Central California Fishing Report

San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay

Stripers **
Catfish **


Big lake striper fishing is decent for lots of 18- to 25-incher for anglers fishing with cutbait off Highway 152 and the Basalt areas, Larry Bristow of Lucky Larry's Bait said. Boaters are catching small stripers in the back of Portuguese Cove on minnows and bait when they can get on the water between wind storms. Some catfish action continues at Check #12 in the Forebay, but anglers are complaining that they are catching 40-50 stripers in a day that are all just less than a legal 18 inches. Los Banos Creek Reservoir has a decent bluegill and crappie bite with a few small bass taking lures. Catfish to 8 pounds are on a good bite on crawlers at night, Bristow said.

Call: Mitchell's Outpost (209) 826-5559, Lucky Larry's Bait (209) 827-1522

Eastman Lake

Bass *
Trout *
Bluegill **
Catfish **


Slow bass bite with a short topwater bite in the early morning, then plastics at 20 feet, Merritt Gilbert said. Ranger Keith Willis said catfishing is decent for anglers soaking 'crawlers and chicken livers at night, with one angler, Eddie Shipman of Chowchilla, getting seven cats from 2-5 pounds. Bluegill fishing is fair using waxworms or 'crawlers.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 842-5799

Hensley Lake

Bass **
Trout *
Catfish ***


Fishing is slow, but decent numbers of small bass are taking plastics, Merritt Gilbert said. Crappie and bluegill fishing is decent to good. Catfish to 3 pounds are available for anglers working the channel below the 5-mph buoys.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151, 842-5799

McSwain Reservoir

Trout ***


Trollers are on a good bite for limits of trout to 2 pounds working a flasher and Wedding Ring spinner tipped with a 'crawler, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Shore anglers are struggling, but those using chartreuse Power Bait and 'crawler/marshmallow combos near the handicap dock are doing better when they are able to get into 30 feet of water.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Slough

Stripers **
Crappie **
Catfish **


The Aqueduct has been steady for small stripers using cutbait, flukes and topwater plugs when it's windy, Larry Bristow said. A decent catfish bite is in the Delta Mendota Canal on cutbait, and there are lots of little stripers. Some small cats also being taken in the resort area.

Call: 655-2335, Lucky Larry's Bait (209) 827-1522

Millerton Lake

Bass **
Stripers *


Fair numbers of small spots are biting ripbaits and crankbaits in the mornings. Later in the day, suspended fish are taking dartheads and dropshotted plastics fished in the main lake, Merritt Gilbert said. As the water falls about a foot a day, the keeper-sized fish seem to have shut off as the low pressure system moved through the area. Both stripers and American shad have scattered with the storm fronts, with few fish reported. The logjam is about 20 yards wide, but might be passable at times as the water falls. Water flows into the lake are at about 2,200 feet/sec. Up-river rocks and towers are becoming hazardous for boaters as the water falls.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir

Bass *
Trout **


Bass fishing has been tough, with most struggling to even catch a fish, Merritt Gilbert said. A recent Fresno Bass Club tournament had 18 of 43 anglers weigh in fish. The winning total of three fish for a weight of 5.96 pounds, which included the big fish of 3.16 pounds, by Nick Beck highlights the tough bite conditions. Most were taken on dropshotted and splitshotted rigs and jigs. Trout fishing is fair to good for limits of 12- to 14-inch rainbows. Trolled Cop Car, Bikini or Watermelon Needlefish pulled behind a dodger at 30-50 feet works in the dam area. A few trout are showing up in the river area on salmon eggs. Catfishing in the Sycamore and Big Creek areas is fair for fish to 3 pounds at night on chicken livers and mackerel.

Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474

Lake Kaweah

Bass **
Crappie **
Trout **
Catfish **


Lot of bass to 3 pounds are on a good bite at 20 feet on minnows and dropshotted watermelon red or black plastics, Jimmy Perez of Sierra Sports said. Trout fishing in the river area remains the best spot for limits of fish 12-14 inches on crickets and dry flies. Catfishing has improved with cats to 5 pounds. Crappie bite has slowed.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success

Bass *
Trout *
Catfish **


Success Market reported that bass fishing has been hit-or-miss on small fish because of falling water and hot water temps. Trout fishing is slow. Catfishing next to the dam is a best bet using cutbait.

Call: 784-2235

McClure Reservoir

Bass **
Trout ***
Crappie **
Catfish ***


Bass anglers are having a ball catching up to a hundred small 8- to 10-inch spots per day on topwater lures in Cottonwood Cove. Few keepers, with the exception of a 12.8-pound hog taken off McClure Point by Steve Nua of Merced on a crawdad, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Most anglers are finding that using crawdads after 6 p.m. at 40 feet is working for a few better-quality fish. Trout fishing is good for limits of fish up to 3 pounds for trollers working a flasher/Wedding Ring and 'crawler combo almost anywhere. Trout fishing at night under lights in the back of Temperance Cove or the back of the Boat Club area with medium minnows is good for quality rainbows. Fish just below the lights at 15-25 feet. Crappie fishing has been slow. Channel catfish to 10 pounds are on a good bite working the shallow mudlines at around 10 feet. They are biting live crawdads and anchovies in the late evening to morning hours.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505, (209)378-2441

Lake Don Pedro

Bass **
Trout ***
Kokanee **
King Salmon *


Trout fishing is excellent for anglers working the Mexican Gulch or BigOak Island areas at 22-35 feet with Uncle Larry's Red Tiger spinners tipped with a 'crawler or a shad-patterned Excel spoon, said Danny Layne of Fish'n Dan's Guide Service. Kokanee fishing is done for the season. King Salmon are deep, at 75-100 feet, with an occasional fish taken by anglers slow-trolling shad or anchovies in the open waters of Fleming Bay, the Flume or the Woods Creek arm. Bass fishing is tough, with the best lure bets being swimbaits, flukes or Senkos. These lures will stay in the strike zone longer for the suspending fish, said Dwayne King of Fisherman's Warehouse of Manteca. Working main lake points, underwater islands and the mouth of creek channels in deeper water (15-40 feet) is a good strategy for daytime bassing.

