spectr17
08-29-2007, 06:11 PM
FISH REPORT -- ONS-matthews-gollaz -- 29aug07
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. If youve been putting off that albacore trip, waiting for the hottest bite of the season, then its time to call and book the trip. Quality fish are stacked up 90 to 110 miles off the coast along a temperature break, and anglers jumping on boats from San Diego to Orange County are getting limits of fish averaging better than 30 pounds each. Its the best action of the season. Go now.
2. Striped bass action is really starting to break wide open at Skinner, Silverwood, Castaic, and Pyramid, but Pyramids bite has been perhaps the most consistent. Limits of fish are not uncommon and there has been more and more surface action in the past week. Top action when the fish arent up has been off the dam, in the channel, and at Yellow Bar in deep water with anchovies. Most fish from two to five pounds, but fish into the eight and nine pound range each week. For at update, call the concession at 661-257-2790.
3. Diamond Valley Lakes trout action has been good again this past week, with a bit of a lull over the weekend. For anglers deep trolling with shad-like lures or drifting live bait in 20 to 40 feet of water near the west dam limits were the rule through Friday. The average fish is in the two-pound range and most anglers have three to four-pound fish in their limits. There are darn few places in the state that can match the day-to-day quality of these fish. For updated fishing information, call the marina at 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410, or go to the Diamond Valley Lake message board section at www.fishingnetwork.net (http://www.fishingnetwork.net/).
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: There is a fair to good bite on holdover fish at Diamond Valley and decent action at Piru. Big Bear is getting more consistent again, but still just a fair 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 Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley Lake, Bridgeports Twin Lakes, and Virginia Lakes are all decent and improving. Lake Isabella and North Fork of the Kern River are very good in the Western Sierra.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Still some 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 very good. Not much change with Diamond Valley, Casitas, and Castaic again sharing the top picks this week, but Piru, Pyramid, Cachuma, Skinner, Perris, and Silverwood are all fair. In San Diego County, Barrett is still pretty much 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 few flurries of big fish action below Willow Beach over the past month, including a few fish over 20 pounds this past week.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are fair to good most places with fish showing in good numbers at Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley. Not many crappie bites worth noting, except for small fish on the Central Coast lakes and Piru Lake. In fact, Piru has been good on two pound fish with some even over that mark.
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: Good catfish action on anchovies and nightcrawlers off the docks, main lake points, at the dam and in Millers Canyon. Fred Robles, Victorville, caught a five-pound catfish on a nightrawler in Outhouse Cove. Good striper action on anchovies in Millers Canyon. Joseph and Paul Vera, Hesperia, caught a stringer of catfish and striper totaling 11-8. Top fish was a four-pound striper. Barry Sims, Barstow, caught a six-pound striper on anchovies near the dam. The bluegill action is fair off the docks and in the coves on meal worms and nightcrawlers. Trout bite slow to fair in the coves on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with a few fish to two pounds. Fair to good largemouth action with fish in the two-pound range, mostly on topwater lures and spinnerbaits. Carp bite slow to fair on corn meal and dough bait. The Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Trout bite still up and down depending on the time of the day. Some limits have still been landed off Gilner Point, the north shore east of the dam, the west ramp, and the observatory on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait in the early mornings and late afternoons. Trollers are also having luck with black or silver 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. Some bullhead biting in the east end of the lake. DFG trout plant last week. 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: Slow to fair trout action even after a DFG trout plant last week. There will also be county plants this Friday and Sept. 21. Crappie fair to good, but most fish are very small. Also some bluegill and the odd catfish in the catch. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The trout bite slowed way down this past week, but some anglers are still posting five-fish stringers that weigh from 10 to 12 pounds. The best bite is still in deep water near the dam with Power Bait and Power Worms the top baits. Alpers trout this week and there was a DFG plant last week. The lake is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: Mostly dry. No DFG trout plants for over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Tough bite on rainbow trout, with only a few fish showing for anglers tubing with small trout plastics. Also some small bass being caught. No recent DFG trout plants. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Fair to 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. Still some decent sturgeon action off the east end and finger jetty on shrimp. There will be 6,000 pounds of cats a week planted through the summer. Night fishing is on Thursday through Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Still very high temperatures, however cooler nighttime temps have kept the morning bite fair. Anglers that fished near the inlet in deep water had the most success. The bite is best before 10 a.m. on Power Bait (yellow and rainbow), nightcrawlers, jigs, lures and Senkos. Hot spots include the western shore of lake 3 from the pump house to the bridge and the grassy points and north shore of lake 2. Gil Rowe, Victorville, caught a five-pound trout. Paul Walker, San Bernardino, caught a 3-14. Neal Griffin, Chino Hills, landed a 3-11 trout on a crappie jig. Fair bass bite on Senkos and topwater in the morning. Bluegill biting off the western shore of lake 3 on meal worms and nightcrawlers. 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: Fair catfish bite 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 to good catfish action with weekly county plants scheduled through the end of August. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Good catfish action, especially during the weekends, on mackerel and shrimp. There is also a good morning bite between and a good bite after 5:30 p.m. in the basin, at playground point, and along the backside of the lake. A local angler and his son landed a stringer of fish weighing 10.2 pounds. Top fish was a 2-8 on mackerel. Bass action good on purple or blood red worms on drop-shot plastics, Texas and Carolina-rigged plastics along the cattails and at the dam. Most of the fish are between one and two pounds with an occasional four to five pounder being landed. Bluegill and carp action remain steady. Last catfish plant is Aug. 30. 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. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair catfish action with the last county plant of the season going in this week. Most of the fish are running two to four pounds and are showing on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. There is also fair 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: Bass anglers are still being challenged. Some have been working off the points with Carolina-rigged worms or have been fishing the steep drop-offs with drop-shot plastics. Others are using swimbaits or shad near the rock quarry, the islands and off the north shore. Steve Dejarnett, Hemet, landed a 5.89-pound bass. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, caught a three-pound bass trolling with a Rapala. Excellent trout action for those that are trolling or drifting along the west dam, near the inlet tower and around restroom 3. Needlefish, TD Minnows and shad Rapalas are best. Tom Keigley, Wildomar, caught a 15.66-pound limit. Top fish was 4.08 pounds. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, landed a 3.4-pound trout. Brooke, A.J., and Cindy Barron, Yorba Linda, caught a 42.4-pound limit of trout drifting nightcrawlers and shad between 20 and 40 feet off the west end of the lake. Sergio Gill, Colton, caught a limit of trout drifting nightcrawlers. Good catfish action near the wave attenuator, in the third cove, and near the rock quarry on anchovies, mackerel and raw shrimp. Fair to good bluegill action near the dams. Fair crappie action near the eucalyptus trees on live worms. Striper action very slow. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com (http://www.dvmarina.com/).
