Fishing Report: Week of May 27

Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a former Olympic-class decathlete at Fresno State and striper record-holder at Millerton Lake and who now guides in the greater Fresno area. Telephone numbers are in 559 calling area unless noted. Have a photo of a recent catch to share? Email to sports@fresnobee.com with “fish photo” in the subject line.

Key

Most Fresno-area striped bass fishermen are heading north to the O’Neill Forebay or the main San Luis Reservoir, but a few continue to work the aqueducts, searching for boiling striped bass around the headgates. Storm 4-inch swimbaits in bluegill, white flukes or Duo Realis jerkbaits are working for the school-sized stripers. In the south aqueduct in Kern County, catfish and largemouth bass remained the top species as the striped bass bite has slowed. Plastic worms on the drop-shot or Senkos are working for the bass while catfish are biting Catnip Beef Bait, anchovies, frozen shad, or nightcrawlers. Bluegill action is decent with live crickets, jumbo red worms or wax worms.

Bass fishing remained tops in the Fresno-area for size with fish from 4-5 pounds taken in deeper portions of the lake near the dam. A few crappie are taken on small minnows, and catfishing is solid with anchovies, mackerel or sardines with the best action at night. Low water levels contributed to boating hazards of unmarked rockpiles. Eastman is a trophy-designated bass lake, and only one fish 22 inches or longer may be kept. The area of the lake extending upstream from the buoy line near the Cordoniz Launch Ramp remains close to accommodate bald eagles nesting in the area. The lake held at 8% capacity and 469.47 feet in elevation.

Call: Six Star Tackle Box 673-5688; Eastman Lake 689-3255

Bass fishing with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot has improved during the past week, with fish to 3 pounds. The best fishing is taking place in the deepest part of the lake near the dam. Catfishing is also improving at night with clams, chicken liver or anchovies from the shore. Anglers are advised to call the Ranger Station at the Corps of Engineers office for launch conditions. The lake is at 8% capacity and 454.66 feet in elevation.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Six Star Tackle Box 673-5688; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151

Don Pedro has been on the elusive side for kokanee over the past few weeks, perhaps in response to the frequent cold fronts moving rapidly through Northern California. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “We were knocking the socks off of the kokanee a month ago, but the big concentrations of fish have scattered throughout the lake, making for a more challenging bite. The action wasn’t fast and furious on a recent guide trip, but we managed to put in two mixed limits of kokanee, king salmon, and rainbow trout.” Smith found fair action for kokanee at depths from 55-70 feet with Rocky Mountain Tackle’s micro hootchie behind a RMT dodger, and they picked up a couple to go with three king salmon to 3.5 pounds on the kokanee gear. After working in the early morning for kokanee and kings, they switched to running heavy spoons on the downrigger at depths from 35-55 feet for lights out action for rainbow trout. Kokanee Power will be hosting their annual Phil Johnson Memorial team tournament at the lake Saturday, with information at www.kokaneepower.org. Jim Pickens of the Fishermen’s Friend in Lodi touted rolling shad on a harness for king salmon, Apex lures or hootchies for kokanee, and spoons for rainbow trout near Fleming Meadows, Jenkins Hill or Middle Bay. For largemouth bass, Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford touted jumbo minnows from the shore with weekend anglers dominating the fishing scene at the lake. Plastics on the drop-shot are still the top technique for tournament anglers. Pieces of nightcrawler also have been popular for shore anglers targeting rainbow trout. The launch ramp is limited to one lane at Fleming Meadows. There is a courtesy dock and a long dock in the water, and patience is a necessity to launch on the weekends because of high interest in recreational boating and fishing at the lake. The lake dropped slightly to 704.40 feet in elevation and 41% capacity.

Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan (209) 586-2383; Gary Vella (209) 652-7550; Bait Barn (209) 874-3011

Low water at Isabella kept most larger recreational vessels off the lake because of unmarked rockpiles and other hazards. Crappie and catfish dominate fishing, with the best action in the shallows of the South Fork. Small minnows or minijigs are working around submerged structure for crappie; catfish are biting Catnip Beef Bait, chicken livers or nightcrawlers. Bass fishing remains limited to a few anglers willing to launch fiberglass boats into the shallow waters. With the low lake levels, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is needed to launch from the dirt ramp near Red’s Marina. There are no marinas or courtesy docks. The lake is at 8% capacity and 2529.07 feet in elevation. Trout plants on the upper Kern River in Sections 4-6 has spurred the bite for planted rainbows. Salmon eggs or nightcrawlers have been the top baits, with the best fishing in the deeper pools. Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Co. in Springville recommends Golden Trout Wilderness Pack Train at 542-2816 as the best operation for access to the high country. They are packing in fly fishermen for the Little and Big Kern Rivers. Crappie action at Buena Vista is fair with small minnows or minijigs under lights at night.

Call: Bob’s Bait (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812

Recreational boating took center stage over the holiday weekend, with fishermen taking a back seat to jet skis and wakeboards. Bass fishing has been decent with Senkos, Brush Hogs or lizards at depths from 10-20 feet. A few anglers continue to work for crappie at night under lights with small minnows near the submerged structure in Horse Creek. A few catfish are biting sardines, mackerel, or chicken livers at night near the launch ramp. The launch ramp is open with no problem launching. The lake rose a foot to 647.65 in elevation and 36% capacity.

Call: Sierra Sporting Goods 592-5212

Chuck Stokke of Sequoia Fishing Co. said, “Bass fishing has been slow to fair over the weekend due to the heavy recreational boating pressure on the lake and sporadic thunderstorms in the area. Some anglers were able to land a few bass on plastics or crankbaits. Stable weather in the next week should improve the bite.” The lake held at 592.58 feet in elevation and 11% capacity. In the Tule River, trout action also was slowed by rain and thunderstorms. Fly fishermen found the going fair using Hare’s Ear or Pheasant Tail Flashback nymphs. Limits of planted trout are available at Balch Park on Power Bait or salmon eggs. All of the local campgrounds were stocked prior to the holiday weekend. Warmer temperatures should bring out the dry fly action. The Balch Park and Golden Trout pack stations are now starting to transport fly fishermen into the high country.

Call: Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626, www.sequoiafishingcompany.com

Bank fishing with jumbo minnows has been outstanding, but few fishermen are willing to make the long walk down to the water’s edge. The North Barrett Cove ramp is still operational with the lake at 11% capacity and 627.93 feet in elevation. Information on launch conditions is available at (855) 222-5253.

Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053

There are still rainbow trout in the lake from the plant that took place ahead of the Merced Irrigation Trout Derby. There were few reports from the marina. A section of the Merced River is subject to an emergency closure for fishing because of low water conditions.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534

Recreational boating was the feature of the holiday weekend, but numbers of small bass are still there for the taking. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun went fishing for a short period and found solid action with a 6-inch worm on a dart head off the banks at depths from 12-15 feet. Small limits to 8 pounds are possible, and shad-patterned plastics on the drop-shot, dart head or split shot are all effective. No striper reports this week. All motors must conform to low-emission standards. Millerton is releasing water, and it dropped nearly a foot to 488.04 in elevation and 35% capacity. In the lower San Joaquin, there is minimal fishing action amid the lack of trout plants. Regulations on the lower San Joaquin, and from Friant Dam downstream to the Highway 140 bridge, allow only two hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead with a total of four in possession.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474

