Lake Poway Fishing Report

Poway just extended Friday and Saturday hours to 11:30pm to match the catfish stockings now underway... and that's huge news for more than just the cat guys. Bass anglers should be circling those late nights too, because summer nights at Poway trigger some of the biggest bass in the lake to aggressively start crushing baits. Big, dark-colored power worms, worked slow through the backs of coves and around the weeds can be the ultimate pattern for landing you PB.

If you're not fishing the low-light window, don't forget Poway's water is crystal clear... light line is non-negotiable. Dropshots, small swimbaits, and other finesse plastics in natural colors are the standard here for bass.

For the catfish.... mackerel, garlic shrimp, and big nightcrawlers are still the proven go-tos.

The bass spawn is fully underway as water temps push into the high 60s. Both males and females have finally made their move onto beds, and some big fish have been reported by sight anglers pounding the shoreline.

A 6 and 7 pounder were just caught in the last few days that way. Swimbaits, jigs, and even glidebaits are triggering some of the bigger females. Other folks are throwing soft plastics (worms and crawdad imitations) into 10-15 feet of water just outside the shallow zones, hooking up with some nice 2 to 3 pounders.

Another trout stock came in this week, with two more scheduled for April. The bite has been excellent. White jigs and small spoons have been producing some awesome action, especially in the morning near steep rocky areas. Powerbait soakers are getting fish as well.

Poway received another 1,500-pound trout stock today, with a larger 2,000-pound plant scheduled for the youth fishing derby on February 5. The trout bite has been extremely consistent across the lake, with fish beginning to spread out towards the east end. PowerBait and Mice Tails are pulling limits. Early morning anglers are reportedly also doing damage on orange jigs and spinners. Water temps are holding in the mid to high 50s, and bass are mostly in winter mode, though a few are still being caught shallow on warmer days as they chase trout... tis the season for big swimbaits. Die-hard catfish anglers are still picking up a few fish on mackerel and garlic shrimp.