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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 48-50

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Stayed, launched, and fished Bridge Bay Resort. Water was stained to clear despite recent rain. Over 4 days the weather was a mix of cold snow and rain to sunny and warm. Found most of the bass in 20-35 ft of water with an occasional deeper or shallower bite. Caught fish on rocky points and steep walls. Dropshot, shakey head, and jig rig produced the best. 20 +/- fish a day 1-3 lbs.

      Tips: -Braided line to fluorocarbon leader worked better than straight fluoro or mono. More sensitive and less line twists.
      -I got better hookups with a 1/0 gama octopus hook compared to similar sized gama finesse split shot/dropshot hook.
      -Watch your graph for fish, but I do think my graph was not picking up fish that were tight to the bottom or laying in crevices.

Tuesday, March 12th, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Report: by Duke » Tue Mar 12, 2019 4:54 pm

      WOW, what an exciting weigh-in! First, a 9.74lb Pig gets weighed in the first flight, then a 11.19lb Mammoth comes to the scale in the last flight! Thanks to the 39 Teams that fished the 6th event of the Pasote Tequila & Berryessa Bass Tournaments Circuit that was on March 10, 2019 and hosted out of Markley Cove. The rain was falling through check-in, but stopped for blast off! We had a sunny warm weigh-in! The lake is full, the Glory Hole is flowing, and the Bass seem to be on the 1st spawning wave, or maybe even 2nd spawning wave! Most of the teams struggled for a big bite all day, but a few teams got their kicker! Most teams reported catching their fish in 5 – 15 feet of water. Water temps are down into the low 50’s range with the water clarity slightly murky tan/green, especially after the rain and winds again. Top weights are getting better, but overall in the 13-14lb range. Teams reported catching their fish on Jigs again. Most teams were fishing all over Main Body of the lake and the Narrows.

Monday, March 11th, 2019

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: by On The Water Guide Service » Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:22 pm

      Things are shaping up for a good early spring bite on Clearlake. We are finally forecasted for a warming trend starting this coming Wednesday with plenty of sunshine and a high of 60* and possibly even up to 70* by Sunday. This should bump the water temps up a bit and improve the bite considerably. I would expect to see some impressive weights coming to the scales in the 32nd annual Clear Lake team bass tournament scheduled for this weekend. The lake still remains in the flood stage with a reading of 9.78 on the Rumsey gauge as of this afternoon. With no rain forecasted for this week, the lake level should start slowly going down as the amount of water being released at the dam is greater than the amount flowing into the lake. All public launch ramps remain closed at this time. You can still launch at Konocti Vista Casino for $10 or you can launch mid lake at Braito's marina for $5. I recommend you bring some rubber boots to launch at Braito's because there is some water between the courtesy dock and dry land at the ramp. I heard Keeling park launch is open but is kind of sketchy launching by yourself. The State Park also remains closed.

      Water clarity is also steadily improving all around the lake. The muddiest water still seams to be coming out of Rodman Slough with a plume that stretches through Nice and most of Lucerne. Most of the creeks on the north end are running dirty but could switch over to running clear any day now. The last two storms that hit were pretty cold and the mountain ridges north of the lake have a good dusting of snow on them. Water temps are still hovering in the high forties in the morning and low fifties by the afternoon. I would look for the reaction bite to be the deal on both ends of the lake this week with some of the better size fish biting on lures like the A-rig, chatter bait, underspin, suspending jerk bait, squarebill, and swimbait.There is also a decent finesse bite going on with a shakey head, ned rig, and drop shot with a short leader. If you fish any plastics, use some scent and just let it marinate on the bottom.

      While most of the good crappie action has been down in the deep water of the south end, I would look for the action to start getting good in the North end with this warming trend. Anyone coming up to fish, please remember there is a 1/4 mile 5 mph zone being enforced around the entire lake. Remember to please be considerate to the home owners that are flooded around the shoreline. Good luck to everyone fishing in the tournament this weekend and enjoy your time on the water.

