishing update, call the tackle shop at 951-277-3321.
3. The Lopez Lake bluegill and redear bite has to stay in the top picks this week. Central Coast anglers continue to fill ice chests with bluegill and redear to two pounds – along with a fair number of minnow-caught crappie, also in the two-pound range. This is a long drive, but for panfish buffs, this is a great tip, especially going into the full moon. Fall panfish bites can be fickle, however, so be sure to check with the tackle shop before you go at 805-489-1006.
 

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Generally just fair fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada, but the bite at Virginia Lakes is still hot. Other places are mostly just fair with Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir still decent, but both with very low water levels. The Bishop Creek drainage is fair and improving, and the Mammoth Lakes and June Lake loop regions are improving with the cooler evenings. In Southern California, deep trollers are finding generally tougher action everywhere. There are still spotty bites at Diamond Valley, Casitas, Cachuma, Perris, and even Big Bear Lake slowed to spotty this week. In the Western Sierra, the upper Kern River is very good for the rainbows with dropping water levels. Urban water trout plants will start at many locations in the coming weeks, and Hesperia Lake kicked off its season last week and there is a pretty good bite on rainbows to four pounds here. A lot of county and city park lakes were also stocked with DFG fish for the first time this week. The Southern California trout season is swinging into gear.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: There is generally fair to good fall bass action across the region, and the coming full moon on Tuesday should just improve the bite through this weekend. Diamond Valley Lake and Casitas are fair to good, while Perris in western Riverside county, Castaic, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, Skinner, Piru, and Wohlford all have fair action. Poway, El Capitan, and Hodges, all have much slower action. Little Corona Lake cranked out another big fish this week -- an 18 1/4-pounder.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood, Castaic, Skinner, and Pyramid have all been fair with no standout reports this past week and no big fish. Most of these lakes are producing fish to four pounds with an occasional bigger fish at Castaic. A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too, but that action has slowed way down. On the Colorado River, the best striper action has been the fair to good bite in Mead where a lot of smaller fish to three pounds showing. Havasu and Mojave were just fair on smaller fish. Everyplace should improve this week going into the full moon.
PANFISH: Top bets for bluegill and redear include Lopez, Perris, Lower Otay, and Elsinore. Diamond Valley is pretty decent but lightly fished for bluegill and redear. Most Southern California crappie bites are off, but there is still a fair bite at Elsinore and Cuyamaca. The Central Coast lakes of Lopez and San Antonio both have been pretty fair for the crappie, too.
CATFISH: The action at all of the planted-catfish lakes is still good, but this is winding down rapidly. Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, and Hesperia Lake are planted each week and have generally good action, but this was Hesperia’s last week of plants. Henshaw, Silverwood, and Diamond Valley have the best bite on non-weekly planted lakes -- all three with pretty good bites. Skinner and Pyramid are also decent bets. The lower Colorado River and river backwater, ditches, and canals have been consistently fair with both flatheads and channels showing in the catch. As with other bites, the full moon should perk things.

