April 2, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’          PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. Diamond Valley moves back to our No. 1 pick this week because of the general quality of the largemouth bass showing in this bite. Many anglers are catching and releasing 20 to 40 bass per day or more, and many anglers report their top five fish would top 30 pounds – that’s a six-pound average! With the new moon this Saturday, this week is likely to be the best fishing of the spring season at DVL. The bass are in a full-on spawn. Most of the fish are tight in shallow water on beds, but bigger fish are still holding off on points or moving in and out. For updates, check with the marina staff at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. Casitas Lake produced the best bass in the region this week when Josh Sharp, Casitas Springs, caught a 16.8-pounder on a plastic worm. While the lake is closed to private boats, there is a good side and a bad side. The good news is that the bass aren’t getting near the pressure and the anglers fishing this lake are having excellent fishing, mostly on bed fish. Lots of 20 to 40 fish days. Rental boats go fast, however. For an update, call the marina at 805-649-2043.
3. Lake Perris continues to be our sleeper bass pick. With the low water level (and close proximity to Diamond Valley), many of the bass boat crowd are skipping Perris and the crowds have not been horrible. The fishing has been excellent with volume and quality good. Top bass this week was a nine-pound class fish, and there were fish at 12 and 10 pounds the week before. Most of the bass are shallow on beds. For an update, check with the marina staff at 951-657-2179.


FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Good trout action throughout the region. Top bets this week have been Santa Ana River Lakes, Laguna Niguel, Irvine Lake, and Corona Lake. All four of these waters have been crowded. In the High Desert, Hesperia Lake, Jess Ranch, and Mojave Narrows all have been good this week, and all of the inland San Bernardino County Park lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, and Yucaipa are also fair to good. In San Diego County, Wohlford, Dixon, Poway, Jennings, Morena, and Cuyamaca have consistently fair to good bites after weekly plants. In the southern Sierra, Lake Isabella and the Kern River are both very good. The Eastern Sierra’ early trout season continues good at Diaz Lake and the small streams from Independence south and all were planted again this week.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Spawn time. Casitas, Diamond Valley, Perris, Skinner, Castaic, Sutherland, San Vicente, and Lower Otay all have been good this past week in spite of cooler weather. Add in Piru, Cachuma, Skinner, and Silverwood among the list of waters getting better fast. Poway, El Capitan, Hodges, and Wohlford all have fair and improving bites. On the Central Coast, Nacimiento still has a good spotted bass bite, and Lopez is worth fishing for largemouths. Keep in mind all of the local lakes with bass, except at higher elevations, have fish on beds.
STRIPED BASS: Skinner has fair to good action, but the reports coming in from Castaic and Silverwood show these bites are also breaking open. Pyramid has been closed for over a month for dock repair and lake drawdown, but it is slated to reopen Saturday. It could be hot, too. On the Colorado River, bites were improving, but Willow Beach and Mohave have been very spotty. Havasu and Mead are both breaking wide open with smaller fish to six pounds showing. Even the lower river below Havasu has areas of good action all the way to Palo Verde.
PANFISH: The panfish bites are just starting to really turn on. There are very good crappie bites at Buena Vista Lake (near Taft) in the southern San Joaquin Valley and at Lake Hodges. Other budding crappie bites to note are at Henshaw, Elsinore, Piru, and the Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River (south of Needles on the Arizona side). Bluegill and redear are both still slow most places, but there are more and more places starting to improve with some better catches made this past week. A few big bluegill are showing at Diamond Valley and there is a budding redear bite at Lake Perris.
CATFISH: Diamond Valley still has a decent bite, but overall the catfish action is still mostly slow. More fish are showing at Hesperia Lake thanks to more spurts of sunny weather, and some cats are starting to show in better numbers in the lower Colorado River. Some big blues are also being caught from some of the San Diego area lakes, but no real monsters again this week. Sturgeon put on a show at Hesperia Lake last week with 268 and 215 pounders, and another 85-pounder was caught on Monday this week.
 

