The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marina operators, tackle shops and local fishermen we contact. Anglers catching large fish should send the information to Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427, or telephone 909-887-3444, so it can be included in this report. Faxes can be sent to 909-887-8180. E-Mail messages or fishing reports can also be posted to Jim Matthews at odwriter@verizon.net.
This report is published by 12 daily newspapers in Southern California each week. Frequently it is edited for space. A complete version is posted on the Outdoor News Service web site ( www.OutdoorNewsService.com). The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning. 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 Outdoor News Service is also on Facebook with updated reports and photos posted throughout the week. The Twitter account name is MatthewsOutdoor. For our latest fishing information, use these sites.
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.
1. No change with the picks this week. Hesperia Lake stays in the number one spot this week thanks to its excellent trout action and continuing parade of trophy rainbows. Top fish this week was a 23-pounder (three weeks in a row with fish over 20 pounds). The lakeÆs water color is a little off, but the trout are still showing in good numbers. For an update on the action, check with the store at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
2. The largemouth bass bite at Diamond Valley is very good with a lot of six to 12-pound fish showing on plastics or jigging spoons or ice jigs in 20 to 60 feet of water. ItÆs the best of a handful of fair to good largemouth bites this week. For an update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
3. Anglers dip netting a few shad at Casitas Lake are seeing an excellent bite on bass. The shad are still schooling along the east shoreline and if you can get some (afternoon is best), the day will be good. Top bass this week were a pair of fish over nine pounds. For an update, call the marina at 805-649-2043.
TROUT: This is the peak of the stocking season for most of Southern CaliforniaÆs urban trout waters and the bite is good to excellent a lot of places. Top bets are Hesperia Lake with trout over 20 pounds again, Corona Lake with a fish over 20 pounds, too, Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, Jess Ranch, Yucaipa Park Lake, and Cucamonga-Guasti Park. Other good bets include Diamond Valley, Cachuma, Castaic, and Silverwood. In San Diego County, Jennings, Dixon, Wohlford and Poway are all getting regular plants. Plants recently in the Laughlin stretch of the Colorado River have kept this bite very good with the most recent plant this week.
BLACK BASS: The bass scene is now mostly a game of ice-jigging, slow-fished plastics, or bait in deep water, or hurling big trout-like swimbaits in planted trout waters. Overall, the bite is tough, but a few quality fish are showing, and there have been a couple of very resilient bites. First, there is the good deep-water bite at Diamond Valley Lake, Second, there has been a good live-shad bite at Casitas, if you can get the live shad. Other top bets for bass are Perris, El Capitan, and Otay, in about that order.
STRIPED BASS: While bites have been off because of weather, there have been some overall improvements and water conditions improve in the reservoirs that hold stripers. Skinner continued to improve with a fair to good bite this week and perhaps the best fishing in the region for stripers. Other slow to fair bets include Silverwood, Castaic, Pyramid, and Diamond Valley. No San Antonio reports, but the California aqueduct near Taft has been fair on bloodworms. The Colorado River reports have been scanty, although Havasu is fair at best with a little more activity again this week.
PANFISH: Redear, bluegill, and crappie bites have slowed everywhere. The only bites to note and watch are the crappie bites at Buena Vista Lakes near Taft, where there is typically a good winter bite, and a smattering of crappie starting to show at Cachuma.
CATFISH: Slow bites just about everywhere in urban planted waters or local water supply reservoirs with very light fishing pressure. The channel and flathead action is also slow all along the Colorado River, where the canals are all very low for maintenance work. The one bright spot? Lake IsabellaÆs usual winter catfish bite looks to be kicking into gear.
