GENERAL CONDITIONS
We continue to have some very good to excellent fall fishing. As the water continues to cool the fishing continues to improve. Trout, Striped Bass and Largemouth Bass are all active. The water level is now 132,500 acre feet. We anticipate the water level to remain stable for the rest of October. Our water temperature is 64-65 degrees depending on wind conditions and air temperature.
A few Rattlesnakes remain active so caution is advised. Watch where you are walking, stay out of high grass and stay out of rocky areas. Never try to pick one up or kill one.

We are now seeing tarantula's walking around. Please leave them alone and they will leave you alone. They are pretty amazing to watch. We are still in the fire season so extreme caution with any fire sources is required. We do close barbeques on extreme fire danger days. The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturday's and Sunday's.

During October we close at 6PM and boats are due in by 4:30 PM. We continue to open at 7AM

TROUT
Fishing for trout has been very good for anglers fishing with bait in South Cove. Trout average a pound and a half but range up to 5 lbs. Limits have been common for skilled anglers. 2000 lbs of trout went into the reservoir on Wednesday 9-25. These fish averaged about 1.5 lbs and ranged up to 7 lbs. We planted another 1000 lbs of trout on Monday 9-30. We planted 2000 more lbs of Mt. Lassen trout on Wednesday 10-9. Fish and Wildlife planted 4500 lbs of 1 lb trout on Tuesday 10-15! That is nearly 10,000 lbs of trout in less than a month. We plan to plant another 1000 lbs of Lassen trout at the end of this week. Garlic power bait in rainbow, chartreuse power bait, orange mice tails and nightcrawlers are all good choices. A few anglers have been fishing nightcrawlers under slip bobbers and having success. Garlic scent on any bait seems to help. It is important to use 3- 4 feet of leader. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. There is no need for heavy weights. Vary your casting length; most of the time shorter casts are better than longer ones. Trolling for trout continues to improve but is still rated only fair. Anglers trolling a variety of lures off of points and in the mouths of major coves are catching trout. Vary your depths until you start catching fish. Anglers trolling will catch trout on a variety of lures including kastmasters, roostertails, rebels, rapalas, and Thomas Buoyant.

Boating anglers are also beginning to catch trout on bait in the major coves. Anglers report catching limits in 8 to 12 feet of water in the very backs of Howden and Cox coves. Use a bobber or very small weights. Nightcrawlers or power bait is the way to go. There is no need for line heavier than 6 lb test.

We anticipate some great fishing in coming weeks. Save some dates now and don't miss what should be some really fun fishing. We anticipate very frequent trout plants to continue through the fall and winter.

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. One angler reported catching 4 bass in the 2 to 3 lb range. He was fishing in Cox cove. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. The reservoir is now full of excellent habitat for the bass so we anticipate this fishery to improve over the coming years.

STRIPER
Stripers continue chasing schools of bait fish all over the reservoir and trolling for stripers is now rated very good. Many anglers reported catching limits of small stripers trolling in Cowboy Cove and Peninsula Cove. These anglers were using shad raps, rattletraps and other lures with shad patterns. When you find the stripers chasing the bait fish stay with the action as long as you can. Cast to the edges of the school and try not to spook the fish.

Currently fishing for stripers with bait is an up and down affair with some anglers catching limits of 18 to 23 inch fish. Cut anchovies or shad will do the trick when bait fishing. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We continue to see many under size fish being caught and released. Sometimes anglers catch dozens of small fish from 8 to 17 inches. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery.

SALMON
No salmon were reported this week.

CATFISH
No catfish were reported this week. As the water cools we anticipate seeing the catfish action continue to slow down. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).

GENERAL INFORMATION
We are still giving out Whopper mugs. 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 Wildlife has been checking fishing licenses so make such you have one for everyone 16 and over. We suggest taking advantage of the second rod stamp that is available.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Hours for October are 7AM to 6PM with boats due in by 4:30 PM. In November we begin to close at 5 PM with boats in by 3:30 PM

We encourage all anglers to report their stories, comments, or concerns to the Marina. Or, email csenti@calparksco.com. Thanks again for choosing Los Vaqueros Reservoir as your recreation destination.