Lake Poway Fishing Report

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.

The trout plant schedule is out for Poway, with the first stock set for December 5 (2,000 lbs) and additional 1,500 lb plants rolling in every couple of weeks through winter into mid-April. Once the fish hit the water, mini jigs on light line are a great way to target them (aside from the usual Powerbait setup).

Meanwhile, the catfish bite has been very good on 4–6 pound test with cut mackerel or garlic-scented prawns. Nothing huge, but perfect eating size. Bass action has been fair on soft plastics… dropshots and smaller creature baits. Expect bass quality to improve once they start feeding on the stockers in December.