SILVERWOOD: There has been a good trout bite with DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. The best action has been around the launch ramp and marina with fish also moving into Cleghorn and Miller canyons and the action best on floating baits and Berkley trout worms. Some of the fish are nice-sized. Frank Chapman, Lucerne Valley, landed five rainbows to four pounds fishing trout plastics off the dock rocks. Sam Western, Fontana, landed three rainbows to 2-8 on garlic floating bait at the launch ramp. There is still a fair bite on stripers with the smaller fish showing on cut baits and small swim baits, and a few bigger fish being landed on big, trout-like baits. Best action has been in the same areas as the trout. Bill Paxer, San Diego, had two stripers to six pounds on anchovies near the dock. Other species very slow. The lake is at full pool. Quagga mussel inspections required here. The park is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Highway 330 up the front side of the San Bernardino Mountains is still closed, so the only access is up 18 through Lake Arrowhead, Highway 38 out of Redlands, or up the back side from the high desert, also on Highway 18. Mostly slow fishing and tough fishing conditions. There are still some trout showing in the Stanfield Cutoff area, Boulder Bay, and near the dam. All other species have been very slow. Fishing information: Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow trout action on holdover fish. The boat house is closed until April. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: No report. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
JENKS LAKE REGION: No reports from Jenks Lake. The Santa Ana River in the Seven Oaks area and the South Fork havenÆt been planted for over a month and the bite is very slow. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HESPERIA LAKE: The trout action remains good to excellent and a lot of trophy class fishing continue to be caught. The best fish this past week was a 23-pounder landed by Tim Blacksher, Ontario, on Power Bait in Finger Cove. Mike Salcedo, Rialto, landed a 21-8 on Power Bait off the north shore, while Jack Jones, Victorville, had a 19-12 on nightcrawlers at the drain. Martin Bustamonte, Oak Hills, landed a 17-pound off the north shore on Power Bait. The big fish are part of each weekÆs plant of Mt. Lassen trout. A few sturgeon continue to show, but the plant slated for early this month has been postponed temporarily. Jay Cartner, Long Beach, had a 15-pound sturgeon fishing anchovies at the inlet while Susan Sattler, Hesperia, had a 13-8 on the marshmallow-meal worm combo. Lake 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. There are $2 off coupons available at Bass Pro Shops. No state fishing license is required here. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: The trout bite has been good to excellent on the usual array of floating baits, inflated nightcrawlers, small jigs, and trout lures and plastics. Chris Johnson, Rancho Cucamonga, landed a 4-2 rainbow on salmon peach Power Bait from the east shore of Lake 2, while Mark Bailor, Riverside, had a 3-13 rainbow. Trudy Ropelato, Hesperia, caught a 3-12 trout, while Don Nott, Alhambra, landed a 3-11. The lake is open every Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Friday from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Fair to good trout action with both county and DFG plants last week and county fish again this week. Joe Perdue, Fontana, landed an eight-pound rainbow to top off his two-fish stringer fishing a green Trout Trapp jig tipped with a meal worm. Horseshoe Lake remains closed from last yearÆs flood damage. County plants are weekly through the end of March. The final San Bernardino County Park trout derby of the season will be here March 12. Entry fee is $15 (plus the daily $10 parking/entrance fee per vehicle). Horseshoe Lake is still temporarily closed due to flood damage. Pelican Lake is remains open. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: The trout bite has been good to excellent this past week on the floating baits, inflated and scented nightcrawlers, and small trout jigs or plastics, with the best action in the large lake. Top fish this week was a 7-10 rainbow caught by Luis Avila, Ontario, on a white jig from the large lake. Tony Valdez, West Covina, had a trio of rainbows from three to five pounds on chartreuse Power Bait, while Andy Lozano, West Covina, caught a four-pounder on garlic Power Bait. DFG trout plant last week, and county plants are weekly through the end of March. There will be a junior fishing workshop March 5. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Fair trout action on Power Bait. A few catfish and carp are also showing, but other species are very slow. County trout plants are weekly through the end of March, and there was a DFG plant last week. The fourth San Bernardino County Park trout derby of the season will be here Feb. 5. Entry fee is $15 (plus the daily $10 parking/entrance fee per vehicle). Small boats (non-inflatable) under 16 feet with electric motors are now allowed. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: The trout derby this past weekend with trophy rainbows planted just before the event, along with DFG fish. Top fish was a 9-14 rainbow landed by Adrian Becerra, Ontario, on a jig with garlic scent. Richard Franklin, Moreno Valley, was second with an 8-9 rainbow, while Tim Blacksher, Ontario, had an 8-8 rainbow. Craig Adkinson, Orange, was fourth with an 8-7. It took at least a 4-12 rainbow to be in the top dozens finishers. County plants will be weekly through the end of March. There will also be junior fishing workshops on Feb. 12 and Feb. 26. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: The trout action remains fair to good with DFG and county trout plants last week. The best action has been on garlic-scented floating baits, jigs, and plastic trout worms. Kevin Thomas, Rialto, had a limit of rainbows with his best fish a 2-8, all caught on jigs in Snack Bar Cove. County trout plants are weekly through the end of March. There will be a junior fishing workshop here this Saturday, Jan. 15. 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: DFG trout plant this week. Other species very slow. Information: 909-384-5233.
