Madera County Fishing Reports

Water temps have really jumped over the last few weeks, now hovering in the low to mid 70s. The spotted bass spawn is long done, but the bite hasn't cooled off much. Fish are still being caught running small jigs and swimbaits off points and in steep transition areas in 10–20 feet.

A few folks have reported big groupings of American shad near the mouth and further upriver... hooking into 20–30 fish on small jigs. While rare, there are some massive stripers at Millerton (22 pounder was caught in Feb), and they surely are following those shad schools. Target them with large shad style jerkbaits or swimbaits. Also some big catfish are being pulled out on night crawlers around the mouth as well.

An unusual (for March) stretch of 70-degree days has ignited the fishing at Bass Lake over the past week. Water temps have jumped into the high 50s, trout were stocked earlier in the month (with another stock scheduled for early April), and bass are starting to move into the shallows to spawn.

Trollers are running orange or pink spinners/dodgers and pulling trout limits from 10 feet up to the surface. Bank casters are getting limits soaking PowerBait, but also finding fish on chrome spinners or spoons in back of coves in the early morning.

Spotted bass have pushed quickly into spawning areas around deeper flats and under docks. Small jigs and flukes are pulling 1-2 pound males, with the occasional big female hookup (often holding a few feet deeper).

Water temps may dip early next week with a cold front approaching, so take advantage this weekend.

Millerton continues to fish well through winter if you’re doing it right. Many anglers are reporting skunk days, but those locking into darker jig patterns are stacking fish. Brown, green, and other dark-colored jigs have been the deal, producing 10-20 fish days for spotted bass in the 25–30 foot range around submerged structure.

Most fish are running 1 to 3 pounds, with the occasional better one mixed in. A few smallmouth and largemouth are showing up as well. Dropshots are also getting bit, though they’re mostly producing less and smaller fish compared to the jig bite.

One interesting wrinkle lately… multiple reports of giant stripers over 15-20 pounds smashing bass mid-fight, with several anglers getting fish to the boat only to lose them at the last second. Water temps are sitting in the mid 50s... fish are active but glued to deeper structure.