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September 24, 2008

JIM MATTHEWS’

PICKS OF THE WEEK

 

1. For largemouth bass action, it was a tough pick to decide between Diamond Valley and Casitas this week, but DVL gets the nod because of it better access to boaters. It is again wide open on the largemouth with that bite expected to just get better as we move into the new moon. Top fish reported this past week was an 11 1/4–pounder -- but so many guys don’t report their DVL catches anymore, as if it were a secret how good this lake has become. For a fishing update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle at 951-658-7410.
2. Casitas has very good this past week with a lot of quality bass over eight pounds reported, including one fish over 12 pounds. Most of the bigger fish are showing on swimbaits, but plastics, cranks, and topwater baits are all in the mix. As expected, morning and evening bites are the best. For an update, check with the folks at the marina at 805-649-2043.
3. Stripers bites are really starting to open up as evenings cool. The fish will be back on the schooled shad, which will be moving back up, and the bite will just keep getting better. Silverwood Lake is cooling down quicker than some of the other lakes, and the bite is wide open here. While most of the fish are five pounds and under, the action is hot. One angler reported landing over 80 stripers in several days of fishing this past week. Trolling or casting small swim baits or fly-lining frozen cut baits down to the bottom are the best tactics. For more on the Silverwood bite, call the marina at 760-389-2299 or the Silverwood Country store at 760-389-2423.
 