PERRIS: The bluegill are still being landed in large numbers. They are biting crickets and meal worms near the island. Lawrence Conner, Perris, caught a 1-8 bluegill on wax worms. Hanna Matsumoto, 11, Rancho Palos Verdes, caught a one-pound bluegill on meal worms. Fair bass action on Robo worms and plastic worms near the dam and off the docks. Rodney Adel, Perris, caught a nine-pound bass. Fair redear and carp bite on worms and dough. The lake was stocked with 1,500 pounds of catfish two weeks ago. The catfish bite is fair on mackerel. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The monster catfish are out and are taking mackerel. Kenny and Paul Jones, La Habra, caught an 18-10 catfish on mackerel at the buoy line. The pair landed nine fish for a total weight of 59-2. Adam Masi, Menifee, caught a 14-7 on mackerel near Ramp 2. Excellent striper action on jerk and crank baits. Daniel Bornkamp, Riverside, caught an eight-pound striper at the inlet. Also a good largemouth bite in the late afternoons on topwater lures and drop-shot plastics. Most fish are in the three-pound range. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: The bass bite is fair on purple or green plastic worms, white or chartreuse spinnerbaits and vibrating cranks. Some wipers have been in the mix. Carp and catfish bites remain fair to good. 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: The catfish bite has been very good, while tilapia and bluegill are fair. The catfish bite continues to be best at night or in deeper water from boats during the day. The top baits have been mackerel with garlic Gravy and Redneck Daves Catfish Bait. The best spot continues to be the south end. Johnathon Carlisle, Riverside, caught the top catfish this week at 8-0 to top a six fish stringer totaling 16-8. David Diller and Bob Cenny, both of Hawthorne, had the top stringer this week at 31-0 with fish to 4-0. Leroy Chacon and Robin McKiry, both of Riverside, caught 10 catfish totaling 30-0 with fish to 4-0. Steven Darons, Riverside, caught three catfish totaling 10-8 on mackerel. Bill Sayer, Bell Gardens, caught five catfish totaling 14-0 on Redneck Daves Catfish Bait. The tilapia bite also remains fair to good. Nightcrawlers fished in the shallow water has been the best bet for these fish, and some bluegill are also showing for anglers fishing the tilapia. 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. Some carp action near the Paddle Boathouse off the east end on corn or dough bait. Bluegill are plentiful on meal worms in the shady spots, but you have to find a school of fish.
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 mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Anything dipped in stink makes it better. Double stockings went in the past two weeks and again this week for Labor Day. 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. The lake will be open on Labor Day. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair trout action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Most trout were in the one-pound range this past week. DFG trout plant last week. Also a decent carp and bluegill bite on dough and wax worms. 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: Another week of good fishing for catfish, with some crappie and bass starting to show as well. The lakes will be heavily stocked for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, and night fishing will be available Thursday through Sunday. The catfish hot spots this past week were the Catfish Lake, the boat dock, and the pump house. The best baits have been mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, nightcrawlers, and shrimp. Anglers fishing from boats are still having the best success during the day, especially in the deeper water. Anglers fishing from shore have been having the best success at night. Kelvin Jamison, Long Beach, caught the top catfish this week, a 6-8 to top a seven-fish stringer totaling 28 pounds. C.A. Nunerley, Semi Valley, caught 13 catfish totaling 31 pounds on mackerel at La Palma Point. Gilbert Ahumada, Bellflower, caught three catfish totaling 10-8 (with all the fish right at 3-8) on mackerel. Michelle Dizon, Chatsworth, caught two catfish totaling 5-8 on the M&M combo. Mario Davila, Fullerton, landed a mix of catfish and crappie totaling 8-8 on nightcrawlers at the dock. 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: Good catfish action at the flats and near the docks on Catmando Bait, Bowkers, mackerel, catfish dough and shrimp. Plenty of channel cats in the two to eight-pound range, and blues in the 10 to 20-pound range. Ronson Catmando Smothers, Los Angeles, landed a 19-pound catfish on Catmando Bait off the west shore. Fred Ballestrero, Hawthorne, caught an 18.8-pound catfish on mackerel. Kyle Walker, Los Angeles, caught 18.12, 14.2 and 11.2-pound catfish on mackerel. Bass anglers are bringing in two to three pounders on topwater and plastics along the Red Clay Cliffs. Fair bluegill and redear action on wax and meal worms. Upcoming events: Labor Day Catfish Derby Sept. 1-3. $10 entry fee. Grand prize is $875. Derby and lake information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Fair bass action with fish in the one to four-pound range. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms, or various jerkbaits and crankbaits are best. Catfish bite fair to good on mackerel, shrimp, chicken liver and nightcrawlers dipped in garlic sauce. A nine-pound catfish was landed this week. 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 fair by the dam on nightcrawlers, 40 to 50 feet down. The bite is best in the early morning and in the evenings. Trollers are having luck with pearl-bikini Needlefish, shad Rapalas, Power Bait (yellow and rainbow) and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass action, only a few sparks of action on jigs and plastics in Cachuma 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: The bass are biting in the shallows on surface lures, drop-shot plastics and nightcrawlers. The early mornings and late evenings are best. Jason Wendell, Casitas Springs, caught a 9-8 bass on swimbaits. Brad Curnel, Simi Valley, caught an 8-12 bass on a plastic worm. David Regan, Oxnard, landed an 8-5 bass on plastic worms. Eric Johnson, Oxnard, caught an eight-pound bass on a plastic frog. Jesse Dealba, Oak View, landed eight and seven-pound bass on plastic worms. Good catfish action on nightcrawlers and chunks of mackerel. Trout fair trolling with Neddlefish 40 to 80 feet deep. Bluegill and redear fair up shallow on pieces of nightcrawlers and red worms. Fish in the one to two pound range. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The striper action is still hot. The bite is beset near the dam and off the west ramp and buoy line on anchovies or sardines. Most of the fish are from three to five pounds. The fish are deep, 85 to 100 feet. Largemouth bass action good on four-inch plastics, worms and dropshot. The catfish are showing in the backs of coves on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers with fish in the two to three pound range. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Good crappie action in 10 to 20 feet on mini jigs and white jigs. Most fish are under a pound, with a few over. A local angler landed a stringer of crappie. Top fish was one pound. Bass action good on nightcrawlers, Power Bait and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Trout action fair for trollers using Kastmasters, Rapalas or Needlefish deep, 60 to 80 feet. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: The striper action is very hot on sardines and anchovies. Not too many big fish, but quite a few in the five to seven-pound range have been landed. A few in the seven to 10-pound range were landed by local anglers. 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. The bite is off and on. 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 just fair off the east shore on drop shot plastics. The fish are deep. Bluegill and redear fair on meal and wax 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 DFG catfish plants in over two months. The top baits are mackerel, shrimp, and chicken liver. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No plants in over a month.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No plants in over a month.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No plants in over a month. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No plants in over a month. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
