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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Wednesday, May 1st, 2019

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 69

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing the southern part of the lake from 6am to 6pm. The day started slow with only 5 fish for the first 3 hours. All in the tules off sinko. All solid fish from 3 to 5.43 lb. Fished the rock in the 10 to 17 foot range and started to catch numbers all on jigs. Moved to docks and the frog fish came to play. Ended the day with 30 plus fish with the numbers coming on plastic under the docks and rocks.

      Tips: All is working right know but things are changing and this great fishing will not last much longer. Don't forget to support the local tackle shops around the lake.

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: y Inland fisheries advocate » Wed May 01, 2019 3:08 pm

      If you can get to Shasta lake it is the best fishing I've had in 40 years. We were on Sacramento arm for a week. Most fish in first 15 foot. Senkos in baby bass & rainbow trout... Bass are far and have nice shad in their mouths. Willows are packed with fish & the lake is basically full

Sunday, April 28th, 2019

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Spent the weekend in Lakeport with the family. Bass are in full spawn mode, we caught 9 sight fishing in the backyard of the house we rented. First morning at Rodman was our worst day with only 1 bass (and a very large Crappie), but it was our biggest of the trip. Spent the rest of the time fishing docs and the grasses in between them, up and down Lakeport. Everything came on plastics, either Senko or shakey heads of various colors. It wasn’t our best trip for size or numbers but the ones we caught up to 3 1/2#’s were all fighters.

Thursday, April 25th, 2019

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got on the water at 2;00 pm and fished til 6;00 pm . started at Mooney and blanked , went to beals by the swim beach and fished the trees , caught one . Then went to the peninsula to fish the trees and started getting them . The shady side is where the fish were . Some trees hold one and others might have three or four . The real problem is the trees that hold none , it seems you fish four trees and only one of them will have fish .
      Mornings are a lot slower than afternoon , that will change as the warmer weather is starting .
      Ended up with my five best over 14 lbs , Had a 3.5 SM , 3 plus LM , Lots of spots over 2.5 . My last tree I caught ten spots in thirty minutes , almost every cast . Had a little over twenty fish , most came the last two hours .

      Tips: All on weightless wacky senkos , color didn't matter that much , used green pumpkin and baby bass 5'' on wide gap 2/0 . cast leave 8' of slack and watch your line for a fish swimming away . You wont feel the bite if your doing it correct . cast every thirty seconds or so to cover lots of water ,

  • Shasta County
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      Report: by Inland fisheries advocate » Thu Apr 25, 2019 6:37 am

      Don't hear much on lake shasta... it is fishing great... We're fishing senkos..
      Time to get out & enjoy this fabulous fishery

Wednesday, April 24th, 2019

  • Napa County
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      Report: by Kyle46N » Wed Apr 24, 2019 6:14 pm

      I've read plenty about Berryessa post spawn, and that there are bass everywhere in the shallows, but up until today, never had the chance to fish this time of the year. Deployed last year mid April and missed it, but my wife and kids had a ton of fun today. Looks like we missed the crappie spawn, but there bass everywhere in 10 ft or less. Threw small craw plastics on light jihheads, darter heads with TRDs, and Neko'd senkos, and ended up with fiftyish largies, spots, and smallies. Too much fun. Nothing big.....also like I've read, but fun. Surprisingly, our biggest fish came on flukes in 30 ft of water over balls of shad. Spots and largies around 3 lbs. Pretty cool. Anyhow, get out there and have some fun!

Friday, April 19th, 2019

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 60-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished from 8:00 am - 3-00 pm. Bite began to pick up around 10 once the sun hit the water. I could see down about 10 foot up the North fork, and if I saw one, there were multiple in the area. Largest fish was a 4.54, with one 3.4 to follow, and some other little keepers.

      Tips: Fish brush from 10-17 ft of water. Especially focus on the isolated tree tops off from shore. I caught them all on a nekorigged senko in a natural shad color. I did throw an S-Waver for a little and got lots of followers.

Wednesday, April 17th, 2019

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-61

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I took Clara Ricabal yesterday (Tues) to Bullards Bar. She had never been there before and was anxious to see the famous lake. Well, I guess she had a great guide - or something!! Clara doesn't mess around. She mastered the lake in just 3 hours - hooking and landing a 7 lb 2 oz spotted bass. Yea, Clara, this lake is EASY!!! What a pig - NO, not Clara!! A giant pre-spawn, gorgeous bass!!! One doesn't often get to see a fish like that! Clara also caught a 4 lb spot later in the afternoon. I chimed in with a 5 lb 1 oz spot later in the afternoon also. Three for 16+ pounds. We were 3 for 4 as I lost another big spot. Couldn't stop her and she came off in about 10 seconds. Bummer!!


      I always like the afternoons in the spring, especially higher elevation lakes like Bullards, Clear Lake, Scotts Flat, Englebright, etc.

      Bullards seems to be about 7 or 8 feet from full with a few creeks still flowing. Warmest temp I found was 60-61.

