California Fishing Reports

The action at Eagle Lake has been on fire since the reopening on May 23. Water temps are still in the low 60s, and conditions are absolutely perfect. Trollers are pulling easy limits on Speedy Shiners and spoons at 20–30 feet... faster speeds are working better on the east side, slower on the west. Fly anglers have been having a blast nymphing orange flies over rock piles in 10–15 feet of water. Eagle Lake's famous unique-strain trout are living up to their name... hitting hard, putting up awesome fights, and eating very well.

Folsom continues its hot spring into June. Shad and pond smelt are starting to school in large numbers, and they’re becoming the primary forage for everything from salmon to trout to bass.

The salmon bite has really been the standout, with guides reporting numbers and quality fish trolling hoochies at 40–60 feet. Trout anglers are running spoons and spinners in the 20-foot range and pulling limits as well.

Bass action remains excellent for both spotted bass and largemouth. Both are fully out of spawn, with largemouth now pushed under docks and thicker cover, while spots have moved off points and hard structure in 10–20 feet of water. Small swimbaits, drop shots, and Senkos are working best for both right now.

The last trout stock was in late March, but they are still biting, and the pattern remains similar to our last report. Bright-colored jigs or microgrubs bounced along any rock or hard bottom are still getting their share of fish. Otherwise, it's all about soaking bait... Powerbait and floating nightcrawlers. Water temps are still in the high 60s low 70s... but once they hit mid 70s, look for trout bite to turn off completely.

The bass action has been good, but mostly for fish in the 1–2 pound range. The spawn is mostly over, although there are a few fish still in the shallows protecting their fry. These fish will crush a weightless Senko. Otherwise, dropshotting has been the best... just make sure your soft plastic is riding high enough to stay above the grass line.

The striper action has been quite good as well. A giant 14-pounder was reportedly caught in Cleghorn Canyon last week. Guys are landing fish either soaking sardines or trolling big jerkbaits.

It's Big Bear fishing season right now! Water temps have jumped into the mid-60s, CDFW trout stockings continue every couple of weeks, and the bass action really is picking up.

Trout guys are getting fish all around the lake... whether bait fishing from shore (Powerbait, micetails, night crawlers) or trolling (bright colored spoons and wedding rings). The north end from Wind Point all the way to the observatory has been best. The 10–20 foot range is where fish seem to be holding... some guys are getting fish casting Rapalas or smaller crankbaits as long as they can get down that deep.

The bass action has been very good as well... solid smallmouth bite around points and hard structure on soft plastic crawdad imitations, jigs, and grubs. Largemouth guys are getting fish flipping soft plastics under docks or in the tules. Bullhead and carp are biting too. The crowds are picking up at Big Bear, but the fishing remains excellent.

The spawn is officially over at Miramar, and water temps are now sitting in the mid-70s... but the bite remains very consistent. Water levels are up, and there's plenty of cover around the edges of the lake. Fish are holding in tules, under docks, and pushing out to points in slightly deeper water.

With the water running very clear right now, finesse and light line are the way to go. Anglers are pitching Senkos and Texas-rigged worms right into the tules and pulling out some solid 2-3 pound fish. Dropshots are getting good numbers, though most fish are around a pound. Miramar has a reputation for big bass, and while the fish are there, the top end right now seems to be peaking around 4 pounds.