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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2002

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: ??????

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Great day oir ishing, got to the irst pond heading west on 299 about 7:15 am. and ished or bass and bluegill, got 11 bluegill and o bass although I did see some really nice lookin bass, I used a rattle trap, and night cralwers, the bass would take the crawler but not all the way and when I would set the hook they wouldnt be there.
      City: redding

      Tips: Go either real early or at dusk, and be very subtle in your presentation slow.. slow and slower are the speeds you must use. also please pick up trash...

Monday, April 1st, 2002

  • Plumas County
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      Water Temp: Cold

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Was going to ish or trout with my girlriend at Hamilton Branch. Saw A guy pull out a nice spot rom there. So o course I pulled out my bass gear. No luck, but A guy next to me picked up a emale that was getting ready to spawn. He caught it on a watermelon lizard. I was very dissapointed to see him keep it and tell his buddies "we've got dinner." I'm suprised to see bass in that part o Almanor.
      City: Sacramento

      Tips: Catch and release all bass. Almanor is loaded with trout and salmon that are great eating.

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Couldn't get out o a conerence call at 7:00am, so partner Swimbait took the ront while I got on the cell. Got to Frank's about 8am. Swimbait gets a 4lb to eat a jerkbait. Then a 6lb striper pounds my blade and we're having un. We catch a couple more o both species and we're in the zone (or stripers) at the southeast tip o Franks. I hear my buddy Blademan and he's trimmed out with the hammer down coming accross the lake and his boat sounds like a tornado hitting the ripple on the surace. I lag him, and as he's rolling up I cast a Luckycrat and hammer another one. It's ripping line and I tell Blademan it's a toad largie. We had a little tukeyshoot goin actually and Blademan won it by the end. Ater Franks, we went to a avorite hole in the Macalumea and my engine became a two cylinder. The river was tough, but we stayed on the trolling motor and caught several o both basses there too. Swimbait had me rom the back again, but I rallied with two unanswered 2lb at the end both on jerkbaits. Blades and Senkos caught the other ish.
      City: El Dorado Hills

      Tips: Conditions seem early in the rivers, but not bad compared to some years spring rain/snow runo

    • By

      Water Temp: 58-66

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: One Person Guide trip today, warm, sunny light wind, the water warmed up 5 degrees over the weekend. Started in Franks and got a 4lber 1st spot the went to Fihsermans cut and caught one little one on a speed trap ished both sides with really no luck. Back to Franks and got a 3lber on a jig then went awhile with out a bite. Decided to go south with the high water and started catching ish 1, 3lber on Assassinater (Shad Gold) and a ew on the Olive craw Speed trap and lost a nice one on a weed point, never saw it. Then went to Woodward caught about 5 all small, hopped down to Union Point and only ound a ew small ones there too. Aeww weeks ago a couldn't buy a ish under 2lbs now there not over. Came back to Franks at low tide and tried a rog and tried deep with only a couple o small ish, then on the last cast we got a 4lber and went in. Fair day with about 17 bass best ish 15ish
      City: Concord

      Tips: It appears many ish have moved up and are bedding (ound about 5) and not biting good today.

    • By

      Water Temp: 61-63

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Once again launched out o Paradise Point to ish White Slough. On the water around 8:00 a.m. Went back to the beds I had ound earlier in the week.Using tips rom Dean Sault, I approached the beds dierently this time. I wasn't in such a rush. I worked 3 dierent beds or about an hour. Although I couldn't visually see the beds or the ish I knew where they were located. Finally elt that "tic", on a 5" Senko. Set the hook and no movement. Leaned on the rod and cranked like a madman. Ater ighting her through the weeds, she headed or deeper water. I'm guessing at the time, but I think it took me a couple o minutes to bring her to the net. Felt like a glorius hour.I thought I had FINALLY busted into the double digit club. No such luck. Finally weighed in at 8 lbs 13 ozs, but I'm certainly not complaining.This ish had me so stoked, I had to wait 5 minutes to retie. My hands were shaking.A couple o accomodating bass ishermen took a couple o pictures or me and I slipped her back into the water.Again, thanks to Dean Sault.Caught 3 more ish, but the remainder were all dinks.O the water at 1:00 p.m.
      City: Manteca

  • Lake County
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      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Has any been ishing the lake? The last report is rom 3/25. I heard that at the end o march their was a tournament and their was over 60 lbs caught by the winner somewhere by lakeport. Any ino. will be good. Plan to ish the lake rom 4/13 to 4/16. Any ino. on where and what to use will be very helpull.
      City: concord

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Folsom Lake is hot, dropped in about 2:30 and caught ish until we let at dark. 20 total ranging rom 1.5 - 4.5 all spots except or a large and a small. Caught them in 8 to 10 eet o water. Had a limit in 30 minutes , then started cruising or big ish , no willows and rocks
      City: Fresno

      Tips: worms in the trees and around rocks.

