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August 20, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

 

1. The bass bite broke wide open again this past week at Diamond Valley, probably because of the full moon this past weekend, but the action has stayed pretty good into this week, especially for anglers throwing topwater baits. Cooler evenings have really sparked the bite. Top fish reported this past week at the marina was a nine-pounder. The trout bite has also been consistently good all year. For a fishing update, check with the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. Casitas Lake is fishing like mid- to late-September with a bite that rivals Diamond Valley for both volume and quality. The fish are mostly showing on plastics, but there’s also a morning topwater bite. Top fish here, like DVL, was a nine-pounder this past week. There are special restrictions for private boat use due to quagga mussels, but there’s a good rental fleet available. For an update and more information, call the marina at 805-649-2043.
3. Henshaw Lake has been a sleeper spot for much of this season with both good to excellent catfish action and a really good crappie bite. This past week, there have been cats to 36 pounds landed and a number of crappie in the two-pound class. New nightfishing has just made for better catfish action. For an update, call the Lake Henshaw Resort at 760-782-3501.


FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS


TROUT: Generally good fishing throughout the Eastern Sierra Nevada with Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir 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, but the mid-day heat shuts down the bite. In Southern California, deep trollers are finding good action at Diamond Valley again, while the bites at Casitas, Cachuma, Perris, and Big Bear have been fair to good. Hemet Lake continues fair. In the Western Sierra, the upper Kern River is very good for the rainbows.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Diamond Valley Lake broke wide open this past week with the best fishing of the summer on plastics and topwater. Barrett Lake remains very good for anglers with a permit. Casitas is also very good, rivaling Diamond Valley. 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 to good bass bites. Poway, El Capitan, and Hodges, all have fair bites, while Silverwood and Pyramid are also pretty fair.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood has been the top striper producer this week with good action on smaller fish to four pounds and some bigger. Casitas and Pyramid have been nearly as good at Silverwood, but Skinner has been less consistent this past week. The best action at all four has been on anchovies or frozen shad (if you can get it). A few wipers are showing at Elsinore, too, in a fair bite. On the Colorado River, the best striper action has been an excellent bite in Mead where a lot of smaller fish to three pounds showing. Havaus slowed, but Mojave remains fair to good. Slow to fair action in the lower river.
PANFISH: Top bets for bluegill and redear include Perris, Elsinore, Casitas, Lower Otay, San Vicente, and Diamond Valley, about in that order, but the Perris bite has slowed some this past week. On the Central Coast, Lopez has an excellent bluegill and redear bite with fish to a pound. Most Southern California crappie bites are off, but a there has been a surprisingly good crappie bite at Henshaw this past week with fish to two pounds. There are also still a slow to fair bites at Piru, Sutherland, and Elsinore. The Central Coast lakes are a better bet. Lopez and San Antonio have both been pretty good for the crappie.
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, but SARL and Corona both get bonus plants of 12 to 20 pounders this week and next week. All of the San Bernardino County Park lakes are being planted each week with catfish, and all are pretty good. Henshaw may have the best bite on non-weekly planted lakes with Diamond Valley a close second. Both are good to excellent and Henshaw cranked out a 36-pounder this week. Silverwood, Skinner, and Pyramid are all good for cats, too. The lower Colorado River and river backwater, ditches, and canals have been consistently fair to 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 catfish bite continues to be the hot bite with fish to eight pounds reported off the docks, dam, and most coves, on anchovies, shrimp or mackerel. Burt Roon, Santa Ana, landed a nine-pound catfish, and Karl Quint, Anaheim, pulled out a six-pounder. Good striper bite for anglers fishing swimbaits or anchovies off the docks. Alice Grayson. Fontana, caught an eight-pound striper. The trout are deep and near the dam on worms and Needlefish with most under two pounds. Largemouth bass action fair with some quality fish to four pounds being caught off main lake points in deep water. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Trout action still slow with little change in the bite over last week. Only a few fish have been landed in the late afternoon on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Some trollers bring them in on spoons. DFG trout plant this week. Catfish fishing remains good off the east end 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. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Excellent trout action with the recent stockings by both the DFG and Mt. Lassen. Bea Dvorak, Moreno Valley, caught a stringer of trout totaling 13.12 pounds. Top fish of the bunch was a 3.11-pounder. The lake will receive another load of trout this Friday, and a load of Alpers’ on Tuesday, August 26. 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


VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE FISHING TOURNAMENT: There will be a fishing tournament at the lake of the Victor Valley College campus beginning 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 6. Entry fee is $10 per person and tickets are available at Sportsman’s Warehouse, Victorville, Hesperia Lake, and the college bookstore. Information: 760-955-6700.
