May 21, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. Casitas Lake has a wide open largemouth bass and crappie bite thanks to the availability of live shad for bait the past two weeks. There were at least eight bass over 10 pounds, including a couple of 11 1/2 pounders. Top bass the week before was a 12-8 with a 14-pounder the week before that. The bass are definitely out of the post-spawn blues here, and you don’t have to have live shad to catch them, although that really helps. Remember the quagga mussel quarantine on private boats here (which is changing soon). For an update, call the marina at 805-649-2043.
2. Diamond Valley Lake is also wide open for the bass (and trout). The best bass action has been at the east dam, in Rawson Cove, off the southwest corner and in the shallows. The bass are in five to 20 feet and the fish are primarily from three to five pounds. Swimbait, Creature Baits, and plastic worms are best. Top fish was a 10 1/2-pound bass this past week. It probably should be a top 3 pick every week, and you should keep that in mind when you don’t see this here. For an update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle at 951-658-7410.
3. Striped bass buffs need to head up toward Taft to fishing the California Aqueduct just below Buena Vista Lakes. The bite has been excellent on blood worms and lug worms with fish averaging 18 to 22 inches – keeper-sized – along with the occasional bigger fish. For an update and directions to the best spots, contact Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield at 661-833-8657.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Generally good fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada with Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley and its major tributaries (especially the Owens River and McGee Creek), and Mammoth Twin Lakes the top spots to fish. The East Walker River is also an excellent bet for experienced fly anglers. In Southern California, most trout seasons are winding down, but the Santa Ana River Lakes, Irvine Lake, Corona Lake are still good for planted trout. Big Bear Lake is very good on holdover fish, and Diamond Valley Lake is awesome. In the High Desert, Jess Ranch has been good this week, too.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Casitas, Diamond Valley, Perris, Skinner, Castaic, Cachuma, Isabella, Piru, Sutherland, San Vicente, and Lower Otay all have been good this past week. Silverwood and Pyramid just fair. Poway, El Capitan, Hodges, and Wohlford all have fair to good bites. On the Central Coast, Nacimiento still has a good spotted bass bite, and Lopez is worth fishing for largemouths.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood gets the top billing here this week with a very good bite, but Pyramid, Skinner, and Castaic are all fair to good. On the Colorado River, the best action has been at Havasu and Mead where a lot of smaller fish to six pounds showing. Even the lower river below Havasu has areas of fair to good action all the way to Palo Verde. No monster fish at Willow or in Mohave reported this week, though. Also some decent wiper action at Lake Elsinore this past week.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are exploding just about everywhere. There excellent crappie bite at Isabella slowed to just fair with the fish moving into deeper water, but there is still a pretty good bite at Buena Vista Lakes (near Taft), Casitas, San Antonio, Lopez, Santa Margarita, and Elsinore. Bluegill bites are very good to excellent at Perris, Lower Otay, and Murray, and just about every other water that has bluegill is pretty good. Redear over a pound are mixed in this bite at Perris.
CATFISH: One of the top bets has to be Hesperia Lake thanks to weekly plants of pan-sized and trophy cats, but a lot of waters are kicking into gear for the cats. Diamond Valley still has a pretty good bite, and Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, and the lower Colorado River has been consistently good in the past week. Most urban lakes will start catfish stocking programs later this month and the DFG plants are in full swing.
 

