FISHING REPORT
Compiled by Cyndi Gollaz and Jim Matthews
Outdoor News Service
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, CA 92427, or telephone909-887-3444, so it can be included in this report. Faxes can besent to 909-887-8180. E-mail messages or fishing reports can alsobe posted to Jim Matthews atodwriter@verizon.netand/or CyndiGollaz atcagurrola@charter.net.
This report is published by 11 daily newspapers in SouthernCalifornia each week. Frequently it is edited for space. A completeversion is posted on the Outdoor News Service web site(www.OutdoorNewsService.com). The updated report is usually postedby Thursday morning. The fish report is copyrighted and any use orreposting of the report, or portions of the report, is prohibitedwithout written permission. Posting of links to the fish report onthe Outdoor News Service web site is allowed.
The Cal TIP number, the Department of Fish and Game poacherhotline, is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP. The DFG’s Web site iswww.dfg.ca.gov.
MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK
1. The warm spell the past couple of weeks really turned on thetilapia bite at the Salton Sea, and anglers there have beenreporting 100-fish days. Most of the fish are from 1/2-pound toaround a pound with a few bigger fish, and the best action has beenon nightcrawler pieces. Except for the jetty at the state parkheadquarters, there has been very light fishing pressure at the seaso reports from other areas are scanty. But the fish are stacked upat the jetty. For an update on the bite, call the Salton Sea StateRecreation Area ranger station in the mornings at 760-393-3052.
2. Bored with planted trout action? Well, calming winds haveturned on the striped bass bite at Castaic Lake with good action ontwo to five-pound fish at the dam and just adjacent to the mainlaunch ramp for anglers throwing anchovies or nightcrawlers. Therehave been a few bigger fish, too, with a 12-pounder the best thispast week. For an update on the bite, call the marina at661-775-6232.
3. This was our No. 3 pick last week and then the bite went inthe tank, but the bite has improved each day this week and it lookslike the giant, Humboldt squid are back on the bite so a twilighttrip out of Seaforth Sportfishing and catch some giant squid to 30pounds is still a good option. The Tuesday trip this week producedalmost five squid per rod. A reminder: Bring old clothes and raingear because you-ll get drenched with squirted ink, but it-s aunique, fun experience. Rental gear is available. Check withSeaforth Sportfishing at 619-224-3383 for an update.
FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS
TROUT: Excellent planted trout action at most of the majorplayers, and the light rain forecast shouldn-t affect this bitemuch. Top bets include the usual, heavily planted waters, includingCorona Lake, Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Laguna Niguel.All of the San Bernardino County park lakes, but especially PradoPark Lake and Yucaipa Park Lake, are good bets thanks to weeklyplants. In the High Desert, Hesperia Lake, Jess Ranch, and MojaveNarrows are all good bets. In San Diego County, Dixon, Wohlford,Poway, Jennings, Miramar, Lower Otay, Murray, and Cayamaca are allpretty good bets.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: The warm weather the past couple of weeks hassome bass thinking it-s spring and many fish have been reported in10 feet or less of water this week in a fair winter bass biteacross the region. Casitas is a top bet, especially if you can netsome shad for bait, with fish to 10-4 pounds this week. DiamondValley Lake is fair with most of the fish suspended on points.Perris, Castaic, Pyramid, Silverwood, Cachuma, Isabella, Skinner,Piru, Otay, Wohlford, El Capitan, and Poway can always produce adecent fish this time of year. Very light bass pressure everywhere.There-s also a decent smallmouth bass bite on the lower ColoradoRiver from Havasu to Palo Verde.
STRIPED BASS: Most of the striper bites have improved over thepast week, except Diamond Valley (or perhaps no one there istalking). Castaic is a very good bet with lots of fish to sixpounds this week. Silverwood and Skinner are also fair to good, andanother big striper came from Lake Perris this past week (a19-pounder). We-re getting crummy reports from Pyramid right now,but this bite just has to be perking, too. On the Colorado River,there is a slow to fair bite at Mead on smaller fish to threepounds. Havasu is also fair on smaller fish, too.
PANFISH: Top bet for bluegill and redear is Lopez Lake but thatbite is just fair. The Perris and Diamond Valley bites havesputtered but that might be more to light fishing pressure andwinds than off action. Most Southern California crappie bites areoff, but Elsinore remains a fair bet on fish a pound and under. ThePerris bite is still sputtering but improved a little in recentdays.
CATFISH: The late winter catfish bite has been mostly slow but afew quality fish are showing each week. Top bets included DiamondValley, El Capitan, Casitas, Otay, and Hesperia Lake (where there-salso a good shot at a sturgeon). Henshaw and Isabella also remainfair to good bets for a stringer of smaller fish, but fishingpressure is very light at both places. The lower Colorado River andriver backwater, ditches, and canals have been fair for channelcats, but also very light fishing pressure.
SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS
SILVERWOOD: Last week-s plant of 1,500 pounds of rainbowssparked the trout bite. The action is excellent for anglers fishingwith worms, spinners, Power Bait or nightcrawlers in Cleghorn andnear the boat launch. Top trout of the week was a two-poundercaught by Amy Boggs, Upland. Tom Bates, Hesperia, pulled out a 13/4-pounder, while Jesse Antes, Fontana, caught a 1-8 on a spinner.The striper bite is fair to good on anchovies or worms, but most ofthe fish are under two pounds. Bass and catfish bites fair withsome bass caught on worms and cats pulled out on cut mackerel ornightcrawlers. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.
