FRESHWATER REPORT
Los Angeles County
CASTAIC LAKE--Anglers casting trout-pattern plugs are still pulling in big striped bass. A 21-pound 2-ounce catch tops another long list of lunkers. Largemouth bass are still biting on a variety of lures but live shad is the bait of choice. Trout continue to bite well in both lakes.
LAKE PYRAMID--Lots of striped bass have been caught on a variety of lures. Doc Holliday, Walnut, caught a 20-pounder one day, came back the next and pulled in stripers of 22, 21 and 13 pounds. Trout have been biting on Power Bait in the channel. Catfish have also been biting, but bass fishing is slow.
Ventura County
LAKE CASITAS--Bass fishing is poor to fair but the top catch was a 9-5 fish by Randy Crabtree, Ventura, on an Osprey lure. Trout action is much better after plants at Coyote and Santa Ana launch ramps. A 3-8 trout was caught at the dam, a holdover from last year’s plant. Catfish bite is very good to excellent. Carroll Miller, Thousand Oaks, caught 18-and 14-pounders with mackerel bait.
LAKE PIRU--Trout action is good from shore at marina, snack bar and dam using yellow Power Bait, night crawlers and Kastmasters. Bass are being caught at north end of lake and in coves with night crawlers and crankbaits. Dayton Grant, Canoga Park, limited out on bass with largest at four pounds using a crankbait. Stringers of bluegills and crappies are being caught using mealworms and night crawlers.
Santa Barbara County
LAKE CACHUMA--Trout biting on rainbow Power Bait from shore at El Dorado or trolling with Needlefish from west end of lake. Bass fishing good in early morning with crawdads or plastic worms on north shoreline. Perch are biting on mealworms and night crawlers at 50 feet off Jackrabbit Flats.
Orange County
IRVINE LAKE--Trout action is good on west shore and Sierra Cove, where they are biting on Power Bait. Catfish are starting to bite better on mackerel. Bass fishing is slow.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE--Today is the trout opener and the lake has been stocked heavily with Utah-raised rainbow trout to 10 pounds. Catfish and bass both biting well.
Riverside County
LAKE PERRIS--Bass fishing is picking up in marina and at east end of lake; same for trout. Catfish are biting at night at launch ramp and in marina, where Ann Hargrove, Los Angeles, caught seven totaling 20-2 with night crawlers. Bluegill fishing is slow.
LAKE SKINNER--Striped bass fishing has picked up with cooler nights. Art and Kenny Hill, Temecula, caught 12 stripers totaling 40 pounds at east end of lake. Catfish and trout fishing are still good, but bass and bluegill fishing are only fair.
San Bernardino County
JESS RANCH LAKES--Trout biting on Power Bait and spinners. Catfish are being caught on night crawlers and mackerel.
San Diego County
LAKE CUYAMACA--Trout are plentiful but fishing is poor. Zack Shelter, 7, Spring Valley, caught a 3-12 rainbow with a night crawler under a bobber in Pumphouse Cove.
SAN DIEGO CITY LAKES--Bass fishing is good at San Vicente, where the top catch was a 32-8 catfish. Trout are still biting at Miramar, Murray and San Vicente. Barrett closes for the season Sunday evening.
SALT WATER
The Times accepts and publishes the catch count as a public service. Any responsibility for accuracy is that of the landing operator.
REDONDO BEACH (Sportfishing)--48 anglers (1 boat): 200 mackerel, 32 bonito, 23 whitefish, 12 sand bass, 10 blue perch, 5 rockfish.
LONG BEACH (Marina Sportfishing)--38 anglers (1 boat): 86 whitefish, 8 calico bass, 13 sculpin. (Pierpoint Landing)--33 anglers (3 boats): 2 barracuda, 11 calico bass, 13 sand bass, 3 sculpin, 1,700 sand dabs.
TROUT PLANTS
LOS ANGELES COUNTY--Castaic Lake and Castaic Lagoon, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Pyramid Lake.
RIVERSIDE--Elsinore Lake, Hemet Lake, Perris Lake, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.
SAN BERNARDINO--Big Bear Lake, Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Park Lake, Prado Park Lake, Seccombe Park Lake, Yucaipa Park Lake.
SANTA BARBARA--Cachuma Lake.
VENTURA--Casitas Lake, Piru Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO--Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita Lake.
IMPERIAL--Sunbeam Lake, Weist Lake.
*
Compiled by Bob Rohwer
