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June 11, 2008
JIM
MATTHEWS’
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Diamond Valley Lake
continues to be wide open for the bass and trout. The best bass action
has been in five to 20 feet and the fish are primarily from three to
five pounds but a whopping 15-pounder was caught this past week.
Swimbaits, Creature Baits, and plastic worms are best. For an update,
call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle at
951-658-7410.
2. Big Bear Lake is very good for trout with a lot of quality fish
planted for the May Trout Classic showing each week. Limits are pretty
easy from trollers or bait anglers, and most stringers could have a real
quality fish over four pounds. For an update on the best action call Big
Bear Marina at 909-866-3218 or Big Bear Sporting Goods at 909-866-3222.
3. This stays our No. 3 sleeper pick. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea
continues pretty good with some groups reporting 75- to 100-fish
stringers from the state park marina. These are mostly 1/2 to
3/4-pounders. The tilapia are showing along many shoreline areas in good
numbers and most are being caught on pieces of nightcrawlers. For an
update, check with the Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station
at 760-393-3052.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Generally good fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada with
Bridgeport Reservoir and Crowley Lake perhaps the two top spots to fish.
The East Walker River is also an excellent bet for experienced fly
anglers, and most of the region is good. The Bishop Creek drainage was
planted with Alpers trout to eight pounds last week and bites are good
throughout the drainage. In Southern California, 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.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Diamond Valley, Casitas, Perris, Skinner, Castaic,
Cachuma, Isabella, Piru, Sutherland, San Vicente, and Lower Otay all
have improved in recent days and have pretty good bites again.
Silverwood and Pyramid just slow to 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 pretty good, too.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood, Skinner, and Castaic get the top billing here
this week with a very good bites at all three. Pyramid is fair to good.
A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too. 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.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are fair to good wherever these
panfish occur. Top bets include Perris, Lower Otay, Casitas, and Diamond
Valley, but bites are good on bluegill just about everywhere. Most of
the good crappie bites have all but died, but there is still fair action
at Elsinore.
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. Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lakes both
kicked off their catfish season with plants two weeks ago and the bite
is very good at both places. Irvine Lake started its catfish planting
season this past week, and it is starting to take off, too. All of the
San Bernardino County Park lakes are being planted each week now.
Diamond Valley still has a pretty good bite. The lower Colorado River
and river backwater, ditches, and canals have been consistently good
with both flatheads and channels showing in the catch. There was a
42-pound flathead reported this week.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Very good striper bite all over the lake, especially in the
spillway and in Outhouse Cove on anchovies and swimbaits. Top striper
14.3-pounder caught by Gerard Smith, Oak Hills, off the shoreline. James
Johnson, Temecula, landed a 5.6-pound striper. Largemouth bass bite good
on plastics by the docks. Rex Fontanoza, Fontana, caught a three-pound
largemouth. Catfish fishing very good by the dam, in all the coves and
off the docks on mackerel, nightcrawles, chicken liver and shrimp.
Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood
Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Rainbow trout bite very good 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 from the
observatory to Lagonita Point. The fish are in the four to six-pound
range. Josh Cavaliere, Lake Elsinore, and Adam Cole, Highland, caught
6.91 and 6.32-pound trout respectively. DFG trout plant last week.
Smallmouth bass have been landed on spinner and chatterbait with fish to
two pounds. 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 last week. Information:
909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. 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 last
week. Trout bite slow to 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 planters. DFG plant
two weeks ago. The bass action has been fair, but most of the fish are
small. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Catfish and sturgeon seasons are in full swing. The cats
are being planted twice a week (Monday and Thursday) 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. 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: Trout action remained decent this week with fair to good
action on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, jigs and lures. Hot spots include
the eastern and western shores of lake 3 as well as the northern and
western shores of lake 2. Hot spots for bass were the southern end of
lake 2 at the wall and the western shore near the bridge and the
northern end near the pump house of lake 3. Bluegill are taking meal
worms and nightcrawlers. Hot spots include the western shore of lake 2
and the northern shore of lake 3. 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: Fair to good trout bite on Power Bait (rainbow, red,
white and blue, and orange), nightcrawlers and plastic trout worms.
Action is best in Horseshoe Lake and in the cattails with fish to six
pounds. Fair to good catfish bite on meal worms, nightcrawlers and stink
in Pelican. County catfish plants go in every week. Information:
760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Fair
trout action with a few limits reported on Power Bait, jigs, and
nightcrawlers. Most of the fish are from one to two pounds. County
catfish plants each week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish fishing has been fair this past week with the majority of
the fish in the one to two-pound range. Best baits have been shrinp,
nightcrawler, and m&m (marshmellow & meal worm). Catfish plants are
weekly now. All other species are slow. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Very good bluegill bite with fish up to a pound reported.
