Central California fishing report, Sept. 4-10: Delta bass and stripers are biting, New Melones catfish trout and kokanee all are hitting and Wishon trout producing limits.

Compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.

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Best bets

Best bets Delta bass and stripers are biting, Alan Fong said. New Melones catfish trout and kokanee all are hitting, Kyle Wise reported. Wishon trout producing limits, KellyBrewer reported.McSwain plants spurs on limit trout action, Dave Hurley said. Bass Lake trout still hitting, Mike Beighey reported.

Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother

Unless noted, area code is 559

Valley/Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 2

In the northern sections of California Aqueduct and Delta Mendota Canals, the action remains on the slow side. Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle said, “One of our customers was out on the aqueduct for three hours for only one catfish. Limits of stripers have been taken on pile worms closer to Highway 152.”

Several sections of the Delta Mendota Canal along with dirt canals have been closed within the past few weeks. Gates are being installed, and security guards have been requesting anglers to vacate the water conveyance systems. Unfortunately, vandalism and excess debris have been the reasons for the local closures. There are reports of dead carp floating in the dirt canals around Corcoran.

Aqueduct anglers are always advised to use caution as well as wearing a PFD as the water is swift, cold, and dangerous.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Eastman was busy over the holiday weekend, but it is still the place for trophy largemouth bass. Seven- to 10-inch plastic worms, topwater lures, or jerkbaits are working, particularly in the early mornings. At Hensley, the lake is below 30% of capacity, and the bass are holding around the rockpiles. Catfishing at night or carp are the top species. Both lakes are releasing water, and Eastman dropped over a foot to 535.92 feet in elevation and 48% of capacity with Hensley also receding over 2 feet to 486.27 feet in elevation and 28% of capacity. There are no bass tournaments on the schedule at either lake through the end of September.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151.

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

Don Pedro was extremely busy with recreational boat traffic over the holiday weekend, and it will take a few days for the water to settle down. Ryan Denner of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported bass fishing will improve as the water cools as the fish are holding in deeper water feeding on threadfin shad.

The kokanee are moving into the river arms, but they can be scraped off the bottom with large profile lures such as Apex offerings behind a 5½-inch dodger as the fish are now attacking the big lures in spawning mode. The king salmon bite will continue to improve as the water temperatures cool, and both rainbow trout and king salmon will be found around the shad schools. Shad-patterned lures such as Needlefish in black/chrome or Cop Car are your go-to lures. Rolling shad is another option for the kings. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake is releasing water, and it receded 2½ feet to 795.74 feet in elevation and 80% of capacity. There are only two bass tournaments scheduled in September. A fundraising tournament ‘Live Like Mason’ Memorial for the family of Mason Ferrulli will be held at Fleming Meadows on Oct. 26 with a $200 entry fee.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

McClure Reservoir

Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

Omega Nguyen reported landlocked king salmon to 4 pounds have been landed on spinners at depths from 35 to 45 feet within the shad schools. Limits of rainbow trout are also possible for trollers working the bait balls with shad-patterned lures. The action is improving as the water is cooling. Bass fishing remains a challenge, but small fish are taken along steep bluff walls with tubes, plastics on the drop-shot, or Senkos. There is a small window for topwater in the early mornings or evenings. There are no bass tournaments scheduled in September. The lake dropped over 3.75 feet to 826.51 feet in elevation and 75% of capacity. There are no bass tournaments scheduled in August and September.

The Merced River has dropped to 1,270 cfs at Merced Falls downstream of Lake McSwain. The Reel Deal Market and Barrett’s Cove Marina are open only on weekends and holidays through October.

Call Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 3

About 1,000 pounds of rainbow and 1000 pounds of Lightning trout were planted prior to the holiday weekend, and limits or near-limits were the rule within a few days of the plant. Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters from the Brush Pile, Handicapped Docks, or the peninsula around the marina were the story while trollers were working up the river arm for holdovers with blade/crawler combinations, blue/chrome Kastmasters or Ruby Red Wedding Rings tipped with a nightcrawler behind a flasher. The Splash and Dash is now closed.

