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@verizon.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. Moving back into our No. 1 spot, Diamond Valley Lake practically owns this position. The striper and largemouth bass bites short of merge as the top bet with the bigger specimens of both species coming up to chase planted rainbow trout, and it’s the DFG plant of trout this week that makes this the easy No. 1 pick. Top stripers this past week were at 21 and 16 1/2 pounds, and double digit largemouths are being caught each week but simply not reported. For the latest update and tips, call the marina at 951-926-7201 (www.dvmarina.com) or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410 (www.lastchancebaitandtackle.com). Don’t forget: The launch ramp will reopen Sunday, Dec. 20 -- two months ahead of schedule. Now that’s a Christmas present.

2. The top trout pick for this week is a coin flip, so they both get the number two spot. Corona Lake has continued to be a bright spot with a lot of limits made up of one to five-pound rainbows and a few bigger. Top fish this week was a 17-pounder. Tiny Hesperia Lake in the High Desert is starting to rival Corona with 2,000 pounds of trout planted each week now. It also cranked out a new lake record at 22 1/2 pounds this week. But this lake is also cranking out a lot of rainbows to four or five pounds. Floating baits are the hot ticket at both. For an updates, call the Corona Lake tackle shop at 951-277-3321 or Hesperia Lake at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.

3. Light fishing pressure this week, but Lake Skinner’s striper bite remains in our top picks with an excellent striped bass bite this week. Top fish this past week was a 20-pounder, and the volume of two to six pounders continues very good. A DFG trout plant two weeks ago kept the big fish up and chasing the big swimbaits. Smaller fish are still showing on chicken liver, anchovies, or shad-like jerkbaits. For an update on this bite, call the marina at 951-926-8515.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open. Hesperia Lake cranked out a new lake record this week at 22 1/2 pounds and it wide open for rainbows from pan-sized to five pounds. It’s getting 2,000-pounds of trout a week now. Corona Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, Irvine Lake, and Laguna Niguel Park all were planted again this week and are worth fishing. All of the San Bernardino County Park lakes, after being skipped last week, are again on a weekly county planting schedule. Yucaipa, Glen Helen, Prado, Cucamonga-Guasti, and Mojave Narrows are all good bets this week. In San Diego County, trout season kicks off a Wohlford this week (4,500 pounds), and Dixon, Poway, Jennings, and Cucamaca are all plants this week and have very good fishing.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are mostly just spotty right now, especially after this week’s weather, but there are still some quality fish up chasing trout in the regularly stocked lakes. Top picks for a big largemouth include Diamond Valley, Castaic, and Casitas, Other decent bets include Pyramid, Piru, and Skinner. Smallmouth have been good in Pyramid and the lower Colorado River, especially from Needles south.

STRIPED BASS: The bites are pretty good at all the usual haunts. Skinner, Castaic, and Pyramid all are pretty good bets, with Silverwood slowing a little. Both Skinner and DVL have produced 20-pound class stripers this week. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off. Only Havasu has a pretty dawn, dusk, night bite. There’s also been an oddly good striper by near Blythe on Goose Flats.

PANFISH: The bluegill have all but died everywhere, but a few decent redear bites are lingering for diligent panfish anglers. Top picks include Lake Perris, Casitas, Piru, and Pyramid with the action mostly in deep water on nightcrawler pieces. Keep an eye on Puddingstone. Crappie bites have slowed everywhere this past week because of weather, but watch the bites on Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River and the Buena Vista lakes in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea perked last week but tanked with the cold weather. Keep an eye on this bite -- it was wide open much of the winter last year.

CATFISH: Slow most places. The Colorado River is a top bet with a few quality flatheads and channels in the lower river. Hesperia Lake is still the best bet of the urban lakes, but it is slowing down with the cold. For wild fish, the action is slow most places with only a few fish showing at Skinner, Diamond Valley, Casitas, Silverwood, and Pyramid. But all are tough.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: Very good trout action after the plant last week. Power Bait and Power Worms have been working best for trout with Cleghorn the top spot. Fair striper bite with anything shad-like working best but fishing anchovies or trolling trout-like lures has also worked well. Paul Peterson, Huntington Beach, caught six stripers to four pounds on Kastmasters at the dock and Cleghorn. Catfish bite has been slow with the best at action for bigger catfish on the points on anchovies. Angela Erstwhile, Hesperia, caught two catfish to eight pounds on anchovies at the dock. The largemouth bass bite is slow to fair with the best action off rocky points on lizards and other plastics. The bluegill bite is very slow with a few caught off the rocks by the docks. The park is closed every Wednesday and Thursday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use parking areas, or marina. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.

