September 10, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. The top catfish action is still at Hesperia Lake in the High Desert, especially if you want a shot at a bigger fish. The top catfish this past week were a trio of fish over 16 pounds -- and there’s a shot at an even bigger sturgeon. Call the tackle shop for an update at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
2. A solid No. 2 pick for catfish is Lake Henshaw where the action has been very good on fish to six or seven pounds with a lot of quality stringers. This has been a sleeper pick all summer, but it’s the best bite seen at this lake in a number of years. For an update, call the Henshaw resort at 760-782-3501.
3. We have to keep this pick in the top three. The striper bite has been excellent at Castaic Lake for the past month weeks with a lot of quality fish into the 10-pound range being caught. The bite has been getting better this week as we head into the full moon on the 15th. The best bite has been on anchovies or trolled shad-like baits, and the fish are showing all over the lake. For an update, check with the marina at 661-775-6232.
 

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 has been tough, but the Mammoth Lakes and June Lake loop regions are improving with the cooler evenings. In Southern California, deep trollers are finding generally tougher action everywhere. There are still spotty bites at Diamond Valley, Casitas, Cachuma, Perris, with only Big Bear Lake getting better and better by the day thanks to the cool evenings up the mountain. In the Western Sierra, the upper Kern River is very good for the rainbows with dropping water levels.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: We’re in a general lull before the good fall bites kick off. Diamond Valley Lake is still fair to good, but it was slower this past week. With the full moon on Monday, this bite should perk again into the weekend, especially the topwater action. Barrett Lake remains very good for anglers with a permit. Casitas is also good but mostly on small fish, but some quality fish were caught this past week. Sutherland and Lower Otay, in San Diego County, and Perris in western Riverside county, remain top bets, too, but Castaic, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, Skinner, Piru, and Wohlford have fair to bass bites. Poway, El Capitan, and Hodges, all have much slower action.
STRIPED BASS: Silverwood, Casitas, Skinner, and Pyramid have all been fair to good this past week, with Casitas the best bet, producing fish to 10 pounds. 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, but that action has slowed way down. 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. Havasu improve to fair and Mojave remains fair to good on small fish. Fair and improving action in the lower river.
PANFISH: Top bets for bluegill and redear include Perris, Lower Otay, Elsinore, and Diamond Valley, about in that order, with the Perris bite sizzling again 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 1-8. There is also still a fair bite at Elsinore and Cuyamaca. The Central Coast lakes of Lopez and San Antonio both been pretty fair for the crappie, too.
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 continues to crank out the biggest fish. 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. 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 is excellent for anglers fishing off the docks and in the coves with anchovies, Gulp catfish bait, or chicken liver. Top cat pulled out this week was a 10-8 caught by Matt Torrez, Westminster, on mackerel. Jerald McAdams, San Bernardino, caught a 5-8 catfish. The striper bite is also very good with anglers catching plenty, even those fishing for catfish off the docks and dams on anchovies and nightcrawlers. The bass and carp bites are fair to good. Bass action best on plastics or nightcrawlers, and the carp are whacking dough baits. Crappie bite fair. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The rainbow trout bite improving every day, especially with the recent DFG plant with fish to two pounds. Nitro Bait and nightcrawlers used together is the best combination. Also some fair to good bass action on plastics. A few, rare smallmouth have also been reported. Isaac Estrada, 10, and dad Marc Estrada, Mission Viejo, caught several largemouth bass, as well as a few smallmouth bass up to two pounds. 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 this week. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The end of the summer bite is slow, although Chris Dinan, Mira Loma, pulled out an 8.8-pound trout on a Thomas Buoyant. The lake was stocked last week by Mt. Lassen, 1,000 pounds with another due next week by Jesse’s Ranch. Cooling water temperatures should improve the action. 