TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open, and all the lakes are cranking out nice stringers of fish. There has been a shuffling of the top spots this week because of plants of trophy fish and bonus plants. Hesperia Lake is getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week now and cranked out a bunch of trout from 10 to 17 ½ pounds this week. Irvine Lake also got a load of trophies over 10 pounds and has been hot, too. Corona Lake still might be producing more trout than anyplace, but it only had one whopper fish this week at 20 ½ pounds. Santa Ana River Lake’s had two trout over 20 pounds, too. All of the San Bernardino County Park Lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, Yucaipa, and Mojave Narrows -- also remain very good with a few nice fish over five pounds showing. Yucaipa’s top fish was an 8-7 to win its derby. 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 continues pretty 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 Diamond Valley bite surged, producing a new lake record at nearly 31 pounds, while Skinner tanked, probably due to a bluestoning. Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood continue to produce a few fish and some good catches for the striper experts. Silverwood cranked out a 17-pounder this week, too, its best fish in some time. Lots of two to five pounders are showing at Pyramid. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off.
     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 bet for bigger fish are the Buena Vista Lakes (west of Bakersfield). On the Central Coast, Lopez Lake turned on with a number of 25-fish limits posted, but the fish are all just under a pound. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, and quite a few crappie are showing El Capitan in the San Diego region. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
     CATFISH: Slow most places. Only report of a bigger fish this week was at Diamond Valley. Overall, every place is tough.

     SILVERWOOD: Continued decent striper and trout action. There were DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Cleghorn, Sawpit Cove beach area, and the dock have been the top spots for the rainbows with Power Bait and Power Worms top baits. Zack Sully, Apple Valley, landed a five-pound rainbow to top off his five-fish limit, all on orange Power Worms. The striper action is best on shad-like cranks or swimbaits or cut anchovies. Top spots for stripers have been Outhouse Cove, Sycamore Landing, the spillway, and the dam. David Gosney, Victorville, landed a 17-8 striper from Outhouse Cove on a swimbait. 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 this month. Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers have been working best. Joe Welch, Ventura, caught a 17-8 trout on a nightcrawler. Byron Clark, Victorville, caught a 16-12 rainbow on Power Bait. Randy Danniels, Claremont, hooked up with 14 pounds and 12-12 trout fishing with Lip RipperZ. The catfish bite is just slow to fair but a plant this week should help the bite. 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. Starting this Monday, cost will be reduced to $10 on Mondays but price remains the same the rest of the week and no other discounts apply to the Monday special. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
     JESS RANCH: 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 southwest shores of lake two. Mike Conway, Los Angeles, caught a 4-5 trout on garlic Power Bait from the eastern shore of lake 3. 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: Trout action has been very good with the weekly county plants. A DFG plant also went in last week along with a county plant of trophy-class rainbows from Mt. Lassen. Ralph White, Victorville, caught a 5.5-pound trout on a nightcrawler at the north end of the lake. 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, and another DFG plant is scheduled for this week. Other species mostly slow now with the cold weather. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

     CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Overall good trout action on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. Brian Carter, Ontario, caught two trout to 10-pounds on a white crappie jig. Jason Wolfinbarger, Ontario, landed a limit of trout to two pounds on green Power Bait. 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 last week. Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: The trout action has been just fair with the best bite on jigs or chartreuse and rainbow Power Bait. Kevin Smith, Long Beach, caught a 4.6-pound trout on chartreuse Power Bait near the dam. County are planted every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. DFG plant last 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 second of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies was last Saturday and fishing was excellent. Top fish was an 8-7 trout caught by Daniel Dominguez, Yucaipa, on a green jig in the middle of the lake. Runner up was Reuben Arce, Yucaipa, with a 4-10 trout and Victor Herrera, Oak Hills, was not far behind with his 4-6 rainbow. 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). County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season, except the last week of February. DFG plants this week and three weeks ago. Slow other species. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
     GLEN HELEN: Excellent trout action with quite a few limits reported. County plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season, except for the last week in February. DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. 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: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