BIG BEAR LAKE: No one fishing in the snow and the lake is icing up. If the lake doesn’t freeze over, there had been a fair trout bite in Boulder Bay, off Grout Bay, and in front of the observatory on nightcrawlers drifted in deep water on long leaders. No DFG plants in a month. Everything else very slow. Fishing information: Big Bear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 or www.bigbearmarina.com.

GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Last DFG plant over a month ago. Information: 909-338-2233.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Lake facilities all closed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009.

ARROWBEAR LAKE: No DFG plants in over a month.

JENKS LAKE: Very slow. Last DFG trout plant over a month ago. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: A new lake record rainbow trout was caught here this week when a 22-8 was landed by James Whalen, Hesperia, on Power Bait. Overall the trout action is very good with a lot of trout in the three to five pound class on stringers. Austin Lightcap, Oak Hills, caught trout at 8-8, 12-pounds using Velveeta cheese on this 10th birthday Wednesday this week. Dave Cook, Wrightwood, landed a 10-8 rainbow on Power Bait. Plants of 2,000 pounds of trout are going in each week through December. The catfish bite remains fair with the last plant going in a week ago. The last sturgeon and wiper plants were in November, but Ricky Kurose, Victorville, landed a 35-pound sturgeon this week on a nightcrawler. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.

JESS RANCH: Trout action is very good with the best bite before 10 a.m. on Power Bait, especially in spring green, salmon peach, orange, and garlic. Nightcrawlers and a variety of jigs and lures also working well. Limits are common and many fish over two pounds are showing. Scott Desden, Long Beach, caught a 3-11 rainbow on Thomas Buoyant. Catfish action is fair on shrimp and mackerel with the best bite near the southeastern shore of Lake 2. The bass bite is mostly slow with some action on Senkos and spinnerbaits. The lake is open Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Fridays from its own hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or www.jessranchlakesnews.com.

MOJAVE NARROWS: Slow to fair trout action. There was no county trout plant last week, but county plants are weekly now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February. Best action on floating baits and jigs. Other species mostly slow now with the cold weather. For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: No county plant last week, but plants are every week now through the rest of the season except for the last week of February. Also a DFG plant this week. Fair to good action on floating baits, small lures and jigs, and trout plastics. A few carp and catfish are also showing. The first of San Bernardino County Regional Parks five trout season derbies will be held here this Saturday with the largest trout eligible for 50 prizes ranging from $35 to $500 in value. The lake will receive a bonus plant of trophy trout for this event. Last year it took at least a 10 1/2-pound rainbow to win the top prize at each event, and the biggest fish landed during the derby series was a 19 1/2 pounder. Other parks hosting derbies are as follows: Yucaipa, January 9; Prado, February 6; Mojave Narrows, March 20; and Glen Helen, April 10. All derbies are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and registration is $15 per angler (in addition to a $10 vehicle entry fee). Information: 909-481-4205.

PRADO: No county trout plant last week, but county fish are going in this week and every week the rest of the season except for the last week in February. Last DFG plant was two weeks ago. The catfish bite has been mostly slow. Spotty bluegill action. Information: 909-597-4260.

YUCAIPA: There will be a junior fishing workshop here on December 19 for kids ages 5 to 11. Call 909-387-2461 to register. Just fair trout action without county or DFG trout last week, but county plants are ever week now through the rest of the trout season, except the last week of February. There is also a DFG plant slated for this week. Slow other species. Lake information: 909-790-3127.

