Lake County

A few fish are still spawning at Clear Lake, but most are in post-spawn mode and easing into their summer patterns. Not to worry... post-spawn action has been very good. Fish are holding in both shallow and deeper water, and a variety of techniques are getting consistent bites. Chatterbaits in the grass, medium diving crankbaits, jigs, dropshots... and the list goes on. The morning frog bite has also been excellent.

Water clarity is so-so, ranging from 3-6 feet, with surface water temps hitting 80 degrees in late afternoon. July 4th weekend will be busy and hot, so aim to be out on the water in the early morning or late evening.

The Upper Sac trout bite has been solid, with flows stabilizing. Dry fly action peaks early, transitioning to nymphs as the day progresses. An evening caddis hatch is sparking a lot of action late in the day.

The Lower Sac is cooling off for both shad and stripers. Shad can still be caught, but not for much longer. Your best bet is near the Rossmoor Bar. The best time for stripers is early morning and late evening, as boat traffic has really affected the bite midday.

There was a decent-sized fish die-off this week in the Keys and areas with minimal water movement. This was primarily due to the hot weather and an algae bloom. Many locals contributed their time and effort to help aerate the most affected areas and successfully saved many fish.

Regarding actual fishing, water conditions are hit-and-miss around the lake. The south end is dealing with warmer water and, therefore, the most algae. North-end temperatures remain cool, and generally, the water clarity is better.

Big bags are still being stacked up in recent tournaments, so fish quality hasn't been a problem. Soft plastic worms, Texas-rigged or drop-shotted, have been best. Underspins have also been effective.

The weather has been consistently warm. Anglers can still spot a few spawners in the shallows, but a lot of bass are moving to cover and docks, especially in the afternoons. Fish are still active though... swimbaits and finesse worming are getting a lot of action. Catfishing has been excellent, especially in the late evenings.