Fishing Report
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 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 and/or Cyndi Gollaz at cagurrola@charter.net.
This report is published by 11 daily newspapers in Southern California each week. Frequently it is edited for space. A complete version is posted on the Outdoor News Service web site (www.outdoornewsservice.com). The updated report is usually posted by Thursday morning. The fish report is copyrighted and any use or reposting of the report, or portions of the report, is prohibited without written permission. Posting of links to the fish report on the Outdoor News Service web site is allowed.
The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Internet web page is located at the following address: www.dfg.ca.gov.
MATTHEWS' PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. Finally, something to get excited about. With the nice weather of the past week, and a coming full moon on the 20th, this could be the first good bass fishing weekend of the year. In the past few days, the largemouth action has really started to take off at Casitas Lake. The small males are moving into the sun-warmed shallows, and the bigger females are even coming up, starting to think about the spawn. Top fish was an 11-plus this past week, and there will probably be a pile more that size in the next few days. Call the marina for an update on the top tactic at 805-649-2043.
2. While Casitas and the San Diego county lakes are generally the first of the bass lakes to fire off each spring, Diamond Valley should also be in fine form over the next week. A weekend bass event took nearly a five-pound fish average to win, and it has been producing fish over eight pounds every week. Check with the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410 for an up-to-the-minute update and what's the hot pattern.
3. The weather also turned on the striped bass bite at Lake Skinner and the bite has been very good this past week with most anglers fishing anchovies or frozen shad. Even nightcrawlers have been working. Most of the fish are still in deeper water off the points and at the inlet. For an update on this bite check with the marina 951-926-8515.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: In spite of the better weather this past week, most of the urban trout bites have been a little slow to come back on. You can blame murky water at most places, but the water is clearing quickly. Top bets continue to be Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake and Laguna Niguel. In the High Desert, Hesperia Lake, Jess Ranch, and Mojave Narrows all have been good this week, and all of the inland San Bernardino County Park lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, and Yucaipa are also fair to good. In San Diego County, Wohlford, Dixon, Poway, Jennings, and Cuyamaca continue to have a consistently good bites after weekly plants. In the southern Sierra, Lake Isabella and the Kern River are both still pretty good, and Buena Vista Lakes cranked out a pile of big fish this past week. It might be the top trout pick, if you're willing to drive that far. One other final tidbit, Big Bear Lake usually has a hot bite with the first turn of the weather for anglers fishing off the north shore from the dam into Grout Bay.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Casitas, Diamond Valley, Perris, and Castaic all have been good this past week, thanks to the warmer, sunnier weather. Add in Piru, Pyramid, Cachuma, Skinner, and Silverwood among the list of waters getting better fast but still not up to snuff. In San Diego County, Poway produced a 13-plus in an improving bite, and San Vicente, El Capitan, Otay, Hodges, and Wohlford all came back on this week with fair ñ but not wide open ñ bites. On the Central Coast, Nacimiento still has a fair to good spotted bass bite, and Lopez is worth fishing for largemouths.
STRIPED BASS: Skinner really turned on this week, but the few reports coming in from Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood show that all three have turned the corner from the dismal bites of the past few weeks. On the Colorado River, bites were improving and should continue to improve. A 50-pound striper came from Willow Beach Friday, and Mead has been good for small fish. Mohave is still very spotty, but Havasu is starting to really come to life.
PANFISH: Virtually all of the bluegill, redear and crappie bites are still mostly slow, with a couple of exceptions. Lower Otay showed signs of some good crappie action this past week, and crappie are also being caught in fair numbers at the Buena Vista Lakes (near Taft) in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
CATFISH: Rains often spur the catfish bites at our bigger reservoirs, with Diamond Valley leading the way with a decent bite. When followed by some warm weather, things can really perk up. That was true at Lower Otay in San Diego County, Diamond Valley, and Hesperia Lake this week, all which produced some good cats. On the Colorado River, most of the catfish bites are still off but there were some signs of improvement this week.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Fair trout action on Power Bait, worms, spinners and nightcrawlers with the best bite in Cleghorn and Miller's canyons, off the shoreline, along the dam, and at the spillway. Joe Romero, Rialto, landed a 2-8 trout on salmon eggs. Slow to fair striper bite on swimbaits, minnows, mackerel and anchovies off the docks and in Miller's Canyon. The better stripers are from six to nine pounds, with the occasional fish over 10. Troy Paul, Apple Valley, landed an eight-pound striper on anchovies. Catfish action is slow on mackerel and chicken liver. The fish are deep by the dam and in Quarry Cove. Largemouth bite fair on worms, plastics, of live bait in Miller's Canyon. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Slow trout action with light fishing pressure. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are the top choices for bait anglers fishing near the dam and off the north shore. This bite typically kicks off with the first warm spell of the year. This is also when some of the best trout are reported. The private marinas and public launch ramps are all closed and will reopen in spring. Information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or bigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: Few reports this time of year. Mostly slow action with a few trout on floating baits fished closed to the bottom. Other species very slow. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake is closed for the season. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No report.
