Lake Oroville

April usually means plenty of bass at Lake Oroville, and things are shaping up as they should, reported Jamie Sorensen at Oroville Outdoors. “The bass are biting very well, but the problem is finding any large ones” observed Sorensen. “Right now, a pair of anglers just fishing for fun can release about 30-50 bass per day, but almost all of them will be what we used to call ‘slot size’ fish in the 13-15 inch range. Last week a tournament angler did manage to land a seven-pound largemouth, but that is the exception.”

Sorensen added, “Best bet is plastics like Senkos or darthead-rigged worms fished from the bank out to about 30 feet, with coves in the middle fork being a good location. Trollers are finding king salmon at 30-40 feet on Power Minnows behind a flasher, and there are good numbers of crappie also being reported.”

Lake Oroville tournament

The largest locally-organized tournament of the year on Lake Oroville is the annual fundraiser run by the Chico Bass Club. The event is open to the public, and will take place on Saturday [April 16] at the Spillway Ramp. Last-minute sign-ups will take place starting at 3:30 AM Saturday morning, and continue until blast-off.

Entry fee is $80 per two-person team includes pay back 20 places or one in five, plus three places for Big Fish. Also included are a BBQ dinner, big fish option, and prizes for anglers under 14 years old. A great raffle will also be open to the public, with plenty of fishing and boating-related prizes.

Blast off is at safe light, in order of sign-ups. Angler’s Choice rules will apply, and the lake is open to pre-fish. Weigh-in starts at 2:30 PM. Additional information can be obtained by calling club tournament director Butch Maciel at 873-1454.

Bass Fishing Seminar

The Paradise Bass Club will be hosting its annual public bass fishing seminar from 6:30-8:30 PM on April 28, at the Elk’s Lodge at 6309 Clark Road in Paradise. Featured speaker will be veteran touring pro Greg Gutierrez of Red Bluff. Gutierrez has qualified for the BASSmaster Classic twice, and has placed first or second at recent major events at Lake Shasta and Clear Lake. He is best known as a finesse and light-line master, with particular expertise on Lake Oroville and Lake Shasta. Gutierrez also promises to reveal the secrets to fishing the hot new Frenzy Nail.

The public is invited; admission is $3 per person, youths under 16 free. Tons of great raffle prizes will be given out. For more information, contact Paradise Bass Club president Don Reighley at 533-8182.

Paradise Bass Club

The Paradise Bass Club held its monthly tournament at Clear Lake, with 21 boats competing. The competitors did well on white spinnerbaits, dropshot worms, crankbaits, and Senkos. Final results: Dan Wells/Ian Ratekin- 16.58 pounds total; Kirby Faulkner/Jessica Wix- 15.98; Dereck Benefield/Anthony sierra- 15.37; Brent Cline/Colby Cline- 15.37; Wayne Chaney/Don Reighley- 13.81. Big Fish- Jessica Wix- 8.31 pounds on a squarebill crankbait; Second Big Fish- Wayne Chaney- 6.00 pounds on a Senko. A total of 75 bass were caught and released, weighing a total of 185.80 pounds.

Trout plants

Although many local trout waters are now open year round, or operate on individual schedules, the “General Trout Season Opener” will be April 30; accordingly the CDFW is stepping up its stocking program for the next several weeks. The CDFW planted catchable-size trout this week in the following area waters: Siskiyou County- Antelope Creek, Butte Creek, Greenhorn Reservoir, Juanita Lake, Orr Lake.