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 two weeks ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: Catfish bite excellent on mackerel, nightcrawlers, shrimp or anything dipped in stink bait off the north shore, by the drain, and the dam area. Kevin Slic, Rialto, caught a 19-8 channel catfish. Martin Walker, Crestline, pulled out an 18-pounder. Shawn Patterson, Yucca Valley, brought in a 17 3/4-pounder. Daniel Maki, Victorville, pulled out a 16 3/4-pound catfish off the north shore. Fair sturgeon action with fish being pulled out on Power Bait and shrimp off the grassy bank and off the north shore. John Butler, Riverside, pulled out a 23 3/4-pound sturgeon. Clint Finchum, Riverside, landed a 16-8 sturgeon off the east end on Power Bait. The lake is planted with 3,500 pounds of catfish every week. Trout plants begin in October and the next sturgeon plant is in November. 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 improved drastically. Top baits are nightcrawlers, Power Bait (lemon twist and spring green) and Senkos. Hot spots have been off the eastern and northern shores of lake 2 and the grassy point of lake 3. Bass bite fair off the western shore of lake 2 and the southeastern shore of lake 2 on Senkos. Fair bluegill action on meal worms with fish biting near the 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: A fair bite for trout, bluegill and carp, with anglers reporting little sparks of better action. However, the catfish bite is on fire. Anglers have landed fish to nine-pounds on mackerel, shrimp or anchovies. Another plant went in this week, so the bite should continue. Information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite fair to good with some limits reported. Top baits have been shrimp, M&M (marshmallow and mackerel) combo and nightcrawlers.
YUCAIPA: Fair catfish action on anchovies, nightcrawlers, meal worms, or anything dipped in Sonny’s stink bait. Action is best in the afternoons. The daytime bite is sluggish. Weekly county plants continue for one more week 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 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: Bass fishing slowed, but still very good at times at the right spot with the right bait. Fish from two to three pounds are still lurking in 15 feet of water with bigger fish in 40 feet or more. Early morning anglers have reported a reliable topwater bite, but plastics and jigs were the mainstay this past week. Brody Hoffman, 12, San Diego, caught a three-pound bass in 15 feet on a Roboworm. The trout are out there, but are being stubborn making the bite slow to fair. Drift fishing with nightcrawlers or trolling Needlefish, Kastmasters, or Rapalas in 25 to 45 feet is the best bet. The striper bite perked to fair during low light conditions such as early morning or late evening. Topwater baits such as Spooks, Z-Plugs, or floating swimbaits are the best choices. The catfish bite turned on in the third cove, near the wave attenuator, and at the east dam on mackerel, shrimp or anchovies. Jesse Mena, Hemet, pulled out a 20.42-pound cat. Bluegill have been caught in abundance, but crappie and redear have been hard to come by. The big ‘gills have been biting along the dams in 15 to 20 feet on live worms or jigs. Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Bass bite good with fish reported on nightcrawlers or plastic worms. Chris George, Bakersfield, caught a 10-pound bass. Gary Foster, Cherry Valley, pulled out eight bass, top fish was a two-pounder. Exceptional bluegill bite on wax or meal worms. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, caught 68 bluegill last Friday, and 30 both Saturday and Sunday off the docks. Catfish bite good. Kyle Gillom, Moreno Valley, pulled out 26 catfish, top fish was a 19-pounder on mackerel. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The catfish bite is hot. It leads the action with an excellent bite for anglers fishing the inlet, off Launch Ramp 2, and off the west end of the lake on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. The striper and bass bites remain fair, but no reported fish this week. 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. 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: Good catfish action with the best bit on J.D.’s Super Catfish Bait, shrimp, or nightcrawlers doused with Nitro Gravy in shrimp or anchovy flavors. The biggest catfish reported over the past week was a 10-pounder landed Binh and Ben Pham, Riverside, who had a 10-fish stringer that totaled 35 pounds while fishing shrimp from shore. Albert Hinton, Los Angeles, landed 10 cats that weighed 19 pounds, while Freddy Sauramillo, Los Angeles, had 13 fish to 5 1/2 pound totaling 27 pounds. Both these anglers were using shrimp and fishing from a boat. Bass action has been very good for anglers fishing just after dark along the east shoreline rocks with topwater lures, jerkbaits, and plastics. The tilapia have been good, along with the bluegill, for anglers fishing nightcrawler pieces in the flooded trees. Lizzy and Marty Blount, Apple Valley, had nine tilapia that weighed 13 1/2 pounds total on ‘crawlers. 