Los Vaqueros Reservoir Fishing Report

The bass bite is rolling at Los Vaqueros, with largemouth pushing shallow in the backs of coves. Jerkbaits have reportedly been catching fish — nothing huge though, with the biggest up to 3.5 lbs. Expect the bite to only improve as water temps increase.

Stripers are starting to show more consistently now. Anchovies are pulling a few from shore, but most of the action is coming on shad-patterned plugs out in open water.

Trout fishing is good for both boaters and shore casters. Mice Tails and PowerBait are working well, although trolling deeper with spoons is producing bigger fish. The bite should hold with more plants expected this month.

Water’s clear, temps are rising, and the fishing’s picking up across the board.

Los Vaqueros has been dishing out a decent bite for both trout and stripers. Trolling has been the most productive for trout, especially in Howden and East coves, where they’re hitting Kastmasters and Rapalas running just below the surface. The afternoon bite has been the best, with some quality Mt. Lassen rainbows showing up among the smaller CDFW stockers. Shore anglers are hooking trout on PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and small jigs. Stripers and catfish are biting anchovies near South Cove and the marina pier. A few smaller largemouth were picked up last week in the shallows. The bass bite will only get better as the water temp warms.

Water clarity is improving, surface temps are around 55 degrees, and while trout plants are on hold until golden mussel regulations are in place, the lake has already received over 20,000 pounds of stocked fish this season—so there’s still plenty fish for.

So disappointing. Went for New Years as we were told there was 16k pounds of fish dumped in. Not this 1k that was posted here on December 30th.

We rented a pontoon boat, and went everywhere. Not one bite. Not a ONE.

Also fished for everything. Multiple folks. Multiple areas.

Asked around when getting back to base - we met one person who caught some fish from shore out of 7 we asked. There wasn’t anything. Better luck in warmer temperature.