LEGG LAKE: No plants in over a month.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No plants in over a month.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Good bass action. Fair bluegill bite. There were 150 anglers who reported 1,842 largemouth bass, 68 bluegill, 10 crappie and four smallmouth bass. The lake is open for fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. September reservations are on sale 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 crappie action. There were 249 anglers who reported 103 bass, 75 crappie, 20 bluegill and 16 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 a fair channel catfish and crappie bite. This past week there were 205 anglers who reported catching 332 bass, 39 channel catfish, 37 crappie and 11 blue catfish. The north end is still the hot spot. 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 and bass bite. Everything else slow. This week 182 anglers reported catching 140 bluegill, 95 bass, 15 channel catfish, two redear and one crappie. Best action near the buoy line and in Otay Arm. Lance Dixon, San Diego, caught a 17.6-pound channel catfish on mackerel. Paul Leader, Jamul, caught a 7.05-pound largemouth bass on dropshot. Cameron Rodriguez, Chula Vista, caught a 6.45-pound largemouth on a shiner. 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 25 anglers who reported 19 bass in a fair 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: Fair to good bass and bluegill action. There were 139 anglers who reported 332 bass, 190 bluegill, 16 channel catfish, seven crappie and five green sunfish. 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: Action slowed over last week. Bass bite fair. This week there were 89 anglers who reported 46 bass and two bluegill. 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: Slow action. This past week there were 47 anglers who reported 16 channel catfish, six bass and four 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: Bass bite fair. There were 80 anglers who reported 129 bass, 28 bluegill, 23 channel catfish and three carp. 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: Good bass action in the shallows and near the bank in the early morning on shad, shad-replica lures, Senkos or swimbaits. Charlie Lott, Oceanside, caught a 5-4 bass on an Excalibur shad. Fair to good catfish action on chicken liver, mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. No more catfish plants will go in this season. Starting Sept. 10 the lake will be closed on weekdays and open only on Saturday and Sunday. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com (http://www.wohlfordlake.com/).
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: A fair bass bite in the early morning on topwater. The daytime bass action is best along the shoreline. Justin Fools, Escondido, caught an 11-pound largemouth in Jack Creek Cove on a plastic worm. Catfish bite good at night on mackerel and nightcrawlers. The last catfish plant of the season, 2,000 pounds, went in this week. Nightfishing will remain through the summer on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 11:45 p.m. Boat rentals 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: The last catfish plant of the season, 900 pounds went in this week. Good action on mackerel at the Log Boom. Daniel Duran, Pacific Beach, caught an 8.6-pound channel catfish. Jimmy Hong, Mira Mesa, landed an eight-pound channel catfish. Fair bass action on swimbaits and plastics. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. The last night of nightfishing will be Sept. 8. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Georgia Bynum, Alpine, caught a 21-pound blue catfish on mackerel. The blue and channel catfish bites are good on mackerel and nightcrawlers in Shadow and Half Moon Coves and near the buoy lines. James Shaffer, Santee, caught an 8-8 channel catfish off the boat docks. Boat anglers are having success as well. Last catfish plant, 1,000 pounds, went in two weeks ago. The lake is open on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org (http://www.lakejennings.org/).
MORENA: Not too much bass action. Only a few have been landed in the mornings on topwater. Crankbaits are best later in the day. The bluegill and crappie bites are fair. Crappie best on jigs and crankbaits. Try pieces of nightcrawlers in the stick-ups for the bluegill. The catfish action is fair to good on mackerel or chicken livers in the afternoons. 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: Some good channel catfish action on mackerel and nightcrawlers at the finger jetty and near the buoy line. 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 and Rapalas. 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: Good catfish bite on nightcrawlers, chicken livers and shrimp with fish to six pounds reported. Bass fishing remains fair on jigs and topwater with bass up to three pounds reported. Night fishing will continue through Sept. 8. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: The striper bite has been fair and consistent in Government Wash, near Sand Island, in Williams Cove and Echo Bay and off Stewarts Point. Topwater lures are best first thing in the morning. Try jigs when the fish are deep in the main channel. Most stripers have been in the two to 2 =-pound range. No big catches reported. Bluegill are biting in the backs of coves in the early morning. Largemouth action hit-and-miss with some topwater action. Catfish are biting anchovies all day.
WILLOW BEACH: Spotty striper action, but a number of fish over 18 pounds reported. The stripers are biting trout-like swimbaits and A.C. Plugs. Frank Easter, Boulder City, landed 28-8 and 18.2-pound stripers at mile marker 51 and 29 on A.C. Plugs. Allan Cole, Boulder City, landed a 26.3-pound striper on an AC Casitas. Eric Corderman, Boulder City, caught a 25 1/4-pound striper on an A.C. Plug. Fair catfish action on nightcrawlers, mackerel, chicken liver and shrimp. James King, Las Vegas, caught an 18-pound catfish off Willow Beach. Some nice rainbows have still been landed on Power Bait, worms and spinners. Mike Tucker, Las Vegas, landed a four pounder on a Roostertail. Trout plant every Friday. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Still a slow striper bite. 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. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Good striper bite in the Needles area and near Harrahs Casino on anchovies. A 19-pound striper was landed near Harrahs Casino, and a 16-pounder in the Needles area. Fair rainbow trout bite on worms and topwater. No more trout plants until fall. A fair bite on smallmouths at Davis Camp and Topock George.
