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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Sunday, July 25th, 2010

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 80's

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Hi James-- I too just fished there on Saturday and the South side is pretty slimy with all the green alge growth and it does smell pretty bad but the North is a lot cleaner and you should still be able to swim and do the family water thing in the North. Just make sure that the kids/adults bathe real well after water outings on the lake. Have fun in Clearlake. Bring along a water hose so that you can wash down your boat and trailer when you're all done. Don't forget your boat/trailer sticker and boat inspection for the dreaded quagga muscle.
      City: El Dorado Hills

      Tips: Just have fun!!

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: is the north side of lake really bad. i have a trip booked with my family for a week and was wondering if you can swim.
      City: livermore

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Started off throwing topwater in the morning at high tide and only got dinks. Tried cranking riprap and only got one decent bass.... and about a 6 lb salmon on a speed trap right against the tules! Weirdest thing I've ever seen. Got pics to prove it. Tide started going out and we started punching. Didn't do very well until tide got fairly low then we started catching some quality fish including one over 5 lbs. Got off the water around noon. Got hot and the "bros" and blaring rap music got outta control.
      City: modesto

      Tips: Punch rig on outgoing low tide. Don't know about high tide...

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 80-83

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished AC/WRL tourney. Caught all in the south end near Wheeler. Fished deep, in clearer water. The water smells and looks like baby puke but the fishing was off the hook. No swimbait bite or cranks, bottom bouncing was the ticket for us.

      Tips: I would still fish here! The fishing is still good, but you MUST flush your motor after you get off the water.

    • By

      Water Temp: 80

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Arrived 1300, went North. Caught about 6 dinks on worms, hulagrubs and cranks then around 1630 got a 5.14 on a shakey head with a 6" roboworm oxblood red flake in 10ft of water. Weighed, took some pics then released.
      City: Monterey

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 72-75

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I had a great day on the delta with two fun clients. The top water bite was off the hook in the a.m. as it slowed crank baits and chatter bait produced nice fish for us. We caught 20+ fish up to 5lbs with some real nice 3 lbs fish mixed in the bag. Not too hot, not too windy, not too cold. Awesome day! Click like on my facebook page for up to date reports. www.toadsonly.com
      City: Tracy

      Tips: Get out early in the summer months for top water actions. More tips and reports @ www.toadsonly.com

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 79-86

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: The water was pee soap in the lower , south end. Basin Bassmasters fished their all nighter on friday and saturday morning. Winning weight was 32.06 for 10 bass. Using jigs, worms, frogs and chatter baits. Stay in the north or cleaner water.
      City: rocklin

      Tips: Senkos, jigs working them slow.

    • By

      Water Temp: 77

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Caught 5 bass (biggest 4 lbs) took 1 hour to clean boat afterwards. Lake looks and smells like crap (not kiddin) after I got back home to report and now reading reports of lake conditions) stupid me for not doing so. what the hell happened to this lake?

      Tips: try elswhere. even if you catch a few fish, not worth the smell and cleaning of boat afterwards. previous post before me, you must be desperate.

    • By

      Water Temp: 75-85

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: My family and I have been fishing here at clear lake since the 19th. this is the first time we have been here and i can't wait to be back when it is as good as it should be. we have been averaging 10 to 12 nice(3 to 5lb.) fish every day with the biggest being 7.7lb. I can catch them on about anything when i locate them. We have mainly been flipping but caught 6 nice fish off a point with dd22 crankbaits in about 20 min. one evening.
      City: kelso, Wa

      Tips: Find the crayfish, then you will find the fish. Try bright red jigs and soft plastics. Heavy jigs in the grass(1-1.5oz). If that dosen't work find 15 to 25 feet and throw the crankbait. they are there and willing to bite you just have to be out there and do it.
      Good Luck! Bassboy 17

    • By

      Water Temp: bath tub

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Kudos to Ross for laying it down like he did..a no b.s. kind of guy and an expert guide here.I've had my rig moored here in Jones bay and have averaged 3 to 5 quality bucket-mouth a day in this area.sure the alge sucks real bad and in most cases un fishable.you just got to burn a lot of gas and find better water.big fish of the week went 4.5 off the shaded side of a deep piling..3 inch power minner.and a decent swim bite.just before dark.I did see a nice school of 8 inch bass with some bluegil
      City: lower lake

