Summer continues with lots of good trout and striped bass fishing at Los Vaqueros. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is currently at 96,200 acre feet. The water level is dropping due to use. The water temperature is hovering between 71 and 72 degrees. Our water clarity is good. A good number of trout, catfish and stripers continue to be caught both from shore and from boats.

Two trout of notable size came into the Marina last week, a 9.25 pound fish on a Kastmaster in South Cove and an 8.18 pound trout caught on a lure, also in South Cove.

TROUT

Fishing for trout continues to be good with the mixed weather we have been having. They are being caught in South Cove, Oak Point as well as around the lake. The baits of choice for shore anglers are garlic-scented PowerBaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. Light tackle is important for catching trout, with 4-6 pound test being plenty. We planted 2,000 pounds of trout from Lassen on Wednesday August 12th. We hope to plant trout again soon. Trout are still being caught all over the lake in good numbers.

Trolling is popular with anglers using Rapalas and other lures in the coves. From the shore, bait fishing with garlic scented PowerBaits and Kastmasters were the baits of choice. There is no need for line heavier than 6 pound test.

A lot of limits and nice stringers have been seen coming out of South Cove and from past the Rock Wall. With more boats going out, we have also seen a lot of fish coming in from all of the major coves, especially in the mornings and late afternoon. Two fish of notable size came into the Marina last week, a 9.25 pound fish on a Kastmaster in South Cove and an 8.18 pound trout caught on a lure, also in South Cove.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. Keep in mind that largemouth need to be 12 inches to be kept. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. If you catch any of the undersized fish, please release them gentle and allow them to grow up.

STRIPERS

Shakers continue to be the main action with striped bass. We are still seeing 15-20 undersized fish being caught for every keeper. From shore, cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice. Just a reminder, stripers need to be 18 inches or more to be legal. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery.

CATFISH

With the warming water we are seeing a more active catfish bite start. There was a 1250 pound plant on Sunday, August 16th from Bundy’s. For those wishing to target catfish, anchovy continues to be the best choice of bait. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus). A number of 3-5 pound catfish came in this week from different parts of the lake.