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: Excellent catfish bite in the cattails on mackerel, anchovies, shrimp or worms in the early morning or night. Fair bass bite in the early morning and evenings on topwater lures in the cattails and out in the wood. 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, anchovies three to five-inch topwater Rovers and Sammys. Fish are from one to three pounds. Lots of stripers have also been landed on anchovies and jigs. Trolling Rat-L-Traps is a good bet in the mornings. 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 three weeks. The flatheads are biting goldfish and bluegill all along the lower river. Pretty good topwater bite on bass, too. Information: Junes Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Decent flathead action. The fish are in the 15 to 25-pound range. The channel catfish bite is good, too, on mackerel and anchovies. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are also good in the afternoons on plastics. Lots of fish to 3-0 reported. Bluegill are fair to good in the backwaters on worms. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Good flathead action 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. Cibola Lake has a good flathead bite on bluegill and goldfish and blue catfish are showing 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. 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: No 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. Several flatheads in the 15 to 20 pound range.
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 reports.
WEIST LAKE: No reports.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No reports. 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 big rainbows and browns are chasing perch fry along the weed lines in Bridgeport Reservoir. The fish are also in eight feet off the marina and near the outlet. Fly anglers are using damsel nymph patterns or brown or olive Wooly Buggers. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes trout fair on nightcrawlers. The levels are perfect on the West Walker River and the bite is decent. The West Walker River was planted this week with trophy-sized fish in the five-pound range. The East Walker River is fishing poorly due to high water temps and low flows. Caddis and midges hatching early. Caddis hatching again in the afternoon until dark. Both Virginia and Lundy Lakes have fair action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Virginia and Lundy were planted by the DFG this week. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: With the weather consistent, the action has been good. The entire loopJune, Silver, Grant and Gull lake, as well as Rush Creek, were planted with trout by the DFG. Alpers were planted at Gull. The waters are warm this time of year, but Grant and Silver have some cold spots that are fishing the best. Try Silver in the evening 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, olive or brown Wooly Buggers, Pheasant Tails or a Mohair Leech will do the trick at any of the four lakes. Trollers have had success with Tasmanian Devils or Needlefish. Information: Ernie's Fishing Tackle 760-648-7756 or June Lake Marina 760-648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: Still some good action at Crowley Lake with a number of fish from 12 to 14 inches. Some bigger fish are showing with a few up into the six-pound range. The bigger fish are along the north end of McGee Bay on the perch fry. Best action for the small ones is off the north end by Green Banks and in the old stream channel. At Convict Lake, the action is good at the jetty for trollers using Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. Joe Albino, Lakewood, caught a 5-4 on a nightcrawler in the inlet. Luis Garcia, La Puente, landed a 2-2 on yellow Power Bait. Caddisfly patterns are still the hot ticket at Hot Creek. Try drifting caddis very close to the banks when the winds are going. Unstable weather and the full moon have made the bite unpredictable. The fishing is still decent above and below the Benton Crossing Bridge. In the Mammoth Lakes, there were 600 pounds of trophy rainbow trout from three to 10 pounds planted last Friday. The lakes were also planted with browns last week. Fly fishing is the best bet with Matukas, Hornburgs, Pheasant Tails or Hares ears. 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. Good fishing in the Dingleberry Inlet on worms or eggs and at the rock pile on Power Bait. Trollers are using frog pattern lures or flashers and a worm. The lake was stocked with pan-sized fish by the DFG last week. A local angler landed a two-pound brown on a Royal Coachman fly. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been good with a good number of limits of rainbows. Most fish to two pounds. The lower Owens improved to fair and the flows have lowered to 454 cfs. Midge and caddis patterns are best. 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: 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
LAKE ISABELLA: Isabella is still the place to fish in the Western Sierra. There is a very hot crappie bite on minnows. Ku Zelle Car, Bakersfield, caught a stringer of one-pound crappie on minnows. The catfish are everywhere and are taking mackerel and shad. 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. Bluegill bite good on wax worms. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Flows in the lower river are very low, and fishing can require some patience. The flows are low in the upper river as well, and the bite is good on Salmon eggs and crickets. The bass are biting crickets and spinners. All of the higher elevation streams have 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 of the Kern were planted last week. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com (http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/), or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Slow catfish bite. Try mackerel. Still a good striper bite on lug worms and blood worms. Fish in the three to five pound range. Swimbaits also being thrown and enticing a few fish.
HART PARK LAKE: Carp bite good on dough or corn meal. Fair 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: Good carp action on dough and corn meal. Good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Decent bass bite, but still a slow trout bite.
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. The bluegill bite is good on wax and meal worms.
WOLLOMES LAKE: The bluegill action is fair on wax and meal worms. Also a fair catfish bite on mackerel.
SUCCESS LAKE: Very slow action. Very few people fishing. The water levels are very low, but you still can access the lake on a boat. Only a few bass and bluegill. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Decent bass action on plastics, jigs and nightcrawlers. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good smallmouth bass action on plastics in 15 to 20 feet. Huddlebugs are working with fish in the two-pound range. Largemouth action fair, especially around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons and plastic worms. Fair catfish action on anchovies. Fair to good striper action on drifting anchovies around the docks. 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. Try brush hogs. 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. Fair trout action on Power Bait and plastics. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com (http://www.nacimientoresort.com/).
LOPEZ: Still a very good crappie bite on crappie and mini jigs in 10 to 20 feet. The action is best across from the marina and near the boat house. Good bluegill and redear action on meal and wax worms. Largemouth and smallmouth bass action good on swimbaits. Catfish bite off and on. Try anchovies and shrimp. No trout action reported. 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:
LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek.
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 & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, 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, Tuttle Creek.
MADERA: San Joaquin River Middle Fork, Sotcher Lake, Starkweather 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: Courtright Reservoir, 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 (K.R. No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville).
MERCED: Yosemite Lake.
TULARE: Kern River (Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge and Brush Creek to Fairview Dam), Peppermint Creek, Tule River North Fork of Middle Fork (Wishon Campground), Tule River South Fork of Middle Fork (Camp Nelson and Ceder Slopes).
TUOLUMNE: Lyons Canal, Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake (Strawberry Lake), Powerhouse Stream, Stanislaus River (Clarks, Middle, and South forks).
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. If youve been putting off that albacore trip, waiting for the hottest bite of the season, then its time to call and book the trip. Quality fish are stacked up 90 to 110 miles off the coast along a temperature break, and anglers jumping on boats from San Diego to Orange County are getting limits of fish averaging better than 30 pounds each. Its the best action of the season. Go now.
