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 hot line, 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. The hawg bass bite ongoing at Lake Casitas continues to be the No. 1 pick because anglers have an honest shot at a bass over 10-0. Big bass are feeding heavily on freshly-planted trout and almost all big fish have been landed on big trout swimbaits. Anglers continue to target freshly flooded areas with lots of cover and are using a stout 8-foot rod with 20-pound test to throw the big lures. Some anglers have been landing two to seven big fish from 5H to 13 pounds a day. Last week, anglers using weighted swimbaits fished 15 to 30 feet deep hammered the fish. Shallower fish were getting more pressure. The stained water is actually helping this bite. The big fish are usually very wary and examine and follow baits in clear water. In off-color water, they just whack it.

2. Hesperia Lake has been a top pick and continues to have perhaps the number one trout bite in Southern California. In fact, the trout fishing continues to be very good on trout to 13-0, with limits of 2-0 to 4-0 class fish common. Anglers fishing Power Bait, mini-jigs, Lip Ripperz, or Power Worms have taken limits of trout in as little as an hour. Catfish are the bonus fish here, where the action has been really good for anglers fishing as close to the island as possible. Long casts require long rods and 2-ounce weights, but the closer to the island you fish the better catfish action is. In fact, many anglers are leaving with limits of catfish from 2-0 to 5-0 in just a few hours of fishing. And the big fish run up to 25-0. Top baits have been shrimp, mackerel or night crawlers and marshmallows.

3. San Vicente Lake in San Diego County has two bites worth fishing right now. First, the largemouth bass bite is excellent on fish to 4-8. The key to the wide-open bite is live bait fished in 15 to 30 feet of water. Both crawdads and shiners have been equally effective and many anglers are catching and releasing up to 10 fish a day or more. Last week, big blue catfish showed during the rain and fish to 74-3 were landed by anglers fishing whole mackerel. Anglers targeting the big catfish are using 7/0 hooks tied to 30 or 40-pound line. The big blues have been showing on structure in 30 to 40 feet of water. So go and sample the excellent bass fishing, and if it rains, break out the rain jacket, the whole 12-inch mackerel, and have a huge net in case you hook the fish of a lifetime.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

STRIPED BASS: Striper action is just starting to rebound at Lake Castaic and Lake Silverwood thanks to clearing water. Bad news is that the bite could die again if - when - rains pound the region again this week. Overall, Lake Skinner continues to have the most consistent bite on both cut baits and big trout swimbaits. Seven fish over 10-0 were weighed in last week by boat anglers using trout swimbaits. Anglers fishing cut anchovies or chicken livers near the inlet have had fair action on fish to 4-8. At the Colorado River, Lake Mohave broke wide open last Friday after trout were planted in the Cottonwood Cove area earlier that day. Anglers trolling A.C. Plugs or soft swimbaits have hooked from one to five fish the day of the trout plant and they were from 10-0 to 35-0. At Lake Mead, striper fishing has been hot for anglers using big trout swimbaits after right after trout plants each Friday with fish to 15-0 or a little better. The bigger stripers continue to show on A.C. Plugs either slow trolled or cast from boats to boiling fish.

TROUT: Hesperia Lake has been producing limit-style trout fishing on trout ranging from 2-0 to 13-0. Many anglers are taking a limit of trout in just a couple of hours. Top baits continue to be mini-jigs, Power Bait, or trout worms. Top areas have been the north shore, the drain, or the finger point. Fishing had slowed on weekends due to increased pressure, but for the last two weekends fishing has stayed excellent. Trout fishing at Santa Ana River Lakes has been very good with lots of rainbows, Lightnings, and Thunder trout showing. Best areas have been La Palma Point, Levitz Corner, or the three pipes on Chris's Pond. There were 24 trout over 10 pounds reported this past week, including one at 20-plus. The $100,000 Trout Tournament scheduled for this weekend was changed to March 12 due to rain forecast for Saturday. Trout fishing at Diamond Valley Lake has been very good for boat anglers trolling Needlefish or drifting night crawlers. Trout fishing has been tougher for shore anglers, but some nice catches have been made near the marina on fish to 4-0, especially during the week when there is less fishing pressure.

