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Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 52

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Burr, it was cold today, 32 degrees at the ramp according to my car. Bite was just as cold, could not find fish worth a darn today. Still caught fish, but not many. Either fish were deep or just not in the mood as I only got 6 fish this am. But didn't fish long, gave up at 10:30 and called it a day, as my feet were just killing me from being cold. All fish about the same size as in the picture, didn't measure it, looked to be 13-maybe barely 14" Colder next week. Interesting, at the Lime Saddle ramp, a large school of Coho 6-7" fingerlings were breaking water all over the place, they must have planted today or a day or two prior. Quite a few going belly up too. Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, November 29th, 2016

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Burr, another cold one on the lake today, 38 degrees at the ramp when I launched at 6:40am. With the rains we have been getting the water still looks good, not clouded up at all. Never made it to the north fork, winds blew so hard, that my trolling motor would not hold the boat, had to use the outboard on idle to hold position. Gave up fishing at 10:30, way too much wind for me and my little boat. Picked up a fish here and there, with last point in the winds giving up three fish. Kind of a slow bite today, got just 9 fish, best right at 15". Most caught 25-35 feet. One of these days, no wild winds might help me catch a few more. Did pick up one fish on my last cast of the day at the docks. Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016

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    Water Temp: 57-58

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Burr, left home in Magalia, 38 degrees, not as cool at the lake but still cool. Surprised at how many boats launching today, as today was the only day to fish Oroville, with rain coming the rest of the week. Got launched about 6:30, to me a surprise, had to wait in line today. Guys, pre-prep your boats at the top of the ramp, not at waters edge!!! get it in the water and out of the way of others. Pet peeve of mine!! Bite was decent, picked up 4-5 fish the first hour, then it slowed slightly. Almost couldn't fish, my depth finder decided to go off and would not come back on for like an hour. Not knowing depth really sucks, makes one feel blind, not used to fishing like that, but eventually it decided to work. Loose connection or something. Anyway, caught 14 spots, all basic 13-14" like in the picture. Gave it a final cast at the dock and got number 15! always one last cast. Water still dropping Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, November 15th, 2016

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Weatherman said sprinkles, guess what, RAIN!! Launched about 6:40am, stopped fishing about 10:30 as I was soaking wet. Decent bite, never left the west branch, mostly fished lime saddle to hwy 70. Fish seemed scattered, some shallow, some deep. Decent fish, but no big ones, all basic 13-14" variety, but looking nice and fat. Landed 15 spots, biggest right about 14". Had I had good rain gear would have fished more in the rain, but soaking wet clothing, not fun.!! Picture in fishing forum.

Friday, November 11th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 59

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launch at about 6:50am at Bidwell Marina with my buddy. Rode across to Loafer Creek to fish. Caught a few fish with crankbaits and lipless while trolling. Found some hot spots and was pulling decent amount of fish out from points. Mostly 13-14s and a few 12s when fishing bottom. Fish are starting to get fatten up. It slowed down at about 11 so we came home. Good day of fishing for us.

Tuesday, November 8th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 61-62

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched with Jeff today in his boat about 7:30am at the damn, pulled off the water about noon. Ok fishing day, not bad, not great. We managed just 17 spots, fishing mostly the main lake and a short line dip in the middle fork, then back to the main lake. Calm day, hardly any winds for the lake today. Decent fish, most 13-14", no big ones today. Best fish 14" or so, but did not measure it, went 1.3 pounds. Better luck next trip!!! Picture in fishing forum.

Thursday, November 3rd, 2016

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    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Cool morning, burr. Launched at lime Saddle about 7am, fished till 10:45am. Wow, was it breezy today, hate that wind on days like this. Just so so fishing, with just 15 spots. Largest right at 15 1/2" taken on the submerged ridge from the point to the island where the West branch takes off in 25 feet of water. one other 15", no pictures as the battery died on my, let her go rather then stress her. Most all fish today 13-14" and fat looking, no 12" fish for a change. Water is on the way back up, not sure how long, but we did get a one foot rise with the rains. Quiet on the lake, very few boats today!! Pictures in fishing forum.

Saturday, October 29th, 2016

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    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Launch at Spillway at around 7am. Fishing tournament going on today (didn't know). My buddy and I knew it was going to be crowded today so we hit some spots that anglers didn't expect. We tried first fishing at around the Spillway area, but nothing was hitting. We rushed towards Foreman Creek and bam we hit feeding ground. The fish were scrambled around the area but were hitting pretty good. Sizes are decent 12-14. We caught about 15-20 fishes, all bottom although fishes were coming up for bait. Not bad considering the weather and anglers running around trying to find good spot to fish. No angler came to our spot so it was good to have it to ourselves. Decent day of fishing. We left around noon.

