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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

  • Riverside County
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      Report: Jesse Mena caught this beautiful 14.76lb striper using a lunker punker! Way to go Jesse, another one to add to the board!

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 64-65

      Report: I feel ya Tom. I also went out Wednesday a little further south of you and later in the day (4:30 till dark). I had my line right hook b-hog and sinker ready to roll up some big ones. Even got the net out, shoot. Not the case a lot more skinny fish. I did notice the water temp went up 4-5 degrees from the warmest water I found last time I went out. Serge was killing me on the crank bait bite, they seemed to be chasing more with the rise in temperature. Our biggest ones around 15'' too, but they had fat bellies. Had a big momma on for a few till she knocked me off on a limb. By far biggest fish I had on this year. Another note that's the same cove as the 18'' largie I caught earlier this year. For some reason the water is way warmer in that cove all the way up to 70 degrees and the fish were bigger.

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      Water Temp: 58-59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished with Jeff again this trip, launched a tad after 7am, fished till about 11:15am. We fished the same general area as last week in the middle fork, thinking larger fish, but nope, not this trip. Caught 35 plus fish, most with weightless wacky rigged senko's, a few Texas rigged roboworms. Anything with chartreuse seemed to help the bite. Seemed every other cast got a hit, but seems the males are beginning to move in to make beds as very few larger girls caught. Got a few close to 15" didn't measure any, but had a blast with so many hits. Color didn't seem to matter much! Love the middle fork! Saw an otter fishing as we worked our way down a bank, dive under for a minute, up swimming, then another dive for fish. Cool seeing otters in the lake. Bite is getting better!! Picture in fishing forum.

Tuesday, April 5th, 2016

Monday, April 4th, 2016

  • Amador County
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      Water Temp: 67-70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: After a brief stop at C&C Marine for a lower unit oil change, I made my way to Lake Amador, ready to enjoy the beautiful spring conditions! I love the thousands of acres of "green lawn" in the foothills this time of year - before it turns into "golden California!" Fishing was good for medium size bass and I was able to "sight-fish" my first of the year. I think I was between spawns as I only saw small to medium bass - and no big ones. I put a few in one of the tanks for visitors to enjoy at the lodge. I fished for an hour after dark and caught 2 more bass that hammered a jig. I caught 14-15 in the afternoon - lots of fun. Most were very shallow and active. I covered most of the lake and my best 5 was about 13-14 lbs.

      Tips: Actually, one only need to throw Senkos this time of year - expecially the wacky rigged ones. They can't resist!!

  • Lake County
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      Report: This week we find much of the same around the lake. Have’s and have nots….

      Yes, it’s that time of year when the fish move to the bank and get picky, unless you are throwing a minnow.

      Minnow anglers are stacking up some impressive numbers and one guide reported he had clients that went through ten dozen minnows on one recent trip last week. Most fish ran 3-5 lbs but they had a couple of 8 plusses to go with them.

      A-rigs and SWavers continue to do their part as long as you don’t have a ton of company on the water you’re attempting to fish. The fish are on the spooky side with all of the boat traffic and quiet is definitely a huge bonus if you can find it.

      Bed fishing is also beginning in earnest with a ton of fish under the docks as well as along young tule edges. Grab the Costas and go for a look once you finish your morning
      reaction run.

      The best areas remain mid-lake north as the south end continues to be on lockdown for the most part. Everyone asks, “what about down south”? Answer, it’s just not there.
      The water temp is there, and conditions are optimal, but the overabundance of shad continues to hold the bass hostage.

      Second most asked question; “how about the keys, or Rattlesnake”? Just like the south end, everything says yes, the fish continue to say no.

      Forecast? I would say more of the same, especially with the coming heat and rain; I believe the bed fishing will really continue to gain strength and the “junk fishing” will begin to wane.

      Lake level is currently at 7.66 Rumsey and flows have been reduced to 412 cfps.

      In closing, I would rig a spinning rod for some crappie action as there’s literally thousands of bedding crappie everywhere on lake, and trust me, there are some giants!

