Lake Jennings Fishing Report

Water temps are up in the 80s at Jennings, and catfish stockings continue. The last load went in July 30, following two earlier July stocks... and the next one is planned for August 17. Night fishing has been best for these cats... mackerel, shrimp and chicken livers soaked late on Friday or Saturday night, when the lake stays open until midnight.

Bass action has been very good in the mornings off weed lines, rocky points and transition zones on drop-shots, swimbaits and smaller jigs (worked around rock). Reports mention a 10+ pound largemouth caught recently on a live shiner.

Plenty of bluegill action around weeds in the shallows on redworms.

Jennings received their final trout stock of the season this week (1,500 pounds). Water temps are now in the low 70s, pushing trout into deeper, cooler zones. Boaters are having the most success on these fish, but early and late in the day, shore casters are finding them closer to the shoreline... points, drop-offs, and structure with quick access to depth are your best bets.

The early spring bass bite was excellent, with multiple 10+ pounders reported. But fish are now firmly in post-spawn, and things have cooled considerably. A few smaller fish are coming on finesse presentations... drop shots, Senkos, Ned rigs... but even those have been inconsistent. Bigger fish remain very elusive.

The warming temps have fired up the panfish bite, though. Bluegill, redear, and some crappie are pushing shallow near docks and submerged brush. Unlike bass and trout, these fish are most active midday.

With the consistent dry, warm weather this winter, water temps have stayed in the 60s. Combined with near bi-weekly trout stockings, conditions have been ideal for big bass. Multiple 6 to 8 pounders have been caught over the past few months, but recently things went to another level. Ryan Henderson, a native San Diego angler, landed a new lake record… a 17.6-pound behemoth on a big swimbait, after already sticking an 8-pounder earlier in the day. Another reported 10-plus pounder came out last week as well, so it’s safe to say now is the time for giants at Jennings.

Trout action has also remained very good with those steady plants. Mornings have favored lures, especially spinners and mini jigs. By midday, anglers soaking floating nightcrawlers and Mice Tails are pulling limits.