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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Tuesday, December 1st, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 56

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Thought I's give the lake a try today and toss worms in the middle fork, as weathers going to turn bad soon. Talk about cold at 6:30 am, around 36 degrees. Burr, dress warm and no problem. Slow bite, water getting stained in many areas, some place still clear, just depends on where your at. I managed just 7 fish today, very slow bite, one fish here, and one there, no hot spots as we all like. All fish 13-14" range. Fished deep, fished shallow, only got fish at 30-35 feet, one at 40 foot. Think the winter blues has begun, hope not. Busy ramp when I got back at 11am, one fisherman said Bidwell ramp not very good, many getting stuck. The ramp at the damn is still good. A little mushy at the waters edge, but workable. Ramp looks to be another 5-10 feet longer today. Water still dropping, but slower rate these days. Ramp pictures in the Fishing Forum.

Monday, November 30th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Report: Knowing spotted bass are one of the hardest fighting fish, Brent Ehrler was surprised when he easily landed a fat-bellied brute last week.

      “It just came right to the net,” said the Bassmaster Elite Series angler, who took Mark Zona’s invitation to film a Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show at New Bullards Bar Reservoir in northern California.

      While Ehrler had a great trip, he didn’t receive a great pull on his personal best spotted bass.

      “I referred to them as being like Jabba the Hutt,” he said. “I believe the fish are so fat, they literally can’t move.

      “These fish, they’re not right. Proportionally, they look fake. We’ve all caught 3-pound spotted bass, and it’s a giant battle. They are the hardest pulling fish. I just envisioned what the fight would be if I caught one of the big ones, a 7-, 8-, 10-pounder.”

      While he was disappointed in that battle, both anglers caught their personal best spots, and each might have had a world record on the line momentarily. Spotted bass from Bullards Bar, which Zona calls the “biggest secret, non-secret lake in the world,” have broken the IGFA world record several times in the past two years.

      On Dec. 27, angler Wes Roberson caught an 11-pound spotted bass, weighed it and released the fish alive. The IGFA is considering his record submission, and if certified it would overtake the current 10-6 record.

      Read the rest at Bassmaster.com http://www.bassmaster.com/news/daily-limit-jabba-spotted-bass

Sunday, November 29th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Report: AmberRusso » Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:47 pm

      Fishing report for Bullards bar. Thank you everybody for all of your information Bullards was great really windy a little cold but the fishing was excellent. I launched out of dark day and it was a challenge because I was by myself so two people is definitely recommend it. As soon as I was leaving dark day the wind was so bad making the water very rough I headed for the first cove I could see. I noticed the steep rocks and targeted that area. I was using a margarita mutilator and caught fish back to back but they were all small. I used a weedless Huddleston and was able to catch a fish over 3 pounds. I decided to go to Emerald Cove to get some coffee and fish that area. I was using a black and red jig with a black and red Yamamoto double tail grub as a trailer and stuck a largemouth bass around 6 pounds. I was very surprised to see a largemouth this big here. I fished the area for the next hour and caught quite a few more fish ranging 1 to 2 1/2 pounds. despite the wind and the cold the fishing was awesome and would definitely recommend taking a trip there before it gets colder. Definitely focus on areas that have steep rocks and areas where the sun and the shade line come together. The lake is very low in fact Emerald Cove guy said it's the lowest it's been since 1979. These fish were shallow surprisingly so try not to target Deepwater too much Right now.

    • By

      Report: Fishing report for Bullards bar. Thank you everybody for all of your information Bullards was great really windy a little cold but the fishing was excellent. I launched out of dark day and it was a challenge because I was by myself so two people is definitely recommend it. As soon as I was leaving dark day the wind was so bad making the water very rough I headed for the first cove I could see. I noticed the steep rocks and targeted that area. I was using a margarita mutilator and caught fish back to back but they were all small. I used a weedless Huddleston and was able to catch a fish over 3 pounds. I decided to go to Emerald Cove to get some coffee and fish that area. I was using a black and red jig with a black and red Yamamoto double tail grub as a trailer and stuck a largemouth bass around 6 pounds. I was very surprised to see a largemouth this big here. I fished the area for the next hour and caught quite a few more fish ranging 1 to 2 1/2 pounds. despite the wind and the cold the fishing was awesome and would definitely recommend taking a trip there before it gets colder. Definitely focus on areas that have steep rocks and areas where the sun and the shade line come together. The lake is very low in fact Emerald Cove guy said it's the lowest it's been since 1979. These fish were shallow surprisingly so try not to target Deepwater too much Right now.

