BY JIM MATTHEWS
www.OutdoorNewsService.com
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 11 daily newspapers in Southern California each week. Frequently it is edited for space. A complete version is available through our Outdoor News Service web site (www.OutdoorNewsService.com). The updated report is usually posted by Thursday afternoon. 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 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.
MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The bluegill and redear bites are very good to excellent a lot of places right now, but Diamond Valley Lake has cranked out some pig ‘gills to two pounds this past week in a hot bite on the dam steps and in most coves with stickups. The action is on the usual array of baits, but small jigs tipped with meal worms or wax worms have been the hot set-up. The best bite has been early in the morning. For an update on this bite, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
2. For yet another week, Hesperia Lake remains in the No. 2 spot because of the excellent, limit-style fishing for catfish. The best action is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, but a lot of nice stringers of catfish with fish to nearly 20 pounds were reported this past week and one-hour limits were common again. The bite has been good on any cut bait doused with Love Sauce. You don’t need a state fishing license here, either. For an update on this bite call the tackle shop at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
3. Anaheim Lake reopens to fishing this Friday and it will have been planted with five huge loads of blue and channel catfish when the gates swing open at 6 a.m. The lake is freshly filled from water from Lake Mathews so there’s not a lot in the lake for all these catfish to eat and the bite should be wide open. For more information, stocking videos, and direction, go to www.fishinglakes.com. The lake phone is 714-996-3508.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The upper Kern River has been excellent above Lake Isabella and it’s a top pick. The trout bite throughout the Eastern Sierra region remains excellent and most high elevation waters are open and have good action. Top picks in a region filled with good fishing would be Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley Lake, the entire June Lake loop, and the Twin Lakes at Bridgeport. The entire Bishop Creek drainage is also a very good bet, especially South Lake. In urban Southern California plants have ended most places and the bites have gone in the tank quickly. Top bet is Jess Ranch in Hesperia (which is continuing to get weekly plants). In the local mountains, Big Bear Lake remains good in the main body of the lake and deep-water shorelines along the north shore. Jenks Lake and Gregory are getting DFG fish now and Gregory has been planted three weeks in a row. Lake Hemet and Lake Cuyamaca have also been producing limits on pan-sized trout.
BLACK BASS: The bass action remains good most places on plastics, reaction baits, and swim baits. Good surface action is also ongoing early and late in the day at most waters. Top bets include Diamond Valley, Skinner, Casitas, Perris, and the whole lower Colorado River. Cachuma and Santa Margarita, and even the higher elevation waters like Piru, Pyramid, and Silverwood are also good. Add Isabella to the mix, too.
STRIPED BASS: On the Colorado River, the striper bite from the upper end of Havasu all the way upriver to Bullhead City is still good, but the average size fish has dropped into the one to two-pound class. But there are still quite a few six to 10 pounders showing. The bite has been surprisingly good. The Willow Beach bite is fair to good on bigger fish. Closer to home, the California aqueduct near Taft slowed, so the best bet for volume catches of two to five-pound fish is Castaic, Diamond Valley, Silverwood, Skinner, or Pyramid -- in about that order. Elsewhere, the striper bites all are very spotty right now, and no place is producing any quality fish. The wiper bite at Lake Elsinore continues to muddle along with a few nice fish showing each week, but no wide open bites.
PANFISH: The crappie bites have pretty much tanked in the region, with only a few fish showing at Henshaw, Cachuma, and Sutherland. The Salton Sea tilapia bite has been excellent with the full ice-chest mode the rule much of the past week. Mornings have been best with fish to two pounds. The bluegill and redear bites continue to be hot in a lot of places. Top bets for nice stringers are Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Perris, Lake Skinner, Otay, and Hodges. The bite on the all four of the Central Coast lakes -- Lopez, Santa Margarita, Nacimiento, and San Antonio -- are good, in about that order.
CATFISH: The flathead catfish bite on the Colorado River is very good. Lots of eight to 15-pound fish and cats to 30 pounds are being reported each week now in the lower river from Havasu south. The channel cats are also on a pretty good bite. Outside of the river, Hesperia Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, Irvine lake, and Corona Lake are the top bets for planted fish (all are planting regularly), and Elsinore is really good to excellent for wild fish to 10 pounds or more.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Good catfish action in most of the coves, at the dam, the inlet and around the marina on cut baits, especially chicken liver, and nightcrawlers. Jimmy Newton, Crestline, landed a seven-pound catfish on anchovies at the inlet. Small stripers (under two pounds) continue to show off the marina docks and in Outhouse Cove, but darn few bigger stripers are showing right now. Daniel Flowers, Victorville, did land a five-pound striper on a nightcrawler in Outhouse Dove. The largemouth bass bite has been fair to good with the best bite on nightcrawlers and plastics with some topwater starting in the mornings. John Suda, Fullerton, had a 5.5-pounder on a plastic worm, while Gary Hopkins, Wrightwood, landed a five-pounder. The bite on small bluegill remains good on wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and red worms in most coves, but the crappie bite has shut down. No recent DFG trout plants in the lake, but the odd rainbow is still being caught. Miller Canyon Creek, above the lake, was planted with trout by the DFG this week and two weeks ago. Dock fishing is allowed for $3 for adults, $2 for kids and seniors. The park is again open seven days a week. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Very good trout action from the observatory all the way down to the dam with the best action early and late in the day. Bait anglers are fishing PowerBait or similar floating dough baits on a slip bobber in 15 to 20 feet of water from Windy Point west to the dam or drifting from a boat. Inflated nightcrawlers are also good at these depths. Trollers are getting the rainbows on the surface early and late and then switch to lead core and go down three to four colors with Rapalas, Needlefish, or Dick Nite spoons. The crappie and bluegill bite is good near the docks and weed beds on small jigs or bait under a bobber. A few catfish are starting to show at night on shrimp, mackerel, and prepared stink baits, especially off Eagle Point, Gilner Point, and at the observatory. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are fair to good with the best bite early and late on spinnerbaits and plastics around the docks. DFG trout plant this week and two weeks ago. For fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218 (or www.bigbearmarina.com), Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Another DFG trout plant is slated this week, making this the third week in a row of plants. Fair to good action with the best bite has been on floating baits fished on 18 to 24-inch leaders in deeper water. Small crappie are very good on small jigs and quite a few bluegill are being caught, too. Information: Lake Gregory boathouse at 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The trout action has been fair to good with Jess Ranch trout planted last week and a DFG plant scheduled for this week. Lots of fish to three pounds. Top rainbow was a 3-12 landed by Mike Santos, Lakewood, on a Kastmaster from a boat at the dam. Jessica Urzua, 9, Santa Barbara, landed a 3-10 trout on green glitter PowerBait off the south shore. Jake Reid, Huntington Beach, had a 3-5 trout on a Panther Martin. Fees for 2012 are $15 per adult, $10 for kids. Seniors get in for $10 on Tuesdays and active military get in for $10 on Wednesdays. All trout over six pounds win a GVL tee-shirt. Recorded information: 909-867-2009 and the new website is www.gvlfishing.com.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago.
