Bass fishing is switching into high gear at Lake Oroville, reported Fil Torres at Oroville Outdoors. "The bass bite is coming on very strong', observed Torres. "Fish are ranging from 30 feet down right up to the bank. They are in ???chase' mode right now, and are hitting on soft jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, along with the usual tubes, worms and jigs.

"Some larger fish including largemouth bass are starting to show up. In last Sunday's ABA event, the Oroville-based team of Don Reighley and Mike Bugliarello had 14.9 pounds [for five bass], including a nice 4.95 pound spotted bass. It was two years ago on Easter Sunday that the lake record Florida-strain largemouth of 15.48 pounds was caught.

"We still have had no solid reports from coho salmon anglers, but the bass guys are catching them up to three pounds occasionally while using Ripbaits and wacky-rigged worms. Some decent catfish to five pounds are hitting on cut baits at 20 to 25 feet at McCabe's Cove and Lime Saddle." Torres tipped, "Boat launching is very good right now. You might find a little debris that has to be moved, but the Parks Department is doing a good job of keeping the ramps clear."