Northern CA Freshwater Fishing Report

Los Vaqueros striper bite still good, trout picking up in spite of limited access Trout still biting at Rancho Seco BY JIM JONES/WON Staff WriterPublished: May 10, 2012

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LIVERMORE — The south entrance to the Los Vaqueros Reservoir continues to be open for shore fishing, but the Marina and boat rentals will continue to be closed until mid-summer. Although the lake is still drawn down below the 50-percent mark, water conditions continued to be very good. Trout fishing has improved, and another trout plant, the third of 2012 is being made this week by Mount Lassen Hatchery. South Cove will be the best area to fish. Fishing with PowerBait, Power Worms, or nightcrawlers are the best baits.  Keep your casts short, and use light leaders. In addition to the usual planter-sized fish, there are quite a few larger fish being planted which have a better chance of surviving marauding striped bass.    Christina Cutts of Los Vaqueros Recreation Area said that striper fishing has continued to be very good in spite of the limited access.   “We have about 750 yards of  shoreline fishing access available from South Cove to Oak Point, and they’re catching striped bass from 5 to 7 pounds on anchovies or shad.” Cutts said that right after the plant, striper fishing will typically be outstanding for awhile as stripers come rushing in like a golden retriever after a dog bone.     However, lately, the bite has been best in the afternoon, and Cutts said that fishing pressure has slowed, too. However, fishing for stripers has continued to be very good, though not quite at the red hot pace immediately after the trout plant.  Cutts said that out of about 40 anglers, perhaps 30 will catch their limits of stripers. Trout still biting at Rancho Seco, but warm weather will soon put it to an end GALT — Trout fishing has been very good at Rancho Seco Lake east of  Galt, according to Maria Gutierrez, of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, but you had better hurry, because time is running out as air and water temperatures rise.   Some nice bass are being caught, panfish, too, at Rancho Seco Lake. Other Sacramento Area ponds are providing some good action as well, mostly bass and panfish.   “They’re still catching lots of trout, and I see them cleaning fish all the time,” she said. Time is running out for trout fishing at Rancho Seco because air and water temperatures are rapidly rising, and trout plants are at an end. But there are still plenty of rainbows out there, and anglers — especially those in boats (remember, gasoline engines are prohibited) enabling them to fish deeper water, can still find rainbows drifting bait and trolling lures and flies.    Gutierrez also said that fishing for bass has been very good, and she saw a regular catch a 7 pounder which he released. Redeared sunfish are taking worms under bobbers fished off the bank.   Fishing for panfish and bass has also been good at Mather Lake and the pond at William Pond Recreation Area.