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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Monday, April 12th, 2010

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

      Report: Bassbusters of Yuba City are having their Spring Invitational on May 15th at Lake Oroville. We will be launching out of the Spillway. Sign ups at the ramp from 4am-530am. Or e-mail your address and we can mail out a sign up form.
      City: Plumas Lake

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 49-54

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: From 4/5 to 4/9. Weather still has the water cold. The fish I found were is 25ft. Stayed in the Sac arm all week to conserve fuel. Warmest water was in around Little Sugarloaf Creek arm. Best results was small plastics (<4"). Fish are not aggresive, all pressure bites.
      City: San Ramon

      Tips: Find the warmest water. Fish very slow.

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 60-62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Went out on Saturday. Cold and windy. Fishing was slow until later in the day. Fished the island in middle bay 0 fish. Then went to Big Creek.
      Found some 2 1/2- 3 lb Smallies. Nice looking fish. Could only get 2 off each spot. Fished the top of the submerged islands. One guy on the boat got a couple 4 lb LMB
      City: Ventura

      Tips: Fish were biting on split shot 4 or 5 " roboworms. Hologram shad or prism shad (smallies likes the prism shad best). Fished at a medium retrieve, between 1/4 to 3/8 ounce weight with 2' of leader. Tried dropshot and some cranks but no takers.

  • Mariposa County
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      Water Temp: 59-61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Thursday and Friday. Found the fishing still a little slow, especially in the am.
      Weather was nice, wind was not too bad. Had 4 people on my pontoon both days. Everyone on both days exceeded 10 fish each but the size were all in the slot. Only 1 LMB both days didn't even go 2 lbs. Te rest were 12-15 " spots.
      City: Ventura

      Tips: Split shot and dropshot. Seemed to like 6" morning dawn straight tail, natural shad 4" fx sculpin and margarita mutilator 5 1/2" curly tail
      Got one decent spot on a rattlin rouge. Look for boulders and rocky points. Fish are not to far into the coves yet. 10-20 ft water

    • By

      Water Temp: 55 at surface

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Basshole

      I'll try to give you a little current info, and my take on San Pablo. I live just a few miles from the lake and fish it often, for many years. The lake has a well earned reputation of having a tough bass bite. It can be frustrating because it doesn't have a huge amount, or great variety of classic bass structure like a lot of lakes do. After four years of extreme low water conditions (because of the earthquake dam repair),...they have finally brought the water level up to almost full pool. In some ways it is like a new lake again because of newly flooded areas, creating some good wood along shorelines and great bass habitat in the newly flooded south end...(which is trolling motors only). The lake is only open to private boats 4 days a week. (Thurs. - Sun). It is a four-stroke only lake, unless you have one of the approved clean 2-strokes. They do mussel inspections. Do not show up with any standing water in your boat or live well, or you will be turned away. The lake LM record is 17 lbs....caught on a night crawler and is now dead, (they did make an effort to release it, but it didn't make it.) Swimbait fishing for trophy LM has been good up until the last four years or so. Low water, and a ban on DFG trout plants has set the swimbait bite back. Also, many shore fishermen who fish for trout with nightcrawlers often catch double digit LM bass that are not released. I've been on a hot spotted bass bite for over a month now. Like it or not,...they seem to be taking over the lake,...after being illegally planted 10 or so years ago. In prior years while fishing for LM, I've only caught spots up to 13 or 14 inches at most, but this month I've caught several 3 to 4 lb,...with biggest 5.9. A few 4 and 5 pounders have been caught by others who are fishing for LM. Don't know why these bigger spots are suddenly showing up after years of only small ones. I've been dropshotting and splitshotting,....but they have also been hitting chatterbaits and lipless cranks. Who knows maybe Pablo has a new state record spot in it's future someday. LM fishing hasn't really started yet,...many spring storms,...cold water run off, stained water. Now, IF the water level is kept at normal, and IF...the DFG can resume it's trout plants,...and IF trout fisherman can somehow quit keeping so many 10 and 13 pound fish,...then maybe San Pablo has a good chance in a few years of being a good big bass lake again.

      Good Luck at SP....
      City: El Sobrante, CA

      Tips: The key at SP is to make a real effort to learn exactly where the relatively few good bass areas are. Find the "quality water",.. don't waste years fishing good looking but "dead water". I fish Pablo a lot because it's only 10 minutes from my driveway to the launch ramp, and I know the lake a little bit,....but, if you want easier limits, more bites, bigger average fish,...better swimbait action, stick to the Delta, Berryessa, or other good N. Cal lakes.

