spectr17
08-08-2007, 10:25 PM
FISH REPORT -- ONS-matthews-gollaz ### 08aug07
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz 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 Gollaz 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 (www.jesseshunting.com (http://../)). 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. Diamond Valley Lake continues to have the best trout fishing in Southern California with a lot of nice holdover fish from three to five pounds showing each week -- and some bigger. The action isnt wide open, but patient trollers or anglers drifting nightcrawlers or live shad in 40 to 60 feet of water are scoring limits of fish to four pounds. For an update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. The striper bite is good at Pyramid Lake. The bulk of the action is on drifted sardines and anchovies, but there is a good surface bite most mornings and evenings as the fish come up to chase bait. Top spots have been off the dam, in the channel, and at Yellow Bar. For at update, call the concession at 661-257-2790.
3. The North Fork of the Kern River has been low and very good for fly anglers. The best stretch is from the Johnsondale Bridge upstream into the Wild Trout section. Lots of fish from eight to 16 inches and an occasional bigger fish. The native trout are lovely, strong-shouldered fish that rise readily to dry flies, with terrestrial and caddis patterns good right now. For an update, call Kern River Troutfitters Fly Shop at 760-376-2040 or visit www.kernriverflyfishing.com (http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/).
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: There is an good bite on holdover fish at Diamond Valley and good action at Piru. Big Bear Lake has become less consistent, but still a good bet. Lake Hemet is also a decent bet. In San Diego County, only Cuyamaca continues to have a consistently good bite. The entire Eastern Sierra Nevada is generally slow to fair, but things are improving with cooler weather, especially in Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley Lake, and high elevation water above 9,000 feet. The East Walker River, Hot Creek, and the upper Owens (above Crowley) are all still good for fly anglers, but the Walker and Hot Creek are getting tougher with warmer water conditions. Lake Isabella and North Fork of the Kern River are very good in the Western Sierra.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Still in our typical summer pattern with decent topwater early and late and then fish mostly in deeper water the rest of the day. There can be flurries of excellent action and then long, slow periods. If you can get live shad, the bite can be awesome. Diamond Valley, Casitas, and Castaic again share the top pick this week, but Piru, Pyramid, Cachuma, Skinner, Perris, and Silverwood are all fair. In San Diego County, Barrett is wide open, and San Vicente is also good. El Capitan, Sutherland, and Lower Otay are spotty. Isabella is fair to good with some quality fish. The lower Colorado River is also good with some excellent reports, especially from the backwaters. Also some decent smallmouth catches in this same region.
STRIPED BASS: Pyramid, Skinner, Silverwood, and Castaic are all fair to good bets for stripers. Most of the fish at all these reservoirs are one to four-pound class fish, but a bigger fish is possible at all four. The best bite is on live shad if you can get it. Otherwise, swimbaits, frozen shad, anchovies, and sardines are all good. On the Colorado River, bites are just fair at Mead, Mohave, Havasu, and the lower river, but there have been a flurries of big fish action below Willow Beach over the past month with several fish over 30 pounds this past week.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are very good most places with fish showing in very good numbers at Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley. No crappie bites worth noting, except for small fish on the Central Coast lakes.
CATFISH: On the Colorado River, especially the larger irrigation drainage ditches in the Blythe, Palo Verde, and Yuma areas, the catfish action is good. Flatheads from 20 to 35 pounds are reported each week now. Catfish plants are weekly now at many urban waters, including all the San Bernardino County Park lakes, Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Corona Lake. Hesperia Lake has been an excellent bet with catfish to 30-plus pounds reported each week over the past month.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The catfish bite is good on anchovies and nightcrawlers off the docks. Sheila Fincham, Chino, caught a seven-pound catfish on nightcrawlers and anchovies. Good striper bite on anchovies or silver and gold Kastmasters with the best action at the dam. James Hale, Apple Valley, landed an eight-pound striper on anchovies at the dam. Adam Stofer, Fontana, caught a five-pound striper on a Kastmaster. Trout bite fair in the coves on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Fair bass action with fish in the three-pound range. The blugill, carp and crappie action has been very slow. Just a few carp in the four-pound range. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The trout action has been very inconsistent the past two weeks. One day the bite is on, and the next day its very slow. Some limits have still been landed off Lagonita Point, the west ramp, and the observatory on inflated nightcrawlers. Trollers are also having luck with gold or black Rapalas and Needlefish. The crappie and bluegill action is slow to fair in Boulder and Mallard Bay on mini jigs, meal worms or pieces of nightcrawlers. Very little catfish action reported. Try mackerel or shrimp dipped in stinks off the bottom off the east side after sunset. Upcoming events: October Troutfest set for October 6 and 7. Information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Fair to good fishing. DFG trout plant last week. There will also be county plants on Aug. 31 and Sept. 21. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Cooler weather this past week improved the trout bite with fair to good action on Power Bait and Power Worms. Best action from boats was near the dam while the south shore was best for shoreline anglers. The fish are still mostly in deep water. Steve Miller, Victorville, landed a 6 =-pound rainbow from the north shore. Mt. Lassen trout this week, Alpers trout the week of Aug. 24. The lake is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG trout plants for over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Few reports. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Still a fair number of sturgeon showing on shrimp, including a new lake record. Karl Taylor, San Francisco, landed a 53-pound sturgeon off the east side and now holds the new record. Mike Pruett, Irvine, caught a 31-8 sturgeon. Jose Macias, Los Angeles, caught a 26 pounder on nightcrawlers off the north shore. J. Booth, Compton, caught a 23-pound sturgeon on meal worms off the grassy bank. Good blue, channel and flathead action on nightcrawlers, shrimp, and the alternate M&M (marshmallow and mackerel) combo. Anything dipped in Sonnys Catfish Bait will also do the trick. Best bite is in deeper water near the island. Glen Thomas, San Diego, caught a 42 1/4-pound blue on mackerel off the west side. Scott Pierson, Oceanside, caught a 38-pound blue catfish on the M&M combo off the finger jetty. David Anderson, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a 35-8 blue on nightcrawlers. Louie Ramos, El Monte, caught a 31-8 blue off Sandy Point. Bob Boyd, Las Vegas, caught a 26-pound channel cat off the west side. Phil Soto, Claremont, caught a 24-12 channel cat. Carol Velasquez, Brea, landed an 18-pound flathead off the north shore. There will be 6,000 pounds of cats a week planted through the summer. Night fishing is on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: The trout action slowed to just fair this week due to hot temperatures. Anglers that fished near the inlet in deep water had the most success. The bite is best before 10 a.m. on Power Bait (spring green and rainbow), nightcrawlers, Power worms or plastics. Hot spots include the western shore of lake 3 from the pump house to the bridge and the grassy points as well as the north shore of lake 2. Derek Fletcher, Crestline, caught a 4-5 trout on a red Power worm. Casey McNeil, Alta Loma, caught a 3-11 rainbow on a crappie jig dipped in gravy. Chris Ryland, Fontana, landed a 3-8 rainbow. Bass bite fair with fish to five pounds on Senkos. Lake hours are Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com (http://www.jessranchlakesnews.com/).
MOJAVE NARROWS: Good catfish action on shrimp and chicken livers dipped in stink bait. The fish are in deep water close to the island in Horseshoe Lake, and the evening bite has been best. Fish from two to four pounds. Bluegill and bass action also good in Horseshoe Lake. Trout and carp action poor. County catfish plants go in alternating weeks with a plant last week. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair catfish action with plants every week through the end of August. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Very good catfish bite on mackerel and nightcrawlers. County catfish plants will be weekly through the rest of the summer. Most cats, and especially the bullheads, are showing off the west side of the lake near the snack bar. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good catfish action with plants going in every week through the end of summer. The bite has been very good with a lot of two to three-pound fish. Top baits have been anchovies, mackerel, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and the marshmallow-meal worm combo. Even a couple of bass reported in the past week. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Very good catfish action with county plants every week. Most of the fish are running two to four pounds and are showing on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. There is also a good bite on small bluegill. 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. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Fair bass action on green or brown plastic worms off the points and live crawdads off shore. Also some decent topwater action in the mornings. The rock quarry, the islands, off the north shore and around the saddle dam have been the top bass spots. David Morgan, Upland, caught an 8-10 largemouth fishing a seven-inch Robo worm on Sunday. Jim Dixon, Hemet, landed an 8.7-pound bass off the southwest corner of the lake. Jesse Mena, Hemet, caught a 6.15-pound bass in the third cove. The trout bite is fair to good 30 to 60 feet down along the west dam, near the inlet tower, and around restroom 3. Trollers are having success with Needlefish, TD minnows and Rapalas. R.J. Nissen, San Jacinto, landed a 7.13-pound trout. Rich Parker, Murrieta, landed a 3.3-pound trout drifting nightcrawlers. Brian Kropko, Perris, landed a 2.5-pound trout on nightcrawlers. Good catfish action on anchovies, mackerel and raw shrimp near the wave attenuator, in the third cove, and near the rock quarry. Ronald Guerra, San Bernardino, caught 10.10 and 4.12-pound catfish on shrimp. Melvin Hyde, Hemet, landed nine cats totaling 41 pounds on raw shrimp. Fair bluegill action near the dam on worms. Keith Bennett, Compton, caught a 1-8 bluegill. Crappie action fair near the rock pile and at the mouth of Rawson Cove. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com (http://www.dvmarina.com/).