JENKS LAKE: Closed for the season. Only walk-in access. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The action perked up this week, and another beastly sturgeon was pulled out. Michael Davis, Hesperia, caught a 127-pound sturgeon on nightcrawlers off the north shore. Paul Leffler, Upland, landed a 47-pound sturgeon on Power Bait at the drain. The rainbow trout bite is decent on nightcrawlers or Power Bait off Sandy Point and in the inlet. Amy Klumpp, Rancho Cucamonga, caught an eight-pound trout. Anthony Williams, Hesperia, caught a 6-8 trout on meal worms. Mario Garcia, Ontario, landed a 5-4 trout. Sarah Johnson, Fontana, and Wayne Plower, Alta Loma, each landed five-pound trout. Very good blue and channel catfish action on mackerel, nightcrawler, anchovies or shrimp. Top catfish was a 14-12 landed by Josh O'Neil, Victorville. John Cambell, Victorville, caught a 12-pound channel catfish. Dan Jones, Apple Valley, caught a 12-pound channel catfish, too. Alpers' trout will be planted over the next few weeks. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: The trout bite was off to a slow start, but picked up late in the week. Anglers are still using a variety of baits to catch their limit - plastics, Power Bait (spring green, corn yellow and red), and inflated nightcrawlers dipped in garlic. Hot spots include the northern and eastern shores of lake 2 as well as the grassy points and western shores of lake 3. Tom Nieves, West Covina, landed a 6-12 rainbow. Omar Torres, Glendale, caught a 6-8 rainbow. Randy Mason, Azusa, landed a 3-9 trout on an orange Power worm.Ý Trout from the lakes' hatchery are planted every Friday. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming events: Prize Day set for Saturday. There will be an adult division (13 and up) that will compete for the three heaviest trout and limits, and a child's division (12 and under) that will compete for six heaviest trout and three heaviest limits. No special fee to participate. Lake and prize day information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: Good to excellent trout action with fish up into the six-pound range and some bigger. Top baits are Power Bait, nightcrawlers and plastic trout worms. Action is best in the morning. Fish off shore from Pelican and Horseshoe Lake. County trout plants are weekly through April 17. DFG trout plant last week. Very slow other species. Upcoming events: Annual fishing derby set for Saturday, March 15. $10 entry fee per person. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Good trout action with a lot of limits reported on Power Bait, jigs, and nightcrawlers. Most of the fish are from one to two pounds. DFG trout plant last week. County plants will be made each Thursday through April 17 and trophy trout will be planted each month this year. Information: 909-481-4205.
PRADO: Trout action fair on Power Bait (rainbow, yellow and chartreuse), nightcrawlers and salmon eggs. Most fish are in the one- to two-pound range, but there are some out there four pounds-plus. DFG trout plant last week. The occasional whiskerfish has been brought in on mackerel or on any trout bait. County trout plants of 1,000 pounds will be made each Thursday through April 17, and trophy trout will be planted each month this year. No fishing on stocking days. Lake information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Fair trout action this week with the best bite on Power Bait, mini-jigs, and small trout plastics. County plants will be made each Thursday through April 17 and trophy trout will be planted each month this year. DFG trout plant last week. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Good trout action with lots of limits reported on fish averaging from 1 1/2 to two pounds. Top trout baits have been Power Bait (yellow or green) and nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant last week. Slow to fair catfish action. Most of the cats are running two to four pounds and are showing on mackerel, shrimp and Hog Wild. County trout plants will be made each Thursday through April 17 and trophy trout will be planted each month this season. Information: 909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 909-384-5233.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: The bass action has improved with a fair to good bite and 20-pound stringers for some. Green or purple finesse worms have been the hot ticket for the four-pound plus bass. The American Bass tournament over the weekend had some nice stringers. Rick and Kyle Grover won the tournament with five fish for 24.82 pounds. Their top fish was a 7.03-pounder. John and Royce Krumsiek took second with a 24.11-pound limit. The trout bite turned around from last week. The action is good near the marina, near the east and west dams and along the north shoreline on Power Bait (green or rainbow), inflated nightcrawlers and Power eggs. Paul Mastin, Nuevo, caught a 7.5-pounder. Matthew Knowlton, Ann Arbor, Michigan, caught a 6.60-pound trout. Jeff Kinworthy, Hemet, caught a five-pound trout on mini jigs. Sue Anderson, Bloomington, caught a 4.41-pounder on nightcrawlers. Jamie Smith, Hemet, landed a 3.96-pound trout. Striper action slow to fair on swimbaits, plugs, or large topwater baits in the inlet and near the marina. The catfish are still perking along with a fair bite. The action is best