2. Striped bass action is really starting to break wide open at Skinner, Silverwood, Castaic, and Pyramid, but Pyramids bite has been perhaps the most consistent. Limits of fish are not uncommon and there has been more and more surface action in the past week. Top action when the fish arent up has been off the dam, in the channel, and at Yellow Bar in deep water with anchovies. Most fish from two to five pounds, but fish into the eight and nine pound range each week. For at update, call the concession at 661-257-2790.
3. Diamond Valley Lakes trout action has been good again this past week, with a bit of a lull over the weekend. For anglers deep trolling with shad-like lures or drifting live bait in 20 to 40 feet of water near the west dam limits were the rule through Friday. The average fish is in the two-pound range and most anglers have three to four-pound fish in their limits. There are darn few places in the state that can match the day-to-day quality of these fish. For updated fishing information, call the marina at 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410, or go to the Diamond Valley Lake message board section at www.fishingnetwork.net (http://www.fishingnetwork.net/).
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: There is a fair to good bite on holdover fish at Diamond Valley and decent action at Piru. Big Bear is getting more consistent again, but still just a fair 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 Bridgeport Reservoir, Crowley Lake, Bridgeports Twin Lakes, and Virginia Lakes are all decent and improving. Lake Isabella and North Fork of the Kern River are very good in the Western Sierra.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Still some 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 very good. Not much change with Diamond Valley, Casitas, and Castaic again sharing the top picks this week, but Piru, Pyramid, Cachuma, Skinner, Perris, and Silverwood are all fair. In San Diego County, Barrett is still pretty much 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 few flurries of big fish action below Willow Beach over the past month, including a few fish over 20 pounds this past week.
PANFISH: The bluegill and redear bites are fair to good most places with fish showing in good numbers at Perris, Skinner, and Diamond Valley. Not many crappie bites worth noting, except for small fish on the Central Coast lakes and Piru Lake. In fact, Piru has been good on two pound fish with some even over that mark.
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: Good catfish action on anchovies and nightcrawlers off the docks, main lake points, at the dam and in Millers Canyon. Fred Robles, Victorville, caught a five-pound catfish on a nightrawler in Outhouse Cove. Good striper action on anchovies in Millers Canyon. Joseph and Paul Vera, Hesperia, caught a stringer of catfish and striper totaling 11-8. Top fish was a four-pound striper. Barry Sims, Barstow, caught a six-pound striper on anchovies near the dam. The bluegill action is fair off the docks and in the coves on meal worms and nightcrawlers. Trout bite slow to fair in the coves on Power Bait and nightcrawlers with a few fish to two pounds. Fair to good largemouth action with fish in the two-pound range, mostly on topwater lures and spinnerbaits. Carp bite slow to fair on corn meal and dough bait. The Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Trout bite still up and down depending on the time of the day. Some limits have still been landed off Gilner Point, the north shore east of the dam, the west ramp, and the observatory on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait in the early mornings and late afternoons. Trollers are also having luck with black or silver 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. Some bullhead biting in the east end of the lake. DFG trout plant last week. 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: Slow to fair trout action even after a DFG trout plant last week. There will also be county plants this Friday and Sept. 21. Crappie fair to good, but most fish are very small. Also some bluegill and the odd catfish in the catch. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The trout bite slowed way down this past week, but some anglers are still posting five-fish stringers that weigh from 10 to 12 pounds. The best bite is still in deep water near the dam with Power Bait and Power Worms the top baits. Alpers trout this week and there was a DFG plant last week. The lake is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: Mostly dry. No DFG trout plants for over a month.
JENKS LAKE: Tough bite on rainbow trout, with only a few fish showing for anglers tubing with small trout plastics. Also some small bass being caught. No recent DFG trout plants. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Fair to 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. Still some decent sturgeon action off the east end and finger jetty on shrimp. There will be 6,000 pounds of cats a week planted through the summer. Night fishing is on Thursday through Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Still very high temperatures, however cooler nighttime temps have kept the morning bite fair. Anglers that fished near the inlet in deep water had the most success. The bite is best before 10 a.m. on Power Bait (yellow and rainbow), nightcrawlers, jigs, lures and Senkos. Hot spots include the western shore of lake 3 from the pump house to the bridge and the grassy points and north shore of lake 2. Gil Rowe, Victorville, caught a five-pound trout. Paul Walker, San Bernardino, caught a 3-14. Neal Griffin, Chino Hills, landed a 3-11 trout on a crappie jig. Fair bass bite on Senkos and topwater in the morning. Bluegill biting off the western shore of lake 3 on meal worms and nightcrawlers. 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: Fair catfish bite 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 to good catfish action with weekly county plants scheduled through the end of August. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Good catfish action, especially during the weekends, on mackerel and shrimp. There is also a good morning bite between and a good bite after 5:30 p.m. in the basin, at playground point, and along the backside of the lake. A local angler and his son landed a stringer of fish weighing 10.2 pounds. Top fish was a 2-8 on mackerel. Bass action good on purple or blood red worms on drop-shot plastics, Texas and Carolina-rigged plastics along the cattails and at the dam. Most of the fish are between one and two pounds with an occasional four to five pounder being landed. Bluegill and carp action remain steady. Last catfish plant is Aug. 30. 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. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Fair catfish action with the last county plant of the season going in this week. Most of the fish are running two to four pounds and are showing on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. There is also fair 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: Bass anglers are still being challenged. Some have been working off the points with Carolina-rigged worms or have been fishing the steep drop-offs with drop-shot plastics. Others are using swimbaits or shad near the rock quarry, the islands and off the north shore. Steve Dejarnett, Hemet, landed a 5.89-pound bass. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, caught a three-pound bass trolling with a Rapala. Excellent trout action for those that are trolling or drifting along the west dam, near the inlet tower and around restroom 3. Needlefish, TD Minnows and shad Rapalas are best. Tom Keigley, Wildomar, caught a 15.66-pound limit. Top fish was 4.08 pounds. Jesse Dinkins, Hemet, landed a 3.4-pound trout. Brooke, A.J., and Cindy Barron, Yorba Linda, caught a 42.4-pound limit of trout drifting nightcrawlers and shad between 20 and 40 feet off the west end of the lake. Sergio Gill, Colton, caught a limit of trout drifting nightcrawlers. Good catfish action near the wave attenuator, in the third cove, and near the rock quarry on anchovies, mackerel and raw shrimp. Fair to good bluegill action near the dams. Fair crappie action near the eucalyptus trees on live worms. Striper action very slow. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com (http://www.dvmarina.com/).
