Carp are common on Clear Lake and June is the prime month for bowmen to hunt them. They use specially equipped bows and arrows and look for carp spawning in the shallows. A couple of weeks ago one carp fisherman shot 35 carp, the largest weighing 31 pounds.
For many years there was an annual carp shooting derby on the lake that drew hundreds of bowmen. That tournament, which ceased to exist five years ago, was sponsored by the Paradise Archery Club. This year the 13th annual Clear Lake Waterpig Bowfishing Tournament is scheduled for June 23-24 and will operate out of Willow Point Campground in Lakeport. The entry fee $100 per person. The tournament director is Matt Petrini and his telephone number is (707) 815-5280 or (707) 255-5544. Entry forms are available at all the tackle shops and at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Petrini is also looking for someone who wants to use the dead carp as fertilizer. Farmer or gardeners can contact Petrini for instructions on picking up the dead carp.
Bass fishing
On the bass fishing scene, the fishing slowed at Clear Lake slightly last weekend but is still rated a very good. One reason for the slowdown has been the unsettled weather. For example, on Thursday the wind was blowing at 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. The good news is many anglers reported catching a lot of bass on topwater lures and plastic frogs cast back into the tules. Most of the fishermen have been concentrated in the north end of the lake, but the south end is also starting to produce good numbers of fish.
Crappie fishing
Crappie remains good with most of the fishermen having little trouble catching 10-15 fish. Some of the better areas have been the docks from Nice to Clearlake Oaks, Clear Lake State Park and the docks north of Lakeport.
Trout fishing
Trout action at the East Branch of the River has been very good with limits being common. Gary Hill of Kelseyville fished the river Wednesday and caught a fast limit of trout using small crankbaits. He said that he didn’t see another fisherman. The river was stocked last week.
At Upper Blue Lake, the trout action has been very good for both trollers and bank fishermen. Some of the trout being caught have been huge with several in the 2-pound class. Bass fishing also has been very good. The fishing at Lake Pillsbury continues to improve and fishermen are catching some huge trout along with some trophy bass. The lake is in excellent condition and the roads going into the lake are in good shape. There are two ways to get to the lake. One is by way of Potter Valley and the other is Elk Mountain Road out of Upper Lake.
Getaway spot
A perfect weekend getaway that won’t bankrupt you for gas money is tiny Letts Lake.
Located in the Mendocino National Forest, the lake is about an hour’s drive from Lake County. This gem of a lake offers solitude and beauty as well as good trout fishing. The lake was recently stocked with trout.
Only small boats or rafts with no motors are allowed on the 35-acre lake and there is good access for shore fishing, including wheelchair access.
The U.S. Forest Service operates two campgrounds at the lake but they are rarely filled. The road going into the lake is well-maintained and can handle travel trailers up to 19 feet in length.
The easiest way to reach the lake is to take I-5 north to Maxwell and turn west to Stonyford. From Stonyford, take U.S. Forest Service Road M-10 to Forest Service Road 17N02, which takes you to the lake. The lake is approximately 15 miles west of Stonyford.
