We continue to experience some very good-to-excellent summer fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is around 125,000 acre feet. The water level is dropping about a foot every 10-12 days with level continuing to drop throughout the summer.


With the warmer weather, the water temperature warmed significantly and is currently 71-72 degrees. Our water clarity continues to be good on most days.


A 23.62 pound cat was caught in Cox Cove on shad.


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


TROUT
Fishing for trout has slowed some due to the increase in water temperature. Anglers are going deeper and casting further out from shore to catch trout. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. There was a 1,000 pound Lassen plant on July 23rd. With the increased water temperature further trout plants are unlikely this summer. Garlic scented power baits in rainbow or 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.

Throwing lures from shore is doing fair with anything from Kastmasters to Crocodiles, mostly in silver, silver-blue and gold patterns. Anglers trolling will catch trout on a variety of lures including Kastmasters, Luhr Jensen Kwikfish, Roostertails, Rapalas, and Thomas Buoyants. Smaller Rapalas dipped in scent seem to be doing the best.

Boating anglers are doing better catching trout on bait and by casting lures in the major coves. Some 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. There were plenty of limits of regular sized fish seen from both shore and boats. 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.


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. Some largemouth have been seen and reported being caught from boats. 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 the bass so we anticipate this fishery to improve over the coming years.


STRIPERS
Even more limits of stripers are coming out of the lake. Limits of 18-24 inch fish are being caught both off the shore and from boats with some very plump fish being seen. Some nice limits of 25-inch fish were caught from boats. Cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We continue to see a significant number of under-size 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
Catfish are doing better with a couple of nice fish caught. A 23.62 pound cat was caught in Cox Cove on shad. We will continue with more catfish plants through the summer. 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 you need both your 2014 State of California Fishing License, on sale at the Marina, and a daily fishing access permit to fish at Los Vaqueros. 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.