HESPERIA LAKE: The catfish and sturgeon continues good. The catfish are biting off Sand Point, North Shore and near the drain on mackerel and Sonny’s dip bait, while the sturgeon are hitting off the North Shore and off the grassy bank on shrimp. The lake is planted with 3,500 pounds of catfish every week. 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 still on the slow side, but the action has improved and is fair at times. Anglers are catching fish when working nightcrawlers, jigs or Power Bait. Hot spots include the eastern and northern shore of lake 2 and the grassy point of lake 3. Bass bite also improving with anglers reporting a fair bite off the western shore of lake 3 and the southeastern shore of lake 2 on Senkos. Bluegill taking lures and meal worms near pump house and off the western shore of lake 2. 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: Still only fair for the trout. Anglers are using Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Catfish bite fair to good on various stink and blood baits, as well as meal worms and nightcrawlers in the cattails and off shore. Next catfish plant will go in this week. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY


CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. County catfish plants each week. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite slowish, but some anglers have pulled some fish out on shrimp, mackerel and the M&M combo (marshmallow and meal worm). The fish have ranged from one a half to two pounds. Bass, bluegill and carp action remain slow. Lake information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good catfish bite on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal worms, or anything dipped in Sonny’s stink. Action is best in the afternoons. 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: Fair to good catfish fishing on mackerel, shrimp, Hog Wild or anything dipped in Sonnyís. 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 bass bite is hot again -- possibly the best it’s been in several summers. The topwater bite is sold for those fishing Spooks, Sammys or small poppers early in the day. The rest of the day is all about drop-shot plastics. Barry Carter, Redlands, hooked the top bass of the week, a 9.13-pounder. Trout are proving to be the most consistent year-around bite with anglers reporting stringers with fish from two to four pounds. There was a lull this past weekend, but the action has picked back up. Top baits are nightcrawlers, while trollers are using Needlefish, Kastmasters or Rapalas. The catfish bite is also hot on mackerel or shrimp in the third cove and at the inlet tower. Jesse Mena, Hemet, caught a 25.03-pound catfish off the south shore. Roland Andrade, Jr., Corona, pulled out 25 catfish on plastic worms (salt and pepper). The striper bite does not compare to the other species with slow to fair action, mostly on overcast mornings. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: The bass bite is good with action reported on worms in dark colors near along the beaches and grass beds. Tommy Elms, Orange, pulled out a five-pound largemouth. Fair to good trout bite, considering the hot weather. Anglers have pulled out limits of fish easily on Power Bait or nightcrawlers near the dam in deep water. Tamara Timlins, Van Nuys, landed a three-pound trout. Redear and bluegill bites are making some noise, although slower than previous weeks. The bite is best on wax or meal worms just off shore for smaller fish and in deeper water for bigger ones. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Continued excellent catfish action, and while no more 10-pound cats have been pulled out this week, a six-pounder was landed by Hector Perez, Riverside, on chicken liver from the inlet. There was a recent 500-pound plant of cats. Bluegill bite good for anglers using nightcrawlers or worms off the east end. Marcus Gabriel, French Valley, pulled out a 1-8 bluegill. Reports of scattered striper action in the inlet in the early mornings on anchovies and chicken liver. Richard Adams, Vista, pulled out a 23-pound stringer of stripers. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Crappie and bluegill still the dominating the action, although the bite slowed to fair to good. The bluegill are biting crickets or wax or meal worms. Crappie action best 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 and bigger 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. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Catfish and tilapia have continued to show in good numbers. The top catfish reported this week was an 18-8 caught by Albert Van Dyke, Hawthorn, on the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo. Bryan Stone, Riverside, landed a 12-8 catfish on mackerel with Gravy while fishing from boat. Sharon Green, Placentia, caught a 10-4 catfish on shrimp with Gravy. Top stringer was landed by Lance McNiven, Bakersfield, and totaled just over 30 pounds. McNiven was fishing with mackerel in the trees. And even more trophy cats are on tap for this weekend and Labor Day weekend with bonus plants of 12 to 20 pounds going in this week and next. Tilapia are showing on nightcrawlers with a lot of fish in the 1 1/2 to two-pound range reported, and the biggest tilapia are in the three-pound range. All-night passes available Friday and Saturday nights. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Catfish action fair with the most action reported on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Still some slow to fair bass action on plastics and crankbaits. Some small bluegill action around the shorelines.