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 is fair and improving, and 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. Urban water trout plants will start at many locations in the coming weeks, with the Hesperia Lake in the High Desert to be the first to put in trout with plants going in next Thursday, Oct. 2.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The good fall bites are starting to kick into gear across the region. Diamond Valley Lake and Casitas are both very good with some real quality fish starting to show. 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, Castaic, Skinner, and Pyramid have all been good this past week, with Silverwood and Castaic the best bets, Silverwood with better volume and Castaic with better size, including a fish just under 10 pounds. 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 improved with fair to good action 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 all of the bites dropping off a little this past week. All should improve again with the new moon. On the Central Coast, Lopez has a good bluegill and redear bite with fish to a pound or better. Most Southern California crappie bites are off, but there is still a fair bite at Elsinore and Cuyamaca. The Central Coast lakes of Lopez and San Antonio both have 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. Henshaw and Diamond Valley have the best bite on non-weekly planted lakes, but both slowed a little this past week. Both are still good bets, however, especially going into the new moon. 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 striper bite is still going strong with good to excellent action by the dam and inlet and in the deep coves on garlic worms, anchovies or nightcrawlers. Ed Rister, Hesperia, and his buddies caught 80 stripers to five pounds this past week, mostly trolling. Leo Tyler, Temecula, pulled out a 3-8 striper. The catfish bite is also very good on chicken liver, anchovies or nightcrawlers. Top catfish was a 4 1/4-pounder caught by Kenny Brea, San Bernardino. Bryan Gilmore, Upland, landed a four-pound catfish at the spillway. Largemouth bass bite fair with some reported action on plastics, jigs, and deep cranks. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The rainbow trout bite is fair to good, with the best bite for trollers or bait anglers using Nitro or nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant last week. Also some fair to good bass action on plastics. Smallmouth are showing near the observatory on plastics and small spinners. The largemouth have been reported up into the four-pound range and have been caught off the east end on plastics and topwater early and late in the day. The channel catfish bite is still hanging on with a fair bite off the east end. Dan Marshall, Sugarloaf, pulled out a 22-12 channel cat. Upcoming events: Troutfest scheduled for October 4-5. Call 949-366-0030 for more information. Lake information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow to fair 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 lake was stocked with 1,000 pounds of trout two weeks ago, and the bite is fair to good. Silver Kastmasters, Atomic Teasers, Power Bait, and nightcrawlers have been the top choices for bait. Tom Johnson, Lake Havasu, caught 9-6 and 8-4 trout, one on a gold Thomas Buoyant and the other on an orange Power worm. The weather is improving the already good bite. Recent night temps have dropped to the 40s, and the fish from deep are coming to the surface. 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: Trout bite slow to fair on nightcrawlers and Power Bait with the occasional spark of action in the mornings and evenings when the water cools down.
JENKS LAKE: Fair trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant last week. 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. Fred Romero, Little Rock, caught a 24-pound channel cat on mackerel off the north shore. Ronald Johnson, Barstow, landed an 18 1/2-pound blue on shrimp with garlic scent. Carl Bevins, Redlands, had a 17 ¾-channel, while Jason Dawson, Victorville, caught a 17-pounder. Mike Allen, Fontana, landed a 12-8. Fair sturgeon action with fish being pulled out on Power Bait and shrimp off the grassy bank and off the north shore. Nick Martinez, Lancaster, caught and released a 54 ½-pounder on a nightcrawler. Rick Duarte, Hesperia, landed a 13 ½-pounder. The last catfish plant of the season will be Monday, and trout plants begin next Thursday, October 2, and will be twice a week. 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: The cooler nights and moderate day temps continue to improve the trout bite, which was good to excellent this week on lures, jigs, Senkos and nightcrawlers. Many limits reported with fish to two pounds. The hot spots have been off the eastern and northern shores of lake 2 and the grassy point of lake 3. Benito Rojas, Adelanto, pulled out a limit of trout, including fish at 4-1 and 3-4. Ed Herman, Wrightwood, caught a limit of trout totaling 12-10. Jack Krause, Alta Loma, landed a 3-8 rainbow caught on a Lip RipperZ worms. Fair bass bite off the western shore of lake 3 and the southeastern shore of lake 2 on Senkos. Bluegill bite fair on meal worms 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 sparks of better action. Horseshoe Lake is producing the most fish. The catfish bite is slowing down, with only a few reported on anchovies or mackerel. A DFG trout plant went in this week. 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 mackerel and shrimp. Also a fair bite on bass and bluegill. Trout plants to begin in late October.