WATER BY WATER REPORTS

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: The catfish bite remains good with fish to eight pounds reported on anchovies or shrimp with most of the fish still in the coves in relatively shallow water -- to 20 feet. Art Gutierrez, San Bernardino, pulled out an eight-pound cat. Good to excellent striper bite on anchovies or garlic nightcrawlers. Harold Gram, Palm Springs, landed a four-pound striper. Bass bite fair on plastic worms and nightcrawlers. Trout bite slow to fair. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The rainbow trout bite tanked, despite recent plants, including one from the DFG of thousands of fish. However, there are a lot of trophy-sized fish, planted for this past weekend’s Troutfest, and the bite should pick up going into the full moon next Tuesday. Some smallmouth bass are showing. Fair to good channel catfish action. Kelly Bremer, Fontana, had 12.8 and 13-pound channels on Salmon eggs off Gilner Point. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow to fair trout bite with a few fish reported on floating baits fished close to the bottom. DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Good trout action with fish in the one to three-pound range. The best action is on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The last trout plant was three weeks ago. The lake will get colder and colder each week, so starting Oct. 13 anglers will no longer be charged access fees. Until then, fishing fees are $15 per day for adults, $10 for children. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and parking is free. No float tubes or private boats are allowed, but there are row boats available for rent. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: No reports. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: Trout season kicked off this past week with three plants of trout from Jess Ranch in Hesperia and the Chaulk Mound Trout Ranch in Nebraska. The action has been fair to good with the best action on Lip Ripperz jigs in chartreuse and orange tipped with meal worms. The catfish action also remains good, but the final plant of the season went in Monday this week. Best action has been on cut baits or nightcrawlers dipped in Sonny’s Catfish Bait. Top catch of the week was a five-fish stringer landed by Christ Roberts, Temecula, that weighed in a 84 ½ pounds. He was using shrimp. Other good catches included a 16-pound cat caught by Larry Dotty, Barstow. Steve Chow, Anaheim, landed a 14-pound blue cat, while Florence White, Los Angeles, had a 13 1/4-pound blue. Henry Flores, Redondo Beach, landed a 12-pound channel. Also still a few sturgeon showing each week. Tom Smart, Arizona, landed a 24 3/4-pound sturgeon on anchovies at the finger, while Brad Nelson, Hesperia, had 14 and 21-pound sturgeon on shrimp off the north shore. Ernie Briar, Fontana, landed an 18-pound sturgeon. Trout plants are twice a week, and the next sturgeon plant is in 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: With the fall cooling trend this week, anglers have reported excellent trout action in lakes 2 and 3 on Power bait (salmon peach and chartreuse), nightcrawlers, and jigs. Most trout have been landed near or over two pounds with many over three pounds. Hot spots include the northern and western shores and the grassy point of lake 3 as well as the northern and eastern shores of lake 2. Fred Wintersywk, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a 5-15 trout on a gold Jake’s. Joe Ortega, Rosamond, caught a limit of trout totaling 11-7, including a 4-5 rainbow. Gabriel Torres, Washington, landed a 4-1 rainbow on a silver Thomas Buoyant. Marcus Wethers, Pico Rivera, landed a 3-12 trout on a silver Kastmaster. Anglers reported fair bass action on Senkos off the eastern and western shores of lake 2 and the eastern and northern shores of lake 3 with fish to three pounds. Bluegill are still hitting meal worms and small jigs off the western shore of lake 3 near the pump house and the western shore of lake 2. The hatchery stocks trout every Friday year round. 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: Good catfish bite in Horseshoe Lake, close to the cattails on various stink baits and blood baits, as well as nightcrawlers or meal worms. Last catfish bite plant on Sept. 11. A DFG trout plant went in two weeks ago, and the action is picking up on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite fair with some limits reported. Top baits have been mackerel and shrimp. Also a fair bite on bass and bluegill. Trout plants begin in late October.
YUCAIPA: Fair catfish action on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal worms, or anything dipped in Sonny’s stink bait. Action is best in the afternoons. The daytime bite is sluggish. No more channel catfish plants will go in this year. Good bluegill action on wax or meal worms. Mostly quarter- to half-pounders on stringers, fish to one pound are rare. Fair bite for carp and a few bass also showing on plastic worms. Trout plants begin this month. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair catfish fishing on mackerel, shrimp, Hog Wild or anything dipped in Sonny’s. Trout plants should start in mid to late October. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Lake will close to privately-launched boats beginning next Tuesday because of low water levels. Shoreline access will be expanded and rental boats will remain available. Fair bass bite, with only a few fish reported on drop-shotted jigs by the dams or swimbaits. Fair trout action in 40 to 50 feet on Needlefish or nightcrawlers near the west dam and around restroom 2. Fair bite for the stripers on swimbaits and topwater lurees. Catfish action fair in the third cove and near the inlet on mackerel, shrimp or anchovies. The ‘gills have been caught on live worms or mini jigs near the dam. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: The bass bite is dominating with good to excellent action on plastic worms, crawdads or spinnerbait. A 10-pound largemouth was pulled out this week by Somchanh Kongdara, Banning, near the dam. Kyle Gillum, Moreno Valley, landed a six-pound bass on plastic worms. Shayne Gardiner, Chula Vista, caught a five-pound bass near the dam. The bluegill action is good with fish reported all over on crickets or wax worms. One angler caught 23 bluegill all under a pound. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Catfish action good to excellent and still the top producing species. The best bite remains off Ramp No. 2 and off the east end on mackerel. Largemouth bass bite good for anglers fishing the east end and south shore on worms and dark-colored plastics. The striper bite is just fair with a lot of action reported off Ramp No. 2 on small swimbaits, anchovies, or frozen shad. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Crappie bite fair to good in deeper water on nightcrawlers and small jigs. Bluegill still biting, although the bite is only fair, with moments of good action. Best baits have been crickets or wax or meal worms. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair, but slowing down with only a few fish two pounds or smaller landed off shore on shad or for trollers using various lures. Carp fair to good off the east end on dough balls. Catfish and bass are hit and miss. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Randy Muirhead, Glen Ivy, broke his own lake record for largemouth bass by catching an 18 1/4-pounder this past Thursday evening while fishing a crawdad-colored crankbait from his pontoon float tube. The fish breaks the lake record of 17-pounds, 10-ounces that Muirhead caught a month ago. Muirhead has been fishing both plastic worms and crankbaits in shad or crawdad colors to catch the big bass, but he said few other anglers are fishing the lake for bass. He said the best bite has been a dawn or just after sunset for the bass. Good catfish action, too. The best catfish reported this past week was a 6 1/2 pounder caught by Mike Porter, Riverside, to top off an 11-fish stringer. Paul Duenas, Lake Elsinore, landed a six-pound cat to fill out his 15-fish limit that weighed 21 pounds. Kelly Bolling, Lakewood, and Rick Getten, Whittier, teamed up to landed 10 catfish that weighed 35 pounds total. Dave Berry, Elsinore, caught a 15-fish catfish limit that weighed 40 pounds and included a five-pounder while fishing shrimp one day and caught 20 bluegill to 1/4-pound on another trip. The bluegill, tilapia, and crappie are also showing in fair to good numbers. Most of the tilapia are up to about 1 1/2 pounds with some to three pounds and they are showing on nightcrawler pieces. Dave and Tony Garcia, Rialto, had 10 tilapia that weighted 8 1/2 pounds total. The bluegill are mostly small and showing on meal worms, while the few anglers landing crappie are using small jigs. Bud Welford, Norco, had a two-pound crappie on a white jig. Trout season will kick off on Oct. 22 after a major plant of the new Nebraska “Tailwalker” rainbow trout. Weekly catfish plants continue. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Catfish action fair with the most action reported on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Still some slow to fair bass action on plastics and crankbaits, and fair action on small bluegill action around the shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Catfish remain the name of the game here. Anglers are catching a fair number of fish to four pounds with an occasional bigger fish. No more catfish plants this season, but trout plants are slated to begin the first week of November. Upcoming events: Trout tournament scheduled for January 24. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair to good catfish action on nightcrawlers or shrimp. No more catfish plants will go in, but trout plants will begin in October or early November. 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: Catfish bite good to excellent. Mornings to about 11:30 a.m. is when the bite is best, and then things pick back up from 2 p.m. until sunset off the island. Mackerel, shrimp and stink baits are producing the most. Trout plants will begin on Halloween. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Trout action has improved with the cooler weather and shore anglers catching as many fish as boat anglers. Best action on inflated nightcrawlers or trolling. DFG trout plant last week. 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: The annual shoreline maintenance is mostly done and the water level is coming back up quickly. The catfish action never did slow down much with a fair to good bite for the few anglers who’ve been fishing the lake, in spite of the steep and muddy shoreline. The water level is expected to come up quickly and catfish plants continue each week. Mary and Crystal Gray, both Anaheim, had a pair of nice cats. Mary landed a 6 1/2-pounder, while Crystal landed an eight-pound cat. Both were fishing with nightcrawlers doused with Nitro Gravy at Three Pipes. Armondo Halo, Garden Grove, have five cats that weighed 19 pounds using mackerel at the boat dock. Kathy Harris, Corona, landed a 4 1/2-pound cat. Anglers are cautioned to be very careful along the steep-sided shoreline as the lake fills. Trout season will begin on Oct. 22 after a major plant of the new Nebraska “Tailwalker” rainbow trout. Catfish plants remain weekly. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (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: Catfish continue to dominate reports. Anglers have reported catfish to 15 pounds on mackerel near the dam. Decent fish were also pulled out off the west shore and Santiago Flats. Typical stringers have fish from two to six pounds. Top cats were a pair of 15.8-pounders, one caught by Ronson “Catmando” Smothers, Los Angles, on Catmando bait, and the other by Keith Hyun, Anaheim. Hyun also landed out a 15.8-pounder near the dam on mackerel. Chris Hagopian, Redondo Beach, pulled out a 12.4-pound catfish. October 25 marks the last night fishing day of the season. Crappie action good, although the average size per fish decreased to under a pound. Drifting during the evenings is the best technique for crappie. Bass bite fair to good on dropshot-rigged plastics in 15 to 20 feet off the points. Only a few largemouth under four pounds have been reported. Crappie anglers are still pulling out fish to 1 1/2 pounds on Atomic Teasers. Bluegill and redear bite very good on meal or wax worms near the docks. Upcoming events: Trout opener scheduled for Friday, October 31. That week 20,000 pounds of trout will be planted. The lake will close October 27 through 30 in preparation for the opener. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Bass bite fair to good with fish in the one to three-pound range. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms, and topwater lures in dark colors are best with the most success in mornings and early evenings. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are also good bets, but during the day only. Bluegill good on half nightcrawlers. Crappie good on assorted crappie jigs. Catfish bite good on nightcrawlers, mackerel and shrimp at the point, near the launch ramp and at the opening of the inlet. The launch ramp and the inlet entrance are the hot spots. 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: The trout bite continues to hang on, although the action should make an improvement after the fall plants, which are slated to begin next week. Anglers and trollers are having to work extra hard for the fish. Trollers are working deep, 40 feet plus, with Needlefish, Kastmasters or Rapalas. Some bait anglers have reported fish on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Crappie bite spotty with a few fish on jigs. Bass bite slow to fair with only a few decent waves of action on plastic worms in the early morning. Catfish bite continues to be slow, but with a few sparks reported for the past few weeks on shrimp, mackerel or anything dipped in stink baits. 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: Mornings and evenings are the best times for the bass, in a fair to good bite. The largemouths have been caught primarily on plastic worms, with nightcrawlers bringing in an occasional fish. Top bass this week was an 8-8 by Adam Casey, Oak View. Casey also caught two sevens, a 5-8 and a three-pound bass. Mark Torrez, San Marino, pulled out a six, two fives, and two four-pound bass on plastic worms. Trout and catfish bites both poor. Lake temps are still in the low 70s. 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. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The up and down weather hurt the bite. The striper action is still fair with some trollers reporting good action off shore with fish from four to seven-pounds caught. Largemouth bass action fair on shad. Cranks, plugs and swimbaits are working for both stripers and largemouth. The bites should improve going into next Tuesday’s full moon. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Continued slow trout bite, although anglers have had a preview of the fall bass bite. Bass have been biting plastic worms and lures. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. Bass action fair on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: Shore fishing is allowed. Boat fishing is still not allowed, however. The striper bite slowed to fair with most fish under four pounds and the odd fish over 10-pounds. Best action on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers. Largemouth and smallmouth bites improved over the weekend on plastics and swimbaits. Some catfish reported in the channels on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill reports. DFG trout plant this week. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair catfish bite on pieces of mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers are the top choices for the cats. Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits, and live worms. The fish are deep. Fair bluegill action on meal and wax worms. Crappie bite fair on small jigs. The action is best in or around Sailboat Cove. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant this week. Catfish bite remains fair for a majority of the day. The bite improves to good in the later part of the day, and anglers have landed fish to four pounds 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: No recent plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No recent plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LEGG LAKE: No recent plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Catfish action slow to fair on cut mackerel or shrimp. Fair carp action with fish in the 1-8 to two-pound range on dough balls. 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: Slightly better bass action, but still a tough bite. This week 56 anglers reported 41 bass. Chris Bonaparte, Mission Viejo, pulled out a 6.95-pound bass near the dam. The lake is open for fishing and boating Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: The pressure and bite slowed down significantly. This week 32 anglers reported 70 bass, 12 channel catfish, seven crappie and one bluegill. 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: Good to excellent bluegill bite. Fair bass bite. This week 220 anglers reported 614 bluegill, 247 bass and nine channel catfish. Brian Cummings, Inglewood, landed a 23-pound albino channel catfish on mackerel near the buoy line. Eugene Williams, San Diego, caught four channel cats totaling 23.30 pounds. Top fish was an eight-pounder. 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: Improved bass bite. This week 13 anglers checked reported 36 bass. 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: No report. 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: Action slowed down dramatically, but still a pretty decent bass bite. This week 25 anglers checked reported 49 bass, seven carp and two crappie. The lake is open for fishing and boating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boar rentals available on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: The channel catfish bite is the best here. Anglers have reported a good to excellent bite on mackerel. Fair to good bass bite with some smaller fish biting off the shoreline while chasing after the schools of shad. Jerald Bornholdt, San Marcos, landed a 3-9 channel catfish on mackerel off the West Buoy Line. The crappie bite improved with good action on live shiners and crappie jigs. Jerry Harris, Riverside, pulled out a 1-9 crappie. Larry Simily, Manhattan Beach, N.Y., landed a 1-7 crappie on a live shiner in Boat Dock Cove. Trout opener set for Saturday, December 13. The lake is open Saturdays and Sundays through December. 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: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: The cats are in the one to two-pound range and are fair on mackerel and shrimp. A 2,000-pound plant went in one month ago. The bass action is fair on Senkos and nightcrawlers. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Early-morning bass action continues with a good surface bite. Anglers are working Senkos off shore. The rock pile and the Log Boom are the best spots. Some bluegill action in the Hidden Bay area. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset during the month of October. Beginning Nov. 1, the lake will go back to its Wednesday through Sunday schedule. 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: Fair bass action in the early morning hours on Senkos, Ikas and Assassins. No fish over four pounds were reported this week. Catfish action fair along the buoy line on mackerel and chicken liver. First trout plant slated for Oct. 22. The lake is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lake information: Ranger Hugh Marx, 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Channel catfish bite perked and the action is very good with lots of reported fish. Worms, mackerel and shrimp are the best baits. Bryan Winn, San Diego, caught the top fish of the week, a nine-pound channel catfish on mackerel near the dam. He also pulled out a stringer of bullheads totaling 29 pounds. Cody Taylor, San Diego, landed a four-pound channel catfish. Ricky Arnold, Potrero, also pulled out a four-pounder in Cabin Cove. Bass and bluegill bites fair with the bass biting plastic worms near the submerged points and the bluegill biting pieces of worms. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Very good trout bite with plenty of holdovers from the Jess Ranch load keeping anglers busy. Trollers have reported the best bite on Rapalas and Thomas Buoyants. Crappie action fair on jigs. Channel catfish bite still hanging in there with some sparks of action on marshmallows. Ken Nelson, San Diego, caught a 9-8 channel catfish off the West Finger Jetty. 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. The lake is now taking reservations for a new RV area located in the overflow camping area. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Good catfish bite on shrimp, nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and mackerel near the aerator. Roger Midcap Sr., Moundsville, W.V., and son, Roger Midcap Jr., Oceanside, caught eight channel catfish, with their best fish a five-pounder. Claude Purol, Bellflower, and John Bennett, Long Beach, each caught a limit of channel catfish. Their top fish was three pounds. The bluegill made some noise this week, mostly on jigs off the Fish-n-Float Dock, but most are small. Good crappie action on crappie jigs. Bruce Brown, East Lake, and Gregg Johnson, Hemet, caught 13 crappie. Top fish was a 1 1/2-pounder. Gary and Deena Batterman, Ramona, pulled out 10 crappie, with fish to one pound. The lake is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Nightfishing is over. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Small stripers and catfish are keeping anglers busy in the Vegas Wash area. The stripers are also chasing the shad in Gypsum Wash. Anchovies and plastics continue to be the top baits. The night catfish bite is fair to good for anglers using lights and then fishing anchovies. Some largemouth action reported on jigs, although the bite is just slow to fair. Launching conditions at South Cove are almost impossible with the dropping water levels, although the new concrete ramp can be accessed.
WILLOW BEACH: The new fishing pier is the spot for trout. The bite is good to excellent immediately following the weekly plants on salmon eggs, green Power worms or floating baits just off shore. Trollers are also catching trout on Jakes, Panther Martins and spoons. Trout continue to be planted every Friday. Stripers spotty. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Shore anglers are reporting a good bite near Cottonwood Cove and the points to the north of the marina. Stripers and catfish are the dominating species with a fair to good bite for both on cut baits. Stripers reported are small, seven to 14 inches, while the cats have been 15 to 20 inches. Lake levels are steady. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: The striper action improved again over last week and the bite is good. A 40-inch striper was reported. Little to no trout bite, although plants should begin in late October.
NEEDLES: Striper bite fair with only small fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Water levels are up, and so is the bite. Some bass have been caught on Senkos. Water levels are up, but still take caution when launching. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper action fair with the best bite in the early morning around the reefs and points. Early morning casting and trolling with jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps will also help turn on the bite. Large and smallmouth bass fishing fair on topwater just before dawn. The fish are 13 inches and up. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds or better on shrimp and mackerel. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite fair with some fish close to 20 pounds, and a rare one 30 or more. The bass bite has been just fair in the main river for smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds and bigger reported this week. Bluegill are fair to good in most backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Water temperatures and levels are up, and the bass action is fair to good in the backwaters and smallies on the river rip-rap. Also improving action on schoolie-sized stripers in the river with fish to four pounds reported. Very good flathead action. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair catfish bite on mackerel. Few reports. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action fair on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel catfish bite fair, and the crappie bite is also fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to be the best fishing spot, especially for the channel catfish. 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: No recent DFG plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LAKE CAHUILLA: No report. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: 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: Bridgeport Reservoir is extremely low and boats can no longer launch at the marina. There is a dirt area for launching by the dam. Not too many reports coming in due to this. Temps have cooled down on the East Walker, overnight freezing temps, with very low flows around 60 cfs. Decent action. The Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation will be hosting the Bridgeport Fly Fishing Tournament beginning 7 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 12. There are two divisions in the catch-and-release fundraiser -- a Bridgeport Lake division and an East Walker River (Miracle Mile) division. The Miracle Mile Division is limited to the first 25 anglers who sign up for $125, while the Bridgeport Lake Division is only $75 with no limit on anglers. Entry fee includes the awards dinner, hat, and gear bag. All funds are used to enhance area fisheries. For more information and entry forms, visit www.BridgeportFishEnhancement.com. Virginia Lakes fair. Big Virginia Lakes’s fly and bait bite is still decent. Twin Lakes fishing fair for trollers fishing on top. Twin Lakes should see the spawning fish soon. West Walker River good from 395 bridge down the canyon into the town of Walker, both stockers and wild fish showing on dries and droppers. A load of Alpers’ went in two weeks ago with fish to two pounds. For the East Walker River flows, you can check this website for real time flow data: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv?10293000. Fishing information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: The cold weather is here and all the lakes on the Loop -- June, Gull, Silver and Grant are feeling the temp change. Nighttime temps have dropped below freezing. Overall, a slight improvement in the action throughout the loop. Float tubbing during the day is getting tougher, but some quality fish are showing with the big streamers. Also try midging the outlet and inlet of Silver and near the reeds on the far side of Gull and June. DFG trout plant at June last week. Rush Creek is running at about 30 cfs. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: The trophy size fish are out at Crowley. The algae bloom is also subsiding, so the action has improved. Top spots include the north arm, Six-Bays, Leighton Springs Island, Crooked Creek, and the back of Hilton in nine to 10 feet is fair to good. Sandy Point and McGee Point are also productive areas. Some quality browns and rainbows to 20 inches showing. The bite at Hot Creek is fair to good, the water is clear and the water temps are in the low 60s. Rainbows are starting to spawn. Good stocker trout action in Mammoth Creek and all the Mammoth Lakes -- Mary, Mamie, Gull, and George. DFG trout plants at George and Mary last week. The fly-fishing options are best at Mamie and Twin Lakes. The San Joaquin River is really coming down and the fishing is good for wild and stocked fish. Starkweather Lake is fishing better than the river now, so try fishing dries in the evenings. Convict Lake bite good for rainbow trout at the inlet and outlet on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. The fall fishing derby began last week and will continue through Nov. 15. Over $7,000 in prizes will be given. Entry is $15. 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: A lot of hit and miss action, but patient anglers are catching fish throughout the Bishop Creek drainage. The bite at Lake Sabrina is hit and miss. Fish the inlet with salmon eggs, Power Bait or Gulp for some better action. Shore anglers are using nightcrawlers and a bobber or Power Bait and Gulp combined. Don Roberts, Valley Center, caught a four-pound rainbow on a jig. DFG trout plant at Sabrina last week. Bishop Creek and Intake II were planted this week. Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fair to good for trout and perch. The trout are biting Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) has a good bite near the river mid-day during the hatches. Tricos hatch around 7 a.m., baetis start mid-morning. For flow information on the whole Owens River system, you can get information here: http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/aqueduct/showAqueductMap.ladwp?contentId=LADWP_AQUERTD_SCID. For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Pretty decent bite in the lower Owens River and local creeks coming off the Sierra, mostly for planted trout. Diaz Lake slow. Plants this week only in Lone Pine Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie action is back with a fair bite on minnows in the trees. Fish from a quarter to a half-pound have been reported. Good bass bite on large minnows. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The Kernville area has a fair to good trout bite on salmon eggs and spinners. The flows are low in the upper river, so the bite is very good for trout on flies, crickets, and salmon eggs in the pools. The lower river flows are also down and the area is very fishable. Both the trout and smallmouth bass bites have picked up to fair on nightcrawlers and plastic worms. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The catfish bite is sparked with two decent fish reported. Fair to good action on small stripers with blood worms.
HART PARK LAKE: Largemouths lead the action here with a good bite on plastic worms.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Mostly bass here. Largemouth bite fair to good on plastic worms or minnows to five pounds.
MING LAKE: Fair to good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Improved bass bite.
BRITE LAKE: Few reports.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good bluegill bite on wax or meal worms. Fair catfish on shad. A few bass have been reported.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets
SUCCESS LAKE: Improved action. Decent bass bite on plastic worms. Bluegill bite good on wax worms and crickets. The levels are still very low. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair bass bite on Senkos. Fair bluegill on wax or meal worms. Levels still high. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Crappie bite fair to good, sometimes excellent depending on the day. The bite has been consistent off shore on crappie jigs and minnows. Fish to two pounds have been caught. Striper action good with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Little to no smallmouth action, however the largemouth action remains fair to good 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: The good largemouth bass bite continues 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. Fair trout bite on Power Bait or worms. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: The spotties are good to excellent on plastics and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines. Some anglers have reported catching close to 20 fish in a day’s fishing. Largemouth and small action fair with the largemouth action slightly better with fish reported on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite with more showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: The bluegill bite is still phenomenal on crickets and wax worms. The redear bite is just as good on crickets and wax worms. Anglers bringing home ice chests full of bluegill and/or redear after each trip with bluegill to two pounds on some stringers. Fair crappie bite on crappie jigs and minnows. Fish to two pounds. Bass action has been less consistent but still fair to good. No catfish reports this week. Information: 805-489-1006.

TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked this week with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, Pyramid Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
CACHUMA: Cachuma Lake.
VENTURA: Rancho Simi Park Lake.
INYO: Bishop Creek Lower, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Section 2).
MONO: Convict Creek, Ellery Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Rock Creek Lake, Rush Creek, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper).
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville.
TULARE: Kern River from Brush Creek to Fairview Dam, Kern River from Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson.

CATFISH PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be stocked this week with one-pound channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game.
NO PLANTS

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

SAN DIEGO UPDATE: There is still a pretty good offshore yellowfin tuna bite for the San Diego-based fleet, but the fish have moved further off this week with the bulk of the action 85 to 120 miles from San Diego, which means the bite is limited to overnight and longer trips. Several boats have been cashing in on this past week with the anglers on these trips putting from 55 to 120 yellowfin up to 30 pounds on the deck. Fewer boats are making these trips right now, but the Condor and Legend have consistently been running for the tuna. Closer to the coast there are still some kelp paddy dorado and yellowtail for boats on shorter runs. Both are mostly in the seven to 12 pound range, but a few bigger dorado to 25 pounds are showing in this spotty bite.
BLUEFIN UPDATE: Bluefin tuna are coming back on the Cortez and Tanner banks in fair to good numbers as the full moon approaches (next Tuesday), but the volume is not like it was last month. Still these are quality 18 to 25-pound fish, and this bite is worth the run, especially as we get closer to the full moon.
ISLANDS UPDATE: San Clemente and Catalina islands have been hit and miss much of the past week. There are pretty consistent bass and bonito bites at both places, along with a flurry of yellowtail or white seabass now and then. But overall the bite is slower this week. The Freedom returned last week with three albacore from between Clemente and Catalina, so there are even still some tuna in this region. But the best action has been for the bonito, with three to five fish per rod pretty common on these three to six pound fish. Up in the Channel Islands, it is mostly a rockfish bite, but there are also flurries of surface action here, with the odd yellowtail, seabass, or barracuda, along with some good action on bonito and bass at times.
NEARSHORE UPDATE: All along the local coastline from Point Conception to San Diego, the nearshore action is spotty at best with just a smattering of everything from rockfish to the odd yellowtail or seabass. The fishing is not bad, it’s just that you need to be happy with whatever ends up in the bag -- and it can be just about anything right now.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting instructional charters throughout the year, offering beginning anglers or veterans advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. For more information on upcoming Shimano/976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426 or go to the website at www.976-TUNA.com.

