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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

  • Alameda County
    • By

      Report: 750 lbs. of trout was just planted into Chabot!!!

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 62-53

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Drove to Bidwell so I could fish the middle fork, rather then launch at Lime saddle. Launched at 6:30 am, stopped fishing about 10:30 when the breeze picked up. Decent day, managed 24 spots this morning, Only one solid 15", 8-9 in the 14-14 1/2" range, with most other the basic 13-14" variety, and yes 2-3 dinks. All fish on wacky weightless Senko's, easy old man style:>)) Water is a tad warmer, 62-63 degrees, making the spots want to spawn. Love the middle fork! Pictures in Fishing forum

Monday, April 11th, 2016

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 67 droped to 61.5

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: From: Sidney Silberberg (bestguide@hotmail.com)
      Sent: Mon 4/11/16 10:31 AM
      To: Sidney Silberberg (bestguide@hotmail.com); lake b Peter Kilkus new (pkilkus@gmail.com)

      This time of the year is one of my favorite to go fishing the reason being that I can fish in shallow water and see the fish chase and hit the bait. Shore fisherman are doing well also because they can see the fish as they walk the shoreline and throw their bait where it will do the most good. Last weekend Jim and his son Joshua went out with me and had a good few hours out on the water and landed a nice 4 pound bass (see photo). The next day Albert and I headed out and caught a nice limit with the largest fish weighing in at 3.6 pounds (see photo). This weekend I took John out to an area of thee lake he had never been to. I showed him the bass nesting in the shallow water and there were quite a few nests he was fascinated. I went into a cove where we saw fish swimming and I cast out a Carolina rig set up and was immediately hit by a nice size bass. It was a beautiful warm day almost like summer but that evening it started to rain and the next day I went out with John and Albert wearing our rain gear and it did rain all day long. We caught a limit of fish right in the area where we launched the boat. We could see a large cement slab in the water and the fish were roaming in that area. John and Albert were drop shooting and I was using the Carolina rig and on my second rod I was using a River2Sea crawdad. Our last stop of the day was at the tree laying in the water in Willie's ski school and the amazing thing was an approximate 10 pound bass was swimming next to a one pound bass and of course we all tried our best to lure the big one or tempt her but to no avail but it was fun trying. We headed in for the day a little damp but we had a good time.
      'til next time..................................................good fishing!!!!!
      www.fishingconnection.net If you have any questions or stories you would like to share or are interested in booking a guided fishing trip please email me at bestguide@hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.

      Tips: I Love pro cure scents works all the time ,if you want more fish try it the fish hold on longer to set the hook

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: by ElGuapo » Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:13 pm

      Last week was a grind so I took a mental health day today.

      Launched out of Russo's at 8. Water was 62 degrees and stained but getting clearer. Probably 2'+ visibility. Fished inside the islands, protected coves, looking for spawners. Got a bunch of bites early on but couldn't set the hook. Caught some small ones then a 3#, few more small ones then a 5#. Great day out on the water. Weather was perfect, warm and no wind (when you got a tin boat, no wind is perfect). Felt like I had the whole place to myself.

      How did everyone else do?

      Watch vid: http://www.westernbass.com/forum/post561293.html#p561293

  • Lake County
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      Report: Clear Lake this week 4/11/2016

      Today the lake level rests at 7.64 Rumsey, above full pool of 7.53. Flows have been reduced to approx. 175cfps at Cache Creek Dam.

      Water temps continue to range from 60 degrees up to 68 degrees on sunny afternoons.

      Clarity continues to change daily as a result of the afternoon S,SE winds which have resulted in some significant wave action hitting the entire N, and NE corner of the lake, while other areas of the lake are dealing with pollen issues along the banks.

      These conditions along with the overcast and rainy skies have limited the bed fishing action of the past couple of weeks, and drop shotting, Carolina rigs, and jerk baits have begun adding numbers to one’s limit. While these fish remain on the slighter end of the scale, say 2-3lbs. it is the most consistent bite right now. The exception is when you can find cleaner water and the sun comes out. When that happens there are some good fish shallow.

      This week we have CTT here on the weekend, and the warmer, sunny skies should at least help some put 25+ lbs in the live well. FLW follows CTT next week, and with the forcasted sunny week, this one could be be a shoot-out. Still, in general the bite remains “haves and have-nots” when it comes to quality, and for the most part, the south end bite remains shut-down compared to most springs, as does the Rattlesnake arm.

      Obviously, this is in direct conflict with most springs. However, the bait has finally begun to break up, and I suspect we will see a dramatic improvement in the bite down south and in Rattlesnake once the water clarity improves.

      So, with the coming warm weather, and rising moon, the end of April could really be something special. Be safe and watch for debris which continues to move around the lake. Hope ya catch a bigun’!

Sunday, April 10th, 2016

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 66-68

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: So fished again TBT not with the same luck, our big fish were not biting for us. Last week hot and sunny caught 25lbs on the buzz bait in 1-5 ft of water on the flats with shade and something different (log, launch ramp, weeds, etc.). Sunday rainy and overcast, we caught em just no size, biggest 3.1. Tried the buzz, caught 6 around 2, but the senko was getting bit. We lost some fish at the boat going around 4 from 10+ ft on senko. Moved to another stretch no one around, made the mistake of trying the shallow bite again for only little guys. Just about to cross to other side to fish a deep tree I know about then boom another boat pulls right on it and sticks two 5's right in front of us. Demoralizing! We just didn't put it together. Oh well that's fishing the CA Delta.

