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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

  • Lake County
    • 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

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: havent been up here in over a month. Water seemed to drop and the weeds have come in force. Spent most of the day fishing around the weeds for a steady pick on the 1-3 lbers. Pretty much caught most on a senko or a sweet beaver. I ended the day with 6 fish and my buddy ended with 8.
      City: VC

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: To everyone fishing this lake by boat, FIY - FLUSH OUT YOUR ENGINE A.S.A.P. IF NOT, PLEASE DRAIN YOUR LOWER UNIT. THIS CRUD IN THE WATER COULD CAUSE SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE TO YOUR ENGINE! To heck with the $10 annaul Quagga Sticker, HOW ABOUT THE $10 GOING FOR FREE BOAT WASH AND ENGINE FLUSH AFTER YOU GET OFF THE LAKE!
      City: pleasant hill

      Tips: I love this lake, but, time to let it go through it's cycle, besides, its has been sprayed with toxins to try and clear it up (BIG MISTAKE) it is killing off the fish!

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

      Report: Started around 6am and tried the top water along north fork in coves and the main body didn't get a bite! tried the Zara Spook and some buzz baits and no hits. Tried some shallower waters (8-10ft) with some small storm swim baits and got one then went to the spinner bait along some brush (still Shallow) and hooked a nice one unfortunately i lost it.
      City: Sacramento

      Tips: Try somethin new. the trick is to find the fish!

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Thanks dfg for closing the back lakes. Fishing for bass back there WAS one of my favorite summer activities. Its the closest and best lake around. It being closed does more harm then good to the many fishermen who rely on spending time back there, because many just stopped fishing in general, like me and my buddies.
      City: p-town

      Tips: If you ever have seen a steelhead in the back lakes please report on this page. Anyways how could catch and release BASS fishing affect the supposed steelhead fishery??

Monday, July 19th, 2010

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 78-79

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I read these reports often so I guess I better contribute. Went out today and started early at low tide punching mats. Had the best luck with hyacinth hydrilla combo on the edge of the hyacinth. Got 4 in the 3-4 lbs range with a few dinks in the mix. Tide came in and wind picked up so I started cranking wind blown rip rap banks with tule clumps. Got a couple more 3 lb fish with a lot of dinks in the mix. Prob around 16 lbs for best 5. Good day for me.
      City: modesto

      Tips: 1 1/4 oz punch rig with sprayed grass beaver and punch skirt and delta craw speed trap did it for me. Good luck.

    • By

      Water Temp: Pretty warm

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Hey T and Ky haven't seen you guys in awhile!! Seems like finally the big gals are starting to hit again, hit two last week one about 11 the other about 13 (no scale or camera LOL). Water is all the way up and they are pretty shallow by the tule's. I'd mention the spots but that would be silly since I did do the C & R thing!! I 'm using what I always use and they sucked it up really gently, after one "lift" all I saw was the line move!! I didn't hit anything else smaller, so I am wondering where all those smaller guys went?? Other than that the cats have been supplying the rest of the action. Hope to see you guys someday soon!!
      City: Antioch

    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: 2010 UPDATE...Recent meeting of San Benito County Water District with DFG affirmed that DFG's goal is total eradication of the zebra mussels in San Justo Reservoir, since it's the only lake in California with an infestation of zebra mussels. Now the timeline is that the necessary permits will hopefully be obtained by early 2011 (BUT, must be approved by Cal EPA which is currently under-staffed), a contractor (for the dosing) should be selected in Sep 2011, dosing with potash should occur in Oct 2011, confirmation of eradication would be in Feb 2012, and the lake could be re-opened for recreational use in spring of 2012.
      City: Monterey

      Tips: Don't hold your breath while waiting for the permit approvals...you'll turn blue!