DIAMOND VALLEY: The largemouth bass bite has been fair to good but the fish are mostly in deep water from 20 to 50 feet on ice jigs, drop-shot plastics, or Carolina-rigged plastics. A few bigger fish are also showing on big swimbaits fished off the east dam. Top bass this past week was a 12.2-pounder landed by Alex Tran, Westminster, on a Huddleston. Pete Laban, Corona, landed a 10.44-pounder on a Z-Plug, while Keith Buridge, Alta Loma, landed an 8.8-pounder on a Rapala. Kenny Baldwin, Highland, landed largemouth at 6.5 and six pounds on a Producer plug (along with stripers at nine and 11 pounds), while Nathan Guerrero, Temecula, had a 5.46-pounder on a nightcrawler. Trout are as good as the bass in the marina area and off the east dam on inflated nightcrawlers, floating baits, and small jigs. Top rainbow was a 12.43-pounder caught by Robby Taggolt, Quail Valley, fishing a fly from shore. Victor Hernandez, Moreno Valley, caught a 10.74-pound rainbow on a nightcrawler, while Brayden Phomohakdy, Winchester, landed a 10.45-pounder on a white mini jig. R.J. McCauley and Ryan Patterson, both Riverside, had 10 trout for 21 pounds total with their top fish a 7.08-pounder. The next plant of trophy Mt. Lassen rainbows is scheduled for Jan. 20. While the stripers have been just fair a few quality fish continue to show on the big, trout-like swimbaits at the east dam. Don Freeman, Perris, had stripers at 21.8 and 16.2 pounds on Z Plugs, while Roger San Luis, Diamond Bar, had a 17-pounder on an A.C. Plug. Other species are mostly slow. The lake level is 1,721.5. Private boats must be inspected for zebra and quagga mussels. Boats with wet lower units will be turned away. For general lake, launch, and fishing information, call 800-590-LAKE, the marina at 951-926-7201 or www.dvmarina.com, or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410 or www.lastchancetackle.com.
PERRIS: The panfish bite has pretty much gone in the tank, but there continues to be a pretty good winter bite on the largemouth, with some bigger fish up chasing trout. Most of the action is in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Don Wilbanks, Moreno Valley, landed a 5.3-pound bass on a Realistix swim bait in the marina. ThereÆs a DFG plant slated for this week, and the trout action has been fair on small spinners, spoons, and jigs, with fewer fish on floating baits from Sail Cove to lots 11 and 12. Other species slow, but Bob Baker, Moreno Valley, did land a 1.6-pound crappie on a red and white tube jig off the marina docks. The park is open seven days a week, and hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Good trout and striper action this week and quite a few largemouth bass also showing. County trout were planted two weeks ago and the bite has been very good on small spinners and spoons in the east end on holdover fish with fresher planters showing on floating baits near Ramp No. 2. Brad Bowman, Ontario, had five rainbows to four pounds fishing inflated nightcrawlers in the east end. The striper action is also pretty good on smaller, schoolie-sized fish, and they are showing from the East End, Ramp No. 2, and inlet areas on chicken liver and anchovies. Some also on the troll. Terry Sanchez, Riverside, had four stripers to six pounds on anchovies in the east end, while Willie Reed, Los Angeles, landed eight stripers to three pounds on anchovies at the inlet. A few bass showing off the points in the east end on swimbaits and slow-fished plastic worms fished slowly. Other species slow. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Very slow fishing continues here with almost no fishing pressure this past week, but there have been some reports of bass on structure. Elsinore bass guru George Kramer has also been finding fish under feeding groups of ruddy ducks this winter. Other species still very slow in spite of improving water conditions. Boat rentals are available through the WilliamÆs Bait, Tackle, and Boat Rental out of Elsinore West Marina. For more information, contact WilliamÆs Bait, Tackle, and Boat Rental at 951-642-0640 or go to www.williamsboatandtackle.com.
CORONA LAKE: Rainbows of 21 and 19 1/2 pounds highlight the good trout action here. The water has cleared up dramatically, especially the upper end of the lake where the clear water is entering. The 21-pounder was caught by Billy Klarkowski, Sunland, fishing from the dam shoreline with a shad-colored crankbait. Scott Torres, Riverside, landed the 19 1/2-pounder on a nightcrawler, also from shore. The top spots to get a limit of trout for bank anglers have been off JDÆs Point and the dam shoreline, but the best action has been for boat anglers fishing in the clear water right where the stream enters the lake at the upper end. The trout have been congregating in the clear, moving water and have become very active. Adrian Sanchez, San Jacinto, landed six rainbows with a total weight of 12 pounds on Eagle Claw dough bait in orange and green from shore. His top fish was a three-pounder. Jared Mosby and Mike Mason, both Corona, had seven rainbows for 17 pounds, with a four-pounder the top fish. The pair where fishing orange dough bait from a boat. Manny Garcia, Los Angeles, landed four rainbows to three pounds, also on floating bait. A few sturgeon and catfish continue to be caught. Top sturgeon was a 14-pounded caught by Sam Wilson, Los Angeles, while fishing for trout with dough bait. Tailwalkers to be planted this week and there will be another plant of trophy Sierra Bows next week. There will be 24-hour fishing Friday through Sunday this week for the three-day weekend. No state fishing license is required here. Anglers who want to call ahead to check on conditions and the status of the bite can call the bait shop at 951-277-3321 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: The DFG has this lake on their stocking list this week. No reports.