 WATER BY WATER REPORTS

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
 

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: Good to excellent striper action on anchovies and sardines. The striper bite is exceptional in deep water at the spillway, by the dam and at the intake. Top striper was an 18-pounder landed by Dave Tarango, Apple Valley, on Rapalas. Barry Savoun, Seal Beach, landed a five-pound striper on swimbaits by the dam. Trout bite fair to good off the marina docks and in Cleghorn and Miller’s canyons. Patrick Hannah, Barstow, caught a three-pound trout on Power Bait. Fair bass bite on plastics and crankbaits. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Very good trout bite all over the lake on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers are using Needlefish in the red dot frog pattern or Thomas Buoyants. The hottest fishing areas are in the Trout Triangle (Eagle Point, Observatory, to Lagonita Point), Windy Point, and near the dam. Large trophy trout were planted last week for the Jim Hall Memorial Classic, which had a number of fish over five-pounds pulled out. Greg Boll and Alan Sharp, Big Bear, caught 6.81 and 5.21-pound fish for second and fourth respectively. Upcoming events: Fifth Annual Carp Roundup June 7-8. Call (909) 866-5796 to enter. Lake 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 close to the bottom. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Green Valley Lake officially opened last week with an Alpers' trout plant. The lake is scheduled to receive two plants per month. The 2008 fishing fees are $15 per day for adults, $10 for children. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and parking is free. No float tubes or private boats are allowed, but there are row boats available for rent. The recorded information line is 909-867-20090. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: The lake has opened for the season. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Trout bite fair on nightcrawlers and Power Bait.
JENKS LAKE: Slow to fair overall trout bite, although float tube anglers have managed to get limits of holdover and recent planter. The bass action has been fair with some quality fish showing. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: Catfish and sturgeon season are in full swing. The cats are being planted twice a week and the bite has been very good. Most of the fish are 1 1/2 to three pounds, but quality fish over 20 pounds have been caught this past week, mostly on mackerel and Sonny’s Catfish Bait or the marshmallow-meal worm (M&M) combo, also doused with Sonny’s. The trout bite is slowing way down with the last plant three weeks ago. The sturgeon planted two weeks ago were mostly five to 10 pounds and the bite has been fair on Power Bait with quite a few landed. Day session hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Excellent trout bite on both lakes with anglers using Power Bait (orange, nymph, spring green, garlic, salmon peach), nightcrawlers, jigs and lures. Lots of limits were reported. Hot spots include the grassy point, the eastern and western shores of lake 3 as well as the western, northern and southeastern shores of lake 2. Anglers have had fair bass action on spinnerbaits and Senkos. Hot spots for bass include the southern and northern shores of lake 2 and the northern and western shores of lake 3. Bluegill still just fair. The Lakes' Hatchery stocks trout every Friday year round. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Slow to fair trout bite. Top baits are Power Bait (rainbow, red, white and blue, and orange), nightcrawlers and plastic trout worms. Action is best in the morning from both Pelican and Horseshoe Lake. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. No more county trout plants will go in this season, but catfish season kicks off this Thursday. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair trout action with a lot of limits reported on Power Bait, jigs, and nightcrawlers. Most of the fish are from one to two pounds. No more county trout plants will go in this season. Catfish season begins this week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Slow to fair trout action with only a few fish pulled out from previous plants. Anglers are using Power Bait (chartreuse or rainbow) and nightcrawlers. A new lake record was recorded this week. Matt Kramer, Norco, landed an 8.5-pound trout. No more trout plants will go in this season. Catfish, bass, and carp remain slow. Catfish season kicks off this week. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Still fair 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. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. No more county trout plants will go in this season. Catfish season kicked off this week. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Catfish season began this week with a county plant. The catfish bite was slow to fair on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. Slow to fair trout action. Top trout baits have been Power Bait (yellow or green) and nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant three weeks ago. No more county trout plants will go in 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: Phenomenal bass action at the east dam, in Rawson Cove, off the southwest corner and in the shallows. The bass are in five to 20 feet and the fish are primarily from three to five pounds. Swimbait, creature baits and plastic worms are best. Stephan Kosal, Upland, landed a 10.5-pound bass. Robert Sloan, Valley Center, landed a 7.62-pound bass on plastic worms. Kevin Deemer, Hemet, caught 5.5-and 6.5-pound bass on jerk baits. