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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Monday, March 7th, 2011

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55.2-56

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Headed out to launch at Russo's and saw the whitecaps so I turned around an went out of Orwood. Glad I did, I got 9 fish. Seven of them were 6#'s+, the largest went 7#2oz and I lost 1 giant at the boat. All caught on crank baits. We fished the south. Looks like they are moving up.
      City: alamo

  • Ventura County
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      Water Temp: 53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: The wind was in full force on the 7th, could not see any beds at all. So I fan casted a drop shot and got two bass and I threw a Double Diamond swimbait on a jig and got about a 3 pounder.I made some long casts and I also threw some swimbaits but no lookers. I think with the last two days of warm weather they will be feeding better. Tight Lines to all Chief
      City: Camarillo

      Tips: Bites were soft.

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 52-57

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I had two great clients last weekend - good fishermen!! They towed their boat up from Arizona and fished the day before I came, and did well with bass up to 6 1/2 lbs. Welcome to California!! They were impressed, never having been on the lake before! Over the weekend, the bite was very slow, but we covered one end of the lake to the other - many, many miles on my new Z521!! I thought Monday would be a recovery day for the bite (after I went home!) and it was as they did well with another 6 pounder to boot! While I was with them for the weekend, they caught several in the 3 to the near 4 lb range, all on plastics. They threw their Alabama rigs a lot but only caught one or two - very slow. Clear water with NO breath of wind made conditions very tough. My biggest was 4 1/4 lbs on a jig and my smallest was 12 inches - first dink of the year!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: Clear lake is famous for the hurricane winds, but many don't know that it can be as flat as a pane of glass, mostly in the winter. It actually gets more so in the cold months than most other lakes in Nor Cal (not talking about stormy weather of course). Again, that made for some tough fishing over the weekend. Changes will occur about the last week of March when the spring and summer coastal afternoon wind pattern set in. During heat spells, the wind isn't too bad and the morning are calm. When Natures "air conditioner" - the delta breezes - cool us off in the summer, the "cool" is brought in by wind. Same at Clear Lake - except it is usually not a "breeze!" Expect big wind day and night. The northwest end of the lake around Lakeport is usually more protected however. As September rolls on, the wind usually diminishes in intensity and by October, the best windless weather of the year begins. If any of you mature SF Giants fans remember freezing during night games at Candlestick Park, you might also remember the nicest day or evening game was the last game of the season - around Oct 1st!!

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51-52

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Despite rain/clouds, 52 degree water, and a decent breeze on Sunday, we couldn't muster anything that even qualified as a BITE in about 7 hours of fishing. We ran up to 3 sloughs out east/north as well as Tower Marina, fishing both shallow and deep, throwing everything but dynamite overboard. Given my buddy and I have easily bruised egos, we can't possibly blame ourselves, and instead I'll just say that the front had pushed through in the overnight hours, leaving in its wake an entire Delta-full of startled, stunned, and outright confused bass who refused to open their mouths to our offerings. I take comfort in knowing that I can't possible fare any worse in the next outing---only equal it! :x
      City: San Rafael

      Tips: I was hoping you could give ME some! Maybe the fron IS (was) to blame on that day. Try to plan for outings just BEFORE the front pushes through, when it's supposed to be best. If you can't, just try any/all things you have in your arsenal, with emphasis on slowing down. Despite our trying both reaction AND slowwww soft plastics/pitching (and everything in between) it just plain did not make a difference that day.

    • By

      Water Temp: 53 - 55

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of disco bay ran to middle river fished Chatterbaits,Senkos,Beavers,And Jigs. Keying on low tide small isolated grass clumps around Green tules. A front was moving in and for us the fish didnt turn on untill it got overcast and the tide began shift to incoming then for about 20 mins it was on. Using Blu/Blk jigs Just flipin and working em real slow.Near isolated grass.Caught a 6 lbr and a 3.5 on almost back to back casts. Have to cover water to find em but persistance pays off.
      City: Santa Clara

      Tips: Blu/Blk jigs w/beaver trailers. With rattles on Jig. Blu/blk Jigs Chigger craw trailers w/out rattles for vibration. Look for current breaks with isolated grass clumps. Look For the Green tules we didnt seem to get bit around brown/Dying tules. Slow presentation.

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: 53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Well the bed fish were up and I was fishing from the shore.I got one bass on a small Double Diamond as a jig trailer.I also got one on a senko. Threw swimbaits but no lookers and threw in deeper water but no takers.My buddy was throwing a White Jig and got a nice six pounder.
      Good Luck Chief
      City: Camarillo

    • By

      Water Temp: 58

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Saw the starts of a decent amount of beds with a few fish on them. Not a lot of interest from the fish on them but pulled a couple in.
      City: Ventura

      Tips: After catching off beds release fish back to the bed.

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: 53-57

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I guided a previous client last night for a 5 hr trip. Unfortunately - the weather gods wern't with me - again! Instead of the sunny afternoon predicted, it was cloudy with no warming sun. Then the cloudy (warmer) night that was predicted turned clear, wet (dew), and quite chilly. These are the conditions that really effect an early spring bite. To top off the good news, my client hooked 4 bass on brush hogs and lost them all. I caught one 13" bass. At least we saw one!!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I did pre-fish for about 2 1/2 hours before he arrived at 5:30 pm. I had two hits on jigs but lost them. About 4:30 I hooked a big fish in about 2 feet of water on the Blade Runner brown/orange jig. Had my drag locked and she still pulled out some line. She got behind a tree and that was that - spit the jig. Water look good - murky but not muddy. The lake is full and has some drift wood around. Lots of trout anglers.