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. No more channel catfish plants will go in. 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. Trout plants should start in late October. No more channel cat plants will go in. 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 continues to dominate with the most fish caught in 20 to 40 feet around the dam and off shore on frozen shad, plastic worms or Rapalas. Dakota Keller, Fullerton, pulled out an 11.25-pound bass off the west dam. James Mehan, Winchester, caught four bass for 13 pounds. The hot summer catfish bite is starting to level off, although a few fish have been caught on mackerel, shrimp or anchovies. The big ‘gills have been biting along the dams in 15 to 20 feet on live worms or mini-jigs. Top ‘gill in some time was a two-pound Florida pulled out by Mike Stowell, Hemet, on nightcrawlers off the south shore. 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 fair to good on jigs off the east dam. Tim Droughtfur, Temecula, landed a 5-1 bass. Joe Willings, Devor, pulled out a 4-5 bass. Trout action improved with the cooler nights. Anglers have pulled out fish trolling by the dam or fishing nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Brian English, Riverside, caught a two-pound trout. Catfish action fair to good with fish from three to 19 pounds reported on mackerel, anchovies or nightcrawlers. Bluegill bite fair on wax or meal worms. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Catfish remains the center of attention here, although the bite was just good, as opposed to excellent. Cut mackerel and chicken liver have been the most producing baits with the most fish being caught off Ramp 2. Ralph Ortiz, Fontana, caught a 20-pound catfish on chicken liver. Good largemouth bass bite off the east end on dark plastics or nightcrawlers. Trever Bray, Riverside, landed a nine-pound largemouth off Marina Point. James Vanguard, Temecula, pulled out a 6-8 largemouth. Some fair striper action in the mornings on anchovies near the inlet or for trollers using swimbaits and Rattletraps in the afternoons near the marina. Trout action set to begin soon. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Crappie bite fair to good in deeper water on nightcrawlers and small jigs. Bluegill still biting, although the bite is only fair. Best batis have been crickets or wax or meal worms. Wiper (striper-hybrid) action fair, but slowing down with a few fish in the four-pound range landed off shore on shad or for trollers using various lures. Carp fair to good off the east end on dough balls. Catfish and bass are hit and miss. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: There continues to be a very good general bite with catfish, bass, tilapia, bluegill and crappie all showing up in the catch each week. Joseph Soto and Paul Skaterz, both Corona, had nine catfish that weighed 17 pounds, including one at 4 1/2 pounders. Ashley Norman, Ariana Hernandez, Victor Perez, and Anthony Abarca, all Anaheim, had a 14 1/2-pound stringer, with catfish to 4 1/2 pounds and tilapia to a pound. Earl Pierce, Temecula, landed five cats to four pounds and his total stringer weigh was 12 1/2 pounds. The bass have been stirring lately with a good evening bite on topwater, plastics, and small cranks. While no fish like the 17-pound, 10-ounce lake record fish caught last week have been landed, there have been a good number of 1 1/2 to four-pound bass caught. The tilapia, bluegill, and crappie are good on wax worms, meal worms, nightcrawler pieces and small jigs, with the best bite around the flooded brush and trees. Weekly catfish plants. 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 remain the name of the game here. Anglers are catching a fair number of fish to four pounds with an occasional bigger fish. Bric Johanson, Moreno Valley, caught a five-pound cat on a nightcrawler from the front lake. No more catfish plants this season, but trout plants are slated to begin the first week of November. Upcoming events: Trout tournament scheduled for January 24. 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. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Fair to good catfish action on nightcrawlers or shrimp. No more catfish plants will go in, but trout plants will begin in October or early November. The lake’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: The catfish bite remains consistent, considering the heat. Mornings to about 11:30 is when the bite is best, and then things pick back up from 2 p.m. until sunset off the island. Mackerel, shrimp and stink baits are producing the most. Trout plants will begin on Halloween. 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: Trout action has improved with the cooler weather and shore anglers catching as many fish as boat anglers. Justin Wilson, 5, San Jacinto, caught a six-pound trout this past weekend, while Curt Lott, Lakewood, had a five-trout limit topped by a two-pounder. Tristen Simpson, Riverside, had a two-pound rainbow. Best action on inflated nightcrawlers. Still fair action on bluegill and bass, and the carp bite is very good for those targeting them. Jane and Steve Desrocher, Hemet, and Pat and Cathy Schmitt, La Quinta, have landed 629 carp since July on Carp-A-Mole. 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 broken wide open with the dropping water level, which has concentrated the fish into a smaller area. More and more quality fish are showing, too. The biggest fish reported this past week was a 16 1/2-pounder landed by Tom Shin, Orange. Sharon Green, Yorba Linda, landed a 9 3/4-pounder, while Harry Shaffer, Cerritos, caught a 9 1/2-pounder to top off his five-fish, 24 1/2-pound stringer. Crystal and Samantha Gray, both Anaheim, landed five cats that weighed in at 17 pounds, but the big fish was a nine pounder. Manuel Rodriguez, Santa Ana, had an 8 1/2-pounder, while Tim Johnson, Orange, landed an 8 1/4. Rick Haney, Garden Grove, had a five-fish stringer that weighed 26 1/2 pounds, and his big fish was 7 1/2 pounds, making the average fish over five pounds. Most cut baits are working, but shrimp was especially good this week, and fish are showing all around the lake. Anglers are cautioned to be very careful along the steep-sided shoreline when fishing, but the lake will remain open as long as possible during the drawdown and the lake will continue to be stocked each week. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at 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: The fall catfish bite is in full swing with several fish over 12 pounds reported on mackerel, shrimp and DuMong’s off the Santiago Flats, the west shore, and near the docks. Richard Arthur, Los Angeles, pulled out 17-9 and 13-2 catfish on marshmallows, shrimp and Catmando. Mitz Onizuka, Irvine, landed 17, 14, and 12-pound catfish. Ronson “Catmando” Smothers, Los Angeles, caught 16, 14-1, 14, 13-4, and 13-1 catfish at mid-lake. Donovan Swann, Fontana, pulled out 13-14, 10-8, 10-2 and 10-12 catfish. Bass bite good on worms and jigs in 20 feet. A few carp have been pulled out as well as bluegill on meal or wax worms. Upcoming events: Trout opener scheduled for Friday, October 31. That week 20,000 pounds of trout will be planted. 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 to good with fish in the one to three-pound range. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms, and topwater lures in dark colors are best with the most success in mornings and early evenings. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are also good bets, but during the day only. Bluegill good on half nightcrawlers. Crappie good on assorted crappie jigs. Catfish bite good on nightcrawlers, mackerel and shrimp at the point, near the launch ramp and at the opening of the inlet. 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: The trout bite continues to hang on, although the action should make an improvement after the fall plants begin early October. Anglers and trollers are having to work extra hard for the fish. Trollers are working deep, 40 feet plus, with Needlefish, Kastmasters or Rapalas. Some bait anglers have reported fish on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. 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 for the past few weeks 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: The big largemouth are on the prowl with the cooling water temperatures. Top fish was a 12-6 caught by Larry Elshere, Ojai, on a swimbait. Don Northern pulled out a 10-8 largemouth, while Seth Casey, Oak View, landed a 10-pounder. Easton Perez, Oak View, pulled out a smaller one, a seven-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler. The morning and evenings are producing the best with the most fish caught on plastics, nightcrawlers and Swimbaits. Only a few trout have been caught for trollers working Needlefish in 40 feet. Bluegill and redear taking nightcrawlers and plastic worms in Wadleigh Arm and Station Canyon. 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 and striper bites have slowed due to lower water levels. For stripers, trollers are doing best while shore anglers have landed some fish in the one to three-pound range. The largemouth are taking shad imitation lures, while the stripers are taking frozen cut bait and frozen shad. Todd Davis, Oxnard, caught a 1-8 largemouth off the west ramp. Fred Crummett, Lancaster, pulled out a 40-pound stringer of stripers. Top fish was an 8-2 on Super Flukes from the Fish Arm. Catfish to 10 pounds have been taken in a fair to good bite on cut bait and Power Bait. Bob Sullivan, Tujunga, caught a 10-6 catfish. A large carp was pulled out this week. Danny Gutierrez, Oxnard, landed a 32-pound carp on cinnamon bread. No bluegill or crappie reported this week.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: Shore fishing has been prohibited until further notice. Boat fishing is still allowed, however. The striper bite slowed to fair, with a few 10-pound or better brought in. 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 improved over the weekend on plastics and swimbaits. 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 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. Fairish 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: The excellent bass bite continues, but the bluegill bite crashed. This week the 121 anglers checked reported 803 bass and two bluegill. Reservations for October 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 next spring. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Improved bass bite but still slowish action. This week 94 anglers reported 78 bass. 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 improved to fair. This week 95 anglers reported 141 bass, 12 channel catfish, two blue catfish and one crappie. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 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: Very good bluegill bite, although not as hot as last week’s. Good bass bite, too. This week 257 anglers reported 477 bluegill, 383 bass and six 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 to good bass action. This week six anglers checked reported 18 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/.