 WATER BY WATER REPORTS

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
 

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

 SILVERWOOD: The striper bite turned on this week. The action is pretty good with the fish are biting anchovies and sardines near the dam and off the dock. The shoreline in Cleghorn has also been a decent spot. Jerry Kragen, Apple Valley, caught an eight-pound striper. Joe Vicario, Hesperia, landed a five-pound striper. Trout action fair to good in the surface, by the rocks and off the docks on yellow Power Bait and meal worms. Pepper Anderson, Hesperia, caught a four-pound trout in Cleghorn Canyon. Catfish bite fair on mackerel, nightcrawlers or shrimp. The largemouth bass bite is improving with some fair action for anglers tossing plastics, jigs, or nightcrawlers. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The private marinas and public launch ramps are now open for the season. The rainbow trout bite is fair on inflated nightcrawlers. Trollers have had luck with CD Rapalas. Motor boats are available for rent. DFG trout plant this week. Information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Mostly slow action with a few trout on floating baits fished closed to the bottom. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake is closed until later this spring. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: The lake has opened for the season. DFG trout plant this week.
JENKS LAKE: Closed until later this spring. Only walk-in access. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: No freshwater record-size sturgeon this week, although the bite continues to be good on nightcrawlers, mackerel and Power Bait, and another 85-pounder was caught on Monday by Larry Parker, Fontana. The lake has been planted with several loads of Alpers’ trout, and the trout bite is good. Catfish are stocked every week and the bite is exceptional on shrimp, mackerel, and nightcrawlers. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout bite has been excellent this week with anglers using Power Bait (rainbow, orange and spring green), night crawlers (doused with garlic attractant), lures, jigs and Senkos. The trout are in the two to three-pound range, with quite a few over. Hot spots include the northern, eastern and western shores of lake 2 as well as the western and eastern shores of lake 3. Trout from the lakes’ hatchery are planted every Friday. 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: Fair trout action with fish up into the seven-pound range and some bigger. Top baits are Power Bait (rainbow, red, white and blue, white and orange), nightcrawlers and plastic trout worms. Action is best in the morning from both Pelican and Horseshoe Lake. County trout plants are weekly through April 17. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Good trout action with a lot of limits reported on Power Bait, jigs, and nightcrawlers. Most of the fish are from one to two pounds. County plants will be made each Thursday through April 17 and trophy trout will be planted each month this year. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Trout bite slow but plant should improve with this week’s plants. Try Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Bass action slow to fair on plastics and spinners. Other species are slow. County trout plants of 1,000 pounds will be made each Thursday through April 17, and trophy trout will be planted each month this year. No fishing on stocking days. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action this week with the best bite on Power Bait, mini-jigs, and small trout plastics. Also a fair bite on bluegill and carp, with the catfish still mostly slow. County plants will be made each Thursday through April 17 and trophy trout will be planted each month this year. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, April 12. Lake or derby information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Good trout action with lots of limits reported on fish averaging from 1 1/2 to two pounds. Top trout baits have been Power Bait (yellow or green) and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair catfish action. Most of the cats are running two to four pounds and are showing on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. County trout plants will be made each Thursday through April 17 and trophy trout will be planted each month this season. 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: Awesome bass action with many anglers catching and releasing 20 to 50 fish per day, with the top five weighing in the 30-pound range. Top spots are the east dam and Rawson Cove with the fish in five to 20 feet of water. Plastics and jigs in just about any size or configuration have been effective. James Paxton of Yucaipa got a 7.10 pound bass drop shotting a Roboworm in the third cove to the right of the marina. Barry Thompson, Moreno Valley, landed a seven-pound bass fishing the north shore with a Senko. Branden Kim, Rancho Santa Margarita, caught a 5.86-pound bass fishing the west dam with a Spro BBZ-1 swimbait. While the trout bite slowed for shore anglers this past week, a plant on Tuesday should help things. Boat anglers have continued to pound the fish trolling Needlesfish or Rapalas or drifting nightcrawlers. Ryan Coe, Hemet, got a 5.7-pound trout fishing from shore with a Kastmaster. Stripers slow, but the solid catfish action continues at the third cove of shoreline fishing and near the east dam or wave attenuator for boat anglers. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, got the biggest catfish of the week weighing 7 pounds. There were few panfish reports this week, but most anglers have the best luck fishing along the dams, specifically near the stairways, in 25 feet of water with worms. Don Prescott, Chino, landed a 2.29-pound crappie fishing in Rawson cove with nightcrawlers. The K-FROG Average Joe bass and trout derby drew a crowd. Jesse Mena, Hemet, caught a 6.69-pound trout and won $1,000 and a new boat. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Still a very good bass bite. The fish are in the shallows, spawning, with the east end and just off the marina the hot bite areas. Most fish have been landed on nightcrawlers. Top bass this week was a 9.1-pounder caught by Samuel Granado, Riverside. Daniel Treso, Covina, landed a 4.12-pound bass near the island. Trout fair on worms, Power Bait and nightcrawlers at lots 11, 12 and 5 with many anglers catching their limit. DFG trout plant last week. Fair bluegill and crappie action in the marina and launch areas around structure. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The striper bite is wide open on chicken liver and anchovies, especially in the inlet. Than Bun, Pomona, caught a four-pound striper. Joel Asistio, Temecula, caught 13 stripers totaling 24.7 pounds. The trout are biting Power Bait, nightcrawlers or dough near Launch Ramp 2. Joe Crespo, Vista, landed a three-pound rainbow. Some activity from the largemouth bass this week on plastics and nightcrawlers with fish flooding the shallows. Some early season catfish biting on chicken liver and crankbaits. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: Crappie bite fair to good on nightcrawlers off the west side marina. The carp have a fair to good bite off the east end on dough balls. The cats are showing at the state park, on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Some bass action at the southeast end on plastics. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Very good trout action with a lot of tagged trout showing. Top rainbow this week was a 20 1/2-pounder caught by John Palacios, Banning, fishing Nitro Bait at the dam. Rafael Macias, Riverside, caught a 15 1/4-pound rainbow, also on Nitro Bait. There is also a pretty fair catfish bite and the bass are in the shallows spawning. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Fair trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
