We continue to experience some very good to excellent summer fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is around 129,750 acre feet, or 81 percent of capacity. The water district stopped pumping water as of May 20. The reservoir should remain stable for a bit and then a slow draw down as water is needed. With the cooler weather, water temperature cooled slightly and is currently 64 degrees. Our water clarity continues to be good on most days.

We are planning a 1,000 pound trout plant this week, and expect to plant catfish in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Are you a Contra Costa Water District ratepayer? If so, you can join the Ratepayer's Club and receive discounts on boat rentals, and a free boat rental starting in August. To sign up, bring your water bill and a photo ID to the Marina. Look here for more information.

The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.
All trail closures for Golden Eagles that could have affected anglers have been lifted.

We're open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with boats due back at 6:30 p.m.
We recommend calling (925) 371-2628 for up-to-date weather and availability information if you plan to rent a boat.


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. There will be a 1000 lb trout plant this week. Garlic scented power baits in rainbow or 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. PowerBait has done especially well this last week in South Cove with several 5+ pounders and a steady stream of 1??+ fish being caught.

Trolling for trout has done better with the winds cooperating more. When trolling, anglers continue to report catching trout in the backs of Howden and Peninsula coves. Anglers trolling will catch trout on a variety of lures including Kastmasters, Luhr Jensen Kwikfish, Roostertails, Rapalas, and Thomas Buoyants. Smaller Rapalas dipped in scent seem to be doing the best.

Boating anglers are 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 PowerBait 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. A number of 5+ 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 many 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 as long as the water temperature cooperates.


LARGEMOUTH BASS
Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. Some anglers have been working the shore around structure and several bass have been caught and released. 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
Once again 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 is the bait of choice. 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
When warm weather returns, 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. With the bass, take a picture of your bass before you return it to the reservoir. We preach catch and release. No mugs will be given out for dead largemouth bass brought to the Marina.

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 years and over. We suggest taking advantage of the second rod stamp that is available.