22 June 9 - 23 , 2017 VOL . 36 • ISS . 13

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 21

LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR

Larger Stripers Start To Show !

BRENTWOOD - After a long period of mostly undersized stripers showing at Los Vaqueros Reservoir , anglers are encouraged by the appearance of two larger fish in recent catches .

Irwin Tremandl landed a 17.01 lb striper while soaking an anchovy in Cowboy Cove . Then Stephanie Overbay caught an 11.16 lb . striper while tossing out chicken liver in the South Cove , reported Paul Contreras of the Los Vaqueros Marina .

However , anglers continue to hook many undersized fish for every keeper . From shore , cut anchovies , chicken liver or shad are the best baits .

“ Trout fishing is pretty good ,” said Contreras . “ We ’ ve seen several fish in the 3 to 6 lb range lately . The largest fish we ’ ve seen over the past couple weeks was a 6.80 rainbow caught in Cox Cove by an angler trolling a Rapala .” “ Shore anglers and rental boaters are doing best while tossing out rainbow , garlic and charteuse PowerBaits , Roostertails , Kastmasters and other lures in the South Cove and other areas on the lake ,” he noted .

Mt . Lassen Fish Farm planted 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout before Memorial Day weekend .

Catfish are making infrequent appearances , but more fish should be caught as the weather warms up . Chicken liver and anchovies are the top baits .

The reservoir is storing 153,800 acre-feet of water , 96 percent of its 160,000 acre-foot capacity . This is the most water ever stored at Los Vaqueros . Pumping has stopped and the reservoir will slowly drop

If you are looking to rent a boat , it is a good idea to call ahead to check current wind conditions at ( 925 ) 371-2628 or check online here for weather conditions updated hourly . The wind has settled down the past few days , but spring is usually a windy time at Los Vaqueros .

NEW HOGAN LAKE

Trollers Find Top-Notch Striper Action

VALLEY SPRINGS - Striper fishing continues to be excellent for anglers going to New Hogan Reservoir .

The three anglers fishing with Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing on his latest trip to New Hogan Reservoir landed 13 stripers ,

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along with losing two or three more . “ Most of the fish were in the 19 to 20 inch range , but two were in the 23 inch class ,” said Smith . “ We trolled anchovies and threadfin shad from 16 to 35 feet deep . They key to success is to keep moving with fish .”

“ The stripers aren ’ t busting the surface yet ,” said Smith , “ I haven ’ t seen any big concentrations of shad yet .”

New Hogan is holding 247,371 acre-feet of water , 78 percent of capacity and 141 percent of average .

The bag limit for stripers is 10 at New Hogan with no size limit .

~ By Dan Bacher

NEW MELONES / TULLOCH LAKES

Bass Fishing Hit And Miss

ANGELS CAMP - The bass fishing on New Melones has been a little hit and miss .

Some days we are finding plenty of fish , along with some giants and other days we are working for each and every bite . Even on the tougher days we are averaging 15 to 20-fish . New Melones is a great fishery and it is not uncommon to catch 30 to 40-fish in a day . Changing techniques and adapting to the conditions has been a major key to our success . We were faced with another week of unstable weather , cold nights , a drizzle of rain and gusty winds . However , we made the proper adjustments and found some quality fish on each trip .

The fish are at the tail end of their annual spawn and are in a post spawn stage . When the surface warms we have been finding topwater fish in the mornings and evenings . When it cools we are going with a subsurface reaction presentation . Spinnerbaits , crankbaits and small swimbaits will put fish in the boat . I had the pleasure of fishing with Rick Helmonds for a couple days . About an hour into the first day of our guide trip Rick stuck a giant 6.2-pound largemouth . We were targeting an area that would hold both spawn and post spawn fish . This beauty inhaled a swimbait in shallow water .

The trout are still up near the surface chasing shad and sipping on small insects in the evenings . Usually they have moved down to deep water by this time of the year .

On an evening guide trip targeting bass , Rob Betsch landed three beautiful rainbow trout and missed one giant at the boat . Casting near the banks that had flooded grass , the

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Kristy and Mike Carpentier have been at it again . Kristy caught this dandy rainbow while trolling at Lake Pardee on May 13 and Mike snapped the pic .

Photo courtesy of MIKE CARPENTIER , Concord . trout would take a soft plastic on the fall or with a slow and steady retrieve . We also caught about 15 bass that evening .

The catfish too are targeting schools of shad . Josh Parris of San Andreas caught a 22-pound catfish on an umbella rig .

New Melones is not the only Mother Lode Lake we fished this past week . On Saturday I took a couple young kids out for a morning and afternoon of fishing on Lake Tulloch .

The morning bite was good and the bass were up shallow feeding on small sunfish . We caught fish up to 3 pounds . We landed a very nice crappie and lost a big trout on a scrounger head . We live in a great area and are very fortunate to have so many lakes nearby .

- by John Liechty

LAKE OROVILLE

Boaters Lay Into Spotted Bass

OROVILLE – Boaters heading out on Lake Oroville are finding phenomenal spotted bass fishing while using an array of offerings .

“ Boaters are reporting catching 40 to 60 fish per day ,” said Dan Wells at North Valley Tackle and Pro Shop . “ Most of the fish are in the 1-1 / 2 lb . range , but some bigger fish are showing , particularly for anglers tossing out reaction baits .”

“ The fish are in post-spawn mode from 0 to

20 feet deep ,” noted Wells . “ Most guys are using Senkos , Robo Worms and tubes .

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The top reaction lures are Rover and Vixen spinnerbaits .”

“ This is a great time to take the kids fishing ,” added Wells . “ It doesn ’ t make much of a difference where you fish on the lake because the bass are biting all over the reservoir .”

The biggest largemouth caught at the lake this year to date was 12 pounds , taken by an angler practicing for a tournament .

Wells hasn ’ t heard any reports on king salmon being caught on the lake by bass anglers lately .

Boaters in search of Chinooks should troll with hoochies , tipped with sardine and anchovy strips , off the dam and the Green Bridge .

The lake was holding 2,526,339 acre-feet of water , 71 percent of capacity and 85 percent of average , at press time . The water level is 828.20 feet above sea level , 71.8 feet from maximum pool .

-by Dan Bacher

PARDEE LAKE

Huge Trout Plants Boost Fishing Success !

IONE – There are plenty of trout swimming around in Lake Pardee , thanks to the stocking of over 16,000 pounds total of rainbows in the two weeks before the Memorial Day weekend .

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife ( CDFW ) stocked a total of 8,000 pounds of 2 to 3 lb . rainbows in Pardee between last Thursday and Friday . They penated 8,000 pounds this week , stocking

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$ 25 boat rentals every

Los Vaqueros Recreation Co . Monday

9990 Los Vaqueros Rd . thru Friday

Byron , CA , 94514

( non holidays )

www . NORCALFISHING . COm A Contra Costa Water District Facility

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