Call: (209) 852-2369, (209)989-2206, Fisherman's Warehouse Manteca (209) 239-2248, Dwayne King's Guide Service (209) 609-3115

HIGH SIERRA

VALLEY

New Melones Reservoir
Bass **
Crappie **
Trout ***
Catfish ***
Kokanee **


Kokanee fishing has slowed, but the bite continues to be good for the spawn-mode fish, Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sports said. Fish are holding deep over the bottom at a 50- to 80-foot depth with the far south side of the lake the hot spot. The best lures to troll behind a watermelon dodger or Sling Blade are the new Radical Glow lures or an Apex. Be sure to tip your hook with shoepeg corn soaked in a combination of Pro-Cure's garlic and Crawdad scents. Trout fishing has been good for trollers pulling spinners, brightly colored Apexes or spoons, without using flashers, at 40-60 feet in the main lake and larger creek arms. Most of the fish are about 2-plus pounds. Trout fishing under lights near the spillway area at night has been productive for anglers threading a 'crawler up on their line just above some chartreuse Double Glitter Power Bait on the hook. Bass fishing has been slow for bigger fish, but there has been some good action on small keepers. Dropshotted plastics in shad patterns or Carolina-rigged green weenie worms fished at 25-30 feet is working. Adding rattles, or "brass and glass" to the plastics has been effective in the stained water. Best areas are main lake points and steep banks for the suspended fish as the lake falls. Crappie fishing remains fair for anglers under lights in the trees at night. Catfishing is good for anglers at Tuttletown, Angel's Cove and 49Stevenot Bridge using mackerel or sardines. Fish to 8 pounds have been taken this week.

Call: (209) 736-4333

Lake Isabella
Bass *
Trout **
Crappie ***
Catfish ***


Several catfish in the 17- and 18-pound range and numerous smaller fish are taking crawlers, shad and cutbait fished in shallow water, Ed Cordell of Big Ed's Bait and Tackle said. Surprisingly, the best bait for the big fish has been salmon. Trout fishing is slow, but a few trollers working at 40 feet with Rapalas or white Mepps spinners have gotten some rainbows. Crappie fishing has been hit and miss for boat anglers, with limits possible off the east end of the lake on minnows. Bass fishing is slow, with most fish coming on big 10-inch plastic worms or deep running crankbaits. Several anglers have caught catfish to 4 pounds on topwater baits, Cordell said.

Call: Big Ed's Bait and Tackle, (760)379-4170, Bob's Bait, (661)833-8657; North Fork Marina (760)376-1812

San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay
Stripers **
Catfish **


Big lake striper fishing is fairly good for small stripers, but two anglers weighed in four stripers taken deep on minnows that went from 18 to 25pounds, Larry Bristow of Lucky Larry's Bait said. Anglers are finding the fish to be in very deep water and holding near the bottom, with both minnows and cutbait producing fish, Tim Mitchell of Mitchell's Outpost said. Bank fishermen are scoring early and late at the Basalt boat ramp, Goosehead Point and the Visitors Center areas. Striper action at Check#12 in the Forebay for linesides in the 18- to 24-inch range on white jigs has produced good numbers. Catfish to 6 pounds are on a fair bite in the Forebay, Aqueduct, Delta Mendota and dirt canals in the area. Los Banos Creek Reservoir has pumped out large bluegill, along with a fair bass bite on perch-colored crankbaits. Catfish are on a decent bite on crawlers at night, Bristow said.

Call: Mitchell's Outpost (209)826-5559, Lucky Larry's Bait (209) 827-1522

Eastman Lake
Bass *
Trout *
Bluegill **
Catfish **


Very slow bass bite with a few early reaction fish coming on cranks and spinnerbaits, but the best bite has been on Carolina-rigged Baby Brushhogs or lizards fished in the creek channels at 25 feet, Jeff Huth said. A 3-pound red-ear perch was weighed in by Lester Grant of Fresno, Buck Deaner said. Fishing the willows, or 20-foot deep island tops with grubs or waxworms is the best bet for good numbers of perch. A few cats are taking cutbait at night.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 842-5799

Hensley Lake
Bass **
Trout *
Catfish ***


Decent numbers of small bass are taking dropshot or splitshotted purple 4- or 6-inch plastics fished by the rock piles, Jeff Huth said. Crappie and bluegill fishing is decent to good. Catfish to 3 pounds are available for anglers working the area above the 5mph buoys with mackerel or Hog Wild catfish bait, Buck Deaner said. Trout fishing is slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151, 842-5799

McSwain Reservoir
Trout ****


Trollers are on a hot bite for limits of nice "football-sized" trout to 2pounds, working a flasher and Wedding Ring spinner tipped with a 'crawler from the dam to Gilligan's Island, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Drifting a 'crawler and marshmallow combo has been good. Shore anglers are scoring limits on chartreuse Power Bait and 'crawler/marshmallow combos.

Call: McSwain Marina (209)378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Slough
Stripers **
Crappie **
Catfish **


The Aqueduct has been steady for small stripers, Larry Bristow said. A decent catfish bite continues in the Delta Mendota canal on cutbait, as well as for lots of little stripers. Some small cats also are being taken in the resort area, Jeff Huth said.

Call: 655-2335, Lucky Larry's Bait (209) 827-1522

Millerton Lake
Bass **
Stripers *


A good spotted bass bite on jigs and crawdad-colored crankbaits fished at night produced some good weights for a recent tournament, Jeff Huth said. Daytime fishing has been mainly focused on easy-to-catch smaller-sized fish on shad-colored cranks and lures. The water continues to fall about a foot a day. Both stripers and American shad have scattered, with few fish being taken. The logjam is almost gone. Water flows into the lake are at about 2,200 feet/second, and the lake is at 330,000 acre/feet out of a capacity of 520,000. Up-river rocks and towers are becoming hazardous for boaters as the water falls. Beached boats camping overnight in the Temperance and river areas are in danger of getting stuck on shore, as the water quickly falls.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir
Bass *
Trout **


Bass fishing continues to be tough, Jeff Huth said. Most fish are being taken on darthead and smaller baits. A 10-pound bass was weighed in by an unidentified angler, Huth said. Trout fishing continues to be good for early limits of small 12- to 14-inch rainbows for anglers trolling Needlefish pulled behind a dodger at 15 feet in the dam area, as well as the area from Windy Gap to the mouth of Big Creek. A few anglers are working the river area for a few fish.

Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474

Lake Kaweah
Bass **
Crappie **
Trout **
Catfish **


Lots of small bass are on a decent bite on minnows and dropshotted plastics, Jimmy Perez of Sierra Sports said. Trout fishing in the river area remains the best spot for possible limits of fish 12-14 inches on crickets and dry flies. Crappie fishing has slowed.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success
Bass *
Trout **
Catfish **


Success Market reported that bass fishing has been slow on small fish. Trout fishing has been decent for anglers casting spinners in the river for planter trout. Catfishing next to the dam is the best bet using cutbait.