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 61-62

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Had to get on the lake today, as it looks like the only day it won't rain. Launched about 6:45am at Lime Saddle, fished till 10:30am. Water still clear even though we had 6" of rain the last two days. Picked up 4 spots first point on the left heading to N. Fork. Amazingly calm, slight breeze. Second stop, a weird skinny 17" spot, guessing maybe it's a male?? didn't fight like the same full belly girls, still decent fish. Seemed every stop picked up 1-2 fish, last stop got maybe 7-8 fish from a 40 foot section of shore. Overall, decent bite today, 21 spots total, with 3 in the 14" range, and the rest 13" or so, and the 17 incher. Fished seems to be more shallow today, think the rains made them move up a tad to feed on whatever washed in while raining. Water 61-62 degrees. Some wood already, so be careful!! Picture in fishing forum.

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 63

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at 6:45am at Lime saddle, breezy morning. Stopped at the first point on the left heading to N. Fork, and wham, picked up a nice 15" spot, no picture as the camera battery died, so let her go. Talk about breezy, just like last week, making my little boat act like a kite. Hate these days! Never made it to N. Fork, decided to find cover from the winds. Picked up 15 spots, with about half right at 14" today, the rest your basic 12-13" size. Second best fish 14 1/2" Lake levels never changed with the rains, still dropping 5-6" each day. Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, October 11th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at 6:30 at lime saddle, off the lake at 11am. I knew the bite was going to be slow today after fishing the launch ramp area. Fish it every time, and if the fish are active around the ramp, the rest of the lake tends to be good, but not today. No fish at the ramp, so headed to N. fork and fished on the way. Only got 16 fish today, one here, one there, worked hard to get the 16 fish. All fish right around 13" today, except for the 14" one that decided it was hungry about 10:30, in bright sun, 30 ft or so. Slow bite for me today!! Picture in fishing forum.

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 66

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Windy city on the lake today, way too windy for my little boat that acts like a kite in the wind. My face feels like it was in a sand storm, wind burned from the darn winds. Never made it to the n. Fork, fished just the west branch trying to keep out of the winds. Still a decent day, considering the winds. Picked up a couple fish most every stop, then found a point that gave up 10 fish. Water has cooled, mostly 66 degrees all locations. Managed 24 fish today, most 13-14" range, only two in the 12" range. Seems fish are fatter, nice and solid. Best today, 14 1/2" Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, September 27th, 2016

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    Water Temp: forgot to look or can't remember!!

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Lauched about 6:30am at Lime saddle, fished till about 11:10am. Wow, hot bite two trips in a row, no kidding. As I always do, test the waters when launching, got 6 spots, 12-13" size, but it gives me an indication of what the colors are for the day, and how the bite might be. Not kidding around, got 49 spots today. One 15 1/2", one 15", 5-6 14" range, with the rest 12-13", and no dinks under 12". Lost a good one due to being lazy, fish had that feel of 15" or better. After catching many fish, line gets week at the loop of the hook from sliding back and forth and to and fro on the loop of the hook. Hooks should be re-tied after many catches, and I didn't, causing me to loose a nice one, with the hook popping of mid fight. Leaving me the tied knot, with the belly of the knot open! Think I learned my lesson and will retie now after 4-5 catches. Caught all but 12 fish from one location again. If you follow my fishing, you'll see same location as last week, and the guys I talked too, yes, from this location. Released all fish to grow bigger and catch again one day. Pictures in fishing forum.

Wednesday, September 21st, 2016

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    Water Temp: 72

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Lauched at Lime saddle about 6:40am, off the lake about noon. Third fish of the day, a nice 18" spot, the we we want every cast!! fished here and there and had my typical 18 fish at 10:15am, so decided to head on in and call it a day. Made my final stop to give it that final cast of the day, and surprise, caught a decent spot close to 14", so cast again to the same exact spot as the first cast, got another nice fish. No kidding, spent the next hour casting to the same exact spot, and darn near every cast a fish. Over the next hour did it over and over again, till I got another 24 fish. Crazy when you find spotted bass schooled up. No kidding, every cast to the same exact location as before. The only reason I stopped fishing, was the wife would worry since I'm generally home by noon, and yes, the bite was still on after 24 fish from the same honey hole location. This is why I always fish the same location after catching a fish, never know when they schooled up. One of my best trips all year, especially this time of year. Ended up with 42 fish, 1 18", 6-7 14" range, rest 12-13", all looking fat too. Released all to grow and catch again one day. Think i will try this same location next week!!Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, September 13th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 73-74

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fall bite seems to be beginning. Got launched about 6:15am, fished till 11am. During launch today it was raining, enough to wet everything pretty good, glad it was just 15 minutes of rain. No winds to begin with which helped, but 9:30 10am or so, it got blowing from Oroville towards the mountains, so headed for shelter, as holding the little boat is not fun in the wind. Managed 23 fish today, but a few decent ones for a change. One 16 1/2", another 16", one 14 1/2", 3-4 right at 14", with all other the basic 12-13" size. For a while today, every cast gave up a fish, all one location producing 10 fish or so. Nice when they want to bite and hang out together. Trying my night trip this coming Thursday, should be interesting, since I've never done one. News said a couple days ago, lake now half empty. Pictures in fishing forum.

