I just checked the calendar and there is no open hunting season right now.

WhatÂ's a sportsman to do? Go fishing.

As the mild days of spring blend into the warmer days of summer, anglers can find some exciting fishing from the night catfishing at Lake Henshaw or Dixon Lake to the trout in the cooler waters of Cuyamaca Lake.

If you are a real hunter, looking for the big boys in local lakes is just about as exciting as tagging that nice buck.

Bass will be the focus for the next month or so as the big females move into shallow water to spawn, offering anglers a chance to at least get a look as some of the monsters in local lakes.

While Hodges and Wohlford both kick out their fair share of bragging bass, EscondidoÂ's Dixon Lake holds the spotlight as the trophy hunters seek the offspring of Dottie. Dottie took on legendary status at Dixon when caught several times over a three-year period. The fish flirted with world record status, but was eventually found dead of natural causes. That has not stopped trophy bass anglers from a concentrated effort at Dixon in hopes of catching the next record setter.

As seasonal temperatures rise, the fishing action moves inland to some of the higher elevation lakes.

Sprawling Lake Henshaw at the eastern toe of Palomar Mountain has yet to produce a record bass, but late spring and summer often finds anglers leaving with full stringers of fish in the 5 to 7-pound class. Cats are also abundant at the lake and a new fishing dock allows anglers easy access to the red-hot crappie bite that starts in May and continues well into July.

Cabins and boat rentals are available as well as a store and caf©.

Cuyamaca Lake is San Diego's version of a High Sierra lake, with cooler water, surrounding mountains and pine trees. May can see some incredible trout fishing along with bass, and panfish and even sturgeon. The big trout this week was a 3.5-pound rainbow and the crappie has also been active, according to lake supervisor Georgia Martin.

Last May, Don Roberts of Valley Center had quite a fishing surprise when he landed a 40-pound sturgeon. That was one of two of the monster prehistoric fish caught at the lake last summer. The second one measured 52 inches and went 37 pounds. Cuyamaca is the only Southern California lake stocked with sturgeon.

Cuyamaca Lake also offers a store, caf© cabin and boat rentals, picnic facilities and campground.

The lower elevations lakes such as Poway, Wohlford, and Dixon will soon see the last of the trout fishing for the season as the warm water shifts the bite to bass, catfish, bluegill and crappie.

While there might not be much out there for the hunter, there is no excuse to miss the fishing action this time of the year.

Family camping

The city of Poway is offering three family campouts this summer at Lake Poway. Designed for the first-time family camper, participants will be able to enjoy night hikes, interpretive presentations around a campfire, fishing and boating. Campers will also wake up to the sounds of birds, the smell of fresh coffee, and a continental breakfast.

Participants should bring a tent, camping equipment, and barbeque dinner supplies. Charcoal and a grill will be provided.

The first family campout will be held on June 20, from 5:00 p.m. through 9 a.m. The second is scheduled for July 18-19, and the third on August 15-16. The fee per family is $50 for Poway residents and $60 for non-residents. No alcohol is permitted. To register for this event you can sign up on the web at www.poway.org or by visiting City Hall, community services department at 13325 Civic Center Drive. For more information, call (858) 668-4781.

Safe boating

Boaters are being reminded that next week is National Safe Boating Week and all captains and crew should review boating safety basics. On average, 700 people die in boating-related accidents every year. In California alone, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 601 boating accidents in 2007, the second highest in the nation.

The essentials of boating safety include brushing up on the safety basics, wearing properly fitted life jackets, telling someone where you are going and how long you will be gone, avoiding alcohol, and learning to swim.

As part of Boating Safety Week, MetLife Auto & Home offers a free boating safety guide, endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard, with tips and tools for water safety. Younger sailors can also learn boating safety with a coloring and activity book that features the Peanuts gang. Both are available by calling (800) 638-5433.

Ernie Cowan is the outdoor writer for the North County Times. If you have a story of interest, call (760) 518-8050, or e-mail ernie@packtrain.com.