BIG BEAR LAKE: Light fishing pressure. All the lake-s marinasand public ramps are closed for the season and will reopen in earlythis spring. Trout fishing has been fair for shore anglers fishingthe Stanfield Cutoff region and at the dam with floating baits andinflated nightcrawlers. Other species slow. Lake information: BigBear Marina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 orbigbearmarina.com.
GREGORY LAKE: No reports. Information: 909-338-2233.
GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The lake facilities are closed and no fishingfee is being charged. The boat house and store will reopen on May14, 2009. Anglers can still fish but little action now. Recordedinformation: 909-867-2009.
ARROWBEAR LAKE: No reports.
JENKS LAKE: No reports. Information: Mill Creek Ranger Stationat 909-382-2881.
HIGH DESERT LAKES
HESPERIA LAKE: The trout and sturgeon dominated this week withtrout over 10 pounds and sturgeon over 15 reported. Nightcrawlers,Power Bait and plastic worms are the top producers for the trout,and those fishing off the north shore and by the drain havereported the best bite. Sturgeon are also showing on Power Bait ornightcrawlers. Top trout of the week was an 11-8 caught by JackParr, Valencia. Frank Desko, Fontana, caught a 9 3/4-pound rainbow,while Ron Burgundy, Hesperia, caught a nine-pounder. Top sturgeonwas an 18-pounder pulled out by Phil Johnson, Rialto. The catfishbite is fair to good on shrimp, mackerel or nightcrawlers dipped ingarlic. Jean Jones, San Bernardino, caught a 10 1/4-pound catfishon meal worms. Trout plants are twice a week. A 3,000-poundsturgeon plant went in mid-November. Day session hours are 6 a.m.to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15per angler. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.
JESS RANCH: The trout bite has been on the inconsistent sidewith recent winds and warm weather, but there is still a fair togood bite on fish to five pounds or better on Power Bait (salmonpeach, spring green and orange), nightcrawlers, jigs and lures. Hotspots include the grassy point, eastern logged shore to the pumphouse and the western shore near the bridge as well as the northernand eastern shore of lake 2. Martin Ashbrook, Barstow, landed a6-13 rainbow on a Kastmaster. Mike Gehl, Victorville, pulled out a6-10 trout on a Rapala. Beth Sanchez, Monrovia, caught a six-poundrainbow. William Bletcher, Valinda, caught a 5-13 rainbow. Billy¬Bo Star® Hayes, Baldwin Park caught a 3-11 rainbow. The lake-shatchery stocks every Friday. The lake is open Fridays, Saturdaysand Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lakes will be open regularhours throughout the holidays. Lake information: 760-240-1107 orwww.jessranchlakesnews.com.
MOJAVE NARROWS: County trout plants are weekly through April.DFG trout this week, too. Very good trout bite for anglers fishingPower worms or Power Bait. Bobby Williams, Victorville, caught a9-13 rainbow. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for Saturday, March14. Information: 760-245-2226.
INLAND VALLEY LAKES
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: Fair to good trout action. County trout plantsare weekly through April, and there was also a DFG trout plant thisweek. Fair catfish bite on mackerel or nightcrawlers. Upcomingevents: Trout derby set for Saturday, April 4. Information:909-481-4205.
PRADO: Good to excellent trout action with fish reported fromBasin 2, at the dam spillway, off Lot No. 1 and Lot No. 6 near thepoint. Top rainbow was an 11-pounder caught by an unknown angler,but Willy Serrano, Azusa, landed a 10 1/2-pounder on a plastictrout worm. Dan Winemiller, Garden Grove, landed an eight-poundrainbow, while Mario Vega, Ontario, had five trout that weighed 13pounds total on rainbow Power Bait. County trout plants are eachweek through April, and there was a DFG plant this week. Upcomingevents: Trout derby set for Saturday, February 21. The derby fee is$15 and $7 for daily parking. Information: 909-597-4260.
YUCAIPA: Just fair trout action over the past week thanks towinds and warm weather, but a few quality rainbows continue to becaught. Best this past week was a 9 1/2-pounder landed by CaryGlenn, Yucaipa, on yellow Power Bait. Harold Anglin, Yucaipa, had asix-pound rainbow on a nightcrawler. County plants are weeklythrough April, and a DFG trout plant went in this week.Information: 909-790-3127.
GLEN HELEN: Very good to excellent trout action and a few of thebig fish planted for the derby two weeks ago are still breakingleaders. Power Bait has been the top producer, with the big lakebetter than the small lake over the past week. Manuel Cano,Fontana, landed a pair of rainbows to four pounds on Power Nuggets,while Kyle Rosas, Rancho Cucamonga, and three trout to two poundsfishing jigs and Power Bait. County trout plants are weekly throughApril, and there was also a DFG trout plant this week. Information:909-887-7540.
MOUNT BALDY TROUT POOLS: The heavily stocked pools are openevery Saturday and Sunday. No fishing license is needed.Information: 909-982-4246.
SECCOMBE LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information:909-384-5233
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
DIAMOND VALLEY: Bass have been in typical winter mode with fishdown deep in 50 to 60 feet of water, but they will come up to feedonce or twice a day. Best action on jigs, ice jigs, or swimbaits.Thomas Hyde, Imperial Beach, caught an 8.50-pound bass along thewest dam. Fair trout bite for shore anglers and boaters fishing theeast dam and in the third cove to the right of the marina. CraigAdkinson, Phoenix, caught a 10.10-pound rainbow on a mini jig. AlexNowicki, Wildomar, caught four trout totaling 17 pounds with afive-pounder topping his stringer. The striper bite has slowedtremendously due in part to warmer weather. Swimbaits and topwaterlures are still best bets. Some big cats have been pulled out thispast week in a fair bite. Kevin Kohlbatz, San Jacinto, caught a22.09-pound catfish on shrimp in the third cove to the right of themarina. The launch ramp remains closed due to low water levels.Lake information: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last ChanceBait & Tackle 951-658-7410 orwww.dvmarina.com.
