GENERAL CONDITIONS
We continue to experience some very good to excellent fall fishing. Trout and striped bass are both active. The water level is at 115,000 acre feet. The water level is still dropping slowly. The water temperature has dropped to 63 degrees. Our water clarity continues to be good. There are still a lot of fry in the lake and we are seeing an increase in the numbers of boils, especially early in the morning and in the late afternoon.

There was a Lassen plant of 1,000 pounds of trout on Nov. 13. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also stopped by with 1,500 pounds of 1-plus pound trout. We will be planting once a week into the foreseeable future.

The 2015 State of California Fishing License is now available for purchase at the Marina. They are good beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Purchase your license now.

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

We'll be open our regular hours on Thanksgiving Day.

Our winter hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with boats due in by 3:30 p.m., with the exception of Friday nights in November when we'll be open until 8 p.m.


TROUT
Fishing for trout is slowly picking up with the cooler weather and an increase in trout plants. They are being caught in South Cove, Oak Point and around the lake. Peninsula, Howden, Cox and Cowboy coves all have reported trout. The baits of choice for shore anglers is garlic scented powerbaits, nightcrawlers or Kastmasters. Trout average a pound and a half but range to over 5 lbs. Light tackle is important for catching trout with 4-6 pound test being plenty.

There was a Lassen plant of 1000 pounds of trout on November 13th. The Department of Fish and Wildlife also stopped by with 1500 pounds of 1 pound trout. We will be planting once a week for the foreseeable future.

Large fish are still coming out of the lake including a several 7-plus pound trout out of South Cove and a 9-plus pound fish out of the same area. Past the Rock Wall and Cox Cove also saw 9+ pound fish. They were caught on a variety of bait including Mouse Tails, PowerBait, and Kastmasters. Many limits of trout have been seen as well, with a lot of anglers catching just a couple of fish.

Boating anglers are catching trout on bait and by casting lures in the major coves. Some trout are being caught in Cowboy and Peninsula coves. Use a bobber or very small weights. Trolling small Rapalas is reported as doing well. 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. Anglers are catching fish scattered along the shore with the South Cove reporting the most fish as many anglers are choosing that cove.


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
Striper fishing is still doing well, but the trout fishing is catching up. Some limits of 18-24 inch fish are being caught both off the shore and from boats. Trolling lures using everything from Rat-l-traps to Bombers to Super Spooks seems to be working. From shore, cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice or casting super spooks reporting good success. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We are continuing 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 slowing down as the weather and water cools. For those wishing to target catfish, anchovy continues to be the best choice of bait. 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.