New Melones remains an excellent option for rainbow and brown trout, largemouth and spotted bass, kokanee and catfish, but the launch ramp situation continued to limit the number of anglers on the lake. John Leitchy of Glory Hole Sporting Goods in Angels Camp said, “I have been launching by myself for months, and launching is even easier with a partner, although a four-wheel-drive tow vehicle is necessary.” The New Melones Lake Marina, under new ownership, held a grand opening Memorial Day Weekend. There was a complete remodel of the marina convenience store. Kokanee fishing has been very good, with Gary Burns of Take It To The Limit Guide Service stating, “The kokes are looking good this year, and we have landed fish close to 14 inches long. The kokanee are scattered and schooling at depths from 45-51 feet, and a slow trolling presentation with pink Glitter Bug Micro Hootchies or Uncle Larry’s spinners at about 1.5 mph in the main lake near the spillway and the dam is the most productive.” Bass fishing remained excellent with Leitchy putting his client onto a spotted bass at 6 pounds and a 4-pound largemouth bass using reaction baits. He said, “The cloud cover has allowed for a good reaction bite with topwater lures, swimbaits, and umbrella rigs. We landed the two large fish out of five big bites, but numbers can be taken on plastics on the drop-shot, Texas rig, or on a shaky head.” Trout fishing is holding up with the best action for trollers working the main lake at depths from the surface to 20 feet with shad-patterned plugs on a top line in the early mornings before dropping down with a spoon on downriggers once the sun hits the water. Night fishermen are using submersible lights to attract quality rainbows to their minnows. Leitchy said, “There have been 4-5 big browns reported, but since DFW will not plant browns in the future, we encourage catch and release of this species.” Crappie action is starting to heat up around the abundant submerged structure with Beetle Spins, and catfish are biting frozen shad, mackerel, anchovies, or sardines in the main lake coves. New Melones dropped nearly a foot to 849.61 in elevation and 19% capacity. Tulloch rose to 507.03 and 93%. Recreational boating was heavy at Tulloch during the holiday weekend.

Call: Glory Hole Sports (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan (209) 586-2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023

Recreational boating dominated the lake over the holiday weekend despite overall low water levels. The lake has been steadily rising for several weeks. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, “Bass reports have been mixed with some anglers reporting landing over 30 fish to 4 pounds drop-shotting in 15-20 feet of water while others are picking up between 10 and 12 bass, but they are having a hard time finding keepers.” Most of the bass are coming off of the bottom, but there is a window for reaction baits in the early mornings and evenings. Ripbaits have been the most effective. The most consistent fishing remained on the bottom with jigs, Senkos in dark colors or natural shad, or drop-shot plastics. Trout fishing is only fair with some limits reported. The best action remains from Zebe Creek to the power lines, and the key is to locate the schools of bait. Trout trollers are picking up spotted bass as well as the occasional catfish in deep water. Catfish in the 1.5- to 3.5-pound range are taken on anchovies or chicken livers near Deer Creek or the Cove Island Marina. The lake came up 2.25 feet to 775.27 in elevation and 24% capacity. In the lower Kings River, interest in trout fishing has been limits, but catchable rainbows can be taken on various colors of Power Bait or nightcrawlers in low flows. Bait shops are reporting little interest in Power Bait. There are special regulations in the Kings River above and below Pine Flat Dam.

Call: Fresno Fisherman’s Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; Sequoia Fishing Co. 539-5626; The I Forgot Store 787-3689

Sales of white flukes escalated at local tackle shops, most likely because of Alvin Vang’s big striper last week. In addition to flukes, Storm 4-inch swimbaits in bluegill remain popular. The big striper ultimately weighed in at 66.12 pounds on a certified scale. Schoolie stripers are consistent from the banks with white flukes, ripbaits, jumbo minnows or blood worms near Romero Visitors Center, Goosehead Point, or Dinosaur Point. Roger George of Roger’s Guide Service said that the winds have been problematic for boaters in the last week. “ I’ve seen several posted pictures of big stripers that guys have taken off the shore recently. But, I’m also getting a lot of calls from anglers who are concerned about fishermen who are keeping their limits of the bigger spawning fish, rather than keeping the smaller ones. I think more guys know this isn’t ‘the good ole days anymore’and are trying to release their bigger fish when possible,” George said. Boaters are finding their best action mooching or drifting jumbo minnows near the bottom at depths to 80 feet around the trash racks and the mouth of Portuguese Cove. Check 12 remained the top location for small striped bass with jumbo minnow, pile worms or blood worms. A 7.5-pound largemouth bass was landed on a white fluke at Check 12. Moving water is the key to getting in on the action. The main lake continues to steadily release water, dropping 3877 acre-feet Monday to 56% capacity.