Mostly half-pounders on stringers, however. Catfish bite is fair to
good, and there are now weekly county plants with channels to two pounds
planted. Fair bite on carp and a few bass also showing. Still fair trout
action this week with the best bite on Power Bait, mini-jigs, and small
trout plastics with most of the fish in the one to 1 1/2-pound range.
Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Catfish action fair to good, and the channels are going in
every week now. 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. 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: Very good bass bite with anglers reporting up to 40 fish
in the three to five-pound range on anything plastic. Most bass have
been holding down 10 to 25 feet. Baby Brush Hogs, lizards, fat Ikas and
Senkos. Jesse Mena, Hemet, landed a 15.06-pound largemouth on a crawdad
in the third cove. Jeff Alley, Palm Desert, caught and released 35 fish,
and his best was a seven-pounder. Rick Viefhouse, Grand Terrace, caught
a 5.9-pound bass. The trout have moved west and the bite is good for
boaters trolling nightcrawlers, Rapalas, Excel lures, or Needlefish in
30 feet of water. The west dam, saddle dam, and around restroom 3 have
all consistently produced rainbows. There were no stripers reported this
week. Fair catfish fishing. Hot spots are in the third cove and near the
east dam or wave attenuator. Top baits include anchovies, mackerel, and
raw shrimp. Very few panfish reports this week, but anglers are fishing
along the dams, especially near the stairways on live worms, are getting
some quality panfish to a pound or better. Lake information:
800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle
951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Lots of bluegill reported around the island on crickets and
worms. Improving bass bite on plastic worms and jigs off the south end
and Bernasconi Beach. Bob Branch, Moreno Valley, had five fish to 4 1/2
pounds early last week and 10 bass to three pounds on Friday. David
Edgar, Orange, caught a three-pound bass. Fish are mostly in 12 to 22
feet of water. Trout action fair to good on nightcrawlers and Power Bait
off the south end. 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 striper bite with fish from three to six pounds, and
a few over 10. Anchovies and mackerel are the best bets with the most
reported action in the inlet. Mark Ferris, Beaumont, landed a 6
1/2-pound striper on anchovies. Good to excellent largemouth bass bite
on plastic worms in the reeds and off the east end. Rich Snare, Hemet,
landed a 3 1/2-pound largemouth bass on nightcrawlers off the east end.
Bluegill action fair to good with fish to a pound. Nightcrawlers, red
and meal worms are best baits with most fish reported off the east end.
Catfish bite fair to good on chicken liver, mackerel and shrimp. Daniel
Ruppel, Menifee, caught an eight-pound catfish. Information: store
951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: Crappie action fair to good on nightcrawlers and small
jigs off the west side marina, but the bite slowed from the blazing
pace. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair to good 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: There was very good catfish action again this week with a
few quality fish and lots of pan-sized cats reported. The trout bite
slowed considerably with the warm weather, but some are still being
caught in the deep water. Tilapia are also making an appearance for
anglers in the south end of the lake. The catfish bite has been best on
a variety of baits with mackerel doused garlic Crave Gravy,
nightcrawlers, and shrimp with Gravy all good bets. The best action for
catfish has been in the south end of the lake near the trees. The top
catch this week were 10-8 and 7-8 catfish landed by Logen Booker,
Rialto. Triston Labensommer, Temecula, caught a 9-8 catfish. For trout,
Brian Scarloz, Ontario, showed that the trout are still there, landing
10 rainbows totaling 18-0 using Power Bait and nightcrawlers fishing
behind the bait shop. Catfish plants weekly, and there is also 24-hour
fishing now every Friday and Saturday night. Information: 951-277-4489
or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: While the overall action has been tough, persistent bass
anglers have been getting some good fish off the east end of the lake
along the flooded tree roots right along the shore. Action on other
species is spotty, with a few carp and catfish showing, and quite a few
very small panfish tight to the bank.
RANCHO JURUPA: Catfish season is in full swing with the second plant of
the season going in this week. Fair to good bite on mackerel or shrimp.
Cats should be planted every other week through the summer. Trout action
slow with only a few fish showing on Power Bait and worms. Information:
951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair catfish bite from all three lakes on pieces of
nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel or anchovies. Catfish plants go in
every other week. Upcoming events: fishing derby every Saturday from 7
a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed, perhaps permanently.
