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’S PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. Trout move into the spotlight this week with the trout derby at Apollo Park Lake and plants of 4,500 pounds of rainbows for this annual event. The fish will be corralled into the small lake for the derby and then released into the whole complex after the Saturday event. If you want first crack at them during the derby (and a chance at the biggest fish and blind boogie prizes and drawings), entry fee is $20. Regular, no-fee fishing will start the following day. For more information, contact Apollo Park at 661-940-7701 or Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.
2. The cooling water temperatures at Big Bear Lake have really turned on the trout action up in the San Bernardino Mountains. The trout are all holdover fish from plants earlier this year and late year, and most are running from 1 1/2 to four pounds. The action has been good for both trollers and shore anglers, with the shore anglers fishing inflated nightcrawlers drop-shot style at the dam early in the morning getting the best fish. For an update on this action, check with Big Bear Sporting Goods at 909-866-3222 or visit the store’s Facebook page for photos of some of the latest catches.
3. Pyramid Lake remains in the top picks another week because of the ongoing striper bite. The action has remained very good, but mostly on smaller one to two-pound fish. While it is harder to dip net live shad for bait, the action is still very good on the usual array of frozen cut baits or lug worms or small swimbaits. There is also a good black bass bite. For an update on this action, call the Pyramid entrance booth at 661-295-7155.

HIGH DESERT WATERS

VICTORVILLE REGION

HESPERIA LAKE: The catfish bite remains good with weekly 1,000 pound plants continuing. The best bite has been on shrimp, mackerel, or nightcrawlers and adding scent improves their effectiveness. The north shore, Sandy Point, and the inlet have been the best spots. Most are one to two pounds, but bigger cats go in with each plant. One of the best catches of the week was made by brothers Kody and Nathan Berry, both Hesperia. They caught 10 catfish that weighed 49 pounds, and the two biggest fish weighted in at 10-0 and 9-9. Terry Scott, Victorville, had three cats that weighed 26 pounds total, including a 10 pounder. Kenneth Miller, Apple Valley, had an eight-pound cat, while Jose Macias, Hesperia, landed fish at seven and five pounds. James Cantu, Victorville, caught a six-pounder. No information on when trout season will begin. Lake information: 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.

JESS RANCH LAKES: The cooler evenings have turned on the trout with good action in both lakes over the past week. PowerBait in spring green, garlic, and salmon peach), nightcrawlers, and the usual array of small trout jigs and plastics have all been producing fish. 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. There has also been a pretty fair to good bass bite on the northern and southern shorelines of lake 2 near the inlets and on lake 3 near pump house, with the best action on Senko-type lures, spinnerbaitsw, and drop-shot nightcrawlers. Some bass to five pounds. A few catfish and bluegill are also still showing. For more information call (760)240-1107 or go to www.jessranchlakesnews.com.

MOJAVE NARROWS: The first DFW trout plant of the season is set for this week, but county trout plants are not expected to start until mid-November. Catfish plants are over for the season. 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 fair bluegill bite on fish up to hand-sized on small baits fished beneath bobbers around the tules. The park is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Information, call 760-245-2226.

HIGH DESERT WATERS

ANTELOPE VALLEY REGION

APOLLO PARK LAKE: The lake closed to fishing since Friday and will not reopen until the Saturday derby. There have been 4,500 pounds of trout planted this week, with 1,500 pounds trophy fish, many over five pounds. Entry fee is $20. For more information, contact Apollo Park at 661-940-7701 or Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824. In addition. In addition to the trout for the weekend, there has been a 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 or split shotted on the bottom. There have also been reports of tilapia up to two pounds in this bite. There continue to be a fair number 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. There is also a pretty good bite on carp to eight pounds (most two to five pounds), 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.

JACKSON LAKE (NEAR WRIGHTWOOD): The bite remains very good on small bluegill (under four inches), but a few hand-sized ‘gills are showing on small jigs tipped with meal worms. 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. 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 catfish bite has been fair with a decent bite especially from six to 11 p.m. in the evenings. The quality of catfish showing remains good with fish to eight pounds pretty common. The catfish have been best at the outlet but some fish off the north shoreline. Cut baits are still the best baits and adding scent (or pre-scented baits) has been the hot ticket. A few stripers are showing, but the boiling fish have been too far offshore for most anglers to reach with even long casts. The bluegill action has continued fair 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 striper bite has stayed pretty good throughout the Antelope Valley, and the weed problem is almost completely gone now. Top action has been in the east end of the valley in the Pearblossom area, especially 72nd and 120th east. Most are two to three pounders and showing on white swimbaits and scented cut baits drifted in the current. There are also still big, roving schools of small largemouth bass eight to 14 inches long that have been providing fun action on Road Runner-type bladed jigs ripped near the surface. There continue to be a few tilapia showing in the Pearblossom area at 25th Avenue at the curve. While few anglers are fishing catfish right now, the bait drifters continue to get a few cats to eight pounds or better. For updated information, call Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824.

