spectr17
09-22-2006, 09:45 PM
FISHING REPORTS -- Matthews-Gurrola/ONS -- 20sept06
Compiled by Cyndi Gurrola and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
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 n 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@earthlink.net and/or Cyndi Gurrola at cagurrola@charter.net.
Other complete versions are posted on a number of Web sites each week, including the Turner's Outdoorsman Web site (www.turners.com (http://www.turners.com/)) and Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors Web site (a href="."/" eudora="AUTOURL">www.jesseshunting.com). The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning at each of these sites. The Outdoor News Service Web site is www.outdoornewsservice.com (http://www.outdoornewsservice.com/). 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 (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/).
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The big stripers started stirring at Willow Beach. For the past two weeks, the regulars who hurl the big, trout-like plugs picking up a number of fish from 15 to 40-plus pounds. This stretch of river has been getting trout plants all summer, and it looks like the big stripers have finally moved up into the Willow Beach area to feed. If you have the heavy casting rods and A.C. Plugs (or similar lures), this is a hot spot right now. For an update on the bite, contact the Willow Beach marina at 928-767-4747.
2. The largemouth bass bite broke wide open this week at Diamond Valley Lake. Lots of fish from 3-0 to 5-0 showing on both topwater baits and on plastics in deeper water during the day. A number of anglers have reported 20-pound, five-fish limits this week and fish to 6 1/2 pounds were reported at the marina. This bite has been in a funk for a few weeks, but cool evenings seem to have turned the action around. For fishing updates, contact the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
3. Eastern Sierra fly anglers are raving about the action in both Bridgeport Reservoir and Lake Crowley. There are lots of rainbows in both lakes from 1 1/2 to 3 pounds, along with a few bigger fish, and the bulk of the bite right now seems to be on Sacramento perch-type streamers fished to visible boils or blind-cast along the edges of weed beds. Crowds are relatively light and the action is wide open. Winds have hampered the fishing some this past week, but the fish are still there and boiling. For more info on the Bridgeport Reservoir bite, check with Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport at 760-932-7707 or on-line at www.kenssport.com (http://www.kenssport.com/). For the Crowley bite, call the Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes at 760-934-2517 or visit on-line at www.thetroutfitter.com (http://www.thetroutfitter.com/), or call Sierra Drifters Guide Service at 760-935-4250 or see them on-line at www.sierradrifters.com (http://www.sierradrifters.com/). All three have good fish reports on-line.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The deep-water trout bite slowed at Diamond Valley Lake, but consistent bites at Piru, Pyramid, Cachuma, and Casitas are continuing for deep-water trollers and bait fishermen drifting baits in deep water. The bait action is also decent at the higher elevation waters -- Green Valley, Cuyamaca, Big Bear, and Jenks. In the Eastern Sierra, Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley Lake, and the East Walker River are still the top picks, but the Virginia Lakes, Grant Lake, Twin Lakes (Mammoth), and the whole Bishop Creek drainage are all good bets, too. Bridgeport and Crowley are top bets for fly anglers throwing perch minnow imitations. In the Western Sierra, the Kern River is the top spot in the whole region with excellent trout action above Isabella, which is also pretty fair.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Bass action is fair to good all across Southern California with decent surface action early and late in the day at most places, and some big fish continue to pop. The action is improving each week as the weather cools. Bass are in deeper water during the bulk of the day with the best action in 20 to 40 feet of water on plastics, live baits, and jigs, but the fish are much shallower early and late in the day. Top picks are Diamond Valley Lake, Casitas, Perris, San Vicente, El Capitan, Diamond Valley Lower Otay, Sutherland, and -- if you can get a permit -- Barrett. Other decent bets include Piru, Pyramid, Silverwood, Castaic, Cachuma, Lopez, Santa Margarita, Nacimiento, San Antonio, and Isabella. The lower Kern River is also turning on for smallmouth.
STRIPED BASS: The top bite has been for bigger stripers from 12 to 40 pounds at Willow Beach on the Colorado River. The best action has been on big, trout-like plugs and swim baits. For Southern California waters, Skinner, Pyramid, Silverwood and Castaic have a consistently good bites on smaller fish, mostly on cut baits, but some on topwater early and late in the day. Skinner really exploded three weeks ago, and it remains a top bet. The striped bass bite is good in the California Aqueduct near Taft with a lot of fish over the 18-inch minimum size showing on blood or lug worms. On the Colorado River, Lake Mead has an excellent morning surface bite as fish bust shad on the surface in Vegas Wash, while Mohave and Havasu are both fair to good on small fish to 4-0. Also fair action in the lower river at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam.
PANFISH: There is still good bluegill and/or redear action at a lot of urban lakes and local water reservoirs right now and the fishing pressure is still slight. Good bets include Perris, Diamond Valley, Skinner, Lower Otay, Piru, Pyramid, Lopez, and Santa Margarita, but most waters have decent panfish bites now, even if the fish are on the smaller size. There is still a good Sacramento perch bite on Lake Crowley and Bridgeport Reservoir in the Sierra, but this bite is slowing as the waters cool in this region. Cuyamaca, as always, also has a good bite on small crappie.
CATFISH: On the Colorado River, the flathead bite is good in the lower river with a number of flatheads over 20-0 reported the past week, mostly on live bluegill, goldfish or tilapia. Best bet closer to SoCal would be Hesperia Lake on planted fish including big fish over 10-0, and a few fish over 20-0 were caught this past week. Anaheim Lake has been good with fish to 6-0 and better each week. Corona Lake and Irvine Lake are also good, and Silverwood, Pyramid, Piru, and all of the San Diego area lakes also have fair to good catfish bites.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The bass, catfish and striper bites are good to excellent, while the bluegill and carp bites are fair to good. Also a few crappie, trout, and redear showing. The best action is for stripers, which are boiling all over the lake in the mornings and evening, taking Rapalas and Blade Dancers. Most of the fish are under 6-0, but the bite is hot. Kevin Better, Temecula, caught a 3-0 striper on a Blade Dancer. Bass biting best at the dam, Miller's, and main points on plastics with some surface action early and late. Cage Simpson, Anaheim, caught a 4-0 largemouth in Millers. Catfish showing at the dam and in the main channel mostly on anchovies and mackerel in a good bite. Teresa Masters, Newport Beach, caught a 6-0 catfish on anchovies. Trout are slow to fair off the shoreline in Cleghorn and Miller canyons, mostly in deep water. Some carp showing on garlic nightcrawlers in most coves. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Rainbow trout fishing good on the west side of the lake, especially as lake temperatures drop. With the cooling temperatures, the bass and panfish bites have slowed to poor. Best trout bite in 15 to 20 feet of water for trollers and bait anglers. The dam to Boulder Bay is the hot area for limits. Bait anglers are fishing nightcrawlers soaked in scented attractants in 20 feet of water. Trollers are working two to four colors of leadcore line with Needlefish-type lures, Thomas Buoyants or Rapalas. Brass and copper colored lures are working best due to an algae bloom. Upcoming events: Big Bear Troutfest October 7-8 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anglers can compete for prizes, including a Ford F-150 and $10,000 in cash for catching one of 30 tagged fish. Entry fee is $75 for adults and $50 for juniors (16 and under). Troutfest information: Western Outdoor News 949-366-0030, Dan McKernan 909-866-6190, ext. 235. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow to fair trout action with a few fish reported to 1-0. Most fish are deep -- 25 feet or more. Trollers are having luck with Super Dupers or Thomas Buoyants. Limits are rare. Bite best late and early. Best luck has been on lures or fishing worms near the fountains and dam. DFG trout plant this week. There will be a fishing derby on Saturday, Sept. 23, which is also a statewide free fishing day. No license is required to fish. Derby winners must be present to claim prizes. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Excellent overall fishing action. Best bite has been around the aerators for boat anglers and around the dam and along the south shoreline for shore anglers. Kevin Mitchell, Corona, caught an 8.5-pound rainbow trout. DFG trout plant last week. Last Mt. Lassen Trout Farm plant of the season this week. Fishing fee is $15 per adult. Highway 330 is closed, anglers can use Highway 18. The lake's concession will close October 1. Information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-794-1123.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Catfish bite excellent. Most fish to 20-0. Larger fish are biting all over the lake. Broodstock blues, flatheads, and channel catfish are best on shrimp, mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, the shrimp cocktail (shrimp-marshmallow) combo, or nightcrawlers. All are improved by dipping in Sonny's Catfish Bait. Bite is best off the island in deep water and fish are moving in shallower at night. Many limits. Top catch was a 27-8 blue cat by Bobby Crane, Alta Loma. Jan Thadsman, Bakersfield, landed a 21-0 and 24-0 catfish on shrimp cocktail, while Merill Thadsman, Bakersfield, landed a 22 3/4-pound fish. Loyed Phillips, Ontario, had five catfish that weighed a total of 101 1/2 pounds -- over a 20-pound average. Ing Looh, Los Angeles, had five cats that weighed 94 pounds. Both trophy catfish over 10 pounds (3,000 pounds) and pan-sized cats (another 3,000 pounds) will be planted this week. The lake will be stocked both Monday and Friday through the end of September. The first trout plant of the season Oct. 5. Fishing fee is $15 per person. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout action is excellent in both lakes on jigs, spinners, inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait (Captain America and rainbow). Most trout are from 2-0 to 3-0 and the best bite is before 10 a.m. Hot spots include the inlets of lake 2 and the western shore of lake 3. Top catch was 5-9 rainbow by Michael Smyth, Palmdale, on a Panther Martin off the north shore of lake 2 and John Adams, San Bernardino, landed a 4-4 and a 3-10 trout on a crappie jig and Power Bait off the western shore of lake 3. Chris Tyler, Corona, caught a 3-12 rainbow on a nightcrawler and Eugene Todd, Victorville, scored a 3-5 rainbow on Captain America Power Bait off the western shore of lake 3. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and Senkos with anglers reporting some bass over 3 pounds. Float tubers are having good action on bass lake with anglers catching up to 35 bass in a four hour period. Bluegill are biting meal worms, nightcrawlers, Senkos and jigs on both lakes with some bluegill over one pound. Hot spots for bluegill are off the shoreline near the pump house, and off the northern, southern and western shores of lake 2. The lakes' hatchery stocks trout every Friday. The lakes are open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakes.net (http://www.jessranchlakes.net/).