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, caught a 5.5-pound bass on nightcrawlers. Shore fisherman and boaters have still been catching loads of trout. Hot spots include the marina, the east dam, restroom 3, and the west dam. Shore anglers have been relying on Power Bait, trout worms, mini-jigs, and Kastmasters. Boaters found it is best to drift with nightcrawlers or to troll Rapalas. Saddle, East and West Dams have the best action for boat anglers. Brad Gimple, Hemet, caught a 10.2-pound trout on plastic worms. Ken Turner, Fontana, landed a 7.8-pound trout. Ron Mediros, Tustin, landed a 6.97-pound trout. Yvonne Southerland, Fontana, caught a 5.11-pound trout. Ryan Krause, Murrieta, caught a 4.25-pound trout. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, caught a 3.75-pound trout, and Lori Carnahan, Sky Valley, caught a 3.56-pounder. Only one striper was reported this week. Jim Sturgis, Sun City, landed an 11.18-pound striper on a jig near the wave attenuator. Very good catfish bite on raw shrimp, anchovies and mackerel in 10 to 20 feet in the third cove, off the shoreline and near the east dam or wave attenuator. Ken Turner, Fontana, caught a 5.2-pound channel catfish on orange Power Bait. Not too many panfish reports this week, but anglers are fishing along the dam and near the stairways on live worms for bluegill. The bluegill and redear are on beds in six to 10 feet of water and some are over two pounds. Some crappie to two-pounds have been reported. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Very good bluegill and redear bite. Anglers are catching over 50 per day. Top baits are crickets, meal worms and wax worms. Most bluegill have been under a pound, with some redears bigger. Bite best for redear at lots 5, 6, 11 and 12, bluegill showing in the marina, Sail Cove, and off south side. Bass action fair on plastic worms and nightcrawlers. Catfish bite fair to good on crawdads and mackerel. Glen Arnspiger, Banning, landed a 15.05-pound catfish off the island. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Very good largemouth bass bite off shore on inflated nightcrawlers, plastics and crankbaits. Mark Bryant, Norco, caught a 4-8 largemouth on nightcrawlers off the east end. Stripers fair to good at the inlet and spillway with some fish topping four pounds. Steve Taylor, Vista, caught a 3.5-pound striper on anchovies in the inlet. Good bluegill bite on meal or wax worms. Mike Stephens, Palm Desert, caught a two-pound bluegill on meal worms. Fair to good rainbow trout action with some fish reported on nightcrawlers or Power Bait at Launch Ramp 2. Fair catfish action on mackerel or shrimp with fish to three pounds. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: Crappie bite fair to good on nightcrawlers and small jigs off the west side marina. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair with a few fish in the four-pound range landed off shore. 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. Good bluegill bite on wax worms. Some bass action at the southeast end on plastics. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Fishing pressure was lighter than normal this past week but the bite stayed hot. Many limits of trout were reported and a few big ones mixed in as well. Boat anglers having the most success. Due to warmer water temperatures the trout are staying in the deep water. Dough baits and nightcrawlers have both been working well. Luke Harlman, San Bernardino, landed an 8-8 rainbow. More and more catfish are being reported each week with the majority being caught on mackerel and shrimp. There also continue to be some panfish -- bluegill and crappie -- and bass caught each week. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Very slow. The odd trout is still showing from winter plants and a few bass and panfish are showing for anglers fishing the shorelines. The lake is still muddy from dredging with low visibility.
RANCHO JURUPA: Trout action slow to fair on Power Bait and worms. Most fish are in the one to two-pound range. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout plants go in every other week and there is a 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: The lake is closed, perhaps permanently.
REFLECTION LAKE: No more trout plants this month. The trout bite fair to good on chartreuse or rainbow Power Bait. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Very good catfish bite on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, dough bait and mackerel. Catfish are planted when the current stock goes below 2,000 pounds. A plant went in last week, with another one going in this week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday holidays, including Memorial Day. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Fair to good bass action with the best action on plastics and crawdads. Good trout action with the best bite on nightcrawlers, Power Bait and Power worms. Trollers have also been having some success on Kastmasters and Needlefish. Layne Fleming, Anza, landed a limit of rainbows off the point on nightcrawlers that average about a pound each. 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: While trout season is coming to an end, there is still a good bite on the rainbows, Lightning Trout, and the new Sierra rainbows. Final trout plant of the season is this week. The bass and catfish bites are also starting to heat up. Trout fishing has been best for boat anglers with the warming water temperatures causing the fish to move into deep water. The bubble hole, La Palma Point, and Levitz’ Corner continue to be the best spots, and shore anglers making longer casts to the deep water have been having the most success. Kerry Galagas, Ontario, landed an 11-8 rainbow, but many anglers have been getting five-fish stringers that weigh between eight and 12 pounds total. The catfish bite is starting to pick up with the warm weather with most anglers using shrimp, mackerel, or the M&M combo (marshmallow and mealworm). Betty Olmar, Santa Ana, had three cats that went nine pounds total, topped by a four-pounder. The best spots for the catfish have been the boat dock and the pump house. Some bass are showing as well for anglers targeting them. The best spots for bass have been Catfish Lake and the bubble hole. Catfish season kicks off this week with the first major plants of the season. 