VALLEY New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass *** Crappie ** Catfish ** Trout *** Kokanee **

Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp rated the bass action as pretty good, but there were two largemouths over 9 pounds caught during Saturday’s Western Outdoor News tournament. There were several limits in excess of 10 pounds with jigs, soft plastics or swimbaits working along main lake structure at depths from 25 to 65 feet. The California Reservoir jig in brown or green with a matching Yamamoto twin-tail grub trailer has been very effective. In addition to the 9-pound largemouths, Sam Saeturn released a huge largemouth while fishing from the banks. Lewis advised anglers to practice catch and release, especially with the largemouth bass since they are becoming increasingly scarce. Lewis rated the trout bite as very good with “lots of nice fish caught this week with many limits taken.” Four year old Joshua Fernandez landed a 3.75-pound rainbow while fishing with his father from the banks in Glory Hole Point. Nelson Wong of Sacramento reported catching and releasing over 60 planters up the river arm past the Parrott’s Ferry Bridge. They had slow action on their gas motor, so they switched to the electric motor and started hooking up. Bank anglers are loading up at Tuttletown and Glory Hole and Angels coves with Power Bait, Gulp Eggs and marshmallow/night crawler combinations, and Lewis said, “It is very important that your bait floats up off of the bottom, so small hooks, large quantities of Power Bait, and a worm blower are essential.” Since the fish are spitting up shad, shad-patterned lures also are working form the banks with Kastmasters, Krocodiles and casting spinners with silver rated as very effective. Although it is very early, kokanee to 13 inches are showing up near the surface near the spillway. Once again, there were no large catfish weighed in this week, but Lewis advised trying for catfish at depths from 35 to 70 feet along deep ledges and main lake points with night crawlers, frozen shad or anchovies. Trout fishermen have landed the occasional catfish on Power Bait or night crawlers. Crappie and bluegill action is still slow to fair with the best action on small minnows, red worms, or mealworms on a slip-float rig at depths from 15 to 25 feet with 4- to 6-pound test. The lake held at 1,049.28 feet in elevation and 81% capacity.
Call: (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fishn’ Dan (209) 586-2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area Bass ** Trout *** Crappie ** Catfish ** Bluegill **

Rex Emerson of the Kern Valley Chamber of Commerce reported, “The enthusiasm is growing for the 2012 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby, to be held on March 31-April 2,” adding, “Since the derby trout were delivered in early November, they are being fed three times daily by members of the Kern Valley Fish & Game Habitat Club along with other dedicated volunteers from the community.” The number of “major” sponsors is set at 10, with each to sponsor a $10,000 tagged trout. In addition, the Kern River Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a trout worth $20,000! Adding even more to the anticipation, if the $20,000 Chamber of Commerce fish is caught while the lucky angler is wearing an “official” 2012 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby T-shirt or Hoodie, the prize will be doubled to $40,000! For those fisherman who are looking to rent a boat during the derby event, we were told by French Gulch Marina owner and derby sponsor Deb Chase, “We still have a few boats available at this time.” She also added, “The derby is one of the most exciting events she has the privilege to participate in, she looks forward to it every year.” Derby applications are available at the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce office and several local merchants. Enter and get information online at www.isabellafishingderby.com/. Be sure to get your entry in before 6 p.m. March 1 to be eligible for the $500 early bird prize sponsored by the Cedar City Utah Chamber of Commerce. In response to plants from the Department of Fish and Game and private plants, trout fishing continues to be the best thing going on with Sierra Gateway Sporting Goods reporting any Power Bait color combined with garlic is working near Paradise Cove, the French Gulch Marina and the Auxiliary Dam. With the rainbows holding in deep water, Stein Cove and Red’s Kern Valley Marina also have been good locations. A trout plant is scheduled for this week. Bass fishing continues to be very slow with local tournaments not scheduled until April. The crappie are still limited to the occasional fish for those with marina access, and the bite usually starts in earnest during the month of March. Catfish action also has been slow with most fishermen targeting trout. The lake held at 2,560.23 feet in elevation and 30% capacity. Pete Cormier of Bob’s Bait in Bakersfield touted the action for large rainbows to 4 pounds in the lower Kern River with live crickets, night crawlers or salmon eggs. The trout bite at Buena Vista is basically over with plants ending for the current season. Crappie action has slowed at this lake, but bass fishing with Senkos is on the rise. The small local impoundments have been producing planted trout on Power Bait in spring green, corn yellow or rainbow/garlic. Heavy fishing pressure at the River Walk exhausts the planted fish within a few days, but the Department of Fish and Game has been putting extra loads into this lake. Trout plants are scheduled at Hart Park, Truxton, Ming and the River Walk this week with a plant at Woollomes next week. The Bakersfield Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a trout derby March 3 at the River Walk.
Call: Bob’s Bait (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812