MOJAVE NARROWS: Catfish action remains steady in both lakes with a lot of catfish weighed in from 2-0 to 5-0, and nightcrawlers are the most common bait. Few reports of bass and bluegill, but Horseshoe Lake has been good for small bluegill on meal worms or nightcrawler pieces. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: County catfish plants are done for the season, but the bite is still fair on mackerel with fish showing all around the lake. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite fair with plants are done for the season. Pretty decent carp bite early in the mornings. The lake is open for fishing Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Aug. 31 was the last catfish stock of the season. The first trout plant of the season will be Wednesday, Nov. 1. Catfish action has been slow to fair. Nightcrawlers, mackerel and anchovies are best baits, especially if dipped in stink bait. Most fish from 1-0 and up. Information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Catfish action spotty with a few fish from 1-0 to 3-0 being reported from both lakes. Bass and bluegill action fair. Catfish plants are done for the season and trout season not projected to start until November. 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: Slow. Only a few small bluegill and bass being caught, along with the odd catfish. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Bass fishing was terrific this past week with a lot of limits of fish to 5-0 on topwater lures, but the plastic worm bite has also been very good in 10 to 25 feet in Rawson Cove, the island near restroom 2, the rock quarry, and the southern corner of the east dam. Will Anderson, of Murrieta, fished two days this week. The first day he got a limit over 20 pounds with the biggest fish weighing 5.68 pounds. The second day he got a limit just under 20 pounds with his biggest at 4.96 pounds. John Vazquez, Corona, got a 4.33 pounder, while Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, landed a 6.46 pound bass. Panfish action remains excellent with bluegill showing in good volume from the stairway on either dam or along most shorelines. Lots of quality stringers caught. Vlastimil Klimes, Sun City, got a 2-0 bluegill near restroom 1 using a night crawler. There were a few reports of crappie being caught on the east dam about 15 feet down with mini jigs. Trout fishing turned off this week. There has been a steep decline in catches for trollers and drifters alike, and only a few anglers drifting nightcrawlers have scratched a few fish. James Mehan, Winchester, got a 3.20 pound trout using night crawlers. Zmikey Robltzer, Woodcrest, got two trout at 2 pounds each using Powerbait on the west dam. Catfish aren't getting any pressure, but George Castaneda, San Jacinto, landed a 9-0 cat from the second cove of the shoreline fishing area on mackerel. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com (http://www.dvmarina.com/).
PERRIS: Excellent bluegill action off the marina docks and at the dam with crickets and meal worms the top baits. Best action in the morning and a lot of nice stringers are being reported along with some quality fish. Some bluegill also biting off southeast end of island. Rob Smith, Moreno Valley, caught a 2.1-pound bluegill and Cory Wright, 8, Perris, caught a 1.8-pound bluegill on crickets off the marina docks. Bass action fair in the east end, Rock Climbers Cove, and around the marina with plastics and nightcrawlers. Catfish action fair with more fish showing around the marina this past week. Carp, crappie and trout action poor. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Excellent bluegill, catfish and striper action, fair crappie action and poor redear sunfish and trout bite. The striper bite is red hot. Darrell Hanson, San Diego, caught a 9.7-pound striper on chicken liver. Lots of fish showing at the inlet and off the main lake points with some surface action early in the day. The fall weather is perfect for fishing bluegill and some nice-sized fish are showing. Ross Slaughter, Beaumont, caught a 1.5-pound bluegill on a nightcrawler. Catfish are everywhere. Pete Harrell, Riverside, caught a stringer of four catfish on mackerel. Information: 951-926-1505.
LAKE ELSINORE: No reports. C
ORONA LAKE: Catfish anglers are seeing some of the best catfish action of the year with some impressive stringers posted. The cats are showing over much of the lake with the south end shallows very productive on nightcrawlers, mackerel, Nitro Biscuits, and Catfish Nuggets, and most anglers are soaking all the baits in Nitro Gravy. Big fish of the week was a 5 3/4-pound channel cat landed by Bud Welford, Norco, while fishing with Nitro Biscuits in the south end of the lake. Bob Schempp and Murry Tolway, both Riverside, caught 20 cats averaging 2-0 each for a 40-pound stringer. Rachael Shepheard, Los Angeles, caught a 4-8 cat to top off her eight-fish 18 1/2-pound stringer. Mark Thompson, Riverside, had three cats to 4-8. Tilapia also continue to show in good numbers for anglers fishing meal worms and nightcrawler pieces off in the south end shallows. Most of these fish are in the 1 1/2-pound range. Trout season is set to kick off Thursday, Oct. 5, with a plant of rainbows to four pounds from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms in northern California. Trout to 12 pounds will be stocked in mid-October. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
EVANS LAKE: Fair panfish action, but few other reports.
RANCHO JURUPA: Catfish are biting fair to good on mackerel and anchovies in the front and back lakes. Catfish stock this Thursday. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Catfish plants are every other week now. Cats are biting good on all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel and anchovies. Plant last week. Upcoming events: Fishing derby every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Catfish action is fair to good on Power Bait and nightcrawlers all over. Catfish plants are bi-weekly. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Catfish action is good on garlic nightcrawlers. Fish from 4-0 to 5-0 reported. Information: 951-654-7906.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good catfish action on any bait for fish to 2-0 and better. Pond is stocked regularly. The lake has a new sonar sensor that can help anglers determine where the fish are in the lake. Lake open daily Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on all Monday holidays. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: A DFG trout plant last week. Fair to good action. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Closed for routine draining and maintenance. Information: 714-632-7830 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
ANAHEIM LAKE: The water level remains down about 15 feet, but the level is coming up and the catfish bite just continues to perk along. There is a very good bite for boat anglers fishing off Trout or Earthquake islands or off the main point, and shore anglers are fishing off the point, too, and many anglers are reporting limits. The average fish is from one to three pounds, and bigger cats are showing up on many stringer. The top catfish this past week was a 10-0 landed by Jason Silva, Anaheim, while fishing with shrimp and Nitro Gravy off Earthquake Island. Silva had three cats total and the other two also averaged just a snick over 8 pound each. Nicole Erickson and Jimmy Mountz, both Rialto, caught 10 cats off the Point fishing the marshmallow-meal worm (M&M) combo or mackerel. The stringer weighed 25 pounds and the top catfish was a four-pounder. Top baits have been frozen shad, shrimp, the M&M combo, all with Nitro Gravy added to enhance the bait. Trout season will be open Friday, Sept. 29, and the lake will be closed Sept. 25-28 for trout plants. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
IRVINE LAKE: Good catfish bite off the west shore, off Trout Island, off the Santiago Flats and mid-lake on shrimp, Catmando baits, chicken livers and large chunks of mackerel. The bite is good both day and night. Lots of limits and a 60-pound catfish was landed by Ronson Smothers, Los Angeles on a chunk of Catmando mackerel and a 20-pound test line. He also landed four more fish in the nine-pound range. William Arms, Orange, caught a 12.7 pounder on a jig while Chris Lyle, Lakewood, caught a 7.6 pounder. Bass action is very good on reaction baits fished on top in the early mornings and at dusk. Anglers are fishing Senkos and other plastics in 15 to 25 feet of water near the Rocky Point and off the red clay cliffs. Largemouth from 2-0 to 4-0. Tim Morlan, Anaheim, caught an 8.1-pound bass, while John Jensen, Orange, caught a 6.1-pound largemouth on a jig. Crappie are biting best on pearl-white, two-inch Gulp minnow grubs under floating lanterns at night. Daytime bluegill and redear bite good on wax and meal worms. Carp bite fair. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com (http://www.lagunaniguellake.com/).
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Trout and bass bites are good, while the bluegill bite is fair. Trout biting best near the dam on trolled lures or drifted nightcrawlers. Largemouth and smallmouth bass bites good in Cachuma Bay and off Arrowhead Island. Topwater lures, spinnerbaits, and plastics best. Fish mostly from 12 to 15 inches, or 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, with a lot of limits. Few bigger fish showing now. Catfish bite has slowed to a crawl. Crappie to 1-0 are biting fair on pieces of nightcrawlers, small jigs and or meal worms in Bobcat Canyon. Bluegill bite good off the docks on mini-jigs or meal worms. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Trout are biting fair at the dam on nightcrawlers and Power Bait or trolling Needlefish in 40 feet of water by the dam. Most trout action early morning and in the late afternoon. Bob Griffin, Ventura, caught five trout to 3-8 on Needlefish. First DFG trout plant of season slated for this week. Bass are good early morning and late evening in the shallows. Topwater lures best in the mornings and spinnerbaits and plastic worms best later in the day. Catfish action good on mackerel. Bluegill and redear biting in the shallows on pieces of nightcrawlers and or red worms. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Bass and striper bite good. Lots of striper limits with fish to 3-0 with some fish in the double digits. The fish are really keying on the shad and the bite is good all over the lake on anything shad-like, with the best action in the morning. Ramon Martinez and Carlos Jaime, both Acton, caught six stripers that weighed 37.9 pounds, including a 9.1 pounder. The largemouth bass bite is best off the points and in coves on plastics, nightcrawlers, or shad imitations. Scott Lizakowski, Canyon Country, landed a mixed stringer of nine largemouths and stripers that weighed 22 pounds and include a 5-0 striper while fishing swimbaits from the marina rocks. Jessie Gil, Sylmar, landed a 10-0 striper and 12 largemouth bass fishing a bucktail jig. Catfish bite fair, and trout bite poor. However, the first trout plant of the season was slated for this week. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Good bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and trout bite, while the crappie bite is fair and the catfish bite is poor. Bass are biting off the points on crankbaits and nightcrawlers. Trout action best off points and by the buoy lines on nightcrawlers, jigs, and on the troll with six colors of leadcore and Needlefish producing rainbows to 4-4. The first DFG trout plant of the season was also scheduled for this week. Catfish action up and down, however some to 8-0 reported. Nightcrawlers and reaction baits are best for cats. Bluegill and redear are biting in shaded areas on meal worms, but the bite is as deep as 30 feet. The lake's hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Information: 805-521-1231 or www.lakepiru.org (http://www.lakepiru.org/).
