We’re enjoying good spring fishing, trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is currently at 90,500 acre feet – 58 percent of capacity -- and is rising. The water temperature is at 63-64 degrees. Our water clarity is good. A fair number of trout and stripers continue to be caught both from shore and from boats.

Our summer hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with boats due in by 6 p.m.

TROUT

Fishing for trout continues to be good with all the trout plants. They are being caught in South Cove, Oak Point and Peninsula Cove. The baits of choice for shore anglers are 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 April 25th . There will be a plant next week. With the continuing plants, trout fishing has been very good 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 showing up out of Cowboy and Cox Coves, especially on nightcrawlers and PowerBait.

From the shore, the most popular bait has been garlic-scented PowerBaits followed by nightcrawlers and Kastmasters. There is no need for line heavier than 6 lb test. Fish are still coming out of South Cove and past the Rock Wall. A couple of large fish came out of South Cove this week. A 12.19 was caught on a Kastmaster and a 10.61 was caught on a jig. Cowboy Cove gave us a 7.02 on a horse hair. Limits are also coming into the Marina from all over and many have been seen at the fish cleaning station.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout although there still are many sighting near the boat dock and adjacent fishing pier and along the Rock Wall. 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

Shakers continue to be the main action with striped bass. We are still seeing many undersized fish being caught for every keeper. From shore, cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice. Just a reminder, stripers need to be 18 inches or more to be legal. Please continue releasing the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery.

CATFISH

Catfish are hit or miss with decent numbers being reported out of Cowboy and South coves following the recent rains. If we get more run-off, hopefully it will pick up again. 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.