RANCHO JURUPA: Trout action fair on Power Bait and worms. Lots of limits right after plants. Most fish are in the one to two-pound range. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout plants will go in every other week for the season. Fair bite on small spinners and floating baits. Fair catfish bite from all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel or anchovies. Upcoming events: fishing derby every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Fair trout action with some trophy rainbows still in the mix, including several fish over nine pounds at space 54, by the dam. Anglers have landed up to 20 fish per day. The lake is closed Mondays. The lake will be closing April 30, perhaps permanently. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: The lake will be planted with 500 pounds of rainbow trout each week through spring. The bite has been very good on chartreuse or rainbow Power Bait. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good rainbow trout bite, especially on sunny days, on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Some channel cats showing. The best time to fish is mid-day on shrimp, mackerel or stink bait. Rainbow trout plants go in twice a month through spring. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: A few bass are showing in a fair pre-spawn bite. Cody Baumann, Homeland, caught an eight-pound bass on plastics. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait, trout plastics and nightcrawlers. Trollers also scoring with Rapalas or Kastmasters. Albie Poston, Anza, caught five rainbow trout. Top fish was 6-1 on nightcrawlers off shore. Ross Abarrate, Palm Springs, caught five rainbow trout, 13 inches and better on nightcrawlers. Earl Kortesmaki, Garden Grove, caught his limit, for two consecutive days on lime twist Power Bait and floating nightcrawlers. Average fish size was 10 inches. 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 trout bite remains very good with anglers catching rainbows, including a lot of tagged fish, in good numbers, and there have been a number of really large trout at or over 12 pounds. Top catch this week was made by Alex Ortega, Anaheim, who caught a 14-10 rainbow on a brown wing lure fishing by the pump house. David Alaniz, Pomona, landed a 13-8 trout on a Lip Ripperz fishing by the boat dock. Arturo Velazquez, West Covina, caught a 12-12 rainbow on a jig fishing at the spillway. David Avila, Santa Ana, caught 12-0 and 8-0 trout fishing Three Pipes. Mahlin Diamond, Los Angeles, caught a 12-0 trout on yellow Nitro Bait at the boat dock. Tagged trout “poker” tournament ongoing this week. Information: 714-632-7830 or 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: Very good trout bite for trollers using Rapalas off the Santiago Flats, and a variety of rainbow, brown and brook trout are keeping anglers busy on nightcrawlers and Power Bait near Trout Island, off the west shore and flats, and in Boat Dock Cove with fish in the one to six-pound range. Britnee Christman, San Dimas, caught an 11-2 trout. Roy Eddy, Chino Hills, landed a 10-4 trout on a Rapala at the dam. David Stanley, Culver City, caught a 9-14 trout. Mitch Steinberg, Northridge, landed an 8-14 trout on a mini-jig. Chris Edwards, Tustin, landed a 7-6 trout on nightcrawlers. The bass bite is fair to good with quite a few landed on the drop-shot or with Texas-rigged plastics or Senkos at the Santiago Flats. Good crappie bite on white Atomic Teasers or Atomic Tubes tipped with a meal worm in the flats. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming events: Sport Chalet Derby on Saturday and the Irvine Lake Masters on April 12. Lake or derby information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: A double trout plant, 9,000 pounds, went in last week. The trout bite is very good on inflated nightcrawlers doused in garlic or corn Trout Dip or Power Bait dipped in garlic Nitro Gravy. Best action has been at the launch ramp. Fighting Frog Lip RipperZ and Trout SpoonZ are top lures for the big trout. The fish are in the two to three-pound range, with some over. Trophy-sized fish will be in the mix. This is the last trout plant of the season. Plenty of bass action on fish in the one- to three-pound range. The best action has been on dark-colored plastic worms in deeper water by the dam. Some crappie showing on small crappie jigs (chartreuse or white). The occasional catfish on mackerel or nightcrawlers in the flats and by the launch ramp. 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: Fair trout bite in the open water for trollers using Needlefish and nightcrawlers. The trout are from 1 1/2 to two pounds, with some in the five to six-pound range. The trout bite is best in Cachuma Bay and Santa Cruz. Bass bite fair in the mornings with spoons and Senkos in the Jackrabbit Flats on jerk bait and purple and brown plastic worms. The 13th annual Cachuma Lake Trout Derby, sponsored by the non-profit Cachuma Lake Nature Center, will be held April 19-20. Registration is $35 for adults, $10 for children 10 and younger. There will be $5,000 in cash prizes for a variety of winning categories for both adults and children, including longest trout caught, trout caught with the highest numbered tag, and shortest trout caught. Call the Trout Derby Hotline at 805-693-8381 for more information. 