Clear Lake will be a busy place this weekend. The lake is finally open to boating and fishing and fishermen are already streaming into the county. The only boat ramps currently open are the ones at Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport and Braito’s Marine. On Wednesday afternoon I counted 20 bass boat trailers in the casino parking lot. The fee to launch at the casino is $10, however it is free for those who are staying at the Vista Motel
At the rate the lake level is falling other ramps around the lake should start to re-open within a week. As of Thursday morning the lake level was falling at about an inch a day.
Despite the high lake level the fishing conditions have been very good. In many areas the water clarity is good and the water temperatures are holding from 48-52 degrees. The good news is that the tules are flooded and the bass are moving into them for the pre-spawn. Several fishermen reported catching up to 20 bass Wednesday, including one 11-pounder taken. The top lures are crankbaits, plastic worms rigged splitshot style and a plastic worm (drop-shotting). Live minnows also have been effective
Many of the fishermen on the lake this weekend will be prefishing for the Wild West Bass Trail (WWBT) scheduled for March 11. The tournament is a one-day team event and should draw from 150-200 boats. The WWBT is owned by veteran tournament fisherman Gary Dobyns and this circuit is by far the most popular in California. The entry fee is $335 per team and competing fishermen are reminded that the lake is off-limits from Monday through Friday.
As it now stands, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce team tournament scheduled for March 18-19 is still a go. Originally it appeared as though the tournament would have to be rescheduled because of lake flooding. Now that the lake is open again and the lake level is dropping, the tournament should go off as scheduled. It is the 30th anniversary of this popular tournament. The entry fee is $200 per team and includes the big-fish option. Entry forms are available at all the local tackle shops and can also be downloaded off the chamber website.
Fishermen out on the lake need to use extreme care not to create wakes that could damage docks and lakeside homes. They also need to keep an eye out for floating debris. In other words, keep the speed down and be sure you don’t run over a log or other floating materials. Be sure you’re wearing some sort of personal flotation device at all times.
What is surprising is how good the crappie and bluegill fishing has been for shore anglers. Dozens of fishermen have been hiking into Clear Lake State and loading up on crappie. Bluegill also have been hitting at Henderson Point. Gary Hill of Kelseyville has been fishing the Henderson Point area on his float tube and has been catching and releasing dozens of large bluegills using nightcrawlers for bait. Lakeside County Park remains closed. The entire park is flooded but could open within a couple weeks.
Upper Blue Lake is still muddy but it’s slowly clearing. The fishing pressure has been nil although a few fishermen are going after bass. The lake isn’t scheduled to be stocked with trout in the next few weeks.