PERRIS: DFG trout plant last week, and the bite has been fair togood for the trout in Sail Cove area on rainbow Power Bait. A fewmore striper reported this week for anglers fishing anchovies atthe dam. Joe Uribe, Jr., Lake Forest, caught a 19-pound striper.The largemouth bass bite fair to good with action reported offshore on plastic worms and nightcrawlers. Ryan Delin, Ontario,pulled out an 11.8-pound largemouth. Crappie bite fair on jigs forthose fishing off the points and in the marina. David Post,Redlands, caught a two-pound crappie. DFG trout survey is ongoing.A percentage of each DFG trout plant will have non-reward andreward tags attached on some one to four-pound rainbows from theload. The tags will look like green spaghetti noodles attachedright below the dorsal fin. Reward signs indicating informationwhere to return the tags are posted around the launch ramps, marinaand lake entrance. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park951-940-5600.
SKINNER: Last week-s trout plant by the DFG helped keep thetrout bite going strong. The action is good to excellent on mealworms, nightcrawlers or Power Bait with Launch Ramp 2 the hot area.Top trout of the week was a 2-2 pulled out by Steve Luna, Norco.The striper bite trails the trout action, but there is still goodaction on chicken liver or anchovies at the dam and in the inlet.Top striper was a 3-8 caught by Jim Butler, Yucaipa. Bill Sauter,Fallbrook, caught a 3-5 striper. All other species are slow tofair. Information: store 951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.
ELSINORE: Slow overall action with only a few crappie and bassshowing and light fishing pressure. The lake received a nice loadof four to six-inch wipers (hybrid striped bass) last week, about18,000 fish, and they are expected to reach the 18-inch minimumsize by next spring. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at951-245-9308.
CORONA LAKE: The trout action has been good with a lot offive-fish limits going out the front gate, along with theoccasional trophy rainbow. The big trout this past week was a19-pounder landed by Arthur Hernandez, Corona, fishing greenfloating bait from shore. Rick, Billy, and Randy Sotela, Azusa, had15 rainbows to three pounds that weighed a total of 23 poundsfishing nightcrawlers from shore. Apturo and Ramon Dillahuerra,Montclair, landed 10 rainbows that totaled 12 1/2 pounds. MikeSanderhoft, Lake Elsinore, landed five trout that weighed 14 1/2pounds, and his best was a 3 1/2 pound rainbow, while GerritVerhogen, Wildomar, had a limit that weighed 12 pounds. One of thebest stringers of the week was a 10-fish, 25 1/2-pound catch madeby Angie and Earny Santos, Ventura. Their top trout was a 61/2-pounder. The action has almost all been on floating baits -Nitro Bait and Power Bait with chartreuse the top color – andinflated nightcrawlers with one of the trout scents added to thebait.,The warm weather also woke up at least one catfish. SteveGuardamondo, Mira Loma, caught and released a huge 37 1/2-poundchannel catfish fishing mackerel from the shore. Information:951-277-4489 orwww.fishinglakes.com.
EVANS LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout bite withanglers reporting the best action on nightcrawlers and worms.Catfish action is slow on mackerel and nightcrawlers. Slow to fairbass bite on worms or plastics.
RANCHO JURUPA: Good trout bite with a DFG plant this week, and acounty plant last week. Lots of limits reported with trout to twopounds or better. Best action on small trout plastics and garlic,rainbow, and corn Power Bait. Other species are slow with a fewcats. Upcoming events: Annual trout derby scheduled for thisSaturday, January 24. Entry fee is $10 in advance, $12 day ofevent. Information: 951-684-7032.
FISHERMAN’S RETREAT: Fair trout bite. Fair to good catfish bitefrom both lakes, with times of better action in the eveningsthrough dusk. Top baits are shrimp, mackerel or DuMong-s.Information: 909-795-2411.
ANGLER’S LAKE: The lake is currently closed.
REFLECTION LAKE: Trout plants are every other week. Trout bitefair on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Fair to good catfish action onnightcrawlers or shrimp. 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 orwww.reflectionlakerv.com.
JEAN’S CHANNEL CATS: Trout season is in full swing, with a goodto excellent bite. Power Bait (in all colors) and nightcrawlers arethe most talked about trout baits here. Trout are planted twice amonth with double loads. Plant last week. The lake is openWednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on all Mondayholidays. The lake will be open New Year-s Eve and day.Information: 951-679-6562 or 951-259-2021.
SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN WATERS
LAKE HEMET: Light fishing pressure with the winds this pastweek, but the trout action remains fair from both boat and shore.No DFG plants in over a month. Lake open daily from 7 a.m. to 10p.m. Information: Lake Hemet Market 951-659-2350, campground951-659-2680.
FULMOR LAKE: No recent plants. Information: 951-659-2117.
