This week I was able to get out four out of the five days, and I was pleasantly surprised that my regular launch site is back to normal. There were a few trailers parked in the parking lot, but nothing like there were several weeks ago. While on the water, I saw some boats, but not too many. The re-opening of many of our local lakes and businesses has thinned out the crowds on the delta. Me personally, if I didn’t have a tournament coming up, I’d be fishing in one of the lakes too. Aside from their sometimes-high day use and launching fees, fishing in the lakes can be a nice change of pace. I believe a lot of boaters feel the same. I haven’t fished in the lakes since before the shelter in place, so I’m ready for a change. Hopefully next week I can visit a few lakes.

Delta Report:

With the increase in temperature look for the bass to seek shade. Lots of small fish are being caught on reaction baits but the bigger bass are being caught by those throwing snag proof frogs and flipping brown jigs. This time of year, it’s important to pay attention to the wind. Buzz baits and spinner baits can be extremely effective fished on the outside weed edges during windy conditions. Upon my last visit to my favorite tackle shop, wake baits were selling as fast as they could be stocked. With the bluegill spawn in full gear a large bluegill wake bait may be the ticket right now.

New Melones Lake:

Fishing for kokanee has been tough, many anglers are believing the tough bite is due to the lake not being planted with kokanee since 2018. The bass bite remains good for anglers throwing reaction baits Pop-R’s and Zara Spooks are providing nice bites during the low light hours of the day. During the day anglers are doing well in the backs of coves where there is wood present. The panfish bite is great right now as fish are being caught all over the lake but especially in the backs of coves with sunken brush.

Lake Don Pedro:

Fishing for king salmon and trout is fair. Anglers trolling for them are having luck while trolling around the schools of shad. Most of them are finding the bait between 30 and 45 feet deep. Anglers trolling are trolling Speedy Shiners through the schools of shad. Bass fishing is tough right now as anglers are struggling to catch them. As with most of the lakes right now the bass have moved out into deeper water during the day and are feeding on schools of shad.

Lake Camanche:

Trout fishing is starting to slow down as the water temperatures have risen. Those that are catching trout are fishing as deep as 45 feet to catch them. Bass fishing has also started to get tougher for anglers as bass have moved deeper. Those having success are focusing on suspending fish over offshore rock piles.

Lake Tulloch:

Smallmouth bass have been providing excellent action for anglers fishing late and early with top water lures. Once the sun is high try switching to small plastic baits fished deep, shaky head worms, darter heads, and drop shotted Robo Worms in either a craw or shad pattern should produce good results.

Tip of the Week:

If you’re interested in getting your hunting license this year but don’t have the time to take the hunters education course that is required to purchase a license, you’re in luck. You are now allowed to take the course online. I’m not sure if it is for a limited time or going to stay that way but it’s worth getting it done while you can. There are several sites where you can take the course. I completed my course through www.hunter-ed.com.