PYRAMID: The lake is temporarily closed due to the Day Fire. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Bass, crappie, bluegill and cats are biting fair all over the lake. Nightcrawlers best for the bass, mini-jigs for the crappie and bluegill, and mackerel and shrimp tops for the cats. Catfish stocks are bi-monthly. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Catfish are biting all over on mackerel and anchovies. DFG catfish plant four weeks ago. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant four weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG catfish plant four weeks.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
LEGG LAKE: DFG catfish plant five weeks ago, however catfish are biting all over on mackerel and anchovies.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month, however catfish are biting all over on anchovies and mackerel in a fair bite. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Good bass action. There were 106 anglers who reported 1,598 bass, 261 bluegill and 26 crappie. Reservations: Ticket Master 619-220- 8497 or www.TicketMaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). They go on sale the second Tuesday of each month and usually sell out that day for the following month. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule by reservation only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/).
HODGES: Fair bass, bluegill and crappie bites. There were 226 anglers who reported 215 bass, 71 bluegill, 55 crappie, and 21 channel catfish. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
EL CAPITAN: Good bass action. There were 314 anglers who reported 565 bass, 30 channel catfish, 19 crappie and eight blue catfish. Butch Cassidy, El Cajon, landed four channel catfish to 5-0. The lake is open Friday through Sunday. Night fishing has been extended through Sept. 30. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: Fair to good bluegill and bass action, and a spotty catfish bite. There were 289 anglers who reported catching 313 bluegill, 276 bass, and 15 channel catfish. Mike Evans, Spring Valley, landed a 6.85-pound bass on a plastic, Jamie Chavez, 12, San Diego, caught a 4.8-pound channel catfish, while Mel Williams, Spring Valley, caught a 5.5-pound largemouth. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: Fair bass action. There were 21 anglers who reported 28 bass. The lake is open to catch-and-release fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
SAN VICENTE: Decent bluegill action, pretty good bass bite, but slow everything else. This past week 50 anglers reported 208 bluegill, 82 bass, 17 rainbow trout, 16 channel catfish and five redear sunfish. The lake is open on a Thursday through Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465- 3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Bass action fair to good. This past week, there were 126 anglers who reported 151 bass and six bluegill. The launch ramp and T-Floats are now open. Only small boats are able to launch. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Spotty action. There were 87 anglers who reported 31 channel catfish, 16 bass and one rainbow trout. The lake is open on a Saturday through Tuesday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Good bass action. Just fair channel catfish action. There were 153 anglers who reported 164 bass, 62 channel catfish, 55 bluegill, six crappie and two redear sunfish. Ernie Klemm, Ramona, caught ten channel catfish to 6.25 pounds. The lake is open on a Friday through Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
WOHLFORD: Good catfish action at the buoy lines and in Oakvale Cove. Mostly small to mid-sized cats biting nightcrawlers, chicken liver or shrimp. Best bass bite fished in 10 to 15 feet of water off the shoreline. Best bass bite in the early morning. Crappie are biting off the south shore rock pile on live golden shiners. Scott Osborne, Valley Center, landed 11 crappie to 2-4 on shiners. Trout plants to start in December. The lake requires a $1 daily permit for each person float tubing. The lake is closed Monday through Friday and will only be open on the weekends until December. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com (http://www.wohlfordlake.com/).
DOANE POND: DFG plant this week.
DIXON: Catfish action slow this week. Most fish from 1-0 to 3-0. The best spots are by the buoy line and off the shoreline by the boat dock on either mackerel or anchovies. Night fishing had ended for the 2006 season. Bass action improved to fair with the best bite in the coves on small imitation shad baits. The first 1,200 pound trout plant of fall is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1. Information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com (http://www.dixonlake.com/).
POWAY: Catfish bite slowed down to fair this week. The best catfish bite is between the limit sign and the fishing pier and from the north shore and off Jump-off Point on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Good bass bite early and late, especially when overcast or cloudy, with a lot of smaller bass being caught. The bluegill bite is slow, however some fish are biting in Hidden Bay and in Half Moon Bay. The lake was stocked with 850 pounds of channel catfish two weeks ago. Pontoon boats are no longer allowed. Lake is open Wednesday through Sunday. Starting Oct. 1, the lake will be closed for maintenance Monday through Friday. The lake will be open to fishing and boating Saturday and Sunday only from 7 a.m. to sunset. Normal lake hours will resume on Nov. 1 when trout season kicks off. Information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfish fair on mackerel and chicken livers. The catfish have moved deeper. Good spots are in Cloister Cove and Siesta Cove and near the dam by the buoy lines. Emlyn Auelio, Chula Vista, caught a 7-0 channel catfish on mackerel off Sentry Point. Good topwater bass bite in Siesta Cove, Hermit Cove, and at Cactus Patch. Drop-shotting or Texas-rigging plastics on the steep slopes is also a good bet, and worms and spinnerbaits also working. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Upcoming events: free fishing class 1 p.m. Sunday. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org (http://www.lakejennings.org/).
MORENA: Overall good fishing with the best action early and late in the day. Bass action good with lots of 1-0 to 3-0 fish showing on crankbaits and just about anything else you toss. The bluegill bite slowed. Carp bite is still wide open on dough balls, corn and worms all over the lake. Catfish bite is excellent on nightcrawlers near the brush. Mackerel best bet for larger fish. The best bite is between 6 and 7 a.m. The boat launch is open, but no boats over 19-feet recommended. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Catfish bite excellent this week on half nightcrawlers on the bottom, with a few quality fish landed. Bullhead bite wide open. Michael Singler, Imperial Beach, caught 188 bullheads on nightcrawlers. Singler was the Bullhead-A-Thon winner. Trout biting good on Power Bait or an inflated nightcrawler smeared with scent fished on a 36 to 40-inch leader or trolling with a Kastmaster or Panther Martin. Hot spots are the Lone Pine, the finger jetty, the west shore below the call box, and the buoy line at the dam. Michael Parker, San Diego, caught a 3-7 trout on a Thomas Buoyant, while Jose Limon, Cajon, caught a 2-11 trout on rainbow Power Bait. The crappie bite is good on small tube jigs and half nightcrawlers on the bottom. Bass bite fair on nightcrawlers from the north and south shores. Fly fishing for the trout is good in the early morning or late afternoon on emergers, black wooly buggers and olive matukas. Bluegill are good close to shore on meal worms and small jigs. DFG trout plant this week. Upcoming events: "Fishin' in the Pines" free kids fishing derby is set for this Saturday. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org (http://www.lakecuyamaca.org/). HENSHAW: Crappie action is slowing to almost nothing with just a few showing for boat anglers. Catfish bite good from boats and off shore on nightcrawlers and shrimp fished in rocky areas. Most cats from 2-0 to 4-0, with some to 7-0 showing at night. Night fishing ends in two weeks. Jason Hill, Warner Springs, caught a 5-0 blue catfish on chicken liver off a boat. Carp biting good on dough bait and corn off shore and from boats. Peanut butter will also land a few. Top catch was by Sam Ways, Los Angeles, who caught 20 carp to 4 3/4 pounds. Hill also landed 14 carp to 4-0. Chris Abner, San Diego, caught five carp to 4-0. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Overall fishing is slow due to high winds and cool temps. The water temp dropped ten degrees in the last week to the low 70s. Some fish are being landed, but the action is on-and-off. Information: 702-564-3058.
WILLOW BEACH: The striper bite has continued to be hot with some quality fish reported on swimbaits and A.C. Plugs. Top catch was a 43-0 by Jerry Rago, Bishop, on a swimbait. Allan Cole, Henderson, caught stripers at 40-0, 29-0, and 25-0. James King, Vegas, caught five stripers off shore to 10-0. Trout action remains good on orange, yellow and rainbow Power Bait, shinny spinners or Rooster tails. The Jumbo Wash area has been the hot spot with a lot of limits reported. Catfish from 4-0 to 5-0 are being landed. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Not too many reported fish, however a few small stripers are being landed on the north side. Most fish are staying deep in cooler waters. The bite is best down 30 to 40 feet on anchovies. Some catfish being reported from Arizona side on mackerel and chicken livers. Telephone Cove and the power lines are still the hot spots. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Striper fishing good in the morning and evening. Most of the stripers are small, but a few 25-inch fish were reported. Davis Camp has been the best spot. Water levels are higher during the day for boat fishing.
NEEDLES: Small-sized stripers showing on cut pieces of anchovies early and late in the day. Most reported are 12 to 16 inches. Jack Smith Park and Willow Valley Marina are hot spots for striper action. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: No reports. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: The striper bite is good in Steam Boat Cove from the Arizona side. Striped bass and catfish action good in little coves and off the pier on anchovies and nightcrawlers. A few cats from 8-0 to 10-0 are biting in most coves, especially at the upper end of the lake on Catmando stink bait in 20 feet of water, but most fish are pan-sized. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Good to excellent bass, bluegill, cat and redear action. Smallmouth bass action best in the main river for anglers fishing rocky structure. Both smallmouth and largemouth are biting on hard-nosed jerk baits. Best cat bite on chicken livers and nightcrawlers. Flathead catfish are also in full swing on goldfish and bluegill.
BLYTHE: Good to excellent catfish action. Channel cats biting on mackerel and chicken liver. Flatheads biting on live goldfish or bluegill. Stripers biting fair at the Palo Verde Diversion dam. Good numbers of bluegill being reported from the backwaters, and there's a good topwater bass bite early and late in the day. Information: 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Channel catfish action remains good in the backwaters, canals and main river. Flathead action is also good on live goldfish or tilapia. Largemouth bass fishing is good on plastic worms, reaction baits, and live minnows in backwaters.
