FISH REPORT — ONS-matthews

Compiled by Jim Matthews
www.OutdoorNewsService.com

The fish report is weekly. Its accuracy depends on marina operators, tackle shops, and local fishermen we contact. Anglers catching large fish should send the information to Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427, or telephone 909-887-3444, so it can be included in this report. E-Mail messages or fishing reports can also be posted to Jim Matthews at odwriter@verizon.net.

This report is posted weekly on the Outdoor News Service web site (www.OutdoorNewsService.com) by Thursday afternoon. The fish report is copyrighted and any use or reposting of the report, or portions of the report, is prohibited without written permission. Posting of links to the Outdoor News Service web site is allowed.

JIM MATTHEWS担 PICKS OF THE WEEK

• The catfish and striper bite are both good in the California Aqueduct across the whole Antelope Valley has really improved over the past week with cooler night temperatures and a declining moss problem, especially in the east side of the valley. The cats have mostly been from five to eight pounds and showing on cut baits with nightcrawler added for wiggle and scent added to sweeten the deal. The stripers are mostly 1 1/2 to two pounds. For updated information, call Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.
• For the first time in weeks, the striper bite at Castaic Lake has dropped out of the top spot in the weekly picks. But there is still a good striper bite at Castaic and neighboring Pyramid making the two lakes a toss-up for the second spot. There might even be more boiling fish at Pyramid right now if you prefer the topwater or near-surface action. Both lakes are also good on black bass, both largemouth or smallmouths. For an update on these bites, check with the Castaic marina at 661-775-6232 or the Pyramid entrance booth at 661-295-7155.
• Apollo Park Lake stays in top picks it is still the place to go with the family for the excellent action on panfish (bluegill and warmouth) and small catfish. The fact that a few quality catfish from two to five pounds continue to show in the lake with the single island (lake two), keeps this post in the top picks. For an update, call Apollo Park at 661-940-7701 or Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.

HIGH DESERT WATERS

VICTORVILLE REGION

HESPERIA LAKE: The catfish bite has been good as the season for planting these fish winds down. There are still weekly 1,000-pound plants going, but that will be switching to trout later this fall. The best bite on the cats has been on shrimp, mackerel, chicken liver, or the marshmallow-meal worm combo. Most of the fish are one to three pounds with some bigger each week. Top fish this past week was a 10-pounder landed by Nathan Berry, Hesperia, on shrimp off Sandy Point. Information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.

JESS RANCH LAKES: The trout bite slowed back down over the past week with warm weather returning, but a few rainbows are showing early in the morning, and the best action has been on PowerBait in rainbow, garlic, and salmon peach, nightcrawlers, and small trout jigs. The cool weather this week should kick that bite back into gear. The rainbows are averaging around two pounds, and the top spots have been the northern and western shores of lake 2, and the eastern logged shore and western shore near the drain of lake 3. The largemouth bass bite has been fair to good on the northern and southern shores of lake 2 near the inlets, and on lake 3 near pump house. The best bite has been on Senko-type baits, spinnerbaits, and drop-shotted plastics or nightcrawlers with fish to four pounds. There is a pretty good bluegill bite on nightcrawlers and meal worms with fish weighing up to a pound. Hot spots for bluegill are the western shore of lake 3 near the pump house and the western shore of lake 2 near the drain. A few catfish are being caught on shrimp and garlic-marshmallow/nightcrawler combos. Best area to catch them is northern and western shore of lake 2. For more information call (760)240-1107 or go to www.jessranchlakesnews.com.

MOJAVE NARROWS: The catfish bite is slow with only a few cats showing early or late in the day on the shrimp and marshmallow combo. There is still a good bluegill bite on fish up to hand-sized on small baits fished beneath bobbers around the tules. County catfish plants ended for the season three weeks ago. Trout season not expected to start until November. The park is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Information, call 760-245-2226.