JENKS LAKE REGION: Few reports. DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. The $5 fee parking area is now open. This fee is in addition to the Adventure Pass fee. The Santa Ana River and the South Fork were also planted with DFG trout this week and three weeks ago. General Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The catfish action has been simply wide open with the best action early in the morning and then late in the evening with limits in an hour common. There were over 200 cats caught on Tuesday this week with a lot of limits. Most anglers are using cut baits, with shrimp and mackerel the top baits, and adding Love Sauce is also improving the action. The marshmallow-meal worm combo doused with scent has also been a good bet. Most of the fish are from two to three pounds, but fish over 10 pounds reported each week. Top fish this week were a pair of 15-12 cats. One was caught by Tom Cliffton, Norco, on mackerel, while the other was landed by Freeda Smith, Santa Ana. Scott Offiscio, Orange, landed a 14-12 on a nightcrawler, while Greg Nelson, Riverside, had cats at 14-4 and 12 pounds on shrimp with Love Sauce. John Ackeron, Temecula, landed a 14 pounder on mackerel and Love Sauce. Walt Osborn, Fontana, landed a 13-pound cat, and Bard Itshimaro, Huntington Beach, landed a 12-12. Ray Mullier, Brea, caught an 11-8. No sturgeon reported this past week. 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. No state fishing license is required here. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: The weather has been hot this past week, but diligent anglers are still getting nice stringers of trout averaging around two pounds. Salmon peach and garlic Power Baits, nightcrawlers, and a wide variety of small jigs have all been getting the rainbows. Only a few catfish report on shrimp, mackerel, or nightcrawlers, but the largemouth bass bite has been excellent on Senkos and nightcrawlers with fish to five pounds reported. Also a pretty good bluegill bite on meal worms or small jigs with fish to 1-8 reported. The lake complex 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: Catfish plants will go in every-other-week this season. DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Horseshoe Lake is still closed due to flood damage. Pelican Lake is remains open. For lake information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Catfish plants will go in every-other-week this season. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish plants will go in every-other-week this season, but the bite has been just fair. The bluegill bite is fair to good, but the bass are also slow. Small boats (non-inflatable with a hard bottom) under 16 feet with electric motors are allowed. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Catfish plants will go in every-other-week this season. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Catfish plants will go in every-other-week this season. 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 DFG plants. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The largemouth bass bite remains good with the fish showing on everything from topwater early and late in the day down into the 30-foot depths. Most anglers are fishing Senkos or drop-shotting plastics in pink, purple, margarita mutilator, and morning dawn colors. Jackson Foltz, 8, Temecula, landed a seven-pound bass on a plastic worm. The striper bite remains good on cut anchovies or sardines with fly trollers also still getting fish. Most are under four pounds. The best bite has been at the secondary island. Fair catfish action in most coves on shrimp and nightcrawlers. Bluegill fishing is excellent on the east dam ladders on jigs, wax worms, and meal worms with fish to two-pounds this past week. Also some redear starting to show in this bite. Trout have been very slow, but Vic Vickerman, Hemet, landed a five-pounder on a sardine. Private boats must be inspected for zebra and quagga mussels. Boats with wet lower units will be turned away. For general lake and launch information, call 800-590-LAKE. For fishing and boat rental info call 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 bluegill and redear bites remain good with the best bite in 15 to 25 feet of water. Full, 25-fish limits are still common on these panfish with fish up into the 1 1/2-pound range. Top spot has been the east end of the island, but off Bernasconi Beach, the tire reef, and the Rock Climber’s Cove area are also good bets. Small jigs or trout plastics, red worms, or crickets are all getting fish. Frank Taylor, Riverside, had another 25 bluegill stringer this week with his best fish at 1-12, all on crickets and meal worms. The bass bite has been pretty good on the outside edges of the weed lines with fish on topwater early and late and on plastics. Darrell Miner, Corona, landed an 8.9-pound bass on a Brush Hog at the dam. Trout very slow, and few carp or catfish reports. The park and marina is open seven days a week. Hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Marina hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: There has continued to be a very good bluegill bite with some slabs over a pound. The action is along most of the brushy shorelines, but those toward the dam have been the best. Crickets, wax worm, meal worms, or small jigs have all been getting fish. Larry Goodman, Temecula, landed a 1.3-pound bluegill on a nightcrawler. The largemouth bass bite has been fair to good in the east end on reaction baits, plastic worms, and nightcrawlers. Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame member George Kramer, Lake Elsinore, landed a 5.2-pound bass on a Senko. The striper and catfish bites are fair to good at the inlet on chicken liver and anchovies with most of the fish from two to three pounds with some to five pounds. Favio Guzman, Spring Valley, had a five-pound striper on anchovies. Catfish stocking this week. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: The catfish bite remained on fire here this past week with the bite best early and late in the day in six to 12 feet of water on fly-lined shad and cut baits. The cats are all from four to 12 pounds. Wipers continue to show, but in spotty numbers. The good news is they are all from six to 10 pounds with the best action early mornings and evenings the fish bust shad. The best bite has been on live shad, but shad-like swimbaits and rip baits are also working. The crappie are very slow with only the odd quality fish showing on a small jig or live shad. The bluegill are very good with a lot of nice-sized fish up to nearly a pound, mostly on meal worms, wax worms, crickets, and small jigs. Quite a few smaller largemouth to 10 inches are being caught all around the lake, but few bigger fish. Anglers targeting the carp are starting to get a lot of fish, too. For more information, call William’s Bait, Tackle, and Boat Rental at 951-642-0640 or go to www.williamsboatandtackle.com.
