Gorgeous summer weather was the norm this week and following another stocking from the DFG, most anglers found the bite on pan-sized rainbow trout wide open. Anglers fishing artificials like mini-jigs, spoons, and trout worms reported catching as many as 30 fish per rod over the course of a day on the lake. The bigguns were a little shy this week but there were multiple fish in the 4 to 5lb range weighed in or caught & released this week, most of them caught on Sierra Slammer jigs or Berkley Powerworms.

Anglers tossing jigs really knocked 'em dead this week but nailing down a hot color was tough because just about everything was getting bit. Top color on the trout worms was red and grasshopper fish on a size 8 hook 18" below a size 7 split shot.

Bait anglers did best using just about any bright powerbait fished off the bottom with a 24 to 36" leader or half a nightcrawler fished 5' under a bobber.

Trolling continues to improve but the fish are in tight to shore so the folks doing best out there are trolling within 50ft of the shoreline at the most. Thomas Buoyants, Rapala CD5 or CD7's and various colors of Tasmanian Devils are the lures of choice for trolling.

The fish are really spread out right now which is a great thing allowing for anglers all over the lake to get a piece of the action. The dam and the whole west shore from the Rock Slide to Roger's Cove is great for good numbers with a few trophy Alpers mixed in. The back of the lake has its moments but its still a bit on the shallow side so the bite is a little slow back there.

The water level at South Lake actually dropped a bit this week making it even more difficult for private boaters. If you're really careful it is possible to get a boat in and out but keep in mind that private boaters use the launch at their own risk.

Photos:
Photo # 1: Dan Rollins of Santa Clarita, CA with a 4 lber he caught and released at the Rock Slide using a Sierra Slammer jig.
Photo # 2:Dave Finkelstein from Orange County with a 4 lb 1 oz 'bow caught using a mini-jig.
Photo # 3:Unknown Angler with another nice fish.