OUTDOORS: Weekly fishing report, June 25 (2024)

Compiled by Jim Matthews –OutdoorNewsService.com

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.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. Diamond Valley Lake remains our No. 1 pick, but not becauseof the awesome largemouth bass bite (although that could put it inthis top spot), but because of the neglected bluegill action. A newlake record «gill at nearly 3 1/2 pounds was caught this past week,and good catches of bluegill and redear to a pound by the fewanglers targeting at the dams them has been excellent. There werealso some great crappie reports. And then, of course, there-s thebass. For an update, call the marina staff at 951-926-7201 or LastChance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.

2. The Salton Sea just remains wide open for tilapia. While thesudden heat could change things for the worse, it will probablytake a couple of weeks of sustained 100-plus degree days before badthings happen. More quality fish are showing further away from theshoreline for those making long casts or going out in boats, and100-plus fish catches are still common. You will want to get anupdate on this bite before you go, so check with the Salton SeaState Recreation Area ranger station at 760-393-3052.

3. The smallmouth bass fishing at Lake Havasu has just beenexcellent with a lot of fish topping the two-pound mark and fat.While the lack of shad means the topwater action isn-t that great,there is an excellent jig and plastic bite. The fish are keying oncrawdads, so any bait that resembles a «dad has been veryproductive. The smallies fight harder than a largemouth twice theirsize and they jump like rainbow trout. If you want an update ortips on where to fish, check with the guys at Angler-s Pro Shop inLake Havasu City at 928-854-2277.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

TROUT: The local mountain waters are starting to turn on withgood action at Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Lake Gregory, andLake Hemet. Green Valley cranked out fish over six pounds againthis week. In the Sierra, the bites are also turning on as itfinally looks like summer has arrived. OK, maybe spring, but allthe high elevation waters are really turning on in the Bridgeport,Lee Vining, and June Lake regions. The Mammoth Lakes and BishopCreek waters have all been good on planted trout. For fly anglers,Kirman Lake, the East Walker River, and Crowley Lake are all worthfishing with good bite. In the High Desert, Jess Ranch is still agood bet.

LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are turning back onwith a lot of excellent morning and evening topwater bites. Toppicks are Diamond Valley and Casitas. Both are producing greataverage-sized fish, perhaps in the three to four-pound range. Othergood bets including Santa Margarita on the Central Coast, Castaic,Piru, Skinner, and Silverwood. In San Diego County, the Barrettremains good with nearly 2,400 bass reported, but that is way offfrom a month ago. Upper Otay, Sutherland, Wohlford, Lower Otay, ElCapitan, and Hodges are all worth fishing. On the lower ColoradoRiver, the smallmouth bass bite from Lake Havasu downstream is verygood in the main river, and the largemouth bite is pretty darn goodall in the backwaters of the lower river.

STRIPED BASS: There is pretty good striper action at all of theSouthern California striper spots with Pyramid, Skinner,Silverwood, Castaic and Diamond Valley all cranking out fish,mostly on anchovies. Best fish are showing at Diamond Valley, whichhad a couple in the 20-pound class two weeks ago. The Californiaaqueduct near Taft is also excellent (and anglers are remindedthere is an 18-inch minimum size here). On the Colorado River, LakeMohave is good on fish to five pounds on anchovies in the coves bythe power lines. Havasu is slow, however, and Willow Beach turnedspotty again. A few big wipers are being caught at Elsinore eachweek, and wipers were planted at Hesperia Lake last week with fishto three pounds reported.

PANFISH: Excellent action a Lopez Lake with crappie to threepounds and a solid one-pound average. Nearby Santa Margarita isnearly as good. The Lake Isabella crappie bite is still goingstrong, and the fish have moved shallow again in the South Forkarm. Go figure. The bluegill and redear bites are wide open justabout everywhere. Diamond Valley and Lake Perris are hot. But justabout every water with bluegill is really cranking. Also thetilapia bite at the Salton Sea just won-t go away. Still excellentaction. Tilapia are also being planted each week now at Santa AnaRiver Lakes and Corona Lake.

CATFISH: The lower Colorado River flathead and channel catfishaction remains good. The Blythe-Palo Verde region to Yuma is hotfor the big flatheads, and the channels are showing from Mead toMexico. Top fish was a 55-pounder this past week. Other places ofnote include Hesperia Lake (which is getting double loads ofcatfish plants each week), Jean-s Channel Cats, along with CoronaLake, Santa Ana River Lakes and Irvine Lake. While they-re notcatfish, the big plants of three to five pounder sturgeon that wentinto Santa Ana and Corona last weeks were dismally slow over theweekend, but are finally starting to bite at both locations.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: The striper action is good with a lot of smallerfish from one to three pounds being caught, with some bigger. Thebest bite has been on cut baits, mostly anchovies, fished atChemise or the spillway. James Johnson, San Bernardino, caught fourstriper to 3.2 pounds on anchovies at the spillway. The troutaction has been fair to good in Miller’s Canyon and Cleghorn.Powerbait and nightcrawlers were the best bet this past week. Troutwere planted last week. The largemouth bass bite has been good onplastics and Rapalas in Miller’s Canyon and Outhouse Cove. Thecatfish bite is good in outhouse cove on chicken liver, shrimp, andmackerel. Pam Constance, Fontana, caught six catfish on chickenlivers at the dock. The bluegill bite is also good with most of theaction reported off the rocks by the docks. Information: marina760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store760-389-2423.