CORONA LAKE: The catfish bite has continued very good on mackerel, shrimp, and nightcrawlers, with the best bite for boat anglers fishing on the outside edges of weed beds and other structure in the middle part of the lake. Shore anglers are seeing nearly as good results along the dam shoreline and the whole west shoreline. Jose Mancia, Los Angeles, landed a six-pound cat on shrimp to top off his catch, while Earl Pierce, Temecula, had a five-pound cat on a homemade bait. Cole Rosell, Murrieta, also landed a five-pound catfish on mackerel. Jeff and Michele Estrella, Pomona, had a 42-pound stringer with 19 catfish fishing shrimp near the boat dock. The best fish was a 3-pound, nine-ouncer. Leo Rivera, Riverside, landed five cats for 12 pounds total with his top fish a 3 1/2-pounder from a float tube. In addition to the twice-weekly plants of catfish going into Corona Lake, tilapia are also added once a week, and the panfish are starting to show in pretty fair numbers for anglers tossing nightcrawler pieces for them. No state fishing license is required here. Information: 951-277-3321 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: Few reports. A few panfish are being caught around shoreline structure. No reports of bass, catfish, or carp.
RANCHO JURUPA: No report. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: Catfish plant schedule variable this year. Call ahead before going. The catch-and-release bass action has been good, and the bluegill bite is also pretty good. Information: 909-795-0171.
LITTLE LAKE: No report. Entrance fee is $10 per person, with a $3 per angler fishing fee. Kids five to 12 pay only a $5 entry fee. Kids under five only have to pay the fishing fee if they fish. A state fishing license is required to fish here and regular state limits apply. The lake phone is 530-526-7937.
REFLECTION LAKE: Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN’S CHANNEL CATS: The lake closed last week for a maintenance project that will continue through the rest of the summer, with a tentative reopening date in the fall. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago. Quite a few trout being landed by both shore anglers and for boat anglers, but overall the bite is slow to fair. Bluegill and bass are both fair and the catfish bite is finally coming around with quite a few small fish. Carp bowfishing is allowed Monday through Thursday but bowfishermen must check in first. Information: Lake Hemet campground 951-659-2680 or www.lakehemetcampground.com.
LAKE FULMORE: DFG trout plants this week and three weeks ago at Lake Fulmore, but Strawberry Creek has not been planted for over a month. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKE: The lakes closed after fishing on Sunday. They will remain closed through at least early fall for routine maintenance. The Kid’s Pond (Huckleberry Pond) will remain open all summer Wednesday through Sunday. The main fishing operation is moving just a few blocks away to scenic Anaheim Lake, which has its grand opening 6 a.m., Friday this week. This lake will have received five massive plants before the big opener event. The fishing was good the final week of the season. Jose, Trinidad, and Joey Magana, along with Meliton Hernandez, all of La Habra, had 14 catfish and one sturgeon that weighed 85 pounds. The sturgeon weighed 22-pounds, eight-ounces, and the top catfish was a nice 6 1/2-pounder. Scott Chance and Eric Apelian, both Fullerton, landed 10 catfish for 37 pounds total, including onw at six pounds. James and Smokey Williams, both Los Angeles, landed 10 catfish for 30 pounds and their top fish was also a six-pounder. Information: 714-632-7851 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: The grand opening will take place this Friday, July 13, and there will be a total of five catfish plants before the gates swing open at 6 a.m. The lake is located just a couple of blocks from Santa Ana River Lakes, which closed this past Sunday for lake cleaning and maintenance. Anaheim Lake will continue to receive twice-weekly plants of catfish on Tuesday and Thursday through the rest of the summer fishing season, and perhaps even into trout season. Anaheim Lake has been completely cleaned, and water has been flowing in from Lake Mathews since June 26. This is cool and clear water. The first plants of catfish went in Tuesday and Thursday last week -- including a big stock of blue cats -- and three more plants were slated to go in this week. Anaheim Lake will also get all of the catfish netted from SARL. For more information, stocking videos, and direction, go to www.fishinglakes.com. The lake phone is 714-996-3508.
IRVINE LAKE: Catfish action has been very good with a lot of two to six pound fishing on mackerel and shrimp, with added scents like Bite-On Garlic helping a lot. One interesting and productive bait that has emerged recently is a small fish labeled as “pike mackerel” at Asian fish markets, but more familiar as “saury” to tuna anglers. Good whiskerfish numbers were reported from Santiago Flats, Trout Island, Boat Dock Cove, and along the west shoreline. Big fish was a 17-pound blue cat caught by
Rotilio Cortez, Los Angeles, on mackerel at the Red Clay Cliffs. Mitz Onizuka, Irvine, landed a 15-pound blue on pike mackerel at Boat Dock Cove, while Milton Jackson, Los Angeles, had a 12-2 cat on mackerel. Ronson Smothers, Los Angeles, landed a five-catfish limit totaling 39-8, topped by a 9-14, on mackerel off the flats, and Nick Vega, Garden Grove, landed a 9-6 channel on mackerel off the flats. The bass bite has remained very good, but especially early and late in the day with the action in 20 to 25 feet on plastics or on hollow-body frogs fished over floating moss mats. A handful of nice bluegill were caught in brushy shallows during the day on Gulp! Crickets. A few anglers are targeting the huge carp in the lake, Griselda Rodriguez, Hawthorne, landed a 26-12 carp on boilies. No state fishing license is required here. New evening hours start this week and the lake will be closed on Tuesday through the Summer. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: The bass bite is fair to good on plastics and small cranks or swimbaits with a lot of fish in the three-pound class. Catfish are also good on the flats and at the dam on frozen shad or mackerel chunks fly-lined around the weeks for channels averaging two to five pounds. Information: 949-362-9227 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: The trout trolling and deep-water bait drifting at the dam and Johnson Bay has continued fair on nice quality holdover. The action has been on Needlefish and Rapalas behind four to six colors of lead core or a dodger-nightcrawler combo drifted in the afternoon breeze. Some fish are even deeper. The average fish has been 1 1/2 pounds with some bigger. The bass bite has been fair with flurries of good action. There’s a topwater bite early and late in the day along with crankbait action on shad-like cranks. Through the middle of the day, the bite has been slower, but some fish are showing in deeper water on plastics. There have been both largemouths and smallmouths in this action busting the shad schooled up on the banks. The catfish bite is fair to good in the backs of the coves and in creek channels on cut baits, packaged baits, and dough baits. The crappie bite was slow to fair in Santa Cruz Bay and the narrows on small jigs tipped with mealworms. Bluegill and redear are good in the backs of most coves in six to 20 feet of water. Bow-fishing for carp has also been excellent with quite a few double-digit fish arrowed. The early action is the best. Free bowfishing permits are available at the entrance gate. 