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: A pair of 19 1/2-pound rainbows topped agood bite here. One of the 19 1/2-pounders was caught BobCaporrima, Huntington Beach, and the other was landed by AdamKelleher, El Monte. Caporrima was using rainbow Nitro Bait at LaPalma Point, while Kelleher was fishing with a nightcrawler at theBubble Hole. A lot of anglers reported five-fish limits with moststringers have at least one trout in the 3 1/2 to seven-poundrange. Greg Hubert, La Habra, had a 7 1/2-pounder to top off hiscatch, while David Luraschi, Anaheim, caught a seven-pounder as hisbest. Felix Romero, South El Monte, landed a six-pounder as hisbest. Richard Huntley, La Habra, had a pretty typical five-fishstringer that weighed 14 1/2-pounds topped by a 4 1/2-poundrainbow. With the clearer water, small trout jigs and smallplastics are taking fish again, but most anglers are still usingfloating dough baits, with rainbow and chartreuse Nitro Bait thebest, or inflated nightcrawlers with Nitro Gravy. While few anglersare fishing for catfish, the warm weather over the past two weekshas stirred up the channels in the catfish lake, and the fewanglers fishing cut baits are getting a few quality channels to sixpounds. Information: 714-632-7830 or log on atwww.fishinglakes.com.
ANAHEIM LAKE: Closed. Anaheim Lake only opens when Santa AnaRiver Lakes is closed for cleaning and maintenance. Information:(714) 996-3508 orwww.fishinglakes.com.
IRVINE LAKE: The trout bite is still down from previous weeks,although anglers reported waves of good action on dough baits,inflated nightcrawlers and the Power Mouse combo. Trollers havealso pulled out limits of trout with firetiger Rapalas and X-Raps.Casting with dropshot and splitshot-rigged Power Worms and AtomicTeasers is also a good bet. Most fish on stringers are from one tofive pounds, with some six or better. A few browns and brooks havealso been pulled out. Hot spots for the trout have been off thewest shore, Trout Island, Santiago Flats and near the docks anddam. Daniel Han, Riverside, caught the top fish of the week, a14-12 rainbow. Dan Fowler, Riverside, landed a 9-2 rainbow. ToddThorgeson, Orange, pulled out an 8-2, and Rob Forrest, FountainValley, caught a 4-14 brook. Lake information: 714-649-9111 orwww.irvinelake.net.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE: Trout bite fair to good with many limitsreported. Another trout plant went in early this week. Hot spotsfor the trout are at the entrance of the inlet and near launch rampand near the concession. Top baits are chartreuse or orange PowerBait, red, sherbert Gulp, inflated nightcrawlers or fighting frogLipRipperZ lures. Slow bass bite. Crappie and bluegill in the1/2-pound range have been reported on nightcrawlers or crappie jigsbut the bite is tough. Catfish are still showing up. The lake isopen 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Information: 949-362-3885 orwww.lagunaniguellake.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA LAKES
CACHUMA: Slow to fair trout action. DFG planted trout this week.Trollers are still reporting the best action on Rapalas with a 1-8to two-pound average for fish pulled out. Catfish action fair inthe narrows on mackerel or nightcrawlers with most fish from threeto 10 pounds. Crappie and redear bite fair in 30 feet onnightcrawlers or small jigs. Bass bite slow to fair, some fishreported from deep by trout anglers. For quagga mussel and the newboat launching information, log on athttps://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html.Fishing information: 805-688-4040.
CASITAS: DFG trout plant this week. Trout bite fair with anglersreporting fish on nightcrawlers immediately following plants.Curtis Brown, Ventura, pulled out a three-pound trout. The bassbite is still on with fish over 10 pounds caught on swimbaits orplastic worms. Top bass was a 10 1/4-pounder caught by Ray Razo,Ventura. Travis Walters, Oak View, pulled out a 9-8 bass, whileSeth Casey, Oak View, caught a 7-8 bass. Sean Flaherty, Ventura,caught five bass totaling 22 pounds. Fair to good crappie bite, butonly on the live shad. Mike Kane, Camarillo, caught five crappietotaling 13-8. Private boats are again being allowed at Casitas,but boaters will face an inspection and 10-day dry dock requirementbecause of fears of quagga mussel infestation. The lake is openevery day, including all holidays from dusk to dawn. Information:805-649-2043.
CASTAIC: After the winds calmed the striper bite improved withgood action and fish from two to five pounds pulled out by the damand off the shoreline to the right of the main ramp onnightcrawlers or anchovies. Top striper was a 12-pounder caught byKen Hemer, Castaic. Dave Gutierrez, Port Hueneme, pulled out an18-pound stringer of stripers. His top fish was an eight-pounder.The largemouth bass bite is fair to good with fish caught on cranksand plastics, especially in the lagoon. Top largemouth of the weekwas a seven-pounder caught by Steven Hage, Valencia. An oddballcarp was caught this week. Kahn Nguyen, Reseda, caught anine-pounder on nightcrawlers in the west ramp area. DFG plant thisweek. Information: 661-775-6232.
PIRU: DFG trout plant this week, and the bite is on the slow tofair side. Top baits include Power Bait, nightcrawlers or any typeof trout worm. Slow to fair crappie action on white mini-jigs. Mostfish are under a pound. Slowish bass action, but some are stillreporting a few fish to two pounds on plastic worms. Hours are 7a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: park 805-521-1500.
PYRAMID: DFG trout plant three weeks ago. Trout bite slow.Action fair for stripers to five pounds on anchovies ornightcrawler. Shad-like swimbaits and cranks are also goodproducers. Down below the gatehouse is the best area for stripers.Largemouth and smallmouth bites fair on plastic worms or swimbaits.Some catfish reported in the channels on nightcrawlers, mackerel orshrimp. No bluegill reports. Information: USFS 661-296-9710,concession 661-257-2790.