BIG BEAR LAKE: Fair trout action with the best bite for trollersworking deeper water or still fishermen fishing 20-plus feet ofwater. Bass action is fair on spinnerbaits and spoons in theshallows, with quite a few smallmouth reported this past week.Crappie are spotty in the east end. Fishing information: Big BearMarina 909-866-3218, Big Bear Sporting Goods 909-866-3222 orwww.bigbearmarina.com.

GREGORY LAKE: No report. Information: 909-338-2233.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The fishing was very consistent withâ a lotof nice 1 1/2 to two-pound rainbows caught on Power Worms, floatingbaits, and small jigs and lures. The big fish of the week was a6-11 rainbow caught by Scott Coley, South El Monte, while JoeGutierrez, Redlands, landed a 5-10 rainbow. Both big fish werecaught on red Power Worms. Anglers who catch a rainbow over sixpounds get a free “Green Valley Lake Six-Pound-and-Over Club”tee-shirt. Plants of 2,000 pounds of Calaveras rainbow trout wentin last week and three weeks ago. Next plant will be the week ofJune 29. Each plant will have fish to six pounds and better. Thereis also a fair catch-and-release bite on largemouth bass. Recordedinformation: 909-867-2009.

ARROWBEAR LAKE: DFG trout plant four weeks ago.

JENKS LAKE: DFG trout plants last week and four weeks ago.Information: Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2881.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

HESPERIA LAKE: Wipers, a striped bass-white bass hybrid, wereplanted last week and action has been good. Nightcrawlers, shrimp,and anchovies have been working best for these hybrids, which weighfrom a half to three pounds. There also continues to be excellentcatfish action with a lot of limits and many quality fish showing.Mackerel, shrimp, inflated nightcrawlers, and the marshmallow-mealworm combo have been the top baits, especially if dipped in Sonny’sCatfish Bait. The lake is planted with 2,200 pounds of cats everyThursday and each plant includes some trophy broodstock fish. PaulTorez, Covina, landed the top catfish this past week with his19-pound blue cat caught on shrimp. Darrel Michaels, Fontana,hooked into a 13-pound channel cat on mackerel dipped in Sonny’s atthe north shore. Ning Tu, Costa Mesa, caught a 12-8 catfish on themarshmallow-meal worm combo at the north shore. Some sturgeoncontinue to show each week with a 63-pounder reported this pastweek. Lake hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the night session from 1p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per angler. Information: 800-521-6332or 760-244-5951.

JESS RANCH: Trout action was very good again this past week withmost fish near or over two pounds. The best bite has been on PowerBait, especially in colors salmon peach, spring green, and garlic.Nightcrawlers and a variety of jigs and lures are also working wellfor trout. Audra Schoen, Redlands, caught a 5-14 rainbow on garlicPower Bait near the pump house on the western shore of lake three.Phil Riley, Apple Valley, landed 4-12 and 3-8 trout on anightcrawler and a Thomas Buoyant. The catfish bite is also verygood on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, shrimp, and mackerel. The bassbite is fair with the best action on Senkos and spinnerbaits fishedat the south eastern shore of lake two or the northern shore oflake three. The bluegill bite is just fair but should continue toimprove as the weather warms up. The lake is open Wednesday throughSunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it is stocked with trout eachweek on Fridays from its own hatchery. The lake will also bestocking catfish every Thursday all summer long. Lake information:760-240-1107 orwww.jessranchlakesnews.com.

MOJAVE NARROWS: No report. County catfish plants are weekly now.For lake information: 760-245-2226.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

CUCAMONGA-GUASTI: County catfish plants are weekly through thesummer. Information: 909-481-4205.

PRADO: Catfish action is good to excellent with the best bite onshrimp, mackerel, and nightcrawlers fished at lot eight. There is agood bass and bluegill bite, mostly around the tule patches. Thecarp action is very good on the same baits being used to catchcatfish. Richard Walker, Chino, landed an 11-8 carp on anightcrawler at lot eight. Information: 909-597-4260.

YUCAIPA: County catfish are planted weekly through the summer.Lake information: 909-790-3127.

GLEN HELEN: Excellent catfish action with county catfish plantseach week through the summer. The bluegill bite is also good with alot of smaller fish showing on small worms, meal worms, andcrickets fished under bobber. Carp are fair to good on dough baits.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: No DFG plants in over a month. Information:909-384-5233.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY: A new lake record bluegill was caught here thisweek when Michael Wolf, Redondo Beach, caught a 3.45-pound bluegillfishing at the quarry with trout Krilla. The bluegill bite hasbroken wide open with a lot of nice stringers showing along thedams on jigs, crickets, wax worms, and nightcrawler pieces. Elliottand Elija Lewis, Beaumont, caught a 13 pound string of bluegillfishing with wax worms on the east dam. The crappie bite is almostuntapped. Cacer Chang, Rowland Heights, caught 94 crappie fishingwith mini jigs on the east dam. The largemouth bass bite is alsostill excellent, with fish showing on any presentation or bait,from trolling to topwater. Most of the fish are in 20 to 35 feet ofwater. Trout spotty with the best action for anglers fishing inboats off the two dams. Trolling slow, but some fish showing ondrifted nightcrawlers. Stripers have been pretty good on topwaterbaits. Catfish are excellent with a lot of quality fish showing forboat and shore anglers on cut baits. The launch ramp remains closeddue to low water levels. There is a petition going around to get alaunch ramp extension (check with Last Chance B&T). Lakeinformation: 800-590-LAKE, marina 951-926-7201, Last Chance Baitand Tackle 951-658-7410 orwww.dvmarina.com.