PICACHO AREA: Bass fishing is fair on live bait and plastics. The catfish bite has remained fair with a lot of channel cats and flatheads showing.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Flathead fishing in full swing. Night fishing best on bluegill or goldfish with fish to 20-0 reported. Hodge Rock a hot spot. Excellent early morning topwater bite for largemouths and then decent action on live shiners, cranks, spinnerbaits, and plastics. Lots of limits. Stripers are biting in the lake as well as in the main river channel, mostly on cut baits. No crappie action. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com (http://www.martinezlake.com/).
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is great for channel catfish and large redear and bluegill. All biting on worms. Catfish bite good on chicken liver or worms, and the flathead bite has improved with the best action on live minnows. Bass fishing has been good, especially on live minnows in the main river and local backwaters.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow to no fishing. Boats have not gone out in a long time. Nothing reported this week. Information: Red Hill Marina 760-348-2310, Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052. Weather information: 760-352-3360, Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast 760-398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports. Channel catfish are fair on mackerel or anchovies.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass have been reported.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No report.
WEIST LAKE: No report.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No report. Information: 760-352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Catfish and bass are biting good off the jetty, off the south eastern side of the lake, and at the inlets. Best catfish baits are mackerel, anchovies, Power Bait and chicken livers. Nightcrawlers and rubber worms are best for bass. The lake was stocked two weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com (http://www.bishopvisitor.com/).
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Trout action slowed from good to fair at Bridgeport Reservoir due to high winds this week. Best bite from boats for anglers fishing Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers or fly-fishing out of tubes with wooly buggers. Trolling with small Rapalas also good. Most fish are from 1-8 to 3-0 with a few 5-0 to 6-0 reported. The Sacramento perch and the occasional brown are also biting. The East Walker River is fishing good and running at 190 cfs. Small midge, mayfly and caddis emerger patterns fished just off the bottom are best. West Walker River is running low and the fly-fishing is good with caddis and hopper patterns. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes have a poor bite due to the high winds. Trollers are having luck using nightcrawlers and Needlefish-type lures. Action is excellent at Virginia Lakes and the bite is wide open. Trolling with Thomas Buoyants or Kastmasters is best. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are best baits. Small wooly bugger-type flies, beetle or ant patterns are best for fly-fishing. Some browns to 3-0 reported. Fishing action picking up at Trumble Lake. Plenty of brookies and browns. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com (http://www.kenssport.com/).
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Best fishing at Gull Lake out of all the lakes in the loop -- June, Gull, Silver, Grant. A lot of trout being caught at Gull on Trout Traps. Albert Tover, Atwood, caught a 6-4 and a 5-0 rainbow, and Rick Stanford, Agoura Hills, landed a 5-14 rainbow, all from Gull. Grant fishing fair with some fish to 3-0 from the dam. Gulp eggs and or rainbow, salmon or peach Power Bait are good bets at all lakes. Needlefish are also working for trollers. A hot spot has been the mouth of Rush Creek on Grant Lake. Not too much action from June, but some luck with Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Bite at Silver best when trolling wooly buggers or Kastmasteres. Decent action from Saddlebag Lake. Information: Ernie's Fishing Tackle 760-648-7756, June Lake Marina 760-648-7726.
MAMMOTH LAKES REGION: Good action on the upper Owens with hopper and caddis patterns and Stimulators. Rapalas and Panther Martins are working well. Hot Creek is good with good morning hatches. Action at Crowley Lake has picked up since the wind blew over last weeks algae bloom. The best bite is from the north end. Hoppers and nymphs are good bets in Hilton Creek. McGee Creek has low flows with good fishing toward Crowley Lake on the lower reaches Fish from the lake are moving into the river. Streamer fishermen having luck with perch fry imitations in the channel edges or in the weed lines of shallow waters on Crowley-proper. There is still a good perch bite all over the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water along the deeper weed edges. Lots of trout action at both Convict Lake and Convict Creek. Martha James, Paso Robles, caught a 7.06 pounder on nightcrawlers while Scott Avila, Visalia, caught a 6.5 pounder on a Thomas Buoyant from Convict Lake. Ming Hsu, San Marino, also landed a 6.04 pounder. Trollers using Thomas Buoyants and Rapalas. Lots of big Alpers coming out of Convict Lake and fly fishermen are having luck from float tubes. Twin Lakes has a good callibaetis hatch every day for dry fly anglers, but you can drag wooly buggers along the weed beds when there's not surface action. Mary fishing slow. Mamie and George fishing excellent using olive matukas or pink or orange Power Bait. Information: Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250.
BISHOP AREA: Sabrina, Intake II, North and South Lakes all have good action on Gulp Eggs, Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Easy limits being caught at South Lake and Sabrina from the back side. The hot spot on Sabrina is at the major inlet on worms, Power Bait and or salmon eggs. North Lake has good evening action with a bubble and fly. Trollers are having luck using flashers with a worm or a red and gold Thomas Buoyant. Most fish being caught from the inlet on Power Bait and worms. Fish from 12 to 13 inches on average. Bishop Creek fishing excellent on Power Bait, Gulp eggs and nightcrawlers. Lots of Alpers' at 4-0 to 6-0 were planted last week. The lower Owens River is running high with tough fishing. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley has been good for fly anglers. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Diaz Lake is slow. Georges, Independence, Lone Pine, Sheperds, Symmes, and Tuttle were all planted two weeks ago. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Good crappie bite in the South Fork on small minnows for boat anglers. Good catfish bite on shad and dip baits. Trout bite excellent for trollers using Needlefish and bank fishermen using nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Bass are biting fair on Senkos, crankbaits and plugs with some fish from 4-0 to 6-0. Bluegill are biting excellent on wax and meal worms. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: This river currently has the best fishing in the Western Sierra with low flows and clear water. Area above the lake is best, but fishing in both upper and lower river is excellent. Planted trout good in both stretches. Good trout action in the upper river on nightcrawlers, crickets, red salmon eggs and silver spinners. Fish to 7-0. Excellent smallmouth action in the lower river on plastic worms and silver spinners. Sandy Flats and Hobo campground are hot spots in the lower river. Both the upper and lower river were stocked two weeks ago. Information: James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Stripers are biting good. Lots of fish from 2-0 to 3-0 with a lot of limits. Blood and lug worms are also good bets. Catfish are good on shad, Sonny's dip bait, anchovies, and chicken livers. Damer Harleston, Bakersfield, caught a 7-0 catfish on Sonnys Catfish bait. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Continued good bluegill action with nice stringers of fish coming out on wax worms. Crappie spotty, and a few bass are showing on nightcrawlers.
TRUXTUN LAKE: The bluegill and carp bites are both good and a few bass are showing. Lots of bluegill on wax and meal worms, and the smallmouth bass have been best on plastics, nightcrawlers, and live minnows. Carp best on dough baits.
MING LAKE: Closed until October.
BRITE LAKE: Plenty of good-sized trout biting on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Many limits weighing 7-0 to 8-0 total were reported. Floating baits and small lures are also good bets. No crappie reported.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good striper bite on minnows, shad, and blood worms. Fish from 3-0 to 5-0. The bluegill action is very good on wax and meal worms. Catfish action excellent with fish to 3-0 and better showing on shad, Sonny's Dip Bait, and mackerel. Information: Concession 661-763-1268, Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair to good bass action on Senkos. The bluegill bite is good on wax and meal worms. Some decent cats being caught on mackerel and shad.
SUCCESS LAKE: Lake levels are low, but fish are still being landed. Bass action picking up with a few fish from 7-0 to 8-0 reported, most small. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Good bass and bluegill bite. The water levels are good. Lots of 16- to 17-inch bass being reported in coves on Senkos. Trout action slow, but expected to pick up. Crappie are biting at night in the coves. Bluegill action is fair. Top baits are meal, wax and red worms. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Striper action excellent in the shad in the marina area and from boats, mostly on anchovies off the north shore and near the dam. Fish to 7-0. Best bite at night in 20 feet of water. The smallmouth and largemouth bass bite is good all over the lake, but especially at Harris Creek. Fish from 2-0 to 5-0. Catfish fair during the late evening. Little daytime action. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: The bass bite continues to be fair to good. Bluegill and crappie action also fair to good. Crappie biting on jigs and worms. Catfish are slow. Bass are best on Senkos. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Spotted bass and crappie are good, with the spotties boiling on shad in a good topwater bite. White bass are also good, biting on white Roostertails, jigs and plastic worms. Most crappie showing on white jigs and they're averaging 3/4-pound. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com (http://www.nacimientoresort.com/).
LOPEZ: Catfish biting good on nightcrawlers and cut baits with fish to 25-0 reported. Bass to over 5-0 are fair to good with most action on worms and plastics with some topwater early and late. Bigger fish biting from Lopez Arm and are showing in shallow waters. The bluegill, crappie and redear bites are good on trout worms, jigs and nightcrawlers. A 3 3/4-pound redear sunfish close to the lake record was landed last week. Hot spots include Mallard Cove, Cottonwood Cove and the Strawberry Flats from boats. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked the week of September 18, 2006 with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River (South Fork).
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake, Doane Pond.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake II), Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Gooddale Creek, Owens River (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lake and below Tinnemaha), Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek. M
ONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek (South Fork), Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Benton Crossing Road), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Section 1), Rock Creek (Section 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake (Lower Bridgeport), Twin Lake (Upper Bridgeport), Twin Lakes (Mammoth), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower), and Virginia Lake (Upper).
FRESNO: Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River (KR No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville).
TULARE: Kern River (Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge and Brush Creek to Fairview Dam).
TUOLUMNE: Tulloch Lake.
CATFISH PLANTS The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish during the week of September 18, 2006:
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedre Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Dam, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake, and Lincoln Park Lake.
Compiled by Cyndi Gurrola and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
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 n 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@earthlink.net and/or Cyndi Gurrola at cagurrola@charter.net.