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 largemouth bass bite has continued good here with most of the better-quality fish showing on live shad. The shad have been a little tougher to come by this week with the hot weather with just a few windows early in the morning. But even the plastic worm and nightcrawler bite is not bad, and there has been some early morning topwater action. The bass are up shallow early and late and then down to 25 feet later in the day. Lots of two to three pound bass and a few bigger. A few of the deep-water trout trollers are getting fish in 30 to 40 feet of water on Needlefish with the rainbows up to four pounds. The bluegill and redear bite is also still fair to good in eight to 20 feet of water, mostly on red worms and nightcrawler pieces, but few fish much bigger than a half-pound recently. A few catfish are also showing but light fishing pressure on them, and there have been no crappie reports. 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. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The striper bite continues to get better and better and there has been an excellent topwater bite this past week with boils all around the lake early in the morning and late in the evening. These are mostly two to five pound fish. The bait bite through the rest of the day has been best at Sharron’s Rest and the buoy line. Mike Boulder, Pasadena, had 10 stripers for 25 pounds total, including a 5.5-pounder. All were caught on Spooks and nightcrawlers. The largemouth bass bite has also been good to excellent on everything from Flukes to cranks from topwater baits to garlic nightcrawlers and plastic worms. Most of the fish are in 15 feet or less early and then go deeper during the day. The lagoon has also been very good for bass for anglers fishing swimbaits or drop-shot plastics with fish to 10 pounds reported each week. Stephen Adams, Culver City, had an 8.7-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler in Dry Gulch. More and more catfish are showing each week in the coves on cut baits and at the buoy line, Kong Island, and Elizabeth Canyon. There is a pretty good bluegill bite both in the main lake coves and off the lagoon’s fishing pier on small jigs, wax worms and meal worms. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.
PIRU: Bass action has continued good this past week. Nightcrawlers, topwater, Senko-type baits, and plastic worms have all been producing a lot of fish to four pound. There continues to be a pretty good crappie and redear bite on small jigs and grubs (1/32-ounce jigs in white pearl and red or chartreuse) tipped with Crappie Nibbles. The best bite has been in Reasoner Cove and in between Cove and Diablo coves. Few catfish reports. Information: store and baitshop at 805-521-1500, x207, the gatehouse at x201, or at www.camplakepiru.com.
PYRAMID: Not much change here. The catfish bite has been good from shore and for boat anglers fishing cut baits in deeper water. The striper bite has been fair to good for trollers, but the bait bite has been nearly as good with the fish still in deeper water. Most of the fish are from two to four pounds. The black bass action has been generally good with the fish still in five to 15 feet of water. Both smallmouth and largemouth have been showing in this bite. Best action on plastics and reaction baits with more topwater action each week. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth at 661-295-7155 or the web site at campone.com.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: There is a consistent bite on small crappie on small jigs around much of the lake, with some bigger fish in Sailboat Cove. Also a lot of small bass in that bite, and quite a few bluegill and redear. The action on bigger bass is slow, and the catfish bite has been tough. Carp also have been slow. Park and lake fishing information: 909-599-8411 or www.bonellipark.org.
SANTA FE DAM: No recent DFG plants. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Carp fishing has been slow.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No recent DFG plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No recent DFG plants
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LEGG LAKES: No recent DFG plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 213-847-1726.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
MACARTHUR PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The bass action remains excellent. There were 146 anglers this past week and they reported catching 2,163 bass, 61 bluegill, and 42 crappie. Reservations are sold through Ticketmaster starting 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month for the following month. Call 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.
HODGES: The bass bite has been fair to good. There were 167 anglers checked who landed 160 bass, including a 10.7-pounder, five bluegill, and two crappie. Best action on live shiners in the narrows and near the bridge. Also still a few crappie showing. The lake is open to fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday schedule. Rental boat and concession information: 760-432-2023.
EL CAPITAN: There has been a fair to good bite on bluegill and quite a few catfish are showing on cut baits. Also still a few crappie being landed. The lake is open Thursday through Monday with boat rentals available all five days (closed to fishing on Sundays). General lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat and concession information: 619-443-4110.
LOWER OTAY: There were 153 anglers checked who reported 212 bass to 9.15 pounds, 67 bluegill TO 1.25 pounds, and three catfish to 7.43 pounds. The bluegill bite has been very good with fish to over a pound in Harvey’s Arm. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule and boat rentals are available all three days. General lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat and concession information: 619-397-5212.
UPPER OTAY: There were 12 anglers checik who had 16 bass to 3.17 pounds and three bluegill to .78 pound. 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 (recording) or 619-397-5212 (concession) or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.
MURRAY: There has been an excellent bluegill bite with quite a few quality fish showing. Larry Morris, San Diego, had a three-pound bluegill on a red worm, while Laith Hurmiz, El Cajon, landed a two pounder. Richard Nearl, San Diego, had a 25-fish bluegill limit topped off by a two-pounder. Also a few small bass showing. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. There are boat rentals Friday through Sunday and the new concession number is 619-466-4847.
MIRAMAR: There were 17 anglers checked who had 31 bluegill, 20 bass, and one 20.7-pound channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Rental boats are available on Saturday and Sunday. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. New boat rental and concession information: 858-527-1722.
SUTHERLAND: There were 95 anglers checked who caught 280 bass to 3.45 pounds, 44 crappie, 27 bluegill, and two channel cats. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-2050 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.