PERRIS: The bluegill and redear bite remains wide open with alot of 1/2 to 1 1/2-pound fish showing. The best bet for bluegillcontinues to be in deeper water for boat and float tube anglers,but the marina is also a good bet. Best action on crickets, mealworms, wax worms, or small jigs tipped with a bait. The bass biteremained very good this past week with the best bite on plasticsand nightcrawlers. Gerardo Orneias, Venice, landed a five-poundbass fishing near the island. David Goodman, Imperial Beach, landeda 3-12 largemouth on a nightcrawler at the marina. Trout action isfair. Good carp bite at Lots 5 and 6, the east end, Rock Climber’sCove area. A few catfish are also being caught, but mostly byaccident by bluegill, bass, and trout anglers. Ralph Wynn, Hemet,landed a 14-pound catfish on a nightcrawler at the east end of thelake. Information: marina 951-657-2179, state park951-940-5600.

SKINNER: The striped bass action was excellent for smaller fishat the dam and inlet on anchovies or chicken liver. John Sheldon,Temecula, landed six stripers to three pounds on chicken liver atthe dam. Craig Dockings, Temecula, caught five stripers to threepounds on chicken liver at the dam. The largemouth bite is best ondark plastics and nightcrawlers fished along the south shore. Thecatfish bite is picking up with mackerel and chicken liver workingbest. Some bluegill are showing in the early morning or lateafternoon on mealworms and nightcrawlers. Carp action is fair ondough baits. Crappie and trout are slow. Information: store951-926-1505 or marina 951-926-8515.

ELSINORE: There continues to be a fair to good catfish and carpbite, with the best action early and late in the day. Also a spottybite on largemouth bass, and a few wipers to eight pounds continueto show. There is an 18-inch minimum size on the wipers. Crappieare tough now with only a few being caught. Small bluegill aregood. Information: Seaport Boat Launch at 951-245-9308, ElsinoreWest Marina at 951-678-1300.

CORONA LAKE: Catfish action has been good for night and earlymorning anglers, but the sturgeon planted last week have beenalmost complete no-shows. There also continues to be a fair numberof bluegill, tilapia, and largemouth bass caught by anglerstargeting these fish. Tim Burnett, Compton, was spending theweekend, fishing on back-to-back 24-hour fishing passes, a Father-sDay gift from his wife. He landed one of the first sturgeon caughthere early Saturday morning, an eight-pound class fish that wasadded to his basket of one to two-pound catfish he and his familycaught. Quite a few catfish topping seven pounds have been caught.Shrimp, J.D.-s Mackerel, and nightcrawlers have been the best baitsfor the cats. Chris Ramsey and Bryan Lindquist, both Murrieta,caught 10 catfish and their big fish was a 7 1/2 pounder, all onmackerel or shrimp. Mark Lehman, Perris, landed eight cats to 7-4,while Randy Bowling, Rancho Cucamonga, caught 12 catfish to sevenpounds. They were both using shrimp. Of note this week, anine-pound bass was caught and released by Chris Szabo, Anaheim,fishing a jig from a boat, while Todd and Mariss Alysia, Tustin,caught 10 tilapia to 2 1/2 pounds fishing worms from shore. Catfishare planted twice a week, tilapia each week. Catchable-sizedsturgeon will be planted at least through the summer. There is24-hour fishing every Friday and Saturday night. Information:951-277-4489 orwww.fishinglakes.com.

EVANS LAKE: Slow to fair bass action on plastics and smallreaction baits. Good bluegill action around shoreline structure,rocks, and tules.

RANCHO JURUPA: Good catfish action after plant last week. Plantsare now every other week, and the best bite has been on mackerel.Also the odd bass and carp showing up. Information:951-684-7032.

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

MURRAY: The 74 anglers checked reported catching 31 bass, 62bluegill, one trout, four crappie, and five catfish. The lake isopen for fishing and boating seven days a week. Boat rentals areavailable Saturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474orwww.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 orssmith@sandiego.gov.

MIRAMAR: Mostly spotty action on all species. There were 95anglers checked and they reported catching eight rainbow trout, 25bass, eight bluegill, two crappie, and two catfish. The lake isopen for fishing seven days a week. Boat rentals are available onSaturday and Sunday only. Lake information: 619-465-3474 orwww.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 orssmith@sandiego.gov.

SUTHERLAND: There were 39 angelers checked and they reportedcatching 88 bass to 6.9 pounds, 12 bluegill, 18 crappie to 2.1pounds, and 13 catfish. Greg LeRoy, Ramona, caught a 29.2-poundblue catfish on a crawdad. John Woolman, Ramona, caught a 6.9-poundlargemouth. Leonard Jones, San Diego, landed a 6.75-pound bass.There is also a very good carp bite for those targeting them.Colton and Drew Merrifield, Poway, combined to catch 17 carp andseven catfish with a 13.5-pounder topping their catch. KennyMorrtko, Ramona, caught an 11.75-pound carp on bread. The lake isopen on weekends only, but will not have rental boats available.Water level is very low and boat launch is allowed at your ownrisk. Lake information: 619-465-3474 orwww.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/.Rental boat reservations: 619-668-3274 orssmith@sandiego.gov.

