FISHING REPORT

Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews

Outdoor News Service

The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marina operators, tackle shops and local fishermen we contact. Anglers catching large fish should send the information to Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427, or telephone 909-887-3444, so it can be included n this report. Faxes can be sent to 909-887-8180. E-Mail messages or fishing reports can also be posted to Jim Matthews at odwriter@earthlink.net and/or Cyndi Gollaz at cagurrola@charter.net.

Other complete versions are posted on a number of Web sites each week, including the Turner's Outdoorsman Web site (www.turners.com) 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 Outdoor News Service Web site is www.outdoornewsservice.com.

The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacher hotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG's Web site is www.dfg.ca.gov.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. The warm weather has broken open the bass and crappie bites all over Southern California, so picking the three top spots is difficult. But the Diamond Valley Lake's bass bite is excellent and a notch above everyplace else. More and more bass are moving out of the depths, and there is a good crankbait and swimbait bite in relatively shallow water (10 to 15 feet). The really exceptional catches continue to mount up. Limits of bass that weighed 25 to 30 pounds are reported every week, if not daily, and there are more and more bass over eight pounds being caught now, too. For updated fishing information, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait & Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410.

2. The ocean action for giant squid has been excellent for over a month and hasn't been in our top picks even though it should have been. With the bite expanding into Orange County waters and occasionally even into the Santa Monica Bay, it has to be include now. All of the Orange County and San Diego Landings are running evening charters for the 20 to 50 pound squid. Bring rain gear and go. If you need information on gear or want specific dock counts, check on-line at www.976-tuna.com.

3. Casitas Lake, while still a top pick for bass, remains in the spotlight of our top picks for its newly emerged crappie bite. Quality fish and some nice stringers were reported this past week with a number of crappie over the two-pound mark. Yes, there were also six bass over 10 pounds. For an update on the when and where of the crappie bite, check with the marina staff at 805-649-2043.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: Still good trout action throughout the region's low elevation, planted waters. Top bets continues to be Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Irvine Lake, Laguna Niguel Park Lake, and Hesperia Lake. Angler's Lake in Hemet and Jess Ranch Lake in the high desert also have good bites. There is also a good action on recent plants and holdover fish at Diamond Valley, Silverwood, and Perris. Virtually all of the urban lakes from San Diego County north into Los Angeles County are now being planted with trout, and the bites are good across the board at these places -- at least for the first couple of days after the plants. Little change in the top picks here. They include Wohlford, Dixon, Poway, Jennings, and Cuyamaca in San Diego County, along with all the San Bernardino County park lakes -- Yucaipa, Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, and Mojave Narrows.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: Bass action is good to excellent with some fish already moving up onto beds throughout the region, especially lower elevation, warmer waters. Diamond Valley has broken wide open with excellent catches for five weeks now on swimbaits. Casitas has been a consistently good spot with a number of big bass to 11 pounds this past week. El Capitan, San Vicente, and Lower Otay have been good in San Diego County, and Sutherland improve this past week. Bass are showing with increasingly regularity at Perris, Castaic, Silverwood, Piru, Pyramid, and Murry. The lower Colorado River has also really started to turn on in the past week with some excellent reports, especially from the warmer backwaters. Also some decent smallmouth catches in this same region.

STRIPED BASS: For Southern California waters, Castaic, Skinner and Pyramid are the top picks with a number of two to five-pound class fish showing on swimbaits, shad, anchovies, and sardines, with the odd double-digit fish. Silverwood has had a decent bite, also on smaller fish, mostly on cut baits but there were few reports from here this past week. On the Colorado River, Mead has been spotty but a few good fish reported, spurred on by massive trout plants, and quality fish are always possible at Willow Beach or the upper reaches of Lake Mojave. A few small stripers to four pounds are showing in Havasu in a spotty bite.

PANFISH: A number of crappie bites are starting to take off. Casitas broke open this week. Buena Vista Lakes in the southern San Joaquin Valley is pretty good. On the Central Coast, Lopez Lake has a good crappie bite and the bite at Santa Margarita is ramping up, too. The Nacimiento bite also turned on, and the white bass are starting to run up into the river. Better crappie bites were reported at both El Capitan and Lower Otay this week. But there are still no bluegill or redear bites of note, although a few redear are starting to show at Cachuma and San Vicente had some decent bluegill action this week.