HIGH DESERT WATERS

ANTELOPE VALLEY REGION

APOLLO PARK LAKE: There continue to be a lot of catfish from three to five pounds showing on stink baits and mackerel with early morning and evening the best times to fish. The lake with a single island continues to be the best spot (pond two) for these better fish. The real attraction is the continued very good bite on small bluegill, warmouth, and small catfish to 10 inches long. All three species are showing on small worms, meal worms, red worms, crickets, or nightcrawler pieces fished under a bobber, especially in areas with shade on the water. There is also a pretty good bite on carp, with the bigger dough baits balls getting the bigger fish. Also a few bass to two pounds showing, but most are small and being caught on small spinnerbaits. Trout season is slated to start around Oct. 25 (first plant) and there will be a trout tournament the first weekend in November. For more information, contact Apollo Park at 661-940-7701 or Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.

JACKSON LAKE (NEAR WRIGHTWOOD): Few reports, but a fair number of small bluegill continue to be reported on meal worms and nightcrawler pieces. No trout or bass reports. For updated information, call Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.

LAKE PALMDALE: The lake is closed to fishing until February, when trout season will kick off with heavy stocks of fish. The season ended with a bang this past week with good catfish action and very consistent bass and panfish bites. Call the Palmdale Fin & Feather Club for membership and fishing information at 661-947-2884 or go to website at www.palmdalefinandfeatherclub.com.

QUAIL LAKE: The striper bite has improved pretty dramatically over the past week with fish at 11 and 15 pounds reported on fly-lined XXX Blood Bonito, chicken liver, and mackerel at the outlet. The evening bite has been the best. Also still quite a few catfish showing in this bite, also mostly at the outlet, but also off the points on the north side of the lake. Also some stripers in these spots on shad or ghost shrimp. The bluegill action has continued fair to good, especially right at the parking area and along the south shoreline tules(along Highway 138) on bobber-suspended baits. A few largemouth bass also continue to show along this south shoreline along the tules on plastics and cranks, or off the north side points on the same baits. For updated information, call Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.

CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT (Little Rock to Quail Lake stretch): The bite on both stripers and catfish has been good this week, especially in the middle of the night from about midnight to sunrise for the catfish. The best action has been in the east end of the valley from Highway 14 east (past the pumping station) because there are fewer weeds in this stretch. Catfish to 13 pounds reported, while most of the stripers have been schoolie-sized fish around two pounds. There has been largemouth bass action at all the sand traps and bridges. For updated information, call Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.

LITTLE ROCK RESERVOR: This bite remains good with a lot of crappie from 10 inches to 1 1/2-pounds. They are mostly showing on small jigs tipped with bait or Crappie Nibbles. The bass also remain good on small reaction baits or plastics with a lot of fish from one to three pounds. There is also a pretty good bluegill bite on meal worms or wax worms, and there are some catfish showing, mostly on cut baits. The lake remains open, but the U.S. Forest Service (Angeles National Forest) may close the area in the near future. The Palmdale Water District has an ongoing sediment removal project.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

SILVERWOOD: There is a spotty striper bite at the inlet, quarry, and off the dock. Most of the fish are showing on anchovies, blood, worms, and lug worms in the mornings, but the bite on small swimbaits has continued to improve. Lots of small stripers under two pounds, but some bigger. Mike Cockrell, San Bernardino, landed a 10-8 on a sardine off the dock. The catfish bite is also fair on cut baits and some quality fish to six pounds or better are being caught. Most of the catfish are two to three pounds. The largemouth bass improved again this week, especially on bigger swimbaits, but most are still showing on plastics. The bluegill and crappie bites are fair along the outside edges of the weed lines on worms and jigs. Nate Raner, Hesperia, landed 10 bluegill to a pound on meal worms fishing from shore. A reminder: the dam is closed to angler access. Anglers should be aware of health advisories for the consumption of fish from this lake because of high PCB and mercury levels in the fish flesh and skin. Here痴 the direct link to a PDF brochure explaining consumption recommendations: http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/pdf_zip/081013KioskadvySilverwood.pdf. Dock fishing is allowed for $3 for adults, $2 for kids and seniors. Private boats must be inspected for zebra and quagga mussels. Boats with wet lower units will be turned away. Boats inspected and tagged at Diamond Valley and Perris will be allowed at Silverwood. The park is open seven days a week. Information: marina 760-389-2299, state park 760-389-2281, Silverwood Country store 760-389-2423.

