I’m not much of a planner, so when I decided to take my family out fishing halfway through the day, I accepted that fishing was secondary to just getting out on the water. Once on the water two things were evident, the fish were going to be tough to catch, and that there was more than one reason why we were the only boat on the lake at the time. I was surprised that we were able to fish for a solid three hours before I decided to call it quits and let the kids go swimming at the campgrounds swimming pool. While on our way home, nobody mentioned not catching a fish. They all had an enjoyable time just getting out of the house. It’s those trips that I remember the most. Not because of lack of fish that were caught but the memories that were made. Thinking back, unless the fishing was exceptionally good, I remember the good times with good company the most, in a lifetime of fishing trips.

The Delta:

Anglers are doing well for bass while fishing in the wind with reaction baits. Spinner baits have been working especially well. There are a lot of bait fish in the shallows making lure fishing good. Anglers fishing top water lures are still doing well as well as those that are flipping vegetation. You may not catch a lot of big fish right now but the numbers are there for those looking to fill a limit. Bluegills are being caught in large numbers right now for those fishing with small worms in the backs of sloughs. Catfish are being caught on chicken livers and clams.

New Melones Lake:

Trout are being caught right now for those fishing under submersible lights during the night and the kokanee bite remains surprisingly tough. Bass fishing remains good for smaller fish during the day and bigger fish are being caught earlier in the day on top water lures. Bluegills continue to bite well for those fishing brush piles with worms.

Don Pedro:

Kokanee fishing has gotten tougher for anglers as the kokanee have been holding tight to structure making them hard to target for anglers trolling. Trout fishing is fair for anglers that are finding them. They are scattered throughout the lake right now making it tough to target a specific depth. Bass fishing is fair early and late in the day for anglers fishing with top water lures.

Lake Amador:

Lake Amador has been good for those fishing at night. During the day the only fish reported caught are bluegill which are being caught up shallow on worms. At night bass are being caught on large power worms and spinnerbaits. Large catfish are also being caught with some weighing over 10 pounds on chicken livers and clams. A few trout are also being lured to the surface at night by submersible lights which can be caught on minnows and power bait.

Lake Pardee:

Bass fishing is good right now for anglers who are finding shade along the bank or fishing deep with plastics. Trout fishing has also been good for those trolling earlier in the day until about noon. Bluegill fishing is good right now for those fishing the shallows with worms and crickets.

Lake Camanche:

The bite is good right now for bluegill and bass. Bass are being caught right now just about anywhere on the lake, with rocky points being the best spots. Small plastic worms worked along the bottom are producing a lot of bites during the day. Bluegills are being caught shallow by those fishing with red worms in the backs of coves.

Tip of the Week:

If you’re planning on fishing or boating in any of our local waterways be on the lookout for floating debris. During one of my last outings there were numerous logs floating along the surface making it dangerous for those boaters travelling at a high rate of speed.