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, and fair action on 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 mid-September, 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. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday holidays. 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. Fall trout plants should begin soon. 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: Good catfish action, but the lake’s water level will begin dropping over the next few weeks. The biggest catfish reported was a 9.4-pounder caught by Steve Leong, Anaheim Hills, while fishing with shrimp off the sandy beach. Mark Walk, Loma Linda, had a 9.25-pound cat to top of his four-fish, 16 1/2-pound stringer, while cats at 8 1/2 pounds were landed by Kevin Park, Costa Mesa, to top off his 14-fish, 41-pound stringer, and by Dave Beaver, Anaheim. One of the best stringers of the week was landed by Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove, who landed 15 cats that weighed in at 45 pounds while fishing mackerel from a boat. His top fish was an eight pounder. Gerardo Ulloa, Bellflower, had 15 cats, including an eight-pounder, that weighed 25 pounds, also on mackerel. The best bite over the past week has been on shrimp doused with Nitro Gravy, but most cut baits, prepared cut baits, the marshmallow-meal worm combo, and nightcrawlers all have been catching their share of fish. There has also been a pretty good bite on carp over the past week in the Catfish Lake. Jose Villarreal landed nine carp to 5 1/2 pounds fishing rainbow Nitro Bait and nightcrawlers. Information: 714-632-7830.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: The big blue cats are out. Fish to 17 pounds have been caught on mackerel at the flats and mid-lake in the past week. Joey Arballo, El Modena, Aaron Titelman, Tustin, and Art Villa, West El Modena, landed a 49.2-pound limit of catfish. Terry Lairson, Huntington Beach, caught a 17-12 blue off the Santiago Flats on a chunk of bonita. Donovan Swann, Fontana, caught a 15-2 blue catfish. The channel catfish bite is also good on mackerel or nightcrawlers, also at mid-lake. The bass action is very good with anglers reporting over 30 largemouth in just a few hour’s work on spinnerbaits and plastics at the flats and off Rocky Point. Most fish are under three pounds. Excellent bluegill and redear action reported on meal worms and wax worms near the docks. The lake’s hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Bass bite fair with fish in the one to three-pound range. Top fish was a 4 1/4-pounder. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms in dark colors are best with the most success in mornings and late evenings. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are also good bets. Bluegill good on half nightcrawlers. Crappie good on assorted crappie jigs. Catfish bite fair. A 6 1/4-pounder was caught on mackerel. The launch ramp and the inlet entrance are the hot spots. 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 bite remains slow to fair. The bite is only good to those working extra hard, trolling deep, 40 feet plus, with Needlefish, Kastmasters or Rapalas. Not too much reported from bait anglers. Craig Whitman, Diamond Bar, caught a two-pound trout. 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: A good bite for the bass on topwater baits in the early mornings. Nightcrawlers producing for the remainder of the day. Lenny Curley, Ojai, caught the best fish of the week, a 13-pound bass on a plastic worm. Eric Johnson, Oxnard, caught a 10-3 bass. John Lopez, Oak View, pulled out a 9-8 bass on a spook. Brandon LeMay, Ojai, pulled out a limit of bass with fish in the three-pound range. Fair to good catfish action on mackerel and shrimp. Bob Grubb, San Marino, caught a nine-pound cat on mackerel. The trout went deep, 40 to 60 feet, not too many reports. Redear and crappie bites poor. The last weekend of nightfishing is Sept. 11-13. 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 striper have turned back on for trollers working off shore. Top striper was a 12.8-pounder pulled out by Dimitry Stephanov and Luanne Orielly, Woodland Hills. Erick and Raymond Sanchez, pulled out 30 striper totaling 102 pounds. The largemouth bass remain active in the mornings and afternoons on plastics and nightcrawlers. The lagoon is the hot spot for the bass with fish to nine pounds reported. A few bluegill in small numbers have been landed in the upper lake on wax or meal worms. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Continued slow trout bite, although anglers have had a preview of the fall bass bite. Bass have been biting plastic worms and lures. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound. 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.
