Barracuda Bite Appears to Be Near

On the local saltwater fishing scene, barracuda are popping up, particularly off San Diego, which is a good indication that the slender game fish are beginning their northern migration and the spring bite is close at hand. Two other springtime intruders, white sea bass and yellowtail, are showing occasionally at Catalina.

In the Santa Monica Bay, meanwhile, they are fishing only for halibut, looking for the hot spots in preparation for the annual Halibut Derby April 20-21. Last year, 1,600 anglers fishing aboard 475 boats visited the bay, looking for the fattest “flattie.” Frank Cerrito of Manhattan Beach took that honor--and his choice of a trip to Alaska or Mexico--with a 42 1/2-pounder. In its nine years the event has raised more than $175,000 for youth fishing programs and has helped support scientific research on California halibut. Details: (310) 450-5131.

South of the border: Marlin fishermen off Cabo San Lucas enjoyed one of the best weeks of the year, despite strong winds and choppy seas in the Gulf of California. Pisces fleet owner Tracy Ehrenberg said skippers reported catching and releasing an average of two to five marlin a day. The fish ranged from 100 to 180 pounds. A similar bite is under way at the East Cape. . . . Cortez Yacht Charters in Lemon Grove, Calif., will represent the new Aries Fleet operating from the El Cid Resort marina in Mazatlan. The fleet consists of nine cruisers from 28-45 feet.

Freshwater: “Pathways to Fishing,” a program designed to teach youngsters the basics of the sport, will be held at Santa Ana River Lakes in Anaheim on Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is free to children 5-15, and parents who go through the program with them. Details: (714) 632-7851.

FRESHWATER REPORT

ARROWBEAR LAKE--Trout fishing fair. Tom Richie, Westlake Village, 6-8 trout, on smoke-colored crappie jig. Several other large fish. Some limits.

LAKE PERRIS--Largemouth bass fishing fair to good, with anglers reporting five-30 fish some days. Plastic worms fished 5-15 feet getting fish to three pounds. Randy Fox, San Bernardino, 10-pound bass, on night crawler off Point 6. Sean Maiorano, Huntington Beach, 10-4 bass, on crawdad at Sail Cove. Red-ear perch picking up, biting mostly on night crawlers. Some trout.

IRVINE LAKE--Trout fishing slow to fair, with a few topping 10 pounds. Rapalas and night crawlers getting most. Crappies biting mostly on white mini-jigs and pearl Wham Fisheez. Largemouth bass fishing fair with spinnerbaits and Daiwa Team Minnows.

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES--The lake will close at noon Thursday for the stocking of trout to 20 pounds, including a new species from Mt. Lassen hatchery, a cross between a rainbow and brown. Derby scheduled Saturday and Sunday.

CORONA LAKE--Trout fishing slow some days, fair others. Power Bait, night crawlers and mini-jigs getting most. Some crappies. Catfish biting mostly at south end.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE--Trout fishing good. Sparkle Power Bait and gold lures getting most. Trophy-sized trout from Alpers Ranch in the Eastern Sierra will be stocked Friday night.

LAKE CACHUMA--Trout fishing fair. Trollers using frog and pearl-bikini Needlefish lures at dam doing best. Largemouth bass biting on purple and pumpkin-seed plastic worms and white spinnerbaits at about 10 feet. Crappie action picking up at narrows.

LAKE CASITAS--Largemouth bass biting in shallows. Brian Evans, 7, Ojai, 11-12 bass, on a red plastic worm. Lester Imamura, Cerritos, 12-pound bass, on a crawdad. Jerome Bohauna, Ohio, 10-pound bass, on a crawdad. Other species slow.

PYRAMID LAKE--Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing very good with crankbaits and spinnerbaits in the shallows. Striped bass action slow to fair on anchovies and night crawlers.