WOHLFORD: Catfish action is good for smaller fish all around thelake. Mackerel and chicken liver are the top baits and the topspots are the buoy line areas. The bass fishing is good, mostly forsmaller males in an early morning or late afternoon bite. Sam Bush,Encinitas, caught a 3-12 bass off Murphy’s Rock. Crappie can now befound around submerged willows and the fish are averaging betterthan a pound each. Bluegill are hitting red worms or meal worms ingood numbers. Trout are slow with only a few showing in deep waterat the mouth of the canal or along the west buoy line. Carp actionhas been good on dough baits. There are four new bass boat-typerentals available. Quagga mussel fears still have a private boatingban. Information: 760-839-4346 orwww.wohlfordlake.com.

DOANE POND: No DFG plants in over a month.

DIXON LAKE: The bluegill bite is fair to good in the shallowswith some fish topping a pound. Bass and catfish are both slow tofair. The catfish bite should pick up significantly when the lakebegins stocking catfish in July. Pier No. 2 has completedconstruction and is now open. A daily permit is required for entry.The Fishing Pier No. 1 remains closed until further notice. Feeshave increased; adults are $7, seniors are $5 and youths are $5.Boats rent for 17, half boats are $14, motorboats are $35, halfmotorboats are $30, and bass boat rentals are $46 to $50. Lakeinformation: 760-839-4345 orwww.dixonlake.com.

POWAY: The catfish bite picked up and is good all over the lake.Bigger cats made an appearance as well this past week. Catfishplant slated for this week. Nikita Rochelle, Ramona, caught a10.75-pound catfish on mackerel at the Log Boom. Jason Busse,Escondido, caught a seven-pound catfish on mackerel. Bass action isgood with a few nice sized fish reported. Matt Honick, Poway,caught a seven-pound bass at the east end of the Log Boom. Somebluegill are showing in Hidden Bay. Trout action slow. Lakeinformation: 858-668-4770, tackle shop 858-486-1234.

JENNINGS: Good, but inconsistent, fishing for all species. Manyanglers ended up catching species of fish they weren’t targeting.Whether it was a trout showing on mackerel, a catfish on anightcrawler, or bass on a trolled Rapala, anglers were getting amixed stringer. The one reliable bite has been redear for anglersfishing wax worms. Upcoming events: Free fishing class on baitfishing for rainbow trout 1 p.m. Sunday hosted by Ranger Hugh Marx.For information call 619-443-2510. Lake information: 619-390-1300orwww.lakejennings.org.

MORENA: The catfish bite is picking up and are starting to showin good numbers. Mackerel, chicken liver, and nightcrawlers haveall been working for catfish. Anglers are requested to release anyblue catfish they catch under five pounds. Bass action is fair withthe best bite on crawdads. Slow other species. Price of boats andpermits has been reduced Monday through Thursday. Permits are $3.50and boat rentals just $20 for the whole day. Information: 24-hourfishing update line 619-478-5473, ranger station 619-579-4101.

CUYAMACA: Continued good trout action with nightcrawlers andPower Bait working best. Michael Harding, San Diego, caught the toptrout of the week at eight pounds. David Bates, El Cajon, landed a4-13 trout on a Thomas Buoyant. Cary Faushing, Santee, caught afour-pound rainbow on Power Bait near the dam. The largemouth bassbite is really starting to turn on with fish to 7-4 reported. Thereis also a very good crappie bite for those targeting them. Upcomingevents: Supervising ranger Willard Lepley offers a free fishingclass every Saturday at 10 a.m. Private boats are allowed on thelake again, but the boats must be sprayed for quagga mussels by ahigh-pressure heated wash prior to entering the lake. The cost is$10 for the spraying and it lasts for multiple trips to Cuyamaca aslong as the boat is not used in another reservoir. Thedecontamination wash down station is for all craft and items usedin the water, including boats, motors, kayak, canoes, float tubesand waders. Information: 760-765-0515 orwww.lakecuyamaca.org.

HENSHAW: Fishing pressure has been light but catfish action hasbeen good. The best bite has been all along the shoreline usingshrimp, chicken liver, and mackerel. Some bass, crappie, andbluegill are also showing. Information: 760-782-3501.

COLORADO RIVER

LAKE MEAD: Stripers fair to good over much of the lake, withHemenway, Boulder Bay, Gypsum Wash, the 33 Hole, and dam allproducing fish on cut anchovies or live shad. Fewer fish onartificials. Some catfish action reported on anchovies or shrimp.The largemouth bass action is fair off the points.

WILLOW BEACH: Spotty striper action, but the trout actionremains good after the Friday plants. Small spinners, salmon eggs,nightcrawlers, and floating baits best for the rainbows. A fewcatfish are showing in the bigger pools down river, along withholdover rainbows. Information: Willow Beach Resort at928-767-4747.

LAKE MOHAVE: There has been a good striped bass bite in thecoves around the powerlines with a lot of three to five poundersshowing on cutbaits, mostly anchovies, in 15 to 25 feet of water.Also still fair action in the Cottonwood Cove region, Arizona Bay,Katherine’s Landing, and the dam areas. A spotty largemouth bassbite. Catfish are improving and the shoreline areas on cut baits.Bluegill are also showing in good numbers in most coves and aroundstructure. Carp die-off mostly over. Information: Cottonwood Coveat 702-297-1464, Katherine-s Landing at 928-754-3245.