      Tips: Don't get rattled, keep fishing hard. (Might be more of a tip for me)

  • Shasta County
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      Water Temp: 61-63

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Jones Valley both Sat and Sun mornings first light. Small tourney happening but managed to squeeze through the crowd of anglers. Rained off and on both days. Headed up the Pit and began the mornings by throwing dart heads with shad imitations (natural & rainbow sparkled). Second cast in a cove hit a 12 inch crappie. From there on it was nothing but exciting! We boated 86 fish total and missed/lost that many more. Biggest was a surprising 16.5" 2.8 pound crappie and an 18.5" 3.5 pound bass.
      My thumb was sore from lipping all the fish...

      Tips: Take a kid fishing they will remember it forever!

Friday, April 8th, 2016

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-63 & 65-68

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I don't usually write reports because I am strictly a fun fisherman. I am not a circuit tournament angler so I don't have any notions that my views or experiences are worthy of the more skilled anglers who use this site. I do however do a little bit of research to try my best and lay out my trip, that is the reason I am sharing this report. I am one of among many other guys in my group who compete against each other for bragging rights. We all share information so we can have better experiences on the water just like a group of family or friends, this years trip was no different. Ten boats with 23 anglers out of B&W Resort for the week looking for fun.

      North Delta water up above Tower Park and around Walnut Grove looked stellar with clear water 4-6' water temps 63-66 and perfect looking conditions. We managed a few decent fish here and there in some dead end sloughs and in the main channel but never really put anything together that was consistant. Every day we manged to catch 'em but not the way we wanted to get on 'em decent. Fished Whites, upper and lower Franks, Mildred, Disco etc for basically the same so-so results all junk fishing. Best part was visiting Whimpy's and Rusty Porthole during the low-low one day and the Windmill Cove on few others. We spread out and fished hard all day every day and up until dark in all directions.

      We finally found an area that wanted to bite solid. The water was dirty brown with water temps up to 68-70 degrees in the late afternoon unlike anywhere else we visited on the whole Delta system. It was well worth the wait becaused we ended up hosing them good. The main area was fourteen mile and disappointment with one certain unique stretch just on fire for three solid days for five or six boats before we had to leave putting out fish well in the upper size catagory. I feel like we missed it by only a week or so or perhaps one moon phase or maybe even only by a couple days? What we saw there was good!

      Wehad a great time barbecueing dinner everyday on the levy sharing our daily experiences and telling a few lies. Like any goog trip it ended up coming to an end with more great memories made. I would post a few pics if I knew how but I dont? Hope this report finds you all well and helps a little bit as it did for us. Go get ya sum! Big Ed!

  • Alameda County
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      Report: Eastbayanglers Reports:
      Got to the lake early fished till sunset it got very windy in the pm the water clarity is still really dirty/muddy.
      really not an easy bite, the key is trying many different baits and approaches.
      Whoppers All Fat Healthy Largemouth Bass
      carp are everywhere thrashing the banks.
      saw some regulars and as always i learned something else about fishing
      in the end it all adds up to be a great day
      Check out the video http://www.westernbass.com/forum/lake-chabot-bass-fishing-march-hog-hog-heaven-big-fish-day-eastbayanglers-t101604.html

    • By

      Report: Eastbayanglers Reports:
      Got to the lake early fished till sunset it got very windy in the pm the water clarity is still really dirty/muddy.
      really not an easy bite, the key is trying many different baits and approaches.
      Whoppers All Fat Healthy Largemouth Bass
      carp are everywhere thrashing the banks.
      saw some regulars and as always i learned something else about fishing
      in the end it all adds up to be a great day
      Check out the video http://www.westernbass.com/forum/lake-chabot-bass-fishing-march-hog-hog-heaven-big-fish-day-eastbayanglers-t101604.html

  • Riverside County
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      Report: DFW just stocked trout by the East Dam

Thursday, April 7th, 2016

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

      Report: Launched out of Orwood at 09:00. Tide was almost out. Headed to Mildred Island. The wind was brutal. Up to two foot swells with large white caps. Scouted the area for calm water, found the south east side of tules to be better but water was muddy. Maybe too muddy. Tried various types of top water, jigs, and worms. Tried various depths. Tried wind swept side, even against the rip rap. Didn't try any baits. I think that would have been a better bet. Hope you have better luck.

      Tips: On a good note, the bank wild flowers are beautiful.

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: 65

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Still muddy out there in Big Break. Caught a small shaker striped bass at the entry to Dutchon a silver rattle trap, then three 3 large mouth bass in the 2-3 pound range—throwing wacky rigged worms in the slews. No wind that day, got up to 88 degrees by 2PM- started the day at 7AM with 2 hours left of outgoing tide. I can't believe how much vegetation is choking off some of the back slews.

      Tips: Fish often

  • Riverside County
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      Report: From DVL Marina
      We stocked 1000lbs of Mt. Lassen trout yesturday

    • By

      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.

    • By

      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!