LAKE CONDITIONS: Lake Camanche's current elevation is 215.4 feet above sea level, a drop of .8 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 340 c.f.s. The surface water temperature at the marina has warmed up to 70 degrees.

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.

Lake Camanche's Chris Cantwell, outdoor sports writer Ray Rychnovsky, and John Bedwell from Fishermen's Warehouse had a great day of trolling on Wednesday. They caught and released about 15 trout, with two 5 pounders, and also caught 3 Kokanee Salmon. They were trolling about 30 feet deep, and most of the fish were caught on an R-Lure in purple scale pattern. Locals Truman Moss, and Jim Rudolph, from Camanche, caught 2 fine limits of trout this week while bait fishing from their boat. Their big fish were about 3 ?? pounds, and were caught in about 30 feet of water, out near the dam, using Power Bait.

The big trout this week was caught by young Nic Sciolino, from Galt. He was fishing with his dad, Chuck, at the South Shore Pond when he reeled in a huge 8 pound rainbow trout. Nic was using Power Eggs, and his dad said that Nic always outfishes him. The big trout at North Shore this week was a beautiful 7.11 pound rainbow. It was caught by Mark Cattoni, from Sacramento, who was fishing from shore at the Day Use Point. He caught his fish around 8 a.m., whild fishing with nightcrawlers.

The weekly trout plants will now be discontinued until the fall. Since the surface water temperature is at 70 degrees, or higher, trout will not survive the shock of warm water. Trout plants will resume in the fall when the water temperature drops below 70 degrees, usually sometime in October.

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: Ben Casado, from Galt, and Vic Carter, from Elk Grove, had a huge day of bass fishing on May 10 at Lake Camanche. They caught and released 39 Large Mouth and Spotted Bass, up to 4 ?? pounds. The bass were caught in the main lake, around submerged island tops, and Dikes 1 and 2. They were using lizards, Senkos, Brush Hogs, and top water lures. All of their fish were caught in 14 feet of water, or less, and the bite was good for the entire day.Another angler reported catching 2 limits of bass while fishing in the Narrows, China Gulch, and under the highway bridge up the river. They were using Camanche Jacks purple worms, Robo Worms, and dark jigs. Their fish came is less than 15 feet of water.

CATFISH: Local catfisherman Dean Wade, from Camanche, caught four nice cats, up to 4 pounds, this week. His total stringer weight was about 15-16 pounds, and the catfish were caught on mackerel. Dean likes to fish up river, in about 15-20 feet of water. Another angler had an 8 pound catfish that he caught in Camper's Cove at North Shore. He was fishing from shore, with nightcrawlers, in 10-15 feet of water.

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.