     DIAMOND VALLEY: A new lake record striper was caught this past week at 30.87 pounds. Jason Walsh, Temecula, caught the record-setting fish on a custom plug at mid-lake point. Striper action has been excellent with the best action on trout-like swimbaits fished at the inlet or east dam. Jesse Mena, Hemet, landed three stripers at 26.23, 15.03, and 14.97 pounds fishing near the east dam with a Lunker Punker. Andy Sibounhom, Escondido, reeled in an 18.5-pound striper fishing with a Castaic swimbait. Charlie Dick, Moreno Valley, hooked into a 17.5-pound striper fishing along the west dam with a Huddleston. Markus Sanchez, Hemet, got a 15-pound striper fishing from shore with an LA slider. Craig Garrison, Sacramento, caught a 14.46-pound striper fishing from shore with a Lunker Punker. Yvonne Southerland, Fontana, got a 13-pound striper fishing the north side of the lake with a Z-Plug. Rainbow trout action has been good after the DFG 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. Devon Padilla, Hemet, caught a 7.60-pound trout fishing from shore with a mini jig. The largemouth bass bite is just fair with the fish in very deep water but a few nice reports of fish in the four to five-pound range are still coming in. Some catfish are showing near the attenuator in 20 feet of water on mackerel, shrimp, and anchovies. Ernesto Vaasques, Riverside, caught an 8.5-pound catfish on shrimp. No panfish reports this past week. 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 plants this week and two weeks ago and the bite has been fair. Nightcrawlers and dark-colored Power Worms have been working best for trout, and anglers have reported success at Launch Ramp Cove and Lots 11 and 12. Bass action slow 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. Fredrico Cordova, Moreno Valley, caught a 12-pound carp on a nightcrawler at the marina dock. 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 slowed with the warmer weather and dropping water level. There were also reports of bluestoning. The fish are mostly deep and anglers trolling deep with swimbaits and Rat-L-Traps have had the best success. The trout have remained very good. Richard Hudson, Riverside, caught two trout to seven pounds on a Kastmaster at the east end. 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 three weeks ago. The catfish remain fair to good along the south shoreline on cut baits. Largemouth spotty in the east end and south shore. Victor Ramirez, Moreno Valley, caught two bass to five pounds on plastic worms at the east end. 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: Another double trout plant last week has kept this water one of the hottest trout spots in Southern California with at least 60 limits of rainbows reported. The best fish was a 20 1/2-pound rainbow landed by Mike Tak, El Cajon, while fishing Nitro Bait from shore. The best limit was a five-fish stringer reported by Ken Boone, Los Angeles, that weighed in at 30 pounds, and his top rainbow was a 12-pounder. He was fishing nightcrawlers doused with scent from a boat. Most of the rainbows are from one to three pounds and five-fish stringers are averaging about 10 pounds or better, but a lot of stringers have kicker rainbows from four to seven pounds. The trout have been showing on a wide variety of floating baits in chartreuse, rainbow, or corn, inflated nightcrawlers, trout jigs, and plastics. Adding scent improves them all. There will be 24-hour fishing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this holiday weekend. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglake.com.
     EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago. Other species slow.
     RANCHO JURUPA: DFG trout plant this week and there was a county plant 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: Good trout bite with Power Bait working best. Fair catfish action, with some bluegill still showing as well. Paul Watz, Hemet, caught three trout and one catfish totaling 10 pounds with a 4-8 topping the catch. There will be a trout derby January 23. 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: Trout action is mostly slow with only few reports of one or two fish. 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 trout action thanks to heavy weekly plants, and a couple of big rainbows were caught here this past week. A 23-pound rainbow was landed by Chau Nguyen, Rosemead, while fishing a Lip RipperZ jig near the boat dock, and a 20-pound trout was caught on a Panther Martin by Armand Ayala, Pico Rivera, at Levitz’ Corner. Trout are averaging from one to three pounds, but many stringers have trout from four to seven pounds on them. Richard Zepeda, Santa Ana, had a stringer of five quality fish that weighed a total of 31 1/2 pounds, and his big rainbow was a 7 3/4-pounder. He was fishing with mini jigs and nightcrawlers at Levitz. Tony Chitamnath, Orange, had a 7-8, while Jack Adams, La Habra, caught a 7-4 trout. Varian Virgen, Fullerton, caught five rainbows that weighed 15 1/2 pounds and his kicker fish was a seven-pounder. The hot baits have floating dough baits in chartreuse and corn. The other hot bait has been an inflated nightcrawler dipped in Eagle Claw Gravy. There will be 24-hour fishing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this holiday weekend. Private boats are no longer allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes due 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: Excellent trout action again this past week with lots of big fish reported. 