    • By

      Water Temp: Warm

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: First time fishing shadow cliffs...man is that lake clear. Fished out of the kayak for nada. Saw one bass that was probably 1.5 lbs or so and a ton of small 2" fish.....
      City: Livermore

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: 76-80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Best luck early am at daybreak and throwing wack as the day got warmer. Green Pumpkin also Watermelon flake. No lunkers mostly 2-3 lb range.
      City: Ventura

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: I AGREE WITH DAVID! I have been fishing this lake for 32 years and this is the second time they have SPRAYED THIS LAKE WITH TOXINS and now all the bait fish and bluegill are GONE! This lake is a ghost-town. I use to catch 90-200 bass out of here and any given weekend. The County/F&G poisend this lake again (they did this back in the 80's and IT TOOK YEARS for the fish lake to recover. When you spray to kill the Algae, you also kill of the plankton which the BASS FRY, BLUEGILL FRY, BAITFISH, NEED THE PLANKTON TO SURVIVE AND GROW. Thank you Clearlake for killing of this lake AGAIN! Please leave this lake alone and let it go through it's natural cycle (no wonder this lake is a ghost-town)
      City: PH

      Tips: **TOO ALL GUIDES AND LOCALS, PLEASE TELL THE TRUTH ON FISHING REPORTS, THE TOILET CONDITIONS AND TELL YOUR CLIENTS THE TRUTH ALSO! THANK YOU!

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

  • Ventura County
    • By

      Water Temp: mid 70's

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Thanks to Ranger Rob for getting us on the water. $ 30.00 bucks check your vests / lights / fire extinguisher you get your ribbon for your anchor light and full plane until 8:30. They started at 3:00 and I got there at 5:00. I had immediate results on swimbaits and stuck with them until 7 ish. I had 4 3-4 pounders and pulled out a senko and stuck a four on the first cast...Hmm... woot.. I wasn't really ready for the evening thing so I tied up a dropshot/carolina rig/bubba dropshot/and big a$$ black and blue senko and went back to fishing I stayed with the swimbait but no go and I cranked for a solid hour and it got dark so I went fishing with my plastics fork...Not a tap in an hour and a half...So screw this I put down the hammer and started tossing buzzbaits. I was to lazy to find a black one so I just fished the white dbl. buzz I had tied on. I kept to the shadows throwing into spots that were frankly to dark to see.. unsure. Sometimes you'd get hung up immediately in grass but surprisingly enough I got along just fine huck'n and winding for about a mile. I made a cast and heard the bait bounce on the bank so not knowing what I'd cast into I just reeled down until I felt tension and popped it off the bank. Two cranks of the handle and BOOM. Missed her. But I said out-loud to nobody....Well that was fun! Rock2...So I kept doing the same routine of getting around corners and getting the light behind me and running the bank. You had to run the bait s l o w , s l o w, s l o w w e r. Boom! missed another.. Hilarius...Okay regroup and retie and keep go'n at 10:45 I stuck an 8 in an epic battle one point over from another boat. I put her in the livewell and got out my camera...Nope she's not going to work so I had drifted by these nice guys so we got to talking and they had just caught one on a black worm. I pulled out the fish since I couldn't take her picture and they thought she was a beauty. I went 20 feet past them and they caught a 4 pounder on the black worm....Hmmm? Na I kept going. A half mile farther down the bank i got sucked down like a little bluegill had it.... CENSORED...Those are always the BIG ones but in the ensuing hook set I failed to get enough in her when she went ape$hit and gone. Darn.. HammerHead..Back at it with 30 minutes to go I got cutoff by another boat so I dbl reversed the person unsure and they ended up beating me to where I had no intention of fishing while I continued down the bank by leapfrogging the cove. Wham! 6 pounder and time to go in. Felt sorry for the two guys whose truck didn't have the cajones to get them up the ramp...they might still be there CENSORED. Sure wish folks understood about headlights but we all got out and there were no fatalities so maybe I'll get out there again.

      August 14th
      September 18th

      are the next dates.

      Rip
      City: Ojai

      Tips: just go do what you want where you want.

