Central California fishing report: New Melones trout and catfish active

Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.

Best bets

New Melones trout and catfish active, Kyle Wise reported. Lake Isabella pumping out crappie bass and catfish, Copes Tackle said. Don Pedro bass, king salmon and trout action good, Monte Smith reported. Lake McClure bass on a tear, Aaron Jones said. Pine Flat bass and trout on the prowl, Tas Moua reported. Lake McSwain trout plants should kick the bite into gear,

Dave Hurley said.

Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother

Unless noted, area code is 559

Valley​​​​​​​​​/Westside waterways​

Striper 2 Catfish 3

Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported fast current is limiting action in the northern section of the California Aqueduct as 6 ounces of lead isn’t enough to keep the gear down on the bottom. The best action has been at the Clifton Court Forebay with topwater lures, swimbaits, or glide baits, and huge stripers to nearly 40 pounds were caught and kept this week. Within a few weeks, the Striperz Gone Wild 5-Year Anniversary Fishing Tournament on Oct. 4 will draw out the anglers pre-fishing for the event. The tournament starts at 6 a.m. with the weigh in at 2:00 p There are prizes for 1^st through 3^rd in both the adult and youth divisions. Several tackle vendors will be present along with a bounce house and food vendors. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported the best action is for either catfish or largemouth bass with whiskerfish taken on Triple S Dip Bait, cut mackerel, or chicken liver where the faster moving water meets slower current. Topwater Poppers or Whopper Plopper-style walking baits worked along the water’s edge have been productive for largemouth bass along with plastics in green pumpkin in the eddies. Striped bass fishing has been fair with cut sardines, mackerel, or fresh shrimp.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351.

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

At Eastman, Tas Moua reported the reaction bite is taking off around mid-day from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. as the fish are holding on the flats near big rock. Medium diving crankbaits worked around five feet in depth in 15 feet of water is working along with swimbaits in the 4- to 5-inch range. At Hensley, catfish and bluegill remain the top species. Eastman is at 474.62 feet in elevation and 10% of capacity with Hensley at 455.25 feet in elevation and 8% of capacity. One tournament is scheduled at Eastman through the end of September with none in October. Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151.

Lake Don Pedro​

Bass 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 3 Crappie 2

Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported an excellent reaction bite with topwater walking baits as the bass are chasing shad throughout the surface. He said, “There is so much shad in the lake, and the bass are busting on the surface in the main lake and in the coves. If you have sonar, flutter spoons are also working along with flukes and jigging spoons. You find the bass from the surface to 20 feet.” Bass are also found as deep as 45 feet within the thick shad schools, and Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “You can see the bass on Live Scope, and as soon as one hits, as many as four rods are on bass. The rainbow trout and king salmon bite remain strong, and we are finding rainbows over 3½ pounds and kings to 4 pounds. We are trolling at depths to 50 feet with custom or ExCel spoons in shad patterns. The mornings have been starting off slow, but if you stick with it, you will find biting fish. It’s a matter of sticking it out and moving around as everything is loading up on the shad. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake dropped to 792.09 feet in elevation. Three bass tournaments are scheduled in October. A self-inspection is required for launching.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area​