PERRIS: The bluegill are still being landed in large numbers. They are biting crickets and meal worms near the island. Lawrence Conner, Perris, caught a 1-8 bluegill on wax worms. Hanna Matsumoto, 11, Rancho Palos Verdes, caught a one-pound bluegill on meal worms. Fair bass action on Robo worms and plastic worms near the dam and off the docks. Rodney Adel, Perris, caught a nine-pound bass. Fair redear and carp bite on worms and dough. The lake was stocked with 1,500 pounds of catfish two weeks ago. The catfish bite is fair on mackerel. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: The monster catfish are out and are taking mackerel. Kenny and Paul Jones, La Habra, caught an 18-10 catfish on mackerel at the buoy line. The pair landed nine fish for a total weight of 59-2. Adam Masi, Menifee, caught a 14-7 on mackerel near Ramp 2. Excellent striper action on jerk and crank baits. Daniel Bornkamp, Riverside, caught an eight-pound striper at the inlet. Also a good largemouth bite in the late afternoons on topwater lures and drop-shot plastics. Most fish are in the three-pound range. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: The bass bite is fair on purple or green plastic worms, white or chartreuse spinnerbaits and vibrating cranks. Some wipers have been in the mix. Carp and catfish bites remain fair to good. 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: The catfish bite has been very good, while tilapia and bluegill are fair. The catfish bite continues to be best at night or in deeper water from boats during the day. The top baits have been mackerel with garlic Gravy and Redneck Daves Catfish Bait. The best spot continues to be the south end. Johnathon Carlisle, Riverside, caught the top catfish this week at 8-0 to top a six fish stringer totaling 16-8. David Diller and Bob Cenny, both of Hawthorne, had the top stringer this week at 31-0 with fish to 4-0. Leroy Chacon and Robin McKiry, both of Riverside, caught 10 catfish totaling 30-0 with fish to 4-0. Steven Darons, Riverside, caught three catfish totaling 10-8 on mackerel. Bill Sayer, Bell Gardens, caught five catfish totaling 14-0 on Redneck Daves Catfish Bait. The tilapia bite also remains fair to good. Nightcrawlers fished in the shallow water has been the best bet for these fish, and some bluegill are also showing for anglers fishing the tilapia. 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. Some carp action near the Paddle Boathouse off the east end on corn or dough bait. Bluegill are plentiful on meal worms in the shady spots, but you have to find a school of fish.
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 mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Anything dipped in stink makes it better. Double stockings went in the past two weeks and again this week for Labor Day. 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. The lake will be open on Labor Day. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Fair trout action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Most trout were in the one-pound range this past week. DFG trout plant last week. Also a decent carp and bluegill bite on dough and wax worms. 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: Another week of good fishing for catfish, with some crappie and bass starting to show as well. The lakes will be heavily stocked for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, and night fishing will be available Thursday through Sunday. The catfish hot spots this past week were the Catfish Lake, the boat dock, and the pump house. The best baits have been mackerel, the M&M (marshmallow and mealworm) combo, nightcrawlers, and shrimp. Anglers fishing from boats are still having the best success during the day, especially in the deeper water. Anglers fishing from shore have been having the best success at night. Kelvin Jamison, Long Beach, caught the top catfish this week, a 6-8 to top a seven-fish stringer totaling 28 pounds. C.A. Nunerley, Semi Valley, caught 13 catfish totaling 31 pounds on mackerel at La Palma Point. Gilbert Ahumada, Bellflower, caught three catfish totaling 10-8 (with all the fish right at 3-8) on mackerel. Michelle Dizon, Chatsworth, caught two catfish totaling 5-8 on the M&M combo. Mario Davila, Fullerton, landed a mix of catfish and crappie totaling 8-8 on nightcrawlers at the dock. 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: Good catfish action at the flats and near the docks on Catmando Bait, Bowkers, mackerel, catfish dough and shrimp. Plenty of channel cats in the two to eight-pound range, and blues in the 10 to 20-pound range. Ronson Catmando Smothers, Los Angeles, landed a 19-pound catfish on Catmando Bait off the west shore. Fred Ballestrero, Hawthorne, caught an 18.8-pound catfish on mackerel. Kyle Walker, Los Angeles, caught 18.12, 14.2 and 11.2-pound catfish on mackerel. Bass anglers are bringing in two to three pounders on topwater and plastics along the Red Clay Cliffs. Fair bluegill and redear action on wax and meal worms. Upcoming events: Labor Day Catfish Derby Sept. 1-3. $10 entry fee. Grand prize is $875. Derby and lake information: 714-649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Fair bass action with fish in the one to four-pound range. Drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms, or various jerkbaits and crankbaits are best. Catfish bite fair to good on mackerel, shrimp, chicken liver and nightcrawlers dipped in garlic sauce. A nine-pound catfish was landed this week. 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 fair by the dam on nightcrawlers, 40 to 50 feet down. The bite is best in the early morning and in the evenings. Trollers are having luck with pearl-bikini Needlefish, shad Rapalas, Power Bait (yellow and rainbow) and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass action, only a few sparks of action on jigs and plastics in Cachuma 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: The bass are biting in the shallows on surface lures, drop-shot plastics and nightcrawlers. The early mornings and late evenings are best. Jason Wendell, Casitas Springs, caught a 9-8 bass on swimbaits. Brad Curnel, Simi Valley, caught an 8-12 bass on a plastic worm. David Regan, Oxnard, landed an 8-5 bass on plastic worms. Eric Johnson, Oxnard, caught an eight-pound bass on a plastic frog. Jesse Dealba, Oak View, landed eight and seven-pound bass on plastic worms. Good catfish action on nightcrawlers and chunks of mackerel. Trout fair trolling with Neddlefish 40 to 80 feet deep. Bluegill and redear fair up shallow on pieces of nightcrawlers and red worms. Fish in the one to two pound range. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: The striper action is still hot. The bite is beset near the dam and off the west ramp and buoy line on anchovies or sardines. Most of the fish are from three to five pounds. The fish are deep, 85 to 100 feet. Largemouth bass action good on four-inch plastics, worms and dropshot. The catfish are showing in the backs of coves on mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers with fish in the two to three pound range. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Good crappie action in 10 to 20 feet on mini jigs and white jigs. Most fish are under a pound, with a few over. A local angler landed a stringer of crappie. Top fish was one pound. Bass action good on nightcrawlers, Power Bait and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Trout action fair for trollers using Kastmasters, Rapalas or Needlefish deep, 60 to 80 feet. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: The striper action is very hot on sardines and anchovies. Not too many big fish, but quite a few in the five to seven-pound range have been landed. A few in the seven to 10-pound range were landed by local anglers. 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. The bite is off and on. 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 just fair off the east shore on drop shot plastics. The fish are deep. Bluegill and redear fair on meal and wax 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 DFG catfish plants in over two months. The top baits are mackerel, shrimp, and chicken liver. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: No plants in over a month.
