Northern California Lake Fishing Report
- Almanor Lake
- Berryessa Lake
- Cachuma Lake
- California Delta
- Camanche Lake
- Casitas Lake
- Clear Lake
- Diamond Valley Lake
- Don Pedro Lake
- Folsom Lake
- Iron Gate Reservoir
- McClure Lake
- New Melones Lake
- Oroville Lake
- Perris Lake
- San Luis Lake
- Shasta Lake
- Sonoma Lake
- Almaden Lake
- Almaden Reservoir
- Amador Lake
- Anderson Lake
- Barrett Lake
- Black Butte Lake
- Blue Lakes
- Bullards Bar Lake
- Calero Reservoir
- Camp Far West Lake
- Chabot Lake
- Chesbro Lake
- Collins Lake
- Contra Loma Lake
- Coyote Lake
- Del Valle Lake
- Dixon Lake
- Eastman Lake
- Guadalupe Lake
- Hennessy Lake
- Ilsanjo Lake
- Indian Valley Lake
- Kelsey Bass Ranch Lake
- Lafayette Lake
- Lake of the Pines
- Lexington Lake
- Loch Lomond Lake
- Los Banos Lake
- Los Vaqueros Lake
- Mather Lake
- Mendocino Lake
- Mendota Slough Lake
- Merced Lake
- Millerton Lake
- Modesto Reservoir
- Morena Lake
- Murray Lake
- New Hogan Lake
- Nicasio Lake
- Oso Lake
- Pacifica Coastline
- Pardee Lake
- Pillsbury Lake
- Pinto Lake
- Piru Lake
- Quarry Lakes
- Radio Lake
- Rollins Lake
- Ruth Lake
- Sacramento River
- Salt Springs Lake
- San Francisco Bay
- San Justo Lake
- San Pablo Lake
- Shadow Cliffs Lake
- Shastina Lake
- Skinner Lake
- Soulajule Lake
- Spring Lake
- Stevens Creek Lake
- Trinity Lake
- Tulloch Lake
- Turlock Lake
- Uvas Lake
- West Delta
- Whiskeytown Lake
- Woodward Lake
- Woollomes Lake
- Yosemite Lake

Friday, April 2nd, 2004
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Amador Lake
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Water Temp: 62-64
Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)
Report: The first day of the Anglers Choice Pro-Am was blown out by high winds so a few of us ran up to Amador for a turkey shoot from 9 to 3. WOW!! That little pond is flat out on fire! Several guys caught bass over 7 pounds and Bill Siemantel put on a swim bait clinic with 5 fish for over 30 pounds.
My best fish went 3+ and came on a Senko pitched up next to a laydown tree. But I saw dozens of bucks on beds with 5 to 8 pound females cruising nearby. They will all be up on beds this week with the full moon. If you choose to fish those beds, please practice catch and release. As long as you release the fish quickly, they should just go right back to the bed.
City: Fair OaksTips: Trout colored swimbaits fished slowly on prespawn/post spawn migration routes can deliver some great fun.
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California Delta
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Water Temp: 58-59 degrees
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: Boy, was it windy out there. 3 of us launched out of Paradise Point at 6:00A. Fished the points of tule island. First 15 minutes, caught 3 stripers on Rat L Traps. Spent most of the day trying to hide from the wind. Fish were scattered. It was a "one slough - one fish" day -- only caught 5 keeper large mouth (largest - 2lbs) and a few small ones.
City: DixonTips: Caught bass on both Rat L Traps and wh/char spinner baits. Fish were all in shallow waters or next to rocky bank.
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Water Temp: aprox. 66-68
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: Fishing at the slough this week has been difficult and frustrating. Weekend before last caught many fish in several different locations on several different sizes and many different colored Senkos. Caught first big fish of the year (10lb.)on 7in. motor oil/red Senko.+ many other respectable fish. This last week I've only managed 1-2 fish per day with the largest a 5lb.'r that I caught last nite on a modified Senko. Help !
City: HoltTips: When a cold from comes upon us, Do the fish relocate to deeper water or do they still stay close to their nesting grounds ? Help me be more productive !
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Clear Lake
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Water Temp: 59
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: Spent 3 days on the lake wished I had my partner with me. Fri morning got up and watched the Stratos regional blast off in some very high nasty wind decided since I wasn't in the tournament to wait till it died down which turned out to be about 11a launched with my 7yr old daughter glad I was in a 20ft Stratos it was till a little rough went into Rodman started catching fish right away on small plastics went to pitching a 6" Junebug Keeper tootsie Roll worm into the very deep cover and that is where the bigger fish were managed to find one fish a little over 9lbs Quit about 2:30 and the best five went about 27lbs. Went back out 1st thing Sat morning with my 10yr old son the weather and water were the best went back to rodman did the same stuff and boated about 17 to 18 lbs for the day. Even and bad day on Clear Lkae is better than a great day at work but thes few days were pretty good for me and the kids
City: ModestoTips: Deep cover medium to large baits don't fish to fast take your time don't try and force feed these fish and you should do well. For Camping the willow point camp ground right next to library park is under new management for the last couple years and Chad the manager has really fixed the place up nice it is recommened
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Folsom Lake
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Water Temp: 58-61
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: A friend and I went out about 4 pm after the 30 mph winds we've had for the past two days died down to under 15 mph. It has been a couple of years since I've been on Folsom. We went up the south fork and couldn't get bit until about 30 minutes before sunset. Then we picked up our first fish, a nice 4.6, on a big black jig and about 20 minutes later, another 2.5 on the jig. I thought it was interesting that we caught the fish on 20 lb. XT (didn't bother to change line before trip) in relatively clear water. It makes me wonder why I bothered with 6 lb line for so many years back when I fished the lake on a regular basis. Both fish were relatively shallow. We didn't try drop-shotting so that bite might have been better.
