Only the bravest fishermen are venturing out onto Clear Lake this week as the temperatures have been below freezing early in the mornings. Only one boat launched at Library Park in Lakeport on Wednesday. The same low turnout held true for the other boat ramps around the lake. Even the tournament organizers have been postponing their tournaments. The word is out to dress warmly.
The trick to success is to make super slow retrieves and the hot lure has been a jig rigged with an underspin. The south end of the lake is still where most of the action is taking place. Henderson Point and Rattlesnake Island have been producing a fair number of bass. One fisherman reported catching number of bass off Rocky Point in the north end of the lake.
There are no major bass tournaments scheduled for the weekend but there are several club tournaments. A number of fishermen will be out prefishing for the Lake County Chamber of Commerce tournament on March 25-26. As of Tuesday there were 40 teams signed up for the tournament, which is expected to draw around 110 boats. The tournament features a 100-percent payback of entry fees. Call (707) 263-2092 for more information.
Other fish
Catfish action remains good and several large catfish tournaments are coming up the next two months. Some of the catfish being caught are huge, weighing 20 or more pounds. Fresh salmon or cooked chicken have been the top baits.
Crappie action is starting to improve. Some of the best action is occurring off Clearlake Oaks. The crappie are holding in the deeper water and the schools are on the move. To be successful fishermen need to stay on the move until they locate a school of fish and then work that area thoroughly. Red-white crappie jigs have been the top lures. Some of the crappie being caught are weighing in the 2-pound-plus class.
Trout action has been slow at Upper Blue Lake. The lake hasn’t been stocked in several weeks. There have been very few anglers out on the lake.
Goodbye drought
The good news is that lakes around the state are filling up, signaling what is hopefully the end of a long drought. Lake Berryessa is in excellent shape as is Lake Pillsbury and other nearby lakes.
Hiking
A hike at Clear Lake State Park is a good way to spend the weekend. The park is kept super clean and the staff is extra polite and knowledgeable. The park also has an abundance of wildlife. The park is located off Soda Bay Road just outside of Lakeport.
