FISHING REPORTS
By: Compiled by Mike Bennett - 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 in this report. Faxes can be sent to (909) 887-8180.
E-mail messages or fishing reports can also be posted to Jim Matthews at odwriter@earthlink.net or Mike Bennett at mike@976-tuna.com.
This report is updated daily by Mike Bennett at www.calfreshwater.com.
Other complete versions are posted on a number of Web sites each week, including the Turner's Outdoorsman Web site (www.turners.com) and Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors Web site (www.jesseshunting.com). The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning at each of these sites.
The CalTIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Web page is located at the following address: www.dfg.ca.gov.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Lake Casitas has received four trout plants in the month of December and fishing for trout and big bass has been hot since. This week the lake will receive yet another DFG trout plant which should keep fishing good. Most anglers are targeting the lake's giant largemouth population with big trout swimbaits fished on 20-pound line. Many bass in the 7-0 to 12-0 range have been reported and even bigger fish are rumored to have been caught and released over the last week. Anglers are working swimbaits on the surface or using weighted swimbaits to fish as deep as 30 feet. This is one of the only bites where rain and bad weather could improve the action. Trout fishing has also been good on 1-0 to 4-0 class rainbows all over the lake. Best action has been reported on Power Bait, white mini-jigs, or small spinners, and limits are common.
2. Trout fishing has been excellent at Lake Hesperia with most anglers leaving with limits of trout to 14-0. Most are 1-8 to 3-0, but big fish are showing each week. Hot areas have been the finger point, the north shore, the drain, and the east shore. Top baits have been Power Bait or split-shotted Power Worms on two-pound line. The lake is stocked twice a week with trout and once a week with catfish to 20-0. Catfish action has been slow to fair with the coldwater, but the fish that are showing are all quality fish from 4-0 to 16-0. Top baits have been mackerel or marshmallows and mealworms. Top method at scoring catfish is to use a long spinning rod with 15-pound test line and a one or two-ounce weight. Anglers are fishing from the finger point or the north shore and are throwing toward the island in the middle of the lake.
3. Largemouth bass action broke open at Lake Isabella with a good number of quality bass from 3-0 to 8-0 showing daily. The hot bite is in the north fork of the lake and fish are sitting relatively shallow for this time of year. Bass are holding in 15- to 25-feet of water and are hitting plastics or pig and jigs. Many anglers have caught and released five fish limits that have weighed over 35-0. If the bass aren't biting, there is a crappie bite that is starting to materialize in the French Gulch area on mini-jigs. Fish to 2-0 have been landed and the bite has been improving even with wind and rain in the region. The weather is the only wild card on what will happen here.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
STRIPED BASS: The California aqueduct near Taft has been producing a good number of big stripers from 10-0 to 27-0 over the last week. Anglers are fishing lugworms, white bucktails, Lucky Craft crankbaits, and cut baits for the best results. Striper action at Castaic Lake has been great for over two months now with flurries of huge stripers to 25-0 being landed on weeks that trout are stocked. Big fish are showing on trout swimbaits or white bucktails. Smaller fish to 7-0 are showing around the marina on shad-swimbaits, flukes, jerkbaits, or live shad. Best part of this bite is many of the big fish are being landed from shore around the marina so a boat is not necessary for a shot at a 20-0 class striper. There may not be a trout plant this week, but the rain could get the big fish on the bite. Overall, striper fishing slowed with little fishing pressure last week at Lake Silverwood. However, this lake has been kicking out some of the biggest stripers in California over the last two months. The rain could turn the bite on or hurt it if to much runoff and mud start entering the lake from the burned mountain sides surrounding the lake. On the Colorado River, Lake Mead and Lake Mohave continue to pump out fish to 26-0. Trout plants are weekly at Lake Mead near the Hemmingway area, and Lake Mohave is getting trout plants every other week in the Cottonwood area. Look for a little rain and wind in this region to really get the big fish at Lake Mohave on the feed. Trout swimbaits or A.C. Plug-type lures are a must on these waters for a shot at big striper.