CATFISH: Overall, the catfish bites are still mostly spotty with the exception of the Hesperia Lake bite that broke wide open two weeks ago. Several more big fish over 20 pounds again this week. Other bites worth noting include a sleeper bite on catfish at Santa Ana River Lakes, mostly on trout guts. The lower Colorado River, especially in irrigation ditches around Blythe and Palo Verde, the flathead action is starting to go. There were several fish in the 20-pound class this past week.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: The lake is closed but set to open May 2. Reservations for all of May go on sale 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 through Ticketmaster at 619-220-8497. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.

HODGES: The overall bite improved this week. There were 226 anglers who reported 162 bass, 23 crappie, and 10 bluegill. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.

EL CAPITAN: Crappie bite good, bass fair, everything else slow. This past week, there were 420 anglers who reported catching 464 bass, 559 crappie, 20 blue catfish, 14 channel catfish, and 10 bluegill. Top catch was an 8.85-pound largemouth by Ted Becharas, Poway, on a crawdad. Top crappie catch was a 2.45 pounder by Gary Smith, Compton, that topped off a 22 fish stringer that weighed 22-4. Keith Boswell and Jimmy Magnabosco, both Lakeside, had 40 crappie that weighed 45 pounds with a 2.1-pounder the top fish. Alex Kluender, 7, San Diego, caught a 2.15-pound largemouth on plastics. No rental boats are available. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.

LOWER OTAY: Fair to good bass and crappie action. This week 427 anglers reported catching 396 bass, 109 crappie, 58 rainbow trout, 23 channel catfish, and nine bluegill. Harvey Arm and the Otay Arm have been the hot spots. Top fish was 6.8-pound largemouth by Bill Collins, Chula Vista, on a plastic worm. Harry Rodgers, Chula Vista, landed a 6.6-pound largemouth on crawdads. Jaime Roldan, Imperial Beach, caught a six-pound largemouth on a plastic worm, and Mike Green, Chula Vista, caught a 5.7-pound largemouth. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.

UPPER OTAY: There were 39 anglers who reported 50 bass in a pretty good catch-and-release bite. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.

SAN VICENTE: Good bass action and fair bluegill action, but no crappie reports this week. In all, there were 238 anglers who reported 389 bass, 86 bluegill, three redear, and one channel catfish. Top fish was 16.65-pound channel catfish landed by Will Larson, Spring Valley. The lake is open Saturday and Sunday only, and the boat launch reopened for private boaters this past Saturday. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.

MURRAY: Still a slow to fair overall bite with only a few bass and rainbow trout showing. This past week, there were 225 anglers who reported catching 81 bass and 44 rainbow trout. Doug Boley, San Diego, caught a 13.10-pound largemouth on a plastic worm. Dustin Kasinak, San Diego, caught a 2.85-pound rainbow on a plastic worm. The lake is open only for shore fishing seven days a week. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.

MIRAMAR: Slow fishing. No reports this week. The lake's launch ramp is closed. The lake is open to fishing Saturday through Tuesday. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/. Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.

SUTHERLAND: The bass bite remains good. This week the 156 anglers checked reported catching 275 bass, six crappie, one channel catfish, and one blue catfish. Top fish was a six-pound largemouth caught by George Thorton, Santee, on a crawdad, while Joe Rehm, Encinitas, caught a 4.55-pounder on a Senko. Riley MacLean, Ramona, caught a two-pound crappie on a crappie jig. The lake is on a Friday through Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474 or www.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.

WOHLFORD: Trout fishing has been very good on green Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. Hot spots have been off the north shore, east of Willow Cove, and in Boatdock Cove. Rudy Renteria, Oceanside, caught an 11-5 rainbow in Boatdock Cove. Tim Walston, Oceanside, caught a 7-8 trout also in Boatdock Cove on an inflated nightcrawler. The bass action has improved with warmer temps. Roy Hammond, Escondido, caught a 5-8 bass on a swimbait near the west buoy line. Crappie bite decent. Carol Bouley, Vista, landed a 2-11 crappie on a crappie jig near the south shore rock pile. Brett Aleshire, San Marcos, caught a 2-10 crappie on a live golden shiner. A 1,200-pound plant is slated for this week. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.

DOANE POND: DFG trout plant last week.

DIXON: Trout action has been good on rainbows to five pounds with the best action between piers 3 and 4 and at the buoy line. There's also a decent bite in Trout Cove. Top baits have been rainbow Power Bait or nightcrawlers. The lake was stocked with 1,200 last week and another one is slated for this week. Very few bass are showing, and the action has slowed due to a drop in water level. No catfish reported this week. The lake is open daily to 7 p.m. Information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.

