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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Friday, May 15th, 2015

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Report: Lake levels around the Northstate
      Shasta: 80.48' from full pool
      Trinity: 105.91' from full pool
      Oroville: 151.52' from full pool

      Fishing on Shasta has been great for numbers of bass. Bait's of choice have been 5" yamamoto Senko's in Natural Shad and Baby Bass.
      6" Mothers Finest worms on 3/16 oz dart heads colors have been #23, #35, #37, #38 & #39 as well as Mothers Finest 4" swimbaits in Ghost Trout, Shasta Trout and Sexy Shad.
      Keitech Fat Swing Impact paddletails in Dark Sculpin, Tennessee Shad, Electric Shad and Bluegill Flash.
      The topwater bite is getting going as well on Super spooks, Mag Pop-R's and Whopper Plopper's.
      The Trout Fishing on the lower Sac has been very good also for back trolling #50 hot shot's, #2 Bluefox & #2 Bud's spinners and F-4 & F-5 Flatfish From the 44 Bridge all the way down to Cottonwood

    • By

      Report: Lake levels around the Northstate
      Shasta: 80.48' from full pool
      Trinity: 105.91' from full pool
      Oroville: 151.52' from full pool

      Fishing on Shasta has been great for numbers of bass. Bait's of choice have been 5" yamamoto Senko's in Natural Shad and Baby Bass.
      6" Mothers Finest worms on 3/16 oz dart heads colors have been #23, #35, #37, #38 & #39 as well as Mothers Finest 4" swimbaits in Ghost Trout, Shasta Trout and Sexy Shad.
      Keitech Fat Swing Impact paddletails in Dark Sculpin, Tennessee Shad, Electric Shad and Bluegill Flash.
      The topwater bite is getting going as well on Super spooks, Mag Pop-R's and Whopper Plopper's.
      The Trout Fishing on the lower Sac has been very good also for back trolling #50 hot shot's, #2 Bluefox & #2 Bud's spinners and F-4 & F-5 Flatfish From the 44 Bridge all the way down to Cottonwood

Thursday, May 14th, 2015

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 64-67

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: My buddy Mike and I did a quick afternoon trip to Bullards Bar yesterday - fishing for about 4 hours. It was a beautiful afternoon but breezy and cool. Our first stop was the only good bite we got. I was fishing a small plastic bait on a darthead. Suddenly I couldn't feel the bottom and started reeling in slack line. Finally caught up with the bait and it was heading for deep water. The power of those spots is really amazing!! About 4 minutes later Mike nets my biggest spotted bass so far - 7 lbs 13 oz. Not a whale but at least a shark! I have caught some 7 lb spots and had a client with one. Now I am close to 8 lbs!! So we thot a good trip was ahead. Not at all!!! The dinks weren't even biting much and no more good hits. I caught my biggest dink also - about 11 1/2 inches! We left at dusk - air temp down to 47 degrees.

      Tips: No help here - tough bite! Water looks good and debris is gone. We didn't cover much water because of the brief trip.

Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Report: Clear Lake this week 5/12/2015

      As some of you know I ran away last week to go chase some a State smallmouth, and when I did, Clear Lake blew up again, and another big wave of fish moved up yet again.

      The lake level un-fortunately is beginning to drop and sits at 3.86 Rumsey today, and I suspect we will see two or so by the 4th of July, as water is beginning to flow.

      Still, the bite is really beginning to pick up on standard type baits as well. Jigs, cranks, chatterbaits, and swimbaits are all beginning to add fish to the livewell for anglers who can ignore the temptation to move to the bank and chase bedfish.

      Personally, I’m headed out with the jigs rods this week to look for those big girls that went first back in early March.

      The weather is mild, so I suspect the lake to be quitter than normal for a Memorial Day weekend, and the fishing should benefit as well.

Monday, May 11th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 69

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Lime Saddle about 6 am, stopped fishing at 10:30 am. Fished mostly the North fork from west fork towards the main lake. One of those days one likes. First cast, 13" spot, second cast, another 13", then got slow, so moved and the bite was on. Fished about 3 different locations and managed just 19 fish today. One at 16", one 15" with the rest basic size 13-14" with a couple 12" mixed in. Most fish either tight to the shore, or 20-25 feet, better fish were about 25 foot mark. Tossed mostly senko's Texas style, also some basic browns roboworms. When the wind picked up about 9:30-9:45 the bite got great. Large rocky areas, or boulders tended to hold fish for me. Got 8 fish out of one location. Catch a fish, stay in the area a while and give it a chance, many time more just waiting. Lake appears to have dropped 10-12 feet now, over the last 3-4 weeks. I don't feel like the bite is quite wide open yet.