in the third cove, near the east dam, or the wave attenuator on anchovies, mackerel, and raw shrimp. Melvin Hyde, Hemet, caught 8.89 and 7.10-pound cats on shrimp along the wave attenuator. Fair panfish action near the stairways on live worms in 20 to 30 feet. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: Improved bass action over last week. The fish have come up and are biting swimbaits, nightcrawlers and plastics. Hot spots have been in Marina Cove, along the dam, and at the Sail Cove Pier. Joel Talor, San Diego, landed a 10.15-pound bass. Robert Levers, Rancho Cucamonga, caught a seven-pound from the back side of the island. Fair to good trout bite. Anglers are using green, white, pink or rainbow Power Bait, worms, or Kastmasters at lot 5. Most of the fish are averaging about a pound. Tim Witt, Riverside, landed a three-pound trout. DFG trout plant last week. The occasional cat has been going after the trout baits. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee during store hours only. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Very good striper action with many anglers landing limits from boats and off shore on anchovies and nightcrawlers. Mike Piceno, Temecula, caught a 10-pound striper. Oscar Vargas, Temecula, landed a 29.5-pound stringer of stripers on anchovies. Very good trout action off Launch Ramp 2 on nightcrawlers, Power Bait or worms. Greg Olivas, Corona, caught a 4-3 trout. Bass action fair on plastic worms and nightcrawlers in 10 feet or less. Fish in the one to two-pound range. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE ELSINORE: Slow bite. The carp and the catfish are the only species showing at all with the best bite in the afternoon. The sunny days ahead will bring on some improved action. Use dough balls for the carp and anchovies, nightcrawlers or shrimp for the cats. Information: Catfishing R Us at 877-685-7752.
CORONA LAKE: The trout bite picked up with a lot of big fish showing. The best action has been on floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent and fished on a short leader. Top catch this past week was a 22-pound trout landed by Ralph Lopez, Mira Loma, on a nightcrawler fishing near the dam. Steve Duenas, Elsinore, caught a 14-8 trout at the dam. Armando Fuentes, San Dimas, caught five trout totaling 31 pounds with a 13-8 topping his catch. Sal Montoya, Corona, caught an 11-8 trout. Junior Mendoza, Calimesa, caught a 12-8 rainbow, while James Camacho, Riverside, landed an 11-8. Lightning Trout are slated to be planted this week and will be planted through the rest of the month. Night fishing Friday through Sunday nights this weekend. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Fair trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
RANCHO JURUPA: Trout action fair on Power Bait and worms. Lots of limits right after plants. Most fish are in the one to two-pound range. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout plants will go in every other week for the season. Fair bite on small spinners and floating baits. 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: Fair trout action with some trophy rainbows still in the mix, including several fish over nine pounds. The lake is closed Mondays. Information: 951-927-2614.
REFLECTION LAKE: The lake will be planted with 500 pounds of rainbow trout each week through spring. The bite has been very good on chartreuse or rainbow Power Bait. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: The rain turned the rainbow trout bite on. The fish are biting rainbow Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The pond is fully stocked with one to two-pounders. The best time to fish is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rainbow trout plants go in twice a month through spring. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The lake will be open on President's Day. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Slow to fair trout action on Power Bait, plastic worms and nightcrawlers. No recent DFG plants. 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 recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Fishing has suffered because of the recent rains, but the water is slowly clearing. Areas where the water is clearing have seen fair to good fishing this past week. The first plant of Lightning Trout, planted all February, will go in this week. The best fishing has been on dough baits fished in the areas where the water is clearest, with the Bubble Hole and the Sandy Beach the top spots. Top trout this week was a 14.5-pounder caught by Dane O'Reilly, Burbank, while C.J. McEvilly, Fullerton, caught a 14-4 trout. Keli O'Brien, Buena Park, caught an 11-8. Night fishing Friday though Sunday this weekend. Information: 714-632-7830 or 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.