PANFISH: At Lake Isabella, there has been some fair action on crappie to 1-8 for boat anglers targeting flooded trees in 25 feet of water. Top bait has been live minnows, and some anglers are scoring up to 10 fish. This bite should improve with clearing water conditions.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Big bass went on the chew at Lake Casitas even through the rainy weather last week. Freshly flooded cover and stained water have bass acting abnormally aggressive while they feed heavily on freshly planted trout. Anglers have been hooking one to seven fish a day that range from 4-0 to 15-0. Many anglers are using weighted Huddleston Deluxe trout swimbaits and fishing them from 10 to 25 feet deep. Bass fishing at San Vicente Lake in San Diego has been very good for anglers fishing live crawdads or shiners. Many anglers are landing from four to seven fish to 4-8. Fishing is slower for anglers fishing artificials, but some catches are being made on plastics.

CATFISH: Hesperia Lake continues to have the best catfish bite going, with limits of fish averaging from 2-0 to 8-0 being landed. A few big catfish weighing from 15-0 to 24-0 were landed again this week. The lake has been receiving weekly plants of catfish to 20-0 all winter. The best action has been for anglers fishing cut mackerel or shrimp as close to the island as possible. Upper Otay kicked out a few quality channel catfish to 13-0 for the few anglers fishing mackerel. When the rains hit last week so did the giant blue catfish at San Vicente Lake. Fish to 74-3 were landed during the rains last week on big chunks of mackerel - or the whole thing - fished on 30-pound line. With rains forecast again for the end of this week, this bite is definitely worth checking.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: Closed until early spring. 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 until the end of February or early March. 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: Was closed last weekend due to rain. The area around the lake was burned out last year and access to the lake will be closed in rainy weather. The lake is open Friday through Sunday. 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: Bass fishing has been fair with 426 anglers checking in with 527 bass this past week. A few channel catfish averaging 5-0 also showed on mackerel. Robert Keenen, Santee, landed an 8-15 catfish on mackerel. The water level is almost full pool with all launch ramps open. 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: There wasn't much fishing pressure on the upper lake for the opener over the weekend. Overall, there were nine anglers who checked in with 14 bass. 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: A 74-12 blue catfish was landed during the rain storms last week by Preston Jones, Spring Valley, on a full mackerel near the buoy line. Overall big catfish continue to show each time it rains on big chunks of mackerel fished on 30-pound line. Bass fishing has been good and continues to improve with 447 anglers checking in 1,014 bass. Fish have been averaging from 1-8 to 5-0. Top baits have been live crawdads or shiners. Don and Donny Bender, Lakeside, caught and released 10 bass that weighed 29-8 and was topped by a 4-8. Shawn Trorbridge, Alpine, caught and released five bass that weighed 17-8 and was topped by a 4-5. Some trout continues to show for anglers fishing inflated night crawlers. 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: Trout fishing continues to be fair on Power Bait, mini-jigs, or trout worms. There has been a fair bite on channel catfish to 5-0 on mackerel. Bass fishing has been slow to fair with a few fish to 6-0 landed each week. 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: Trout fishing continues to be good with over 200 trout checked in over the weekend. Power Bait, mini-jigs, or trout worms have been best. 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: The lake will reopen on March 4 with a Friday through Sunday schedule. 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 with some limits of fish landed on Power Bait, small spinners, or mini-jigs. 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 a month.

DIXON: Trout continue to be the best biters at the lake with fair to good action reported on fish to 5-0. Top baits have been Power Bait, trout worms, or mini-jigs. Catfish and bass action continues to be slow. 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 good with many quality trout to 5-0 showing. Best action has been for anglers fishing Power Bait or trout worms. The lake is planted with 1,200 pounds of trout every Tuesday. For more fishing information, call the snack bar at (858) 679-5465.

