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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake this week 7/22/2015

      Lake level this week is 2.42 Rumsey versus 0.72 Rumsey on this date last year.

      All ramps are open with no issues, except one should be aware there is road work going on around the lake. This work is beginning in the evening and running through 8 am or so each week day, and the delays can be lengthy. I would not attempt going anywhere early on a week day, unless you leave an extra 45 minutes or so to get where you want to go.

      Areas currently affected are Highway 29 West from Kelseyville to Lakeport in both directions, and Highway 20 West from the Oaks on up to Nice, again both directions can be affected.

      Fishing remains good to very good, with the crankbait and top water bites really beginning to come on strong. Leading the way on the crank side’s top baits are the Lucky Craft BDS, Strike King 8/10xd, and Megabass Deep 6, with the Whopper Flopper and Frog doing the most damage on top.

      Last weekend’s BBT event went off out of Red Bud Park with 81 boats and after all of the dust had settled, the winning team and their 29+lb bag took the win. Yes, 29+ lbs with an 11+lb kicker, and that was followed up with a 27, 26, 25, 24 etc etc, down to 19lbs for the final check. Not too dang bad for the middle of summer, and a 6 hour event.
      You can see all of the results at:

      http://www.bestbasstournaments.com/Even ... ?e=127&r=5

      This week BBT has yet another event here which will be going out of the Casino, making it even closer to the wide open Kermit bite, and the crank bite has gotten even better, so I would expect the results to be pretty much the same…..iffin’ the wind will lay down.

      Water conditions remain good, so now is the time to bring the chuck n’ wind gear and have some fun!

Sunday, July 19th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 75

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Big Break at 7:30 AM about one-hour post high-tide, windy, turned into Dutch to find gulls diving everywhere for a strong shaker-striper bite for 20 minutes. Caught about 6 shakers on rattle traps and it was picture perfect- nature at its best with bait fish jumping and birds diving. Moved into the pump-house and caught about 15 LMB ranging in size from small to 2.5 pounds. Caught'em on Trick Worms throwing wacky. My buddy caught a bunch on a plastic crawdad "jig". They are doing a great job of fixing up the marina, perhaps due to being under new management. Fished until 1:30, wind was up with small craft warning in effect.

      Tips: Be prepared for an early striper season.

Friday, July 17th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at lime Saddle about 6 am, fished till 9:30 am. Headed to N. fork and decided to try a few steep rocky points at the beginning of the N. fork area. Man, did I ever hit the right locations today. Got 27 spots today. First point about 3 fish, one at 15", second point was the place, fish after fish from it, with one 16 1/2" and a 16", 2 14 1/2", along with a small 14" large mouth. Fished this point nearly 2 hours or more, getting 20 spots off it with most all fish over 13" and 3-4 at 14". Third point another 3 or so fish, bite slowing down at 9 am. got no fish after 9 am.

      Tips: If you know bluegill are in the area, spots are generally too. Too many fisherman, move way to fast to catch lots of fish. If you catch fish, give the location a good chance, fish it for a while, don't just move down the bank, your leaving fish behind if you do. Most all fish were 20 to 30 foot range, fish deeper, cooler water makes for happy fish. Smaller fish 0-15 foot.

Tuesday, July 14th, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake this week 7/14/2015

      Tuesday finds the weather warming again, and the forecast is for warm/mild temps for the coming week, and weekend. Overnight lows will only drop into the low 60’s and daytime highs will approach 90 during the day.

      Water conditions continue to be good to very good depending on the area and time of day. Yes, there is a bloom mid-day but it has not made any areas un-fishable, but yes your line will get green as will your boat, but the fishing is well worth it for most.

      The above air temps combined with 78 degree water equals TOPWATER time, and yes, there is a fair to good early morning topwater bite. WhopperFlopper, buzzbaits, IMA Lil sticks, Spooks, and frogs will all add some quality fish to the livewell.

      Then as soon as the sun hits the water, the jig, dropshot, and senko bite takes over a bit. Then there’s the crank bite we’ve been waiting for. Yep, it has started with the arrival of the shad on wind-blown banks and ledges. Use your electronics to find the shad, and a Megabass Deep Six, DuoRealis, and 8XD will help add to your fish counts.

