Don Pedro Reservoir - 2008

Don Pedro Reservoir is located in the Modesto/Turlock area of Central California. To celebrate our birthday (yes Amy and I have the same birthday, April 14th!), we organized a camping trip to beautiful Don Pedro Reservoir. Attending was Scott/Sheelagh, our friend Lori and her bf and two sons and Lori's daughter Jazmyne. What a great time we had! Our campsite was right on the lake and we were able to pull the boat up to the campsite.

The fishing was decent, we caught a couple of trout and a couple of bass, but mostly it was just a great time with good friends.

A bit more about Don Pedro Reservoir:

Lake Don Pedro, nourished by the cold, clear waters of the Tuolumne River, is a lake of surprising contrasts. During the summer, it becomes a virtual maelstrom of activity as thousands of water skiers, jet skiers, swimmers and anglers descend on the lake's launch ramps and marinas. However, during the winter and spring, this lake is a totally different place, a tranquil location where a fishermen can troll for trout or salmon with few other anglers to compete with.

"It's amazing how little fishing pressure Don Pedro receives this time of year in spite of being such a good trout and salmon fishery," said Mike Graf of Sparklefish Lures as we trolled the Moccasin Point area in his Gregor boat on March 24. We did not see another boat fishing for trout all day long, although we saw two bass boats speeding around the reservoir to try their luck.

Don Pedro features one of the most diverse arrays of salmonids, including rainbow, brown and brook trout and king and kokanee salmon, found in any California lake. However, it is the reservoir's large rainbow trout and kokanee that offer the most consistent action throughout the season. The lake, situated at 880 feet in elevation in the Mother Lode foothills near La Grange, has apparently recovered from the copepod infestation of trout and salmon that took place here earlier this decade. The DFG stocked only brook and brown trout during the infestation, since these fish aren't susceptible to these parasites like rainbow trout and king salmon are.

Lake Shasta - 2008

Scott and I had planned a 5 day trip to Shasta and we were not disappointed! We had just installed the trolling motor on the boat, unfortunately our mechanic lost the remote foot pedal, so using the trolling motor would have to wait. No worries, this was Shasta Lake, the largest man made lake in California! On this trip we stayed in a Yurt. Though generally classified as a tent, the yurt is much stronger and weathertight. The Pacific Yurt is a circular structure that consists of a durable fabric cover, tension band and a wood frame that includes a lattice wall, radial rafters, central compression ring and a framed door. Very comfortable and kept us out of the heat, which was unbelievable. For 5 days straight, we had temps over 105 degrees, topping out at 108. Needless to say, we spent most of our time on the water.

The fishing was awesome! Because we had no trolling motor, we trolled Rapalas with the big engine and caught 4 different species of fish. Rainbow trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee and spotted bass. Most of the fish were caught off of points on the main lake, but we also caught fish up the McCloud River arm. The scenery is gorgeous and this is definitely the jewel of California!! I will be back to Lake Shasta!!

A bit more on Shasta:

Shasta Lake is a two-story impoundment and provides habitat for both warmwater and coldwater fishes. Habitat for coldwater fish species within the lake is considered good; however, habitat for warmwater fish species is limited by the lack of cover, steep-sided banks, and water level fluctuations.

Fish species within the lake are varied and abundant. Species known to inhabit the lake include: rainbow trout, brown trout, chinook salmon, largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, carp, Sacramento sucker, Sacramento squawfish, riffle sculpin, black fish, hardhead minnow, white sturgeon, channel squawfish, threadfin shad, white catfish, brown bullhead, golden shiner and green sunfish.

The basses and trout are the species most frequently caught by anglers. Even though there is some natural reproduction, the coldwater fish populations within the lake are largely maintained through Annual stocking by the California Department of Fish and Game. The warmwater fish populations are self-perpetuating.

Twin Lakes - 2009

Amy and I hopped in the Ridgeline one weekend and with nowhere in particular in mind, we ended up at beautiful Twin Lakes in the Eastern Sierras . One of the most beautiful settings we have ever been to, two small lakes that are surrounded by pristine wilderness and a beautiful waterfall.

