July 23, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. The top bet for a quality catfish has been Hesperia Lake over the past week, and as we head into a new moon, this bite should just get better over the coming week. The lake is getting planted with quality fish over 10 pounds each week right now, and there were four cats over 20 pounds landed in the past week, including a 27 1/2-pound blue. There’s also a chance to catch a sturgeon when fishing for these cats here. For an update on the bite and top baits to use, check with the tackle shop at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
2. Lake Henshaw is often a neglected local fishery, but the catfish action has been so good the past two weeks, that it has elbowed its way into one of our top picks and has stayed there. Most anglers are reporting nice stringers of fish. While most of the cats are pan-sized, a number of fish to five pounds have been reported in the past week. The best bite has been on cut baits. For an update on this bite, call Lake Henshaw at 760-782-3501.
3. While there are several deep-water trolling bites for trout in Southern California reservoirs, including Perris and Casitas, both with good bites – Cachuma Lake earns a top three pick again this week. It has an excellent trout bite for trollers or drifters working in 50 to 80 feet of water on the flats or Cachuma Bay. Most of the holdover rainbows are in the 1 1/2- to two-pound range, but some fish are around four pounds. Check with the marina staff for the latest on baits and locations by calling 805-688-4040.

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. The Virginia Lakes are also good to excellent. The Bishop Creek drainage, Mammoth Lakes region, and June Lake loop are all generally pretty good throughout. In Southern California, Cachuma Lake is very good for deep trollers, and Casitas has seen its summertime deep trolling (or still fishing) bite return with fair to good action. Perris also has a pretty good deep-water bite. Big Bear Lake and Diamond Valley Lake both slowed with only fair action in deeper water. Hemet Lake continues fair to good. In the Western Sierra, the upper Kern River is very good for the rainbows.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Barrett Lake remains wide open for anglers with a permit. Casitas remains very good, but Diamond Valley has been tougher. Sutherland, in San Diego County, is a top bet, but Perris, Skinner, Castaic, Cachuma, Isabella, Piru, Wohlford, San Vicente, and Lower Otay all have fair bass bites. Poway, El Capitan, and Hodges, all have slow to fair bites, while Silverwood and Pyramid are also 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, Castaic, and Skinner, all of which are fair to good -- has been on anchovies. Castaic has been producing the biggest stripers this past week with a few fish over 10 pounds. A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too, but that bite slowed. 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, San Vicente, Elsinore, Diamond Valley, and Casitas, in about that order, but the heat has slowed some of the bites except for early in the day. Most Southern California crappies bites are off, but a there’s still a fair bite at Piru and Elsinore, and the Central Coast lakes are a beter bet. Lopez is fair to good and there are fair bites at San Antonio and Santa Margarita.
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 and Henshaw, a sleeper pick, is also excellent. 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: Striper and catfish are the name of the game here. The striper action is best, however, with an excellent bite reported off the docks and in the coves on swimbaits and anchovies. Top striper was a seven-pounder landed by Jay Inger, Apple Valley. Mel Gray, Fontana, landed a six-pound striper. The catfish bite is best for anglers fishing anchovies or mackerel by the dam and in the spillway. Gayle Summers, Apple Valley, caught a 12-pound catfish on anchovies. Some largemouth bass action reported off the marina and docks on plastic worms. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The good to excellent trout bite dwindled to poor to fair. The low oxygen levels and high water temps drove the trout deep and seemed to shut down the bite. A few anglers found fish off Windy Point and in the observatory on dough bait, nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Trollers worked spoons and reported a few fish between Lagonita Point and the observatory. DFG trout plant this week. The catfish bite is fair at the east end. The cats are from five to 15 pounds and have been landed on shrimp, mackerel, or stink baits. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Slowish trout bite with a few fish reported on floating baits fished close to the bottom. DFG trout plant one month ago. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Trout bite remains fair to good with boat anglers having the most success, especially for the morning for anglers. Top baits have been red Power Worms, orange Power Bait, or nightcrawlers. Mt. Lassen and Alpers’ trout were planted recently, and are stirring things up. The July 17 plant included some fish from five to eight pounds. Top fish so far this season is a 14-pound rainbow landed by Joaquin Reyes, Ontario. 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: No recent DFG trout plants. Trout bite slow to fair on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the occasional spark of action in the mornings and evenings when the waters cool down.
