SAN DIEGO:El Capitan Lake, Morena Reservoir,Murray Reservoir.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL:No reports.
LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA:The trout bite hascontinued good over the past week with a lot of fresh-plantedrainbows at Davis Camp and Rotary Park along with holdover fish tofour or five pounds. The best action has been on nightcrawlers, butsmall lures and floating dough baits are also getting quite a fewfish. Another plant went in this week. The plants are made thesecond Tuesday each month through March with 4,000 pounds normallysplit between the three locations, but the Sportsmans Access maybe closed for some time. Mark Hodgeman, Bullhead City, landed a4.76-pound rainbows, while Phil Thompson, Bullhead, had a2.62-pounder. The striper bite has been slow, but the quality ofthe few fish being landed has been good. The best action is on bigcrank baits or anchovies. Few catfish, panfish, or smallmouth bassreports. Information: Riviera Marina at 928-763-8550.
YUCAIPA:The second event in the San BernardinoCounty Parks Trout Derby series was held here this past Saturdayand there were 413 entrants in the event. The top fish was a 15-10rainbow caught by Brian Carter, Ontario, on an orange ShaunsSmoking Jigz from the bottom lake. Carter also had a 10-10 rainbow.Richard Valencia, Yucaipa, came in second with a 15-5 trout caughton a tube jig, while Alex Crux, West Covina, was third with an 11-8trout landed on a Shauns. Fourth went to Greg Schowen, Fontana,with a 10-12 rainbow landed on Drews Custom Bait, while DavidBroadway, San Bernardino, was fifth with an 8-6 rainbow on a PowerWorm. (The next event in this series will be held Feb. 11 at PradoRegional Park.) Overall, the trout action has been good with countytrout plants each week and DFG trout were planted last week andthree weeks ago. The best action has been on the small trout jigsand trout plastics, but the usual array of floating dough baits isalso taking a lot of fish. Lake information: 909-790-3127.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants this weekand two weeks ago.
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VISA CONFUSION:There has been some confusionabout the new Visa regulations for anglers fishing Mexican waters,and two San Diego-based sportboats were booted out of the watersaround the Coronado even though all the anglers on board had thecorrect Visa work. There is a press conference and briefingscheduled for Friday to clarify the rules and the action.
SALTON SEA:The warmer days this week havesparked a little bite of a tilapia bite, but the action would stillbest be described as slow. The fish being landed are showing on theusual re -- small nightcrawlers pieces fished right on or nearthe bottom. Two years ago, the bite broke wide open in January andnever slowed down through the early summer, so keep an eye on thisaction. The free fishing jetty at the refurbished Salton Sea YachtClub would be another spot to check if youre heading to the sea.Information: Visitor Center (open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), SaltonSea State Recreation Area main office at 760-393-3059, or theranger station kiosk at 760-393-3052 (or mobile phone at760-331-9944).
WOOLLOMES LAKE:DFG trout plant this week. Thebite had been slow before this plant with the best action ongarlic-flavored nightcrawlers, Power Bait in hatchery or garlicformulas, and Power Mice. All other species have been slow.
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI:Good action on the plantedrainbows with many of the fish in the two to three-pound class.County fish are planted each week and the DFG also planted troutthis week and two weeks ago. Most trout are being reported onfloating dough baits in rainbow and chartreuse with garlic.Inflated nightcrawlers with garlic are also a good bet and somefish are showing on the small trout jigs and plastics. DominicMadrid, Fontana, landed a 5-8 rainbow on white Power Bait, whileNick Escohedo, Covina, landed a 4-8 trout on green Power Bait.
BARRETT:Closed until spring. Reservations canbe made through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000 or Lake information: 619-465-3474 or
CACHUMA:The trout action has remained irwith some diligent anglers getting limits. The best action has beenfor trollers fishing Cachuma Bay from the suce down to about 15feet deep with shad-like spoons and lures. For shore anglers,Harveys Bay was the top spot with small lures, inflatednightcrawlers, and Power Bait the top bets. There was one 2-8 brownreported, but most were rainbows in the 1-8 range. Bass have beentough with most fish in 25 feet of water or deeper around ArrowheadIsland or in the narrows. Slow-fished jigs and blades produced afew largemouth bass, but the smallmouth have just about completelyshut down. A few decent crappie catches continue to be made foranglers drifting small jigs tipped with bait or trolling CD3Rapalas with some slabs to two pounds reported. All other speciesvery slow. Bow-fishing for carp came back on with the warm weatherwith a few to six pounds arrowed as they basked on the suce.Free bowfishing permits are available at the entrance gate. Forquagga mussel and the boat launching information, log on at The marina is open withrental boats available. The boat launch remains open, but boatsmust get a quagga mussel inspection. Information: 805-688-4040.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA:Largemouth bass action hasbeen ir on plastics, jigs, and live bait, but this bite isslowing. Channel catfish action is still ir on stink baits, andthe quality flathead action has slowed way down with few fishreported. Bluegill are ir and no crappie reports. Information:928-783-9589 Thursday through Monday or
Southern California:Virgs Sportfishing, MorroBay, 805-772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, 805-595-7200;Sea Landing, Santa Barbara, 805-963-3564; Harbor VillageSportfishing, Ventura, 805-658-1060; Channel Islands Sportfishing,Oxnard, 805-985-8511; Captain Hooks Sportfishing, Oxnard,805-382-6233; Port Hueneme Sportfishing has merged with ChannelIslands Sportfishing; Malibu Pier Sportfishing, 310-328-8426;Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina del Rey, 310-822-3625; RedondoSportfishing, Redondo Beach, 310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock(skiff rentals for King Harbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22ndStreet 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; MarinaSportfishing, Long Beach, 562-598-6649; Newport Landing, NewportBeach, 949-675-0550; Daveys Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434;Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; HelgrensSportfishing, Oceanside, 760-722-2133; Fishermans Landing, SanDiego, 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.
SECCOMBE LAKE:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago. Few reports. Information: 909-384-5233.
BUENA VISTA LAKES:The trout bite has slowedway down, with only a few fish landed on Power Mice or Power Bait(garlic flavored and hatchery formulas the best. There is a derbyslated for Jan. 21-22 and there will be another plant just beforethat event. The crappie remains pretty good on small, live minnowsfor slabs running from 1-8 to two pounds. The best bite has been atnight until about 10 p.m. or very late in the day. The catfish biteis slow to ir on shad, but no huge fish reported this week. Thebass remain spotty with only a few fish showing on reaction baits.Information: Bobs Bait 661-833-8657.
KAWEAH LAKE:DFG trout plants this week andthree weeks ago. Fair action on the rainbows with small lures andfloating baits in garlic and hatchery formulas. The bass bite hasslowed with just a ir bite, mostly on plastics in deeper water.The bluegill action is slow with only a few fish on red worms ornightcrawler pieces in deeper water. Crappie very slow.Information: 559-597-2526.
ARIZONA FISHING REPORTS:The Arizona Game andFish Department compiles a weekly report for most waters in thestate, including the Colorado Rivers. Anglers can read the reportat this direct link:
HART PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago. The bite has been ir to good on the new PowerMouse, Power eggs, garlic-scented floating baits, and inflatednightcrawlers. The bluegill bite is slow on crickets, wax worms,red worms, or meal worms. Carp are also slow on dough baits butgetting very light pressure. No bass or catfish reports.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
GREGORY LAKE:No recent DFG plants. No reports.For more information, call the Lake Gregory boathouse at909-338-2233.
