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Tulloch Lake and Reports

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Saturday, August 16th, 2025

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    Report: Lake Tulloch Fishing Report August 16

    Current Bite & Conditions:
    With months of closure and hand-launch-only access, Tulloch has been lightly pressured and fishing “pretty much wide open.” Main-lake fish busted bait near the surface early, then the bite shifted shallow by mid-morning. On day two, the water cooled and rose about a foot, changing the bite and pushing attention to offshore grass and grass lines. “The boat traffic was insane on the lake.” The lake is ~1,200 acres with ~55 miles of shoreline, up to 140 ft deep, fed by the Stanislaus River, and lined with private docks.

    Best Techniques & Baits:
    Tailspin and chatterbait for early main-lake bait chasers.
    Flipping a creature bait in grass for bigger fish.
    Strolling a minnow to fill a quick limit.
    Magnum spoon under/behind docks with grass; rip the spoon from grass to trigger bites.
    Jig when the spoon bite faded.
    Glide bait drew follows from 6–8 lb fish (no commits).
    Dice (added catches alongside jigs).

    Key Depths:
    Near-surface bait busts on the main lake (early).
    Shallow grass and grass lines.
    Under/behind docks with grass adjacent.
    Offshore grass (scoping for targets).

    Early success came from chasing main-lake bait with reaction baits, but winning adjustments were moving shallow to flip grass and targeting docks with grass behind them. As conditions cooled and the lake rose slightly, offshore grass/grass lines became key to relocating fish.

    Tournament Spotlight:
    1st: Pua Yang – 189.50” (two-day). Tailspin, chatterbait early; flipping creature bait shallow for bigger fish. Big Fish: 21.50”.
    2nd: Max Lee – 170.25” (two-day). Strolling minnow; magnum spoon under docks; jig; ripping spoon from grass; Dice; more smallmouth than past trips.
    3rd: Michael DiTolla – 152.00”

    Tips: Tip of the Tournament:
    Start on main-lake bait busts with a tailspin or chatterbait; when that window shuts, slide shallow and flip a creature bait in grass for bigger bites. If the lake cools or rises, scope offshore grass/grass lines to relocate fish. Around docks with grass behind them, rip a magnum spoon; to fill or upgrade, stroll a minnow and pull it away from fish to trigger commits—and don’t overlook Dice as an additional producer.

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

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    Report: by JLew.fishnski » Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:43 am

    I fished the river arm on Lake Tulloch on Sunday.
    The circus had come to town, but the river is all 5mph, so didn't have any traffic to speak of. Caught a few smallmouth, and a couple spots. Colder water made for one of the better fishing days this year for me.
    The trip back to load the boat reminded me of why I never fish these crazy holiday weekends.

Monday, February 16th, 2015

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    Water Temp: 60

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: Started around noon took a kid fishing worked a cove had boat pressure all around but still manage to catch fish behind them. Fish are there with the warmer days crushing for food. Used crankbait, jerkbait and senko.

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: lake is not accessable, down 20ft. call so. lake first . 1-800-894-2267
    they must open the gates to test every 5 yrs. lake will go down 30 ft.
    try 2013

    Tips: go somewhere else

Saturday, June 9th, 2012

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    Water Temp: 72

    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: Hit the lake over the weekend for a few hrs on sat and sunday. saturday my son and i caught about 10 with most being really small best of the day was a 1.5 lbr my son caught on a smallie beaver. sunday i went out by myself and did a lot better in comparison. 10 keepers up to 4lbs and they all came off 301 hula grubs. fish were in the 10 to 20 range and favored the shade of the docks most bites were on the drop.
    City: San Lorenzo

    Tips: use any color jig that you want as long as it is green pumpkin and you will catch fish right now. i did not stray far from the south shore launch

Friday, May 13th, 2011

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    Water Temp: 65-67

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: started at 3pm pretty windy at times no luck in south shore area or middle lake went to north shore by brigde hit 4 smalllies back to back went past bridge and over to other side and hit 7 more smallies and two large mouth but no keepers all were babies .... lol only 2 over 1 lbs ... but was fun catching them all using green/white and blue/white wacky worm rig
    City: tunlock

    Tips: on the docks this guy said he had a trout jump in his boat ... I thought that was pretty cool .....

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

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    Water Temp: mid to upper 50

    Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

    Report: fished full day at the north end. Day started out calm but by mid morning the wind picked up and it was windy the rest of the day until evening. Fished flats and rocks tough day. Caught 2 smallies and 1 largemouth. 2 fish came on top water Zora Spook. Lost a nice one on the Zora Spook and had a few other swirles. Lost a nice one that I could not get to the surface on a swim bait. Could not see fish in the shallows due to the wind.
    City: Weaverville

    Tips: The guy (from Redding Norm I think) I meet on the ramp in the morning throwing that expensive bait. I'm wondering how you did on that bait.