JENNINGS: Bass fishing is fair to good on vertical jigged spoons fished over schooled up shad in 30 to 40 feet of water. Trout fishing continues to be fair on Power Bait. The lake is open on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule. For more information, call (619) 596-1396 or (619) 667-6293.

MORENA: Trout fishing has been fair to good on Power Bait. The bite should improve with the clearing water. The 24-hour fishing update line is (619) 478-5473. For lake information call (619) 694-3049.

CUYAMACA: Trout fishing has been fair with fish going on a fair bite in the afternoon. Water is very stained so anglers adding scent to baits have had better action. Inflated night crawlers or Power Bait dipped in scent continues to be the top producers. For more information call (760) 765-0515 or visit the Web site at www.lakecuyamaca.org.

HENSHAW: Carp action has been picking up and some anglers have landed up to 25 fish each to 6-0. Top producers have been homemade dough baits or corn. Catfish have been slow to fair on night crawlers or mackerel. For information, call (760) 782-3501.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Trout action continues to be best for boat anglers and shore anglers fishing near the marina. The lake will receive trout on Thursday. Best action near the marina continues to be on Power Bait, inflated night crawlers, Kastmasters, or mini-jigs. Boat anglers continue to troll from four to six colors deep with Needlefish, or they are drifting night crawlers or plastic trout worms. Top trout this week was a 6-2 that was landed by Chris Alecson, Hemet, on a mini-jig. Largemouth bass fishing is fair and improving. Anglers fishing swimbaits or Carolina-rigged plastics in 40 to 75 feet of water have done best. 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: Water temperatures are creeping up and some bass are starting to show from shallower water along the east end. Most boat anglers are targeting fish holding in deep water with purple or brown plastics, night crawlers, or live crawdads. There was a fair trout bite for trollers working the dam area or fishing Power Bait on a 6-foot leader. 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: Fishing has been slow. There was a DFG trout plant three weeks ago.

RANCHO JURUPA: Trout fishing has been fair to good on Power Bait, mini-jigs, or trout worms. For more information, call (951) 684-7032.

FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Trout fishing has been fair with fish to 4-0 showing on Power Bait, inflated night crawlers, or mini-jigs. 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: A few largemouth bass are starting to show on plastic worms. There has been fair catfish action on mackerel or night crawlers. Carp have been fair to good on dough baits or corn. Water level is very high and dirty.

CORONA LAKE: The trout action has remained good with a mix of rainbows, Lightning and Thunder trout being caught. The big fish was a 13-pound rainbow landed by Larry Sines, Corona, on orange Nitro Bait fished at the dam. James Calhoun, Corona, caught an 11-pounder on a Nitro worm, and 10-pound trout were caught by Jeff Rankin, San Diego, and Brian Holmes, Anaheim. Both anglers used night crawlers doused with Eagle Claw Gravy scent. Top baits have been a night crawler with garlic Gravy, orange Nitro Bait, or a Nitro trout worm. The top areas have been the far side tules and the area behind the boat shop, with boat anglers still scoring more fish than shore anglers. Float tube tournament March 19, and 24-hour fishing this weekend. For more information, call (951) 277-4489 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.

SKINNER: Trout swimbaits are fooling stripers from 12-0 to 15-0 and fish to 20-0 were caught over the weekend. Overall fishing has been tough for most anglers, but boat anglers willing to put in some time have scratched at the bigger fish. Al Thomas, Temecula, landed an 18-0 striper on a Z-Plug near Ramp Two. Stripers to 4-0 continue to show on cut baits like anchovies and chicken liver. Best action has been early in the morning near the inlet. A few catfish are showing on the same baits for anglers fishing deep water near the inlet or along the dam. Harry Davis, San Bernardino, landed a 9-0 catfish on a chicken liver. For more information, call the marina at (951) 926-1505.

ANGLER'S LAKE: Trout fishing has been fair at best on mini-jigs or Power Bait. For information, call the lake at (951) 927-2614.

