We continue to experience some very good-to-excellent spring fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. Water storage is around 130,000 acre feet, about 82 percent of capacity. The water district stopped pumping water into the reservoir May 20. The level should remain stable for a bit and then begin a slow draw down as water is needed. The water temperature is currently 62 degrees. Our water clarity continues to be good on most days.

The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.


TROUT
Fishing for trout continues to be very good for anglers fishing with bait and lures in the South Cove as well as Cowboy Cove. Trout average a pound and a half, but range up to 7 lbs. Limits have been common for skilled anglers. There is 1,000 pound plant planned for next week. Garlic scented PowerBaits in rainbow and chartreuse, orange or white Mice Tails and nightcrawlers continue to be good choices. Garlic scent on any bait seems to help. It is important to use 3- 4 feet of leader. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. There is no need for heavy weights. Vary your casting length; most of the time shorter casts are better than longer ones. Throwing lures from shore is doing well with anything from Kastmasters to Crocodiles, mostly in silver, silver-blue and gold patterns. Kastmasters have done especially well this last week in South Cove with several 8+ pound fish being caught. Trolling for trout continues slow as the winds have been blowing and few anglers have been out on boats. When trolling, anglers continue to report catching trout in the backs of Howden and Peninsula coves. Anglers trolling will catch trout on a variety of lures including Kastmasters, Luhr Jensen, Kwikfish, Roostertails, Rebels, Rapalas and Thomas Buoyants. Smaller Rapalas dipped in scent seem to be doing the best.

Boating anglers seem to be doing better catching trout on bait and by casting lures in the major coves. Limits of trout are being caught in Howden, Cowboy and Peninsula coves. Use a bobber or very small weights. Nightcrawlers or PowerBait is the way to go. There is no need for line heavier than 6 lb test. We suggest moving every half hour or so until you find some feeding fish. A number of 5+ pound fish still continue to be brought into the Marina along with plenty of limits of regular sized fish. Many anglers are catching fish all along the shore with the South Cove reporting the most fish as many anglers are choosing that cove. Oak Point, as well as just past the Rock Wall, are producing plenty of trout. We anticipate regular trout plants to continue as long as the water temperature cooperates.


LARGEMOUTH BASS
Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. Some angles have been working the shore around structure and several bass have been caught and released. Keep in mind that largemouth need to be 12 inches to be kept. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. The reservoir is now full of excellent habitat for bass, so we anticipate this fishery to improve over the coming years.


STRIPERS
Once again, this week continued to see more limits of stripers coming out of the lake. Limits of 18-24 inch fish are being caught both off the shore and from boats. Cut anchovies or shad are the bait of choice. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We continue to see some undersize fish being caught and released. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery.


CATFISH
With the warmer weather and warming water temperatures we hope to see an increase in catfish being caught. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (15 lbs plus).


GENERAL
We are still giving out Whopper mugs. It takes a 5 lb trout to earn a mug, 12 lb striper, 12 lb catfish or a released 5 lb largemouth bass.

Don't forget to pick up your 2014 State of California Fishing Licenses on sale at the marina. Fish and Wildlife has been checking fishing licenses so make sure you have one for everyone 16 and over. We suggest taking advantage of the second rod stamp that is available.