Call: 784-2235

McClure Reservoir
Bass **
Trout ***
Crappie *
Catfish ****


Bass anglers are picking up good numbers of small bass on early morning reaction baits, then they have had to go to plastics or live bait in deep water for the daytime bite, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Speedtraps in Trout and Baby Bass colors worked early near the shoreline structure were good, then anglers switched to junebug-colored plastics worked at 35 feet during the day. Live crawdads and minnows are the best action-producing baits for the bass. Trout fishing is good for limits to 4pounds for trollers working a flasher/'crawler and marshmallow combo from Barretts Cove to the Bagby area at 25 feet. Trout fishing at night under lights has been good for lots of 2-pound fish. Fish just below the lights at 15-25 feet under the houseboats. Crappie fishing has been slow. Channel catfish to 8 pounds are on a hot bite working the shallow mudlines at around 10 feet and biting live crawdads and anchovies in the late evening to morning hours all over the lake. Water is dropping about a foot a day.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505, (209)378-2441

Lake Don Pedro
Bass *
Trout **
Kokanee *
King Salmon *


Trout fishing is decent for anglers working Wedding Ring spinners behind a dodger and tipped with a 'crawler at 35-50 feet early in the morning for possible limits of 12- to 14-inch rainbows, Tim Sellars of Fisherman's Warehouse of Manteca said. Kokanee fishing is done for the season. Bass fishing is tough, with the best lure bets being swimbaits, flukes or Senkos. Working main lake points, underwater islands and the mouth of creek channels in deeper water 15-40feet is a good strategy.

Call: (209) 852-2369, (209)989-2206, Fisherman's Warehouse Manteca (209) 239-2248, Dwayne King's Guide Service (209)609-3115

VALLEY

New Melones Reservoir
Bass **
Crappie *
Catfish***
Trout ***
Kokanee **


A few anglers are getting limits of kokanee, with some going to 3pounds, trolling pink E-chips or pink Apexes at 50-80feet deep in the main lake or the islands south of Tuttletown, Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sports said. Be sure to troll the lures behind a pink or watermelon dodger or Sling Blade. Trout fishing has picked up for big Rainbows up to 3.7pounds, taken by trollers pulling spinners, brightly colored Apexes or spoons, without using flashers, at 40-60feet in the main lake and larger creek arms. Lots of fish are weighing in at 2-pluspounds. Trout fishing under lights near the spillway area at night at 20-30feet, over 80-100feet of water, has been productive for anglers threading a 'crawler on their line just above some chartreuse Double Glitter Power Bait on the hook. Bass fishing has picked up for anglers fishing main lake points and steep banks on the south side of the lake with dropshotted shad-patterned grubs or worms. Carolina-rigged 4- or 6-inch green weenie worms or Zoom Baby Brush Hogs in green pumpkin fished at 25-30feet with rattles has produced bass to 4pounds and some limits. A few topwater fish are coming early and late, as well as some bigger fish being taken on jigs. Crappie fishing has slowed, but catfishing is good for anglers using mackerel or sardines at Tuttletown, Angel's Cove and 49Stevenot Bridge.

Call: (209)736-4333

Lake Isabella
Bass *
Trout *
Crappie *
Catfish ***


Catfishing has been good for fish in the 4- to 5-pound range, and some occasional larger 12- to 13-pound whiskerfish taking crawlers, shad and cutbait fished in shallow water anywhere in the lake, Ed Cordell of Big Ed's Bait and Tackle said. Both trout and crappie fishing are slow, due to rapidly falling water levels. Bass fishing is slow, with most fish suspending in deeper water.

Call: Big Ed's Bait and Tackle (760)379-4170, Bob's Bait, (661)833-8657, North Fork Marina (760)376-1812

San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay
Stripers **
Catfish **


Warmer weather and falling water have produced a lot of small stripers in the main lake that are taking cutbait fished on the bottom, Tim Mitchell of Mitchell's Outpost said. Anglers are finding most of the fish to be very deep, such as near the Trash Racks, and biting frozen shad and anchovies, Larry Bristow of Lucky Larry's Tackle said. Some early morning anglers are working the shoreline with shad-colored ripbaits to score good numbers of stripers in the 16- to 18-inch range. Bank anglers fishing off deep points are scoring on bait with fish to 5pounds. Lots of small catfish and stripers are on a fair bite in the Forebay, with a few bigger fish coming from the 152bridge. Los Banos Creek Reservoir has had a fair bass bite on fish in the 2-pound range, and a decent bite on good numbers of perch and small crappie by the boat ramp area, Bristow said.

Call: Mitchell's Outpost (209)826-5559, Lucky Larry's Bait (209)827-1522

Eastman Lake
Bass **
Trout *
Bluegill **
Catfish **


Bass bite has picked up for anglers targeting creek channels with dark purple or green pumpkin-colored Carolina-rigged Baby Brushhogs or lizards for fish to 3pounds, Jeff Huth said. The transitional areas near the dam have been good places to work the plastics. Some action on bluegill-colored crankbaits are producing a few good fish for anglers working the island tops, Buck Deaner said. A few cats are taking cutbait at night. There is a decent perch bite on waxworms.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 842-5799

Hensley Lake
Bass **
Trout *
Catfish **


Bass fishing is decent for good numbers of small bass to 2pounds for anglers working the rock piles or underwater structures with crankbaits or purple worms, Jeff Huth said. The dam area has been kicking out good bass action. Crappie and bluegill fishing is decent to good. Catfish to 3pounds have slowed but are available for anglers working the area above the 5mph buoys with mackerel or Hog Wild catfish bait, Buck Deaner said. Trout fishing is slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151, 842-5799

McSwain Reservoir
Trout ****


Trollers are getting easy limits of big Calaveras planted trout to 17inches, working a flasher and 'crawler from the dam to the floating restroom, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Shore anglers are scoring limits on chartreuse Power Bait and 'crawler/marshmallow combos fished by the dam or handicap dock.

Call: McSwain Marina (209)378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Slough
Stripers **
Crappie **
Catfish ***


A good bite on small catfish is producing good numbers for anglers working the resort and duck club area of Mendota, Jeff Huth said. Anglers fishing the Mendota area should be careful to stay away from dove hunters this weekend. The Aqueduct has been steady for small stripers in the 5- to 7-pound range, Larry Bristow said. A decent catfish bite continues in the Delta Mendota canal on cutbait, as well as lots of little stripers.