We fished with little success, Amy catching the only trout on a bubble with fly on a spinning setup - but did incur a one in a lifetime encounter with brown bear. While fishing, we heard someone in boat yelling to us to move away from where we were fishing. Not really sure what they were talking about, we continued fishing. Suddenly we heard rustling in the bushes at the bank no more than 20 feet from us and were suprised to see a brown bear scavenging the bank. The bear seemed to know what he was doing and after further conversations with others, we were informed that this bear is local to the campground. Whew, talk about an adrenaline rush!! The bear continued past our fishing spot to the camp ground where he lazily went thru campers stuff and ended up in the back of an open pickup truck scrounging for food. Definitely a moment we will never forget!

Highly recommended for the beauty and overall friendly enviornment. The fishing is good, we just didnt give it enough time.



From Trails.com

The Twin Lakes around the Twin Lakes Campground look like blue beans joined at the hip. A little bridge connects the two lakes, and folks in rental rowboats and canoes scoot underneath it. Grandfathers teach their grandchildren how to fish as a waterfall cascades down the cliff above the lake. The campground is friendly and accessible. There are rustic cabins, a lodge, and a store. A few miles away in the city of Mammoth Lakes, you’ll find pizzerias, hardware stores, and a big wonderful Vons Supermarket on Old Mammoth Road. Twin Lakes Campground is a place to camp for a week; bring your family for the summer vacation. The campsites sprawl around the two lakes and uphill across the road. If you find Twin Lakes Campground full, head a few hundred yards up the road to beautiful Coldwater Campground on Coldwater Creek. Or, head a mile or so up to Lake Mary Campground and Lake George Campground. All the sites are wonderful, but none is reservable.

Read more at Trails.com: Twin Lakes Campground Mammoth Lakes California Camping Sites Trails.com http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGS259-038#ixzz0pjIvJyM1

San Luis Reservoir - 2009

On this outing to San Luis, Scott and I were definitely in over our heads! We had just went in on our boat and were still working the kinks out of it. This is not a lake for the novices. The wind can kick up at a moments notice (which it did) and warnings to get off the lake are issued. We were taking 4 foot waves over the front of the boat. We didn't know any better and are lucky the boat didn't swamp. Overall it was a good time, one striper caught on a trolled Rattle Trap.

Nestled in the grassy hills of the western San Joaquin Valley near historic Pacheco Pass, San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is noted for boating, board sailing, camping, and picnicking. But it’s anglers who find the unit’s three lakes most inviting.

The area around San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay is often very windy, and winds can come up quite suddenly. Watch the wind warning lights at the Basalt entrance station, Quien Sabe Point, and Romero Visitor Center. On the forebay, wind warning lights are located at the Medeiros boat ramp and above the South Beach picnic area at San Luis Creek.

Climate/recommended clothing: Summer temperatures here average in the mid-90s and occasionally exceed 100° but evenings are usually cool and pleasant. Rainfall averages eight to nine inches a year, mostly between November and April. In winter, temperatures seldom go below freezing, and tule fogs are frequent. In the spring, the golden-brown hills are coated with a fleeting green, highlighted by bursts of wildflowers colors.

Striped Bass draw the majority of anglers to San Luis. Drifting live jumbo minnows or mudsuckers from a boat is an increasingly popular method for catching fish, particularly in the fall and winter when the water cools down. Top water fishing with Zara Spooks, Pencil Poppers and Pop-Rs can be very productive in the spring, summer and fall. Fishing Zoom Flukes and jigs can also yield lots of stripers.
Bank anglers find success using anchovies, jumbo minnows and mudsuckers in the Dinosaur Point and Basalt areas of the main lake and in the O'Neill Forebay. Shore fishing with Rat-L-Traps and top water lures can also be excellent, particularly during the fall.
Channel Catfish provide a sleeper fishery for anglers fishing in the spring and summer throughout the lake's coves. Toss mackerel, anchovies and stink baits to entice the cats. Fish in the 10-25 pound range are possible here.
The main lake and forebay also offer Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill and even an occasional White Sturgeon to to anglers, but few anglers target these species.

New Melones Reservoir - 2009

New Melones is one of our favorite Bay area lakes as it is loaded with trout, kokanee, bass and catfish. We stay at the Worldmark resort and love the community. The fishing is off the hook and usually we will troll rapalas and other lures up the Stanislaus River enjoying the gorgeous landscape. We will also fish the dam area which is loaded with Kokanee (land locked salmon). The bass are mostly spotted bass, usually around 1-3lbs, but some larger fish are there! Trout are usually rainbow trout, average size about 1-2 lbs. Brown trout are here, but tougher to catch. This is a lake we frequent at least 3-4 times a year and is highly recommended.