PYRAMID: The striper bite is excellent with fish reported in the five-pound range, with the occasional 10-pound or better brought in. Boils reported all over. Best action on cut baits or shad-like swimbaits and cranks. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers. Largemouth and smallmouth bites have slowed. This weekend’s tournament should produce some good numbers, however. Best baits have been nightcrawlers. Some catfish reported in the channels 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 remains fair for a majority of the day. 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 on cut 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: This week the 63 anglers checked reported 667 bass, two crappie and one bluegill. Reservations for September are available through Ticketmaster. Call (619) 220-8497. The lake is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Sept. 28 will mark the last fishing day of this year. The lake will reopen in Spring 2009. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Bass bite slowed significantly. This week 108 anglers reported 41 bass, 15 bluegill, five channel catfish and one crappie. The lake is open for fishing and boating Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Fair bass action. This week 115 anglers reported 147 bass, four channel catfish and two blue 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: Phenomenal bluegill bite. Good bass bite, too. This week 257 anglers reported 798 bluegill, 334 bass and 19 channel catfish. 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: Fair bass action. This week 17 anglers checked reported 49 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: The lake is closed and is expected to remain closed for six to nine years for dam reconstruction. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: The bluegill bite picked up but the overall action is still fair at best. This week 96 anglers checked reported 40 bluegill and 22 bass. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are available Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: The bluegill bite picked back up with a fair bite. This week 67 anglers checked reported 33 bluegill, seven redear and five channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: This week the 43 anglers checked reported 113 bass, 28 carp, 16 crappie, five channel catfish and one blue catfish. 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 cut mackerel, chicken liver, nightcrawlers and shrimp off the east end. Scott Osborne, Valley Center, landed a 4-15 channel catfish on a shiner off the South Shore Rock Pile. Bass and bluegill also fair. Bass anglers fishing worms in dark colors are reporting the most action. Jeff Hodges, Valley Center, pulled out a 6-5 bass on a Senko off Bass Point. Bluegill fair on wax or meal worms. Crappie bite good on golden shiners and finger jigs. Jerry Harris, Riverside, pulled out a 1-8 crappie. Scott Osborne also caught a 1-4 crappie. 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 one month ago.
DIXON LAKE: The nightfishing came to an end, but the catfish bite remained good in the mornings and late evenings in deeper water at the buoy line. The cats are in the one to two-pound range and have been landed mostly on mackerel and shrimp. A 2,000-pound plant went in last week. Bass bite perked with a fair to good bite on Senkos and jigs in Boat Dock Cove. Dan and Shirley Siemens, Huntington Beach, pulled out over 10 bass, including a seven-pounder. Mike Collins, San Diego, landed an 11-pound bass. Pier No. 1 remains closed due to construction. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The catfish bite slowed down with nightfishing coming to an end, but some reported fair to good action on mackerel. Greg Campbell, San Diego, caught an 8.5-pound catfish on chicken liver off the fishing pier. Todd Wilson, Mira Mesa, pulled out a 7.5-pound catfish. Kirk Aguon, Poway, caught a 4.8-pound bass on red and white jigs in Hidden Bay. Matt Honick, Poway, landed a 3.75-pound bass in Boulder Bay. The bass bite is also on the slow side with only a few good moments of action on plastics. Very good bluegill bite on worms in Hidden Bay. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Channel and blue catfish bites good on mackerel or nightcrawlers at the buoy line and in Hermit Cove. Victor Gonzales, San Diego, pulled out a 24-8 blue catfish on mackerel in Hermit Cove. Lonnie Carpenter, Imperial Beach, caught a 14-8 channel cat on mackerel. Dan Heiser, El Cajon, pulled out a pair of eight-pound channel catfish. Bass bite good, and improving as fall approaches. Bass anglers are pulling out fish to two pounds off the shore on plastic worms. Only one week of nightfishing remains. 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., including Labor Day. 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 continues to lead the action with a good bite on wax and meal worms. Andrew Spurling, San Diego, brought in a stringer with 25 bluegill on red worms below the cabins. Good catfish action on nightcrawlers and mackerel off Paradise Island. Stuart Baldino, Descanso, landed a five-pound channel catfish. Lanny McCay, San Diego, pulled out three channel catfish totaling nine pounds off the North End. Cody McCay, San Diego, caught a fair of two-pound channel catfish. 