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: The big bass are out and the bite is hot. Josh Sharp, Casitas Springs, caught a 16.8-pound bass on a plastic worm. The water temps and the fish are back up. Most of the action is in five to 15 feet. A lot of two to four-pound bass on nightcrawlers, plastic worms, and some jigs. Mark Backes, San Diego, landed 12-4 on Stocker Trout on Monday. Robbie Martinez, Ventura, caught a seven-pound bass. Fred Long, Simi Valley, caught a limit of bass. Top fish was six pounds. Trout action slow to fair. The lake was planted last week with trout for the kid’s derby and some holdovers are sparking the bite. Use nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Catfish action slow. Nightfishing scheduled for April 17-19. Some crappie off Sunken Island on nightcrawlers or crappie jigs. Private boats are not being allowed on the lake because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Last week’s high winds and ramp closure made for a short week, but the largemouth bass and striper bites remain pretty good. The bass are in Fish Arm and have been landed on plastics, but there were not as many quality fish this week as last. Jimmy Yu, Santa Clarita, caught a 2.6-pound largemouth bass. Kenny Hemer, Castaic, caught a two-pound largemouth. Striper bite is good near the dam on frozen shad. Rick Howe, Ventura, landed a 3-5 striper. William Broad, Los Angeles, caught a three-pound striper. No trout have been reported in the upper lake, but there is a slow to fair bite in the lower lake on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Fair trout bite on Power Bait, plastic worms and nightcrawlers for bait anglers. Trollers have been using Kastmasters, Rapalas or Needlefish in 65 to 85 feet. Most fish are in the one to two-pound range, with an occasional four-pounder or better. DFG trout plant this week. Slow to fair crappie action in 10 to 20 feet on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound, with a few over. Bass action improved, with fish in the pre-spawn mode on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: The lake is closed until Saturday for a drawdown to repair the boat dock. The lake will be planted this week by the DFG for the opener. This news is as of Wednesday this week, but anglers might want to check with the Forest Service to make sure there are no last-minute delays. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Decent trout action on Power Bait or Lip RipperZ plastics and worms. DFG trout plant last week. Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits and live worms. 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: Fair to good trout action on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant last week. Fair bluegill action on worms and nightcrawlers in the afternoon. Most fish are under a pound. Fair catfish action on mackerel, shrimp or chicken liver. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
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: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Some decent trout action at the drop offs. Some fair carp action with fish in the 1-8 to two-pound range on dough balls. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: The lake is closed for fishing, but will reopen on May 7. Reservations available through Tickemaster on April 8 starting at 7 p.m. Call (619) 220-8497. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: The crappie bite is on fire. This week 123 anglers checked reported 417 crappie, 108 bass, 18 bluegill and nine channel catfish. 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 bass bite perked. This week 229 anglers checked reported 232 bass, 20 crappie, 11 channel catfish and five blue catfish. Fox Halapoff, Venezuela, landed a 7.80-pound largemouth bass. Nick Ciliento, El Cajon, caught a 5.80-pound largemouth on a swimbait. The lake will be open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Permits on Thursday, Friday and Monday will only be available through the Iron Ranger/Pay Station by the concession building (exact change only). Boat rentals on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: The bass bite slowed down, although the action is still fair. This week 179 anglers checked reported 93 bass, 24 rainbow trout, 18 channel catfish, 16 crappie, five bluegill, two carp and one blue catfish. Don Wallis, San Diego caught a 23.30-pound carp on nightcrawlers at the buoy line. Antonio Gonzalez, San Diego, caught a 23-pound carp on nightcrawlers from Harvey Arm. Gigi and Ray Holden, San Diego, caught a 12.45-pound channel catfish on mackerel. 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: Fair bass bite. This week 31 anglers reported catching 27 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: Fair to good bass action. This week 104 anglers reported 144 bass, 16 redear, 13 crappie and six channel catfish. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday for fishing from sunrise to sunset. Rentals are available both days. The shoreline from the launch ramp to the buoy line is closed to all activities. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Fair to good bluegill bite. This week 67 anglers checked reported 51 bluegill, 31 bass, 17 rainbow trout, one crappie and one channel catfish. DFG trout plant last week. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: The rainbow trout bite scaled down to a fair bite. This week 141 anglers checked reported 57 rainbow trout and nine bass. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: No report this week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: The water is clear, and the trout action is good with plenty of rainbow trout taken on nightcrawlers, Power Bait (green and yellow) and Power worms. The hot trout spots have been in Boat Dock and Willow Cove and off the Senior Shoreline. Carl Wilson, Temecula, caught a 5-5 trout. Bass action fair to good on Senkos, swimbaits or nightcrawlers. Tommy Megrditchian, Escondido, caught a 10-8 bass on anchovies. George Takach, Valley Center, caught a 5-4 bass. William Shields, Oceanside, landed a 4-10 bass on Yellow Power Bait. Crappie action good on crappie jigs off Bass Point. Billy Xaasomroth, Murrietta, caught a 1-12 crappie on a shiner. Mike Kostial, Oceanside, landed a 1-5 crappie. The channel catfish are making some noise off the south shore rock pile on crankbaits and mackerel. Mike Kostial, Oceanside, caught a 12-8 channel cat. The lake is open seven days a week. There is a temporary ban on private boat launches, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to quagga mussels. Rental boats available. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No reports.