TROUT: Trout action at Hesperia Lake has been excellent, with many limits of trout to 14-0 showing again this week. Top baits continue to be Power Bait or orange or chartreuse Berkley Trout Worms. The lake is stocked twice a week and fishing has been good all week long. The Diamond Valley Reservoir trout bite is still going strong near the marina on quality fish from 2-0 to 8-0. Shore anglers and boat anglers are hooking up with Kastmasters, inflated night crawlers, Power Bait, or mini-jigs. Fishing slows over the weekend with the increase of fishing pressure, but plenty of fish are still landed. Santa Ana River Lakes has been producing a lot of big fish and has pretty fair action on smaller trout as well. There were 35 rainbows over 10 pounds this past week, including two 19H-pounders. Rain has made the action tougher, but Irvine Lake is still fair on trout to 6-0, and Corona Lake cranked out a 19I-pound rainbow this week, the biggest trout in the region.
PANFISH: Finally a few panfish bites are showing signs of life. The crappie are starting to show in the French Gulch area of Lake Isabella and hawg crappie to 2-2 have been landed on mini-jigs. Fish are scattered and anglers who cover some water and not sit in one spot have had the best luck. At Diamond Valley Lake, bluegill fishing continues to be good for anglers who are able to locate the large schools of fish at the west dam. Fish are holding in 50 feet of water and are hitting mealworms. There also continues to be a fair showing of bluegill at Lake Murray in San Diego. Top bait has been mealworms fished on light line with a single split-shot. Weather will probably mess up all these bites.
LARGEMOUTH: The largemouth bite at Lake Isabella turned on this past week with many bass in the 4-0 to 8-0 range reported. Top area has been the north fork region in 15 to 25 feet of water. Top baits have been six-inch plastic worms or jigs with a pork or plastic trailer. Many anglers have landed up to 10 fish over 4-0 in a day. Bass fishing at Castaic Lake continues to be very good with many anglers catching and releasing up to 25 fish a day on live shad or shad-imitation lures. Anglers targeting bass under suspended schools of shad have had fair luck vertical jigging spoons or drop-shotting plastics. Bass fishing at San Vicente has slowed down, but a few good catches are being made by anglers fishing live shiners.
CATFISH: A few different lakes started kicking out big channel catfish to 29-0 over the past two weeks. The bites could get better at many lakes in Southern California with the heavy rains washing runoff with food into these waters, and big cats will move up to feed where water is entering a lake. Lake Casitas has been producing a good number of catfish from 10-0 to 25-0 for anglers fishing mackerel in deeper holes around the lake. Lake Miramar in San Diego County has been fair to good on catfish with some limits and many near-limits of fish to 8-0 to mackerel. Hesperia Lake is one of the only lakes in Southern California that is still receiving weekly stockings of catfish which have kept the action fair on fish to 15-0. Top baits have been mackerel or shrimp.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Lake is closed until next season. The TicketMaster phone number for reservations is (619) 220-8497, or go to www.TicketMaster.com. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Closed for the season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Closed for the season. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: Closed for the season. For information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: Closed for the season. For information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Lake will be open on New Year's Eve and closed on New Year's Day. Bass fishing has been slow to fair with a one fish per rod average. Biggest bass this week was a 5-6 that was landed by Bryan Motta, El Cajon, on a shiner in Kimball Arm. Robbie Busch and Brodie Chenowth, Ramona, teamed up to land eight bass to 5-4 on live shiners. Trout fishing has been fair to good on inflated night crawlers or Power Bait. No catfish were reported last week. The lake is now open for fishing and water contact on Thursdays and Fridays and for fishing only on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information call the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 668-3274.
MURRAY: Lake will be open on New Year's Eve and closed on New Year's Day. Trout fishing picked up and a fair bite was reported on Power Bait, Power Worms, mini-jigs, or small spinners. The bluegill bite picked up a little with 221 bluegill reported by anglers using mealworms. For more information contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Lake will be open on New Year's Eve and closed on New Year's Day. Catfish action continues to be fair to good for anglers fishing mackerel. Caprece and Tommy Pressley, San Diego, teamed up to land eight catfish that weighed 40-2. The stringer was topped by a 7-14. Bobby Ragsdale, San Diego, landed a 7-3 on mackerel. Trout fishing has been fair to good with some limits landed on Power Bait.Gary Molenaar and Bobby Ragsdale, San Diego, also teamed up to land 10 trout that weighed 28-4 on Power Bait. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. For rental boat reservations, call (619) 390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Closed. For more information, contact the City Lakes information line at (619) 465-3474 or log on to the Web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Trout fishing has been fair to good with many limits of trout to 5-0 landed. Power Bait, inflated night crawlers, or mini-jigs have been taking fish. Bass fishing continues at a fair pace with fish holding to rock piles. Most fish are averaging from 2-0 to 5-0. For more information, contact the ranger station at (760) 839-4346 or log on to the lake's Web site at www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No DFG plants in over a month.