GLEN HELEN: While no county trout were planted last week, county plants are going in weekly now through the rest of the trout season, except for the last week in February. There is also a DFG plant scheduled for this week. The trout action has been spotty this past week but Jim Reed, Fontana, caught a limit of trout totaling 12.05 pounds with a 6.76-pounder topping the catch. Slow catfish action, and the bluegill bite is slow to fair on small worms, mealworms, and crickets fished under bobber. Carp are fair on dough baits. Bass action slow. 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: Slow to fair trout action after DFG plants two and three weeks ago. Information: 909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: Fair to good striper bite this past week. Trout-like swimbaits fished at the inlet or east dam has been the ticket for stripers. James Smelt, Murrieta, caught a 21.06-pound striper on a Z-plug. Scheila Eharn, Murrieta, caught a 16.45-pound striper on a Z-plug. Largemouth action is fair. The bigger fish come up in the days after the trout plants to hammer the rainbows, and -- hint, hint -- the DFG is slated to plant this week. Big swim baits are the ticket then. Otherwise, the fish are mostly in deeper water and showing on a wide range of plastics, jigs, ice jigs, and underspins. Rainbow trout action has been good but fishing pressure has been light. Floating dough baits, trout jigs, and small trout plastics have been working best. Best action in the marina cove and off the east dam with two-pound test. Some catfish are showing with Jason Phang, West Covina, landing a 31.2-pounder. Bluegill and crappie have slowed with only a few showing on jigs and nightcrawlers fished at the dam. The launch ramp is currently closed but will reopen for boat launching December 20, two months ahead of schedule, with the completion of the ramp extension. A combination bass and trout fishing competition will be held at Diamond Valley Lake Saturday, Dec. 12 with proceeds to benefit Valley Wide Recreation, a group benefiting youth athletic and outdoor activities in the Hemet-San Jacinto area. Entry fee is $220 for bass anglers ($80 in options available) and $60 for trout anglers (or $20 for kids 15 and under). Anglers fishing this event will be the first to use the new ramp to launch private boats and fish the lake. For more tournament information or to sign up, call Last Chance Bait and Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410 or go to www.lastchancebaitandtackle.com. For general lake and fishing information, call 800-590-LAKE, the marina at 951-926-7201 or www.dvmarina.com, or Last Chance Bait and Tackle (numbers above).

PERRIS: Fair trout bite after the plant two weeks ago. Nightcrawlers and dark colored Power Worms have been working best for trout, and anglers have reported success near the marina and Lots 5 and 6. Curtis Tiffany, Riverside, caught a limit of trout totaling 20.4 pounds with a 5.5-pounder topping the catch. Bass action fair to good with a couple of nice fish reported this past week. The early morning has been the best time to get a bass. Joey Malone, Oxnard, caught a 6.3-pound largemouth on a Power Worm fishing near the marina. The bluegill and crappie action has slowed and it's almost entirely redear being caught now as far as panfish go. The best bite is on crickets, meal worms, wax worms, small nightcrawlers or small jigs tipped with a bait. The catfish bite is slow with the marina the top spot and mackerel the top bait. Slow to fair carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, and Rock Climber's Cove area. The park is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday now through March to save State Parks money. The lake remains open to walk-in fishing on these days, but there is no access to the campground, day-use area, or marina. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.

SKINNER: The striper bite was excellent again this past week with a lot of big fish showing. The inlet, south shore, and ramp No. 2 were the hot spots with chicken liver and anchovies the top baits. If you want to land a big striper the big artificial lures fished in the early morning are still your best bet. David Post, Redlands, caught two stripers to 20 pounds on an A.C. Plug at the inlet. Don Ware, Yucaipa, caught a nine-pound striper on a Rapala deep runner at Ramp No. 2. The trout action is very good. Ramp No. 2 has been the top spot with Power Bait, spoons, spinnerbaits, nightcrawlers, and Troutmallows all producing fish. The largemouth bite remained fair with several fish in the four to five-pound range reported. Catfish action is slow to fair with the dam and inlet the best spots. Some bluegill and carp are showing but not many anglers are targeting them. Parking has been restricted for ramp No. 2, but the shoreline remains open for fishing. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.

ELSINORE: Very light fishing pressure and few reports. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, Elsinore West Marina at 951-678-1300.

CORONA LAKE: Excellent trout action has continued, even since Monday’s storm, with a lot of limits and a few real trophy trout being caught. Oliver Valdez, Corona, landed a 17-pound rainbow also on a nightcrawler while fishing from shore. Valdez had a six-fish, 31-pound stringer. Hank DeAnda, Whittier, landed a 10 1/2-pound rainbow, and his four-fish stringer weighed 17 1/2 pounds. He was fishing nightcrawlers at the dam. Other big fish include a 9-8 rainbow landed by Eric Eyserbeck, Temecula; nine-pounders by Donovan Aarons, Riverside, and Dale Casado, Riverside; an 8-4 and eight-pounder by Tony Rincon, Moreno Valley; and another eight-pounder landed by Sam Dafaha, Fontana. The week’s big fish was a huge 38-pound carp landed by Jerry Young visiting from Minnesota while fishing a nightcrawler from shore. Top trout baits have been chartreuse, corn yellow, and rainbow Eagle Claw Nitro Bait dough dipped in garlic Nitro Garvy. Inflated nightcrawlers doused with the garlic scent have also been good, and the small trout jigs and trout plastics are also working well. There were at least 40 limits of rainbows were reported by anglers this week. Information: 951-277-4489 or www.fishinglake.com.

EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Other species slow.

