Oroville Lake and Reports

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Thursday, Mar 28
Hi: 43 ° F
Lo: 34 ° F
Today
Rain Showers Likely
Precip: 79%
Tonight
Chance Rain Showers
Precip: 59%

Sunday, May 26th, 2019

  • Report: by Pat » Sun May 26, 2019 10:15 am

    And, the fishing at Lake Oroville is great right now. Not unusual for a pair of anglers to catch 100 in a day. There will be some dinks in the lot, but a lot of solid 14-16" fish too. They are fat and strong. The recent cold snap slowed things down for reaction and topwater, but small plastics in the top 15 feet of water will get bites all over the lake. I even caught a 4 pound kamikaze king salmon while reeling up my Ned rig on Friday. Would be a great time to take kids out.

Monday, May 13th, 2019

  • By

    Water Temp: 70

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: I think the spawn is mostly over , the bite was good . Launched from lime saddle for the first time ever . fished the north arm from Berry creek to the edge of the main body . Fished mainly senkos the first three hours and we caught about fifty . then switched to Keitecs and did well all those . Blades were working as well . We ended up with 90 bass , almost all were spots . best 5 was probably 9.5 lbs . We had a few that were 2 lbs and a lot that were close . Had a lot of fun catching all day long . we were there about 7 hours .

    Tips: Mud lines were the ticket for the Keitec . senkos anywhere seemed to work , all weightless and wacky .

Monday, April 8th, 2019

  • Report: by Inland fisheries advocate » Mon Apr 08, 2019 7:38 am

    I miss Tom's weekly reports on Oroville so here is mine for Sunday. Fished about 4hrs. Caught about 12 bass, mostly on wacky senkos & drop shot white paddle tale grub. Mostly in back of coves & some rocky walls..

    Not on fire..but water clarity is decent... nelsen

Sunday, March 31st, 2019

  • Report: by Joe daddy » Sun Mar 31, 2019 7:14 pm

    Jp/jitterbug caught this one today 15’’. Launched at enterprise but probably not much longer. Heard they’re letting water out Tuesday...nice to see fish starting to get some color!

Wednesday, March 13th, 2019

  • Water Temp: 50?

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Dues in the mail, this one for ash.
    A tale of to worlds.
    High pressure north eastern winds. Started at McCabes excess road point the easier one. Blown out and busted I was still destined to catch a bass today or die trying. I saw ash’s posts bout big mama or even lil mama this time of year. And that 5 year old out fishing me really don’t sit to well.
    Started around 11, bad idea Dr Jones. Cold windy and nasty uncatchable. So the hell with this I need deeper water an at least a lil shelter. Moseyed my way to McCabes point/rocks. Beaten and defeated I sat down on rock and gave it one more cast; 2 o’clock. I’ll be darned if I got a bite. Fish on! Yeah buddy this bout to be good. Then no more bites for next hour, craps. One and done? Walked back on ’dwr road’ all proud of myself ready for more. When I got back water wind and points looked way different. Think that cold front had run its course. Now fishable caught one more on point. (Pylons) the better one. Missed another lil guy too! Hopefully that’s that, and good fishing here on in.

    Tips: If you think your fishing to slow fish slower.

Monday, March 4th, 2019

  • By

    Water Temp: 50

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: FYI - Lime Saddle Marina is open, but choked with debris. Also - if you launch there - it is very shallow to the right side, its not marked - cheat to the dock side (won't be an issue in a few days as water keeps coming up). Fished all day in the rain Sunday - beware, there is quite a bit of debris and a few pretty large sleepers just below the surface. Also - the lake is looking a bit different, so beware of those long points and islands that are now under water. West Branch was chocolate - main body was dirty to dirty green. Water temps ranged 49-51. Bite was extremely tough. Be safe - good luck to those fishing the 90 next weekend.

Saturday, December 15th, 2018

  • Report: Guys, low water like these days always had some of the best fishing days I have ever had in past years. Get out and get those spots. I'm getting close to closing on a home up here in Washington, with luck in the next 2-3 weeks. After getting moved in will work at a small boat and begin fishing bass, and will have to learn trout, since most have nice ones available to catch. Nearest lake is 4 minutes from home, so will be posting lots when I get going again, camera last purchase. Get out and catch those spots, low lake levels are good for them, better then high levels.

Thursday, November 1st, 2018

  • Water Temp: Never looked!!

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Another rough launch at Bidwell at 6:30 am, but no water into the boat this time. Decent bite, found a place that kept me out of the winds, fishing about 75-100 foot of shoreline the entire trip. Caught 14 spots, a couple 15", couple 14 1/2, couple 14" and none less then 13". Most fish caught at 30-35 foot mark, none deeper today. Every time the sun pokes through the clouds, the bite picked up, then slowed as clouds came back. Anything with chartreuse worked best today, mixed with browns. Gave up fishing at 9:45 am, as the winds seemed to pick up again. Steep rubble rock like banks did the trick today. Sure has been good fishing the last three or more weeks, always better sized fish end of Sept, through Oct. like most years. Pictures in fishing forum.