POWAY: The lake received 1,000 pounds of Lightening Trout last week. The action is fair, but improving after last week's downfall. Some limits. Boat anglers fishing Boulder Bay area and Jump Off Point had the best luck. Power Bait and nightcrawlers were the choices for best bait, although broken-back Rapalas and Kastmasters were also good. The catfish bite is still good along the log boom with mackerel the best bait. The bass are starting to stir as the water warms up. The bluegill bite remains slow. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Information: snack bar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions 858-486-1234.

JENNINGS: The lake's big bass are becoming more active. Arden Hanline Jr., Spring Valley, caught a 13-8 bass on a swimbait -- the best of the season so far. Trout bite fair on Kastmasters. Larry Laumann, La Jolla, caught a three-pound trout. Upcoming events: free fishing class 1 p.m. Sunday will give instruction fishing floating baits and Trout Teaser-type jigs for trout. Information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.

MORENA: Good rainbow and Thunder Trout bites. Soaking baits in Yum Trout Killa is best. DFG trout plant one month ago. The boat launch is open, but no boats over 19-feet recommended. Boat rentals are limited to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.

CUYAMACA: Decent trout bite due to warmer weather. Thunder, Alper's, and DFG rainbows are being landed. Top spots have been the lone pine tree, the north shore, or the tee dock. G. Wagner, Wisconsin, caught a 6-4 trout on a Power worm. Stephane Votzwinkler Sr., Coronado, caught a six-pound trout on a Power worm from Chambers Park, and Stephane Votzwinkler, Jr., Coronado, caught a 4-2 and a four-pound rainbow trout, on Power worms, also from Chambers Park. Melanee Garls, Spring Valley, landed a 4-4 Alper's tagged trout on the Power Bait and nightcrawler combo at the lone pine. The catch was good for a free night's stay in one of the Cuyamaca Condos. Jeff Virissimo, Ramona, landed a three-pound Thunder trout on the Power Bait and nightcrawler combo at the lone pine. Best areas for fly fishing is in Azalea Creek for spawners and the mouth of the creek for staging trout. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.

HENSHAW: Catfish bite fair on shrimp for boat anglers. Carp and crappie are both very spotty with just a few of each showing. Information: 760-782-3501.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Excellent bass bite on swimbaits, Senkos, Ikas, and Carolina- or Texas-rigged, six-inch or larger plastics or Creature baits. Bigger is better. Boat anglers have had the most success, but shore fishermen have had luck with live crawdads. The bass have been holding in 10 to 30 feet of water off the main points, submerged mounds, and coves with heavy structure. Mike Collins, San Jacinto, caught a 29.76-pound limit of largemouth this past week -- nearly a six-pound average. The lake was planted with 2,400 pounds of rainbow trout last week, and the rainbow trout bite has remained good for both shore anglers and boat anglers fishing small jigs, lure, and floating baits. Lots of fish to 2-0. No striper action this week. Not too much catfish this action, and not crappie or bluegill reported. Information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Bait & Tackle 951-658-7410 or www.dvmarina.com.

PERRIS: Good bass action this week with fish moving into shallow waters. Top bass was a 10-1 by Mack Robinson, Moreno Valley, on a silver Kastmaster from the east end. Mark Sanchez, Moreno Valley, caught a seven-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler from the east end. The trout bite is good, and plenty of fish from last week's plant have been landed between the launch ramps and the east end in deeper water. Jay Grammatico, 10, Moreno Valley, caught a 1-4 trout on a garlic nightcrawler from the east end. DFG trout plant last week. Dock fishing is allowed for a $3 fee. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.

SKINNER: Excellent striper and trout bites again this week. The lake received an 800-pound rainbow trout plant this week to keep the rainbow action hot. John Thomlinson, Vista, caught an eight-pound stringer of trout on nightcrawlers at Ramp 2. Top fish was three pounds. Good bass bite as the fish move into a spawning mode. Tom Krueger, Moreno Valley, caught a six-pound largemouth on a nightcrawler from the east end. The catfish and bluegill bites are fair. Bill Masterson, Corona, caught a 6-2 catfish on a spinner from the east end. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.

LAKE ELSINORE: No reports.

