LAKE CONDITIONS: Lake Camanche's current elevation is 214.44 feet above sea level, a drop of .96 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 375 c.f.s. The surface water temperature at the marina has warmed up to 71 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.

Trollers are finding that the trout are now holding down about 30-35 feet deep during the day. One group of anglers reported catching 2 limits of trout while trolling near Hat Island, and across the face of the dam. They started early in the day, and were using Vance's Slim Fin lures in the Cop Car pattern, and also R-Lures and Ex-Cel lures in silver/red and gold/red. Most of their fish came between 25-35 feet deep.

Locals Dean Wade, and G.B. Richter, from Camanche, caught 2 fine limits of trout on Thursday while bait fishing at Dike 3; and also at the Causeway. They were anchored in about 30-35 feet, and were using Power Bait, fished right off the bottom. Their big fish was almost 4 pounds, with several others in the 2-3 pound range. Locals Truman Moss, and Jim Rudolph, from Camanche, caught 2 limits of trout on Wednesday, and another 7 fish on Thursday. They were fishing at Dike 3, were anchored in about 35 feet, and their fish were caught on Power Bait. Their big fish was over 3 pounds, with many others in the 2 1/2 -3 pound range. Another pair of marina regulars also caught 2 fine limits of trout while fishing at Dike 3 on Thursday. They were anchored in 40 feet of water, and caught 5 fish of Power Bait, and 5 fish on Power Eggs. They were fishing right off the bottom, and their big fish was about 3 pounds, with several others in the 2-3 pound range.

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.

BASS: The bass bite continues to be red hot right now, from shore as well as from boat, as the bass come out of their spawn season. Legendary fisherwoman Debra Clark, and her husband Bo, from Mokelumne Hill, were camping at North Shore this week and caught 5 or 6 great bass while fishing right below their campsite. They were just casting brown plastic worms from shore when Debra hooked into a superb 6 ?? pound largemouth bass on Saturday evening. This was the biggest bass that Debra had ever caught, and they caught 4 others that were all over 4 pounds. Local Dean Freeman, and his friend Dick Klauber, from Oakhurst, found some pretty good bass fishing this week. They fished top water baits early and late in the day, and used brown plastic worms and nightcrawlers during mid-day. They fished mostly upriver; and caught around 15 bass, with the big fish at around 4 pounds.

CATFISH: The catfish bite has turned on now that the water temperatures have warmed up. Fish are being caught in Camper's Cove at North Shore, Camanche Arm at South Shore, and around Horse Island. Mackerel, chicken liver, and anchovies are some of the favorite baits. Catfish are hanging out in rocky areas in shallow bays, and are 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.