PERRIS: Good catfish action in the narrows on chicken liver, shrimp and mackerel. Eric Imakintt, Tracy, caught a 10.8-pound catfish. Fair to good striper action on anchovies near the dam. Chris McCleary, Livermore, landed 14.2 and 4.8-pound stripers. Very good bluegill action near the marina on worms. Ryan Hunt, Livermore, caught 23 bluegill totaling 12 pounds. Top fish was a 1.1 pounder. The lake was stocked with 1,500 pounds of catfish. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Excellent catfish action during the day at the inlet. Nightcrawlers and mackerel are the best bets. Bob Williams, Norco, caught a four-pound catfish on nightcrawlers. James Bailey, Corona, landed a three-pound catfish. The striper bite is not as hot as it has been the past few weeks, but the action is still good. Nick Taylor, San Marcos, landed a 4-8 striper on anchovies at the spillway. Sill a lot of boils in the early morning. Fair bass, bluegill and carp action this week. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: Its still all about the cats and carp here. Dough balls, nightcrawlers and corn meal are top choices for carp. Worms, nightcrawlers and mackerel are best for the catfish. The bite is best at the old state park and most carp and cats are in the two to five-pound range. Dipping any bait in stink bait will help the action. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Fishing remains very good with catfish and tilapia showing in good numbers. A fair number of blue bluegill are also showing and even bass were reported this week. The catfish bite continues to be best at night or in deeper water from boats during the day. The top baits have been mackerel and shrimp. Cameryn Snowden, Los Angeles, caught a 9-0 catfish on mackerel fishing from boat. Nick Bakaleinikoff, Alto Loma, caught three catfish totaling 8-8 with fish to 3-0 on shrimp. Todd Wilson, Murrieta, caught a 5-8 bass on mackerel at the dam. Tilapia are best on ightcrawlers fished in the shallow water, and bluegill are also showing for anglers fishing the tilapia. Todd Wilson, Murrieta, landed a 5 =-pound largemouth bass while fishing for catfish with mackerel. Catfish plants weekly. The 24-hour passes are available Friday and Saturday each week. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
EVANS LAKE: Fair bullhead and catfish action at night on nightcrawlers in Golf Course Lake.
RANCHO JURUPA: Slow. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair catfish bite from all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel or anchovies. Upcoming events: Fishing derby every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Catfish action good with some fish showing on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Good catfish action on mackerel and shrimp. The lake is stocked with 1,000 pounds of catfish every two weeks. Lake information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com (http://www.reflectionlakerv.com/).
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good to excellent catfish action on nightcrawlers, chicken liver or dough bait. Most fish are about two pounds. A large stock of two-pound channel cats went in last week with another one scheduled for next week. Plants every other week. The lake has a sonar sensor, which can detect the size of the fish in addition to the location of the fish on the lake. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair to good trout action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Brianna Naranjo, 13, Temecula, landed a 1-8 trout off shore on nightcrawlers. Naranjo also landed a three-pound bass. Most trout were in the one-pound range this past week. DFG trout plant this week. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants for over a month. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: The catfish bite stayed hot with a lot of nice stringers reported again this week. Best action from boats, especially in the deeper water. Top baits have been mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, and nightcrawlers, and most anglers are adding shrimp, anchovy, or garlic Nitro Gravy. The hot spot this past week has been Levitz Corner. Wade Labasan and Cody Labasan, both of Cypress, teamed up for a 31-0 stringer with fish to 5-0. Moises Castillo and Reyna Castillo, both of Santa Ana, landed a stringer of cats totaling 42-0 with fish to 6-0 on mackerel in Catfish Lake. Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove, caught a 15 fish limit totaling 28-8 on nightcrawlers. Danny Guerrero, San Pedro, caught five catfish totaling 11-12. Tyler Hayes and Chris Coldwell, both of Corona, teamed up for a five-fish stringer totaling 11-12 with fish to 3-0. Travis Scott, Orange, caught a stringer of cats totaling 21-8 with fish to 4-0 on mackerel. Isaias Navarro, Santa Ana, caught nine cats totaling 17-8. Ed Czarnick, Anaheim, caught a stringer of cats totaling 18-0. Another sturgeon was landed this week. David Chow, Rowland Hights, caught a 50-plus pounder on a nightcrawler near the boat dock. Catfish plants are weekly all summer, and there is 24-hour fishing Thursday through Saturday nights. Information: 714-632-7830 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
IRVINE LAKE: Very good catfish action at the flats and in Sierra Cove on Catmando Bait, mackerel and shrimp. Bill Wingo, North Tustin, caught an 18.9-pound catfish on Catmando bait on the flats. Derek Wingo, North Tustin, landed five cats weighing a total of 81.6 pounds. Top fish was an 18.8 pounder. Kyle Walker, Los Angeles, landed a 16.6-pound catfish on mackerel on the flats. Noel De La Cruz, Foothill Ranch, caught a 16.4-pound catfish. Ronson Smothers, Los Angeles, landed a limit totaling 78 pounds. Top fish was a 16-pounder. Joe Philippi, Moorpark, caught 15.6 and 14-pound catfish on mackerel. Brian Kaufman, Lakewood, landed a 14.3-pound catfish on shrimp off the west shore. Fair bass action with fish in the two to three-pound range on the Santiago Flats on topwater baits. Crappie action slowed from last week. Fewer limits. Bluegill bite fair on shrimp and meal worms off the west shore, Rocky Point and near the dams. Decent carp action. Al Madriaga, Corona, caught a 17.14- pound carp on mackerel on the flats. The lake will remain open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for night fishing. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Bass bite fair to good with fish in the one to three-pound range. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms, or various jerk and crankbaits are best. Catfish bite fair to good on mackerel, nightcrawlers dipped in garlic, chicken liver and shrimp. The launch ramp, the inlet, and down by the flats are the best spots for catfish. Crappie and bluegill action is fair to good on meal worms, assorted crappie jigs, or a half nightcrawler below a bobber. The lake is open 6 am to 8 pm daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com (http://www.lagunaniguellake.com/).
LOS ANGELES AREA
LAKES CACHUMA: Trout bite good by the dam on nightcrawlers, 40 to 50 feet down. Trollers are having luck with pearl bikini Needlefish, Rapalas, Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Slow bass action, only a few small ones on jigs and plastics in Cahuma Bay and behind the island. Slow catfish bite. A few have been landed in Harveys Cove and by the Mohawk Fishing Pier on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. Crappie bite slow with only a few in Little Cachuma on crappie jigs. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Good bass action with some fish in the seven to eight-pound range. Most fish in the two to three-pound range. John Lukes, Ventura, landed a nine-pound bass on a plastic worm. Jeff Settem, Oxnard, caught nine and eight pound bass on a Blade Runner. Herve DeClerq, Moorpark, caught a 7 3/4-pound bass on a plastic worm. Jodi Lukes, Ventura, caught a 7-8 on a plastic worm. Trout action fair for trollers in 40 to 50 feet with Needlefish. No limits this week, fish in one to two pound range. No catfish action. Fair crappie action. Willis Hand, Ojai, landed eight crappie to two pounds on mini-jigs. Hand also brought in 20 crappie last week. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Fair to good striper action near the dam and off the west ramp and buoy line on anchovies, with most of the fish from three to five pounds. The fish are deep, 85 to 100 feet. Mondo Bermudez, Hemet, caught a 6.3-pound striper near the buoy line. Largemouth bass action fair on small plastics all over in the shallows. The catfish are showing the backs of coves on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers with fish in the two to three pound range. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Decent crappie and bluegill action in the main lake with most fish well under a pound. Most catches have been made on white jigs in 12 to 15 feet. Bass action good on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Trout action fair for trollers using Kastmasters or Needlefish. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: Good striper action on sardines and anchovies. The shad have moved up to the surface and the fish are all over them. Topwater lures will also do the trick early and late in the day. The dam, the channel and Yellow Bar are the hot areas. Largemouth bass bite fair on plastics and swimbaits. Not too much bluegill or crappie action again this week. Still some trout being landed on Power Bait. Water levels are up and boats are able to launch. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: Few reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: The bass action is fair off the east shore on topwater lures and chicken livers. Bluegill and redear good on meal worms. Crappie bite fair on small jigs. The action is best in or around Sailboat Cove. Catfish bite fair. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Fair to good catfish action, but no catfish plants in over a month. The top baits are mackerel, shrimp, and chicken liver. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No plants.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No plants.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No plants.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No plants.