CORONA LAKE: Both the trout and catfish bites have been excellent this past week. The warm weather has stirred up the catfish, and the trout have moved to deeper water and are cruising close to the bottom. Short, six-inch leaders have been the key to fishing floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers. Chartreuse and corn yellow Nitro Bait fished with Nitro Gravy or Grease has been the best bait, but a few fish are still showing on inflated nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or small jigs and trout plastics. The biggest rainbow this past week was a 20-pounder landed by Chuck Shamblin, Riverside, while fishing corn yellow Nitro Bait near the dam. Jarred Musby, Corona, landed a 15 1/4-pound rainbow, and Mike Drofycz, San Bernardino, had a limit of five trout that weighed 18 pounds. His big fish was an 11 1/2-pound rainbow. The catfish have been in the flooded trees and the best action has been on cut mackerel for both shore and boat anglers. Fred Offeney, Riverside, had a 5-0 catfish on mackerel. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglakes.com.

EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Fair trout bite on Power Bait.

RANCHO JURUPA: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant last week. Information: 951-684-7032.

FISHERMAN'S RETREAT: Good trout 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: Trout bite fair to good with most fish to three pounds and the best bite on lime twist or spring green Power Bait. Nightcrawlers also good. Catfish action still slow, but a more fish are still showing on the M&M (marshmallow and meal worm) combo, mackerel or nightcrawlers. Information: 951-927-2614.

REFLECTION LAKE: Lots of three- to five-pound rainbows all over the lake and plenty were caught during last week's derby. Each week over 1,000 pounds of trout are planted. Upcoming events: Fishing derby set for March 24. Lots of prizes and $100 can be won. Derby and lake information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.

JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Still a good trout bite, especially with warmer temps. The lake has a new sonar sensor, which can detect the size of the fish in addition to the location of the fish on the lake. Catfish still snoozing, but the warm weather should perk this bite. The pond will be stocked regularly with rainbow trout through the end of March and then catfish plants take over. Lake open daily Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on all Monday holidays. This is a pay-by-the-pound fishery. Information: 951-679-6562.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: Trout bite consistently good. The bite is best off the docks and shore by the launch ramp on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Top catch was a four-pound fish by Kenny Bevins, Hesperia, on a worm off the dock. James Garcia, Whittier, caught a five-pound stringer of trout on lemon twist Power Bait. Top fish was three pounds. DFG trout plant this week. The largemouth bass bite is starting to kick in a little bit with the warm weather with some decent fish to 4-0 report by anglers fishing plastics off the main lake points and around the marina. Few stripers reported this past week, and zip on the cats. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.

BIG BEAR LAKE: Slow trout action over most of the lake. A few fish are showing at the dam and in the Stanfield area on Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. No DFG trout plant in over two months. Information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.

GREGORY LAKE: Slow fishing with few reports. The boat house is now closed for the season. Information: 909-338-2233.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE: No reports. All facilities are closed until spring. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.

ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.

JENKS LAKE: Closed for the season. Information: 909-794-1123, ext. 4.

SAN BERNARDINO INLAND LAKES

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Good trout bite on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and small jigs. Lots of fish to 2-0 with some bigger. David Quintero, Ontario, landed a 5-0 trout, while Charles Rote, Chino, had trout at 4-0 and 3-0. Juan Garcia, Alta Loma, and Wilfe McMichael, Bloomington, each landed 3-0 rainbows. The lake is stocked every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG plant last week. Information: 909-481-4205.

PRADO: The lake will be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant last week. Entry fee is $10. Information: 909-597-4260.

YUCAIPA: Good trout action. Most of the rainbows have been 1-8 to 2-8 and the bite has been best on floating baits. The lake will be stocked with trout again this week and every week through April 19 by the county. DFG trout plant last week. Fishing derby scheduled for March 31 and April 1. Entry fee is $10. Derby or lake information: 909-790-3127.