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

  • Amador County
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      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Water level has come up. Saw some fish on beds. New storm was coming in, cloudy all day. Threw Plastics, spinnerbaits, crankbaits. Could not get any takers. A lot of boats on the water. Saw 1 keeper fish caught all day. Made for a long drive home. Won't go back until weather levels out.

    • By

      Water Temp: 56-68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: That granular algae is back. Spent Thu/Fri and 1/2 Sat at the lake and I give the bite a 3 out of 5. Two weeks ago, with water in the mid 50s at midday, we pounded them with jerk baits and stop & go cranks up close. This time, only a couple on that technique, but plastic was the ticket. We caught most fish in 10ft or less in the 2-3lb class (typical Eastman size) Shallower near deeper proved best for us. I mixed up the plastics and they basically hit all of them - some bites damn near took your rod out of your hands, others subtle line ticks. All in all, great trip. Not the numbers or size we were looking for, but still killer. City Limits usually by noon.
      City: Pacific Grove

      Tips: Be ready. Some will really bite agressive, others will lightly pick and move. Water on camp side in upper sixties on sunny days by 4pm; day use side typically high 50's to 60 by 4pm. Snap your pics and gently release! There is talk of opening up river 5 months a year next year; keep fingers crossed.

    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: RANGER KEITH INFORMED ME OF A 15LBER+ WAS CAUGHT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.THE FISH WAS CAUGHT IN THE KEEP OUT ZONE BY A COUPLE OF GUY'S THAT DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT?THE FISH WAS TAKEN HOME.
      City: PLANADA

      Tips: PRETTY SLOW HAD TO MAKE ALOT OF CASTS,JIG'S,WORM'S,JERK BAITS.IF YOU LIKE FISHING GRASS THIS LAKE HAS IT,10 FISH BIGGEST WAS 4 LBER LOOK LIKE A MALE REAL HEALTHY THOUGH!

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 57

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Worked coves (out of the wind) in the N. Fork with dropshot. Dad and I picked up seven between us using 4.5" prizm shad roboworms. One hit on a Senco watermellon w/black flake. No hits on other colors. Bite was VERY light. Thanks for the tip deepvbasser... my kids had a great day today!
      City: Sacramento

      Tips: Catch & Release!

    • By

      Water Temp: 54-56deg

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Worked S.Fork inlet sides; brother and I picked up 2 with eggs..2.5 and 3 lbs. Then on to another quiet cove and picked up another 2.5lb male, female tagged along to surface and was probably 4 lbs, noticeably bigger as she swam with her mate. Just 3 for the day but still fun.
      City: folsom

      Tips: Used zappu inchi-wacky rigs; bro used perch dropshot worm (3.5"); I used 6" pro-worm in prizm shad. probably others had better luck with something different but this is what we stuck with today.

    • By

      Water Temp: not sure

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the lake today from about 8am to about 4pm. Caught 5 bass and my nephew caught 2. The biggest one was around 7lbs. Not sure what the hell the last guy was talking about. I've been fishing the lake for around the last month and have been getting bass off thier beds. Let me know when you want to learn how to fish this lake and i'll show you how it's done. In total i've gotten at least 5 fish over 5lbs this year
      City: Petaluma

      Tips: Caught and release bedding bass......

Friday, April 9th, 2010

  • Napa County
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      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: So i was at pleasure cove resort for the day and thought why not do some fishin'. so i grabbed a pole and headed down. a lot of bedded bass in the cove by the houseboats, and a few already paired. i was throwing a rat-l-trap and only caught one of them around 2#. they also took a liking to a black and red 3/8 oz. jig, so it was a good day especially fishing from shore. felt weird to cast to em' from shore lol
      City: Dixon