      Tips: Try to find areas that have a lot of afternoon sun and protected from the wind.

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 59 to 63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with my friend Brian . We started fishing the trees and the bass were not complying with us . By noon we had maybe four fish just under two lbs . Started fishing rocky banks in the north arm and started getting them . We went back to the trees later in the day and they just were not there or biting . We fished Anderson island to Rattlesnake we caught over thirty , sounds like a lot but not really . lots of slow areas between the hot spots . Largest was a 2 lb 14 oz spot . We caught Largemouth , spots and smallmouth . I still think the bite will break loose soon with the warm weather coming on .

      Tips: All on wacky senkos , light line . no weight . on the drop . 5'' natural shad . nothing on blades or Keitec swimbaits

Tuesday, April 16th, 2019

  • Napa County
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      Report: Postby Duke » Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:36 am

      Thanks to the 26 Teams that fished the 7th event of the Pasote Tequila & Berryessa Bass Tournaments Circuit that was on April 14, 2019 and hosted out of Markley Cove. We had a clear and warm blast off with Duke almost forgetting to blast boats 20 through 25! We did have a breezy, sunny, and warm weigh-in with Chili Dogs for all! Most of the teams got there limit while searching for a big bite all day, but a few teams got their kicker! Most teams reported catching their fish in 1 – 15 feet of water. Water temps are up into the low 60’s range with the water clarity slightly murky tan/green, especially after the rain and winds again. A few coves seem to have clear water though! Top weights are getting better slightly, but overall still in the 13-14lb range. Teams reported catching their fish on Swim Baits, Jigs, Drop Shot, and Reaction Baits. Most teams were fishing off the Main Body of the lake in cuts, coves, and creek channel

  • Amador County
    • By

      Report: Fishing Camanche April 16

      Today we took advantage of the last storm of the year. Well, maybe it's the last storm of the year. We'll see.

      The surface temperature of the water was at 64 degress.

      With 3318 cubic feet per second of water coming in and 2400 cubic feet per second going out, the lake is rising, which usually makes for good fishing and it did today!

      We concentrated all our efforts on slow-tapering, gravel rock banks with an assortment of baits from topwater lures to Carolina rig’s.

      It seemed like the fish were in the 4 to 12 foot range.

      And we saw a lot of fish on beds.

      I hope this helps good luck fishing and please practice catch and release!

      Stan

Monday, April 15th, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 61

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: We went out to Berryessa on Sunday, launched from Capell around 10:30 am. We fished the narrows (for the first time) the entire day and the bite was tougher than expected. First of all, the water level was very high. Rather than spend the entire day trying to graph rock structure I love to fish so much, we concentrated our efforts shallow. We pick them up on ned rigs, drop shots, and finesse jigs. We mostly fished coves to beat the wind. Ended the day early with 8, as my trolling motor steering cable broke. Common problem with early Minn Kota Ultrexes! Disappointing but stuff happens. Next time I'll have to do some dedicated graphing, gotta put the time in, shallow water fish aren't always there!

      Tips: The shallow water bite wasn't as hot as I wanted, but then again our plan of fishing the late afternoon/evening was foiled by our trolling motor issue, so who knows. Most of y'all know the drill, drop shots, ned rigs, and finesse jigs work year round. Each cove had a murky side and a clearer side, and the clearer side was always the ticket. There was a tournament off Markley the same day, so if I had to do it over again I would've made the run north to schoolhouse island and fished down the rock garden, I'm familiar with that area and it's always been kind to me!

Sunday, April 14th, 2019

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 54 to 60

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I have been fishing Folsom the last two weeks with good results , day to day its different . The bite picked up with water temps two weeks ago . reaction and keitecs were working well . Now however it seems that bite has slowed down and plastics in and around trees is working well . I think the best bite has yet to happen . The north wind the last few days has not helped , as well as the temps dropping 5 degrees . Still the fish are there , you just have to work for them . More sun this next week will make it better . The best fish the last week has been a 5.5 spot , 5 and 4 Largemouth and to many 3 lb and 2 lb fish to count . One day will be a fish every 10 to 15 minutes and the next day every 30 minutes .

      Tips: Senkos on 6 lb fluoro next to trees . If you don't get bit in five minutes go to a different tree or trees . Trees in 15 feet is the sweet spot .

Saturday, April 13th, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-60

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: This short report is late since I have been very busy with family activities lately - like going to grandson's little league games which seem to be every day - lOL!! And - 45 miles away! I did a Berryessa trip with 2 excellent bass fishermen on Tuesday. The day started out with a beautiful morning, clouded up at noon, and rained a little in the afternoon. Then, post-front. Not sure if that was the reason, but the bite was slower than previous trips - and - the bass were a little smaller. Again, we stayed in the narrows as there was a lot of afternoon wind. They caught all three species, and they were all caught in deeper water. Those shallow bank bass that were so willing in recent trips seemed to be less active - lots of pressure bites. They were drop-shotting their favorite baits I tried to get a jig bite going - no luck. I was really surprised at the slow bite, but that is what a weird weather event can do.

