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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, May 17th, 2008

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 66-78

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Spent 3 1/2 days on the lake running up and down the Sac arm and the McCloud. Found a great top water bit in the morning up to 2.5 lbs. Caught a lot of fish on senkos near the shore then a crankbait along the mud lines in the afternoon. Caught a 5.3 pound spot on a speedtrap at 2 pm in the dirty water near the shore line.
      City: Rohnert Park

      Tips: Top water early and crankbaits along the mud lines in the afternoon. Great time to take the kids fishing because you'll catch a lot of fish.

Friday, May 16th, 2008

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 64-66

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I had the pleasure of taking our westernbass.com website boss, Tony Stoltz, to Berryessa yesterday morning where we shot an instructional video - when we could find areas to fish during the 3rd day of tough north wind!! We had to stay in the narrows because of the wind, but that area can be a video in itself. I think it will be fine. We Texas-rigged and drop-shotted Robo Worms in oxblood (good color yesterday), morning dawn, and green pumpkin. I was having us use the 6" worm - biting an inch off to make a bulker 5" version. We did alright and yes, Tony caught the 2 biggest! Contrary to rumors - he really CAN fish, har!!! In the time we did fish, we probably boated around 15 bass - all spots except one lm and one sm. It was nice that a couple of the structures I was describing in the video DID produce some bass. We found bass on windy banks to be quite shallow and others about 10 to 20 feet. The mudlines that were forming with the wind were probably very good in the afternoon - a great pattern at Berryessa on the clay banks.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I really can't say much about other techniques since we really only fished worms. I did try a little topwater but felt conditions wern't worth the effort. Structures that I describe in the video did hold fish as they usually do most of the year. After we were done, I realized that we could have shot 4 videos - I wasn't done talking and we had more structures to fish!!! Fun day with Mr. wb.com!

  • Santa Barbara County
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      Water Temp: unknown

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: On water 6:30 clear and warm allday long.Temp reached low 90's and light breeze. Bite was very slow, 2 shorts, 1 senko and one dropshot. Threw spook for about 3 hours nothing. Three tournaments over weekend so lots of prefishing going on. Bite seemed to be tough for everyone.
      City: santa maria

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

      Report: We got out there around 4pm, we fished the south end to the left of the swim beach and my buddy caught a 2lb trout within 10 minutes on white power eggs. I caught a couple of small trout on a kastmaster. No LMB though. We stayed until closing and my buddy caught a catfish and some other fish that I couldn't identify on chicken liver. I had a HUGE bite from a striper, but he shook off the hook.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Go for stipers after 6pm with chicken liver or top water lures.

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: around 76

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished around fleming most the afternoon.Catching fish between 2 to 6lbs hitting shollow points with shale rocks.fish liked brushogs& senkos,and topwater right at dark.Was going to try fishing after dark but but caught over twenty five fish so quit at dark
      City: Modesto

      Tips: work brushog 0 to 20 feet super slow makes fish angry and that good

  • Nevada County
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      Water Temp: 74

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: fished all night friday till the sun was just about to come up.
      My buddy Randy and I caught 40 bass, the biggest 5 went maybe 25 pounds.
      Broke off a few bigger ones because I bought cheap line.
      Most fish were in the last foot of water. we finally started catching them on top (buzzbaits).
      Most came on reaction baits though. like cb.'s in darker colors. Its a tougher bite when the water is 77 during the day.
      They are spraying weed killer on the hydrilla the 19th, and 20th, so the lake will be closed then.
      The chemical they use (syngenta reward) really has a noticeable effect on the bite.
      last year they wouldnt touch anything for 5 days, and the grass grew right back within 2 weeks. The powers that be need to consider adding dye to the lake instead of poison. the chemical binds itself to the lake sediment, i.e (the bottom and bass beds including eggs).
      Im not a biologist but it wouldn't surprise me to hear in 5 years that it is being pulled from the shelves because of adverse and unexpected reactions.
      City: auburn

      Tips: If you live here please take care of this treasure we have.

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

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

      Report: Has anyone fished this lake recently? I am going camping there memorial day weekend and wondering if is even worth bringing my boat based on the last few reports. Any info would help.
      City: bay area

  • Santa Clara County
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      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: O.k. now we have lost our local lakes to the zebra mussel for at least 2 weeks and they could be gone forever!! They state these lakes will be open again with an inspection of every boat and charging $7 to do so. Now what is it going to cost to get onto these lakes $20 per day, another way for this state to suck the money out of our pockets. Ohh yeah I just payed $135 for a venture pass so I would not have to pay every time, now they even screwed us with that.