      This coming weekend we have BBT at Red Bud Park on Saturday, and it will most likely be a “junk fishing” derby. These types of tournaments are always fun, and I suspect 22-24lbs, will top what should be a fairly good sized field, still, if you are looking to jump into a tourney before the year’s out, this would be a good one as one can catch em’ just about any way they prefer. Deep, shallow, big baits, finesse baits, fast, slow, etc etc etc.

      Tip of the day….”don’t run from the wind”, it’s a good thing right now! The wind is positioning the bait, and once you find it you can catch em’ pretty good!

Sunday, July 12th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Wife and I launched out of tiki and went to Mildred's. Water clarity there was just fine it was just super windy. Fished the south end wall and had two blow ups on bob us perfect buzz frog. Left looking for calmer water but couldn't find any so headed to whiskey slough. Water clarity there was stained and still windy. Found some great fishing areas but never got to fish them due to the wind. Tried throwing spinner baits but with aluminum boat I was getting blown all over. First time launching out of tiki and I love it, its a great location with many fishing options all over and very close to Mildred's.

      Tips: My advice is when you see 20+ mph wind advisory save your money and stay home. I know wind is a good thing but when it's that windy it made things really difficult. Now if you have power poles that might be different but I don't so it was a battle keeping the boat in good casting position.

Friday, July 10th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71-73

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Started 630am B&W and worked top of the Moke along the rock wall crankin' lipless RedEye Shads and suspending Cordell Spots. Hooked up prolly 25+ 11inchers and maybe 5-6 keeper size...nothing over 2lbs. Worked same area with senkos and creatures and managed another 20+ but nothing over 1-2lbs. Continued on down the Moke and had fun with a bunch of voracious shaker stripers. Ran back up to top of the Moke and worked both the rock wall and fav tule strips with cranks and plastics. Prolly about another 20+ dinks and 11inchers, no sizeable keepers this time around, but lots of action and just a lot of fun. Wind was whippin' by the time we trailered around 1pm.

      Tips: Not qualified to give tips. we just enjoy throwin' crankbaits... redeye shads and suspending cordell spots in orange and red craw patterns. threw senkos, both 5" and 6" in black/red flake and watermelon/red flake. hope this sunday is as decent or better...takin' the nephew and his gf.

Thursday, July 9th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Went out today with Jeff in his boat, launched a tad after 6am. Headed to north fork, picked a couple steep points and found fish. Most fish deep 20 foot 30 foot range, where the water is a tad cooler. One nice spot at 15" plus, maybe even 16", didn't measure, taking too long to get the board out, so just released it right away. Also got a nice scrappy small mouth, all other fish basic fish. Got 6 fish and Jeff needed to find a bathroom bad, so headed back to main lake bathroom. When we stopped, notice vapor from the motor, in the exhaust, trip over!!, took the boat off before we cause more problems. Two trip now in a row with a breakdown. My boat going in for repair Friday, so hope to be back fishing next week.

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: Good morning fans!!! grin emoticon

      I am very excited this morning for several reasons!

      The first is that we had a wonderful summer storm come through last night. Lightning, thunder and heavy periods of rain. We received about a tenth of an inch here on the McCloud, while North of us was 1/2 an inch. Not much, but we will take every last drop. Currently, it is 66 degrees, 99% humidity and the air is calm as can be.


      Another reason I am a ecstatic this morning is that the new BOR predictions for the lake are out...and the numbers are much better than what was released after the March figures.

      Predictions state that we have a 90% expectancy that in October and November we will hit our low elevation of 917' (150' below full pool). Although that is still lower than we would like, it is 17' higher than earlier predictions, and 27' higher than last year's levels!!! grin emoticon (Monthly levels posted in the pictures)

      A reason for this change is probably due to a new development in the water deliveries. An article in the ACWA (Association of California Water Agencies) stated that the State Water Board approved a new Sacramento River Temperature Plan submitted by the BOR. In a nutshell, the lake will remain at higher lake levels during the summer months, with a sharper draw down during the fall salmon runs.

