Overall, I'm encouraged we've had some positive movement in expanding our fishing options, ones that we know are going to give all anglers some new (old) alternatives for catching some nice fish.

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 * *

Not much change in the action in the water conveyance systems with the best fishing in the south aqueduct in Kern County. Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield said, "Most of the fish continue to be undersized, but there are a few keepers." They sold out of sand worms, but jumbo minnows and blood worms are working well with fishermen returning to purchase more minnows on the same day. White flukes orange Gitzits or RatLTraps are working on the artificial side. In the Fresno area, Merritt Gilbert said a few more fishermen are heading to the canals than driving further north to San Luis.

Eastman Lake

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

Bass fishing remains good for some and a struggle for others, but a 12.52-pound limit was the winner at Saturday's Best Bass Tournaments featuring 32 boats. Ranger Andrew Steele of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Station said, "Despite increased reports of big fish, many are reporting a slow bite with the best action with Senkos in greens, purples or browns or drop-shot plastics at depths to 20 feet." A trout plant is this week and the week of March 24. The Lakeview Trail is open at its northern and southern ends to hiking, biking and equestrian use. The middle section is closed to provide a buffer around an active bald eagle nest. Steele said, "Please help us protect bald eagles and their nesting habitat by observing this closure, which is scheduled to be lifted in late July." The area of the lake extending upstream from the Keep Out buoy line is closed to fishing and boating. The CDW has agreed to open a vast section of the lake to fishing on a seasonal basis starting in August. Regulations specify the area 1,000 feet south of Raymond Bridge downstream to the Corps Buoy Line near the Codorniz Boat Ramp will be open to recreational fishing annually from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30. This area has been closed since June 1989, when the lake was quarantined due to a hydrilla infestation. That quarantine has since been lifted. Questions can be made by calling park headquarters, open 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (559) 689-3255. 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 side. The lake rose slightly to 515 feet in elevation and 33% capacity.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Hensley Lake

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

The Roosevelt High Bass Club held a tournament Saturday, with Corrie Williams and John Her taking the top spot at 11.37 pounds. Billy Hang caught the big fish, which weighed in at 6.36 pounds (check out photos of Hang with his winning bass and other participants from the event at facebook.com/RooseveltHighSchoolBassFishingClub). Mike Spencer had a full report of the conditions, writing, "The pre-spawn has started at Hensley with water temperatures in the mid-50s and males moving into the shallows to construct nests while the females were holding out between 12 and 20 feet. Points were the most productive structure and the back of the lake fished better than the main lake and dam area. Some fish were caught on reaction baits, including a 5.63-pounder on a white Terminator spinner bait dragged through tree branches, but most fish came from jigs and plastics worked slowly with brown and green the most popular color choices." For more info on the club and photos from Saturday's tourney,The club's next tourney is April 13 at Eastman.