      Tips: Be spot on with every cast.deadsticking is crucial.tuff it out.the population will come back in a couple years.even if you don't stick a lot of em the quality is still top notch in my book.have fun.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: No one loves Clear Lake more than me. But if you have to take so many precautions just to go fishing!....2 to 3 hours drive just to fish early morning? Ok let's keep it real. I was there and I know what I saw. Leave the Lake alone, let it do it's cycle and I'll be back next year. For now I'll try somewhere else....Thanks.
      City: SSF

      Tips: Try the lake and post what you think...keep it real. This is what this forum is for.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I would love to read fishing reports from this sight but the fact of the matter is, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON, so, They will really only know by reading the "REPORTS" page. I know clearlake and its towns surroundings are suffering from poor lake conditions and the economy, BUT, people still need to know the TRUTH before they come up here. It is not worth the trip. MY BOAT IS SUFFERING REAL BAD from the ALGAE and I ALSO KNOW FOR A FACT THEY ARE SPRAYING THIS LAKE. I will not purchase another sticker. Clearlake needs to not charge this and I agree with Eric, the money is a waste. I understand the locals are trying to make up excuses and trying to tell people it's not that bad in some spots JUST SO THEY CAN COME UP AND IMPROVE THE ECONOMY (that is WRONG!) THE FACT OF THE MATTER is that it is VERY AWFUL to put a boat in let alone smell the awful stentch! Sorry for the lengthy note but PLEASE BE TRUTHFUL when explaning to people what your idea is "THE TRUTH" It is plain and flat out AN AWFUL LAKE TO FISH right now!
      City: rocklin

      Tips: Wait until this lake turns to it's natural, good condition!

    • By

      Water Temp: LOW TO MID 80s

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: It's fish'in not catch'in. Somedays are better than others. WE ARE ALL BLESSED ! We able to fish on one of the best fisheries in the United States. My buddy Rich Bumpus always reminds me that everytime you fish Clearlake you could catch a bass of a life-time. He's right. always remember, KEEP IT REEL !
      Don
      City: UKIAH

      Tips: don't forget that big fish eat small baits too! Not always is the 1# swimbait the way to go for lunkers.

    • By

      Water Temp: N/A

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: This is my personal opinion sorry if you don't like it: Don't you think you could Use the FORUM for these opinions. I open this REPORT page I am looking for a fishing report and fishing information not your bickering. Thanks!
      City: Fairfield

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 74-75

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Started in disappointment and my partner catches 8 keeper size fish on a black buzzbait.I was switching between a frog,senco, and a red/ornge lipless crank, got two little blow ups on the frog and lost two small ones on the crank. After about three hours of that we move to franks and nothing there so we move on to fishermens cut. I get a 5lber on the frog, we got a couple decent blow ups on the frogs. after a blow up I immediatly followed up with a punch skirt but they wouldnt ead it. There was alot of activity under the cheese matts, i dunno if they were chasing bluegill or shad but we couldnt get em to eat the frog or punch skirt.
      City: modesto

      Tips: Dont think im the guy ya wanna take tips from right now lol im strugglin out here!!qu

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Right on Ross! I was hoping one of you long-time locals would post and set the record straight. I too am tired of the b*tchin, complaining and finger pointing. It's gotten to the point that I don't even want to look at the Clear Lake report because I know that there are virtually no substantial fishing reports....just a lot of crap about how bad the fishing is and who's fault it is. Mother Nature is doing her work and sometimes it has an adverse effect on the fishery. Get over it! It's temporary! Our club has a two day tourney the third weekend in August. Based on Ross' info I'm glad we are fish mornings only on both days. Once again, thanks again for your insight and settin the record staight.
      City: Palo Cedro, Ca

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Here are some facts about what is going on here on Clear Lake.