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 81

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Christian Bass League (CBL) headed out for a dusk tourney 4-10pm. It was hot and the water was rough. Most teams were able to bring in at least 1 fish. The top team was Sexton and McGee bringing 14#8oz to the scale. They caught them on topwater- buzzers and poppers. Most everyone else found them on dropshoting purple worms, senkos or brushhogs. Join us for our next tourney at the delta(Sept) and then back to Pedro(Oct). Check-us out on Facebook or call me 209-988-5818
      City: Turlock

      Tips: Keep your fish cool. We put a bag of ice in the livewell with Rejuvenade and a little water until we had fish. Later I added a frozen 1gl bottle mixed with Rejuvenade and took the lid off so it could melt. After 6 hrs the water was still cool and the fish feisty.

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 81

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: nothing. not even a bite. on the water at 6am fished till 10am- fished south fork. trees, drug tubes, cranked, topwater in am, senkos, roboworms, splitshot, darter head, spinnerbaits, there were 4 of us and not one bite
      City: auburn

      Tips: wish i had some.... what happen my last few trips to folsom were great.

Friday, July 16th, 2010

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 85-88

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went fishing with Gill, from GILL's GUIDE SERVICE on Friday Night from 7 PM to 2 AM. Had a great time and Gill really set me up on some fish. He pulled out some kind of new "creature bait" that I had never seen before. He said the fish would like it... and they did !!! I caught 8 fish... biggest was a 5 lb 13 oz. Gill had a really Big Fish on but lost it at the boat.
      City: Shasta Lake

      Tips: I'd find out what new bait Gill had and head to the lake !!!

    • By

      Water Temp: 80-83

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: The lake wasn't muddy, just a major algae bloom! Yesterday provided one of the most amazing catches in my 29 years of guiding. I was taking a repeat customer - and his 11 year old grandson this time - from Colorado. We started about 5:30 am. After catching 4 up to 3 lbs and losing a few, I took him to a point in the Mountain Spring arm that featured a good drop-off. Near the end of the trip, about 12:40 pm with the temp pushing 100 degrees, he makes a cast with a 4 1/2" custom-made green pumpkin worm that he brought with him. When the bait reached the 20 foot depth, he set the hook and said it felt pretty good. We wern't prepared for a huge bass coming to the surface so we could see her, then diving deep. It took him over 4 minutes to bring her up again - the guide praying all the while that he had good line (he was using his equipment). Finally she jumped again, dove a little more, then came up and dove into the net! A beautiful spawned-out female at about 7 lbs 3 oz. My first reading was over 8, but will check out the scale tonight. Let me put it this way. This is not a normal bite at noon in the heat of summer at most of our lakes. Wow, what a great surprise and congrats to my client that handled the fish like a pro. What made it especially nice for this guide is that he lost a 12 lb class bass with me at Clear Lake about 4 years ago. Redemption is sweet!!!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: We only boated 5 bass, client's 2 1/2 and near 2 lb bass on Senkos. I have always found the summer jig bite to be fairly good and it paid off with a 3 pounder for me and a 12 incher - wow! We tried many types of lures and not much worked. He missed one on a spook early in the morning. The lake was absolutely dead in the early morning - NO fish activity except for a few dimpling shad. The lake appears to be dropping a little quicker now as a mudline is now showing on the bank. I think that killed the frog bite - I tried that quite a bit. Most fish and bait seem to be above the 30 foot depth right now.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 72+

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Got to "pink house" near Widdow Island by first light. stayed 30 minutes, threw everything. NO takers. I'm guessing the 6 otters that call this home have something to do with this. Headed to (south) Mildred Island. Fished tight. Nothing to brag about. Went back to Widdow Island and fished the entrance. Lot's of "followers" and even saw some in 5lb range but only aggressive males hit me. Ended up fishing mouth to Italian slough at high tide and got pounded by 1-2 pounders using green worms. Got hot out so i got the boat back on the trailer around noon. Left the marina and the temp outside was 94 degrees. Too hot to have fun.

      Tips: Haven't figured the pattern for low tide yet. High tide is good.