FISH REPORT : Trout Opener ‘the Windiest, Worst’

The Eastern Sierra trout opener, in the words of David DeSurra, concession manager at Convict Lake, was “the windiest and worst I’ve ever experienced.”

And because of the 60-knot winds that raged throughout the region on Saturday and part of Sunday, fishing was less than spectacular.

At Convict Lake, for instance, a lot of rainbows, browns and even some cutthroats went largely unfished as boats were kept off the lake for most of the opener. A few big fish, topped by a 7.16-pound rainbow, were caught from shore.

DeSurra said Tuesday morning that the wind had stopped and that if the weather continues to improve, the excellent fishing normally associated with opening weekend--because of heavy stocking--could be in store for those planning a trip this weekend.

PUDDINGSTONE RESERVOIR--Largemouth bass fair for smaller fish. John Kimble, Chino Hills, 8-0 bass, on plastic worm at south shore. Red-ear perch biting well on worms. Other species slow.

LAKE PERRIS--Bluegills very active, biting on mini-jigs and night crawlers. Mark Hamann, Moreno Valley, and Cecil Gamble, Pico Rivera, 56 bluegills totaling 64-8, on mini-jigs and night crawlers at east end. Gamble also got an 8-4 largemouth bass. Bass fair to good. Leroy Geringer, Garden Grove, 16-1 bass, on purple-brown plastic worm. Shaun Duron, El Monte, 9-15 bass, on night crawler.

BIG BEAR LAKE--Trout bite fair. Larry Joe, Los Angeles, 2-7 trout, on night crawler-flasher combination at observatory. Several limits. May Trout Classic scheduled May 20-21. Details: (909) 866-6260.

CORONA LAKE--Trout most active near launch ramp. Some limits, most on Power Bait. Catfish picking up, biting primarily at flooded timber area. Largemouth bass, crappies and bluegills taking small lures along east shore.

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES--Trout providing lots of action. Dave Pierson, Anaheim, five trout totaling 41-11, largest 11-1, on mini-jigs at Kids’ Lake. Several fish over 5-0 caught on Power Bait, night crawlers and small spinners.

IRVINE LAKE--Trout active throughout lake. Mort Appleton, Laguna Hills, 14-6 trout, on night crawler at Mayhugh’s Cove. Several limits. Largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills and catfish being taken sporadically.

SILVERWOOD LAKE--Striped bass active, particularly at spillway. Russ Seese, three stripers from 13-8 to 27-8, on Intruder lure. Jeff Muether, Barstow, 14-8 striper, on spoon at spillway. Largemouth bass fair. Nick Ibey, Costa Mesa, 6-8 bass, on night crawler in channel.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE--Trout biting throughout lake. Paul Choi, Newport Beach, 4-2 trout, on a fly from boat. Several limits. Power Bait and spinners getting most.

LAKE CACHUMA--Several limits of trout. Taylor Hale, Fillmore, five trout, largest 3-8, on Needlefish lure. Brian Benson, Goleta, 3-4 trout, on night crawler at Cachuma Bay. Largemouth bass fair at 12-15 feet, one reported at 9-0. Red-ear perch biting occasionally on night crawlers at east end.

LAKE CASITAS--Largemouth bass slow to fair. Terry McGuire, Oak View, 11-8 bass on plastic worm. George Szabo, Whittier, two bass, largest 10-0, on trout-pattern lure. Catfish picking up. Leonard Gibson, Oak View, four catfish, totaling 28 pounds, on mackerel. Joe Marquez, Ojai, 16-0 catfish on live shad. Trout action slow.

PYRAMID LAKE--Largemouth and striped bass active at Bear Trap and Yellow Bar. John Murphy, Chatsworth, 17 largemouth bass and one five-pound striped bass, on anchovies at Yellow Bar. Don Wire, Valencia, eight-pound striper, on anchovy at Yellow Bar. John Rich, Bakersfield, eight-pound largemouth, on plastic worm at Yellow Bar. Catfish fair throughout lake.