REFLECTION LAKE: No more trout plants this season. The trout bite
slowing with only a few fish showing 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 double plant will go in this week for
Father’s Day. 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: Good trout action with a lot of quick limits reported for
both shore and boat anglers. Top action on floating baits, with scent
added, Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyants, small jigs, and inflated
nightcrawlers. Most of the rainbows are 1/2 to 1 1/4 pounds with some
bigger. DFG trout plant last week. Fair to good bass action with the
best action on plastics and crawdads. Some bullhead and catfish action
also staring. 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: There has been a very good catfish bite with lots
of limits were reported on shrimp or chicken liver with Nitro Gravy.
Tony Truong, Torrance, had a 6-8 channel and his five-fish limit totaled
20-8. He was fishing with shrimp dipped in gravy at the pump house.
Gillian McFarland, Pinedale, WY, caught a limit of catfish totaling 14
pounds with fish to four pounds. Steve Guererro, Brea, caught a 15-fish
stringer totaling 30 pounds with a five-pounder topping the catch. The
trout action has slowed considerably, but some fish are still showing in
the deep water. Orange or chartreuse Nitro Bait has been the best bet
for trout. Boat anglers are having a much easier time fishing the deep
water and have been having the best success. Anglers fishing from shore
need to fish long leaders (four-foot range) with floating baits and make
long casts into the deeper water for best results. Catfish plants will
be weekly all summer, and trophy fish from eight to 15 pounds will a
component of each week’s plant. The average cat will be in the two-pound
range. The 24-hour passes are now available every Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday night. 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: Thousands of pounds of channel catfish were planted last
week, and a big fish was landed. Rick Skills, Anaheim, caught a
31.9-pound catfish on shrimp at the Santiago Flats. Catfish bite good
with daytime anglers reporting fish in the two to six-pound range on
mackerel, shrimp or Gulp. Alex Benton, Long Beach, caught a 13.06-pound
channel catfish on mackerel at the flats. Varian Virgen, Anaheim, caught
a six-pound channel catfish on shrimp near the docks. Ronson “Catmando”
Smothers, Los Angeles, caught a six-pound channel catfish on Catmando at
the flats. Philip Campbell, Chino, landed a five-catfish limit totaling
18.06 pounds on shrimp. Any angler that lands a 20-pound catfish or
bigger will receive a free pass into the lake. No limit trout fishing
has started and will continue through the summer. The bite is good on
Rapalas, Needlefish or nightcrawlers near the dam and off the west
shore. Bass bite fair on worms or topwater baits with fish from three to
six pounds. Crappie action fair for trollers using small crankbaits.
Bluegill bite fair on wax or meal worms near the docks. The lake’s hours
are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday nightfishing season begins this
week. Information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Bass bite fair to good with fish in the one to
four-pound range. Crankbaits and topwater baits in the early mornings
and late evenings are catching fish. Good catfish action on mackerel,
nightcrawlers and meal worms fished with a marshmallow. Crappie and
bluegill good on assorted crappie jigs, nightcrawlers and meal worms
fished below a bobber. The trout bite is fair to good on inflated
nightcrawlers and Power Bait. 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 to good trout bite. The trout are from 1 1/2 to two
pounds, with some over six pounds. Bait anglers are using rainbow Power
Bait and nightcrawlers. Best trout spots include 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 bass bite is very good with anglers catching fish over 10
pounds on swimbaits, nightcrawlers and plastic worms. Not too much
action on live shad, however. Top fish was a 13-pound bass by Steven
Lindsay, Santa Paula, on a crankbait. Russ Wright, Ojai, caught a
10-pound bass. Pifa Victoria, Oxnard, landed a nine-pounder as did
Robert Bernstein, Ventura. Randy Zilla, Ventura, caught an eight-pound
bass on a plastic worm, while Jordan Butler, 7, Ojai, caught a six-pound
bass. His first fish. Slow to fair trout bite, although a DFG trout
plant went in two weeks ago and has helped the action. Jim Mason, Oak
View, caught a three-pound trout on live shad. Surface water temps are
too warm for the trout 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, but the bite is getting tougher with the
absence of live shad. Roger Snowbarger, Ojai, caught four crappie.
Average fish was 2 1/2 pounds. Catfish bite very slow. 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: The stripers are dominating the action with a good bite and a
few fish over 20 pounds. The hot spot for the stripers have been in Fish
Arm on frozen shad all over the lake. David Gutierrez, Oxnard, caught a
seven-pound striper on frozen shad. Ken Hemer, Castaic, also landed a
seven-pound striper. Last week’s 3,000-pound trout plant at the main
ramp and lagoon brought kept the trout action fair to good on Power Bait
and nightcrawlers. Catfish fishing fair with a few fish reported in the
early morning along shore. A few carp showing up on stringers, too.