      (Follow the link below before detailed language: http://www.acwa.com/…/sacramento-river-temperature-plan-app…)

      This is simply a win-win situation here on the lake. It will help the water temperature for the fall salmon runs and it will certainly help recreation on Shasta during the summer months!

      Have a wet and wonderful day out there! grin emoticon

      Lake Level Report (07/9/2015 at 6 AM)
      Lake Elevation: 965.14' (101.86' below full pool)
      Lake Elevation (2014): 943.86' (123.14' below full pool)
      Storage: 2,137,667 af
      Storage (2014): 1,777,745 af
      Outflow: 5,863 cfs
      Inflow: 2,081 cfs
      Precipitation (24 hr @ dam): 0.00"
      Precipitation (Season @ dam): 49.43"
      Precipitation (2014 Season @ dam): 30.53"

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: This past weekend, Shasta Lake made the news in an unexpected and disheartening way.

      Media outlets on the west coast started spreading the doom and gloom of high levels of mercury in the fish of Shasta Lake. The majority of the stories contained a slew of "maybe's, could be's and what if's."

      What they skirted over was that there is simply a request to do a new study this coming summer.


      The most recent report listed (2006) portions of the Sacramento River as impaired, however Shasta Lake was not.

      Our local news station located a local fishing guide and his response was outstanding. (Posted video)

      We will have to wait and see what the test results come back with after this summer. Until then, for those that are concerned about the quality of fish, there is always catch and release. The trout have seemed to remain below the limit for safe levels. Bottom feeders such as catfish have a tendency to have higher levels.

      The news reports haven't caused me concern...as I am heading out again this weekend to catch some fish! wink emoticon

      Lake Level Report (07/8/2015 at 8 AM)
      Lake Elevation: 965.58' (101.42' below full pool)
      Lake Elevation (2014): 944.31' (122.69' below full pool)
      Storage: 2,145,577 af
      Storage (2014): 1,784,896 af
      Outflow: 5,617 cfs
      Inflow: 1,629 cfs
      Precipitation (24 hr @ dam): 0.00"
      Precipitation (Season @ dam): 49.43"
      Precipitation (2014 Season @ dam): 30.53"

Friday, July 3rd, 2015

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: Good morning Fans, and Happy 4th of July weekend! grin emoticon

      There has been a dramatic change in the weather this morning. Right now it is overcast, 77 degrees with 57% humidity and a few rain drops!

      There is a possibility of some scattered showers and even some of Mother Nature's fireworks later this evening. There is nothing like watching a good lightning and thunder show on the lake! grin emoticon


      It is going to be a perfect day for fishing, and spending all day on the lake without having to worry too much about getting burnt (at least this morning).

      Lake Level Report (07/3/2015 at 6 AM)
      Lake Elevation: 967.89' (99.11' below full pool)
      Lake Elevation (2014): 946.90' (120.10' below full pool)
      Storage: 2,187,398 af
      Storage (2014): 1,826,415 af
      Outflow: 5,391 cfs
      Inflow: 2,600 cfs
      Precipitation (24 hr @ dam): 0.00"
      Precipitation (Season @ dam): 49.43"
      Precipitation (2014 Season @ dam): 30.53"

Monday, June 29th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 79

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: The parking has been fixed at Lime Saddle for us old disabled fisherman. Wrote the state and complained and they moved the signs down, but short one post as it's been in the past. Walks up and a fraction better now for the early arriving fisherman. Launched early, 5:30 am trying to beat the heat. Got a couple in the ramp area, set of towards north fork. Opened the boat up at the bridge, got to the second point and the boat motor died, dead in the water. Of all days, no boats anywhere around, headed back with trolling motor, and a slight kick from the motor, as it would idle for a few minutes and then die. Did this all the way back to the ramp for the next couple hours. Fished the ramp area from about 8:30 am to 10 am and managed 17 fish, largest a 14" with most 12-13". Also got one 3-4 pound catfish. Damn hot day on the lake for those who really got to fish. Away till the motor gets looked at and fixed, then back fishing. Guessing 2 more weeks before the ramp closes due to low water.