LAKE PIRU--Largemouth bass fair. Benny Arimijo, West Los Angeles, 8-0 bass, on purple plastic worm at north end. James Miggemeyer, Glendale, 7-8 bass, on spinnerbait at San Felicia Cove. Trout biting at dam. Needlefish lures best bet. Crappies picking up, biting off cliffs at north end. Fire Tiger lures and mini-jigs getting most.

CASTAIC LAKE--Largemouth bass active in both lakes. Greg Glogow, 11, Valencia, 6-8 bass, on green plastic worm. Phil Siemantal, Castaic, five bass, largest 8-8, on Wham Fishies lures. Romero Gomez Sr. & Jr., Tijuana, five-fish bass limits, largest 10-3, on various lures at lower lake. Mark McMurry, Simi Valley, five bass, largest 9-6, on TNT lure at 10 feet. Other species slow.

SAN DIEGO LAKES--Barrett: Largemouth bass excellent, one weighed in at 10-3. Bluegills good. El Capitan: Bass good. Joe Wolf, San Diego, and Greg Horak, El Cajon, 9-5 and 5-7 bass, on black plastic worms at north end. Bluegills and crappies fair. Hodges: Bass and crappies slow to fair. Some catfish and carp. Miramar: Trout best bet, fish biting in deep water, one weighed in at 5-2. Other species slow. Murray: Trout fair. Some bass and bluegills. Otay: Bass slow, but one 10-14 was caught. Some bluegills and catfish. San Vicente: Bass good. Bluegills excellent. Some trout biting in deep water. Sutherland: Bass fair to good. Other species slow.

LAKE CUYAMACA--Trout bite improving, with several limits showing. Chuck Bernard and Eric Roberts, Chula Vista, 10 trout totaling 16-5, largest 3-8, rainbow Rapala at Lone Pine. David Munsch Sr. and Jr., Poway, 10 trout totaling 12-2, largest 2-4, on orange Rapala at Lone Pine. Other species slow.

LAKE WOHLFORD--Largemouth bass best bet. Joe Mayerthir, Escondido, 10-8 bass, on plastic worm at Oakvale Cove. Chris Stinnett, Vista, 9-12 bass, on plastic worm at north shore. Catfish fair. Gary Smith, Compton, five catfish totaling 18-6 on night crawlers at south shore. Trout fair to good. Mike Vanderhoof, Spring Valley, 6-14 trout, on Rapala at south end.

EASTERN SIERRA--Bishop: Sabrina and South lakes still iced over and trout limits coming from both. An occasional fish to four pounds. Gold Kastmasters have taken most. Intake II fair on most bait. Bishop Creek too fast for good fishing, but some limits coming on salmon eggs and small spinners. Pleasant Valley Reservoir fair because of persistent winds, with few limits. Owens River good on Power Bait despite fast flows. Wild-trout section best on nymphs fished near banks and in eddies. Small split-shots recommended to get flies to bottom. Mammoth Lakes: Lakes basin still frozen; Twin Lakes expected to be ice-free by mid-May and the higher-elevation lakes by June 1. Crowley and Convict lakes remain best bets for limits and big fish. Power Bait, night crawlers and gold lures getting most. June Loop: All lakes producing limits or near limits, with some fish to 5-0. Rush Creek fair but fast. Bridgeport: Bridgeport Reservoir best bet for consistency and big fish, though limits are coming from Robinson Creek and Twin Lakes. East Walker River slow.

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Trout Plants

LOS ANGELES COUNTY--Lower Big Tujunga Creek, Crystal Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Jackson Lake, Legg Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, San Gabriel River (North and West forks), Santa Fe Reservoir.

RIVERSIDE--Fuller-Mill Creek, Fulmor Lake, North Fork San Jacinto River, Strawberry Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO--Arrowbear Lake, Big Bear Lake, Green Valley Lake, Holcomb Creek.

SAN DIEGO--Sweetwater River.

VENTURA--Rancho Simi Park Lake.

INYO--Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South forks and Intake II), Cottonwood Creek, George Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River (below Tinnemaha and Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lane), Pine Creek, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Shepards Creek, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.

MONO--Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek and lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Paradise Camp to Toms Place), Rush Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport, Virginia Creek, Walker River (Chris Flat Campground to town of Walker and Leavitt Meadows Campground to Sonora Bridge).