RANCHO JURUPA: County and DFG trout plants slated for this week with 700 pounds of DFG fish Tuesday and 1,500 pounds of county fish Thursday. The bite has been good on garlic Power Bait. Lamo Brown, Rubidoux, caught a five-trout limit and his best fish was a 2.62-pounder. All were caught on nightcrawlers. The annual fishing derby will be Saturday, Jan. 22. County plants are every two weeks. Information: 951-684-7032.
ANGLERÆS LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: No report. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Heavy trout plants and the action has been very good on one to two-pound rainbows. Plants are now twice a month. Top action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The lake is open only on weekends Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on most Monday holidays. No state fishing license is required to fish here. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
LAKE HEMET: The action on holdover rainbow trout has been fair for shore anglers and even better for boat anglers. Pete Wynn, Hemet, landed a limit of rainbows averaging about two pounds each fishing his custom-made Excel lures fishing off the points. Mike, Colt, and Anthony Johnson, all from Menifee, had four trout to 16 inches fishing purple Power Bait near the marina. Owen Clark, 3, San Jacinto, landed his first trout -- a 1-8 rainbow on a nightcrawler. Tyler and Shalena Becker, Riverside, had two trout off the government strip on green Power Bait. Still light fishing pressure. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
LAKE FULMORE: No DFG trout plants in over a month. Slow action. Information: 951-659-2117.
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Very good trout action here with a few catfish and sturgeon also showing in the bag. Another big plant of Tailwalkers is slated for this week with trophy Sierra Bows scheduled for next week with fish over 20 pounds to go in. Top trout this week was a 6 1/2-pounder caught by Jesse Covarrubias, La Habra, fishing yellow dought bait at the pump house. Tony Lopez, East Los Angeles, and Rich Nava, Cypress, each had five-pound rainbows and both were using chartreuse dough bait. Rick Pointer, Garden Grove, landed eight trout for a 21 3/4-pound stringer on dough baits at the pump house. Chow Vo, Anaheim, had four rainbows to four pounds and an eight-pound catfish using nightcrawlers at the pump house. Top catfish reported was an 11-pounder landed by Doug Cherry, Placentia, on shrimp, while Santiago Palacios, West Covina, landed three trout and catfish with his top fish a 7 1/2-pound cat. Top sturgeon was an 18-pounder landed by Frank Carillo, Fullerton, on mackerel from ChrisÆ Pond. There is 24-hour fishing Friday through Sunday nights this week because of the three-day weekend. Private boats are no longer allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes due to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system. No state fishing license is required here. Information: 714-632-7851 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 trout action has remained good in spite of off-color water conditions and a full lake. Trophy trout were planted last week and more are slated for this week. The fish are holding close to the bottom or right on the surface, and frequently they are close to shore. Anglers have been fishing nightcrawlers under a bobber or floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers on short leaders right on the bottom. Trollers are sticking to bright-colored offerings fished near the surface. The footbridge to the island is now open and the top fishing spots have been the island, the west shoreline, the flats, and Boat Dock Cove. Top rainbow was a 14-14 caught by Mardy Kuch, Long Beach, on Power Bait in Boat Dock Cove. John Grandi, Irvine, landed a 10-6 trout on a Cultiva lure at Trout Island. The bass bite has been fair in 30 feet of water at the Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point on jigs and drop-shot plastics. Adam Baker, Costa Mesa, landed a 4-3 bass on a jig. While other species are tough, there was a 3-1 wiper caught and released by Danny Jackson, Yorba Linda. No state fishing license is required here. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Fishing conditions improved dramatically this past week and the trout bite was very good. A 16-2 rainbow caught by Michael Barbosa, Whittier, set a new lake record. Luigi Moreno, South El Monte, had a 12-pounder, nd Anthony Spranger, Anaheim, landed a 10-9 rainbow. Chau Nguyen, Rosemead, topped off his five-fish limit with a 10-5 rainbow, while Terry Hammer, Huntington Beach, had a 10 pounder. The best action has been on small trout plastics and garlic-scented inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait. There was a 2,500-pound plant of rainbows on Tuesday this week with a total of 18,000 pounds of Sierra Bows planted the past seven weeks. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
CACHUMA: Trout remain the highlight here with a lot of anglers getting limits. Another 4,000-pound plant was slated to arrive this week. There were 168 anglers reporting 315 trout, 24 bass, and 14 crappie this past week. The trout have spread over much of the lake, but the best action is still for trollers working broke-back Rapalas, Kastmasters, and Super Dupers near the surface in Cachuma Bay, Santa Cruz Bay, and in front of Harvey Bay. Shore anglers are scoring on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers, both with garlic. The rainbows are running up to four pounds. The bass action has been spotty with only a few fishing showing on jigs, plastics, or jigging spoons in 20 to 40 feet of water. Also a few crappie reported from Santa Cruz Bay on small jigs or as incident catches by trout anglers. Bowfishing for carp is now legal and free permits are available at the entrance gate, but there are no fish shallow right now. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html. The marina is open with rental boats available. The boat launch remains open, but boats must get a quagga mussel inspection. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: The trout action has slowed to just fair for shore anglers around the marina, but the bite for trollers working just five to 10 feet of water (one to two colors of leadcore) remains good along the east shoreline and marina areas. Top rainbow reported was a 10-pounder caught by A.C. Barnett, Ojai, on a Needlefish while trolling. Trout at 9-8 were landed by Tony Hackwort, Oakview, on a nightcrawler from shore, and by Cesar Paz, Ventura, trolling a Needlefish. Ken Knight, Ojai, landed an 8-8 rainbow on Power Bait from shore. Steve Hafer, Camarillo, and John Campbell, Val Verde, landed nine trout and one bass trolling Thomas Buoyants for a 26-pound total stringer. The bass have also been good if you can dip net some shad along the east shoreline. Without the shad, the bite is tough on plastics and jigs in 20 to 45 feet of water and slow presentations. If you can get shad, itÆs best to fish it on the deep-water side of the shad balls for the bass. Tanner Plott, Ojai, landed a 9-8, while Zack Baird, Ventura, had a nine-pounder to top off his five-fish limit, and both anglers were fishing the live shad. Best bite for both species has been morning and afternoon, with the mid-day action slow. Other species are slow, but a few cats have also been caught on the shad. Private boats must be inspected for quagga mussels and face a 10-day dry dock requirement before being allowed to launch. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Overall just fair action. The striper bite is still tough, even after a trout plant last week. The best striper action has continued to be in Elizabeth Canyon or at the buoy line in 80 to 160 feet of water on frozen anchovies. Austin Horvath, Castaic, landed 10 stripers for a 23.6-pound total stringer fishing blood worms at the buoy line. His best fish was a 4.7-pounder. Trout continue to be the best bet in the main ramp area on floating baits and small spinners. The largemouth bass bite has also been fair, mostly in deeper water on the steep, cliff-side of the lake. Smallmouth also slow to fair, but a 2.4-pounder was reported in a small Saturday bass tournament. Other species are mostly slow. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.
PIRU: Continued light fishing pressure, but there has been a pretty decent largemouth bass bite on plastics and swim baits with a lot of two to four-pound fish in 20 to 40 feet of water. Few other reports. Information: main office at 805-521-1500, x500 or www.camplakepiru.com.
PYRAMID: A few school-sized stripers, but most of the action has been on trolled lures rather than baits. Trout action has been pretty good in the marina area and off adjacent points, and another DFG plant was slated for this week. Largemouth and smallmouth bass action has been slow to fair on one to three-pound fish on nightcrawlers and plastics, mostly in deeper water. No other reports. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth at 661-295-7155.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. The trout bite has been slow to fair. Few other reports. Information: East Shore RV Park: 909-599-8355 (ask for the market).
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
LEGG LAKES: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week and three weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.
BARRETT: Closed for the season. It will reopen in May. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.
HODGES: Closed for the season. It will reopen in February. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
EL CAPITAN: There were 119 anglers this past week who landed 239 bass and 11 channel catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Saturday and on Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available Saturday and Sunday only and the lake is open to fishing Thursday through Monday. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
LOWER OTAY: There were 57 anglers who landed 56 bass to 5.1 pounds, six catfish with a 23.55-pounder caught by Rick Wilson, San Diego, while jigging a spoon in Bushlow Cove, and one .7-pound bluegill. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake only has boat rentals on Saturday and Sunday. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boats not available Nov.-Jan. but will resume in February. Information on boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
UPPER OTAY: There were nine anglers who landed nine bass to 3.1-pound this past week. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for catch-and-release fishing (only artificial lures with single, barbless hooks), sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed, but anglers can still walk in. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
MURRAY: No report. DFG trout plant scheduled for this week. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. The lake is no longer renting boats.
MIRAMAR: There were 42 anglers who landed 32 trout and four channel cats. A 1,500-pound plant went in Dec. 22, and the next plant will be a 3,000-pound plant Jan. 17. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Rental boats are no longer available. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.
SUTHERLAND: The lake is closed and will reopen in March. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Trout fishing improving with a plant this week and clearing water conditions. The best action has been on chartreuse or yellow Power Bait or Power Worms or inflated nightcrawlers. Also a few bass had been showing. Mike Espinoza, Camp Pendleton, landed a 7-9 largemouth on a spinnerbait. Fishing allowed seven days a week, but private boat launching not allowed because of Quagga mussel fears. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent DFG trout plants.