Other complete versions are posted on a number of Web sites each week, including the Turner's Outdoorsman Web site (www.turners.com (http://www.turners.com/)) and Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors Web site (a href="."/" eudora="AUTOURL">www.jesseshunting.com). The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning at each of these sites. The Outdoor News Service Web site is www.outdoornewsservice.com (http://www.outdoornewsservice.com/). 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 (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/).
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The big stripers started stirring at Willow Beach. For the past two weeks, the regulars who hurl the big, trout-like plugs picking up a number of fish from 15 to 40-plus pounds. This stretch of river has been getting trout plants all summer, and it looks like the big stripers have finally moved up into the Willow Beach area to feed. If you have the heavy casting rods and A.C. Plugs (or similar lures), this is a hot spot right now. For an update on the bite, contact the Willow Beach marina at 928-767-4747.
2. The largemouth bass bite broke wide open this week at Diamond Valley Lake. Lots of fish from 3-0 to 5-0 showing on both topwater baits and on plastics in deeper water during the day. A number of anglers have reported 20-pound, five-fish limits this week and fish to 6 1/2 pounds were reported at the marina. This bite has been in a funk for a few weeks, but cool evenings seem to have turned the action around. For fishing updates, contact the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
3. Eastern Sierra fly anglers are raving about the action in both Bridgeport Reservoir and Lake Crowley. There are lots of rainbows in both lakes from 1 1/2 to 3 pounds, along with a few bigger fish, and the bulk of the bite right now seems to be on Sacramento perch-type streamers fished to visible boils or blind-cast along the edges of weed beds. Crowds are relatively light and the action is wide open. Winds have hampered the fishing some this past week, but the fish are still there and boiling. For more info on the Bridgeport Reservoir bite, check with Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport at 760-932-7707 or on-line at www.kenssport.com (http://www.kenssport.com/). For the Crowley bite, call the Troutfitter in Mammoth Lakes at 760-934-2517 or visit on-line at www.thetroutfitter.com (http://www.thetroutfitter.com/), or call Sierra Drifters Guide Service at 760-935-4250 or see them on-line at www.sierradrifters.com (http://www.sierradrifters.com/). All three have good fish reports on-line.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: The deep-water trout bite slowed at Diamond Valley Lake, but consistent bites at Piru, Pyramid, Cachuma, and Casitas are continuing for deep-water trollers and bait fishermen drifting baits in deep water. The bait action is also decent at the higher elevation waters -- Green Valley, Cuyamaca, Big Bear, and Jenks. In the Eastern Sierra, Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley Lake, and the East Walker River are still the top picks, but the Virginia Lakes, Grant Lake, Twin Lakes (Mammoth), and the whole Bishop Creek drainage are all good bets, too. Bridgeport and Crowley are top bets for fly anglers throwing perch minnow imitations. In the Western Sierra, the Kern River is the top spot in the whole region with excellent trout action above Isabella, which is also pretty fair.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Bass action is fair to good all across Southern California with decent surface action early and late in the day at most places, and some big fish continue to pop. The action is improving each week as the weather cools. Bass are in deeper water during the bulk of the day with the best action in 20 to 40 feet of water on plastics, live baits, and jigs, but the fish are much shallower early and late in the day. Top picks are Diamond Valley Lake, Casitas, Perris, San Vicente, El Capitan, Diamond Valley Lower Otay, Sutherland, and -- if you can get a permit -- Barrett. Other decent bets include Piru, Pyramid, Silverwood, Castaic, Cachuma, Lopez, Santa Margarita, Nacimiento, San Antonio, and Isabella. The lower Kern River is also turning on for smallmouth.
STRIPED BASS: The top bite has been for bigger stripers from 12 to 40 pounds at Willow Beach on the Colorado River. The best action has been on big, trout-like plugs and swim baits. For Southern California waters, Skinner, Pyramid, Silverwood and Castaic have a consistently good bites on smaller fish, mostly on cut baits, but some on topwater early and late in the day. Skinner really exploded three weeks ago, and it remains a top bet. The striped bass bite is good in the California Aqueduct near Taft with a lot of fish over the 18-inch minimum size showing on blood or lug worms. On the Colorado River, Lake Mead has an excellent morning surface bite as fish bust shad on the surface in Vegas Wash, while Mohave and Havasu are both fair to good on small fish to 4-0. Also fair action in the lower river at the Palo Verde Diversion Dam.
PANFISH: There is still good bluegill and/or redear action at a lot of urban lakes and local water reservoirs right now and the fishing pressure is still slight. Good bets include Perris, Diamond Valley, Skinner, Lower Otay, Piru, Pyramid, Lopez, and Santa Margarita, but most waters have decent panfish bites now, even if the fish are on the smaller size. There is still a good Sacramento perch bite on Lake Crowley and Bridgeport Reservoir in the Sierra, but this bite is slowing as the waters cool in this region. Cuyamaca, as always, also has a good bite on small crappie.
CATFISH: On the Colorado River, the flathead bite is good in the lower river with a number of flatheads over 20-0 reported the past week, mostly on live bluegill, goldfish or tilapia. Best bet closer to SoCal would be Hesperia Lake on planted fish including big fish over 10-0, and a few fish over 20-0 were caught this past week. Anaheim Lake has been good with fish to 6-0 and better each week. Corona Lake and Irvine Lake are also good, and Silverwood, Pyramid, Piru, and all of the San Diego area lakes also have fair to good catfish bites.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The bass, catfish and striper bites are good to excellent, while the bluegill and carp bites are fair to good. Also a few crappie, trout, and redear showing. The best action is for stripers, which are boiling all over the lake in the mornings and evening, taking Rapalas and Blade Dancers. Most of the fish are under 6-0, but the bite is hot. Kevin Better, Temecula, caught a 3-0 striper on a Blade Dancer. Bass biting best at the dam, Miller's, and main points on plastics with some surface action early and late. Cage Simpson, Anaheim, caught a 4-0 largemouth in Millers. Catfish showing at the dam and in the main channel mostly on anchovies and mackerel in a good bite. Teresa Masters, Newport Beach, caught a 6-0 catfish on anchovies. Trout are slow to fair off the shoreline in Cleghorn and Miller canyons, mostly in deep water. Some carp showing on garlic nightcrawlers in most coves. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Rainbow trout fishing good on the west side of the lake, especially as lake temperatures drop. With the cooling temperatures, the bass and panfish bites have slowed to poor. Best trout bite in 15 to 20 feet of water for trollers and bait anglers. The dam to Boulder Bay is the hot area for limits. Bait anglers are fishing nightcrawlers soaked in scented attractants in 20 feet of water. Trollers are working two to four colors of leadcore line with Needlefish-type lures, Thomas Buoyants or Rapalas. Brass and copper colored lures are working best due to an algae bloom. Upcoming events: Big Bear Troutfest October 7-8 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anglers can compete for prizes, including a Ford F-150 and $10,000 in cash for catching one of 30 tagged fish. Entry fee is $75 for adults and $50 for juniors (16 and under). Troutfest information: Western Outdoor News 949-366-0030, Dan McKernan 909-866-6190, ext. 235. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Slow to fair trout action with a few fish reported to 1-0. Most fish are deep -- 25 feet or more. Trollers are having luck with Super Dupers or Thomas Buoyants. Limits are rare. Bite best late and early. Best luck has been on lures or fishing worms near the fountains and dam. DFG trout plant this week. There will be a fishing derby on Saturday, Sept. 23, which is also a statewide free fishing day. No license is required to fish. Derby winners must be present to claim prizes. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Excellent overall fishing action. Best bite has been around the aerators for boat anglers and around the dam and along the south shoreline for shore anglers. Kevin Mitchell, Corona, caught an 8.5-pound rainbow trout. DFG trout plant last week. Last Mt. Lassen Trout Farm plant of the season this week. Fishing fee is $15 per adult. Highway 330 is closed, anglers can use Highway 18. The lake's concession will close October 1. Information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 909-794-1123.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Catfish bite excellent. Most fish to 20-0. Larger fish are biting all over the lake. Broodstock blues, flatheads, and channel catfish are best on shrimp, mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, the shrimp cocktail (shrimp-marshmallow) combo, or nightcrawlers. All are improved by dipping in Sonny's Catfish Bait. Bite is best off the island in deep water and fish are moving in shallower at night. Many limits. Top catch was a 27-8 blue cat by Bobby Crane, Alta Loma. Jan Thadsman, Bakersfield, landed a 21-0 and 24-0 catfish on shrimp cocktail, while Merill Thadsman, Bakersfield, landed a 22 3/4-pound fish. Loyed Phillips, Ontario, had five catfish that weighed a total of 101 1/2 pounds -- over a 20-pound average. Ing Looh, Los Angeles, had five cats that weighed 94 pounds. Both trophy catfish over 10 pounds (3,000 pounds) and pan-sized cats (another 3,000 pounds) will be planted this week. The lake will be stocked both Monday and Friday through the end of September. The first trout plant of the season Oct. 5. Fishing fee is $15 per person. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout action is excellent in both lakes on jigs, spinners, inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait (Captain America and rainbow). Most trout are from 2-0 to 3-0 and the best bite is before 10 a.m. Hot spots include the inlets of lake 2 and the western shore of lake 3. Top catch was 5-9 rainbow by Michael Smyth, Palmdale, on a Panther Martin off the north shore of lake 2 and John Adams, San Bernardino, landed a 4-4 and a 3-10 trout on a crappie jig and Power Bait off the western shore of lake 3. Chris Tyler, Corona, caught a 3-12 rainbow on a nightcrawler and Eugene Todd, Victorville, scored a 3-5 rainbow on Captain America Power Bait off the western shore of lake 3. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and Senkos with anglers reporting some bass over 3 pounds. Float tubers are having good action on bass lake with anglers catching up to 35 bass in a four hour period. Bluegill are biting meal worms, nightcrawlers, Senkos and jigs on both lakes with some bluegill over one pound. Hot spots for bluegill are off the shoreline near the pump house, and off the northern, southern and western shores of lake 2. The lakes' hatchery stocks trout every Friday. The lakes are open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakes.net (http://www.jessranchlakes.net/).
