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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Thursday, May 19th, 2016

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 67-69

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Lauched at Lime Saddle about 5:30am, nice early start. Blow wind blow. The N. Fork sure gets winds early just as Lunker Larry says, can darn near set your clock by the winds!! Still hate them. Didn't do so good, Senko bite has gotten slow, with only 13 fish caught this trip. Water doesn't look so good, very cloudy, so headed back to Middle fork next trip, love the clearer water and rock structure this area. Got one thin 15" and all the rest basic 12-14" Next trip my son will use live night crawlers, mostly because he's not a fisherman, but will probably catch more fish, spots love night crawlers, we'll see you all next week. Picture in fishing forum.

Wednesday, May 18th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: lear Lake this week 5/18/2016

      Water Conditions

      This week we find the lake level at 6.88 Rumsey and falling.

      Water clarity is poor to very poor, with a very bad algae bloom covering most of the lake by noon, especially up north.

      Water temperatures are 68-76 degrees.

      Fishing

      Reports have the lake fishing extremely tough as witnessed by the lower weights than normal at both the BBT and ABA events held here last weekend.

      We are definitely feeling the effects of post spawm, and when it will end is anyone’s guess.

      Giant crappie still biting bass baits BEWARE!

      Baits

      Buzzbaits, spooks, frogs and underspins lead the pack, with dropshots and senkos around docks filling out the reports.

      Summary

      Having just driven down Highway 5 this week, I’d seriously consider taking a trip to Lake Shasta. The bite is good and the water conditions are the best they’ve been in 7 years. This bite here will bounce back but it will probably take a couple weeks. Something about clear blue water! I couldn’t resist and stopped for a couple of hours.
      Glad I did.

      I have to apologize for missing last weeks report as I was out of the country and forgot to publish it before I left.

      Resized_20160518_220818.jpeg
      Photo courtesy of Clearlake Family Guide Service
      ReelEx, your source for quality, professional service on your Shimano reels.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2016

  • Riverside County
    • By

      Report: From DVL Marina | May 18th is finally here! We are so excited to welcome back the private boat anglers! Starting tomorrow we will be opening up at 5:30am and closing at 6:30pm. We will be down at the bottom of the hill at 4:30am to start boat inspections and collecting fee's so please try to remember to bring cash so the line runs faster. See you soon!

      Just wanted to clarify why we are not having night tournaments this year. We don't know how long we will be receiving water, not enough staffing right when we reopen the launch ramp, dangerous shallow areas you might not see in the dark that recently is right under the water level, water coming in too fast. Fish and Wildlife will be issuing tournament permits starting in November due to all the variables that we are running into.

Saturday, May 14th, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Great Month Ahead for #FishOakley as Anglers from Throughout the West start rolling in for the First Major Events of the Year!

      Wild West Bass Teams arrive at Big Break this weekend.

      Isleton Striper Trolling and plug casting has stayed fair the last few days. Water cleared a bit this week and a few more stripers in the Cache Slough area responded. Trolling the Angry Eyes and Savage Preys is the best bet. Sturgeon anglers moved West . Catfish start to show in better numbers with Mackerel.

      Rio Vista- Shore bound anglers are scoring both species. The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon remains Sandy Beach and the area of the Power Lines, use Sardines or Shad. Trolling is scoring many limits stripers and occasionally, a 10-12 pounder caught. Savage Prey and P-line Angry Eye lures are key for the trolling anglers. Red White Classic Shimmer jigs around pumps getting stripers.

      Walnut Grove . Trolling Savage Prey baits colors 8 to 10 foot deep is key as the spring push continues. The Dirty “D” is clearing its name and conditions are improving for Black Bass in the area. Spinnerbaits and Fizzle jigs are working in the Hog AreaBank anglers tossing shad and Sardines prevail for an occasional Striper those looking for bigger bites. Drifting live baits for stripers cracking the 10 pound plus keeps anglers smiling..

      Discovery Bay Most Blackie anglers are sticking with Senkos and Tail Slapper swim baits paired with Fatsack Swim Jigs, Wind and overcast this weekend slow rolling Fatsack Tackle blades and Strike King square bills searching ledges near sparse tulle flats. Larger Stripers had another cameo appearance this week yet it was very brief. Crappie and Bluegill also had a improvement this week. Biwaa Sevens in Bluegill and RedHorse patterns rocking the few Bed fish are around.

