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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

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

      Report: There's a butt load of catfish in honkerbay. Walk down past raccoon pt. and fish about 200 yards before the foot bridge. Best bait is mackeral second liver. The morning bite goes from as early as you can get there until about 8am. The evening bite gets hot at sunset and lasts as long as you want to stay. I've caught up to 10 in a day in honkerbay. If you rent a boat you can get them all day long by throwing cut bait into the tulies and moving every 15 mins without a bite. They school up around those tulie islands. Peace
      City: San Leandro

  • Alameda County
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      Water Temp: 61-63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished all the water east of the launch ramp. 3 hours 2 fish, the first fish was on a spinnerbait(white/chartruse)in isolated tules. My buddy was using my rod and reel my lure and I told him where to cast, so it is really my catch. The other was at the docks on a brushhog. Wind started to pick up around 12.
      City: Livermore

      Tips: Look for spinnerbaits in trees, my buddy was looking for some tree Bass and lost about 5 lures.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Got to the lake as the cold front was moving in. I did manage to hook a few small ones off a blue silver Chug bug around the 7pm. As it got darker I got three good bites off of a black blue custom jig. The lake is still slow I'm not planning on going back anytime soon.
      City: Fresno

      Tips: Use a Black Jig around rock piles right before dark.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 56-59

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I guess a 22 degree drop in air temp even affects the spotted bass. I took 2 folks to Oroville Tues, wishing our trip could have been scheduled a different day because of the MAJOR cold front. It was supposed to be a light north wind - yea! - about 20-25 mph!!!! We did our best to find fishable water - almost impossible. We fished the south fork first and the bite was ok until the wind came up and the action just died! We moved to the middle fork and found some fish on a clay back with chunk rock and they were willing to bite Berkley green pumpkin 4" Power worms and MMIII 6" Robo worms. I think we only boated 8 or 9 spots, all in the slot. They had many bites that they simply missed because of the wind and the fact the bass just wern't active. We are hoping to work out another short afternoon trip when the weather is calmer. Only saw 2 bass boats the whole time!
      City: Yuba City

      Tips: It is kind of fun to have a mental review of the lake structure when it is down 150 feet or so in the spring. I just can't give much helpful info because of the horrible conditions. I did throw jigs some to see if that was on - it wasn't. I didn't rip or do much else as I was helping clients cope with the wind.

Monday, April 14th, 2008

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Myself and A buddy went to berryesa yesterday started fishing about 1:00pm, walked the bank in the oak shores area. Caught alot of fish along the deeper banks. All fish were caught on Drop shot with a couple landed via crank bait. All fish were in the 5 foot to 20 foot range. We caught around 30 fish in a couple of hours and were on our way home before dark. If the fish aren't spawning their REAL close. Most of the fisher were of the smaller sizes with the best about 3 pounds ..... lots of spots on the flats with the smalls in the clear rocky areas.
      City: Vacaville

  • Nevada County
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      Water Temp: 64

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Way windy tonight, but I was only out for 70 minutes and caught 21 bass, the first five fish came on an underspin, the next 16 came on c.b.'s with white trailers.
      no rhyme or reason to location. wherever I threw it, there was a fish lickin its lips.
      The cat tails have gone green and are pushing out oxygen like my fat buddy after 7 layer bean dip, and you cant go wrong throwing any kind of blade in tight to them. they're still ignoring my topwater like its was asking for spare change. I knew it was going to be a great day cuz I was sneezing all day like I had taken needle noses to my nose hairs. The top of the water was covered in a chartreuse pollen, and the windblown shores had most of the fish.
      City: auburn

      Tips: plastics just aint getting it done today. I talked to a couple of real nice gentleman that had only caught 4 fish in like 2 hours using senko's, beavers, and brush hogs.