Call: 655-2335, Lucky Larry's Bait (209)827-1522

Millerton Lake
Bass **
Stripers *


A consistent spotted bass bite on worms and dartheads fished upriver above the no-ski buoys is producing lots of small fish, Jeff Huth said. Anglers need to target the shade areas and rock piles. There is some topwater and spinnerbait action early in the morning. The water continues to fall about a foot per day. Stripers and American shad have been hard to find. Water flows into the lake are at about 2,300feet/second, and the lake is at 310,000acre/feet (520,000capacity). Up river, rocks and towers are becoming hazardous for boaters as the water falls. Beached boats camping overnight in the Temperance and river areas are in danger of getting stuck on shore as the water quickly falls.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir
Bass **
Trout **


Trout fishing has improved for large Rainbows in the 17- to 20-inch range for anglers trolling shad-colored Excels from the power lines to the dam area, Buck Deaner said. One unidentified angler brought in a limit of trout that averaged 3pounds, including one 5-pounder, Jeff Huth said. They were taken on a Rapala pulled behind a Sep's dodger at 30-60feet. CD5 or CD7 Rapalas have been picking up the bigger trout. Daytime bass fishing has improved a little, but anglers focusing on the night bite and using spinnerbaits are picking up fair numbers of fish in the 2-pound class, Buck Deaner said. Main lake points fished during the day at 20-30feet with dropshot rigs or small jigs will produce fish, but anglers need to move a lot to find the fish. There is an early and late reaction bite.

Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474

Lake Kaweah
Bass **
Crappie *
Trout *
Catfish **


Bass fishing has picked up for good numbers of fish to 3pounds for anglers working the 25- to 30-foot depth with dropshot plastics or jigs, Jimmy Perez of Sierra Sports said. There is a topwater bite early in the day. Trout fishing has gotten tough, but catfish to 4pounds are active at night by the dam on anchovies. Crappie fishing has slowed.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success
Bass **
Trout **
Catfish **


Success Market reported that bass fishing has picked up with one 8-pound largemouth taken on a live crawdad. Trout fishing has been decent for anglers working the river area. Catfishing is moderate for anglers working the dam area with cutbait or 'crawlers.

Call: 784-2235

McClure Reservoir
Bass **
Trout ***
Crappie *
Catfish ****


Bass fishing has picked up for good numbers of small bass on early morning reaction baits, as well as a huge 28.5-inch, 14.1-pound bass taken by Pete Holder of Mariposa, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Live crawdads and minnows are the best action baits to use during the day at about 20feet. Temperance and Cottonwood creeks have been the best areas. Trout fishing is excellent for nice rainbows to 17inches fishing near the dam area with trolled watermelon Apexes pulled behind a single blade flasher. Upriver fishing has slowed for trout. Trout fishing at night under lights is good for lots of 2-pound fish. Fish just below the lights at 15-25feet. Crappie fishing is slow. Channel catfish to 5pounds are on a hot bite working the shallow mudlines at around 10feet and biting live crawdads and anchovies in the late evening to morning hours. Working the houseboat areas and the area behind the entrance to the Boat Club is the best bet.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505, (209)378-2441

Lake Don Pedro
Bass **
Trout ***
Kokanee *
King Salmon *


Trout fishing is excellent, with 1- to 3-pounders biting Glory Hole Hookers, E-Chip lures and shad-patterned Excels trolled at 25-40feet in the Mexican Gulch, Jenkin's Hill and Big Oak Island areas, Danny Layne of Fish'n Dan's Guide Service said. Kokanee fishing is done for the season. Bass fishing is fair for anglers fishing shad-colored dropshot rigs off main lake secondary points in 20-30feet, Dwayne King of Fisherman's Warehouse in Manteca said.

Call: (209)852-2369, (209)989-2206, Fisherman's Warehouse Manteca (209)239-2248, Dwayne King's Guide Service (209)609-3115

Yep your right Hef. Here ya go. I didn't know anyone read them. I will keep posting them now. Thank for letting me know.

San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay
Stripers ***
Catfish **


Striper fishing picked up for anglers fishing the Forebay and the big lake, with one 30-pound lineside coming from the Forebay at the Highway33 Bridge, Larry Bristow of Lucky Larry's Tackle said. Big lake action also has picked up in the morning for anglers fishing the points off the Basalt ramp and the Trashracks on both bait and minnows. Water at the lake is rising about a half-foot a day, which has turned on the fishing in the morning after they pump into the big lake at night. Lake level is at 1,220,000-acre feet out of 2million-acre feet capacity. Lots of 5- to 6-pound stripers are falling for a variety of presentations. Catfish are on a fair bite in the Forebay. Los Banos Creek Reservoir has had a decent bass bite on fish in the 2- to 3-pound range, and some action on trout and crappie, Bristow said.

Call: Mitchell's Outpost (209) 826-5559, Lucky Larry's Bait (209) 827-1522

Eastman Lake
Bass ***
Trout *
Bluegill **
Catfish **


Bass bite for decent numbers of fish to 3 pounds has improved for anglers working Firetiger crankbaits and ripbaits in bluegill patterns, Buck Deaner of Fisherman's Warehouse said. Dropshotted plastics and spoons fished by the dam also have worked on the suspending fish. A good evening bite on the ABT Titan swimbait has been good for some bigger bass up to 8 pounds. Cats in the 3- to 4-pound range are on a decent bite at night on anchovies, Merritt Gilbert said.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 842-5799

Hensley Lake
Bass ***
Trout *
Catfish **
Crappie ***


Bass fishing has picked up for anglers tossing Senkos or crankbaits in the dam area, with most fish in the 11- to 13-inch range, but a few 3-pounders are showing up, Merritt Gilbert said. Purple Death, or watermelon/red flake worms, are kicking out about three to seven fish (in the 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-pound range) per angler when fished off river channel areas or island tops, Buck Deaner said. Crappie fishing has been good for night anglers using lights and working the dam area, Mark Inman of Kerman said. Catfish have slowed. Trout fishing is slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151, 842-5799

McSwain Reservoir
Trout ****


Bank anglers are getting easy limits of big Calaveras trout that seem to be holding near the bottom on chartreuse Power Bait or marshmallow/'crawler combo's, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. The handicap dock and the Brushpile have been the best areas. Trollers have had to work for limits, but pulling a flasher and 'crawler from the chimney to the bathroom has been the best bet.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Slough
Stripers ***
Crappie **
Catfish ***


A good bite on big catfish in the 10-pound range and some stripers in the 4- to 6-pound class is providing action in the Delta Mendota canal with cutbait, Larry Bristow said. Several anglers walked in to the "Y" area of the canal that is closed to cars and picked up 10 fish of 10 pounds or more on chicken livers. The Aqueduct near Pioneer Road kicked out a 26-pound and an 8-pound striper for one unidentified angler. There has been steady action for small stripers in the 5- to 7-pound range, as well as some catfish.