      We go 5 years without seeing a crappie and this year there are literally hundreds of thousands around the lake……sound familiar? Keep your eyes open for hitch, they’re around too!

Sunday, April 3rd, 2016

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of wimpy's at bottom of the tide ran down and fished around the opening to hog slough throwing a spinner bait, no luck. Went down further and the it around the island above sycamore and stuck 2 little guys biggest was 2.5 headed into sycamore and switched to a 8.5" paddle tail looking for some better quality fish . Slow rolled it on the wind blown side of the bank in 6-10ft. Started getting bites right away, fished the last 2miles of the slough and boated 4 fish. Biggest was 5-6, that looked like she swallowed a football. The others were about 3lbs. Lost what looked like another 5-6lb at the boat. Missed a lot of solid bites probably because I didn't have leave the hook exposed. They were stacking up on the outside bends off the sparse tule clumps and on the points where the wind was pushing them. Saw a lot of other guys on the opposite bank not doing as hot.

      Tips: Follow the wind when it's like it was sunday. Seemed like they were blowing up on the bank.

Saturday, April 2nd, 2016

  • Solano County
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      Report: by ElGuapo » Sat Apr 02, 2016 9:43 pm

      Launched out of Russo's at 7. Water was 57 degrees. Still hard to see beds but finally saw some in Mildred where the water was already 70 degrees. Saw fry as well.

      Caught fish off and on all day but a lot of small ones and a few keepers.

      Until the last hour. We saw a male roaming around and cast to him. Luckily the female was nearby and picked up the bait. :D

      How did others do?

      Watch vid: http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post560829.html#p560829

    • By

      Water Temp: 61-68

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Tracy Bass Sunday, tide wasn't where it said, but still found em. Found some bed fish in practice, but they took too long to catch so went back to fishing for pre spawner's. Got 8 bites all day for 24.6 I'll let ya know how after next weeks tourney.

      Tips: Think outside of what most guys are doing and slow down

    • By

      Report: From ElGuapo

      Watch video here: http://www.westernbass.com/forum/delta-t101484.html

      Launched out of Russo's at 7. Water was 57 degrees. Still hard to see beds but finally saw some in Mildred where the water was already 70 degrees. Saw fry as well.

      Caught fish off and on all day but a lot of small ones and a few keepers.

      Until the last hour. We saw a male roaming around and cast to him. Luckily the female was nearby and picked up the bait. :D

      How did others do?

Friday, April 1st, 2016

  • Solano County
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      Report: Delta Report…. Spring Striper Extravaganza Saturday April 2nd Noon to 3pm, Featuring Plug Casting guru Tom Amberson… Trolling with Dan Mathisen and more…
      Dan’s Delta Black Bass Series #2 Launches out of Big Break Marina Saturday April 9th.
      Isleton Striper Trolling and plug casting has started to recover a bit from the dirty water.. Water temps raised a bit this week and a few more stripers in the Cache Slough area responded. Sturgeon remains the focus here. Diamondback anglers are heading to 41, Liberty and Cache Slough areas with roe and eel reporting success.
      Rio Vista- Many more Small stripes 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. Sturgeon anglers in front of Collinsville or Red Barn still get bit. Shore bound anglers are scoring both species. The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon remains Sherman Island in the area of the Power Lines, use Sardines or Red’s Bloody Eel.

      Walnut Grove . Trolling for stripers cracking the 10 pound plus keeps anglers smiling Brite colors 8 to 10 foot deep is key as the spring push starts up. The Dirty “D” is keeping its name and muddier conditions make it tougher. Stay in the Wimpys area for best conditions. Best bet, Savage Prey and P-line Angry Eye lures. Bank anglers tossing shad and eel prevail for an occasional sturgeon or Striper those looking for bigger bites.