LANDING CONTACTS

Southern California: Virg's Sportfishing, Morro Bay, 805-772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, 805-595-7200; Sea Landing, Santa Barbara, 805-963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing, Ventura, 805-658-1060; Channel Islands Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-985-8511; Captain Hook's Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-382-6233; Port Hueneme Sportfishing, Hueneme, 805-488-2212; Malibu Pier Sportfishing, 310-328-8426; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, 310-822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, 310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro, 310-832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San Pedro, 310-547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-432-8993; Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, 562-983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, 949-675-0550; Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside, 760-722-2133; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, 619-221-8500; H&M Landing, San Diego, 619-222-1144; Seaforth Landing, San Diego, 619-224-3383; Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-223-1627; Islandia Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-222-1164.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.
 

The fish report is copyrighted and any use or reposting of the report, or portions of the report, is prohibited without written permission. Posting of links to the fish report on the Outdoor News Service web site is allowed.

The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Internet web page is located at the following address: www.dfg.ca.gov.

For comprehensive saltwater fishing reports and information visit our companion site: www.976-tuna.com

RECENT BIG CATCHES

Photos are listed by date of catch, not when they are received. If you've recently submitted a photo or heard of a big catch, you might have to scroll down to find the image.

October 4, 2008 -  Brian Cummings, Inglewood, caught this 23-pound albino catfish at Lower Otay on Mackerel from the bouy line.

October 2, 2008 - Don Roberts of Valley Center nailed this 4-pound rainbow on a jig at lake Sabrina.

September 20, 2008 - Mits Onizuka of Irvine with a 17-pound channel catfish caught on mackerel in the flats at Irvine Lake.

September 8, 2008 - Terrence Berg holds up Patrick Raahauge’s 27-pound yellowfin tuna caught 20 miles off Mission Bay.

September 2, 2008 - This 17-10 largemouth bass was landed at Corona Lake by Randy Muirhead of Glen Ivy setting a new lake record. It is also one of the best bass landed in Southern California this year.

August 22, 2008 - Donavan Swan, Fontana, caught a stringer of catfish totaling 24-8 on mackerel fishing near the boat dock at Santa Ana River Lakes.

August 18, 2008 - Eddie Rodriguez and Freedie Lopez, both of Wilmington, caught this nice bunch of catfish totaling over 27 pounds while fishing with mackerel at Santa Ana River Lakes.

August 9, 2008 - Jeremy Smith of Twentynine Palms caught this 4-pound class bass out of Evans Lake.

July 25, 2008 - Derek "Kid Wiper" Snyder with a seven-pound, six-ounce wiper taken in Lake Elsinore, off Rocky Point. Notice the much larger girth compared to a striped bass.

July 23, 2008 - Adam Cavazos, Menifee, caught this 4-9 largemouth bass near the west dam of Diamond Valley Lake on a crank bait.

June 26, 2008 - Jose Garlejo of Escondido caught this 18-6 blue catfish at Lake Wohlford.

June 26, 2008 - Doug Bader, Orange, with an 11 1/2-pound catfish he caught on mackerel with Nitro Gravy at Santa Ana River Lake while fishing from a boat near Levitz' Corner.
 

June 24, 2008 - Lake Perris gave up these four limits of rainbow trout to trollers, left to right, Bob Camp, Tom Roberts, Paul Ringdahl, and Bob Ghossain, all of Riverside. They were fishing in 30 feet of water at the dam with Needlefish, and the fish went up to 3 1/2 pounds.

June 18, 2008 - Cliff McDonald, Needles, holds a pair of stripers, both in the four-pound range, he caught at Lake Mohave.

June 15, 2008 - Scott Lopez, Indio, landed this striped bass weighing 4.8 pounds fishing a nightcrawler on four-pound test line in the Coachella Canal near Indio.

June 15, 2008 - Dan Doran, Bishop, hauled in a 5-3/4 pound rainbow from Sabrina Lake fishing a Thomas Buoyant.

June 13, 2008 - Adrian Pintor, North Hollywood, nailed this nice 15.6-pound Irvine Lake channel cat on cut mackerel fishing on Santiago Flats.

June 13, 2008 - Gavin Velasco of Poway with 3.5-pound, 3.4-pound, and 2.6-pound trout caught on nightcrawlers off the Lake Poway pier.

June 13, 2008 - Vincent Hunt of Moreno Valley with a 26-8 catfish caught on J.D.'s Catfish Bait near the trees in the south end of Corona Lake.

