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July 9, 2008
JIM
MATTHEWS’
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. With catfish and bluegill
bites good just about everywhere, I’m leaving those out of the top picks
this week. I want you to expand your horizons this week. And if you
think it’s hot here, head over to the Colorado River between Parker Dam
and Palo Verde with your boat (and make sure it can handle the current
and get you back upstream) and fish for smallmouth bass. That bite is
hot. Drift along the rip-rap areas and throw little cranks. This is the
best, most neglected bass fishery in the Southwest. Smallies to four
pounds are caught every week and the local bass anglers want to keep it
a secret. For an update on the bite, check with Wayne Pinkerton at B&B
Bait in Blythe by calling 760-921-2248. 
2. When anglers head north to fish for trout, most of us go to the
Eastern side of the Sierra. And while I think the East Walker River is
always a good bet during the summer, the Kern River above Isabella is
quickly becoming a fly-fisherman’s mecca, too. The word is getting out
about the excellent action on wild rainbows in the canyon from
Johnsondale bridge upstream. This is walk-in fishing, but there are some
real quality fish here. For an update on the bite, check with the folks
at the Kern River Troutfitter at 760-376-2040 or visit their web site at
www.kernriverflyfishing.com.
3. The Casitas Lake bass bite finally surpassed the action at Diamond
Valley this week and has bumped DVL out of the top three picks for the
first time in months (even though the catfish and trout action is still
really good at DVL – and the bass are also still pretty fair). The bass
are show best in the mornings and evenings (duh!) at Casitas with
plastics and swimbaits the best bets, and quality bass to nine pounds
were caught this past week. There are also procedures in place that will
allow for private boat launches again, but they include 10-day of dry
dock. For an update, check with the gang at the marina by calling
805-649-2043.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Generally good fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada with
Crowley Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir, and the East Walker River still
perhaps the top spots to fish, but the higher elevation waters are all
really starting to turn on. The East Walker River is an excellent bet
for experienced fly anglers. The Bishop Creek drainage, Mammoth Lakes
region, and June Lake loop are all generally pretty good throughout. In
Southern California, Big Bear Lake and Diamond Valley Lake slowed to
just fair this past week, but trollers are still getting limits at both
places. Hemet Lake also continues to crank out limits of trout. In the
Western Sierra, Lake Isabella and the upper Kern River are both very
good for the rainbows.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Barrett Lake remains wide open for anglers with a
permit. Casitas has been very good this past week, and Diamond Valley
might be a notch slower, but it still has a pretty decent bite. Perris,
Skinner, Castaic, Cachuma, Isabella, Piru, Sutherland, Wohlford, San
Vicente, and Lower Otay all have fair to good bass bites. Poway, El
Capitan, and Hodges, all have fair bites, while Silverwood and Pyramid
are slow to fair. On the Central Coast, Nacimiento still has a good
spotted bass bite, and Lopez is pretty good, too.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood has been the top striper producer this week
with excellent action on smaller fish to four pounds and some bigger.
Most of the action here and most of the other Southern California lakes
– including Pyramid and Skinner, both of which are fair to good – has
been on anchovies. A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too. On the
Colorado River, the best striper action has been an excellent bite in
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 there are darn few places where you can’t catch at least a
few small ones. Most of the good crappie bites have all but died, but
there is still slow to fair action at Elsinore, Cachuma, and Piru in
Southern California. Lopez on the Central Coast is still pretty good.
CATFISH: The action at all of the planted-catfish lakes is very good.
Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, and Hesperia Lake are
planted each week and have generally good action. Hesperia is cranking
out the biggest fish. All of the San Bernardino County Park lakes are
being planted each week with catfish, and all are pretty good. Diamond
Valley has a good to excellent bite, too. Silverwood, Skinner, and
Pyramid are all good for cats, too. The lower Colorado River and river
backwater, ditches, and canals have been consistently good with both
flatheads and channels showing in the catch.
WATER BY WATER REPORTS
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The striper bite is exceptional in all the coves on anchovies
and Bladedancers. Most of the fish are smaller, from one to three
pounds, but the top fish reported this week was an eight-pounder brought
in by Molly Breakman, Pinon Hills. Chase Blake, Barstow, caught a
six-pound striper off the dock. Catfish action also excellent on
anchovies or chicken liver in the coves and by the dam. Top catfish was
a nine-pounder landed by Sean Anders, Silverwood. The trout are deep,
holding in the cooler water. Trollers working in 50 feet or more are
getting a few fish. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park
760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Good to excellent catfish action on shrimp, mackerel or
Nitro biscuits. Dan and Tyler Zayas, La Verne, caught 20.62 and
18.82-pound catfish off Eagle Point. The trout bite improved this week
with fair to good action reported from Windy Point and the dam for
anglers drifting those areas with nightcrawlers or trolling Thomas
Buoyants or Needlefish. DFG trout plant this week. 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 two weeks ago. Information:
909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Very good trout action with most morning anglers
getting limits by 10 a.m. Mt. Lassen trout were planted last week.