JEANS CHANNEL CATS:Trout action is very goodto excellent on fish averaging 1-4 to two pounds and some to threepounds. Bonus plants went in for the holidays. Best bite on PowerBait. Catfish slow. The lake is open only on weekends. The lakewill be open New Years Day. No state fishing license is requiredto fish here. Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
MORENA:Fair trout action and the fish havespread around the lake after DFG plants this week and two weeksago. The best action has been on floating baits, inflatednightcrawlers, and small trout lures fishing at the dam, GeezerCove, and launch ramp area. Information: 24-hour fishing updateline 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101, orlakemorena.com.
LOS ANGELES-ORANGE COUNTY UPDATE:The squidthat are massing off Dana Point are also in very good numbers offLong Beach and the Santa Monica Bay, which has led to some decentaction on bass, sculpin, and even a decent pick on halibut, withprivate boaters and six-pack charters getting more halibut than theparty fleet. For example, the New Del Mar out of Marina del ReySportfishing, was out on Wednesday with 28 anglers who landed 83sand bass, eight calicos, five sculpin, and one triggerfish. Thekey has been the easy availability of live squid for bait.
PANFISH:Top picks for crappie in a scantyfield are Cachuma Lake, with a ir bite on quality fish over apound, and the Buena Vista Lakes, which has continued to producesome nice fish in a night bite and small minnows. The Salton Seatilapia bite looks to be turning around with the warmer weatheragain this week and a few catches have been reported. That is oneto watch. The Lake Silverwood crappie bite was off even more thisweek and may be winding down. The Perris panfish bite is tougheragain this week and there werent any crappie reports. Few otherpanfish bites are of note in this region. On the Central Coast,Lopez and Santa Margarita have been producing some quality crappie,but no big numbers, and these bites have slowed, too.
Mexico Landings:Sergios Sportfishing,Ensenada, 011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin,011-526-162-1455.
COLORADO RIVER
NEEDLES AREA:Very spotty fishing in thisstretch of river. A few smallmouths are showing along rip-rap withthe action better the further south you go. Also still a fewstripers showing on cut baits and cranks being caught along withthe occasional catfish. Few reports. Information: Needles Marina at760-326-2197.
UPPER OTAY:There were five anglers who landedthree bass to 3.19 pounds over the three fishing days this pastweek. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday forcatch-and-release fishing (only artificial lures with single,barbless hooks), sunrise to sunset. The road to Upper Otay isclosed, but anglers can still walk in. Lake information:619-465-3474 (recording) or 619-397-5212 (concession) or
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants thisweek and two weeks ago.
STRIPED BASS:Striper bites all are very spottyright now. There are still fish showing at all the usual places --Diamond Valley, Castaic, Pyramid, Skinner, and Silverwood -- butthere are two types of action. There are some bigger fish upchasing trout in the top 20 feet of the water column or in waterfrom 40 to 80 feet hanging on structure or under balls of bait.Its usually bigger fish on the trout and smaller, school-size fishin deep water where they are showing on cut baits. Keep an eye onthe trout plants and fish within the first two or three days aftera plant. The top bet may be the California aqueduct near Taft,which has been producing a lot of fish to four to eight pounds. Onthe Colorado River, there have been a few quality fish to 20 poundsor better at Willow Beach. Havasu is ir to good in the main bodyof the lake and toward the dam and the fish are still focused onshad.
PIRU:Very light fishing pressure, but the bassbite has continued pretty week for anglers fishing deeper waterwith plastics, jigs, and nightcrawlers. The reaction bait bite isnot as good as it has been. The redear, bluegill and crappie biteshave all continued to slow down with very few reports. No moretrout reports and the catfish have also been very slow.Information: main office at 805-521-1500, x208, the gatehouse atx500, or at
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE:No recent DFG plants.
ARROWBEAR LAKE:No recent DFG plants.
NACIMIENTO:The spotted bass bite has beenpretty ir on jigs and drop-shotted baits in 12 to 35 feet ofwater. No other reports. Quagga mussel inspections are now requiredbefore boat launching is allowed. Anglers need to think cleaned,drained, and dry or they are likely to be denied access.Information: marina at 805-238-1056 or Rock Store at 805-472-9677, or Jims Pro Bass Tackle at805-237-0549.
KERN RIVER:Trout action is slow to ir on theupper river with only a few fish showing in the cold water onsalmon eggs, crickets, and nightcrawlers. Fly anglers are seeingslow to ir action in the stretch just above Kernville withmid-day midge and baetis hatches and some dry fly and nymph action.In the lower river flows are down under 400 cfs and the region isvery fishable. The trout are best in the Richbar stretch on salmoneggs and nightcrawlers, and there is a slow to ir smallmouth biteon spinners and plastics. Information: Kern River Fly Shop760-376-2040 (or or James Store760-376-2424.
WILLOW BEACH:The striped bass action hasslowed down, but a few fish continue to show each week after thetrout plants. The best action has been between mile markers 50 to52 on cast or trolled trout-like plugs and swimbaits. The troutbite remains good on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms, Super Dupersand other small lures and jigs after the weekly plants of 3,000rainbows. Lots of limits reported. Information: Willow Beach Resortat 928-767-4747.
General trout season closed in this region Nov. 15. Forup-to-date road and campground information by region, call thefollowing U.S. Forest Service offices: For the Big Pine to LonePine region, call 760-876-6222; for the Bishop Region, call760-873-2500; for the Mammoth Lakes region, call 760-924-5500; forthe Lee Vining region, call 760-647-3044; and for the Bridgeportregion call 760-932-7070. Lodging and guide information: BishopChamber of Commerce 760-873-8405 or MonoCounty Tourism 760-924-1743. Top Eastern Sierra fishing report websites are: (Bridgeport region), and
RANCHO JURUPA:Good trout action with DFGplants this week and two weeks ago. There was also a county plantlast week and another slated for Jan 13. Alex Padenieau, Colton,had a four-pound rainbow topping his four-fish catch. Four-troutstringers were also posted by Issac Silvera, Riverside, and RayMoreno, Ontario, and both stringers had two-pound trout.Information: 951-684-7032.
HANSEN DAM LAKE:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago. Information: 888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
Information: 909-481-4205.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
ELIZABETH LAKE:DFG trout plant last week.
The lake was also planted with DFG trout last week and threeweeks ago, and the bite has been pretty good off the picnic beachand at the launch ramp. Bowfishing for carp is now allowed here.The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule andboat rentals are available all three days. General lakeinformation: 619-465-3474 or boat and concession information: 619-397-5212.
CASTAIC:The trout bite has continued ir togood after a 2,700-pound DFG plant at the west launch on Jan. 5.There was also a plant the previous week. Quite a few limitsreports on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and small gold Kastmastersfor both shore and boat anglers in this area. Everything else hasbeen pretty slow. Only a few stripers are showing on cut bait nearKong Island and at the buoy line this past week, and a few fishhave been boiling on trout. The largemouth action has been veryspotty in 30 to 45 feet of water on jigs and worms. Also a fewbigger fish up boiling on the trout and showing on bigger swimbaits. The lagoon has been better for the bass, mostly on plasticsand swimbaits. The catfish, crappie, and bluegill are all slow.Information: 661-775-6232 or
SUCCESS LAKE:DFG trout plants this week andthree weeks ago. Trout providing the best action. A few bass ondeep, slow presentions with plastics and nightcrawlers the bestbet. Other species slow. Information: 559-781-2078.