JENKS LAKE: Fair 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 are still leading the show here with a good bite for both species on shrimp, Sonny’s Dip Bait, nightcrawlers and mackerel. The action is best in the mornings and evenings. Mike Ruiz, Claremont, brought in the top fish of the week, a 27-8 blue cat. Karen Baldwin, Fontana, caught a 23-pound sturgeon off the grassy bank. Greg Lindsay, Arizona, landed a 22-pound blue cat off the north shore. Carlos Carillo, Orange County, caught a 21-pound catfish. John Porter, Las Vegas, caught 19 and 21-pound sturgeon. Bob Taylor, Los Angeles, reeled in an 18-pound channel catfish. Jose Ponce, Los Angeles, brought in a 17-pound catfish, and Dave Stevens, Ontario, caught a 17-pound sturgeon. Jim Hawkins, Chino, landed five catfish totaling 72 1/2-pounds off the island. The lake is planted with 3,500 pounds of catfish each week and brood stock fish to 35 pounds will be part of those plants over the next month. 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: Still a rather slow trout bite with light action from both lakes. The anglers that have landed a few trout have had their best luck fishing Power worms and nightcrawlers. The best trout spots are off the eastern shore of lake 2, near the inlets and off the eastern logged shore and grassy point of lake 3. The bass bite slow to fair with only a few anglers reporting fish off the western shore of lake 2 before 10 a.m. on plastics . Bluegill bite fair on meal worms near the pump house and off the western shore of lake 2. Bite best before 10 a.m. The Lakes' crew has increased water flow which, along with the cooling trend, should improve the overall action. 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: Fair to good catfish action on meal worms and nightcrawlers around Pelican Lake. Another catfish plant will go in this week. Still a fair trout bite from Horseshoe Lake in the cattails. Trout to four pounds have been reported on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. 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 still on the slow side, but with a few waves of fair action in basin 1 and 2. A few anglers have pulled out some cats on nightcrawlers and shrimp. Bass, bluegill and carp action remain slow. Lake information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Catfish bite slowed, but still fair on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal worms, or anything dipped in Sonny’s stink. Weekly county plants go in with channels to two pounds. Good bluegill action on wax or meal worms. Mostly quarter- to half-pounders on stringers, fish to one pound are rare. Fair bite for carp and a few bass also showing on plastic worms. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Improved, good catfish fishing on mackerel, shrimp, Hog Wild or anything dipped in Sonny’s. Channel catfish plants are going in every week now. 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 continues to put strains on the bite. The trout action is slow to fair with only a few fish landed in deep water on nightcrawlers or Power Bait near the west dam or saddle dam. Also some deep-troll fish. 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: Bluegill are the hot ticket here with anglers reporting good to excellent action on meal or wax worms off the island and docks. Top fish was a two-pounder caught by July Simpson, Palm Desert, one of several on a 14-pound stringer. Only a few redear mixed in with the bluegill. Bass bite good with fish reported off the marina on Power Bait and worms. Jim McCullan, Hemet, brought in a 3 1/2-pounder. Trout action fair to good with fish to five pounds. Top baits are nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Dave Winthrop, Corona, caught a five-pounder. The catfish bite is fair to good on mackerel and shrimp. A carp have also been reported. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The big cats are keeping things interesting, with a few 10-pounders reported. Overall, good to excellent catfish action on chicken liver or mackerel at the inlet or near the dam. Top fish of the week went to Don Wilson and Ernie Johnson, Menifee. The pair landed a 12-3 catfish, one of 30 fish on their 40-pound stringer. Aurther Kent, Temecula, pulled out an 11-2 catfish, with another one over 10 on his 28-pound stringer of three. Landen Teuno, Lake Elsinore, caught an eight-pound catfish. Fair striper bite in the morning near the inlet or off the marina. Small boils have been reported in the late afternoons in the east end. Bass and bluegill bite fair, with both species in deeper water and scattered. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: The bluegill bite is just as hot as the weather. While high temps have spoiled the bite for other species, it has only brought about some of the best bluegill action reported all season. The bite is best off Rocky Point on nightcrawlers and meal worms. Ernie Schultz, Upland, landed a pair of 1 1/2-pound bluegill on wax worms. Crappie action fair on nightcrawlers and small jigs off the west side marina. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair, but slowing down with a few fish in the four-pound range landed off shore on shad or for trollers using various lures. Carp fair to good off the east end on dough balls. The cats are showing at the state park on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Robert Shaw, Corona, caught a four-pound catfish. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Good fishing for both catfish and tilapia, with some real quality catfish and catfish stringers reported in the past week. The big cats checked in were both 11 pounders, one was landed by Eddie and Robert Asam, Rancho Cerrito, as part of a 14-fish, 52-pound stringer; and the other 11-pounder was caught by Ryan Bales, Fontana. Adam Smith, Temecula, caught 14 catfish at the dam with mackerel. The total stringer weighed in at 43 pounds. The catfish bite has been best on the usual array of cut baits doused with Nitro Gravy – including mackerel, chicken liver, shrimp, and nightcrawlers. The tilapia have really come alive with the heat, and anglers targeting these fish with nightcrawler pieces are getting good stringers of fish averaging about a pound each. Several anglers have reported catches of 15 or more tilapia over the past week, and some of these fish are running up into the two-pound class. Catfish plants are weekly with the average fish at two pounds, but some to 15 pounds each week. Carp and tilapia are planted with the cats alternating weeks. There is 24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Catfish anglers were pulling out stringers with 10 fish or more of four to six-pounders on mackerel and nightcrawlers, but that action has slowed to just fair in the past week. Still some slow to fair bass action on plastics and crankbaits. Some small bluegill action around the shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: The catfish are the top species here. Anglers are catching an abundance of fish to six pounds on mackerel and shrimp. Cats are scheduled to be planted every other week through the summer, with one last week. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair to good 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: Fairish catfish bite with waves of better action in the mornings and afternoons on shrimp. 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: The catfish bite remains excellent on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, dough bait and mackerel. This has been the best bite in years. Catfish are 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 Labor 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 using Needlefish and drift fishermen using inflated nightcrawlers. Most of the rainbows are 1/2 to 1 1/4 pounds with some bigger. DFG trout plant this week and last. Fair to good bass action with the best action on plastics and crawdads. Catfish starting to show on shrimp and nightcrawlers. 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: Heavy stocks of channel catfish have kept the bite good with many anglers reporting both quality fish to nearly 10 pounds and stringers filled with fish averaging from two to 2 ½ pounds each. Both boat and shoreline anglers are scoring, and nightcrawlers and shrimp have been the top baits this past week. Lots of anglers are still using cut mackerel, too, and the marshmallow-meal worm combination is also good. The top catfish this past week was a 9 ¼-pound fish landed by Javier Roberts, Anaheim, while fishing with mackerel in Chris’ Pond. John Wilson, La Palma, caught an eight-pound catfish to top off his four-fish stringer that weighed 20 pounds total. One of the best stringers of the week was a 15 catfish catch that weighed in at 31 pounds caught by Deion Daniels, Los Angeles, while Mark Chance, Placentia, landed 10 catfish that weighed in at 24 1/2 pounds with a four-pounder his top fish. . His top fish was a four-pounder and he was using shrimp at the sandy beach in the big lake. Eric and Tanya Arelian, Lakewood, caught 11 catfish that weighed 20 pounds total. Catfish plants will be weekly all summer, and trophy fish from eight to 15 pounds will a component of each weekly 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: Good catfish action with the heaviest stringer of the year brought in last week. Chris Hagopian, Art Villa, Terry Lairsen, and Mitz Onizuka, caught 20 catfish totaling 129 pounds. The stringer was topped by twin 10-pounders on mackerel. A number of anglers reported good catfish action on mackerel, and shrimp near the docks and at mid-lake. Robert Avemaria, Placentia, landed a nine-pound catfish. Daniel Sanchez, Inglewood, caught a 6-8 catfish. Brandi Swann, 5, Fontana, landed five catfish with a total stringer of 23-1. Joey Arbalo, Orange, landed a five-catfish limit totaling 20-1. Fair crappie bite for anglers fishing under floating lights. Fish to two-pounds have been caught recently on minnows and Gulp. Fair bass bite for anglers fishing reaction baits in the shallows early and late in the day. Plenty of bluegill and redear have been caught in the shallows and in Boat Dock Cove on meal worms or wax worms. 