Apparently the high water at Clear Lake hasn’t impacted the bass fishing. The lake is currently at 9.83 feet on the Rumsey Gauge and much of the shoreline is flooded. Most of the fishermen who have been out on the lake report the bass fishing has been good overall.
A good example was the winning team of Sandy and Bryan McGeoch of Lakeport. They won both of the American Bass Association (ABA) tournaments held over the weekend — one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. On Saturday they weighed in 21.9 pounds and collected $1,466. On Sunday they weighed in 27.3 pounds, including the big fish, which weighed 9.25 pounds. They collected $1,178 for that win. They caught 10 bass on Saturday and 15 on Sunday.
Other fishermen in the tournament reported similar action. The tournament drew 10 teams on Sunday and all but one team weighed in a five-fish limit. The overall average weight per fish in both tournaments was 3.3 pounds.
Lake level
The lake level as of early Tuesday afternoon was 9.83 feet on the Rumsey Gauge. What the tournaments last weekend proved is that high water has no negative impact on the bass. In fact, the fishing has improved. The only downside of the high water is the possible damage to homes and docks. In regard to the fish and other critters that use the lake, the high water has created perfect conditions. This spring should see ideal conditions for the fish to spawn. The tules will be flooded and the bass and other game fish will be able to find shelter for their young. This means the minnows will have a high survival rate.
The high-running streams should also be a positive factor to native fish such as the hitch. They spawn in the streams that empty into the lake and this year there should be ideal spawning conditions.
Bird life
It’s not only the fish that prosper with a high lake level. Aquatic birds also are enjoying ideal conditions. The lake is literally awash with bait fish and water birds such as pelicans, grebes and gulls can be seen by the thousands. The osprey that has nested at Lakeside County Park has returned and he is using the new nest that the Redbud Audubon Society recently installed.
Boat ramps
If the weather holds and there isn’t significant rainfall in the next couple of weeks, the boat ramps around Clear Lake should open back up. The standard rule is the lake level drops approximately an inch a day. That means within a week the lake level will be close to 9 feet. When the Lake County Chamber of Commerce tournament rolls around March 15, the lake level should be below 8 feet. Once the lake level drops to 8 feet just about all the boat ramps should be open. Thirty-eight teams had signed up by Monday and that number should climb when word gets out that the lake is in good shape and the fish are biting.
Clear Lake has survived floods for thousands of years and it has made several dramatic comebacks. This year will be no different.