      Tips: Today's best color watermelon and cream laminate senko's.

Saturday, May 9th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 66-70

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished from Frans to Mildred. Saw a lot of empty beds. Managed to catch one really good fish and a lot of smaller ones. Video here:
      https://youtu.be/QPJTvBGKXCI

      Tips: Caught a lot of smaller ones on lipless crank and jerkbait. Better ones came on Senko and drop shot.

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Temp: 67-71

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Camped out for the weekend and fished two full days in both the Pit and Squaw arms. Brought only 42 fish into the boat with majority of them being spotted bass, biggest just over 2lbs. Three rainbows were hooked and 4 nice crappie. All were between 15 and 20 feet of water until Sunday when they for some reason moved to deeper water. Sunday we had to fish 30-35 feet down to get bites. Maybe because Sunday was a calmer and warmer day with no wind? Also the colors changes from day to day. Saturday dark colors seemed to work better and Sunday, lighter colors. Also Saturday mid-day, crank baits worked well off points and Sunday, not one hit on a crank bait. Few top water grabs early mornings too.

      Tips: Texas rigged lizards in coves, wacky worms rock ledges and trees, crank baits off points. Vary the colors until you find what they want. Flashers & little Cleo for rainbows

Thursday, May 7th, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 69-73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I guided 2 great fellas from the east coast on Tuesday, and 3 great senior citizens from the west coast (bay area) on Wednesday. The bite was slow but steady both days. Thot I was at Clear Lake sometimes - we caught several dink largemouth - kinda rare for Berry - but a GOOD sign!! My clients caught 1 3/4 to 3 lb bass of all 3 species (some nice spots!), including a 3 1/2 to 4 lb spot lost at the boat!!! First trip found us in the main body - second in the narrows. On Wed, all three seniors landed the first 3 bass within in 20 minutes - small, large, and spotted bass - each around 2 1/2 lbs. Wow - I was a happy camper - and so were they!! We caught mostly largemouth and spots - only 2 smallies. I fished them around rocky areas - mostly off-shore - about 10 to 20 feet deep. Weather was very nice both days, with a light breeze.

      Tips: We did all sorts of Berryessa techniques using Robo worms, Flappin' hogs, beavers, and Senkos. No treble hooks. One senior brought his own tackle which included the "kitchen sink!" He was throwing everything plastic - and some of it worked!! Nearly every bass both days was between 2 and 3 1/4 lbs. No 1 1/2 pounders - weird! We used Texas rigging, drop shot, and split-shot rigging. Both days 5 fish limits were about 12 1/2 to 13 lbs - pretty good May bite!

Tuesday, May 5th, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Clear Lake this week 5/4/2015

      Conditions continued to improve here last week, and the bite did as well.
      Clear, warm water is driving the final stages of the spawn to get on with it, and the first stage fish are beginning to chase.

      Both ends of the Lake are now producing fish to 9 lbs on a regular basis once again. The average from what I’ve experienced personally is fish in the 5-7 lb range are not all that
      hard to find, with an average fish running 3-4lbs, and 20 fish days are not hard to achieve.

      Now that the first stages are coming off the bank and beginning to chase, the jig bite can’t be too far away. Still, double winged buzz baits, chatter baits, and frogs lead the way for non-bed fish contributors. Glide baits will get you bit as well, just be patient.

      My advice, go top water in the morning, wait for the sun to get up, and go hit the banks, and flats.

      As always, anglers beware, tis the season, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and keep covered up.
      The sun can really sneak up on you right now, especially when the wind lies down.

      I expect this bite to continue through mid-month as weather allows. Then it’s anyone guess where it goes from there, so get on em’ while you can.