IRVINE LAKE: Paul Mincer, Riverside, caught a 9.6-pound steelhead, just shy of the current lake record of 9.8 pounds. Mincer landed the steelhead on a mini jig off the flats. The waters are clear and the overall action is very good. A decent number of rainbow, steelhead, and brook trout were landed this week on Power Bait, Power worms, mini jigs and nightcrawlers. Shaw Gallegher, Bellflower, landed a 13-16 trout at Trout Island. Eve Choi, Hacienda Heights, caught a 10-8 trout at the flats. Jason Penman, Ontario, landed a nine-pound trout in Sierra Cove. Dwayne Castagna, Claremont, caught an 8-8 trout, while Alex Brenton, Cypress, caught an 8-1 rainbow and a four-pound brook trout. Dave Pearson, Garden Grove, caught a 6-2 brook trout. A decent sturgeon was also landed this week. Rob Alvarado, Downey, caught a 20-1 sturgeon on Power Bait at the flats. A special plant of quality-sized steelheads will go in for President's Day. The lake's hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming events: President's Day Derby set for Feb. 16-18. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Fair to good trout action on inflated nightcrawlers doused in garlic or corn Trout Dip or Power Bait (rainbow, white, chartreuse or orange) dipped in garlic Nitro Gravy. Best action has been off the Santiago Flats and the shoreline near the concession stand. Fighting Frog Lip RipperZ and Trout Spoon Z are top lures for the big trout. The fish are in the two to three-pound range. Trout plant went in last week. Plenty of bass action on fish in the one- to two-pound range. The best action has been on drop-shotted or Texas-rigged plastic worms in deeper water by the dam. Crappie still showing in good numbers on crappie jigs and Lip RipperZ lures. Alpers' trout went in last. The occasional catfish on mackerel or nightcrawlers in the flats and by the launch ramp. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Fair trout bite in the open water for trollers using Needlefish and nightcrawlers. The trout are from 1 1/2 to two pounds, with some in the five to six-pound range. Bass bite slow. Fish in the mornings with spoons and Senkos in Cachuma Bay and behind the island. Fish primarily in 20 to 50 feet. Catfish slow. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: Good bass action on swimbaits or drop-shooting plastic worms. The water temperature is up a few degrees over last week and the bass have moved up, and are in 10 feet. Lots of limits with fish in the two to three-pound range with some over the 10-pound mark. Richard Godinez, Oxnard, landed an 11-8 bass. Robbie Martinez, Ventura, caught a 10-pound bass. Randon LeMay, Ojai, landed a limit of bass averaging a pound each. Decent catfish bite on anything dipped in stink baits. Tyler Hoffman, Ventura, landed a 14-pound catfish. Trout action fair off the shoreline and in the Wadleigh Arm. Some two-pounders have been landed on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. DFG trout plant at the Santa Ana Launch Ram last week. Information: 805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: Fair to good bass action on plastics, cranks and spinnerbaits in 10 to 35 feet. Bret Richard, Castaic, landed an 8-2 largemouth. Last week's trout plant brought the stripers out, and the bite has been fair on big plugs, swimbaits, and cut baits at first light through 9 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to dusk in 20 to 80 feet. Trout action also improved after last week's plant. Danny Gutierrez, Oxnard, landed a 3-4 trout on Power Bait off the shoreline. Brian Clem, Canyon Country, landed a stringer of one and two-pound trout Power Bait. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: Slowish trout action with the recent rain and debris brought in with it. Trollers have been using Kastmasters, Rapalas or Needlefish in 65 to 85 feet and bait anglers have used Power Bait, plastic worms and nightcrawlers for some sparks of action. No recent big fish reports. DFG trout plant last week. Slow to fair crappie action in 10 to 20 feet on white mini-jigs. Most fish are under a pound, with a few over. Bass action slowish on nightcrawlers and plastic worms in 10 to 15 feet. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.