Call: 655-2335, Lucky Larry's Bait (209) 827-1522

Millerton Lake
Bass **
Stripers *


Spotted bass are biting dropshotted worms, dartheads, ripbaits and topwater baits, with some better quality fish showing up at times, Merritt Gilbert said. Limits of bass are running at 10-12pounds for experienced anglers. Once anglers find a pocket of fish, they are able to do fairly well, but some fishermen are struggling. There also is some topwater action on Spooks early in the morning at the fast-falling lake. Stripers have been hard to find. The water continues to fall about a half-foot a day. The lake is at 270,000-acre feet out of a capacity of 520,000. Upriver rocks and towers are very hazardous for boaters as the water falls. Beached boats in the Temperance and river areas are in danger of getting stuck on shore as the water quickly falls.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir
Bass **
Trout **


Trout fishing for a few quality rainbows in the 19-to 23-inch range has been good for experienced anglers trolling chrome/blue Apexes or small Rapalas in gold/black and silver/black patterns at 35 to 60 feet in the river channel from Lombardo's to Windy Gap, Merritt Gilbert said. Flasher/'crawler combos also are producing trout. Daytime bass fishing has been tough to poor for anglers working main lake points and walls with dropshotted plastics in Pro-Gold or Hologram patterns, Buck Deaner said.

Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474

Lake Kaweah
Bass **
Crappie *
Trout **
Catfish **


Bass fishing is decent for good numbers of fish to 3 pounds, Jimmy Perez of Sierra Sports said. Trout fishing has been steady for anglers working Power Bait on the east side of the lake. Crappie fishing has slowed. Perch fishing with waxworms has been good.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success
Bass **
Trout **
Catfish ***


Success Market reported bass fishing has picked up, with one 8.49-pound bass taken by Ryan and Lacy Tom of Porterville on a plastic worm. Trout fishing has been decent, topped by a 5-pound Rainbow taken on Power Bait. Catfishing is good for big cats, as Pete Albiar of Shafter took a big 17-pound whiskerfish on anchovies, while another unidentified angler got a 121/2-pound catfish on 'crawlers.

Call: 784-2235

McClure Reservoir
Bass **
Trout ***
Crappie *
Catfish ****


Bass fishing has been slow for mostly small fish taking topwater lures and crankbaits early in the morning, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Daytime fishing has been strictly with plastics as anglers target main lake rocky points with deep water access. Trout fishing is excellent for nice rainbows 1 1/2 to 4 pounds for trollers working a flasher/Needlefish or flasher/Apex rig at about 45 feet off the first buoyline near the dam. The area around Horseshoe Bend has been another hot spot. Trout fishing at night under lights at 20 feet with medium-sized minnows has been solid. Crappie fishing has slowed with the cooling, low-pressure conditions. Channel catfish to 5pounds are on a hot bite; work the shallow mudlines at around 10 feet with live crawdads and anchovies in the late evening.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505, (209) 378-2441

Lake Don Pedro
Bass **
Trout ***
Kokanee *
King Salmon **


Trout fishing has been good for trollers at 20-40 feet with flasher/'crawler combos or shad-patterned Excels in the Mexican Gulch and Fleming Bay and Graveyard Bay areas, Danny Layne of Fish'n Dan's Guide Service said. King salmon are moving up to 50 feet with the cooler weather, and taking rolled anchovies and shad or silver E-chip lures fished in Woods Creek and the river canyon area. Kokanee fishing is done for the season. Bass fishing has been slow for anglers using dropshotted rigs off of the main lake's secondary points in deep water.

Call: (209) 852-2369, (209) 989-2206, Fisherman's Warehouse Manteca (209) 239-2248, Dwayne King's Guide Service (209) 609-3115

HIGH SIERRA

Bass Lake
Bass *
Trout **
Kokanee **


Kokanee fishing has been sporadic for anglers jigging with baits such as the Buzz Bomb and Gibbs Minnow, with one 21-inch monster taken by the technique, guide Todd Wittwer said. Bonnie Wittwer, Todd's wife, caught the huge salmon on a jig fishing above a large school of kokanee. Fishing for the big salmon has fallen off with cooler weather, but anglers still reported some bites on the jigs from the deep-spawning fish. Trollers are having to scratch hard for a few salmon and trout. Schools of salmon are holding at around 60 feet. Bass fishing has been fair for a few small fish.

Call: 642-3141, 642-3633, 642-3737, 779-2429

VALLEY

New Melones Reservoir
Bass **
Crappie *
Catfish **
Trout ***
Kokanee **


Trout fishing really has picked up for trollers working the main lake, spillway area and under the 49er Bridge at about 30-50feet using shad colored Apexes or Excel's, Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sports said. Most of the fish are in the 2- to 3-pound range. Trout fishing under lights near the spillway area at night has been productive. A 10-pound Brown was taken by Bob James of Murphys on a brown Rapala trolled at 20feet near the mouth of Carson Creek. Kokanee fishing is just about done for the season, but a few hooked jawed salmon still are taking trolled pink E-chips or pink Apexes pulled behind dodger or sling blade at 80 feet deep in the main lake. Bass fishing has been fair for anglers fishing visible wood with three-eighths-ounce white spinnerbaits with silver blades or white Flukes, Dwayne King said. Crappie fishing has slowed down. Catfishing has been fair with a 9.5-pound cat taken by Tom and Liz Jackson of Copperopolis in the back of Black Bart Cove with liver and mackerel.

Call: (209) 736-4333

Lake Isabella
Bass *
Trout *
Crappie *
Catfish ****


Water-quality tests have yet to be finished, determining if there is a problem with the lake, but catfishing is as good as it gets, with fish to 21pounds weighed in, said Cordell, of Big Ed's Bait and Tackle. Anglers fishing the Edison canal below the auxiliary dam are getting easy limits of lots of 1- to 3-pound cats, but there have been numerous fish in the high teens and up, biting salmon, shrimp, crawlers and most stinkbaits. The main lake area is also productive for lots of the whiskerfish.

Fishing for perch, trout, crappie and bass has been very slow at the slowly falling lake.

Call: Big Ed's Bait and Tackle, (760)379-4170, Bob's Bait, (661)833-8657; North Fork Marina (760),376-1812

San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay
Stripers ***
Catfish **


Striper fishing has picked up for anglers fishing the forebay, with lots of fish in the 18- to 26-inch range coming on a variety of techniques, said Bristow, of Lucky Larry's Tackle. Flukes, minnows, cutbait and some plugs are producing lots of fish. A moderate catfish bite for fish to 5pounds has been consistent on cutbait. Big lake action has been steady for anglers fishing with bait and minnows for stripers in the 5- to 6-pound class. Water at the lake is still rising about a half-foot a day. Lake level is at 1,270,000acre-feet storage out of 2million acre-feet capacity. Los Banos Creek Reservoir has had a continued decent bite on small bass in the 2- to 3-pound range, and some action on trout and crappie, Bristow said.