  • Alameda County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Got out on the lake by 7am instead of the crack of 11am I had been doing. Cold weather made for pleasant day of fishing instead of the blazing sun wearing you out, although wind was dangerous in some areas of the lake. Only trailer in the parking lot when I got off the lake before 6pm. Boated 5 lm biggest 7# and a couple around 3# each.
      City: dublin

      Tips: Still shallow. Pitching heavy plastics to wood or green stuff, slow rolling a spinnerbait thru/over weeds or throwing heavy jigs on points worked this trip. None of the bigger fish I've caught in the heavy stuff this year have gone much over 3# although a majority of the lm I've caught have been in the thick junk.

Monday, May 4th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at line saddle about 8 am, stopped fishing at 10:30 am. Went to the north fork, then towards the main body a couple miles, fished about an hour, nothing. Headed back towards the west fork, stayed on north fork, and fishing was on. I managed 29 fish, with only one 15", a couple 14 1/2" with the rest the basic 12-14" stuff. Texas rigged laminate senko's 4" just killed them, darn near every cast a fish on. Steep banks, lots of rock was the ticket. More rock, better the bite. Fish were close up to shore, 5ft to 25ft was the ticket for me. Surprised to find decent fish shallow. Full on bite a few more weeks out is my guess. Me, too hot to fish later then 10:30am. Caught a weird fish, think it was a pike minnow? about 13" odd looking thing.
      City: Magalia

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 70 TO 74

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing with Sid‏
      I fished every day of this past week. The first day I fished with my friend Tom and limited out on bass weighing up to 2.5 pounds (see photo). Next day Bob and I went out and you guessed it limited out again on bass weighing up to 4 pounds in a short span of time. Fishing was great and I was looking forward to another successful day with George and Shawn. We set out early morning and started in the Narrows and worked my way to the vineyards. No sign of birds anywhere but we saw lots of bait balls and fish were jumping all over I was thinking this is going to be a great day but to our dismay after trying every which way to entice the fish all we managed was a 1.5 pound bass. It was a ROUGH day. Next day I took Albert and Frank out. I hit all the right spots with no luck. We tried our best but that's how it goes sometimes. The next day I went out by myself and fished in two of my favorite coves. I decided to use the wacky worm setup and ended up catching sixteen bass the largest one under 2 pounds and most of them under 1 pound it was a lot of fun. The next day I took Richard and Grant out. I started deep in the Narrows and as we headed into the main lake we saw lots of balls of bait and fish jumping. I headed into the back of a cove where Albert had caught his 10.5 pound bass hoping we could do a repeat of that moment but it did not happen. We trolled towards the vineyard and Grant got a bite and landed a 1.5 pound crappie on a Speed Trap crank bait. I took them to a spot I thought would be good and we switched to the wacky worm using a dark color Senko worm. Within the first few minutes Grant got smacked hard and landed a 8 pound bass (see photo). He was elated and after a few pictures he kissed the bass good bye and we watched it swim away. No breaks for Grant he cast out again and landed a 2+ pound bass. We fished three points by the Bureau changing the dark worm to a lighter color and you guessed it Grant gets another hit. For me it was a great week of fishing even the bad days are still great. '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.
      City: San Francisco

      Tips: when it rained the next 2 days where bad so you have to adjust and find out what the fish want.

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 71-73

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Spent 3 days at Pedro and it is real low...we need rain! Got there around 9am Thursday and went to Rodgers area. Saw fish breaking water chasing shad and started throwing a superspook and it was on til about 11am and stopped. Went to dropshot and shakey head and caught a few more. It was warm this pass weekend around 90 on Friday. Got out early the next two days and just had a blast fishing topwater,10 fish to 3lbs. by 8am. Fish was spitting out shad as big as 4 inches. after 11am got tuff. They're not spawned out yet. Fun, fun, fun, for topwater.
      City: Fremont

      Tips: Get on the water early till 11am,have a nice lunch, nap and hit the evening bite. Goodluck

Saturday, May 2nd, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 68-69

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished the outside river, Northern side of Frank's Tract, rip-rap and tules with wacky rigged zoom (green pumpkin), bulleted lizard (pumpkin), and Texas Rigged flapping hog (black with red flake). Caught about 20 fish on the outgoing tide. Biggest fish was about 3 pounds, most were in the 1.5-2 pound range
      City: Orinda

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Spring has sprung onceagain on Clear Lake, and the bed fishing is ON as they say.
      Water temps are now in the low 60’s to start the day and reach 70+ by the afternoon, and as an added bonus for a really confused Spring, the topwater bite is finally beginning as well.