Dough bait will do the trick. 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 two weeks ago. 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: Very good bass bite for anglers throwing jigs and plastics up
shallow. Fair trout action on Power Bait, anchovies and nightcrawlers.
Only a few holdovers. 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.
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 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. 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 catfish plant two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant last week
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG catfish plant last week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago. Information:
888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago. Information:
213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: No recent plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG catfish plant two weeks 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 catfish plant last week. Information:
818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Bass and bluegill bites perked and the action is very good for
both species. This week 201 anglers checked 4,024 bass, 274 bluegill and
38 crappie. Reservations for July available through Tickemaster June 10.
Call (619) 220-8497. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or
www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Fair bass and bluegill action. Slowing bass and bluegill bite.
This week 140 anglers checked reported 70 bass, 64 bluegill, six crappie
and four channel catfish. John Curry, San Marcos, caught a 3.85-pound
largemouth bass in Bernardo Bay. 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: Good bass and fair bluegill and crappie bites. This week 169
anglers reported 336 bass, 187 bluegill, 125 crappie, eight channel
catfish and seven blue catfish. The lake will be open Thursday, Friday
and Saturday 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 just keeps getting better. Fair
improvement in the bass bite. This week 218 anglers reported 756
bluegill, 326 bass, 16 channel catfish and 11 rainbow trout. Geoff
Pierce, Spring Valley, caught a 7.40-pound largemouth bass on plastic
worms in Otay Arm. 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: Improving bass bite with fair to good action. This week 25
anglers reported 59 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: Good bass action. This week 87 anglers reported 292
bluegill, 207 bass, 50 redear, 15 crappie and six channel catfish. 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: Bluegill bite slowed to a pick. This week 93 anglers checked
reported 20 bluegill, 10 rainbow trout, three bass and two channel
catfish. DFG catfish plant this week. 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 59 anglers checked reported 24 bass, 18 bluegill,
three rainbow trout and one channel catfish. The lake is open for
fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals available Saturday and Sunday
only. The launch ramp and boat dock are temporarily closed due to low
water levels. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Catfish fishing just fair. Bass action sparked and stole the
show. This week 41 anglers reported 113 bass, four channel catfish,
three crappie, two bluegill and one blue catfish. Cris Cornette, Julian,
caught a 6.25-pound largemouth bass. Andrew Khamsy, San Diego, landed a
5.90-pound largemouth on plastics off the east bank. 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: Very good largemouth bass action with the fish out of their
post-spawn funk and feeding pretty aggressively. Swim baits, crawdads,
plastics, and golden shiners have all been productive. The Senior
Shoreline is the hot producing area. Jay Norton, Valley Center, caught
an 8-6 bass. Joey Mayerchik, Valley Center, caught an eight-pound bass
on a pink plastic worm. Trout action has been fair, but with the last
plant of the season on May 14 and the warming water conditions, that
bite won’t last for much longer. Top action has been on inflated
nightcrawlers, marshmallows, yellow Power Bait, and yellow Power Worms
fished on light line and No. 14 or smaller treble hooks. Boat Dock Cove
and Willow Cove have been the best spots. The crappie have moved in
tight to the bank and a few scrappy ones have been landed. The fish are
fairly shallow. Small golden shiners and crappie jigs are a hit. A few
bluegill showing in Oakvale Cove. The catfish fishing is fair to good on
mackerel, chicken liver, nightcrawlers and shrimp. A 2,000-pound plant
of channel catfish will go in Thursday, June 26. A few carp biting on
dough balls. There is a temporary ban on private boat launching,
including canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and
anchors due to quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information:
760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
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. 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 bass bite is fair between Boulder Bay and the East End of the
log boom. Not too much reported trout action. Jason Sundquist, Poway,
caught a 6.5-pound trout on a Robo worm. A few bluegill biting in Hidden
Bay on meal worms. Mike Mills, Poway, caught a one-pound bluegill. The
lake is open for fishing Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset.
No outside boats are allowed on the lake due to quagga mussel fears.
Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line
858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfish fishing fair. Most action reported especially in
Hermit and Half Moon Coves. Nightcrawlers and mackerel were the top
choices, with plastic worms best at night. Catfish plants last week with
plants on June 23, July 14, July 28 and Aug. 11. Some decent trout in
Half Moon and Sentry Coves on nightcrawlers, drifted about 40 to 80 feet
down. Bass bite fair with fish on the surface, near the bank at night.