      Frank’s Tract After being beat up by crazy winds for a week, we got a second round of winds. Black bass bite is at a consistent tougher than normal bite. Hematoma Beavers on over cast days also working well. We are seeing a few Black Bass with top water and Chili Craw Red Eye Shad. Others looking to score are starting to crank Chartreuse Shad 6th Sense baits and Big Poppa’s are solid options.

      West Delta The stripers are here anchovies and sardines in many areas for bank anglers, Antioch Pier and along Sherman Island rd. Stripes to 28 pounds have grabbed baits . Trollers it’s getting started on both sides with Red Barn being the top choice, if they aren’t there move to the Eddo’s Side. Chartreuse patterns are the best bet.

      Contra Loma – Try fishing for catfish at Channel Point, Loma Island or from a boat with nightcrawlers or chicken liver.Trout are biting on nightcrawlers at Channel Point, near the swim area, or from a boat. Black bass fishing has been good again this week, biting on artificial baits/lures or nightcrawlers anywhere around the lake. Try fishing for crappie or bluegill with jigs or worms at the boat ramp area, Loma Island or Channel Point area.

      Los Vaqueros Fishing for trout continues to be good with all the trout plants and cool water temperatures. They are being caught in South Cove and Oak Point as well as Peninsula Cove. The baits of choice for shore anglers is garlic scented PowerBaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. Light tackle is important for catching trout with 4-6 pound test being plenty. There was a 1000 lb Lassen plant on May 9th . There will be plant next week. With the continuing plants, trout fishing has been very good with more limits being caught from all around the reservoir.

      Del Valle . Trout has slowed down due to the warm weather, most anglers are catching them on either garlic or colored Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Staff would also recommend using small spinners or smaller jerk baits, Lucky Craft, or yo zuri. Anglers have been catching trout in the deeper waters, as the fish are staying down at depths of 15-20 feet. Black bass are hitting pretty good. Find fallen trees, weed beds or the tulle patches. We would recommend throwing either a weedless senko or artificial crawdads on a ½- to a 1-oz football jighead. Anglers are also catching them on shallow to mid running crank baits.

      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 64-65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: One often hears, and rightfully so, how well smallies and spots fight compared to largemouth. Of course, largemouth can make up some of the with a weight advantage. I have written in articles before that hooking a female largemouth a month or two after they have spawned, will often give you a fight that will amaze - IF - you are skilled enough to land her. I experienced that yesterday at Clear Lake with a slimmed-down 6-1 female bass. I did have a medium action rod, but it took forever to get her in the net. Both big bass would not quit!! Some of my clients and I have experienced that several times, as well as some of you! My clients yesterday were a great father/daughter team. We worked with her during the day making her a pretty good caster at the end of the trip. They got into a good bite right away (she was wide awake when I met them at 6:30 am!) and she started catching bass right away. Unfortunately, unlike the last cloudy-all-day trip, the good bite didn't last too long at the bright sun took over. The early bite was good on Robo worms while the 2 big bass were caught around noon, on Senkos. Maybe the cold-front wind that started around 11 am might have triggered a bigger bass bite. Who knows. Dad got a nice bass a little over 3 1/2 lbs, and our best 5 was near 16 lbs.

      Tips: The 2 biggest bass were very shallow. The bigger one was on the edge of a tulle line - in the middle of nowhere! We just stayed in the Clearlake arm - fishing mostly rock and tulles.

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Thought I'd try fishing the west branch west of lime saddle, since it's been over a month since my last trip into the area. Launched 5:45, off the lake 10:30am. What a mistake that was, lousy looking water (dirty) and very few fish to be found. First cast 14 1/2" decent fish, after that nothing but 10-12" fish. I don't think I'll be back in this area for a long time. Nothing seemed to work like the rest of the lake. Tried just about every color, style, very few takers. Only caught 12 fish, one decent, the rest bait size!!!! Back to N. Fork for me, then when my son comes, middle fork :>) Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, May 10th, 2016

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Don't know why, but the North fork blows so much in the early hours, hate trying to fish when it's like that, but it does die down about 8:30am. Launched about 5:45, stopped fishing at 10:30am when it got hot. Fished mostly the east side of the N. fork, where it connects to the W. branch. Fish seemed smaller today, with the bulk 12-13" and a few dinks too under 12" Dropped weightless senko's for all my fish today, they love those things right now, darn near every cast a hit. Lost a lot of fish, most feeling like dinks eating one end only, set the hook and a miss. Managed 32 fish today, 2 15", 3-4 14", with the rest basic fish at 12-12". Miss the middle fork! Pictures in fishing forum.