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018

  • Water Temp: 65 degrees, elevation 698

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at 6:30 and for the first time, 2 other boats launching too, normally just me! Headed to potters cove and fished for 1 1/2 hours, nothing, no bait ball, no nothing. This area seems to be a waste of time, tried 6-8 locations, not a nibble. So headed to the main lake est side and found fish first cast. All decent fish, but not large as we all like. ended up catching three 14 1/2", 2 14" and 6 13 1/2 to just under 14", calling it quits at 10 am with 11 spots. Decent bite for just 1 1/2 hours. Fish were deeper, all caught between 30 and 40 foot mark, one at 45 foot. Fish showing great color, one a deep, deep green, almost looked like a LM. Again, hate that launch time winds!! Pictures in fishing forum.

Thursday, October 18th, 2018

  • Water Temp: elevation 701.02

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got an early launch again right at 6:30 am, so I can be tossing worms at 7 am. Ran the same exact pattern as last week, good fishing but no big schools or larger fish. Hate the pre-dawn winds during launch, my little Klamath gets water coming over the back during launch every single time and eventually soak my feet during the morning fishing. Bite was decent, no large fish, all the fish 13 1/2" to 14 1/2", but nice a solid fish as they generally are this time of year. Landed 10 fish today, lost one. Pictures in fishing forum.

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018

  • Water Temp: Temp? never looked, elevation 706.52

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got launched at Bidwell about 6:30, didn't leave the dock till about 6:45, seems a fuse blew and could not get electronics working, once fixed, on my way. Fished the main lake today, sure glad I did. Worst part was the trolling motor on the blink, so had to idle the motor the whole trip, revers, forward etc to hold in position and found it actually works ok if in a bind. Best trip in a long time, found a giant bait ball, and lots of fish under on my 4th stop. First stop, 2 basic 13" spots, second stop 1 nice 15", third stop a decent 14 1/2", Third stop, amazing fishing, like one hears about buy hardly ever has it happen to them. Spent nearly 2 hours fishing the last location, catching another 12 spots, with none under 14", really, nearly every cast a fish, like taking candy from a baby. Shallow fish too, all taken in 20-30 foot of water. Total 16 spots today, ending the fishing as the sun came over the hill and the bite died. Mostly fat looking fish today, so amazing to catch many fish like this. Trying the same location first next week!!! Funny, never even looked at water temps. Hard to remember but think it was 2 15", 2 14 1/2", many 14". Many picture in fishing forum.

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018

  • Water Temp: 70 degrees, elevation 711.07

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at Bidwell about 6:30 am, even though Lime Saddle was still open as I drove by early. Breezy at launch time, but by 7 am, hardly any breeze. Looked like it was going to be a perfect fishing day, NOT. Tried just about every color I own, fished shallow, fished deep, points, steep points, rocky banks, clay banks, boulders, you name it, tried it all. Fish were not wanting to eat today for some reason, no idea why. Probably my worst day ever on Oroville. Picked up 4 spots, all the basic 13 13 1/2" variety. Probably made 10-15 moves trying to find fish, nothing but one about every hour, gave up at 10 am. All fish looked pretty much the same as the pictured one! Giving it a try next week.

Thursday, September 27th, 2018

  • Water Temp: 70 degrees, elevation 717.36

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: launched at Lime saddle at about 6:15 am, trailer back in the water at 9 am, probably my last launch at Lime Saddle, as water probably too low next week, so headed to Bidwell next trip. Fished the Lime saddle area, as the winds were blowing a fair amount. Started out great fishing, had 7 spots in the first hour, then, bite died, could not find the fish, or they just didn't want to eat. Ended up with 9 spots and a first for me, a sunfish ate a roboworm, and somehow got lip hooked. Just 10 fish today. Hate these windy days on the water, so left early. Forgot to check water temps, but kind of remember 70 degree range. Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, September 18th, 2018

  • Water Temp: 71 degrees, elevation 725.08

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched about 6 am at Lime Saddle, funny, watch stopped, ended up back at the ramp at 10:30 am. Good old sun clock still works. Bite was a lot tougher today for some reason. About all I could catch were one, or two fish per location, fishing about 8-10 different locations for a total of 11 fish today. Funny, think I caught the same large mouth again. Best fish right at 14", all the rest basic 13-13 1/2" and no dinks. Water cooling, mostly 71 degree range. Water level now 925.08, 13 feet left before Lime saddle closes, about 2 more weeks. Pictures in fishing forum.

Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

  • Water Temp: 74 degrees, elevation 730.

