14 August 11 , 2023 VOL . 42 • ISS . 12

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 12

FOLSOM LAKE

lake from the North and South Forks have decreased , larger fish from the forks have come back into the lake .” The fish average 12 to 14 inches long . Kellogg and Ward are hooking the trout on small shad imitation lures at 25 to 55 feet deep in the lake ’ s main body . “ The trout are feeding on immature threadfin shad from ½ to ¾ inches long , so we are using the smallest spoons in the box that we can run fast ,” he tipped . “ The most productive lures are 1 to 1-1 // 4 inch long Pinhead spoons . We cleaned one 15 inch rainbow that had a couple of dozen shad inside its stomach .” “ We ’ re catching most of the fish in the main body , but a few fish are being caught in the lower end of the North and South Forks . We ’ re targeting underwater humps that come within 60 feet of the surface and have access to deep water . In the open water we are not seeing as many bites ,” Kellogg advised . “ We ’ re using Fish Flash Flashers 40 inches above the spoons ,” he

Josh Elliot of Colfax is flabbergasted by the 19 lb mackinaw he caught at Stampede Reservoir . He caught it on a homemade 6 inch kokanee colored plug trolling at 50 feet deep . He had been trolling since 6 am , when he got the only bite of the day at 5 pm !!

Photo courtesy of Tom Workman , Colfax

tipped . “ A dozen trout is a good day on the lake . The fish are a mixture of holdover and wild rainbows . The fish are fighting really hard – most of them are pulling the line off the downrigger clip . In addition to the trout , we ’ ve also caught a couple of salmon to 15 inches .”

They have also hooked four bass , including one largemouth and three spotted bass in the 2 to 4 pound , on recent trips . Kellogg recommended that anglers interested in catching trout buy the State Parks Pass and fish the lake regularly to unravel the bite and stay on it . “ We ’ re really looking forward to cooler temperatures this fall ,” added Kellogg . “ We will be pulling lead core line while using trolling flies .” Anglers continue to catch black bass while using an array of techniques at Folsom Lake . On his latest trip , Brent Steele reported on the Folsom Lake Fishing Report Facebook Page that he caught and released 13 bass , all on crankbaits in about 20 ’ -30 ’ of water . Folsom Lake is holding 847,611 of water , 87 percent of capacity and 137 percent of average . The lake level is 454 feet in elevation , 12 feet from full . Brown ’ s Ravine ’ s main ramp is back open . Currently all five lunching ramps on Folsom Lake are usable , but are very busy on weekends , according to the Folsom Lake Marina : “ High water is great , but it also means that many parking spaces are now under water and the park can close early due to no parking . You should expect large crowds and lines to both launch and retrieve your boat . Come as early as possible and enjoy a full Folsom Lake .”

- Dan Bacher

AVAILABLE AT THESE FINE RETAILERS :

Fairfield ( 707 ) 920-2396

4207

LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR

Bank Anglers Bag Stripers , Catfish

LIVERMORE – If you want to hook fish at Los Vaqueros Reservoir during the dog days of August , your top prospect is to target striped bass or catfish from the bank . “ We ’ ve seen only one day where we were able to rent out boats over past three weeks , due to the persistent wind at the lake ,” reported Jeff Houston at the Los Vaqueros Marina . Shore anglers are hooking the stripers while using anchovies in the South Cove and off the fishing pier and south cove . The keeper fish average 18 to 21 inches long , but much bigger fish are out there . Tsai Enterprises stocked 1,000 pounds of channel catfish in the reservoir on July 26 . “ We ’ re trying to plant catfish twice per month until we begin stocking trout again after the surface water temperature cools down ,” he noted .

The channel cats are hitting anchovies , nightcrawlers and chicken livers . Big fish honors go to Saul Aboyles , who landed a 19.86 lb . catfish while soaking an anchovy in the South Cove .

The last plant of 2,000 pounds of Mt . Lassen rainbows went into the reservoir on June 30 . The trout fishing has been slow lately , since the trout have moved into deeper , cooler water . The surface water temperature is a toasty 77 degrees . The water level is currently at 125,000 acre feet . Boating has been limited due to wind . Please call the marina and check the conditions before arriving so you can plan accordingly . ( 925 ) 371-2628 .

- Dan Bacher