RANCHO JURUPA: Catfish still the name of the game here. Anglers are catching a fair number of fish to three pounds with an occasional bigger fish. Catfish are scheduled to be planted every other week through the summer, with a plant last week. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair to good catfish bite from both lakes, with times of better action in the evenings through dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong’s. Catfish plants and fishing derbies every other week. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair to good catfish action on nightcrawlers or 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: Excellent catfish bite with heft stringers being pulled out on chicken liver and nightcrawlers. The bite is exceptional in the mornings before noon and in the afternoons. Catfish are planted when the current stock goes below 2,000 pounds. Extra fish are already going in for Labor Day. 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: Slow trout action for shore anglers with a perk in the bite in the early morning and evening hours, with a few limits posted. Trollers are still getting fish on Needlefish, and bait anglers drifting nightcrawlers in deep water are also scoring. Most of the rainbows are 1/2 to 1 1/4 pounds with some bigger. Last DFG plant July 22. Michele and Michael Lafton, Anza, both had limits of trout Thursday and Friday last week, and the pair also landed eight catfish fishing from shore in the evening. Fair bass action on plastics and crawdads. Catfish fair 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: The catfish bite has been good, and bonus plants of trophy fish from 12 to 20 pounds are scheduled for this week and for Labor Day weekend. The action has been for boat anglers fishing the deeper water, but nearly as many fish are coming from shore with the cats being caught all the way around the big lake, in Chris’ Pond, and the Catfish Lake. A wide variety of cut baits, prepared baits, and nightcrawlers are working on the cats, and most anglers are adding scents to improve the action. Rick and Brenda Haney, Hemet, teamed up to catch a five-fish stringer totaling 24-8 with an 8-8 topping their catch. Their 8-8 catfish was good enough to be the top fish this past week. The Haneys caught the fish on nightcrawlers with Nitro Gravy at Mike’s Beach. Sammy Gray, Anaheim, caught a 6-12 catfish, while Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove, had a 20-fish stringer totaling over 60 pounds. Special discount coupons available from the lake web site at www.fishinglakes.com (then click on “Special Promotions”). There is 24-hour fishing Thursday through Saturday nights, and Sunday on Monday-holiday weekends. 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: Continued good catfish fishing for anglers using mackerel, shrimp, Gulp or DuMong’s. Terry “Pontoon” Lairson, Huntington Beach, caught a 12.06-pound catfish on mackerel off Rocky Point. Harry Davenport, Newport Beach, pulled out a five-catfsih limit totaling 30.1 pounds on mackerel on the flats. The crappie bite is good on the flats on jigs and shrimp, and at night on minnows. Edgar Nunez, Orange; and Marty Sauceda, Costa Mesa, each caught a 1.2-pound crappie. Bass bite fair to good with fish landed on creature baits and drop-shot plastics off Rocky Point and the flats. 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. Reported fish are in the one to three-pound range and have been landed on drop-shot plastic worms (in dark colors) in the early mornings and late evenings on topwater and crankbaits in bluegill patterns. Good catfish action on mackerel, shrimp dipped in garlic sauce and chicken liver off the launch ramp and at the back side of the small island. Crappie and bluegill good on assorted crappie jigs, meal worms and half nightcrawlers fished off 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: Slow bite for trout, but still OK for the few anglers putting in the extra work and trolling deep, 40 feet plus, with Needlefish, Kastmasters or Rapalas. Not too much reported from bait anglers. Crappie bite spotty with a few fish on jigs. Bass bite slow to fair with only a few decent waves of action on plastic worms in the early morning. Catfish bite continues to be slow, but with a few sparks reported this week on shrimp, mackerel or anything dipped in stink baits. 