Go south is still the word for bass fishermen at Clear Lake. The water color in the north end of the lake is like coffee and the fishing has slowed to a halt. A few fishermen are picking up an occasional bass while fishing from the docks at Library Park in Lakeport and at Lakeside County Park, but that’s about it. Most of the guides and recreational fishermen are fishing from the Narrows down to either Redbud Park or Rattlesnake Island.
Guide Bob Myskey had a pair of Sacramento clients catch 15 bass on Wednesday. The best five had a combined weight of 25 pounds. Myskey said they fished the south end of the lake and caught all their fish by drop-shotting a plastic worm in 10-20 feet of water.
A few fishermen are catching bass on topwater lures late in the evening and after daylight. They are working the edges of the remaining weed mats. Gary Hill of Kelseyville has been catching from eight to 15 bass in the evenings fishing near Henderson Point. He has been using either live nightcrawlers rigged on a drop-shot or topwater lures.
Bob’s Marine of Modesto is holding its annual team bass tournament Sept. 12-13 at Clear Lake. The tournament is running out of Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport and is open to everyone. The entry fee is $200 per team. The popular tournament normally draws about 120 boats.
Catfish action is rated from fair to good. The best action is from Henderson Point to Shag Rock. Catfish are also being caught near Rattlesnake Island. The only problem is a lack of fishermen. On any given day there have been only a few fishermen out on the lake.
Fishermen are reminded that the Lakeport Yacht Club’s annual catfish derby is Aug. 28-30. The entry fee is $50 per adult and $15 per child younger than 16. The deadline to enter is 9 p.m. on Aug. 28. There will be cash and other prizes. Call 279-1974 for more information.
Crappie action has been very slow and most of the fish being caught are juveniles. This is normally a good time of year to catch them off the docks at Indian Beach Resort and along the Glenhaven Beach area. This year it has been very slow.
Trout fishing is rated from fair to good. The East Branch of the Russian River is giving up a few trout for the persistent angler, but be prepared to spend a lot of time on the water for only a few fish. At Upper Blue Lake, the trout action has been good for those trolling the middle of the lake. A few fishermen are having success fishing from shore near the Narrows. Both bodies of water are scheduled to be stocked next week. Bass action at Upper and Lower Blue Lakes is rated as very good.
Bass action at Highland Springs has been excellent for fishermen casting topwater lures. Senkos and drop-shotting a plastic worm also have been successful.
To date the Zone A deer hunters are doing well on private land but it’s been tough on public land. Local meat processor Larry Poff of Kelseyville said he has processed 50 deer in his shop to date. He said most of the deer are coming off private property and they are in excellent condition. One reason for the high success rate could be the bucks are on the move looking for water sources, which makes them more vulnerable to the hunters. Poff can be reached at 349-6800.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) still has the Cache Creek Wildlife Area closed to hunting because of the Rocky Fire. The area around Indian Valley Reservoir and Walker Ridge is open. The entire Mendocino National Forest is also open as is the Cow Mountain Recreation Area.