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: Cold

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well I just finished the CBC on the delta, placing third. I started the day just outside of frank's on a rock wall with tullies throwing a koppers craw, but only caught one about twelve inches. I then moved south and started hopping points all the way down to the east end of victoria slough, long pitching a zoom super hog with a pegged 1/16 bullet weight, trokar hook on 12lb. flourocarbon line soaked with pro-cure. this is what I caught all my keepers on. The key right now, I believe, is to make long pitch casts, so the splash and the boat don't spook the fish. I leave all electronics off as well, and let the lure sit, peel off line like you have a backlash, so the lure falls straight down and let it sit, the waves, wind and current will give it enough action and repeat on the next point.All my bigger fish came in water about twelve feet deep. I did not have a limit until 1 oclock and knew I needed another big fish to make the top ten, so I moved up near the west end of disappointment slough and started fishing boat docks. With the high sun and high tide, I figured they would be there, and they were loaded. I stuck about a seven and culled a couple more. The delta has been tough right now, with the competition from the sea lions and all, but hopefully this helps some of you getting ready for the WRL delta on the 18th. It's off to shasta for me and having only fished it one other time,so I'm up for a challenge.
      City: Sacramento

      Tips: Fish the lure slow and position the boat as far off the bank as you can.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Sorry to hear about your partner may god bless his soul .Im sure he will be missed. PLASTICMAN1
      City: Elmira

      Tips: none

    • By

      Water Temp: 64-67

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Got to the lake at 7:00 p.m. to check out the night bite. Started in upper lake (5mph zone) throwing blades until I broke it off. Went to a shallow crank and caught 3 fairly quick right off the bank. My partner was throwing a buzz bait which they were eating pretty good. I picked up a chatter bait and caught another 4 or 5 on it. The bite slowed down around 10:00 and we picked up a couple more here and there. All fish were 2-2 1/2 lbs. never found the toad I was hoping for.
      City: Fresno

      Tips: The fish seemed to go after anything moving near shallow grass. Maybe try deeper water nearby for a kicker.

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

      Report: I use the Browns Ravine website. They have a link to check weather, wind, water level ect. Its great! Good luck!

  • Fresno County
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      Water Temp: 60

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished early morning (0700). headed up river threw swimbaits, spinnerbaits and worms and only managed to catch one 3lb bass on a roboworm (dropshop 6inch holoram shad). From there moved to the marina and caught 7 more on roboworms FX sexy shad (dropshot). fish are in the 20-30 ft of water . Still no spawners wich is akward all fish caught were males released safely.
      City: Lemoore

      Tips: worms worms worms. Hologram Shad and Sexy Shad colors.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 51-53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: The numbers were low for this time of the year. Three of us in the boat caught 30 fish in 7 hours. The quality was nice. All but 4 fish were between 2-3 lbs. The ususal techniques of split shot, darter head and drop shot close to the bottom worked.

      Tips: Fish slow and put the bait right in front of their nose. The bites were light ticks or we felt weight. The wind picked up around 11:30 - 12 noon and made fishing slow even harder. Plastic color did not matter.

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 49.0

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Jones Valley. Lake was hit with a strong north wind so we headed for a south facing cove not far from boat ramp. Found fish at about 25 feet on the finder. Dropped minnows to bottom with slip bobber. Within 2 minutes, wife had 2 - 12" black crappie in the boat. Next two hours before sundown, we caught 12 black and white crappie and had lots of fun doing so. Talk about goood eating!
      City: Cottonwood

      Tips: Take the family fishing, they will love you for it!

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: 55 58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: OH WHAT A DAY..........I BACKED DOWN THE RAMP AT 6.30 AT YORTY CREEK GOT READY TO LAUNCH AND THE BOAT SLID OUT OF MY TRUCK AND INTO THE LAKE.. BOAT MOTOR 6 RODS TACKLE BAG OARS BATTERY ETC.HOPING THE WIND WOULD BLOW IT BACK I CHASED IT DOWN THE BANK.AFTER 5 MINUTES OR SO THE BOAT STARTED TO BLOW AWAY FROM THE BANK.WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMPS AT 35 AND WATER TEMP AT 55 I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DIVE IN AFTER IT.....BY THIS TIME IT WAS ABOUT 50 YARDS OFF SHORE.I SWAM OUT GOT MY BOAT AND SWAM BACK TO SHORE. WHAT A WAKE UP CALL.. THE FISHING WAS GOOD ALL DAY. I USED XRAPS .. SPINNERBAITS AND SENKOS.. CAHGHT A FEW ON OPEN BANKS BUT MOST BITES CAME IN AROUND TREES IN 19 FEET OF WATER.....
      City: SANTA ROSA

      Tips: THROW SENKOS IN THE TREES SPINNERS AND XRAPS DOWN THE BANKS..............