GENERAL CONDITIONS
Fishing is good, wildflowers abound, there is lots of wildlife to view and it is a great time for a hike. Anglers are having good luck catching trout and striped bass. We are beginning to see a few largemouth bass and catfish caught. The water level is now 119,000 acre feet and dropping slowly. Our water temperature is in the low 60's.

We have seen some rattlesnakes this week so caution is advised. Watch where you are walking, stay out of high grass and stay out of rocky areas. Remember they just want to stay away from you so never try to pick one up or kill one. We have also had several confirmed Mountain Lion sightings at the reservoir so we suggest staying alert. We have information available at the gates and marina on what to do if you see a Mountain Lion. Eagles are nesting so some trail closures are in effect. Information on trails is available at the gates, marina or on the CCWD web site.

This is the beginning of the time of year we receive a lot of wind. We have had several very windy days recently. It is a good idea to call before you come out if you are planning to rent a boat.

The North entrance to the reservoir is open with a few limitations. Access to the reservoir for fishing at the north entrance is open but requires a strenuous 2 mile hike up and over a major hill. Caution is advised. The fishing platform can not open until the reservoir rises another 10 feet. See the CCWD web site for details. The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Check out some of the special events that are coming up this spring. Information is available on the CCWD web site.

PLEASE NOTE:
We are still giving out Whopper mugs. Our program has changed some so check with us at the marina. It takes a 5 lb trout to earn a mug, 12 lb striper, 12 lb catfish or a released 5 lb largemouth bass.

We have 2013 State of California Fishing Licenses for sale at the marina. Fish and Game has been checking fishing licenses so make such you have one for everyone 16 and over.

Los Vaqueros Marina Grand Opening Sat, April 20, 2013, gates open at 6:00 am

We will be having a "Grand Opening" which will include the following activities:

Fishing Derby with Prizes for Adults and children -1st thru 8th places awarded Tagged fish worth boat rentals and prizes 7,000 Pounds of Trout Planted Right Before Event

Kids' Learn-to-Fish Clinics
Bird Watchers' Morning Hike
Meeting the Live Critters of Los Vaqueros Learning How Archeologists Unlocked the Mysteries of the Area's Cultural History Enjoying Fishing and Picnicking at the Improved Marina Facilities
Trout Derby will run from 6:00am to 6:30pm. See the rules and prize list and check CCWD web site for more details.

TROUT
1,000 lbs of Trout from the Mt. Lassen Fish Hatchery were planted on Tuesday, April 16. The current plan is for Fish and Wildlife to plant 2,000 lbs of trout this Friday. We also anticipate planting 5,000 lbs of Lassen Trout this Friday.

Much of the South Cove will be closed to fishing on Thursday night until Saturday morning. Fishing for trout has been fair to excellent depending on who you talk to. There are multiple limits of trout caught every day. As always some anglers do very well while others may just catch a fish or two. The trout being caught average from a pound and a half to 2 lbs with fish up to 7 lbs. Trout fishing should really take off with all the trout being planted this week! Fishing from shore of the South Cove continues to be a good choice for trout but anglers are catching trout all along the open shoreline. The best way to catch trout from shore this time of year is with garlic power bait, orange mice tails or rainbow power bait. Garlic scent on any bait seems to help. It is important to use 2 - 3 feet of leader. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. Some anglers use Fluorocarbon leaders. There is no need for heavy weights. Short casts are often more productive than long casts. Some anglers float their baits under slip bobbers. Anglers also do well a couple days after plants throwing kastmasters, blue fox lures and a variety of other trout lures. A garlic scent on any bait seems to help.

Trolling continues an up and down affair. Excellent one day then fair the next. The best reports we are receiving are from anglers trolling a variety of Rapala's in Howden cove, off of points or in the East cove. Mix it up until you start catching fish. The fish are holding between 8 and 12 feet in 20 to 25 feet of water. Try different colors and sizes until you start catching fish. Rapala countdowns seem to be effective. Steel green, rainbow pattern and black and silver are good colors. A few anglers are trolling dodgers and nightcrawlers and catching fish. Fishing from boats with bait in the very back of the major coves has also been very good. Regulars are catching trout every time out. In the back of the East side of Howden cove has been especially good.

LARGEMOUTH BASS
We continue to see very few largemouth bass. The reservoir is full of excellent bass habitat so throwing a senko around trees and brush should produce some largemouth bass action. As the water warms the fishing should improve. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. Pressure on the largemouth bass has been very light.

STRIPER
Trolling for school size stripers from boats is fair to good. We see many school size stripers every week. Some are caught on Rapala's by anglers fishing for trout. Fishing for stripers from the shore is fair and there is always a chance at some keeper size fish. Fishing for school size stripers is clearly improving with 2 fish limits reported every day. Anchovies, sardines or shad should do the trick when bait fishing. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our fishery. We hope striper fishing will improve when our water warms back up a little. We have not seen any large striped bass caught recently.

CATFISH
Fishing for catfish is rated slow. Anchovies, liver and nightcrawlers all will catch catfish. The water is cold so the catfish are pretty lazy. Fish with as little weight as possible and watch for very soft bites. We did have a 21lb catfish caught last week. The big fish was caught on a piece of anchovy in Cowboy cove. Fishing for catfish will pick up as the water warms.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Open seven days a week 6:00am - 8:00pm
Boats are due in by 6:30pm.
These hours remain in effect through August.