MOJAVE NARROWS: Catfish action remains steady in both lakes with a lot of catfish weighed in from 2-0 to 5-0, and nightcrawlers are the most common bait. Few reports of bass and bluegill, but Horseshoe Lake has been good for small bluegill on meal worms or nightcrawler pieces. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: County catfish plants are done for the season, but the bite is still fair on mackerel with fish showing all around the lake. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Catfish bite fair with plants are done for the season. Pretty decent carp bite early in the mornings. The lake is open for fishing Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Aug. 31 was the last catfish stock of the season. The first trout plant of the season will be Wednesday, Nov. 1. Catfish action has been slow to fair. Nightcrawlers, mackerel and anchovies are best baits, especially if dipped in stink bait. Most fish from 1-0 and up. Information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Catfish action spotty with a few fish from 1-0 to 3-0 being reported from both lakes. Bass and bluegill action fair. Catfish plants are done for the season and trout season not projected to start until November. 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: Slow. Only a few small bluegill and bass being caught, along with the odd catfish. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Bass fishing was terrific this past week with a lot of limits of fish to 5-0 on topwater lures, but the plastic worm bite has also been very good in 10 to 25 feet in Rawson Cove, the island near restroom 2, the rock quarry, and the southern corner of the east dam. Will Anderson, of Murrieta, fished two days this week. The first day he got a limit over 20 pounds with the biggest fish weighing 5.68 pounds. The second day he got a limit just under 20 pounds with his biggest at 4.96 pounds. John Vazquez, Corona, got a 4.33 pounder, while Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, landed a 6.46 pound bass. Panfish action remains excellent with bluegill showing in good volume from the stairway on either dam or along most shorelines. Lots of quality stringers caught. Vlastimil Klimes, Sun City, got a 2-0 bluegill near restroom 1 using a night crawler. There were a few reports of crappie being caught on the east dam about 15 feet down with mini jigs. Trout fishing turned off this week. There has been a steep decline in catches for trollers and drifters alike, and only a few anglers drifting nightcrawlers have scratched a few fish. James Mehan, Winchester, got a 3.20 pound trout using night crawlers. Zmikey Robltzer, Woodcrest, got two trout at 2 pounds each using Powerbait on the west dam. Catfish aren't getting any pressure, but George Castaneda, San Jacinto, landed a 9-0 cat from the second cove of the shoreline fishing area on mackerel. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com (http://www.dvmarina.com/).
PERRIS: Excellent bluegill action off the marina docks and at the dam with crickets and meal worms the top baits. Best action in the morning and a lot of nice stringers are being reported along with some quality fish. Some bluegill also biting off southeast end of island. Rob Smith, Moreno Valley, caught a 2.1-pound bluegill and Cory Wright, 8, Perris, caught a 1.8-pound bluegill on crickets off the marina docks. Bass action fair in the east end, Rock Climbers Cove, and around the marina with plastics and nightcrawlers. Catfish action fair with more fish showing around the marina this past week. Carp, crappie and trout action poor. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Excellent bluegill, catfish and striper action, fair crappie action and poor redear sunfish and trout bite. The striper bite is red hot. Darrell Hanson, San Diego, caught a 9.7-pound striper on chicken liver. Lots of fish showing at the inlet and off the main lake points with some surface action early in the day. The fall weather is perfect for fishing bluegill and some nice-sized fish are showing. Ross Slaughter, Beaumont, caught a 1.5-pound bluegill on a nightcrawler. Catfish are everywhere. Pete Harrell, Riverside, caught a stringer of four catfish on mackerel. Information: 951-926-1505.
LAKE ELSINORE: No reports. C
ORONA LAKE: Catfish anglers are seeing some of the best catfish action of the year with some impressive stringers posted. The cats are showing over much of the lake with the south end shallows very productive on nightcrawlers, mackerel, Nitro Biscuits, and Catfish Nuggets, and most anglers are soaking all the baits in Nitro Gravy. Big fish of the week was a 5 3/4-pound channel cat landed by Bud Welford, Norco, while fishing with Nitro Biscuits in the south end of the lake. Bob Schempp and Murry Tolway, both Riverside, caught 20 cats averaging 2-0 each for a 40-pound stringer. Rachael Shepheard, Los Angeles, caught a 4-8 cat to top off her eight-fish 18 1/2-pound stringer. Mark Thompson, Riverside, had three cats to 4-8. Tilapia also continue to show in good numbers for anglers fishing meal worms and nightcrawler pieces off in the south end shallows. Most of these fish are in the 1 1/2-pound range. Trout season is set to kick off Thursday, Oct. 5, with a plant of rainbows to four pounds from Mt. Lassen Trout Farms in northern California. Trout to 12 pounds will be stocked in mid-October. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
EVANS LAKE: Fair panfish action, but few other reports.
RANCHO JURUPA: Catfish are biting fair to good on mackerel and anchovies in the front and back lakes. Catfish stock this Thursday. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Catfish plants are every other week now. Cats are biting good on all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel and anchovies. Plant last week. Upcoming events: Fishing derby every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Catfish action is fair to good on Power Bait and nightcrawlers all over. Catfish plants are bi-weekly. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Catfish action is good on garlic nightcrawlers. Fish from 4-0 to 5-0 reported. Information: 951-654-7906.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good catfish action on any bait for fish to 2-0 and better. Pond is stocked regularly. The lake has a new sonar sensor that can help anglers determine where the fish are in the lake. Lake open daily Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on all Monday holidays. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: A DFG trout plant last week. Fair to good action. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Closed for routine draining and maintenance. Information: 714-632-7830 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
ANAHEIM LAKE: The water level remains down about 15 feet, but the level is coming up and the catfish bite just continues to perk along. There is a very good bite for boat anglers fishing off Trout or Earthquake islands or off the main point, and shore anglers are fishing off the point, too, and many anglers are reporting limits. The average fish is from one to three pounds, and bigger cats are showing up on many stringer. The top catfish this past week was a 10-0 landed by Jason Silva, Anaheim, while fishing with shrimp and Nitro Gravy off Earthquake Island. Silva had three cats total and the other two also averaged just a snick over 8 pound each. Nicole Erickson and Jimmy Mountz, both Rialto, caught 10 cats off the Point fishing the marshmallow-meal worm (M&M) combo or mackerel. The stringer weighed 25 pounds and the top catfish was a four-pounder. Top baits have been frozen shad, shrimp, the M&M combo, all with Nitro Gravy added to enhance the bait. Trout season will be open Friday, Sept. 29, and the lake will be closed Sept. 25-28 for trout plants. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
IRVINE LAKE: Good catfish bite off the west shore, off Trout Island, off the Santiago Flats and mid-lake on shrimp, Catmando baits, chicken livers and large chunks of mackerel. The bite is good both day and night. Lots of limits and a 60-pound catfish was landed by Ronson Smothers, Los Angeles on a chunk of Catmando mackerel and a 20-pound test line. He also landed four more fish in the nine-pound range. William Arms, Orange, caught a 12.7 pounder on a jig while Chris Lyle, Lakewood, caught a 7.6 pounder. Bass action is very good on reaction baits fished on top in the early mornings and at dusk. Anglers are fishing Senkos and other plastics in 15 to 25 feet of water near the Rocky Point and off the red clay cliffs. Largemouth from 2-0 to 4-0. Tim Morlan, Anaheim, caught an 8.1-pound bass, while John Jensen, Orange, caught a 6.1-pound largemouth on a jig. Crappie are biting best on pearl-white, two-inch Gulp minnow grubs under floating lanterns at night. Daytime bluegill and redear bite good on wax and meal worms. Carp bite fair. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com (http://www.lagunaniguellake.com/).
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Trout and bass bites are good, while the bluegill bite is fair. Trout biting best near the dam on trolled lures or drifted nightcrawlers. Largemouth and smallmouth bass bites good in Cachuma Bay and off Arrowhead Island. Topwater lures, spinnerbaits, and plastics best. Fish mostly from 12 to 15 inches, or 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, with a lot of limits. Few bigger fish showing now. Catfish bite has slowed to a crawl. Crappie to 1-0 are biting fair on pieces of nightcrawlers, small jigs and or meal worms in Bobcat Canyon. Bluegill bite good off the docks on mini-jigs or meal worms. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Trout are biting fair at the dam on nightcrawlers and Power Bait or trolling Needlefish in 40 feet of water by the dam. Most trout action early morning and in the late afternoon. Bob Griffin, Ventura, caught five trout to 3-8 on Needlefish. First DFG trout plant of season slated for this week. Bass are good early morning and late evening in the shallows. Topwater lures best in the mornings and spinnerbaits and plastic worms best later in the day. Catfish action good on mackerel. Bluegill and redear biting in the shallows on pieces of nightcrawlers and or red worms. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Bass and striper bite good. Lots of striper limits with fish to 3-0 with some fish in the double digits. The fish are really keying on the shad and the bite is good all over the lake on anything shad-like, with the best action in the morning. Ramon Martinez and Carlos Jaime, both Acton, caught six stripers that weighed 37.9 pounds, including a 9.1 pounder. The largemouth bass bite is best off the points and in coves on plastics, nightcrawlers, or shad imitations. Scott Lizakowski, Canyon Country, landed a mixed stringer of nine largemouths and stripers that weighed 22 pounds and include a 5-0 striper while fishing swimbaits from the marina rocks. Jessie Gil, Sylmar, landed a 10-0 striper and 12 largemouth bass fishing a bucktail jig. Catfish bite fair, and trout bite poor. However, the first trout plant of the season was slated for this week. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Good bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and trout bite, while the crappie bite is fair and the catfish bite is poor. Bass are biting off the points on crankbaits and nightcrawlers. Trout action best off points and by the buoy lines on nightcrawlers, jigs, and on the troll with six colors of leadcore and Needlefish producing rainbows to 4-4. The first DFG trout plant of the season was also scheduled for this week. Catfish action up and down, however some to 8-0 reported. Nightcrawlers and reaction baits are best for cats. Bluegill and redear are biting in shaded areas on meal worms, but the bite is as deep as 30 feet. The lake's hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Information: 805-521-1231 or www.lakepiru.org (http://www.lakepiru.org/).
