Clear Lake has taken a pounding from bass fishermen during the past week. No sooner had the B.A.S.S. College Series ended on Sunday than the B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional championship three-day tournament got underway Wednesday with 66 boats.
The good news is that despite the intense fishing pressure, fishing around the lake has remained steady and should actually improve by the weekend. The mercury is forecast to reach 75 degrees by the weekend, which should push the water temperature to more than 60 degrees. That will trigger the spawn. In fact, the tournament fishermen reported seeing a number of bass on the spawning beds. Several fishermen also reported catching bass by sight fishing.
Drop-shotting a plastic worm in the shallows and beneath the docks continues to produce good numbers of fish. Another lure that has been very good is the shaky head jig rigged with what is called a “Trick” worm. This can be a deadly combination for spawning fish. Spinnerbaits as well as jigs also have been very effective.
One of the better areas has been in the Clearlake Oaks Keys where fishermen report catching 10-15 fish per day. The tule shoreline at Lakeside County Park is also producing good numbers of bass. In fact, bass are being caught off the docks at Lakeside County Park. Corinthian Bay is another good spot as is the state park. Rodman Slough has been effective for those flipping jigs in the flooded brush and trees.
Most of the local fishing guides say the best fishing for their clients continues to be with jumbo minnows. The guides report their clients have been having little trouble catching 15-25 fish per day.
Reports coming out of the south end of the lake indicate the catfish are starting to bite. Some of the catfish being caught have been huge, weighing in the 15- to 20-pound class. This could be a good indicator of what the fishing will be like during the upcoming Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Catfish Derby scheduled for May 17-19.
Crappie action is still a little slow but improving. Several fishermen report catching crappie around the docks in the Lakeport area. Shag Rock is also giving a few crappie as is Kono Tayee.
Lake Pillsbury is scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. The lake level is at 80 percent and the boat ramp at Fuller Grove is open. The county road into the lake from Potter Valley is in excellent condition. This would be a great weekend getaway and you can fish for trout or bass. As a bonus you will see elk grazing along the shoreline.
If you have a small cartop boat or a float tube, then Indian Valley Reservoir is definitely worth a try. Bass and catfish are there in large numbers and some of the best action is near the dam. There have been no reports of any trout being caught. The best part is that you will have the lake to yourself.
Upper Blue Lake was scheduled to be stocked with trout this week and there is also a good population of holdover trout from previous stockings, which means that limits should be easy this weekend. The 25th annual Blue Lakes Trout Derby is scheduled for April 27-28 and the fishing hours are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 28. The entry fee is $8 per person and $4 for children younger than 16. The top prize is $150, second place is $75 and third place is $50. Call the Narrows Resort at 275-2718 for more information.
Lake Mendocino is scheduled to be stocked with trout next week. The lake was also stocked last week and the best trout action has been near the dam. Bass are also biting and even an occasional striped bass is being caught.
Turkey hunting is moving into high gear. The hens are starting to sit on their eggs and the toms are on the move. I hunted the Mendocino National Forest on Thursday and worked three different toms, but they wouldn”t come close enough for a shot. Hunters are also being warned to be on the alert for illegal marijuana gardens. The planting season is about to start and stumbling on a garden can have dangerous consequences.