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 four weeks ago and they continue to show. Charlie Lee, Orange, caught a 15-4 rainbow trout on a nightcrawler at the west shore. Dan Nich, Chino, hooked into a 13-10 rainbow trout on nightcrawlers at the flats. Nate Brotton, Norco, landed a 12-14 rainbow trout on a Lip Ripper at the flats. Adam Hambarian, Orange, 12-12 rainbow trout on a Rapala near the ramp. Adam Easterday, 3, Huntington Beach, got a 12-4 rainbow trout on Power Bait at the Kids Lagoon. Dusty Faiello, Long Beach, caught a 12-2 rainbow trout on a Rapala at the flats. Other anglers who caught trout over nine pounds were: Raul Gomez, Silverado, Michael Ferber, Orange, Isaac Hunt, La Mirada, Joshua Estrada, Wilmington, Steve Burridge, Rancho Cucamonga, Mike Woo, Ladera Ranch, Ron Ceaser, Tustin, and Mitz “Magic Man” Onizuka, Irvine. Fishing pressure has been very light for other species as the action is mostly slow. Fishing in the Kids Lagoon has been very good. Kids who catch one of each species of trout will be entered into a prize raffle. 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 two weeks ago. No report. 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 two weeks ago and the action has been good. Nightcrawlers have been the top bait with Cachuma Bay and the dam top spots. Aaron Rice, Orcutt, caught a mixed stringer of 10 fish with both trout and crappie on spoons at Eagle Island. There is still a pretty fair bite on smallmouth bass on the rocky points, mostly on plastics and jigs in deeper water. James Thurby, Simi Valley, caught nine bass to 5.8 pounds on jigs fishing all over. 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 slow to fair bass action, but diligent anglers are still getting a few fish in 15 to 30 feet of water on drop-shot plastics, jigs, or Kastmasters. Trout spotty but a DFG plant went in this week. Crappie, redear, and catfish all 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: Continued slow to fair largemouth action, and some anglers are still getting a few fish in 15 to 35 feet of water. Some striper are showing but mostly in very deep water on cut baits. Ken Hemer, Castaic, landed 10 stripers totaling 32 pounds with a 9.5-pounder topping his catch. Dan Ahern, Castaic, caught nine stripers totaling 26.9 pounds with a nine-pounder his best. He was using anchovies in the Fish Arm and forebay buoy line. Trout spotty, but DFG plants in both the lower and upper lakes this week should perk the bite. The lagoon has remained the best bet with largemouth, trout, and panfish all showing in fair numbers on a variety of baits. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.
     PIRU: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. The bite has been pretty good on floating baits and small lures and jigs. The largemouth bass action is slow on 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: 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. Trout action should pick up this week after a DFG plant. Before the plant the bite was dismal with only a few rainbows showing on Power Bait on small trout jigs or plastics. 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 last week.
     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: DFG trout plant last week.
     LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
     MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

     BARRETT: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     HODGES: The lake is closed for the season. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
     EL CAPITAN: The 95 anglers checked reported catching 73 bass, 35 bluegill, 51 crappie, and 10 catfish. 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. Rentals resume Feb. 6 on a Saturday-Sunday schedule. 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 last 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 but the bite doesn't get started until around 9 or 10 in the morning. Quite a few trout in the four to six-pound-range were reported again this week. Inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait have been working best with Willow Cove, Oakvale Cove, Boat Dock Cove, and the small cove west of Senior Shoreline. Jesus Sanchez, Escondido, caught the top trout at 6-13 on green Power Bait at Willow Cove. Some catfish are still showing on cut baits at the buoy lines. Samuel Dass, Rancho Bernardo, caught a 12-2 blue catfish on a nightcrawler at the west buoy line. 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. 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: A couple bigger fish were reported once again this past week. Fair to good trout action with Hidden Bay the top spot. Brian Rillo, San Diego, caught a 14-pound trout on a nightcrawler at the Log Boom. Bass action is fair. The catfish action was fair with anglers fishing the log boom having the most success. Hecter Baca, Vista, caught a 24-pound catfish on mackerel at the Log Boom. 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 is 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 Monday, January 18. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
     MORENA: Fair to good trout action after a DFG plants two and four 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 slow. 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. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
     LAKE MOHAVE: Little change with slow fishing for stripers. 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: Overall things are very slow for everything but trout, and the rainbow action continues to be pretty fair from the casinos all the way down to Rotary Park. The last plant was on Dec. 16 and the next plant is tentatively Jan. 19, when 4,000 fish averaging 12 inches will be split between Davis Camp and the Sportsman’s Access. Norm and JoAnn Blaalid, Bullhead snowbirds from South Dakota, each had limits of rainbows, with the big fish a four-pounder, while fishing from a boat in front of the casinos with nightcrawlers and lures. Chevy Kohler, Bullhead, landed a 3-15 rainbow on a marshmallow-worm combo in front of the Edgewater. Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.