DIXON: No large bass have been landed. The bass are getting a lot of pressure, and the action is fair to good, especially off the north shoreline, in the shallows on plastics or swimbaits. Most fish are from one to three pounds. Good trout bite on rainbow and green Power Bait, nightcrawlers and small gold Kastmasters. The best spots have been in near the buoy line and off Pier No. 3. Most trout are about one to two pounds, with some over five. A load of 1,200 pounds will go in this week. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The fishing improved this week with some trout limits. The bite is better in the afternoon. A lot of the trout being caught are in the 2 1/2 to four-pound range on nightcrawlers, Power Bait or Rapalas. Jeff Kopischke, Chula Vista, caught a four-pound trout on a Kastmaster in Hidden Bay. A 4,700-pound trout plant will go in next week, including trophy-sized fish up to 15 pounds. The catfish bite is good along the Log Boom. The bass bite is improving with a lot of bass moving around along the shorelines. The bluegill bite is still slow. The shoreline is now open for fishing in the curtain area. The lake is open for fishing Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Upcoming events: The Open Trout Derby is set for April 12 and 13. The derby will run from sunrise to sunset on Saturday and from sunrise to noon on Sunday. Prizes will be awarded for the largest trout overall in three divisions (men, women and youth). Derby tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youths for each day. A derby ticket and a fishing permit must be purchased in order to fish on either day even if you don't choose to participate. Fifty motorboats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for derby participants. The lake will be closed to boating and fishing April 10 and 11 to prepare. Derby or lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The bass are just off the shoreline and in Shadow Cove in 15 to 20 feet on crawdads, Ikas or Gitzits. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait are the top baits for the trout, and the bite is concentrated off Eagle Point and near the eucalyptus trees in Cactus Patch. Trout bite fair to good on nightcrawlers, Power Bait and plastics. The lake is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Lake information: Ranger Hugh Marx, 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Improved trout action. The fish are out in the late morning, and early afternoons and are taking Power Bait, rainbow Rapalas or Kastmasters near the launch ramp or from the shoreline around it. Boaters are also catching their limit by the dam in Paradise Cove and working the northern shoreline toward the dam. Fly fishermen have found good fishing at the Cottonwood Creek area. Bass fishing getting better, with several trout fishermen reporting them on their stringers on plastics. The bass bite will improve as water temps do. The boat launch is open. 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: Good trout bite on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The nice spring weather has brought the fish out, and both bait anglers and trollers are getting their share of action. Chambers Park, Fox Hole and the West Finger Jetty are the hot spots. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: The crappie bite is taking off with anglers pulling out 10 to 12 per day on crappie jigs. Bass starting to spawn, with fish showing in the shallows. Catfish and carp action fair. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Improved striper bite with good action in Vegas Bay fishing in chum lines. Fish to 17 pounds reported this week. Trout fair to good after the last plant of the season this past week. Best action on small spinners and floating baits in the evening. The largemouth and smallmouth action fair to good with most of the fish moving shallow to spawn.
WILLOW BEACH: Still very spotty striper action, but the rainbow trout bite has remained fair to good with some anglers catching limits on Panther Martins, Roostertails, floating baits, and salmon eggs. Trout are stocked every Friday, and the bite is best for the first day or two after the plant. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: The National Park Service announced earlier this week that Cottonwood Cove would be closed for an undetermined period of time due to a failure in the potable water system. In the meantime, boaters will need to launch out of Willow Beach or Katherine Landing. Fishing has picked up for both shore and boat anglers with a good number of two- to three-pound stripers showing on crankbaits or anchovies fished in 10 to 40 feet of water. Largemouth bass and the occasional smalley are also being caught. It took a 20-plus pound stringer to win a local bass event, and the top fish was a six-pounder. A few catfish are also being caught. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: The last trout plants of the season -- especially heavy plants -- went in last week at Davis Camp and near The Riverside Resort. The fishing is exceptional, but these are the last plants this spring. Spotty striper and catfish action near Harrah’s Casino on anchovies. Some good stripers have been landed in the Big Bend area. Decent smallmouth action at Davis Camp.
NEEDLES: Fair striper action on small fish downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish are starting to show and some crappie are also biting in the gorge. Largemouth action still spotty. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Slow to fair striper action, but a few crappie and bass are starting to show, especially the bass. Catfish slow to fair on mackerel, anchovies, worms, or shrimp. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: The striper bite is fair to good all over the lake with a lot of fish to four pounds and some to eight pounds reported recently. The stripers are keying on shad, so swimbaits and small cranks are a good bet. The smallmouth and largemouth bass bites are slow. Some bass in the three to four-pound range have been landed off the point at Six Site and this action has been improving daily. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair catfish action with some flatheads to 12 pounds reported in an improving bite. The smallmouth bass action has improved, and there are more and more largemouth showing each day, with both earning at least fair ratings this week. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Bass bite has been good in the main river for smallmouths and in the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish to four pounds reported this week. The catfish action is also improving with the warmer weather with flatheads to 15 pounds reported this week. Bluegill are still spotty. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The fishing is picking up across the board. Water temperatures and levels are up, and the bass are improving 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. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Some catfish and bass action reported. Both bites fair to good.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Fair to good largemouth bite on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel catfish bite decent, 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 in East Yuma is still fair for channel catfish, large redear, and bluegill. All biting on worms. In the main Colorado River, the channel catfish bite has been fair on chicken liver or worms dipped in stink bait. The flatheads are also starting to get active. Largemouth bass in the main river and backwaters started to really turn on this weekend. This bite could break wide open this week.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: No reports. Information: Red Hill Marina 760-348-2310, 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.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Fair trout action on Power Bait (rainbow) or nightcrawlers. DFG plant two weeks ago. Crappie action good around the docks, but most are small. Also a good bullhead bite. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: Trout season is closed throughout most of this region. General trout season opener will be Saturday, April 26. 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: Only the East Walker River remains open to catch-and-release fishing in this region. The bite at the East Walker is fair with some decent-sized rainbows in the pools. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
