BASS:
The Bass bite continues to be good especially in the AM hours. Lake 5 has been the hot spot however all lakes are producing. Reminder ALL Bass are catch and release. Lake record is 13 lbs. 8 oz.

Michael Martinez, pictured above age 14 from Santee landed a nice 7 lb. Bass out of lake 5 on a nightcrawler.

Billy Boucher, Photo #1 reeled in a 6 lb. 8 oz. Bass also from lake 5 on nightcrawler.

Cameron Walton, Photo #2 age 13 from Chula Vista caught a 2 lb. 4 oz. Bass from lake 7 on a kastmaster.

Lakes 6 and 7 are reserved for campers only.

TROUT:
One week left to catch a 5 lb. or larger Trout and get entered into the April 1st drawing for a flat screen TV. A total of 13,500 lbs. of Rainbow Trout was stocked this Season. Fish lakes 2, 3 or 4 in the day park or if camping lakes 6 and 7 also received stocks of Trout.

CATFISH:
Opening Weekend scheduled for April 6th and 7th. 2,000 lbs. of Catfish will be stocked including HUGE Cats and tagged Catfish worth cash and prizes! Gates open at 6:00 am.


Recipe of the Week:
Pete's Catfish

Ingredients
• 6 large catfish fillets
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 quarts peanut oil

Directions
Put the catfish a shallow pan and cover with water. Add a tablespoon of the salt, cover with plastic wrap and soak overnight in the refrigerator.

Mix the cornmeal, flour, the remaining teaspoon salt and the black pepper in a plastic bag. Drain the water from the catfish and transfer the fillets one at a time to the bag with the cornmeal. Shake the bag to coat the fish and place on a sheet tray or platter. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 300 degrees F.

Drop a few fillets into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd. Cook the fish until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove the pieces with a slotted spoon and keep warm in an oven while frying the remaining pieces.

Night Fishing (registered campers only, lakes 6&7)

** No California State Fishing License required to fish at Padre Dam's Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

Fishing Permit Fees
Adult (ages 16 and over) $9.00 per day
Junior (ages 7 to 15) $6.00 per day
Second fishing pole stamp $4.00
*One child under 7 may fish for free with a paid adult

NEXT STOCK
(stock will arrive on or before date below)
April 6th and 7th
Catfish Opening Weekend
2,000 lbs.