RANCHO JURUPA: County trout were planted last week and DFG fish are scheduled for this week. Very good action with fish in both lakes. Slow other species except for a few bluegill, but there was one nice catfish caught this past week. Mario Altamirano, Fontana, caught a nine-pound catfish on nightcrawlers. Trout Derby set for January 23. Information: 951-684-7032.

FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: No report. Information: 909-795-2411.

ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.

REFLECTION LAKE: No report. The lake's hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: 951-654-7906 or www.reflectionlakerv.com.

JEAN'S CHANNEL CATS: Very good trout action, mostly one one to two-pound fish. Best bite on most trout dough baits and nightcrawlers. Plants twice a month through April. Still a few catfish showing on chicken liver with mackerel. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Monday holidays. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS

LAKE HEMET: Sour weather this past week and few anglers. Before the storms a few trout were still showing after DFG plants last week and three weeks ago. Other species slow. 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 DFG trout plants. Information: 951-659-2117.

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Very good trout action and the Monday storm didn’t slow the action. Limits of trout to four or five pounds have been common, but the huge rainbows over 15 pounds planted two weeks still aren’t showing. The big trout this past week was a 12 1/2-pounder caught last Friday by Trac Ng, Rowland Heights, while fishing with chartreuse Nitro Bait at the road. Santiago Palacios, West Covina, landed a 7 1/2-pounder, while, Jon Mulligan, Chino Hills, caught a seven pound rainbow on a nightcrawler to top off his 19-pound stringer. The best action has been on a variety of floating boats in bright colors --chartreuse, rainbow, orange, white, and yellow -- or nightcrawlers doused with scent. The rainbows are showing from the entire Lake’ complex but Chris Pond and the Bubble Hole seem to be producing a little better than other places. An Eagle Claw $20 off boat rental coupon is available on The Lakes web site through Dec. 23 at www.fishinglake.com. Private boats are no longer being allowed at Santa Ana River Lakes do to fears of invasive quagga mussels being introduced into the water system. Information: 714-632-7830.

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: Very good trout action this past week. Power Bait has been the most productive bait and the top spot was Santiago Flats. Bill Carlson, Orange, caught an 11-12 rainbow trout on a Rapala at the west shore. Ricardo Zepeda, Garden Grove, hooked into a 10-6 rainbow on Power Bait at boat dock cove. Mike Guich, Santa Clarita, landed a 7-12 trout on Power Bait at the Red Clay Cliffs. Roy Gody, Chino Hills, got a 7-6 rainbow trout on Power Bait at Sierra Cove. Bass action is fair in 15 to 20 feet of water near Red Clay Cliffs and Rocky Point. Some catfish are still showing. Anglers are encouraged to release any blue catfish over 10 pounds and reminded that they are required to release any catfish over 20 pounds. Slowish bluegill bite with meal worms or wax worms in the shallows near the docks. Fishing in the Kids Lagoon has been excellent and should stay very good after a plant of brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout this week. Kids who catch one of each species of trout will be entered into a prize raffle. The lake is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake information: 714-649-9111 or www.irvinelake.net.

LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout were planted last week and a plant of trophy rainbows in the eight to 10-pound range are slated to go in this week. Overall fair to good trout action after a plant of 5,000 pounds for the opener three weeks ago. Jordan Valencia, Santa Ana, caught the top trout this past week at 6.2 pounds on Power Bait at the launch ramp. Slow to fair bass and bluegill action. 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: DFG trout plant Wednesday this week. While there is continued light fishing pressure, but there’s a pretty good trout bite for trollers and bait anglers fishing Cachuma Bay and at the dam. Top baits have been Power Baits and nightcrawlers, while trollers are using Needlefish near the surface. Next Calavaras plant will be in early this month. There is still a pretty fair bite on smallmouth bass on the rocky points, mostly on plastics and jigs. A few reports of catfish and some crappie were reported in Cachuma Bay on small Rapalas this past week, but that bite has been spotty. The odd redear and bluegill showing in the east end and Stork Flats on nightcrawler pieces. For quagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at

http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html

. The marina is closed and boat rentals have ceased, effective in mid-October. The marina isn’t expected to be reopening in the near future, but the boat launch is still open. For fishing information updates, anglers should now call the general store at 805-688-5246.

