By Terry Knight
Trout take the spotlight this weekend as the stream trout season opens on Saturday. One of the more popular local streams for trout fishing is the East Branch of the Russian River, located in Potter Valley just upstream of Lake Mendocino.
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) stocked the stream with trout on Thursday and they will stock it again next week.
The only downside will be the number of fishermen. Traditionally the opening weekend draws a large crowd of anglers. The good news is that the DFG stocks the stream several times a month throughout the summer. To reach the fishing area, take the Lake Pillsbury Road off Highway 20. There are a number of places you can park and walk down to the stream.
Most of the trout fishermen will be using either salmon eggs or nightcrawlers and work the deeper pools. Mepps spinners are also very effective.
On the local bass fishing scene, the action was rated good last week but the cold blustery weather this week slowed the action. That should all change by the weekend if the water warms up and the bass move into the shallows. Actually, this could be one of the best weekends in months. After weeks of colder than normal weather the forecast for the weekend is for temperatures to be in the mid to high 70s and the bass are moving into the shallows to spawn. The ideal water temperature for bass to spawn is 65 degrees. To date there have only been a few days when the water temperatures have reached that number.
Overall the bass fishing is rated from fair to good. Some of the better fishermen report catching from 20-30 fish per day but for the average angler a good day is 10 fish. The more successful fishermen are going deep into the tules and flipping jigs or drop-shotting a plastic worm. The local fishing guides report their clients are averaging about 20 fish per day and they are using live jumbo minnows. Both the north and south ends of the lake are producing fish.
The Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven annual catfish derby is only two weeks away, the derby dates are May 13, 14, 15, and fishermen are already prefishing for the popular event. The sponsors of the derby are hoping the turnout this year will be as large as last year”s derby where a record 633 fishermen competed in the three day event. The winning catfish last year weighed 24.55 pounds. This year the winner will take home a cash prize of $4,000. The entry fee is $40 per adult and entry forms can be downloaded at www.clearlakeoaks.org.
Ken Taddie of the Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven reports that large crappie are being caught off the docks at the resort. Crappie jigs and live minnows are taking most of the crappie, Catfish action has also been good at the resort.
Upper Blue Lake continues to provide good trout action. Trollers are taking most of the fish, however bank fishermen have also been successful. Bass fishing has also been good for the few anglers out on the lake.
Turkey hunters close out their spring season on Sunday (archers and junior hunters can hunt until May 15). Despite the fact there are turkeys everywhere around the homes in Lake County, the hunters who have been chasing the birds on public land have been struggling. One reason has been the lousy weather. The cold rains have slowed the breeding season, although a good number of hens are now sitting on their nests.
For those that don”t plan on fishing or hunting an excellent alternative is the Heron Festival. The headquarters for the festival is the Clear Lake State Park and with the exception of the pontoon boat rides the rest is all free including admission into the park.. There will be nature hikes and lectures by experts on birds and other wildlife that reside in the county. The hours for the festival are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
