Bass fishing on Clear Lake is rated excellent in regard to the number of fish being caught, but only fair in regard to size. A good example were the first-day results of the three-day B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional that opened Wednesday. Fishermen from across the western United States are entered in the tournament and for many of them it’s the first time they have been to Clear Lake.
The 110-boat tournament uses a pro/am format where each boat has a pro and amateur. The pros can weigh in five fish and the amateurs three fish. The leading pro on Wednesday had 21 pounds, 2 ounces. Tenth place was only 14 pounds, 14 ounces. The big fish on the pro side weighed 10 pounds, 7 ounces. A number of the pros weighed in a five-fish limit of less than 10 pounds, which is unheard of at Clear Lake. The final day is Friday with the weigh-in starting at 2 p.m. at Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina in Lakeport.
Most of the fishermen said they caught their bass by drop-shotting a plastic worm. The top worms were the Senko and the Robo Worm in the margarita mutilator pattern. A few fishermen reported seeing fish on the spawning beds but most of the anglers reported seeing few large bass on the beds, with most of the bass weighing less than 3 pounds. Weather also played a major factor. Thursday it was cloudy and cool and the fish were widely scattered.
Crappie action
For those not in the tournament, the crappie action continues to be very good and one of the better areas are the docks at Library Park in Lakeport. Lakeside County Park in another good area as is Holiday Harbor in Nice. Most of the fishermen report having little trouble catching a 25-fish limit. Crappie jigs continue to be the top lure.
Trout action
Trout action is still rated only fair in the East Branch of the Russian River. The stream was stocked this week, but the problem is that the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is only stocking the stream with small trout. The fish have been averaging less than 8 inches in length. At Upper Lake the trout are larger and some will weigh up to a pound.
Other lakes
Lake Pillsbury is a good choice for the long holiday weekend. The lake is in excellent condition and the bass and trout are biting. Another excellent choice is Indian Valley Reservoir. Several local fishermen visited the lake this week and said the bass fishing was nothing short of sensational. The campground at the dam is in excellent condition.
Lake Mendocino is still providing very good bass fishing. The area around the dam is giving up smallmouth bass weighing from 1-3 pounds.
Drawing deadline
Deer hunters are reminded that the big-game drawing deadline is June 2. Instructions to apply for a deer hunt can be found in the 2018 California Big Game Hunting Digest, which can be obtained online.