  • Mariposa County
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      Water Temp: ??

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: 1st time ever on this lake. Took the amily ishing 4/01 and ended up catching about 15 bass total between my iance, my two boys, and mysel betweem 1:30pm till sunset. My iance took the cake with an 8 lb ish. Most ish were about 2 lbrs and were close to the bank or relating to structure (mostly brush/branches). All in all one o my best days ishing (especially when you spend most o your time untangling lines and re-tying hooks :)
      City: Gustine

      Tips: Watermelon w/black lake brush hogs seemed to be the ticket. But worms or tubes in green/brown and pumpkinseed colors also worked with a bb split shot. Tried crankbaits with no luck.

    • By

      Water Temp: 63

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: 0530-1200 hr.Cotton Area,Started throwing top water, had a couple boiles but no takers. Went to a Pearl Zoom Fluke which I tip the tail with Chart. dye. This was the ticket today. Caught iteen or so ranging rom dinks to 4 pounds, most were in the 2+ range. The bigger ish came o deep banks with brush or trees laying in the water. Worked the luke real slow letting it drop about a oot or so beore moving it. About hal would take it on the all and just swollow it. Caught a couple on cranks & blades, but not a bit on worms or jugs.
      City: Turlock

  • Fresno County
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      Water Temp: warm

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: many may not believe me on this but i caught an 8lbs. black bass and two others ones about 16 to 17 inches. the small ones were biting like crazy too. i have not have this much un ishing at millerton since the irst year i moved here......
      City: resno

      Tips: the bait o choice would be the baby brush hog watermelon color or the zoom salty super luke smokin shad. with the brush hog bounces it along the buttom. with the luke just try to make it swim at the surace o the water. you will get some good action with it.live bait use night crawlers (can't beat that)

    • By

      Water Temp: ??

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished rom 3:00-5:00. I landed a ew that were on the small side. Around 4:30 I moved towards the Dam and landed a 5.0lb. largemouth on a baby brushhog. What a ight!!Took a picture and threw it back. Catch and release baby!!
      City: El Cerrito

      Tips: Cast and move

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Hit the lake with my wie, son(6) and daughter(3) on our 21 oot iberorm.Not exactly a state o the art bass boat, but I get parelell with the shoreline in the river arm & the breeze moves us just right. I was using a 6 inch magic worm ,splitshotted on 4 pound test on a ultra,ultra light.First ish was a 19 inch smallie ull o eggs & about 4 pounds that my son reeled in.We snapped a pic and set her ree. Then my daughter reeled in a couple 12 inch smallies. We then trolled up the river arm, caught a 11 inch rainbow. We then tied up to the log jam and threw out power bait to see i the kids could get some more trout. No takers.So I went back to the worm & hung a nice largemouth. She jumped once then started taking drag. I told my wie to take over the boat and chase the ish so I wouldnt run outa line.Soon this ish wraps itsel around a sunken branch.We had to go back And orth a ew times,& I couldnt ree her.Finally I give the rod to the wie & start pulling in the ish & stick by hand. Finally got her in the boat-21 inches & VERY ull o eggs! Took some pics & set her ree.Man I cant beleive how good that lourocarbon P-line is.Great day on the water, saw lots o deer & turkeys too.
      City: Manteca

      Tips: Fish the river arm with plastics on very light line. Can see the bottom in 20 oot depth.PS dont tell all the trouters how good the bassin is at this lake, I almost always have the shoreline to my sel!LOL

Sunday, March 31st, 2002

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 58-62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: 7 fish, 5 smallmouth/1 largemouth/1 crappie that thought it wanted to eat a crawdad colored crankbait. Didn't see any bedding fish, water dirty from all the boat traffic. Most of the fish came on 4" purple Senko tight to structure in shallow shaded water.
      City: Fairfield

      Tips: Fish during the week, the water shredders tear this lake up on the weekends.

    • By

      Water Temp: 58-62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: 7 fish, 5 smallmouth/1 largemouth/1 crappie that thought it wanted to eat a crawdad colored crankbait. Didn't see any bedding fish, water dirty from all the boat traffic. Most of the fish came on 4" purple Senko tight to structure in shallow shaded water.
      City: Fairfield

      Tips: Fish during the week, the water shredders tear this lake up on the weekends.