      This week the water clarity we so much needed earlier this month finally hit mid-lake south and the bite broke wide open as yet another wave of spawners came into the shallows with this newest moon.

      Unfortunately, the jig bite is yet to come on, but should be soon to come, and I suspect the topwater bite will only get better as wave 3-4 start their fry guarding as well.

      Also, watch for fish busting on bait, as the spawning bays are all loaded with bluegill, shad, and hitch, and I mean they are everywhere!

      Your typical bed baits will all work, except here’s one tip. What color is everyone throwing this time of year? Yep, just look at any bass boat deck around here and you’ll see more WHITE baits than one thought available.

      So, you want to improve your chances of success? Yes? Then try a different color, and you’ll see a big difference in how the fish react to your presentation. Right now, white means “be afraid” to these fish. They’ve been bombarded with white for nearly two months now, and they indeed learn fast!

      Good luck and have fun!

  • Shasta County
    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: What a beautiful day on the lake grin emoticon It is showing 87 degrees on the McCloud arm with a very slight breeze...and the water is AMAZING! The lake seems as it has "turned over" and the water is clear up to around 10' depending on the location.

      While out on the lake today, I noticed more houseboat and fishing boat activity on the lake. It won't be long before we start seeing the wakeboarders out and about! Summer is coming fast!!!

      Don't forget, this Saturday is the Shasta Lake Classic Team Tournament. A trout and salmon tourney with over $16,000 in cash and prizes to be dived out wink emoticon

      Lake Level Report (04/29/2015 at 12 PM)
      Lake Elevation: 992.72' (74.28' below full pool)
      Lake Elevation (2014): 979.65' (87.35' below full pool)
      Storage: 2,673,140 af
      Storage (2014): 2,409,200 af
      Outflow: 6,576 cfs
      Inflow: 3,303 cfs
      Precipitation (24 hr @ dam): 0.00"
      Precipitation (Season @ dam): 48.10"
      Precipitation (2014 Season @ dam): 30.33"

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 67-70

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: My first report. Fish with my brother his boat or his buddy's. I am the Grasshopper they are the Sensa.
      OTW at Lime Saddle 7:45am.. Fished all the way down the WB and up the NF 1mile. Worked the shears 0-35ft. 3 of us hung 90 Spots with some LM to 1.5lbs. Flat calm in the AM to 15mph and finished with 5mph.
      The mud in.the PM with Small Chatrues Gittsitts best but smally Beavs and Kietecs good for bigger fish.
      Finished at 3:30.
      Always looking for ride in between caring for the parents.
      City: Paradise

      Tips: SLOW! Bigger fish deeper.

Tuesday, April 28th, 2015

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 64

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched at Lime saddle right at 6am, fished till 10:45 when it got hot! First cast got a spot, nice when that happens. Average 1/2 day trip, with 12 spots, and no large ones. All 12-14 1/2" range, mostly 13". Half the fish on senko's, the other half on worms. Sad to see the lake has come down 16"-18" in the last 8 days, have a marker I always look at.
      City: Magalia

Sunday, April 26th, 2015

  • Solano County
    • By

      Water Temp: 65.7

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Fished Big Break on Friday and Sunday. Friday was a stellar day with high tide at 8AM, windy, caught about 40 LMB in 6 hours with biggest around 4 pounds. Most were in the 2-3 pound range with a few small "anchovies". Fished Sunday, High tide at 11AM, pretty windy most of the day, guided a bunch of rookies. Caught 20 fish mostly wacky in green pumpkin color. Biggest to 3.5 pounds.
      City: Orinda

      Tips: The water was muddier than usual, and the bite was slower on Sunday probably due to the rain we received Friday night/Saturday morning.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Good day fished Holland area. 5 keepers early in little Mandeville biggest 6.3. Wind came up and we switched to rock levees. Boated 45 LMB and 6 stripers. 20 plus keepers most good quality 3-5lbs . Only one fish on a spinnerbait, a few drop shot dinks, but the big ones and most came from cranking.
      City: Pleasanton

      Tips: Square bill to stay on top of the weeds and fish the wind blown levees even though you want to hide from the wind, better fish are waiting for any bait blown in. Red craw worked best but did almost as well from the back seat with a shad color.