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: Bass bite fair to good with a number of one to three pounders reported on drop-shot plastic worms all day, and in the early mornings and late evenings on topwater and crankbaits. A 6 3/4-pound bass was pulled out this week. Good catfish action on mackerel, nightcrawlers dipped in stink, shrimp and chicken liver off the launch ramp and at the back side of the small island. A five-pounder was caught this week. Crappie and bluegill good on assorted crappie jigs, half nightcrawlers fished off a bobber and meal worms. A 1-3 was landed off the boat dock. 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: Trout action fair to good, but hard work for anglers. The fish are deep, 50 to 80 feet on worms and Power Bait for bait anglers, and red Needlefish and Rapalas for trollers. The trout are from 1 1/2 to two pounds, with some real quality trout to four. Best trout spots include Cachuma Bay and just outside the marina on the flats. Teddy Lopez, Norco, caught a 3-8 trout. Improved crappie action with a fair to good bite behind the island on chartreuse crappie jigs. Bass bite on the slow side. Catfish action good in Mohawk and Luke Trail on mackerel and nightcrawlers. 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: The summer trout bite has returned. In spite of the high temperatures, trollers working deep with Rapalas or Needlefish have reported fish to two pounds or better, including some limits. Doug Lee, Ojai, landed three limits during several recent visits to the lake. His top fish was a 3.5-pounder on nightcrawlers. Roger Snowbarger, Ojai, caught a limit of fish trolling in 35 feet. His top fish was a 2 1/4-pounder. Bass bite good on plastic worms in 15 to 20 feet. Surface action reported in the early morning until 8 a.m. Eight-pound bass were landed by P.J. Damas, Ojai, and Kevin Thompson, Acton. John Kraft, Van Nuys, landed a 7-8 bass on a Senko. Catfish action good with fish from six to nine pounds on mackerel or shrimp. Top fish brought in was a nine-pounder by Andy Avalos, Camarillo. Very little movement from the crappie and redear. 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 double-digit stripers are out there, they just need to be pursued. For anglers that have shown patience, the rewards have been big fish. Art Lai, Sherman Oaks, caught a 20-9 striper in Fish Arm. Guide Bob Caffey, Quartz Hill, landed a 12-2 striper, also in Fish Arm. Trolling is the best method for the stripers, and there have been good numbers of fish under four pounds in a fair to good bite this past week. The overall action was slowing with the half-moon phase. The largemouth bass bite is decent with fish reported on plastics in the five to seven-pound range. The Lagoon has been the hot area. Not too many catfish have been reported recently, just a few in the five-pound range on mackerel, nightcrawlers, Gulp or dough bait. No panfish reports. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Trout bite remains fair but consistent with the most action reported on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers also landing some fish deep on 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 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: The bass continue to lead the show with good action reported on jigs, nightcrawlers, and plastics. Anglers have reported the most action up shallow early in the day. Slow to fair trout action with anglers catching fish at random on Power Bait, anchovies, and nightcrawlers. Fair striper bite. The bigger stripers, 10 pounds plus, 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: The cats are taking over with good to excellent action on mackerel, shrimp, chicken liver and nightcrawlers. 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: Still a hit and miss catfish bite. But when it’s on, it’s good. Anglers have landed fish to four pounds on mackerel, shrimp or chicken liver. Slow to fair bluegill bite on wax worms and nightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month 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 one month ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LEGG LAKE: No recent plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG catfish plant one month ago.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Catfish showing in better numbers on mackerel or shrimp. Little to no trout reported, just an oddball reported in the deep-water drop offs on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. 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: The bass bite slowed, although the action is still good. Good to excellent bluegill action but few anglers bothering to fish for them. This week 169 anglers checked 1,825 bass, 191 bluegill, and 13 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 action fair. This week 122 anglers checked reported 92 bass, 25 bluegill, 17 channel catfish and one blue catfish. The lake is open for fishing and boating Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Fair to good bass action. This week 121 anglers reported 201 bass, 25 bluegill, 18 crappie and nine channel catfish. The lake is 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 both pretty good this past week when 254 anglers reported 424 bluegill, 370 bass, 22 channel catfish, five crappie and three rainbow trout. 