      Tight Lines,
      Troy Bellah

Sunday, March 10th, 2019

  • Amador County
    • By

      Report: by StanL » Sun Mar 10, 2019 6:57 pm

      I have been fishing 9 of the last 10 days and it has been a blast.

      Of the 10 days, 7 of them were at Camanche and 2 were at Melones with the surface temperature being really close to the same at both lakes.

      It starts out in the morning about 51 and goes up to 54 at Camanche. The water is as dirty as Camanche gets. I've been catching a lot more fish in 15 to 25 feet of water on 1/2 oz black and blue Jigs by working it SLOW in the main lake and the river.

      At melones, we’ve been catching them real good on drop off’s in the 35 to 50 foot range. I know that there are shallow fish there also, but we were on a pretty consistent bite in that depth range with 3/4 oz football jig and a Green Pumpkin Yamamoto Hula grub.

      GOOD LUCK FISHING!
      Stan

Monday, March 4th, 2019

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 50

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: FYI - Lime Saddle Marina is open, but choked with debris. Also - if you launch there - it is very shallow to the right side, its not marked - cheat to the dock side (won't be an issue in a few days as water keeps coming up). Fished all day in the rain Sunday - beware, there is quite a bit of debris and a few pretty large sleepers just below the surface. Also - the lake is looking a bit different, so beware of those long points and islands that are now under water. West Branch was chocolate - main body was dirty to dirty green. Water temps ranged 49-51. Bite was extremely tough. Be safe - good luck to those fishing the 90 next weekend.

Sunday, March 3rd, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51.3

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Today’s fishing pretty much sums up my last few weeks of fishing.. Terrible... started the day on the main part of lake and threw everything at them... Ned, swim, drop shot, Jig, and Jerk. Between two boats we caught two fish and they were Dink’s.... water level has risen quite a bit and water clarity was terrible... tried deep, fried some areas with trees and even went back into a cove to search for them shallow... Can’t wait for the weather to warm up and get the fun fishing back... this dude needs to build up his comfidence....

      Tips: Fish slow and throw the kitchen sink! Many boats on the water and they seemed to struggle as well...

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Postby On The Water Guide Service » Sun Mar 03, 2019 11:35 am

      Fished both ends of the lake recently. Had to truck over and put in at Braitos Marina being that the public ramps are closed. The North end is quite muddy with less than a foot visibility and all the creeks coming into the lake are raging bank to bank with muddy water and debris. Water temps were 46* to 48* and the north end bite was tuff to say the least.
      Fished North for a few hours without a single bite and came up with the following mathematical formula :
      46* muddy water + Florida strain largemouth = 0 bites

      The next day I fished south and the water clarity was much better although temps were about the same. I did a lot of scanning with my electronics and was able to graph a few fish far offshore and close to the bottom. Regrettably I had to get the fairy wand (spinning rod) out of the rod locker to catch a few on a shakey head. I had to just dead stick the bait on the bottom to get bit and the bites were very subtle and mushy. I did try some other lures and the reaction bite was non existent for me although I did catch a couple crappie on a vertical jigging spoon.

      Other than being in the flood stage, the lake Is really healthy and in good shape. There are huge schools of threadfin shad everywhere and the bass are shaped like footballs. Once we hit and maintain 50* water temps, the bite should improve considerably especially the North end. To anyone going out fishing, be careful out there, I saw a bunch of widow makers and lower unit takers (trees) floating out there in the middle. Next week I am going to hit the North end again and going to try to get it dialed in. I will submit another report in about a week or so. If this rain doesn't stop soon, I'm going to start building an Ark out in my back yard.

      Tight Lines,

      Troy Bellah

Saturday, March 2nd, 2019

  • Amador County
    • By

      Report: by StanL » Sat Mar 02, 2019 1:23 pm

      Couple of days ago, my buddy John and I went out during the storm trying to catch a big one on reaction baits,

      I started throwing a swimbait and John started cranking. After a while with no action I picked up a Strike King PB&J 1/2 oz football jig. On my first cast, I caught a decent fish in about 18 feet of water. With only a few hours to fish John picked one up also and for the next three hours we had a awesome time. It always surprising to me how fast these fish move up on the right day. We concentrated in the main lake on banks that were windblown and had some deep water out in front of them

      We went back The next day and the fish changed big time. The main lake got dirty from the rain and wind overnight and we ended up catching all of our fish up the River on breaks in 35 to 50 feet on 3/4 oz jigs.