LEGG LAKE: No plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No plants.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No plants. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Excellent bass action. Bluegill bite good. There were 160 anglers who reported 2,211 bass, 293 bluegill and 13 crappie. The lake is open for fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. September reservations go on sale next week through Ticketmaster at 619-220-8497 or at www.ticketmaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/).
HODGES: Fair bass and good crappie action. There were 207 anglers who reported 157 bass, 123 crappie, 44 bluegill and six channel catfish. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
EL CAPITAN: Good bass bite and pretty decent crappie and channel catfish action. This past week there were 330 anglers who reported catching 556 bass, 72 channel catfish, 64 crappie, 36 bluegill, 10 blue catfish and nine bluegill. The north end is still the hot spot. Joe Silveira, Lakeside, landed a six-pound bass on white spinnerbait. Doug Pierson, El Cajon, caught 5.95 and 3.95-pound bass on shiners. The lake will be open Thursday for fishing only, and Friday through Sunday for both fishing and water contact. The private boat limit is 80 on Sundays. 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 bluegill bite. Everything else slow. This week 200 anglers reported catching 174 bluegill, 87 bass, 19 channel catfish and one redear. Anglers have had the most success in Otay Arm. Steve McMinn, San Diego, landed a 6.75-pound bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and 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: There were 29 anglers who reported 38 bass in a fair to good catch-and-release bite. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will be open Memorial Day. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
SAN VICENTE: Excellent bass bite and good bluegill action. There were 178 anglers who reported 875 bass, 246 bluegill, 30 redear and 13 channel catfish. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday only, and the boat launch is open for private boaters. The lake is open to fishing Thursday and Friday. The launch ramp is open. The shoreline from the launch ramp to the buoy line is closed to all activities. Lake 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: The bite picked up, but still just fair. This week there were 84 anglers who reported 76 bass and 17 bluegill. John Summers, Santee, landed a 5.80-pound bass from Del Cerro Arm. Daniel Smith, Allied Gardens, caught a five-pound bass on plastic worms from San Carlos Arm. Rental boats are available Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 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: Very slow action. This past week there were 64 anglers who reported four bass, four channel catfish and five bluegill. The lake is open to fishing and boating seven days a week. 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 and fair bluegill action. There were 122 anglers who reported 875 bass, 66 bluegill, 30 channel catfish, 15 crappie, two blue catfish and one carp. Mike Davis, Ramona, caught a 19.35-pound blue catfish on nightcrawlers in Mossy Cove. Francisco Mendoza, Ramona, caught a 13.85-pound blue catfish on mackerel in Santa Ysabel. Jeremy and Leonard Jones, San Diego, caught 10 bass totaling 47.80 pounds. Top fish was a 5.70 pounder. Joe Marshall, Ramona, caught four bass totaling 11.20 pounds on Senkos. Top fish was 3.5 pounds. The lake is open to fishing and boating on a Friday through Sunday schedule. Starting August 20 the lake will be open on Mondays. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
WOHLFORD: Fair to good catfish action on chicken liver, nightcrawlers, shrimp or cut mackerel. Mike Benson, Escondido, caught a 7-4 catfish on shrimp off the west buoy line. The crappie action is fair with fish in 10 to 15 feet on small golden shiners and finger jigs. The bass action is fair to good on shad and plastic worms right off the shore. Mike Kostial, Oceanside, caught a 5-4 bass on plastic worms off the Senior Shoreline. Smaller bass have been landed in the shallows on Senkos and swimbaits. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com (http://www.wohlfordlake.com/).
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: Very little bass action reported. Try plastic worms or shad. Decent catfish action, especially at night on mackerel and anchovies by the buoy line. Most fish are from one to three pounds. A few bluegill were caught near the piers. Nightfishing will remain through the summer on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 11:45 p.m. Boat sales will begin at 5 p.m. and the lake will close at 11:45 p.m. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com (http://www.dixonlake.com/).
POWAY: Over 300 anglers participated in last Friday nights Midnight Catfish Craze. Jimmy Hong, Mira Mesa, was the grand prize winner with a 5.48-pound channel catfish on mackerel at the Log Boom. Avelido Partida, San Diego, took second with a 4.22-pound channel catfish on shrimp at the Log Boom. Celline Neumann, Escondido, took third with a 3.69-pound channel catfish. A 2,000-pound channel catfish stock went in last week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Fair bass bite on topwater lures along the banks and in Shadow Cove. Howard Martinez, El Cajon, caught a 5-8 channel catfish on chicken livers in Hermit Cove. Just a fair catfish bite at the buoy lines, in the vegetation and in Eagle Cove on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Boat anglers are having success as well. Catfish plant last week, 1,000 pounds. The lake is open on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org (http://www.lakejennings.org/).
MORENA: Still very light pressure on the bass. Only a few have been landed in the mornings on topwater. Crankbaits are best later in the day. The bluegill and crappie bites are good on jigs, meal and wax worms. The bluegill bite is best, however, on pieces of nightcrawlers in the sticks. The catfish action is fair to good on mackerel or chicken livers. Plenty of channels and whites biting at the brush line. The boat launch is open. Boat rentals are limited to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Fair to good channel catfish action on mackerel at the finger jetty. Dan Kite, El Cajon, caught five channel catfish totaling 47 pounds. Top fish was a 13-12 on squid off the north shore. Trout action fair. Rainbow Power Bait and plastic worms are good bets, although trollers are having the most success with Panther Martins, Rapalas and Roostertails. Fair bass action on topwater. Good crappie action on jigs. Upcoming events: free fishing class every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org (http://www.lakecuyamaca.org/).
HENSHAW: The bass action slowed this week. Still a fair bite on nightcrawlers, cranks and plastics near the dam. Seth Hamilton, La Mesa, caught four bass. Top fish was three pounds. Catfish action good on nightcrawlers, stink baits and chicken livers. Art and Fe Gubbs, Santee, landed four channel catfish. Top fish was three pounds. Chiew Lim, El Cajon, landed four channel catfish. Top fish was two pounds. Fair crappie action near the Fish-n-Float Dock on small jigs and meal worms. Also a fair bluegill bite off the Fish-n-Float Dock and in front of the store and restaurant on red worms and nightcrawlers. Night fishing will continue through the summer. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Still just a fair overall striper bite in the early mornings and late evenings. Largemouth and bluegill are biting in the backs of coves in the early morning. Catfish are biting anchovies all day. Stripers fair on small, slow-trolled crankbaits during the day.
WILLOW BEACH: Excellent striper action. The striper are biting anchovies, swimbaits and A.C. Plugs. Bruce Silet, Las Vegas, caught a 41-8 striper on swimbait at mile marker 61. Dan Wyatt, Las Vegas, landed a 40.52-pound striper on a home-made bait. Chip Gilbert, San Marcos, caught a 19 3/4-pound striper on a Huddleston. Bob Valencia, Las Vegas, caught 17.4-pound striper on a swimbait. Fair to good catfish action. A local angler landed a 15-pound catfish at mile marker 39. Some nice rainbows have still been landed on Power Bait, worms and spinners. Ken Daily, Las Vegas, landed a 4.75-pound trout on Power Bait at mile marker 52. Bob Cauldron, Las Vegas, landed a 4-8 trout. A Las Vegas angler landed 3.8 and 3.06-pound trout on Power Bait. Trout plant every Friday. Also a fair catfish bite on mackerel and chicken livers. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Fair striper action. When the fish are taking, anchovies, shrimp or squid have been best, and fishing at night under a light has been the most effective tactic. Davis Dam and Telephone Cove are the best fishing spots. Russ Tice, Apple Valley, caught a 21-7 striper deep trolling. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Fair striper bite in the Needles area and near Harrahs Casino on anchovies. Fair rainbow trout bite on worms and topwater. No more trout plants until fall. A fair amount of smallmouth action has been reported at Davis Camp.
NEEDLES: Fair to good striper action on small fish downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish are starting to show and some crappie are also biting in the gorge. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Good to excellent catfish action in the cattails on mackerel, anchovies or worms in the early morning. Fair bass bite in the early morning and evenings on topwater lures. Fair crappie action off shore. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Good striper action on green-tailed Shad Assassins. Fish are from one to three pounds. Lots of stripers have also been landed on anchovies and jigs. Largemouth bass action excellent in coves and along the shorelines on Senkos. Fair catfish action. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Good catfish action, including fish at 41 and 42 pounds reported in the past two weeks. The flatheads are biting goldfish and bluegill all along the lower river. A big cat contest is being held through August 31. Top fish takes the prize. Pretty good topwater bite on bass, too. Information: Junes Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Decent flathead action. A number of fish from 15 to 25 pounds have been reported, and the channel catfish bite is good, too. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are also good. Lots of fish to 3-0 reported. Bluegill are fair to good in the backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Plenty of flatheads with the action good all along the lower river. The river levels are up and fishing pressure is light, but there's improved bass and bluegill action in the backwaters, and an excellent carp bite on fish to five pounds, also in the backwaters. Cibola Lake has a good flathead and blue catfish bite on chicken livers. Some bass have also been landed in the main river. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair flathead, channel cat, bluegill and striper bite. The largemouth bite broke open and the action is good.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Good largemouth bite on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Fish to eight pounds have been landed. Channel catfish bite decent on anything that stinks, and the crappie bite is also fair on small live minnows. More and more flatheads are showing in the main river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com (http://www.martinezlake.com/).