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: 61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Had to go ishing beore Easter estivities. Launched at 7:15 am and was o the water by 9:50 am. Landed 7 largemouth, about a 2.5 pounder was the largest. Plastic worms in dark green / white were the ticket. All ish were caught in 2-7 eet o water. Pretty good day or less than 3 hours. The day beore, Vern Sherman joined me and we landed 5 in less than an hour. It took us all day to ind 'em, but we ound 'em. Same thing, 3' to 7' o water on sot plastic. Gotta' love spring time!
      City: Dublin

      Tips: Fish are movin' up. Plastics in the shallows. Fight 'em ast and release 'em quick.

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 63 to 67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: My partner and I ished the 28th annual Badge Packers Tournament on Saturday. With a little or rather a lot o luck we ended up winning it with over 32 pounds or six ish.The biggest was a bit over 13 pounds, and that wasn't the big ish or the tournament.Our next biggest was over 7 pounds and believe it or not, neither o the two came o a bed. The 13 came o a topwater irst thing in the morning and the 7+ on a senko adjacent to a brush pile with airly deep water nearby. We started out with a ew one pound plus ish, then got lucky with the 13 pounder in an area we had seen som really BIG ish in while pre-ishing the day beore.We did a little bit o everything rom top water, to carolina rigged 6" worms to split-shot worms to senkos, trying to improve our overall weight. We managed to improve things until our smallest was just under 3 pounds. My partner says, "A nice three or our pounder would really help out now". I told him,"Heck, i you're gonna wish.....then wish or a ive pounder". Well......not ive minutes later he boated the 7+. This was one o "those days" I'm sure we'll both remember or a long while. Our hats o to everyone who participated and hopeully had as good a time as we did. Thanks to those whose hard work helped to make the tournament a success.
      City: Antioch

  • San Francisco County
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      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: well i was bored this past sunday so i took the dog to the south lake at the beach. didn't expect to catch anything but walked away with three 14" to 15" trout in about 2.5 hours time. i was ishing yellow power bait with a short 10" leader beore the sliding sinker, shorter than what i normally use. the trout seemed to be very actively eeding as all the ish i caught hit the bait as it was sinking or being retrieved, moving. a guy comes down trying or bass, i had never seen a bass pulled rom this lake but heard o it. well his second cast pulled one out. a ew more casts and he pulls another one along the weeds on the east end o the shore. couldn't believe it.
      City: san rancisco

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: do you still need a permit to ish here? i so, where do you get it?
      City: san rancisco

  • Riverside County
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      Water Temp: 58

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Wow! What a dierence a week can make, mixed with an ever changing air pressure! The weather was MUCH better this Sunday, however the ishing was NOT! Everyone I saw out on the lake was (or the most part)looking or nesting ish because that seemed to be the best bite going or the day. Mysel and one other riend scored only two ish, one on the irst cast o the day, which slipped the hook hal way in, and then 21/2 hours later I was able to piss o a nesting bass with a spider jig rigged "drop shot" stlye. That was it, 8:00am to 1:00pm, 2 ish, eghhh!!!! Tough going! The air pressure was jumping up and down all morning, 28.25 down to 28.10 and then anywhere in between! I believe this alone put the bite really o today. Then the other issue is that the bass are on the beds RIGHT NOW and are more interested in making baby bass than chasing anything or ood. Once we get past the "post spawn" phase at this lake the action should pick-up considerably!
      City: Los Angeles

      Tips: The wind is coming up around noon now and that always makes the ishing on any lake tougher. Like I said nesting ish are oering the best hook-up possibility or right now. This is not my avorite kind o bass ishing, but it seemed this was about the only thing working or a lot o people today. Drop shotting gizits or spider jigs worked or the ew bites we did get! I you do look or the nesting bass, you'll have do it beore the wind comes up. Live crawdads were reported to us as working also, but we did not check into that rumor. The camp grounds were heavy with people this morning and so was the traic on the way home. I you drive out early in the morning, watch out or the very heavy og along the reeway. It was so thick that we drove right by our exit!!! Watch out! Good luck!

    • By

      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Caught on 1, but had many spring time bites. Using a watermelon w/ red and green lake. I caught it near the bench. Many other bites near the bench. Went behind the island but its getting too weady back there.
      City: Livermore

      Tips: Practice catch and release. Senkos are very good now.