GENERAL CONDITIONS
We continue experiencing some beautiful days and Los Vaqueros is at its very best this time of year. We have lots of wildflowers and the hills remain green. Anglers are having good luck catching trout and some striped bass. We are beginning to see a few largemouth bass and catfish. The water level is currently stable and should remain so through March. The water level is now 119,000 acre feet. Our water temperature is 59 degrees at a 3 foot depth.

We have seen a few rattlesnakes already this year so caution is advised. Watch where you are walking, stay out of high grass and stay out of rocky areas. Remember they just want to stay away from you so never try to pick one up or kill one. We have also had several confirmed Mountain Lion sightings at the reservoir so we suggest staying alert. We have information available at the gates and marina on what to do if you see a Mountain Lion. Eagles have begun to nest so some trail closures are in effect. Information is available at the gates, marina or on the CCWD web site.

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. Caution is advised. The fishing platform can not open until the reservoir rises another 10 feet. See the CCWD web site for details. The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Check out some of the special events that are coming up this spring. Information is available on the CCWD web site.

April 20 will be a very special day at the reservoir. We will be having a "Grand Opening" which will include special nature programs, 7000 lbs of trout planted the week of the derby, 1st through 8th prizes of rods and reels for adults as well as a children's division for anglers under 16. There will also be tagged fish worth free boat rentals and other prizes. More details to follow.

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 or 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
1000 lbs of Trout from the Mt. Lassen Fish Hatchery were planted on 2/27, 3/6, 3/14 and 3/21. We expect Fish and Wildlife to plant 1000 lbs of trout this week. We will plant the week of April 1st and April 8th. The current plan is for Fish and Wildlife to plant 2000 lbs the week of April 15th. We anticipate planting 5000 lbs of Lassen Trout that week. Fishing for trout has been fair to excellent depending on who you talk to. There are many limits of trout caught every day. As always some anglers do very well while others may just catch a fish or two. The trout being caught average from a pound and a half to 2 lbs with fish up to 10 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. The best way to catch trout from shore this time of year is with nightcrawlers, power worms, orange mice tails or power bait. Garlic scent on any bait seems to help. 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 a couple days after plants throwing kastmasters, blue fox lures and a variety of other trout lures. A garlic scent on any bait seems to help.

Trolling continues an up and down affair. We have had some excellent days as well as some just fair days. The best reports we are receiving are from anglers trolling a variety of Rapala's in Howden cove or the East cove. Mix it up until you start catching fish. The fish are holding between 5 and 12 feet of water. Try different colors and sizes until you start catching fish. Rapala countdowns seem to be effective. Fishing from boats with bait in the very back of the major coves has also been very good. Regulars are catching trout every time out. The East side of Howden cove has been especially good.

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. Since the water is cold 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. Pressure on the largemouth bass has been very light.

STRIPER
Trolling for school size stripers from boats is just fair. We saw lots of school size stripers come out of boats last week. Most were caught on Rapala's by anglers fishing for trout. Fishing for stripers from the shore is slow but there is always a chance at some keeper size fish. We continue seeing a few more bass everyday and hope that this improvement will continue. 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 hope striper fishing will improve when our water warms back up a little.

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. We did have about half a dozen catfish reported caught last week. Catfish fishing will pick up as the water warms.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Open seven days a week 7:00am - 6:00pm
Boats are due in by 4:30pm.
Hours will change in April to 6:00am -- 8:00pm with boats due in by 6:30pm.