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: This end-of-summer-like weather has the bass bite excellent on plastics. Brittany Chisum, Ojai, pulled out a nine-pound bass on nightcrawlers. John Lopez, Oxnard, landed seven and eight-pound bass on plastic worms. Travis Walters, Oak View, caught five bass for 22 pounds. Top fish of the stringer was 7-8. Bluegill and redear are biting aggressively in the shallows and flats on nightcrawlers and red worms. Catfish action fair on nightcrawlers in deep water. Bob Blocker, Ventura, landed a nine-pound catfish on a chunk of mackerel. Trout bite fair for trollers using Needlefish in 40 feet with some in the two-pound range. Roger Snowbarger, Ojai, pulled out a five-fish limit from the dam area on Needlefish. 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 largemouth bass bite continues to lead with good to excellent action on small plastics, jerkbaits, and crankbaits in deeper water in the late mornings and afternoons. The lagoon continues to be a hot spot for largemouth bass from one to three pounds. Tim Durham, Florida, caught a seven-pound largemouth bass in the Fish Arm. The striper action is also decent with a good bite for anglers fishing swimbaits, anchovies or nightcrawlers near the buoy line and in the Fish Arm. Rick Howe, Ventura, caught a six-pound striper near the dam. Joey Horvath, Camarillo, pulled out a 1-8 striper. Some catfish action has also been reported in the mornings, but not too from the cats for the rest of the day. Some bluegill action with fish under a pound. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Slowish trout bite with only a few bait anglers reporting catches, although some trollers have caught fish deep on Kastmasters, Rapalas or Needlefish. 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: Largemouth bass continues to be the dominating species with a fair to good, sometimes excellent, bite. Anglers have reported the most fish up shallow early in the day on drop-shot plastic worms. Slow to fair trout action with anglers catching a few fish only 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: Fair to good catfish bite, with excellent action during the cooler parts of the day, mornings and evenings. Pieces of mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers are the top choices for the cats. Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits, and live worms. The fish are deep. 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: Catfish bite perked from the slow side for recent weeks. The bite improves to good in the later part of the day, and 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: No recent plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
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: No recent plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
LEGG LAKE: No recent plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Catfish action fair to good on mackerel or shrimp. 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: Continued good bass action. This week 129 anglers checked 1,065 bass, 79 bluegill and two crappie. Reservations for September are available through Ticketmaster. Call (619) 220-8497. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Much improved bass and crappie action. This week 133 anglers checked reported 84 bass, 44 crappie and 10 bluegill. 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: Bass bite is fair. This week 71 anglers reported 85 bass, 10 blue catfish, four channel catfish and one bluegill. 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: No report. 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: No report. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Fair to good bass and bluegill bite. This week 69 anglers reported 146 bluegill, 139 bass, 20 redear, 20 crappie and 17 channel catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Sunday for fishing and boating. Rentals are available Thursdays and Fridays only. The shoreline from the launch ramp to the buoy line is closed to all activities. 