Saturday, November 28th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launching in the morning from paradise point, went out to the Hilton pulled up to buddy who was out there 2 hours ahead of me had two fish one 22" and one 27" High tide at sunrise on drifting bluegill. I fished the area and nothing lots of geese no fish, I tossed plugs, worms, drifted shiners, bluegill, even trolled, Nothing. Pulled the trolling motor and headed to turner cut tossed in some rebels and trolled to the bridge nothing tried four different colors. pulled up to the bridge talked to a bass boat, no luck for him either, tossed on minnows and slow trolled the bridge, for 45 minutes with the bass boat throwing everything he had at them. Nothing we both left I went to windmill cove pulled up another bass boat talked to them same thing catching nothing. trolled it for 30 min nothing, going into the garlic brothers on the way another buddy was fishing off of ridge track, he had shad and fish and was doing well. dunking shad was the way to go for the day.

      Tips: find a spot anchor and bait fish

Friday, November 27th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Report: by Larry Hemphill » Fri Nov 27, 2015 3:10 pm

      With lower lake levels everywhere, it is a great time to take a few photos of structure that may not be visible for decades - if the heavy rain and snow does happen. On my last trip to Berryessa, I saw a rockpile with steep dropoff that I had never seen before. On my first or second cast, I caught a near 4 lb spotted bass. It was a perfect structure that may be under 40 feet of water by June. Let's hope!!

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Join us to celebrate small business Saturday 10% off store wide… (Sale Items excluded)

      Isleton Salmon searching anglers with Silvertrons leading the way. Water temperatures have dropped with the cooler evenings The salmon bite remains ok as season winds down. The bite in the area just improved all week. Salmon anglers are seeing success. a few fishing finally started getting solid reports of success from Many anglers to the west are seeing more salmon daily… getting close. Silvertron’s are the best bet for those who want to try.

      Walnut Grove . More Stripes are in the area as cold temperatures return more in the Walnut Grove area as the trolling bite is OK mostly small fish.. Slowed way down for Salmon still many decent Scores reported Silvertrons and K-14 getting mentioned. Best area has been Courtland to Walnut grove. Red Eye Shad and small shad patterned plastics are the top choices here as well. Rip baits are scoring Largemouth and Smallmouth in the Meadows.

      Discovery Bay Stripers that had been starting to group up in the Marina side seem to have Moved to the Indian Creek. They are still in the area, the bait and stripes are in main river Holland riverside south to Italian Slough. Dan’s Classic Shimmer Jigs and Strike King RedEye Shad getting bit. Black Bass cooler evening temps have water temperatures dropping and the bite a bit tough. Rip baits and Drop-shotting getting mentioned often now for the largemouth.

      Frank’s Tract Stripers and bass bite both OK Slow down with the cold temperatures. It’s no secret what a little fall weather can do. Ripbaits are great options while small swim baits and swim jigs get the mention. We found plenty of Stripers and Black Bass with Hair Jigs, Weedless Swimmers like the BIG 6thSense Hollow Bodies getting grabbed. Lot of Stripers in main River and Mildred areas.

      West Delta The West as in Honker Bay to the Bait tossers are getting fish when wind cooperates. Sturgeon quietly is slipping into the spotlight. Eel is the best bait over all, but roe and shad also scoring diamondbacks Broad slough and surrounding cuts. Bait Fishing upswing! Sturgeon and Stripers are being caught, Looking for stripers are finding solid numbers of keeper stripers from both boat and bank. Most of the nice stripers coming soaking Shad, anchovies and sardines . Antioch Pier scored stripers to39 inches this week. Shad is top offering.

