GENERAL CONDITIONS
We continue to experience some very good to excellent winter fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is at 113,100 acre feet. The water level has stabilized. The water temperature is currently at 58 degrees. Our water clarity continues to be good. Even with the rain, the intrepid anglers daring the weather continue to catch a lot of fish.

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


TROUT
Fishing for trout has picked up with the cooler weather and regular trout plants. They are being caught in South Cove, Oak Point as well as around the lake. Peninsula, Howden, Cox and Cowboy coves all have reported trout. The baits of choice for shore anglers is garlic scented PowerBaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. Light tackle is important for catching trout with 4-6 pound test being plenty.

There was another Lassen plant of 1000 pounds of trout on Monday, Dec. 29th. There wer also two DFW plants of 1000 pounds each on Dec. 16th and again on the 30th. We will be planting once a week for the foreseeable future. Limits and large fish are coming out of the lake all over.

Fishing near the Marina has been picking up with a 5.61 pound trout caught on a Kastmaster. Many limits of trout have been seen as well as a lot of anglers catching just a couple of fish. Boating anglers are catching trout on bait and by casting lures in the major coves. Some trout are being caught in Cox and Peninsula Coves. Use a bobber or very small weights. Trolling small Rapalas has been reported as doing well. 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. There were plenty of limits of regular sized fish seen from both shore and boats. Anglers are catching fish scattered along the shore with the South Cove reporting the most fish as many anglers are choosing that cove.


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. Some largemouth have been seen and reported being caught from boats. 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
Striper fishing has slowed with the cooling water but fish continue to be caught. Some limits of 18-24 inch fish are being caught both off the shore and from boats with the fishing pier by the Marina being a popular location. Trolling lures using everything from Rat-l-traps to bombers to super spooks seems to be working. From shore, cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice or casting super spooks reporting good success. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We are continuing to see a significant number of 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
Due to the cooler water temperature catfish has slowed significantly. A 12.93 pound catfish was caught in Peninsula Cove on anchovy. For those wishing to target catfish, anchovy continues to be the best choice of bait. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).