QUAIL LAKE: No reports.
PUDDINGSTONE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout action onPower Bait or nightcrawlers. Fair catfish bite on pieces ofmackerel, shrimp or nightcrawlers. Slow to fair bass bite off theeast shore on drop-shot plastics, jerk baits, and live worms. Thefish are deep. Information: 909-599-8411, ext. 4.
SANTA FE DAM: DFG trout plant this week. The bite is picking upwith some reported catches on Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Catfishbite still fair, but good action later in the day on mackerel,shrimp or chicken liver. Fairish bluegill bite on wax worms andnightcrawlers from 5 p.m. to dusk. Information: 626-334-1065.
ALONDRA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
BALBOA PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
BELVEDERE PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
CERRITOS PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
DOWNEY WILDERNESS PARK: DFG trout plant last week
ECHO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
EL DORADO PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
ELIZABETH LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
HANSEN DAM LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair catfish actionon Power Bait and mackerel dipped in attractant. Information:888-527-2757 or 818-899-3779.
HOLLENBECK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information:213-261-0113.
JOHN FORD PARK LAKE: No recent plants.
KENNETH HAHN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LA MIRADA PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
LEGG LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
LINCOLN PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
MAGIC JOHNSON LAKE: DFG trout plant last week.
PECK ROAD PARK LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Information:818-448-7317.
SAN DIEGO AREA LAKES
BARRETT: Closed for the season. The lake will reopen thisspring. Fees to fish here have gone up, making it $20 per anglerand $46 for motor rentals. Lake information: 619-465-3474 orwww.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.
HODGES: Hodges is now closed, but will reopen for fishing andboating on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The lake will then be open on aWednesday, Saturday and Sunday schedule with boat rentals on theweekends only. Information: 619-465-3474 orwww.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
EL CAPITAN: Fair to good bass and crappie action. This week 162anglers checked reported 182 bass, 56 crappie and two bluegill. Thelake is open Thursday through Monday for fishing. Rental boats areavailable on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Sundays rentalsstop at 10 a.m. Information: 619-465-3474 orwww.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
LOWER OTAY: DFG trout plant this week. The lake is open on aWednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule. Information: 619-465-3474orwww.ci.sandiego.ca.us/water/.Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274.
UPPER OTAY: No report. DFG trout plant last week. The lake isopen on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, sunrise tosunset. The road to Upper Otay is closed to vehicles, but anglersmay walk in to fish during lake hours. Information: 619-465-3474 orwww.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
MURRAY: DFG trout plant this week. This week the 102 anglerschecked reported 76 bass and 13 rainbow trout. Scott Ashley and JimPutney, San Diego, pulled out five largemouth totaling 13.61pounds. Their top fish was a 7.18-pounder. They were participantsin the San Diego Bassmasters Tournament Team. The lake is open forfishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals are availableSaturday and Sunday only. Information: 619-465-3474 orwww.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
MIRAMAR: DFG trout plant two weeks ago and the rainbow bite isgood. This week the 159 anglers checked reported 133 rainbows andtwo bass. Mia Stewart, 3 San Diego, pulled out a 2.65-pound rainbowtrout on pink Power Bait. The lake is open for fishing seven days aweek. Boat rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday only.Information: 619-465-3474 orwww.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.Rental boat reservations: 619-390-0223.
SUTHERLAND: Closed for fishing, but will reopen for fishing andboating on Saturday, March 7. The lake will then be open onweekends only, but will not have rental boats available untilfurther notice. Information: 619-465-3474 orwww.ci.san-diego.ca.us/water/.
WOHLFORD: Trout fishing has been good with the morning bitegradually improving, but the majority of fish still being caughtbetween the hours
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tom Ritter, San Marcos, caught the largesttrout of the week, a 5-3, on an inflated nightcrawler near the EastBuoy Line. Ismael Diaz, Escondido, caught a five-pound trout at theSouth Shore Rock Pile on Power Bait. Don Hitchco*ck, Escondido,pulled out a 4-7 on green Power Bait in Willow Cove. Channelcatfish have a fair to good it cut mackerel, shrimp, chicken liver,and nightcrawlers near the South Shore Rock Pile and in OakvaleCove. Bass action has slowed a bit lately with small ones beingcaught in the rocky outcroppings. New rental boats are availablefor rent at the lake. They rent for $46 for all day. There is atemporary ban on private boat launching, including canoes, kayaks,float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders and anchors due to thethreat of quagga mussels. Rental boats are available. Information:760-839-4346 orwww.wohlfordlake.com.
DOANE POND: No recent plants.
DIXON LAKE: Good trout bite reported from Whisker Bay and TroutCove on rainbow colored Power Bait, small green mini-jigs,Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants. Plant went in three weeks ago. Adaily permit is required for entry. The Fishing Pier No. 1 remainsclosed until further notice. Lake information: 760-839-4345 orwww.dixonlake.com.
POWAY: Good fishing for trout and bass. The L.A. Bass Clubreported good action and fish from three to five pounds. TheBoulder Bay area is the top area for the trout. David King, SanDiego, caught a 7.8-pound trout on nightcrawlers. Several anglerscaught 7.5-pound rainbows, including Chris Longwell, Poway; SteveChatwood, Poway; Jacob Farren, Menifee; and Mike Pollard, Poway.Matthew Bierle, San Diego, caught a stringer of four trout withfish from two to three pounds. Bass bite best on nightcrawlers,jigs or plastic worms. Upcoming events: Youth fishing derby set forSaturday, Feb. 7 from 6 a.m. to noon. Youth 15 and under arewelcome. Derby information:www.poway.org. Lake information: snackbar 858-679-5465, Poway information line 858-668-4770, concessions858-486-1234.