Bass in 15 to 30 feet during the day on shad. Bobby Mathews, San Diego,
caught a 6-8 largemouth. Mike Coronado, San Diego, landed an eight-pound
largemouth on worms. The lake is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.,
Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30
p.m. Upcoming events: Free fishing class Sunday at 1 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 on with 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: Mt. Lassen and DFG plants went in last. Very good trout bite
on nightcrawler. Bass are in the shallows on plastic worms. 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 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 on nightcrawlers. Ryan Richie and Coy Coleman, San
Diego, caught a four-pound catfish. Small bass have been landed in the
shallows, right off shore on plastics. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Fair to good striper action in the back of Vegas Wash and in
Boxcar Cove, but most of the fish are small. There is also a decent bite
on the smaller fish in Black Canyon and near the dam. Smallmouth bass
are still actively taking almost any bait.
WILLOW BEACH: Continued fair to good trout action on spinners, salmon
eggs, or floating baits. Some fish to three pounds. Stripers still
spotty. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Boat anglers are catching stripers trolling in 20 to 80
feet of water just outside of coves. Shore anglers are catching fish in
the mouths of coves near the marina. Night fishing has been the most
successful, although anglers are catching fish in the early morning and
late afternoon hours as well. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: 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. Trout very slow.
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: Good largemouth bass and catfish action. Cats to nine
pounds have been reported in the past week. The bass are on top early
and late in the day and on live bait or plastics later in the day. Cats
best on cut bait or prepared catfish baits. Some bluegill around
structure. The key is to find a school of fish. Crappie, stripers slow.
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 and bigger reported this week. Robert Rauch,
Riverside, caught a seven-pound bass Wednesday morning on tube bait from
a local ditch. There was also a nine-pound bass caught Tuesday. Bluegill
are fair to good in most backwaters. 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. Brian
Cummings, Inglewood, landed a 42-pounder from a local canal on Saturday.
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: Tilapia bite is good all along the state park beaches with
many anglers reporting catches of 50 to 100 fish each. While the fish
are mostly in the half-pound range, there are lots of them. The marina
area has been particularly good. Information: Salton Sea State
Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052. Weather information:
760-352-3360, Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast
760-398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and
tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the
odd bass has been reported.
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 remains low, but the fishing
action is very good to excellent. Anglers are having 20 to 30 fish
catch-and-release days with the average trout in the 1 1/2 to two-pound
range with fish to four or five pounds each week. The shore action is
getting tougher now that the fish have mostly moved off Rainbow Point,
but bait anglers, trollers, and fly-fishermen working from boats and
float tubes are seeing good fishing. The midge action is just starting
to take off for the fly guys. Nico Robles, 4, Bridgeport, caught a 4-7
rainbow in Bridgeport Reservoir. Steve Amendson, Bridgeport, also landed
one that same size. The East Walker River is excellent with flows at 177
cfs much of the past week with the best bite on caddis larva or midge
patterns fished below a strike indicator with a late-eveining caddis
surface bite. Lots of 18 to 22-inch fish. Kirman has been good for
cutthroats, and other walk-in lakes – Roosevelt, Lane, Secret, and Poore
– are now accessible and the fishing has been pretty decent. Higher
elevation stuff is still locked up. Virginia Lakes are very good. Big
Virginia’s ice went out about a week ago and the fly and bait bite is
good. Twin Lakes have also been good with a lot of pan-sized trout, but
rainbows to 5 1/2 pounds have been reported in the past week and some
two to four-pound browns have also been landed. 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 or
www.kenssport.com.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Trout action is generally fair to good throughout the
June Lake Loop. Gull is still producing some of the browns planted
earlier this year, but the bite is tougher now, but lots of rainbow
showing early and late in the day. Silver, June and Grant have a fair
Alpers’ trout bite with the best bet at the inlets. The hot ticked in
Silver has been trolling in 25 feet of water, and drifting and shore
fishing with nightcrawlers has been the ticket in June. For fly anglers,
June and Silver continue to have good midge hatches in the mornings and
evenings. However, when the wind picks up things slow down. The lakes
will be receiving regular DFG and Alpers’ plants throughout the season.