DIXON: Trout fishing continues to be the main bite at the lake with fair to good fishing reported on trout worms, Power Bait, or spinners. Trout to 4-8 have been landed. No word on the bass or catfish action. Fishing reports are on the Internet at: www.dixonlake.com. For more information, contact the ranger station at (760) 839-4345 or the concessionaire at (760) 741-3328.
POWAY: Trout fishing has been fair to good with the best fishing the first few days after the plant. Top baits have been Power Bait or orange Power Worms. The lake is planted with 1,200 pounds of trout every Tuesday. A few catfish continue to show for trout anglers and the few anglers actually targeting them. The lake is open on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule all winter. For more fishing information, call the snack bar at (858) 679-5465.
JENNINGS: Trout fishing continues to be fair on Power Bait. Some bass are being landed on plastics. The lake is open on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. For more information, call (619) 596-1396 or (619) 667-6293.
MORENA: Bass fishing has been fair on plastic worms, pig and jigs, or drop-shotted plastics. Some catfish are being landed on night crawlers. The 24-hour fishing update line is (619) 478-5473. For lake information call (619) 694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Trout fishing continues to be good on inflated night crawlers or Power Bait. Top areas have been the north corner of the dike, the east and west shore, or the Lone Pine Tree. The bite has been best early in the afternoon. For more information call (760) 765-0515 or visit the Web site at www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Carp fishing continues to be good on dough baits. Catfish have been fair to good on night crawlers or mackerel. For information, call (760) 782-3501.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Trout continue to be stacked near the marina and are providing good to excellent action for anglers fishing inflated night crawlers, Power Bait, mini-jigs, or Kastmasters. The bite slows on weekends when boat and shore pressure is heaviest. Many limits of trout to 5-0 have been landed. A fair to good bluegill bite is happening in 50 feet of water at the west dam. You must locate a school of fish, but when you do fishing is wide-open on bluegill to 1-8. Largemouth bass fishing continues to be slow. The toll-free reservations telephone line is 1-800-590-LAKE (5253) and can be made online at www.dvmarina.com. For fishing info, call the marina at (951) 926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle at (951)-658-7410.
PERRIS: Big news is a 13-2 striped bass that was landed at the lake last week by Todd Fithian, Moreno Valley. He was fishing for largemouth near the marina when the striped bass hit his plastic worm. This is only one of a handful of stripers to ever be caught here. Overall, largemouth bass fishing continues to be fair with fish holding in deeper water. Top baits have been plastics or spoons. The east end, at the island, Rock Climber's Cove, and marina continue to be tops. Trout have been spotty, but a DFG trout plant this week may improve the bite. For more information on fishing call the marina at (951) 657-2179, Lakeside Market at (951) 943-4364, or the state park at (951) 940-5600.
EVANS LAKE: Mostly slow, however the lake will receive a DFG trout plant this week.
RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action on Power Bait or mini-jigs with a few limits landed and lots of stringers with three or four trout. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. There is a trout derby that will be held on Jan. 15th with the lake closed the day before to receive a bonus stocking of fish. Pre-sale tickets will be $10 and are available at the park. Tickets will be $12 the day of the event. For more information, call (951) 684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout fishing has been fair on fish to 4-8. Power Bait, inflated night crawlers, or mini-jigs have been best. The lake is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information, call (909) 795-2411.
WHITEWATER TROUT FARM: The farm has two well-stocked ponds in Whitewater off Interstate 10. No fishing license is required and tackle is available. Open Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, call (760) 325-5570.
LAKE ELSINORE: Fair fishing on carp or catfish with dough baits or night crawlers the best bets, but mostly slow fishing. For information, call Whisker's Bait 'n' Tackle at (951) 245-7025.
CORONA LAKE: A 19I-pound rainbow was caught by Dave Berry, Lake Elsinore, this past week. It is the largest trout landed in this region. Berry was fishing a combination of orange Nitro Dough and a night crawler at the dam. It was just one of 10 trout reported better than 10 pounds. Other big fish included a 17G-pound trout landed by Nathan D'Abrosca, Riverside, while a 16I-pound rainbow was caught by Sig Baron, Covina. Many anglers are catching limits of 1H- to 3-pound trout fishing from the shore, off the dam, or in boats. Floating baits and night crawlers have been the best baits in the past week. For more information, call (951) 277-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
SKINNER: Striper action is fair to good with some quality fish showing. Top baits continue to be swimbaits, cut anchovies, or chicken livers. Frank Lang, Riverside, landed a 17-0 on a swimbait. Catfish continue to bite in deep water near the dam. Top baits have been chicken livers, mackerel, or anchovies. Gary Smith, Compton, landed a 9-0 catfish near the inlet on mackerel. Largemouth bass have been fair on plastics. For more information, call the marina at (951) 926-1505.