Alper’s plant went in two weeks ago, too. The lake is scheduled to
receive two private plants per month plus DFG fish. 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. Recorded
information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Trout bite slow to fair
on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the occasional spark of action in
the mornings and evenings.
JENKS LAKE: Fair to good trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
DFG trout plant this week. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at
909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The catfish and sturgeon bites have both been very good,
but heat and thunderclouds seem to hurt the bite. The best action has
been early in the mornings when the water is coolest. The lake received
a plant of sturgeon to 25 pounds last week and it get 3,500 pounds of
catfish a week, and brood stock fish to 35 pounds will be part of those
plants over the next month. Top baits have been shrimp, mackerel dipped
in Sonny’s Catfish Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, and the M&M
(marshmallow-meal worm combo). Top cat this past week was a 23-pound
blue caught by Gary Higgins, Ontario. Top stringer of five fish was
landed by Ron Dillon, Riverside. The total stringer weighed 83 ½ pounds.
Other big cats included: Ralph Mendez, Temecula, caught a 19-pound blue
cat, while Mike Cortez, Pomona, had 14 and 17 ½-pound cats. Juan Carlos,
Los Angeles, landed a 17-pounder. Steve Coleman, Brea, landed a 16
¾-pound channel, while Jose Guevara, Covina, had a 15 ¼ pound flathead.
Top sturgeon was a 26-pounder landed by Cindy Phelps, Chino, on shrimp.
Dennis Gomez, Rancho Cucamonga, had sturgeon at nine and 16 ¾-pounds,
while Harold Lloyd, Hemet, and David Baxter, Orange, each had 14
pounders. 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 bite good to excellent with plenty of fish on jigs,
lures and nightcrawlers from both lakes. Best bite is before 11 a.m. Hot
spots include the western shore near the pump house, the grassy point
and the eastern logged shore of lake 3 as well as the eastern and
northern shores of lake 2. Fred Winterswyk, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a
5-11 rainbow on a Lip Ripperz jig. Scott Patterson, Woodland Hills,
landed a 4-3 trout. Sean Smith, Victorville, reeled in a three-pounder
near the inlet of lake 2. Chris Lemley, Riverside, landed a 3-12
rainbow. Bass bite is good with anglers using lures and Senkos to catch
fish up to three pounds. Hot spots for bass include the eastern shore
near the wall of lake 2 and the western shore of lake 3 from the bridge
to the pump house. Bluegill are hitting meal worms and jigs with fish
over a pound. Hot spots for bluegill include the western shore near the
pump house and the western shore of lake 2. The lakes' hatchery stocks
trout every Friday year around. 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: Decent catfish fishing for anglers using meal worms,
nightcrawlers and stink bait in Pelican. County catfish plants go in
every week. Trout bite hanging in with the best bite during plant weeks.
DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. County
catfish plants each week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite fair with some limits being posted on nightcrawlers
and shrimp. Most of the fish are between one and a half to two pounds.
Ida Polk, Fontana, caught a three-pound catfish on shrimp. Bass,
bluegill and carp action remain slow. Lake information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Catfish bite is fair to good on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal
worms, Hog Wild, or anything dipped in Sonny’s Catfish Bait. Weekly
county plants go in with channels to two pounds. Very good bluegill bite
with fish up to a pound reported on wax or meal worms. Mostly quarter-
to half-pounders on stringers, however. Fair bite on carp and a few bass
also showing. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Catfish action fair to good, and the channels are going in
every week now. Mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild top baits. 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: The hot weather wreaked havoc on the fishing conditions.
The trout action still remained fair to good for anglers fishing
nightcrawlers and Power Bait near the west dam or saddle dam. Tom
Szczeblowski, Yorba Linda, brought in a 5.85-pound trout on
nightcrawlers. Nick Ross, Menifee, caught a 3.31-pound trout on Power
Bait. Some catfish action reported in the third cove on nightcrawlers,
shrimp or mackerel. Bass bite fair on jigs, Senkos and plastic worms,
but the bite is early and late in the day. Lake information:
800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle
951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: The bluegill action is the hottest with anglers reported an
abundance of action off the island on crickets and meals. Some anglers
have reported catching over 30 fish per trip. John Clay, Riverside,
landed a one-pounder as part of his stringer. Largemouth bass bite good
on 10-inch plastic worms and nightcrawlers near the dam. David Applebee,
Orange, caught two and six-pound bass. Catfish action fair to good on
chicken liver, mackerel or anything dipped in stink. The most action has
been reported off the island. Phil Marshal, Lake Havasu, reported a
10-pound catfish. Little to no reports for carp. Dock fishing is allowed
for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179,
state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Catfish continue to be the species with the best action.