CASITAS: Only a handful of people have fished here this past week, and the bites are tough. Still, diligent bass and redear anglers are continuing to get a few fish. The bigger bass are coming up in 10 to 15 feet of water and chasing big, trout-like swimbaits, while the bulk of the action is in 35 to 50 feet of water on suspended fish (on spoons or ice jigs) or fish on structure in those same depths on leadheads and plastics. Top bass was a nine-pounder caught by

John Karayan, Santa Paula, on a Stocker Trout, while Mark Torrez, Camarillo, landed a seven-pounder on a Huddleston. Seth Casey, Oakview, caught a 6-8 bass on a plastic worm. The redear are in 10 to 20 feet of water and showing on nightcrawlers and red worms. Mark Casey, Ojai, landed a 1 3/4-pounder on a nightcrawler. Trout slow since last Wednesday’s plant and no fish slated until at least next week. Catfish are slow, but no one is targeting them either. Private boats are allowed at Casitas, but boats will be inspected and face a 10-day dry dock requirement because of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is open every day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information: 805-649-2043.

CASTAIC: DFG trout planted in both the upper lake and lower lagoon last week, and the bite has been very good on on Power Bait, small spinners, and small pieces of nightcrawler. Fair striper action with a bit of a slump from recent weeks. Most of the fish are still showing from the shoreline to the right of the marina on anchovies, sardines, nightcrawlers, shad, and blood worms. Most of the fish are around four to nine pounds, with a few double-digit fish reported. Chad Kingston, Sylmar, caught an 18.4-pound striper on a Lunker Punker at the west ramp this past week. The largemouth bite is fair on shad-like cranks and swimbaits, with plastic worms also a good bet. All of the coves in the Fish Arm are producing fish with the best action early and late in the day. Catfish action has slowed and very few bluegill and crappie action have been reported. Information: 661-775-6232 or www.CastaicLake.com.

PIRU: Very light fishing pressure over the last week. There were only two boats on the lake on Tuesday and no shore anglers. On Wednesday there were just three boats and a handful of shore anglers. Last trout plant Nov. 30, and there continues to be a fair bite on these smaller rainbows on small lures and floating baits. Also still a fair bass bite on deep-running cranks, jigging spoons, and ice jigs in 30 to 40 feet of water. A few crappie continue to show on small jigs, and bluegill and redear are spotty on nightcrawlers and red worms. Catfish very slow. Information: front gate at 805-521-1500, x500 or www.camplakepiru.com.

PYRAMID: Very light fishing pressure this past week with rain, snow, and I-5 road closures due to the weather. There was just one angler on Tuesday and only about 30 fishing Wednesday this week. There was a trout plant last Tuesday (the first since Nov. 4) and the action has been pretty good in the marina area since. Davis and Travis Farrow, Neenach, had two trout limits with rainbows up to 15 inches throwing spoons in the marina. A few striped bass continue to show on jerk baits in the marina, channel, around the island, Yellowbar. Most of the fish are in the one to five-pound range with some better quality fish. Don Howard, Los Angeles, landed a six-pound striper from the channel. The largemouth and smallmouth bass have slowed, but that might be more a factor of almost no fishing pressure. A few redear are still showing on live bait in 15 to 35 feet. Some of the redear are in the pound range. Channel catfish are also slow. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth, 661-295-7155, concession 661-257-2790, or Forest Service 661-296-9710.

QUAIL LAKE: No reports.

PUDDINGSTONE: Fair trout action after a DFG plant last week, mostly on floating baits. Fair action on largemouth bass on plastics in deeper water. Slow other species. Information: 909-599-8411.

SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plants last week and two weeks ago and still a fair bite on floating baits and trout jigs. The catfish and bluegill bites slowed, but the odd largemouth is still being caught. Information: 626-334-1065.

ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week.

BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.

BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last 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, catfish plant last week.

EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.

ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago.

HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Also a DFG catfish plant last week. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.

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

JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent DFG plants.

KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week.

LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.

LEGG LAKES: DFG catfish plant last week and trout were planted two weeks ago.

LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, catfish plant last week.

MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: No recent DFG plants.

PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.

SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES

BARRETT: The lake is closed for the season and will reopen in May, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

HODGES: The lake is closed for the season. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

EL CAPITAN: The 153 anglers checked reported catching 140 bass to 5.54 pounds, 17 crappie, and five catfish. The lake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats are available Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

LOWER OTAY: No report. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. The lake will not be renting boats November, December, or January. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

UPPER OTAY: No report. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay is open. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

MURRAY: No report. The lake is open for fishing and boating seven days a week. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

MIRAMAR: No report. The lake is open for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are not available during October and November. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

SUTHERLAND: Closed. It will reopen March, 2010. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/. Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 or ssmith@sandiego.gov.