Flows are down and the water has cleared at Rush Creek. Nymphing is
best. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake
Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: Crowley Lake remains good to excellent for anglers
trolling, fishing bait from boat or shore, or fly-fishing. Trollers are
working from Aligator Point to the SS Relief with the bigger fish to
five pounds in 20 to 30 feet of water. Smaller fish from 1-8 to 2-8
shallower. Rainbows, cutthroats, and brown trout all showing. Shore bait
action is best in McGee and Hilton Creek bays and off Green Banks. Fly
anglers are mostly fishing black and gray midge patterns in No. 14 and
16 off Sandy Point and in McGee in eight to 14 feet of water. Upper
Owens above Benton Crossing bridge is excellent for fly anglers tossing
caddis dries or fishing nymphs under a strike indicator. Below the
bridge, the planted trout action is very good. Hot Creek is good to
excellent the yellow sally stonefly hatch started this week and it is
providing very good action on No. 14 or 16 yellow stones. Good stocker
trout action in Mammoth Creek and all the Mammoth Lakes – Mary, Mamie,
Gull, and George all producing fish. The road to the San Joaquin opened
this past Saturday, and while the San Joaquin River is high and still a
little tough, Sotcher and Starkweather lakes both are very good with
fish to 3 1/2 pounds reported. 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. Fishing information: Crowley
Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301 or www.CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com. The
Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, or
Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 or www.performanceanglers.com.
BISHOP AREA: Sabrina Lake has been very good, especially in the inlets.
Top fish reported was a five-pound rainbow caught by Brad Garrett. Jason
Speed, Agoura, caught a 4 1/2-pounder, while Lee Bell, Bishop, and Doran
Follis, Santa Ana, each had 3 3/4-pounders. Lori Carnahan, Sky Valley,
landed a 3 1/4-pound brown. The Bishop Creek Canyon Summer Classic
Tagged Trout Derby will run through June 30. Registion and a $5 entry
fee is required to participate, but all of the stores and landings in
the Bishop Creek drainage, and most of the tackle and fly shops in
Bishop have sign-up forms. Tagged fish will be worth from $50 to $500
with five $500 tagged fish. The Piute Palace and Adopt-a-Creek are also
sponsoring the “Cash of the Day” event where tagged fish are planted in
Intake II, North Lake, and Bishop Creek. Anglers can redeem these tagged
fish at the Piute Palace for cash. Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fair to
good. Bishop Creek and Intake II planted this week, and the bite is fair
to good. The lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and
below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) has poor conditions with extremely high
water. For flow information on the whole Owens River system, you can get
information here: http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/aqueduct/showAqueductMap.ladwp?contentId=LADWP_AQUERTD_SCID.
For fishing information: Culver's 760-872- 8361, Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Pretty decent bite in both the lower Owens
River and Diaz Lake. Plants this week at Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek,
Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence
Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha),
Sheperds Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and 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
slowed way down with only a few pockets of fish in deeper water
producing. 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. Dan Anderson, Bakersfield, landed a six-pound
catfish. This bite can turn on and off depending on flows, moon phases,
and weather conditions.
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 inlet. DFG trout plant two
weeks ago. 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 and redear action on meal and wax worms. The cool weather this
past week shut down the morning panfish action, but there has continued
to be a good afternoon bite, especially off the fishing dock at the
marina parking lot. 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 two weeks ago. 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: Cuddy Creek.
VENTURA: Reyes Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Strawberry Creek.
SAN BERNARDINO: Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River (South Fork).
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake, Doane Pond.
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,
North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Pleasant Valley Reservoir,
Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Sheperds Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha
Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant
Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lake George, Lake Mamie, Lake
Mary, Lee Vining Creek, lower Twin Lakes, lower Virginia Lake, Lundy
Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek
from French Camp to upper bridge at Rock Creek Lodge, Rock Creek from
Paradise Lodge to Tuff Campground, Rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver
Lake, Twin Lakes, upper Owens River from Benton Crossing to Crowley
Lake, upper Twin Lakes, upper Virginia Lake,Virginia Creek, Walker River
Little, West Walker River Section 2, West Walker River Section 3.
FRESNO: Big Creek near Huntington, Courtright Reservoir, Dinkey Creek,
Hume Lake, Huntington Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir,
Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, Rancheria Creek, San Joaquin River below the
Friant Dam, South Fork of San Joaquin, Tamarack Creek, Tenmile Creek,
Ward Lake.
KERN: Alder Creek, Kern River from Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Kern
River from Powerhouse #3 to Riverside Park, Kernville, Kern River from
Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach.
MADERA: California Creek, Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Granite Creek, Lewis
Creek, Lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake, Rock Creek, South Fork of
Willow Creek, Upper Big Creek, Chiquito Creek (West Fork).
MARIPOSA: McSwain Reservoir, Merced River downstream of Redbud Bridge.
MERCED: Merced River from McSwain Dam to Merced Falls, Yosemite Lake.
MONTEREY: Lower Nacimiento River.
STANLISLAUS: Main Stanislaus River, Tuolumne River.
TULARE: Big Meadows Creekm, Dry Meadow Creek, Hedrick Pond Campground
pond, Kern River from Bush Creek to Fairview Dam, Kern River from
Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge, North Fork of Middle Fork Tule
River at Wishon Campground, Peppermint Creek (lower), Peppermint Creek
(upper), Poso Creek, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp
Nelson, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Ceder Slopes, Stoney
Creek, White River.