      Discovery Bay As water temps stabilize in the 60’s the black bass bite is rolling. Most Blackie anglers are sticking with Senkos and slow rolling blades searching ledges near sparse tulle flats. Others looking to beat the clear conditions are starting to crank Red-Eye Shad and Big Poppa’s are solid options. Keeper sized stripes are grabbing Biwaa Strout a bit more this week and trolled Angry Eye baits. Packman A-Rigs also solid options

      Frank’s Tract Black bass bite is picking up at a consistent pace warm days only helps the Big Girls bite. Vince Borges of VBO Outdoors landed a 13-9 yesterday on R2Sea Big Poppa and AC Minnows are great options while spinnerbaits get the mentioned as well. Hematoma Beavers on over cast days also working well. We found a few Stripers and Black Bass with 200 S-Wavers and Red Eye Shad.
      West Delta Sturgeon rockin’ Jay Lopes is among the many guides and anglers has scored solid numbers of keepers daily in the Martinez and Pittsburg area. The stripers starting to show anchovies and sardines in many areas for bank anglers, Antioch Pier and along Sherman Island rd. Stripes to 18 pounds have grabbed Red/White Classic shimmer jigs. Trollers it’s getting started. Chartreuse patterns are the best bet.
      Contra Loma – Trout fishing is still good at the east side, north side of lake or from a boat with nightcrawlers, Power Eggs, or mice tails. Water up fast slowed the bite for now. Black bass have been biting on artificial baits/lures and nightcrawlers around the lake. Try a Biawaa Strout, AC Minnow wake bait or a Savage Trout.

      Los Vaqueros Trout action 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 traditionally 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. Remember that by taking one bass, anglers could be taking thousands away from the lake, so please, during the crucial spawning period, release any bass caught. 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 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 58-62

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at 8am with a slight breeze. found bass on rock and around timber. spinners, swim bait and cranks all worked. No big ones but we did find a few schools stacked up for some fast action. Good day overall.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: high 57

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Lauched today at Lime saddle about 6:45 am, fished till 10 am. Found quite a difference from fishing the middle fork, to lauching at Lime Saddle. Water is so dirty over lime saddle area and the north fork, middle fork looks 5 times better, and fishing seems much better in the middle fork. Only got 11 fish today, most 13-14" and a couple 12-13", with just one 15". Fished roboworms as last trip, several colors and styles, all did good for me. Harder to find the fish today, but it's like that sometimes. N. fork has so much wood, be careful! Back to middle fork next trip!! Pictures in fishing forum.

Wednesday, March 30th, 2016

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: high of 55

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went out fishing today with Jeff from about 7am to noon. Surprise! wide open bit for us. Fished the middle fork and caught about 30 fish, forgot my fish counter!! Fish were larger today, with about half the fish in the 15" range or larger. Largest about 17", the other half of our catch still good fish, 13-14 1/2", with just 2 dinks under 12" Jeff got his fish on wacky weightless senko's, me curly tail roboworms. Both caught fish like we always want to catch fish. Fished seemed to be from 10 foot to 25 foot, so yes, they are beginning to move up from the depths. We were catching so many that I forgot to take time for more pictures. It's the beginning of the wide open bite!! get out on the lake and give it a try. Picture in fishing forum.

    • By

      Water Temp: 63-64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Floated the arroyo pond today 6 fish in three and a half hours all fish over two pounds all caught on Texas Rig senko largest 3.5lbs

      Tips: Keep moving spots until you find fish,keep it slow

Monday, March 28th, 2016

  • Lake County
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      Report: Clear Lake this week 3/20/16

      Ok, the usual, Lake level is 7.77 Rumsey as of this writing with releases at a very high 2000cfps. Water is 52-64 depending on time of day and sun. I’ll call the “bite” fair
      to good.

      That said, what a week of weather and fishing. We’ve seen both the best and worst of both. Nonetheless, LCCC held its yearly event this past weekend and 108 boats brought nearly 3000 lbs of fish to the scales over the course of the two day event, with 13 fish over 8 lbs and 6 fish over 10lbs. It’s been a number of years since we’ve seen that kind of quality.