WOHLFORD: Trout season kicks off this week with a big plant of 4,500 pounds. The catfish action is mostly slow with the last plant over a month ago. Mackerel and chicken liver are the top baits and the top spots are the buoy line areas. The bass fishing was slow to fair this past week with the best action on live bait or dark colored plastics near structure. Bluegill and crappie are fair. The lake is now closed weekdays and will only be open Saturday and Sunday each week. There are four new bass boat-type rentals available. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boating ban. Information: 760-839-4346 or www.wohlfordlake.com.

DOANE POND: No recent DFG plants.

DIXON LAKE: Trout action is very good. Quite a few limits reported. Trout were planted two weeks ago and another plant is slated for this week. There is a fair bass bite with some topwater activity in the early morning. Fair bluegill action with mealworms or redworms fished at any of the fishing piers working well. Lake information: 760-839-4345 or www.dixonlake.com.

POWAY: Very good trout action. There were many limits and lots of trout over five pounds reported. Another trout plant is slated for this week. Scott Carter, Alpine, caught the top trout this past week at 9.15 pounds on a Kastmaster in Half Moon Bay. Damon Dong, San Diego, landed an eight-pound rainbow. Jason Thorton, Ramona, got a 7.25-pounder. Matthew Rosenbaum, Poway, caught six and seven-pound rainbows on Thomas Buoyants at the log boom. Bass action is fair. The catfish action was fair with anglers fishing the log boom having the most success. Some bluegill are still showing in Hidden Bay but the bite is mostly slow. Lake information: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.

JENNINGS: The trout bite good with a few limits reported. The lake will receieve trout plants each week for the duration of trout season. Cactus Patch, the fishing float, and Shadow Cove have been the top spots for trout this week with salmon peach Power Bait the top choice for bait. Some catfish are still showing on chicken livers, mackerel, and nightcrawlers at the dam buoy line and Hermit Cove buoy line in very deep water. The bass bite is fair with the fish in about 15 to 25 feet of water and hitting on Senkos in natural colors. Dawn and Dusk have seen the best action for bass. The lake will be open for Thanksgiving Day from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Twilight boat rentals are returning -- $20 for the last three hours the lake is open. Lake information: 619-390-1300 or www.lakejennings.org.

MORENA: Fair trout action after the plant two weeks ago. Roostertails, Kastmasters, and Power Bait have been working best for trout. Catfish action is fair with some hitting mackerel and chicken liver. Bass action has been mostly slow but with the trout plants the big bass should be out feeding. Slow other species. Information: 24-hour fishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.

CUYAMACA: Excellent trout action due to the weekly plants. Many anglers have been reporting getting limits in under an hour of fishing. The largemouth bass bite is fair. The crappie action is good for those targeting them, but they are small. The occasional catfish is also showing. The lake is now closed on Wednesdays and does not open until 10 a.m. on Sundays for fishing, this schedule will continue through January until waterfowl season closes. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is not used in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station is for all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Information: 760-765-0515 or www.lakecuyamaca.org.

HENSHAW: Mostly light fishing pressure but there has been a fair crappie bite on live minnows and nightcrawlers. Boat rentals cost $35 for a full day and $30 after 1 p.m. The lake is open daily from 6 a.m. until sunset but on Wednesdays and Saturdays the lake is open at 5 a.m. for waterfowl hunting. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

FLOW INFORMATION: Reservoir elevation levels and flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are available at this web site with information updated hourly: www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/rivops.html.

LAKE MEAD: Spotty striped bass action with fish in deeper water at the dam. Still some decent action in Hemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam on cut anchovies, sardines, shad-like lures. Fair catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp. The largemouth bass action is fair off the points in deeper water.

WILLOW BEACH: Very good trout action with light fishing pressure. The fish are stacking up making the action good throughout the week. Best action on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms and Super Dupers. Still weekly trout plants. Slow striper action on big, trout-like lures. Information: Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.

LAKE MOHAVE: Fishing for stripers slow. The best bite has still been in the southern portion of the lake, especially in the coves around the power lines and at the dam with most of the fish under three pounds. Anchovies and sardines in 15 to 45 feet of water. Bass and bluegill very spotty. Catfish are slow to fair on cut baits. Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherine’s Landing at 928-754-3245.

LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Fair to good trout action in the Laughlin bridge area with fish to four pounds or better reported. Most are pan-sized. The next trout stock is Dec. 15. Top fish reported was a 22-inch, 4.9-pound rainbow caught on an anchovy by Frank Brooman, Bullhead City, while shore fishing. The action on smaller smallmouth bass is still pretty good with the fish along the river rip-rap in big numbers. Lipless cranks are the best bet for the smallies. Other than trout and smallmouth, slow fishing with very few stripers and catfish showing on drifted anchovies. Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.