PYRAMID: Slowish striper bite on sardines and anchovies. Quite a few in the three to four-pound range have been landed along with the odd bigger fish. The dam, the channel, and Yellow Bar are the hot areas. The bass action is fair, with some flurries of very good action, on plastic worms and nightcrawlers. Fair to good trout action on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and small cranks in the aqueduct. DFG trout plant last week. Water levels are up and boats are able to launch. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No launching after 2 p.m. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: Decent trout action on Power Bait or Lip RipperZ plastics and worms. Slow to fair bass bite off the east shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits and live worms. Most fish are eight to 12 inches. Bluegill and redear fair on meal and wax worms. Crappie bite fair on small jigs. The action is best in or around Sailboat Cove. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: Fair to good trout action on nightcrawlers. DFG trout plant this week. Fair bluegill action on worms and nightcrawlers in the afternoon. Most fish are under a pound. Fair catfish action on mackerel, shrimp or chicken liver. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant this week.
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: No plants.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Some decent trout action at the drop offs. Some fair carp action with fish in the 1-8 to two-pound range on dough balls. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: The lake is closed until May 2008. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: The lake is now open after being closed due to damages from the Witch Creek fire. Fair bass action. This week 276 anglers checked reported 56 bass, 19 crappie and two channel catfish. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: The lake will be open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Permits on Thursday, Friday and Monday will only be available through the Iron Ranger/Pay Station by the concession building (exact change only). Boat rentals on Saturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: Good crappie action. This week 182 anglers checked reported 184 crappie, 64 bass, 27 channel catfish, eight rainbow trout, six bluegill, two blue catfish, one carp and one redear. Basillo Tavares, Chula Vista, landed a 32-pound channel catfish on mackerel from Otay Arm. Darryl "Doc" Carter, Spring Valley, caught a 20.45-pound blue catfish on mackerel near the Buoy Line. Ray Holden, San Diego, caught a 15.05-pound channel catfish from Harvey Arm. DFG trout plant last week. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: This week 15 anglers reported catching 14 bass. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglers may walk in to fish during lake hours. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
SAN VICENTE: Good bass bite. This week 123 anglers reported 142 bass, 14 bluegill, four channel catfish, two crappie and two blue catfish. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday for fishing from sunrise to sunset. Rentals are available both days. 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/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
MURRAY: Rainbow trout bite picked up. This week's 145 anglers checked reported 90 rainbow trout, nine bass and eight bluegill. DFG trout plant last week. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: Good rainbow trout action. This week 141 anglers checked reported 149 rainbow trout, six bass and two channel catfish. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: The lake is closed to fishing until March 1, 2008. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Still a very good trout bite, and this week's plant of 1,200 pounds will keep it going. Best fish was taken by Farrokh Sadeghi Goura, San Diego, who caught an 8-8 trout on yellow Power Bait off Senior Shoreline. Jose Martinez, Valley Center, landed a 6-5 trout on green Power Bait at the West Buoy Line. Jean Samaneigo, Oceanside, caught a two-pound trout on nightcrawlers off Senior Shoreline. Also a spark of crappie action on occasion. John Gissler, Escondido, caught a 1-5 crappie on a white Power Worm off Bass Point. The catfish bite is hanging in there with some decent action on cut mackerel, chicken liver and shrimp. Fair to good bass bite in deeper waters on nightcrawlers and Roostertails off the west end of the Senior Shoreline. Jeff Kahlor, Jr., El Cajon, landed a 5-3 bass on a spinnerbait. Jeff Kahlor, Sr., El Cajon, caught a 4-4 bass on a golden shiner. The lake is open seven days a week. There is a temporary ban on private boat launches, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to quagga mussels. Information: 760-839-4346 or
www.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: The pond is temporarily closed. The Poomacha Fire left damages to Palomar Mountain and surrounding areas, which need cleaning. No damage was done to the actual pond.