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is still fair for channel catfish and large redear and bluegill. All biting on worms. In the main Colorado River, the channel catfish bite has been fair on chicken liver or worms dipped in stink bait, but there is very light fishing pressure and very few flatheads have been reported.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow action with few reports. 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: Fair to good catfish action, but light fishing pressure. Ryan Cooper, Brawley, landed two flatheads over 30 pounds and several in the 15 to 20-pound range this past weekend.
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 plants.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Crappie are good around the docks, but most are small. Also a good bullhead bite. 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: The Bridgeport Reservoir has the best bite in the region. Boaters are doing the best with nightcrawlers. The fish are in eight feet off the marina. Fly anglers are using damsel nymph patterns or brown or olive Wooly Buggers. Lower and upper Twin Lakes have a fair bite on nightcrawlers. The levels are low at the West Walker River with only a fair fly bite. The East Walker River is fair. The water temps are very high and the fish are sluggish. Elk Hair Caddis and dry flies have been working. Both Virginia and Lundy Lakes have fair action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Fishing has been fair to good across the loop. The action picked up after last weeks full moon. June and Silver are fishing best. Try Silver near the inlet and along the drop off for some mid-sized browns or Alpers. Try tubing with streamers at the inlet of Grant. Olive or brown Matukas, purple or olive Wooly Buggers or Mohair Leech will do the trick at any of the four lakes. Trollers have had success with Tasmanian Devils or Needlefish. Gary Southern, Glendora, caught four rainbows, four pounds each from Rush Creek. Information: Ernie's Fishing Tackle 760-648-7756 or June Lake Marina 760-648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: A very good bite at Crowley. A stock of broods with fish in the six to 12-pound range went in this week. Best action in McGee Bay for fly anglers using midge or perch fry patterns. The bigger fish are in five to 10 feet along the Old Stream Channel. At Convict Lake the action is good at the jetty for trollers using Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. Top fish of the week was a 6-6 by Ryab Wischnack, Valencia, on a green Trout Teaser. Susan Brown, Ojai, caught a 5-8 trout. Catherine Battin, West Lake, caught a 5-2 trout off the north shore. Tanner and Ray Barnes, Izquierdo, landed a five-pound trout on yellow Power Bait. Hot Creek is fair to good, however the bite has been challenging with extremely low flows and high weeds. Hoppers and terrestrials have been best, but continued good caddis and midge hatches. The Upper Owens bite is good for nymphers with a lot of browns in the mix. In the Mammoth Lakes, there were 625 pounds of Alpers trout planted. The lakes were also planted with browns. Most of those fish are holding deep. Fly fishing is the best bet with Matukas, Hornburgs, Pheasant Tails or Hares ears. Upcoming events: The first Crowley Lake Stillwater Classic is set for Saturday. The entry fee is $75 and cash prizes will be given to the first prize and runners-up. Classic and area fishing information: The Troutfitter 760-934-2517 or Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250.
BISHOP AREA: Fair to slow action throughout the Bishop Creek drainage, especially at Intake II on Bishop Creek and South Lake. The bite at Sabrina slowed this week with due to warmer water temperatures. Fishing the inlet with worms, eggs or Wooly Buggers will do it. Trollers are using frog patterns. Shore fishermen are using Power Bait. Dana Cotter, South Bay, landed a 4-4 trout on Salmon eggs. The lake was stocked with pan-sized fish by the DFG last Thursday. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been good with a good number of limits of rainbows. Most fish to two pounds. The lower Owens is poor. The flows are still very high and inconsistent with some hot air temps. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley is fair for browns from eight to 12 inches on Elk Hair Caddis or just about any other attractor pattern. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Lower Owens Valley streams are all good with plants this week at Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, George Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
DERBY ALERT: a catfish, striper, crappie, bluegill, trout and carp derby will take place through August 31 for all Western Sierra waters. Largest fish weighed in at Bobs Bait this summer wins the prize; $100 for top catfish or striper, and $25 for any of the other species. Free registration. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
LAKE ISABELLA: Still the best overall fishing in the Western Sierra. The catfish are everywhere and are taking mackerel, shad and clams. Anything dipped in Sonnys helps the bite. Very good trout action on lures and plastic trout worms. Trollers are having luck with Needlefish by the dam. The bass are good on Senkos and swimbaits. Fish up to 12 pounds have been landed on large crankbaits. Bluegill bite good on wax worms. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Very good trout bite in both the upper and lower stretches of the Kern River on salmon eggs, silver spinners and crickets. Flows in the lower river, below Isabella, are down and the bite has improved. Upper river is better the further upstream you go above Kernville because water temperatures are cooler. All of the higher elevation streams are open and the action has been good. The Kennedy Meadows stretch of the South Fork of the Kern is tough with very low flows. Peppermint Creek good. Both the upper and lower stretches were planted with trout two weeks ago. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com (http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/), or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Fair catfish action on mackerel. The striper bite is good on lug worms and blood worms. Fish in the three to five pound range. Swimbaits also being thrown and enticing a few fish. A lot of stripers three to five pound range and over.
HART PARK LAKE: Decent carp action on dough bait and corn meal. Good bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and jigs. The bluegill good on wax worms and crickets.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Carp action good on dough bait. Bluegill action fair to good on wax worms and crickets, and the spotted and largemouth bass bites have also been good, especially on minnows. Good catfish bite. Some trout action on minnows or nightcrawlers.
MING LAKE: The lake is closed for fishing.
BRITE LAKE: The carp bite is still dominating with dough baits best. Good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Decent bass bite, but the trout action has slowed.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Striper action good on blood worms and lug worms. The crappie bite is also decent on small minnows. The catfish bite is good on shad or Sonnys or shad. Ray Hughes, Bakersfield, landed a 22-pound catfish on shad. The bluegill bite is good on wax and meal worms. Decent trout bite.
WOLLOMES LAKE: The bluegill action is dominating on wax and meal worms. Also a fair catfish bite on mackerel.
SUCCESS LAKE: Very slow action. The water levels are very low. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Decent bass action on plastics, jigs and nightcrawlers. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Largemouth action fair, especially around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons and plastic worms. Some smallmouth action in six to 10 feet of water. Fair catfish action on anchovies. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Crappie bite good on jigs and worms, and the trout bite is slow to fair on Power Bait. No DFG trout plants in over a month. Largemouth bass action is good. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Fair to good catfish action on mackerel and shrimp. Fair bluegill bite on meal worms. Some crappie are also showing on crappie jigs. The white bass are in Las Tables and the narrows in a fair bite. Largemouth bass are good on plastics. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com (http://www.nacimientoresort.com/).
LOPEZ: Crappie action very good on crappie jigs in 15 to 20 feet. The action is best across from the marina and near the boat house. The bluegill and redear action is just as good on meal and wax worms. Large and smallmouth bass action good on swimbaits. Catfish have been caught here and there. Trout action slow to fair. A two pound trout was landed this week trolling near the dam. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked this week with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
RIVERSIDE: Lake Hemet.
LOS ANGELES: Jackson Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independece Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pine Creek, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek..
MADERA: San Joaquin River Middle Fork, Sotcher Lake, Starkweather Lake, Chiquito Creek (Lower), Manzanita Lake.
MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake (Lower and Upper Bridgeport), Twin Lakes (Mammoth), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
FRESNO: Dinkey Creek, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam, San Joaquin River ### South Fork (Mono Hot Springs and Jackass Meadow).
KERN: Kern River (Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach and KR No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville).
STANISLAUS: Turlock Reservoir.
TULARE: Balch Park Lake (Upper and Lower), Kern River (Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge and Brush Creek to Fairview Dam), Peppermint Creek, Redwood Lake (Hedrick Pond), Tule River North Fork of Middle Fork (Wishon Campground), Tule River South Fork of Middle Fork (Camp Nelson and Ceder Slopes).
TUOLUMNE: Deadman Creek, Lyons Canal, Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake (Strawberry Lake), Powerhouse Stream, Stanislaus River (Clarks, Middle, North and South forks), Tulloch Lake.
CATFISH PLANTS
No Plants.
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz 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 Gollaz 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 (www.jesseshunting.com (http://../)). 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. Diamond Valley Lake continues to have the best trout fishing in Southern California with a lot of nice holdover fish from three to five pounds showing each week -- and some bigger. The action isnt wide open, but patient trollers or anglers drifting nightcrawlers or live shad in 40 to 60 feet of water are scoring limits of fish to four pounds. For an update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.