Call: (209) 826-5559 Mitchell's Outpost, (209) 827-1522 Lucky Larry's Bait

Eastman Lake
Bass **
Trout *
Bluegill **
Catfish **


Bass bite has slowed down, but experienced anglers working Carolina rigged lizards or worms by the dam or in the creek channels at 15-25feet deep are finding some fair-sized bass, Huth said. Ranger Keith Willis said that splitshotted worms were working well for smaller sized bass, and that there was a decent perch bite in the trees on live bait. There also have been a few spinnerbait fish as well as some jig action on the bass. Trout fishing has been slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 842-5799

Hensley Lake
Bass ***
Trout *
Catfish **
Crappie **


Bass fishing has picked up for fishermen throwing crankbaits near underwater boulder piles, Huth said. Fish to 3pounds, as well as good numbers of small fish, are coming on crawdad or shad colored deep diving crankbaits. Splitshotted purple blue neon worms also are working for the active fish. In addition, there is an early-morning reaction bite. Catfish have slowed down. Trout fishing is slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151, 842-5799

McSwain Reservoir
Trout ***


Bank anglers are getting limits of big Calaveras trout, on chartreuse PowerBait or marshmallow/'crawler combo's, while trollers are having to work for their fish, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Trollers working a flasher and Wedding Ring spinner tipped with a 'crawler at 35-40 feet have done the best.

Call: McSwain Marina (209)378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Slough
Stripers ***
Crappie **
Catfish ***


A big 32-pound, 43-inch striper was taken on a Rattletrap in the Delta Mendota canal near Newman by Anthony Aseltine, Bristow said. Several big stripers have been taken recently, possibly signaling a big fish bite. The aqueduct also is kicking out lots of 5- to 6-pound fish, but a couple of big 18- to 30-pound stripers have been caught by unidentified anglers. There has been steady action for small catfish.

Call: 655-2335, (209) 827-1522 Lucky Larry's Bait

Millerton Lake
Bass **
Stripers *


Spotted bass are on a moderate bite for lots of small fish, but some better quality fish are being taken in the main lake off points on dropshotted worms or dartheads, Huth said. Falling water conditions have caused the fish to suspend, so anglers will have to move around a lot to find the fish. Once anglers find a pocket of fish they are able to do fairly well. Threadfin shad schools are holding near the surface all over the lake. Stripers have been hard to find. The water continues to fall about a foot a day. Waterflows into the lake are about 1,100 sec/feet, and the lake is at 255,000acre-feet out of a capacity of 520,000. Upriver rocks and towers are very hazardous for boaters as the water falls. Beached boats in the Temperance and river areas are in danger of getting stuck on shore as the water quickly falls.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir
Bass *
Trout **


Trout fishing for big quality rainbows to 20inches has been steady for anglers working #7, and #5 Rapalas from the dam to Windy gap at 25-30feet, Huth said. Trollers pulling 'crawlers behind a flasher, or a Needlefish also are getting some good numbers of smaller fish. Daytime bass fishing has been tough to poor for anglers working dartheads or dropshotted shad colored plastics in 10-30feet of water, Merritt Gilbert said.

Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474

Lake Kaweah
Bass **
Crappie *
Trout **
Catfish **


Bass fishing is moderate for fish to 3 pounds, Jimmy Perez of Sierra Sports said. Trout fishing has been steady for anglers working PowerBait on the east side of the lake. Crappie fishing has slowed down.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success
Bass **
Trout *
Catfish **


Success Market reported fishing has slowed down this week at the rapidly falling lake for all species, with few anglers working the reservoir.

Call: 784-2235

McClure Reservoir
Bass *
Trout **
Crappie *
Catfish **


Trout fishing has slowed to moderate for anglers trolling flasher/'crawler setups near the dam area at a depth of 45 to 50feet, Mello said. Shore anglers fishing by the dam are doing well on 'crawler/marshmallow combos fished on the bottom. Bass fishing also slowed way down with the full moon and rapidly falling lake conditions. Crappie fishing has disappeared with the cooling low-pressure conditions. Channel catfish to 4pounds have slowed to a fair bite on anchovies and chicken livers fished near the back of Temperance Creek or the Boat Club area.

Call: (209) 563-6505 A-1 Bait, (209)378-2441

Lake Don Pedro
Bass **
Trout ***
Kokanee *
King Salmon **


Trout fishing continues to improve as water temperatures drop for trollers working the 20- to 40-foot depth range with flasher/'crawler combos or shad patterned Excel's in the Mexican Gulch, Fleming Bay and Graveyard Bay areas, for fish to 3pounds, Danny Layne of Fish'n Dan's Guide Service said. King salmon still are available, and biting trolled anchovies and shad, behind ball trolls at 60-90feet in Woods Creek and the front of the dam, Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing said. Kokanee fishing is done for the season. Bass fishing has been fair for anglers fishing light line-low visibility Carolina rigged green pumpkin Baby Brushhogs, King said.

Call: (209) 852-2369, (209)989-2206, (209) 239-2248 Fisherman's Warehouse Manteca, (209) 609-3115 Dwayne King's Guide Service

New Melones Reservoir
Bass **
Crappie *
Catfish **
Trout ***
Kokanee *


Trout fishing has been steady for nice limits of fat rainbows up to 3.9 pounds for trollers working shad-patterned Excels or Needlefish in the main lake or upriver at 35-55 feet, Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sports said. Trout fishing under lights at night has been productive. Kokanee season is about over, but a few hooked jawed salmon are moving into creek arms and coves to spawn. Bass fishing has been slow to fair for anglers fishing with dropshotted Roboworms at 15-30 feet off main lake points or tossing Deep "N" crankbaits near shore, Dwayne King said. Crappie fishing has slowed. Catfishing has been fair, with an 8.2-pounder taken near the spillway on mackerel.

Call: (209) 736-4333

Lake Isabella
Bass *
Trout **
Crappie **
Catfish ****


Water-quality tests still are not in for the lake, but catfishing is wide open for fish to 18 pounds, Ed Cordell of Big Ed's Bait and Tackle said. The Edison canal below the auxiliary dam is the best spot for anglers to pick up a full limit of channel cats feeding in the current on shad. Small 1/12th ounce Kastmasters fished in the current on 6-pound test line are the hottest way to get quick strikes, as the fish mistake the small chrome lure for schooling shad. Frozen shad and 'crawlers also are working. Bass are stirring for anglers working the north end of the lake with plastics tossed into the middle of the submerged brush. Trout are picking up for both trollers and shore fishermen. Trollers are getting limits of fish up to 2 pounds in front of the dam on Wedding Ring spinners tipped with a 'crawler at 30 feet. Perch up to a ½-pound are taking red worms and meal worms off the face of the dam. A few anglers have picked up limits of crappie at the north end of the lake.