Anglers have reported a good to excellent bite on chicken liver and
mackerel in the inlet and near the dam. Marcus Browne, Oceanside, landed
a 6-2 catfish. James, Patterson, Murrieta, caught a five-pound catfish
off Ramp 2. The striper bite is fair to good. The fish are in schools
around the inlet and marina and are biting anchovies in the early
morning and late afternoons. Carl Miller, Temecula, landed a two-pound
striper. The bass bite is slow to fair. The fish are deep off the
points, south shore and east end. The bluegill bite is also slow to fair
with some fish in the weeds on meal worms. Information: store
951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Bluegill bite still the name of the game here off Rocky Point
on nightcrawlers and meal worms. Ray Sanchez, Riverside, caught a
stringer of bluegill to 3/4-pound. Ben Molina, Riverside, caught another
stringer of bluegill and crappie on jigs and worms. Crappie action fair
on nightcrawlers and small jigs off the west side marina. Wiper
(striper-hybrid) action fair to good with a few fish in the four-pound
range landed off shore on shad or for trollers using various baits. Carp
fair to good off the east end on dough balls. The cats are showing at
the state park on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Information:
Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: The catfish bite was very good this past week with a lots
of limits reported along with a number of quality fish. Also some bass,
bluegill, and tilapia showing. The top catfish this week was a 10-8
caught by Lary Espinoza, Corona, on shrimp at the dam. Bob Schempp,
Walnut, caught five catfish totaling 23 pounds with a 10-pounder topping
the catch fishing mackerel at the dam. The catfish bite has been good on
a variety of baits with mackerel doused with garlic Nitro Gravy,
nightcrawlers (with or without scent), and shrimp with Gravy all good
bets. The best action for catfish has been in the south end of the lake
in the flooded trees or near the dam. Some bass are showing for anglers
targeting them with plastic worms, swimbaits, or topwater baits early
and late in the day. The tilapia are starting to show in much better
numbers, especially for anglers fishing the south end of the lake, and
bluegill are showing up right along with the tilapia, mostly on
nightcrawler pieces. Don Jacobs, Riverside, had three tilapia just under
a pound each fishing wax worms. Catfish will be planted weekly all
summer long. This season each plant will have trophy cats from eight to
15 pounds as part of the mix. The average cat will be in the two-pound
range. In addition, carp and tilapia will be part of the loads at least
every other week. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday
night. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Fair to good catfish action, especially for anglers fishing
in 10 to 15 feet with shrimp, mackerel, nightcrawlers or chicken liver.
Still some slow to fair bass action on plastics and crankbaits. Some
small bluegill action around the shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Good catfish bite on shrimp, mackerel, and worms. Cats
are scheduled to be planted every other week through the summer, with a
plant slated for this week week. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair catfish bite from all three lakes on pieces of
nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel, shrimp 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.
REFLECTION LAKE: A catfish plant, 500 pounds went in last week. The
lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8
p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or
www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good to excellent catfish bite on nightcrawlers,
chicken liver, dough bait and mackerel. Perhaps the best bite in a few
years. The 4th of July action was phenomenal with lots of nice stringers
of fish to four pounds. Catfish planted when the current stock goes
below 2,000 pounds. 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 trout action with some limits reported for both shore
and boat anglers. Best bite early and late in the day for shore anglers
and throughout the day for trollers and drift fishermen. 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. Last DFG trout plant was a month ago. 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: Limits of pan-sized catfish and a smattering of
trophy fish have been highlighting the catfish action this past week.
The top fish was landed was a 10-pounder caught by Tanya Apelian,
Lakewood. Tanya’s huge fish was part of a 10 fish stringer she caught
with husband Eric. The total weight of their catch was 36 1/2 pounds,
and the cats were caught on shrimp and mackerel at the bubble hole.
Randy Thompson, Corona, caught a nine-fish stringer totaling 30 pounds
on shrimp, while Mark Chance, Placentia, landed an eight-pound catfish
on shrimp with garlic Nitro Gravy. Patrick Leaff, Los Angeles, caught a
16-fish stringer at 40 pounds with a five-pounder topping the catch.
Blake Brewart, Upland, also had a nice stringer of 19 cats totaling 35.5
pounds. A variety of baits have been producing good results for catfish
with nightcrawlers, shrimp, and mackerel top contenders, but the hot
ticket has been to add Eagle Claw Nitro Gravy to the bait. Boat anglers
fishing early morning or late evening have been having the most success.
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 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: Fair to good catfish fishing here. Anglers are catching
limits at night on DuMong’s, shrimp, or nightcrawlers. A 1,000-pound
plant of large blue and channel catfish went in last week. The hot area
for the catfish is in the flats. Sean Mesodaghi, Irvine, caught a 20-2
blue catfish on bonito. Ray Yancey, Compton, brought in a 12-2 channel
catfish on shrimp. Mitz Onizuka, Irvine, caught a five-fish limit
totaling 20-1. Crappie bite is good on small jigs. Marlon Meade and Dave
Strege, both Anaheim, caught a 15-crappie limit totaling 21-1. Daytime
anglers have caught good numbers of redear and bluegill off the docks on
meal worms and wax worms. Fair evening bass bite at the back end of the
Santiago Flats. Some anglers have reported catching and releasing up to
30 fish fish to four pounds in a single trip. A sturgeon was pulled out
this week. Farel Byrd, Yorba Linda, reeled in a 25- pounder on DuMong’s.