WOHLFORD: Catfish were planted last week and another plant is slated for Friday. Tthe bite has been pretty fair on chicken liver and cut mackerel. There continues to be a fair to good bite on bass under three pounds in the shallows busting shad. Best action early and late in the day on reaction baits and topwater with the bite shifting deeper and best on dark-plastics. Chris Lenker, Valley Center, caught and released a 6-8 bass on a plastic worm off the Senior Shoreline. There also continues to be a few crappie showing early each day around tree and rock structure, with live shiners the best bait but some fish also on finger jigs. The lake reopened for carp bowfishing earlier this month. The bowfishing will be by permit-only, with a maximum of six permits issued per day. All bowfishermen will also be required to rent a boat. For a complete list of the guidelines and restrictions visit the following link www.escondido.org/daily-bow-fishing-permit-guidelines.aspx. Private boat launching is not allowed because of Quagga mussel fears. There are $20 all-day motorboats rentals available seniors on Tuesdays and to active military on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago.
DIXON LAKE: Catfish season kicked off with a 1,000-pound plant July 2, and Thursday and Friday night fishing sessions started last week. Next 1,000-pound plant set for Friday this week. The bite is currently fair on cut mackerel or sardines, chicken livers and shrimp. Fair bass action with lots of fry in the shallows and smaller males showing on reaction baits. No State fishing license required here. Lake information: 760-839-4680 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: The catfish bite has been fair to good with two plants so far and a third set for this Friday. Best action has been off the north shore, Jump Off Point, Hidden Bay and Boulder Bay. Bass fair to good on jerk baits and Flukes with some surface baits. Good bluegill action in Hidden Bay and on the Fishing Float with the best bite along the weed beds. A few trout also continue to show with fish to four pounds this past week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday. A state fishing license no longer required here. Lake information: 858-668-4772, tackle shop recording 858-486-1234, or www.poway.org.
JENNINGS: There is a pretty fair surface bass bite the first and last hour of the day, and the largemouth are also showing on plastics off Eagle and Sentry points, Shadow Cove buoyline, and at the dam. Catfish are just so-so in the backs of the coves and around submerged brush on mackerel and chicken liver, but a plant is slated for this week. Redears and bluegill continue to bite in the back of the coves using wax worms with a small hook. The lake is open until midnight every Friday and Saturday throughout summer. Shore fishing below the campground is available Monday through Thursday with permits available at the campground. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: the trout bite is still fair at the aerator and Pumphouse Cove with a few fish also showing at the buoy line. The largemouth bass bite has been pretty good on Senkos, plastics, and some topwater. Catfish good for anglers fishing cut baits. The bluegill have been fair to good around deeper brush piles on wax worms and meal worms. A few crappie reported out in deep-water for slow trollers. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101, or lakemorena.com.
CUYAMACA: Very good mixed bag fishing with a lot of pan-sized trout being landed along with the occasional catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Even a few bass have been landed. Private boats are allowed on the lake, including canoes and kayaks, 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: The crappie bite has been slowing with only a few fishing showing deeper water when anglers locate a school of fish. Best bite is still on small jigs or jigs tipped with meal worms. Some to 1-8. The catfish bite has been fair to good with most anglers getting a few fish averaging about two pounds on nightcrfawlers or cut baits. All private boats must be checked and washed down for zebra and quagga mussels. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
ARIZONA FISHING REPORTS: The Arizona Game and Fish Department compiles a weekly report for most waters in the state, including the Colorado Rivers. Anglers can read the report at this direct link: http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/FishingReport/.
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: The striper fishing is starting to take off on the east end of Lake Mead around South Cove. Both largemouth and smallmouth have been reported in good numbers on plastics, with even a few crankbait and topwater fish. Redear and bluegill bite is fair to good with most fish in six to 20 feet of water. Catfish also improving with some on cut baits.
WILLOW BEACH: The striper bite has been fair to good through the full moon early this week. Top action in the Mile Marker 52 and 53 region on big, trout-like A.C. Plugs or similar lures. The trout bite remains good on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms, Super Dupers and other small lures and jigs after the weekly plants of 3,000 rainbows. Lots of limits reported. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: The black bass are hitting soft baits when worked slowly, especially on grass beds in 20 to 30 feet deep. Trolling with anchovies in 30 to 50 feet of water has been producing some stripers in the Cottonwood Basin and near the dam. The stripers are also starting to come up in the bays and coves on shad. Michael Moore and Dan Freudberg, both Bullhead, had a nice stringer of stripers topped off with fish at 6.42 and 5.16 pounds. Fishing under submersible lights during the new moon is an effective way to catch stripers. Next new moon is July 19th. Cut anchovies usually work the best. The catfish bite is fair to good in the coves on cut baits, especially at night. No panfish reports. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245. Interesting web site for Willow Beach and Lake Mohave striper anglers: http://lakemohavestripers.com.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Hot weather, but the fishing has been pretty fair for stripers and some quality rainbows. The stripers are best from the Laughlin bridge all the way south through the Avi bridge region. Most are showing on anchovies or sardine pieces, but some have been caught on shad-like cranks and topwater plugs. Most of the fish have been in the one-pound range. Dayton Grant, Bullhead, landed a 3-10 striper. Daniel Frields, Bullhead, had vire stripers to 2.42 pounds. The smallmouth bass bite is also starting to perk in this southern stretch, and the bluegill and redear are pretty good in the backwaters. Information: Riviera Marina at 928-763-8550.
NEEDLES AREA: The striper bite has been fair to good with more and more fish showing in this stretch on anchovies in deeper pools or topwater plugs and crankbaits. Most are from one to two pounds now, but some bigger. A few smallmouths are showing along rip-rap with the action better the further south you go. Also more catfish starting to show. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.
TOPOCK AREA: The striped bass bite has continued fair to good in the main river through the gorge, but the average size has dropped down into the one- to two-pound range with just the occasional bigger fish. The best bite is still on anchovies drifted along the bottom in the bigger pools and runs. Some catfish are showing in this bite, but this action has been slow. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are both good to excellent with a lot of one to three-pound fish showing. The bluegill and redear are also both very good, with small baits getting tons of small fish, and jigs tipped with baits getting the bigger fish. The action on the panfish is best on the river margins and in the backwaters. The marsh has been fair on catfish and fair to good for bass, while the crappie have slowed. Topock Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: Phil’s Western Trader at 928-768-4954 or Capt. Doyle’s Fun Fishing guide service at 928-768-2667.