WESTERN SIERRA
SANTA MARGARITA:Very light fishing pressurebut there continues to be a ir bite on the bass and bluegill. Thebass are mostly in 20 to 30 feet of water and showing on slowpresentations with plastic worms, lizards, and jigs the best bet.The bluegill are mostly is six to 12 feet of water and showing onsmall baits fished near the bottom around structure. Slow otherspecies. Quagga mussel inspections are now required before boatlaunching is allowed. Anglers need to think cleaned, drained, anddry or they are likely to be denied access. The marina store isopen Wednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
TRUXTUN LAKE:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago. Good action on garlic nightcrawlers and floatingdough baits. There have been a few crappie reports here in the pastweek, which is a highly unusual catch for Truxton. The bluegill,crap, and bass are all slow.
MING LAKE:DFG trout plants last week and threeweeks ago and the bite has been ir on the new Power Mouse,floating dough baits, and inflated garlic nightcrawlers. Thebluegill, carp, and bass have all been slow.
EL CAPITAN:No report. Bowfishing for carp isnow allowed here. DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. Thelake is open Thursday through Monday with boat rentals availableall five days (closed to fishing on Sundays). General lakeinformation: 619-465-3474 or boat and concession information: 619-443-4110.
MATTHEWS PICKS OF THE WEEK
EVANS LAKE:Slow fishing with just a few basson small reaction baits. Panfish, catfish, and carp all very slow.Trout will not be planted in the lake this year because of fearsthe plants could somehow harm endangered Santa Ana River suckersbelow the small lake.
SAN BERNARDINO:Cucamonga-Guasti Park Lake,Prado Park Lake, Silverwood Lake.
CORONA LAKE:The trout action has continuedir to good this past week with most of the rainbows in thetwo-pound class. Last week the trout plant consisted of SierraBows, and this week Nebraska Tailwalkers will be planted for thethree-day weekend. The top rainbow reported was a seven-pounderlanded by Adrian Pintor, North Hollywood, fishing a jig. ChrisWolf, San Diego, had a five-fish, single-pass limit that weighed inat 10 1/2 pounds fishing inflated nightcrawlers along the southshoreline in a boat. The best action has continued to be onfloating dough baits in bright colors with the garlic and hatcherypellet flavors top bets. Small jigs and trout plastics have alsobeen good. Boat and float tube anglers have also been having bettersuccess than shore anglers. There is also three night fishing daysthis weekend because of the full moon and Martin Luther Kingholiday on Monday. No state fishing license is required here.Information: 951-277-3321 or log on at
SUNBEAM LAKE:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago.
RIVERSIDE:Diamond Valley Lake.
CHANNEL ISLAND AREA UPDATE:Most of thesportboats in this region are running whale watching trips (andits a great season), but the few fishing trips being run right noware focusing on a very good sand dab bite.
FINNEY-RAMER:No reports.
ENSENADA PANGA YELLOWTAIL:Yellowtail from 15to 25 pounds have been showing in irly good numbers over the pastweek for the Mexican pangero fleet out of Ensenda. These havemostly been yo-yo iron fish in this part of the Mexican coast thatis off-limits to San Diego-based boats.
2. Diamond Valley Lakes largemouth bass bite is staying in theNo. 2 spot this week. The warm days have just continued to push thelargemouth bass up into shallower water, and trout plants have someof the big girls up chasing the rainbows. Thes bigger bass arekeying on DFG trout or sculpin so you can throw swimbaits on thepoints or small three- to four-inch plastics along rocky structureand get fish. Check with the staff at Last Chance Bait and Tacklein Hemet for an update on this bite at 951-658-7410.
GLEN HELEN:Excellent trout action after bothcounty and DFG plants last week. The county plants are weekly, andthis weeks plant is from Calaveras. Power Baits, inflatednightcrawlers, and small trout jigs and plastics have all bescoring fish. Top rainbow reported was this past week was a14.17-pound rainbow landed by Megan Ard, Highland, fishing DrewsCustom Bait in orange in the small lake. Tavita Tuia, 11, Fontana,landed a limit of five rainbows topped off by an 8.09-poundercaught on garlic Power Bait in the large lake. The last event inthe San Bernardino County Park trout derby series will be held hereApril 14. Information: 909-887-7540.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
FLOW INFORMATION:Reservoir elevation levelsand flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are availableat this web site with information updated hourly:
LITTLE LAKE:DFG trout plants two and fourweeks ago. Slow to ir trout action. A few catfish and bluegillalso being landed. Entrance fee is $10 per person, with a $3 perangler fishing fee. Kids five to 12 pay only a $5 entry fee. Kidsunder five only have to pay the fishing fee (if they fish). A statefishing license is required to fish here and regular state limitsapply. There will be a Kids Trout Derby here Jan. 15 from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. for children from three to 12. Prizes for biggest fish,smallest fish, heaviest stringer. Entry fee is $25 per child ($10for each additional child from the same mily) and includestee-shirt, terminal gear for fishing, trout bait. The lake phone is530-526-7937.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants last weekand three weeks ago.
The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marinaoperators, tackle shops and local fishermen we contact. Anglerscatching large fish should send the information to Outdoor NewsService, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino 92427, or telephone909-887-3444, so it can be included in this report. Faxes can besent to 909-887-8180. Email messages or fishing reports can also beposted to Jim Matthews at [email protected]
WOHLFORD:The trout fishing remains good and aplant went in on Wednesday this week. The bite has been better inthe late mornings and afternoon. The fish are spreading out moreand Willow Cove, Oakvale Cove, and the senior shoreline are the topspots. The largest trout of the past week was an 11.45-poundercaught Tevita Asisi, Vista, on chunky cheese Power Bait dipped ingarlic sauce from Oakvale Cove. Sam Elsenbraun, Oceanside, caughtan 8.5-pounder in Oakvale Cove on a Power Worm, and Andy Paz,Valley Center, landed a 6.55-pound rainbow on Power Bait off theSenior Shoreline. While the crappie are mostly slow, a 2.15-pounderwas caught on by by Mike Kostial, Oceanside, on a gold Kastmasterin Boat Dock Cove. Crappie prefer cover and are most readily caughton finger jigs or live golden shiners. The bass have also been slowwith only a few around structure early mornings and lateafternoons. Fishing is allowed seven days a week. Private boatlaunching is not allowed because of Quagga mussel fears.Information: 760-839-4346 or
SAN ANTONIO:Continued light fishing pressureand few reports. No recent striper reports. The action on blackbass has been pretty ir on drop-shot plastics or jigs in 20 to 45feet of water and slow presentations. No reports of other species.Quagga mussel inspections are now required before boat launching isallowed. Anglers need to think cleaned, drained, and dry or theyare likely to be denied access. Information: marina at805-472-2818, Bee Rock Store at 805-472-9677, or Jims Pro BassTackle at 805-237-0549.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK:DFG trout plant thisweek and two weeks ago.