STANISLAUS: Main Stanislaus River, Tuolumne River.
TUOLUMNE: Basin Creek, Beaver Creek, Deadman Creek, Herring Creek,
Herring Creek Reservoir, Lyons Canal, Lyons Reservoir, Middle Fork of
the Stanislaus River, Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River, Moccasin Creek,
North Fork of the Stanislaus River, North Fork of the Tuolumne River,
Pinecrest Lake, Powerhouse Stream, South Fork of the Stanislaus River,
South Fork of the Tuolumne River, Stanislaus River Clark Fork.
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 Reservoir, Lindo Lake, Murray Reservoir.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman
www.976-TUNA.com
CHANNEL ISLANDS UPDATE: Wind was the culprit for the slow fishing in
recent days, but with the return of good weather, look for a big
rebound. There are a lot of white seabass in the Channel Islands along
with calico bass and halibut. It shouldn't be too long until the
barracuda show up and, shortly thereafter, the sand bass. Of course,
great eating rockfish are always plentiful.
LOS ANGELES LANDINGS UPDATE: Catalina Island seems ready to bust wide
open. There is a huge spread of white seabass, mixed with yellowtail, at
the island. With the good weather forecast and warming water temps,
things seem on the verge of busting wide open. The calico bass bite has
been quite good at the island, and that is always a precursor for more
surface action. San Clemente Island has been tough to reach because of
windy weather. This is yet another place that could bust open with good
weather. There are lots of yellowtail and a wide open calico bass here.
But the yellows are not biting much. The schools of white seabass have
also not been on the feed. If weather and the next full moon coincide at
the same time – watch out. In the Santa Monica Bay, there has been up
and down barracuda fishing. When it has been hot, it's been red hot.
Calico and sand bass fishing has been up and down on the Horseshoe Kelp,
but at times, it has been wide open, too.
ORANGE COUNTY LANDINGS UPDATE: Nice barracuda fishing has been the rule
although these snakes do take a day or two off, now and then. For the
most part, boats from Newport, Dana Point, and Oceanside have been all
over the gar. Best way to take them is on the iron (lures). Calico bass
fishing along the Orange County coast has been quite good on most days
too. Light line with Blackwater fluorocarbon combined with a good, hot
bait has bee a fantastic way to get a bite. There have been a few
yellowtail zooming around locally, too, so that action may be in out
future.
SAN DIEGO UPDATE: Anglers aboard the Excel braved some poor weather a
couple of hundred miles from San Diego for 24 albacore in the past week,
and fishermen on the Royal Polaris have been getting a piece of albie
and bluefin, too. But conditions have been horrible. Look for the long
rage scores to rock shortly as the weather comes down. Still no albacore
or bluefin tuna in one-day range of San Diego, but the weather has been
so rough, no one has been able to look around. With much nicer weather
now, look for some tuna to start being taken really soon. Closer to
port, a ton of yellowtail have moved in to the Coronado Islands, but
they remain reluctant to bite full speed. That too may only be a matter
of time. For now, the name of the game for the local and Coronado fleet
is just a pick on the yellows (and not a very good one), a shot of
barracuda now and then, decent bonito fishing, and some decent calico
bass fishing. With better tides going into next Wednesday full moon,
this could be the best fishing weekend of the year.
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 a two-day trip aboard the Grande out
of San Diego on June 15 for albacore. This one is $275. 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. |
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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.
June 8, 2008 - Alex Benton of Long Beach
nailed this 13.06 pound channel catfish on Irvine Lake's Santiago
Flats while fishing mackerel.
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June 7, 2008 - this 42-pound flathead was
caught by Brian Cummings, Inglewood, from the Colorado River - Palo
Verde area on a bluegill.
June 7, 2008 - Lee Bell of Bishop caught
this 3-3/4 pound rainbow at Lake Sabrina on rainbow Gulp.
June 7, 2008 - Lori Carnahan, Sky Valley,
caught this 3 1/4-pound brown trout at Lake Sabrina on a Rapala.
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June 6, 2008 - Mike Mills of Poway caught
this 1-0 bluegill on a Meal Worm in Hidden Bay at Lake Poway.
May 30, 2008 - Taxidermist Jeff Soto,
Riverside, fished Evans Lake (Fairmount Park, Riverside) on Friday
morning and caught and released five bass to six pounds in two hours
of fishing.
May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Philip
Friedman of Torrance while at Catalina Island Caught this 50-pound
class white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rods with
Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.