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: Crappie and bass bites still good, keeping anglers busy. Crappie anglers are using jigs and minnows, bass anglers are using plastic worms. Good channel catfish action on 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. the 10th Annual Orville P. Ball Memorial Fishing Derby is set for Saturday, Sept. 27. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Good catfish bite on nightcrawlers and shrimp. The hot spots are near the dam and in the inlet. Clinton Mitchell, San Diego, pulled out five cats. Top fish was a seven-pounder. Cheryl Mozell, San Diego, caught a limit of five catfish with a six-pound top fish. Mike Elmore, Temecula, and Ron Hanson, Hemet, also caught five catfish with a three-pounder the top fish. Gene, Cindy and Scarlet Butler, Lakeside, caught a three-pound bullhead and a 7-8 channel. Eric Yarourgh, San Diego, landed three cats with a six-pounder at the top. Good crappie action along the dam on white jigs. Greg Johnson, Hemet, and Bruce Brown, Eastlake, caught twenty-eight crappie to 1-8. Keith Greetis and Gregory Morningstar, Valley Center, also caught a stringer with crappie to 1-8. A few bass have been reported in a fair bite on plastics or nightcrawlers. Gene, Cindy and Scarlet Butler, Lakeside, also caught a four bass at three pounds each. The lake is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Nightfishing is over. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: The night striper action in the Vegas Wash continues to be the best action 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 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. 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 to good 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 picked back up with a fair to good bite in the early morning 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 on Monday. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair to good catfish action with some flatheads 12 pounds or better on shrimp and mackerel. 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 is the best fishing spot, 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: Fair tilapia bite with waves of actions and some reported stringers of fish. The heat and flies can be unbearable so 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 excellent at Bridgeport Reservoir with anglers catching loads of fish in the inlet and springs where the water is cooler. Recently, the fish have been most active in the mornings. Damsels, callibaetis, and midges are all over the place. The water temps at the East Walker are finally starting to drop with cooler nights. 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, Silver and Grant Lakes have all been excellent. Lots of early morning surface activity at all four. When the sun comes up the fish go deep. The best technique at all lakes is fishing sinking lines with nymphs and streamers. Rush Creek is running low, 21 cfs, which means the bite isn’t as good. The evening has been good for dry fly fishing with good caddis hatches on all the lakes. Information: Ernie’s Fishing Tackle (760) 648-7756 or June Lake Marina (760) 648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: The bite at Crowley Lake is wide open for fly-fishermen. McGee Bay is still the hot spot for anglers fishing midges in seven to 12 feet of water. Nice fish in the 20-inch plus range have been pulled out with plenty from 15 to 16 inches reported. Fish outside the weed lines in seven to 10 feet of water. The bite at Hot Creek is fair to good, the water is clear and the flows are around 50 cfs. Lots of weed growth make fishing tough. Good stocker trout action in Mammoth Creek and all the Mammoth Lakes -- Mary, Mamie, Gull, and George. Bait anglers are scoring in 20 to 40 feet at Mary. The fly-fishing options are best at Mamie and Twin Lakes. 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: A lot of hit and miss action, but patient anglers are catching fish throughout the Bishop Creek drainage. Slow action at Sabrina with only a few planted fish showing. Fish the inlet with salmon eggs, Power Bait or Gulp. Shore anglers are using nightcrawlers and a bobber or Power Bait and Gulp combined. Greg Lee, Newbury Park, pulled out a 4 1/3-pound rainbow on a brown wooly bugger, while Jacob Dougherty, Garden Grove, caught a 4 3/4-pound trout. 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 the lower Owens River and local creeks coming off the Sierra, mostly for planted trout. 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, and Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Catfish bite fair to good on clams and liver. Fair to god bass bite on crawdads. 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 flows are also down to about 600 feet so the area is very fishable. Both the trout and smallmouth bass bites have picked up. The hatchery at Kernville has started planting the area with trout, and the bite is picking up. 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 on mackerel and shad. Fair to good action on small stripers with blood worms.
