Los Vaqueros Current Fishing Conditions
March 7, 2010
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Our water temperature is currently 51° and our water conditions are excellent for fishing.
2010 California Department of Fish and Game licenses are available. We appreciate catch and release for largemouth bass. They are a limited resource.
Birds and wildlife are both active and available for viewing. The hills are green and wildflowers are just beginning. Check out our fun weekend family programs at the interpretive center.
Boat rentals are HALF OFF Monday – Friday (non holidays). You can rent a 16-foot boat for up to 5 hours for only $25. A great way to fish or just tour the lake.
TROUT
We planted 1200lbs of Trout from the Calaveras Trout Farm late in the afternoon on Friday March 5. These fish averaged about one and a quarter pounds. Another trout plant is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Friday the 12th.
Fishing for trout has continued on and off. Fishing in the South Cove was excellent on Saturday after the Friday trout plant. Many anglers took limits on a wide variety of baits. The fishing slowed on Sunday partly due to sustained 20 mph winds. Working anglers have taken trout west of the Rock Wall and to the very end of cowboy cove. Some boat anglers have taken trout from the backs of Howden, Cowboy and Peninsula Coves. Some beautiful hold-over trout are taken almost every day. Trolling has been slow but if you do troll stay a maximum of about 20 feet from shore. Try trolling along the Eastern shoreline. We think the trout are in tight to shore, feeding on baitfish and staying away from stripers. Heavy line, long casts and big weights will not be effective. Trolling in the middle of the lake is also not currently going to work. Staying in one place all day will also hinder your efforts to take trout. Move around some until you find some fish and get on some kind of a pattern. Stay light with everything you use and you will have a better chance of catching trout.
Donna Clark took a 4 pound trout off of Oak point on Sunday. Donna was fishing with nightcrawlers and 4lb test line only about 10 to 15 feet from shore.
A couple tips. Try using a bobber that will hold some water. This will present your bait at a mid water level. Fluorocarbon leaders might also give you an edge on Mr. Trout.
LARGEMOUTH BASS
Bass fishing still is only rated fair. With warm weather predicted this week we could see a big spike in Bass fishing. One angler reported catching and releasing 4 bass in the 2-pound range. He was fishing a black/purple Senko in Cowboy Cove.
STRIPERS
Nothing reported this week, although anglers reported stripers boiling on the recent trout plant.
SALMON
Nothing huge this week but we saw salmon being cleaned in the 2 to 4 pound range. Overall, it is hit and miss – but exciting when you do hook one.
CATFISH
The water is still pretty cold for these whiskered wonders to get active. Some warm spring weather will help. One exception was a beautiful 17.5 pound channel catfish caught and released by Michael Moniz of Fremont. He took his fish on a nightcrawler from the South Cove.
CARP
Some of our regulars have been taking nice numbers of carp up to 12 pounds. Try using homemade dough baits. Corn will also work on these fun fighters.
|
LOS VAQUEROS 2010 TROUT PLANTS Calaveras Trout Farm/State Fish & Game |
|
|---|---|
| 3-05-2010 | 1200 lbs Calaveras Trout Farm |
| 2-12-2010 | 1200 lbs Calaveras Trout Farm |
| 1-26-2010 | 1000 Lbs Fish and Game |
| 1-22-2010 | 800 Lbs Calaveras Trout Farm |
| 1-15-2010 | 1000 Lbs Fish and Game |
| 1-08-2010 | 1200 Lbs Calaveras Trout Farm |