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

Thursday, November 26th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: The wind laid down day before it was tough but great, I launched late at Paradise point 3:30 Headed straight for the cabin on the left on the levee going out to the main channel tossed on a rattle trap and my buddy tossed on a husky jerk and started a troll hooked 5 fish in the 45 min only on the gold husky jerk trolled the mobil home 500 yards and turned hooked all the fish on the turn before the shack, pulled the trolling rigs and drifted the turn with perch and shiner's nothing for 20 min than bang 5 more fish in less than all 20inch to 30inch nice fish, going for a night run so headed to garlic brothers wind laid down high tide and weeds all over the place could not dip for shad very well but was able to get 50 or so some huge. hooked up the lite clipped it on the side and stuck on some live shad. didn't get a thing for an hour 1/2 tried all three holes and nothing fish not there. dipped some more shad filled up the live well and headed out to the main channel. hooked to the right after bora bora beach went to the second turn off the main channel where the shack is on the corner and pulled up to the pumps turned on the lite tossed some live shad in and bam 38 inch nice fish my buddy hooked into a large something after five min snapped his line 18lb test. stayed for another hour and nothing but live shad every where and dipped and pulled out and went to the mouth of the Calaveras river turned lite on and tossed in live shad, hooked fish so dam fast bait was gone in a hour. all small strippers. went in to the river and dipped filled up the live well went across the way and fished rough and ready turned the lite off moon was bright and hooked 6 fish all over 25 inch and two carp. pulled are rigs its about 9:40 pm no one to be seen 20 years ago there would be 6 to 10 fisherman out with lights, not any more. Headed to the mouth of the san Joaquin and fished port to the bridge turned on the light and tossed in the shad about 15 ft down 10 pulls, my buddy hooked into another pig and lost it bad luck for him. I hooked into a 36lb this one I kept she had sea lice. great color. Nobody to be found, had the whole place to my self, pulled up and went to the port lots of feed no fish but we were over the cold headed back pulled out 12:30 am cold but what a trip. heading out sat will give you an update

      Tips: need a shad dip net, shop lite with a clamp cut off the plug and buy some clamps and attach to cord, need an dc RV bulb and hook to the side of the boat, extra battery is a must

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Report: by The Jerk 936 » Wed Nov 25, 2015 4:52 am

      Was up there about two days ago. Almost every fish caught threw up approx 1- 1.5" shad.. Very small bait fish.... Veeeeerrrryyyy small.... If your drop shooting, mm3, bold bluegill, Aron's magic all work. Alive shad 3" in prism is best to match. good luck'
      - Steve

    • By

      Report: by Towin_Bass » Wed Nov 25, 2015 7:19 pm

      MM3 was killin it between 25 35 ft pre storm on Sunday, jerk baits and for some reason white fluke with a little chartreuse worked really good for the boys early we opted for smaller fish do to us having the boys(5 and 6 yr olds), but did pick up a big 4 with and 6xd and a few 3 with a 10xd . Darker patterns like Gary said. I always try to see them on my graph first, for the bigger ones I try to stay in the 65 to 90 ft range Senkos always seem to catch 'em(like always) wacky with a big nail weight and drag slow but stay patient its cold and good luck I love that place even in the snow

    • By

      Report: by Gary Dobyns » Wed Nov 25, 2015 5:30 pm
      Bullards has lots of crawdads so browns and greens work well. Also here is a little rule of thumb for our deep spotted bass lakes. In winter and spring with runoff and a little color, I like darker colors like green pumpkin, warmouth, darker browns and green colors. In the late summer and especially in the fall, the water is usually a lot clearer and the fish get on bait a lot more too. So I use more shad or light colors. Of course this still varies but it's a good start lots of times. Good luck at Bullards!!!! Share some pics!!

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 58-59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: This is just a very short report about 2 recent trips, last Thurs afternoon/evening with buddy Mike, and a guide trip on Monday the 23rd. I don't usually guide on Mondays, but this was a "teach the lake" trip. Weather was very nice - maybe the last warm fall day. We covered most of the lower - mid lake, and did some fishing too. Had fun showing off my new Gen 3 meters! The bite was very slow, with the biggest at 3 1/2 lbs. He did catch several small bass that are now "keepers!" Monday is not an "off" day for the lake - saw many bass boats out. Thursday, Mike and I only fished a few hours because the bite was dead and we sorta got blown off the lake. The wind just got worse and worse and the bite was slow. We did have a moment to make the trip worthwhile as I did land a nice 6-2 bass thru the crashing waves. That makes the trip home a little more enjoyable!

      Tips: The main reason for this report is to remind anglers that this prolonged warm fall weather is ending quickly this week. Lows are predicted to be in the mid-20's at night and highs in the mid-40's. That will remind you quickly about wind chill at 60 MPH! It will be time for the winter layers if you start out early in the morning. Frostbite is no fun!!

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Report: by Gary Dobyns » Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:12 am

      Bullards is best spotted bass fishery in the world. Bar NONE!!!!! Still they get a little picky at times. Things that always work at least to some degree at Bullards are:

      Drop shotting - I don't really think color matters all that much. Robo in Oxblood, Aaron's Magic, MM 3, and whatever your favorite color is. I'd try a red, purple, and brown color. They will like one of them or all of them.

      Senkos - Can't miss here. Senkos work everywhere and Bullards they make work even better. Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin/Watermelon Laminate , Baby Bass, Natural Shad. These are my personal favorites but I believe whatever your favorite color is, they'll eat it too.

      Jigs - Lots of crawdads in Bullards and they get eat. Browns and green colors or add a little purple. All standard stuff

      At times Jerkbaits. crankbaits, C-Rigs, Swimbaits all work great too.

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: launched out of paradise point. went straight to the main channel went to the Hilton island across on the south east end, when I pulled up fly fisherman were catching strippers one every three cast casting at the tules notice they were using striper darts shad black and white and silver, the other fisherman was using the blue,white and silver. Did see them over the hour of being there releasing 25+ fish, one of the fisherman pulled a 15 to 18lb stripper and released it cool. when I pulled up I tossed on a blue gill and started my slow troll being there 3 min hooked into a 31 inch fish, after that had some shiners tossed one in and 14 inch fish, bunch of them 10 inch to 20 inch fish lost count, after 2 hours pulled up and went across windmill cove on the corner going into 14 mile slough, threw on a rattle trap blue with a white tail and trolled the edge all the way down to the tree and hooked 8 fish in a hour all small fish did get to nice 6 lb black bass in the process. headed to dads point and country club golf course and just killed it on whatever rattle trap I put on most fish were in 18 to 25 inch range.

Monday, November 23rd, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 55

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Rivers End at 10:30. Lots of Hyacinth at the pump station. Wind about 3MPH. Tide was coming in fast on main river, lots of Hyacinth barges. Worked south to east side of Coney Island. Conditions were nice, but no fish. Tried swim-baits, top water, and crank baits. Got desperate, and tried chicken livers. Finally caught a few 16 inch strippers. Slow day. Hope to have better news next week. Good luck.

Saturday, November 21st, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Stripes Sturgeon Solid
      Isleton The salmon bite remains ok as season winds down. The bite in the area just improved all week. Salmon anglers are seeing success. a few fishing finally started getting solid reports of success from Salmon searching anglers with Silvertrons leading the way. Water temperatures have dropped with the cooler evenings. Many anglers to the west are seeing more salmon daily… getting close. Silvertron’s are the best bet for those who want to try.
      Walnut Grove Slowed way down for Salmon still many decent Scores reported Silvertrons and K-14 getting mentioned. Best area has been Courtland to Walnut grove. More Stripes are in the area as anglers recover still around as temperatures return more seasonable in the Walnut Grove area as the trolling bite is OK mostly small fish.. Red Eye Shad and small shad patterned plastics are the top choices here as well. Rip baits are scoring Largemouth and Smallmouth in the Meadows.
      Discovery Bay Black Bass cooler evening temps have water temperatures dropping and the bite on upswing!. Rip baits and Drop-shotting getting mentioned often now for the largemouth. Stripers that had been starting to group up in the Marina side seem to have disappeared. Have faith! They are still in the area, the bait and stripes are in main river Holland riverside south to Italian Slough. Dan’s Classic Shimmer Jigs and Strike King RedEye Shad getting bit.
      Frank’s Tract Stripers and bass bite both doing well now responded well to the cooler temperatures. It’s no secret what a little fall weather can do. Ripbaits are great options while small swim baits and swim jigs get the mention. We found plenty of Stripers and Black Bass with Hair Jigs, Weedless Swimmers like the BIG 6thSense Hollow Bodies getting grabbed. Lot of Stripers in main River and Mildred areas.
      West Delta Anglers in search of stripers are finding solid numbers of keeper stripers from both boat and bank. Most of the nice stripers coming soaking Shad, anchovies and sardines . Antioch Pier scored stripers to27 inches this week. Shad is top offering. The West as in Honker Bay to the Broad Slough plug casting is getting fish when wind cooperates. Sturgeon quietly is slipping into the spotlight. Eel is the best bait over all, but roe and shad also scoring diamondbacks Broad slough and surrounding cuts.
      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

    • By

      Water Temp: 56 degrees

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Big Break marina on Saturday around 6:30 AM into fog soup. Wind less than 5MPH, and immediately caught a striped bass just above legal size. Thought the place was going to turn on but no action.Heading into Dutch and continued fished for striped bass. Nada. Shot over to Sherman and a few sloughs there. NADA. Headed back to BB into the sloughs to catch some bass. Picked up about 6 large mouth bass with nothing larger than 1.5 pounds. As we headed back to the marina around 2PM, outgoing tide, the birds started diving near the grass island. The striped bass were pushing the bait fish into the shallows. We were in about 3 feet of water, lots of grass out there, constantly getting hung up so we switched to jerk bait, and stayed 1 foot from the surface of the water. Caught 2 striped bass 20"+ as we fished until 3:15PM.

      Tips: If the striped bass are in the shallows immediately get that RT off your line and put on a weedless swim beat or jerk bait. We tried top water but the gulls were all over 'em, thinking they were the real deal. Unless you like flying a sea-gull kite don't give them something to steal. Look for the outgoing tide to push the bait fish into the shallows.

Friday, November 20th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Report: Got an early launch at 6:30 am today, headed to the middle fork again. The day started great, first cast and decent 14 1/2" spot (photo) that seemed to be waiting just for me. No other fish so moved and could not get a bite for the life of me. Fished hard, could not locate fish today for some reason. Managed just 7 spots today, no schools, scattered or not liking the colors I was using. Frustrating when you know more can be caught, they were just not in the mood today. Ramp is getting long these days, still good ramp at the dam, just got to walk a bit to get up. Looks to be close to 250-300 feet long now? See photo from the top looking down. Still a good ramp. Pictures in fishing forum.

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got launched about 6:30 am at the dam. Ramp is getting much longer these days, but very narrow at the launch area. Stay close to the dock as a large rock is in the water 2/3 the way to the shore line. Day started very slow, first 45 minutes nothing at all in two different locations. Third location was the charm, got a nice 15" and the fish didn't stop coming in after that. I worked a 40 foot section of the lake, for the whole trip. I'd have caught more, but my boat clock was off an hour and I didn't know it till the boat came out. Damn, stopped fishing at 9:30 am, when I thought it was 10:30 am. Managed 21 fish today, one 15", two 14 1/2" a couple 2-3 14" with all others 12-14" range, no dinks (under 12") today Release all fish as always. Worst part of the day, forgot the camera!!! When you find fish, give the area a chance, fish it more, rather then move down the bank. Fish deeper!! all fish came from 30-40 foot range today, with a finesse Carolina rig, 1/8 oz, 15" tail from weight to hook with a McCoy McStopper plastic bobber stopper. Works great for re-rigging after getting broke off in the rocks. Use this every trip!

Monday, November 16th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 57 64

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Tourneys are done for the year so I'll tell you how I caught em. Mostly out in disco throwing square bills , deep divers and jerk baits. Had some 25 Lb days. Late October they were all shallow, 11/14 was the toc and didn't have much time from a fog deley, but managed to grab 15lbs in a few hours on the jerk bait. The fish seem to be 5 or 10ft off the end of the docks suspending or right on the bottom. It seems with the sudden change in weather there moving into a winter transition rather quickly. The bass were deep and the stripes were shallow. Good luck out there, and for me on to the striped till January.