SUTHERLAND:Closed until spring. Lakeinformation: 619-465-3474 or boat reservations: 619-668-2050 or [email protected]
HESPERIA LAKE:Trout plants are weekly and theaction has been very good with a lot of quality fish from eight to12 pounds and some bigger, but most anglers are getting nicestringers of fish averaging about 1 1/2 pounds. Best action onPower Bait and inflated nightcrawlers with the north shore and eastbank the top spots. The catfish bite has slowed down with the coldweather, but the occasional sturgeon continues to show up. Lakehours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. No state fishing license is requiredhere. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
FISHERMANS RETREAT:Trout plant last week.Plants are every two weeks the rest of the season with derbies theSaturday following the plant. Information: 909-795-0171.
LAKE CAHUILLA:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago. Information: 760-564-4712.
LOPEZ:The few anglers targeting crappie aregetting some fish on small jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles fishedaround structure, especially around the docks and in Marina Cove.The bass bite is also ir on nightcrawlers and plastics, but mostof the bite is on slowly fished baits in 15 feet or deeper. Otherspecies slow. Quagga mussel inspections are now required beforeboat launching is allowed. Anglers need to think cleaned, drained,and dry or they are likely to be denied access. Information:805-489-1006.
FRESNO:Avocado Lake, Kings River below PineFlat Reservoir, Pine Flat Lake, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam,Woodward Park Lake.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS:The heavily stockedpools are open every Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license isneeded. Information: 909-982-4246.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
MONTEREY:El Estero Park Lake.
JENKS LAKE REGION:Parking area closed, butanglers walking in have found pretty ir action on holdover trout,especially on small tube jigs. No DFG plants in over a month. Norecent plants in the Santa Ana River or the South Fork. Jenks Lake:909-747-5098. General Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at909-382-2881.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
JENNINGS:The trout bite has been ir to goodon pan-sized trout with the trollings working the middle of thearms and buoy line having the best success. The trout have beenstuffed with shad. The shore bite has been less consistent thispast week, but it was better than trolling the week before. Gofigure. Top bait has been a nightcrawler-Power Wrom combo dipped inPautzke nectar. Weekly plants will continue through the first weekin April. The bass bite has picked up with the warmer weather and a59 degree suce water temperature. Good anglers are getting twoor three fish per session on drop-shot or Texas-rigged plastics,mostly four-inch plastics. The catfish bite has also remainedpretty ir but is getting very little pressure. The lake is openFriday through Sunday - and Monday this week for the Martin LutherKing holiday -- and shore fishing below the campground is availableMonday through Thursday with permits available at the campground.The lake is open Christmas eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, andNew Years Day. Information: 619-390-1300 or
HIGH DESERT LAKES
CATFISH:There continues to be reports of somenice catfish at Lake Skinner, but it seems like all the reports arecoming from one angler and he didnt report any fish this pastweek. Lake Skinner is producing some nice stringers of cats,including fish over 10 pounds. The Silverwood ll bite seems to beslowing with the cooling water temperatures. The Colorado River andlocal drainage ditches slowed with the annual drawdown of thesecanals, but theres been ir action in the main river on channels.Flatheads are very slow.
DIAMOND VALLEY:Mt. Lassen rainbows wereplanted last Thursday, and the bite has been ir to good in themarina are on Power Bait, small trout jigs, and Kastmaster-typelures. The top trout reported was an 11-pound rainbow landed by SeaChristie, Hemet, on a Berkley Power Worm. Mike Piceno, Temecula,landed rainbows at four and five pounds on Power Bait. DFG troutare slated for this week. There will be a Tagged Trout Derby fromJan. 20-29 with each $10 entry getting a raffle ticket and becomeeligible to claim prizes for tagged fish landed during the 10 daysof the event. The largemouth bass bite has continued ir to goodin 15 to 40 feet of water on small (three to four-inch) drop-shotplastics. Ten to 20 fish days are not uncommon with the fishaveraging about two pounds with some bigger. Many anglers arefishing deeper and seeing only spotty action in 40 to 70 feet ofwater on ice jigs, plastics, or jigs. Also bigger fish showing onswimbaits after they come up to chase trout after plants. Top fishthis week was an 8.4-pounder landed by Tyler Huberts, Oceanside, ona Roboworm. The stripers have slowed way down but a few better fishhave been reported on swim baits after trout plants with most ofthese fish topping eight pounds. The two to four-pound school-sizefish are still showing in 50 to 60 feet of water on cut baits,trolled umbrella rigs or flies. The catfish and panfish are gettinglittle pressure right now. Private boats must be inspected forzebra and quagga mussels. Boats with wet lower units will be turnedaway. For general lake and launch information, call 800-590-LAKE.For fishing and boat rental info call the marina at 951-926-7201 or or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410 or
TULARE:Del Lago Park Lake, Lake Kaweah, LakeSuccess. Murry Park Pond.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
CATFISH PLANTS
FISH REPORT: Jan. 12,The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacherhotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFGs Internet web page islocated at the following address:
BRIDGEPORT REGION:The East Walker Riverremains very low but the action has been good on streamers, nymphs,and midges with a lot of 18 to 22-inch fish and some big brownshave stacked up in the stretch below the dam in the deep pools.Information: Kens Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 or
ELSINORE:Tough fishing with very little actionfor those testing the bite. The catfish are very slow and thecrappie bite has not started yet. The largemouth bass, bluegill andwipers are also very slow. Only a few carp have been reported inthe warm weather the past couple of weeks. For more information,call Williams Bait, Tackle, and Boat Rental at 951-642-0640 or goto
BALBOA PARK LAKE:No recent DFG plants. Carpfishing has been slow.
YUMA AREA: Largemouth bass action is ir onplastics, nightcrawlers and reaction baits. The channel catfishaction also ir. Flatheads also slow to ir on live bluegill,tilapia, or goldfish. Fair bluegill bite in most backwaters butthis bite is slowing as water cools.
LOWER OTAY:There were 83 anglers who caught 21bass and two bluegill to .48 pounds over the three fishing daysthis past week. Top bass was an 11.6-pounder caught by R.W. Eaks,La Mesa, on a jig. John Rose, Jamul, landed an eight-pounder on aswimbait. Crappie are showing at North Point and Harveys Arm.
No more DFG catfish plants until late spring.
FISH REPORT: Jan. 12, 2012
ANAHEIM LAKE:Closed. Anaheim Lake only openswhen Santa Ana River Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance.Information: 714-996-3508 or
MILL CREEK PARK:The catfish bite has been slowon cut baits and green garlic nightcrawlers. Most of the cats areone and three pounds. Also a few bass and bluegill showing in avery slow bite.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS:No reports.
BRITE LAKE:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago.
HOLLENBECK LAKE:DFG trout plant this week andtwo weeks ago. Information: 213-261-0113.
LOBSTER STILL EXCELLENT:Private boaters andsportboats running lobster-crab trips are still reporting anexcellent season, especially out of San Diego and at Catalina. OnSunday, the Jig Strike out of H&M Landing went out with sixanglers and the captured 19 lobsters, 25 rock crab, and five spidercrabs. On its Tuesday trip this week, there were seven anglers onboard who came home with 15 lobsters and 10 rock crab.