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 15 anglers reported 38 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 bluegill and bass bite. This week 112 anglers reported 379 bluegill, 178 bass, 36 redear, 17 channel catfish, two crappie and one blue cat. 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: Improved bluegill bite, but slower bass action. This week 80 anglers checked reported 34 bluegill, 31 bass and three 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: Still an overall slowish bite, with only a few sparks of decent action for rainbow trout and bass. This week 84 anglers checked reported 17 rainbow trout, 17 bass and five bluegill. 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 83 anglers reported 217 bass, 15 crappie, and 24 blue catfish. Tony Shanley, San Diego, caught a 5.75-pound largemouth bass on a popper. Zac Burrows, Ramona, landed a 5.40-pound largemouth bass off the west bank. Travis Koopman, Lakeside, brought in two largemouth bass totaling 6.1 pounds. 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: Bass action still good with fish being reported off Lusardi Point on plastic worms and live golden shiners. Anton Newman, Escondido, landed a 7-6 bass. Channel catfish bite also good for anglers using cut mackerel, chicken liver, nightcrawlers and shrimp off the east end. Marcos Valle, Lemon Grove, landed a 7-8 channel catfish on a dough ball off the Senior Shoreline. The crappie have moved into deeper water, although a few are still coming up on stringers. Robert Slaughter, Lake Elsinore, caught a 1-9 crappie in Boat Dock Cove. Small golden shiners and finger jigs are the most common baits for the panfish. Small bluegill have also been reported in Oakvale Cove on red worms. Carp bite decent 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 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: Catfish action is fair to good with limits reported off the shoreline and in the boat dock area in the evenings on cut mackerel. Most fish are in the one to two-pound range, although there are some reported over five, and a few over 10. Dave Honadle, Ramona, landed a 13-pound catfish on mackerel. Steve Walls, Poway, caught a six-pound catfish at the buoy line. Some anglers are still chasing the bass and have reported fair action on Senkos. Richard Stackowicz, Escondido, landed an 11.5-pound bass. Nightfishing will continue every Friday and Saturday night through the end of August. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Nightfishing and catfish define the bite here. Catfish action is wild during the nighttime hours and anglers have reported double-digit limits off shore and boats on mackerel. Todd Heggeness, San Diego, caught a 6.5-pond catfish at the log boom. Ramon De La Cruz, Ramona, landed a 5.4-pound cat in Half Moon Bay. A 1,000-pound plant of catfish went in this week. The bass bite is still decent with fish biting plastic worms. Bluegill action fair, with the best bite in Hidden Bay. Upcoming events: A contest taking place each week will award the angler with the heaviest catfish a $100 prize. The angler must record the weight of his/her fish between 7 a.m. Wednesday and lake closing Sunday to qualify. 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: Warm weather means good action for catfish, bass and redear. The crappie bite is hit and miss, however. A catfish plant went in two weeks ago with another one scheduled for next week and Aug. 11. Kevin Chinn, Poway, landed an 11-pound catfish on mackerel off Eagle Point. The bass bite is fair with fish reported on the surface and off the bank at night, deep the rest of the time. 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: Good to excellent catfish action on mackerel. Bluegill and crappie bites also good on wax worms and crappie jigs respectively. Slowish and inconsistent bite for the bass and trout. 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: The water is warm, which means the trout bite has slowed down quite a bit. Trollers are landing a few on Rapalas, but the action is minimal. DFG trout plant this week, which should spark some immediate action. On the other hand, the channel catfish and bass action heated up with the warm weather. The cat action is good with action reported on nightcrawlers or mackerel. Don Wallis, San Diego, landed an 8-12 channel cat. Bass bite also good, with anglers reporting the best action on Brush Hogs or plastic worms. Monica Herrington, Fallbrook, caught an 8-8 largemouth in Pumphouse Cove. The panfish bite is fair with anglers pulling out a variety of crappie and bluegill. Brad Pifer, La Mesa, pulled out 25 crappie and 10 bluegill. 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. 