GENERAL CONDITIONS
This is a great time of year to visit Los Vaqueros. The hills are green and views are spectacular. There are birds, deer, coyotes and lots of other wildlife to see. Trout fishing has been very good. We suggest calling (925) 371-2628 for exact up to date information. The water level is currently rising about 4 inches per day. The water level is now 106,000 acre feet. Our water temperature is 52 degrees. The reservoir is not muddy so fishing conditions are very good.

Anglers are having success catching trout, a few striped bass and a few catfish.

The North entrance to the reservoir is open with a few limitations. Access to the reservoir for fishing at the north entrance is open but requires a strenuous 2 mile hike up and over a major hill. See the CCWD web site for details. The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.

PLEASE NOTE:
We are still giving out Whopper mugs. Our program has changed some so check with us at the marina. It takes a 5 lb trout to earn a mug, 12 lb striper, 12 lb catfish and a released 5 lb largemouth bass.

We have 2013 State of California Fishing Licenses for sale at the marina. Fish and Game has been checking fishing licenses so make such you have one for everyone 16 and over.

TROUT
We planted a 1000lb load of Mt. Lassen trout on Thursday January 10. We will plant another load of 1000lbs of Lassen trout this week.

Fishing for trout has been very good. The trout being caught average from a half pound to 2 lbs with fish up to 11 lbs. When fishing from shore the South Cove continues to be a good choice for trout but anglers are catching trout all along the open shoreline. We have seen limits caught on both sides of the rock wall. Cowboy cove is now open to the very back of the cove. The best way to catch trout from shore this time of year is with nightcrawlers, power worms, orange mice tails or garlic power bait. It is important to use 2- 3 feet of leader. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. Some anglers use Fluorocarbon leaders. There is no need for heavy weights. Short casts are often more productive than long casts. Some anglers float their baits under slip bobbers. Anglers also do well throwing kastmasters, blue fox lures and a variety of other trout lures. Casting lures seems to produce a lot of large trout. A garlic scent on any bait seems to help. A few anglers even dip their lures.

Trolling has slowed a little but anglers who enjoy trolling continue to catch fish all over the reservoir. The best reports we are receiving are from anglers trolling a variety of Rapala's or Kastmaster's in Peninsula cove or the East cove. Mix it up until you start catching fish. Big fish seems to be hanging on points all over the reservoir. Try different colors and sizes until you start catching fish. The Fire tiger color seems to be producing. Another good color is the Rainbow trout pattern. 6 to 8 lb test line is about right. This kind of fishing is really special and an exciting way to catch trout.

Fishing from boats with bait in the very back of coves has been very good. Regulars are catching trout every time out. Several regulars are catching limits every time out.

Some of the top trout from last week included:

13.7 pound limit by John Welence fishing with power bait in the south cove
10.3 beauty caught by Matthew Stender on powerbait in Peninsula cove
8.5 lbs by Steve Duke on a Rapalla trolling in Howden cove
Around 10 fish in the 5 to 7 lb range

LARGEMOUTH BASS
Over all we continue to rate largemouth bass fishing slow. The reservoir is full off excellent bass habitat so throwing a senko around trees and brush should produce some largemouth bass action. As the water gets colder it is important to fish your senko very slowly. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. We are hearing reports of some under size largemouth's being caught and released. The fish we have seen caught were in great condition.

STRIPER
Trolling for school size stripers from boats is very slow but some anglers continue to catch a few fish. Fishing for stripers from the shore is also slow but there is always a chance at some keeper size fish. Some stripers from 18 inches to 24 inches are caught by anglers putting in the time. One boat of anglers on Sunday took 3 nice stripers on bait fishing in Penn cove. Anchovies, sardines or shad should do the trick. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our fishery.

We did have a 36 lb striper caught and released on December 24. The fish was caught by Erik Patzer. He was working a Huddleston Deluxe.

SALMON
No salmon were reported this week.

CATFISH
Fishing for catfish is rated slow. Anchovies, liver and nightcrawlers all will catch catfish. The water is cold so the catfish are pretty lazy. Fish with as little weight as possible and watch for very soft bites.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Open seven days a week 7:00am - 5:00pm
Boats are due in by 3:30pm.
These hours are in effect through February.