Fishing Is Hot Despite Cold, Rain at Casitas

Despite the cold and the rain, largemouth bass fishing continues to improve at many Southland reservoirs, with Ventura County’s Lake Casitas experiencing one of the better bites.

Doug Norvell of Oxnard caught a 16-pound largemouth while Mark Simpson, also of Oxnard, caught one weighing 15 1/4 pounds. “We’re not seeing stringers with double digits,” a lake spokeswoman said. “But we’re not getting too many small fish, either.”

WILLOW BEACH--Some trout biting across from hatchery, but few fishermen because of cold weather.

LAKE MEAD--Fishing slow overall.

BULLHEAD CITY--Trout bite very good on river. Some limits. Berkley Power Bait and small spinners working best. Trout to six pounds biting on most trout baits.

SALTON SEA--Orangemouth corvina biting at Red Hill and Corvina Beach, averaging five-six pounds. Sargo bite best on north side of sea, biting mainly in afternoon.

LAKE CACHUMA--Trout biting throughout lake. Norman Ballard, Santa Barbara, 2 1/2-pound trout. Largemouth bass bite picking up. United Bass Anglers Tournament: 32 anglers, 22 bass, 65 pounds, largest an eight-pounder, caught by Larry Goulartz, Santa Maria. Frank Fernandes, Santa Maria, nine-pound bass. Smallmouth bass bite fair.

LAKE CASITAS--Largemouth bass biting best at 25 feet. Trout biting best at Wadleigh Arm, with an occasional limit. Brad Linschied, Ventura, 3 1/2-pound trout.

LAKE CASTAIC--Trout biting on most baits, perhaps best at dam. Mike Swann, Burbank, 4 1/2-pound trout. Largemouth bass spotty, but some big fish reported. Mark McMurry, Simi Valley, 8 1/4- and 8 3/4-pound bass, both caught in lower lake.

IRVINE LAKE--Trout bite good, some topping the 10-pound mark. Cheese and Power Bait working best. Other species slow.

LAKE SKINNER--Several limits of trout, biting throughout lake. Rik Perez, Lake Elsinore, 4 3/4-pound trout, caught at Ramp II. Jay Garrign, Rosemead, three trout, six pounds. Largemouth bass bite fair.

LAKE SILVERWOOD--Crappie and largemouth providing most action. Striped bass running deep, few biting.

Trout Plants

A list of waters schedule to be planted by the Department of Fish and Game, weather and road conditions permitting, by counties:

LOS ANGELES--Lower Big Tujunga Creek, El Dorado Park Lake, Malibu Creek, Peck Road Park Lake, Piru Creek (Frenchman’s Flat), San Dimas Reservoir, Santa Fe Reservoir.

RIVERSIDE--Evans Lake, Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO--Cucamonga Guasti-Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Lake Silverwood, Yucaipa Park Lake.

SANTA BARBARA--Lake Cachuma.

VENTURA--Lake Casitas, Reyes Creek, Rose Valley Lakes, Upper Sespe Creek.

SAN LUIS OBISPO--Atascadero Lake, Laguna Lake, Lopez Lake.