City: Folsom
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Shadow Cliffs Lake
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Water Temp: 65
Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)
Report: Tubed the main back lake with two other avid anglers. Caught a total of 9 bass ranging from 13in-17in. Caught most on 5' Senko's however I did get one on a Spinner at around 10:15. The fish are biting right now, great time to be an angler.
NO MORE BITES.........
City: DublinTips: Fish the tullies on the left side of the lake between 6am -11am should be no deeper then 6 ft.
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Sonoma Lake
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Water Temp: cold
Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)
Report: got on the lake @6am. pretty windy. tried to stay away from it all day and we did. my friend and i landed about 30 fish. 18 were keepers. and the rest were dinks.two came unhooked both being atleast 4lbs. one i think might even have pushed 6lbs. owells we landed a few over four today too..all in all it was good...
City: san franciscoTips: proper hooksets and a LOOMIS rod w/ a CURADO SUPERFREE.................i LOVE fishing....
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Thursday, April 1st, 2004
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California Delta
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Water Temp: 56-57
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: Started to Launch at the Break this morning but it was really windy so we changed up and went for smallies, 1st trip for them this year. One person guide trip, tought day, we got 12 in the boat and lost almost as many. A couple of 3 lbers but most were 1-2lbs Since the wind was blowing 20-30 mph we we limited to a spinnerbait and Rattle trap. The only spinnerbait we caught fish on was the Assassinater Southern Shad 1/2oz and the Trap was a Baby Bass colored one , I forgot the name its the one with the eletrode in front of the eye. The fish were all on deep rock banks, pre spawn, bend in the river lots of current and semi out of the wind.
City: ConcordTips: Fish fast , reel slow and cover lots of water. NO doubt when you get a bite. When the water warms a little more and the river get clearer the bite will be on.
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Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: I'm wandering if anybody could help me out please? I'm stuck to the bank, but love bass fishing. I do pretty good at some lakes, but I want to try the delta. Does anybody have any ideas on places or on techniques for good bank fishing for bass on the delta? I need it to be somewhere in the Lodi to Tracy area. I can't go to far beyond those areas. Thanks a lot.
City: MODESTOTips: Save money so you can buy a boat!
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Contra Loma Lake
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Water Temp: 58-62
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: I fished for about 3 hours with my nephew, i managed to catch a 5.1 beautiful largemouth near the island,on a grape plastic worm, I released her after taking several pictures. The only other fish we caught was a ten inch dink on a brown jig,near the third dock. It was extremely windy out. IT REALLY CONCERNS ME THAT THE WATER HAS BEEN KEPT THIS LOW, IT SEEMS TO HAVE CONTINUED TO DROP SINCE MY LAST VISIT IN FEBRUARY. IF THIS KEEPS UP IT WILL RUIN THE BASS FISHING FOR YEARS TO COME. VERY FEW OF THE BASS FRY WILL SURVIVE.
City: antiochTips: Fish the deeper weedbeds, with the water being low, all tules are out of the water. water is stained use brighter colored plastics. HOPE THAT THE POWERS THAT BE, LET THE LAKE FILL UP.
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San Pablo Lake
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Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)
Report: So SP Rob where you been? Catching any whoppers on Pablo(more than your 6lb best)? Had any 20 fish days? Any clients? Just checking, I have been fishing there and I haven't seen you at the ramp! I haven't had any 10 fish days maybe I should book a trip. You licensed? Insured? For real?
City: Walnut Creek
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Shasta Lake
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Water Temp: 57
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: Went out @ 6am. Ran up the pit. Fish seemed to be at the mouths of the creeks still? caught 5 by 8:30; out at 8:58. Windy.
City: AndersonTips: Fish were spiting up shad.
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Trinity Lake
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Water Temp: 50
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: Hey Hooknrun what makes you think you would get all those tips from guiding on Trinity Lake? You said because you are not patient enough. You must be the elbow rubber on Trinity Lake. Are you really that good, if so put your money where youre mouth is. Untill then good fishing.