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: just call the hotel at north shore they have all the information and don't ask questions here because this is only for lake info... ask qs at the forums that's what they are for... thx
    City: turlock

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

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    Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

    Report: does anyone know how much it is to launch at the north marina, and if it is operational? I know the south marina is ok. Can't find a phone number for the north. Thanks.

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

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    Water Temp: 56

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got up to the lake for spring break with my sons,and low and behold...barely enough water to launch at the kiva.Had a wonderful spring day on hand despite water level.Started out by trolling up a few trout because its fun,then off to catch topwater smallies..(my favorite thing) After our
    fill of that,it was off to get the crappie and alot of bluegills. And in between all of that...easily picked up a limit of largies.
    A 5 species day..with my boys..I LOVE IT !!
    City: Hayward

    Tips: Always think of a kid you can take to the lake and show them our love of FISHING !

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

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    Water Temp: 52

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Fished the outer creek arms and main lake points this afternoon for moderate success. 5 bass and 5 trout on plastics and jigs. 1 smallie and 4 largies. Also caught 5 rainbows on the dart head 4" worms.
    City: Sonora

    Tips: Lake is low so fish the primary breaklines in 20 feet off main lake points.

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

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    Water Temp: 66

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Good Job ART !!! Nice to hear you had a great day.Put a smile on my face....I like to use a norman suspending crank in craw pattern.Went out for a day of fun myself,NAILED EM....I just love the Red Eyed Meanies hitting my bait like a freight train ! Got a good number on top too.
    Gotta go early for good topwater..

    Tips: Snatch a kid off the street....and take em'fishing.

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

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    Water Temp: 72 +

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Had the best day fishing ever.Over 50 fish SM & LM
    1 1/5# to 2#. On large flats and drop offs near main points used suspending jerk cranks from 6AM to noon. 10 to 20 FT. Thanks Sugar White''''''''
    City: castro valley

    Tips: Get your cranks down deep. Catch and release.

Monday, June 14th, 2010

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    Water Temp: 70

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Hit the lake for summer vacation with my sons who are 8 n 10.These boys can catch FISH!We started off just messin' around catching bluegill and low and behold...the dock right at the KIVA was LOADED with crappie.My 8 yr old caught 68 in 3 hours.We moved to another cove and found the spot.I caught 75 in no time at all!My 10 yr old got over 55 but stopped counting after he saw the GIANT largemouth that were spawning right in the crappie hole.WOW it was cool.NO boat traffic...lots of fish.Priceless!!
    City: Hayward

    Tips: Hey Art,you want smallies?Try a craw colored crankbait on the absent bank across from the hotel...Its a cant miss.Good luck buddy!
    Take a kid fishing!

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

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    Water Temp: 65

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Spent all day caught a few smallies. Where is Sugar White when you need him. Drop me a email about Toullich
    City: castro valley

    Tips: Fish deep

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

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    Water Temp: 61

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Spent Memorial Day at the lake...ooops.Well..so much for fishing.I did see some fish trying to reposition for a second try at the spawn.They raised the water level 10 plus feet in a week or two.It put the spawn in a "STATE".I did see lots of trout jumping all over the place though.Will go up in a week after the water settles down.
    City: Hayward

    Tips: Take a kid fishing !

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

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    Water Temp: 56

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Spent a couple of days fishing Tulloch,managed to get some fish both days.Fish are in prespawn mode now.Saw some big fish getting ready to nest,but the water is so low they haven't decided whether to spawn just yet.Still had fun,got a big trout first fish.Then did a little sight fishing,couple large mouth in.Then went to the crankbait for smallies.Got some nice ones before dark.All in all...another great day on the water. Fish on fools...OUT !
    City: Hayward

    Tips: Take a friend fishing.....

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

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    Water Temp: 55---58

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: looked for sm could find any
    looked for trout same
    one squaw

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

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    Water Temp: 71

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Got to the lake early to try topwater.Lots of lil'ones.Nothing big to speak of.But that afternoon was a different story...pulled out my $1.88(secret crankbait)WOW>5 nice largemouth in 150 yards of bank in boat traffic.Goode times!!
    City: Hayward

    Tips: mud turned up by ski boats turned on crankbait

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

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    Water Temp: 77

    Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

    Report: Caught 7 2 smalmouth to2# 5 large mouth to3#
    City: castro valley

    Tips: top water,worms on points