Bass 3 Trout 2 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3

The lake dropped six inches to 2,568.95 feet in elevation and 40% of capacity with surface temperatures around 80 degrees. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported excellent crappie fishing at depths from 5 to 20 feet around structure with live shiners or jigs, particularly ‘super small’ dagger-style mini jigs, crickets, artificial crickets, Get Bent Baits, or 2-inch Keitech swimbaits. While both shallow and deeper bites have been good, colors and depths are shifting day to day. Red’s Marina, the North Fork trees, and the cages near Kissack Cove are the most consistent locations for slabs. Bass action is solid with an early morning topwater bite around isolated trees or rockpiles with Poppers, walking baits, or prop baits, As the sun climbs, anglers are switching to 6– to 9-inch Texas-rigged worms in purple, Aaron’s Magic, or red craw at depths from 15 to 25 feet off points. Catfish are showing later in the day and into the evening on Triple S dip bait, frozen shad, or nightcrawlers. Trout anglers are connecting near the North Fork with floating baits, while boaters trolling deeper near the dam have scored well with Tasmanian Devils, Needlefish, or Berkley’s Flicker Shad. In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported Trout fishing along the 20-mile stretch of the Kern has been steady around eddies and river bends near easy access points with salmon eggs, trout jigs, or black/gold Panther Martins while fly anglers are scoring on attractor patterns. In the lower Kern, trout have been caught in the canyon up to Keysville on spinners or trout jigs. Bass fishing in the canyon and at Democrat continues to be very good with Z-Man or Crush City plastics on a Ned-rigs, small crankbaits, or Roboworms on a drop-shot. Catfish are also showing in good numbers on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or cutbait, while bluegill remain active throughout the lower Kern and are easily caught with worms on drop-shot rigs. The flows in the upper Kern River held rose slightly to 427 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake have also risen to 513 cfs at First Point. One bass tournament is scheduled at Isabella through the end of September with one more in October. Trout plants are scheduled in the upper Kern sections 4, 5, and 6 the week of Oct. 6, section 4 the weeks of Oct. 13 and 20, and sections 4 and 5 the week of Oct. 27.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657; North Fork Marina (760) 376-1812; Golden Trout Pack Station (559) 542-2816.

Lake Kaweah​

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

​The lake dropped three-quarters of a foot to 589.67 feet in elevation and 8% of capacity. Cope’s reported fair fishing overall with the best bass action on rocky structure, bluff walls, or underwater humps at depths from 15 to 30 feet with finesse baits in green pumpkin, ox blood, and purple. Deep-diving crankbaits are also producing along main and secondary points. The Golden Empire Bass Club drew 13 boats on Saturday, and there were impressive winning weights with Steve and Hunter Wiebe weighing in18.96 pounds for first while Chandler Donovan and Wyatt Moore came in second at 17.12 pounds anchored by Wyatt’s 10-pound kicker. Crappie fishing is decent with small live minnows while catfishing is best with dip bait, chicken liver, or anchovies. The Kaweah River rose slightly to 82 cfs at Three Rivers. No additional bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of October.

Lake Success​

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake dropped a foot to 596.40 feet in elevation and 12% of capacity. Cope’s reported a slowdown in fishing action and pressure, but bass in the 1- to 2-pound range are found on plastics in Smokin’ Shad, Brown/green flake, or Neptune Shad on a drop-shot, spider jigs, or on a Ned-rig worked off main or secondary lake points. Slow rolled underspins along the bottom at depths to 15 feet have also been effective. Catfishing remains best with Triple S Dip Bait, nightcrawlers, or chicken liver.

McClure Reservoir​

Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait in Modesto reported pretty much the same deal as at Don Pedro with a solid topwater bite with walking baits, but he added, “You have to run around more since there are fewer coves where the bass are chasing shad.” Flutter spoons are also working at depths to 20 feet. The Fresno Bass Club held a club tournament on Sunday with A.J. Duncan finding over a 3-pound average at 16.46 pounds including a 6.58-pound big fish. The lake dropped to 804.81 feet in elevation and 63% of capacity. There is one remaining tournament in September with six more in October.

Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 3

A trout plant occurred this week with an additional plant the week of Oct. 6. The lake is preparing for Merced Irrigation District’s Fall Trout Derby on Oct. 4-5. The derby format is changed this year with no derby registration, and no FishDonkey. Just a full day of fishing, fun, and community. If you catch a tagged fish between 7 a.m.-3 p.m. you could score surprises like cabin stays, camping trips, annual passes, Splash-n-Dash tickets, lunch at the Reel Deal, and more. A $20 vehicle entry fee applies on Oct. 4 and covers all passengers for derby participation. Free vehicle entry for active/veteran military, first responders, and Merced & Mariposa County students! With the plants, the normal conditions of bank anglers scoring a few trout per rod with the Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters from the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina. A trout plant is scheduled in the Merced River Section 1 during the week of the 22n^d. The lake is at 90% of capacity. A trout plant occurred in the Merced River Section 1 this week and also during the week of Oct. 6.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River​

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

Tas Moua reported an improved bass bite with plastic worms in Hologram Shad, Prism Shad, or Baby Bluegill on a drop-shot rig at depths to 20 feet near the Court House or in Winchell’s Cove. Spy baits are also starting to locate bass. Live crawdads near the dam are also producing bass. The lake is at 507.96 feet in elevation and 46% of capacity. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant remain steady at 208 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of October.

Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch​

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 1

Kokanee are over for the year, but trout action is heating up as the fish are loading up on the lake’s shad schools. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to find limits of quality rainbows to four pounds running T-Spoons or Speedy Shiners coated with Pautske’s Shad or Herring Gel at depths from 75 to 90 feet over the main lake channels. Wise has also been targeting catfish at night with cut mackerel for ‘all the whiskerfish you could want.” For bass, Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported Melones is a bit behind Pedro and McClure for topwater action, but ‘you can throw anything at them.’ All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated for golden mussels. A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina, and boaters are advised to schedule a decontamination via https://musseldecon.com/ with a deposit of $60. Costs will vary from a minimum of $60 to $180 up depending upon the size and complexity of the vessel. Boats not making a reservation will be charged as much as $180. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, only the Glory Hole ramp is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The hours are subject to change after the Labor Day Holiday Weekend. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped to 1016.71 feet in elevation and 68% of capacity with downstream Tulloch at 94% of capacity.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734.

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River​

Bass 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Tas Moua reported the bass bite is best with jigs or crankbaits in the shallows along main lake points, particularly on points before the turn into Windy Gap. During the Bass 101 tournament, the topwater bite was better in the evening past Trimmer during the first part of the night event. In the lower Kings River, the flows are at 345 cfs at Trimmer this week. A trout plant occurred this week, and additional plants are scheduled the weeks of Oct. 6, 20, and 27. Trout fishing for planters has been strong since the plant with the normal offerings of Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. The conditions are excellent with the lowered flows. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. The lake dropped to 767.16 feet in elevation and 22% of capacity. No more tournaments are scheduled through the end of September with one in October.

Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273; ‘Fishing with Jimmy T’ on YouTube.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay​

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

The water level in the main lake continues to rise to 48% of capacity with increased pumping out of the south Delta. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported anchovies or pile worms are working from the banks off Dinosaur Point, but the action is only fair. Duo Realis 120 jerkbaits, SP Minnows, umbrella rigs, or spoons are also picking up linesides chasing bait in the coves.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported that the bite has been up and down as the last storm moved through the area.” I scouted last week in a slow bite but managed to release a 42”, 28.1 striper working the 60-70’ depth range in the main lake . Later in the week I took out a guest , John Turner of Turner Security on another overall slow day- but John hung in there and ended up fighting in a very strong 36½”, 18 ½ lb striper ,that he filmed being released on the Seaqualizer release tool. It’s been hard to consistently find active fish in the roller coaster weather patterns that have been pounding us.” George said.

In the O’Neill Forebay, Tas Moau reported early morning boils in open water, but most of the stripers working the boils are undersized. The better quality of striped bass is found in the shallows hiding in the grass and ambushing bait along with the largemouth bass. 4-inch topwater lures or Rig Walkers are best as the 5-inch models are finding fewer, but larger fish. The California Aqueduct has been slow overall. But Striperz Gone Wild Fifth Anniversary tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Volt Bridge.

The forebays are at 82% of capacity. Boat inspections at San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir in Merced County are required when exiting these lakes to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. At O’Neill Forebay, golden mussels were detected. Boats leaving these San Luis Recreation Area lakes will not be granted a “clean boat” tag. After boating in waterways, always remember to clean, drain, and dry to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir. Los Banos Creek Reservoir is closed to public access through April 2026.