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 and bass bites continue on the downfall, although the bluegill bite remains fair. This week 79 anglers checked reported 19 bluegill, nine 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: The overall action slowed down even more over last week. This week 65 anglers checked reported 17 channel catfish, 15 bass and one 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: This week 51 anglers reported 152 bass, 37 crappie and 20 carp. Cameron Rodriguez, Ramona, landed a 6.80-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 channel catfish bite on shrimp, mackerel and shrimp. Bass and bluegill also fair. Bass anglers fishing worms in dark colors, and bluegill on wax or meal worms. 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 LAKE: Last week’s plant, 2,000 pounds, perked the bite. The night action is excellent, but will only last for two more weeks. The last catfish plant of the season will be Aug. 28, 2,000 pounds. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Last weekend’s Midnight Catfish Craze had anglers pulling out decent channel catfish for cash. Paul Yoshida, Oceanside, pulled out a 7.63-pound channel catfish on mackerel at the Log Boom for $800 in prizes. Kyle Heaston, Escondido, took second with a 7.11-pound channel catfish. Jeff Simmons, Poway, took third with a 6.57-pound channel catfish on chicken liver. Steven Gessler, Mira Mesa, pulled out a 5.48-pounder for fourth place. Other notable catches outside the tournament include a 7.8-pound channel cat by Bryan Landhan, San Diego. Another catfish plant 1,000 pounds will go in next week. 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 information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: The recent full moon has brought about some better action. Channel catfish bite fair to good on mackerel or nightcrawlers at the buoy line. Matt Ryan, Descanso, caught a 16-2 channel catfish. Bass bite good, and improving as fall approaches. Bass anglers are pulling fish to two pounds out off the shore on plastic worms. Only two weeks of nightfishing remain. The lake is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 8 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: The bluegill bite stole the show with a good bite on wax and meal worms. Other action has been slow, with only a few bass and catfish reported. 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: High water temps have changed up the line up here. Crappie and bass have bites just as good as the catfish. Crappie anglers fishing jigs and minnows, bass anglers are using plastic worms, and the channel catfish anglers are using shrimp and mackerel. 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. Upcoming events: free fishing class Saturday at 10 a.m. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Channel catfish bite continues to be exceptional. This week’s 36.2-pound channel catfish pulled out by Alejandro Navarro, 5, Santa Ana, was the top fish in the good bite. Anglers are fishing mid-lake and pulling out channels over 10 pounds on mackerel, nightcrawlers or shrimp. Good crappie action along the dam on white jigs. Herschel and Alex Hall, Lakewood; and Ron Hall, Atwater, caught 14 crappie on white jigs. A two-pounder was top fish. Larry Rosby and Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, pulled out 14 crappie. Their top fish was also a two-pounder. 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 night striper action in the Vegas Wash is still the best action here on anchovies and plastics. Fish are still showing in the Vegas Wash during the day, and it’s just exceptional at night. Anglers have been using artificial lights and have attracted an abundance of fish in the 13- to 18-inch range. The night catfish bite is also fair to good for anglers using lights and then fishing anchovies. Launching conditions at South Cove are almost impossible with the dropping water levels.
WILLOW BEACH: Good trout bite immediately following the weekly plants on salmon eggs or floating baits just off shore. Trollers are also catching trout on Jakes, Panther Martins and spoons. Trout continue to be planted every Friday. Stripers spotty. New fishing dock is open for fishing. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: The small striper action is exceptional. Anglers are using anchovies at night for the best catches. Not too much noise from the stripers, however. A few random reports of catches have been made, but nothing as good as last season’s bite. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Still a slow striper bite, with few reports. Little to no trout bite. Catfish also spotty.