  • Mariposa County
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      Water Temp: 62-64

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Windy, windy, windy...decided to try it out anyways...started out at the Dam and then Cottonwood...no fish seen shallow. Lots of Trout jumping and Carp rolling around in the shallows. Tried along the edges of Temperance, and still no luck...threw Blades, Ripsbaits, Lizards, Dropshot, and Senkos. Went upriver, and found fish in the shallows. The water was colder, but more clear, and I caught 6 1-2 pounders around the corner from Horseshoe on Chartreuse Luckycraft Pointer. Caught 2 bass and 2 trout on pearl/silver/gold Senkos. The wind got so fierce that I wore out my trolling motor, so I went in. Wish I had a swimbait with me. Saw some big fish sitting on nests, and saw probably a 10 pounder tear up a trout I hooked!
      City: Merced, CA

      Tips: The lake being low has really affected the bass fishing this year. The Lake has been inconsistent. One day you think you have hit the post spawn and get fish left and right, the next...tough..I still prefer senkos right now, and as my buddy Anthony Tanochion says...match the hatch...

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 64-67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Went out with a friend to do a little fun fishing and we had a great day. The lake was glass untill around 11:am and the top water bite was on. We put 25 to 30 fish in the boat. The wind picked up around 11 and we switched to jerk baits. I hooked a big female but she spit my Rapala. I'm fine with that at this time of year. Most fish were in the 1.5 to 3 lb range but there is a ton of fish in the shallows right now. We had a blast.....
      City: sonora

      Tips: South end is warming fast and the bite is on. Catch and release. The fish in there is all we get. No stocking of bass.

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

  • Mason County
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      Water Temp: 65-70!

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: My 1st time to this lake. My boat is too slow for spot jumping, so I when straight for that larger SE cove and pretty much spent the day there.I have to throw what I know, so I threw a T rigged senko up on the bank of choice. When there was a change in the type of shoreline mud & stick ups to boulders, I hooked up. Pulled 3 off my 1st spot before I hit a slow spell. Later I pulled 2 more. I just couldn't break away from the senko, but when I did it went bad. Only 1 more fish on the day (late). For as warm as it was, I should have had a better day. I got hit and missed 6 throughout the day. Some bait fishers (worms)seemed to be doing well. Others did well with drop shots. I don't drop shot yet, but maybe I will now. Too many water/jet skiers for me, but I won't let that stop me from a return trip.
      City: DC

      Tips: Ramp is a mess. Get there early and leave early to avoid crowd. Not so bad for car toppers.

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

      Report: THE LAKE IS WAY DOWN FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR ..PLACES I FISHED LAST YEAR ARE AT LEAST 20 FEET FROM THE WATER. THE FISHING IS PREETY GOOD HOWEVER . I CAUGHT 7 SPOTS 1 LARGEMOUTH AND A 17 INCH CRAPPIE,ALL FISH WERE ON LUCKYCRAFT JERK BAITS IN BLACK AURORA COLOR.CRANK IT DOWN AND LET IT PAUSE TWITCH AND PAUSE.
      City: SANTA ROSA

      Tips: FISH THE BACKS OF COVES ON THE NORTH END OF THE LAKE. TOPWATER POPPERS AND 4 INCH FLOATING RAPALAS WELL REALLY TAKE OFF ANY DAY NOW.

    • By

      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Subject: Fishing with Sid
      Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:20:35 -0700

      The weekend ending April 13th was great fishing. Friday I took Travis out for
      a day of non stop fishing. We caught over 25 fish which included bass, crappie
      and trout. It seemed like everything was biting. Our success with the bass was
      that anything we threw out they were going for. They were hitting crankbaits,
      plastics you name it and it worked. This coming Sunday, April 20th, will be the
      full moon and I think this weekend should be even better. I won't be able to fish
      this coming weekend as I will be out of town but I hope to hear some good reports
      on how it went. Please check out the photos of some of the fish we caught.
      'til next time........................................................good fishing!!!!!!!!!!
      www.fishingconnection.net If you have any stories you would like to share please
      email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.
      City: Napa