Additional boat inspection procedures will take place at lake entry to
prevent further contamination with zebra mussel, which was recently
found at the lake. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nighfishing is
Thursdays until 11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m. Lake
information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Fair or better bass bite on crankbaits, plastic
worms, spinnerbaits in the bluegill pattern working best. Topwater baits
in the early mornings and late evenings are best then. Good catfish
action on mackerel, nightcrawlers, shrimp and chicken liver. The launch
ramp and at the back side of the small island. Crappie and bluegill good
on assorted crappie jigs, nightcrawlers and meal worms fished below a
bobber. 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: Still a very decent trout bite in the morning and afternoons in
40 to 60 feet on downriggers with Rapalas and Needlefish. The trout are
from 1 1/2 to two pounds, with some real quality trout to four pounds
and a few over six. Bait anglers are using rainbow Power Bait, Power
worms and nightcrawlers. Best trout spots include Cachuma Bay, just
outside the marina on the flats. Crappie bite slow to fair on jigs and
nightcrawlers in Bobcat Canyon. Bass bite on the slow side. Not too much
action. Catfish picking up in the evenings with a fair to good bite from
4 p.m. to the early mornings on mackerel or anything dipped in stink
baits. The cats are in the four to six-pound range. 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: Bass action good to excellent on plastic worms, swim baits,
nightcrawlers and crankbaits. The bite is best in the morning and
evenings. Top fish was a nine-pounder landed by Ron Thompson, Acton.
Randy Kurz, Oxnard, brought in an eight-pounder on buzz bait. Kevin
Thompson, Acton, caught a seven-pounder. Alonzo and Lorenzo Ford, Ranch
Cucamonga, brought in seven and six-pound bass. Tony Sandoval, Atwater,
landed a seven-pounder. Trout bite still showing in a fair bite at the
dam for trollers using Needlefish behind downriggers set at 30 feet.
Doug Lee, Ojai, landed a limit of trout, including a two and a three
pounder. No crappie bite. Fair to good bluegill and redear bite on red
worms and pieces of nightcrawlers in the shallows. Curtis Brown,
Ventura, caught a pair of 1 1/2-pound redear. Catfish bite fair to good
on chunks of mackerel and anchovies. Six and seven-pound fish were
reported last week. Private boats are again being allowed at Casitas,
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 heat in combination with the algae bloom have made fishing
a lot tougher. Fair largemouth bass action has been reported on cranks,
spinnerbaits and rattling-type baits with fish in the two to four-pound
range. Striper bite fair for both shore and boat anglers with fish in
the five to seven-pound range. Some large fish over 10 pounds have also
been landed. Fair catfish action in the upper, northern end of the
lagoon on shrimp or mackerel. No panfish reports this week. Information:
661-775-6232.
PIRU: Trout bite fair to good on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. 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. 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: Improving bass bite with good action reported on jigs,
nightcrawlers, and plastics. Anglers have reported the most action up
shallow. Slow to fair trout action with anglers catching fish at random
on Power Bait, anchovies and nightcrawlers. Fair striper bite. The
bigger stripers are occasionally chasing the trout. Best action reported
on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below the gatehouse
is the best area for trout and stripers. Catfish action improving with a
fair to good bite on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. No bluegill
reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Fair to good catfish bite in deep water on mackerel,
shrimp, chicken liver and nightcrawlers. DFG catfish plant on month ago.
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: Very good catfish action on mackerel, shrimp or chicken
liver. Some bluegill on worms and nightcrawlers in the afternoon.
Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No recent plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No recent plants.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago. Information:
888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago. Information:
213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LEGG LAKE: No recent plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG catfish plant three weeks ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Slow to 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. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Bass bite good. This week 176 anglers checked 1,965 bass, 21
bluegill, and one crappie. Reservations for August now available through
Ticketmaster. Call (619) 220-8497. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or
www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Bass and bluegill bites fair. This week 150 anglers checked
reported 93 bluegill, 43 bass and three channel catfish. Renee Meyers,
Clairemont Mesa, caught a 14.5-pound channel catfish on mackerel. 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 bass and bluegill action and some cats are showing.
