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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Saturday, March 6th, 2004

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: ?

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: FISHED THE 6TH AND THE 7TH HAMMERED EM BOTH DAYS.SATURDAY WAS MY DAUGHTERS 8TH BIRTHDAY AND SHE CAUGHT A 7.3LB'ER WHAT A NICE GIFT. I CAUGHT ALOT A FISH BUT STILL COULD NOT MATCH HER TOTAL WEIGHT, SHE CAUGHT MORE THAN ONE. SUNDAY JUST KILLED EM BIGGEST WAS 5 1/2LBS. FISHING A BANK IN THE SOUTH SAW A SHORE ANGLER CATCH A 10 1/2.
      City: roseville

      Tips: MINNOWS OR CRANKIN FISH SHALLOW. CATCH AND RELEASE. GOOD LUCK

  • Tuolumne County
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      Water Temp: 51-55

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Started fishing from Flemming at around 7:30am on some main lake points. Me and a buddy were fishing some texas rigged worms, fishing them really slow, almost crawling them. We fished some Lucky Craft Pointers 78 and 128 in the shallower areas and some flats. Still nothing. Not till about mid day did my partner catch a nice female around 3 pounds on a paddle tale grub. The fish was taken around some rocks in about 15 feet next to some spawning flats. The fish aren't spawning quite yet but they getting ready. I would find some deep points next to a spawning flat.
      City: Pleasant Hill

      Tips: The fishing was tough but im sure it will turn around soon. I would head to Don Pedro soon, the fishing is about to heat up here soon. Use brown worms or jigs and shake and crawl them along the bottom.

    • By

      Water Temp: cold

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fished soft plastics early morning caught three small fish. Fish are starting to come still pretty slow.
      City: salinas

      Tips: needs about another week of warm weather

  • Trinity County
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      Water Temp: 45-48

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Sorry I haven't reported this week but had to go back east to deal with a family tragedy. Seems like someone was doing a very good job of covering my butt, for which I am very grateful.
      Fished last Sun the 29th with the Mello boys and had a great trip. The fishing was slow but the bites we did get were certainly quality. 1 6lb LM and a couple over 4 were the highlights of the day. Several 3+ smallies mixed in made for a best 5 over 20 lbs.
      Its hard to beleive how slow we had to fish but these guys caught on to the trick right off and stuck with it all day and it really paid off for them. Fun to fish with guys who listen, pay attention to the bite, and expand the technique on their own. Great job guys!
      City: Weaverville

      Tips: Use small plastics on 1/4 or smaller jigheads and try to get hung up. If it doesn't take 5 min. to make a retreive you might be fishing too fast.
      Of course that might all have changed by now.

Friday, March 5th, 2004

  • Napa County
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      Water Temp: 50-58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Steel Park, late start at 9:00 fished till dark. Stayed in the south coves and points. Tried baldes and cranks and jerk baits nothing worked except plastics. Lots of boats one in every other cove. Skiers made water muddy in main lake areas. First fish at 9:45, Jimmy got a 1.5 spot on a t-rig, he got another later same size same rig, Tommy got his first at 3:40 and another shortly thereafter, I got 7 spots and one crazy trout on a 7inch worm. T-Rig and drop shot got all the fish. Tommy closed the day in style with a nice 3.5# LMB at 6:10 on a t-rig 7 inch worm. Beautiful day in the mid-70's. Best 5 only about 10 pounds.
      City: Pacifica

      Tips: Fish slow they were really passive, bites came from 2 to 25 feet of water. No senko bite at all. Heard from a pro the rip bite was working in the morning.

    • By

      Water Temp: 55-59

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Water is starting to clean up but still stained so we started out in Rock Creek with dropshot and blade. Dropshot was out very quickly and we took to blades as it produced some very nice largemouth with the biggest topping 3+. Got my first Senko there this year, nice ones dragging a lizard on a carolina rig and the rest on jig. Saw the neatest thing as we neared a tree in the water it looked like a beaver was laying in the V of the tree about 12" out of the water and by golly it was! Wanted to see how close we could get to the big guy and it allowed us to get as close as we wanted and from a couple feet away, we took some photos and it looked like it was going to back into the water so we left and it went right back to its' laydown position. He wasn't stuck or anything, just chillin' and we thought it was really neat to get that close to such a wild animal. Want to thank Dick Gold for taking me out as I have been a house prisoner for almost 2 weeks due to foot surgery and man was it good to get back on the water. Got a total of almost 20 fish, all keepers and about half and half spots and largemouth. Nice day and getting better every day.
      City: Wheatland

      Tips: Slow rolling a white/chartruese blade with one willow leaf and one colorado blade. Usual brn/orange jig with Yami trailer.