      Tips: Nothing much to offer as a tip because the bite was really off compared to previous trips. It is very interesting to see how the bass react in the spring to various weather patterns. One little weather change and they will change in a hurry! Still, overall a good day for numbers, not size.

Thursday, April 11th, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Enjoyed an awesome midweek day, weather dropped 10 degrees from the previous couple days, overcast all day never saw the sun. Got on the water about 7 off by 2. Caught all three species from 6 to 20 ft, there moving up towards the spawning areas for sure. Besides one reaction bite on a square bill all fish caught on finesse bites, dropshot, shakey heads, wacky, Texas. Nothing big but caught 10-12 fish. Should only be getting better specially when the water temp goes up some.

Monday, April 8th, 2019

  • Butte County
    • By

      Report: by Inland fisheries advocate » Mon Apr 08, 2019 7:38 am

      I miss Tom's weekly reports on Oroville so here is mine for Sunday. Fished about 4hrs. Caught about 12 bass, mostly on wacky senkos & drop shot white paddle tale grub. Mostly in back of coves & some rocky walls..

      Not on fire..but water clarity is decent... nelsen

Sunday, April 7th, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 57-59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Again, guided another adult father/grown son team yesterday. I know there weren't any big tournaments out of Markley Cove, but getting out into the narrows about 8 am was weird! NO boats anywhere - coming or going - on a Saturday!! Eventually saw a few around and many coming back in the late afternoon, probably from up north. As was the case during my last trip a few days ago, we never made it out of the narrows. The bite was great IN the narrows - certain areas - and my guests landed another bigger bass - about 3 1/2 lbs - and many, many quality bass. Their limit about 15 pounds. They were self-contained with their own equipment and baits - excellent fishermen!! A lot of drop-shotting. Always fun to watch an excellent fishing team (father/son, etc.) do their thing! I was almost a hero as I hooked a giant fish in the afternoon. Tried to slow it down for about 20 seconds but it came unbuttoned. I will think about that for a few days!

      Tips: I was SO happy that for the second trip in a row, rain cloud gathered and sprinkles began. This looked serious!! But as the last trip - it stopped and just remained cloudy all day. I was surprised to talk to a few tournament guys as they were securing their boats, and heard about their slow bite. One is well-known and was surprised at his somewhat slow day. I started wondering if the north end of the lake was slowing some and the lower end was getting better. That is a normal pattern for Berryessa - and Clear Lake. Just wonderin'. I threw jigs some but didn't get much action. We tried the backs of coves again this trip, but found more action in the main body. The lake is dropping some and that may have move them out a bit. I didn't look this trip but hear the Glory Hole lake release tube is nearly finished for the year. What a sight three weeks ago!!

Friday, April 5th, 2019

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Was on Clear Lake April 3rd-5th. The week prior had a nice warming trend with some sunny days, but naturally, when I arrived I brought the rain and cold temps with me.

      The first day was the best day. We scored around 30 fish on the north end, mostly up shallow around the newly submerged areas. I was throwing all sorts of reaction junk - crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits all produced about equally. I would change it up depending on the water clarity and the surrounding cover. My buddy had success on dark colored plastics, again mostly fished up shallow. Largest fish was 5 pounds - they are short and chunky right now!

      After that, the bite seemed to continually decline parallel to the cooling trend. Had to fish significantly slower to draw bites, and the bites we got weren't nearly as aggressive as before. Still, we found them up shallow near the fresh cover - just had to work a little harder.

      Heading back up in early May to hopefully catch some warmer conditions!

Thursday, April 4th, 2019

    • By

      Report: by WB Staff » Thu Apr 04, 2019 7:26 pm

      Posted this one sent in by StanL this week.



      This week we decided to head on over to Hogan. Here's the report from the day we were there.

      The surface temperature was 57° and and the fish are shallow.

      The quantity of the bite was pretty good, There was plenty of action; but most of the fish were in the 1 1/2-pound range.

      We caught them on everything from A-rigs to dropshots.

      We ran into Hogan local Kevin Caufman who had caught some nice ones. This is him shown.

      Good luck fishing!

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55-60

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I guided two very good anglers today, staying in the narrows because of the good bite. I suggested we not start too early - hoping for a better afternoon bite. Love it when plans work to perfection!! We did get an afternoon bite - a pretty good one! We worked lots of points, ledges, and other structure with fair results. I played a hunch with them in the afternoon. We started working walls with cover, and found lots of active bass. Some were very shallow and would hit their baits as soon as they sunk a foot or two. Deepest bass they caught were only down to 10 feet - if that! I don't want to reveal all their ideas, but some included swimbaits. I lost count, but they landed 15-20, almost all smallmouth. Biggest at 3 lbs.

      Tips: With this never ending weather pattern, you may need to move around quite a bit to find active bass. Look for shallow bass in the afternoon. I could not get a Senko bite at all. Hope to see some of you at Sacramento Fisherman's Warehouse tomorrow night. We'll talk about spring fishing!