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: The trout are down deeper, so anglers need to change their technique. Trollers are catching fish on firetiger Rapalas and Needlefish. Bait anglers are fishing with mini-jigs and Power mice. Very few fish were landed this week due to high temperatures and light pressure. Wade Kirchmeyer, Anaheim Hills, caught a 6-8 rainbow on Power Bait off the red clay cliffs. Mike Warren, Tustin, landed a 5-9 rainbow trout on nightcrawlers off the west shore.Good bass fishing, with small sized largemouth in the one to three-pound range being landed on oxblook color plastics and topwater baits off the Santiago Flats. Catfish have been landed in the two to five-pound range Catmando and mackerel. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming events: The lake’s summer catfish opener is scheduled for June 6. Information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: The trout bite is fair on inflated nightcrawlers doused in garlic or corn Trout Dip or Power Bait (red, white and blue or chartreuse) dipped in garlic Nitro Gravy in the flats and on the launch ramp. Fighting Frog Lip RipperZ and Trout SpoonZ are top lures for the big trout. 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. Anglers are using spinnerbaits and topwater baits in the early mornings and afternoons. A seven-pound bass was landed this week. Crappie showing in good numbers on small crappie jigs (chartreuse or white). Good bluegill bite on wax worms. Fair to good catfish on mackerel or nightcrawlers in the flats and by the launch ramp on nightcrawlers dipped in garlic. A four-pounder was caught this week. 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 five to 20 feet for trollers using red Needlefish and nightcrawlers. The trout are from 1 1/2 to two pounds, with some over six pounds. Bait anglers are using rainbow Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The trout bite is best in Cachuma Bay, just outside the marina and on the flats. Bass bite fair in the mornings on crankbait and plastics in the Jackrabbit Flats. Crappie bite fair on jigs and nightcrawlers in Bobcat Canyon. DFG trout plant last week. 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 live shad still remain the hot ticket. The bass bite is very good with anglers catching large numbers of fish on live shad, swimbaits and plastic worms. Eight bass landed over 10 pounds. Janet McKeen, Santa Paula, caught a nine-pound bass. Brandon LeMay, Ojai, landed an 11-8 bass. Bob Nunes, Sr., Ventura, caught an 11.3-pound bass. Chris Burrows, Valencia, landed an 11-8 and 10.2 and 8.4-pound bass. Rob Morin, Camarillo, landed 11.75 and 7.9-pound bass. Easton Perez, Oak View, caught a 10-8 bass. Very slow trout bite. Water temps are too warm and the fish have gone deep. Fair to good bluegill and redear bite on red worms and pieces of nightcrawlers in the shallows. Crappie bite fair on jigs and live shad. Catfish bite picking up. Ken Tatsch, Ventura, caught an 18-pound catfish on a chunk of mackerel. Christy Dominguez, Casitas Springs, caught a 6-8 catfish on live shad. Bluegill, redear and crappie are fair on red worms. Nightfishing scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Private boats will again be allowed at Casitas in the near future, but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Good largemouth bass bite, with fish from three to five-pounds lurking in the shallows on plastics and crankbaits. The coves and off the points are the hot spots. Denny Stram, Glendale, caught a seven-pound largemouth on nightcrawlers in the lagoon. The striper bite is very good, with the occasional fish in the double-digits on anchovies or frozen shad. Billy Lopez, Castaic, landed a 4.7-pound striper on blood worms by the dam. Some carp still biting near the west ramp and showing on frozen shad pieces. Trout were planted one month ago, 1,500 pounds at the lagoon, and aside from a few holdovers the action is slow. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Fair to good 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 last 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 fair on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: Good bass bite for anglers throwing jigs and plastics up shallow. Some still on beds but most are moving out. Fair trout action on Power Bait, anchovies and nightcrawlers. Still some holdovers from the DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Fair striper bite. The bigger stripers should come out and go after the trout from the plant. Best action reported on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for trout and stripers. Many anglers have caught easy limits this week. Catfish slow to fair. No bluegill or crappie reports, yet. 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 two weeks ago. DFG catfish 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 two weeks ago. 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. DFG catfish plant last week. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout and catfish plants two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Catfish plant one month ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. DFG catfish plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks agp. Catfish plant one month ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Catfish plant one month ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks agp. DFG catfish plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Catfish plant one month ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks agp. Catfish plant one month ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite at the drop offs on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Some fair carp action with fish in the 1-8 to two-pound range on dough balls. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. DFG catfish plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Steady bass bite and a great improvement in the bluegill action. This week 199 anglers checked 3,814 bass, 247 bluegill and 10 crappie. Reservations for June available through Tickemaster. Call (619) 220-8497. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Fair to good bass action. This week 184 anglers checked reported 203 bass, 119 bluegill and 42 crappie. 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: Fair to good bass bite. This week 83 anglers reported 116 bass, 32 crappie, 18 bluegill, nine channel catfish and one blue catfish. 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 Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. On Sundays rentals stop at 10 a.m. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: The bluegill bite remains phenomenal. Fair improvement in the bass bite. This week 259 anglers reported 861 bluegill to 1 1/4 pounds, 235 bass, 26 rainbow trou, five channel catfish and one blue catfish. Harry Carroll, Escondido, caught a 67.10-pound blue catfish on mackerel. Keith Slater, Spring Valley, caught an 8.65-pound bass on Senkos in Harvey Arm. Larry and Ella Wilson, Imperial Beach, caught 10 trout totaling 17.65 pounds with a 3.05-pound top fish on crankbaits. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: Improved bass bite with generally fair action. 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: Good bluegill and bass action. This week 97 anglers reported 238 bass, 175 bluegill, 23 redear, eight redear, five channel catfish and one crappie. The lake is open Thursday through Sunday for fishing and boating. Rentals are available Thursdays and Fridays only. 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 80 anglers checked reported 194 bluegill, 34 bass, five rainbow trout and one crappie. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: This week 26 anglers checked reported nine rainbow trout, three bass and three channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals available Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: This week 81 anglers reported 226 bass, 19 crappie, seven channel catfish, four carp and two bluegill. Mike Rossell, Escondido, caught a 7.30-pound bass. Greg LeRoy, Ramona, landed a seven-pound bass on crankbait. The lake is open for fishing and boating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boar rentals available on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: The last trout plant of the season, 1,200 pounds went in last week. The action is winding down with only a few rainbows on nightcrawlers, Power Bait (green and yellow), and white Power worms. The bass are mainly in the shallows biting Senkos, swimbaits, crawdads, live golden shiners, and plastic worms. Peter Minton, Valley Center, caught a 10-8 bass on pink plastic jigs off Bass Point. Panfish—crappie and bluegill biting off shore. The catfish bite is picking up with some decent channel cats landed on shrimp or anchovies. Carp fishing also on the upswing. 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: DFG trout plant two weeks agp.
DIXON: The trout action is very good with good numbers of limits. The trout are in the four to six-pound range. The best baits have been yellow or green Power Bait, nightcrawlers and Thomas Buoyants. Hot spots have been in Trout Cove and near pier No. 3. Fernando Soto, Vista, landed 5-19 and 5-12 trout on Power worms. Charlie Pahl, 9, Oceanside, caught a 5-12 trout. Richie Caruso, Carlsbad, caught a 5-8 trout on a Power worm. Spawners having lots of luck with the bass. Mike Collins, San Diego, caught a 10-3 bass off bass point. A few catfish were reported on cut mackerel or nightcrawlers in the deeper parts of the lake or near the buoy. Nighfishing starts June 27. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The bit trout are biting. Power Bait and nightcrawlers off the south shore is the perfect formula. Rico Gutierrez and Brett Phillips, San Diego, caught a 10.8-pound trout on Power Bait outside Hidden Bay. Kevan Branchfield, Hemet, landed a 10.3-pound trout on the Power Bait and nightcrawler combo in Boulder Bay. The lake is open for fishing Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise (6 a.m.) to sunset. No outside boats are allowed on the lake due to quagga mussel fears. Starting June 1 the lake will open at 7 a.m. Upcoming events: On June 7, the lake will host a “Discount Fishing Day” from 7 a.m. to sunset. Adult permits will be $4. Youth permits, for 15-year-olds and younger, will be $1. Boat rentals will be at half-day rates all day. No state fishing license is required. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfishing kicked off last week with anglers pulling out holdovers in the two to four-pound range. Nightcrawlers and mackerel were the top choices. Catfish plants will go in June 2, June 23, July 14, July 28 and Aug. 11. Some trout action on small shiners. Fair redear bite on meal worms or chunks of mackerel in five to 15 feet. Bass bite fair with fish on the surface chasing shad. Upcoming events: Nightfishing starts Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight. 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: Bass fishing is improving on plastics as the water warms. The big bass are starting to bite with fish to 11 pounds in the boat launch area and in Cabin Cove. The boat launch is open. The trout bite is still hanging an OK bite in the late morning, and early afternoons on Power Bait, rainbow Rapalas or Kastmasters. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Very good trout bite, especially in Pumphouse Cove, Fox Hole and at Chambers Park. The best action has been Power Bait or nightcrawlers. A 1,200-pound Mt. Lassen plant will go in this week. Bass bite fair on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. A number of anglers are catching trout and bass on their stringers. Mike Wolfe, El Cajon, caught a 6-8 bass and three trout. Chris Hand, El Cajon, caught a 5-8 bass and four trout just south of T-Dock. Jim Conaway, El Cajon, caught a 5-4 bass and a limit of trout. An oddball sturgeon was also caught this week. Ed Lesnoski, Valley Center, caught a 37-pounder on Power Bait off the North Jetty. The lake is open Memorial Day. Upcoming events: San Diego Fly Fishers is sponsoring Lend-A-Rod programs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. It includes free bait and tackle and fishing tips. Private boats are not allowed on the lake in order to prevent a quagga mussel outbreak. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: The crappie bite has slowed drastically, although the bite sparks occasionally for anglers using crappie jigs. The catfish bite is fair around the dock. Small bass have been landed in the shallows, right off shore on plastics. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: The shad are still just off shore, with anglers netting them in the Las Vegas wash area. Stripers are also going after shad-imitation lures. The fish are in the one- to three-pound range. Gypsum and Government Wash continue to be hot striper areas. Some trout action now on small spinners and floating baits in the evenings. The largemouth and smallmouth action is fair to good with fish to eight pounds reported in the past week, most in the one to two-pound range, in 10 feet of water. Plenty of decent-sized fish pulled out at last weekend’s bass tournament. Channel catfish bite is good in the Vegas Wash on anchovies and squid.
WILLOW BEACH: Slow to fair striper action, with very few reports from shore or boat anglers. Rainbow trout slow to fair on Power Bait, spinners, Panther Martins, Roostertails, floating baits, and salmon eggs. A group of anglers reported catching several trout fishing in the southern buoy area. 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: Shore and boat anglers are reporting good catfish and largemouth bass action. The bass have been landed on plastics, and the cats are feeding on baits fished off the bottom. An occasional trout, with anglers using Power Bait, worms and Woolly Buggers. Stripers have been landed by trollers fishing in 20 to 80 feet. Most stripers are in the one- to three-pound range with some close to 10. Crappie bite fair near El Dorado Canyon, Money Hole, and up near Willow Beach on crankbaits or anchovies. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: The trout bite is slowing, but the bite is still fair. The last plant of the spring went in three weeks ago. Also 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. The stripers are keying on shad, so swimbaits and small cranks are a good bet. The smallmouth and largemouth bass bites are fair to good, especially the smallmouth. Some bass in the three to four-pound range have been landed off the point at Six Site. Also a good redear bite with fish on beds in the Sandpoint area. 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 to good, and there are more and more largemouth showing each day. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Good flathead action with fish in the 30-pound plus range and a lot of seven to 10-pounders. 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. Bluegill are still spotty but improving. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Good overall bite. 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. Very good flathead action. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Some catfish and bass action reported. Both bites fair to good. Few reports.
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 bite at the Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is improving with a fair to good 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.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite slowed down, but still a fair number of fish showing off the east side of the sea, especially at the state park marina. Even some rumors of corvina, but no confirmed 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: No recent DFG plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Few reports. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Bridgeport Reservoir continues to be good, despite the low water levels. Boats are launching, and boat anglers have had decent success in front of the marina. Lots of quality fish up to five pounds. Twin Lakes best for shore anglers fishing floating baits in a fair bite. Alpers’ were recently planted, with a DFG plant due any day. The East Walker River bite just fair due to a flow increase. If flows stay below 300 cfs then the bite should continue. Midge hatch in the early morning. The West Walker remains fair with decent water clarity in spite of the beginning of the runoff cycle and both fly and spin anglers are scoring. Kirman remains good with most of the action on quality cutts up to 20-inches. For the East Walker River flows, you can check this website for real time data: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv?10293000. Fishing information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: June, Gull, Silver and Grant have been fair to good, with waves of better action between windy spells. Silver Lake has been fishing the best in the loop with recent larger fish being landed stripping Matukas. Most of the fish are small, but the occasional Alpers’ has been landed. Midging and stripping streamers will get you the fish. Rush Creek also fair with flows just over 50 cfs. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: Bite fair to good on Crowley with fish spread out all over. Cold water has most fish five feet off the bottom. Beaver Cove, Whiskey Bay, Big Hilton/Pelican Point, Sandy and Alligator Point are fishing the best. The Upper Owens and Big Springs are very good, and Convict-McGee (below their confluence) excellent. Nymphing or eggs patterns fished below an indicator the best bet with a lot of 18-plus inch fish. Convict Lake is good with quality fish, often over five pounds biting in the inlet and off the north and south shores on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The Mammoth Lakes have all been good with Twin Lakes ice free and still producing some quality fish. Lake Mary has opened. Lake George is mostly still ice-covered and fishing is good through the ice. Mamie also has thinning ice and fair action at the outlet. Hot Creek good for fly anglers. Mid-day dry fly action at both on midge, mayfly and caddis hatches. Rock Creek Lake still good for ice fishermen. Fishing information: The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.