CENTRAL PARK LAKE (CALIFORNIA CITY): Fair to good bite on small bluegill on meal worms and wax worms. A few carp showing on dough baits, and the odd small catfish is being caught. A couple of catfish have been reported around the reeds in the main lake on chicken liver.

LITTLE ROCK RESERVOIR: There continues to be a pretty fair largemouth bass bite on fish from one to three pounds, mostly on jigs, plastics, and nightcrawlers. Also a few catfish and bluegill being caught, but there has been light fishing pressure. 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 fair to good bite on mostly small stripers at the inlet and dam area. Most of the fish are showing on anchovies, blood, worms, and lug worms. Most are under two three pounds. The bluegill bite is fair to good at the docks and along the edges of the weeds on worms and jigs tipped with wax worms or meal worms. The largemouth have been fair to good off the dock on cranks and swimbaits. First DFW trout plant of the season is scheduled for this week. 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’s 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: Good to excellent autumn trout bite here over the past week for both shoreline and trolling anglers. Lots of the rainbows are from 1-8 to three pounds with some to five pounds. Bank anglers are using PowerBait or inflated nightcrawlers on slip bobber rigs from the dam Red House east to Gray’s Landing. There is also a good bite early in the morning from the old dam to the buoy line with a lot of nice holdover rainbows showing in this area on small jigs or drop-shot nightcrawlers and trout plastics. Trolling and drifting from boats has been best from the observatory to Windy Point or in the Trout Alley area (SS Relief to the west public ramp and off the south shoreline. The fish are mostly in six to 14 feet of water. Rapalas, Needlefish, and nightcrawlers drifted on a wedding ring harness are getting the most fish. Most of the private marinas will shut down by mid-November, but the west public ramp should remain open to Nov. 30. For information on fishing, call Big Bear Sporting Goods at 909-866-3222 or visit the store’s Facebook page.

GREGORY LAKE: Fair trout action, according to the Lake Gregory Fishing Facebook page. Small jigs and trout plastics fished in deep water early and late in the day have been producing a few rainbows to two pounds. There was a 500-pound plant of Mt. Lassen rainbows Monday, Oct. 19, and the county and DFW are scheduled to plant just before the Veteran’s Day Trout Derby November 10. Pre-registration is $30 for adults (16 and older) and $20 for youths. Day-of-event registration is $40 and $25. Veterans entry is $15. First prize for the longest fish (not heaviest) is $1,000 for adults, $500 for second, and $250 for third. There will also be prize drawings among all entrants. Some of the fish in the plants will be trophy fish. For more derby information, call 909-264-0973. Lake and fishing information at 909-338-2233 or on the website at http://lakegregoryrecreation.com/fish. Fishing updates are posted infrequently on the park’s Facebook page or website.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE: The bite has been mostly slow, as the number of trout decline. The final two plants of the season were four and six weeks ago, and both were 400-pound plants from Jess Ranch. The boat rental is now closed for the season, and the lake facilities closed Oct. 31. The website is www.gvlfishing.com and the Facebook page is Green Valley Lake Fishing.

INTERSTATE 5 LAKES

CASTAIC: Windy off-and-on the past week and this has hampered the fishing, but overall the largemouth bass action and the striper bite have both remained fair to good. The shad are mostly in deeper water, so not as many surface fish, but the stripers are still showing on trolled umbrella rigs and cut baits. The largemouth are still whacking reaction at mid-depths or deeper water on plastics in deeper water. Also a pretty consistent bite on crappie and bluegill in the upper lake on wax worms and jigs tipped with wax worms or meal worms. The lower lake is still very good for panfish, both redear and bluegill, but most of the fish are hand-sized now. The best bite has been on wax worms, meal worms, and nightcrawler pieces. The catfish bite has been slow to fair 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: Windy several days this week, but the striper bite has remained 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. Less topwater but some early in the morning boils when the shad are up, and then a good bite on sardines, lug worms, nightcrawlers, and chicken liver later in the day. Most of the fish remain under two pounds. The largemouth and smallmouth bass have been fair to 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 in the morning. The catfish bite is slowing with just fair action on sardines, chicken liver and nightcrawlers in deeper water in all coves and rip rap areas, with the boat launch area a top spots. Bluegill are fair 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: The catfish action is fair to good with most of the fish from two to four pounds. They are showing on super meal worms, shad, clams, Triple S Channel Catfish Bait (Sonny’s), and cut baits doused with scent. Cats to 10-plus pounds have been reported in this bite. The bite on crappie from three-quarter pound to a little better than a pound has continued to be good for boat and float tube anglers fishing in 20 to 30 feet of water with small jigs and minnows, especially in the French Gulch area. Fewer bluegill this week, but the bite is still fair on on meal worms or wax worms, and the Boulder Gulch area has been the best bet.