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: ot launched about 5:45 am today at Lime Saddle, stopped fishing right at 10 am. Wow, glass like water most of the morning, due to the high clouds. Decent bite, picked up 17 spots, with nearly all 13 13 1/2" size, no big fish today. Got a rare surprise large mouth before heading out to the N. Fork. Most fish holding at about 30-35 foot mark today. Water cooling still, mostly 74 degree range. Lime Saddle is taking house boats off the water, as it looks like a couple more weeks before too low to launch. Water at 730 foot mark, ramp closes at about 712 foot mark. Picture is the small LM surprise. Picture in fishing forum.

Thursday, September 6th, 2018

  • Water Temp: 74.5, elevation 735.73

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got launched at Lime Saddle about 6:45, still a tad early to launch. Water seemed like it dropped an extra amount since last week. Water way around the corner now. Perfect weather, barely a breeze due to the high cloud cover. Bite seemed off a tad today, and super soft bite at that. Began on the point on the left of the docks, and got 4-5 fish, as the rocks are now above water. Second stop, nothing. Third stop a nice 16" spot and a 14". 4th stop, just a couple fish, 5 stop, just a couple. All other fish basic 12-13 1/2" size. Anyway, picked up 12 spots today and called it quits at 9:00 am. Pictures in fishing forum.

Tuesday, August 28th, 2018

  • Water Temp: 75.3 degrees, elevation 744.22

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Slept in a tad and got launched about 5:50 am, still a tad too soon. Stopped fishing right at 10 am. Water going around the corner at the bottom of the ramp as expected. Fished the same point at the end of the boat docks as first stop, picked up 8 spots again. That point has been consistent for 3-4 weeks now. Second stop no fish, third stop at the point right side past hyw 70, got 2-3, got to N. Fork and found fish, but no real size to any of them. Mostly 13-13 1/2" and 1/4 of them under 13". Headed back in and finally found a couple decent fish at the hwy 70 bridge pilings. Picked up 22 spots today, best 15", second best 14". Water cooling fast, high 75.3 degrees, Couple more weeks if no hot spells, should be back under 70 degrees and fishing get better. Pictures in fishing forum.

Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

  • Water Temp: 78.2, elevation 752.34

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got launched way too early at lime Saddle today, right about 5:30 am, Dark! Need to adjust clock another 15 minutes later to wake up. 6 am about right time to launch now days. Burr, cool, almost cold this am for a change. Bite was a tad slow, fish still holding on the point left of the docks, just not as many, and slightly smaller. Picked up 8 spots then the bite dies. Fish were still deeper, 30-35 foot range. Hit 3 other location and picked up another 8 fish, all the basic spotted bass, nothing of any size today. Other then the Catfish that hit a worm soon as it hit bottom. Love the feel at first, makes you think you have a giant spot, till they begin to shake the head. Looked to be 6-7 pounds. Water cooling still, right at 78 to 78.3 degrees. Water beginning to make the turn at the bottom of the ramp!! Released all fish as always, to grow bigger and catch again one day. Pictures in fishing forum.

Wednesday, August 15th, 2018

  • Water Temp: 48.5 degrees, elevation 760.39

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Decent fishing today. Got launched at 5:30 am, stopped fishing right at 9:30 am. Fished the point at the end of the boat dock first, and picked up 14 spots, spent 1 1/4 hours working back and forth. No giants, but all decent 13 to 13 1/2" fish. Remember, catch a fish, stay on the location, working it, as so many times the spots are schooled up. Second stop, nothing!! held fish last week. Third location gave up 9 fish, and a little better size with one 15", one 14 1/2", one 14" and the rest 13 1/2" for a total of 23 spots. Seems better fish are coming around as the water cooled down to 78.5 degrees. Just about all fish hooked right at 30-35 foot mark. Hardly any breeze this am, making for easy boat holding on location. Wild guess, but figure Lime Saddle has 7 weeks left before running out of ramp water. Lake dropped 25 feet last month, only 48.39 feet of water left before ramp closes at 712 feet. Pictures in fishing forum.

Thursday, August 9th, 2018

  • Water Temp: 78.6, elevation 768.046.58

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: ays started bad, left, got 5-6 miles down the road and had to turn around, forgot the camera!! Still, got launched at Lime Saddle about 5:40 am, fished till 9:30 am when it began to get hot. Better fishing today, first stop in Lime Saddle area got 10 spots, all from one location, all at about 35 feet. One cast, soon as the worm hit bottom, wham, thought it was a giant spots for a second, then realized a cat fish. Second location just 2 spots. Third location, made me happy, slightly larger fish, picking up another 10 spots. Caught 22 fish today, about 60 percent 13-14 1/2", the rest the basic 12-13". Water cooled a tad due to smoke, think that helped the bite some. Just about all fish taken 35 to 45 foot mark. Best fish 14 1/2", second best 14", not counting the catfish. Released all fish as usual.Pictures in fishing forum.