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

High Sierra

Bass Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2+

A few kokanee finally showed up for the first time in years last week. Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported bass can be found either shallow or deep, and the large bass are holding under cover. He said, “I found some followers in the 4/5-pound range on big swimbaits, and I was able to land a 2-pound spot on a watermelon Magnum Fluke fished weightless.” A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1. One bass tournament is scheduled in September with one in October. Call: Tas Moua, Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool​

Travelers to the high country must be aware of current road conditions as evacuations may be in order. Water releases during at the High Sierra lakes slowed down with Edison holding at 51% of capacity, Florence holding at 39% of capacity, with Mammoth Pool dropping to 51% of capacity. Southern California Edison (SCE), in partnership with the Sierra National Forest are rehabilitating the boat launch and campground. According to the Sierra National Forest’s press release, “The campground and boat launch have recently been turned over to SCE’s control to begin the rehabilitation work. To complete this work, SCE will need one year for the boat launch-related work (until May 2026), and two years for the campground (May 2027), keeping in mind that given the elevation, there is only a limited window of time to complete this type of work during the year. Forest Order 05-15-51-25-06 covering SCE’s rehabilitation work will be released soon.” Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.

Road conditions 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2

Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols, reported, “Shaver Lake is on a slowdown with a few second and third year kokanee along with some rainbow trout and a few 16-inch browns that are from the plant of fingerlings four years ago. Fishing interest has slowed due to the Garnet fire, which is 75% of capacity contained. The smoke from the fire remains, but the recent rain has put much of the fire out and provided an atmospheric freshness on the lake. Shaver regular Dave McGlothin of Clovis continues to work the navigation bugs out for his new boat. This past week, McGlothin found a slow bite overall, but a fire captain from Dixon that he invited to join him at the launch ramp was able to haul in a nice 16-inch rainbow on his brief trip. Even though the duo had a few other hook ups, they reported a slow day, as did another 4 or 5 boats on the lake. Most of the 2nd year kokanee are holding around 35 feet in depth. Brown trout have been more active the past two weeks; but again, it’s very slow. Huntington is still producing limits for smaller kokanee and trout in the 35-foot level with Dick’s Mountain Trout Busters in Jimbo and Texas Tea or pink Tubes behind Mountain Dodgers or Mountain Flashers. I expect the bite at Shaver to pick up on second year kokanee, and I think fishing for trout in Stevenson Bay, Boy Scout Cove, and Dorabela Cove will pick up.” Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver rose from 67% of capacity to 70% with Huntington dropping from 79% of capacity to 69%.

Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Paul Brown 300-4001.

Wishon/Courtright​

Trout 0

The Garnet Fire has closed access to both Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs. The closure starts at the intersection of Trimmer Springs Road, continuing north along Big Creek Forest Road 10S69, and then up to the intersection with Dinkey Creek Road. It also includes the McKinley Grove Road at Camp Fresno to the north, and areas with no public access to Courtright, Wishon or east to the trailheads to the John Muir Wilderness and beyond, to the south. A trout plant was scheduled for Wishon this week with another during the week of Oct. 6.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay​

Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

As anticipated, the recent four-day ocean salmon season from Point Reyes south to Point Sur surpassed the 7500-fish quota, leading to in season action by the National Marine Fisheries Service on Sept. 17 to close the remaining 2025 fall dates of Sept 29-30, Oct. 1-5, and Oct. 27-31. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) estimated that 12,000 Chinook salmon were taken by 12,400 anglers in the brief fall season. Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sport Fishing said, “Next year, I have a feeling that we will get a longer season as what we saw in the ocean this year was nothing short of incredible. I look at it this way, we hit the 7,500-fish quota within four days, and I think we have only reached 7500 fish four times since 1994 during a much longer open period. It just shows how many salmon are in the system.”