DIXON: The trout action improved from last week on green Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or small gold Kastmasters. The best spots have been in the Trout Cove area and at the buoy line. Most trout are about one to two pounds. A 1,200-pound plant of Mt. Lassen trout went in last week. The bass action is slowish, but some fish are biting adjacent to the Boat Dock Cove area in between piers on black and purple or brown and purple plastic worms. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Anglers continue to pull out some big bass from this lake. Steve Hollinger, San Diego, caught a 13.2-pounder on crankbait, which was the largest bass caught at the lake this season, so far. David Hudson, Oceanside, caught a 7.8-pound bass on nightcrawlers. The lake is open for fishing Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. The lake will be open on President's Day. Lake information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: A few flurries of trout and bass action, but the bites for both species are still rough. The small bass are feeding off the shoreline. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait are the top baits for the trout off Eagle Point and near Cactus Patch. Crawdads, Ikas or Gitzits are the top baits for the bass in Shadow Cove in 25 feet of water off the points. A 1,200-pound plant of Mt. Lassens went in last week. The lake is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The lake will be open on President's Day. Lake information: Ranger Hugh Marx, 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: The lake has loads of trout in it, but the fish are being stubborn and have gone deep. Try Power Bait and Kastmasters near the launch ramp. Bass bite fair for smaller fish on crawdad imitations. Other species are slow. The boat launch is open. Rowboats and motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Lots of hungry trout. This week's 2,000-pound DFG plant will add to the load already in the lake, and will get a decent bite going. Look for the trout off the shoreline and use Power Bait or nightcrawlers, and use scent with all baits. Plenty of trout in Azalea Creek and Little Stonewall Creek inflow. Don Wallis, San Diego, caught a 2-4 rainbow trout. During the winter the lake will be closed on Wednesdays and will open from noon to five on Sundays. Hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lake will open at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2. The lake now has a temporary ban on private boats due to quagga mussels. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: Slow to fair bass action. Slowish bass bite on plastics and live bait. The water is low and launching conditions are not ideal. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Some quality stripers are still showing on anchovies, with the occasional fish on swimbaits. Some large stripers are being landed when the trout are planted in Hatchery Cove, Saddle Cove, and Hemenway area. Big numbers of striper from under a pound to five have been landed in the Vegas and Government washes on anchovies or other cut baits, but weather has kept most anglers away. Fish from 7 to 11 a.m. for the best action. Trout are planted every other Tuesday through March. Small spinners and Power Bait are attracting the trout. The ramp is open at South Cove, but it is a gravel ramp.
WILLOW BEACH: Still very spotty striper action, but the odd big fish continues to be caught along with a few smaller fish on cut baits. Allan Cole, Henderson, landed stripers at 50-pounds and 20-pounds fishing at mile marker 52 last Friday. He was trolling the new A.C. Casitas swimbaits. Some anglers are catching limits on trout on Panther Martins, Roostertails, floating baits, and salmon eggs. Trout are stocked every Friday, and the bite is best for the first day or two after the plant. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Tough striper bite. Fish near and in the coves, especially Cottonwood and to the north, with swimbaits or shad-like lures. Trolling lures in 15 to 60 with Kastmasters or spoons is also an option for both stripers and trout. A few rainbows in the one to two-pound range have been reported. Some catfish reports at night on shrimp or mackerel. Information: 702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Weekly trout plants at Davis Camp and near The Riverside Resort. The fishing is exceptional immediately following each plant. Fair to good striper and catfish action near Harrah's Casino on anchovies. Some good stripers have been landed along the Big Bend area. Decent smallmouth action at Davis Camp.
NEEDLES: Fair to good striper action on small fish downriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish are starting to show and some crappie are also biting in the gorge. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores 760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: The water levels are down. Take caution when launching. Slow striper bite. Nothing exceptional in size, but some fish to three pounds. Bite best on anchovies and sardines. Catfish action slow to fair on mackerel, anchovies, worms or shrimp in the cattails and flooded brush. Bass bite fair in the vegetation outside the channel. The marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: High winds have played havoc on this lake. The shad, however, are still very active in the Site Six Marina and in the north end of the lake keeping the striper action fair. The shad can also be found just off shore feeding on the plankton. The smallmouth and largemouth bass bites are slow. Some bass in the three to four-pound range have been landed off the point at Six Site on shad, crankbaits or crawdads. Information: 760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Slow to fair catfish action with some flatheads to 12 pounds reported. Information: June's Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: The warm weather is almost here and the fish are starting to show. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting plastics and shiners, especially on those warm afternoons. Mark Ward, Blythe, had three bass from 2 1/2 to four pounds. Still some fair flathead action. The fish are in the 15 to 25-pound range. The channel catfish bite is fair, too, on mackerel and anchovies. Bluegill are slow in the backwaters on worms. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Fair flathead action all along the lower river. The river levels are up and fishing pressure is still light, but there's fair bass and bluegill action in the backwaters, and a good carp bite on fish to five pounds. Use plastic worms for the bass, wax worms for the bluegill, and dough for the carp. Some bass have also been landed in the main river. Information: Walter's Camp 760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Few reports, but a few flatheads, channel cat, bluegill and stripers reported.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Fair 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. A few flatheads are showing in the main river, too. Information: 928-783-9589 or www.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal in East Yuma is still fair for channel catfish, 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: Slow catfish action and light fishing pressure.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass has been reported.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LAKE CAHUILLA: Decent trout bite on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. DFG plant last week. Crappie action good around the docks, but most are small. Also a good bullhead bite. Information: 760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: Trout season is now closed throughout most of this region. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, or www.bishopvisitor.com.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: Only the East Walker River remains open to catch-and-release fishing in this region. Flows are down are very low and the fishing is tough. Information: Ken's Sporting Goods 760-932-7707.
