Wild weather will greet fishermen at Clear Lake this weekend. The lake level is forecast to reach the full mark (7.56 feet on the Rumsey Gauge) by Sunday and water is already being released from the Cache Creek Dam to reduce the threat of flooding.
Normally this weekend would see dozens of fishermen out prefishing for the upcoming Lake County Chamber of Commerce/Konocti Vista Casino annual Clear Lake Team Tournament scheduled for March 19-20 and the three-day WONBASS Pro/Am tournament scheduled for March 23. Despite the bad weather, a few fishermen will still venture out looking to locate fish for both tournaments. Fifty teams are currently signed up for the Clear Lake Team Tournament. Last year more than 50 teams signed up on the day before the tournament opened, which resulted in a field of 110 boats.
Prior to the storms hitting this week the bass fishing was nothing short of phenomenal. Most of the fishermen were having little trouble catching from 15-40 bass a day. Just about every location on the lake was producing bass and some of them weighed as much as 9 pounds.
The task for the fishermen this weekend is to find semi-clear water because all the creeks are pouring muddy water into the lake. The south end of the lake should provide the best action. A lot of fishermen will be flipping jigs and Brush Hogs back into the flooded tules. The bass are definitely moving into the shallow water in preparation for spawning.
Crappie action is red-hot throughout most of the lake and one of the better areas is the Clear Lake State Park. Several fishermen are estimating more than 500 crappie are being caught each day in the park. There is a concern that too many crappie are being caught and kept. The daily limit is 25 and that is also the possession limit. A number of fishermen are asking the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reduce the daily limit on crappie to no more than 10. Crappie are also being caught at Lakeside County Park as well as at Shag Rock and Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven.
A few fishermen have been targeting catfish at the mouths of the streams and are doing well. The catfish are ranging in size from 5-15 pounds and the top bait is nightcrawlers.
Upper Blue Lake is scheduled to be stocked with trout next week and the fishing has been good. The fishing pressure has been extremely light. Lake Pillsbury is scheduled to receive its first stocking of trout next week. A number of fishermen have been asking about Indian Valley Reservoir. The ramp and campgrounds at the dam are still closed because of low water. A spokeswoman for the Yolo County Water District said the plan is to reopen the area when the lake begins filling up.
The spring wild turkey season opens in two weeks (March 26) and hunters should be out locating a hunting spot. The toms are already strutting and chasing hens, Often a property owner will allow you to hunt on his/her land if you approach them properly. Be polite and even offer to help do some work around their place. One tactic I have used successfully is to give a gift certificate from a local restaurant to the landowner after he allows you to hunt. It’s a way to show your appreciation and often results in an invitation to return the following year.
There is no question that one of the best turkey calls is the box call and one of the best brands is the Paul Meek call. ETicket Tackle Shop in Lakeport carries the call.