ANGLER'S LAKE: Trout fishing has been fair to good on fish to 6-0. Both rainbows and brown trout are showing on mini-jigs and Power Bait. For information, call the lake at (951) 927-2614.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Trout plants have began and fair to good fishing has been reported on Power Bait. Fish baskets and long-handled nets are provided to anglers. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. For more information, call (951) 679-6562
WILLIAMS CATFISH FARM: Good catfish action on fish from 1-0 to 5-0. Most fish are showing on cut baits, and the lake was planted heavily with catfish recently. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call (951) 674-7627.
STEVE'S FISHING POND: Catfish fair on Hog Wild and chicken livers. For information, call (951) 657-2625.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Two 19H-pound rainbows were caught here in the past week as part of a catch that included at least 35 rainbows over the 10-pound mark. Dave "Tiny" Pierson, Garden Grove, and Johnny Aguilar, West Covina, each landed a 19H-pounder. There were 17H-pounders by Alex Breton, Huntington Beach, John Chapman, Yorba Linda, Jim Anderson, La Puente, and the same Dave Pierson who caught one of the 19H-pounders. Trout at 17-even were landed by Anthony Rodriguez, Azusa, Edward Marquez, Bellflower, and Julio Cerrtai, Placentia. In addition to the bite fish, the bite has been fair to good for pan-sized trout with a lot of stringers of 1H- to 3 pounders. Nitro Bait or Power Bait have been the top floating baits, and small jigs or trout worms have been the top artificials, especially when doused with a scent like Nitro Gravy or Nitro Grease. Catfish are fair, especially if you can find a school of fish in the Catfish Lake. Bonciano Medrano, Los Angeles, caught a 13.8-pound cat. For more information, call (714) 632-7830 for the information recording or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: The lake was set to receive a bonus trout plant of 10,000-pounds this week to perk the fishing, but all the rain put a stop to that. The lake will be stocked with 5,000 pounds and then 10,000 pounds each of the next two weeks. Overall trout fishing has been fair for anglers fishing Power Bait, inflated night crawlers, or lures. Vehicle access to the west shore will be iffy until the mud dries out enough for vehicle traffic. Top rainbow this week was a 6.15-pounder caught by Raymond Villegas, Azusa, on a night crawler off the west shoreline. Dave Feske Jr., Canoga Park, landed a 4.05-pound brown trout on a Rapala. For information and lake hours, call (714) 649-9111.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing continues to be fair to good on Norman crankbaits, Power Bait, salmon eggs, inflated night crawlers, mini-jigs, or trout worms. Top area has been the flats right behind the boat dock or the point to the right of the boat dock. Fly anglers continue to score on olive and black midges. Some fly-anglers are catching and releasing up to 25 trout a day. For fishing information, call (949) 362-3885 or visit the lake's Web site at www.lagunaniguellake.com.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Striper fishing was rated fair before the rains. The area around the lake was burned out by the fire last year, so heavy runoff and mud could be a problem. A few smaller fish to 5-0 have shown on night crawlers or cut anchovies. Top areas for stripers have been Cleghorn Cove, Sawpit Canyon, and the boat docks, which are open to fishing on weekdays. Largemouth bass fishing has been fair at best, with some fish hitting drop-shotted plastics or swimbaits. Mitch Southern, San Bernardino, did catch and release 12 bass to 5-4 on Monday after blanking on Sunday, however. For more information, contact the marina at (760) 389-2299, the state park at (760) 389-2281, or the Silverwood Country store at (760) 389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: No fishing pressure with the cold weather. For information, call Lin's Tackle Box at (909) 866-6260 or Big Bear Sporting Goods at (909) 866-3222.
GREGORY LAKE: Trout fishing has been slow for the few anglers fishing the lake. The boat dock is closed for the season. There will be no further trout plants until next season. For information, call the boat dock at (909) 338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Trout plants have ceased for the season and will begin again in April. Fishing has been slow. Operations at the lake will reopen May 13, 2005. For more information call the lake recording at (909) 867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: Lake is starting to fill, but was dry over the summer. Don't expect much until DFG plants start next summer.