MURRAY:No fishing report. DFG trout plantsthis week and three weeks ago. Overall just slow to ir actionwith a smattering of trout, bass, catfish and bluegill. Lakeinformation: 619-465-3474 or are boat rentals Friday through Sunday and the new concessionnumber is 619-466-4847.
CASITAS:The big plant of Nebraska Tailwalkerrainbows three weeks ago continues to fuel a pretty ir trout bitewith quality fish showing each week. Top trout reported this weekwas a nine-pound landed on Wednesday this week by Brandon Green,Ventura, on Power Bait. Richard Jost, Ojai, landed a 7-10 last weekand then posted a 21-pound, five-fish limit on Tuesday with aseven-pounder his top fish. Hes been fishing nightcrawlers andPower Bait. Judy Tim, Port Hueneme, landed a five-pound trout. Thefish are still hanging in shallow water less than eight feet deep,but they are starting to spread out of the Wadleigh Arm and showingaround different parts of the lake. Also some troll fishing thisweek, but the best bite has been on drop-shot or inflatednightcrawlers or Power Baits fished just off the bottom. The warmweather has perked the bass bite and in the afternoons the fishhave actually moved up some into 12 to 20 feet of water, withplastics, jigs, and nightcrawlers the best bests. Also someswimbait fish. Don Gluyas, Ventura, landed a 10-pound largemouth ona Senko. While there have been few catfish reports, one of theregulars was back and Bruce Baxter, Fillmore, landed a 12-8 cat onmackerel this week. Private boats must be inspected for quaggamussels and ce a 10-day dry dock requirement before being allowedto launch. The lake is open every day, including all holidays.Information: 805-649-2043.
REFLECTION LAKE:Information: 951-654-7906 or
MAMMOTH AREA:The Upper Owens has been irwith the best action on nymphs, streamers, and egg patterns fishedunder banks and in run tailouts. There are quite a few big ll-runrainbows to 26 inches and a few browns showing in the river. HotCreek remains very good for fly anglers with daily mayfly andcaddis activity, midges in the evenings, and nymph fishing all day.Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517.
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES:The trout action hasremained good over the past week with a lot of limits of one totwo-pound fish and a few bigger fish to sweeten the deal. The toprainbow reported was a 10 3/4-pounder landed by Obed Sandoval,Norwalk, fishing a nightcrawler off La Palma Point to go with the 31/2-pound rainbow he also landed. Bart Von Bargen, HuntingtonBeach, caught a 7 1/2-pounder on a chartreuse Power Mouse in ChrisPond. George delaCruz, Glendora, had a 6.6-pound trout, while GusRincon, Lynwood, landed a 6 1/2-pounder. John, Bryan, and EricCastaneda, all Cypress, had a 14-trout stringer that weighed in at20 3/4 pounds fishing chartreuse floating bait off La Palma Point.Scott Soseworthy, Orange, have five rainbows for 13 pounds toppedoff with a 3-6 trout on trout jigs at the Pump House. The best bitecontinues to be on floating dough baits or a wide variety of smalllures, with trout jigs, small plastics, spinners, and spoons allgetting fish. Adding garlic scent to the baits and lures has alsoseemed to improve the action. There will be a bonus plant ofNebraska Tailwalkers this week for the upcoming Martin Luther Kingthree-day weekend, and there will also be three night-fishing daysthis weekend -- Friday through Sunday nights. Other than floattubes, no water craft are allowed due to fears of invasive quaggamussels being introduced into the water system. No state fishinglicense is required here. Information: 714-632-7851 or log on at
SAN DIEGO LOCAL:With rockfish season closedand new fees keeping most of the half- and three-quarter day boatsout of Mexican waters, the nearshore fishing has been tough, withjust a pick on the calico and sand bass. One example, the NewSeaforth out of Seaforth Sportfishing was out with 25 anglersWednesday this week and they managed only three calicos, two sandbass, five perch, and 21 sculpin. Tough.
LAKE FULMORE:No recent DFG plants in Fulmoreor nearby Strawberry Creek. Information: 951-659-2117.
ALAMO RIVER:No reports.
WEIST LAKE:DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago. Information: 760-352-3308.
LAKE HEMET:The trout bite remains ir togood. Most anglers fishing from shore are casting spinners or smalltube baits, and bait anglers are fishing Power Bait. Best trollingaction has been from the point east to the marina. No DFG plants inover a month. Bluegill, bass, catfish and carp are all slow. Carpbowfishing is allowed Monday through Thursday but bowfishermen mustcheck in first. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Boatinspections for quagga mussels are $7 and banding is $3. Half-priceboat rentals weekdays. Information: Lake Hemet campground951-659-2680 or
GREEN VALLEY LAKE:No report. The lake willremain open and charge fees until the water freezes this winter. Noice fishing allowed. Recorded information: 909-867-2009 and the newwebsite is
DIXON LAKE:Nebraska Tailwalker trout plantWednesday this week and the last plant was Dec. 28. The action hasbeen good in Trout Cove and Whisker Bay on Power Bait, inflatednightcrawlers, Power Worms (or similar lures), small trout jigs,and the usual array of trout spoons and spinners fished on lightline from two to four-pound test. Top fish in the past two weekswas a 10-12 rainbow landed by Ich Liu, Carlsbad, on an orange PowerWorm. Trout plants are usually every two weeks. No State fishinglicense required here. Lake information: 760-839-4680 or
ALONDRA PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants this weekand two weeks ago.
Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the followinglakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked withcatchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Gamehatcheries this week. For updates in Southern California and theEastern Sierra Nevada, you can call the DFG recording at562-594-7268, or for updates in the Western Sierra, you can call559-243-4005, x183. For trout plants statewide, you can visit theDFGs web site at
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE:No recent DFG plants.
RIVER WALK PARK:Good trout action on the PowerMouse, garlic Power Bait and Power Eggs with garlic oil fished onlight leaders and sliding sinkers. DFG trout plants last week andthree weeks ago. All other species very slow.
LEGG LAKES:DFG trout plant last week and threeweeks ago.
HENSHAW:No reports. All private boats must bechecked and washed down for zebra and quagga mussels. Henshaw isopen until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, closing at duskthe rest of the week. Anglers should note there is waterfowlhunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays from now through the end of thehunting season in January. Information: 760-782-3501.
EASTERN SIERRA
LAKE MEAD:The striper action has been toughwith the best bite at night during dark moon phases under lightswith anchovies or sardines under balls of shad. Some fish fortrollers morning and evening. Most fish under four pounds. Thelargemouth and smallmouth bass are slow to ir with the bestaction on slow presentation. Redear and bluegill bite is ir withmost fish in six to 20 feet of water. Catfish also very spotty withsome on cut baits. Water level is 41 feet above the same time aslast year with lots of flooded brush even if irly deep water.Thats where the bass and panfish have been hanging out to ambushthe shad.
BLYTHE:All of the irrigation canals in thevalley are down or dry right now, and the water in the ditches isalso very low, confining most of the fishing to the big pools andholes or the main river. Few flatheads reported, but the channelcatfish bite has been ir in the main river and backwaters. Thesmallmouth bass are ir on crawdad-like crankbaits and plastics inthe main main along the rip-rap, but the largemouth bite has beenslow. Bluegill are ir in area backwaters and ditches, but therehavent been any striper reports from the diversion dam and veryfew tilapia have been reported. Information: B&B Bait760-921-2248.