June 8, 2008 - Alex Benton of Long Beach nailed this 13.06 pound channel catfish on Irvine Lake's Santiago Flats while fishing mackerel.

June 7, 2008 - this 42-pound flathead was caught by Brian Cummings, Inglewood, from the Colorado River - Palo Verde area on a bluegill.

June 7, 2008 - Lee Bell of Bishop caught this 3-3/4 pound rainbow at Lake Sabrina on rainbow Gulp.

June 7, 2008 - Lori Carnahan, Sky Valley, caught this 3 1/4-pound brown trout at Lake Sabrina on a Rapala.

June 6, 2008 - Mike Mills of Poway caught this 1-0 bluegill on a Meal Worm in Hidden Bay at Lake Poway.

May 30, 2008 - Taxidermist Jeff Soto, Riverside, fished Evans Lake (Fairmount Park, Riverside) on Friday morning and caught and released five bass to six pounds in two hours of fishing.
 

May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Philip Friedman of Torrance while at Catalina Island Caught this 50-pound class white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rods with Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.
 

May 24, 2008 - Philip Friedman, Jr. of Torrance caught this 50-pound class white seabass while at Catalina Island. He was fishing a live squid on a Seeker rod with sn Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.

May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Terrence Berg of La Mirada was at Catalina Island when he caught this 60- pound class white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rod with an Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound test Berkley fishing line.

May 23, 2008 - Pedro Villa of Anaheim caught this 10-0 rainbow on a nightcrawler with garlic gravy at the sandy beach of Santa Ana River Lakes.

May 18, 2008 - Brian Cummings, Inglewood, (top) with a 25-pound flathead catfish and Tony Ferguson, Riverside, (above) with a 30-pound flathead catfish. Both were landed on the Colorado River. They were fishing live bluegill in the Palo Verde region.

May 17, 2008 - Robert Sloan of Valley Center with a  7.62-pound bass caught on a plastic worm near restroom No. 2 at Diamond Valley Lake.

May 15, 2008 - Kevin Deemer of Hemet with 6-0 and 5-0 bass caught on jerkbaits near restroom No. 2 at Diamond Valley Lake.

May 15, 2008 - Rico Gutierrez (left) and his buddy Brett Phillips, both of San Diego, show off Gutierrez' 10 1/2-pound rainbow trout caught on Power Bait off the south shore at Lake Poway.

May 14, 2008 - Kevan Branchfield of Hemet landed this 10.3-pound rainbow on a Power Bait-nightcrawler combo fishing in Boulder Bay at Lake Poway.

May 10, 2008 - Jeff Soto of Riverside caught and released this four-pound largemouth at Evans Lake (Fairmount Park). He also landed a six-pounder earlier in the month.

May 9, 2008 - Nick White of Silver Lakes holds up a 3 1/2 to four-pound rainbow he caught and released at Lundy Lake on a mini jig.

May 9, 2008 - Marco Luna of Apple Valley holds a four-pound class rainbow he caught and released from Upper Twin Lake in the Eastern Sierra. He was fishing a mini jig at Mono Village.

May 9, 2008 - This is Dixon Lake's Dottie after she was found dead. Dottie weighed 25 pounds at the peak of her life when she was accidentally snagged, weighed, and released. That news started a frenzy to land her legally and topple the world record of 22-4.

May 7, 2008 - Emily Kropko, Perris, holds a four-pound class Diamond Valley Lake rainbow trout.

May 3, 2008 - Kevin and Bianca Clow, San Diego, with an 8.7-pound trout on a Gotcha Plug caught outside Half Moon Bay at Lake Poway.

May 3, 2008 - Mark Barlow, Phelan, hooked this 200-pound class sturgeon at Hesperia Lake, but even with the help of four other anglers and two nets, they couldn't land the fish before the line broke and it swam off.

May 3, 2008 - Kathleen and Kaira Berry, Wildomar, caught this nice batch of bluegill behind the Bait Shop at Corona Lake with wax worms fished beneath a bobber.

May 2, 2008 - Terrence Berg of La Mirada caught this 220 thresher shark off San Diego on The “Wide Load” with a Avet PRO EXW 30/02 on 50 Pound Ande Line and a Seeker Rod. The fish ate a slow trolled lure with a live mackerel attached.

May 1, 2008 - Devin Preston, Glendora, caught this rainbow from Mammoth Creek. The fish was 23 inches and about 4 pounds.

April 27, 2008 - Derek Snyder of Corona was using pink Puddle Bug jigs under a bobber in heavy cover at Lake Elsinore to land these two crappie -- one at 1 1/2 and the other at two pounds.

April 27, 2008 - Becky Matthews, assisted by brother Randy Fann, both San Bernardino, holds up a 20-inch, 3 1/2-pound class rainbow caught and released on Hilton Creek just above Crowley Lake opening weekend.

March 24, 2008 - Ray Turner, Moreno Valley, with 268-pound sturgeon caught from Hesperia Lake. The fish was 85-inches long with a 51-inch girth.