California Fishing Reports

Steve Cooper’s latest In Deep on the Delta report highlights hot striper action between Ladds and Prisoners Point, especially during the first two hours of outgoing tide. Big glide baits like the S-Waver 200 are doing the damage... fished fast when it’s windy and slower when it’s calm. Multiple fish over 10 pounds are being caught, including a few pushing 20. Don’t wait for birds or surface activity... just keep casting and work those glides all the way to the boat.

Largemouth are in all stages of the spawn and the bite’s picking up fast. Tournament weights are rising, with multiple events seeing 20+ pound bags and some 9-pound kickers. Crankbaits, chatterbaits, Senkos, and punching setups are all putting fish in the boat.Target breaks, rock, and flats, especially in the afternoons as temps rise. Big rods and heavy line are a must...too many anglers are getting smoked by Delta giants on light gear.

Check out the video for more details.

The bass bite at Perris is still hot, although fish have moved off the shallow brush after water levels dropped more than a foot in just a few days. Most of the action’s happening a bit deeper, just off structure, in 5–15 feet of water. It’s that weird spring phase where some are locked on beds, others are still window shopping, and a few rogue males are running in packs, smashing almost anything that moves.

Finesse tactics are killing it right now. A slow drag with a drop shot or Neko rig has been the go-to just outside of rocks or brush piles—especially with an SMH or Roboworm. Plenty of quality fish out there, too. Three- to four-pounders have been common, and five- to seven-pounders are being caught daily. Focus less on the obvious shoreline targets and more on that transition zone. Keep casting and moving until you find them.

Ross England shares his latest fishing report for Clear Lake. Water temps are pushing 60-68°F in depending on the area, and in some spots and algae is limiting visibility in the shallows, making sight bed fishing tough unless you get way back into cover. The bite’s been hit or miss—those finding shad schools are connecting with better quality fish. Higher-than-full lake levels and a lot of flooded shoreline habitat.

Check out the video for much more detail.

Opening Day lands on Saturday, April 26, and Crowley Lake is shaping up to be one of the best bets in the Eastern Sierra. The lake is ice-free, water levels are solid thanks to a strong winter, and CDFW just stocked it with 8,000 pounds of trout. Shore anglers can find a lot of action in early and late windows, working mini jigs slow near drop-offs or inflow areas. Start with 1/16 oz and drop to 1/32 or smaller if fish are sluggish. If boating, trolling deep early is smart before switching to jigs as fish slide shallower. Top colors are usually anything with orange or gold flash.

Camping opens Thursday, April 24 at 8am, with first-come, first-served access in Whiskey Bay, Beaver Cove, and along the lakefront from South Landing to Hilton Bay. Expect a crowd—Opening Weekend always brings heavy pressure, but also some of the best fishing of the year.

On the Upper Kern, flows are pumping right now, sitting at about 1,600 CFS below the powerhouse and around 1,000 CFS above it. It’s fishable, but not for the lazy. You’ll want to stick tight to the edges, pick apart the soft pockets, and find those slower seams behind big rocks and in eddies. Wading isn’t a casual stroll this time of year, so tread smart.

Clarity’s a little off-color but workable. Bigger, flashier flies are your friend right now — think buggers, San Juan worms, and nymphs with some bling under an indicator. The good news? A weather cooldown is on the way, and if temps drop like forecasted, flows might ease off by the weekend and open up more spots.

Down on the Lower Kern, water temps are up to the 60s and bass are starting to come alive. The bite should keep improving as things warm up.

Striper action has been good at Skinner, especially for folks soaking anchovies or sardines on a shorter leader, as most bites are coming tight to the bottom. Move around and check your bait often if the bite is quiet—active schools are definitely there. Swimbaits and shad imitations are getting bit, but not nearly as much as bait right now. Bass are up shallow and locked into spawn mode. Drop-shots and Texas rigs with green pumpkin plastics are putting fish in the net. Some of the bigger largemouth are also chasing trout, so don’t be afraid to throw a big swimbait. Speaking of trout, the lake got a hefty plant back in March. Those fish have spread out, but you can still pick them off near the ramp with light tackle—try micro spoons or mini jigs.