2. The striper bite is good at Pyramid Lake. The bulk of the action is on drifted sardines and anchovies, but there is a good surface bite most mornings and evenings as the fish come up to chase bait. Top spots have been off the dam, in the channel, and at Yellow Bar. For at update, call the concession at 661-257-2790.
3. The North Fork of the Kern River has been low and very good for fly anglers. The best stretch is from the Johnsondale Bridge upstream into the Wild Trout section. Lots of fish from eight to 16 inches and an occasional bigger fish. The native trout are lovely, strong-shouldered fish that rise readily to dry flies, with terrestrial and caddis patterns good right now. For an update, call Kern River Troutfitters Fly Shop at 760-376-2040 or visit www.kernriverflyfishing.com (http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/).
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: There is an good bite on holdover fish at Diamond Valley and good action at Piru. Big Bear Lake has become less consistent, but still a good bet. Lake Hemet is also a decent bet. In San Diego County, only Cuyamaca continues to have a consistently good bite. The entire Eastern Sierra Nevada is generally slow to fair, but things are improving with cooler weather, especially in Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley Lake, and high elevation water above 9,000 feet. The East Walker River, Hot Creek, and the upper Owens (above Crowley) are all still good for fly anglers, but the Walker and Hot Creek are getting tougher with warmer water conditions. Lake Isabella and North Fork of the Kern River are very good in the Western Sierra.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Still in our typical summer pattern with decent topwater early and late and then fish mostly in deeper water the rest of the day. There can be flurries of excellent action and then long, slow periods. If you can get live shad, the bite can be awesome. Diamond Valley, Casitas, and Castaic again share the top pick this week, but Piru, Pyramid, Cachuma, Skinner, Perris, and Silverwood are all fair. In San Diego County, Barrett is wide open, and San Vicente is also good. El Capitan, Sutherland, and Lower Otay are spotty. Isabella is fair to good with some quality fish. The lower Colorado River is also good with some excellent reports, especially from the backwaters. Also some decent smallmouth catches in this same region.
STRIPED BASS: Pyramid, Skinner, Silverwood, and Castaic are all fair to good bets for stripers. Most of the fish at all these reservoirs are one to four-pound class fish, but a bigger fish is possible at all four. The best bite is on live shad if you can get it. Otherwise, swimbaits, frozen shad, anchovies, and sardines are all good. On the Colorado River, bites are just fair at Mead, Mohave, Havasu, and the lower river, but there have been a flurries of big fish action below Willow Beach over the past month with several fish over 30 pounds this past week.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are very good most places with fish showing in very good numbers at Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley. No crappie bites worth noting, except for small fish on the Central Coast lakes.
CATFISH: On the Colorado River, especially the larger irrigation drainage ditches in the Blythe, Palo Verde, and Yuma areas, the catfish action is good. Flatheads from 20 to 35 pounds are reported each week now. Catfish plants are weekly now at many urban waters, including all the San Bernardino County Park lakes, Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Corona Lake. Hesperia Lake has been an excellent bet with catfish to 30-plus pounds reported each week over the past month.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: The catfish bite is good on anchovies and nightcrawlers off the docks. Sheila Fincham, Chino, caught a seven-pound catfish on nightcrawlers and anchovies. Good striper bite on anchovies or silver and gold Kastmasters with the best action at the dam. James Hale, Apple Valley, landed an eight-pound striper on anchovies at the dam. Adam Stofer, Fontana, caught a five-pound striper on a Kastmaster. Trout bite fair in the coves on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Fair bass action with fish in the three-pound range. The blugill, carp and crappie action has been very slow. Just a few carp in the four-pound range. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: The trout action has been very inconsistent the past two weeks. One day the bite is on, and the next day its very slow. Some limits have still been landed off Lagonita Point, the west ramp, and the observatory on inflated nightcrawlers. Trollers are also having luck with gold or black Rapalas and Needlefish. The crappie and bluegill action is slow to fair in Boulder and Mallard Bay on mini jigs, meal worms or pieces of nightcrawlers. Very little catfish action reported. Try mackerel or shrimp dipped in stinks off the bottom off the east side after sunset. Upcoming events: October Troutfest set for October 6 and 7. Information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Fair to good fishing. DFG trout plant last week. There will also be county plants on Aug. 31 and Sept. 21. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Cooler weather this past week improved the trout bite with fair to good action on Power Bait and Power Worms. Best action from boats was near the dam while the south shore was best for shoreline anglers. The fish are still mostly in deep water. Steve Miller, Victorville, landed a 6 =-pound rainbow from the north shore. Mt. Lassen trout this week, Alpers trout the week of Aug. 24. The lake is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG trout plants for over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Few reports. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Still a fair number of sturgeon showing on shrimp, including a new lake record. Karl Taylor, San Francisco, landed a 53-pound sturgeon off the east side and now holds the new record. Mike Pruett, Irvine, caught a 31-8 sturgeon. Jose Macias, Los Angeles, caught a 26 pounder on nightcrawlers off the north shore. J. Booth, Compton, caught a 23-pound sturgeon on meal worms off the grassy bank. Good blue, channel and flathead action on nightcrawlers, shrimp, and the alternate M&M (marshmallow and mackerel) combo. Anything dipped in Sonnys Catfish Bait will also do the trick. Best bite is in deeper water near the island. Glen Thomas, San Diego, caught a 42 1/4-pound blue on mackerel off the west side. Scott Pierson, Oceanside, caught a 38-pound blue catfish on the M&M combo off the finger jetty. David Anderson, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a 35-8 blue on nightcrawlers. Louie Ramos, El Monte, caught a 31-8 blue off Sandy Point. Bob Boyd, Las Vegas, caught a 26-pound channel cat off the west side. Phil Soto, Claremont, caught a 24-12 channel cat. Carol Velasquez, Brea, landed an 18-pound flathead off the north shore. There will be 6,000 pounds of cats a week planted through the summer. Night fishing is on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: The trout action slowed to just fair this week due to hot temperatures. Anglers that fished near the inlet in deep water had the most success. The bite is best before 10 a.m. on Power Bait (spring green and rainbow), nightcrawlers, Power worms or plastics. Hot spots include the western shore of lake 3 from the pump house to the bridge and the grassy points as well as the north shore of lake 2. Derek Fletcher, Crestline, caught a 4-5 trout on a red Power worm. Casey McNeil, Alta Loma, caught a 3-11 rainbow on a crappie jig dipped in gravy. Chris Ryland, Fontana, landed a 3-8 rainbow. Bass bite fair with fish to five pounds on Senkos. Lake hours are Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com (http://www.jessranchlakesnews.com/).
MOJAVE NARROWS: Good catfish action on shrimp and chicken livers dipped in stink bait. The fish are in deep water close to the island in Horseshoe Lake, and the evening bite has been best. Fish from two to four pounds. Bluegill and bass action also good in Horseshoe Lake. Trout and carp action poor. County catfish plants go in alternating weeks with a plant last week. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair catfish action with plants every week through the end of August. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Very good catfish bite on mackerel and nightcrawlers. County catfish plants will be weekly through the rest of the summer. Most cats, and especially the bullheads, are showing off the west side of the lake near the snack bar. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair to good catfish action with plants going in every week through the end of summer. The bite has been very good with a lot of two to three-pound fish. Top baits have been anchovies, mackerel, shrimp, nightcrawlers, and the marshmallow-meal worm combo. Even a couple of bass reported in the past week. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Very good catfish action with county plants every week. Most of the fish are running two to four pounds and are showing on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. There is also a good bite on small bluegill. 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. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Fair bass action on green or brown plastic worms off the points and live crawdads off shore. Also some decent topwater action in the mornings. The rock quarry, the islands, off the north shore and around the saddle dam have been the top bass spots. David Morgan, Upland, caught an 8-10 largemouth fishing a seven-inch Robo worm on Sunday. Jim Dixon, Hemet, landed an 8.7-pound bass off the southwest corner of the lake. Jesse Mena, Hemet, caught a 6.15-pound bass in the third cove. The trout bite is fair to good 30 to 60 feet down along the west dam, near the inlet tower, and around restroom 3. Trollers are having success with Needlefish, TD minnows and Rapalas. R.J. Nissen, San Jacinto, landed a 7.13-pound trout. Rich Parker, Murrieta, landed a 3.3-pound trout drifting nightcrawlers. Brian Kropko, Perris, landed a 2.5-pound trout on nightcrawlers. Good catfish action on anchovies, mackerel and raw shrimp near the wave attenuator, in the third cove, and near the rock quarry. Ronald Guerra, San Bernardino, caught 10.10 and 4.12-pound catfish on shrimp. Melvin Hyde, Hemet, landed nine cats totaling 41 pounds on raw shrimp. Fair bluegill action near the dam on worms. Keith Bennett, Compton, caught a 1-8 bluegill. Crappie action fair near the rock pile and at the mouth of Rawson Cove. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com (http://www.dvmarina.com/).