This week 168 anglers reported 175 bass, 63 bluegill, 19 crappie, 16
channel catfish and two 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: Bluegill and bass action picked back up. This week 351
anglers reported 619 bluegill, 360 bass, 15 rainbow trout and seven
channel catfish. Rick Wilson, Lemon Grove, landed an eight-pound
largemouth bass in Harvey 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 55 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: Bluegill action slowed down but still fair, and the bass
action is also fair. This week 98 anglers reported 139 bass, 116
bluegill, 60 redear, nine channel catfish, three blue catfish and one
carp. Michael Williams, National City, landed a 28.70-pound blue catfish
on mackerel in Kimball Arm. 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. The City of San Diego has confirmed that the reservoir will
close sometime in August due to lowering water levels. Lake information:
619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations:
619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Bluegill bite fair. This week 93 anglers checked reported 50
bluegill, 16 bass and two channel catfish. 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: Very slow action. This week 64 anglers checked reported 13
bass, eight bluegill, seven channel catfish and one rainbow trout. The
lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are currently
unavailable. 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: Good bass bite. This week 70 anglers reported 218 bass, 30
bluegill, 16 channel catfish, 15 carp and one blue catfish. Zane and
Sharrie Parks, San Diego, landed a 29.35-pound channel catfish on
mackerel. Douglas Blair, Ridgecrest, brought in a 14.65-pound blue
catfish on mackerel. Ken Seedorf, La Mesa, caught a 5.40-pound
largemouth bass. 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: Fair bass bite on plastic worms, especially in the South Shore
Rock Pile. Jose Garlejo, Escondido, landed five bass. Top fish was an
8-14. The channel catfish action is also fair to good for anglers
fishing the east end area with chicken livers, mackerel and shrimp.
Ernesto Sanchez, Fallbrook, landed a 14-9 channel catfish off the South
Shore. Mathew Sanger, Valley Center, reported a 14-6 channel catfish.
Hector Feria, Escondido, caught a 3-11 channel catfish. Brent Brown,
Vista, landed a 3-6 channel catfish off Crappie Rock. Crappie bite
decent, although the fish are in deeper waters on golden shiners,
crappie jigs and mini-jigs. J. Harris, Lake Elsinore, landed a two-pound
crappie on a golden shiner in Boat Dock Cove. Sam Michetti, Escondido,
caught a 1-7 crappie off the Senior Shoreline. There is a temporary ban
on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks, float tubes,
trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to the threat of quagga
mussels. Rental boats are available. Information: 760-839-4346 or
www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: Since the start of nightfishing on June 27 the action has been
good to excellent for catfish anglers. Another 2,000-pound catfish plant
went in last week for the holiday. The warm summer days have produced
this great catfish bite. Lots of limits off the shoreline and in Boat
Dock Cove on cut mackerel, chicken. The cats have been in the one to
two-pound range with some larger fish from two to four. The next cat
plant will be July 17, 2,000 pounds. A few anglers are still finding the
bass. Adam Honda, San Diego, caught an eight-pound bass on a Rapala jig
in Whisker Bay. Nightfishing will continue every Friday and Saturday
night through the end of August. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or
www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Still a very tough overall bite. Nightcrawlers and Rapalas are
working some for trout anglers. Catfish fishing best in the log boom,
early in the day. The catfish bite should improve the bite with 2.661
pounds of channel catfish going in. Nightfishing also producing some
action, as well, but nothing extraordinary. 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. Upcoming events: A
contest taking place each week will award the angler with the heaviest
catfish a $100 prize. The aangler must record the weight of his/her fish
between 7 a.m. Wednesday and lake closing Sunday to qualify for as a
winner announced the following week. Lake Poway’s Family Campout is set
for August 2. This event is limited to 75 families. Register at
www.poway.org. Midnight Catfish Craze scheduled for August 14 from 4
p.m. to midnight. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway
information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfish fishing fair to good, with the most reported action
around the boat dock are and sunken quarry off Sentry Point.
Nightcrawlers and mackerel were the top choices, with plastic worms best
at night. Vincent Cio, 10, El Cajon, caught a five-pound channel catfish
in Hermit Cove. Catfish plant went in last week with plants on July 14,
July 28 and Aug. 11. Some decent trout action at mid-lake 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. 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: Fair to good bass bite in the boat launch area and in Cabin Cove
on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. 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: Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats
must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior
to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for
multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another
reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and
items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float
tubes and waders. Trout action slow with extreme heat, but some trout
are biting Rapalas and Thomas Buoyants. Joey Piontek, Alpine, landed a
9-9 trout on Power Bait in Kitchen Cove. Bass fair to good on topwater
lures and plastic worms. Catfish bite very good on worms and dough balls
by the dam. Kathy Widner, El Cajon, landed a 15-pound channel catfish on
blue wax worm. Chris Perez, Imperial Beach, brought in a 14-7 channel
catfish. Tom Teak, La Mesa, reeled in a 10-8 channel catfish at the
jetty. Jonathan Brown, England, also brought in a 10-8 channel catfish
on a gold spinner. The lake is now taking reservations for a new RV area
located in the overflow camping area. It is set up for eight rigs, but
has a minimum of four. The rate is $200 a night for all eight sites, but
can be rented by singles if not reserved by a group. Information:
760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Catfish fishing is good this week with limits reported on
chicken liver, shrimp, nightcrawlers or mackerel. Christian McGill,
Santa Ysabel, landed a limit of catfish. Top fish was a 12-pounder. Joe
Navaro, Julian, reeled in three cats. His big fish was nine pounds.