NEEDLES: Striper bite slow to fair with only small fish landed downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Catfish bite fair on nightcrawlers and anchovies. A few bass biting on plastics. Some bluegill around structure. The stripers are nonexistent, and the crappie bite is almost as slow, other than a few fish reported at random on jigs. 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 action slowed down just a notch. The action is still fair with a decent early morning top water bite around the reefs and points. Early morning casting and trolling with jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps will also help turn on the bite. Large and smallmouth bass fishing fair on topwater just before dawn. All these bites should perk with coming full moon Saturday. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair to good catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds or better on shrimp and mackerel. Full moon this week should improve the bite. Information: June’s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Flathead bite fair to good with some fish close to 20 pounds, and a rare one 30 or more. The bass bite has been just fair 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: OK catfish bite on mackerel. Few reports. Bass action slow to fair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
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 channel catfish. Fair to good channel catfish, redear, and bluegill bite throughout the area. Catfish taking mackerel or shrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms in the river and backwaters. The flatheads have been fair to good in the main river, mostly on live bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS


SALTON SEA: Sill a fair tilapia bite with some decent stringers of fish reported, but the heat and flies are so bad most anglers are only fishing early in the morning. 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: The fishing is fair to good at Bridgeport Reservoir with anglers catching loads of fish near the Buckeye Inlet early in the early morning. Recently, the fish have been concentrated in 12 to 15 feet of water. The hatches continue. Damsels, callibaetis, and midges are all over the place. The water temps at the East Walker remain above 70 degrees. It is asked that anglers wait until the temps drop below 70 before fishing (early morning only) because the stress of catch-and-release fishing with the temps this high is hard on the fish. Flows are around 90 cfs. Virginia Lakes are very good. Big Virginia’s fly and bait bite is hot. Twin Lakes fishing fair for trollers fishing on top. West Walker River good from 395 bridge down the canyon into the town of Walker, both stockers and wild fish showing on dries and droppers. 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: June, Gull and Silver Lake have the best bites in the loop. The bite at Grant isn’t as good because the levels are low, and the temps are still high. Yellow and red streamers are a good choice along the weed beds at Silver Lake. Callibaetis and Damsel patterns have been good mid-morning. Gull has been fishing well with a variety of nymphs and midge patterns. Rush Creek is running low, and clear, but the water temps are up a little. The evening has been good for dry fly fishing with good caddis hatches. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: The bite at Crowley Lake is good for fly fishermen. McGee Bay is still the hot spot in seven to 12 feet. Nice 18-inch cutthroats, and rainbows and browns to 22 inches have been pulled out. Mark and Garret Harrington, Mammoth, caught several rainbows to 22 inches. The bite at Hot Creek is fair to good, but the thickness of the weeds is making things a bit complicated. 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. The water temps are warming, so the bite is deep during the late morning and evening. The San Joaquin River is really coming down and the fishing is good for wild and stocked fish. The area between Rainbow and Lower falls is a good spot. A dry/dropper setup is a good bet. Sotcher and Starkweather lakes both are good. Convict Lake bite good for rainbow trout at the inlet and outlet on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. Upcoming events: Labor Day Trout Stock Fishing Derby set for August 30 and September 1. 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: Anglers were a bit distracted here with the fire that closed a few campgrounds and the South Lake Road, but it was quickly doused and it was back to business. A lot of hit and miss action, but ones that were patient were catching fish throughout the drainage. At Sabrina, Tom Edgerton, Queens Creek, Arizona, pulled out a five-pound Alper on an earthworm. Nicholas Lawrence, 7, pulled out a 4 1/4-pound Alper on Power Bait. Nightcrawlers have been the best bait all around. The inlet is the hot spot. Trollers have had their share of action using flahsers and a nightcrawler or olive Wooly Buggers. Bishop Creek and Intake II were planted this week. Pleasant Valley Reservoir is fair to good for trout and perch. The trout are biting Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) has a good early bite. Flows are at 369 cfs below Pleasant Valley. Tricos hatch around 7 a.m., baetis start mid-morning. 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. Diaz Lake slow. Plants this week at Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA


DERBY ALERT: Striper derby will continue through August 31. Biggest striper 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. Excellent bass bite on crawdads. A few crappie have been landed on small minnows. Also some fair trout fishing on Power Bait. 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. Earl Wagner, Bakersfield, caught a 3 1/4-pound trout on salmon eggs. The lower river is starting to clear some, although the bite is still sluggish. The hatchery at Kernville has started planting the area with trout, and the bite should start to boom soon. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: Few reports, little to no action.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The catfish bite is good to excellent on mackerel and clams. 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 decent.
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.
BRITE LAKE: Catfish bite fair on anchovies. Also a few bass showing.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good catfish liver, mackerel or Sonny’s. Bluegill bite 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. Decent bass bite on plastic worms. Bluegill bite good on wax worms and crickets. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Slow to fair bass bite on Senkos. Fair bluegill on wax or meal worms. Levels still high. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES


SAN ANTONIO: Crappie action remains good. The bite has been very consistent off shore on crappie jigs and minnows. Striper action even better, with an exceptional bite in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies or 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 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: The bluegill bite is red hot on crickets and wax worms. Anglers are landing up to 100 bluegill in one trip with fish from one half to three-quarter pounds. A few one pound or better have also been pulled out. Good crappie bite on crappie jigs and minnows. Fish to two pounds or better have been reported over the past few weeks. Bass action also very good on plastic worms in Cottonwood Cove. The trout bite is surprisingly decent even with the lake temps in the 70s. Bait anglers have reported easy limits 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.