JENNINGS: Slowish trout fishing, but a plant this week shouldperk the bite. A few bass have been landed off the points and somecatfish at the Buoy Line. Bass moving up on the banks in the lateafternoon, but anglers have reported slow action. The Lake JenningsFree Fishing University with supervising ranger Hugh Marx offers aclass on bait fishing for trout at 1 p.m. Sunday. The lake is openFriday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Lakeinformation: 619-390-1300 orwww.lakejennings.org.
MORENA: Trout bite good on Kastmasters. A DFG trout plant of2,600 pounds of rainbows went in this week. Limits and good-sizedtrout from two to three pounds have been caught on nightcrawlers,Power Bait, Kastmasters or spinners. Bass bite still slow, but afew have been reported on crawdad-colored jigs or shiners. Rowboatsand motorboats are available to rent Wednesday through Sundaybeginning at 6 a.m. Information: 24-hour fishing update line619-478-5473, ranger station 619-694-3049.
CUYAMACA: Trout plant by the DFG this week. Trout action verygood on nightcrawlers and Power Bait in the Lone Pine. MichaelMcGinty, Chula Vista, pulled out a five-pound limit of trouttotaling 16.5 pounds, with a five-pounder topping his load. MollyJean Feathering, Descanso, also caught a five-pound trout off thesouth end. Nick Outlaw, 6, Spring Valley, landed a four-pounderfrom Chambers Park. Mark Saldana, Chula Vista, caught a 3-8 trout.Upcoing events: Supervising ranger Willard Lepley offers a freefishing class Saturday at 10 a.m. Topic will be cold-water trouttactics. Private boats are allowed on the lake again, 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. Winter hours will start Dec.1 with tackle shop hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday noonto 4:30 p.m. Information: 760-765-0515 orwww.lakecuyamaca.org.
HENSHAW: No recent reports. The lake is open from 5 a.m. to 4p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. the otherfive days of the week. Information: 760-782-3501.
COLORADO RIVER
LAKE MEAD: Fair to good action on small stripers from eight to10 inches and catfish in the Vegas Wash area in the afternoons. Thebest stripers have come from 40 feet deep on anchovies or shadimitation lures. The stripers are also chasing the shad in GypsumWash and near the Boulder Bay pier with some action reported inthese areas. The night catfish bite is fair to good for anglersusing lights and then fishing anchovies. No largemouth or troutreports.
WILLOW BEACH: Trout action has slowed with a few fish stillshowing, but there is very light fishing pressure. Stripers slow.No recent plants. Information: 928-767-4747.
LAKE MOHAVE: Striper bite slow to fair with the best action onnightcrawlers or anchovies. Most fish are small, under threepounds, but a few over five have been reported recently. Slow tofair action on bluegill and largemouth bass in 10 to 15 feet insubmerged trees and brush. The largemouth bite is best on plastics,and the bluegill are taking crickets and worms. Information:702-297-1464.
BELOW DAVIS DAM: Trout plants are alternating weeks through thewinter. Fair to good action Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Slowstriper bite.
NEEDLES: Striper action slow to fair with only small fish landeddownriver in the Topoc area. A few catfish showing. Slow largemouthbite. Information: Premier Sports 760-326-2727, Golden Shores760-768-2325.
TOPOCK MARSH: Water levels are lower. Take caution when baotlaunching. Fair catfish bite. Fair largemouth bass action on Senkosor swimbaits. Slow crappie bite, but that should change soon. Themarsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, andFive-Mile Landing. Information: 928-768-2350.
HAVASU: Striper bite fair with the best bite in the earlymorning around the reefs and points with fish to four pounds.Anchovies and jigs have been the top producers. Fair smallmouth andlargemouth bass. The fish are 13 inches and up. Information:760-663-3811.
PARKER STRIP: Fair catfish and flathead action with some to 10pounds or better on shrimp, nightcrawlers dipped in stink andmackerel. Information: June-s Unique 928-669-8883.
BLYTHE: Fair bass action in the main river for smallmouths andin the ditches and backwaters for largemouth, with some fish tofour pounds and bigger reported this week. Flathead bite fair withsome fish to 15 pounds reported. Bluegill bite slow to fair in mostbackwaters. Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.
PALO VERDE: Fair to good bass bite, especially for the smallies,on plastic worms. Also improving action on small stripers in theriver with fish to five pounds reported. Fair flathead action butvery light fishing pressure. Information: Walter’s Camp760-854-3322.
PICACHO AREA: Fair to good catfish bite on mackerel. Not toomany fish reported over three pounds, however. Bass action slow tofair with some action on plastic worms or nightcrawlers.
MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action slow to fair oncranks, spinnerbaits and plastics. Channel catfish bite fair, andthe crappie bite is slow to fair on small live minnows. A fewflatheads are showing in the main river, too, but the action isspotty. Information: 928-783-9589 orwww.martinezlake.com.
YUMA AREA: The Gila Main Canal area in East Yuma continues to bethe best fishing spot. Fair to good channel catfish action, andjust a fair redear, and bluegill bite. Catfish taking mackerel orshrimp, and redear and bluegill biting worms in the river andbackwaters. The flatheads have been fair in the main river, mostlyon live bluegill.
LOWER DESERT WATERS
SALTON SEA: Excellent tilapia bite at the state parkheadquarter-s jetty. Most of the fish are from six ounces to apound and hitting nightcrawler pieces fished on the bottom. Somebigger fish reported, too. The unseasonably warm weather turned onthis bite over a week ago, and the action has remained hot with thebest action mid-day. Chris Nickerson, Hemet, made two trips thisweek with fishing buddies and reported catching over 100 fish toover two pounds on Sunday and filled an ice chest again onWednesday. James and Linda Patterson, Palmdale, had over 20 tilapiato a pound on Monday. Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Arearanger station 760-393-3052.
ALAMO RIVER: No reports.
COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports but some channel catsand the odd bass has been reported. Also some stripers.
ALL AMERICAN CANAL: Very little fishing pressure.
FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.
WEIST LAKE: Trout plant by the DFG this week. Information:760-352-3308.
SUNBEAM LAKE: DFG planted trout this week.
LAKE CAHUILLA: DFG trout plant last week. Information:760-564-4712.
EASTERN SIERRA
GENERAL: General trout season is closed, but year-around andspecial regulation waters remain open. For updated road and campinginformation: Interagency Visitor Center 760-876-6222, BishopChamber of Commerce 760-873-8405, orwww.bishopvisitor.com.
BRIDGEPORT REGION: East Walker River remains tough with lowflows and freezing temperatures. Information: Ken’s Sporting Goods760-932-7707 orwww.kenssport.com.
MAMMOTH AREA: The upper Owens River and Hot Creek are open toyear-around fishing. Improved action in the upper Owens along thebank. When temps rise, above 45, the midges emerge, and there havebeen good mayfly hatches this past week. The section below thehatchery at Hot Creek remains good for those midging. For fishinginfo, call The Troutfitter 760-934-2517, Sierra Drifters GuideService 760-935-4250, or Performance Anglers at 760-924-2181 orwww.performanceanglers.com.
BISHOP AREA: Only Pleasant Valley Reservoir, the Owens Rivergorge, and lower Owens River remain open to anglers. Jay Preston,Glendora, reported on the lower Owens. He fished the area fro hisboat and reported slow action, although he pulled out two rainbowsabout 23 and 19 inches. He moved on to the Pleasant Valley area andreported a 100-fish day on Wooly Buggers, including a nice browntrout at 18 inches. DFG plant at Pleasant Valley two weeks ago. Forfishing information: Culver’s 760-872- 8361, Brock’s760-872-3581.
BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Only the lower Owens and Diaz Lakeremain open and fishing has been slow at both. Lower Owens plantedwith trout two weeks ago. Information: 760-876-4444 or go towww.lonepinechamber.org.
WESTERN SIERRA
LAKE ISABELLA: Crappie bite fair to good on small minnows. Goodtrout bite by the auxiliary dam on nightcrawlers or Power Bait. DFGtrout plant this week and last. Ed Steers, Bakersfield, pulled outa six-pound trout. The occasional bass on jigs and spoons. Alsopretty decent action on catfish for anglers fishing near the damwith minnows. Upcoming events: Trout derby set for April 4,5, and6. A number of tagged trout worth big cash will be planted for theevent. Applications are available athttps://derby.kernrivervalley.com.Fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657.
KERN RIVER: Slow action in the lower river with only a few troutreported. The upper river is fair on wild fish and a few holdoverplanters. Information: Kern River Troutfitter 760-376-2040 orwww.kernriverflyfishing.com,or James Store 760-376-2424.
AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Good striper bite on blood worms, sandworms, Rat-L-Traps or pumpkin seed Gitzits. Three to five-poundrange, with some big ones reported. Also a good and very oddtopwater bite for the stripers. The catfish bite is very fair onshad.
HART PARK LAKE: Fair trout bite. DFG trout plant this week.
TRUXTUN LAKE: DFG trout plant this week. Fair trout bite onPower Bait and nightcrawlers with garlic.
RIVER WALK PARK: Fair trout action after plants. DFG trout plantthis week.
MING LAKE: Fair to good trout bite. DFG trout plant thisweek.
BRITE LAKE: Fair trout action. DFG trout plant this week. Somecatfish reported, too.
BUENA VISTA LAKES: The trout bite is exceptional with more fishover 15 pounds pulled out this week. The biggest fish of the weekwas an 18-pound trout caught by Tommy Nieblas, Bakersfield, on aThomas Buoyant. Danny Reyes, Bakersfield, pulled out a 15-8 trouton Power Bait. Chris Hedspeth, Bakersfield, landed a seven-poundtrout. The crappie action is fair to good on small minnows. RickyFranklin, Bakersfield, caught a 10-pound stringer of five two-poundcrappie. Good catfish bite with some big fish pulled out this week,too. Call Bob-s Bait for information: 661-833-8657.
WOLLOMES LAKE: DFG trout plant this week.
SUCCESS LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information:559-781-2078.
KAWEAH LAKE: DFG trout plant last week. Information:559-597-2526.
CENTRAL COAST LAKES
SAN ANTONIO: Some Fair to good crappie action with fish mostlyin the 1/2 to 3/4-pound range with some over a pound. Striperaction is fair to good with the best bite in Bee Rock Cove andHarris Creek on anchovies or swimbaits. Largemouth bass bite fairaround the rocky points on swimbaits, spoons, crankbaits andplastic worms. Fair to good catfish action on anchovies, mackerelor shrimp. Information: 805-472-2818.