  • Lake County
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      Water Temp: 52-58

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Went to clear lake with my son for his 8 th birthday.he really has only bass fished very few times with limited success.but not this time,he managed to catch 4 fish all keepers 2 were in the 3lb range not huge by clear lake standards but judging by the look on his face you would have thought he cought a new world record.that sure helps make your trip more enjoyable,and makes dad proud.i also cought 4 fish all on jig in and around rattlesnake island .my son's were on spinner baits.
      City: redwood city

      Tips: fish jigs and spinner baits in and around tullies and be quiet.they are real soooookie.

  • Sacramento County
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      Water Temp: 49-53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Launched out of Brown's and got on the water about 7:00 AM. I really had high hopes I'd be seeing water temps. consistently in the 53+ degree range with the nice weather we'd been having lately, but no such luck. My first stop in the South Fork showed the water temp. at 49 degrees, but despite the chilly water, I had reaction fishing on the brain, so I decided to start with a Zoom Super Fluke in the pearl color. First cast, nada, then the fun began. Next cast was rewarded with a chunky 16" smallie, followed immediately by a 16" spot. Had two non-aggressive bumps on the next two casts, followed by yet another chunky spot on the subsequent cast. In six casts I had 5 bites and three in the boat, all from the same spot! Within the next half-hour, I'd finished the limit, with 5 weighing in at approx. 10-11 lbs. The area consisted of a long, flat transition point, with sunken boulders strewn about the bottom. And just as quickly as it had begun, it shut down with a screeching halt. Between 8:00 AM and noon, I ran several similar areas with only one bite on a split-shot worm to show for it (looked to be a solid 5+, unfortunately). Shortly after noon, the wind began to pick up and I made the decision to return to reaction baits as the water had finally warmed into the 52 degree range. This time I opted for a Pointer 100 in the Tennessee Shad pattern, and fishing the same flat, transition-type points, managed 3 more chunky spots, including a dandy 4 pounder. Off the water by 2:00 PM with a total of 8 keepers for 12 total bites. The Spring Fling is fast approaching!
      City: Elk Grove

      Tips: The biggest key was the wind, both in the morning and afternoon. Windblown points leading into spawning areas seem to be holding the consistent fish. Look for mudlines in the afternoon. The ladies are beginning to move - I didn't catch a single male today.

  • Butte County
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      Water Temp: 50

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: I fished Oroville Thursday by myself for about 4 hours - fished and looked around. I found the fishing to be surprisingly tough, but I heard it was for lots of folks. Couldn't get bit on a jig, so I switched to a Camanche Jack 6" green craw worm - Texas rigged with brass 'n glass. I would shake the worm and then let it sit. My first bass was a 17" spot that weighed 2 lb 7 oz. Good start! My next was 2-1 - very fat! I moved further up the south fork and caught 2 more on points - both about 1 1/2 lbs. I missed about 4 or 5 others. I threw spinnerbaits a lot for fun, but no takers. All my fish were shallow - about 10 feet deep.

      Tips: I found my fish in small cuts in coves. I did catch one on a main lake point. The bites were good but I had to deadstick a lot to get those good bites which were few and far between!

  • Amador County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Just wanted to let everyone know that the lake record for a smallie was set this weekend. It was 7lb 12oz caught near the damn using jigs.
      City: Rocklin

  • Sonoma County
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      Water Temp: 51

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: got on the water on fri at 9am with my friend. we drove up to warm springs expecting tons of easy fish from all the reports on how good it was. well, we threw spinnerbaits all day all over standing timber. nothin. we saw other boats out there saying they wearnt getting anything. so i met this one guy saying he caught 5 on jigs off main points, so i tried a baby brush hog, and got one nice small mouth bass, didnt know there were small mouth in there. so that was it. it was a perfect day so whatever.

      Tips: i guess the water level is dropping from the lake being drained, so once it levels out and warms up, it should break lose. clear lakes the best bet now. catch and release only

Thursday, March 4th, 2004

  • Solano County
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      Water Temp: unknown

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Put in around 2 pm at Del's. Fished blades and weighted tubes around tules in big break with no luck. the wind picked up and I fished back toward the marina area, where my white and chartreuse spinnerbait was swallowed by a beautiful 7 pound largemouth busting at the sides with eggs!! My biggest California bass to date, and a good way to get out of a funk (no fish the last two times out). I want to thank the guys at Extreme Angler in Oakley (again) for helping me get set up with the right baits - their store is definitely worth a look.
      City: San Francisco

      Tips: only one fish, but she really smacked that blade!! water is still pretty murky, so maybe rattles or baits that move a lot of water are best.