BISHOP AREA: Bishop Creek is still fair to good, especially Intake II, and Sabrina Lake. Lots of open water all over at Sabrina. Boats were already on the water for Mother’s Day weekend. A few browns and rainbows are being landed on nightcrawlers, Power Bait and salmon eggs. Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) are fair to good. Fly-fishing good in the Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley. Top action on dry/dropper rigs. For flow information on the whole Owens River system, you can get information here: http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/aqueduct/showAqueductMap.ladwp?contentId=LADWP_AQUERTD_SCID. For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 (web site fish report at http://www.performanceanglers.com/fish_report.php).
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Pretty decent bite in both the lower Owens River and Diaz Lake. Plants this week at Baker, Big Pine, Cottonwood, Georges, Goodale, Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Sheperds Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Large numbers of catfish have been landed on shad. Average fish is in the three to five-pound range. The crappie bite is winding down. A few fish only on small minnows. The fish have moved to deeper water. Trout bite very good on Power bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers also scoring with Needlefish. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The Kernville area has a fair to good trout bite on salmon eggs and Blue Fox spinners. The flows are rising in the upper river, so use some more lead. Fair trout bite in the lower river. Still too cool for the bass, but the action should start to pick up as it warms. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: The action from the last trout plant is slow to fair. No more trout plants will go until next season.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Excellent striper bite on blood worms and lug worms. Very good catfish action on chicken liver and shad, with improving action as the waters warm.
HART PARK LAKE: Bluegill action good on wax worms and crickets. Good bass action on brush hogs, and Senkos. Good carp bite on dough balls. Trout action fair, but winding down, on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Bluegill action good on meal worms and crickets. Fair to good bass bite on topwater plugs in the evenings. Good carp bite on dough bait. Catfish bite picking up. Fair trout bite.
MING LAKE: Very good bluegill action on crickets and meal worms. Fair to good bass bite on Senkos, plastic worms and minnows. Good carp bite on dough bait. Fair trout action on Power Bait.
BRITE LAKE: Trout bite is fair to good on Power Bait and spinners, with boat anglers having the best success in deeper water. Shore anglers having a tougher time as the trout head deep with warming temperatures. Best shore action from the rocks on the left side of the lake. Make a long cast to deep water. Bass spotty.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good catfish bite on shad and Sonny’s. The crappie bite is fair on minnows and jigs with fish to 1-8. The bass bite has slowed down. Bluegill bite good on wax worms.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair to good bluegill action on wax worms and crickets. Bass bite good on minnows and plastics. Good carp bite on dough bait.
SUCCESS LAKE: Very slow. Little to no bite. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair crappie bite on small minnows. Fair bass action on Senkos. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Very good crappie bite on jigs and minnows. 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 limit with largemouth to five pounds on some stringers. The early morning bite, from sunrise to 8 a.m. is best. Fair to good trout bite on Power Bait or worms. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river. DFG trout plant last week. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Continued 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. Fair white bass bite. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Very good crappie bite on jigs. Bass action very good on jigs, nightcrawlers or plastic worms, especially in Wittenberg Canyon. Good bluegill, perch 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 and silver Kastmasters. Most fish are under the two-pound mark. DFG trout plant last 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: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Jackson Lake, Legg Lakes, Puddingstone Lake, San Gabriel River (East and West Forks) and Santa Fe Reservoir,
ORANGE: Trabuco Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake and Perris Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Lytle Creek (Middle Fork), Miller Canyon Creek, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake 2), Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Sheperds Creek, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Virginia Creek and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).

