TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open, and all the lakes are cranking out nice stringers of fish. Hesperia Lake is getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week now and cranked out trout to 12 pounds this week. Irvine Lake has been good but it was closed much of the week because of rain. Call ahead. Corona Lake’s water level rocketed up and it was muddy but still producing trout and had a 20-pounder this past week. Santa Ana River Lakes was also muddies up but still pretty darn good on fish to eight pounds. All of the San Bernardino County Park Lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, Yucaipa, and Mojave Narrows -- also remain good with a few nice fish over five pounds showing. 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. Check ahead everywhere to make sure lakes are open and plants were delivered.
     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 remains a top bet with fish to 20 pounds this past week. Skinner remains slow thanks to weather, while Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood all had light fishing pressure and are harder to gauge. Before the storms, all three were fair with lots of two to five pounders 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. 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 before the storms, 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 and Lower Otay in the San Diego region. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
     CATFISH: Slow most places, but water flowing into most lakes from the rain has a tendency to turn on the catfish bites. Casitas is a notable spot for this kind of activity in the Santa Ana arm of the lake. Perris, Skinner, and all of the San Diego area lakes can also see their catfish bites perk in the rain. Catfish would be our sleeper picks of the week.

     SILVERWOOD: Continued decent striper and trout action. There were DFG trout plants two and four 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. Kyle Reese, Long Beach, caught four trout to 3-8 on a Roostertail at Cleghorn. The striper action is best on shad-like cranks, swimbaits, or cut anchovies. Top spots for stripers have been Outhouse Cove, Sycamore Landing, the spillway, and the dam. Gabe Ramirez, Fontana, hooked into three stripers to 8-8 on a swimbait at Chemise. 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. Varney Leon, Hesperia, caught a 12-8 rainbow on Power Bait. The catfish bite picked up after the plant last week with quite a few quality fish showing. Paul Garcia, Palmdale, hooked into an 18-8 blue cat on mackerel. The last sturgeon and wiper plants were in November but a few of each show each week. Richard Sutter, Victorville, caught a 22-pound sturgeon on Power Bait. 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: Excellent 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. David Barnard, Los Angeles, caught a 7-1 catfish near the north shore of lake 2. 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 this week and two weeks ago along with a county plant of trophy-class rainbows from Mt. Lassen. Best bite has been on Power Worms, Power Bait, and nightcrawlers. 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: Fair trout action with fish averaging about one pound. Best bite has been on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. County plants are every week now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February, and there was a DFG plant two weeks ago. Information: 909-481-4205.
     PRADO: The trout action has been fair to good with the best bite on jigs or chartreuse and rainbow Power Bait. Angel Jaramillo, Montclair, caught a limit of trout totaling 9-4 with a 2-5 topping the catch. County are planted every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. DFG plants this week and two weeks ago, too. The catfish bite was slow this past week with only two catches reported. Slow other species. Information: 909-597-4260.
     YUCAIPA: Good trout action. County plants are every week now through the rest of the trout season, except the last week of February. DFG plants last week and four 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 last week and four weeks ago. Manuel Gonzales, Fontana, caught a 6-1 rainbow on purple Power Bait in the large lake. Slow catfish action, and the bluegill bite is slow on small worms, mealworms, and crickets fished on the bottom. Carp are fair on dough baits. Bass action slow. Information: 909-887-7540.
     MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
     SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