MAMMOTH AREA: Only Hot Creek and the upper Owens River remain open to fishing, and both of these waters are catch-and-release only. Fair to good action at Hot Creek. Upper Owens seeing a good mid-day bite with some dry fly action between storm fronts. Fishing information: The Troutfitter 760-934-2517 or Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250.
BISHOP AREA: Only Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the lower Owens River (in both the Gorge below Crowley Lake and below Pleasant Valley Reservoir) remain open to fishing in this region. Weather killed the very good dry fly action, but nymphing is getting some fish. Information: Culver's 760-872- 8361 or Brock's 760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Only the Owens River and Diaz Lake remain open to fishing in this region. Both have been slow. Information: 760-876-4444.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Decent action on Gulp Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs. The best action has been in Paradise Cove and by the dam. A fair to good crappie bite around French Gulch Marina on minnows. Also a fair to good catfish bite at the dam on shad and minnows. Information: Bob's Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: The Kernville area has a fair trout bite on salmon eggs. The smallmouth action in the lower river around the Hart Park area is fair on plastic worms. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 or www.kernriverflyfishing.com, or James Store 760-376-2424.
RIVER WALK PARK: Good trout action on Power Bait, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Home to the best fishing in the Western Sierra. The striper action is improving with the warm weather, and the bite is good on anchovies, minnows and lug worms. Fair carp action on anchovies. Annabell Morales, Bakersfield, caught a nine-pounder.
HART PARK LAKE: Trout action very good on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Still some fair carp action on dough bait or corn meal. Slow bluegill action on wax worms and crickets.
TRUXTUN LAKE: Fair trout action on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Carp action fair on dough bait. Bluegill action slow on wax worms and crickets. Only the odd catfish showing.
MING LAKE: Trout bite very good. DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Some bass action has been reported on plastic worms and minnows, but this action is tough.
BRITE LAKE: The lake is temporarily closed for work on the park's roads. DFG has no trout plantings scheduled in February.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout bite just keeps getting bigger and better. Ivy Clistro, Bakersfield, caught a 16-pound trout. Best bite on Power Bait. Layhaa Franko, Bakersfield, caught a 10-pound trout on Power Bait. Veachel Geer, Bakersfield, landed a 9.26-pound trout. Brandon Ramos, Bakersfield, landed eight and five-pound trout. Joe Crompton, Bakersfield, caught a 7-8 trout. Laylla Franko, Bakersfield, caught a four-pound trout. Good crappie on small minnows with plenty of limits. Still a decent striper bite on blood worms and lug worms. The catfish bite is fair on shad or minnows.
WOLLOMES LAKE: Decent trout bite on Power Bait, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers. Also a fair catfish bite on mackerel.
SUCCESS LAKE: The levels are up, and anglers are able to launch boats. A decent number of bass have been landed on spoons and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: Fair crappie bite on small minnows. Information: 559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Striper bite fair to good in Bee Rock Cove and Harris Creek on anchovies and swimbaits. The smallmouth are scarce. Largemouth action also slow with sparks of action around the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons and plastic worms. Fair catfish action on anchovies. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Fair trout action on Power Bait or worms. Decent crappie action on jigs near the river. Fair largemouth bass action on drop-shot plastics or Brush Hogs. DFG trout plant last week. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action in the early mornings and in the late evenings with fish in the one to one and a half-pound range. Anglers have been using live shad, which are concentrated around the marina. Nightcrawlers have also been effective. Fair to good catfish action on mackerel and shrimp. Slow bluegill action and only a few crappie showing. The white bass are in Las Tables and the narrows in a fair bite. Water level stable. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Fair trout bite on nightcrawlers and Power Bait (chartreuse or rainbow). The action is best in Cottonwood Cove, off the Cottonwood shoreline, off the points, and across from the marina. Trollers are also having success just outside Cottonwood Cove on Needlefish. DFG trout plant last week. Most fish are under the two-pound mark. The bass action fair on jigs, nightcrawlers or plastic worms, especially in Wittenberg. The action sparks when the sun is out. Decent crappie action in 25 to 30 feet across from the marina and near the boat house on jigs. Slow to fair bluegill and redear action on meal and wax worms. Catfish bite spotty. Try anchovies or shrimp. 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: Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Park Lake, Cerritos Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn, La Mirada Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Legg Lake, Lincoln Park Lake, Big Tujunga Creek (lower and upper), Peck Road Park Lake, Santa Fe Dam, San Gabriel River (east and west fork).