BIG BEAR LAKE: The cooler nights continue to slowly cool the water, and the trout action is finally starting to improve. The best action is for early morning trollers or shoreline anglers with the best bite before 9 a.m. The trout are cruising both the north and south shorelines from the dam to Windy Point, and trollers are working this whole region with small Ralapas or similar lures in perch, firetiger, or gold colors and two to three colors of leadcore. Shore angling is still best off the Northshore between Windy Point and the Red House on suspended PowerBait and nightcrawlers on a slip bobber atop the weeds with a three to four foot leader. There is a DFW plant slated for this and the last plant was three weeks ago. The annual Troutfest will be Oct. 6-7. The bass action is fair on jigs and plastics off Garstin Island, the old ski beach, and Papoose Bay. Not many reports on panfish or bullheads. For information on fishing, call Big Bear Sporting Goods at 909-866-3222 or visit the store痴 Facebook page.

GREGORY LAKE: No fishing report. The lake was on the DFW trout plant list for four ago. Lake and fishing information at 909-338-2233 or on the website at lakegregoryrecreation.com/fish. Fishing updates are posted infrequently on the park痴 Facebook page or website.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The bite continues to be pretty decent with a lot of two to three-pound rainbows. The tops spot has been the shoreline between Fred痴 Stump and the dam. There was a 400-pound Jess Ranch trout plant two weeks ago. The website is www.gvlfishing.com and the Facebook page is Green Valley Lake Fishing.

INTERSTATE 5 LAKES

CASTAIC: The action continues very good, but the topwater bite has slowed with the cooler evenings. The deep-water bait bite has been the best except when you find fish on shad on top. Sardines, lug worms, or blood worms have been best for the stripers. Most are two-pound class, but some bigger fish from six to 10 pounds. There are also a lot of largemouth and smallmouth bass showing in a good bite on jerk baits early and then plastics and nightcrawlers is good during the rest of the morning. The largemouth have been up to six pounds, and the smallies to three pounds. The lower lake is still very good for panfish to 1-8, with lots of bluegill and redear being caught on small jigs and bait. There is also a good largemouth bite in the lower lake on plastics, and some smaller crappie showing on jigs. The catfish bite has been fair to good in the evenings on cut baits doused with scent in both the upper and lower lakes. For information call the marina at 661-775-6232 (www.CastaicLake.com) or Tackle Express at 661-251-8700.

PYRAMID: The striper bite has remained very good for shore anglers fishing the rip rap in front of the boat shop and in the canal by the entrance booth. Boat anglers are getting a lot of fish at Yellowbar, Spanish Point, and in the marina area. Still lots of topwater action early in the morning fishing to boils, and then a good bite on sardines, lug worms, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver later in the day. Lots of small stripers under two pounds (many even under a pound), but finally a few more fish from two to three pounds. The catfish bite is also pretty good on sardines, chicken liver and nightcrawlers in deeper water in all coves and rip rap areas, with the boat launch area a top spots. The largemouth and smallmouth bass bass have been good on nightcrawlers, plastics and reaction baits, especially cranks and jerk baits along most shorelines and along the edges of the vegetation. Lots of fish to three pounds, but the bite is mostly early in the morning. Bluegill are pretty good on meal worms, wax worms, and small jigs. No crappie reports. There is a health warning about eating fish from Pyramid Lake (except the rainbow trout). More information at this link: http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/pyramidlake2013.html. Information: Emigrant Landing entrance booth at 661-295-7155 or Tackle Express at 661-251-8700.