SANTA MARGARITA: Trout bite remains sluggish with only a fewfish from a half-pound to a pound pulled out. Fair largemouth bassbite on Brush Hogs, plastics, or crankbaits with most fish from twoto three pounds and some smallmouth also showing. Decent crappieaction on jigs near the river inlet. The marina store is openWednesday through Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.
NACIMIENTO: Fair to good action for spotties on plastics, jigs,and spoons in the narrows and off the rocky shorelines with thebest bite mornings and evenings. Largemouth and smallmouth actionfair on plastics and nightcrawlers. Slow to fair white bass bite,but more have been showing recently. Information: 805-238-1056 orwww.nacimientoresort.com.
LOPEZ: Bluegill and redear bites are slow to fair on crickets orwax and meal worms. Trout bite fair trollers using Needlefish orKastmasters in 30 to 40 feet. Most fish are from one to two poundsand bait anglers have pulled some out on nightcrawlers or PowerBait. Bass bite fair with some action by the dam. Information:805-489-1006.
TROUT PLANTS
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:
LOS ANGELES: Castaic Lagoon, Castaic Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes,Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Legg Lakes, Peck Road Park Lake,Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE: Yorba Linda Regional Park Lake.
RIVERSIDE: Evans Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Pond.
SAN BERNARDINO: Cucamonga Guasti Park Lake, Mojave NarrowsRegional Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake.
SAN DIEGO: Cuyamaca Lake, Lower Otay Lake, Morena Lake, MurrayLake.
SANTA BARBARA: Cachuma Lake.
IMPERIAL: Sunbeam Lake, Weist Lake.
VENTURA: Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake.
FRESNO: Kings River below the Pine Flat Reservoir, San JoaquinRiver below the Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.
KERN: Hart Park Lake, Isabella Lake, Lake Wollomes, Ming Lake,The Park at River Walk Lake, Truxton Lake.
OCEAN FISHING REPORT
By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman
For Outdoor News Service
LONG-RANGE ACTION: The long range yellowfin action for the SanDiego-based boats is still excellent, but it-s been a littletougher for skippers to located the real giant fish over the pastweek. The Shogun returned from a 14-day trip on Wednesday thisweek. The 21 anglers on board brought home 92 yellowfin tuna, sixwahoo, and a dorado. The yellowfin were mostly from 80 to 150pounds and there were four fish over the 200-pound mark, includinga 212-pounder landed by Mike Inscore, Redondo Beach. The Qualifier105 was still on the tuna grounds Wednesday, but after finding onlygood action on smaller class fish, they made a move to look forbigger fish Wednesday.
GIANT SQUID SHOWING: The giant squid action completely died fromlate last week through the weekend, but the action has come back onand improved daily since Sunday-s twilight trip. The New Seaforth,out of Seaforth Sportfishing, was out out with 73 anglers Sundayand they landed 29 giant squid. On Monday, 68 anglers had 140squid, and then on Tuesday, 41 anglers landed 180 of the bigHumboldts. The squid are mostly running from 18 to 25 pounds.
MEXICAN ROCKFISH: While there is a rockfish fishing closure allalong the Southern California coast January and February, a numberof San Diego-based boats are making the run into Mexican waters on3/4-day to two-day rockfish charters. The weather has been awesomeover the past week for these trips and the action has beenlimit-style fishing on big reds with a few lings and sheepheadmixed in.
SAND DAB TRIPS: The Sea Anglers out of 22nd Street Landing ismaking weekly 3/4-day runs for sand dabs. These trips have beenwhack-em and stack-em jaunts. The most recent was on Monday, when25 anglers landed about 2,200 sand dabs and three sole. Greatfreezer fillers.
LOCAL BASS AND SCULPIN: Local half- and three-quarter boats arefocusing on sand bass and sculpin during the rockfish closure onthe Orange and Los Angeles county coastal areas. The good action inthe Santa Monica Bay last week has slowed a little and the bite hasbeen tougher this week. Still, most days see anglers posting two orthree fish per rod averages with a mix of sculpin and sandbass.
ISLAND NEWS: Little to report from the local islands with slowfishing at the northern Channel Islands, San Clemente, andCatalina. There-s still a real dearth of squid and without thecandy bait, the yellowtail and seabass bites just don-t have muchchance of kicking into gear.
LANDING CONTACTS
Southern California: Virg’s Sportfishing, Morro Bay,805-772-1222; Patriot Sportfishing, Avila Beach, 805-595-7200; SeaLanding, Santa Barbara, 805-963-3564; Harbor Village Sportfishing,Ventura, 805-658-1060; Channel Islands Sportfishing, Oxnard,805-985-8511; Captain Hook’s Sportfishing, Oxnard, 805-382-6233;Port Hueneme Sportfishing, Hueneme, 805-488-2212; Malibu PierSportfishing, 310-328-8426; Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, Marina delRey, 310-822-3625; Redondo Sportfishing, Redondo Beach,310-372-2111; Rocky Point Fuel Dock (skiff rentals for KingHarbor), Redondo Beach, 310-374-9858; 22nd Street Landing, SanPedro, 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; DanaWharf Sportfishing, Dana Point, 949-496-5794; Helgren’sSportfishing, Oceanside, 760-722-2133; Fisherman’s 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.
Mexico Landings: Sergio’s Sportfishing, Ensenada,011-526-178-2185; San Quintin Sportfishing, San Quintin,011-526-162-1455.