      The lake is starting to fall with only 1,347. (CFS) coming in and 2,397 (CFS ) going out.

      I am going out today. We will see how it has changed again.

      Good luck fishing

Friday, March 1st, 2019

  • Amador County
    • By

      Report: Amador...
      Postby Freefall » Fri Mar 01, 2019 4:58 pm

      I grew up fishing it and had good success there years ago. I hadn't been there in 10 years so I gave it a shot today... what a disappointment... maybe it was the lack of visibility but I threw the kitchen sink at them and blanked... its been a long time since that's happened.

      Talking to a few guys at the ramp and store it sounds like the bass fishing has really taken a dive there over the years yet nobody knows why. It's unfortunate.

      Water temp. is 52 degrees and 1-2' viz. Not ideal but definitely tough fishing.
      Fear does not prevent death, it prevents life.

      You've never lived until you've almost died and for those who have fought for it, life has a whole new flavor that the protected will never know....

Tuesday, February 26th, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Report: by Xperience Fishing » Tue Feb 26, 2019 7:10 pm

      Conditions:
      With the recent rainfall we have seen the lake level rise close to 20’ over the last month. The inlets are flowing, some with clear water others with muddy water. We have been fishing in wind, rain and sleet with an occasional break between each storm. The water temperature has been 51 to 53 degrees on most areas of the lake. Some areas we have found warmer water later in the day in protected arms and coves. Most days the bite has been good for numbers and we did recently land a giant fish. Other days have been a little bit of a grind to stay on a consistent pattern. Most trips I have been launching out of Flemming Meadows and focusing on the main lake and nearby creek arms. With fluctuating water, inclement weather, seasonal patterns and fishing pressure the fish seem to be spread out from 5’ to 65’.
      Techniques:
      First and foremost, we spend most of our time fishing for trophy bass. Using large swimbaits and glidebaits mainly in trout patterns we focus on likely areas where big bass will ambush their prey. We have been getting a number of bites and followers with a few making it to the boat. To take a break from the lobbing of giant baits we will pick up an A-rig, jig or underspin to put fish in the boat. When it really seems to be tough and we are marking fish that won’t bite, switching to a compact shakeyhead or a small dropshot seems to get those finicky fish to respond.
      Highlights:
      On February 15th, 2019 I guided Jeb Bunker to his new personal best, double digit bass. He hooked and landed a massive 10-pound, 7-ounce largemouth. The monster knocked slack into his line while he was retrieving an 8” swimbait. He swung and the fight was on! Great fish! After weighing the fish and taking a photograph we released it back to the area in which it was caught.

      Tips:
      Spring is around the corner and the bite is only going to get better. With warming water temperatures, we should start to see a reaction bite develop. Stained water fish with bright colors, clear water stick with more natural colors.

      Xperience Fishing Guide Service
      xperiencefishing.net
      xperiencefishing@yahoo.com
      John Liechty (209)743-9932

Sunday, February 24th, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Report: by TravisH » Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:11 pm

      Quick run Pedro run down..Stayed in the main Lake jumping between Hatch, Big Creek and Rogers Creek..The bites were far an few in between for us throwing Jigs and swimbaits and ended up catching our limit slowing down with the jig an majority came on a dropshot and shaky head in 40-60’ Deep of water..

Saturday, February 23rd, 2019

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 53

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Franks area for a couple of hours not a bite. Also don't waste your time idling to the never built housing development past Emerald Point Marina, It is roped off and posted no trespassing.

      Tips: Wait a couple more weeks unless you know where to find clear water.

Wednesday, February 20th, 2019

  • Amador County
    • By

      Report: The lake water is on the rise and stained. Visibility is about 4 to 5 feet.

      Most of the fish have been coming between 35 and 50 feet on dropshot and jigs.