ECHO PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
ELIZABETH LAKE: No plants in over a month.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: No plants in over a month. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: No plants in over a month. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
LEGG LAKE: No plants in over a month.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No plants in over a month.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: No plants in over a month. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Good bass action. Fair bluegill bite. There were 150 anglers who reported 1,842 largemouth bass, 68 bluegill, 10 crappie and four smallmouth bass. The lake is open for fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. September reservations are on sale 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 crappie action. There were 249 anglers who reported 103 bass, 75 crappie, 20 bluegill and 16 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 a fair channel catfish and crappie bite. This past week there were 205 anglers who reported catching 332 bass, 39 channel catfish, 37 crappie and 11 blue catfish. The north end is still the hot spot. 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 and bass bite. Everything else slow. This week 182 anglers reported catching 140 bluegill, 95 bass, 15 channel catfish, two redear and one crappie. Best action near the buoy line and in Otay Arm. Lance Dixon, San Diego, caught a 17.6-pound channel catfish on mackerel. Paul Leader, Jamul, caught a 7.05-pound largemouth bass on dropshot. Cameron Rodriguez, Chula Vista, caught a 6.45-pound largemouth on a shiner. 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 25 anglers who reported 19 bass in a fair 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: Fair to good bass and bluegill action. There were 139 anglers who reported 332 bass, 190 bluegill, 16 channel catfish, seven crappie and five green sunfish. 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: Action slowed over last week. Bass bite fair. This week there were 89 anglers who reported 46 bass and two bluegill. 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: Slow action. This past week there were 47 anglers who reported 16 channel catfish, six bass and four 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: Bass bite fair. There were 80 anglers who reported 129 bass, 28 bluegill, 23 channel catfish and three carp. 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: Good bass action in the shallows and near the bank in the early morning on shad, shad-replica lures, Senkos or swimbaits. Charlie Lott, Oceanside, caught a 5-4 bass on an Excalibur shad. Fair to good catfish action on chicken liver, mackerel, shrimp and nightcrawlers. No more catfish plants will go in this season. Starting Sept. 10 the lake will be closed on weekdays and open only on Saturday and Sunday. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com (http://www.wohlfordlake.com/).
DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.
DIXON: A fair bass bite in the early morning on topwater. The daytime bass action is best along the shoreline. Justin Fools, Escondido, caught an 11-pound largemouth in Jack Creek Cove on a plastic worm. Catfish bite good at night on mackerel and nightcrawlers. The last catfish plant of the season, 2,000 pounds, went in this week. Nightfishing will remain through the summer on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 11:45 p.m. Boat rentals 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: The last catfish plant of the season, 900 pounds went in this week. Good action on mackerel at the Log Boom. Daniel Duran, Pacific Beach, caught an 8.6-pound channel catfish. Jimmy Hong, Mira Mesa, landed an eight-pound channel catfish. Fair bass action on swimbaits and plastics. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. The last night of nightfishing will be Sept. 8. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Georgia Bynum, Alpine, caught a 21-pound blue catfish on mackerel. The blue and channel catfish bites are good on mackerel and nightcrawlers in Shadow and Half Moon Coves and near the buoy lines. James Shaffer, Santee, caught an 8-8 channel catfish off the boat docks. Boat anglers are having success as well. Last catfish plant, 1,000 pounds, went in two weeks ago. The lake is open on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org (http://www.lakejennings.org/).
MORENA: Not too much bass action. Only a few have been landed in the mornings on topwater. Crankbaits are best later in the day. The bluegill and crappie bites are fair. Crappie best on jigs and crankbaits. Try pieces of nightcrawlers in the stick-ups for the bluegill. The catfish action is fair to good on mackerel or chicken livers in the afternoons. 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: Some good channel catfish action on mackerel and nightcrawlers at the finger jetty and near the buoy line. 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 and Rapalas. 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: Good catfish bite on nightcrawlers, chicken livers and shrimp with fish to six pounds reported. Bass fishing remains fair on jigs and topwater with bass up to three pounds reported. Night fishing will continue through Sept. 8. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: The striper bite has been fair and consistent in Government Wash, near Sand Island, in Williams Cove and Echo Bay and off Stewarts Point. Topwater lures are best first thing in the morning. Try jigs when the fish are deep in the main channel. Most stripers have been in the two to 2 =-pound range. No big catches reported. Bluegill are biting in the backs of coves in the early morning. Largemouth action hit-and-miss with some topwater action. Catfish are biting anchovies all day.
WILLOW BEACH: Spotty striper action, but a number of fish over 18 pounds reported. The stripers are biting trout-like swimbaits and A.C. Plugs. Frank Easter, Boulder City, landed 28-8 and 18.2-pound stripers at mile marker 51 and 29 on A.C. Plugs. Allan Cole, Boulder City, landed a 26.3-pound striper on an AC Casitas. Eric Corderman, Boulder City, caught a 25 1/4-pound striper on an A.C. Plug. Fair catfish action on nightcrawlers, mackerel, chicken liver and shrimp. James King, Las Vegas, caught an 18-pound catfish off Willow Beach. Some nice rainbows have still been landed on Power Bait, worms and spinners. Mike Tucker, Las Vegas, landed a four pounder on a Roostertail. Trout plant every Friday. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Still a slow striper bite. 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. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Good striper bite in the Needles area and near Harrahs Casino on anchovies. A 19-pound striper was landed near Harrahs Casino, and a 16-pounder in the Needles area. Fair rainbow trout bite on worms and topwater. No more trout plants until fall. A fair bite on smallmouths at Davis Camp and Topock George.