DIXON LAKE: The lake remains off color, but the trout bite continues good to excellent with a lot of rainbows reported and the catfish action at Jack Creek is also pretty fair. Trout Cove remains the best spot for trout on all the usual floating baits and small lures, jigs, and trout plastics. Plants slated for this week and Jan. 26. State fishing license no longer required here. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Tougher trout bite this week, but the fish landed were generally good quality rainbows. The best action has been in deeper water on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Rainbows at 5-8 were caught by Tom Kokjohn, Poway, on Power Bait in Bucktail Bay and by David Hudson, Oceanside, on a nightcrawler off the log boom. Jeff Nash, Santee, had a 5-4 rainbow. Next plant is set for Jan. 19. The lake is open to fishing seven days a week. State fishing license no longer required here. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Trout action is good off Eagle Point, the Castus Patch, and Sentry Point on rainbow Power Bait or orange Power Worms. Trout plants are weekly this month. Bass and catfish are still slow. The lake is open 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. Free fishing class 1 p.m. Sunday on how best to catch Jennings trout. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Fair trout action with off-color water and cold fishing conditions. Best action on floating baits and scented nightcrawlers. Lewis Bertussi, Campo, landed a 6-2 rainbow. Gary Motika, Pine Valley, had a 4-8 rainbow to top off this 12-6 limit, while Larry Dupuis, Guatay, had a 4-5 to anchor his 11-8 limit. The lake had come up over two feet. Slow other species. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101, or www.lakemorena.com.
CUYAMACA: The lake is at full pool and the east lake is growing by the day as more runoff comes in. The trout action has been fair to good with a number of limits reported this past week. Private boats are allowed on the lake, 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. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: No report. All private boats must be checked and washed down for zebra and quagga mussels. Henshaw is open to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, dusk the rest of the week. Information: 760-782-3501.
FLOW INFORMATION: Reservoir elevation levels and flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are available at this web site with information updated hourly: www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/rivops.html.
LAKE MEAD: Slow overall action with only a few stripers from deep water on cut anchovies and sardines. Most fish under four pounds. The fish are still shadowing the shad. Find shad and youÆll find the stripers. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are slow in deep water on plastics. Catfish have slow, but a few are showing on cut baits. Panfish slow.
WILLOW BEACH: The trout bite has continued very good on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers after the weekly plants. Lots of limits reported. The striped bass are getting almost no pressure right now, and no reports from this past week. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Still some stripers showing on drifted anchovies or slow-trolled lures in deeper water, but this bite is slow. The bass bite has been fair on jigs and plastics with the fish retreating to deeper water. Other species slow. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, KatherineÆs Landing at 928-754-3245.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Light fishing pressure. The third trout plant of the season went in Tuesday this week at Davis Camp and the SportsmanÆs access. Good action throughout the casino stretch of the river and downstream into the upper and lower Big Bend areas. The action has been best on spinners, salmon eggs, and floating baits. John Vitacco, Bullhead City, landed a 4.62-pound rainbow to top off his limit fishing near the casinos, while Danny Whitehorse, Bullhead City, had a 3.06-pounder at lower Big Bend on an anchovy. Mostly slow other species. Information: Riviera Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: There is still slow to fair smallmouth action in the main river from Needles south to the I-40 bridge and on down into Topoc Gorge, mostly on small cranks, plastics, and nightcrawlers. Fair striper action on anchovies in the main river from the upper end of Topoc Gorge to Needles with most of the fish in the one-pound range. Catfish fair on cut baits, and a few rainbow trout continue to show but most are nice quality fish up to four pounds. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: Slow to fair action and light fishing pressure in Topoc Gorge. The bass have fair n the lower gorge on flipped jigs and plastics. Small stripers continue to show from Havasu up through the gorge all the way to Needles, but the bite is inconsistent and the fish are small. A few catfish continue to show in the main river and marsh, and there have been some crappie reported in the marsh this past week. Topock Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: PhilÆs Western Trader at 928-768-4954 or Capt. DoyleÆs Fun Fishing at 928-768-2667.
HAVASU: The striped bass bite has been slow to fair this past week, and the action has all been on live shad, mostly in the upper end of the lake. The fish are running two to four pounds with some to eight. Anglers are getting shad at night at the London Bridge in the channel and then going other places. Quite a few fish are also showing up in the river on shad or anchovies. A few smallmouth are also being caught on live shad, but they are tough otherwise. Largemouth are slow to fair up in the river on jigs flipped to the tules. Catfish are also pretty good on anchovies, but the redear have slowed down with only a few showing from deep water. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly AnglerÆs Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.
PARKER STRIP: Slow to fair catfish and smallmouth bass action. The cats are showing in most of the pools on cut baits but this bite is finally slowing down, while the smallmouth bass are fair along the rip rap and best on small cranks, plastics, and jigs. Bluegill and redear are still also slowing in the backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Few flathead reports.