LAKE PIRU--Largemouth bass fishing fair to good. Darrell Cochran, Piru, five bass totaling 12 pounds on night crawlers near marina. Doug Asher, Downey, 7-8 bass, on spinnerbait at Reasoner Cove. Trout action fair at north end and near dam. Power Bait and Needlefish lures getting most. Some crappies.

CASTAIC LAKE--Stuart Kam, Reseda, five bass, largest eight pounds, on plastic worms. Jerry Buffington, Bakersfield, 10-pound bass, on water dog at 15 feet. Mike Carpenter, Canyon Country, eight- and seven-pound bass, on Wham Fisheez.

SAN DIEGO CITY LAKES--El Capitan: Largemouth bass biting on jigs, shiners and night crawlers at north end. Bluegill action picking up. Crappies fair. Hodges: Largemouth bass fishing fair. Tom Neikirk, San Diego, 10-4 bass, on crawdad at main ramp. Bluegills fair. Other species slow. Miramar: Largemouth bass slow, but Rick Pena, National City, took one 17-1 on Pig-n-jig at Woodson Point. Trout fishing fair with Power Bait and night crawlers. Murray: Trout best bet, with a few limits, but fishing slow over all. Otay: Largemouth bass action fair. Troy Folkestad, San Diego, 10-4 bass, on plastic worm at Harvey Arm. Other species slow. San Vicente: Largemouth bass biting. Eric Demarco and John Kerr, San Diego, seven bass, largest nine pounds, on plastic worms at toll road. Sutherland: Largemouth bass fishing fair to good. One reported at 12-2. Plastic worms, night crawlers and crawdads getting most. Bluegills and catfish fair.

LAKE CUYAMACA--Trout fishing fair for bait fishermen, slow for trollers. Robert Raymond, San Diego, four-pound trout, on Power Bait at south end. Largemouth bass fishing picking up. Blake Plourd, Holtville, three bass, largest two pounds, and five trout, on shiners. Bass bite best at west finger jetty.

LAKE SKINNER--Largemouth bass biting mostly on night crawlers at marina and Ramp 2. Howard Mayorga, Fallbrook, 9-4 and three-pound bass, on night crawlers in front of marina. Striped bass action fair at Ramp 2 and Social Security Point. Bob Hanley, Westchester, 20-12 striper, on homemade lure at Social Security Point. Trout biting on Power Bait and night crawlers at Ramp 1. Catfish taking anchovies and night crawlers at east end and dam.

COLORADO RIVER--Lake Mead: Largemouth bass biting in shallows on plastic worms. Striped bass biting mostly on anchovies. Las Vegas Bay best bet. Willow Beach: Striped bass in 15-inch range taking anchovies in Cottonwood area. Trout fishing slow. Lake Mohave: Striped bass biting on anchovies at lower end. Largemouth bass fair off points, biting on crankbaits and jigs. Lake Havasu: Crappie fishing excellent on mini-jigs. Largemouth bass, striped bass and bluegills fair.

TROUT PLANTS

LOS ANGELES COUNTY--Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Upper and Lower Big Tujunga Creek, Castaic Lake, Cerritos Lake, Crystal Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, San Dimas Reservoir, San Gabriel River (East, West and North forks).

RIVERSIDE--Fullermill Creek, Fulmor Lake, Lake Hemet.

SAN BERNARDINO--Big Bear Lake, Cleghorn Creek, Cucamonga Glen Helen Park Lake, Lytle Creek (Middle and North forks), Mill Creek, Santa Ana River, Santa Ana River (South Fork), Yucaipa Park Lake.

KERN--Hart Park Lake, Kern River (Live Oak picnic area to Democrat Beach, Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach, Edison Powerhouse No. 3 to Riverside Park), Lake Isabella, Woolomes Lake.

TULARE--Kern River (Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge, Johnsondale Bridge to Fairview Dam).

INYO--Cottonwood Creek, Georges Creek, Independence Creek, Lone Pine Creek, Shepards Creek, Symmes Creek, Tuttle Creek.