Call: Coyote Bait andTackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George of rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954

The Memorial Day Weekend brought out a plethora of recreational vessels from throughout Southern California, but the trout bite improved in the early morning before the flotilla hit the lake. Green spinners tipped with piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger at depths from 18-22 feet have been effective, as well as Gulp! Minnows. Bank trout action is fair with trout dough bait or nightcrawlers near the Sheriff’s Tower, the access area across from the dam or in front of Millers. No confirmed kokanee as of yet. The lake will take a few days to clear after the heavy traffic. The lake held at 53% capacity, but launching a large boat requires skill and experience.

Call: Todd Wittwer 288-8100; Mike Beighey 642-3748

The Kaiser Pass Lakes are again accessible. Mammoth Pool has closed until June 15 for the annual deer migration. Stream fishing opened three weeks ago, but the season in the southern Sierra will be extremely short-lived because of low water conditions. Mammoth Pool has risen to 72% with Edison at 10% and Florence 44%.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

After a few slow weeks at Shaver, the rainbows and kokanee are back out to play. Captain Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters said, “Lots of boats were out on the lake on the holiday weekend, and the bite has improved, and I think it is here for awhile! The fish are grouped into several locations on the lake, and we worked the Point most of the weekend, but we also found good action for kokanee near the island at depths from 32-42 feet with an orange Apex lure tipped with corn behind a Captain Jack’s CJ Dodger.” He has also found kokanee on his side poles at depths from 18-20 feet using similar lures. Local tackle manufacturer, Captain Jack Yandell, said, “We have had several serious kokanee fishermen limiting out on kokanee and also picking up recently planted rainbows and also holdovers to 14 inches. “ One boat picked up a Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project Nebraska-strain rainbow to 5 pounds Saturday. Bank fishermen are finding fair to good action on the smaller planted rainbows with dough bait or nightcrawlers near Roads 1 and 2 or the Sierra Marina. At Huntington, Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reported a few experienced fishermen continue to target brown trout, and field scout Tim Young of Auberry landed several quality rainbows pulling plugs on a recent trip, losing a much larger fish in the process when the fish broke him off. Small kokanee to 7 inches have been caught and released near the surface. Huntington has a self-sustaining population of kokanee while the Department of Fish and Wildlife annually plants fingerling kokanee into Shaver Lake. Shaver rose to 51% capacity with Huntington rising slightly to 47%.

Call: Dick’s Fishing Charters 841-2740; Dinkey Creek Inn 841-3435; Rancheria Marina 893-3234; Shaver Lake Sports Inc. 841-2740

Snow flurries, hail, and rain have fallen in the central Sierra within the past few weeks, but the cold weather hasn’t stopped the hot rainbow action at these two high-country lakes. Chuck Crane of Wishon Village RV Park and Store said, “ Wishon is kicking out lots of limits of rainbows for both trollers and bank fishermen. Gary and Sandy Bozart of Bakersfield were camping during the Memorial Day Weekend, and they landed a pair of limits from 12-14 inches with orange dough bait from the dirt road near the launch ramp.” The lake is holding steady, and trollers are finding good action with 4-inch jointed Rapalas or quarter-ounce Thomas Buoyants in copper or rainbow trout at depths from the surface to 12 feet. The Department of Fish and Wildlife continues to plant small rainbows in the quarter0pound range into both lakes, and with the absence of a bass population, it is anticipated that the surviving rainbows will continue to grow through the summer months. The DFW budget for hatcheries was cut significantly during the past few years, and the department is releasing smaller fish into selected bodies of water. At Courtright, the overall grade of rainbow is larger than at Wishon, and trout to 21 inches have been taken on blade/crawler combinations. Crane said, “Rainbow or orange trout dough bait is working well from the banks, and there have been a few quality limits ranging from 12-16 inches. I anticipate the action will only get better as the weather clears up this week.” The launch ramp remains on the concrete at Courtright.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Captain Dennis Baxter of the New Captain Pete went rockfishing Sunday south to San Gregorio, and they came through with limits of rockfish and a ling cod per rod for a light load. He said, “The lings weren’t chomping today, and my son Braden had more difficulty with his deadly Fish Trap rigs.” He was encouraged by the first signs of bait in the area for some time with anchovies along with squid showing up offshore. He said, “A few private boats are still scratching out a salmon or two, but there is no concentration of scores, so in the meantime, we will focus on rockfishing.” Second Captain Mike Cabanas of the Huli Cat took a light load of seven fishermen out Monday to the upper end of San Gregorio for seven limits of rockfish including a 5-pound copper along with 12 ling cod to 12 pounds. Sunday’s score was similar with five limits of rockfish including cabezon to 6 pounds, five ling cod to 9 pounds, and a bonus wolf eel. Saturday’s score including pulling the crab pots for five crab per angler along with 133 rockfish for 16 anglers.