Monday, May 9th, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62-70

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched Tracy O @12:30 bite was much more difficult than the weekend. Tried frogging for about 15 missed strikes and no fish. Threw the jig for about 5 fish but no size. Tossed it around current breaks and let it sit for 5-10 sec. Saw some fish busting on a point tossed my top water out got a nice 3lber then missed a bunch, downsized the bait the started hooking em. Sun was starting to set then finally hooked a nice 4.95. Need to find some New area's to pick up some bigger bites more consistent.

      Tips: The south is loaded with biting 3lbers but tough to get the bigger bite.

Sunday, May 8th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 63-65

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I did a 2 boat guide trip yesterday - I guess I was the lead boat - we took turns!! We just fished the Clearlake arm in a very dark, cloudy, but rain-free day. Fishing for dinks was lively all day with quality bites early. My crew (two 20 year olds) caught a ton of bass up to 2 1/4 lbs, but lost 3 good ones. The biggest one that was lost was not his fault - she hit right at the boat. When I grabbed the net I wasn't confident she would stay on - and she didn't. Their dad and 2 other men took the prize with an 8 1/2 pounder, but was the only big one they caught. We all watched them release her - always a cool sight. The lake was dead calm most of the day - and calm boat-wise. No tourneys I guess.

      Tips: We caught some on worms, but the 5" Senkos were our top bait for sure. Didn't matter what color we used - they wanted them!! Interesting - #222 was the best color. I don't usually use that until summer. Maybe the bright color on a dark day was a key. All our bass were in the top 15 feet, and some very shallow. That will probably change with bright sunny days coming up.

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65

      Report: Got off work early fished the south fork, tough bite. Only 15 fish between the 3 of us. I really hate these cold fronts shuts the bass bite down, almost like early spring. Coves look great but fools gold. Fish eastern banks for more sun and warmer water points still good like always. Bye bye.

Saturday, May 7th, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by ElGuapo » Sun May 08, 2016 7:02 am

      Launched at 7:30 out of Russo's. Water was 62-67, very stained in some areas, clearer in others. You just have to move around a lot to find the cleaner water. First cast with a frog and caught a 4+. Caught a few more quality fish that way then it died down.

      Trying out a new weedless wacky hook and senko color for bedding fish and it seemed to work - caught one just under 5.

      Caught around 10 for the day, best five went 15+. I'm not winning any tournaments soon but maybe I'll be in the money? :D

      How did everyone else do?

      Watch vid: http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post562705.html#p562705

    • By

      Water Temp: 66-68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Got out there Thursday and Saturday and man it was on fire. Fished turns of the low tide with bass to 5.5 with an insane amount of 3's. My partner and I had the 1_2 punch going with me throwing top water of course and he flipping sencos. Fish pushed way out to edges of the grass on current side of the points on the first tide turn. Slack tide they were in a little more open water off the grass. Next turn they pushed right on back in that grass. Rain really helped the top water bite happn for us. All in all an awesome two days of catching.

      Tips: Gotta fish to catch

Thursday, May 5th, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Great Month Ahead for #FishOakley as Anglers from Throughout the West start rolling in for the First Major Events of the Year! Wild West Bass Teams Just a week away the First Major Event for Big Break in many years.

      Isleton Striper Trolling and plug casting has stayed consistent the last few days. Water cleared a bit this week and a few more stripers in the Cache Slough area responded. Trolling the Angry Eyes and Savage Preys is the best bet. Sturgeon anglers moved West . Catfish start to show in better numbers with Mackeral.

      Rio Vista- Shore bound anglers are scoring both species. The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon remains Sandy Beach and the area of the Power Lines, use Sardines or Shad. Trolling is scoring many limits stripers and occasionally, a 12-15 pounder caught. Savage Prey and P-line Angry Eye lures are key for the trolling anglers. Red White Classic Shimmer jigs around pumps getting stripers.

      Walnut Grove . Bank anglers tossing shad and Sardines prevail for an occasional Striper those looking for bigger bites. Drifting live baits for stripers cracking the 10 pound plus keeps anglers smiling. Trolling Savage Prey baits colors 8 to 10 foot deep is key as the spring push continues. The Dirty “D” is clearing its name and conditions are improving for Black Bass in the area. Spinnerbaits and Fizzle jigs are working in the Hog Area.

