Alameda County Fishing Reports

Water temps have dipped a bit since last week, and the fish are responding... especially the stripers. The last week has seen big blowups all around the lake, with some folks reporting bites on "every other cast." White or pearl has been the color, as these fish are fully keyed in on shad. Walking baits, swimbaits and jerkbaits are all working for fish in the 2-5 pound range.

Largemouth are also biting well, with many keying in on shad too. Big glidebaits have landed a 6-plus and an 8-plus pounder over the last few weeks. Dark-colored creature baits thrown tight to cover are also getting 1-2 pound fish.

Redear and bluegill are being caught in the backs of coves on red worms. The smaller ones linger near the surface... aim deeper for some hand-sized giants.

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.