MAMMOTH AREA: Only Hot Creek and the upper Owens River remain open to fishing, and both of these waters are catch-and-release only. Good action at Hot Creek with midges and caddis at midday and a fair bite for anglers fishing streamers along the banks. Upper Owens seeing a good mid-day bite with some dry fly. Fishing information: The Troutfitter 760-934-2517 or Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250.
BISHOP AREA: Only Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) are open to fishing in this region. The fire at the lower Owens burned through 1,500 acres along Chalk Bluffs Road on the river; however the bite at the wild trout section was not affected. It actually opened up some more areas for fishing. Nymphing with Hare’s ears and Pheasant tails is best. Hatch in the mid-afternoon, early evening. Fair to good bite at Pleasant Valley. Tubers have had good fishing from the launch ramp to the inlet. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Plants throughout the region improved the trout action on the early season streams. Pretty decent bite in both the lower Owens River and Diaz Lake, and all of the small streams were planted again this week and there was good action in Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Below Tinnemaha), Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek and Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Fair trout action on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs in Paradise Cove and by the dam. Fair to good crappie bite on minnows. Good bass bite on plastics. Also a fair catfish bite at the dam on shad, clams and 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 crickets. The smallmouth action in the lower river around the Hart Park area is good on plastic worms, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers. Good trout action in the lower river on crickets and nightcrawlers. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: Fair trout action on Power Bait, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striper action is excellent on shad, tube baits, Rat-L-Traps, lug worms and blood worms. A 27-pound striper was caught this week. Decent catfish action on shad, clams, nightcrawlers and anchovies. Dylan Trueblood, Bakersfield, caught a 10.2-pound catfish.
HART PARK LAKE: Good bass action on brush hogs, and nightcrawlers. A 13.2-pound bass was caught this week by Brandon McDonald, Texas, on a jig. Trout action fair on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Good bass bite on nightcrawlers, live minnows and brush hogs. Fair trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Good carp bite on dough. Bluegill action fair on wax worms and crickets.
MING LAKE: Very good carp action on dough. Fair to good bass action has been reported on plastic worms, nightcrawlers, Brush Hogs and minnows. Slow to fair trout action on Power Bait.
BRITE LAKE: Trout bite is fair on Power Bait and spinners. With warmer weather, fishing pressure has increased for the trout. Slow other species. Parks and Recreation trout plant expected next week. Water level coming up.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good crappie bite on minnows and jigs. Fair bluegill bite on wax worms. Good trout action on mini-jigs, Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Dylan Trueblood, Bakersfield, caught a 6.2-pound trout on a minnow. Fair to good striper bite on blood worms and lug worms. Fair bass action on Senkos, brush hogs and large minnows. The catfish bite is fair on shad or minnows.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair bluegill action on wax worms. Bass on minnows and plastics.
SUCCESS LAKE: The levels are up, and anglers are able to launch boats. A decent number of big-sized bass have been landed on plastic worms and Senkos. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair crappie bite on small minnows. Fair bass action on Senkos. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good striper action in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies and swimbaits. The smallmouth are scarce, however the largemouth bite is fair to good around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair catfish action on anchovies. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Largemouth bass action fair to good on Brush Hogs, plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have landed their limits, with largemouth to five pounds on some stringers. The early morning bite, from sunrise to 8 a.m. is best. Fair trout action on Power Bait or worms. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river. DFG trout plant this week. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Good spotted bass action on plastics and spoons. The spotted bass are in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines. Anglers reported catching 12 to 15 fish by putting in two to three hours. The white bass are in pre-spawn mode, and the bite is getting hotter each day. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Bass action decent on jigs, nightcrawlers or plastic worms, especially in Wittenberg Canyon. The bass are coming up in the shallows. Decent crappie action in 25 to 30 feet across from the marina and near the boat house on jigs. Slow to fair bluegill and redear action on meal and wax worms. Catfish bite spotty. Try anchovies or shrimp. Fair trout action on nightcrawlers and rainbow Power Bait in Cottonwood Cove, off the Cottonwood shoreline, off the points, and across from the marina. Trollers are also having luck just outside Cottonwood Cove on Needlefish. Most fish are under the two-pound mark. DFG trout plant 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, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Little Rock Reservoir, Piru Creek (Frenchman’s Flat), Pyramid Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Gregory Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Santa Ynez River.
INYO: Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Tuttle Creek.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek, Rose Valley Lakes.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, 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.
STANLISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Turlock Reservoir, Woodward Reservoir.
TULARE: Kern River from Bush Creek to Fairview Dam, Kern River from Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge, Lake Kaweah, Lake Success.
TUOLUMNE: Tulloch Reservoir.