The lake is at 91% of capacity. Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

The holiday weekend was loaded with recreational boaters, and it will take a few days for the lake to settle down once again. Another hot spell is forecast, and boat traffic may remain heavy on the weekends. The lake should come back to life for spotted bass as the water cools and the boat traffic slows down. Chicken liver, nightcrawlers, or dip bait are producing catfish from the banks, particularly at night. The lake dropped over 2 feet to 513.45 feet in elevation and 49% of capacity. Sycamore Island is open once daily from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant are stable at 457 cfs.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 3 Trout 3 Kokanee 3

It’s still on for kokanee, rainbow trout, and catfish at New Melones. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service took Tyrone Beard of T-Bone Tackle, to test his latest spoons, and they landed rainbows to 5 pounds trolling through the bait balls at speeds from 2½ to 3½ mph. achieving flawless results with catches of up to five-pound rainbow trout. Finding the bait is the key. A mixed grade of kokanee are found hugging the bottom at depths to over 100 feet, and big Apex lures behind a 5½-inch gold hammered dodger are working for the kokanee to 18 inches. The kokanee are in full process of spawning. Catfishing remains solid from the banks with beef liver, particularly in the evenings. Like the other Mother Lode lakes, bass fishing remains a challenge, but there is a topwater bite out in open water with small profile shad-patterned walking baits. The bass are feeding heavily on shad, and they are chasing the bait to the surface on occasion. The most consistent action remains on the bottom with plastics. Recreational boating was very heavy over the holiday weekend. The lake is releasing water, and it dropped 1½ feet to 1039.91 feet in elevation and 78% of capacity. There are only four club tournaments scheduled through the end of September.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Alex Niapas, Catching California Guide Service (209) 728-4225; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734.

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Finding the bait balls is the key to success for rainbow trout, king salmon, or bass. Trout are found at depths to 60 feet within the bait balls with shad-patterned lures while king salmon are still holding deep by rolling shad or anchovies on a harness rig.

Using scent is important for the kings. Bass fishing remains a challenge with finesse still taking center stage. In the lower Kings, the river has dropped to 330 cfs, leaving some sections where you can wade across. Last week’s trout plant are holding in the deeper pools, and anglers are finding success working from pool to pool with spinners, Power Bait, salmon eggs, or nightcrawlers. The lake is releasing water, and it has receded 9 feet to 825.24 feet in elevation and 40% of capacity. Only one club tournament is scheduled in September.

Elevated E.Coli levels have been detected at Avocado Lake, and swimming is not advised along with using water from the river or lake for drinking, cooking, or washing.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

The best striped bass action for numbers remains from the banks with pile worms, blood worms, anchovies, or jumbo minnows. The forebay continues to be loaded with grass along the shorelines.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said that most minnow anglers, trollers and bank casters were having slow fishing at best.

“The fish have been turning on and off for the past week, and the wind continues to be an issue . My guest Sonny Johansen of Clovis released a big 27½ striper last week working the 50-70 depth range with silver baitfish lures. He fell and fractured his right hand after the trip and is out 3 weeks. I was out on a scout trip this weekend and the bite was slow – until a small fish – turned out to be a hefty 41½-inch, 29.9 pound striper that I let go on the Seaqualizer. The algae is getting very thick. Heat coming this week! “ George said.

The main lake is rising with increased exports from the south Delta, and it is currently at 46% of capacity while the forebay also rose to 86% of capacity.

To check the real time wind conditions on the lake use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir.

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954.

High Sierra

Bass Lake

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 0

Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Guide Service said, “We are winding down our charter season, which has produced near to full limits of quality trout up to 5 pounds on a weekly basis. Last week, we had 4- and 5- pound rainbows in the boat in one trip. Dick’s Trout Busters in orange or Mountain Tubes in pink/orange tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a Blue Fin or pink Mountain Dodger were the hottest setup for the season. Although the kokanee again did not show this year, I have viewed several signs that we should be catching them next year. The water level and surface temperature are dropping.”

Few bass anglers were on the lake during the Labor Day Weekend. A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1.

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

Edison remains the best of the Kaiser Pass lakes for both bank anglers and trollers at Edison, but all of the high Sierra lakes are releasing water. Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra. Fire danger is extreme in the high country. Edison dropped slightly to 68% of capacity, Florence dropped to 49% of capacity, and Mammoth Pool dropped to 37% of capacity.

Road conditions 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000.

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Trout 2 Kokanee 2+

Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters, said, “The kokanee bite fell off at Shaver going into the weekend. It’s not a good sign for the upcoming kokanee Power Derby, but some of the West Coast’s top kokanee anglers can be able to find the big ones anywhere. All Shaver is down considerably from a few weeks ago and the deep fishing levels have changed, and 75 to 82 feet was the norm this week. Pink or orange Mountain Tubes or spinners are among the most successful tackle behind large dodgers. The trout bite remains fairly consistent as the Department of Fish and Wildlife made another plant two weeks ago. That plant and another less than a month ago have increased the trout population significantly. Most are found near the island or Black Rock at depths from 20 to 30 feet down with pink or orange Mountain Tubes and purple or orange Koke Busters tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind Dick’s Mountain Dodgers in Doc Barb, Pink Scale, or Watermelon.”

