The only thing that will slow down the fishing on Clear Lake this weekend is the weather. The bass fishing has been nothing short of spectacular all week, with daily catches of 20-40 fish being common.
The only negative is a lack of fishermen. A good example was Wednesday when a check of the public boat ramps revealed one boat trailer at Lakeside County Park, two trailers at the State Park, and two at the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport. The few fishermen out on the lake reported catching a lot of bass, but they didn’t see another boat all day.
The fishing in the north end of the lake has turned on. Most of the bass are holding tight to the docks. A plastic worm rigged drop-shot style or a Senko rigged wacky style pitched beneath the dock draws an immediate strike. Some of the docks are producing five or even 10 fish. A few fishermen have been successful casting crankbaits such as an LV500 or a square-billed crankbait.
The bass are ranging in size from 1 pound to about 4 pounds. Gary Hill of Kelseyville reeled in a 10-pounder earlier this week while fishing from his float tube at Henderson Point.
Even the bank fishermen are enjoying good fishing. On Monday a pair of anglers fishing from the docks at Library Park in Lakeport caught 10 bass. Bass are also being caught from shore at Lakeside County Park as well as from the docks at the Lucerne ramp.
One reason for the improved fishing is the color of water is improving daily and is now a greenish tint instead of a dark brown. The water temperature has also dropped to about 65 degrees, which has triggered the bass into biting. Yolo County has stopped drawing water from Clear Lake and the lake level is nearly a foot higher than last year.
One fisherman that has been targeting bluegill and catfish is Fred Williams of Kelseyville. Earlier this week he loaded up on catfish and bluegill while fishing near Shag Rock. He was using nightcrawlers.
Trout fishermen are finding success while fishing on the East Brach of the Russian River in Potter Valley. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) stocked the stream last week and limits have been common. Power Bait or small crankbaits have been taking most of the fish. The stream closes Nov. 15.
Upper Blue Lake also was stocked last week and is worth a try. Most of the successful anglers have been trolling. The bass fishing is also rated as good. There have been few anglers on the lake.
Indian Valley Reservoir is still providing excellent bass action and the occasional trout. The lake is in excellent condition but the ramp and campground at the dam close for the winter on Nov. 13.
Lake Mendocino continues to be good for bass. A mixture of largemouth and smallmouth bass are being caught.
Quail hunting in the Mendocino National Forest has been good for the few hunters after them. The better areas have been Pine Mountain, Horse Mountain and the area around Lake Pillsbury. The number of hunters in California continues to drop. This is especially true among the younger crowd.
Duck hunting on the lake has been fair. Most of the hunters are happy with four or five ducks. The refuges in the Sacramento Valley are averaging about two birds per hunter.