Friday, June 26th, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77-83

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I had another nice guide trip on Wed - out of the Oaks. I hadn't been in that area for awhile, so I pick a ledge to start on at 6:45 am. My client made a few casts with his rod but I saw that it was just too light. I gave him one of my G Loomis rods to use and within a cast or two, he hooks and lands a 5 lb 2 oz bass. We had been on the water for about 10 minutes! Why doesn't that happen on every trip??? Talk about taking the pressure off the guide! I had him using my hot Berryessa bait - a 6" MMIII Robo worm. We fished all the way from the Oaks to Henderson Point, where we found aa floatilla of boats - that means a LOT of boats for a summer Wednesday! We got bites and landed bass up until the time we quit at 2:30 pm. Our best 5 was about 17 lbs.

      Tips: I tried a frog in the afternoon with no takes. Also couldn't get big on a jig - the bait that was so good last June. After my client landed his 5, I missed another bass in the 6 to 7 lb range that jumped and said "look at me!" The breeze was blowing most of the trip which made for a confortable trip before Thursday's heat. Most of our bass were caught at the 10 to 15 foot depth. Couldn't get the deeper bass to bite!

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake this Week 6/26/2015

      HOT HOT HOT!

      Early

      Get up early and chase a good to very good top water bite! Spooks, Stickbaits, and Buzzbaits are all producing a good number of bites EARLY each morning until the sun hits the water. The bigger bites are coming on the Spook and Ima lil’ Stickbaits fished in and around spawning flats. Once that bite goes slows, pick up your chatterbait and go through the same areas for some additional fun. Should you find the right area topwater bags of 22-27 lbs are not un-common.
      The fish are loading up and chasing the bait first thing in the AM…..4:30 AM until 7 AM has been prime time, so get at em’ early.

      Mid-morning

      Now it’s time to get out the jig, or Carolina rig and get after them on the ledge areas, deeper docks, and rockpiles. You may have to weed through some lil guys, but the better bites will come, just stay with it.

      Noon

      Kermit time, and while there not a ton of big bites, the action can be non-stop if you hit the right area. Tules lines, and weedy areas are all producing 2-4lb fish with an occasional 5-7lber thrown in if you stick with it.

      Afternoon-dark

      This is when the chatter bait takes back over once again and really begins to produce some good numbers and size, and don’t be afraid to chase the evening with the frog, or even the spook once more.

      Night Fishing

      The night bite is improving with this rising moon and should continue to get even better. Big jigs, swim baits, and chatter baits will all produce for those who brave the bugs…

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: Good afternoon fans!

      It's going to start getting REALLY hot up here!!! What better way to cool than the lake?! wink emoticon

      The gap is continuing to grow between lake levels between last year and this one. We are now close to 17.5' higher than last year to date and right around 250 miles of shoreline.

      The heat is going to make for some great, late evenings stargazing, early morning fishing and water play the rest of the day. You know where you'll find me this weekend! grin emoticon

      Lake Level Report (06/23/2015 at 1 PM)
      Lake Elevation: 971.28' (95.72' below full pool)
      Lake Elevation (2014): 953.87' (113.13' below full pool)
      Storage: 2,249,812 af
      Storage (2014): 1,941,508 af
      Outflow: 6,350 cfs
      Inflow: 2,456 cfs
      Precipitation (24 hr @ dam): 0.00"
      Precipitation (Season @ dam): 49.43"
      Precipitation (2014 Season @ dam): 30.53"

Sunday, June 21st, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 77to 81

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing with Sid
      8:54 PM
      To: Sidney Silberberg, lake b Peter Kilkus new

      Wishing all the Dads out there a very Happy Father's Day!!! John, Albert and I went out for a great day of fishing. Since John had to get back early we fished hard and fast. We saw lots of bait all over the lake and in about 120 feet of water John landed a 3+ pound trout which he planned on having for dinner that night. I caught a few nice bass. (see photos) I went into a shallow area where we could see nice size bass swim through the grass chasing the bait fish. The grass was very thick so it was difficult to throw any kind of bait and we didn't have time to really try anything because we had to get John back home but I will make sure to try that spot next week maybe with a fluke. 'til next time....................................................................good fishing!!!!!!
      www.fishingconnection.net If you have any questions or stories you would like to share or would like to book a guided fishing trip please email me at bestguide@Hotmail.com or call me at 650-583-3333.

