Central California fishing report: Bass Lake kicking out big trout
Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Best bets
Delta sturgeon bite going, Steve Mitchell reported. Bass Lake kicking out big trout, Mike Beighey reported. New Melones bass moving shallow, Kyle Wise said. McClure Reservoir bass on a solid bite, Aaron Jones reported. Kaweah bass action improved, Copes Tackle said. Don Pedro king Salmon munching, Monte Smith reported. Eastman Lake still pumping out big bass, Brandon Grimsley said.
Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother
Unless noted, area code is 559
Valley/Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
High and muddy flows out of the south Delta continue to result in slow action for striped bass and catfish in the northern section of the California Aqueduct. The Governor’s executive order on Jan. 31 to maximize diversions form the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta has resulted in extremely high flows, filling up San Luis Reservoir and the O’Neill Forebay and slowing fishing. Golden mussels were discovered in the California Aqueduct’s Coastal Branch east of Coalinga. Striperz Gone Wild Annual Memorial Aqueduct Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at Volta Road near Los Banos.
The entry fee is 10 cans of unexpired food to be donated to residents of Merced County. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported fair aqueduct action as most anglers avoided the stormy weather. Cut baits, lugworms, or jumbo minnows after the check gates and inside bends and eddies are working for striped bass along with white or Aurora Shad jerkbaits in low light conditions. Largemouth fishing picked up with Senkos in dark colors in slower moving water. Catfish were active with fresh shrimp, chicken liver, or cut anchovies.
Aqueduct anglers are always advised to use caution as well as wearing a personal floatation device as the water is swift, cold, and dangerous.
A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf
Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 3 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Brandon Grimsley of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis was working the banks at Eastman on Sunday, and he said, “The fish have pushed down, but I was able to pick up a few bass on Brush Hogs or jigs. There is still a good swimbait bite as I witnessed one friend on a boat scoring a 7.4-pound largemouth as part of a 21-pound bag. The lake was very crowded with at least 40 boats on Sunday as the parking lot was full of trailers. Hensley is picking up for bass with small swimbaits.”
Crappie are also starting to show up in both lakes. Eastman is at 542.69 feet in elevation and 55% of capacity with Hensley at 489.42 feet in elevation and 31% of capacity. There are no additional tournaments at either lake during the month of March. A trout plant is scheduled at Eastman the week of 3/16 with a plant at Hensley the week of 3/23.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1 King salmon 3 Crappie 2
King salmon in the 14- to 16-inch range are abundant with Pro-Troll’s Kokanee Killers tipped with corn behind a dodger. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “The fish are in a transition mode, and they have dropped down from 25 to 50 feet as the water temperature has decreased from 57 to 53 degrees. Rainbow trout are another option with custom shad patterned spoons on side planers or on three to five colors of lead core. Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported water temperatures ranging from 53 to 65 degrees, and the bass are beginning to move into the shallows. Jerkbaits, Senkos, or plastics on a drop-shot or Ned-rig are all working. It took a limit pushing 23 pounds to win Saturday’s 53-boat Best Bass Tournament. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake rose to 787.85 feet in elevation and 75% of capacity. The lake will be very busy in the coming months with five more tournaments scheduled in March.
Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area
Bass 2 Trout 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
The lake is at 2,564.26 feet in elevation and 34% of capacity. Cope’s reported a trout plant occurred two weeks ago, and bank anglers are picking up planters on spinners, garlic scented Power Bait, or minijigs. Holdovers and planters are taken by trollers pulling Needlefish, Tasmanian Devils, or Berkley’s Flicker Shad crankbaits near the dam. The annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby is scheduled for April 12-14. Bass are coming on black/blue jigs or green pumpkin creature baits on 3/8 or ½- ounce football head jigs.