COLORADO RIVER

ARIZONA FISHING REPORTS: The Arizona Game and Fish Department compiles a weekly report for most waters in the state, including the Colorado Rivers. Anglers can read the report at this direct link: http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/FishingReport/.

FLOW INFORMATION: Reservoir elevation levels and flow releases for the entire lower Colorado River are available at this web site with information updated hourly: www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/hourly/rivops.html.

WESTERN SIERRA

LAKE ISABELLA: Continued light fishing pressure, but both the catfish and crappie bites remain pretty good, and there has been a good bluegill bite over the past week on hand-sized fish. The crappie bite has been best in deeper water structure for boat or float tube anglers fishing 20 to 25 feet of water, mostly off Rocky and Piney points. The bite continues to be on either small jigs or small minnows with a lot of fish in the three-quarter pound class. The catfish action remains very good with a lot of fish from three to four pounds, mostly on shad, clams, Triple S Channel Catfish Bait (Sonny痴), and cut baits doused with scent also producing. The bluegill are best in less than 10 feet of water on meal worms or wax worms. A few bass continue to show in 12 to 25 feet of water on drop-shot plastics, but a few on cranks or topwater early and late in the day. The carp bite remains inconsistent, but still fair on dough baits with fish to eight pounds. For fishing information: Bob痴 Bait 661-833-8657 or www.bobsbaitbucket.com, North Fork Marina at 760-376-1812, or Cope痴 Tackle and Rod Shop at 661-679-6351 or www.tackleandrod.com.

KERN RIVER: Trout plants last week fired up the action with a lot of anglers reporting limits of planted fish up to 12 or 13 inches long. The plants were in the upper sections of the Kern (sections 5 and 6 in Tulare County), and the best bite has been on salmon eggs. Kristin and Doug McKinney, Bakersfield, had two limits of rainbows on salmon eggs in Limestone area, and the fish were caught in less than an hour. The next plants in sections 4 through 6 are on the DFW list to be planted next week. Fly anglers continue having decent action on wild fish in the low flows, especially in the upper reaches of the roadside water and up into the wild trout water past the Kernville bridge. The lower river flows have dropped again and the bite has been good on bass with nightcrawlers or plastic worms. Also more and more catfish showing in the lower river. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 or (www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or Gateway Market 760-376-2424.

AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: There continues to be a fair number of stripers showing on topwater and near surface baits like Flukes or Gitzits with a decent number of keeper fish being caught. The bait bite is as good with blood and lug worms the best baits, and the weed problem finally starts to subside. The catfish bite is fair and improving on sardines, anchovies, blood worms, chicken liver, and Wussy Bait. Anglers are reminded the limit on stripers is two fish greater than 18 inches, while the largemouth limit is five fish. Information: Bob痴 Bait 661-833-8657 or www.bobsbaitbucket.com or Cope痴 Tackle and Rod Shop at 661-679-6351 or www.tackleandrod.com.

MILL CREEK PARK AND CANAL: There are a few more catfish showing on cut baits or nightcrawlers, especially morning and evening. A few carp also being caught on dough baits and Powder Bait.

RIVER WALK PARK LAKE: Not much change here. The bluegill and carp action remains pretty fair. Bluegill are best on wax worms with meal worms the next best. Carp are best on Powder Bait or Wussy Bait and other dough baits. Slow other species with only an occasional bass being caught on plastics and Senkos early morning or late evening. Information Bob痴 Bait 661-833-8657.

HART PARK LAKE: The bluegill bite continues pretty good, mostly on wax worms, but meal worms and nightcrawler pieces also a good bet. A few bass are also showing very early in the morning or at night on reaction baits, mostly topwater and jerkbaits. There are also a lot of small bass under 10 inches hitting small reaction baits and plastics. The night bite on catfish has been pretty fair for anglers going out after dark or very early in the morning and fly-lining cut baits. The carp bite is fair on Powder Bait, Wussy Bait, or other dough baits.

