Camanche Reservoir Fishing Report

Boat anglers are finally getting on the water at Camanche, provided they complete the mandatory 30-day quarantine. That has opened up some very good fishing in spots that couldn't be reached from shore during the closure.

The last trout plant was over four months ago, so no fresh stockers. Trollers, though, are finding some nice holdovers along the main channel pulling spoons.

The bass bite has been good on finesse stuff. Senkos, dropshots and Ned rigs are all working well in the 20 to 30 foot range. Mornings are producing a decent reaction bite too, with crankbaits and poppers pulling a few fish.

The catfish bite is good as well, with most reports coming from anglers soaking nightcrawlers or chicken livers. Evening is always best.

This should be a great month of fishing at Camanche. Water temps are hovering around 60 degrees and bass have made their move shallow. In glassy spots you can actually see 2-3 pound fish cruising the shoreline, but the ones you see have been tougher to catch. The best action has been from blindly clasting Senkos, swimbaits, and baitfish-style soft plastics near rock and visible submerged structure. The warm weather projected for next week should only improve the shallow bite even more.

Trout action received a boost with a 2,000-pound plant this week. Limits are coming on PowerBait and floated nightcrawlers, although the morning bite on spinners and spoons has been productive as well.

As a note, private boats can launch between May 1 and October 1 this season. A 30-day quarantine is required, but no decontamination station is planned. Until May 1, only rental boats or vessels already stored in the marina prior to December 2024 are permitted on the water.