Fishing reports for Lake Sonoma

Went boat camping this Friday through Sunday at Rustlers campground. We caught a few small bass and bluegill but my wife landed a nice 7-8 lbs channel cat on prawns. Fried it up and the meat was super clean. Got super windy Saturday and Sunday. Definitely looked like a lot of trout were stacked at 40-60 feet but didn’t go for them.

Plenty of smaller fish are being caught at Sonoma, primarily with drop-shots, swimbaits, or any other small soft plastic; not a lot of shallow fish, as most are holding in 10+ foot water. The wind has been churning up the lake in the afternoons, so mornings have been ideal for fishing the main body. Carp continue to group in the creek arms. Bring some corn if you want some alternative action.

Water conditions are good, and the bass bite has been solid, especially for finesse anglers throwing drop shots and shaky heads. Fish are holding loosely to rocks and submerged timber from 5 to 20 feet, although they may move deeper with forecasted temperatures in the high 90s. Bow fishermen can find loads of carp pushed into the creek arms.

Water conditions are improving daily, and so is the fishing. Water temperature is now in the upper 60s. Clarity is still a bit stained, but clearing up slowly. Bass are out of their cold water patterns and moving shallow to spawn. Plenty of action on finesse and reaction baits. T-rigged soft plastics, dropshots, and spinnerbaits specifically.