      The water temperature has been starting out at 50 degrees early in the morning all going up all the way to 53 in the afternoon Later in the day, the fish are moving up. I was catching them as shallow as 15 feet when it's warmer afternoon and the as the water rises during the day. The last week they are letting in more water from Pardee then they are letting out, so it is getting noticably higher as the week passed.

      I saw suspended fish, threw out a spybait and caught this crappie. There are some big crappe here.

      With the stormy, windy days coming, make sure you bring a swimbait or an a-rig

Friday, February 15th, 2019

  • Napa County
    • By

      Report: by Duke » Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:47 pm

      It was a Pretty Cold day on the water for all the teams. Thanks to the 25 Teams that fished the 5th event of the Pasote Tequila & Berryessa Bass Tournaments Circuit that was on February 10, 2019 and hosted out of Markley Cove. The rain held off, but it was still Cold! Hot Chili was all gone after the weigh-ins! The lake is still fishing well for numbers, and most of the field found limits, just no fish over 5lbs were weighed in. All the teams struggled for a big bite all day, but a few teams got a 4lber! Most teams reported catching their fish in 15 – 40 feet. Thanks to all teams for obeying the 5mph after Pope Creek Bridge and in Putah Creek! DFG saw no one breaking the law! Water temps are down into the low 50’s range with the water clarity slightly murky green, especially after the rain and winds again. Top weights were a little low overall in the 14lb range. Teams reported catching their fish on Jigs. Most teams were fishing all over Main Body of the lake, Narrows, and Putah Creek.

Thursday, February 14th, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: Water temp 51-53°

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: by RCook » Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:07 am

      Lake New Melones
      2-9-19
      On the water at 7:00 am
      Off the water at 3:30 PM
      Water clarity 4-15'

      Air temp 28-45°

      Joe and Brandon made the drive up to New Melones to come fish with me for a day and we absolutely hammered em! We started off in a major creek arm working jigs, underpins and senkos VERY slow over some bigger rock piles. It didnt take long to get the day started, as we had a fish over 5 lbs in the boat within a few minutes. We boated quite a few fish on the am side of the day, with most of them being very healthy 3+ pounders.
      Mid-day we decided to run to the main lake and fish some deep island tops in hopes if catching a big spotted bass, and although we didnt find the big one, we did go catch a bunch of spots and had some fun!
      Around 1:00pm we went back to another creek arm and ran the same pattern, fishing bottom bouncing baits slow over big rock in 15-35' of water, and they were still chewin'. We ended the day with 40+ fish, with our best 5 going around 23 lbs with a 7-10 kicker. Most fish were caught on 1/2 oz football head jigs. 1/4 oz Fatty's worms underspin, and 5" senkos on a shakey head.
      Another great day on the water with some great company! Book your trip today guys! 559-691-7008. $250 gets you a FULL day of fishing for 1 or 2 people.

Monday, February 11th, 2019

  • Sacramento County
    • By

      Water Temp: 47

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: We participated in the Vista De Lago High School Bass Tournament yesterday. 75 boats on the water and another well organized event with kids from all over NorCal. The guys running these tournaments are awesome.
      We got a keeper in the first hour which is our goal to weigh in at tournaments but after that, we had a tough day.
      Small mouth was caught on a shad color worm fishing slowly and dragging the bottom. I'm going to say around a quarter of the boaters didn't weigh in and most of the boats only got one or two. We drop shot deep and slow, we worked the vertical walls and secondary points. Even, tried over near the dam. Tough day, cold but no rain. A big thank you to Vista De Lago HS Fishing club for putting this on each February.

Saturday, February 2nd, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52-54

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: A friend of mine asked if I would like to join him for a trip to Don Pedro! YES I WOULD!!!! Haven't been there in about 35 years - since moving from San Jose. I love that lake and even guided there when still in San Jose, and did 2 guide trips after moving to Yuba City. Those two trips spelled the end of Don Pedro for me - 6 to 7 hr round trip from Yuba City!! We missed the early bite as we missed a few turns on the way there. I did get to see New Melones for the first time!! Oops - wrong lake!! I wasn't driving!

