Fishermen visiting Clear Lake need to be prepared for cold and wet weather and a slow bite. This is an unusual year and no one seems to be prepared for the cold and wet weather. The daytime temperature has been in the 40-degree range because of the rain and the wind. We haven’t seen this type of a late winter/early spring in more than 25 years. The prediction is that the lake will hit 7 feet or more soon. It’s now at 6.03 feet on the Rumsey Gauge.
The bass action is slow but slowly improving. Now that the lake is filling up the fishing should improve even more. American Bass is holding a team tournament Sunday out of Library Park in Lakeport, with the weigh-in starting at 3 p.m. One problem is a lack of fishermen. For example, on Thursday morning not a single fisherman launched a boat out of Library Park or Lakeside County Park.
The successful fishermen are fishing very slowly and allowing their lure to rest at the bottom for long periods. The hot lures have been swimbaits or jigs. Swimbaits rigged with an underspin have been successful, Patience is the key to success and the best action has been late in the afternoons. The water temperature has been ranging from as low as 42 degrees to as high as 50 degrees in the afternoons
Bass tourney
The annual Lake County Chamber of Commerce Team Tournament is scheduled for March 25-26 and 50 teams were signed up as of Thursday morning. The tournament is expected to draw at least 100 teams. The entry fee is $200 per team and there is a 100-percent payback of entry fees. It is one of the more popular bass tournaments to be held on Clear Lake. There is also a $1,000 payout to the individual who catches the big fish each day of the tournament.
Other fish
Crappie and catfish action has slowed a little. Catfish action remains good for the few fishermen out after them. The annual Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Catfish Derby is scheduled for May 19-21. The entry fee is $50 for adults and $10 for kids. The crappie action is still slow but slowly improving.
Other lakes
Trout action is still slow at Upper Blue Lake. The lake hasn’t been stocked in several weeks. The problem is more a lack of fishermen than fish. A few fishermen have been doing well but they are mostly boaters who are trolling. The trout being caught are large, some being 14 inches in length. The bass fishing also has been good.
Lake Pillsbury is worth a try. There haven’t been very many fishermen at the lake, but even if you don’t catch a fish it’s worth a visit just to view the wildlife. A large herd of Tule Elk live at the lake.
Bird watching
Now is a great time to drive around Clear Lake and view all the bird life. Take a pair of binoculars and a lunch. One of my favorite birds should arrive any day and it’s the osprey. That bird builds nests on the lake and there are osprey nests all around the area. Another fun bird is the grebe, which nests on the lake by the hundreds.