Call: Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388; Roger Thomas, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Bait and Switch Sport Fishing Center (650) 726-7133726-7133; Emeryville Sport Fishing (510) 654-6040; Don Franklin, Soleman (510) 703-4148

Chris Arcoleo of Chris’ Landing in Monterey reported rockfishing was the story, with the Star of Monterey heading south toward Twin Rocks for 41 limits of rockfish along with 28 ling cod. The Caroline fished Carmel Bay for 21 limits of ling cod and 10 lings. He said, “There were a number of cabezon in the sacks today.” Salmon fishing remained very slow with a few here and there by private boaters near Moss Landing. Striped bass action along the Santa Cruz beaches remained excellent with sand crabs, blood worms, metal jigs or topwater lures.

Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951; Bayside Marine (831) 475-2173; usafishing.com

The Sausalito boats continue to put in the effort to locate salmon, and three boats ran up the Marin coast from Muir Beach toward buoy 1 on Sunday with 35 passengers scoring 26 salmon to 18 pounds. This score was much better than on Saturday, when two boats put in nine salmon to 22 pounds for 36 fishermen. They weren’t able to fish offshore because of the wind, so they hugged the coast and found a few fish. Rockfishing was a solid option with the Sea Wolf out of Emeryville Sport Fishing running to the Islands on Saturday for 212 rockfish and 37 lings to 15 pounds for 24 anglers. Captain James Smith of the California Dawn out of Berkeley went up the Marin coastline for 185 rockfish including a cabezon, 12 ling cod along with a pair of striped bass and halibut back inside the bay for 19 anglers. Captain Jim Smith of the Happy Hooker out of Berkeley rebounded from a rough Saturday when the stripers didn’t bite for 16 limits of striped bass along with seven big halibut to 25 pounds on Monday and 23 limits of striped bass to 19 pounds and four halibut to 15 pounds on Sunday. He has been working a wide swath of the Central Bay from Angel Island to Alcatraz to Mel’s Reef to the Berkeley Flats. That was a complete turnaround from Saturday when they were working the same reefs and honey holes for 16 stripers and one ling. Jim said the fish just were not cooperating and he was expecting a slower day again Sunday, but the fish bit.

Although there are scattered reports of salmon off the San Luis Obispo coast, rockfish trips are filling the boats out of Port San Luis and Morro Bay. The Rita G, Black Pearl and Princess out of Virg’s Landing in Morro Bay were out Memorial Day for a combined 482 assorted rockfish and 298 vermilion rockfish to go with 50 ling cod to 11 pounds for 78 fishermen. Virg’s boats have totaled 1,413 legal ling cod since the opener. Also on Memorial Day, the Patriot out of Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis put in 33 vermilion rockfish, 15 coppers, 140 assorted rockfish, 33 bolina, 3 cabezon and 31 ling cod to 14.6 pounds for 33 fishermen. Patriot’s ling count has climbed to 1,002 since the April 1 opener with 106 ling cod this past week. Surf perch fishing remained outstanding along the coastal beaches with blood worms.