      Discovery Bay Larger Stripers started to show a bit this past week including 25 plus pictured. Crappie and Bluegill also had a improvement this week. Biwaa Sevens in Bluegill and RedHorse patterns rocking the few Bed fish are around. Most Blackie anglers are sticking with Senkos and Tail Slapper swim baits paired with Fatsack Swim Jigs, Wind and overcast this weekend slow rolling Fatsack Tackle blades and Strike King square bills searching ledges near sparse tulle flats.

      Frank’s Tract After being beat up by crazy winds for a week. Black bass bite is at a consistent. Hematoma Beavers on over cast days also working well. We are seeing a few Stripers and Black Bass with top water and Chili Craw Red Eye Shad. Others looking to score are starting to crank Chartreuse Shad 6th Sense baits and Big Poppa’s are solid options. Keeper sized stripes are grabbing Bubba Shad a bit more this week and trolled Angry Eye baits.

      West Delta The stripers are here anchovies and sardines in many areas for bank anglers, Antioch Pier and along Sherman Island rd. Stripes to 28 pounds have grabbed baits . Trollers it’s getting started on both sides with Red Barn being the top choice, if they aren’t there move to the Eddo’s Side. Chartreuse patterns are the best bet.

      Contra Loma – Too many bank walkers popping Bass to 8 pounds off the beds, Please release them! Black bass have been biting on Senko’s and nightcrawlers around the lake. Try a AC Minnow wake bait or a Savage Trout fishing is still consistent on the east side, north side of lake or from a boat with nightcrawlers, Power Eggs, or mice tails.

      Los Vaqueros Trout continues to be best bet. They are being caught in South Cove and Oak Point as well as Cowboy Cove. The baits of choice for shore anglers is garlic scented PowerBaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. Light tackle is important for catching trout with 4-6 pound test being plenty. There was a 1000 lb DFW plant on the way. There was also a 1000 lb Lassen plant this week. With the continuing plants, trout fishing has been holding steady with more limits being caught from all around the reservoir.

      Del Valle . Black Bass are on fire with anglers reporting having caught and released up to 12 bass. Most are smaller and in shallow water creating their beds. Best bet is still Senkos, either wacky or Texas rigged. Also try a plastic crawdad, on either a half-ounce, or a one-ounce football jig head. If you do catch a bass, please release it, as she maybe pregnant. Trout have been active this last week. They have been in the shallow water; anglers are having good luck on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, Rapalas, mice tails and Kastmasters. Many anglers have reported catching their limits.

      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694Follow us on Facebook

Wednesday, May 4th, 2016

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Water conditions

      Lake level is at 7.30 Rumsey, with flows at Cache Creek Dam at approximately
      500 cfps. The lake is beginning to see some effects from the high winds and the water draws, as one can begin to see the difference from one week to another now.

      Surface temps 58-64 degrees.

      Water clarity is poor to fair, and I would average at approximately 2-3 feet in most areas around the lake.

      Fishing

      Fishing continues to be on and off for most with the minnow dunkers really out performing most, as there’s obviously all three stages of the spawn going now. Fry can be seen almost everywhere around the lake, and most of the fish we have been catching are indeed post-spawn.

      However, as I mentioned we’ve experienced all three spring phases this past week.
      One, there’s been a bit of a rip bait bite here and there for what appeared to be all pre-spawn fish. Second, crawl up and behind the tules and trees and one can also find some bedding fish as well, at least where the water clarity allows. Yes they’re shallow, in 1-2 feet or water. Third, it’s time to pull out the frog and buzz bait. Cover enough water with either or both, and you will not be disappointed.

      The Bite

      Overall, I’d rate the bite at fair to good, and yes, north still continues to dominate conversations. Personally, I think we’re in a post spawn phase with the majority of the bigger fish having already gone, tough I still think there’s a big wave yet to come this month as we’re just not seeing a ton of cruising, or sunning fish anywhere.

      This has indeed been a strange spring, and I think it’s really shuffled the fish around timing wise. So I guess time will tell. Personally, I suspect the reaction bite will begin to really come on strong in the coming week(s) as the second wave should be about ready to start chewing.

      I believe most of the FLW fish were first phasers, and I suspect phase two should really start chasing anytime now if I’m correct. If so, that would mean we could probably see spawn fish through June like the ole days, with a big time crank bite to come thereafter.
      I sure hope that’s the case.

