Lake County has a number of lakes that offer good bass fishing. Not only that, but the Russian River and Upper Blue Lake, which haven’t been stocked with trout in more than month, are still producing trout for the patient angler. Upper Blue Lake is in excellent condition with plenty of water. The fishing pressure at Upper Blue Lake is very low and trout are being caught by trollers working the middle of the lake.
One small lake that has been providing decent fishing for bluegill and bass is Highland Springs. The lake is in great shape and is ideal for the kayakers and float tube fishermen. The lake is located just south of Lakeport.
Tournaments
The bass tournaments return to Clear Lake beginning Saturday with a NewJen tournament. The weigh-in starts at noon at the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport. As of June 15, the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) requires all bass tournament to be no longer than six hours in duration in order to protest fish during the hottest part of the day. That rule remains in effect until Sept. 15.
Indian Valley Reservoir is worth a try this weekend. The lake is full of bass and there are also crappie and catfish. The campground is open at the dam. The road going into the lake is a little rough, so care needs to be taken.
Fair fishing
The bass fishing is only rated as fair on Clear Lake. The bass fishery goes through cycles every few years and this year we are in a down cycle. Not only are the fish hard to catch, but their size is down from previous years. Any bass weighing in the 7-pound class is considered a trophy and there have been very few 8-pounders caught.
The No. 1 fish in the lake this year is catfish. Even bass fishermen are catching some large catfish in the 20-pound class.
The bass are at the end of their spawning season. Bass normally spawn until mid-July. This year the bass are holding in the deeper water. The bass are located all around the lake and that includes docks and points of land. One area that has been holding fish has been Henderson Point. The edges of Clear Lake State Park are also worth a try.
Carp shoot
There is a carp shoot scheduled for the weekend. It will be headquartered out of Willow Point Resort in Lakeport. It should draw at least 100 bowmen.