MIRAMAR:No fishing report. The lake is openfor fishing seven days a week. Rental boats are available onSaturday and Sunday. Lake information: 619-465-3474 or New boat rental and concessioninformation: 858-527-1722.
PRADO:County trout plants are each week andthe DFG planted this week and two wqeeks ago. The best bite hasbeen on rainbow, chartreuse, and garlic floating baits, and addinggarlic oil or scent to all baits and lures is improving the action.Most of the rainbows are from one to two pounds. The third event inthe San Bernardino County Park trout derby series will be held hereFeb. 11. Small boats (non-inflatable with a hard bottom) under 16feet with electric motors are allowed. Information:909-597-4260.
IRVINE LAKE:The trout action has been good forboth bait anglers (from shore or boat) and for trollers workingalong the west shoreline and Santiago Flats. Top tactic has been todrift one of the new Gulp! Pinched Crawlers under a bobber with asmall split shot to pull is down. The best color has been naturalin the clear water with chartreuse a good bet in areas where thewater might be less clear. The usual array of Power Baits, MiceTails, countdown Rapalas and SC Shiners have also been producingplenty of fish. Top trout this past week was a 12-4 rainbow landedby Matt Baldridge, Rancho Santa Margarita, on a Rapala at the dam,while Len Buczex, Orange, had an 8-6 bow at Trout Island on anightcrawler. Top brown was a 4-1 landed by Keith Pedinos, LakeForest, on a Rapala on the flats. A surprising number of catfishare showing in trout anglers bags if they are fishingnightcrawler. Tina and Chris Bohmsalk and David Garcia, allFoothill Ranch, had a 15-fish mixed stringer of trout and catfishthat weighed 49-1 on the nightcrawler-Power Bait combo off the westshore. Dave Timmerman, Orange, also landed a 3-6 cat on a crawlerat Trout Island. There has continued to be a ir bass bite onplastics, and the Alabama Rig (modified to use no more than threehooks so its California legal) has also been getting quite a fewfish. No state fishing license is required here. Lake information:714-649-9111 or
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants this weekand two weeks ago.
BLACK BASS:Most of the lakes in the regionslowed down, but there have been a couple of patterns worth noting.First, the warm weather this past couple of weeks has seemed tohave started a pre-spawn movement of fish up out of the depths,with fish in less than 20-feet at water like Lower Otay and DiamondValley north to Casitas, Cachuma, and Santa Margarita. The earlyfish are usually bigger fish, too. Second, in lakes getting troutplants there are some bigger bass on trout-like swimbaits. This isbest after DFG plants (because these trout are usually smaller thanthe fish from the private hatcheries). Last, the deep water bassbite is pretty good for finesse anglers who know how to fish icejigs, jigging spoons, and small plastics. So, that means you needto be prepared to fish from top to bottom. Top bet is probablyDiamond Valley with the fish in 15 to 30 feet, mostly feeding onsculpin right on the bottom in good cover.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHARTERS:The staff of 976-TUNAis hosting instructional charters throughout the year, offeringadvice to beginning or veteran anglers and on-the-water teaching oftechniques for different saltwater species. The next trip is setfor March 25, a two-day trip aboard the Big Game 90 out of LongBeach Marina Sportfishing. This is a special white seabass trip andthe cost is just $199. For information on upcoming 976-TUNAinstructional charters, call 562-352-0012 or go to the website at
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SANTA FE DAM:DFG trout plants last week andtwo weeks ago. Information: 626-334-1065.
BISHOP AREA:Trout plants in Pleasant ValleyReservoir this week, and the lake level has dropped some so accessto upper end of the lake is better now. Good overall action. Thelower Owens has been very good with some good mid-day dry flyaction but mostly good action on nymphs and streamers. The 45thBlake Jones Trout Derby will be held St. Patricks Day, March 17 onPleasant Valley Reservoir. The Blind Bogey event draws over 1,000anglers and over $10,000 in prizes are awarded via drawing and forbiggest fish. Entry fee is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12.Derby information: Bishop Chamber of Commerce 760-873-8405. Fishinginformation: Sierra Drifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, SierraTrout Magnet Fly Shop 760-873-0010, Culvers 760-872-8361, Brocks760-872-3581.
SILVERWOOD:DFG trout were slated to go in thisweek and they were also planted two weeks ago. The trout action hascontinued to be good around the launch ramp, marina, Sawpit, andinto Cleghorn and Miller canyons. Floating baits, small troutplastics and jigs, and inflated nightcrawlers with scent have allbeen good bet. The crappie bite finally slowed down off the marinadocks with only a few fish showing this past week on small jigstipped with meal worms or Crappie Nibbles. The bluegill bite alsoslowed way down. Stripers are ir with a few showing on cut baitsor trout-like swim baits in Chemise and at the dam. Tim Taylor,Hesperia, caught three stripers topped by a 10-pounder fishingnightcrawlers in Chemise. A few catfish have also continued to showon the same cut baits working for the stripers. Michael Anthony,San Bernardino, had two cats to 4-8 fishing shrimp off the docks.The warm weather also seems to have perked the largemouth action,with some fish showing on jigs, plastics, and nightcrawlers in 20to 40 feet of water. Jan Brady, Ontario, landed two bass to threepounds fishing jigs with Crappie Nibbles off the marina docks. Dockfishing is allowed for $3 for adults, $2 for kids and seniors. Thepark is closed on Wednesday and Thursday each week now throughMarch (walk-in fishing still allowed). Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.There is a petition at the Silverwood Country Store to get the lakeopened back up those two days. Information: marina 760-389-2299,state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants this weekand two weeks ago.
1. While the trout bites are good throughout Southern Californiain planted lakes, the action at Orange Countys Laguna Niguel Lakehas been particularly good thanks to 2,000-pound plants everyTuesday, and a nice mix of trophy trout in these plants. Top fishthis past week was the seasons best a 14 pounder. Bait, lure andfly anglers are all getting fish. For an update on this action callthe lake at 949-362-3885.
3. A sleeper pick for the No. 3 spot is the excellent troutaction that has been quietly perking along in theLaughlin-to-Bullhead stretch of the Colorado River. This water isplanted each month with 4,000 pounds of rainbows from Willow Beach,but it is also cold enough so holdover fish hang around for a fewseasons. Both fresh plants and holdovers to six pounds or more areshowing in good numbers each week. The monthly plant went in thisweek. For an update on the bite, call Riviera Marina at928-763-8550.
HODGES:The lake is closed until February,2012. Rental boat and concession information: 760-432-2023.
Downey Wilderness Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area,La Mirada Lake, lake in Hollenbeck Park, Lincoln Park Lake,MacArthur Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, Pyramid Lake.