      This mussel is across the united states and the lakes look twice as clear as these mercury tainted lakes and probably healthier. Please educate me on why they are trying to stop the introduction of this filter feeding mollusks.

      Around this area you have to take your boat out of the water daily anyways killing the larvae (Veligers) after 3 days of being dry.

      Now what happens if this mussel gets spread, we get to go fishing without a hassle again?
      City: San Jose

      Tips: Open the lakes so we can fish!!

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 69

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Stuck some solid fish today. Biggest was a big female at 15lbs the rest were 8lbs, 6lbs, 4lbs and several 2-3lb bass. All on whacky rigged senkos. For the sake of the Stren tourney going on I cannot give any more info for location.
      All my fish were caught in current and wind blown points. My PB day on the Delta, long overdue. Success to all
      City: Tracy

      Tips: Fish hard and fish in the wind even though it's miserable the bass don't mind.

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 72

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Clear Lake from 5-11 through 5-15. Fishing was slow until Thursday then the bite turned on. Fished out of Edgewater Resort. The bucks were up in the shallows 1 to 3 lbs. Caught fish mostly with dropshot on 6" MM II roboworms and senkos. My brother caught an 8 lb. bass on Tuesday. Thrusday night and Friday morning was an excellent bite. Rocks, docks, and tules it did not seem to matter when the bite was on. I wish I would of waited one more week to come fish the lake. I would say this next week will be the best week for the spawn. Thursday evening and Friday morning the two of us caught about 30 bass. Fish were mostly in the 1.5 to 3 lb. range with a 4 & 5 lb. fish in the mix. My brothers best 5 would of weighed in at about 19 lbs. Friday morning. I came from Ogden Utah to get a good pic and a fiberglass mount but I guess I will have to wait until next year (if I can afford the money for gas). My best ever was at Lake Powell in 1973 @ 7.5 lbs. One of these years I hope to come to Clear Lake and beat that weight. Go to Clear Lake and catch the fish I wanted to catch (Please release her so I can catch her next year. All fish we caught were released. Tight lines to all
      City: Ogden

      Tips: Weightless senkos, dropshot robowroms in red and purple colors worked best. Worked frogs and topwater in the early AM and late PM. (Only got one bite). Water was very clear--use 8lb. line. Get out on the water at first light. A very good bite the first 1.5 hours.

  • Yuba County
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      Water Temp: 70-82

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I decided to try Collins for a change. Water temp was warm for the middle of May. I looked for beds but found none. I did find some brush and saw 3 or 4 bass, but couldn't get them to bite. It was about 90 degrees when I started fishing at 9am. I switched to a fancy jointed wake bait and got slammed by something silver? 5 more hits and no hook ups. I guess they were trout biting at the spinning propeller on this lure. I saw trillions of trout chasing bait, but caught none that I cast toward. Finally picked up a 13" fish on a ripbait. Went up the river and caught another on a senko. Had numerous follows on the wakebait and a swimbait, but only had two fish by 2 pm. Seems collins is like this for me. I went back to the brush pile w/ the fish on it earlier and threw the wakebait. Bam, a nice 2.5 nailed it and I landed it. I then proceed to dump one on a senko. I did find a brush line on a point that the wind was blowing into. First cast with the wakebait and a big one follows it but does not commit. Several casts later, I look away from the lure as I have it half way back to the boat and the water explodes. Wow, a spot almost as long as my arm takes of w/my lure. I stick it, it pulls for a couple of seconds, and then comes unbuttoned. Rats. I then catch a nice spot off a different part of the brush line and have another bite it but miss the hooks. I went around on the downstream side of the brush and picked up 2 more keepers. Interestingly enough, I hit 5 or 6 more brushpiles and never caught another fish.
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: I dont have any tips on this place. I have to hunt and peck for every bite. The lake is low enough that 90% of the brush and trees are up on the bank.

    • By

      Water Temp: 70 DEGREES

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: AWESOME DAY,ONE SPOT PRODUCED 9 FISH FOR 65LBS,BIGGEST 10.5LBS TO 4.5. TWO DAY EALIER THIS SAME SPOT WE LOST A FISH THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASILY THE NEW LAKE RECORD. WE ESTIMATED THE FISH WAS PROBABLY 17 TO 19LBS.
      City: PLANADA