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: Excellent catfish bite in the cattails on mackerel, anchovies, shrimp or worms in the early morning or night. Fair bass bite in the early morning and evenings on topwater lures in the cattails and out in the wood. 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, anchovies three to five-inch topwater Rovers and Sammys. Fish are from one to three pounds. Lots of stripers have also been landed on anchovies and jigs. Trolling Rat-L-Traps is a good bet in the mornings. 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 three weeks. The flatheads are biting goldfish and bluegill all along the lower river. Pretty good topwater bite on bass, too. Information: Junes Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Decent flathead action. The fish are in the 15 to 25-pound range. The channel catfish bite is good, too, on mackerel and anchovies. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are also good in the afternoons on plastics. Lots of fish to 3-0 reported. Bluegill are fair to good in the backwaters on worms. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Good flathead action 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. Cibola Lake has a good flathead bite on bluegill and goldfish and blue catfish are showing 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. 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: No 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. Several flatheads in the 15 to 20 pound range.
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 reports.
WEIST LAKE: No reports.
SUNBEAM LAKE: No reports. 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 big rainbows and browns are chasing perch fry along the weed lines in Bridgeport Reservoir. The fish are also in eight feet off the marina and near the outlet. Fly anglers are using damsel nymph patterns or brown or olive Wooly Buggers. Upper and Lower Twin Lakes trout fair on nightcrawlers. The levels are perfect on the West Walker River and the bite is decent. The West Walker River was planted this week with trophy-sized fish in the five-pound range. The East Walker River is fishing poorly due to high water temps and low flows. Caddis and midges hatching early. Caddis hatching again in the afternoon until dark. Both Virginia and Lundy Lakes have fair action on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Virginia and Lundy were planted by the DFG this week. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: With the weather consistent, the action has been good. The entire loopJune, Silver, Grant and Gull lake, as well as Rush Creek, were planted with trout by the DFG. Alpers were planted at Gull. The waters are warm this time of year, but Grant and Silver have some cold spots that are fishing the best. Try Silver in the evening 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, olive or brown Wooly Buggers, Pheasant Tails or a Mohair Leech will do the trick at any of the four lakes. Trollers have had success with Tasmanian Devils or Needlefish. Information: Ernie's Fishing Tackle 760-648-7756 or June Lake Marina 760-648-7726.
MAMMOTH AREA: Still some good action at Crowley Lake with a number of fish from 12 to 14 inches. Some bigger fish are showing with a few up into the six-pound range. The bigger fish are along the north end of McGee Bay on the perch fry. Best action for the small ones is off the north end by Green Banks and in the old stream channel. At Convict Lake, the action is good at the jetty for trollers using Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters. Joe Albino, Lakewood, caught a 5-4 on a nightcrawler in the inlet. Luis Garcia, La Puente, landed a 2-2 on yellow Power Bait. Caddisfly patterns are still the hot ticket at Hot Creek. Try drifting caddis very close to the banks when the winds are going. Unstable weather and the full moon have made the bite unpredictable. The fishing is still decent above and below the Benton Crossing Bridge. In the Mammoth Lakes, there were 600 pounds of trophy rainbow trout from three to 10 pounds planted last Friday. The lakes were also planted with browns last week. Fly fishing is the best bet with Matukas, Hornburgs, Pheasant Tails or Hares ears. 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. Good fishing in the Dingleberry Inlet on worms or eggs and at the rock pile on Power Bait. Trollers are using frog pattern lures or flashers and a worm. The lake was stocked with pan-sized fish by the DFG last week. A local angler landed a two-pound brown on a Royal Coachman fly. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been good with a good number of limits of rainbows. Most fish to two pounds. The lower Owens improved to fair and the flows have lowered to 454 cfs. Midge and caddis patterns are best. 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: 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
LAKE ISABELLA: Isabella is still the place to fish in the Western Sierra. There is a very hot crappie bite on minnows. Ku Zelle Car, Bakersfield, caught a stringer of one-pound crappie on minnows. The catfish are everywhere and are taking mackerel and shad. 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. Bluegill bite good on wax worms. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Flows in the lower river are very low, and fishing can require some patience. The flows are low in the upper river as well, and the bite is good on Salmon eggs and crickets. The bass are biting crickets and spinners. All of the higher elevation streams have 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 of the Kern were planted last week. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com (http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/), or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Slow catfish bite. Try mackerel. Still a good striper bite on lug worms and blood worms. Fish in the three to five pound range. Swimbaits also being thrown and enticing a few fish.
HART PARK LAKE: Carp bite good on dough or corn meal. Fair 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: Good carp action on dough and corn meal. Good bluegill bite on crickets and meal worms. Decent bass bite, but still a slow trout bite.
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. The bluegill bite is good on wax and meal worms.
WOLLOMES LAKE: The bluegill action is fair on wax and meal worms. Also a fair catfish bite on mackerel.
SUCCESS LAKE: Very slow action. Very few people fishing. The water levels are very low, but you still can access the lake on a boat. Only a few bass and bluegill. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Decent bass action on plastics, jigs and nightcrawlers. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Fair to good smallmouth bass action on plastics in 15 to 20 feet. Huddlebugs are working with fish in the two-pound range. Largemouth action fair, especially around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons and plastic worms. Fair catfish action on anchovies. Fair to good striper action on drifting anchovies around the docks. 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. Try brush hogs. 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. Fair trout action on Power Bait and plastics. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com (http://www.nacimientoresort.com/).
LOPEZ: Still a very good crappie bite on crappie and mini jigs in 10 to 20 feet. The action is best across from the marina and near the boat house. Good bluegill and redear action on meal and wax worms. Largemouth and smallmouth bass action good on swimbaits. Catfish bite off and on. Try anchovies and shrimp. No trout action reported. 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:
LOS ANGELES: Bouquet Canyon Creek.
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 & South Forks), Cottonwood Creek, 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, Tuttle Creek.
MADERA: San Joaquin River Middle Fork, Sotcher Lake, Starkweather 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: Courtright Reservoir, 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 (K.R. No. 3 to Riverside Park, Kernville).
MERCED: Yosemite Lake.
TULARE: Kern River (Fairview Dam to Falling Waters Lodge and Brush Creek to Fairview Dam), Peppermint Creek, Tule River North Fork of Middle Fork (Wishon Campground), Tule River South Fork of Middle Fork (Camp Nelson and Ceder Slopes).
TUOLUMNE: Lyons Canal, Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake (Strawberry Lake), Powerhouse Stream, Stanislaus River (Clarks, Middle, and South forks).
CATFISH PLANTS
No Plants.