HAVASU: The striper bite remains best during the first two hours of daylight but the fish are mostly small, under two pounds. Trolling or casting topwater or shallow running lures like Chug Bugs, Pencil Poppers, Sammys and Pointers around the main basin from the entrance of the river south to California Bay. More and more fish are spreading south, however. Best anchovy bite is still from the sandbar to Blankenship Bend. Flathead and channel catfish bite is very good using live bluegills or cut mackerel from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in shallow coves (10 to 15 feet deep) which dropoff to deeper water (25 to 40 feet) hold the biggest population of larger catfish. Largemouth bass are hitting buzzbaits, poppers and frogs during the first two hours in the morning and then again during the last two hours of light in the evening. Mid-day bite is good around shady pockets in cattails and tules using slow-fall plastics like Senkos, Gitzits and brush hogs. Green pumpkin, watermelon red and cinnamon purple have been productive colors. The redear bite is also kicking into gear on crappie tubes and night crawlers on shallow reefs and flats where they spawn. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.
PARKER STRIP: Fair to good smallmouth bass along the rip-rap on small cranks, plastics, and jigs. The catfish are fair to good on cut baits in the bigger pools and eddies. Bluegill and redear are good in the backwaters and quiet water in the main river. The flathead bite is starting to get hot on live goldfish or bluegill.
BLYTHE: Summer is here, and the fishing on flatheads, channels, largemouth and smallmouth bass has remained good. The bass are showing early and late in the day on plastic, reaction baits and topwater lures. The catfish have been good, mostly on cut baits and live bluegill or goldfish in the local drainage ditches and the main river, especially at night. The smallmouth bass are fair to good on crawdad-like crankbaits and plastics in the main river along the rip-rap. The tilapia and panfish bites are good Few striper reports. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: The bass bite has been good in the lagoon with most of the action on reaction baits and topwater early and late in the day. The smallmouth bite has also been very good in the main river on the rip rap on small crawdad-colored jigs and cranks. Catfish anglers are seeing pretty good action on flatheads and channels. The mosquitos are already bad. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.
PICACHO AREA: The bass are good on plastics and live baits with some fish showing on reaction baits. Early and late in the day is best. Generally fair and improving action on catfish, and the bluegill bite very good.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action has been good on plastics, jigs, live bait and topwater, but the best action is early and late in the day. Channel catfish action is fair to good on stink baits, and the quality flathead action is picking up with some nice fish to 20-pounds-plus this past week. Bluegill are very good in most backwater. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: Largemouth bass action fair to good with a good early morning and late evening topwater bite. Plastics, nightcrawlers and reaction baits are also good bets. The channel catfish action also fair to good. Flatheads also fair to good on live bluegill, tilapia, or goldfish at night. Bluegill are very good.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Heat has really put a damper on fishing here this past week with 110 degrees-plus common this week. A few braving the heat are getting nice catches of tilapia to 1 1/2 pounds on nightcrawler pieces early in the morning at the State Park headquarters and the free fishing jetty at the refurbished Salton Sea Yacht Club. Information: Visitor Center (open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at 760-393-3810, Salton Sea State Recreation Area main office at 760-393-3059, or the ranger station kiosk at 760-393-3052 (or mobile phone at 760-331-9944).
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: No reports.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: No recent DFG plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No recent DFG plants.
LAKE CAHUILLA: No recent DFG plants. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
General trout is open through Nov. 15. For up-to-date road and campground information by region, 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: East Walker River flows have been going up and down some, with flows around 140 cfs most day and the fishing remains very good, with the dry fly bite really coming on. There are PMD hatches in the morning and then the bite switches to caddis. The appropriate nymphs work between the surface action. Bridgeport Reservoir has been good now that the wind has finally calmed. Very good action on midges and streamers for fly anglers fishing from boats or tubes. The bait fishing
from boats has been excellent and there's even been some pretty decent trolling down near the dam with a few nice browns showing up. Few reports from Kirman, but the bite has been good on small streamers and mini leeches, while the lure guys are getting fish on Thomas Bouyants and Kastmasters. Twin Lake have been excellent with limits of pan-sized trout to three pounds the rule on PowerBait, inflated nightcrawlers, or flyfishing with streamers. Trollers also getting limits on small Rapalas and Needlefish. The West Walker is very good with low, clear water. Hoppers and ant patterns are working for the fly anglers, Panther Martins and Rooster Tails for lure flingers, and salmon eggs and nightcrawlers for the bait anglers. Virginia Lake remain awesome, and an 11-3 rainbow was caught this past week, but most of the rainbows are one to two pounds. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.
JUNE LAKE LOOP REGION: Heavy plants in the loop prior to July 4 have made for very good action. Silver Lake has been very good with a lot of nice Alpers’ trout this past weekend and a steady stream of pan-sized fish. Best action early and late. Nikki Demakis, Jamul, landed a 4-8 rainbow on worms. Chris Stanley, San Diego, had a 4-1 rainbow, while Brad Sutton, Apple Valley, landed a 3-9 rainbow. Kaydee Tani, 5, Torrance, caught a 2-8 rainbow. Grant Lake and Rush Creek both continue to crank out a few nice browns, and the planter rainbows are pretty good. Gull and June are both good with a good deep troll bite during the day and surface fly action in the evenings. The roads to Ellery, Tioga, and Saddlebag lakes are all open and the action has been good, mostly on pan-sized fish. Information: Silver Lake Resort at 760-648-7726 or at silverlakeresort.net or Ernie’s Tackle at 760-648-7756.
MAMMOTH AREA: Crowley has been fair to good for midge anglers. The weed beds are coming up quickly and anglers have to dodge the weed matts to find the fish, which are starting to disperse into McGee Bay and throughout the Owens Arm where fresh flows are coming in. The bait and troll bites are also fair, and the perch are showing in good numbers. Convict Lake has been fair to good with a lot of stringers. Dan Crose, Simi Valley, had a limit with a 2-2 his top trout. Mammoth Creek has been good on stocked trout with quite a few wild browns. The Upper Owens is fair to good with mostly small fish showing now but a great trico hatch early in the mornings. Hot Creek is excellent with good hatches morning and afternoon. The road to the upper San Joaquin and Red’s Meadow opened last week. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, Convict Lake Resort at 760-934-3800, Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301.