Call: Big Ed's Bait and Tackle, (760)379-4170, Bob's Bait, (661)833-8657; North Fork Marina (760),376-1812

San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay
Stripers **
Catfish **


Striper fishing remains steady for lots of small fish taking minnows, cutbait and some lures in both the big lake and the Forebay, Larry Bristow of Lucky Larry's Tackle said. Big lake action is steady for anglers fishing with both bait and minnows for 5- to 6-pound stripers — but still no big fish. The Trash Racks, Goosehead and Portuguese Cove have been the best areas. A few cats up to 8 pounds are coming out of the Forebay on cutbait. Water at the lake is rising, and the lake level is at 1,304,000 acre-feet storage out of 2 million acre-feet capacity. Los Banos Creek Reservoir continued its decent bite on 2- to 3-pound bass and some good action on small perch.

Call: (209) 826-5559 Mitchell's Outpost, (209) 827-1522 Lucky Larry's Bait

Eastman Lake
Bass ***
Trout *
Bluegill **
Catfish **


Bass bite has picked up for good numbers of small fish up to 3 pounds for anglers dropshotting by the dam and in the creek channels, Jeff Huth said. Some anglers also scored on Firetiger deep-running crankbaits, Buck Deaner said. Ranger Keith Willis said the lake is two-thirds full with no releases, and that the panfish bite was good on live bait. Trout fishing has been slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 842-5799

Hensley Lake
Bass ***
Trout *
Catfish ***
Crappie **


Bass fishing has been fair to steady for anglers throwing Firetiger crankbaits and watermelon/red Brushhogs for 10 to 12 fish days, Buck Deaner said. Fishing by the rock piles and the dam have been the best areas. Carolina-rigged lizards and purple worms also are working well for the active fish. Catfish are in the river area at 25 to 35 feet and on a good bite on mackerel and Catfish Dynamite. Anglers are catching up to 10 fish per rod, with the biggest cats going 5 pounds. Trout fishing is slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151, 842-5799

McSwain Reservoir
Trout ***


Fishing has been excellent for both trollers and bank anglers, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Trollers working a flasher and Wedding Ring spinner tipped with a 'crawler at 25 to 30 feet have done well working the area from the dam to Gilligans Island. Shore anglers using inflated 'crawler/marshmallow combos or chartreuse Power Bait are getting easy limits of the fat fish to 2 pounds.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Slough
Stripers ***
Crappie **
Catfish ***


Both catfish and stripers are on an improved bite in the Delta Mendota canal, Larry Bristow said. Stripers up to 10 pounds have been taken by anglers tossing pearl-colored Storm Swimbaits by the bridges. Cats to 9 pounds are on a good bite for anchovies and clams. The aqueduct also is kicking out lots of 5- to 6-pound fish. There has been steady action for small catfish.

Call: 655-2335, (209) 827-1522 Lucky Larry's Bait

Millerton Lake
Bass **
Stripers *


Spotted bass are on a moderate to slow bite for lots of small fish as the lake falls rapidly and pre-tournament angler pressure increased, Jeff Huth said. A major tournament with 55 boats produced a winning total of 9.41 pounds for Kirk Sakamoto and Tim Torres, with most of the fish taken on plastics in the main lake. Stripers have been hard to find. The water continues to fall about a foot a day. Water flow into the lake is at about 1,200 feet/sec, and the lake is at 242,000 acre-feet out of a capacity of 520,000. Up river, rocks and towers are hazardous. Beached boats are in danger of getting stuck on shore.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir
Bass *
Trout **


Trout fishing for big quality rainbows has slowed, but anglers willing to work can pick up about a fish per hour in the 17- to 20-inch range trolling a chrome or pearl Apex from Lombardos to the dam at about 40 feet, Buck Deaner said. Trollers pulling 'crawlers behind a flasher or a Needlefish are getting some good numbers of smaller fish. Daytime bass fishing has been tough for anglers working dropshotted shad-colored plastics or brown/purple ¼-ounce jigs in 15-30 feet, Jeff Huth said. The mouth of Sycamore and Big Creek have been producing fish, but anglers have to cover a lot of water to find them.

Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474

Lake Kaweah
Bass ***
Crappie ***
Trout *
Catfish **


Bass fishing is good for lots of mid-sized bass, with some up to 8 pounds, Jimmy Perez of Sierra Sports said. Dropshotted plastics and jigs have been working at 10-25 feet. There is also some crankbait action. Trout fishing has been slow. Crappie fishing is good for limits. Lake is holding stable, Perez said.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success
Bass **
Trout *
Catfish **


Success Market reported fishing has been slow for bass and catfish, with few anglers working the reservoir.

Call: 784-2235

McClure Reservoir
Bass ***
Trout **
Crappie **
Catfish ***


Bass fishing improved for anglers tossing minnows, crawdads and plastics for catches of up to 30 fish a day, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Aaron's Magic worms were working well at 15-30 off of island tops and rocky points near a creek channel. A decent early topwater bite on shad-colored lures also was producing fish. Trout fishing has slowed to a steady bite on trolled flasher/Wedding Ring spinners tipped with a 'crawler worked near the dam by the first buoyline. Night fishing under lights using medium minnows by the dam and houseboats has been solid. Crappie fishing has re-emerged for a fair bite in the Horseshoe Bend and Piney Creek areas. Try the trees in the channel with jigs and minnows. Channel catfish up to 4 pounds are on a hot bite for anglers mooching half an anchovy off the bottom in the Boat Club area, as well as the cove behind the houseboats in Arnold Bay.

Call: (209) 563-6505 A-1 Bait, (209)378-2441

VALLEY

New Melones Reservoir
Bass **
Crappie *
Catfish **
Trout ***
Kokanee *


Trout fishing has been good for limits of rainbows up to 4.9 pounds for trollers pulling blue/silver Excels, green Apexes or Cop Car Needlefish in the main lake or up river at 35-60 feet, Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sports said. Trout fishing with lights at night continues to be productive. Kokanee season is about over, but a few soft salmon are moving into creek arms and coves to spawn. Bass fishing has been fair to good for anglers fishing with dropshotted worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and Rattletraps. Fish are feeding aggressively. Target steep banks up river and the mouths of creek arms at a depth of 30-40 feet. Catfish are active and taking mackerel or anchovies fished near Tuttletown, Angels Cove or Glory Hole Point at night.