CATFISH PLANTS

No Plants.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

CHANNEL ISLANDS UPDATE: Excellent rockfishing continues in the Channel Islands for all the landings. With ling cod season open now, it is only going to get better. The Coroloma out of Ventura Sportfishing continues to have limits or near limits of bottom fish on just about every trip. The Mirage out of Port Hueneme had limits of both rockfish and lings for all anglers on board on Tuesday this week. Dick Smith, Thousand Oaks, caught an 18-pound ling cod at Harrison Reef on a sardine. There has been more bait squid around too, giving hope for more white seabass, yellowtail, halibut and other species. So far, Channel Island boats have only scratched up a few of these exotics.
LOS ANGELES LANDINGS UPDATE: Catalina Island has produced hit and miss white seabass fishing with no consistent bite yet. That could change as water temperatures have climbed to 60 degrees around parts of the island, and there is still plenty of squid around. Anglers should pay close attention to the next full moon (on April 20) because white seabass love to chew on the full. But the good tides this weekend could also kick this bite into gear. Other than the seabass, Captain Dave Hanson of the Liquid Coast Highway found wide open bonito fishing on 3 to 6 pound boneheads, along with a few calico bass and some barracuda early this week at Catalina. At San Clemente Island, a few yellowtail, white seabass, and better calico bass fishing were on tap this week at this island. Closer to the coast, local bass fishing was very good out of Marina del Rey Sportfishing on the twilight trips for anglers fishing a leadhead and squid. Local rockfishing has been excellent, and the opening of the lingcod season makes this bite even better.
ORANGE COUNTY LANDINGS UPDATE: Sculpin and rockfish have been biting along the Orange County coast, along with a sprinkling of bass and halibut. Water temps are just getting to the point where more and more barracuda will start to move in. Behind the barracuda, we will be hoping for sand bass.
SAN DIEGO AREA UPDATE: Anglers on the 1 1/2-day trips out of San Diego-based landings have been finding excellent rockfishing down the Baja coast with some yellowtail, barracuda, and huge bonito. In fact, there have been some bird schools of bonito and barracuda near the Coronado Islands. Local boats continue to hammer on the bottom fish with high hopes that the surface bite is just around the corner. For those not interested in working the bottom, a few calico bass with an occasional white seabass and yellowtail have been taken around La Jolla.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA and Shimano host instructional charters throughout the year, offering beginning anglers or veterans advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. The next trip is an overnight trip aboard the Westerly out of Long Beach Sportfishing April 24 targeting white seabass and/or yellowtail. Cost is $99. There is also special Cino de Mayo trip May 4-9 to teach anglers the basics of fishing Baja. This trip will be held out of Palmas de Cortez. For more information on upcoming Shimano/976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426.