ORANGE: Laguna Lake, Trabuco Creek.
RIVERSIDE: Diamond Valley Lake, Hemet Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.
FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam.
MONTEREY: El Estero Park Lake.
CATFISH PLANTS
No Plants.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By: TERRENCE BERG and PHIL FRIEDMAN
Outdoor News Service
LONG RANGE UPDATE: The yellowfin tuna action is still good for the multi-day trips fishing down the Baja coastline. Frank LoPreste, skippering the Royal Polaris at the Hurricane Bank, phoned in Tuesday and said anglers on board has a pretty fair pick on the tuna with fish from 75 to 210 pounds on the boat. He said there were several first-time long-range anglers on board and they had all caught their first 100-pounders on Tuesday. The action is far from barn-burning hot, but when it slows, skippers have run out to fish wahoo, and them they come back in and find a good pick for a few hours, and then it slows again. But the quality remains good.
CATALINA ISLAND UPDATE: While the party boat fleets is still pretty much avoiding Catalina Island, there has been a decent pick on the white seabass and even a few yellowtail for the private boaters and six-pack charters fishing the island. The water is still cold ñ 55 to 57 degrees on the top end ñ but some keeper seabass are showing amid a good number of shorts. In the past week, white seabass to 35 pounds have been reported, with the yellowtail in the eight to 12 pound class. Lots of squid at the island, and that's the candy bait that's getting the fish. Also read the update on calico bass below.
CLEMENTE ISLAND NEGLECTED: Commercial squid boats said the candy bait is stacked around the San Clemente Island and there are a lot of yellowtail at Pyramid Head, but few sportboats are making the drive out here to tap this action. Yes, it's early, but it's also been warm.
CHANNEL ISLANDS UPDATE: There is simply not much going on in the Channel Islands. There's a tremendous amount of bait at Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz islands, and some skippers are running halibut trips, but that bite is still slow.
HALIBUT AND SCULPIN: There is a pick on the halibut off Long Beach. Long Beach Sportfishing is sending out boats daily for the Pot O' Gold Halibut Derby, and on Wednesday, the Ikon with 33 anglers had four halibut to 16 pounds, along with 11 sand bass and 14 sculpin. Not wide open, but things are improving. The sculpin are pretty fair if targeted with some good catches reported this past week from Newport Beach up to Santa Monica and Redondo.
CALICO BASS NEWS: There has been a pretty good pick on the calico bass for anglers fishing at Catalina Island and the nearshore kelp ñ mostly the Horseshoe and Palos Verdes kelp. The nearshore bite has been particularly impressive because what it's lacked in volume, it has had up for in size. The average fish are a solid three to five pounds, with fish to six or more every day.
GIANT SQUID UPDATE: While giant squid off are still in the counts off San Diego, the overall bite for the San Diego half- and three-quarter day boats is still slow. The squid are holding on the Nine Mile Bank and aren't on the spots off the Orange and Los Angeles county coast they frequented this time last year.
LANDING CONTACTS
Southern California: Virg's Sportfishing, Morro Bay, 805-772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, 805-595-7200; Sea Landing, Santa Barbara, 805-963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing, Ventura, 805-658-1060; Channel Islands Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-985-8511; Captain Hook's Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-382-6233; Port Hueneme Sportfishing, Hueneme, 805-488-2212; Malibu Pier Sportfishing, 310-328-8426; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, 310-822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach, 310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro, 310-832-8304; L.A. Harbor Sportfishing, San Pedro, 310-547-9916; Long Beach Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-432-8993; Pierpoint Landing, Long Beach, 562-983-9300; Marina Sportfishing, Long Beach, 562-598-6649; Newport Landing, Newport Beach, 949-675-0550; Davey's Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434; Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; Helgren's Sportfishing, Oceanside, 760-722-2133; Fisherman's Landing, San Diego, 619-221-8500; H&M Landing, San Diego,
619-222-1144; Seaforth Landing, San Diego, 619-224-3383; Point Loma Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-223-1627; Islandia Sportfishing, San Diego, 619-222-1164.
Mexico Landings: Sergio's Sportfishing, Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin, 011-526-162-1455.
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