Though the water at Los Vaqueros is cold, recent rains have brought a rebound in catfish fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active as well. The reservoir is now at 51 percent of capacity with 81,000 acre-feet in storage.  It’s declining by about 700 acre-feet a week, The water temperature is at 52-53 degrees.  Our water clarity is mostly good with the backs of some coves remaining murky from the rain.  A fair number of trout and stripers continue to be caught both from shore and from boats.



The shoreline is muddy, be prepared.  

Two larger catfish, a 14.8 and a 13.9 pounder, were caught in Cowboy Cove on a nightcrawler and anchovy.  

A 10.62 pound trout was caught in the South Cove along with a 9.8 and a 9.34 pound trout.  Also a couple of 6+ pounders came out of Howden Cove on PowerBait.

The 2016 Annual Parking Permits are now available at the Marina, North Kiosk, and Watershed Office.

Our next monthly fishing clinic will be held at the Marina this Saturday, Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. Learn everything you've wanted to know about lake fishing. Fishing topics rotate on a monthly basis and may be tailored to participants' skill level. From bait to knots to trolling and cleaning, our experienced staff can provide tips to help you snag a catch! Whether you're casting for the first time or the thousandth, these clinics have something for everyone. Open to people of all ages. For details call the Marina at 925 371-2628.

Some trails in the watershed are closed to protect eagle nests.  Check here for more information.

Our hours through the end of February are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with boats due in by 3 p.m.
In March, our hours will be 7 a.m to 6 p.m. with boats due in by 4 p.m.



 PATIO BOAT PRICE INCREASE

Beginning February 1st patio boat rental prices increased. A half day (3 to 5 hours) is now $115 and a full day is $165, a $5 and $10 increase respectively.  This is the last of the board-mandated increases.  Tuesday through Thursday (non holidays) will remain 50% off for boat rentals.

TROUT Fishing for trout continues to be good with all the trout plants and cooler water temperatures.  They are being caught in South Cove and Oak Point as well as Howden and Peninsula Coves.  The baits of choice for shore anglers is garlic-scented PowerBaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters.  Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs.  Light tackle is important for catching trout with 4-6 pound test being plenty.



There was a 1000 lb Lassen plant on December 28.  There will be another 1000 lb Lassen plant this week.  With the continuing plants, trout fishing has been holding steady with more limits being caught from all around the reservoir.

Trolling is popular with anglers using Rapalas and other lures in the coves.  Limits are continuing to show up out of Peninsula and Howden Cove.  From the shore , the most popular bait has been nightcrawlers followed by garlic-scented PowerBaits and Kastmasters.  There is no need for line heavier than 6 lb test.  Fish are still coming out of South Cove and from around Oak Point.  More action is being reported north of the Rockwall.  A 10.62 pound trout was caught in South Cove along with a 9.8 and a 9.34 pound fish.  Also a couple of 6+ pounders came out of Howden Cove on PowerBait.

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout although there have been many largemouth bass sightings near the boat dock and adjacent fishing pier.  Senkos have been seen catching some nice fish in that area.  Keep in mind that largemouth need to be 12 inches to be kept.  Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir.  If you catch any of undersized fish please release them gently and allow them to grow up.

STRIPERS
CATFISH
This week saw a resurgence of catfish due to the muddy waters from the heavy rainfall.  A number of catfish came out of South Cove and Cowboy Cove where the water was washing down out of the hills.  It has slowed with the clearing up of the water but a few are still being caught.  Two larger fish, a 14.8 and a 13.9 pound fish were caught in Cowboy Cove on a nightcrawler and anchovy.  For those wishing to target catfish, nightcrawlers and chicken liver are the best choices of bait.  We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).

GENERAL
Whopper Mug rules are: trout now must be 8 pounds to receive a mug, striped bass need to be at least 10 pounds and catfish is at 12 pounds or more. Largemouth Bass remains at 5 pound and must be released.  ONLY a photo with a scale or a measuring tape showing the fish being at least 18” will count.