      Forecast

      With the weather turmoil of late and the forecast for much of the same, I’d come prepared to “junk fish”.

      Baits

      Underspins, drop shots, carolina rigs, senkos, wake baits, jerk baits, buzz baits or frogs!
      One of em’ will get ya bit. So, get out there and get after them, and good luck!
      Resized_20160502_142905.jpeg
      watch out for these fellas, they're everywhere
      ReelEx, your source for quality, professional service on your Shimano reels.
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  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Yes, again, but this time went out with Joe in his boat. Left the launch ramp at Bidwell about 6:30am, off the water about noon. Just like recent trips, didn't seem to matter where one fished. Started in S. fork, got a few fish, then went to as far as we could in the middle fork, but got stopped at the log chain that was collecting wood, couldn't go any further, so just turned around and fished our way back towards the main lake. Full on bite, we managed just 30 fish this trip, me still tossing weightless wack senko's, still getting bites. Two fish right at 15" or maybe a fraction smaller. All the rest the basic fish 12-14", and the usual runts, 7-9", guessing about 5 runts. Overall, great fishing again. It's time to fish this lake, even a novice will catch fish. Great trip Joe. Pictures in fishing forum.

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Lime Saddle about 6:15am, fished till 11am. Bite was better today. Tossed wacky weightless Senko's the whole trip, and glad I did. Seemed every single stop on the way to the N. Fork had fish to catch, crazy good fishing right now. Managed 23 spotted bass this morning with two 15", 4-5 14-14 1/2" and the rest basic 12-13". Oh, and one red eye attached a 5" senko half the size of the fish!! crazy how small fish take on bigger baits. Crazy busy on the lake now that the water is up, like a weekend day in the summer!! Caught most fish from 5ft to 25ft. Kind of like wacky fishing, slow and easy, just right for this old man!!Pictures in fishing forum.

Monday, May 2nd, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by ElGuapo » Mon May 02, 2016 12:51 pm

      Got a late start out of Russo's due to having to clear out 50# mono from my t-motor prop before launching! :x

      Fished inside islands, breaks, for the first couple hours and finally got bit. Went a little further south and got bit a lot. 20+ fish for me, 40+ for the boat but the majority were smaller fish. My best 5 would have been >15lbs. though, a personal best.

      Key for me was targeting deeper beds in clearer waters. There were mostly smaller fish up shallow. Better quality (back to back 3#ers) came off stick ups.

      Gave my new wacky rig set up a work out (Dobyns Champ 704SF + Shimano Ci4+). Thanks to Richard Dobyns for the recommendation!

      How did others do?

      Watch vid: http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post562555.html#p562555

    • By

      Water Temp: 67

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Big Break about 2 hours before high tide. Winds were about 8MPH but gusts were up to 29MPH. Had to hide in some of the back slews to find perhaps 100 feet of rip rap that was wind protected in a few places. Wind was changing direction most of the day. The gusts were insane but managed to hold position when needed. Fished with my buddy Joshua and we caught 15 fish wacky style. The biggest was about 3 pounds, most were in the 1-2 pound range. Coming out f Dutch and heading back to Big Break we hit 3 foot rollers moving in the same direction as the boat. Couldn't believe we saw a a 12 foot aluminum boat out there with 3 passengers earlier in the day

      Tips: I use Willie Weather as my main site for weather reports. They can actually zone into Big Break and Frank's Tract. You can get a good handle on wind projections by the hour.I was surprised that the marine weather channel I typically use for small craft advisory reports didn't update their post to forecast what was in my opinion seriously significant winds. My tip actually comes from Stacy King when he did a special on handling turbulent water- "take one wave at a time" . If the rollers are heading in the same direction as your boat DO NOT cruise the tops at a constant high speed thinking the flow is going to be the same. Personally I think when the rollers are moving in the same direction as your boat it's more of a challenge. Be prepared to adjust your throttle speed as necessary and play it safe. One wave at a time.

Sunday, May 1st, 2016

Friday, April 29th, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Orwood around 10:30 am with my buddy Tri Valley Bass-master Bruce. Tide was almost out, fished Sinkos to Discovery Bay. Bloody wind kicked up made things difficult. Headed into Disco bay and looked for calm spots on west side. Fished the shadows near the shoreline and around docks. Bruce caught a nice 5.5lbs female on a dark Sinko. Totaled 6 fish for the day.

      Tips: Looking forward to calmer days. If wind is going to be over 10mph, I'll get some work done around the house. Good luck.