Jerry and Ramona Quinllin, Santee, caught a 5 1/2-pound catfish. Jay
Baay, Julian, caught three catfish to three pounds. A few bass have also
been biting in the Fish-n-Float Dock area. Christian Boucher, Crestline,
landed a four-pound bass. The lake is open from 6 a.m. to midnight on
Friday and Saturday nights. Nightfishing will continue through the
summer. Rental boats can only be rented during daytime hours, 6 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Good to excellent largemouth bass bite, especially in the
backs of coves on plastics and nightcrawlers. The night time striper
bite is best with many fish over two pounds reported on anchovies or
sardines. Night anglers are using lights to attract baitfish and then
fishing the bait below for the stripers that come to the bait. Water
levels are very low, and the conditions at Sough Cove are deteriorating.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout bite remains good on spinners, salmon eggs, or
floating baits just off shore. Some fish to three pounds. Also some
trout action on Jake’s, Panther Martins, and spoons. Trout continue to
be planted every Friday. Stripers spotty. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Striper bite leads the show with the excellent action at
the upper end on anchovies. Boat anglers are catching stripers in good
numbers trolling Needlefish and Rapalas in 50 to 80 feet just outside of
coves. Shore anglers are also catching fish in the mouths of coves.
Nightfishing has been best, although anglers are catching fish in the
early morning and late afternoon hours as well. Information:
702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Improved striper bite on anchovies or chicken livers,
especially near Harrah’s Casino. Little to no trout bite.
NEEDLES: Striper bite slow to fair with only small fish landed downriver
in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing and some crappie also biting in
the gorge. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports
760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Very good catfish bite on nightcrawlers and anchovies. A
few bass biting on plastics. Some bluegill around structure. The
stripers are nonexistent, and the crappie bite dwindled to almost
nothing. Water levels are up, but still take caution when launching. The
marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and
Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Exceptional striper bite all over the lake on shad, swimbaits,
sardines, and cut anchovies in 35 to 56 feet from Copper Canyon south to
Standard Wash. The afternoon hours are best for fishing. Good catfish
action on anchovies in Buzzard and Eagle Coves. Largemouth bass bite
good to excellent with fish being caught on Senkos, Gitzits and
drop-shot worms. Smallmouth bite fair on jigs off the rocky banks and
points. Also some bluegill action reported at Six Site on meal worms.
Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair catfish action with some flatheads to 12 pounds
reported in an improving bite. As the temps get higher, the action gets
better for the cats. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite good to excellent with the occasional fish 30
pounds or larger, but most are in the seven to 10-pound range. The 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. Bluegill are fair to good in most backwaters.
Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Water temperatures and levels are up, and the bass action is
fair to good 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: Fair to good catfish and bass action. Catfish taking
mackerel and bass are biting plastics. 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 fair to good for
channel catfish, large redear, and bluegill. Catfish taking mackerel or
shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms. The flatheads have been
active.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow bite. The extreme heat eliminated any signs of action.
Check with the state park staff before you go. 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. Also some stripers.
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: No report. 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: Excellent water conditions, with last week’s algae
bloom cleared. Most fish are in nine to 14 feet of water and midge
fishermen are doing better than streamer fishermen. Water temps are also
on the rise, which means some fish will start to move into Buckeye Bay.
The lake is full of DFG stocker-sized trout. Some fish showing on
trolled lures. The East Walker River is very clear and flows are holding
at 175 cfs. Midge patterns are best in the mornings. In mid- to
late-morning the caddis start egg-laying flights and then baetis
mayflies start emerging. The mayflies continue through the afternoon.
The best and most consistent hatch is the evening caddis grab. Virginia
Lakes are very good. Big Virginia’s fly and bait bite is hot. Twin Lakes
fishing good for trollers fishing on top. For the East Walker River
flows, you can check this website for real time flow 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: The bite is fair at all the lakes in the loop -- June,
Gull, Silver and Grant. With Gull and Grant fishing good to excellent.
Look for the fish along of points at Grant. Troll streamers for the big
browns and rainbows at Gull. Some are also tossing a nice dry fly on the
surface for decent action before sunset to noon. Runoff 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 action has been very good for bait anglers in
the shallows of McGee Bay or deeper water in Big Hilton from boats.