     NEEDLES AREA: There is 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 two pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
     TOPOCK AREA: The crappie action has continued to be just spotty but a lot of anglers are staying after them and posting an occasional good stringer. The best action is still at north dike and Five Mile Landing on minnows and Roadrunner jigs. A few catfish are showing from the marsh but that is slow. Smallmouth bass are slow to fair in the main river on small cranks and drop-shotted plastics with a lot of one-pound fish. There’s a very 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: Mostly very slow action with low water levels. Channel catfish have been slow this past week, but the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are fair at best. Bluegill and redear are slow in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Few flathead reports.
     BLYTHE: Few reports with very low water. 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.

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. 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: The catfish bite continues to be pretty good at Engineer Point and French Gulch areas on frozen shad with fish to six or seven pounds showing in this bite. A few quality largemouth bass continue to be caught on jigs fished in deep water around structure, and there is a fair trout bite at the auxiliary dam on floating baits. Other species are slow. 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 slow to 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 are being caught on 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 plants this week and two weeks ago. Best action on Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are very slow.
     TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Action finally improving a little on the trout. Other species very slow.
     RIVER WALK PARK: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago with very good action. The hot ticket has been to fish tiny 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. Fly anglers fishing midges are also having very good success. Bass and bluegill very slow.
     MING LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Fair to good action on Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are slow.
     BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: The crappie and trout bites are both good. The crappie are best on live minnows with fish to two pounds showing. The trout are best on garlic Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Rodney Aguirre, Bakersfield, landed a 7-4 trout on Roostertail. Catfish are also starting to show, but no big fish this week. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     WOOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant two and four weeks ago. Fair action on corn Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.
     SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. ther species mostly slow with a few bass still showing in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
     KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. 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: Very light fishing pressure, but the bite has been pretty good on crappie with some anglers posting 25-fish limit of 3/4-pound fish fishing jigs at the dam. The bass bite has been fair with the smallmouth bass best in the finger coves near the dam. Few other reports. 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 Reservoir, Pyramid Lake, Santa Fe Flood Control Basin.
     ORANGE: Centennial Regional Park Lake, Mile Square Regional Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Tri-City Park Lake.
     SANTA BARBARA: Lake Cachuma.
     VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Lake Piru, Rancho Simi Community Park Lake.
     RIVERSIDE: Lake Cahuilla, Perris Reservoir, Skinner Reservoir.
     SAN BERNARDINO: Glen Helen Regional Park Lakes, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Regional Park Lake.
     FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, Pine Flat Lake, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam,Woodward Park Lake.
     KERN: Hart Park Lake, Lake Truxton, Ming Lake, The Park at River Walk lake.
     MADERA: Bass Lake, H. V. Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
     TULARE: Lake Kaweah, Lake Success.

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 HOOKED-UP: The excellent action on yellowfin tuna off the tip of Baja continues for the 12-day and longer trips out of San Diego. Most of the fish running from 80 to 150 pounds with quite a few cows in the 200 to 300-pound class. The Polaris Supreme just returned from a 13-day trip and five of the eight anglers on board caught their personal best fish. The top two fish wee 259 and 274 pounds.
     MEXICO ROCKFISH TRIPS EPIC: The anglers on board the 1 1/2 and two-day rockfish trips out of San Diego that target Mexican waters are seeing excellent action with a wide range of rockfish, including some lings and cows, on these freezer-filling jaunts.
     HUMBOLDT SQUID STILL EXCELLENT: One of the only bright spots in the local fishing scene is the action on the big Humboldt squid for the San Diego 1/2-day boats running evening trips. Catches have ranged from two to five or six squid per angler, and the squid are running 15 to 30 pounds. The New Seaforth is running nightly janunts. On Tuesday, with unsettled weather, the 25 angelers on board still had 50 squid. On the Sunday trip, the 50 anglers had 250 quid. On Saturday, there were two boats out with 151 anglers and they landed 515 squid. Boats from both Seaforth and H&M Landing are now running evening trips.
     CATALINA UPDATE: The Catalina Island white seabass bite stalled, but private boaters looking for the bass have been getting into a fairly good bite on bonito and a few calico bass. Seabass and yellowtail continue to be on the radar here, but they’re not showing in anyone’s fish sack.
     LOCAL NEARSHORE ACTION: Dead. The few half- and three-quarter day boats running from Oceanside to Santa Barbara are just seeing a pick on the sculpin along with a few bass. Other than that, it’s either sand dabs or nothing, and for most it’s nothing.
     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. This is followed by a Feb. 26 two-day rockfish trip, also on the Pearl. 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.