    • By

      Water Temp: 50 to 54

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: big fish day 4 small mouth bass 4 1/2 lb then a 5 lb then a 5 lb then the last 6 l/2 lb all small mouth bass.
      City: orland

      Tips: we fished points.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51-53

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: James - I was in the same area on Saturday - right BEFORE the front came in. Same story - a full day's effort resulted in a single 2.5 pounder. Had two other misses. The one I caught was on a speed trap but I also threw everything I had, every way I could. I expect (hope) things will improve rapidly as the water warms and the days get longer.
      City: Stockton

    • By

      Water Temp: 52-56

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: its still tough there are some fish up shallow only 4 fish all day buddy had 2 blow ups on buzz bait and i had one on a fluke they just are not eatin yet they are just knockin the bait out of their area.
      City: hayward

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 47 - 50

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: CLEARLAKE BASSMASTERS hosted their March Club Tournament. The rain kept some away, but 6 boats competed. 5 of six caught limits, nothing under 4# was brought in. Big fish was over 8#. GREAT DAY FISHIN' CLEAR LAKE ! jerk baits - swim baits & drop shotting all produced fish.
      City: UKIAH

      Tips: morning bite was best !!!! Drop shotting is the ticket ! ENJOY YOUR DAY ON THE WATER !

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: 49-56

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Lake is on the rise and fish are starting to move into the shallows. Started throwing reaction baits in the morning on flats with no takers, then went jigging on steep rock banks working 5 down to 40 ft. not even a tap. So I went looking for the warmest water I could find and found it in the backs of coves and the south end. Put on a brushhog(sourgrape)1/2oz. tungsten(peged) and just went flipin'. Got 5 bites in 2 ft. of water around wood, landed 4 up to 4lbs. Quit around 2pm.I saw a guy land some nice crappie...I'll have my crappie jigs next time.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: If we get consistent weather the fishing should start picking up. Goodluck!

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Over cast day. Looking for clear water? Found it in a couple coves.Work normal bass lures!
      City: Richmond

      Tips: Senkos,senkos and more senkos!U can take it from there! 2 big mamas full of eggs,released them.caught about 7-8 males under 3lbs.

    • By

      Water Temp: unk.

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: hey whatsup guys, my report about Nicasio is i usually go there for some nice cat fishing, but its been re-dunk slow, i think its to cold, but i will fish for anything that bites my shit. So today i went to my o.g. spot, caught damn near a 2 foot carp in the first 30mins must have been around 10-15 pounds, a true chunker. after K.O.-ing that invasive carp, i cased out to the same spot and 15 minutes later i caught about a foot and a half rainbow trout, i was very surprised. i let it go, so the population stays in there. Nicasio is also great for bass
      City: San Rafael

      Tips: try,try,try again. bring mosquito repellent, boots, and watch closely for ticks.

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: My Buddy Al and I fished out of Lime Saddle Saturday afternoon on a short exploratory trip. We fished tube jigs, shakey heads & darthead and drop shot rigged roboworms in a variety of colors. We marked very little on the sonar and fished several types of water in search of fish. I managed to land one spot on a drop shotted roboworm off a north facing bank of shale. It was a slot size bass, but extremely fat and sassy. I did catch and relese a few coho on tube jigs as well. I believe there is no size limit on Lake Oroville coho, just a limit of 5 fish per angler.
      City: paradise

      Tips: I hooked one fish, who am I to give tips! I can say, however, the fish hit the drop shot very softly while deadsticking the lure.

Friday, March 4th, 2011

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Primary focus for today was to see if spawn was on or near (staging). My answer was a definite "no bite" Used weenies, cranks, jigs from 8AM to 2PM at Italian, Old River to Victoria & Widdow Is. Outgoing tide, good water, 6 mph wind, 55 deg water.
      Got 5 bites all day, 4 from one very aggressive 1.5 lb male that I eventually hooked.

      Tips: Take Team Dean's advice

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 50-54

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Water temp was a little colder than I thought it would be. Started out around 7. Surface temp read 49-50. Warmed up to 54 by mid afternoon. Water was clear. Ended up catching a small limit. Nothing over 2.5 lbs. Drop shot shad colored 4" & 6" robo worms worked best. Graphed large schools holding tight to deep structure. Caught 2 that looked to be a smallmouth/largemouth mix.
      City: Modesto

      Tips: fish slow and still deep. Fish will bite just wont chase anything yet.

  • Butte County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Does anyone know what the legal size and limit of coho salmon at this lake? I'm a bass fisherman but I thought it would be nice to bring home a fish or two for dinner. Don't worry guys, I practice catch and release when it comes to bass.
      City: san mateo

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: ??

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Will someone else PLEASE post a report? Someone has to have fished Camanche in the last couple months. Cmon, only takes a few mins!!
      City: Sac