PERRIS: Good catfish action in the narrows on chicken liver, shrimp and mackerel. Eric Imakintt, Tracy, caught a 10.8-pound catfish. Fair to good striper action on anchovies near the dam. Chris McCleary, Livermore, landed 14.2 and 4.8-pound stripers. Very good bluegill action near the marina on worms. Ryan Hunt, Livermore, caught 23 bluegill totaling 12 pounds. Top fish was a 1.1 pounder. The lake was stocked with 1,500 pounds of catfish. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Excellent catfish action during the day at the inlet. Nightcrawlers and mackerel are the best bets. Bob Williams, Norco, caught a four-pound catfish on nightcrawlers. James Bailey, Corona, landed a three-pound catfish. The striper bite is not as hot as it has been the past few weeks, but the action is still good. Nick Taylor, San Marcos, landed a 4-8 striper on anchovies at the spillway. Sill a lot of boils in the early morning. Fair bass, bluegill and carp action this week. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: Its still all about the cats and carp here. Dough balls, nightcrawlers and corn meal are top choices for carp. Worms, nightcrawlers and mackerel are best for the catfish. The bite is best at the old state park and most carp and cats are in the two to five-pound range. Dipping any bait in stink bait will help the action. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: Fishing remains very good with catfish and tilapia showing in good numbers. A fair number of blue bluegill are also showing and even bass were reported this week. The catfish bite continues to be best at night or in deeper water from boats during the day. The top baits have been mackerel and shrimp. Cameryn Snowden, Los Angeles, caught a 9-0 catfish on mackerel fishing from boat. Nick Bakaleinikoff, Alto Loma, caught three catfish totaling 8-8 with fish to 3-0 on shrimp. Todd Wilson, Murrieta, caught a 5-8 bass on mackerel at the dam. Tilapia are best on ightcrawlers fished in the shallow water, and bluegill are also showing for anglers fishing the tilapia. Todd Wilson, Murrieta, landed a 5 =-pound largemouth bass while fishing for catfish with mackerel. Catfish plants weekly. The 24-hour passes are available Friday and Saturday each week. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
EVANS LAKE: Fair bullhead and catfish action at night on nightcrawlers in Golf Course Lake.
RANCHO JURUPA: Slow. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Fair catfish bite from all three lakes on pieces of nightcrawlers, Power Bait, mackerel or anchovies. Upcoming events: Fishing derby every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Catfish action good with some fish showing on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: Good catfish action on mackerel and shrimp. The lake is stocked with 1,000 pounds of catfish every two weeks. Lake information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com (http://www.reflectionlakerv.com/).
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Good to excellent catfish action on nightcrawlers, chicken liver or dough bait. Most fish are about two pounds. A large stock of two-pound channel cats went in last week with another one scheduled for next week. Plants every other week. The lake has a sonar sensor, which can detect the size of the fish in addition to the location of the fish on the lake. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair to good trout action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Brianna Naranjo, 13, Temecula, landed a 1-8 trout off shore on nightcrawlers. Naranjo also landed a three-pound bass. Most trout were in the one-pound range this past week. DFG trout plant this week. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground 951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No DFG plants for over a month. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: The catfish bite stayed hot with a lot of nice stringers reported again this week. Best action from boats, especially in the deeper water. Top baits have been mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, and nightcrawlers, and most anglers are adding shrimp, anchovy, or garlic Nitro Gravy. The hot spot this past week has been Levitz Corner. Wade Labasan and Cody Labasan, both of Cypress, teamed up for a 31-0 stringer with fish to 5-0. Moises Castillo and Reyna Castillo, both of Santa Ana, landed a stringer of cats totaling 42-0 with fish to 6-0 on mackerel in Catfish Lake. Scott Zimnicki, Garden Grove, caught a 15 fish limit totaling 28-8 on nightcrawlers. Danny Guerrero, San Pedro, caught five catfish totaling 11-12. Tyler Hayes and Chris Coldwell, both of Corona, teamed up for a five-fish stringer totaling 11-12 with fish to 3-0. Travis Scott, Orange, caught a stringer of cats totaling 21-8 with fish to 4-0 on mackerel. Isaias Navarro, Santa Ana, caught nine cats totaling 17-8. Ed Czarnick, Anaheim, caught a stringer of cats totaling 18-0. Another sturgeon was landed this week. David Chow, Rowland Hights, caught a 50-plus pounder on a nightcrawler near the boat dock. Catfish plants are weekly all summer, and there is 24-hour fishing Thursday through Saturday nights. Information: 714-632-7830 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information: (714) 996-3508 or www.fishinglakes.com (http://www.fishinglakes.com/).
IRVINE LAKE: Very good catfish action at the flats and in Sierra Cove on Catmando Bait, mackerel and shrimp. Bill Wingo, North Tustin, caught an 18.9-pound catfish on Catmando bait on the flats. Derek Wingo, North Tustin, landed five cats weighing a total of 81.6 pounds. Top fish was an 18.8 pounder. Kyle Walker, Los Angeles, landed a 16.6-pound catfish on mackerel on the flats. Noel De La Cruz, Foothill Ranch, caught a 16.4-pound catfish. Ronson Smothers, Los Angeles, landed a limit totaling 78 pounds. Top fish was a 16-pounder. Joe Philippi, Moorpark, caught 15.6 and 14-pound catfish on mackerel. Brian Kaufman, Lakewood, landed a 14.3-pound catfish on shrimp off the west shore. Fair bass action with fish in the two to three-pound range on the Santiago Flats on topwater baits. Crappie action slowed from last week. Fewer limits. Bluegill bite fair on shrimp and meal worms off the west shore, Rocky Point and near the dams. Decent carp action. Al Madriaga, Corona, caught a 17.14- pound carp on mackerel on the flats. The lake will remain open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for night fishing. Information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Bass bite fair to good with fish in the one to three-pound range. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms, or various jerk and crankbaits are best. Catfish bite fair to good on mackerel, nightcrawlers dipped in garlic, chicken liver and shrimp. The launch ramp, the inlet, and down by the flats are the best spots for catfish. Crappie and bluegill action is fair to good on meal worms, assorted crappie jigs, or a half nightcrawler below a bobber. The lake is open 6 am to 8 pm daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com (http://www.lagunaniguellake.com/).
LOS ANGELES AREA
LAKES CACHUMA: Trout bite good by the dam on nightcrawlers, 40 to 50 feet down. Trollers are having luck with pearl bikini Needlefish, Rapalas, Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Slow bass action, only a few small ones on jigs and plastics in Cahuma Bay and behind the island. Slow catfish bite. A few have been landed in Harveys Cove and by the Mohawk Fishing Pier on nightcrawlers, mackerel or shrimp. Crappie bite slow with only a few in Little Cachuma on crappie jigs. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Good bass action with some fish in the seven to eight-pound range. Most fish in the two to three-pound range. John Lukes, Ventura, landed a nine-pound bass on a plastic worm. Jeff Settem, Oxnard, caught nine and eight pound bass on a Blade Runner. Herve DeClerq, Moorpark, caught a 7 3/4-pound bass on a plastic worm. Jodi Lukes, Ventura, caught a 7-8 on a plastic worm. Trout action fair for trollers in 40 to 50 feet with Needlefish. No limits this week, fish in one to two pound range. No catfish action. Fair crappie action. Willis Hand, Ojai, landed eight crappie to two pounds on mini-jigs. Hand also brought in 20 crappie last week. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Fair to good striper action near the dam and off the west ramp and buoy line on anchovies, with most of the fish from three to five pounds. The fish are deep, 85 to 100 feet. Mondo Bermudez, Hemet, caught a 6.3-pound striper near the buoy line. Largemouth bass action fair on small plastics all over in the shallows. The catfish are showing the backs of coves on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers with fish in the two to three pound range. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Decent crappie and bluegill action in the main lake with most fish well under a pound. Most catches have been made on white jigs in 12 to 15 feet. Bass action good on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Trout action fair for trollers using Kastmasters or Needlefish. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: Good striper action on sardines and anchovies. The shad have moved up to the surface and the fish are all over them. Topwater lures will also do the trick early and late in the day. The dam, the channel and Yellow Bar are the hot areas. Largemouth bass bite fair on plastics and swimbaits. Not too much bluegill or crappie action again this week. Still some trout being landed on Power Bait. Water levels are up and boats are able to launch. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: Few reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: The bass action is fair off the east shore on topwater lures and chicken livers. Bluegill and redear good on meal worms. Crappie bite fair on small jigs. The action is best in or around Sailboat Cove. Catfish bite fair. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Fair to good catfish action, but no catfish plants in over a month. The top baits are mackerel, shrimp, and chicken liver. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No plants.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No plants.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No plants.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No plants.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No plants.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No plants.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No plants. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No plants. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No plants.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No plants.
