Clear Lake is at flood stage, docks have been destroyed, streets flooded and boat ramps closed. Lake County residents are seeing it all. The big question is when will Clear Lake”s level returned to normal, which is about 7.56 feet on the Rumsey Gauge for April.
In 1998, the last time the lake reached flood stage, it took four weeks for the lake level to recede from 11.4 feet to 8 feet. With the dam gates wide open and no water flowing into the lake the level drops about 2-3 inches per day. At that rate, it will take at least nine days for the level to drop to 8 feet and two weeks for it to drop to 7.56 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, which is considered full.
From all indications the lake won”t reach the flood level of 1998 — it was holding at 9.4 feet on Monday. Of course, this all assumes there will be no more significant rainfall. One storm could change all that dramatically. When the ground is saturated as it is now, for every inch of rainfall the lake will rise five inches.
There is some good news with all this water. The fish are enjoying some of the best spawning conditions in years. The tules are all flooded and the bass will have their spawning beds protected from natural predators and fishermen. That”s what happened in 1998. There was an excellent spawn that year and the fishing was nothing short of outstanding for several years after the flood. The same should happen in the next three years.
It typically takes a bass two years to reach 10-12 inches in length. Most bass weigh from 1-2 pounds after three years. Growth can occur faster if there is an excess of forage. Like all wild animals, the rate of growth for fish is dependent on the food source. With all the inflows into the lake there are tons of nutrients being washed in and these nutrients should supply an excellent plankton source for the juvenile fish. In fact, we could see a resurgence of the threadfin shad and silverside minnows. There should also be an abundance of crawfish and insects. In other words, the fish will have a smorgasbord to feed on.
The fishing tactics will also change. Whereas a few weeks ago the water was gin clear and fishermen were having success casting swimbaits, the top choice in the coming weeks will be flipping a jig back in the tules and around the flooded trees. For example, the flooded trees just south of Nice always hold fish when there is high water. Once the water clears, Rodman Slough should provide excellent fishing opportunities.
High water not only benefits the bass, but the crappie, bluegill and catfish should also have ideal spawning conditions. The crappie population has been down considerably the past two years, however, a successful spawn should change all that.
County officials say the county public ramps will stay closed until the lake level recedes to 8 feet on the Rumsey Gauge. In all likelihood they will open the ramps when the flood danger passes. Several ramps will stay open. The Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport remains open but the Third Street ramp is closed. The ramp at Konocti Vista Casino is open and boats can be launched with no problem. In fact, a bass tournament went out of the casino Sunday and the fishermen had no trouble launching their boats.
According to Dave Majestic of Konocti Vista Casino, there will be no fee charged to launch at the casino. Majestic said the casino wants to accommodate fishermen and boaters. Redbud Park”s ramp also was open as of Monday although you have to wade out to the dock to board your boat. The big danger for boaters is the floating debris in the lake. Several fishermen have reported seeing logs, trees and parts of docks out in the middle of the lake. Common sense says that no boater should go faster than 30 mph — and much slower when near the shoreline and docks ? until the lake settles down.
