There are plenty of rumors circulating about when and under what conditions Clear Lake will be reopened for boating and fishing. There is also controversy surrounding how much water is being released by Yolo County to lower the lake level.
All these rumors and other questions about the lake will be addressed by the Lake County Water Resources Department during a public workshop Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport. Use the side door to gain access to the courthouse. The meeting can also be viewed via live stream on the county’s OES Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyOES/.
The purpose of the meeting is to gather public comment and input on the recent series of urgency ordinances related to boating on Clear Lake during the flood emergency and what a permanent ordinance should address.
Water Resources also will present information on the current status of Clear Lake in terms of lake levels, dam discharges and the effect of foreseeable precipitation and how long before we might see a return to more normal lake levels.
For more information contact the Water Resources Department at 263-2344.
The public workshop is an ideal opportunity for people to learn more about the impacts of the flood and when fishermen can get back out on the lake. Many of these fishermen are planning on competing in bass tournaments during March and April. These tournaments could be rescheduled or even canceled depending on the decisions of county officials.
On Saturday, bird enthusiasts have the opportunity learn about one of Lake County’s favorite birds, the Western and Clarke’s grebes. The meeting take place at the Lakeport branch of the Lake County Library, located at 1425 N. High St. in Lakeport, and starts at 2 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and there is no fee to attend. The meeting is conducted by Redbud Audubon Society.
The grebes breed by the thousands on Clear Lake and they are one of the most colorful birds on the lake to watch. In fact, a few years ago it was estimated that more than 50,000 grebes nested on Clear Lake.
On the fishing scene, just about all the action is limited to bank fishermen because the lake is off-limits to all motorized boats. Only canoes and kayaks can be used. The fishermen are catching crappie and bluegill with the occasional bass. One of the better areas for the bank fishermen is Holiday Harbor in Nice. Crappie and bluegill are also being caught off the bank at the Lucerne boat ramp and off the docks at Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven. A few fishermen have been hiking into Clear Lake State Park to fish for crappie. The park itself is closed to all vehicles because of flooding. Several fishermen report catching small bass by using a kayak. The water clarity at Henderson Point and in Soda Bay is starting to clear up.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is working hard to secure new dates for its annual team bass tournament. The tournament was originally scheduled for March 18-19 but it’s doubtful the lake will be below flood stage by then.