City: Blue Lake
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2004
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Berryessa Lake
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Water Temp: it was cold to
Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)
Report: convinced my girlfriend to go fishing with me. got her to agree that this was quality time =)
ended up renting a little alumminum boat, brought my trolling motor...and was it a nice day. i wanted to try some drop shotting but never did. saw some jumping trout too. i mainly stuck with a jig the whole time. i got the first fish within a few minutes. after that my girlfriend was sold she wanted one too. we got 6 bass...lots of spots and one smallmouth. she got the biggest one. we fished from 9am till 3pm...the bite was fairly good. the water was really calm and the weather was great. got the chance to find some new islands...so untill next time ..........TIGHT LINES and a LOOMIS ROD....
City: san franciscoTips: a LOOMIS ROD is always nice....w/ a matching curado super free....
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Lexington Lake
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Water Temp: almost there?
Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)
Report: Bin' almost busy workin',anybody hookin' up lately? Ready for another hopefully killer season of C&R.Gimme' a water condition report, let me know where the larry's are backlashin' and I found a new honeyhole this summer while the poor puddle was just about boner dry. An old wooden bridge I've never seen before. Probably circa 1930? Monster undershots,hopefully Norman's new home.
City: Loooooos GatisTips: Remember there ain't no beavers or no piranha in ole Lexy.Ya sure right.
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San Pablo Lake
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Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)
Report: watch out kids its micheal jackson
City: oak town
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Sonoma Lake
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Water Temp: 60 tops
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: Pretty windy today but found fish from 2-20 feet.Jigs 4-6" worms and brushhogs caught most of the fish. Caught 35-40 lmb up to 71/2 lbs. Only a couple of dinks. Lots of 2-31/2 lbers. Lake is really picking up.
City: novatoTips: fish slow with small baits
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Spring Lake
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Water Temp: about 60*?
Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)
Report: Did a snoop (just a snoop....not by choice) at Spring L. with the DFG (Day Fish Group) from the club (RRFF). We learned that they preferr you not FF from the beach at this lake, and knowing the conscious presence that most FF'ers give to the area of their back-cast, we fully understand their desires. We were NOT geared for tubing today (why?....the fish are ON the bank) and desired not to weild other than fly gear sooo.........
Anyway, we did a quick snoop around the lake finding it to be in VERY similar "stage" as the club pond, though the fish are more challenging to spot due to more turbid water. We DID eyeball in the neighborhood of 20-25pr in one pass around. There are far more "trail-ends" or pull-outs with fish present and visible than those without.
Most fish were from about 12" to 7lbs......most being 14"-20". Fishing should have been grand due to absolutely glorious weather and there should have even been a conciderable amount of catching going on today. :-)
What a beautiful little area you Santa Rosa people have there.
......lee s.
City: PetalumaTips: Release ALL spawners!
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Trinity Lake
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Water Temp: 52
Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)
Report: Little Brady Jr. we are going to have some fun this sunday. I believe its going to be between you and me for heavy weight at weigh in. That is if your not lying about what you said in last nights phone call. I wish I had the patience to guide and Im sure you wish you did to, because I know we would get some good tips from clients on this lake. Untill sunday, dont hook all your tourney fish!!!
City: Redding
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Tuesday, March 30th, 2004
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Berryessa Lake
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Water Temp: 64-68
Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)
Report: My report is very similar to Cooch's previous report. Yesterday I guided a mom, dad, and teenage son that flew out from the Chicago area to meet some friends and to fish Berryessa for the first time. I was so pleased that the weather was perfect and the lake never looked better. It is so risky when folks make a long trip - you never know about the weather. Because they could only fish 4 1/2 hours, we just stayed in the narrows. The son hooked his first bass on the third cast split-shotting a junebug Berkley Pulse worm. Good start. He was pretty sleepy the whole trip and mom struggled (I think she was enjoying the scenery too much!), but dad flat got into them. We spent most of the time split-shotting Berkley and Camamche Jack 4 and 6 inch worms and wound up with 19 in our short trip. In Wragg Canyon I must have nailed a big spawner, 'cause I couldn't stop her. Big fish! We all really had a great time. After they left, I took a break and went back out for more heavenly "punishment"! I just goofed around and found fish everywhere. I decided to stay in the narrow and try areas that I havn't fished for awhile. I was just amazed at how many largemouth are still in the narrows. I went thru a period where I caught 5 largies and 2 spots that were all from 1-14 to 2 1/2 pounds. I measured one of the spots for fun and she was just short of 17 inches. I caught my first sight fish of the year - such fun! I broke out the topwater lures for the first time and hooked but lost 4. The first one hit a Chug Bug and appeared to be a largemouth close to 4 pounds. It was a very long cast and that was the problem. I finally landed one on a Sammy. The backs of the coves are now full of fish, but as Cooch said, not many big females yet! I think I ended up with around 44 total for the day and a limit of five a tick over 12 pounds. Fun day!!!
City: Yuba CityTips: Points are still producing fish, but not like before. Look to bass along structure of wall leading to the back of coves - a tree, indentation on the back, etc. Topwater will probably produce bigger fish from now on. Rippin' is still working, but not as well. Green pumpkin, junebug, camo, and purple/brown worms are all working well. Tube baits are excellent this time of year - I just havn't used any. The bass are in the top 15 feet of water, though big fish are still a bit deeper.
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