Roger George is The Bee's fishing expert. He can be reached at rogergeorge8000@sbcglobal.net

Key:

• Try dynamite

• • Have to work hard

• • • Limits possible

• • • • Fish jumpin' in boat

VALLEY

Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs

Striper * * * Catfish * *

Action still steady in south aqueduct in Kern County, although most striped bass are under 18-inch minimum. Jumbo minnows, blood worms, sand worms or anchovies are top baits and white flukes orange Gitzits or RatLTraps continue to be top artificial lures. Catfishing is slow. In the Fresno area, striper fishermen are heading to San Luis Reservoir instead of the canals.

Eastman Lake

Bass * * * Trout * * Bluegill * * Catfish * * Crappie * *

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and California DFG agreed to open a vast section of the lake to fishing on a seasonal basis starting in August. The new regulations specify that the area 1,000 feet south of the Raymond Bridge downstream to the Corps Buoy Line near the Codorniz ramp will be open annually to recreational fishing from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30. This area has been closed to recreational fishing since June 1989, when the entire lake was quarantined due to a hydrilla infestation. That quarantine has since been lifted. Bald eagles began nesting on the shore within the upstream river area during that extended closure and continue to this day. Protection of the eagles necessitates a seasonal closure between Dec. 1 and July 31. Anglers or visitors with questions can contact the park headquarters at (559) 689-3255. Park headquarters is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bass fishing at the lake is the best in the area next to Millerton, according to Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis. Interest has increased due to the pending opening of the river arm in August. The action remains on the bottom with green Brush Hogs, Senkos or jigs on a slow presentation at depths to 30 feet. A few bass are moving into the shallows in the afternoons on sunny days and Gilbert said, "A 7.5- to 8-pound limit is the norm." The Best Bass Tournaments will be holding its inaugural tournament Saturday. The last trout plant was Feb. 3 but one is coming next week. Trout fishing remains fair with Power Bait or night crawlers from the banks or trolling Wedding Rings or blade/crawler combinations near the dam. A few catfish are taken from the banks with cut baits. The lake is on the middle ramp on the Codorniz side and the top ramp on the Chowchilla Day Use side. The lake rose slightly to 515 feet in elevation and 32% capacity.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Hensley Lake

Bass * * Trout * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Bluegill * *

The lake remains very slow for all species. The New J Bass Club tournament is March 16 and there will be more anglers prefishing. Local crappie fishermen are heading to Isabella or Kaweah for the slabsides since the past few trips have been fruitless. Trout action continues to be slow for bank fishermen and trollers. The next trout plant will be next week. Most trout anglers are heading for Bass Lake, Shaver Lake or Pine Flat Reservoir. The lake rose a half foot to 489 feet in elevation and 31% capacity.
Call: Fresno Fisherman's Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Lake Don Pedro

Bass * * * Trout * * * Crappie * * Kokanee * King salmon * *