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), Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MADERA: San Joaquin River Middle Fork.
MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, 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) and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
FRESNO: Dinkey Creek, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park.
MADERA: Corrine Lake, Fish Creek, Lower Chiquito Creek, Manzanita Lake, Upper Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River, Yosemite Lake.
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, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Ceder Slopes, upper Peppermint Creek.
TUOLUMNE: Deadman Creek, Lyons Canal, Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake, Powerhouse Stream, South Fork of the Stanislaus 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


TUNA AND EXOTICS UPDATE: The full moon spread the fish out this past week, but fishing was generally hot right up through Sunday for most of the San Diego, Orange County, and even Los Angeles-based boats running offshore and fishing kelp paddies from the Nine Mile Bank out to 120 miles and beyond. The action has continued to be that bizarre mix of yellowtail, dorado, yellowfin tuna, albacore, and bluefin tuna. And the size of the fish has been extremely variable. Albacore from three to 30 pounds have shown up in recent catches. Yellowfin can be five pounders or 45 pounders. Dorado can be dinks to 20 pounds or more. The bite got a little tougher on Monday and Tuesday this week with a lot of boats scoring zeros, but the action was picking back up again on Wednesday. For example, the Seahorse out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing returned with 52 yellowfin tuna to 45 pounds and 17 dorado on a 3/4-day trip. The San Diego, also on a 3/4-day jaunt offshore, had 40 anglers who landed 31 yellowfin and eight dorado on Tuesday. This fall-like bite should really surge back on once the tides and moon phase improves. The volume of fish is high and water conditions are perfect.
ISLANDS NEWS: The few boats running to Clemente are mostly hanging offshore and fishing the Tanner and Butterfly banks. There have been some big yellowtail on the Tanner and the Butterfly has been good on the yellowfin, mixed grade albacore along with yellowtail and dorado on the floating kelp. At Catalina Island, there has been a pretty good yellowtail bite on the front side of the island to mix well with the good calico and bonito action. There is some kelp paddy yellowtail and dorado action in the channel, but they have been heavily fishing and tough. There’s even yellowfin on the 14-Mile Bank, but also a tough bite right now. The six-pack charter boat, Dreamer went to Catalina on an overnight trip on Monday and the six caught 23 yellowtail and four white seabass. Up in the Channel Islands, the moon seems to have slowed the seabass action at Santa Rosa Island a bit, but there’s still a good bite on rockfish and decent bass action.
NEARSHORE UPDATE: Even the half-day and three-quarter day boats fishing close to the coast are getting a few migrants. The Mission Belle was on a ¾-day trip with 27 anglers Wednesday and they landed 16 yellowtail, limits of sand bass, eight bonito, two barracuda, a calico and a sheephead fishing the local kelp off San Diego. The New Seaforth was on a half-day Tuesday with 36 anglers and they still managed eight yellowtail, 32 bonito, 28 barracuda, eight calicos and one whitefish. And this bite was slower early this week than it had been for 10 days. Lots of bass, barracuda, and bonito on these trip all the way from the Channel Islands south to San Diego, and there is always a chance for a yellowtail or even a dorado.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting a whole series of August and September charters during the peak of the exotics’season. These instructional charters are held throughout the year, offering beginning anglers or veterans advice and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. These August and September trips are all two-day adventures. The leave date and boats are as follows: Aug. 17 aboard the Ocean Odyssey, Aug. 25 on the Pacific Quest, Aug. 30 on the El Dorado, Sept. 9 on the Dolphin II, Sept. 21 on the Pacific Queen, and Sept. 28 on the Condor. 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 25, 2008 - Derek "Kid Wiper" Snyder with a seven-pound, six-ounce wiper taken in Lake Elsinore, off Rocky Point. Notice the much larger girth compared to a striped bass.

 

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.