Rapala black/blue Clean Up Craws or Brown/purple jigs with Berkeley’s Chigger Craws are also getting some quality bites. Big swimbaits have fooled a few fish. The areas near Rocky Point, Engineers and Piney Point remain the top locations. Crappie continue to be found at depths from 20 to 30 feet with live minnows or minijigs, but the bite is fair. In the upper Kern River, trout action is decent along the 20-mile stretch with salmon eggs, spinners, or trout jigs. Trout plants are scheduled in the upper Kern sections 4/5/6 this week, and sections 4/5 the following two weeks. In the Lower Kern, trout plants in sections 1, 2, and 3 are scheduled next week, and holdover rainbows are taken on salmon eggs, pinched crawlers, garlic doused Power Bait, or minijigs. The bass bite is also improving in the lower Kern small crankbaits, jigs or spinners. Catfish can be found on dip baits, nightcrawlers and cut baits. The upper Kern River remained steady at 866 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake are steady at 313 cfs at First Point. A trout plant at Brite Valley Lake in the Tehachapi Mountains is scheduled next week along with a plant at Isabella.
Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816.
Lake Kaweah
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 3
The lake is at 633.54 feet in elevation and 27% of capacity. Cope’s reported an improved bass bite for both spotted and largemouth bass at depths from 5 to 40 feet with plastics on a drop-shot with a short leader along with Carolina- or Neko-rigs. Deep-diving crankbaits in shad patterns are picking up the largest grade of largemouth bass. Crappie made a showing at Horse Creek with minijigs or small swimbaits fooling fish over rocky structure.. The Kaweah River is at 511 cfs at Three Rivers. A trout plant is scheduled at Murry Park Pond this week for the City of Porterville Fishing Derby while a trout plant is scheduled at Mooney Grove next week. Trout plants are scheduled at Kaweah, Mooney Grove Park, and Murry Park Pond the week of March 23.
Lake Success
Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2
The lake is at 645.90 feet in elevation and 43% of capacity. Cope’s reported fair bass action with deep diving crankbaits in red craw or silver along rocky point. Black jigs with a Berkely Chigger Craw trailer and Roboworms in Margarita Mutilator II also are effective at depths to 30 feet. Dip bait, cut baits, or garlic nightcrawlers are working for catfish. A trout plant at the lake is scheduled for next week along with a plant in the South Fork and Middle Fork #2 in the Tule River.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported bass are moving into the flats with Senkos or plastics on the drop-shot or Neko-rig along with jerkbaits in the main lake. Largemouth bass are found in the river arm. The lake has been solid for numbers of spotted bass with the occasional largemouth. With the warming trend, the bass are moving up. Trout trolling remains fair with shad-patterned spoons at depths from 10 to 20 feet. The Reel Deal Market and Barrett’s Cove Marina will only be open on Saturdays now from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the winter months. Angler’s Edge Market in Snelling has closed. The lake rose to 817.85 feet in elevation and 70% of capacity. Three more tournaments are scheduled in March.
Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.
Lake McSwain
Trout 2
The lake is due for another plant as 2000 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm trout were planted on Feb. 26. Right after the plant, the action took off from the banks for a few days before slowing down once again. Regular plants are necessary to keep the action going, and it’s currently a few fish per rod at best with rainbow glitter Power Bait, garlic Power Bait, Kastmasters, or inflated nightcrawlers. Fishing pressure ramps up immediately after the plant before easing off. Plants have been occurring every other week on Mondays. Until the next plant, trolling is most effective with red Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger or blade/’crawler combinations in the river arm above the First Fence Line. The lake is at 94% of capacity. The Merced Irrigation District’s annual Spring Trout Derby is normally held during the first weekend in April.
Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
Brandon Grimsley reported the water continues to rise, and bass fishing has been hit or miss with the best action on plastics on a Texas-rig or shakey head along with jigs in green pumpkin for spotted bass. The spots are starting to move up into the flats, but this week’s weather should push them deeper again. The lake rose two feet to 524.97 feet in elevation and 57% of capacity. One bass tournament is scheduled in March. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant held at 894 cfs. Sycamore Island is reopened, and the park will be open 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily.