      I snuck out Friday afternoon for 4 or 5 hours and found water from 56 to 64 degrees, and as you would expect, fish in a variety of stages. I even managed to boat the first two bedfish of the year, so it wasn’t a total bust. Our “junk fishing” efforts produced nine or so fish from 1-7pm , with the best five at around 28lb. Flipping, LV’s and small swimbaits were our top 3 performers.

      What would I expect for the coming week? More of the same most likely? Either way, one has a legit shot at a DD this coming week, and that in itself should get ya out on the water. Just be careful though, WON BASS is holding its Open event here Monday through Friday, so there will be mucho boats with mucho debris floating about randomly so please be exercise caution, especially up north.

      Hint, if you don’t have a glide bait or two, stop by one of the local shops here and get one!
      ReelEx, your source for quality, professional service on your Shimano reels.
      Guaranteed 96 hr turnaround on service.
      650-454-4938 www.reel-ex.com

    • By

      Report: lear Lake this week 3/28/2016

      Happy belated Easter to all, I hope everyone had a great weekend. I know the weather up here was awesome!

      This week we find the lake at 7.83 Rumsey, so we are beyond full pool for this first time in some 3 years or so. Water flows at Cache Creek have been reduced to right around
      1000cfs, down from nearly 3000cfs last week.

      How bout the fishing? Well, as witnessed by the tournament here last week, this lake is fishing as small as I have ever seen it. Whether its high water, abundance of bait, or just a lack of boat traffic down south. The south end is in a major lock down, and mid-lake north seems to be where everyone ends up.

      I know three really good fishermen who spent several days trying different areas and different techniques down south with lil to no success. Everything is there for the bite to
      Be off the hook; water temp, water color, etc etc, they just won’t bite. I suspect the overabundance of bait is the culprit. Especially when you consider finding 60 degree water almost everywhere down south.

      One good sign however is there are a few fish finally beginning to show up in the Rattlesnake arm. Still, it’s far from where it should be here as well.

      Up north we had no problem finding 60+ degree water in the afternoons, and while it can be tough some days (haves and have nots) at least the minnow guys are catching them pretty good up there.

      In general, jigs fished close to cover, jerk baits, a-rigs, carolina rigs, and shakey heads will all get you bit. Quality? Just depends on the day as they say, but the big girls are definitely around. As tough as it has been, your still just one bite away from the fish of a lifetime, and it could happen on any cast this time of year.

      We could use a week of calm winds and warm afternoons, and it will all change for good I believe, and just wait for May/June, we should finally see one of those famous Clear Lake topwater bites……….

      In closing the Wednesday Night Shootout guys asked if I could post the schedule for this year. They begin next Wednesday night, and it's $35 per angler. Biggest bass wins!

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 60-63

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Hello all.
      I was lucky enough to spend the Easter holiday weekend at Don Pedro. The good news is that the lake is coming up in a big way. Blue Oaks boat launch is in the water.
      On Saturday afternoon I fished the Blue Oaks area with very good results. My 3 biggest fish were in the 4 lb. range with many smaller fish. I was using Senkos wacky rigged on 10 lb. line, spinner baits and Carolina rigged Brush hogs.
      My son and I went back out on Sunday, my b-day. we fished Big Creek but we did not have as good a result. We still caught a good number of fish but not much in regards to size. We had a good time fishing and talking. The houseboats are still tied up between Blue Oaks and Fleming Meadows and the speed limit is "No Wake" which is a drag as it will take forever to get out on plane. Good luck and be safe. Remember to practice Catch and Release!

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: Same

      Report: Rough seas captain. I don't know why I been picking the bad weather days to go fishing on but it seems to be working. Caught a bunch of fish today trolling plastics on the bottom, like I always do. Points good stained water great run offs from feeder creeks awsome (where my bigger fish this year have came from). Sounds like fishing is good just about everywhere right now. Pics in forums.

  • Shasta County
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      Report: Are the fish getting active yet? I'll be down in about a month for a week. It's good to see the lake about full!
      Si Perkins