Lake Jennings Fishing Report

Jennings received their final trout stock of the season this week (1,500 pounds). Water temps are now in the low 70s, pushing trout into deeper, cooler zones. Boaters are having the most success on these fish, but early and late in the day, shore casters are finding them closer to the shoreline... points, drop-offs, and structure with quick access to depth are your best bets.

The early spring bass bite was excellent, with multiple 10+ pounders reported. But fish are now firmly in post-spawn, and things have cooled considerably. A few smaller fish are coming on finesse presentations... drop shots, Senkos, Ned rigs... but even those have been inconsistent. Bigger fish remain very elusive.

The warming temps have fired up the panfish bite, though. Bluegill, redear, and some crappie are pushing shallow near docks and submerged brush. Unlike bass and trout, these fish are most active midday.

With the consistent dry, warm weather this winter, water temps have stayed in the 60s. Combined with near bi-weekly trout stockings, conditions have been ideal for big bass. Multiple 6 to 8 pounders have been caught over the past few months, but recently things went to another level. Ryan Henderson, a native San Diego angler, landed a new lake record… a 17.6-pound behemoth on a big swimbait, after already sticking an 8-pounder earlier in the day. Another reported 10-plus pounder came out last week as well, so it’s safe to say now is the time for giants at Jennings.

Trout action has also remained very good with those steady plants. Mornings have favored lures, especially spinners and mini jigs. By midday, anglers soaking floating nightcrawlers and Mice Tails are pulling limits.

Jennings is firing on all cylinders right now. Water temps are sitting around 66°F, and steady trout stockings have kicked the entire food chain into gear. Big bass are locked in on these stockers, and anglers are taking advantage… large trout-colored swimbaits are hooking plenty of quality fish. Multiple 6–8 pound fish have come out over the past few weeks, along with several in the double digits.

Trout plants have been coming every two weeks at roughly 1,500 pounds, with the most recent load dropped on January 5. CDFW has added a few bonus plants as well. So far, about 7,000 pounds of rainbows have gone in this season, with more scheduled through April. Most trout are coming on PowerBait and floating nightcrawlers, while mini jigs and trout worms are also producing. Quail Creek in Hermit Cove has been the hottest area.

Catfish action has been excellent as well, with limits coming on shrimp, nightcrawlers, and mackerel.

Overall, Jennings is one of the hottest fisheries right now in the area.