Trout plants are scheduled at Sycamore Lake the weeks of March 16 and March 23 with plants scheduled at Fresno’s Woodward Park the next three weeks.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee
Trout fishing has been up and down the past few weeks as the lake continues to rise. The best action remains in the river mouth with Rapalas or Speedy Shiners from the surface to 40 feet. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service has been drifting minnows or plastics in the shallows, and he said, “Bass fishing continues to improve as the fish are pushing in to 5 to 10 feet with live minnows or plastics on the drop-shot, Ned-rig, or dart head.”
With the 30-day quarantine restrictions, there are few boats on the lake. Only the Glory Hole launch ramp is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm to obtain a red tag to start a 30-day quarantine period. Boats must be off the water by 4:00 pm to receive a green tag to relaunch without quarantining or decontamination. Bank fishing is allowed. Crappie are starting to school up over submerged structure. Non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddleboards, may also be subject to inspection. The lake rose to 1047.14 feet in elevation and 81% of capacity. Downstream Lake Tulloch is closed to boating due to the potential for invasive golden mussels.
Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Brandon Grimsley reported the bass bite is slowly improving, but the inconsistent weather has kept the fish from consistently moving into the shallows. The incoming weather front should push them down once again. Bait fish have been absent for the most part, but plastics on a Neko-rig, small jigs, or umbrella rigs are picking up a few bass. Swimbaits are picking up a few larger bass.
Chris Counts of Fresno trolled Pine Flat on Friday for six king salmon to 20 inches along with a pair of rainbow trout to 18 inches running Brad’s Cut Plugs in Black Magic stuffed with tuna behind a dodger. In the lower Kings River, the last trout plant was five weeks ago, and the action between the high flows and lack of planting has slowed. There are plants scheduled below the dam the week of 3/16 and 3/23. With the additional plants, the action should rebound. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. Citations remain a common occurrence for fishing with barbed hooks or in possession of trout.
The lake is at 869.19 feet in elevation and 58% of capacity. The flows dropped from 1,356 to 1,086 cfs at Trimmer. Only one bass tournament is scheduled in March.
Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported bank anglers have been scoring with jumbo minnows, pile worms, or anchovies around Dinosaur Point or the dam in the main lake along with Check 12 in the O’Neill Forebay. drifting jumbo minnows or soaking pile worms or anchovies are the best bet in the rising waters of the main lake. Sales of Duo Realis jerkbaits, Lucky Craft’s Pointer 128’s, and MegaBass Vision 110’s are up.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported a tough bite for trollers and reaction anglers this last week with the fish moving deeper and suspending in the clear warm conditions.
“The average was about a fish or two per boat this last weekend according to the anglers I talked to. I believe that the trollers were doing better working deeper in the 70 feet of water. I scouted with a buddy and we hit a trolling pattern in the main lake that was working- releasing over 25 fish to eight pounds for the day. We had to keep searching all day to find active fish, but the tactic paid off. Anglers need to be very experienced right now to get good results- since the fish are acting shy and suspended in the rising water.. The forecast storms will slow things. “ George said.
Largemouth bass are moving into the flats in the forebay, and found flipping Senkos or plastics on a Ned-rig are picking up fish to 5 pounds. The main lake continues to rise with increased exports out of the south Delta, and it is now 83% of capacity while the forebay has risen to 97% of capacity. Boat inspections at San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir in Merced County are required when exiting these lakes to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. At O’Neill Forebay, golden mussels were recently detected. Boats leaving these San Luis Recreation Area lakes will not be granted a “clean boat” tag. After boating in waterways, always remember to clean, drain, and dry to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir.
Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954.
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 0
Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing reported quality rainbow trout to 6 pounds are coming for trollers from the dam to the Forks with Dick’s Trout Busters or mountain tubes tipped with a nightcrawler behind blue or gold Dick’s Mountain Dodgers. He said, “With the recent plants, you must weed through smaller planters, but the larger fish are there. Limits have been the rule. Shore Anglers are doing good across from the Sheriff’s tower on Power Bait. The lake has come up enough that you won’t have to stand in the mud to launch a boat.”
Chris Counts of Fresno was out with a friend on Friday, and they trolled up a total of 25 rainbows with two large holdovers to nearly 6 pounds using pink Wiggle Hoochies or Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler behind a dodger from the dam to the Sheriff’s Tower at 25 feet. A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1. A trout plant is scheduled the week of March 23.
Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Kaiser Pass Road is closed to vehicle traffic with only snowmobile access available. Edison is at 23% of capacity, Florence at 9% of capacity, and Mammoth Pool rose to 51% of capacity.
Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.
Road conditions 297-0706.
Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 1
Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols, reported, “Shaver remained on the slower side this past week, but Brian Klassen of Reedley took out Daniel Soares and his sons on Saturday in 19-degree morning temperatures for 6 rainbows from 12 to 16 inches, 4 brown from 14 to 17 inches, and a 14-inch golden trout in the Black Rock area. Klassen said the hot lure was a green Dick’s Trout Buster tipped with crawler behind a Mountain dodger at 15 to 30 feet down with a 70- to 100-foot setback. Kokanee fishing remains very slow, but an occasional second- year fish can be found. The Shaver Marina will be in place and open by April 15th, and the Sierra Marina will be opening about the same time with full supplies and boat rentals. Both ramps are doable for launching.”
The Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions prior to arriving at the lake. At Huntington, fishing interest is left to the most dedicated brown trout trollers. Shaver rose slightly to 68 with Huntington dropping to 37% of capacity.
Call: Paul Brown 300-4001; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072; Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100.
Wishon/Courtright
Trout 0
McKinley Grove Road is closed, limiting access to both reservoirs. McKinley Grove Road will remain closed until the regularly scheduled reopening on Memorial Day weekend, depending upon weather.
Road conditions: Sierra National Forest Ranger Station 297-0706.
Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.
Ocean
Half Moon Bay
Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3
The proposed alternatives announced last week by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) are not final as there are additional steps in the process including PMFC’s public hearing on March 24, 2025, from 7 – 9 pm to receive comments from the public on the three California ocean salmon fishery regulatory alternatives adopted by the Council. The best alternative for commercial anglers is a total of 4000 fish, and in the past, individual boats have landed up to 4000 fish. The proposed quota could be attained within a few hours or a few days, ending the remainder of the season. The most liberal recreational alternative is three four-day seasons: June 5-8, July 3-6, and July 31-Aug. 3 with the potential for an additional season from Aug. 28-Oct. 15 in the event the quota has not been attained. More information is available www.pcouncil.org. PMFC will adopt final regulatory measures for analysis during their April 9-15 meeting in San Jose, and final adoption of recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service will also occur and is tentatively scheduled for April 15. Next is the April 16-17 meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission to receive an update on ocean salmon sport fishery regulations in effect in 2025. The public may address and/or ask questions of the Commission relating to the implementation of its policies or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Agenda and audio available online at https://fgc.ca.gov/.
It certainly appears that another salmon closure is on the horizon, and the best recreational option only allows for 12 days of fishing which is not nearly enough to sustain the boats. The next boat-based season will be rockfish deeper than 50 fathoms from April 1-30, but few boats out of this port will run the 23 miles to reach deep water. Captain Melynda Dodds of the New Captain Pete is currently in dry dock before heading to Hyde Street in San Francisco for halibut and striped bass trolling trips. Rock crab and rockfish are possible from the North or South Jetty with surf perch from the beaches. The Pacific Pier has partially reopened after several weeks of closure. Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819;
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch
Sand Crab Surf Perch Classic brought 300 anglers to the surf on Saturday, and Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “It’s hard to believe, but the Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby celebrated its 20th year this weekend. Yes, it’s all in support of and a benefit for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, but really it boils down to having a blast! We say, “It’s about fish, family, friends and fun!” Entrants had to move quickly when registration opened in January. The derby is constrained to the first 300 entries due to facility limits. This year sold out online in under two hours. Participants can fish wherever they want as long as they make it to the one p.m. weigh-in. Most anglers fill the beaches between Monterey and Santa Cruz, but some fish the wild north coast from San Mateo south, while others target sea perch from the rocky escarpments, jetties and piers of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel. The event gathering is held at Portuguese Hall in Santa Cruz, itself a historical monument to the area’s original Portuguese fishermen and farmers. This year’s Grand Master Trophy, awarded to the biggest fish, seaperch or surfperch, went to Naikwen Saephan who weighed in a 15 and 3/4-inch pile perch, undoubtably caught near Carmel. His big slab weighed two pounds and seven ounces. This was Naikwen’s first time entering the derby and he made quite a splash! Surf perch caught in the waves near the beach are really what the derby was originally established for the competition. OG Mark Idemoto took the big trophy this year with his 14 and 3/4-inch barred surf perch caught on the sand crab from his favorite little beach in Santa Cruz. Another perennial winner took second place for men’s BSP. Dave Modena from Half Moon Bay hit Seacliff Beach in Aptos to land his 13 and 3/4-inch fish and claim another trophy this year. Women’s BSP honors were taken by Ayala Padua for her 13 and 1/4-inch fish caught in Half Moon Bay. First place for the women’s seaperch trophy was won by Samara Cortazzo, another multiyear champion.