BISHOP AREA: South Lake remains the top spot on pan-sized fish with a few quality fish still coming on. The fish are scattered and the best bite has been on Slammer Jigs and Power Worms. All the forks of Bishop Creek and Intake II have been fair to good with regular DFG plants providing lots of rainbows and the brown trout are showing in fair numbers. North Lake has been fair to good, mostly at the upper end on small jigs. Sabrina has been best in the inlets on baits, both Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. The lower Owens flows are up and fishing is difficult. Fishing information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Sierra Trout Magnet Fly Shop 760-873-0010, Culver’s 760-872-8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581.
LONE PINE-INDEPENDENCE AREA: All the small streams along Highway 395 from Big Pine Creek to Cottonwood Creek remain fair to good, and most have been planted again this week. Information from the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce at 760-876-4444 (or www.LonePineChamber.com). Fishing information: Long Pine Sporting Goods at 760-876-5365 or High Sierra Outfitters at 760-876-9994.
WESTERN SIERRA
STRIPER DERBY: The annual Bob’s Bait month-long catfish derby kicked off July 1. The entry fee is $1 per angler and you must register before you weigh in a fish. Only fresh fish can be weighed in and no weighing in of fish the same day as entering derby. The biggest catfish weighed in during July will take the $100 prize, plus all the entry fee money from everyone entered. There are 98 entrants so far, but no fish have been weighed in. For more information or to register, call Bob’s Bait at 661-833-8657.
LAKE ISABELLA: General slowing in the action, but there continues to be a pretty good catfish bite on shad, clams, and Sonny’s Dip Bait in most of the coves with Camp 9 being a top area. The bass bite has continued fair on two to four pounders on cranks, plastics, Alabama rigs, with some topwater. Best action is early and late in the day. The crappie have been very slow with only a few on live minnows in deeper water. The trout bite is fair to good at the dam for shore anglers on salmon peach Power Bait or nightcrawlers in garlic oil, while the trollers are getting fish in deeper water on small Needlefish-type lures. The bluegill bite is also fair to good on the usual array of small baits in most coves. For fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Trout action is good to excellent on the upper river. While most of the action is on pan-sized fish with quite a few fish to three pounds reported. Best bite has been on crickets, Power Bait, and Mice Tails. Flows are down to 250 to 300 cfs, stacking the fish up in the deeper pools. Good action all the way from the Johnsondale Bridge down to Kernville. Fly anglers are also seeing very good action with more dry fly mornings now, but the best action is still on small nymphs. Good reports from the high elevation waters throughout the region, mostly for small trout. In the lower river flows remain in the 900 cfs range, which is very fishable. The trout bite has been pretty fair with some smallmouth action starting, nightcrawlers, white Roostertails. DFG trout planted in two of the six river stretches this week. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Hot weather and mossy conditions have made the striper bite tough, but the night catfish action has been pretty good for anglers fishing shad, mackerel or Sonny’s Catfish bait. A few stripers are being landed on blood worms. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
MILL CREEK PARK: Fair to good action on bluegill on crickets and wax worms. The carp are good on dough baits. The occasional early morning or late evening bass is also showing.
HART PARK LAKE: The bluegill bite has been very good on wax worms, meal worms, and crickets, and the carp bite is also pretty good on Powder Bait or homemade dough baits. The bite is best mornings and evenings with the heat shutting things down the rest of the time. A few bass are also showing early and late on Senkos and Brush Hogs.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Very good bluegill action on red worms, meal worms, wax worms, crickets, and nightcrawler pieces, but the best bite has been early and late in the day. The carp action is also fair to good on dough baits. The bass action is slow to fair with the only action very early or late in the day on topwater, jerkbaits, or plastics.
RIVER WALK PARK: The bluegill action is very good on meal and wax worms or crickets early and late in the day. Carp are very good on Powder Bait. The bass are slow to fair on reaction baits and plastics early and late in the day.
MING LAKE: Very good bluegill action on wax worms, red worms, and meal worms, and the carp action is improving with a pretty good bite on dough baits. Bass are fair with the best bite early and late in the day on plastics, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures.
BRITE LAKE: Few reports. A few trout have been landed, but catfish and panfish are the best bet.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The catfish action has been fair to good at night on cut baits, and the carp bite has been very good on Powder Bait or similar dough and dip baits. The bluegill action is good on wax worms, crickets, and meal worms, and a few bass continue to show early and late in the day on lipless cranks, plastics, Brush Hogs, Senkos, minnows, and nightcrawlers. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
WOOLLOMES LAKE: Very good bluegill action on wax worms, meal worms, or crickets, while the early morning and late evening bass bite is fair on Senkos, Brush Hogs, plastics or nightcrawlers. Also quite a few carp showing for the anglers targeting them with Powder Bait.
SUCCESS LAKE: The bass action has been just fair. Best action on drop-shot plastics and Senko-type lures. The bluegill bite is good on crickets and wax worms in six to 20 feet of water. Few other reports. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: The bass bite has been fair to good on plastics, Brush Hogs, swimbaits, and spinnerbaits. The best bite is at first or last light. The bluegill action is good on the usual array of small baits. A few catfish starting to show, but other species slow. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: The striper bite has been fair to good on cut baits with some trolling and surface activity. There was a 38-pound striper caught last week. The catfish bite has been good in most of the coves on cut baits and nightcrawlers, and there is also a good carp bite. The black bass action is fair to good early and late in the day on plastics, smaller swimbaits, cranks, spinnerbaits, and Alabama rigs with the fish keying on shad. Quagga mussel inspections are now required before boat launching is allowed. Anglers need to think cleaned, drained, and dry or they are likely to be denied access. Information: marina at 805-472-2818, Bee Rock Store at 805-472-9677, or Jim’s Pro Bass Tackle at 805-237-0549.
NACIMIENTO: The spotted bass have been very good on plastics early and late in the day with the best bite on smaller, shad-like reaction baits and Alabama rigs. Las Tables has been the top area. White bass are showing in fair numbers for trollers and anglers tossing shad-like swimbaits and spoons into boils, also in Las Tables. Quagga mussel inspections are now required before boat launching is allowed. Anglers need to think cleaned, drained, and dry or they are likely to be denied access. Information: marina at 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com, Bee Rock Store at 805-472-9677, or Jim’s Pro Bass Tackle at 805-237-0549.
