Los Vaqueros Reservoir Fishing Report

Vaqueros continues to receive catfish stockings monthly, with another going in last week. The dam area has been best. Obviously, late evening is always ideal for catfish, but guys are finding plenty of action midday. Anchovies, garlic shrimp, and mackerel are working well.

Folks are still pulling trout out of the lake too, even though the last stock was in May (albeit a big 3,000 lb stock). Still fairly surprising for late August. Powerbait is the go-to for shore guys, launched as far out as possible from the docks near the marina (also good reports coming from Cowboy Cove). Trollers are finding big holdovers working the 100 ft range.

Stripers have been pushing into the backs of coves (Peninsula Cove is reportedly fishing well), with trollers nailing them... but most fish are undersized schoolies with the occasional keeper. Shore anglers are finding a quality bite soaking sardines or working glide baits in the mornings.

Los Vaqueros action is running on trout plants right now. Another 2,000 pounds went in in early Feb, and since then, the trout bite has been very good. Spoons and jigs are both producing, with pink, orange, yellow, and brown all getting bit. There isn’t a single must-have color… if you’re around fish and fishing clean, they’ll eat. PowerBait on a short leader off the bottom has also been pulling limits for shore anglers.

The plants are also firing up stripers shallow. The first week after a plant, stripers are sliding up looking for an easy meal. For lure guys willing to chuck and wind, bigger trout-profile swimbaits are connecting on a few quality fish. If you’re staying put, the marina dock is open, and cut anchovies continue to get the occasional cruising fish.

Trout fishing has been excellent at Los Vaqueros, especially for anglers slow-trolling Rapalas and spoons just a few feet under the surface. Consistent Lassen rainbow stockings continue to boost numbers, with another plant last week (second in January, fifth since December). A lot of quality trout are showing in the 3–4 pound range, especially in 15–20 foot zones across coves on both sides of the reservoir. Light tackle has been most effective in the clear water. Surface temps are holding around 55 degrees, and mild winter weather is keeping conditions prime heading into February.