Call: (209) 736-4333

Lake Isabella
Bass *
Trout **
Crappie *
Catfish ****


Catfishing is wide open for anglers fishing almost anywhere on the lake, Ed Cordell of Big Ed's Bait and Tackle said. Two anglers brought in 10 fish that were all over 10pounds. The Edison canal below the auxiliary dam is another good spot for anglers to pick up a full limit of channel cats. Bass are sporadic at best as the storms have moved through the area. Trout are steady for both trollers and shore fishermen, but the big news has been the recent heavy plants of rainbows. Perch up to a half-pound are on a good bite, and taking red worms and meal worms off the face of the dam.

Call: Big Ed's Bait and Tackle, (760)379-4170, Bob's Bait, (661)833-8657; North Fork Marina (760),376-1812

San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay
Stripers **
Catfish **


Striper fishing has been slow for small stripers up to 5 pounds taking cutbait fished on the bottom, Larry Bristow of Lucky Larry's Tackle said. Low pressure fronts moving through the area have created a lot of wind and lower temps, which seem to have slowed the bite and moved the fish to the bottom. Portuguese Cove and Goosehead have been some of the best areas. Water at the lake is rising about a half-foot per day, and the lake level is at 1.34 million acre-feet storage out of 2 million acre-feet capacity. Los Banos Creek Reservoir has a decent bite on 2- to 3-pound bass. Wind conditions: 800-805-4805

Call: (209) 826-5559 Mitchell's Outpost, (209) 827-1522 Lucky Larry's Bait

Eastman Lake
Bass **
Trout *
Bluegill **
Catfish *


Bass bite has been steady for good numbers of small fish up to 3 pounds on plastics, but a quality bass bite on swimbaits and spinnerbaits is available for anglers willing to work, Jeff Huth said. A few of the bigger bass to 5 pounds are taking reaction-type baits, but anglers wanting more action are doing well fishing the sides of the dam and creek channels with worms at 10-15 feet. Ranger Keith Willis said the lake is two-thirds full and stable. Trout fishing has been slow.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 842-5799

Hensley Lake
Bass **
Trout **
Catfish **
Crappie *


Bass fishing has been fair for anglers fishing Carolina rigged lizards or Brushhogs around the submerged rockpiles, Jeff Huth said. Good numbers of fish to 2 pounds are taking the plastics near structure. The rock piles and the dam have been the best areas. Catfish are on a moderate bite in the river area above the 5 mph markers on mackerel and Catfish Dynamite. Trout fishing is slow, although regulars putting in some time are getting quality fish.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474, 673-5151, 842-5799

McSwain Reservoir
Trout ***


Fishing has been good for limits for bank anglers using inflated 'crawlers or Power Bait by the handicap dock or the Brushpile, McSwain Marina reported. Trollers had sporadic action working flasher/'crawler combos, with few limits. Some trout were up to 2 pounds, with another plant scheduled this week.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Delta Mendota Canal and Slough
Stripers ***
Crappie *
Catfish ***


The Delta Mendota canal probably has the best catfish and striper bites in the Valley now for both quantity and quality, Larry Bristow said. Stripers up to 20 pounds have been taken by anglers fishing lures and jigs in the canal as well as in the bypass area of the Volta Duck Club. Cats are on a good bite on cutbait. The Delta Mendota water flow will be shut down soon, Bristow said.

Call: 655-2335, (209) 827-1522 Lucky Larry's Bait

Millerton Lake
Bass **
Stripers *


The lake is beat up, with a slow-to-moderate bite on spots, after three tournaments and heavy angler pre-fishing, Jeff Huth said. Better numbers of small fish are coming on plastics fished above the 35 mph zone, while the better cut of fish has been coming from the main lake area. Huth said a one-eighth-ounce darthead jig tipped with a 4.5-inch worm fished off a long cast and allowed to fall slowly was working well for bigger suspending fish feeding on the shad schools. Stripers have been hard to find, but a few busting schools have been working the main lake coves in the morning. The water continues to fall about a half-foot a day. Water flow into the lake is at about 1,200 feet/sec, and the lake is at 233,000 acre-feet out of a capacity of 520,000. New lake hours have changed to 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Call: 225-1838, 292-3474

Pine Flat Reservoir
Bass *
Trout **


Trout fishing has slowed, with anglers getting fewer numbers of both big and small fish, Jeff Huth said. The best bet is to troll a Bikini or Cop Car needlefish at 20-40 feet deep from the dam to the first power lines. Bigger fish are taking the CD7 Rapalas trolled through the shad schools. Speed control is key to triggering the bite. Daytime bass fishing has been tough. Anglers are scratching their heads about the poor bite this year. The best news has been the emergence of smaller black bass at the lake this year.

Call: 787-2387, 225-1838, 292-3474

Lake Kaweah
Bass ***
Crappie **
Trout **
Catfish ***


Bass fishing is good for lots of small bass up to 4 pounds, on a wide range of lures and plastics, Jimmy Perez of Sierra Sports said. Dropshotted plastics as well as some topwater and crankbait action has produced fish. Trout fishing has been slow, with deeper trolling and river angling the best bets. Crappie fishing has been kicking out up to 15 medium-sized slabs per rod once the fish are located. Catfish are on a good bite on chicken livers and anchovies, Perez said.

Call: 592-5922

Lake Success
Bass **
Trout *
Catfish *


Success Market reported fishing has been slow for bass and catfish.

Call: 784-2235

McClure Reservoir
Bass *
Trout **
Crappie *
Catfish **


Bass fishing is at a complete stop, with suspended fish getting lockjaw, Diana Mello of A-1 Bait said. Anglers felt the shut off was due to the low pressure system that passed through the area. Bass are holding fairly deep, with the best bet to fish submerged islands with shad-patterned plastics in 40-50 feet of water. Trout fishing for a few quality fish remained good as the numbers fell off. Anglers working flasher and Needlefish combos on downriggers or leadcore at 80 feet by the dam had the best chance of picking up one of the bigger rainbows in the 3-pound range, with most fishermen scoring about two fish per rod. Smaller trout were holding at a shallower depth of 35-50 feet. Windy conditions seem to shut off the bite, so finding calmer water has been important. Crappie fishing has been slow. Channel catfish up to 4 pounds are still on a good bite for anglers soaking an anchovy in the cove behind the houseboats in Arnold Bay.

Call: (209) 563-6505 A-1 Bait, (209)378-2441