Call: Virg’s Landing, (805) 772-1222; (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sports Fishing (805) 595-4100; Port Side Marine Sports Launch (805) 595-7214

Shad remained the big story in the northern section of the Delta in the stretch of river from Clarksburg to Freeport. Stripers are still in the river, but fewer and fewer anglers are targeting the linesides, particularly with the migration of guides to more fertile waters. Sturgeon action is limited to a few fishermen hanging around in lower Suisun Bay. Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait and Tackle in Freeport said, “Shad fishing has been very good near Freeport with bank anglers tossing out shad darts while boaters are using a double-hook rig loaded with grubs in front of a 1- to 2-ounce weight. Just put your rod in the rod holder, and let the shad load up on the grubs.” Alan Fong of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento added, “There are larger females now in the mix, and anglers have landed as many as 25 shad near Clarksburg with 1-inch grubs in champagne or chartreuse.” Tran touted striped bass in the Freeport area with sardines, blood worms or pile worms while trolling has also been best in the north Delta. Clyde Wands, shallow trolling expert and innovator, found great action for stripers on recent trips to the north Delta, catching and releasing 30 keepers on the first trip, including stripers at 20 and 18 pounds. The majority of legal fish were in the 18- to 22-inch range, but they also landed an 8-pounder. The following trip was more of the same with 33 keepers to 11 pounds released, and he said, “The P-Line Predator Minnow was the hot lure for the deep-divers with the Angry Eye working in the shallows.” Jim Pickens of the Fishermen’s Friend in Lodi confirmed the good striper action in the north Delta stating, “ The best striper fishing in the Delta has been on the Sacramento above Rio Vista around Cache, Miner and Steamboat Sloughs along with the Deep Water Channel. Shallow trolling is producing and some anglers are in the deep water using deep divers with up to 2 ounces of weight to get to the bottom. Angry Eye’s, Yo-Zuri’s and Rebels all working well, some anglers having success on Rat-L-Traps as well.” Captain Mike Gravert of Intimidator Sport Fishing has moved his vessel out of the Delta, but he will be participating in the California Striped Bass Association’s Open House at Buck’s Outboard Marine on Saturday in Sacramento. In the main Sacramento River near Pittsburg, James Nguyen of Dockside Bait reported, “There have been a few stripers over 10 pounds brought in within the past two days, and live splittail have been the bait for the larger fish. There are plenty of school-sized linesides taken by drifting mudsuckers or jumbo minnows, and we have some beautiful mudsuckers in the shop for the first time in several months.” The wind continued to plague anchor fishermen, and boaters need to chose their window when the river is relatively calm. Pam Hayes of Benicia Bait reported salmon smolt releases continue in the Carquinez Straits, and when the releases take place during the incoming tide, the smolts are pushed back toward the state park and Glen Cove. Shore fishermen are tossing RatLTraps or similar lures for the stripers. Only a few sturgeon fishermen have been trying, and the best action has been around the Mothball Fleet and into Montezuma Slough. Largemouth bass continued to take center stage on the San Joaquin River with a slowdown in striper action over the past few weeks. Brandon Gallegos of H and R Bait in Stockton said, “There are tons of shaker stripers in Whiskey Slough, Eight Mile Road, and along Bacon Island Road, but finding keepers is a problem. Sardines or anchovies have been the top baits, but there is little live bait in the river as we haven’t had any fresh shad in over a month. The shadders are only finding a half-pound on all night trips, and there isn’t enough bait worth the effort.” Near Antioch, Doug Chapman of Gotcha Bait reported several fishermen were seeking stripers off of the Antioch Fishing Pier during the holiday weekend, and a few keepers to 20 inches have been taken on live mudsuckers. Pile worms and sardines also have been effective for the small stripers. Largemouth bass fishing is outstanding with both Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, and Fong reporting great action on recent trips. Fong has tied into some larger bass with his partner losing one of more than 8 pounds and another at about 6 pounds also coming unbuttoned. He said, “We have consistently been finding spawned out largemouth bass in the 4- to 5-pound range with Kincannon glide baits or the topwater Whopper Plopper. The cloud cover has allowed us to toss the topwater lures throughout the day.” Senkos are also working during the day. Bluegill, catfish, and crappie are also showing signs of life, and Gallegos said, “Some of the largest red-eared perch I have ever seen are coming out of Bull Frog Marina on red worms or jumbo red worms. Bluegill fishing is solid in Whiskey Slough, and there are also bluegill near Herman and Helen’s off of Eight Mile Road northwest of Stockton.” Said Chapman: “Anglers have been buying small to medium minnows for crappie, but they aren’t letting out where they are going.” Gallegos touted Tiki Lagun and Turner Cut off of Inland Drive as the top spots for crappie. In the south Delta, catfishing is good with frozen clams in Big Break while crappie are found around Holland Tract with small to medium minnows. Construction began May 7 on the temporary rock barrier on False River, and area boaters have to reroute through Fishermen’s Cut in order to reach the main San Joaquin River from Bethel Island as False River is closed to boat traffic.

Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Stan Koenigsberger – Quetzal Adventures (925) 570-5303; Intimidator Sport Fishing (916) 806-3030

Lopez Lake remains the top location along the coast for big largemouth bass with Santa Margarita limited to rental boats because of low water conditions. A trout plant occurred last week at Lopez, and this should bring out the swimbait bite. Big limits continue to be possible for experienced fishermen. Nacimiento is the top coastal location for numbers, but heavy recreational pressure began over the holiday weekend with most vessels heading to Naci because of low water conditions at San Antonio. In the early mornings or evenings before the recreational flotilla invades the lake, the white bass are boiling in the coves and small spotted bass can be taken with a variety of methods. At Santa Margarita, the marina is open for rental boats or kayaks, canoes or float tubes as the lake needs to come up to 30% in order for the launch ramp to be operable. The marina store is open again seven days per week from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. At San Antonio, the lake remains very low with only kayaks, canoes or float tubes able to be released. The shad are schooling up, and those with access to the lake can find the striped bass in the low pool of water. After stripers, largemouth bass and catfish are also possible.

Call: Lake Nacimiento (805) 238-1056, ext. 3; Lake San Antonio Marina (805) 472-2818; Central Coast Bass Fishing.com (805) 466-6557

• Angler’s Choice on May 23 at Delta: 1, Jason Cordiale/David Zavvar 26.39; 2, Mark Mello/Todd Feddersen 25.67; 3, Marc Young/Kenny Graham 23.25 (big fish 7.29)

• Saturday: Kerman Bass Club at Don Pedro; Kokanee Power Team Tournament at Don Pedro, www.kokaneepower.com; Southern California Bass Club at Isabella ; 101 Bass at Nacimiento
• Saturday-Sunday: Stockton Bass Club at Delta/Ladd’s Marina; Tracy Bass Club at Delta/Tracy Oasis

• Fresno County: Huntington Lake; Rancheria Creek; Big Creek, Huntington; Mono Creek; Ward Lake; San Joaquin River, South Fork; Tamarack Creek; Portal Forebay; Kings River, Below Pine Flat Dam
• Kern County: Kern River, sections 4-5
• Madera County: Starkweather Lake; San Joaquin River, Middle Fork; Lewis Creek; Willow Creek North Fork; Sotcher Lake; Nelder Creek
• Mariposa County: Big Creek, Madera
• Tulare County: Kern River, sections 5-6
• Tuolumne County: Tuolumne River North Fork; Tuolumne River Middle Fork; Tuolumne River South Fork; Powerhouse Stream; Herring Creek; Stanislaus River North Fork; Stanislaus River Middle Fork; Stanislaus River South Fork; Stanislaus River Clarks Fork; Lyons Reservoir; Lyons Canal (Columbia Ditch); Moccasin Creek; Pinecrest Lake

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Fishing Report: Week of May 27."