MURRAY: Overall slow action. This week 66 anglers checked reported 17 bass and five bluegill. 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: Overall slow action. This week 48 anglers checked reported 18 bass, 16 channel catfish and eight bluegill. 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: No report. 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: The channel catfish bite is the best here. Anglers have reported a good to excellent bite on mackerel. Mark Snell, Middletown, caught a 3-6 channel catfish off the West Buoy Line. Fair to good bass bite with some smaller fish biting off the shoreline while chasing after the schools of shad. Douglas Brown, Eunice, Louisiana, caught a 2-4 bass on purple plastic worms. The crappie bite improved with fair action on live shiners and crappie jigs. Jerry Harris, Riverside, pulled out a 1-10 crappie from Boat Dock Cove. 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: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: 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 three weeks ago. The bass action is fair on Senkos and nightcrawlers. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The bite is pretty slow, except for the occasional early bass bite off the surface. 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: The recent low water levels have brought back the bass bite along the shore on crawdads. Dan Heiser, El Cajon, caught a 7-8 largemouth bass on an Ika in Cactus Patch. First trout plant slated for Oct. 22. 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: Good catfish action on nightcrawlers and mackerel off Paradise Island. Bass and bluegill bite fair with bass most active off submerged points and the bluegill bite is best in the coves on wax or meal worms. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: The first trout plants of the season went in this week, 1,700 pounds from Jess Ranch and 1,600 from the DFG. Eric Rynd, 10, Chula Vista, caught a 2-8 rainbow trout in Kitchen Cove. The channel catfish bite remains fair with fish landed in the coves on nightcrawlers. Chuck Serna, Warner Springs, pulled out a 15-8 channel catfish. 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. The 27th is also National Hunting and Fishing Day and no fishing license will be required. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: The good catfish bite continues for anglers using nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. W.C. Smith, Manhattan Beach, pulled out a 12-pound blue catfish off Rocky Point. The crappie action improved to good this week with fish being pulled out on jigs off the Fish-n-Float Dock. Dorothy Lamb, John Hartman, and Derek and Kristi Belmont, Norwalk, pulled out 20 crappie on jigs. Top fish was a 1-8. Tigran Keioglian, Porter Ranch, and Sedrak Apetian, West Covina, pulled out 15 crappie on jigs. Their top fish was also a 1-8. Largemouth bass action also good for anglers fishing Senkos and plasitcs. Smith, Manhattan Beach, landed a seven-pound bass. 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, although the new concrete ramp can be accessed.
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: Small striper bite remains good on cut anchovies. The schools of shad have emerged and the stripers are after them. Lake levels are steady. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: The striper action perked with a few anglers reporting fair action. A 40-inch striper was reported this week. Little to no trout bite, although plants should begin in late October.
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: The bite has been slow. Only a few bass have been caught on Senkos. 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 fair with the best 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. 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: Fair 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: No report. 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 in the inlets 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 have dropped drastically and the early morning and late afternoon bite is best. 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: The cold weather is starting to set in, although all the lakes on the Loop—June, Gull, Silver and Grant remain fair to good. The big fish are out there, so float tube with big streamers, such as white/grey double bunnies and rabbit-strip streamers. Boat midging and streamer stripping techniques are working. Try midging the outlet and inlet of Silver and near the reeds on the far side of Gull and June. Rush Creek is running at about 30 cfs. A small improvement in the fishing has been seen. The evening bite remains best 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. Water temps are lower than usual for this time of year, so look for the warm spots. The best spot continues to be in McGee Bay. Nice fish in the 20-inch plus range have been pulled out with plenty from 15 to 16 inches reported. The bite at Hot Creek is fair to good, the water is clear and the flows are around 50 cfs. Lots of weed growth slowed things down, but the fish are still there tucked away. Good stocker trout action in Mammoth Creek and all the Mammoth Lakes -- Mary, Mamie, Gull, and George. Bait anglers are scoring in 20 to 50 feet at Mary. Not much action in less than 20. Mainly bait anglers scoring. 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. Starkweather Lake is fishing better than the river now, so try fishing dries in the evenings. Convict Lake bite good for rainbow trout at the inlet and outlet on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. 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. Fair trout action at Lake Sabrina. For some the bite is producing, and for others it’s not. Fish the inlet with salmon eggs, Power Bait or Gulp. Shore anglers are using nightcrawlers and a bobber or Power Bait and Gulp combined. Scott Chattuck, Hesperia; Phillip Petteruto, Apple Valley; Nick Bryson, Barstow; and Ryan Wadsley, Hesperia, caught several limits of trout using a variety of baits this past week. 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 in slower water and eddies. 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, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444 or go to www.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA


LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie action is back with a fair bite on minnows in the trees. Fish from a quarter to a half-pound have been reported. Good bass bite on large minnows. 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 to fair on nightcrawlers and platstic worms. 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.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The catfish bite is fair on mackerel and shad. Ralph Barela, Bakersfield, caught an eight-pound catfish on chicken liver. 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. Improved bass bite.
BRITE LAKE: Few reports.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good bluegill bite on wax or meal worms. Fair catfish on shad. A few bass have been reported.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair bluegill bite on wax worms and crickets
SUCCESS LAKE: Improved action. Decent bass bite on plastic worms. Bluegill bite good on wax worms and crickets. The levels are still very low. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: 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 fair to good, sometimes excellent depending on the day. The bite has been consistent off shore on crappie jigs and minnows. Fish to two pounds have been caught. Striper action good with the best 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: The good largemouth bass bite continues 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 spotties are good to excellent 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 have landed up to 75 bluegill in one trip with fish from one half to three-quarter pounds. A few one pound or better fish 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. Trout bite fair. Lake temps are dropping so the action is improving. 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:
RIVERSIDE: Perris Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake, Mojave Narrows Regional Park Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca 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, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper).
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River from Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville, Kern River from Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, 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.

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


CORTEZ BANK BLUEFIN: There has been a huge volume of bluefin tuna on the Cortez Bank that one- to two-day boats from Los Angeles to San Diego have been hitting this past week. While the wind almost made it impossible for boats to reach this area over the weekend, a few boats slipped back in on Tuesday this week and found the fish still there, both the bluefin and yellowtail. Both the Toronado and the Freedom hit spots and had good catches again on 15 to 25-pound fish of both species. This is traditionally one of the best fall bite locations.
SAN DIEGO YELLOWFIN: While the yellowfin tuna had pulled into so close they were being targeted by the half- and three-quarter day boats, the fish have moved back off into the 35 to 40-mile range, pushed out by a band of green water, so it’s mostly the overnight boats that are targeting the yellowfin, dorado, and yellowtail handing on the kelp paddies south of San Diego now. Boat in this region on Tuesday and early Wednesday were averaging mixed-bag catches of 35 to 100 fish per boat.
NEARSHORE UPDATE: There are some yellowtail still showing off La Jolla and up the coast to San Onofre, but the winds slowed the local surface bites from the Channel Islands south to San Diego waters. There are some calico bass and white seabass showing at some of the kelp areas and points along the coast, but overall the winds and slightly cooler water slowed things. The coming new moon and its better tides should perk things as we move into the weekend.
ISLANDS UPDATE: Some boats running out to the Cortez Bank in rough seas ducked into San Clemente over the weekend and in recent days and found a spotty bite on the yellowtail. At Catalina Island, there has been light boat traffic, except for marlin fisherman who’ve been seeing very good action. There have been some yellowtail on the front side of Cat with a few white seabass still showing on the backside thanks to little pockets of squid. The Channel Islands have also been mostly slow for exotics, with yellowtail absent and only a rare white seabass catch these days. There have been flurries of decent calico and bonito action along with a few barracuda, but rockfish are a reliable mainstay.
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. The next trip is a two-day trip set to leave Oct. 5 on the Prowler. This trip is limited to 25 anglers for teaching about fall pelagic species -- yellowfin, dorado, yellowtail -- caught on kelp paddies. Cost is $390. 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.

September 8, 2008 - Terrence Berg holds up Patrick Raahauge’s 27-pound yellowfin tuna caught 20 miles off Mission Bay.

 

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.

 

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.