GENERAL CONDITIONS
February is a great time of year to visit Los Vaqueros. The hills are green and views are spectacular. There are a wide variety of birds to view, deer, coyotes and lots of other wildlife to see. Visitors in boats going to the mouth of Peninsula cove have been seeing a bald eagle on a regular bases. Trout fishing has been a good choice for anglers. We suggest calling 925-371-2628 for exact up to date information. The water level is currently rising about 4 inches per day and will continue coming up through mid February. The water level is now 111,000 acre feet. Our water temperature is 52 degrees. The reservoir is not muddy so fishing conditions are very good. Anglers are having success catching trout, a few striped bass and a few catfish. We have seen a few rattlesnakes already so caution is advised. Watch where you are walking, stay out of high grass and stay out of rocky areas. Remember they just want to stay away from you so never try to pick one up or kill one.

The North entrance to the reservoir is open with a few limitations. Access to the reservoir for fishing at the north entrance is open but requires a strenuous 2 mile hike up and over a major hill. Caution is advised. See the CCWD web site for details. The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.

PLEASE NOTE:
We are still giving out Whopper mugs. Our program has changed some so check with us at the marina. It takes a 5 lb trout to earn a mug, 12 lb striper, 12 lb catfish and a released 5 lb largemouth bass.

We have 2013 State of California Fishing Licenses for sale at the marina. Fish and Game has been checking fishing licenses so make such you have one for everyone 16 and over.

TROUT
We will plant a 1000lb load of Mt. Lassen trout on Thursday Feb. 7. We also anticipate Fish and Game planting this week. Fishing for trout has been good. The trout being caught average from a half pound to 2 lbs with fish up to 10 lbs. When fishing from shore the South Cove continues to be a good choice for trout but anglers are catching trout all along the open shoreline. We have seen limits caught on both sides of the rock wall. Cowboy cove is now open to the very back of the cove and has been producing some very nice limits. The best way to catch trout from shore this time of year is with nightcrawlers, power worms, orange mice tails or garlic power bait. It is important to use 2- 3 feet of leader. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. Some anglers use Fluorocarbon leaders. There is no need for heavy weights. Short casts are often more productive than long casts. Some anglers float their baits under slip bobbers. Anglers also do well throwing kastmasters, blue fox lures and a variety of other trout lures. Casting lures seems to produce a few more large trout than bait fishing. A garlic scent on any bait seems to help. A few anglers even dip their lures in garlic scent.

Trolling has slowed but anglers who enjoy trolling continue to catch a few fish all over the reservoir. The best reports we are receiving are from anglers trolling a variety of Rapala's or Kastmaster's in Peninsula cove or the East cove. Mix it up until you start catching fish. Big fish seems to be hanging on points and in the mouths of the major coves. Try different colors and sizes until you start catching fish. Fishing from boats with bait in the very back of coves has been very good. Regulars are catching trout every time out. On 2-2 Pablo Miske caught a beautiful limit. He caught his fish on garlic power bait of the shore in cowboy cove. His fish went 7.2 lbs, 6.5 lbs, 6 lbs, 2 lbs and 2 lbs. Almost a 24 lb limit!

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Over all we continue to rate largemouth bass fishing slow. The reservoir is full off excellent bass habitat so throwing a senko around trees and brush should produce some largemouth bass action. Since the water is cold it is important to fish your senko very slowly. A couple anglers took some largemouth last week fishing on high spots in about 20 feet of water. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. Top bass we saw this week went 5 lbs. This beautiful fish was released.

STRIPER
Trolling for school size stripers from boats is very slow but some anglers continue to catch a few fish. Fishing for stripers from the shore is also slow but there is always a chance at some keeper size fish. Some stripers from 18 inches to 24 inches are caught by anglers putting in the time. Anchovies, sardines or shad should do the trick. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our fishery. We hope striper fishing will improve when our water warms back up a little. We did have a 36 lb striper caught and released on December 24. The fish was caught by Erik Patzer. He was working a Huddleston Deluxe.

CATFISH
Fishing for catfish is rated slow. Anchovies, liver and nightcrawlers all will catch catfish. The water is cold so the catfish are pretty lazy. Fish with as little weight as possible and watch for very soft bites.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Open seven days a week 7:00am - 5:00pm
Boats are due in by 3:30pm.
These hours are in effect through February.