GLEN HELEN: Trout bite remains good on jigs and Power Bait. The lake will continue to be stocked with trout every Thursday through April 19 with county fish. DFG trout plant last week. 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 last week. Fishing improved to fair. Information: 909-384-5233.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: There were 12 trout over the 10-pound mark reported this past week, and four of the rainbows topped 20 pounds and two others were in the 19-pound class. The biggest fish was a 22 1/2 pound rainbow landed by Jim Soliz, South El Monte, while fishing rainbow Power Bait at the boat dock. A 21 1/2-pound rainbow was landed by Alex Flores, Downey, while Ayaz Uddin, Anaheim, landed a 21-pounder. Mike Valdez, Orange, caught a 20 1/2-pounder. Ed Locke, Sr., Long Beach, landed a 19 1/4-pound rainbow, while Pedro Villa, Anaheim, caught a 19-pound trout. There will be double stockings of big fish each week for the rest of the month. along with steelhead trout this week and each of the next two weeks. The warm weather has also turned on the catfish bite, although few anglers are fishing the cats. The best baits have been trout guts in the big lake or the usual catfish baits fished in the Catfish Lake. The same pair of anglers -- David and Pancho Garcia, both of Santa Ana -- have been fishing trout guts and bringing home stringers of cats to 7 1/4 pounds each week. This past week's stringer of 14 fish weighed in at 30 1/4 pounds. 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: A trout hot spot is along the buoys at the mouth to Sierra Cove, but even more fish have been landed by trollers using firetiger Rapalas, with the smaller lures getting the nod due to the extremely clear water. Most bait anglers have had success on the Power Bait/nightcrawler combination. Kenny Cameron, Northridge, landed a 9.2-pound trout on Power Bait. Brad Sampson, Lakewood, caught an 8.8-pound trout on a Rapala on the flats. Kreg Burbridge, Alta Loma, landed an 8.4-pound trout at mid-lake. Chris Goodwin, Orange, caught a 7.2-pound trout near the dam. Stan Jackson, Mission Viejo, 6.2-pound trout on Power Bait off the west shore. The largemouth are moving up, with lots of three and four pounders on crankbaits or Rapalas. Crappie action picked up at the Santiago Flats with a few fish in the one-pound range biting on mini-jigs. Oddball catch of the week: Fred Tovyk, Riverside, caught a 40-pound sturgeon. Information: 714-649-9111.

LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout fishing good to excellent. The lake received a double plant of trout this week. Most fish are in the two- to 3 1/2-pound range. Best fishing is to the right of the concession and off the points on Power Bait, nightcrawlers dipped in sauce and Power worms. Trollers are having luck with gold Kastmasters. Fly fishermen are having success behind the big island with olive midges. Bass bite fair with fish in the one to two-pound range. Bite best on assorted plastics. Information: 949-362-3885 or www.lagunaniguellake.com.

LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES

CACHUMA: Trout action good, especially when trolling at the east end in five to 10 feet of water with Needlefish. Only a few bass have been showing, also from the east end. The bass action is expected to pick up. Redear, crappie, and catfish are quiet. DFG trout plant this week. Information: 805-688-4040.

CASITAS: A lot of bass action with quality fish routine. The fish are moving into the shallows getting ready to spawn. Best fish was an 11-8 bass caught by John Marini, Tarzana, on a swimbait. Joe Zitko, San Pedro, also landed an 11-8 bass on a live crawdad. Frank Marini, Tarzana, caught a 10-pound bass also on a swimbait. Bill Griffith, Ventura, caught a 10, seven, and a three-pound bass on crankbait. Mark Mitran, Ojai, caught two 10-pound bass on crawdads. Paul Dobson, Lakeside, caught a 9-8 bass on Senko. Trollers, however, are not having too much luck. Crappie bite decent on nightcrawlers and white mini-jigs. Frank Bennett, Ojai, caught 15 crappie with his top fish at three pounds. He also had an 8-8 bass on his stringer. Harold Cho, Camarillo, caught 30 crappie, with the largest at 2-8. Trout plant this week at the Santa Paula Ramp. Information: 805-649-2043.

CASTAIC: Trout action fair in the upper lake, but better in the lagoon. No more plants in the upper lake until October. The striper action is also fair, especially in the Fish Arm. Largemouth bass are still spotty. Information: 661-775-6232.

PIRU: Bass fishing is excellent with most fish from two to three pounds. Top fish was a 9-8 bass on a plastic worm, however the angler didn't leave a name. Floyd Schmidt and John Patrick, Camp Pendelton, caught a 6-1 bass on a plastic worm off the north end. DFG trout plant this week. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500, marina 805-521-1231.

PYRAMID: Striper bite decent on anchovies. The trout and catfish action is fair to good. Trout biting best on anchovies, Power worms, and Power Bait. Trout plant this week. Water levels are up and boats are able to launch. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: USFS 661-296-9710, concession 661-257-2790.

QUAIL LAKE: Few reports.

PUDDINGSTONE: Trout and cats have the best bites. The catfish are biting cut mackerel and nightcrawlers, while the trout are hitting green Power Bait. Bass are spawning yet, but more and more fish are showing, and there have also been reports of bluegill and crappie showing with the occasional redear. In the next two weeks things should open up. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.