May 24, 2008 - Philip
Friedman, Jr. of Torrance caught this 50-pound class white seabass
while at Catalina Island. He was fishing a live squid on a Seeker
rod with sn Avet SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound Berkley fishing line.
May 24, 2008 - 976-TUNA.com's Terrence Berg
of La Mirada was at Catalina Island when he caught this 60- pound class
white seabass while soaking a live squid on a Seeker rod with an Avet
SX reel spooled with fresh 20-pound test Berkley fishing line.
May 23, 2008 - Pedro Villa of Anaheim
caught this 10-0 rainbow on a nightcrawler with garlic gravy at the
sandy beach of Santa Ana River Lakes.
 
May 18, 2008 - Brian Cummings, Inglewood, (top) with a 25-pound
flathead catfish and Tony Ferguson, Riverside, (above) with a
30-pound flathead catfish. Both were landed on the Colorado River. They were
fishing live bluegill in the Palo Verde region.
May 17, 2008 - Robert Sloan of Valley
Center with a 7.62-pound bass caught on a plastic worm near
restroom No. 2 at Diamond Valley Lake.
May 15, 2008 - Kevin Deemer of Hemet with
6-0 and 5-0 bass caught on jerkbaits near restroom No. 2 at Diamond
Valley Lake.
May 15, 2008 - Rico Gutierrez (left) and
his buddy Brett Phillips, both of San Diego, show off Gutierrez' 10
1/2-pound rainbow trout caught on Power Bait off the south shore at
Lake Poway.
May 14, 2008 - Kevan Branchfield of Hemet
landed this 10.3-pound rainbow on a Power Bait-nightcrawler combo
fishing in Boulder Bay at Lake Poway.
May 10, 2008 - Jeff Soto of Riverside
caught and released this four-pound largemouth at Evans Lake
(Fairmount Park). He also landed a six-pounder earlier in the month.
May 9, 2008 - Nick White of Silver Lakes
holds up a 3 1/2 to four-pound rainbow he caught and released at
Lundy Lake on a mini jig.
May 9, 2008 - Marco Luna of Apple Valley
holds a four-pound class rainbow he caught and released from Upper
Twin Lake in the Eastern Sierra. He was fishing a mini jig at Mono
Village.
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May 9, 2008 - This is Dixon Lake's Dottie after she was found
dead. Dottie weighed 25 pounds at the peak of her life when she was
accidentally snagged, weighed, and released. That news started a
frenzy to land her legally and topple the world record of 22-4.
May 7, 2008 - Emily Kropko, Perris, holds
a four-pound class Diamond Valley Lake rainbow trout.
May 3, 2008 - Kevin and Bianca Clow, San
Diego, with an 8.7-pound trout on a Gotcha Plug caught outside Half Moon Bay
at Lake Poway.
May 3, 2008 - Mark Barlow, Phelan, hooked
this 200-pound class sturgeon at Hesperia Lake, but even with the
help of four other anglers and two nets, they couldn't land the fish
before the line broke and it swam off.
May 3, 2008 - Kathleen and Kaira Berry,
Wildomar, caught this nice batch of bluegill behind the Bait Shop at
Corona Lake with wax worms fished beneath a bobber.
May 2, 2008 - Terrence Berg of La Mirada caught this 220
thresher shark off San Diego on The “Wide Load” with a Avet PRO EXW
30/02 on 50 Pound Ande Line and a Seeker Rod. The fish ate a slow
trolled lure with a live mackerel attached.
May 1, 2008 - Devin Preston, Glendora, caught this
rainbow from Mammoth Creek. The fish was 23 inches and about 4 pounds.
April 27, 2008 - Derek Snyder of Corona
was using pink Puddle Bug jigs under a bobber in heavy cover at Lake
Elsinore to land these two crappie -- one at 1 1/2 and the other at
two pounds.
April 27, 2008 - Becky Matthews, assisted
by brother Randy Fann, both San Bernardino, holds up a 20-inch, 3
1/2-pound class rainbow caught and released on Hilton Creek just
above Crowley Lake opening weekend.
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.
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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.
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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.
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April 24, 2008 - Marcos Perez, Corona,
with an 18 1/4-pound rainbow trout from Corona Lake.
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April 21, 2008 - Se Ier of Long
Beach with a couple of striped bass caught from shore at Lake
Silverwood near the dam.
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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.
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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 9, 2008 - This 7-1 largemouth was
caught at Lake Hemet by Rick Cargo of Riverside.
February 20, 2008 - Brandon Cotton, editor
of Fish Rap, caught this 62-pound white seabass off LaJolla.
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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.
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