Inflated nightcrawlers and bright-colored Power Bait are best. Shore
fishermen have had luck off Little Hilton Point and outside of Beaver
Cove. Perch are showing all around the lake, especially in Green Banks,
Big Hilton Bay and Leyton Springs. Lead head jigs are best. The bite at
Hot Creek is fair to good, but inconsistent. Water are dirty and high,
but still fishable. Use small tricos in the early morning and PMDs after
10 a.m. Good stocker trout action in Mammoth Creek and all the Mammoth
Lakes -- Mary, Mamie, Gull, and George -- all producing fish. George and
Mary have the best fish with decent of action reported from the inlets.
The road to the San Joaquin is open, 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 bite good for
rainbow trout at the inlet and outlet on nightcrawlers, Power Bait,
Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. 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: The bite at Sabrina Lake is fair to good for anyone using
nightcrawlers. Top fish was an 8 1/4-pound trout landed by Ryan Robar,
North Hills, on rainbow Power Bait. The hot area for the trout is in the
Dingleberry Inlet. Alpers’ trout action also fair to good for anglers
using Power worms. A load of Alpers’ went in early last week. Pleasant
Valley Reservoir is fair to good with good trout and perch action. The
trout are biting Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Bishop Creek and Intake
II planted last week, and the bite is fair to good. The lower Owens
River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley
Reservoir) is fishing slightly better with flows at 354 cfs. Wading is
still very difficult, but can be done with some good balance and
patience. 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, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone
Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha
Creek and Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to
www.lonepinechamber.org.
WESTERN SIERRA
DERBY ALERT: Catfish derby going on through the end of July at all the
lakes in the Western Sierra. Biggest catfish of the month earns $100
cash. Entry is free, but anglers must sign up at Bob’s Bait in
Bakersfield. For more information, call 661-833-8657.
LAKE ISABELLA: Some of the best fishing in the area. Large numbers of
catfish have been landed on shad and clams in the north fork. The
crappie bite is hit and miss with only a few pockets of fish in deeper
water producing. Trout bite good to excellent on Power bait and
nightcrawlers. Trollers also scoring with Needlefish and Excel lures by
the dam. Fishing information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The Kernville area has a fair to good trout bite on salmon
eggs and spinners. The flows have dropped drastically in the upper
river, so the bite is very good for trout on crickets and Salmon eggs.
Lower river flows are still high, but going down each week. Flows should
be low enough and the lower river should be fishable within the week.
Some bass action reported in the lower river. Information: Kern River
Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store
760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: Slow trout bite. No more trout plants will go until
next season.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Very good catfish action on mackerel, shad, and
Sonny’s dip bait with improving action as the waters warm. Dylan
Trueblood, Bakersfield, caught an 11-pound catfish on shad. Ronnie
Yoakam, Bakersfield, reeled in a six-pound catfish. Striper bite good on
blood worms primarily at night.
HART PARK LAKE: Bluegill action good on wax worms and crickets. Good
carp bite on dough balls.
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: Catfish bite fair on anchovies. Also a few bass showing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good catfish bite on shad. Also a few stripers on
shad. 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 fair on minnows and plastics. Good carp bite on dough bait.
SUCCESS LAKE: Mostly slow. Levels are dropping and the bass bite is
picking up. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair bass bite on Senkos. Levels are high. Information:
559-597-2526
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: The crappie action is fair to good on crappie 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 to good catfish action on
anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Good largemouth bite on Brush Hogs, plastics or
crankbaits. Anglers have landed decent numbers of limits with largemouth
to five pounds or better 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. The marina
store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Overall bite remains slowish. The spotted bass are the only
species providing anglers with decent fishing. The bite is best on
plastics and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines to score
the spotties. Some anglers have reported catching 12 to 15 fish by
putting in two to three hours of effort. Largemouth and small action
slow. Slow white bass bite. Information: 805-238-1056 or
www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Crappie bite consistent, but just fair on crappie jigs for those
fishing in the evenings to dusk. Bass action good on jigs, nightcrawlers
or plastic worms, especially in Wittenberg Canyon. Good bluegill and
redear action on meal and wax worms. Catfish bite improved with a fair
bite on anchovies or shrimp. Slow to fair trout action on nightcrawlers
and rainbow Power Bait in Cottonwood Cove and off the Cottonwood
shoreline. Trollers have had the most success just outside the cove on
Needlefish and silver Kastmasters. Most fish are under the two-pound
mark. 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.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Jenks Lake.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake 2), Bishop Creek
Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Diaz
Lake, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake,
Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek
Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle
Creek.
MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery
Lake, Lake George, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee
Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek (South Fork), Little Walker River, Lundy
Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek,
Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2),
Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake,
Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin
Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper), West
Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
FRESNO: Big Creek near Huntington, Big Creek near Kings, 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, Shaver Lake, South Fork of San Joaquin, Tamarack Creek,
Tenmile Creek, Ward Lake, Wishon Reservoir.
KERN: Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville.
MARDERA: Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Lewis Creek, Lower Chiquito Creek,
Manzanita Lake, Nelder Creek, North Fork of Willow Creek, Rock Creek,
Upper Big Creek, West Fork of the Chiquito Creek.
