LAKEPORT >> Clear Lake will be a busy body of water this weekend. Leading the list is the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven annual catfish derby which gets underway on Friday and runs until Sunday.
The derby is expected to draw approximately 800 fishermen, making it the largest catfish derby in the West. They can fish around the clock and can only weigh one catfish. If they catch a larger catfish it takes the place of the one caught earlier. Fishermen can fish from a boat or shore. Fishing starts at noon on Friday and ends at noon on Sunday. The weigh-ins will take place at the Fire Station in Clear Lake Oaks
The derby has been in existence for 39 years. As in past years the three-day derby is expected to draw more than 700 fishermen from throughout the West. It is the largest catfish derby in the West and remains one of the more popular fishing contests to be held on Clear Lake. The winner of this year’s derby will take home a cash prize of approximately $5,000. Second place is worth $1,000 and third place is worth $800. The derby will pay down 20 places based on a field of least 350 adults. The winner in the kid’s division will pocket $100. The derby hours are from noon on Friday until noon on Sunday. The entry fee for the derby is $50 for adults if received before 11:00 p.m. on Thursday. There is a $10 late fee for entries received after that time. The entry fee for children 15 and under is $10.
The experts predict that will there be several 20-pound or more catfish weighed in. Clear Lake is known for its large catfish. A 20-pound catfish will be 20 or more than years old.
There are three species of catfish in Clear Lake. The largest is the channel catfish. The next biggest is the white catfish followed by the bullhead.
In addition to the catfish derby will be a bass tournament hosted by bass clubs
The fishing is improving daily on the lake as we move into summer.
Limits on bass are fairly common. In fact, a bass club held a tournament last weekend. The club drew 35 boats, and more than half weighed in limits. The brown algae is starting to form. You should keep your pets out of the water
The East Branch of the Russian River will be stocked with trout next week. The fishing in both Upper Blue Lake and the Russian river has been good for trout.
Lake Pillsbury has been kicking out some excellent bass fishing. There has been a good topwater action. The road going into Indian Valley Reservoir is open and bass are being caught.
There have been a number of complaints of rats and mice getting in cars that have been parked for long periods of time. The mice have been getting into the engine compartments and chewing up the wires and causing the car to be inoperative. One solution is to leave the hood open when you are not driving
