The watershed is open as of Saturday , September 26 . The lake management been cleaning up after the recent wildfires , and ensuring a safe space for visitors . They appreciate everyone ’ s understanding and cooperation during this unprecedented time at the watershed . More Information : www . ccwater . com / losvaqueros Watershed Updates · Burn Area Closed : Even with clean up and remediation , there is an area on the South side that remains closed due to fire damage . Signs are visible around the burn area to remind visitors not to enter the area for your safety .

· Partial Gravel Road : Along Los Vaqueros Road near the South side entrance , there is a partial gravel road due to recent construction . Safety Rules and Guidelines at Los Vaqueros : For your safety and ours during COVID-19 Pandemic Help us keep Los Vaqueros safe by cooperating with the statewide social distancing requirements and watershed rules . Please do the following to protect yourselves , other watershed visitors , and watershed staff during COVID-19 pandemic . Before heading to Los Vaqueros · Bring cloth face covering / mask as recommended by the CDC . · Bring water and hand sanitizer . Drinking fountains will not be available . Bottled water will be available for sale at the Marina . · Download a Watershed Map ( PDF ) before leaving home . Or , at the entry kiosk , request a brochure with a map so you can familiarize yourself with the area . While at Los Vaqueros · Keep a 6-foot distance from other watershed visitors while shore fishing , hiking , biking , or horseback riding ( or with only immediate household members .) Please note : Biking and horseback riding are permitted on the north side of the watershed ONLY .

· Wear cloth face covering / mask when within 6 feet of other watershed visitors . Please keep in mind that any interaction with staff requires a mask to be worn .

· Boat rentals became available of July 1 Boats are first come , first serve . Boat rentals are weather dependent . Strong winds prevent us from allowing any boats on the water , so be sure to call the Marina at 925-371-2628 to check wind conditions at LV before heading out to the watershed . Masks will be required for boat renters while on gangway and dock , and 6-foot social distancing and masks while in line . Any interaction with staff requires a mask to be worn . See details and cost information for boat rentals .

· Parking only in designated ( paved and gravel ) areas . Citations will be issued for vehicles parked outside of designated areas . · NO gatherings , picnics , or BBQs . · NO fishing pier access . · Marina building will serve customers at back door . Cash and credit payments are accepted . · Restrooms are all single use . · Watershed Office is closed . · Interpretive Center is closed . · Be aware of high-touch points such as benches , restrooms , etc . Use gloves or hand sanitizer . · Pack it in . Pack it out . Do not leave trash on trails or near the shore .

To Manzanita Trail

To Volvon Trail

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Morgan Territory Road

To Miwok Trail

County Line Staging Area

Los Vaqueros Road

Los

Vaqueros Reservoir

To Livermore

Marsh

Creek Rd .

Dam Staging Area

Vasco Road

Camino Diablo

Los Vaqueros Interpretive Center

Sensitive Habitat No Public Access To Eastern shoreline Or Eastern Watershed

Marina

Features

Walnut

Blvd .

Kellogg Creek Picnic Area

Los Vaqueros Staging Area

Fish Cleaning Station

Walnut Creek Staging Area

Fishing Pear

Oak Point

Watershed Office

Vasco Road

Fishing Pear

Boat Docks

Marina

Knoll Picnic Area

To Discovery

Bay

Note : This map was made prior to when the Contra Costa Water District expanded the reservoir from 100,000 acre feet of water to 160,000 acre feet of water capacity .

Fishing Notes :

• Rainbow Trout are planted regularly by the concessionaire at Los Vaqueros . Bank anglers fishing in the South Cove , off Oak Point and other areas find solid trout action year round . Fish nightcrawlers , Power Bait , salmon eggs , spoons and spinners . Trollers using Triple Teazers , Needlefish , Cripplures , Sparklefish and other lures also experience top-notch action while top-lining or using leadcore line from electric-powered rental boats .

• Channel , White and Bullhead Catfish are available in the coves for anglers fishing nightcrawlers , liver and Power Bait in deep water . For some reason , the cats aren ' t taken by shore anglers .

• Striped Bass are taken most consistently by anglers trolling minnow imitation lures in deep water , although these fish are occasionally hooked by shore anglers fishing bait and lures for trout .

• Bluegill , Redear Sunfish , Crappie and Sacramento Perch are occasionally caught , though few anglers target them . Use worms and small jigs to entice the panfish .

Cowboy Cove ) with a Kastmaster . Anglers caught two other large salmon on the same day . This salmon record is likely to stand unless the CDFW decides to stock the lake again with salmon fingerlings , since the fish don ’ t naturally reproduce at Los Vaqueros . The oldest record at the reservoir was set on Thursday , May 29 , 2008 , when the late Todd Brusco of Danville smashed the old mark by more than two pounds . Brusco ’ s 12-pound catch was 2.21 pounds heavier than the old record set in 2007 by Eric Sabye . Todd was fishing with his friend Johnny G . in a rental boat . He said the fish took his lure as soon as he cast it into the water . Todd and Johnny G . fished a few times a month at Los Vaqueros . They returned the record fish to the reservoir . “ It took what seemed like an eternity to get it in ( probably 20 minutes ) with a rather light pole and 8 pound test line ,”

Brusco said after he caught it . “ John netted it on the first try as it finally got close enough to the boat .” Brusco also became the first person ever to hold two simultaneous fishing records at LV when he caught a 45.2 pound striper on April 17 , 2009 in the middle of the reservoir while trolling . At the time , that was the largest fish caught at the reservoir by 16.53 pounds , and the largest striper ever caught by more than 20 pounds . Since then , there have been several stripers caught in the 30-pound range , according to the Los Vaqueros Marina . Todd was trolling as he was coming back to the marina ( after catching a limit of trout ) in an electric rental boat when the monster bit on his Rapala lure . It took him 90 minutes to land the fish while fishing with 12-pound line . Stripers have never been planted at Los Vaqueros , but come in through the water from the Contra Costa Canal . Finally , seven-year-old Alec Michaels of Livermore broke the catfish record at Los Vaqueros with a 30.31 pound caught on August 22 , 2011 while he was fishing anchovies south of boat docks during the expansion construction . It was the last record set at the original 100.000 acre-foot reservoir and

Angel Borges had a great time battling this huge rainbow trout while fishing from a rental boat at Los Vaqueros .

Photo courtesy of LOS VAQUEROS MARINA , Brentwood . was set shortly after construction began .

It was the second time the catfish record fell in 2011 and breaks the nearly two-month-old mark of 29.09 pounds held by Van Pham of San Leandro . Alec and his father were fishing from shore , south of the boat docks , with an anchovy when they reeled in the monster . Alec is the also youngest person to hold a fishing record at Los Vaqueros . They continue to be regular anglers at the reservoir , according to the marina . Los Vaqueros , the largest reservoir in the San Francisco Bay Area , is located in the northern Diablo Range , in Contra Costa County . The lake is 524 ′ feet in elevation when full . The reservoir is 2.485 miles in length and 2.48 miles in width , with a mean depth of 170 feet . The existing reservoir holds 160,000 acre feet of water when full . For more information , call Los Vaqueros Marina at 925-371-2628 .

Big stripers like this 20.6 lb . beauty caught by John Marfia are the reward for anglers bait fishing and throwing swimbaits at Los Vaqueros .

Photo courtesy of LOS VAQUEROS MARINA , Brentwood .

STRIPED BASS

CATFISH LARGEMOUTH • SALmON • TROUT BASS

• STRIPED BASS The New Marina

• Building CATFISH

& Boat Rentals

• NOW LARGEmOUTH

OPEN BASS

!!!!

$ 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

2907

3125