MARIPOSA: Merced River downstream of Redbud Bridge.
MERCED: Yosemite Lake.
TULARE: Balch Park eastern lake, Balch Park western lake, Dry Meadow
Creek
Freeman 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.
TUOLUMNE: Deadman Creek, Herring Creek, 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.
NO PLANTS
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman
www.976-TUNA.com
CHANNEL ISLAND UPDATE: There continues to be some really excellent white
seabass fishing – at times. A trip early this week on the Mirage out of
Port Hueneme Sportfishing saw 17 anglers take 34 white seabass. The
Aloha Spirit out of Ventura Sportfishing has had some big hits recently
as have others. Calico bass fishing has been getting better and better
and there seems to be more sand bass around, too. Of course, as always,
the Channel Island rockfish bite is stupendous.
LOS ANGELES LANDINGS UPDATE: San Clemente Island continues to produce
excellent calico bass fishing with a a good shot of yellowtail here and
there. There have also been occasional good catches of white seabass. An
angler, fishing aboard the Dreamer skippered Allyn Watson, recently
caught a bluefin tuna on the anchor. So there is some variety at
Clemente. At Catalina Island, the calico bass fishing has been good to
excellent, and there have been occasional good catches of white seabass
and a few yellowtail. For the nearshore boats, local anglers have been
pounding out big catches of barracuda along with seeing some good action
on sand and calico bass. The sand bass have yet to settle in, but they
are showing in greater numbers all the time. That could explode at any
time.
ORANGE COUNTY LANDINGS UPDATE: Anglers on overnight boats out of Orange
County landings have been picking away at the albacore and bluefin tuna,
as well as some kelp paddy yellowtail and even a few yellowfin tuna.
Anglers aboard the Bongos III have seen all three species on trips this
week, and the Sea Horse out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing has also cashed
in. This bite in not wide open, but there have been enough fish to
suggest this bite is about to break wide open. For anglers on the local
½-day trips, there has been excellent barracuda fishing, more and more
sand bass, some excellent calico bass fishing along with some big white
seabass along the coast. There also continue to be some very nice
halibut taken.
SAN DIEGO LANDINGS UPDATE: Albacore fishing seems to get better and
better all the time. There have been some down days, as in every
albacore bite, but for the most part, the season appears to be headed in
the right direction. Anglers on the New Lo An had 71 albacore one-day
trip, while the Searcher, Polaris Supreme, Grande, Qualifier 105 and
others boats have also posted big albie scores in the past week. Anglers
on the Polaris Supreme, and others boats, have also reported good
catches of 12 to 30-pound bluefin tuna, and more of those tuna are
moving into striking range of the overnight fleet. Besides several big
albacore days on the Legend this past week, Captain Shawn Throbridge
reported seeing a big breezer of yellowfin tuna this week. Look for more
of that as our water temps rise in the nearshore ban of water. The San
Diego local bite has been excellent. Limits of sand bass, good barracuda
action, and some big halibut have been the rule this past week. There
are also more yellowtail being taken along the coast, as well as at the
Coronado Islands.
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 3/4-day limited load trip on
Friday, July 11, aboard the Icon out of Long Beach Sportfishing. This
trip will target surface species and the cost is $50. 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.
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June 26, 2008 - Jose Garlejo of Escondido
caught this 18-6 blue catfish at Lake Wohlford.
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June 26, 2008 - Doug Bader, Orange, with
an 11 1/2-pound catfish he caught on mackerel with Nitro Gravy at
Santa Ana River Lake while fishing from a boat near Levitz' Corner.
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June 24, 2008 - Lake Perris gave up these four limits of
rainbow trout to trollers, left to right, Bob Camp, Tom Roberts,
Paul Ringdahl, and Bob Ghossain, all of Riverside. They were fishing
in 30 feet of water at the dam with Needlefish, and the fish went up
to 3 1/2 pounds.
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June 18, 2008 - Cliff McDonald, Needles,
holds a pair of stripers, both in the four-pound range, he caught at
Lake Mohave.
June 15, 2008 - Scott Lopez, Indio, landed this striped bass
weighing 4.8 pounds fishing a nightcrawler on four-pound test line
in the Coachella Canal near Indio.
June 15, 2008 - Dan Doran, Bishop, hauled in a 5-3/4 pound
rainbow from Sabrina Lake fishing a Thomas Buoyant.
June 13, 2008 - Adrian Pintor, North Hollywood, nailed this
nice 15.6-pound Irvine Lake channel cat on cut mackerel fishing on
Santiago Flats.
June 13, 2008 - Gavin Velasco of Poway with 3.5-pound,
3.4-pound, and 2.6-pound trout caught on nightcrawlers off the Lake
Poway pier.
June 13, 2008 - Vincent Hunt of Moreno Valley with a 26-8
catfish caught on J.D.'s Catfish Bait near the trees in the south
end of Corona Lake.
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.
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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.
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