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: Good to excellent catfish bite on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or shrimp. Anglers have reported the best action near the dam in the weeds. Guillermo Villegas, San Diego, landed an eight-pound catfish. Dwayne Henderson, Moreno Valley, caught a seven-pound catfish stringer with his top fish a five-pounder. Steve Rumble and Leonard Allen, Escondido, teamed up and brought in seven catfish. Their top fish was a five-pounder. Rodrigo Luriel, La Mesa, and Luis Esquives, Imperial Beach, landed a four-pound catfish. Bass bite fair to good with some limits reported off Rocky Point, near the dam on plastics. Tim Sotola, Oceanside, landed a six-pound bass. Mark Smith, Dana Point, and Larry Wilson, Poway, caught and released sixteen bass. Their top fish was a four-pounder. Kenneth Alfred, San Diego, brought in a three-pound bass. Crappie action fair with fish to two pounds reported on crappie jigs. Horacio Franco, Fallbrook, landed the top fish of the week, a huge, near-record four-pound crappie. Tim Wright and Don Marshall, El Cajon, caught four. Top fish was a 1.7-pounder. Kenneth Alfred, San Diego, caught a 1/2-pound crappie. 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: The nighttime striper bite is back in business with anglers using anchovies or plastics in the Vegas Wash area, but the daytime bite is also good. Most stripers have been under four pounds. The deep striper bite is also decent on cut bait between Hemenway and Pyramid Island. Few catfish and bass have been reported. Only an occasional cat has been landed off shore, and the rare largemouth bass on topwater baits.
WILLOW BEACH:. Fair trout bite on good on spinners, salmon eggs, or floating baits just off shore. Trout continue to be planted every Friday. Stripers spotty. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Striper bite fair to good, but only the small ones have been really showing and producing action. The stripers are going after shad imitation lures. 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: Catfish bite fair to good 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: Striper bite good on shad, swimbaits, sardines, and cut anchovies in 35 to 56 feet from Copper Canyon south to Standard Wash. The bite perks during the afternoon. 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 to good catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds or better on shrimp and mackerel. As the temps get higher, the action gets better for the cats. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite good with some fish close to 20 pounds, and a rare one 30 or better. 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: Largemouth bass action fair on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel catfish bite decent, and the crappie bite is also fair on small live minnows. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma has the best action, especially for the catfish. Fair to good channel catfish, redear, and bluegill bite throughout the area. Catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms. The flatheads have been active.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: Slow bite. Check on the action 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: Good action at Bridgeport Reservoir for both bait and fly fishermen. The water is clear and the weed beds where the fish feed are completely visible. The lake is full of DFG stocker-sized trout. The East Walker and Buckeye River channels are the prime fishing areas. The East Walker River has good nymph fishing action early. Fish downstream, below the bridge. Green Creek is good, and the 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 for Alpers’ and rainbows at all the lakes in the loop -- June, Gull, Silver and Grant. Pulling streamers or using large bait fish patterns has been best at all. The bite at the inlet of Grant is exceptional with black or purple wooly buggers. All the lakes in the loop have been stocked with Alpers’ trout recently, and this should keep things going. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: The rainbow and brown trout action at Crowley Lake is good. A number of decent fish were brought in, with the hot spot for both in Crooked Creek. Top fish was a 6-4 brown trout brought in by Eric Henson, Seal Beach, on a Rapala off the marina. Spencer Sakae landed a 5-14 rainbow. Ricky Kamayatsu, Whittier, landed a 5-1 rainbow. The bite at Hot Creek is fair to good, but inconsistent. Water is 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. Lake George and Mary are producing some nice Alpers’. 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. Upcoming events: Crowley Lake Stillwater Classic scheduled for August 9. Entry fee is $75 and includes entry, T-shirt and BBQ lunch. Proceeds will be used to stock Crowley with brown trout. Fishing and classic information: Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301 or www.CrowleyLakeFishCamp.com. For fishing info, call 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 is full and fishing good. Recent rains brought the lake levels up, and the action with it. Anglers have reported full stringers. Preston Jennifer Scott caught a five-pound Alpers’. The bite is also good in the Dingleberry Inlet for anglers using mini-jigs, flies, or drifting around the rock piles on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Trollers are filling theirstringers with flashers and red and gold Thomas Buoyant or gold Kastmasters. Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fair to good for trout and perch. 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 better every week. The trico emergence and spinnerfall has kept the morning action good, with a decent PMD grab following. 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, Lone Pine Creek, and the Owens River (below Tinnemaha). 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. The catfish bite is still the best with excellent action on clams and liver. Austin Clevenger, Bakersfield, caught a 12-pound catfish on mackerel. Good bass bite, especially during the weekend’s tournament. The crappie bite is hit and miss with only a few pockets of fish in deeper water producing. Bluegill also hit and miss. 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 flies, crickets, and salmon eggs. The lower river had some flash floods last week, and the result is extremely muddy conditions that made things nearly unfishable. Give it another week before the area clears up. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: Few reports, but some of slot to fair bass and bluegill action.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The catfish bite is good to excellent on mackerel and clams. Billy Rosales, Bakersfield, caught 11, 8, four and three-pound catfish on chicken liver. Jonathan Rosales, Bakersfield, landed a pair of five-pound catfish on anchovies. Striper bite fair 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 to excellent on meal worms and crickets. Good bass bite on topwater plugs in the evenings. Good carp bite on dough bait. Catfish bite picking up. Fair trout bite.
MING LAKE: Fair to good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Fair bass bite on Senkos, plastic worms and minnows. Good carp bite on dough bait. A few trout biting Power Bait.
BRITE LAKE: Catfish bite fair on anchovies. Also a few bass showing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good catfish bite on shad. Bluegill bite also good on wax worms.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets. Bass bite fair on minnows and plastics. Consistent, good carp bite on dough bait.
SUCCESS LAKE: Improved action. Levels continue to drop and the bass bite has improved drastically with anglers pulling out decent numbers of fish, with some nearing 10 pounds. Plastic worms are the top bait choice. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Slow to fair bass bite on Senkos. Levels are high. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good crappie bite reported off shore on crappie jigs and minnows. Striper action also fair to good in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies and swimbaits. Little to no smallmouth action, however the largemouth action is fair to good around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits and plastic worms. Fair to good, and improving catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Fair to good largemouth bass action on Brush Hogs, plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have pulled out limits with largemouth to five pounds or better on some. The early morning bite from sunrise to 8 a.m. is still the best time. 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: The overall action improved and the bite for most species is fair. The spotted bass are best on plastics and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines. Some anglers have reported catching close to 20 fish in a day’s fishing. Largemouth and small action fair with the largemouth action slightly better with fish reported on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite with more showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Crappie bite still the top species with good action on crappie jigs. Fish to two pounds or better have been reported in the past few weeks. James So, Arroyo Grande, landed a 1 3/4-pound crappie. Bass action also very good on plastic worms in Cottonwood Cove. The trout bite is surprisingly decent even with the lake temps in the mid to upper 70s, and rising. Bait anglers have pulled out a number of fish on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. 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.
RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Jenks Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
INYO: Baker Creek (lower), Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
MADERA: San Joaquin River Middle Fork, Sotcher Lake, Starkweater Lake.
MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, Mill Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, 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, 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, Ward Lake.
KERN: Kern River from Powerhouse #3 to Riverside Park, Kernville.
MADERA: Fish Creek, Lewis Creek, Lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake, North Fork of Willow Creek, Upper Big Creek, West Fork of the Chiquito Cre.
TULARE: Balch Park Eastern Lake, Balch Park Western Lake, Hedrick Pond Campground Pond, Kern River from Brush 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 (upper), South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Ceder Slopes.