      Tips: MY FATHER AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN FISHING THIS LAKE EVER SINCE IT OPENED BACK IN 1984. WE CAUGHT FISH LAST YEAR THAT WEIGHTED 15.9LBS IN THE SPRING. WHAT THIS LAKE NEEDS IS THREADFIN SHAD INTRODUCED INTO IT.IF ANYBODY HAS ANY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE STEPS NEEDED FOR THIS IT WOULD ONLY MAKE THIS LITTLE LAKE A REAL MONSTER BASS LAKE.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 59-67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: On Wed. the 14th. I had the pleasure of taking two very good fishermen out to learn the lake for an upcoming tournament. We started the morning with top water spooks with some action. Moved around the lake to find feeding bass and to learn what was happening. The post spawn bite was almost every where. Using senko's and tubes they did great with well over 50 bass with around 5 to 6 over. The next day the 15th. I took out two more guys that where fishing the same tournament. A couple of great guys as well.We started out with top water then move down into the water column. The bite came on about the same as the day before except for the jig bite turned on. The guys had 6 over with 50+ for the day. It was great to take out the two sets of tournament fishermen. They were all great guys.
      City: Paradise

      Tips: Its good to start on the top water in the morning then work down the water column with senko's, drop shot, tubes and jigs.

    • By

      Water Temp: 66-70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I took a couple of good bass anglers to beautiful Oroville Wed. They wanted to learn the lake better so we ran around a lot in addition to fishing. Because of potential wind problems, we stayed in the south and middle forks. We started out with an excellent topwater bite, though the fish were mostly 12 to 14 inches. One of the fellows hooked and lost a big one. We caught bass nearly every place we stopped but the size was disappointing - not sure any were over the slot. Some were just under or just over but we didn't measure. We didn't even count too carefully, but it was the typical "50+" fish day. Two good things happened weather-wise, The north wind came up as predicted - blew for an hour - and then quit! Very strange!! Also, cloud cover moved in during early afternoon and my clients were able to experience an excellent afternoon rip bite on Staycees! Topwater would have probably worked too - should have tried it. Lots of fun!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: Senkos didn't work well that day, but drop-shotting and Texas rigging worms did. They brought most of their own stuff so I am not really sure what was best. One of the guys had a worm that was really good. I caught some on several colors of Robo worms. Most bass were at the typical 8 to 20 feet and whatever depth the topwater and rip fish were. Morning topwater bass were right on the bank. I think if the lure landed on a rock - the bass would have jumped out of the water and got it!! I just wish the size had been better.

  • Trinity County
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      Water Temp: 57

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: AWESOM FISHERY GO OUT WITH JOHN GRAY MOST HUMBLEGUIDE OUT THERE. HE EVEN LISTENED TO AL OF AL'S STORIES THANKS AGAIN JOHN... PS WILL THE SECRET BAITS WORK AT ALMANOR IN JUNE?????? YOUR FRIEND MIKE
      City: MOUNTAIN VIEW

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

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

      Report: Lake is closed to all water craft per Santa Clara Water District. Should be back open by Memorial day weekend says website.

      Tips: fish from the shore?

    • By

      Water Temp: n/a

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well I intended on fishing San Luis but theve dropped the water so fast in the last three week's I decided it would not be worth it.
      So I got a late start but still basicly had the whole lake to myself..cool.Very slow first two hour's not one bite.Tried Crank's and Senko's nothing.Switched to Baby Brushhog's and finally picked up three one 5lb's rest 2-2.5lb's.Had a few more hit's but missed them all along one stretch within 20 minute's.Then a long dry spell until I picked up two more on drop shot 2.5lb's.That was it long day for a limit.And to the guy's in the older Glastron why not let those fish go.
      City: Salinas

      Tips: stop speeding on the lake,those other three bass boat's,you are going to ruin it for us that obey the law's.5MPH Max on this lake.

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: 64 -67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Wednesday evening and Thursday morning in main body and Cherry Creek. Caught about 12 bass between 12 to 18 inches on dartheading worms, brush hogs, top water, tubes, and senkos. Senkos got the most hits. Saw a lot of 15 to 20 inch bass cruising, but not biting.
      City: Novato

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

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

      Report: Went fishing with my partner Floor Guy at the start of in coming tide. Tried the tullies and got a couple of fish with spinner baits. Started fishing with plastics about 9:30am and stayed with it and we ended up catching at least 20 fish. The fish were scattered between the rock walls and the tullies. The biggest one was about 5.5 lbs. I lost an 8lb fish right at the boat. The water was clear in areas. It was windy all day. The majority of the fish were near Tiki.
      City: San Ramon

      Tips: Plastics seem to work the best right now. Remember that when you catch your personal best. Take some pictures, get the length, the girth and the weight if you have a scale and put it back in to breed. You can get an exact duplicate made from a mold out of plastic so there is no need to keep it. If you want to eat some keep the smaller ones.......

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Thanks for the info Bassin Homer... I guess I won't be trying to launch from the North end of the lake. I hope to give the lake a try in a couple of weeks.
      City: Vallejo