Clear Lake will be crowded with fishermen this weekend as the Wild West Bass Trail (WWBT) team tournament gets underway Saturday. It’s one of the more popular tournaments held on Clear Lake and is expected to draw approximately 150 boats. The one-day tournament operates out of the Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport with the weigh-in starting at 3 p.m.
Most of the fishermen are predicting it will take at least 30 pounds for a five-fish limit to win the tournament. Just about every team should bring in a limit and there should be a number of big bass being weighed in.
The more successful fishermen are casting the smaller swimbaits such as the Keitech and making a steady retrieve. Dropshotting a plastic worm or Brush Hog also has been successful. As always, a Senko continues to be one of the top lures. A few fishermen are finding success casting a plastic frog to the small weed mats lining the shore. The good news is both the north and south ends of the lake are producing decent numbers of bass. Some of the more productive areas have been Rocky Point, the shoreline from Long Tule Point to the State Park and the Nice-Lucerne shoreline. Henderson Point is another good area as are the waters around Lakeside County Park.
Fishermen report seeing a number of bass moving onto their spawning beds. It’s mostly the males that have been staging but the larger females should also start to stage this week as the water temperature warms up.
Crappie action continues to be very good throughout the lake. Most of the fishermen are having little trouble bagging a limit. Fishermen are reminded that the daily limit and possession is 25. The game wardens have been checking fishermen and have issued several citations for over-limits.
The Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Catfish Derby is scheduled for May 18-20. The derby is expected draw at least 1,000 fishermen. The entry fee is $40 for an adult and $10 for children age 15 and younger.
Trout action
Trout action has been very good at the East Branch of the Russian River. Catching a limit has been easy, the only problem is the fish have been small, most being only 10 inches in length. The river is scheduled to be stocked again next week.
Other lakes
Upper Blue Lake was stocked last week and the fishing has been very good. Trollers have been catching most of the trout but bank fishermen have been scoring as well.
An excellent choice for the weekend is Indian Valley Reservoir. Gary Hill and David Burruss of Kelseyville fished the lake Tuesday and caught a ton of bass along with some kokanee. They fished from a float tube and kayak and Hill said the action was nonstop for bass. Topwater lures were the hot bait. They launched from the north end. The lake is full and in excellent condition.
Lake Pillsbury is also producing some good-sized bass along with trout. The lake is full and the best route into the lake is by Potter Valley.
Lake Mendocino was stocked with trout last week and fishermen have been catching them by trolling at a depth of 15-20 feet.
Turkey season
The spring wild turkey season closes Sunday while archers can hunt until May 20. Overall this was a good year for the hunters and most were successful. Most of the successful hunters had access to private ranches although a few reported bagging their birds in the Mendocino National Forest and at Cache Creek.
Spring is a great time to plan a hike up Mount Konocti. The view from the summit is nothing shore of spectacular. To reach the parking lot and trailhead take Konocti Road out of Kelseyville.