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.

This report is published by 11 daily newspapers in Southern California each week. Frequently it is edited for space. A complete version is posted on the Outdoor News Service web site each week (www.outdoornewsservice.com). The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning at this site. 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

March 30, 2008 - Tommy Megrditchian of Escondido caught this 10-8 bass on anchovies at Lake Wohlford.

March 25, 2008 - Seng Ire, Long Beach, with a 12-pound bass caught at Lake Perris on a deep-running crank while float tubing.

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.

March 20, 2008 - Bob Caffey, Acton, caught this 28-inch brown trout from the lower Owens River.

March 20, 2008 -  James Williams of Los Angeles caught this 19-8 trout at Santa Ana River Lakes.

March 9, 2008 - This 7-1 largemouth was caught at Lake Hemet by Rick Cargo of Riverside.

March 1, 2008 - Nikki Risco, age 11, of Sun City with 6.1-pound  trout caught on a nightcrawler at Diamond Valley

March 1, 2008 - Mike Collins of San Jacinto caught a 1.5-pound bluegill in the middle of the lake at 50’ using an ice jig at Diamond Valley

February 28, 2008 - Casitas Lake produced this 13.5-pound and this 6-pound bass. Both were caught on 12-inch swim baits by Mark "Chief" Torrez, B.A.S.S. Federation California state champion.
 

February 28, 2008 - Barry Taylor of Corona with 22 3/4-pound rainbow caught at Santa Ana River Lakes.  It took Taylor an hour to land on two-pound test and rainbow Nitro Bait doused with Nitro Grease.

February 20, 2008 - Brandon Cotton, editor of Fish Rap, caught this 62-pound white seabass off LaJolla.

February 16, 2008 - Scott Holley of Torrance with an 8-0 bass caught at Diamond Valley lake.

February 14, 2008 - Steve Romero of Temecula caught a 12-2, the biggest trout of the season, so far, at Dixon Lake. He used a Kastmaster in Whisker Bay.

February 8, 2008 - Allan Cole of Henderson, Nev., caught this 50-pound, 48 1/2-inch long striped bass while fishing at Mile Marker 40 below Willow Beach on an A.C. Plug.
 

February 8, 2008 - Shaw Gallegher of Bellflower nailed this 13.16 pound trout at Irvine Lake's Trout Island on a Power Worm.

February 6, 2008 - Mark Ward of Blythe with three bass caught in the Colorado River. They were 2 1/2 to 4 pounds.

February 6, 2008 - John Hudspith of Torrance caught this 11-pound rainbow at Irvine Lake.

January 08, 2008 - Bob Caffey of Acton caught this 11-pound bass at Pyramid Lake, one of the best bass from this lake in years.

January 02, 2008 - Gary Goemer of Irvine caught this 14 pound trout at Irvine Lake.

January 02, 2008 - This 14.2-pound trout was landed by San Chow of Westminster at Irvine Lake

December 23, 2007 - Robert Coleman of Rancho Cucamonga caught this 202-pound sturgeon at Hesperia Lake. This was formerly the biggest fish caught from freshwater in Southern California.

December 22, 2007 - Robert Metzger of Hesperia with his 19-7 striper he caught on a swimbait in Miller’s Canyon of Lake Silverwood.

December 15, 2007 - Here is a photo of the winning fish from the derby at Cucamonga Guasti. The fish was caught by Ray Moreno of Ontario.

November 11, 2007 - The derby winner at Lake Dixon. This 10.22-pound trout was caught on a nightcrawler by Connor Rasmussen of Escondido.

November 1, 2007 - 180-pound former Hesperia Lake record sturgeon caught by Ed Paradise of Grove City, Pennsylvania.

October 31, 2007 - Bobby Toliver of Ontario with a 135-pound sturgeon he caught at Hesperia Lake.

October 27, 2007 - Francisco Rios caught this 20-9 catfish at Lake Wohlford.

October 2007 - Bart Tyler of Victorville caught this lake record 62 1/2-pound catfish at Hesperia Lake.

Have a photo of a recent big catch you have made? Send it to Reprimir@earthlink.net if you are interested in having it appear on this page.

Have a photo of a recent big catch you have made? Send it to Reprimir@earthlink.net if you are interested in having it appear on this page.