      Yes there is algae. It is worse in some areas of the lake than others and it moves daily and even hourly depending on the winds, overall though, it is not as bad across the entire lake as it was last year at this time. It does not effect the fish but it can be annoying to the fisherman(woman). Mornings are best to fish algae free due to the overnight temperature drop and lack of sunlight that the algae flourishes on during the afternoon. No agency or private party that I am aware of is "spraying to kill the algae", period. There is a very temporary fix for breaking up algae that plugs up the launching areas and that is to break it up with a fire hose with lake water, but it is a very short term fix. Those of us with 30+ years on this lake have seen algae that is much worse.

      The single biggest factor in the lack of productivity of the lake producing numbers of fish this year (in my opinion)is the lack of bait fish. Two cold winters 4 and 5 years ago pretty much wiped out the threadfin shad that were in the lake in absolutely huge numbers. It is not the first time this has happened. I have not seen a shad or a silverside minnow this year. And even though there are reports of anglers seeing some, the numbers are tiny in comparison to what is required to maintain the population of bass we used to have. It is a simple fact that all indications lead to a smaller population of fish for us all to share. Forget the "80-200" fish days, it isn't going to happen.

      What I report to orgs looking for fishing reports is a compilation of my own results, those of a few other active guides I network with as well as on the water conversations with anglers who range from casual to top level tournament competitors. I have spoken with no one who has caught more than 10 fish in a day this month. I have seen reports where people are "whacking" them but whacking them to me is 25+ fish days. My reports are as accurate as the information I am given and my own observations. We are catching 5 t0 9 fish and day and they are running between 3 and 6 pounds. Not good numbers but still decent size.

      I run this lake 3 to 5 days a week and have for the past 8 years. My motor has not gummed up due to algae or weeds. I have wrapped my lower unit enough to hamper the water pressure but you just have to keep an eye on it and when it begins dropping, put the motor in reverse and back up a bit and it usually clears. Once a year the water pump gets changed and the lower unit gets fluid changed and seals checked. Regardless of where you fish that is basic motor maintenances.

      There is a spraying program that dock owners can get a permit for and have a licensed contractor apply herbicides to their dock and immediate surrounding water (5 - 7 yards from what I have seen). It is an expensive propostion and it is a limited amount of owners who appear to be able to afford it. In speaking with the folks who monitor hydrilla, this year has been a very light year of hydrilla growth and they have done very little herbicide application.

      I usually don't take the time to post but there is so much crap being written about what is going on up here that it starts to wear on you and in some cases some of the posters impune your intergrity by suggesting people aren't telling the whole story. There are the facts as I see them. If you wish to shoot me questions for answers from my perspective or rant at me...ross_england@sbcglobal.net. In the meanwhile, if you don't know what you are talking about, quit talking.

      Tips: Don't launch at a ramp clogged with algae and weeds. Don't run the lake without watching either the water pressure guage or checking the tell tale (or pee hole) where the water comes out of the side of most outboards. Do fish the mornings. Do fish in areas that are a little clearer, there are plenty of them. Have a good time.

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished White Slough & Disappointment Slough. Caught 13 from dinks to a 6 pounder with best 5 going 15 pounds. Plenty of action on crankbaits and tubes. Big fish hit a sexy shad crank. Also had good results with a red speed trap.
      City: Stockton

      Tips: Most were caught tight against banks even at low tide.

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 80-83 5 am to 1

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: algae/grass at Rattle S. to sulfur pits,looked like a billion green feathers suspended in the water, hooked 1 fish on ripbait brought in grass next 100+casts,Ander IS. the same,left. 7/22/10 Lakeport went casino area carp spawn in process, grass a 1/4 mile from shore saw 1 boat stuck in grass,went to Rocky pt. grass to the surface in 14ft did catch 1 3lb fish on drop shot saw SPRAY BOAT went to NICE [grass] 1 fish on frog back to dock to wash rig,very disappointed worst water and fishing in 25 yrs at this time of the year.
      City: Clearlake Calif,

      Tips: wax your boat/trailer before you come.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Planning to go to los banos crk. res.this sat.the 24th. can any one tell me if the fishing has been ok or good . thanks
      City: Redwood city