Friday, September 9th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 73-74

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Finally could get out on the lake after waiting all week for the fire to get under control and get me an open road to get to Lime Saddle. Weird, no sign of the fire from the lake! Got launched about 6:10am, fished till 10:30am. Nothing special day, other the the bite was fairly good at the bride supports for hwy 70, picked up one 15" on the way out and 3-4 nice fish on the way in to the ramp. No schools found today, but did manage 18 fish. 2 right at 15", 3-4 in the 14" range with the rest basic 12-13" fish. Water is beginning to cool, so fall bit not to far off, found 73-74 degrees, so figure in 3-4 weeks the fall bite should get going and produce some bigger fish. Fished were from 20-35 feet mostly. Pictures in fishing forum.

Thursday, September 1st, 2016

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    Water Temp: 74-76

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Launched at Lime Saddle about 6am, fished till 11am, an hour longer then I normally fish, because the bite was so awesome at my last stop. Could not get fish to hit at the hwy 70 bridge pilings, even though they were stacked in the corners again. Fished mostly the N. Fork, headed towards the main lake, picking up a fish or two each stop, at 10am, had only 10 fish, then my last stop, found them like we all want. Fished one 35-40 foot section and seemed like every cast got a spot, over and over for an hour, with my last fish the 15" so called it a day with 24 spots, even though fish bite was still strong after an hour fishing one location. A typical rocky bank, but holding a large school this time. Total count, one 15", one 14 1/2" smallie (dark picture), 4 14-14 1/2" with the rest typical 13-14". Those stick like bushes that hold fish are now above water, no fish below them now. Remember, spots tend to school, so always give a location a chance, paid off for my with 14 fish!! much better then moving on after a catch. Water is cooling to 74-76 degrees, fish are slightly shallower for me today, mostly 20-30 foot range. Weird, hardly any wind today, like Lunker Larry say, slightly cloudy valley, no winds! As always, released all fish. Pictures in fishing forum.

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 77-78

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Much better fishing today for me then the last two weeks. Launched at Lime Saddle about 6am, stopped fishing at 10am. The bridge supports at Hwy 70 still have fish stacked on the corners like in the past. Not easy to get them to bite, but patience produced the large fish of the day, right at 16 1/2". About half the time, a nice fish comes from this bridge supports. Managed 18 fish today, other then the 16 1/2", 5 were 14" range, with all others 12-13" basic size. Hardly any wind today, made for a better trip. Fish caught in the 20-35 foot range, better fish on the deeper side. Water dropping fairly fast, now down 114.92 from high water mark of the year. Found fish on a smooth rubble like bank, which was the side of a point, also those stick looking old bushes hold fish, and around a few boulders and narrow points. Cleaner water tends to hold fish better, murky water nothing today. Released all fish as always, to catch again one day. Picture in fishing forum.

Thursday, August 18th, 2016

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    Report: From Grant ยป Thu Aug 18, 2016 11:26 am

    Fish are still there. Sunday bite was good after the wind came up a bit and put some chop on the water and some stain as well. Caught fish shallow (less than 20 ft) in the south fork on a flat adjacent to a recently dry island top. It could be that the fish are feeding at night with this full moon and the morning bite suffers due to that. Nothing on reaction baits and you had to let them chew on the bait a bit before setting the hook or you swung at air and sometimes lost your worm in the process.

    Look for the recently dry scrubby bushes (don't know the proper name for them) and fish in areas where you can feel your bait coming through them. It seems like the fish are hiding in and around them to ambush the bait as it swims by. Some of the prominent broken rock piles which extend into the water will hold fish too early but when the rocks heat up later in the day the fish seem to move off those to the bushes or seemingly bare flats.

    Hope this helps as your posts have helped me get an idea of what the Oroville are doing quite a few times.

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016

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    Water Temp: 77-78

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Where have the fish gone to, me, no idea. This will be the second week in a row that fishing is way off for me, could not find much to catch, and tried it all. Drove an hour to launch at Bidell to try the middle fork, as in the past, lots of fish to catch, not today, feels like a wasted trip for me, only getting 6 fish, and all small 12-13" size. Water looks good, still 77-78 degrees, but fish are not wanting to bite much. Days like today, makes me want to skip fishing for a while, as it's my worst day fishing ever on the lake. Water down now at 103ft from this years high water mark. Water used to be right below where the boat is in the picture. Wondering, is the bite off for others? Picture in fishing forum.