PYRAMID: The lake is temporarily closed due to the Day Fire. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Bass, crappie, bluegill and cats are biting fair all over the lake. Nightcrawlers best for the bass, mini-jigs for the crappie and bluegill, and mackerel and shrimp tops for the cats. Catfish stocks are bi-monthly. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Catfish are biting all over on mackerel and anchovies. DFG catfish plant four weeks ago. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant four weeks ago.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG catfish plant four weeks.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.
LEGG LAKE: DFG catfish plant five weeks ago, however catfish are biting all over on mackerel and anchovies.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG catfish plant this week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month, however catfish are biting all over on anchovies and mackerel in a fair bite. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Good bass action. There were 106 anglers who reported 1,598 bass, 261 bluegill and 26 crappie. Reservations: Ticket Master 619-220- 8497 or www.TicketMaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). They go on sale the second Tuesday of each month and usually sell out that day for the following month. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule by reservation only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/).
HODGES: Fair bass, bluegill and crappie bites. There were 226 anglers who reported 215 bass, 71 bluegill, 55 crappie, and 21 channel catfish. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
EL CAPITAN: Good bass action. There were 314 anglers who reported 565 bass, 30 channel catfish, 19 crappie and eight blue catfish. Butch Cassidy, El Cajon, landed four channel catfish to 5-0. The lake is open Friday through Sunday. Night fishing has been extended through Sept. 30. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: Fair to good bluegill and bass action, and a spotty catfish bite. There were 289 anglers who reported catching 313 bluegill, 276 bass, and 15 channel catfish. Mike Evans, Spring Valley, landed a 6.85-pound bass on a plastic, Jamie Chavez, 12, San Diego, caught a 4.8-pound channel catfish, while Mel Williams, Spring Valley, caught a 5.5-pound largemouth. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: Fair bass action. There were 21 anglers who reported 28 bass. The lake is open to catch-and-release fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
SAN VICENTE: Decent bluegill action, pretty good bass bite, but slow everything else. This past week 50 anglers reported 208 bluegill, 82 bass, 17 rainbow trout, 16 channel catfish and five redear sunfish. The lake is open on a Thursday through Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465- 3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Bass action fair to good. This past week, there were 126 anglers who reported 151 bass and six bluegill. The launch ramp and T-Floats are now open. Only small boats are able to launch. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Spotty action. There were 87 anglers who reported 31 channel catfish, 16 bass and one rainbow trout. The lake is open on a Saturday through Tuesday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/). Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Good bass action. Just fair channel catfish action. There were 153 anglers who reported 164 bass, 62 channel catfish, 55 bluegill, six crappie and two redear sunfish. Ernie Klemm, Ramona, caught ten channel catfish to 6.25 pounds. The lake is open on a Friday through Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
WOHLFORD: Good catfish action at the buoy lines and in Oakvale Cove. Mostly small to mid-sized cats biting nightcrawlers, chicken liver or shrimp. Best bass bite fished in 10 to 15 feet of water off the shoreline. Best bass bite in the early morning. Crappie are biting off the south shore rock pile on live golden shiners. Scott Osborne, Valley Center, landed 11 crappie to 2-4 on shiners. Trout plants to start in December. The lake requires a $1 daily permit for each person float tubing. The lake is closed Monday through Friday and will only be open on the weekends until December. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com (http://www.wohlfordlake.com/).
DOANE POND: DFG plant this week.
DIXON: Catfish action slow this week. Most fish from 1-0 to 3-0. The best spots are by the buoy line and off the shoreline by the boat dock on either mackerel or anchovies. Night fishing had ended for the 2006 season. Bass action improved to fair with the best bite in the coves on small imitation shad baits. The first 1,200 pound trout plant of fall is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1. Information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com (http://www.dixonlake.com/).
POWAY: Catfish bite slowed down to fair this week. The best catfish bite is between the limit sign and the fishing pier and from the north shore and off Jump-off Point on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Good bass bite early and late, especially when overcast or cloudy, with a lot of smaller bass being caught. The bluegill bite is slow, however some fish are biting in Hidden Bay and in Half Moon Bay. The lake was stocked with 850 pounds of channel catfish two weeks ago. Pontoon boats are no longer allowed. Lake is open Wednesday through Sunday. Starting Oct. 1, the lake will be closed for maintenance Monday through Friday. The lake will be open to fishing and boating Saturday and Sunday only from 7 a.m. to sunset. Normal lake hours will resume on Nov. 1 when trout season kicks off. Information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Catfish fair on mackerel and chicken livers. The catfish have moved deeper. Good spots are in Cloister Cove and Siesta Cove and near the dam by the buoy lines. Emlyn Auelio, Chula Vista, caught a 7-0 channel catfish on mackerel off Sentry Point. Good topwater bass bite in Siesta Cove, Hermit Cove, and at Cactus Patch. Drop-shotting or Texas-rigging plastics on the steep slopes is also a good bet, and worms and spinnerbaits also working. The lake is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Upcoming events: free fishing class 1 p.m. Sunday. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org (http://www.lakejennings.org/).
MORENA: Overall good fishing with the best action early and late in the day. Bass action good with lots of 1-0 to 3-0 fish showing on crankbaits and just about anything else you toss. The bluegill bite slowed. Carp bite is still wide open on dough balls, corn and worms all over the lake. Catfish bite is excellent on nightcrawlers near the brush. Mackerel best bet for larger fish. The best bite is between 6 and 7 a.m. The boat launch is open, but no boats over 19-feet recommended. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Catfish bite excellent this week on half nightcrawlers on the bottom, with a few quality fish landed. Bullhead bite wide open. Michael Singler, Imperial Beach, caught 188 bullheads on nightcrawlers. Singler was the Bullhead-A-Thon winner. Trout biting good on Power Bait or an inflated nightcrawler smeared with scent fished on a 36 to 40-inch leader or trolling with a Kastmaster or Panther Martin. Hot spots are the Lone Pine, the finger jetty, the west shore below the call box, and the buoy line at the dam. Michael Parker, San Diego, caught a 3-7 trout on a Thomas Buoyant, while Jose Limon, Cajon, caught a 2-11 trout on rainbow Power Bait. The crappie bite is good on small tube jigs and half nightcrawlers on the bottom. Bass bite fair on nightcrawlers from the north and south shores. Fly fishing for the trout is good in the early morning or late afternoon on emergers, black wooly buggers and olive matukas. Bluegill are good close to shore on meal worms and small jigs. DFG trout plant this week. Upcoming events: "Fishin' in the Pines" free kids fishing derby is set for this Saturday. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org (http://www.lakecuyamaca.org/). HENSHAW: Crappie action is slowing to almost nothing with just a few showing for boat anglers. Catfish bite good from boats and off shore on nightcrawlers and shrimp fished in rocky areas. Most cats from 2-0 to 4-0, with some to 7-0 showing at night. Night fishing ends in two weeks. Jason Hill, Warner Springs, caught a 5-0 blue catfish on chicken liver off a boat. Carp biting good on dough bait and corn off shore and from boats. Peanut butter will also land a few. Top catch was by Sam Ways, Los Angeles, who caught 20 carp to 4 3/4 pounds. Hill also landed 14 carp to 4-0. Chris Abner, San Diego, caught five carp to 4-0. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Overall fishing is slow due to high winds and cool temps. The water temp dropped ten degrees in the last week to the low 70s. Some fish are being landed, but the action is on-and-off. Information: 702-564-3058.
WILLOW BEACH: The striper bite has continued to be hot with some quality fish reported on swimbaits and A.C. Plugs. Top catch was a 43-0 by Jerry Rago, Bishop, on a swimbait. Allan Cole, Henderson, caught stripers at 40-0, 29-0, and 25-0. James King, Vegas, caught five stripers off shore to 10-0. Trout action remains good on orange, yellow and rainbow Power Bait, shinny spinners or Rooster tails. The Jumbo Wash area has been the hot spot with a lot of limits reported. Catfish from 4-0 to 5-0 are being landed. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Not too many reported fish, however a few small stripers are being landed on the north side. Most fish are staying deep in cooler waters. The bite is best down 30 to 40 feet on anchovies. Some catfish being reported from Arizona side on mackerel and chicken livers. Telephone Cove and the power lines are still the hot spots. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Striper fishing good in the morning and evening. Most of the stripers are small, but a few 25-inch fish were reported. Davis Camp has been the best spot. Water levels are higher during the day for boat fishing.
NEEDLES: Small-sized stripers showing on cut pieces of anchovies early and late in the day. Most reported are 12 to 16 inches. Jack Smith Park and Willow Valley Marina are hot spots for striper action. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: No reports. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: The striper bite is good in Steam Boat Cove from the Arizona side. Striped bass and catfish action good in little coves and off the pier on anchovies and nightcrawlers. A few cats from 8-0 to 10-0 are biting in most coves, especially at the upper end of the lake on Catmando stink bait in 20 feet of water, but most fish are pan-sized. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Good to excellent bass, bluegill, cat and redear action. Smallmouth bass action best in the main river for anglers fishing rocky structure. Both smallmouth and largemouth are biting on hard-nosed jerk baits. Best cat bite on chicken livers and nightcrawlers. Flathead catfish are also in full swing on goldfish and bluegill.
BLYTHE: Good to excellent catfish action. Channel cats biting on mackerel and chicken liver. Flatheads biting on live goldfish or bluegill. Stripers biting fair at the Palo Verde Diversion dam. Good numbers of bluegill being reported from the backwaters, and there's a good topwater bass bite early and late in the day. Information: 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Channel catfish action remains good in the backwaters, canals and main river. Flathead action is also good on live goldfish or tilapia. Largemouth bass fishing is good on plastic worms, reaction baits, and live minnows in backwaters.