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife press release stated, “The use of harvest guidelines and in-season management in California’s ocean salmon sport fishery management is new this year. The guidelines were developed as part of the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s pre-season process using catch and effort information from prior years along with expected performance this year. The guidelines serve to ensure that impacts from the fishery to stocks of particular concern - Klamath River fall Chinook and Central Valley Spring and Sacramento River Winter Chinook - are minimized. In-season monitoring to actively manage commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries to align with pre-season harvest forecasts. CDFW met boat captains and anglers on the docks to collect fishery and biological data used to create catch estimates, abundance forecasts, and stock-specific information on the catch. CDFW continues to appreciate the cooperation of anglers during these surveys.”

Despite the disappointment of some that the remaining dates are now closed, it is quite clear what impact salmon have on northern California communities.

The Deep Reef is now open, and rockfishing is the story as there are excellent grounds along the San Mateo coast. When the weather is too rough to make it to the Farallon Islands, party boats out of San Francisco Bay continue to head south for quality limits of rockfish including sublimits of vermilions along with limits of lingcod. Rockfish limits are basically a given. Captain James Smith of California Dawn 2 out of Berkeley went south on Monday due to rough ocean conditions at the Farallon Islands, and he put his 23 clients onto limits of both rockfish and lingcod to 22 pounds. The Codfather out of Alameda make the bluefin run twice this week to the waters around the Half Moon Bay Weather Buoy for a total of three bluefin to 160 pounds.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819.

Monterey/Santa Cruz​

Rockfish 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 2

From the beaches, Mickey Clements from Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported early morning remains the best time for striped bass from Capitola south with Duo Realis Tide Minnows in dark patterns, Motor oil/red flake on a Carolina-rig remains the color pattern for surf perch, and Mekini Baitz or Lucky 13 continue to be the baits of choice for local surf anglers.

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “It’s that magic time for fishing across the Monterey Bay. Late summer heading into fall. Halibut are slowly moving out towards deeper water, but enough remain in 40-80 feet of water to make targeting them a decent proposition. this is the time of year we see bigger flatties coming in from Santa Cruz North Coast areas. Anglers work the sandy flats outside the bull kelp at Wilder’s, Three and Four-Mile Beaches, Davenport and Scott’s Creek for late halibut. Using live bait is always the best, but if going with dead bait, we’d recommend squid. There’s always a chance for a tanker white sea bass in that area this time of year. Perch are getting bigger and more numerous from all our Monterey Bay beaches and there’s still enough stripers on the bite to make it worthwhile to chase those hard-fighting surf fish.

Adding to the positive gestalt, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife realized some of their quillback rockfish data was hooey, and subsequently relaxed the constricting and sometimes confusing depth area regulations, meaning we can fish nearshore or as deep as desired for the remainder of rockfish season which runs through December 31.

The big charter boats from Monterey continue to report limits of rockfish. Many trips from Monterey are making it as far south as the Big Sur area for quality rockfish, including some big canaries and vermilion. Chris’ Fishing Trips reported limits up to 150 rockfish this week and up to six lings as a bonus. J & M Sportfishing reported full rockfish limits as well including 15 and 16 lingcod for the Saturday trips aboard the New Horizon and the Kahuna, respectively. In Santa Cruz, Stagnaro’s Sportfishing counted around 1/2 limits of cod on their shorter forays including the twilight trips with six lings as a high mark for the week. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine tracks local tuna fishing closely. The tuna bite this year has been teasingly tantalizing. Both bluefin and albacore tuna are in the area, though they’re apparently not easy to find. On Wednesday Fraser said, “There were a few bluefin caught today just short of the 601. The total I heard for the few boats out was two nice bluefin. The bluefin were caught on Mad Mack’s and were in the 150-pound range. The anglers saw more bluefin at Davenport Fingers where the water was 63 degrees. The anglers who ran below Monterey did not find any tuna that I heard of.” Albacore anglers are doing better the farther they head north. Bodega Bay fishermen reported catches of 10-20 fish about 40 miles offshore, and Ft. Bragg boats are doubling that average number a bit closer to shore. Crescent City and nearby areas off the Southern Oregon coast continue to enjoy a steady productive bite on the longfin tuna in the 30 to 50-pound range.

Federal waters opened last Thursday, and Monterey Bay rockfishing is incredible with 11 limits of rockfish and 5 lingcod on Sunday for Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching in Monterey.

