Fish Sniffer Issue 3919 | Page 23

VOL.39 • ISS. 19 FRESHWATER Sept 11, 2020 21 KNIGHTS LANDING/COLUSA cont. channel catfish remains your top option. “Catfish action is really good at night for shore anglers above the Knights Landing Bridge,’ said Boggs. “We are getting in extra-large minnows now– and that’s what anglers are hooking the bigger catfish on. One customer showed me a bag of fillets from cats in the 3 to 4 lb. range that he landed while night fishing at Knights Landing this week.” LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR Watershed Closed Because of Fire BRENTWOOD –-The fire that resulted in the closure of Los Vaqueros is now 100% contained. The watershed remains closed until further notice for clean-up and remediation. Before the watershed closed, hardbattling channel catfish were providing the top sport for anglers fishing from shore and boats at Los Vaqueros. Anglers bagged the catfish, along with some stripers, while soaking anchovies and chicken livers. Yekam El Nakar caught his catfish limit and a 30 lb. carp on his latest bait fishing trip to the lake, according to the Los Vaqueros Marina. Albert Attiya was fishing from a rental boat when he reeled in a giant catfish. The lake management planted 1,000 pounds of catfish on August 12 and 1,000 pounds of catfish on August 4. Trout fishing slowed down with a surface water temperature of 75 degrees. “One of our regular trollers reported catching no trout on his latest trip, but he did land two striped bass,” said Kent Hintzman at the marina. Boat rentals will reopen at the marina after the fire emergency is over. They will be available on a first come, first serve basis, and are subject to wind restrictions. Just a few reminders: social distance and masks are required. No pets, BBQs, alcohol, or fireworks are allowed. Cold water is available at the marina, but always make sure you pack extra in the heat. No swimming is allowed at the reservoir. The reservoir and watershed will be open for normal hours: 6 am-8 pm when the facilities reopen. Call the Marina with questions at 925-371-2628. Patty and her fishing partner Robert, scored a fast limit of handsome Shasta rainbows while trolling 60 feet deep on August 11. Photo courtesy of ROBERT HOWER, Redding. OROVILLE LAKE/ THERMALITO AFTERBAY Landlocked Chinooks Top Angling Menu OROVILLE – Fishing pressure for landlocked Chinook salmon and black bass has been very light lately at Lake Oroville, due to the late summer heat. “We kicked ass on Lake Oroville today,” said Bret Brady of Bare Bones Guide Service after a recent trip to Oroville. “We caught kings up to 6.5 lbs.. and three limits by 10:30. The Brad’s cut plug was on fire!” On his following trip, Brady reported topnotch fishing also. “We smashed the kings on Lake Oroville again. We even pulled a double,” said Brady. Most of the salmon being caught at Lake Oroville now are in the 18 inch range, but holdovers up to 24 inches are being caught, according to Rob Reimers of Rustic Rob’s Guide Service. Anglers are hooking the fish while trolling with Brad’s Kokanee Cut Plugs and other lures at 60 to 120 feet deep. The Thermalito Afterbay is worth a shot for landlocked steelhead in the 15 to 16 inch range, along with the possibility of hooking a big holdover fish. Boaters are trolling with nightcrawlers behind dodgers. The Summer Fun 2020 fun series on Tuesday nights at the Afterbay is over for the year. On the last event of the season, Alex Klein won first place with a 19-1/4 inch largemouth bass. “It was a tough, windy night., but Alex got ‘er done. Gary Souza and Harley Sr. were close,” reported Jamey Sorensen at North Valley Tackle and Pro Shop. Lake Oroville is currently holding 1,713,545 acre feet of water, 48 percent of capacity and 72 percent of average. - Dan Bacher PARDEE LAKE Kokanee Head Down Deep with Heat IONE – Now that Robbie Dunham is back home from a successful trout fishing trip to Lake Almanor, he is guiding for trout We’re open for fishing! and kokanee on Lake Pardee. On his latest trip, he reported superb fishing for both rainbows and kokanee. “The two anglers fishing with me each caught their five fish limits of rainbows by 10 a.m.,” he stated. “We hooked the fish on Speedy Shiners at 30 to 50 feet deep in the main body.” “We then switched over to kokanee fishing at 90 to 110 feet deep with Apex lures, tipped with corn, in the river channel from the mouth of the river to Twin Coves,” he stated.. “They landed their 10- fish limits of kokanee to 13-1/.2 inches - Dan Bacher RANCHO SECO RESERVOIR Panfish, Bass and Catfish Provide Best Angling HERALD - The Rancho Seco Recreation Area is currently open for fishing, day use and hard sided RV camping. Fishermen going to the lake are targeting warm water species including largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish Park hours have been restored to seasonal standard 7 AM – 6 PM (Monday – Sunday) Social distancing rules are in effect and no groups larger than 10 may congregate in the park. Also, there is a maximum of 120 vehicles allowed into the facility at a time to limit crowding and promote proper social distancing. The park will close once this number is reached. Maintain 6 ft. between you and those around you. Any type of group gatherings are not permitted. Most restrooms are open with the exception of the beach area. The beach is closed and fenced off. Swimming is not allowed. Showers are closed. There is no tent camping available at this time. Permitted activities include hiking. fishing, kayaking/boating (Boat rentals are available), a dog park and pcnicking (BBQ). RV sites are active with reservations. Rancho Seco Recreational Area is a 400-acre park overflowing with CONTINUED ON PG 22 Rancho Seco Recreational Area Anglers cast a line in our lake and plan your next fishing trip to Rancho Seco Recreational Area. The park’s 160-acre lake is a popular fishing location and sports largemouth bass, rainbow trout and bluegill. We’re open year-round for outdoor recreation in Sacramento County. For up-to-date park hours, guidelines and restrictions, visit smud.org/RanchoSeco or call 1-800-416-6992. Rancho Seco Recreational Area is located 25 miles south of Sacramento at 14960 Twin Cities Road in Herald, CA. 80 N 1-5 Sacramento 99 Twin Cities Rd. 104 Vicinity Map Herald Clay From Sacramento, take Highway 99 South to the Highway 104 exit. Go East on Highway 104, 15 miles, to the Rancho Seco Park exit. Clay Station Rd. Park Entrance Rancho Seco Recreational Area Kirk caught this hefty mackinaw while trolling 160 feet deep at Union Valley Reservoir this July. Photo courtesy of KIRK HARRY, El Dorado Hills. 0764-20 ® A trademark of Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Park Operator