    • By

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Oh yeah the water level is up! The boat dock is just a few feet from floatin again! There are no more "islands" visable now. (this will change if the rains are over though)
      I get to see the lake for my homeward commute.
      Can't wait to get my float tube back on it's water!
      City: Scotts Valey

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2004

  • Amador County
    • By

      Water Temp: 51-54

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Was out for a few hours in the late morning/early afternoon with Jon Vadney of San Jose. We were expecting nice weather, but was surprised to see clouds, wind and muddy water conditons. We graphed suspending fish in 45'-60' of water, but was not able to coax any of them to bite.
      City: Ione

      Tips: Wait for a few good days of weather, and the bass should really start to bite full speed in the shallows.

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: ???

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Can somebody out there let me know where to fish this lake Im coming up maybe in a week to do some fishing .Where do I need to fish and what do I need? Thanks for any info,Don
      City: visalia

  • Solano County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Anybody know of any black bass or striper action going on in the delta right now? Thanks

    • By

      Water Temp: ??

      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Man , a couple weeks ago the bite was finally kicking up when the water settled a bit. These last few rains have hosed us again. I drove past it today and it looked like bad 7-11 coffee with too much creamer. Oh well, it gives me more time to pour worms for this season...The water level is WAY UP :^) Should make for a killer year this year.
      City: Santa Cruz

      Tips: A float tube or kickboat will be your best friend if you want to hit the bass in this water...Look for gravel...

  • Westchester County
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      Water Temp: 54-55

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Hey there FISHERMAN,PLEASE CATCH AND RELEASE THY BASS.Its kinda like voting,you think if you don't vote it won't make a difference cause your just one person,well there are many not voting thinking the same thing you are,you would never even imagine that many folks!! Not relative to fishing,but it is,If you release you bass catch,guaranteed that fish will either fertilize eggs that year or lay her own eggs to be.And believe me I've caught plenty of BASS with hooks stuck in there mouth and they still continue to bite.Plus there not a resockable item.THANX M.T.
      ARRIVED AT RAINBOW AND KEPT OUT OF THE WIND WITH MY GIRLFRIEND TOSSING A BRUSHHOG,SHE WAS CASTING A REBEL SHALLOW DIVER,THEN TRYING A SENKO ,THEN FINALLY AFTER AN HOUR A FOR POUNDER SLAMMED MY 3" ST BRWN GRUB,COULDN'T BELIEVE IT,FRICKEN GREAT!!SHE DIDN'T HAVE A CRAW STICKEN OUT HER MOUTH OR ANYWHERE ELSE,BUT SHE HAD A NICE LARGE BELLY,GUESSING SHES ABOUT TO HAVE BABIES.DIDN'T HAVE A CAMERA,BUT I HAD A WITNESS.THAT WAS MY THERAPY FOR THE HOUR AND A HALF."This evening".
      City: Fremont

      Tips: AND NOW WE KNOW.

  • Trinity County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Urban, I'm sorry that you found my comments offensive, that was not my intention. I can see however, that you have allowed your self to become offensive.

      Thank you for your feedback concerning the lake. It sounds like a great place to fish. I was reading about it on the internt yesterday. I didn't realize it was so far north. I'm sure I'll fish it some day. I will remember the feedback you provided concerning winter fishing in Trinity.

      Good luck to you and to all who fish Trinity.

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2004

  • Trinity County
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      Water Clarity: Muddy (0-2 foot visibility)

      Report: Iron Rooster, I was not trying to be offensive toward John Gray and I agree with you that it is nice to get an idea of what the lakes are producing. But you have to agree that accurate reports are important. Is it possible that John Gray is catching all these bass over 4 pounds in the toughest time of the year every time he goes out? When all other fishermen are having tough days fishing on all the lakes including Trinity? Sure it's possible, but not likely. I only asked him to keep it real, is that really so bad? I think it's great that he is making entries about his trips, but he looses credibility by reporting such fantastic results in the most difficult time of the year. Those of us who put the time in, fish hard, understand how difficult fishing is this time of year, we read such reports as John Gray has posted and we can't help but to role our eyes a little. No disrespect intended, just keep it real, thats all.

      Tips: Keep your scales callibrated.