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. For fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657 or www.bobsbaitbucket.com, North Fork Marina at 760-376-1812, or Cope’s Tackle and Rod Shop at 661-679-6351 or www.tackleandrod.com.

KERN RIVER: The trout bite remains slow to fair in spite of trout plants this week in sections 4, 5, and 6, but this action should perk up with these new fish. There were plants in the same stretches three and five weeks ago. A lot of the fish have been into the 12 to 13-inch range. The best bite has been on crickets, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs. 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 are very low and the bite has been fair to good on bass with nightcrawlers or plastic worms. The catfish action has also been pretty fair in the pools on clams and nightcrawlers. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 or (www.kernriverflyfishing.com) or Gateway Market 760-376-2424.

AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: The striped bass bite has been good and the moss problem is subsiding. The fish are showing on Flukes and Gitzit-type lures in good numbers. Not many keeper fish, but great volume. The largemouth bass bite has also broken open with good numbers showing on the same baits. The catfish bite is fair on shad, 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’s Bait 661-833-8657 or www.bobsbaitbucket.com  or Cope’s Tackle and Rod Shop at 661-679-6351 or www.tackleandrod.com.

MILL CREEK PARK AND CANAL: A few 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: 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’s Bait 661-833-8657.

HART PARK LAKE: The bluegill bite remains a good bet with the best acion on wax worms, meal worms, and nightcrawler pieces. A few bass are also showing very early in the morning or at night on reaction baits. The morning, evening, and night bite on catfish has been stayed pretty fair for anglers fly-lining cut baits. The carp bite is fair on Powder Bait, Wussy Bait, or other dough baits.

TRUXTUN LAKE: Light fishing pressure. The bluegill and carp bites remain fair to good, and a few bass to three pounds have been reported. Bluegill have been best on wax worms, meal worms, or nightcrawler pieces, while the carp are best on dough baits. Bass are best on reaction bait, plastics, or nightcrawlers.

MING LAKE: Continues good bluegill action on meal worms or wax worms, and the bass action has been fair on plastics, nightcrawlers, and reaction baits morning and late afternoon. The carp are fair on Powder Bait or Wussy Bait. Catfish best on super meal worms, but the action is fair, at best.

BRITE LAKE: There continues to be a good bite on small bass from six to 10 inches on small lures and garlic nightcrawlers with topwater action early and late in the day. A few bigger bass to five pounds have been caught on spinnerbaits. There crappie bite remains fair to good for float tubers fishing deeper water off the launch ramp, mostly on small jigs tipped with meals. 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: The Taft Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby is slated for Nov. 17. Entry fee is $20 for adults and $10 for kids 13 and under. Registration forms available at the lake, Cope’s Tackle and Rod Shop, and Bob’s Bait Bucket. The lake is expected to be heavily planted just before the derby. There continues to be a good bite on bluegill up to hand-sized with an occasional bigger fish. The best action is on wax worms and meal worms. There is a fair bite on smaller catfish, mostly on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, with a few on shad. The carp are fair to good on Powder Bait and Wussy Bait but getting little pressure. Bass are fair at best, but some are showing along the weed edges on plastics and most are small. Fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657 or www.bobsbaitbucket.com or Cope’s Tackle and Rod Shop at 661-679-6351 or www.tackleandrod.com.

WOOLLOMES LAKE: No reports.

SUCCESS LAKE: The bass and crappie s fair to good. The bass are best on 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 are decent fish around three-quarter pound to a pound and the action is mostly on small minnows with some on jigs. Bluegill are fair 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’s 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’s 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’s, and even previous week’s plant information may change.

OCEAN FISHING REPORT

For the most comprehensive and up-to-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.