      Tips: you can fish from a boat or walk the shore and pick up alot of fish

    • By

      Water Temp: 57 or 58

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Gin clear water! i went yesterday with my bro and my buddy and his dad and caught 5 fish, with a 3 pound smallie at best. my bro caught 2 largies and i caught a 2 and a half pound LM, who struck my night crawler out of aggresion 9 feet off shore, as I hovered it over his rock bed.(the water is so clear I could see him take it). IMPORTANT: the bass are at the BRINK of starting to spawn- with evidence from my previous sentence. the best shore fishing at least, is probably this ONE tiny cove at OAK SHORES. fish here!
      City: el cerrito

      Tips: USE WATERMELON BLACK FLAKE ZOOM mini-lizards catch the bass well. another bass was caught on a green roboworm and the smallie was caught on a firetiger little cleo. i'd say just try the lizard.

    • By

      Water Temp: 58-60

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Caught 6 fish half on sinkos and the other half on Crank Baits...not a real steady bight..no fish in the trees mostly rock banks and points...still a little to cold..
      City: Berry Creek

      Tips: Need 4 days of steady warm weather!!!!!!

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 60-67

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Ladds at 6:00am and headed towards Turner Cut, tried a blade,spook,Slammer,senko and drop-shot;Nothing!
      Moved on down to outside of Mildred and water looked great, got bit on blk/blu jig in 8' and missed it. Moved inside Mildred and caught a few on drop-shot and grnpkn senko wacky; they were tight on cover, right against it. Stuck six or seven in the 1.5-2.5 range and one 5.5 tucked in tight to a grass flat. Ended up with best five for about 15-16lbs.
      City: Hilmar

      Tips: Was not getting bit well on the 20# floroCarb so i started pitching wacky senkos with 8# test and they started eating it pretty good, every fish headed toward deep water. Drop shot 6" MM on wood.

    • By

      Water Temp: 65-69

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out with 3 and 6 year old daughters, caught a few on drop shot and dart head. Ran out of candy after couple of hours and they were done. Anyone know when the Lincoln Fire Department Tournment is?
      City: Lincoln

    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out for a couple of hours. Fished in/around coves near the dam from shore. we cought a few little fish in the 1 pound range all on crankbaits, in blue gill and shad patterns.
      City: Lincoln

      Tips: get out there early when there is less boaters

  • San Francisco County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: fished south lake a couple hrs. for 3 bites,one made it to side of boat.checked out 1 nice bedfish playin with a turtle for about 20mins-never threw at her .
      City: dc

      Tips: jigs

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 58

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: i fished all over the lake today and found fish basically everywhere i stopped. worms,spinnerbaits,and jigs caught us around 30 fish today.If anyone is having success using swimbaits please help me out and let me know what your what type your throwing
      City: sac

    • By

      Water Temp: about 57

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: first of all, the water is kinda stained/clear. i just had to pick one. anyone who needs tips with bass fishing san pablo- the bass here are VERY finnicky. They won't bite anything but a 30 dollar trout swimbait, or a nightcrawler. However, it's worth it- these fish are pigs! Also, cast your bait from the bank- any bank that has a decent amount of weeds- cast just like you would trout fishing, and slowly retrieve it.
      City: el cerrito

      Tips: Nothing more, i've never caught a bass here because they're so damn finnicky, but another tip: just if you catch a small trout- if you are willing to trout fish- take the trout and hook it with a 5 ot. through the mouth, then you might actually catch one of these donkey bass. just make sure the trout is still alive to move in the water.

    • By

      Water Temp: ???

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the hidden back lake attached to Arroyo in a tube on Sunday. Was out there for about 3 hours from 7 am to 10 am. Caught a nice 4.5 lber within the first 30 minutes on a watermelon senko with big red and green flake. Switched to a frog about 30 minutes later and was just getting hammered by fish. Caught 2 2 lbers and missed 5 more bites. With both presentations was throwing as deep into cover on the shores as possible. Fish are not sitting on the edges of cover, but way back in the weeds/trees/bushes. You'll get hung up a few times, but you'll catch fish.
      City: San Francisco

      Tips: Lake temp is still cool, but it's warming up. It's about to be on!