LAUGHLIN-BULLHEAD AREA: Finally heating up along the river withdaytime temperatures from 105 to 110 Wednesday in this stretch ofthe river. The catfish action has improved with fish to nine poundsreported this week, but the striper bite remains very spotty withonly a few fish showing on anchovies drifted in the deeper pools.The bluegill bite is good but most of the fish are off beds now.Information: Riveria Marina at 928-763-8550.

NEEDLES AREA: Fair striper action downriver, with the best biteearly in the morning on fish under three pounds. A few catfishshowing. Fair largemouth bass action. Information: Needles Marinaat 760-326-2197.

TOPOCK AREA: The striped bass bite has been just fair with thebest bite early in the morning from the I-40 bridge down into TopocGorge for anglers drifting anchovies or anchoring up in the biggerpools and fishing the bait. Most of the stripers are small, in theone- to two-pound range, but some into the 4-8 class. Quite a fewcatfish to 15 pounds are showing up in this bite, too, and there-sa good bite on the cats in Topoc Marsh. Marvin Bromlith, DomeSprings, Ariz., caught a 13-pound blue out of Catfish Paradise totop off a nice stringer of cats, all on stink baits. The largemouthbass and crappie bites are mostly slow, but a fair number ofbluegill are showing along the river margins and backwaters. TopocMarsh can be accessed by boat at North Dike, Catfish Paradise, andFive-Mile Landing. Information: Park Moabi at 760-326-3831 orPhil-s Western Trader at 928-768-4954.

HAVASU: Striper fishing has been slow with only a few scatteredfish showing on drifted baits or an occasional topwater boil. Shadnumbers are way down and the stripers aren-t schooled up on thebait. Smallmouth bass are excellent with a lot of fish over twopounds up in the river or off rocky points. Great jig and plasticbite on crawdad-colored bats. Spotty topwater. Largemouth fair onslow-falling finesse plastics around the weed mats and cattails.Very good redear action with fish to two pounds on nightcrawlersfish over and around the growing weed beds. Catfish good in eveningwith flatheads to 20 pounds and a lot of channel two to threepounds. Carp dieoff diminishing. Information: Angler-s Pro Shop at928-854-2277, Black Meadow Landing at 760-663-3811, or HavasuSprings Resort at 928-667-2205.

PARKER STRIP: Channel catfish have been very good this past weekand the smallmouth bass in the main river along the rip rap aregood. Bluegill and redear are about done spawning in backwaters andquiet water in the main river, but the bite is still good.Flatheads are also pretty good on goldfish and shiners. Carpdie-off starting in this stretch of river.

BLYTHE: Good action on catfish, especially at night. Bothchannel and flatheads are back to showing in good numbers. Top fishreported was a 55-pound flathead caught by Todd Acorn, Westmorland,in the Palo Verde Canal. The largemouth bass action is fair in themain river, canals, and backwaters, while the smallmouth are verygood in the main river, especially along rocky rip-rap. The stripedbass bite has lulled for quality fish at the diversion dam north oftown, but a few fish are still showing. There are also small fishshowing in the main river on cut baits. The bluegill action isexcellent all along the lower river, backwaters, and ditches.Information: B&B Bait 760-921-2248.

PALO VERDE: Generally good catfish action all along this stretchof the lower river, but few big fish have been reported. Livebluegill, tilapia, goldfish, and crawdads are all producing withfish to 15 pounds reported in the past week. Channel catfish justas good with lots of fish showing on cut baits and nightcrawlers.The largemouth bass remain fair to good in backwater lakes with alot of topwater action at first and last light. Cranks, plastics,and spinnerbaits, all working on fish to two pounds, but fewbigger. Bluegill good everywhere. Stripers spotty, with only a fewshowing in the main river, and nothing topping two or three pounds.Temps finally in the 100-teens. Information: Walter-s Camp760-854-3322 Thursday through Monday.

PICACHO AREA: Good largemouth bass action on plastic worms ornightcrawlers, with a topwater bite early and late in the day, windallowing. The channel catfish action is good on mackerel, shrimp ornightcrawlers. Fish from one to three pounds, with only a fewbetter ones. The flathead action is also taking off with somequality fish showing on goldfish, shiners, tilapia, andbluegill.

MARTINEZ LAKE AREA: Largemouth bass action fair to good onplastics cranks, and spinnerbaits, with more and more topwateraction each week now with the hot weather. Channel catfish andflatheads are both good. The crappie bite has lulled, but thebluegill action is very good in all the backwater lakes and alongthe tules in the main river. Information: 928-783-9589 Thursdaythrough Monday orwww.martinezlake.com.

YUMA AREA: Hot weather. Bass action is fair to good in the mainriver and river backwaters on minnows and plastics and there-s amorning topwater bite now. Both channel catfish and flathead actionis good in the main river with some quality flatheads showing onlive minnows, bluegill, or big crawdads each week. The Gila MainCanal area in East Yuma continues to good for channel catfishaction with some bass, redear and bluegill.

LOWER DESERT WATERS

SALTON SEA: The tilapia bite is still excellent. There have beenreports of 100-fish-or-more catches again in the past week, and afew quality fish topping three pounds. The action is good all alongthe east shoreline (the Highway 111 side) from Bombay Beach toMecca Beach to Salt Creek and up to the state park headquartersfishing jetty, where most of the fishing pressure is concentrated.The fish are averaging from 3/4-pound, with the bigger fish furtheroff shore, and nightcrawler pieces are still the best bait.Information: Salton Sea State Recreation Area ranger station760-393-3052.