     DIAMOND VALLEY: Striper action has been excellent with the best action on trout-like swimbaits fished at the inlet or east dam. Jessica Spence, Hemet, caught a 20-pound striper on an LA Slider. Rainbow trout action has been good after the DFG plant two weeks ago, and a Mt. Lassen trout plant is slated for this week if the truck can make it down from Red Bluff and over the Grapevine. 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. Andrew Pease, Murrieta, caught a limit of trout totaling 11.37 pounds with a 6.7-pounder topping the catch. The largemouth bass action is tough with the fish in very deep water but several stringers over 20 pounds were reported. 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 last week and three 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. Don Wilbanks, Moreno Valley, caught a 5.2-pound trout on a nightcrawler from Lunch Ramp Cove. Bass action fair with the early morning bite best. Perry Paisner, Highland, landed a 4.3-pound largemouth on a Kastmaster near the marina shore. The bluegill and crappie action is slow, but a fair number of redear continue to show on small nightcrawlers or small jigs tipped with a bait around the marina. The catfish bite is slow with the marina the top spot and mackerel the top bait. Slow carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area. The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
     SKINNER: The striper action remained slow this past week, but the nasty weather could kick the bite back into full swing. The fish are mostly deep and some anglers reported scoring some stripers on chicken liver. The trout have remained very good. 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 four weeks ago. The catfish remain fair along the south shoreline on cut baits. Terry Moore, Hemet, caught two catfish to four pounds on chicken liver at the dam. Largemouth spotty in the east end and south shore. Parking has been restricted for ramp No. 2, but the shoreline remains open for fishing. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
     ELSINORE: Very light fishing pressure and few reports. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.
     CORONA LAKE: Rains muddied up the water and pushed the lake level up eight feet since the latest round of storms began early this week, but the trout bite has held up and quite a few catfish and crappie have been stirred up by the water coming into the lake. The trout have moved up into the newly-flooded parts of the lake and are showing in relatively shallow water on scented dough baits or flashy, bright lures. The big fish was a 20-pound rainbow caught by Stephanie Shields, Perris, fishing rainbow-colored dough from shore. Robert Schaffer, Hesperia, caught a seven-pound rainbow, while Greg and Jeff Meisersmitt, Riverside, caught 10 rainbows for 26 pounds, and their top rainbow was also seven-pounder. They were fishing pink trout worms from shore. Catfish to 5 1/2 pounds and crappie to just over two pounds were also reported. The cats on mackerel, chicken liver, and nightcrawlers, and the crappie on small jigs. 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 plants this week and last week and there was a county plant two weeks ago. The action has been very good. Matt Evans, Riverside, caught four trout to 7-6 on a Kastmaster. 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 and nightcrawlers working best. Billy Nutter, Los Angeles, caught a limit of trout to 3-2. Fair to good catfish action, with some bluegill still showing as well. 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 simply no reports in the pat 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 DFG trout plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

     SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Murky water thanks to rains, but the trout action has remained pretty good for anglers fishing scented floating baits near the bottom on short leaders or bright-colored jigs and lures with a little flash. Top rainbow was an 8-2 caught by Mitch Hopewell, Riverside, to top off his 11-4 limit landed on chartreuse Nitro Bait at the Sandy Beach. Arturo Velazquez, West Covina, caught a 7 1/2-pound rainbow on a jig, while Isabella Charles, Chino Hills, landed a seven-pounder on lemon lime Nitro Bait. One of the top stringers was an eight-fish, 30-pound total catch made by Mark Kaihara, Fullerton, and James Bon, Green Valley Lake, fishing jigs at the Toll Road. Their best fish was a 6 1/2-pounder. Santiago Palacios and Fernando Castellanos, both West Covina, caught 10 rainbows to five pounds and the stringer weighed in at 19 pounds. They were fishing chartreuse Nitro Bait at the Bubble Hole. Trout are averaging from one to three pounds. There was also a 90-pound sturgeon landed by Josh Kim, Monterey Park, on a nightcrawler off the Sandy Beach. 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: Rain forced the closure of Irvine several days this week and anglers should call ahead before going to make sure the gates will be open. Trout action varied greatly depending on the day this past week with some days seeing excellent action and other days the bite was poor. 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. Vince Restra, La Puente, caught a 12-6 rainbow trout on a Rapala at Trout Island. Josh Manley, Orange, hooked into a 9-10 rainbow on a nightcrawler at the flats. Brian Carter, Orange, got a 9-8 trout on a Rapala at the flats. Fishing pressure has been very light for other species as the action is mostly slow, although Marlon Mead, Anaheim, did land a 7.1-pound largemouth. A plant of 4,000 pounds of hybrid stripers set for next week. These are one to two-pound fish, and like all bass in Irvine, they will be catch-and-release only. 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: 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 last week and three weeks ago and the action has been very good. Nightcrawlers and jigs have been the top baits. Gary Hugh, Goleta, caught a limit of trout fishing all over the lake with a Dodger-worm combo. There is still a pretty fair bite on smallmouth bass on the rocky points, mostly on plastics and jigs in deeper water. James Thunder, Simi Valley, caught nine bass using jigs and nightcrawlers in 10 to 30 feet of water. Mostly 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: The lake had come up over a foot by Wednesday morning thanks to this week’s rain, but few anglers have been fishing this week. The exception is catfish anglers lining the banks in the Santa Ana River arm where the most flow is entering the lake. While there have been few reports back to the marina, the inflow usually triggers a pretty good bite on bigger catfish to 20 pounds and better on mackerel chunks or other cut baits. There was a trout plant last Thursday, a whole truck load for a change. The trout action was pretty good before the storms broke, mostly on small spinners or floating baits. The largemouth bass bite has been fair on two to four pounders in 15 to 35 feet of water on plastics, jigs, and ice jigs. Mark Mitrany, Ojai, had an 8-8 last week on a plastic. Crappie and redear slow. Private boats are allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
     CASTAIC: Striper action is slow to fair with the fish mostly in very deep water and showing on cut baits. Swimbaits are also a good bet, but only for the days immediately following a trout plant. DFG trout plants in both the lower and upper lakes last week helped bring back the trout bite. The lower lake action has been good with Power Worms and Power Bait working best. The largemouth action is still slow to fair with a few nice reports. Robert Martinez, San Fernando, caught an 11-12 largemouth on a Huddleton fishing the lower lagoon shoreline recently. 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: No anglers at lake since Sunday and there were few reports before that. The rains had the lake up four vertical feet as of Wednesday morning. There was an 1,100-pound DFG plant last Tuesday at the marina, and the rainbow action was pretty good until the rains began. The best action has been 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, but the rain could perk that action. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or www.camplakepiru.com.
     PYRAMID: Few reports this week with the rain, but before the storms there was a slow to fair stripers bite in the channel, marina, and dam. Most of the fish are two to five pounds and they were showing on swim baits and cut baits. The bigger fish are best in the marina with the smaller fish in the main channel. The trout action perked after the DFG plant last week on Power Bait, 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 last week and three 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 last week and three 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 two weeks ago.
     BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago.
     HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
     HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
     JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
     MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
     PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three 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 116 anglers checked reported catching 175 bass, 53 crappie, and three 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: The 104 anglers checked reported catching 105 bass to 4.1 pounds, one bluegill at one pound, and 32 crappie to 1.95 pounds. 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 in March. 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 nice trout reported. 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. Matt Herrera, Vista, caught a 7-6 trout on corn colored Power Bait in Willow Cove. Avery Singh, Valley Center, got a 7-4 rainbow on Power Bait in Boat Dock Cove. Some catfish are still showing on cut baits at the buoy lines. The bass fishing was fair this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics near structure.  Mike Kostial, Oceanside, landed a 12-5 in Boat Dock Cove. 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 trout were reported once again this past week but the fishing has been mostly slow. Hidden Bay has been the top spot. Frank Cardenas, Carlsbad, caught a 6.25-pound trout on a Rapala. Bass action is fair. The catfish action was fair with anglers fishing the log boom having the most success. Some bluegill are still showing in Hidden Bay but the bite is mostly slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
     JENNINGS: The trout bite 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 inflated nightcrawlers and salmon peach Power Bait top baits. Some catfish are still showing on chicken livers, mackerel, and nightcrawlers at the dam buoy line and Hermit Cove buoy line in very deep water. The bass bite is slow with the best action on crawdads at the quarry. 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 trout action. 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. Most fish under four pounds. But a few bigger fish are showing after trout plants. Allan Cole, Henderson, had stripers at 6-6 and 15-8 on A.C. Plugs at the Las Vegas Marina. Slow catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is slow to fair off the points in deeper water.
     WILLOW BEACH: Trout bite has slowed in spite of weekly plants. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Slow to fair striper action, and a 42-pounder was reported downriver this past Saturday. Night fishing has been the best bet with a fair number of seven to 15 pounders on A.C. Plugs or similar lures. 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: The trout bite continues to be the only highlight here with overall good action and the monthly plant at Davis Camp and the Sportsman’s Access was this week -- 4,000 fish averaging 12 inches. The bite has been best from the casinos all the way down to Rotary Park. 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: Weather this week has kept the bite very slow overall. The striper bite is still fair 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 is very low with only a few fish are showing on slow-fall plastics, vertical jigging, or live shad. Channel catfish and flatheads very slow. Redear also very slow. 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: 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 very slow this week thanks to weather chilling the water even more. Little pressure at either the state park and Yacht Club jetty this week and very few fish reported. 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: Snow this week. Lots of it. Cold and icy conditions and flows on the East Walker remain very low and the bite is very tough 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 all but impossible this week thanks to heavy snow. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
     BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair to good and there was an Alpers’ trout plant recently that produced some quality fish. Rich Gilbert, Mission Hills, had a nice catch of rainbows and browns that was topped off with a five-pound Alpers’ rainbow, all on 1/4-ounce gold Kastmasters. The Wild Trout section of lower Owens River remains just fair for fly anglers with little surface activity now. No plants in region this week. Owens Gorge fair for small browns. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,

