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Fishing Report
Jarrod Ballardo

This past week, the California State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 187, authored by Senator Tom Berryhill, state legislation that will transition California’s calendar-based fishing license to one that is valid a full 12-months from the date of purchase. In 2015, similar legislation failed to reach the Senate floor.

“California’s costly and antiquated fishing license program is a contributing factor to an alarming decline in fishing participation rates,” said Marko Mlikotin, executive director of the California Sportfishing League.

The passing of this bill won’t have much of an effect on me but will for those who usually opt for a one day pass or choose not to fish, since purchasing a license mid-year doesn’t make sense.

 

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 spinnerbaits can be extremely effective fished on the outside weed edges during windy conditions. With the Bluegill spawn in full gear a large wake bait may be the ticket right now.

 

New Melones Lake:

Kokanee are being caught by a lot of angers right now fishing near Rose Island, the dam, and near Glory Hole Point. 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.

 

Don Pedro:

Kokanee are providing anglers trolling with steady action just as long as they are trolling at the correct depths and speeds. The depth fluctuates throughout the day as the schools of fish typically go deeper as the sun gets higher. Bass fishing is good right now for anglers fishing early in the day with top water baits and shaky head worms during the day. The bass like to school up during the summer around islands and main lake points.

 

Lake Camanche:

Trout fishing is starting to slow down as the water temperatures have risen. Those that are catching trout right now are fishing as deep as 45 feet deep 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 off shore rock piles.

 

Lake Pardee:

There are a lot of trout being caught by anglers fishing with bait right in the launch ramp cove. On the lake, anglers are catching kokanee while trolling between 40 and 50 feet deep early in the morning. Once the sun gets high the kokanee seem to be harder to find for most anglers. Bass fishing is good, there is a good top water bite in the morning. During the day anglers are having luck while fishing around the rocks with small jigs.

 

Lake Tulloch:

Smallmouth bass have been providing excellent action for anglers fishing late and early with topwater 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.

 

Lake Amador:

The last load of trout was recently planted into the lake for the year. As the warmer weather sets in the trout start to come out only at night making Lake Amador a great destination for night fishermen. Bass fishing is wide open right now as the lake is full and the bass are up shallow spawning or feeding on bluegill.

 

Tip of the Week:

 

With all our local bodies of water being full, there is a lot of debris in the water right now. Especially during low light periods of the day, be extremely cautious while operating a boat or any other personal watercraft.