SANTA MARGARITA: The bass action has remained fair to good with the best bite early and late in the day. Topwater early and then the bite goes deeper on crankbaits and jerkbaits with some fish on plastics. The bluegill and redear bites are very good in 12 to 20 feet of water on most small baits or jigs tipped with baits. Wax worms and crickets are also good alone. Few crappie reported. Quagga mussel inspections are now required before boat launching is allowed. Anglers need to think cleaned, drained, and dry or they are likely to be denied access. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
LOPEZ: The largemouth bass bite has been pretty fair with the bass keying in on the shad and showing on spinnerbaits, cranksbaits, and Alabama rigs early and late in the day. The mid-day bite is tough. The bluegill and redear are also pretty good with the fish mostly in six to 20 feet of water. Crappie and catfish have been slow, but a few cats are showing on cut baits in deeper coves. Quagga mussel insp/ections are now required before boat launching is allowed. Anglers need to think cleaned, drained, and dry or they are likely to be denied access. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
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, youcan visit the DFG’s new stocking web site at http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishPlants/.
RIVERSIDE: Fulmor Lake, Hemet Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Gregory Lake, Jenks Lake, Miller Canyon Creek, Santa Ana River, South Fork Santa Ana River.
SAN DIEGO: Doane Pond.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle Fork, South Fork, and Intake II), Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Shepherd Creek, South Lake, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.
MONO: Owens River (section 3).
KERN: Kern River (Sections 4 and 5).
TULARE: Balch Park Lake (Lower and Upper), Hedrick Pond (Redwood Lake), Stoney Creek, North Fork Tule River (Middle Fork No. 1), South Fork Tule River (Middle Fork No. 2 and Middle Fork No. 3).
FRESNO: Bearskin Creek, Dinkey Creek, Hume Lake, Huntington Lake, Kings River (below Pine Flat Dam), Mammoth Pool Lake, Portal Forebay, San Joaquin River (South Fork and below Friant Dam), Shaver Lake, Ward Lake, Wishon Reservoir.
CATFISH PLANTS
No DFG catfish plants until later this spring.
END
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Terrence Berg
www.976-TUNA.com
OVERNIGHT TUNA AND YELLOWTAIL: While winds hammered the offshore action since July 4th, the wind began moderating on Monday and the overnight to two-day boats out of San Diego saw the fishing success improve markedly. The fish are as close as 50 miles from Point Loma, but most of the action is 70 to 150 miles south. The action has been excellent on the yellowtail to 25 pounds and then skippers start looking for the Bluefin. There was even a tale about a commercial wahoo caught just 150 miles south. On Wednesday, the New Lo-Ann was out with just 14 anglers on a 1 ½-day trip and they had limits of yellowtail when they checked in early in the day and were still searching for Bluefin. Before Monday this week, most anglers were only getting two to three fish per rod in tough conditions. Limits of yellowtail (five) and at least one to three tuna per rod have been the norm since. And loads have been very light on these trips.
SAN DIEGO LOCAL: The three-quarter day and some overnight boats are hitting the Coronado Islands and seeing generally good mixed bag fishing with some shots on yellowtail, fairly consistent barracuda fishing, and a nice pick on the calico bass. On Monday, the Dolphin II was out of Fisherman’s Landing with 12 anglers who caught six yellowtail, 44 barracuda, 18 calicos, two whitefish, one ling, and one sculpin, mostly fishing just below the Coronados. The Mission Belle, also out of Point Loma, had 15 anglers on a three-quarter day trip and they landed 14 yellowtail, 27 barracuda, eight rockfish, and a calico. The half-day boats have been fishing the Point Loma kelp with pretty good calico and sand bass action, along with some good shots on barracuda and the odd yellowtail.
ISLANDS UPDATE: San Clemente Island has consistently been cranking out some real quality yellowtail. The Freedom out of 22nd Street Landing was at Clemente on Wedensday and had three yellowtail to 50 pounds and two white seabass, with the anglers losing more than double that number. There was also limit-style action on the calicos, a pick of sheephead, and a few rockfish. This kind of action has been the norm, even with the adverse wind conditions since the 4th. Catalina Island has continued to have white seabass all around the island that pop here and there. Locals continue to get a few yellowtail on the front side, and the calico bass action has been excellent. All the bite slowed because of major boat traffic and winds this past weekend, but the action has since come back on.
NEARSHORE NEWS: The nearshore action for the half-day fleet all along the coast has been generally very good from San Diego up into the Channel Islands. Most of the fishing is for calico bass on all the kelp lines with very good jags of barracuda fishing. The only factor seeming to slow the barracuda right now is wind, which has been rolling over the water in some areas and kicking the barracuda out and down for a day or two until the clarity and surface temps come back. While few boats are running, the twilight sand bass action is also very good if the wind hasn’t stalled that bite, too.
CHANNEL ISLANDS NEWS: The white seabass bite slowed a fair amount last week, but it has been improving again this week going into next Thursday’s new moon. On Tuesday, the Cobra out of Channel Islands Sportfishing was out with 12 anglers and they caught 14 seabass, 60 barracuda, five rockfish, four blue perch, one calico bass and one ling cod. On Wednesday, the Sea Jay was out with 11 anglers and they landed 24 white seabass, 20 barracuda, and a halibut. The Cobra had 13 anglers Wednesday who caught 27 white seabass, 70 barracuda, and three yellowtail.
SAN DIEGO LONG RANGE: The long range fleet is focusing on the Cedros and Benitos islands region of Mexico for the yellowtail with exceptional open water action on Bluefin with some yellowfin mixed in. Albacore are no shows along the whole route south.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS: The staff of 976-TUNA is hosting instructional charters throughout the year, offering advice to beginning or veteran anglers and on-the-water teaching of techniques for different saltwater species. The next trip is a two-day yellowtail and tuna trip aboard the Sea Adventure II out of H&M Landing in San Diego departing on July 22. Cost for this trip is $250. For information on upcoming 976-TUNA instructional charters, call 562-352-0012 or go to the website at www.976-TUNA.com.
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 has merged with Channel Islands Sportfishing; 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
