Delta vs. Clear Lake

FishDiver · Post by **FishDiver** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:37 am

I lived in Santa Rosa in the early 1990s and fished Clear Lake often. Moved to Folsom in 1995 and switched to the Delta. Moved to Dallas in 2002 and back to Norcal in 2009.

A lot seems to have changed. Catching a limit of keepers in the Delta used to be trivial. Now I struggle to catch five of any size. This experience seemed common among other fisherman last summer.

I haven't fished Clear Lake in 15 years. How does it compare to the Delta these days? Is it worth the drive or is the lake so pounded by skiers and tournaments that is no better than the delta?

Rbass519 · Post by **Rbass519** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:36 am

Clear lake is fishin' good. Frogs, Pepper jigs, senkos, Drop shot

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:42 am

Both are definately improving. Neither are kicking out the giant fish these two ponds are noted for with any regularity, although the Delta has popped a number of Double digit fish lately including a 15+ a few weeks ago in a tournament. But over all, you gotta work yer butt off here on the River ta figure out daily patterns, where as up at Clearlake, catching a boat load of 2-4 pounders is becoming the norm.

Steve Perkins · Post by **Steve Perkins** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:20 pm

The frog bite might be better at the Delta right now...but here at Clear Lake we are catching some nice ones here and there on the frog. It will get better

The swim bait bite has been great for me on my last few guided trips and the deeper fish are starting to bite better.

Im not catching as many 2 pounders now, they are mostly 3 plus to 4 plus... and strong fighters !

ash · Post by **ash** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:27 am

I'll let you know on Monday, Clear Lake on Sat; Delta on Sun....in the name of PHIL Bannana Hammack Boat

FishDiver · Post by **FishDiver** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:45 am

Cooch wrote:Both are definately improving. Neither are kicking out the giant fish these two ponds are noted for with any regularity, although the Delta has popped a number of Double digit fish lately including a 15+ a few weeks ago in a tournament. But over all, you gotta work yer butt off here on the River ta figure out daily patterns, where as up at Clearlake, catching a boat load of 2-4 pounders is becoming the norm.

Cooch, are you saying the fish respond more to the tides than they did in years past, or that the decline in the fishery has made it more critical to pattern the fish accurately for a good limit?