The last kokanee derby of the year, kokanee Power’s Shaver Lake Team Tournament is Saturday, Sept. 7. Pre-fishing will start in earnest within this week.

At Huntington, Jay and Delinda Irvine of Visalia found easy limits of kokanee trolling at depth from 25 to 35 feet on Labor day. The Irvine’s also caught and released numerous trout on Dick’s Mountain Hoochies in Doom tipped with corn behind dodgers. Shaver dropped to 67% of capacity with Huntington also dropped slightly to 97% of capacity.

Call Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072.

Wishon/Courtright

Trout 3

Kelly Brewer of the Wishon RV Park and Store said, “Courtright has been drained to the point where no boats are able to launch, but there is still bank fishing. However, it is a long walk to the shoreline. Wishon is full, and the trout bite is great everywhere in the lake. Trollers are scoring with Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler and corn behind a dodger or blade/’crawler combinations at one to two colors of lead core. Bank fishing with inflated nightcrawlers, corn, or pink or green Power Bait is producing anywhere from a few fish per rod to limits.”

Dr. Barb Stewart of Prather and her husband, Doane, spent a week at Wishon, and she said, “The water level at Wishon is near the top, and it’s impossible to keep trout from hitting.” They caught and released several limits a day using an assortment of tackle. Courtright is being drained to allow work on Helms Powerhouse Intake and discharge gates. Access to the reservoir is restricted, and on Oct. 1, the gate at Courtright Way just past the turnoff for McKinley Grove Road will be closed and remain closed until the regularly scheduled reopening on Memorial Day Weekend, depending upon weather. Road conditions – Sierra National Forest Ranger Station 297-0706. The Wishon RV Park and Store will close for the season on Oct. 7.

Road conditions: Sierra National Forest Ranger Station 297-0706.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361.

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Rockfish 3 Albacore 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Albacore got the blood boiling this week, and several charters toting live bait along with private boaters made the run west and southwest of Half Moon Bay to the 601, the Guide, or Pioneer Canyon. Mid-week, the scores were impressive as the San Francisco boats ran south with live bait, but the scores dipped over the weekend. Out of Half Moon Bay, Captain Dewey Winter of the Mooch Better took out a charter that paid him $2,000 in advance for an albacore trip in 2013. Every year since 2013, Captain Dew has wanted to send the money back, but the customer said, they were just going to keep waiting.

The wait was over in mid-week as the Mooch Better put the gear in 250 feet of water and headed towards the shelf, finishing the day for four anglers with 36 fish 23 miles from the harbor. Rockfishing remains outstanding for limits of coastal rockfish along with an improving lingcod count. Rockfishing is restricted to 20 fathoms through Sept. 30.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819; Captain Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628.

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Rockfish 3 Albacore 2 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Although rockfish remain the staple, albacore have been on the minds of local anglers as the warm water moved in closer by mid-week. Since it has been so long since the longfins have been in reach, the private boaters couldn’t wait to get offshore. The warm water break pushed further offshore during the middle of the week, and Santa Cruz Coastal Charters ran out 60 miles for seven longfins for four passengers. There are making another run this Wednesday. Coastal rockfishing remains outstanding with limits the rule. The farther from the harbor, the greater the quality of rockfish and lingcod count.

Surf perch action remains solid throughout the beaches in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties with Duo Realis jerkbaits in 100 or 120 along with motor oil/red flake grubs.

Striped bass remain a strong possibility around the southern beaches in the early mornings with topwater lures, Duo Realis jerkbaits, or Diawa’s SP Minnows.

Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay

Halibut 2 Albacore 3 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 3 Sturgeon 0 Crab 0

Albacore fever struck San Francisco Bay, and with the bonus of live bait, several party boats made the run southwest offshore of the San Mateo County coastline. The Pacific Dream out of Berkeley posted 30 longfins in the 15- to 25-pound range on Wednesday with a couple of bait stops while the California Dawn 2 posted 44 longfins on the same day. The scores dropped over the weekend with the Pacific Dream returning with 14 albacore and 2 Bonita on Sunday while the Outer Limits out of Sausalito returned with 17 longfins for 10 anglers. The Outer Limits had scored 52 tuna for 10 anglers mid-week. It’s been over a dozen years since the longfins have been in reach of San Francisco Bay, and the California Dawn 2 has albacore trips planned on Wednesday and Thursday with the Pacific Dream heading offshore on Thursday and Saturday. Both boats will be taking live bait. The cost is $500/angler, and the trips are limited loads. Coastal rockfishing remains strong, and the California Dawn 1 and 2 continue to make their way south of the Golden Gate for impressive scores. Monday’s action resulted in 21 limit of rockfish to 8 pounds including 10 cabezon to 10, 21 limits of lingcod, and 4 halibut to 13 pounds on the CD2 while the CD1 posted 16 limits of rockfish and 29 lingcod.

There are still striped bass and halibut inside of the bay, and Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco posted limits of halibut on an afternoon half-day trip on Saturday.

Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388.

San Luis Obispo

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3

The albacore water is still too far offshore, but one can always hope. Rockfishing remains the only game in town with two boats out of Morro Bay Landing out on Labor Day with 40 passengers for 252 assorted rockfish, 5 vermilion, 5 Bolina, 2 lingcod, and a cabezon. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/. As always, the longer trips far from the local waters produce the greatest scores of both rockfish and lingcod.

Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing.

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 3 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

Striped bass action slowed down a bit over the past week of smaller tides, and the largemouth bass action has been great for numbers, but finding the larger fish has been a challenge. Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors found good action for striped bass from 3 to 8 pounds tossing 5-inch swimbaits in the shallows from one to three feet in the flats around Sherman Island and Collinsville. He said, “Spooning has also been producing, and trollers are working deep-diving lures from 15 to 20 feet along the West Bank.” Fong has also been targeting largemouth bass in the north Delta inside of Liberty Island flipping around weeds with current. He added, “I also have been tossing a Rage Craw with a 3/8th-ounce tungsten weight in open water, and the bass are loading up on the lure. The chatterbait bite has slowed down as the bass are starting to orient to wood as the water cools.”

Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing out of Lauritzen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley reported a solid troll bite for stripers on the San Joaquin from Antioch upriver toward Prisoner’s Point. The north Delta clarity has been consistent at 2 to 4 feet with the central Delta holding around 4 feet while the south Delta is consistently around 2 feet, but the visibility should drop after this weekend’s heavy recreational boating traffic. The water temperature ranges from 66 to 75 degrees depending on the location, and it is cooler the farther north you travel.

Oct. 1 is the anticipated day for sturgeon fishing to be reopened within for catch-and-released only, no harvest.

Call Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828. Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events

Sept. 14

Roosevelt High School’s Bass Fishing Club Fall Tackle Sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the southwest corner of Huntington Boulevard and 6th Street during the annual Mile-Long Block Sale.

Sept. 14

Holland Riverside Marina in the Delta – Family Fishing Day – Bluegill and Sun Fish Derby – live entertainment, food trucks and vendors.

Tournament results

Aug. 25

Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Team Tournament High Rollers Division–

1st Travis Williams/Miguel Vega – 19.6 pounds; 2nd John Clark – 15.15; 3rd Brad Holloway/Lance Smith – 14.76 (Big Fish – 5.59).

Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Team Tournament Low Rollers Division

1st Don and Drake Laughlin – 16.84 pounds; 2ndTyler Bussart/Aaron Sapp– 15.42; 3rd Eli Guryanov/Brad Soto– 14.97.

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)

Sept. 7

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Angler Inc.

Shaver Lake – Kokanee Power Team Tournament

Sept. 14-15

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Fest

Clear Lake – Modesto Ambassadors

Millerton – Bass 101

Sept. 14

Delta/B and W Resort- Valley Backlashers

Isabella – Central Valley Kayak Fishing/American Bass Association

Lopez – San Luis Obispo County Bass Ambushers

Sept. 12

Lake Amador – 17/90 Bass Club

Sept. 15

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kings River Bass Club

Sept. 21-22

Delta/B and W Resort – Fresno Bass Club

Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Sierra Bass Club

Sept. 21

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Sonora Bass Anglers

New Hogan – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

New Melones- Bass N’ Tubes

Don Pedro – Christian Bass League

Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club

Santa Margarita – Kern County Bass Masters

Sept. 28-29

New Melones – BABC

Delta/B and W Resort – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Sept. 29

Tulloch – Stanislaus County Employees

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.