TRUXTUN LAKE: The bluegill and carp bites remain fair. Bluegill have been best on wax worms, meal worms, or nightcrawler pieces, while the carp are best on dough baits. An occasional bass showing early and late on topwater or plastics.

MING LAKE: The carp and bluegill remain the top bets. The carp are best on Powder Bait or Wussy Bait, while the bluegill bite is still pretty good on meal worms or wax worms. Still Lots of small bass showing on reaction baits here, with the best action morning and evening, also still a few bigger fish showing on Senko-type baits and live minnows. The dawn, dusk, and night catfish bite has also continued to be pretty good, especially for anglers fishing super meal worms or cut baits in combination with nightcrawlers.

BRITE LAKE: There crappie bite remains fair to good for float tubers fishing deeper water off the launch ramp, mostly on small jigs tipped with meals. There have been lots of 10 to 12-inch fish reported in the past week, including a couple of 25-fish limits. There also continues to be an excellent bite on small bass from six to 10 inches on small lures and garlic nightcrawlers with topwater action early and late in the day. Also fair to good action on bluegill on small baits like meal worms and jigs, and the odd catfish continues to show.

BUENA VISTA LAKES: Still light fishing pressure, but a fair bite on little catfish under 10 inches long, mostly on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, with a few on shad. Occasionally a bigger catfish is reported. There also continues to be a pretty decent bluegill bite on wax worms, with meal worms and nightcrawler pieces also getting fish. The carp are fair to good on Powder Bait and Wussy Bait. Bass are fair at best, but some are showing along the weed edges on plastics and most are small. Fishing information: Bob痴 Bait 661-833-8657 or www.bobsbaitbucket.com or Cope痴 Tackle and Rod Shop at 661-679-6351 or www.tackleandrod.com.

WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.

SUCCESS LAKE: The very good bass bite has continued in spite of the falling water level. Many anglers are reporting 20 to 30 fish days on Senkos or smaller plastics fished drop-shot and split-shot style. Most of the bass are in the two-pound range but a few to five pounds are showing in this bite. The crappie bite also remains pretty good with some decent fish around three-quarter pound to a pound on small minnows. Bluegill are good on red worms, wax worms, and meal worms, mostly fished under a bobber. Also a few catfish showing on cut baits and dip baits. The water level has dropped enough that the main ramp is not being used, and anglers are launched at Lure Point. Information: Sequoia Fishing Company at 559-539-5626, www.sequoiafishingcompany.com or Cope痴 Tackle and Rod Shop at 661-679-6351 or www.tackleandrod.com.

KAWEAH LAKE: The water level continues to drop, but there continues to be a pretty fair bass bite on plastics and small swimbaits, but the fish are mostly in deeper water except early and late in the day. The bluegill bite remains good, and the catfish bite has been pretty fair. Information: Sierra Sporting Goods at 559-592-5212.

EASTERN SIERRA: Top Eastern Sierra fishing report web sites are: www.KensSport.com (Bridgeport region), www.TheTroutFly.com (Mammoth Lakes region), and www.SierraDrifters.com (Bishop and Mammoth Lakes region).

TROUT PLANTS: For trout plants statewide, you can visit the DFW痴 stocking page at https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishPlants/. This page is frequently updated after this news report is published so the current week, next week痴, and even previous week痴 plant information may change.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT: The yellowfin tuna action for the San Diego fleet is wide open � including the one-day boats � with limit-style fishing the rule in recent days, along with a mix of skipjack, yellowtail, dorado, and even some bluefin mixed in with the yellowfin (especially on the overnight and longter trips. For the most comprehensive and up-t0-date ocean fishing available, go to www.976-TUNA.com.

YOUR FISHING REPORTS: Please feel free to send your freshwater or saltwater fishing reports and fishing photos to Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service, at odwriter@verizon.net and the information will be included in the weekly report. If you have questions or comments, please call Matthews at 909-887-3444.