Riverside County Fishing Reports

Bass are in late spawn to early post-spawn, with surface temps now around 68°. Most fish have left their beds and are holding in cover… brush, submerged trees, and rock edges are the key zones. Sight fishing is mostly done. You’ll find occasional males still guarding, but the primary bite is now on ambush-oriented fish tucked tight to structure.

Soft plastics are doing most of the work. Texas-rigged worms, Senkos, or drop-shots pitched tight to cover are getting the most consistent bites. Bites have been subtle at times, and some folks are missing fish by setting the hook too early. Let ’em take it. Green pumpkin and muted natural colors have been working, though some brighter colors are triggering strikes, especially in more pressured areas.

Shad are starting to group up in open water, pulling some bass out from the bank. The topwater bite is just starting to turn on, and near-surface swimbaits or underspins are producing around active bait. It seems the bigger fish are really focusing on the shad.

Bluegill are beginning their spawn period.

Wiper action has been good at Elsinore, although it can be a streaky bite. One week they’re fired up, the next they vanish… so if you’re hearing they’re biting, don’t wait to get your line in the water. Shore anglers are scoring best early in the day with spoons and shad imitations, while making long casts and covering water. These fish school tight, so if you’re parked in a dead zone, move quickly.

Largemouth are still feeding well along the edges, mostly smaller fish. Finesse stuff and smaller reaction baits are doing the job, especially when worked along shallow structure.

If you’re just looking to bend the rod, there’s no shortage of big carp willing to eat corn all day long. Catfish are picking at cut bait too, though most of the ones being caught aren’t anything to brag about… more appetizers than entrees.

Bass are still active at Lake Perris, and after hanging offshore during the slight cold spell, they’ve now pushed up shallow into full-blown spawn mode with water temps holding in the mid-60s. The bite is tight to shoreline cover... bushes, trees, and submerged structure right off the bank. Moving baits are drawing the most attention, especially natural-colored Keitech swimbaits fished with a slow, steady retrieve. Slow finesse tactics have taken a back seat to baits with more movement, although lighter line is ideal with the water being so clear.

Bluegill are also starting to spawn, with some big ones being pulled on jigs and redworms.