REFLECTION LAKE: No report on the trout fishing. For more information, call (951) 654-7906.

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.

LAKE HEMET: Trout fishing has been slow on Power Bait. For more information, contact the Lake Hemet Market at (951) 659-2350 or the campgrounds at (951) 659-2680.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Good action with lighter-than-normal fishing pressure. There have been 24 trout over 10-0 caught in the past week. Best was a 20.6-pound rainbow caught by Doug McMillian, Indio, while trolling a Rat-L-Trap. Joe Kottke, Hemet, landed an 18.9-pound rainbow on a Lip Ripperz plastic worm, while Phil Hildebrandt, Anaheim, landed a 17.8-pound rainbow. The $100,000 Trout Tournament originally scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed until March 12. There have been at least 20 trout over the 10-pound mark caught each of the last three weeks. There will be 24-hour fishing this weekend. For more information, call (714) 632-7830 for the information recording or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.

ANAHEIM LAKE: Lake is closed. For more information, call (714) 996-3508 or log on to the lake's Web site at www.fishinglakes.com.

IRVINE LAKE: Trout fishing has been good on Power Bait or inflated night crawlers. Trollers are scoring with needlefish or Rapalas. Lots of trout in the 5-0 to 9-0 range were landed. Larry Hehr, Newport Beach, landed a 10-1 trout on an Owner Mira-Shad near the red cliffs. Steve Anna, Trabuco Canyon, took a 9-1 on a Blue Fox spinner near the docks. David Lepisto, Topanga Canyon, landed an 8-9 trout on a Rapala at the west shore. For information and lake hours, call (714) 649-9111.

LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing has been good on trout to 7-8. Top baits continue to be Power Bait, salmon eggs, inflated night crawlers, mini-jigs, or trout worms. The best fishing has been near the flats right behind the boat dock or the point to the right of the boat dock. For fishing information, call (949) 362-3885 or visit the lake's Web site at www.lagunaniguellake.com.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: Striper and largemouth action is still slow, but both bites are showing signs of life. A few small stripers are being caught on night crawlers, anchovies, or sardines, while the odd bigger fish has been caught on trout swimbaits. The largemouth are still mostly deep on the points with pig-n-jigs the best bet. A few trout showing in Miller and Cleghorn canyons. The boat dock is still closed from storm damage. 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: Very little fishing pressure, but a few locals continue to have fair action on trout to 3-0 on inflated night crawlers or Power Bait near the dam. For information, call Lin's Tackle Box at (909) 866-6260 or Big Bear Sporting Goods at (909) 866-3222.

JENKS LAKE: Mostly iced over. 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 action has been very good on Power Bait, mini-jigs, and split-shotted trout worms. Many limits and near limits have been landed. Bill Barry, San Bernardino, landed a 12-0 on Power Bait. Catfish continue to show in a fair to good bite thanks to weekly stockings of fish to 20-0. Action continues to be best from the finger point or the north shore. From both spots anglers are using long rods and heavy weights needed to make the long cast that will reach the island in the middle of the lake. John Atkins, Los Angeles, landed a 22-0 catfish on shrimp. For more information, call (800) 521-6332 or (760) 244-5951.

JESS RANCH: Trout fishing continues to be good on fish to 6-0. Power Bait, inflated night crawlers, mini-jigs, trout worms, and small spinners have been best. The lakes receive weekly plants of trout to 9-0. Bass started to show on night crawlers, plastics, or small jigs with the better weather this past week. For more information, call (760) 240-1107.

MOJAVE NARROWS: Fair fishing for trout with Power Bait or Power Worms getting a few limits. 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 Power Bait, mini-jigs, or inflated night crawlers. For information, call (909) 481-4205.

PRADO: The Lake is being drained and cleaned before being refilled and restocked. The lake was flooded with runoff from heavy rains which caused a near-complete fish kill. For information, call (909) 597-4260.