TUOLUMNE: Deadman Creek, Lyons Canal, Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River, Moccasin Creek, North Fork of the Stanislaus 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 ISLANDS UPDATE: There is a good signal in the Channel Islands on white seabass, yellowtail, and calico bass. Several boats have been reporting catches of all three species. On most days, these surface fish spice up the action with a few fish here and there, while the rockfish remain the mainstay of the catch. The rockfish bite remains consistent and excellent. The Coroloma out of Ventura Sportfishing recently returned with 35 anglers catching 340 assorted rockfish with 10 whitefish, 37 sculpin, three ling cod, and five sand bass. That has been a pretty typical score this past week, along with an occasional seabass or yellowtail in the bag.
LOS ANGELES LANDINGS UPDATE: There continue to be excellent signs for the yellowfin tuna and dorado off the Los Angeles County coast, especially in the channel between the mainland and Catalina, but very few fish are being taken. Skippers and anglers are seeing the exotics, but they are just not biting right now. Anglers on several boats have seen the yellowfin mixed in with pods of porpoise, and the dorado show out from under floating kelp paddies, but they are just not biting. Catalina Island has had consistently good calico bass fishing, lots of bonito, and spurts of action on white seabass and yellowtail. Anglers aboard the Phantom, out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach, had 14 seabass, three big yellowtail, and near limits on calico bass in a trip earlier this week. Some of the yellows at Catalina have been topping 30-pounds. Action on the local half-day and three-quarter day boats has been hit and miss. One day there is wide open sand bass and barracuda action, and the next day it disappears. This bite has been increasingly frustrating.
ORANGE COUNTY LANDINGS UPDATE: At San Clemente Island, there has been fair to good calico bass action and a shot of yellowtail here and there. One of the best scores in the past week goes to anglers aboard the Tide Change out of Davey’s Locker in Newport Beach with 20 yellowtail at Clemente. Some of the skippers are looking offshore for pelagic species. Anglers aboard the Bongos III this past week landed yellowfin tuna, dorado, and albacore this week. Capt. Larry Phoenix, skipper of the Rampage out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing, when south into Mexican waters where they were in albacore and bluefin all day long in a tough bite early this week. Diligence put a few fish on the deck. The local action here is a repeat of the what the Los Angeles area skippers are reporting: Flurries of good action on sand bass and barracuda, but nothing consistent.
SAN DIEGO AREA UPDATE: The offshore fishing has continued very hit and miss this past week, with anglers aboard the 1 1/2-day boats seeing the best chance for an albacore, bluefin, yellowfin, dorado, or kelp paddy yellowtail. Some of these 1 1/2-day trips have been wide open, while most have been notches below that. One-day trips have mostly been flops this past week. This action is very dynamic, so anglers should plan to stay on top of this bite by checking the 976-TUNA.com site for updates. There are increasing signs that more tropical and sub-tropical fish will be in this region’s future. Warm water conditions are already pulling up some yellowfin tuna and dorado, but just like with anglers further up the coast, the fish are showing up not biting yet. The good news is that the local 1/2-day and 3/4-day boat anglers are seeing excellent action on sand bass, good barracuda fishing, and even a few yellowtail and halibut.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA and Shimano host instructional charters throughout the year, offering beginning anglers or veterans advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. For more information on upcoming Shimano/976-TUNA instructional charters, call 310-328-8426.

LANDING CONTACTS

Southern California: Virg's Sportfishing, Morro Bay, 805-772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, 805-595-7200; Sea Landing, Santa Barbara, 805-963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing, Ventura, 805-658-1060; Channel Islands Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-985-8511; Captain Hook's Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-382-6233; Port Hueneme Sportfishing, Hueneme, 805-488-2212; Malibu Pier Sportfishing, 310-328-8426; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, 310-822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, 310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro, 310-832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San Pedro, 310-547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-432-8993; Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, 562-983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, 949-675-0550; Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside, 760-722-2133; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, 619-221-8500; H&M Landing, San Diego, 619-222-1144; Seaforth Landing, San Diego, 619-224-3383; Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-223-1627; Islandia Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-222-1164.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.

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

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

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

RECENT BIG CATCHES

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

July 23, 2008 - Adam Cavazos, Menifee, caught this 4-9 largemouth bass near the west dam of Diamond Valley Lake on a crank bait.
 

June 26, 2008 - Jose Garlejo of Escondido caught this 18-6 blue catfish at Lake Wohlford.

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.