We continue to experience some very good to excellent spring fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The reservoir is currently storing about 129,000 acre feet of water and will continue to rise for a few more weeks. The water temperature is currently 61 degrees. Our water clarity continues to be good on most days.


An 11.53 pound trout was caught in South Cove using Corn Powerbait. A number of 8+ pound fish still continue to be brought into the Marina along with plenty of limits of regular sized fish.


The fishing area near the dam remains closed due to the construction of a new stairway that will improve shoreline access for anglers. Construction is nearly complete, but the re-opening of this area has been moved back until early May.


The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.


TROUT
Fishing for trout continues to be very good for anglers fishing with bait and lures in the South and Cowboy coves. Trout average a pound and a half but range up to over 7 lbs. Limits have been common for skilled anglers. 1000 pounds of trout from Lassen were planted last week. There will be a plant from Lassen sometime next week. Garlic scented Power Bait in rainbow and chartreuse, orange or white Mice Tails and nightcrawlers continue to be good choices. 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. Throwing lures from shore is doing well with anything from Kastmasters to Crocodiles, mostly in silver, silver-blue and gold patterns. Kastmasters have done especially well this last week in South Cove with several 8+ pound fish being caught.

Trolling for trout has been slow as the winds have been blowing and few anglers have been out on boats. When trolling, anglers continue to report catching trout in the backs of Howden and Peninsula coves. Coating the lures with scent seems to help. Fish are being caught about 5-7 feet down in 15-20 feet of water. Anglers trolling will catch trout on a variety of lures including Kastmasters, Luhr Jensen Kwikfish, Roostertails, rebels, Rapalas, and Thomas Buoyants. Smaller Rapalas dipped in scent seem to be doing the best.

Boating anglers seem to be doing better catching trout on bait and by casting lures in the major coves. Limits of trout are being caught in Howden, Cowboy and Peninsula 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 suggest moving every half hour or so until you find some feeding fish. An 11.53 pound trout was caught in South Cove using Corn Powerbait. A number of 8+ pound fish still continue to be brought into the Marina along with plenty of limits of regular sized fish. Many anglers are catching fish all along the shore with the South Cove reporting the most fish as most anglers are choosing that cove. Oak Point as well as just past the Rock Wall are producing plenty of trout. We anticipate regular trout plants to continue through the spring.


LARGEMOUTH BASS
Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. Some angles have been working the shore around structure and several bass have been caught and released. A 6+ pound fish was caught and released from the ADA dock by the Marina. 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. The reservoir is now full of excellent habitat for the bass so we anticipate this fishery to improve over the coming years.


STRIPERS
This week continued to see more limits of stripers coming out of the lake. Limits of 18-24 inch fish are being seen being caught both off the shore and from boats. Cut anchovies or shad will do the trick when bait fishing. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We continue to see some under size fish being caught and released. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery.


CATFISH
No catfish were reported this week. With the warmer weather and warming water temperatures we hope to see an increase in catfish being caught. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).


GENERAL
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 Don't forget to pick up your 2014 State of California Fishing Licenses on sale at the marina. Fish and Wildlife has been checking fishing licenses so make sure you have one for everyone 16 and over. We suggest taking advantage of the second rod stamp that is available.