LEGG LAKE: No plants.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No plants.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No plants.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No plants. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Excellent bass action. Bluegill bite good. There were 160 anglers who reported 2,211 bass, 293 bluegill and 13 crappie. The lake is open for fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. September reservations go on sale next week through Ticketmaster at 619-220-8497 or at www.ticketmaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/). Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/).
HODGES: Fair bass and good crappie action. There were 207 anglers who reported 157 bass, 123 crappie, 44 bluegill and six channel catfish. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
EL CAPITAN: Good bass bite and pretty decent crappie and channel catfish action. This past week there were 330 anglers who reported catching 556 bass, 72 channel catfish, 64 crappie, 36 bluegill, 10 blue catfish and nine bluegill. The north end is still the hot spot. Joe Silveira, Lakeside, landed a six-pound bass on white spinnerbait. Doug Pierson, El Cajon, caught 5.95 and 3.95-pound bass on shiners. The lake will be open Thursday for fishing only, and Friday through Sunday for both fishing and water contact. The private boat limit is 80 on Sundays. 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 bluegill bite. Everything else slow. This week 200 anglers reported catching 174 bluegill, 87 bass, 19 channel catfish and one redear. Anglers have had the most success in Otay Arm. Steve McMinn, San Diego, landed a 6.75-pound bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and 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: There were 29 anglers who reported 38 bass in a fair to good catch-and-release bite. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will be open Memorial Day. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
SAN VICENTE: Excellent bass bite and good bluegill action. There were 178 anglers who reported 875 bass, 246 bluegill, 30 redear and 13 channel catfish. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday only, and the boat launch is open for private boaters. The lake is open to fishing Thursday and Friday. The launch ramp is open. The shoreline from the launch ramp to the buoy line is closed to all activities. Lake 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: The bite picked up, but still just fair. This week there were 84 anglers who reported 76 bass and 17 bluegill. John Summers, Santee, landed a 5.80-pound bass from Del Cerro Arm. Daniel Smith, Allied Gardens, caught a five-pound bass on plastic worms from San Carlos Arm. Rental boats are available Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 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: Very slow action. This past week there were 64 anglers who reported four bass, four channel catfish and five bluegill. The lake is open to fishing and boating seven days a week. 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 and fair bluegill action. There were 122 anglers who reported 875 bass, 66 bluegill, 30 channel catfish, 15 crappie, two blue catfish and one carp. Mike Davis, Ramona, caught a 19.35-pound blue catfish on nightcrawlers in Mossy Cove. Francisco Mendoza, Ramona, caught a 13.85-pound blue catfish on mackerel in Santa Ysabel. Jeremy and Leonard Jones, San Diego, caught 10 bass totaling 47.80 pounds. Top fish was a 5.70 pounder. Joe Marshall, Ramona, caught four bass totaling 11.20 pounds on Senkos. Top fish was 3.5 pounds. The lake is open to fishing and boating on a Friday through Sunday schedule. Starting August 20 the lake will be open on Mondays. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/ (http://www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/).
WOHLFORD: Fair to good catfish action on chicken liver, nightcrawlers, shrimp or cut mackerel. Mike Benson, Escondido, caught a 7-4 catfish on shrimp off the west buoy line. The crappie action is fair with fish in 10 to 15 feet on small golden shiners and finger jigs. The bass action is fair to good on shad and plastic worms right off the shore. Mike Kostial, Oceanside, caught a 5-4 bass on plastic worms off the Senior Shoreline. Smaller bass have been landed in the shallows on Senkos and swimbaits. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com (http://www.wohlfordlake.com/).
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: Very little bass action reported. Try plastic worms or shad. Decent catfish action, especially at night on mackerel and anchovies by the buoy line. Most fish are from one to three pounds. A few bluegill were caught near the piers. Nightfishing will remain through the summer on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 11:45 p.m. Boat sales will begin at 5 p.m. and the lake will close at 11:45 p.m. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com (http://www.dixonlake.com/).
POWAY: Over 300 anglers participated in last Friday nights Midnight Catfish Craze. Jimmy Hong, Mira Mesa, was the grand prize winner with a 5.48-pound channel catfish on mackerel at the Log Boom. Avelido Partida, San Diego, took second with a 4.22-pound channel catfish on shrimp at the Log Boom. Celline Neumann, Escondido, took third with a 3.69-pound channel catfish. A 2,000-pound channel catfish stock went in last week. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Fair bass bite on topwater lures along the banks and in Shadow Cove. Howard Martinez, El Cajon, caught a 5-8 channel catfish on chicken livers in Hermit Cove. Just a fair catfish bite at the buoy lines, in the vegetation and in Eagle Cove on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Boat anglers are having success as well. Catfish plant last week, 1,000 pounds. The lake is open on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org (http://www.lakejennings.org/).
MORENA: Still very light pressure on the bass. Only a few have been landed in the mornings on topwater. Crankbaits are best later in the day. The bluegill and crappie bites are good on jigs, meal and wax worms. The bluegill bite is best, however, on pieces of nightcrawlers in the sticks. The catfish action is fair to good on mackerel or chicken livers. Plenty of channels and whites biting at the brush line. The boat launch is open. Boat rentals are limited to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Fair to good channel catfish action on mackerel at the finger jetty. Dan Kite, El Cajon, caught five channel catfish totaling 47 pounds. Top fish was a 13-12 on squid off the north shore. Trout action fair. Rainbow Power Bait and plastic worms are good bets, although trollers are having the most success with Panther Martins, Rapalas and Roostertails. Fair bass action on topwater. Good crappie action on jigs. Upcoming events: free fishing class every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org (http://www.lakecuyamaca.org/).
HENSHAW: The bass action slowed this week. Still a fair bite on nightcrawlers, cranks and plastics near the dam. Seth Hamilton, La Mesa, caught four bass. Top fish was three pounds. Catfish action good on nightcrawlers, stink baits and chicken livers. Art and Fe Gubbs, Santee, landed four channel catfish. Top fish was three pounds. Chiew Lim, El Cajon, landed four channel catfish. Top fish was two pounds. Fair crappie action near the Fish-n-Float Dock on small jigs and meal worms. Also a fair bluegill bite off the Fish-n-Float Dock and in front of the store and restaurant on red worms and nightcrawlers. Night fishing will continue through the summer. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Still just a fair overall striper bite in the early mornings and late evenings. Largemouth and bluegill are biting in the backs of coves in the early morning. Catfish are biting anchovies all day. Stripers fair on small, slow-trolled crankbaits during the day.
WILLOW BEACH: Excellent striper action. The striper are biting anchovies, swimbaits and A.C. Plugs. Bruce Silet, Las Vegas, caught a 41-8 striper on swimbait at mile marker 61. Dan Wyatt, Las Vegas, landed a 40.52-pound striper on a home-made bait. Chip Gilbert, San Marcos, caught a 19 3/4-pound striper on a Huddleston. Bob Valencia, Las Vegas, caught 17.4-pound striper on a swimbait. Fair to good catfish action. A local angler landed a 15-pound catfish at mile marker 39. Some nice rainbows have still been landed on Power Bait, worms and spinners. Ken Daily, Las Vegas, landed a 4.75-pound trout on Power Bait at mile marker 52. Bob Cauldron, Las Vegas, landed a 4-8 trout. A Las Vegas angler landed 3.8 and 3.06-pound trout on Power Bait. Trout plant every Friday. Also a fair catfish bite on mackerel and chicken livers. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Fair striper action. When the fish are taking, anchovies, shrimp or squid have been best, and fishing at night under a light has been the most effective tactic. Davis Dam and Telephone Cove are the best fishing spots. Russ Tice, Apple Valley, caught a 21-7 striper deep trolling. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Fair striper bite in the Needles area and near Harrahs Casino on anchovies. Fair rainbow trout bite on worms and topwater. No more trout plants until fall. A fair amount of smallmouth action has been reported at Davis Camp.
NEEDLES: Fair to good striper action on small fish downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish are starting to show and some crappie are also biting in the gorge. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Good to excellent catfish action in the cattails on mackerel, anchovies or worms in the early morning. Fair bass bite in the early morning and evenings on topwater lures. Fair crappie action off shore. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Good striper action on green-tailed Shad Assassins. Fish are from one to three pounds. Lots of stripers have also been landed on anchovies and jigs. Largemouth bass action excellent in coves and along the shorelines on Senkos. Fair catfish action. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Good catfish action, including fish at 41 and 42 pounds reported in the past two weeks. The flatheads are biting goldfish and bluegill all along the lower river. A big cat contest is being held through August 31. Top fish takes the prize. Pretty good topwater bite on bass, too. Information: Junes Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Decent flathead action. A number of fish from 15 to 25 pounds have been reported, and the channel catfish bite is good, too. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are also good. Lots of fish to 3-0 reported. Bluegill are fair to good in the backwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Plenty of flatheads with the action good all along the lower river. The river levels are up and fishing pressure is light, but there's improved bass and bluegill action in the backwaters, and an excellent carp bite on fish to five pounds, also in the backwaters. Cibola Lake has a good flathead and blue catfish bite on chicken livers. Some bass have also been landed in the main river. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair flathead, channel cat, bluegill and striper bite. The largemouth bite broke open and the action is good.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Good largemouth bite on cranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Fish to eight pounds have been landed. Channel catfish bite decent on anything that stinks, and the crappie bite is also fair on small live minnows. More and more flatheads are showing in the main river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com (http://www.martinezlake.com/).