YUCAIPA: Trout fishing has been fair to good on trout to 3-0. Mini-jigs, trout worms, and Power Bait have been the top producers. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. 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. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. 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.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

CACHUMA: Trout action has been good for anglers trolling needlefish or drifting Power Bait around the island. Fish to 2-8 have been landed. Bass action continues to be fair for anglers fishing plastics. The lake is now at full pool and continues to be very muddy. For fishing information, call the boat dock at (805) 688-4040. The number for the main gate is (805) 688-4758.

CASITAS: Bass fishing continues to be good on quality fish to 13-0. All big fish continue to be landed on trout swimbaits. Heavier fishing pressure last week had many anglers using weighted swimbaits in 30 feet of water or more. Jay Carter, Ventura, landed a 13-2 on a swimbait. Paul Stanek, Simi Valley, landed an 11-0 also on a swimbait. Todd Thigpen, Santa Paula, landed a 10-3 on a Stocker Trout. Allen Cole, Boulder City, landed bass weighing 8-4 and 7-2 on A.C. Plugs. Many other quality bass from 5-0 to 9-0 were landed. Water continues to be stained, but is improving. For more information, contact the marina at (805) 649-2043.

CASTAIC: The lake is starting to clear and fishing has been improving on largemouth bass and stripers. Largemouth bass are showing on plastics fished 20 to 30 feet deep off of points. A few stripers to 5-0 are showing on cut anchovies or cut sardines drifted from 70 to 100-feet deep. For more information, contact the marina at (661) 775-6232.

PIRU: Trout action has been fair for anglers trolling needlefish on three to four colors of leadcore line. Bass fishing has been slow, but the bite is improving with the clearing water conditions. The lake has a 10 mph speed limit right now due to floating debris. For more information call the marina at (805) 521-1231 or check out the new Web site at www.lake-piru.org.

PYRAMID: Trout have been fair with fish to 4-0 showing on lures or Power Bait. A few bass are being landed by anglers fishing white grubs along the steep rocky walls of the lake. The lake is on its winter hours and closes at 5 p.m. There is no marina, bait shop, boat rentals, or campground. For information, call the USFS at (661) 296-9710.

TAIT RANCH TROUT PONDS: These fly-fishing-only, catch-and-release trout ponds in Frazier Park have fish to 5-0. Fishing billed by hour, half-day, or full day. For information, call (661) 245-6315.

TEJON LAKE: Closed. The private lake is open to catch-and-release anglers on a day fee or season basis. The lake reopens on March 5. For more information, call the Tejon Ranch Company at (661) 663-4210.

QUAIL LAKE: Catfish action has been slow to fair on mackerel fished near the inlet.

PUDDINGSTONE: Bass fishing has been fair, but a few lunker fish are showing on swimbaits. The water is still dirty from runoff but clearing. A few redear and trout are showing on inflated night crawlers in Sailboat Cove. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call (909) 599-8411.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Anglers fishing big swimbaits have been targeting areas where trout are stocked every Friday for fair to good action. Stripers have been averaging from 5-0 to 13-8 and are hitting Storm swimbaits, Huddleston Deluxe swimbaits, or A.C. Plugs. The bait bite for stripers has been fair at best, with some action coming on cut anchovies drifted in 40 to 70 feet of water. Trout will be planted on Fridays for the rest of the season. Largemouth bass action is starting to improve in the Overton Arm for anglers fishing plastics. For more information, call Blue Lake Tackle at (702) 452-8299.

WILLOW BEACH: Big stripers continue to be absent from this area even with weekly trout plants. Trout fishing has been very good with many limits of trout to 5-0 showing on Kastmasters or Power Bait. For more information, contact the marina at (928) 767-4747.