WESTERN SIERRA

     LAKE ISABELLA: Little fishing pressure this week with the weather, but the catfish bite was pretty strong this past weekend at the 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: Generally dismal trout fishing in the whole upper Kern River. The few fish caught this past week were on small, deeply fished nymphs or salmon eggs. The Wild Trout stretch is even slower with the cold water conditions. The lower river is slow, too, with only a few small smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics. 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 fair 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 last week and three weeks ago. Best action on Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are very slow.
     TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Action finally improving a little on the trout. Other species very slow.
     RIVER WALK PARK: DFG trout plant last week and three 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 last week and three weeks ago. Fair to good action on Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are slow.
     BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
     BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout action continues pretty good with quality fish a part of many stringer. The trout are best on garlic Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Jason Bowyer, Bakersfield, landed a 6-8 rainbow on Power Bait, while Randy Hudnall, Bakersfield, had rainbows at five, 4-8, and four pounds, all on nightcrawlers. The Innagural Two-Day Trout Derby will be held Jan. 30-31 on Lake Evans. Only fees are usual park entrance and fishing fees, and the top prize for the biggest trout is $500 with $200 for the smallest rainbow. In the 15-and-under category, the biggest trout is worth $100 and the smallest worth $25. Also many other prizes. The winter crappie bite is also still pretty good on live minnows with fish to two pounds showing. A few catfish are also starting to show, but no big fish this week. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
     WOOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant three 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 last week. Other 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 last 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 with the wet weather. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
     LOPEZ: Very light fishing pressure with storms this week, but the bite was 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.
     RIVERSIDE: Lake Evans, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.
     SAN BERNARDINO: Prado Regional Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake.
     FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.

CATFISH PLANTS

     No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

     LONG RANGE FLEET HOOKED-UP: The long-range boats down off the tip of Baja continue to hammer the big yellowfin tuna. While they dodged weather a couple of days this past week, conditions have been nothing like here, and the fishing remains top-notch. The Excel just returned to San Diego with yellowfin to 345.6 pounds. Eric Griggs, Melbourne, Fla., took three hours, 15 minutes to land the bruiser. Most of the fish have been from 80 to 150 pounds with about one in 10 to one in 15 being over 200 pounds.
     MEXICO ROCKFISH TRIPS EPIC: Recent 1 1/2 and two-day rockfish trips out of San Diego targeting Mexican waters have been seeing excellent action with a wide range of rockfish, including some lings and cows, on these freezer-filling jaunts. Many boats are getting full limits, including ling limits (two fish). This action will surge back after these fronts move through.
     HUMBOLDT SQUID STILL EXCELLENT: Before the latest round of storms, the only bright spots in the local fishing scene was the action on the big Humboldt squid for the San Diego and Oceanside boats running evening trips. Catches ranged from two to five or six squid per angler, and the squid are running 15 to 30 pounds. Boats from both Seaforth, H&M Landing, and Helgren’s Sportfishing (Oceanside) are now running the evening trips.
     ISLAND UPDATES: The weather washed out what little action there had been at Catalina, Clemente, and Coronado islands. Catalina had been showing the most promise with a decent pick on the calicos and pretty good bonito action, but the white seabass and yellowtail have disappeared this week.
     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. The only other option has been sand dabs and the few boats targeting the ‘dabs are hammering them.
     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, Mexican-waters rockfish trip aboard the Black Pearl leaving Feb. 26. Cost is $199 and limited to 22 anglers. To book a spot or find out about other upcoming 976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426 or go to the website at www.976-TUNA.com. Anglers may also want to mark the calendar for the five-day Palmas de Cortez trip to the East Cape May 2-7, the Fiesta de 976-TUNA annual sportsman’s tournament and educational event.

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.