BLYTHE: Canals are very low right now. The catfish bite slowed with very few fish reported this past week. A few flatheads or channels have been landed from deeper-water spots. The smallmouth bass bite is still fair in the main river along the rip-rap and in the canals. Most are small. Largemouth slow. Few bluegill, stripers, or tilapia reported. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Canals are very low right now. Slow to fair channel catfish action and no flathead reports. The largemouth bass bite has also slowed down with only a few on plastics fished slowly around structure. Striped bass are moving into the lagoon and showing in the pools in the main river on cut baits, but most are small and under two pounds. Smallmouth bass are still fair in the main river on small cranks and jigs. Bluegill have slowed. No crappie reported.
Information: WalterÆs Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: Slowing largemouth bass action in the backwaters, and the catfish -- both flatheads and channels -- are also getting quiet with the colder weather and water temperatures.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action has been slow to fair mostly at backwater entrances on slowly-fished plastics. A few flatheads still showing on live bluegill and goldfish but this bite has slowed way, way, down. Also very few channel cats on cut baits in both the main river and backwater lakes. Bluegill slow. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: Largemouth bass action is slow to fair, but most of the action has switched to bait and slowly-fished jigs and plastics. The catfish, both channels and flatheads, are slow with some fair flurries, but these bites are really shutting down.
SALTON SEA: Very light fishing pressure and very slow fishing with cold weather and water conditions this past week. A warm up through this weekend could kick the tilapia action into gear. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052 or visitor center at 760-393-3810 Friday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: No reports.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-564-4712.
General trout fishing season reopens the last Saturday in April in Inyo and Mono counties. Certain waters remain open in this region for catch-and-release fishing with barbless artificials. For up-to-date road and campground information can call the following U.S. Forest Service offices: For the Big Pine to Lone Pine region, call 760-876-6222; for the Bishop Region, call 760-873-2500; for the Mammoth Lakes region, call 760-924-5500; for the Lee Vining region, call 760-647-3044; and for the Bridgeport region call 760-932-7070. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or www.bishopvisitor.com, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites are: www.KensSport.com (Bridgeport region), www.TheTroutFly.com, and www.SierraDrifters.com.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: The East Walker River flows are the usual winter low of 22 cfs and cold, tough fishing conditions. A few browns are showing on slowly twitched streamers or nymphs fished deeply under an indicator. Information: KenÆs Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com, Twin Lakes Resort (Lower Twin) 760-932-7751, AnnettÆs Mono Village (Upper Twin) 760-932-7071.
MAMMOTH AREA: Tough access through snow (think cross-country skis) to Hot Creek and the upper Owens River. No reports this past week. Before the latest storms where was a pretty decent mid-day hatches of bluewing olives and midges and decent nymphing in deep runs and pools under an indicator at both places. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, Convict Lake Resort at 760-934-3800, Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301.
BISHOP AREA: Little change here. The lower Owens River is just fair for fly anglers with some flurries of decent dry fly action now that flows have dropped, mostly baetis and tricos in the early afternoon. Trout plant last week in the lower river from Stewart Lane to Laws Bridge. Pleasant Valley Reservoir slow. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, CulverÆs 760-872-8361, BrockÆs 760-872-3581.
LAKE ISABELLA: Little fishing pressure but there have been some decent reports of catfish action near the dam and EngineerÆs Point on frozen shad and SonnyÆs dip bait. The road up the canyon is open again. Few other reports. Bass, bluegill, and trout are all mostly very slow. The 2011 22nd Annual Berkley Isabella Lake Fishing Derby will be held April 16-18 this year with over $200,000 in cash and prizes potentially up for grabs. The top tagged trout is again a $20,000 fish, and there will be at least nine $10,000 tagged fish. More derby information is available at www.isabellafishingderby.com. For fishing information: BobÆs Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Roads opened to the upper river this week. Improved action in the upper river after DFG plant the last two weeks. Few reports. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striper bite here is fair to good with the best action on bloodworms, sand worms, and minnows, with some quality fish from six to 14 pounds. The lure bite is slower on Gitzit-type lures, bucktails, and swim baits. The catfish bite is slow. Information: BobÆs Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and last week. Good action on garlic nightcrawlers or Power Baits in garlic green, corn, and chunky cheese. Other species very slow.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and last week. Good bite on small spinners, garlic, chunky cheese, and hatchery Power Baits, and garlic nightcrawlers. Very slow bass, bluegill, carp, and catfish action.
RIVER WALK PARK: DFG trout plants this week and last week. The bite has been very good on garlic nightcrawlers, and corn or garlic floating baits. Other species are very slow. Light fishing pressure.