ALAMO RIVER: Few reports, but the catfish action has improved inthe past two weeks with quite a few fishing showing onnightcrawlers and cut baits.

COACHELLA, HIGHLINE CANALS: Few reports, but the catfish actionhas improved in the past two weeks with quite a few fishing showingon nightcrawlers and cut baits. A few stripers, largemouth, andbluegill.

ALL AMERICAN CANAL: No reports.

FINNEY-RAMER: No reports.

WEIST LAKE: Last No report. Information: 760-352-3308.

SUNBEAM LAKE: No Report.

LAKE CAHUILLA: No report. Information: 760-564-4712.

EASTERN SIERRA

GENERAL: For updated road and camping information: InteragencyVisitor Center 760-876-6222, Bishop Chamber of Commerce760-873-8405 orwww.bishopvisitor.com, MonoCounty Tourism 760-924-1743.

COLEVILLE-TOPAZ REGION: The West Walker River is starting tofish better and better thanks to heavy plants by the DFG andAlpers. Little Walker River is good for brookies and rainbows.Kirman Lake is still fair to good on brookies weighing up to fourpounds, and cutthroat trout in the six- to eight-pound range. Bestaction on scud and streamer patterns for float-tubing fly anglerswith small jigs working for shore-bound lure anglers. Information:Toiyabe Motel at 530-495-2281.

BRIDGEPORT REGION: Good morning bite on the East Walker Riverbefore thunderstorms with excellent action on 12 to 22-inch browns.The best bite has been on midge pupae patterns and caddis nymphs,but there-s also a good streamer bite early and late, and more andmore dry fly action each day (mayfly and caddis). Flows have beenconsistently in the 150 to 200 cfs range over the past month.Bridgeport Reservoir has been fair with the best action mid-day oninflated crawlers and Power Bait, with a few on trolled lures inhot colors. Fish to four pounds. Also a daily callibaetis hatch forthe fly anglers. Twin Lakes are both fair to good on plantedrainbows for trollers, bait anglers, or fly-bubble fishermen. TheVirginia Lakes – Big Virginia, Little Virginia, and Trumbel – haveall been excellent, with the best bite on small jigs and lures, butalso fair action on floating baits or inflated nightcrawlers.Information: Ken-s Sporting Goods 760-932-7707 orwww.kenssport.com.

LEE VINING REGION: Lee Vining Creek is just good for bait, flyand lure anglers, but flows are still up. Bbait anglers fishingbaby nightcrawlers, chartreuse Power Bait, or salmon eggs. Lureanglers are fishing spinners, while fly anglers are fishingweighted nymphs under and indicator. The areas between thecampgrounds are best. Lower Rush Creek in the special regulationsection has been excellent on small caddis dries or a two-fly rigwith fish to 16 inches reported. Below 395, Rush is good but thefish are very small. Tioga Lake is just good on inflated babynightcrawlers, eggs, and Power Bait, but gold spoons, or woolybuggers, olive leeches, or hare-s ears for fly anglers. Ellery Lakeis good at the inlet for bait, lure, and fly anglers, but littlesurface action. Saddlebag Lake is excellent, especially at theoutlet. Lundy Lake is also excellent for bait and fly anglers.Information:www.dipperflyfishing.com.

JUNE LAKE LOOP: The action has been improving at all of thelakes in the June Lake Loop with some quality Alpers- trout in Juneand Gull on nightcralwers and garlic Power Bait. Silver and Grantalso fair to good on floating baits and flies in the evening.Walker and Parker lakes are both fair to good, and most of thetrails to higher elevation waters are open. Still quite a bit ofsnow up high. Weather unseasonably cool last week but finallystarting to warm up. Information: Ernie-s Tackle at760-648-7756.

MAMMOTH AREA: Convict Lake has improved over the past week withmore limits hard and some quality fish. Crowley Lake also reallyimproved this past week for fly anglers fishing midges underindicators in 12 to 15 feet of water. Bait and lure anglers alsofacing tougher conditions, but overall fair action. Several brownsup to four pounds were reported this week, but most rainbows in thetwo to three-pound class. The upper Owens River and Hot Creek areboth very good for fly anglers. In the Mammoth Lake, all the lakeshave received DFG plants this week. Shuttle access to Red-s Meadowstarted last week. Good action on planted trout in Rock Creek.Information: The Troutfitter at 760-934-2517, Performance Anglersat 760-924-2181, Convict Lake Resort at 760-934-3800, Crowley LakeFish Camp at 760-935-4301, Tom-s Place at 760-935-4239.

BISHOP AREA: South Lake has been good with a lot of fish to 3-8at the rock slide and Long Lake inlet on mini jigs, plastic troutworms, and gold spoons. Boiler Cove and the boat launch were topsfor bait anglers. Water level coming up. Bob Thompson, Long Beach,caught a three-pound rainbow on a Thomas Bouyant. The South Fork ofBishop Creek cranked out a 10-plus pound rainbow that was releasedby Arthur Lai, La Verne, but overall the fishing for stockers was abit slower, but diligent anglers fishing the pockets could scratcha limit on mini-jigs or «crawlers. Baba Thapa, Anaheim, had a 2-15Alper-s. Parcher-s Hole, Willow Camp and the Tyee Bridge were thehot spots. Quite a few browns to 11 inches were showing in thecreek this week. Weir Pond was very good with fish to three pounds.Tagged fish derby is ongoing. North Lake was again outstanding thisweek with both shore anglers and float tubers enjoying a solid biteon fish to three pounds. Lake Sabrina has been on the slow side,with only a few Alpers- trout showing with the DFG stockers. Bestbite was at the inlets on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. The lowerOwens River remains good. Fly anglers are seeing some caddis andmayfly surface activity, but most of the action is subsurface onmidge and baetis nymph patterns fished pretty deeply (like right onthe bottom) under strike indicators or streamers swept along theundercuts and tailouts. Pleasant Valley Reservoir has been verygood for lure, jig, bait and fly anglers, especially for floattubers fishing near the inlet. Owens Gorge good for small browns onsmall dries with some stones coming off now. Information: SierraDrifters Guide Service 760-935-4250, Culver-s 760-872- 8361,Brock-s 760-872-3581,