LAKE MOHAVE: Trout were planted on Friday in the Cottonwood area and a slew of big fish were landed that day and over the weekend. Many quality stripers in from 10-0 to 28-7 were landed on trout swimbaits, especially A.C. Plugs. John Wood, Henderson, trolled an A.C. Plug to land fish weighing 34-0 and 16-0. Alex Jimenez, Riverside, landed stripers weighing 28-7, 15-2, 10-9, and 8-4 on a 12-inch A.C. Plug. Allen Cole, Henderson, landed stripers weighing 24-11, 24-7, and 19-12 while trolling. The lake is stocked with trout every other Friday. For more information, call Cottonwood Cove at (702) 297-1464.

NEEDLES: Catfish action has been slow, 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: Catfish action is fair, but has improved greatly over the last two weeks. Fish have been showing from both 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: Largemouth bass action is good with fish staging in prespawn locations. Most bass are showing from mid lake coves on plastics. Many fish are holding from 10 to 20 feet deep. Striper action has been slow to fair with the best action for anglers trolling the lake. 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: A few flathead catfish are showing from the river and local back waters on goldfish or tilapia. Bass fishing is improving for anglers fishing live shiners with fair action on fish to 3-8. For more information, call B&B Bait at (760) 921-2248.

PALO VERDE: A 35-0 flathead catfish was landed from this region last week by an unidentified angler on a goldfish. Overall catfish and bass action has been fair in the main river and local backwaters. Some improvement in the 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: Catfish action has been fair at best, with fish to 6-0 showing on cut baits. 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 has been slowly improving with the better weather with shiners or plastics the best baits. Channel catfish are fair on mackerel or other stink baits, and the flathead bite has been slow. For more information, contact Mesa Sport Shop at (928) 782-5313.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: Fishing continues to be dead slow. For current fishing information, call Johnson's Landing (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 (760) 354-4049, Red Hill Marina (760) 348-2310, and the Salton Sea State Recreation Area (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.

ALAMO RIVER: A few catfish continue to show on mackerel.

COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Panfish and bass are very spotty on night crawlers.

ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.

FINNEY-RAMER: No report.

WEIST LAKE: Slow to fair trout action on Power Bait.

SUNBEAM LAKE: Fair trout fishing on Power Bait. For information, call (760) 352-3308.

LAKE CAHUILLA: A few catfish continue to show at the inlet, outlet, and the area south of the point. Trout fishing has been fair on Power Bait. There will be a DFG trout plant this week. For more information, call (760) 564-4712.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

By Terrence Berg - For Outdoor News Service

HOT BITES

GIANT SQUID: Giant squid ranging from 20-0 to 30-0 continue to prowl waters just off of San Diego, but few boats have been out after them this week. Top methods continue to be squid jigs or white iron dropped to the bottom then wound quickly to the boat. Boat captains are recommending that anglers fish with 30- or 40-pound test line and wear ponchos to protect clothing from flying ink when a gaffed squid is brought aboard. Last week, 17 anglers aboard a twilight trip on the New Seaforth, Seaforth Sportfishing, San Diego, landed 141 squid from 15-0 to 30-0.

ALBACORE: Scattered schools of albacore ranging from 6-0 to 12-0 continue to hold to waters 180 miles south of San Diego. There was little to no fishing pressure this past week due to rain storms in the area.

GIANT YELLOWFIN TUNA: Long range sportfishers leaving from San Diego continue to have excellent action on trophy yellowfin tuna at the Hurricane Bank. On Wednesday, the Excel, Fishermen's Landing in San Diego, arrived at the Hurricane Bank and found wide open fishing on tuna averaging from 80-0 to 120-0. The biggest tuna landed on the first day of fishing was landed by Dennis Braid of Braid Fishing Products and taped out at 210-0.

MEXICAN ROCKFISH: Rockfish action has been excellent for San Diego-based boats fishing in Mexican waters. Anglers continue to score great catches of assorted rockfish including reds, sculpin, and ling cod.

YELLOWTAIL: Yellowtail action slowed down with the weather last week, but plenty of fish are still cruising around San Clemente Island, Catalina Island, and the Coronado Islands. Most fish have been averaging 8-0 to 15-0, but a few fish to 30-0 have been landed. Look for the bites at any of the islands to improve with better weather and increased fishing pressure.