NEEDLES AREA: There is a pretty fair smallmouth bass bite in the main river from Needles south to I-40, mostly on small cranks. Slow striper action, with the best bite early in the morning on fish under three pounds. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marina at 760-326-2197.

TOPOCK AREA: The crappie action slowed with the cold weather this past week, but there are still a few fish showing at north dike and Five Mile Landing on minnows and Roadrunner jigs. A few decent catfish are also showing from the marsh with a 12-pounder reported at North Dike. Smallmouth bass are still pretty fair in the main river on small cranks and drop-shotted plastics with a lot of one-pound fish. There’s a spotty bite on stripers and catfish in river but a 10-pound striper was weighed in recently. Topoc Marsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: Park Moabi at 760-326-3831 or Phil’s Western Trader at 928-768-4954.

HAVASU: The largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing slowed way down. Only a few fish are showing on slow-fall plastics, vertical jigging, or live shad. The striper bite is still fair with the fish on live shad or shad-like baits in low-light or dark. The island, London bridge, Site 6, and throughout the Windsor Basin continue to be the top spots. Lures that have glow in dark luminescence help when fishing at dusk, after dark, or around lights. Channel catfish slow on cut baits, and a few flatheads are still showing on live bluegill. Redear slowed way down but top area has been weed lines up in the river. Information: Bass Tackle Master (formerly Angler’s Pro Shop) at 928-854-2277.

PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been slow this past week, but the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap are good. Bluegill and redear are good in backwaters and quiet water in the main river. Flatheads are just fair on goldfish and shiners.

BLYTHE: Lower river and area canals are just fair for catfish. There is good smallmouth action in the main river on small cranks and jigs, and the largemouth bite is slow to fair in area backwaters on plastics, cranks, and live bait. The bluegill action is slowing all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches. There’s also a pretty consistent bite on stripers on the back side of Goose Flats. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.

PALO VERDE: The catfish action remains fair with some decent catches of flatheads and channels on bluegill with fish to 10 pounds in the past week. Bluegill tougher, but still some good catches of fish in isolated holes. The largemouth and smallmouth bass are all but unfished right now. The smallies have been pretty good along the rip-rap north of here, however. Information: Walter’s Camp 760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.

PICACHO AREA: Fair to good largemouth bass action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers. The channel catfish action is fair on mackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a few better ones. The flathead action is just fair on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, and bluegill.

MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: A few striper reports at the lake mouth to the river. Largemouth bass action good on plastics cranks, and spinnerbaits, with more and more topwater action early and late in the day. Channel catfish and flatheads are both just fair with the heat. Few crappie, but the bluegill are still fair with some flurries of good action early in the morning. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or www.martinezlake.com.

YUMA AREA: Bass action is good in the main river and river backwaters on minnows and plastics and there’s still a decent morning topwater bite. Both channel catfish and flathead are just fair in the main river with the flatheads showing on live minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads. The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to fair to good for channel catfish action with some bass, redear and bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite slowed along the north shore with both the state park and Yacht Club jetty. Cold weather chilled the bite this past week. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station 760-393-3052.

ALAMO RIVER: Few reports.

COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports.

ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.

FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.

WEIST LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-352-3308.

SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.

LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant this week. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: General trout season closed in most of Inyo and Mono counties on Nov. 15. For updated road and camping information: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222. Lodging and guide information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or www.bishopvisitor.com, Mono County Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites for the winter are: www.KensSport.com (Bridgeport region), www.TheTroutFly.com, and www.SierraDrifters.com.

BRIDGEPORT REGION: Cold and icy condition and snow likely the rest of the week. Flows on the East Walker remain very low and the bite is fair on fish stacked up in the runs and pools and a few fish are being caught on streamers and caddis nymph patterns. This is a catch-and-release water open year-around. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or www.kenssport.com.

MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek, both open to year-around catch-and-release fishing, are both are good for fly anglers. The Owens has quite a few quality rainbows and browns up from Crowley. Access to both waters is likely to be problematic this week with heavy snow. Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517 or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181.

BISHOP AREA: Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the lower Owens River, and the Owens River gorge remain open to year-around fishing. The lower Owens River remains good for fly anglers. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been fair for lure, jig, bait, and fly anglers, especially for float tubers fishing near the inlet or at the dam. DFG plant at Pleasant Valley this week and last week, and the lower Owens was planted last week. Owens Gorge good for small browns. Information: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s 760-872-3581,

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Zero fishing pressure. A few reports suggest there’s still a slow to fair catfish bite on frozen shad, and that the trout action is spotty at the cemetery and auxiliary dam on Power Bait. Everything else is very slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.

KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern are low and the river is fishing slow to fair in the 20-mile roadside stretch above Kernville with the best action on small nymphs in the cold water. The Wild Trout stretch is even slower with the cold water conditions. The lower river is fair for smallmouth bass in the Richbar, Hobo areas off on spinners, crawlers, and plastics, but the fish are small. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or James Store 760-376-2424.

AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striper bite has continued fair to good with a lot of quality, keeper fish over the 18-inch minimum in the four to seven-pound range with some bigger fish. The bite has been on blood worms, sand worms, and shad-like crankbaits and Gitzit-like swim baits. The catfish are slow to fair on cut baits. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.

HART PARK LAKE: No DFG trout plants for two weeks and just fair trout action on Power Bait and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Other species have slowed way down with the rapidly cooling water conditions.

TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Still slow trout action. Other species also slow.

RIVER WALK PARK: Still a fair bite on trout but the last DFG plant was two weeks ago. Best action on garlic Power Bait, chunky cheese Gulp and green, garlic nightcrawlers. Bass and bluegill slow.

MING LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago and slow to fair action on Power Bait and garlic nightcrawlers. Other species are slow.

BRITE LAKE: DFG trout plant two weeks ago.

BUENA VISTA LAKES: Fair trout action with fish to five pounds. A few decent catches reported, mostly on corn Power Bait. Best action is in shallow water within 15 feet of the bank. The winter crappie bite looks to be starting, but with light fishing pressure this past week there were few reports. Catfish, carp and bass slow. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.

WOOLLOMES LAKE: Last DFG trout plant two weeks ago. Just fair action with the best bite on corn Power Bait. The bluegill bite is slow on red worms or meal worms.

SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week, fair to good action. Other species mostly slow with a few bass still showing in deeper water on plastics and jigs. Information: 559-781-2078.

KAWEAH LAKE: Trout plant this week with a fair bite. Mostly slow action on other species with only a few bass and the odd redear showing. Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Very few reports. Information: 805-472-2818.

NACIMIENTO: Fair spotted bass action with cranks, plastics, and swim baits all producing fish. Other species slow. Information: 805-238-1056 or www.nacimientoresort.com.

SANTA MARGARITA: Bass action still slow, but a few crappie are showing on small jigs. Very light fishing pressure. The marina store is open Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.

LOPEZ: Light fishing pressure, but a few crappie and redear are showing. Bass spotty, catfish slow. Information: 805-489-1006.

TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries this week. For updates in Southern California and the Eastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at 562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call 559-243-4005, x183. For trout plants statewide, you can visit the DFG's web site at

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/index.asp.

LOS ANGELES: Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Lake, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Lincoln Park Lake.

ORANGE: Laguna Lake.

RIVERSIDE: Cahuilla Park Lake, Diamond Valley Reservoir, Evans Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.

SAN BERNARDINO: Cuyamaca Guasti Park Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Silverwood Lake, Yucaipa Lake.

SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake.

IMPERIAL: Sunbeam Lake, Weist Lake.

INYO: Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

FRESNO: Avocado Lake, Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, Pine Flat Lake, San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.

MADERA: Bass Lake, H.V. Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.

MARIPOSA: Lake McClure, McSwain Reservoir.

MERCED: Yosemite Lake.

STANISLAUS: Modesto Reservoir, Turlock Lake.

TULARE: Lake Kaweah, Lake Success.

TUOLUMNE: Don Pedro Reservoir, New Melones Lake, Tulloch Reservoir.

CATFISH PLANTS

No Department of Fish and Game catfish plants this week.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman

For Outdoor News Service

LONG RANGE SCENE AWESOME: The long range fleet out of San Diego is again having an excellent yellowfin tuna season on 10 top 21-day trips to the tuna grounds off Cabo San Lucas. The boat down the line right now haven’t been finding many of the 200-pound-plus yellowfin, but the action on mid-sized cows from 80 to 175 pounds remains spectacular.

LOCAL SQUID FOR BAIT: The availability of live squid for bait this past week has translated into a number of nice scores on the sand bass with sacks rounded out by a mix of sheephead, perch, sculpin, and whitefish. This mixed bag action has been from Orange County up into the Channel Island, but the action was especially good in the Horseshoe Kelp region.

SAND DABS FOR DINNER: A couple of landings are running sand dab trips and the action is wide open. The Sea Angler out of 22nd Street Landing has been posting scores of more than 100 fish per angler.

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 has merged with Channel Islands Sportfishing; 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.