BIG PINE TO LONE PINE AREA: Generally fair to good action afterDFG plants last week, and all the streams were slated for stockingby the DFG again this week. Information: 760-876-4444 or go towww.lonepinechamber.org.

WESTERN SIERRA

BAKERSFIELD AREA CARP DERBY: Bob-s Bait is having a month-longcarp derby with the largest carp weighed in during June winning a$100 cash prize. There are currently over 400 entrants, but thecurrent leader is still Edward Granillo, Bakersfield, with an11-pound carp out of Hart Park Lake on Powder Bait. There is noentry fee. This event will be followed by a catfish derby kickingoff next Wednesday, July 1, for the month of July, and that will befollowed by a striper derby in August. For information, call Bob-sBait at 661-833-8657.

LAKE ISABELLA: The crappie bite just won-t quit. In fact, theaction improved from good to excellent in recent days with a lot oflimits reported Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The fish have alsomoved back into the shallows, making them accessible to shoreanglers fishing small jigs and minnows again. Best area has beenthe South Fork Arm in the Mount Mesa area. The fish are all from ahalf- to three-quarter pound. The bass bite has improved with afair to good bite on plastics, minnows, and cranks. Trout action isstill very good, with a lot of limits reported on spinners andPower Bait, with fish up to two pounds. Best action has been at theauxiliary dam area. Catfish are also fair to good, mostly on frozenshad and other cut baits. Good action on small bluegill, too.Information: Bob-s Bait 661-833-8657.

KERN RIVER: Runoff subsiding in the upper Kern, and the wildtrout action is fair to good with an excellent palm morning dunhatch each evening at 7:30 p.m. The South Fork has been excellentand all of the upper elevation tribs are also good on the wildtrout for catch-and-release anglers. Anglers are reminded this partof the river is not being stocked any longer and catch-and-releasefishing is prudent. Lower Kern River has been spotty with only fairaction on small bass. Few trout showing. Information: Kern RiverFly Shop 760-376-2040 (orwww.kernriverflyfishing.com)or James Store 760-376-2424.

AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: Stripers remain good with the best bite onthe sand worms, but blood worms and shad-like cranks are alsodecent bets. Edgar Benetiz, Bakersfield, landed stripers at 3-4 and2-4, while Jacob Reed, also Bakersfield, caught stripers at 3-12and 3-4. Both anglers were using sand worms. The catfish bite hasalso really taken off with a lot of nice showing. Information:Bob-s Bait 661-833-8657.

HART PARK LAKE: The bluegill carp bites remain good toexcellent. The «gills are best on wax worms, meal worms, or redworms, while the carp are best on Powder Bait. Slow to fair bassaction on minnows, nightcrawlers and plastics with the best actionearly and late in the day.

TRUXTUN LAKE: The carp action remains good on dough baits andPowder Bait. Bluegill are also good on wax worms or crickets. Slowto fair bass action on nightcrawlers and plastics, but the bite isgood only early and late in the day.

RIVER WALK PARK: The bluegill bite is very good on crickets, waxworms, and meal worms. Bass are spotty with the best action onplastics, nightcrawlers, and small swim baits early and late in theday.

MING LAKE: Good carp action on fish to 10 pounds. Best actionhas been on Powder Bait, but most dough baits are working. Bluegillvery good on wax worms, crickets, meal worms, and red worms. Thebass bite is slow to fair on nightcrawlers, minnows, and plasticsearly and late in the day. The crappie bite is very slow. The lakeis closed to boating now into August while repairs are made, butthe lake remains open to fishing during this time.

BRITE LAKE: No report. No DFG trout plants for over a month.

BUENA VISTA LAKES: Very good catfish action thanks to plantsevery two weeks. The planters are all two to four pounds andshowing almost exclusively on nightcrawlers. Holdover cats showingon a variety of cut baits. Also very good carp action on PowerBait, and the bluegill bite is good on wax worms. The bass actionfair with the best bite still on minnows and plastics early andlate in the day. Crappie slow. Information: Bob-s Bait661-833-8657.

WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.

SUCCESS LAKE: Bass fair, bluegill good, and the crappie biteslow. No DFG trout plants in over a month. Information:559-781-2078.

KAWEAH LAKE: Fair to good bass bite on live bait and plastics.Bluegill are good. No DFG trout plants in over a month.Information: 559-597-2526.

CENTRAL COAST LAKES

SAN ANTONIO: Overall the crappie bite has been fair on smalljigs and live shad, mostly in the mouth of Harris Creek, and mostin the half- to 3/4-pound range. Good action on stripers, with somefish in the 20-pound class showing, mostly on live shad in thenorth end of the lake. Largemouth and smallmouth action also goodon plastics, cranks, topwater baits, and the live shad. Fair togood catfish action on anchovies, mackerel or shrimp. The waterlevel is low and dropping and boaters near to be cautious.Information: 805-472-2818.