CATFISH PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be stocked this week with one-pound channel catfish by the Department of Fish and Game.
SAN DIEGO: Chollas Lake, Lindo Lake, Murray Lake.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

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

CHANNEL ISLANDS WHITE SEABASS: Anglers aboard the Aloha Spirit and Cobra are getting into the white seabass in the Channel Islands. There is a very good volume of fish with an 18 to 23 pounds average. As with all the seabass bites along the coast, live squid have been the key. But bait in this region has been easy to get. The bite is also breaking open with some barracuda starting to move up into this region, and there is a beginning pick on the calico bass. Spring has finally arrived. Oh, and if you want to fill the ice chest, the rockfish action is still excellent.
CATALINA ISLAND WHITE SEABASS: Catalina Island came alive this past week going into Monday’s full moon. Good weather and tide translated into excellent white seabass action with fish to 61 pounds reported in the past week. The action was really good for private boaters and anglers on six-pack charters. Not only was it limit-style fishing, but there was a full limit of boats at Catalina over the weekend, making it almost impossible to find a decent spot to fish on the weekend.
SAN CLEMENTE, CORONADOS YELLOWTAIL: The bigger yellowtail kicked into gear at San Clemente Island this past week. While the bite wasn’t wide open, most of the major sportfishing boats from Los Angeles and Orange County landings were able to get anglers into at least a few fish on these trips. The good news is they yellowtail were all quality fish from 15 to 35 pounds with a solid 22 to 23-pound average. While San Diego-based boats were also hitting Clemente, the bite here was almost completely on live squid, and the San Diego boats just had finfish. The bite was also just starting to pick up on the Coronado Islands for those San Diego boats and the finfish were working there, with a few yellows per boat posted in the dock counts. Mixed in with the yellows and in better volume were quality bonito. The bones average six to eight pounds with some to an honest 16 pounds.
THREE SPOTS OF BARRACUDA: There are three major spots of barracuda along the coast this week and sometimes there have been breaking fish coving a half-mile of ocean. These are mostly quality fish from four to eight pounds. The first patch of fish has been in the San Diego region right of La Jolla, the second off Huntington Beach around the oil rigs, and the third in the Santa Monica Bay and Redondo beach areas with good action on the tidal swings at all three spots. Scattered schools of fish are showing all the way up into the Channel Islands, however. Keep a rod handy.
LONG RANGE: The Excel just returned from a 16-day trip this week and anglers on board were treated to good tuna fishing on quality yellowfin fishing on porpoise schools. There were a lot of fish to 200 pounds with some pushing the 300-pound mark.
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. 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.

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

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

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

RECENT BIG CATCHES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 26, 2008 - Bryan Friedman, Walnut, with a 4 1/2-pound Alpers Trout caught opening day of trout fishing in the Eastern Sierra at Intake II on Bishop Creek.

April 26, 2008 - Wilton (Big Willie) Mays of Pacoima landed this 35-pound flathead catfish just before dawn while fishing in the Colorado River using a live redear for bait.

April 26, 2008 - Mike Martinez, Moreno Valley, with the largest trout reported in the Eastern Sierra for the 2008 trout opener. The 9-pound, 15-ounce rainbow trout was caught at Convict Lake on a small jig at 5:30 a.m.

April 26, 2008 - Andy Hall, Highland, holds a 1 1/2-pound rainbow he caught and released on Hilton Creek opening weekend in the Eastern Sierra.

April 26, 2008 - Don McLaughlin, Thousand Oaks, with a 2 1/2-pound brown trout from Lake Sabrina, on a gold Kastmastr through the ice.

April 24, 2008 - Marcos Perez, Corona, with an 18 1/4-pound rainbow trout from Corona Lake.

April 21, 2008 -  Se Ier of Long Beach with a couple of striped bass caught from shore at Lake Silverwood near the dam.

April 20, 2008 - Steve England of Mission Viejo caught this 10-0 brown trout on a Thomas Buoyant at Woody's Cove of Irvine Lake.

April 20, 2008 - Santiago Palacios of La Puente with an 80-pound sturgeon caught at Corona Lake.

April 20, 2008 - Emily Kropko, Perris, caught a pair of rainbows at 1-6 and 1-4, one on a lure and one on Power Bait at Silverwood Lake.

April 18, 2008 - MarkOehlerking of Irvine with a 12-pound brown trout caught at Santa Ana River Lakes.

April 17, 2008 - Corona Lake produced these five Lightning Trout for Brian Scrivens of West Covina on chartreuse Nitro Bait at the dam.

April 16, 2008 - Proof that crappie bites are kicking into gear all over Southern California, Todd Johnson of Long Beach shows off two crappie approaching two pounds each he caught at Diamond Valley Lake's east dam.

April 14, 2008 - Rich Garcia of Beaumont with a 9.02-pound bass from Diamond Valley Lake's south shoreline while fishing in 15 to 20 feet of water using a jig.

April 10, 2008 - Nestor Valladares, Fontana, with a 17 1/2-pound rainbow caught at Corona Lake.

April 4, 2008 - Sonny Carbajal of Los Angeles with a 10.1-pound trout caught on a chartreuse nitro worm at Santa Ana River Lakes.

April 3, 2008 - Arturo Velazquez of West Covina caught this 12-8 trout on chartreuse nitro with garlic gravy at Santa Ana River Lakes.

April 1, 2008 - Nhan Doan, Moreno Valley, Ca, with an 11.2-pound largemouth from Lake Perris caught on a Triple Trout swimbait from shore.

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.