SANTA FE DAM: Still a slow to fair trout action mostly on floating baits and inflated nightcrawlers doused with scent. DFG trout plant last week. Also a few cats showing, but that bite has slowed way down. Information: 626-334-1065.

ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

BALBOA PARK LAKE: No reports.

BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week.

ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.

HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.

HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 213-261-0113.

JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No DFG plants in over two months.

KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: Trout action decent on Power Bait. DFG plant last week. Information: 818-448-7317.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: Slow fishing. Nothing reported this week. 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: Few reports. Channel catfish are fair on mackerel or anchovies.

COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel cats and the odd bass have been reported.

ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.

FINNEY-RAMER: No report.

WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.

SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information: 760-352-3308.

LAKE CAHUILLA: Good trout action with plants the past two weeks. The trout are running from one to four pounds with a few even bigger. Almost all of the action has been at the outlet this past week, with Power Baits and nightcrawlers doused with scent the hot baits. DFG trout plant last week. Catfish derby set for April 20-21. Information: 760-564-4712.

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 with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:

LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Pyramid Lake.

ORANGE: Centennial Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake, Tri-city Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Hemet Lake, Strawberry Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO: Lytle Creek (Middle and North forks), Silverwood Lake.

SAN LUIS OBISPO: Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.

SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake, Santa Ynez River.

VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek, Rose Valley Lakes

INYO: Cottonwood Creak, Diaz Lake, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (Section 2), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Shepherds Creek, Symmes Creek, Tuttle Creek.

FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Dam, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam.

KERN: Brite Valley Reservoir, Kern River (Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar, Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach).

MARIPOSA: McSwain Reservoir.

MERCED: Los Banos Detention Reservoir, Merced River from McSwain Dam to Merced Falls, Yosemite Lake.

STANISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Turlock Reservoir, Woodward Reservoir

MONTEREY: El Estero Lake.

TUOLUMNE: Tulloch Lake.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman

CHANNEL ISLANDS: There continues to be an excellent rockfish bite for landings in this region with limit-style fishing the rule. Port Hueneme Sportfishing has reported rockfish limits for all of its anglers on every boat in the past week, and there have been a few sheephead and whitefish in the bag, too. Malibu Sportfishing is now open again, and the Aquarius is running weekend trips.

LOS ANGELES AREA: There have been some giant squid as far north as the Santa Monica Bay, but most skippers are focusing on the good rockfish and sculpin fishing. The halibut action is still very spotty, too. At Catalina Island, there are more and more bait-sized squid each week and this has kicked open the door for some limited white seabass and yellowtail action where the conditions are right. It's not an every day thing, but when the wind, tide, swell, and water temperature is right, the bite can be exceptional. Pete Gray, host of Let's Talk Hookup radio, was at Catalina Tuesday and had three seabass to 21 pounds fishing from a private boat with live squid. There have also been some decent scores on sportboats in the past week, and most skippers think this bite could break wide open on the next full moon if we don't have any sour weather. The next grunion run starts Monday and this could trigger a halibut bite both at Catalina and in the Santa Monica Bay.

ORANGE COUNTY REGION: San Clemente Island has been hit and miss on the yellowtail, but the consistency has been improve. The Freedom out of 22nd Street Landing and Bongos' six-pack fleet, along with the Seahorse out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing, have all had days in the past week with some decent fishing. This is another bite that could break wide open if these weather conditions continue. The giant squid action has been excellent all the way from southern Orange County waters south into San Diego waters and points south. Dana Wharf and Davey's Locker boats are tapping this bite each evening.

SAN DIEGO UPDATE: The giant squid remain the mainstay for the San Diego local fleet. No one can remember giant squid showing for so long and over such a broad geographic area. They are being caught in great numbers from Orange County south well into Baja California and they are as far north as spots off San Francisco. These are mostly 15 to 50 pound squid. Yellowtail are showing off the La Jolla kelp and the Coronados, but the fish are not on much of a bite with few reported. Skippers are seeing the fish, but the action is very picky. The overnight fleet is focusing on rockfish off Baja with excellent action on lings, reds, a few yellowtail, at Colonet and San Martin. The outer banks are already seeing some water temperatures as high as 63 1/2 degrees -- which is abnormally warm -- and kelp yellowtail and albacore are possible anytime now. In fact, the Constitution out of H&M Landing is heading out this Friday to look for albacore.

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.