JENKS LAKE: Trout fishing has been very slow. Main parking area is closed but anglers can still walk in from the main road. For information, call the Mill Creek Ranger Station at (909) 794-1123.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: Trout fishing continues to be very good with twice weekly plants keeping the action hot all week. Many limits of trout have been landed on Power Bait, inflated night crawlers, mini-jigs, or trout worms. Top trout was another 14-0 that was landed by John McMurtri, Fontana, on Power Bait from the north shore. Jay Mcallister, Fontana, landed a 13-0 on Power Bait from the north shore also. Gil Rowe, Victorville, landed an 11-0 on a Power Worm from the finger. Mike Bennett, Chino, landed a 9-8 on a trout worm at the drain. Fair catfish action continues for anglers fishing shrimp, mackerel, or the mealworm and marshmallow combo. A 15-6 was landed by Mike Andreas, Rialto, on mackerel. The lake is schedule to receive 1,000-pounds of catfish to 20-0 each week throughout winter. For more information, call (800) 521-6332 or (760) 244-5951.
JESS RANCH: Trout fishing has been good on Power Bait or inflated night crawlers. Top trout last week was a 4-12 rainbow that was landed by Glen Kingley, Colton. Catfish action has been slow to fair on mackerel, shrimp, or trout guts. For more information, call (760) 240-1107.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Fair to good trout action on trout with Power Bait or Power Worms. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call (760) 245-2226.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Trout fishing has been fair on fish to 2-0. Power Bait, mini-jigs, and salmon eggs have been best. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For information, call (909) 481-4205.
PRADO: Trout fishing is good right after plants each week and slows through the weekend as fish spread out. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For information, call (909) 597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Good trout action on mini-jigs, trout worms, and Power Bait. For park information, call (909) 790-3127.
OAK TREE VILLAGE PONDS: These ponds in Oak Glen are stocked regularly with Whitewater trout year-around. The ponds are open seven days a week and group discounts are available. For more information, call (909) 797-4020.
GLEN HELEN: Fair trout fishing on fish to 2-0. Power Bait or mini-jigs have been best. For more information, call (909) 887-7540.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RANCH: Good trout fishing on any type of bait. Trout are paid for by the inch, and catfish are $3 a pound. Free fishing lessons offered. For more information, call (909) 880-1125.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are being planted with steelhead and are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. For information, call (909) 982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call city parks at (909) 384-5233.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Trout plants continue to keep the bigger stripers on the bite near Hemmingway. Top fish was a 15-8 that was landed on a swimbait. Many other stripers in the 8-0 to 15-0 range have been landed on trout swimbaits. Smaller stripers from 1-0 to 4-0 are showing in 70 feet of water on cut anchovies. Trout will be planted on Fridays for the rest of the season. Largemouth bass action has been slow. For more information, call Blue Lake Tackle at (702) 452-8299.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout fishing has been very good with fish to 4-0 showing. Best action has been on rainbow Power Bait. A few quality stripers have been showing in the windy, foul weather. Eric Cole, Round Rock, Texas, caught stripers at 26-0, 14-0, 12-0, 11,-0, and 7-0. Dave Duncan, Boulder City, Nev., landed a 25-0, while Allan Cole, Boulder City, caught a 20-0. All were caught on A.C. Plugs. For more information, contact the marina at (928) 767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Wind kept fishing pressure to a minimum last week with very few anglers braving the conditions. Before the wind, big fish had been landed near the Cottonwood Cove area on swimbaits. There has been fair action on smaller stripers from 1-0 to 4-8 along the Cottonwood Cove area. Best bite has been for anglers trolling Kastmasters or drifting anchovies or squid. For more information, call Cottonwood Cove at (702) 297-1464.
NEEDLES: Catfish action has been fair, but some fish are still being landed on stink baits or mackerel at night from the river. For more information, call Premier Sports at (760) 326-2727 or Golden Shores at (760) 768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Stripers from 2-0 to 4-0 have been landed on anchovies in the main river. Catfish have slowed down but the action is still fair in the marsh and the main river. Mackerel or stink baits have been the best bets. For information, call Five Mile Landing (928) 768-2350.
HAVASU: Fair striper action continues in 35 feet of water. The best bite has been at mid-lake on cut anchovies or lures. A few largemouth and smallmouth bass have been showing off of the lake points. For more information, call Black Meadow Landing at (760) 663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: A few catfish are being landed from the river at night on cut baits or stink baits. For information, call Big Bend Marina at (760) 663-3755.
