LAKE CONDITIONS: Lake Camanche's current elevation is 217.04 feet above sea level, a drop of .66 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 320 c.f.s. The surface water temperature at the marina has warmed up to 68 degrees. The thermocline has established at 18 feet.

TROUT: Friday, April 13 was the start of our Annual Charity Trout Derby; a five week event benefiting The American Cancer Society. The big fish caught at Lake Camanche since then was a beautiful rainbow trout, weighing 7.12 pounds. It was caught by Elosia Alexander, from Manteca. The fish was caught in the South Shore Pond, on Power Bait. The second biggest fish was caught by Mike Kaufman, from Manteca. His fish was 6.93 pounds, was caught in the main lake, with Power Bait. The third biggest fish was caught by outdoor writer Ron Wilson, from Modesto. His fish was 6.3 pounds, was caught while trolling in the main lake, using Ex-Cel lures in silver/blue. We would like to thank all of the people who have donated to The American Cancer Society by joining our trout derby.

Trollers reported some very good luck for some, and a tougher bite for others. Outdoor writer Ron Wilson, from Modesto, reported catching 8 trout (up to 6.3 pounds), as well as a couple of Kokanee. He was trolling with Ex-Cel lures in silver/blue, near Hat Island and the dam. Most of his fish came down 15-20 feet deep. A couple of Camanche regulars fished at Dike 3 on Thursday. They caught 2 fine limits of trout, up to 3 ?? pounds, using Power Bait and Yum's new killer trout bait, Troutkrilla. They were anchored in 34 feet of water, and all their fish came between 7:30 a.m. and Noon.

The South Shore Pond continues to put out some very large trout. This week a 7.12 pound, and a 5.61 pound trout were caught, both with Power Bait. Both anglers were entered in our Trout Derby, and are in 1st and 3rd place. Several nice trout were caught this week at the North Shore Day Use Point. 2 five pound trout, and a 4 pound trout were reported, caught on Power Bait, and also nightcrawler/marshmallow combinations. Anglers fishing early or late in the day are having the best luck.

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:We would like to thank the U.S. Angler's Choice bass club for holding their tournament here at Lake Camanche last Sunday. They had 24 boats go out, and 21 boats came in with limits. We congratulate the winning team of Jack Billington (maker of Camanche Jack's worms and leeches) and Art Budd for their total weight of 18.32 pounds. We also congratulate the team of Bob Haag and Jay Leclerc for their big fish at 7.35 pounds. Tube baits, worms, jigs, and drop shot worms were the baits most often mentioned.

We would like to thank the W.O.N. bass club for holding their tournament here at South Shore last weekend. They had 18 boats go out, and all of them came in with limits. We congratulate the winner, Jay Leclerc, for his total weight of 17.02 pounds, and he also had the big bass at 6.73 pounds. Senko worms, jigs, and swim baits were the baits most often mentioned by them.

Local contractor, Bill Sullivan, had a pretty good outing during the week. He caught and released between 20 and 30 bass while fishing around Horse Island, China Gulch, and East Cove. He was using a Gitzit in green pumpkin, and a swim bait in crappie pattern. Most of his fish came in less than 10 feet of water. The big bass for the week was caught by Joe Reyes, from Camanche. He caught a beauty weighing 9 pounds, on a brown football jig. The fish was caught on the South side of the lake, near a shallow cobble area. Joe also went out the next day and caught a limit of bass weighing 13.1 pounds in only 49 minutes. The bass bite is smoking hot right now.

CRAPPIE: The crappie bite is still active for anglers able to locate them. Local resident, Dean Wade, had about 10 nice crappie at the cleaning station on Sunday morning. He caught them near the docks, using live minnows.??Crappie are active in the Causeway area, Camanche Arm, and Lancha Plana. Most anglers use live minnows to locate the fish, and switch to mini jigs to catch them.

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.