      We covered a good bit of the lake, with memories flooding into my head about this spot and that spot! I lost a fairly big bass just after we started, and the rest of the trip we caught about 16 to 18 bass, all from 1 1/4 to near 2 1/2 lbs - mostly largemouth and a few spots. No more big bites. We fished a bunch of different soft plastic baits and Senkos. Most bites were from 10 to 35 feet. it was a beautiful day - sunny and almost warm!!

      Tips: I really don't feel qualified to give tips as the bite was ok, but not great. Not anything in the backs of coves, but you have to try on a warmer day. Sun needs to get a bit higher on the horizon to warm the water.

      I used to trout fish the main Tuolumne (try spelling that!) river feeding the "old Don Pedro" before the lake was raised to its present size. Looking up at those workers building the 200-300 fi pillars for the new highway was a sight I would never forget! Glad I was a teacher - sort of a safe job!!

Tuesday, January 29th, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52-56

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: What a great start to 2019! We have been catching a lot of quality bass during the month January and recently the action seems to have really picked up. Last week I landed an 8-pound largemouth on a big swimbait and over the weekend we boat numerous fish from 3 to 5-pounds. The water temperature in some areas has begun to gradually warm and it is starting to feel like spring. A few fish are transitioning into shallow throughout the day, however many fish are still holding out deep. We have been covering a lot of water, fishing the main lake and major creek arms. The most consistent pattern has been jigs and shakeyheads fished down steeper banks. These areas can be fished from 5’ to 55’ feet with one cast. The next few months are some of my favorites and we are going to be catching some impressive largemouth and spotted bass. Join me on the water for an awesome fishing Xperience!

      Tips: Xperience Fishing Guide Service
      www.xperiencefishing.net
      xperiencefishing@yahoo.com
      John Liechty (209)743-9932

Thursday, January 24th, 2019

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 54

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: What a beautiful day to fish, clear blue skies with some sunshine. It was (2) days after a storm and within (1) week of another storm prior to that one. No fish! Worked some baits pretty thoroughly and used my sonar to locate fish. I found about 4 arches all day along a 2 mile stretch. I believe this post front has pushed these bass into the mud @ 70-80' and they were unwilling to bite. The arches I did find, I fished and they just wouldn't activate. Very skittish and spooked very easily. Can't beat a great day on the water though, even without fish in the boat.

      Tips: Only tip I can share is if you can, plan a trip 3 days after a storm..

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49-51

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I really enjoyed my 2 days at the Sacramento ISE show, working with long time fishing buddy and owner of Blade Runner Tackle, Rick Tietz - and others in the booth. You look at his big booth and realize he has created ALL those baits and colors you will see nowhere else. Meeting and talking to new and old friends at the show is always much fun. Fishing stories can get a little out of hand as they grow better each time you tell them - LOL!!! I was able to meet my first record holder - that is - WORLD RECORD holder (Spotted Bass), Nick Dulleck. He caught the giant spotted bass at Bullards Bar a year or so ago, at 11 lbs 4 oz. Talk about a trophy fish! We chatted for awhile and soon were planning a trip to BB. We went yesterday, in spite of the sudden cold front. Talk about having the lake to yourself - saw only 2 or 3 other bass boats. The bite was awful - he caught a few small ones and I missed a few bites. But that's January at BB. We did cover a lot of the lake, checking out different spots. He showed me the spot where the spot was caught. Info can be purchased. BAD JOKE!! NOT A CHANCE !!! THE SPOT is safe in my small brain!!

      Tips: We had a great time sharing experiences and ideas. It is exciting to see the younger generation so dialed in and excited about our sport that just keeps growing. We talked about lots of bass subjects, old and new, tournaments, etc. We did a lot of running around, covering much of the lake, showing each other many good structure patterns. It sure is a different lake than when I started fishing it - floating logs everywhere, very few big fish, no spotted bass, and so on. My first-ever guide trip was at Bullards Bar - a special lake for me!

      The bite should pick up in about 2 weeks, depending on weather. Not only is the lake at 2000 feet (colder nights), but it has a lot of extensive shadows with the surrounding mountains. Some areas only get a few hours of winter sun.