NACIMIENTO: Continued tough action here. The white bass areschooled up off the points but there have been only a few flurriesof action in the past week. Some spotted bass and the oddlargemouth on plastics and topwaters, but that has been off, too.Fair to good crappie action south of the launch ramp, but not a lotof catfish showing either. Carp remain pretty fair in the marinaarea on dough baits. Information: 805-238-1056 orwww.nacimientoresort.com.

SANTA MARGARITA: The crappie action continues to be up and downwith some good catches of fish up to nearly two pounds made onWednesday this week on small crappie jigs and minnows in thenarrows. The bass action has also been pretty good but streaky.Dave Widger, Atascadero, caught and released four bass from six to10 pounds last Friday fishing brown Senkos off Rocky Point. Thebest bite has been on plastics, cranks or swimbaits, with a littleevening and morning topwater action. The catfish action was slowthis past week, but the bluegill and redear bites have also beenfair to good. Trout dead slow. The marina store is open Wednesdaythrough Sunday. Information: 805-438-1522.

LOPEZ: Continued good to excellent crappie action with most ofthe fish right around a pound. Small crappie jigs in chartreusehave been the hot ticket and stringers of 25 to 50 fish have beencommon. Top crappie reported this past week was over three poundsand several others in the mid-twos. Best action has been near thebridge, at the boat house, and off the point opposite themarina.

Bass good with fish to four pounds to good on swimbaits,plastics, nightcrawlers, and jigs fished on main lake points.Bluegill are good with a lot of fish on red worms, crickets, waxworms and small jigs. A few catfish. 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 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 theDFG’s web site athttps://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/FishPlanting/index.asp.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek Intake II,Bishop Creek Lower, Bishop Creek (Middle and South Forks),Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek,North Lake, Owens River (Section 2), Rock Creek Lake, Sabrina Lake,Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symms Creek, Taboose Creek, TinnemahaCreek, Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Bridgeport Reservoir, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, DeadmanCreek, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, GullLake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek South Fork,Little Walker River, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mary Lake, McGeeCreek, Owens River (Section 3), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek(Sections I and II), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake,Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin LakeBridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Lakes(Lower and Upper), West Walker River (Sections 2 and 3).

FRESNO: Bearskin Creek, Big Creek near Huntington, Dinkey Creek,Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir, Mono Creek, Portal Forebay,Rancheria Creek, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam, South Fork SanJoaquin by Mono Hot Springs, Tamarack Creek, Tenmile Creek.

KERN: Isabella Lake.

MADERA: Fish Creek, Lewis Creek, lower Chituito Creek, ManzanitaCreek, Upper Big Creek, West Fork Chituito Creek.

MARIPOSA: Merded River downstream of Redbud Bridge.

TULARE: Balch Park (eastern and western lakes), Big MeadowsCreek, Hedrick Campground Pond.

TUOLUMNE: Beaver Creek, Lyons Canal, Lyons Reservoir, StanislausRiver (South Fork and Middle Fork), Tuolumne River (South Fork andMiddle Fork), Moccasin Creek, Pinecrest Lake, PowerhouseStream.

CATFISH PLANTS

The following waters, listed by county, will be planted by theDepartment of Fish and Game with one-pound channel catfish thisweek.

LOS ANGELES: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Lake, El Dorado ParkLake, Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road ParkLake, Puddingstone Lake, Santa Fe Reservoir.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

By Terrence Berg and Phil Friedman

For Outdoor News Service

ALBACORE NEWS: The one and two-day action is very good on boatsout of San Diego with some very good scores on the albacore thisweek. On Wednesday, the Legend was in a good afternoon bite on a 11/2-day trip with 75 albacore and five bluefin on the boat whenthey checked in. They have been into the tuna all week, but fewboats are making the run right now. The fish are showing in a largearea, with good action less than 100 miles from San Diego.

CATALINA UPDATE: The white seabass and yellowtail are still justin a pick at Catalina Island this week, but the calico bass bite isvery good. The best action has been on six-pack boats and privateyachts for the seabass and yellows, but the bass are good foreveryone with some limits posted in recent days, and five around isnot uncommon.

SAN CLEMENTE UPDATE: Boats running to San Clemente Islandcontinue to see a good bite on quality white seabass andyellowtail, but it has been hit and miss. On Wednesday, theFreedom, which has been making this run almost daily, got into theyellowtail late in the day and was headed home with 10 fish. Thecalicos showing along the kelp lines are nice fish, mostly toppingthree pounds, but those were off Wednesday, too.

CORONADO ISLANDS/SAN DIEGO NEARSHORE: For the San Diego 3/4-dayfleet, the Coronado Islands are the best option with a decent pickon the quality yellowtail from 15 to 22 pounds, along with a fewbonito and barracuda mixed in. But it also looks like the sand bassbite is finally starting to take off with good scores early thisweek on most boats.

ROCKFISH STILL GOOD: The Oxnard to Morro Bay landings are stillrunning rockfish trips and having half- to full-limit fishing onthe 3/4-day or longer trips.

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 has merged with Channel IslandsSportfishing; Malibu Pier Sportfishing, 310-328-8426; Marina DelRey 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; Davey-s Locker, Newport Beach, 949-673-1434;Dana Wharf 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.

OUTDOORS: Weekly fishing report, June 25 (2024)

References