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is still fair for channel catfish and large redear and bluegill. All biting on worms. In the main Colorado River, the channel catfish bite has been fair on chicken liver or worms dipped in stink bait, but there is very light fishing pressure and very few flatheads have been reported.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Slow action with few reports. 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: Fair to good catfish action, but light fishing pressure. Ryan Cooper, Brawley, landed two flatheads over 30 pounds and several in the 15 to 20-pound range this past weekend.
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 plants.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No plants. Information: 760-352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Crappie are good around the docks, but most are small. Also a good bullhead bite. 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: The Bridgeport Reservoir has the best bite in the region. Boaters are doing the best with nightcrawlers. The fish are in eight feet off the marina. Fly anglers are using damsel nymph patterns or brown or olive Wooly Buggers. Lower and upper Twin Lakes have a fair bite on nightcrawlers. The levels are low at the West Walker River with only a fair fly bite. The East Walker River is fair. The water temps are very high and the fish are sluggish. Elk Hair Caddis and dry flies have been working. Both Virginia and Lundy Lakes have fair action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Fishing has been fair to good across the loop. The action picked up after last weeks full moon. June and Silver are fishing best. Try Silver near the inlet and along the drop off for some mid-sized browns or Alpers. Try tubing with streamers at the inlet of Grant. Olive or brown Matukas, purple or olive Wooly Buggers or Mohair Leech will do the trick at any of the four lakes. Trollers have had success with Tasmanian Devils or Needlefish. Gary Southern, Glendora, caught four rainbows, four pounds each from Rush Creek. Information: Ernie's Fishing Tackle 760-648-7756 or June Lake Marina 760-648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: A very good bite at Crowley. A stock of broods with fish in the six to 12-pound range went in this week. Best action in McGee Bay for fly anglers using midge or perch fry patterns. The bigger fish are in five to 10 feet along the Old Stream Channel. At Convict Lake the action is good at the jetty for trollers using Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. Top fish of the week was a 6-6 by Ryab Wischnack, Valencia, on a green Trout Teaser. Susan Brown, Ojai, caught a 5-8 trout. Catherine Battin, West Lake, caught a 5-2 trout off the north shore. Tanner and Ray Barnes, Izquierdo, landed a five-pound trout on yellow Power Bait. Hot Creek is fair to good, however the bite has been challenging with extremely low flows and high weeds. Hoppers and terrestrials have been best, but continued good caddis and midge hatches. The Upper Owens bite is good for nymphers with a lot of browns in the mix. In the Mammoth Lakes, there were 625 pounds of Alpers trout planted. The lakes were also planted with browns. Most of those fish are holding deep. Fly fishing is the best bet with Matukas, Hornburgs, Pheasant Tails or Hares ears. Upcoming events: The first Crowley Lake Stillwater Classic is set for Saturday. The entry fee is $75 and cash prizes will be given to the first prize and runners-up. Classic and area fishing information: The Troutfitter 760-934-2517 or Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250.
BISHOP AREA: Fair to slow action throughout the Bishop Creek drainage, especially at Intake II on Bishop Creek and South Lake. The bite at Sabrina slowed this week with due to warmer water temperatures. Fishing the inlet with worms, eggs or Wooly Buggers will do it. Trollers are using frog patterns. Shore fishermen are using Power Bait. Dana Cotter, South Bay, landed a 4-4 trout on Salmon eggs. The lake was stocked with pan-sized fish by the DFG last Thursday. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been good with a good number of limits of rainbows. Most fish to two pounds. The lower Owens is poor. The flows are still very high and inconsistent with some hot air temps. The Owens River gorge above Pleasant Valley is fair for browns from eight to 12 inches on Elk Hair Caddis or just about any other attractor pattern. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Lower Owens Valley streams are all good with plants this week at Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Diaz Lake, George Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Sheperds Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
DERBY ALERT: a catfish, striper, crappie, bluegill, trout and carp derby will take place through August 31 for all Western Sierra waters. Largest fish weighed in at Bobs Bait this summer wins the prize; $100 for top catfish or striper, and $25 for any of the other species. Free registration. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
LAKE ISABELLA: Still the best overall fishing in the Western Sierra. The catfish are everywhere and are taking mackerel, shad and clams. Anything dipped in Sonnys helps the bite. Very good trout action on lures and plastic trout worms. Trollers are having luck with Needlefish by the dam. The bass are good on Senkos and swimbaits. Fish up to 12 pounds have been landed on large crankbaits. Bluegill bite good on wax worms. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Very good trout bite in both the upper and lower stretches of the Kern River on salmon eggs, silver spinners and crickets. Flows in the lower river, below Isabella, are down and the bite has improved. Upper river is better the further upstream you go above Kernville because water temperatures are cooler. All of the higher elevation streams are open and the action has been good. The Kennedy Meadows stretch of the South Fork of the Kern is tough with very low flows. Peppermint Creek good. Both the upper and lower stretches were planted with trout two weeks ago. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com (http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/), or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Fair catfish action on mackerel. The striper bite is good on lug worms and blood worms. Fish in the three to five pound range. Swimbaits also being thrown and enticing a few fish. A lot of stripers three to five pound range and over.
HART PARK LAKE: Decent carp action on dough bait and corn meal. Good bass action on minnows, nightcrawlers and jigs. The bluegill good on wax worms and crickets.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Carp action good on dough bait. Bluegill action fair to good on wax worms and crickets, and the spotted and largemouth bass bites have also been good, especially on minnows. Good catfish bite. Some trout action on minnows or nightcrawlers.
MING LAKE: The lake is closed for fishing.
BRITE LAKE: The carp bite is still dominating with dough baits best. Good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Decent bass bite, but the trout action has slowed.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: Striper action good on blood worms and lug worms. The crappie bite is also decent on small minnows. The catfish bite is good on shad or Sonnys or shad. Ray Hughes, Bakersfield, landed a 22-pound catfish on shad. The bluegill bite is good on wax and meal worms. Decent trout bite.
WOLLOMES LAKE: The bluegill action is dominating on wax and meal worms. Also a fair catfish bite on mackerel.
SUCCESS LAKE: Very slow action. The water levels are very low. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Decent bass action on plastics, jigs and nightcrawlers. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Largemouth action fair, especially around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons and plastic worms. Some smallmouth action in six to 10 feet of water. Fair catfish action on anchovies. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Crappie bite good on jigs and worms, and the trout bite is slow to fair on Power Bait. No DFG trout plants in over a month. Largemouth bass action is good. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Fair to good catfish action on mackerel and shrimp. Fair bluegill bite on meal worms. Some crappie are also showing on crappie jigs. The white bass are in Las Tables and the narrows in a fair bite. Largemouth bass are good on plastics. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com (http://www.nacimientoresort.com/).
LOPEZ: Crappie action very good on crappie jigs in 15 to 20 feet. The action is best across from the marina and near the boat house. The bluegill and redear action is just as good on meal and wax worms. Large and smallmouth bass action good on swimbaits. Catfish have been caught here and there. Trout action slow to fair. A two pound trout was landed this week trolling near the dam. Information: 805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked this week with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:
RIVERSIDE: Lake Hemet.
LOS ANGELES: Jackson Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO: Jenks Lake, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River South Fork.
INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II, Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks), Goodale Creek, Independece Creek, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (below Tinnemaha), Owens River (Section 2), Pine Creek, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek and Tuttle Creek..
MADERA: San Joaquin River Middle Fork, Sotcher Lake, Starkweather Lake, Chiquito Creek (Lower), Manzanita Lake.
MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork, Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Sections 1 and 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake (Lower and Upper Bridgeport), Twin Lakes (Mammoth), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper) and West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).
FRESNO: Dinkey Creek, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam, San Joaquin River ### South Fork (Mono Hot Springs and Jackass Meadow).
KERN: Kern River (Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach and KR No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville).
STANISLAUS: Turlock Reservoir.
TULARE: Balch Park Lake (Upper and Lower), Kern River (Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge and Brush Creek to Fairview Dam), Peppermint Creek, Redwood Lake (Hedrick Pond), Tule River North Fork of Middle Fork (Wishon Campground), Tule River South Fork of Middle Fork (Camp Nelson and Ceder Slopes).
TUOLUMNE: Deadman Creek, Lyons Canal, Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake (Strawberry Lake), Powerhouse Stream, Stanislaus River (Clarks, Middle, North and South forks), Tulloch Lake.
CATFISH PLANTS
No Plants.