      Tips: Fluke and Carolina rig will be on my agenda` for next week Albert was drop shoting only catching small bass same method he caught hi's 12.5 pounder a couple of weeks ago fishing with me shallow.

Saturday, June 20th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 76

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Video: https://youtu.be/ju6sdraGA9c

      Got a late start - launched out of Russo's at 10AM. Luckily the tide was still up. Flipped the tules for only one or two barely keepers. Fished grass line on a break and caught a 3-6 with a 5 following it to the boat. Caught ten or so more in a 10x10' space, some back to back. Hit some more breaks and did the same. Caught 'em on drop shot, senko and jerk bait.

      Tips: Fish the grass lines on breaks or where ever you can find them near deeper water.

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 78-84

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Mike and I made a quick trip yesterday afternoon, since we had not been there in a few weeks. Nice to see the lake still above last years level. We started about 3:30 and quit at dark. We found that some of the dinks are now keeper size - wow!! We caught 4 nice bass from 3 1/4 to the nicest - Mike's 7 pounder!!! Our 4 went about 17 1/2 lbs. I had the pleasure of snagging a big crappie on one cast and landed a catfish on the next cast - ugh! We were going to fish at night for awhile but just got tired of the wind.

      Tips: We just fished shoreline structure near deep water, using worms and beaver type baits. Could not get a Senko bite. I worked a frog some - just small bass were interested. I was VERY sad to hear about the number of bass that died during the Calif Open - and after. Isn't mid-June a little late for an 8 hr day on a noted "big bass" lake in California?

Friday, June 19th, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: General Info

      Lake level this week is 3.29 Rumsey and falling, but the bite is actually beginning to improve dramatically. Now, the average fish runs 3-4 pounds, with an occasional 5 pounder for a picture.

      Water Conditions

      Water conditions vary day to day depending on wind and air temps but in general they are really good for this time of year.

      Techniques

      Carolina rigs, drop-shots, senkos, jigs, frogs, and chatter baits top the list of offerings
      producing 10-15 keepers a day. Plastic colors, MM3, green pumpkin/watermelon, and watermelon candy are the big three this week.

      Locations

      Both ends of the lake and most areas in-between are producing fish, with the North end and mid-lake topping most reports.

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 78

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished again making up a messed up trip last wed. Launched about 5:45 an at lime saddle, fished till 10 am. Fished the north fork area from west fork towards the main lake. Seemed like the bite was slower, onlt managed to catch 18 fish, with just one at 15", a few in the 14" range with all others the basic 12-13" variety. I did catch one jumbo sun fish, had to be over a pound, darn near as big as a dinner plate, also one 3-4 pound catfish. Fish seemed deeper today, most in the 20-30 foot range, better fish on the deeper side. Me, generally stay away from 0-10 foot, too many dinks.

Thursday, June 18th, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 78-81

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I had another really nice guide trip yesterday with a really good fisherman! My 521 Ranger seemed really roomy after guiding 3 guys on Saturday. The bigger bass were active again in the narrows and main body, and just like previous trips, were most active between noon and 2 pm. I caught a nice one - a 5 lb 10 oz largemouth while my client (an excellent fisherman) caught several quality bass including a 4 lb largemouth. Our best 5 were again almost 18 lbs. Six inch Robo worms were the main bait again and MMIII was the best color. I did work a topwater bait for awhile and had a giant bass explode on it - but totally missed it! Fish needs to go to accuracy school!!! Again, we didn't catch many small ones. We did catch some of our bass as deep as 25 feet, so they many be moving to deeper water now as the heat is on!

      Tips: I would think that drop-shotting will become more effective as the bass more deeper. I didn't see any bait on my meter yet. The quality bass are really spread out - some major points only have one or two willing bass on them. You have to move around a lot. Weedbeds are beginning to appear everywhere, but only a few feet off the bottom.