Alameda County Fishing Reports

Lake Chabot is fishing well for July with water temps hovering in the mid-70s. EBParks dropped a catfish plant earlier this month, and there's been plenty of catfish action near the Marina and west of Live Oak Island on garlic prawns and chicken livers.

Small bass are showing up everywhere around the weedlines and backs of coves, mostly in the 1–1.5 lb range. Finesse is the way to go... dropshots, shaky heads, and wacky-rigged Senkos are all working. Although a 5-pounder was caught last week on an Urchin style soft plastic... the new bait taking the bass world by storm.

Water temps have jumped into the 70s at Del Valle, and after an excellent spring, the bite is starting to cool off a bit. Trout plants are over, the latest coming the last week in April. There are still fish to be caught, though they've moved into much deeper water chasing cooler temps. Powerbait and floated nightcrawlers are your best bet during the day. Early mornings are kicking out some shallower fish on spinners and spoons.

Sticking with bait is your best bet for stripers and catfish (obviously) as well. Stripers have also moved deep, but a few keepers are being caught on soaked anchovies. Catfish are hitting chicken liver and garlic-dipped baits, with the best action coming in the evenings.

The bass bite remains good, with both smallmouth and largemouth hitting swimbaits and drop-shotted 4½-inch plastic worms near rocky structure and secondary points. A few fish are still shallow... with the occasional one still bedding or protecting their fry. Weightless Senkos can be deadly for these fish.

The trout bite has really turned on at Horseshoe over the last couple of weeks, and for quality fish too. Horseshoe received another Lassen drop last week, and fish are being caught all over the water column. Many have found success soaking Powerbait or micetails off the main peninsula in the deepest/coolest water they can find. But other anglers are catching fish shallow on mini jigs, Rapalas, and spoons... especially early and late in the day. However you decide to approach it, make sure to switch spots if the bite is slow for long, as they seem to be grouped up and on the move throughout the day.

The bass bite has taken a backseat to trout, but there's still some decent action on soft plastics and small crankbaits at Horseshoe and Rainbow. Most fish are running around a pound, with the occasional 2-3 pounder.