Fishing

  1. Fishing Report – September

    Stats

    • The water temperature is currently 77 degrees.
    • The water level is currently at 128,000 acre feet, as of 9/18/2023.
    • Our water clarity has been good except for windy days.

    If you are interested in renting a boat, we recommend calling ahead to check current wind conditions as they are unpredictable and can impact the ability to safely rent boats to visitors. Wind speeds change suddenly and boat rentals are typically suspended when they exceed 15 MPH and when heavy gusts are forecasted. Public safety is our main priority. Remember – rental boats are first come, first served. Weekends and some weekdays sell out quickly. View a live feed video of the Marina and dock area.

    Reminders

    • When boating – be aware of our water levels and our ever-changing shorelines.
    • Observe the speed limit driving into the Marina as wildlife routinely crosses the road looking for water. Please help us protect them, yourself and your vehicle.
    • Remember to pack it in, pack it out – especially fish line. We appreciate everyone’s effort to keep our watershed clean!

    Trout

    Shore anglers have the most success using garlic scented Powerbait followed by night crawlers. Trolling is doing fairly well especially in the backs of coves. Light tackle is important for catching trout. 4-6-pound test is plenty. Fishing has been good. On days the winds allow boats we have seen a number of limits as well as anglers with just a couple. Remember: Limit is 5 per angler for the day.

    DatePlant AmountPlant Source
    6/23/20232,000 lbs.Mt. Lassen
    5/25/20232,000 lbs.Mt. Lassen
    5/17/20232,000 lbs.Mt. Lassen
    5/3/20232,000 lbs.Mt. Lassen


    Catfish

    For those wishing to target catfish, chicken liver and anchovies are the best choices of bait. There has been a steady number of catfish being caught around the reservoir. South Cove, Cowboy Cove and Oak Point have been mentioned by our anglers.

    DatePlant AmountPlant Source
    9/7/20231,000 lbs.Tsai Enterprise
    8/21/20231,000 lbs.Tsai Enterprise
    8/10/20231,000 lbs.Tsai Enterprise
    7/26/20231,000 lbs.Tsai Enterprise


    Largemouth Bass

    Most anglers were focused on stripers or trout. Keep in mind that largemouth need to be 12 inches to be kept. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch; they are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. If you catch any undersized fish please release them gently and allow them to grow up. There have been reports that jigging near rocky shores has been successful.  

    Stripers

    Striper fishing is mixed with both shakers and legal sized fish being caught from around the reservoir. Cut anchovies or shad is the bait of choice, either from shore or a boat. Cowboy Cove and Howden Cove seem to be the hot spot for stripers. Just a reminder, stripers need to be 18 inches or more to be legal. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery.

    Whopper Mug Rules

    • Trout must be 8 pounds
    • Striped Bass need to be at least 10 pounds 
    • Catfish is at 12 pounds or more 
    • Largemouth Bass remains at 5 pounds and must be released 

    Please note: ONLY a photo with a scale or a measuring tape showing the fish being at least 18” will count.

    Fish Limits

    • Catfish - 10
    • Black Bass - 5 (minimum length 12 inches)
    • Trout - 5
    • Salmon - 5
    • Crappie - 25
    • Striped Bass - 2 (minimum length 18 inches)

Fishing Access

Shore fishing is available on the South side of the reservoir, near Livermore. The Marina has the following available for purchase:

On the North side of the reservoir, near Brentwood, anglers can park at the Los Vaqueros Interpretive Center and hike about a half-mile to fishing areas.

Additional Information

Call the Marina with questions at 925-371-2628.