After what we thought was an early spring, winter has returned with a vengeance. In fact, the fishing conditions have completely changed in less than a week. Last week the water in Clear Lake was crystal clear and you could see down to depths of more than 10 feet. The rains came and the water clarity is now what Clear Lake fishermen are used to. The lake level also continues to rise and could reach 7 feet on the Rumsey Gauge by next week.
Prior to the recent storm the bass fishing was improving. On Sunday, the water temperature got as high as 52 degrees and the fish became more active. Anglers Choice held a team tournament and 11 out of 14 teams weighed in limits. The winning weight was 27.59 pounds and it took 25.43 pounds to get a check. The average weight of all the fish caught was an incredible 4.6 pounds.
Swimbaits, jerkbaits and plastic worms were the top lures in the tournament. Fishermen said they caught their fish in both the north and south ends of the lake. Several fishermen reported seeing bass in the shallows near the tules in the north end. Normally the bass will start to stage for spawning by late February. They can actually spawn as early as mid-March depending on the water temperature.
With muddy water now pouring into the lake the fishing will tighten up. However, within a week the conditions should improve considerably. The water temperature has also dropped. On Thursday morning, the surface temperature at Library Park in Lakeport was a chilly 46 degrees.
Two bass tournaments are scheduled this weekend. On Saturday, WONBASS will hold a team tournament. On Sunday, American Bass will also host a team event. Both tournaments go out of Konocti Vista Casino and the weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m.
The sign-ups for the Holder Ford-Mercury tournament, scheduled for March 12-13, currently stand at 41 boats, which is about the same as last year at this time.
Catfish action has improved slightly and should get even better with the muddy water. The best action has been in the south end near Cache Creek and Rattlesnake Island. The problem has been more a lack of fishermen than fish. Whereas at one time Clear Lake was one of the more popular catfish lakes in the state, the number of fishermen out after them has dropped dramatically in recent years.
Several people have asked where they can fish for both bass and catfish from shore. The public docks at Library Park in Lakeport, Lakeside County Park, Redbud Park in Clearlake as well as the docks at the boat ramp in Lucerne all off very good fishing opportunities.
No local waters were stocked with trout this week. At Upper Blue Lake, the trout action is rated fair with trollers getting most of the fish. Bass fishing continues to improve.
According to a DFG press release, a bear poaching conviction has landed a Novato man in state prison for two years. Wayne Richard Barsch, 49, was already a two-strike felon when sentenced Feb. 4 by Glenn County Judge John Tiernan. Barsch also faces an as-yet-undermined fine and his hunting and fishing privileges have been revoked for life.
Warden Mike Beals encountered Barsch in rural Glenn County in December. Beals was on a routine patrol when he found Barsch and his two hunting partners attempting to process a bear they had killed at least a day earlier. The terrain near the kill site was extremely rugged and Barsch was having difficulty transporting the carcass and equipment back to his truck.
A check through DFG dispatch revealed Barsch was a convicted felon and had a restraining order against him, either of which would prevent him from being in possession of any firearm. Barsch also was in possession of .45-caliber handgun, a bear head, four bear paws and the bear gall bladder, but only 15 pounds of bear meat (far less than what would be expected to come from a 200-pound carcass). It is a crime in California to waste meat from any game animal. Barsch also had failed to tag the bear after killing it.
Since Barsch was on searchable probation, seven wardens went to his residence. In his freezer they found another bear gall bladder, five bear paws and a bear head as well as meat from a female deer that was possibly taken unlawfully.
Barsch will serve at least 85 percent of the two-year prison sentence handed down last week. Because he is a two-strike felon, the courts may add to his prison sentence.