Call: Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay​

Halibut 2 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 2+

The opening of state waters has led to ‘epic’ rockfishing at the Farallon Islands, and limits of both rockfish and lingcod within a few drifts has been the story. All the coastal ports are receiving help from the increased access after two years of closure for most areas.

Captain James Smith of the California Dawn 2 from Berkeley said, “The federal waters opened up on Friday, and everything outside the 3-mile state waters are now available which means Rittenburg Bank, Fanny Shoals, and the Deep Reef. The islands have been full speed ahead, and the rockfish and lingcod action is a good as I have ever seen it. Every day is a new opener, and we are seeing rocks that haven’t been touched in years. The weather laid out over the weekend, and we loaded up with 32 limits of lingcod to 25 pounds, 32 limits of rockfish, and 320 sand dabs. We are making one, maybe two drifts for limits of rockfish and about the same number of drifts for lingcod. I will be concentrating on the main islands for the time being, but with Fanny Shoals now open again, that’s another possibility. We are fishing much shallower than we were when restricted to 50 fathoms. When the Dungeness crab opener begins on Nov. 1, we might actually see some lingcod in the sacks in addition to rockfish limits.”

Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions took his clients out to the Farallons on Saturday after posting limits of striped bass inside the bay, and he said, “We scratched out limits of both lings and rockfish, but the bite was slower as the drift slowed down. All the boats had limited out by the time we arrived, but we grinded it out.”

One major advantage for party and private boats will be during the Dungeness crab season, and although crabbing will most likely be restricted to hoop nets at the start of the season, the ability to fish all depths on the combination trips will make a major difference in preserving shallow water populations and providing opportunity much closer to the home ports. Boats from San Francisco Bay, Half Moon Bay, and Bodega Bay had to travel more than 20 miles offshore to locate grounds over 50 fathoms.

Although most party and private boats are heading outside the Golden Gate. Striped bass are hanging on in San Francisco Bay, and many of the linesides appear to be smaller, but legal, downstreamers from the upper river. White seabass are also making a stronger showing, but most of the ghosts are under the 28-inch minimum size.

Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters was out on Saturday and Sunday in San Pablo Bay, and he said, “Easy limits of stripers to 8 pounds both days on live bait once we located the schools. It was slow at Angel Island, so we looked around to get on them.”

Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco has been picking up limits of striped bass on the anchor in the central bay, and on Saturday, he worked San Pablo Bay for limits of linesides before heading outside the Gate to the Farallons for limits of rockfish and lingcod. He said, “I’m laying off the seabass for now, but I will start looking around in a few weeks.”

Halibut fishing has slowed considerably, but boats targeting the flat fish for an extended period are scratching up a few fish inside the bay. The best halibut action remains on the North Bar, and Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing put his clients onto quality halibut on a recent trip.

Call: Captain Trent Slate – Bite Me Charters, (415) 307-8582; Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388.

San Luis Obispo​

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3

The newly opened federal waters are a boon to the San Luis Obispo County ports, and rocks not fished in years are now good to go. On Sunday, three boats went out of Morro Bay Landing with 71 anglers for 495 assorted rockfish, 97 vermilion, 36 copper, 4 cabezon to 10 pounds, 60 Boccaccio, 32 ocean whitefish, one sheephead, and 7 lingcod to 8 pounds. The Black Pearl out of Morro Bay is taking advantage of the new waters to put their customers onto heavy sacks of rockfish and lings on their 8- and 12-hour trips. Cope’s Bait and Tackle in Bakersfield has a private charter on the Black Pearl on Sept. 26 with 20 spots at $210/angler. Information – Fernando Villegas – (559) 972-0250. Out Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, three boats were out on four trips on Sunday with 44 passengers for 306 assorted rockfish, 61 vermilion, 13 Boccaccio, 2 copper, an ocean whitefish, and 16 lingcod to 10 pounds.

Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing

Others

Delta/Stockton ​

Bass 3 Striper 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

The best action for striped bass is near Collinsville for those trolling either deep or shallow lures along with casting plugs or swimbaits. The West Bank has been ‘feast or famine’ as the small witch’s hair grass has been loading up lines. Casting swimbaits or plugs in Broad Slough when the schools are found has also been effective. The fall run should continue to build steam. Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors reported largemouth bass action is best in the north Delta as the fish are starting to orient to wood or structure as the water is cooling down. Flipping plastics remains the top technique. Sturgeon catch-and-release fishing is closed until Oct. 1. In the San Joaquin River, Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley said, “Live bluegill has been the best technique for striped bass to 8 pounds on the San Joaquin side from the Antioch Bridge toward Eddo’s Marina as grass has taken a toll on trolling. We found stripers in 3 of the 4 locations we looked, but the witch’s hair was a nuisance, even during the period of slow current.” For largemouth bass, Nor Cal Bass drew 38 boats on Saturday with the winning weight over 22 pounds with a big fish pushing 10 pounds. Tournament director, Dave King, said, “Punching the weeds brought out the big fish while numbers were taken on frogs or Senkos. Catching fish wasn’t a problem but finding anything of size continues to be a challenge.” In the south Delta past the Mossdale Bridge, Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported continued slow action for striped bass while small catfish are the best bet.

Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, (209) 543-6260; Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events Oct. 4

Striperz Gone Wild Five Year Anniversary Fishing Tournament – 6 a.m.-2 p.m. – California Aqueduct at the Volta Road Bridge. Free registration. Vendors, bounce house, and food trucks on site.

Oct. 10-12

77t^h Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival – information- https://www.bassfestival.com/.

Tournament Results

Sept. 13-14

Pine Flat –Bass 101 Night Tournament (10-fish Weigh In)

1^st: Tom/Rusty – 27.01 pounds; 2^nd – Jason/Chris – 24.16 (Big Fish – 6.83); 3^rd – Gary and Wayne – 23.60.

Sept. 20

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass

1^st: Tyler Bussart/Aaron Sapp– 22.49 pounds (Big Fish – 9.77); 2^nd – Lorenzo/Lucca Rossetti – 21.50; 3^rd – Jamond Andrews/Harvey Pulliam – 20.70.

Kaweah – Golden Empire Bass Club

1^st – Steve and Hunter Wiebe – 18.96. pounds; 2^nd – Chandler Donovan/Wyatt Moore – 17.12 (Big Fish – 10.00); 3^rd – Nathan Towes/David Childress – 14.23.

Sept. 21

McClure – Fresno Bass Club

1^st – A.J. Duncan 16.46 (Big Fish – 6.58); 2^nd – Scott Parsons – 11.27; 3^rd – Kyle Reynolds – 10.15.

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)​

Note – tournaments scheduled for New Melones, Camanche, Tulloch, or Pardee are subject to change and will not be listed

Sept. 27-28

Delta/B and W Resort – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Sept. 27

Eastman – 17/90 Bass Club

Sept. 28

McClure – Valley Backlashers

Oct. 3-5

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Angler Inc.

Oct. 4-5

McClure – Riverbank Bass Club

Oct. 4

New Melones – Angler’s Press Outdoors

Don Pedro – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club

Oct. 5

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Modesto AmBASSadors

Oct. 11-12

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Best Bass Tournaments

Oct. 11

Delta/Big Break – 17-90 Bass Club

Don Pedro – Christian Bass League

McClure – Sonora Bass Anglers

Bass Lake – Kerman Bass Club

Isabella – Cope’s Bait and Tackle

Oct. 12

McClure – Kings River Bass Club

Oct. 18-19

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Angler’s Press Outdoors

New Melones – Bass Addicts of SoCal

Lake Success – Ducks Unlimited

Oct. 18

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass

Tulloch – Yak A’Bass

McClure – Sierra Bass Club

Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers

Oct. 25-26

Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc.

Oct. 25

Delta/Big Break – Delta Bass Club

Santa Margarita – Bakersfield Bass Club

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.

This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: New Melones trout and catfish active."