INYO:Pleasant Valley Reservoir.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE:The trout bite hascontinued excellent here with 2,000-pound plants every Tuesday. Thebest action has been on inflated nightcrawlers dipped in garlicscent and floating baits in chartreuse and white fished on shortleaders in shallow water. A wide variety of trout plastics, smalljigs, and small cranks are working for the lure anglers. Flyfishermen throwing bead head midges in black and red are alsoscoring. The top rainbow of the season was landed by Ron Skyberg,Anaheim, when he caught a 14-pounder on his birthday this pastweek. He was using chartreuse Power Bait. Ricky Fukute, Gardena,landed a 12-10 rainbow on a white Trout King tube jig, while DavidPierson, Garden Grove, landed an 11-8 on a Lip RipperZ jig. KorriMastroluca, Lakewood, had an 11-6 on rainbow Power Bait, while TomMoua, Diamond Bar, landed a five-fish stringer topped off with an11-5 on an orange Power Worm. Chris Herber, Aliso Viejo, landed a10-8, and Craig Wiswell, Hermosa Beach, had a 10-3. The lake isscheduled to receive trout plants each week through April.Information: 949-362-3885 or
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants this weekand two weeks ago.
CUYAMACA:DFG trout plant last week and threeago. The bite has been good with quite a few limits posted onfloating baits, small trout jigs, and trout plastics fished at thedike and in Pumphouse Cove. No other reports. Private boats areallowed on the lake, including canoes and kayaks, but the boatsmust be sprayed for quagga mussels by a high-pressure heated washprior to entering the lake. The cost is $10 for the spraying and itlasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca as long as the boat is notused in another reservoir. The decontamination wash down station isfor all craft and items used in the water, including boats, motors,kayak, canoes, float tubes and waders. Duck hunting season isongoing and the lake is closed to angling all day on Wednesdays anduntil 10 a.m. on Sundays. Information: 760-765-0515 or
ORANGE:Centennial Regional Park Lake, LagunaLake, Mile Square Regional Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional ParkLake,Tri-City Park Lake, Yorba Regional Park Lake.
PALO VERDE:Almost no fishing pressure thispast week, so few reports. The canals in the valley are low or dryfor annual maintenance. Only a few channel cats showing, and thesmallmouth bass have been ir in the main river on anycrawdad-colored crank or plastic bait fished along the rip rap orbelow sandbars. Information: Walters Camp 760-854-3322 Thursdaythrough Monday.
BIG BEAR LAKE:Not a lot of change with thenice weather this past week. The best trout action has been mid-daybetween 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the dam, the aerator, Windy Point,Juniper Point and Serrano. Also not as much sheet ice this weekwith the warmer weather. The best bite is in 12 to 18 feet of waterwith floating baits, mostly Power Bait and Gulp!, on a three-footleader. Top flavors/colors have been garlic chartreuse, rainbowsalmon egg, and chunky cheese garlic. Light fishing pressure. Allthe marinas are closed until spring. For fishing information: BigBear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222.
LANDING CONTACTS
PICACHO AREA:The bass are ir on plastics andlive baits with some fish still showing on reaction baits.Generally slow to ir action on catfish, but bluegill areslow.
MOJAVE NARROWS:No report. County trout plantsare weekly, and there were DFG plants last week and three weeksago. The fourth event in the San Bernardino County Park trout derbyseries will be held here March 10. Horseshoe Lake is still closeddue to flood damage. Pelican Lake is remains open. For lakeinformation: 760-245-2226.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT:The striped bass bitecontinues to be pretty good with fish to 24 inches showing on bothbait and artificials. Top baits are blood worms or sand worms andlarge minnows. Gitzits, Flukes and bucktail jigs have been the bestlures this past week. The catfish bite is spotty but a few fish oncut baits and crickets this past week. Information: Bobs Bait661-833-8657.
KERN:Lake Woollomes.
ECHO PARK LAKE:No recent DFG plants.
DANA POINT BASS:With coastal squid numberssurging again since the full moon on Monday, there has been apretty good bass bite for the Dana Point region sportboats. TheReel Run was on a half-day run Wednesday with 15 anglers andreturned with 32 calicos and 16 sand bass. The San Clemente, on athree-quarter day trip with 34 anglers on Tuesday, returned with 42sand bass, 38 calicos, three halibut, achemise setsnd two sculpin.
TOPOCK AREA:The bite has slowed way down withthe cold weather in the main river, but the bluegill and redearremain pretty good for anglers targeting them in the gorge with onsmall pieces of nightcrawlers or red worms. The smallmouth bass areslow to ir with a few fish also showing on live bait, but thestripers and catfish have shut down completely in the main river.In Topoc Marsh, a few crappie are showing but arent concentratedyet. There is also a ir bite on catfish and largemouth on liveminnows in the marsh. Topock Marsh can be accessed by boat at NorthDike, Catfish Paradise, and Five-Mile Landing. Information: PhilsWestern Trader at 928-768-4954 or Capt. Doyles Fun Fishing guideservice at 928-768-2667.
QUAIL LAKE:No reports.
LOCAL ISLANDS NEWS:San Clemente Island hasbeen quietly producing a decent number of white seabass from 15 to25 pounds for private boaters and the few sportboats heading tothis distant island. With a great volume of squid at both Clementeand Catalina and the seabass already starting to show, its a goodsign for an early season at the islands.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants last weekand three weeks ago. Information: 818-448-7317.
HAVASU:There has continued to be a pretty irstriper bite in the south end of the lake around Havasu Springs andthe Bill Williams arm. The shad are locked on the shad there withthe best bite at the buoy lines. Still some nice quality fish fromsix to 10 pounds. Most of the action is on Rat-L-Trap or similarlures. Some anglers are trolling umbrella rigs with four baits, butjust two with hooks to comply with Arizona regs. The largemouth andsmallmouth bass are also up in wolf packs chasing the shad, and theonly action has been on shad-like cranks, but the bite can bepretty good during peak activity periods. Redear are getting littlepressure, but the best bet is to fish in 20 to 30 feet of water inthe bays with nightcrawlers or go up river and fish grassy,sun-warmed backwaters with crawlers under a bobber. Few catfishreports. Information: Bass Tackle Master at 928-854-2277.
MADERA:Eastman Lake, Hensley Lake.
Compiled by Jim Matthews
LAKE ISABELLA:The trout bite has been irwith rainbows showing at the auxiliary dam and where both forks ofthe Kern enter the lake. Best action on floating baits, inflatednightcrawlers, or small jigs and lures. Few reports on crappie, buta rare fish or two still showing off Rocky Point on minnows orsmall jigs in 20 to 30 feet of water. Also very few reports oncatfish, bass, or panfish. For fishing information: Bobs Bait661-833-8657.
By Terrence Berg
POWAY:Trout action has been good since thetrophy trout plants on Dec. 21 and 28 with quite a few trophy troutlanded, and the plant on Wednesday this week has just kept theaction hot. There have been a lot of limits and quite a few qualityfish over five pounds have been reported. Top fish was a 12-poundercaught by Ashton Heidemann, Poway, on Power Bait off the northshore. Ryan Moon, Poway, landed a 10-8 rainbow on a mini-jig. FlorAbena, San Diego, had a 10-pound rainbow. Best bite has been inless than 10 feet of water near shore on Spring Green PowerBait-inflated nightcrawler combo on a size 16 treble hook. Use atwo and half foot leader with a swivel and a sliding bullet weight.Other good bets have been orange Power Bait or small trout jigs.The early morning and late afternoon are the top times to fish. Thebass, panfish, and catfish are all mostly slow, with only a fewbass showing on crawdad or trout-type imitations. The lake is openWednesday through Sunday with only shoreline fishing allowed onweekdays. A state fishing license no longer required here. Lakeinformation: 858-668-4772, tackle shop recording 858-486-1234, or
PARKER STRIP:Fair to good smallmouth bassalong the rip-rap on small cranks, plastics, and jigs. The catfishare ir to good on cut baits in the bigger pools and eddies.Bluegill and redear are good in the backwaters and quiet water inthe main river. No flathead reports.