PICACHO AREA: Bass fishing is fair on live bait and plastics. The catfish bite has remained fair with a lot of channel cats and flatheads showing.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Flathead fishing in full swing. Night fishing best on bluegill or goldfish with fish to 20-0 reported. Hodge Rock a hot spot. Excellent early morning topwater bite for largemouths and then decent action on live shiners, cranks, spinnerbaits, and plastics. Lots of limits. Stripers are biting in the lake as well as in the main river channel, mostly on cut baits. No crappie action. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com (http://www.martinezlake.com/).
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is great for channel catfish and large redear and bluegill. All biting on worms. Catfish bite good on chicken liver or worms, and the flathead bite has improved with the best action on live minnows. Bass fishing has been good, especially on live minnows in the main river and local backwaters.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow to no fishing. Boats have not gone out in a long time. Nothing reported this week. Information: Red Hill Marina 760-348-2310, Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052. Weather information: 760-352-3360, Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast 760-398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to channel one.
ALAMO RIVER: Few reports. Channel catfish are fair on mackerel or anchovies.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass have been reported.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No report.
WEIST LAKE: No report.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No report. Information: 760-352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Catfish and bass are biting good off the jetty, off the south eastern side of the lake, and at the inlets. Best catfish baits are mackerel, anchovies, Power Bait and chicken livers. Nightcrawlers and rubber worms are best for bass. The lake was stocked two weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com (http://www.bishopvisitor.com/).
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Trout action slowed from good to fair at Bridgeport Reservoir due to high winds this week. Best bite from boats for anglers fishing Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers or fly-fishing out of tubes with wooly buggers. Trolling with small Rapalas also good. Most fish are from 1-8 to 3-0 with a few 5-0 to 6-0 reported. The Sacramento perch and the occasional brown are also biting. The East Walker River is fishing good and running at 190 cfs. Small midge, mayfly and caddis emerger patterns fished just off the bottom are best. West Walker River is running low and the fly-fishing is good with caddis and hopper patterns. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes have a poor bite due to the high winds. Trollers are having luck using nightcrawlers and Needlefish-type lures. Action is excellent at Virginia Lakes and the bite is wide open. Trolling with Thomas Buoyants or Kastmasters is best. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are best baits. Small wooly bugger-type flies, beetle or ant patterns are best for fly-fishing. Some browns to 3-0 reported. Fishing action picking up at Trumble Lake. Plenty of brookies and browns. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com (http://www.kenssport.com/).
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Best fishing at Gull Lake out of all the lakes in the loop -- June, Gull, Silver, Grant. A lot of trout being caught at Gull on Trout Traps. Albert Tover, Atwood, caught a 6-4 and a 5-0 rainbow, and Rick Stanford, Agoura Hills, landed a 5-14 rainbow, all from Gull. Grant fishing fair with some fish to 3-0 from the dam. Gulp eggs and or rainbow, salmon or peach Power Bait are good bets at all lakes. Needlefish are also working for trollers. A hot spot has been the mouth of Rush Creek on Grant Lake. Not too much action from June, but some luck with Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Bite at Silver best when trolling wooly buggers or Kastmasteres. Decent action from Saddlebag Lake. Information: Ernie's Fishing Tackle 760-648-7756, June Lake Marina 760-648-7726.
MAMMOTH LAKES REGION: Good action on the upper Owens with hopper and caddis patterns and Stimulators. Rapalas and Panther Martins are working well. Hot Creek is good with good morning hatches. Action at Crowley Lake has picked up since the wind blew over last weeks algae bloom. The best bite is from the north end. Hoppers and nymphs are good bets in Hilton Creek. McGee Creek has low flows with good fishing toward Crowley Lake on the lower reaches Fish from the lake are moving into the river. Streamer fishermen having luck with perch fry imitations in the channel edges or in the weed lines of shallow waters on Crowley-proper. There is still a good perch bite all over the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water along the deeper weed edges. Lots of trout action at both Convict Lake and Convict Creek. Martha James, Paso Robles, caught a 7.06 pounder on nightcrawlers while Scott Avila, Visalia, caught a 6.5 pounder on a Thomas Buoyant from Convict Lake. Ming Hsu, San Marino, also landed a 6.04 pounder. Trollers using Thomas Buoyants and Rapalas. Lots of big Alpers coming out of Convict Lake and fly fishermen are having luck from float tubes. Twin Lakes has a good callibaetis hatch every day for dry fly anglers, but you can drag wooly buggers along the weed beds when there's not surface action. Mary fishing slow. Mamie and George fishing excellent using olive matukas or pink or orange Power Bait. Information: Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250.
BISHOP AREA: Sabrina, Intake II, North and South Lakes all have good action on Gulp Eggs, Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Easy limits being caught at South Lake and Sabrina from the back side. The hot spot on Sabrina is at the major inlet on worms, Power Bait and or salmon eggs. North Lake has good evening action with a bubble and fly. Trollers are having luck using flashers with a worm or a red and gold Thomas Buoyant. Most fish being caught from the inlet on Power Bait and worms. Fish from 12 to 13 inches on average. Bishop Creek fishing excellent on Power Bait, Gulp eggs and nightcrawlers. Lots of Alpers' at 4-0 to 6-0 were planted last week. The lower Owens River is running high with tough fishing. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley has been good for fly anglers. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Diaz Lake is slow. Georges, Independence, Lone Pine, Sheperds, Symmes, and Tuttle were all planted two weeks ago. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Good crappie bite in the South Fork on small minnows for boat anglers. Good catfish bite on shad and dip baits. Trout bite excellent for trollers using Needlefish and bank fishermen using nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Bass are biting fair on Senkos, crankbaits and plugs with some fish from 4-0 to 6-0. Bluegill are biting excellent on wax and meal worms. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: This river currently has the best fishing in the Western Sierra with low flows and clear water. Area above the lake is best, but fishing in both upper and lower river is excellent. Planted trout good in both stretches. Good trout action in the upper river on nightcrawlers, crickets, red salmon eggs and silver spinners. Fish to 7-0. Excellent smallmouth action in the lower river on plastic worms and silver spinners. Sandy Flats and Hobo campground are hot spots in the lower river. Both the upper and lower river were stocked two weeks ago. Information: James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Stripers are biting good. Lots of fish from 2-0 to 3-0 with a lot of limits. Blood and lug worms are also good bets. Catfish are good on shad, Sonny's dip bait, anchovies, and chicken livers. Damer Harleston, Bakersfield, caught a 7-0 catfish on Sonnys Catfish bait. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
HART PARK LAKE: Continued good bluegill action with nice stringers of fish coming out on wax worms. Crappie spotty, and a few bass are showing on nightcrawlers.
TRUXTUN LAKE: The bluegill and carp bites are both good and a few bass are showing. Lots of bluegill on wax and meal worms, and the smallmouth bass have been best on plastics, nightcrawlers, and live minnows. Carp best on dough baits.
MING LAKE: Closed until October.
BRITE LAKE: Plenty of good-sized trout biting on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Many limits weighing 7-0 to 8-0 total were reported. Floating baits and small lures are also good bets. No crappie reported.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Good striper bite on minnows, shad, and blood worms. Fish from 3-0 to 5-0. The bluegill action is very good on wax and meal worms. Catfish action excellent with fish to 3-0 and better showing on shad, Sonny's Dip Bait, and mackerel. Information: Concession 661-763-1268, Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Fair to good bass action on Senkos. The bluegill bite is good on wax and meal worms. Some decent cats being caught on mackerel and shad.
SUCCESS LAKE: Lake levels are low, but fish are still being landed. Bass action picking up with a few fish from 7-0 to 8-0 reported, most small. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Good bass and bluegill bite. The water levels are good. Lots of 16- to 17-inch bass being reported in coves on Senkos. Trout action slow, but expected to pick up. Crappie are biting at night in the coves. Bluegill action is fair. Top baits are meal, wax and red worms. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Striper action excellent in the shad in the marina area and from boats, mostly on anchovies off the north shore and near the dam. Fish to 7-0. Best bite at night in 20 feet of water. The smallmouth and largemouth bass bite is good all over the lake, but especially at Harris Creek. Fish from 2-0 to 5-0. Catfish fair during the late evening. Little daytime action. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: The bass bite continues to be fair to good. Bluegill and crappie action also fair to good. Crappie biting on jigs and worms. Catfish are slow. Bass are best on Senkos. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Spotted bass and crappie are good, with the spotties boiling on shad in a good topwater bite. White bass are also good, biting on white Roostertails, jigs and plastic worms. Most crappie showing on white jigs and they're averaging 3/4-pound. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com (http://www.nacimientoresort.com/).
LOPEZ: Catfish biting good on nightcrawlers and cut baits with fish to 25-0 reported. Bass to over 5-0 are fair to good with most action on worms and plastics with some topwater early and late. Bigger fish biting from Lopez Arm and are showing in shallow waters. The bluegill, crappie and redear bites are good on trout worms, jigs and nightcrawlers. A 3 3/4-pound redear sunfish close to the lake record was landed last week. Hot spots include Mallard Cove, Cottonwood Cove and the Strawberry Flats from boats. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked the week of September 18, 2006 with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek, Castaic Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Gregory Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River (South Fork).
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake, Doane Pond.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Intake II), Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, Gooddale Creek, Owens River (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lake and below Tinnemaha), Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek. M
ONO: Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek (South Fork), Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Benton Crossing Road), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Section 1), Rock Creek (Section 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake (Lower Bridgeport), Twin Lake (Upper Bridgeport), Twin Lakes (Mammoth), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower), and Virginia Lake (Upper).
FRESNO: Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.
KERN: Kern River (KR No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville).
TULARE: Kern River (Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge and Brush Creek to Fairview Dam).
TUOLUMNE: Tulloch Lake.
CATFISH PLANTS The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by the Department of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish during the week of September 18, 2006:
LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedre Lake, Echo Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Hansen Dam, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake, and Lincoln Park Lake.