BLYTHE: Not much fishing pressure in the area. The main river, its backwaters, and local drain ditches have all been slow for bass and the odd channel cat. Warm afternoons have seen some action. For more information, call B&B Bait at (760) 921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Catfish and bass action has been slow to fair in the main river and local backwaters.
PICACHO AREA: Bass fishing has slowed, but some fair action on live shiners, plastics, and night crawlers. A few flatheads are still showing in the area on live bluegill or goldfish but that bite is tough.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Flathead catfish have been slow to fair on fish to 6-0, but the bite has slowed with cold weather. Stripers have been fair on cut baits. For more information, contact the Martinez Lake Resort at (928) 783-9589 or check out the Web site at www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: Bass fishing continues to be fair in the main river and backwaters. Shiners or plastics are the best baits. Channel catfish are fair on mackerel or other stink baits, and the flathead bite has been fair. For more information, contact Mesa Sport Shop at (928) 782-5313.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Fishing is slow. For current fishing information, call Johnson's Landing at (760) 394-4755, Desert Shores Trailer Park at (760) 395-5280, Poor Richard's in Mecca at (760) 396-2180, Dean Marine in Bombay Beach at (760) 354-1231, Bombay Beach Marina at (760) 354-4049, Red Hill Marina at (760) 348-2310, and the Salton Sea State Recreation Area at (760) 393-3059 or (760) 393-3052. Troll 'n' Boat (760-393-0119) has both rowboats and skiffs with motors for rent. For weather information, call (760) 352-3360 for a recording, or the Coachella Valley Water District's weather forecast at (760) 398-7211. Anglers fishing the sea use Citizen Band (CB) radios and tune to Channel one.
SUNBEAM LAKE: Fair trout fishing and a DFG trout plant this week should keep the action going. For information, call (760) 352-3308.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Still a few catfish showing at the inlet, outlet, and the area south of the point. Trout fishing has been fair on Power Bait. For more information, call (760) 564-4712.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Terrence Berg
For Outdoor News Service
HOT BITES
YELLOWFIN TUNA: Long-range boats are all on the way back to the fishing grounds off of Mexico after coming home for the holidays. The Polaris Supreme, Fisherman's Landing, just left on a 20-day trip with nine anglers that will be targeting wahoo, yellowtail, and giant yellowfin tuna. The Shogun, Fisherman's Landing, pulled anchor at San Martin Island Wednesday while working down the Mexico Coast. They had a steady bite on yellowtail from 8-0 to 20-0. The Red Rooster III, Fisherman's Landing, left Alijo's Rocks on Wednesday after having bouts with bad weather. But not even bad weather could stop them from picking up some yellowtail and yellowfin tuna from 10-0 to 50-0. The Excel, Fisherman's Landing, just started a trip and has already come across wahoo and yellowtail while scouting waters off of Cabo San Lucas on Wednesday. All these trips are 10 days or longer, and no boats have been out for more than three days at press time.
LOCAL YELLOWTAIL: Private boats continue to see yellowtail around San Clemente Island, but no one has been making the journey with the bad weather. Before the rain hit the area, squid had started to show around the Island. It will probably take a few days of stable weather before the bite rebounds here.
BASS: Both calico and sand bass are still being caught in fair numbers at Catalina Island around the kelp line and along the coastal kelp paddies. Fish from 1-8 to 3-0 and some to 6-0 have been landed on plastics, sardines, squid (when available) or mackerel.
ROCK COD: The few boats that have made it out since the holidays and bad weather are targeting rock cod along the coast. Bad news is that the rock cod and sculpin season will end on Friday. That will leave sand dabs.
SAND DABS: Many landings are starting to offer sand dab trips along the coast. These small flounder-like fish are caught on sandy bottoms. These trips are a great way to fill the freezer. On Sunday, the Sea Angler, 22nd Street Landing, had 14 anglers on a three-quarter-day trip that landed 2,150 sand dabs.
BONITO: Still a few schools of bonito in the Long Beach and King Harbor areas. Fishing has not been great for them but there are enough hanging around to keep things interesting. On Thursday last week, the Sea Angler, 22nd Street Landing, had 16 anglers on a three-quarter-day trip who caught 61 bonito, 960 sand dabs, 145 rockfish, and 15 red snapper.
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