Plenty of under-16 juniors participated this year, as usual. BSP first place trophy went to Andrew Rodriguez with a 12-inch fish, and the seaperch first place trophy was captured by Tristan Oldread with a rare retail perch that measured in right at 13 inches. In the open flared division, longtime participant and no stranger to the leaderboard Ken Oda took home the first-place trophy for his 12 and 1/2-inch barred surf perch. Thousands of dollars’ worth of fishing rods, tackle and related items were donated for the raffle and silent auction, as usual. Special thanks go to vital collaborators such as Johnson-Hicks Electronics, West Marine, Battlestar Tackle, Honey Badger Baits, Mekeni Baitz and Western Outdoor News for their hearty and continuing support.”
Boat -based rockfishing will start April 1-30 in deep water greater than 50 fathoms before transitioning to 20 fathoms starting in May. Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching continues to return with bucket loads of sand dabs along with a handful of Petrale sole. From the beaches, Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle reported an overall tough bite during the Sand Crab Classic, but there were perch to nearly 16 inches reported. The new motor oil/red flake with blue from Mekini Baitz has been a winner. A few striped bass have been coming from mouth of the Pajaro River with Duo Realis jerkbaits.
Call: Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay
Halibut 2 Striper 2 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2
Rough ocean conditions and a lack of interest has led to no boats heading outside the Golden Gate. It appears that the first opportunity for boat-based fishing will be for deep water rockfish in April. The rockfish season will open in deep water more than 50 fathoms for the month of April before transitioning to shallow water starting May 1. The best possibility for a recreational salmon season is three four-day windows starting in early June, but such a short season with a quota will not be enough to sustain the recreational charter boat industry. Inside the bay, halibut trolling trips have started, but the far better option is focusing upon striped bass. One boat out of San Francisco returned with 9 limits of striped bass and a pair of halibut on Sunday. The best bass bite is in San Pablo Bay around Red Rock and the Brickyard with swimbaits or hair raisers for linesides averaging 4 to 5 pounds. Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters out of Paradise Marina in Tiburon caught and released over 30 stripers to 5 pounds on Sunday working near the Brickyard. He said, “We had a solid 40 minutes of non-stop action.” Once the stripers are located, the action can be fast and furious. The California Dawn 2 out of Berkeley will start halibut trips on March 14. Interest in sturgeon has been minimal, and the seasonal sturgeon closure in the central bay will end this coming Saturday, March 15.
Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388.
San Luis Obispo
Surf perch 3
Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay is holding Surf Clinics on March 15 and 29, focused on how to read the ocean and pick the best fishing spots, Choosing baits and tackle, Mastering rigging setups, and improving your casting technique. Spaces are limited with sign up at virgslanding.com/sportfishing or 805-772-1222. The next season for boat-based fishing will be upon the opening of rockfish season from April 1 through June 30 at all depths.
Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/.
Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing
Others
Delta/Stockton
Bass 2 Striper 2 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
The Sacramento side is warming, but it remains cloudy from increased inflow from upstream reservoirs. This week’s atmospheric rivers will bring the river up and increase the amount of grass and debris in the water. Sturgeon fishing has been tremendous for six-pack boats out of Martinez or Pittsburg with some reporting up to 20 diamondbacks caught and released on a single outing. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing out of Pittsburg will continue targeting sturgeon until April 1, and this next six weeks should remain tremendous on the catch-and-release front. Cured salmon roe continues to be the top bait. With the stained water, frozen shad or sardines remain the top baits for striped bass from Collinsville to Rio Vista. Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, boated limits of stripers to 5 pounds soaking frozen shad on the anchor near Collinsville. Largemouth bass are starting to stage up in the shallows of the north Delta, and chatterbaits or spinnerbaits remain the best options for limits to 20 pounds. With the warming water, the bass are starting to move into the flats in pre-spawn mode. On the San Joaquin side, striped bass flooded into the western edge of the San Joaquin River from the Antioch Bridge upstream to Prisoner’s Point, and the water temperatures have risen to the 55- to 58-degree range with increased visibility. Trollers are pulling Arigs or deep-diving Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows or P-Line’s Predator Minnows for limits of linesides to 10 pounds with most fish in the 3- to 5-pound range. Swimbaits or glide baits are also effective, but you have to find them as the schools are moving on a daily basis. Largemouth bass fishing continues to improve as the water clears, and winning tournament limits are now in the 20-plus pound range. action is slowly improving, and there have been some good signs during the past two weekends of tournament action with limits pushing 25 pounds. Chatterbaits, squarebilled crankbaits, or plastics are working with the best action on the high tide.
Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.
Events:
March 13-15
Kern County Fairgrounds – Sportsman’s Boat and RV Show – information - https://www.calshows.com/
March 16
Bass Hole Tackle Shop in Oakley – Swap Meet
Tournament results:
March 8
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments Golden Mussel Circuit
1st – Dominic Abenoja/Erika Bonanno – 27.22; 2nd – Obedie Williams/Clint Groenwold – 21.67 (Big Fish – 8.47); 3rd – Lorenzo and Lucia Rossetti – 18.80.
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments Central Region
1st –Vincent Jensen/Don Javaux Jr.– 22.92 (Big Fish – 6.45); 2nd – Russ Pierson/Michael Beevers – 19.56; 3rd – Mike Alvarez/Dusty Mart – 17.00.
Lake Success – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments
1st – Matt Saesee/Laoer Noi – 16.28 (Big Fish – 4.84); 2nd – Chad Cloyd/Brian Suttles – 14.82; 3rd – Dean Miller/Darrell Masterson – 13.85.
Success – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments High School Division
March 9
1st – Coleton Rader – 8.85; 2nd – Ryan Rutledge/Jeremiah Casas – 7.37; 3rd – Bear Demacablin – 6.82.
Success – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments Youth Division
1st –Israel Franich – 9.92; 2nd – Brysen Smith – 4.72; 3rd – Hunter Franich – 3.77.
Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)
Note – tournaments scheduled for New Melones, Camanche, Tulloch, or Pardee are subject to change and will not be listed.
March 15-16
Clear Lake – Sierra Bass Club
March 15
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Angler’s Press
Salt Springs – Tri Valley Bass Masters
Pardee – Kid’s Fishing Derby
Don Pedro – Best Bass Tournaments
Bass Lake – Kings River Bass Club
Murry Park Pond – City of Porterville Fishing Derby
Kaweah – Lahu Bass Club
Nacimiento – Kern County Bass Masters
Santa Margarita – Best Bass Tournaments
March 16
McClure – Fresno Bass Club
March 22
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Christian Bass League
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Anglers of Northern California
Don Pedro – Kerman Bass Club
Success – Lahu Bass Club
Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers
March 23
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Hole Inc.
March 28-30
Don Pedro – Bass Angler Magazine
March 29
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments
Amador – 17/90 Bass Club
McClure – California Bass Federation
San Antonio- Golden Empire Bass Club
Santa Margarita – Bakersfield Bass Club
March 30
Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Modesto Ambassadors
Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Hole Inc.
For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: Bass Lake kicking out big trout."