California 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.

Spotted bass have slid into full post-spawn mode and are stacking on steep banks, timber edges, and color breaks marking depth shifts. Folks are primarily getting fish on drop shot rigs and wacky Senkos in natural colors. Red crankbaits are also working off mid-depth rock walls, especially with a little chop on the surface. Early mornings bring a short topwater window in the shaded pockets and calmer coves... worth tossing a walking bait or popper before the sun hits.

The King salmon bite has been inconsistent, with fish scattered from 80-100 feet. Water’s in the high 60s and clear. Golden mussel inspections have finally started at Oroville, and will soon be at every boat launch on the lake.

Checkout the latest report from Guy Jeans (Kern River Fly Shop). Generally... The Kern’s running high, but there’s still fish to be had. On the Upper, trout are holding in soft edge water and eating streamers if you stay out of the main current. The incoming creeks are bouncing back from the fires, with wild browns taking dry-dropper rigs in deeper pools. Down low, the river’s pushing hard from Isabella outflows... not great conditions, but fishable from the bank. View the video for more details.

The Delta threw plenty of curveballs this week. Water temps hovered around 70 degrees with 3 to 8 feet of visibility, but consistent 15–20 mph winds made open areas tough to fish. The tides were mostly mid-day lows with short, late afternoon incoming cycles... leaving a tight bite window for both bass and stripers.

Striper action is fading as post-spawn fish trickle back toward the Bay. A few decent fish are still around, especially near deep edges and current breaks during the first hour of the incoming.

Largemouth reports were all over. Anglers covering water with chatterbaits and spinnerbaits in wind-blown cuts picked up decent numbers, but big fish were scarce unless you hit the right tide. Low tide frog bites are starting to fire in shallow grass, and drop shots are filling in when reaction baits stall. Most of the easy spawn fish are gone, but a few waves should trickle in with the next full moon.

Barrett’s been on a heater, plain and simple. Post-spawn bass are feeding aggressively, with numbers and size both in play. 50 fish days with top fish in the 6-7 pound range have been reported late. Fish are tight to cover... bushes, rocks, and submerged trees... and eating a range of baits. Jigs have been the top producer, especially black and blue paired with longer trailers like Power Lizards. Most bites are coming on the fall and close to structure.

Spinnerbaits and Texas rigs are filling in when the jig bite slows, and topwater is starting to come alive with poppers and walking baits getting hit early and late. Finesse setups like micro jigs and TRDs are also getting bit, especially along transition banks. The lake’s rising water levels seem to be fueling one of the best seasons in years.

The Truckee is running high with spring runoff, but flows are fishable and clarity’s better than expected. Blue-winged olives, March browns, and small caddis are hatching mid-day, and fish are taking dries and nymphs. Indicator rigs are the main producer, but streamers are moving some good fish, and dry fly windows have opened up on cloudy afternoons. Check out Matt's video for more details.

Stayed close to home on the Warm Springs side again today. The bite was actually better than I anticipated for the holiday weekend with tons of boats, houseboats, jet skis, yahoos, etc.. Was done by 11a, when the campers' stereos started competing with each other. Boated 6 fish today. 4 dinkers b/w 12-14oz....2 fish worth noting. Still getting lots of bites flipping the keitech 3.8in swing impact fat on a 1/8oz core tackle TUSH rig w/ 2/0 hook.