LAKE CONDITIONS: Lake Camanche's current elevation is 217.7 feet above sea level, a drop of .7 feet this week. The lake will drop slowly this week.??There is currently no water flowing into Lake Camanche and water is flowing out of Lake Camanche at 289 c.f.s. The surface water temperature at the marina is down to61 degrees. The thermocline has established at 18 feet.

TROUT: Friday was the start of our Annual Charity Trout Derby, a five week event benefiting The American Cancer Society. The big The big fish caught at Lake Camanche since then was a beautiful rainbow trout, weighing 6.93 pounds. It was caught by Mike Kaufman, from Manteca. He was fishing in the main lake, with Power Bait. The second biggest fish was caught by Jim Morris, from Turlock. His fish was 3.86 pounds, was caught in the main lake, with Power Bait. The third biggest fish was caught by Charlie Morris, from Ceres. His fish was 2.79 pounds, was caught in the main lake, with Power Bait.

Wild wind and weather this week kept a lot of fishermen off the water, but some good action was happening for those who got out on a good day. Trout guide Bruce Hamby, from Sierra Sportfishing, had Mr. and Mrs. Ben La Salas out at Lake Camanche, and caught numerous rainbows from 3 to 5 pounds. They were trolling with orange grubs and Vance's new Slim Fins (available at both marina stores), in 5-15 feet of water. They were fishing near Hat Island and the Dam.

John Bartlett, from Ripon, was out trolling on Monday and caught 7 rainbows up to 3 ?? pounds. He was using Uncle Larry's spinners, and was fishing near Hat Island. He was fishing down about 11 feet deep early in the day, and down around 30 feet deep later in the day. Dene Doniak was out trolling on Saturday and caught several nice trout, including a beauty at 5.18 pounds. He was using Rapala lures, in the main lake near Hat Island,and fish were 10-15 feet deep. Another boat of fishermen report catching 2 limits of trout, up to 4 pounds, while trolling near the Causeway. They were using R-Lures and Ex-Cels in red/gold and silver/gold, and were fishing between 15-25 feet deep. Several more big trout were caught by anglers while shore fishing at North Shore Day Use Point. A 6 pound, and a 4.75 pound trout were caught by anglers using Power Bait and Power Eggs.

This week's trout plant from Mt. Lassen hatchery will be 1,200 pounds, and will be planted at North Shore. These fish will weigh an average of 2-2 ?? pounds, with many whoppers included.

Our Annual Charity Trout Derby started on Friday, April 13. This year it runs from April 13-May 20, and is being sponsored by Yum's Troutkrilla trout bait. One $3.00 entry ticket qualifies you at each of these 4 lakes. Lake Camanche, Lake Chabot, San Pablo Reservoir, and Los Vaqueros Reservoir. All proceeds go to The American Cancer Society. Prizes include trips, tackle, cash, tickets to sporting events, and much more! Tickets will be available at both marina stores, and both entry gates.

BASS:The bass bite continues to be very good for anglers able to get out on a day with good weather. A gentleman from Rio Vista rented a boat at North Shore this week and caught and released about 10 bass up to 4 pounds. He was fishing near Dikes 2 and 3, with Baby Brush Hogs in green pumpkin, and purple Robo worms. Most of his fish came in less than 12 feet of water.

Another angler reported catching 2 limits of bass, up to 3 ?? pounds, fishing up river near the highway bridge. He was using brown jigs with a crawdad imitation trailer, and also Camanche Jack's purple leaches. His fish came in about 10 feet of water.

There have been numerous bass caught along the shore lines at North Shore. Bass are very shallow for the spawning season, and are being caught on plastic worms in green, brown, or purple; night crawlers also work well, and crank baits.

CRAPPIE: There was only one report from crappie fishermen this week, but they caught about 14 crappie up to 2 pounds. They were drifting with live minnows in the Causeway area, working above the creek channel. They were catching fish about 20 feet deep, and when they located the fish with live minnows they switched over to red/white mini jigs for many of their fish.

We encourage all anglers to report their stories, comments, or concerns to either North Shore Store, South Shore Store, or to us by email at eporray@camancherecreation.com Thanks again for choosing Lake Camanche for your recreation destination.