TROUT:Trout action is about as good as it getsthroughout Southern California with action at all of the stockedwaters hitting the mid-season stride that translates into lots oflimits of nice fish, along with the chance at a trophy fish. Topbets are western Riverside Countys Corona Lake, the Orange Countytrio of Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, Laguna Niguel Park Lakeand both the High Desert waters of Hesperia Lake and Jess Ranch. InSan Diego County, Poway, Jennings Cuyamaca, Morena, Dixon, andWohlford are all pretty good bets. Other top bets include all theSan Bernardino County Park Lakes. Check the water-by-water reportsfor details, but the bites are good just about everywhere trout areplanted now. The sleeper pick remains the Colorado River fromLaughlin to Big Bend where this seasons plants and holdover fishto six pounds are showing in good numbers. The Sierra general troutseason is over, but fly anglers are experiencing excellent actionin the year-around stretch of the Upper Owens on fish up to five orsix pounds.
MEXICAN ROCKFISH EXCELLENT:While there are newMexican license and Visa requirements and fees for Mexican waters,it hasnt changed the excellent fishing for the 1 1/2 and two-dayboats fishing Mexican waters for rockfish. A weekend 976-TUNAcharter aboard the Legend out of H&M Landing saw all anglers onboard return with full limits of rockfish, consisting mostly of redrockfish to 12 pounds with a solid five or six-pound average, and anice mix of lings to 25 pounds.
MACARTHUR PARK LAKE:DFG trout plants this weekand four weeks ago.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
LOS ANGELES:Alondra Park Lake, Belvedere Park,Cerritos Park Lake
PERRIS:Trout have been providing the bestaction here over the past week, with ir to good action foranglers fishing the east end from Lots 11 and 12 to the marina.Also some fish showing in Sail Cove and at the dam. The fish arestaying in less than 10 feet of water, and the bite has been beston garlic or hatchery formula Power Baits in orange or rainbow witha few showing on small lures. There were DFG trout plants two andfour weeks ago. A limit of five rainbows to nearly two pounds wasposted by Tim Allen, Moreno Valley on Power Bait. The bass havebeen slow with only a few fish reported on plastics and swimbaitsin 18 to 30 feet of water. Brandon Montgomery, Riverside, had a7.1-pound bass to top off his four-fish, 12-pound catch off themarina docks. The redear and bluegill also remain tough in deeperwater off with the best action in the afternoons off the BernasconiBeach shoreline or marina docks. Best bite on red worms or smalljigs tipped with bait. Joe Hernandez, Moreno Valley, had six redearto a pound on small trout plastics off the marina docks. Crappiealso continue to show in very spotty numbers off the marina docks,and other scattered locations. The park and marina are now closedon Tuesday and Wednesday each week (but anglers can still walk inor bicycle in on those days). The weekday closures will continuethrough March. Hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Marina hours 7 a.m. to 5p.m. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park 951-940-5600.
TROUT PLANTS
SKINNER:The trout bite has been ir to goodon rainbow and corn floating baits or garlic marshmallows in thecoves between Launch Ramps No. 1 and No. 2. There were countyplants set for this week and two weeks ago. Not a lot of limits,but the fish are running up to two pounds. Joe Copeland, Murrieta,landed four trout on rainbow Power Bait from the east end and hisbest was a two-pounder. The striper bite has been ir with thebest action at the inlet and Ramp No. 2 on chicken livers or othercut baits, but the fish are mostly small. Roy Lopez, Moreno Valley,had a pair of stripers on chicken liverFISH REPORT: Jan. 12 at the dam, and his topfish was a three-pounder. The warm weather has seemed to spark thelargemouth bass bite, especially in the afternoons. Tony Brinneman,Murrieta, landed a three-pound bass on a Senko. No catfish,bluegill, crappie or carp reports. Information: store 951-926-1505or marina 951-926-8515.
LAKE MOHAVE:Slow to ir largemouth bite in 20to 30 feet of water on soft plastics fished on grass beds or rockystructure. A few stripers showing on baits drifted in 30 to 50 feetof water under balls of shad. Most stripers are in the four tosix-pound range with some to 10 pounds. Night fishing under a lightwith bait is also good during dark moon phases. The catfish andpanfish action slowed way down in the mouths of the coves.Information: Cottonwood Cove at 702-297-1464, Katherines Landingat 928-754-3245. Interesting web site for Willow Beach and LakeMohave striper anglers:
LONG RANGE TUNA AWESOME:The long rangeyellowfin tuna bite for the 18- to 22-day trips running south outof San Diego is simply as good as it gets. On Tuesday this week,the Excel reported in with a one-day tally of 120 yellowfin from 80to 200 pounds. The Royal Polaris had at least two fish over 200pounds one day this week. All of the long range boats fishing theregion off the tip of Baja have been on the big tuna grounds andreporting scores like this every week, and there have already beena number of yellowfin over 250 pounds this season. The 50 to 65pound wahoo that fill in between tuna bites are just a thin icingon this rich fishing cake.
ORANGE COUNTY
PYRAMID:Trout were planted this week and threeweeks ago, and the bite has remained ir in the marina on smalllures, flies, and floating baits. Most of the rainbows arepan-sized. The striped bass are slow to ir in the marina area andthe inlet. Most are one to three-pounds, with some four and fivepounders. Most of the action has been on frozen anchovies fly-linedin 25 to 60 feet of water. While the bluegill bite is slowing down,a few catfish are still coming in on the cut baits. The largemouthbass are ir on plastics and nightcrawlers in 12 to 30 feet, withsome reaction bait action in the mornings and late evenings withthe fish sometimes mixed in with the stripers. Information:Emigrant Landing entrance booth at 661-295-7155 or the web site atcampone.com.
JESS RANCH:Good trout action this past weekwith a lot of limits of two to three pound rainbows on Power Baitin salmon peach, garlic, spring green or orange, nightcrawlers,trout jigs, small trout plastics, and small spinners or spoons. Topspots have been the Lake 3s logged eastern shoreline and the westshore. Lake 2 has been best along the west and southwesternshorelines. The catfish, panfish, and bass bites have all be slow.The lake complex is open every Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout each week on Friday from itsown hatchery. Lake information: 760-240-1107 or
PUDDINGSTONE:DFG trout plants this week andlast week. The bite has been ir to good off the north shore andswim beach areas on small trout jigs, plastics, and floating baits.The water level is still low (pending some launch ramp work). Therehas been a pretty ir bite on redear up to 1-8 on drop-shotnightcrawlers. Bass are slow to ir with a few fish on plastics. Afew catfish also continue to show off the north shore and RV Parkareas on shrimp. Crappie slow. No carp reports. Park and lakefishing information: 909-599-8411 or
DOANE POND:No recent DFG plants.