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 carp bite on dough bait. Catfish bite decent.
MING LAKE: Fair to good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. 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 fair 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 bite good to good. The bite has been very consistent off shore on crappie jigs and minnows. Fish to two pounds have been caught. 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 remains 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: Consistent and good largemouth bite on Brush Hogs, plastics or crankbaits. Anglers have pulled out limits with largemouth to five pounds or better on some. Some smallmouth also starting to show. The early morning bite from sunrise to 9 a.m. is the best time. Fair 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 spotted bass are fair to good 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 remains 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:
SAN BERNARDINO: Lake Gregory, Santa Ana River, South Fork of the Santa Ana River.
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), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, South Fork of Bishop Creek, Rock Creek Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Rock Creek from French Camp to upper bridge at Rock Creek Lodge, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, South Fork of Lee Vining Creek, Tioga Lake, Trumball Lake, Twin Lakes, upper Owens River from Benton Crossing to Crowley Lake, upper Virginia Lake, Virginia Creek.
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River from Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville, Kern River from Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach.
TULARE: Kern River from Brush Creek to Fairview Dam, Kern River from Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge, South Fork of Middle Fork Tule River at Camp Nelson.
TUOLUMNE: Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River.

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: The white seabass bite died over the past week in the Channel Islands, but there has been a good bite on the calico bass, bonito, and rockfish. Better tides through the full moon on Monday could again lead to a spark in the seabass action here.
LOS ANGELES LANDINGS UPDATE: For the Los Angeles-based boats, the offshore fishing has continued tremendous with overnight boats hitting the Tanner and Cortez banks for yellowtail, bluefin tuna, albacore, and even yellowfin and dorado. Some of the yellowtail are pushing 30 pounds and quality fish of all species are possibility. On Wednesday, the Freedom reported in with 51 bluefin and 11 big yellowtail to 35 plus pounds on the deck. At Catalina Island, there are huge numbers of yellowtail in several different areas around the island but the action has been scratchy over the past week with just a few fish reported on local 3/4-day boats -- but there is decent calico bass and bonito fishing on these same trips. The local half-day boats are seeing slower surface action with just OK sand and calico bass fishing, along with a few bonito and barracuda mixed in. Also a good rockfish bite.
ORANGE COUNTY FLEET UPDATE: The hot offshore action has been good for overnight boats out of Orange County landings, too, with good scores on albacore, yellowfin tuna to 50 pounds, dorado, bluefin tuna, and sometimes all those species on a single trip. The Toronado out of Pierpoint Landing on a 1 1/2 day trip checked in Tuesday evening with 40 yellowfin, 1 bluefin, 8 dorado, and 15 skipjack with still a little daylight left to fish. The local fleet has also seen a great influx of yellowtail along the Orange County coast, but the fish are still not biting as well as they could and should.
SAN DIEGO UPDATE: Excellent early fall action with tremendous schools of 25- to 35-pound yellowfin tuna continuing to push in to one-day range of San Diego. Not only are the yellowfin numerous, but there 20- to 35-pound albacore, lots of dorado, skipjack, and bluefin, with some bigger fish off all three species. The Legend out of Seaforth Landing checked in Wednesday evening on a 1 1/2-day trip with just 15 anglers on board. They were still fishing but had limits of dorado and 60 quality yellowfin.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting a whole series of September charters during the peak of the fall 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 September trips are all two-day adventures. The leave date and boats are as follows: 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.

August 22, 2008 - Donavan Swan, Fontana, caught a stringer of catfish totaling 24-8 on mackerel fishing near the boat dock at Santa Ana River Lakes.

August 18, 2008 - Eddie Rodriguez and Freedie Lopez, both of Wilmington, caught this nice bunch of catfish totaling over 27 pounds while fishing with mackerel at Santa Ana River Lakes.

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 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.