Lake Del Valle Fishing Report

Water temps have dipped a bit since last week, and the fish are responding... especially the stripers. The last week has seen big blowups all around the lake, with some folks reporting bites on "every other cast." White or pearl has been the color, as these fish are fully keyed in on shad. Walking baits, swimbaits and jerkbaits are all working for fish in the 2-5 pound range.

Largemouth are also biting well, with many keying in on shad too. Big glidebaits have landed a 6-plus and an 8-plus pounder over the last few weeks. Dark-colored creature baits thrown tight to cover are also getting 1-2 pound fish.

Redear and bluegill are being caught in the backs of coves on red worms. The smaller ones linger near the surface... aim deeper for some hand-sized giants.

Water temps have jumped into the 70s at Del Valle, and after an excellent spring, the bite is starting to cool off a bit. Trout plants are over, the latest coming the last week in April. There are still fish to be caught, though they've moved into much deeper water chasing cooler temps. Powerbait and floated nightcrawlers are your best bet during the day. Early mornings are kicking out some shallower fish on spinners and spoons.

Sticking with bait is your best bet for stripers and catfish (obviously) as well. Stripers have also moved deep, but a few keepers are being caught on soaked anchovies. Catfish are hitting chicken liver and garlic-dipped baits, with the best action coming in the evenings.

The bass bite remains good, with both smallmouth and largemouth hitting swimbaits and drop-shotted 4½-inch plastic worms near rocky structure and secondary points. A few fish are still shallow... with the occasional one still bedding or protecting their fry. Weightless Senkos can be deadly for these fish.

The recent cold spell has cooled Del Valle down a bit, but water temps are still hovering right around 63 degrees. Before the storm, fishing had been lights-out across the board, with big fish being caught from multiple species.

On the bass front, water levels are high, and fish have been pushing into fresh cover to spawn. Plenty of smaller males are being caught on soft plastics, but the real action has been with glide baits and big poppers for those giant females. Multiple fish over 7 pounds were caught this week alone. Folks are also reporting an excellent bite on swimbaits and A-rigs in open water near points... pulling both bass and smaller stripers. Speaking of stripers, an 11-pounder was also caught this week on soaked anchovies.

Trout are producing as well, with another Lassen stocking dropped last wek. Boaters are hooking 2-3 pound fish on Rooster Tails and Mepps spinners. Shore casters are also finding sucess on the West Shore dock and East Swim Beach using PowerBait and floated nightcrawlers.

Look for the awesome bite at Del Valle to continue into May.