MING LAKE: DFG trout plants this week and last week. Good trout action on floating baits, mostly garlic, corn, chunky cheese and hatchery formula, and inflated nightcrawlers with garlic oil. Other species have slowed way down and the fishing pressure is very light.
BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and three weeks ago.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Trout action has been fair to good on floating baits and garlic nightcrawlers. Another plant is slated for this week with a derby this weekend. No fees other than regular lake entrance fees. Dale Proctor, Bakersfield, landed a 10-2 rainbow on garlic Power Bait. There is also a fair bite on decent crappie to 1-8 or better on live minnows. Other species are slow. Information: BobÆs Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant this week and last week. Other species slow.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Overall very light fishing pressure and few reports. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Few reports. Information: 559-597-2526.
SAN ANTONIO: Muddy water conditions and very tough fishing for stripers and bass and almost no fishing pressures. A few catfish are showing where runoff is entering the lake. Information: marina at 805-472-2818, Bee Rock Store at 805-472-9677.
NACIMIENTO: Light fishing pressure this past week, and runoff into the lake has water conditions off in many areas. Still a fair bite on spotted bass bite up to three pounds, with most of the action in 15 to 30 feet of water on jigs, drop-shop plastics, and even a few on spinnerbaits. The largemouth and smallie action a notch below the spotties. In an AnglerÆs Choice tournament this past Saturday, there were 23 boats and all but two weighed in limits. Bryan and Steve Grier, Salinas, took first with 11.88 pound total, ad the big fish was a 4.13-pounder caught by Dan Barrios, San Luis Obispo. White bass slow. The crappie bite is also slow. The catfish bite is fair at water inflows into the lake. No carp reports. Information: marina at 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com or Bee Rock Store at 805-472-9677.
SANTA MARGARITA: Very light fishing pressure and muddy water conditions. Lake is at full pool and spilling. A few bass are showing on plastics and jigs. Few other reports on panfish or catfish. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: Very light fishing pressure and off-color water conditions. A few bass bite in newly flooded areas. Plastics, jigs, and small reaction baits all working. No reports on other species. Information: 805-489-1006.
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries this week. For updates in Southern California and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at 562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call 559-243-4005, x183. For trout plants statewide, you can visit the DFG's web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/index.asp.
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Park Lake, Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Wilderness Park Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake, Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE: Carr Park Lake, Centennial Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Green Park Lake, Huntington Central Park Lake, Laguna Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Park Lake, Tri-City Park Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Diamond Valley Lake, Evans Lake, Perris Reservoir, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Seccombe Park Lake, Silverwood Lake.
IMPERIAL: Sunbeam Lake, Wiest Lake.
KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Hart Park Lake, Kern River (Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville), Lake Truxton, Lake Woollomes, Ming Lake, River Walk Park Lake.
TULARE: Lake Success, Lake Kaweah.
FRESNO: Avacado Lake, Fresno Regional Sports Complex Pond, Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.
MADERA: Bass Lake, H. V. Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
The following lakes, listed by county, will be stocked this week with one-pound catfish by private hatcheries under contract with the Department of Fish and Game.
No catfish plans this week.
LONG RANGE STILL EXCELLENT: The 10- to 14-day boats out of San Diego are seeing excellent yellowfin tuna and wahoo fishing in the waters of Baja California. Anglers aboard the Royal Polaris and Excel reported 30 to 50 tuna from 80 to 180 pounds per day, along with a sprinkling of fish upward of 200 pounds and above. The top fish in the past week was a 315-pounder. Between the yellowfin action, most boats get trip limits in a day or two of fishing and then go back to the tuna. Exceptional fishing.
SAN DIEGO ROCKFISHING: While the rockfish season is closed right now in Southern California waters, San Diego skippers are heading south into Mexican waters for 1 1/2 and two-day rockcod trips and finding wonderful fishing. The Legend was out on a special 976-TUNA trip with 29 anglers and returned with 145 rockfish, full limits, and 71 lings.
NEARSHORE UPDATE: All along the Southern California coastline, skippers of half-day and three-quarter day boats are focusing on sculpin and the calico and sand bass. While the bass bite has been hit and miss, limits of sculpin have been common on most trips from Dana Point up the coast to L.A. Harbor. The Spitfire out of Marina del Rey had seven anglers last Thursday and came in with 35 sculpin, 16 sand bass and a calico. On Tuesday this week, the New Del Mar out of the same landing had 17 anglers who had limits of sculpin (85) and 28 sand bass.
ISLAND NEWS: The squid are still thick all along the coast so getting bait isnÆt a problem, but there simply have been no signs of yellowtail or white seabass in a biting mood the past week and little boat pressure at Catalina or Clemente. There has been a good mixed perch bite at Catalina with a few bass and the odd bonito for light tackle anglers, but the Freelance out of DaveyÆs Locker in Newport Beach hasnÆt been making that run this week.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment