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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Sunday, October 18th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: ***WARNING****FALSE RIVER DAM NOT OPEN****

      Contrary to the WB report I fished the Delta yesterday, I attempted to cross the False River Dam area and was immediately red-flagged and told to go back. Although they removed the floating rope with buoys IT IS NOT SAFE TO CROSS!!!

      That said my fishing buddy and I went the long-way around from Big Break to fish around Little Frank's. The Striped bass bite was not on in the morning, no birds, nothing taking any rattle-traps. A fellow fisherman did catch legal limits using blue-gill. We traced our way back to Big Break via Taylor Slough, caught a few, then back into big break to catch about 10 LMB, biggest about 2pounds. Fished wacky style.

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: Good evening fans!

      Missed you guys the past several weeks, but duty calls smile emoticon My colleagues have been keeping you up to date though! I have been trying to take a couple of pictures on the way to work...posted is my favorite! Just a reminder that the days are shortening, the leaves are turning....and we are getting close to winter!

      Currently......It's raining! Although nothing like it has been hitting down south...seeing the videos are a little rough. Wish that Mother Nature was sending those storms up our way! So what does it look like for this winter in this area?

      The Sac region of the National Weather Organization has stated we will receive normal to above normal rain for this winter season! But what does that mean for the lake?

      If the lake was drained to the bottom and the taps were shut off, the lake could fill 1.26 times on an average rainfall year! What about the Feds letting out more than they should? Well...they have to provide sanctions for the rivers. They cannot let too much out for flooding, and they cannot decrease to low due to bank erosion. The biggest item is that the southern areas of CA will be getting hit hard this winter (El Nino estimation). Therefore it is a safe bet the Feds will not be letting too much water released from Shasta!

      We want to hear your predictions! What do you think is going to happen this winter in CA? Better yet, what predictions do you have for Shasta Lake elevations this coming Spring?!

      Lake Level Report (10/18/2015 at 00:00)
      Lake Elevation: 924.35' (142.65' below full pool)
      Lake Elevation (2014): 895.45' (171.35' below full pool)
      Storage: 1,485,174 af
      Storage (2014): 1,113,976 af
      Outflow: 5,560 cfs
      Inflow: 2,416 cfs
      Precipitation (24 hr @ dam): 0.00"
      Precipitation (Season @ dam): 0.03"
      Precipitation (2014 Season @ dam): 0.05"

Saturday, October 17th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Fall Bite Explosion

      Dan’s Delta Outdoors Fall Striper Series #2 Goes out of Big Break Marina Saturday Morning. This catch and release tournament is the 2nd of 3 events. Registration 5 to 6 am target draw and blast off right at first light. ALL BOATS must leave from Big Break Marina.

      Hook Line and Sinker Black Bass series continues out of Russo’s this weeklend Good Luck to all those Anglers that are going out for the fall bite, Grab some Booby Trap jigs and get after it!

      Isleton
      BAM! Finally the salmon bite EXPLODED as cooler evening temps take hold. 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. Smallies are getting more attention now as 2 to 4 pound fish show more often now… Jigs and flukes are getting them!

      Walnut Grove
      Continuing solid Salmon numbers with many Great Scores reported Silvertrons and K-14 getting mentioned. Best area has been Courtland to Walnut grove. Few 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. Small swimbaits are scoring Largemouth and Smallmouth in the Meadows.

      Discovery Bay
      More Stripers now starting to group up in the Marina side. R2Sea Rukus and Whopper Ploppers getting smacked. Black Bass cooler evening temps have water temperatures dropping and the bite on upswing!. Stay near main river current with Crankbaits Strike King XD 6 and 2.5 square bills. Strike King small Double Buzz and Poppers getting mentioned often. Jig bite on points is also good, the all new TNT Booby Trap is a great replica of Delta Craws come by and check them out !

      Frank’s Tract Stripers
      and bass bite both responded well to the removal of the False River dam. It’s no secret what a little current can do. Walking baits are great topwater options while small swim baits and swim jigs get the mention.

      West Delta
      WOW! Salmon success stories still abound. Slime Rockets best on the incoming tide with Mepp’s Flying C’s in Pittsburgh and Humphries areas. More 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. Antioch Pier scored stripers to 38 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. Go On Top with Dan’s Delta Mizers, during the day go old school with Hair Jigs Like Dan’s Classic Shimmer jigs or Spro in open water White/Dark Green and White/Blue best this week . Bass Bite stays solid in the Break and surrounding cuts. Cranking Lucke Strike Square bills in bait fish patterns and spinnerbaits is key.

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

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68 to 69

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: In at Centimuda at 7:00am had two limits of keepers by 9:00am. Fished the mouth of Little Backbone. The fish were stacked up just off the east point going in. All of the fish came on a 4" Weenie #162 Natural Blue dropshotted from 25 to 45 feet deep. Nothing big largest went 1.75 lb. Ended up with a total of 30 fish, 6 of those were smallmouthes. Great time on the water, oh and I out fished the Blonde in the back of the boat, 18 to 12, but she caught the biggest fish.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at the dam about 6:30 am, headed to the middle fork. Began tossing worms about 7 am, just as the light began to peek at the lake. I have noticed that spots don't seem to bite well very early while nearly dark, no idea why, but never ever get any hits when still dark. As soon as the sun get going the bite comes on. Managed 16 fish today, best a 15", a couple 14 " and most all others were 13" plus, with 2 dinks at 11-12". Have you ever noticed blue gill pecking your worms, if you do, then more then likely spots are also in the area. Always remember the bluegill and spots roam the same waters more often then not. Most all fish taken around the 30 foot mark. Ramp is fine for all at the dam, gravel, not too steep, so don't worry about launching at the dam, just need 4wd. Back out next week as always.

Saturday, October 10th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68-70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched Paradise and went straight to Middle River dodging all the hyacyinth along the way.. oh well! threw suspended spot lipless and picked up a bunch of 10"-12" over the weed beds in 5' -9' and and then picked up a couple of 2lbers, then a couple 3lbers....then back to 12"ers. We saw that many more follow the baits all the way to the boat...funny to watch them either streak by or grab the bait for a second and go crazy to shake free. Worked our way all around Little Connection to Disappointment for a few more 1 and 2lbers and quit at 330pm. We tried 14mile Slough briefly with a couple on traps but water was stained so we went back to St Francis and Middle River and hung out before hittling Disappointment on the way back to Paradise. Only a few on jigs, D-Bombs, and Stik-O's in black neon (blk/red flk) so the majority were boated on lipless cranks in orange/yellow belly.

      Tips: Not really qualified to give tips but here's what we figured...bass were hangin' in the weed beds so we slow retrieved suspending cordell spots and just did the Rick Clunn thing... nipping the tops of the weeds and not even ripping it when we felt it...we just paused if we felt the weed tops, then slow-rolled and confirmed vibration and wham, the strikes were aggressive. Since I was up front on the trolling motor, it was great using a suspending lipless so when I had to pause and hit the remote, I wasn't worried about my lipless sinking into the weeds...I could pick up where I left off. Oh well, worked for us. I LOVE crankbaitin'.... but gotta get better at jig fishin'..... advice welcome.

Friday, October 9th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Fall Bite Explosion
      68th Annual Rio Vista Striper Derby Runs now through Sunday. While this has become a huge event for the City of Rio Vista, the Derby itself has become over shadowed by the “Fair Like” atmosphere. If you really care about Striped Bass, join CSBA and get involved with saving our fisheries from idiots like Feinstein and Boxer. Join Here

      Angler’s Choice
      TOC Good Luck to all those Anglers that fished hard All Year to qualify for this Event At Russo’s Marina.

      Isleton
      Finally the salmon bite improved as cooler evening temps take hold. The bite in the area just improved all week. Salmon anglers are seeing success, a few fishing finally started getting an occasional report of success from Salmon searching anglers. 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. Smallies are getting more attention now as 2 to 4 pound fish show more often now… Jigs and flukes are getting them!
      Walnut Grove
      Salmon in numbers with many Great Scores reported Silvertrons and K-14 getting mentioned. Best area has been Courtland to Walnut grove. Few 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. Small swimbaits are scoring Largemouth and Smallmouth in the Meadows.
      Discovery Bay
      Few More Stripers now starting to group up in the Marina side. R2Sea Rukus and Whopper Ploppers getting smacked. Black Bass cooler evening temps have water temperatures dropping and the bite on upswing!. Stay near main river current with Crankbaits Strike King XD 6 and 2.5 square bills. Bobby D’s Swim Jigs and Spinner baits getting mentioned often. Jig bite on points is also good, the all new TNT Booby Trap is a great replica of Delta Craws come by and check them out !
      West Delta
      WOW! Salmon success stories still coming in. Slime Rockets best on the incoming tide with Mepp’s Flying C’s in Pittsburgh and Humphries areas. More 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. Antioch Pier scored stripers to 38 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. Go On Top with Dan’s Delta Mizers, during the day go old school with Hair Jigs Like Dan’s Classic Shimmer jigs or Spro in open water White/Dark Green and White/Blue best this week . Bass Bite stays solid in the Break and surrounding cuts. Cranking Lucke Strike Square bills in bait fish patterns and spinnerbaits is key.
      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71-73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I heard the small sub-keeper bass were a little less active recently. Not so for Mike and me. Those creatures were everywhere - but - some are now keepers - finally!! We fished Friday afternoon from 4 pm 'til 10 pm. We thought the lake would calm dawn in the evening but many of the tourney guys were still hunting the big ones 'til dark. We fished a variety of soft plastics from 10 to 40 feet. Our best 5 limit was only around 13 lbs. I had 2 good hits after dark - landing 1 that went 4 lbs. She was about 35 feet deep. The other one felt big!! I'm sure the best bite would have been at the coolest time, probably from 4 to 7 am. We did a lot of cranking but didn't hook any. Flappin' hogs and beaver type baits worked best for us. I threw a lot of bigger plastic worms - to no avail.

      Tips: I don't say much during the busy tournament weekends. It really seems like a late summer bite - fall is NOT in the air yet!!

Thursday, October 8th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Wimpy's around 8:00AM. Fished the South Mokelumne River toward Sycamore Slough. Since it was still the outgoing tide, I decided to throw a top water lure, River2Sea Whopper Plopper 90, in the color powder. My cousin was throwing a small crayfish looking crankbait. On both of our first 2 casts, each of us caught a small size bass. We were casting over the top of weed beds/flats or the edges of the weeds. We made our way down the Mokelumne and went into Hog, Beaver, and Sycamore sloughs. We spent most of the day throwing these lures. Caught 11 keeper size bass (biggest 2.5 lbs) and probably 50+ small bass. I even caught a 6 inch turtle on the whopper plopper. Off the water by 1:00PM.

      The back part of both Beaver and Sycamore sloughs were covered with hyacinths from bank to bank. The front part of Sycamore slough looked like it was sprayed because there was a lot of dead hyacinths, but the back part was a different story.

      Tips: We were using 50lb or 65lb braid. We had to pull most of the fish out of the weeds. We fished top water or shallow running lures most of the day. I had changed the hooks on the whooper plopper to heavier hooks. The front hook was a VMC 4X red treble hook while the tail hook was a custom made dressed Owner 4X treble (white feathers with red flash). The dressed tail hook made the lure tail heavy so the lure didn't float while it was sitting idle, but the action was great when it was retrieved.

Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71-73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I made a quick solo trip to Collins today (Wed). starting about 3 pm and fishing until 6:30 pm. I looked and studied all the low water sights - structure that is normally under water. I fished some and looked around some. I was metering the middle of the lake with my NEW Gen 3 12" Lowrance. Fantastic!! All of a sudden a bunch of bass busted shad - out of nowhere!! I had the presence of mind to quick throw a spook and nailed a 3 1/4 lb spot. Good first topwater fish of the fall. I landed 3 more keepers on the spook - one a 2 3/4 lb largemouth. The bite didn't last long. I cranked a lot, but no hits. One worm hit.

      Tips: With another warm week in store, I think the Oct bite will be a bit late this year. Launching take some time down by the dam, but had no trouble with my Ranger.

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68-70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Got an early start, never sure why I go so darn early. Launched at the Dam about 6:15 am, off the water at 10:30 am. Tossed worms working my way into the North fork. Bite was way off compared to last trip, not sure why other then the front that came though a few days ago. Had to work hard for fish today, managed just 11 fish, largest at 14 1/2", a couple 14" and the rest 12-13", no big fish today!!! Just about all fish were caught 30-35 feet, no shallow fish, none deeper. Think I'm headed back to middle fork next trip. Water ranged from 68-70 degrees depending on where I was at.

Sunday, October 4th, 2015

  • Alameda County
    • By

      Report: Got skunked again but without tossing a lure today. I had not fished here for months and thought it would be a good idea to try today. Not my lucky day. Lake was closed to people with boats. Unfortunately, a person was much more unlucky on Friday evening. The group's boat started taking on water and someone may not have made it to shore, hence the lake shut down to boaters while the search continues for this boater.

      Tips: Call before you come to this lake.

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Went to the Lake for the first time in 10 years expecting way lower water. Although the ramps are way down, there was plenty of water to fish. I started on the main body throwing topwater and started landing fish quickly with 4 fish in about 15 minutes. Moved down the bank throwing a darted with oxblood worm and land 3 more fish in the next 15 minutes. Fired up the new electronics and located tons of bait of some walls and cuts, Tossed out a drop shop and caught 4 fish in 30 minutes as a played withy sonar. Ran up the middle fork and caught a dozen fish on topwater, drop shot and dart head. Ran all the way up the North and to limesaddle, getting use to my new (used) boat, was able to catch fish everywhere in the afternoon in 20-35 ft of water on a drop shot, lost count of how many fish I caught. Landed 3 over 15 inches and several nice keepers, all fish were spots.

      Tips: Locate bait and you'll find plenty of fish, if they are small move on till you find the bigger ones. Don't wast time catching dinks! Oxblood worms were great for the dart heads and shad with purple or green worked great for drop shot. Topwater was a lucky craft walking bait (forgot the name) in perch pattern.

Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched about 6:30 am and headed to the middle fork, end portion, and tossed worms till 10: am. Decent bite today, but many smaller fish, seems half my catch was under 12"! even though I fished deeper then many do at 25-40 feet. Total 23 fish, only one 15" spot with about 2 14" the rest 12-13" or so other then the dinks. Again, 4-5 were LM. I'm beginning to like the middle fork, but going to north fork next trip to my old honey holes.

Saturday, September 26th, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70-75

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I took a good fisherman to Berryessa yesterday, teaching him about off-shore structure and - new to him - spooning! He has now become a fan of the Rick Tietz designed Blade Runnner spoons. His first spoon bass with a big 1 1/2 oz spoon was a 3 lb 2 oz smallie!! He even caught a few more. He had started off with some of Rick's smaller spoons. As I was showing him how to work the spoon, I nailed a quality smallie at 3 1/2 lbs! I told him all spoon fish are like that - (yea, right!). I was using one of Rick's new UV morning dawn spoons. We started early in the morning and the lake was DEAD!! No bites and no small bass chasing shad on the surface. Had one small bass hit a topwater. We started spooning around 11 am and the bite was fair - but not great. In a cove I like, we saw a wolfpack of big bass chase a school of bait. What a sight! As they went out to deeper water, we spooned those 3 pounder smallies I mentioned. I was metering a bank off Big Island with my new Gen 3 Lowrance 12"meter (really a TV screen!) There was nothing on the meter - bait or fish. I was trying the MM111 Robo worm for fun and soon a 3 lb largemouth crunched it! The invisible fish!!! We wound up with a fair amount of spoon bass with our best 5 about 12 1/2 lbs.

      Tips: This is the time of year to move around. The bait moves - and so should you! Again, I am impressed with the size of the bass this year. No big largemouth this trip, but the smallies are amazing - big and fat! I'm sure drop-shotting would be good now with shad colored baits, but again, my largemouth hit a Texas rigged worm. If the summer heat would ever give in to a cool fall, the bite will improve!!

  • Butte County
    • By

      Report: Pretty new to bass fishing, Having hard time catching many this summer. Found this site and must say a big thank you to Tom for your reports. Fished drop shot, buddy and I caught 31

      Keep em coming Tom

Thursday, September 24th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report….

      East County Fishing rolls as Salmon Stripers surge

      Tournaments return to Big Break Marina with Dan’s Delta Outdoors Striper Series Leading the way back to this Delta Icon! Last minute Check In 430 to 600 am Saturday AM Awards, Raffle and Fun starts at 300 pm. Sodas and snacks will be available.

      R2SeaTournament is just a week away and promises to be Epic event! More Next Week!

      Isleton
      Tough hot temps accompanied by the approaching full moon slowed salmon a bit. Still salmon anglers are seeing success, a few fishing finally started getting an occasional report of success from Salmon searching anglers. 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. Smallies are getting more attention now as 2 to 4 pound fish show more often now… Jigs and flukes are getting them!

      Walnut Grove
      Salmon are increasing in numbers Silvertrons and K-14 getting mentioned Bank anglers Pile worms and cut baits prevail. Catfish action is getting the most praise, Few 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. Best area has been Courtland to Walnut grove. Red Eye Shad and small shad patterned plastics are the top choices here as well. Small swimbaits are scoring Largemoth and Smallmouth in the Meadows.

      Discovery Bay
      Hot muggy conditions had revitalized the frog for bass anglers. Stay near main river current with Crankbaits Strike King XD 6 and 2.5 square bills. Bobby D’s Swim Jigs and Spinner baits getting mentioned often. Jig bite on points is also good, the all new TNT Booby Trap is a great replica of Delta Craws come by and check them out ! Top water stripes are showing in the deep water side. Topwater scoring striped bass on the main river topwater look for birds.

      West Delta
      WOW! More 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. Antioch Pier scored stripers to 38 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. Go On Top with Dan’s Delta Mizers. A few more Salmon success stories have come on the incoming tide with Mepp’s Flying C’s in Pittsburgh and Humphries areas . Bass Bite stays solid in the Break and surrounding cuts. Cranking and spinnerbaits is starting to improve daily.

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

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: Provided by Phil's Props - Visit them at http://www.philsprop.com/
      Lake Shasta
      Fishing is still getting better as the water temp starts to edge down. Fish shallow early with top water baits and shallow crankbaits, As the day goes on move out to 20' to 30' and fish tubes, 6" worms on dartheads, Wacky rigged senkos and spoons.

      Trinity lake
      Trinity is continuing to fish well. Small swimbaits like the Keitech Fat Swing Impact, Tubes and top water baits have been producing well.

    • By

      Water Temp: High 60's

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Got a chance to fish the Pit Arm this morning, the drop shot bite was hot from 8:30-10. I'm talking every other cast ranging from 12-17 inches. A few was choking up Shad so I grab a Crankbait and manage to hook into a solid 2 pounder. I'd like to welcome this cool fall introduction with open arms

      Tips: Anything shad color or brown. Target areas with 7-25ft of water. The deeper the better

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

  • Alameda County
    • By

      Report: This LARGEMOUTH MONSTER weighing in at a hearty 16.6 lbs. was carefully caught and released by Ian Cornelius of Castro Valley on September 14, 2015. Cornelius reported it was caught near Alder Point using roboworms. A half pound shy of the lake record, this is one of the biggest bass caught here at Lake Chabot in over 10 years. Our current lake record is held by Louis Vasquez from 2002 for a bass weighing in at 17 lbs.


      From Lake Chabot
      Bass fishing has been steady for the last several weeks with some bass anglers catching and releasing good numbers. Reports of bass from 1 lbs. to 4 lbs. are coming in daily. If you are fishing for bass, the early mornings and the evenings are best and they bite mostly on plastics, jigs, hula grubs and top water. If you do want to try your luck a couple good spots to fish for bass are near the island or in bass cove.

      Please practice catch and release for bass, as they are not stocked into the lake and their population depends on you!