About New Melones:
Located in Calaveras County in Angels Camp (home of the Celebrated Jumping Frog Jubilee), New Melones Lake was formed with the completion of a 625-foot high dam in 1979. New Melones surpassed in size the Old Melones reservoir that had been formed in 1926. By 1982, the lake was filled and on its way to becoming the wonderful recreational spot that it is today.

Fishing is wonderful year-round at New Melones Lake. From Thanksgiving to February, when the trout are gorging themselves on shad in the coves and creek channels, anglers catch stringers of beautiful two to seven pound rainbow and brown trout right from shore. On warm summer nights, boaters can limit out using minnows or night crawlers with submersible lights that attract baitfish, which in turn attract the big trout. It's very pleasant to spend the night (the lake is open to boaters all night long) bobbing under the stars, the lake water all around you shimmering from your light and the flash of minnows

. The lake is home to largemouth, a few smallmouth, spotted and redeye bass. Spring through fall, bass action is hot. In fact, bass fishing tournaments have embraced the lake in recent years, including it in their itineraries and holding Tournaments of Champions there. Summer and fall bring catfish in the three to thirty pound range, some even larger. Perch and crappie can be caught both in the summer using jigs and minnows in the coves and creek channels, as well as in the winter, fishing deep at night using minnows with submersible lights. Kokanee (small, feisty relatives of salmon, and regarded by some as the best tasting of any freshwater fish) were introduced into the lake in spring of 1997, and are thriving far beyond anyone's expectations. Kokanee action is great in the spring and summer, with limits of two- pounders being common. Members of the Project Kokanee and Kokanee Power say Melones is one of their favorite kokanee lakes.

Wildlife abounds at New Melones. Osprey hawks nest in the tall trees near the lake, and bald eagles are common in the late winter and spring. Egrets and herons can be spotted on the shore and soaring in the blue skies. Black tail deer, fox, and raccoons are a common sight in the evenings as they come down to the shore to quench their thirst and feed. Berry bushes at the water’s edge provide a home for teal and mallard ducks, Canadian geese, cormorants, and coots. Turtles can be spotted sunning themselves on logs at the water’s edge, only to slip into the water with a soft splash as one nears. With luck, a shy river otter or two may be spotted frolicking in the sun. The majority of the lake is bordered by land managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, and is open to hunting, season permitting.

Del Valle Reservoir- 2009

This little gem in the Livermore foothills is our home lake. Del Valle offers great trout, catfish and striper fishing, with trout being the main focus. Mostly we troll rapalas in the winter/fall/spring and soak bait (powerbait, power eggs and worms) in the summer months when the trout go deep. Catfish can be a safe bet as this lake is loaded with em!! Cats can be caught around submerged logs with chicken livers or anchovies. When the trout bite is tough, cats usually will save the day!!

About Lake Del Valle:
Del Valle Lake is located 10 miles south of Livermore off Interstate 580 in the San Francisco East Bay area. The lake is surrounded by 3,997 acres of beautiful oak-covered hills at an altitude of 745 feet. The water level at Del Valle Lake fluctuates seasonally from a high of 703 feet in the summer to a low of 678 feet in the winter. The lake stretches for 7 miles and has 16 miles of shoreline.

Clear Lake 2009

We stayed at the Worldmark condo at Clear Lake for 3 days and fished one day with Bob Myskey a well renowned guide (Bassin with Bob - www.fishclearlake.com) at Clear Lake. The bite was very tough with a cold front and bass tourney going on. We did very well despite the conditions catching 5 bass with the largest going around 4lbs. All were caught on shakey head with zoom trick worm in about 6 feet of water on the outside weed edge. Had a great time and this trip really got me going on bass fishing. I lost a big fish at the boat - probably went close to 7lbs!! Im definitely coming back to Clear Lake!!

About Clear Lake:

Clear Lake is the largest, natural freshwater lake in California, with 68 square miles of surface area.

Lakes have existed at the site of Clear Lake for at least 2.5 million years, possibly making it the oldest lake in North America. The lake has changed shape over time, with a continuous lake for at least the last 450,000 years in the Upper Arm (between Lakeport and Lucerne), while the Oaks Arm and Lower Arm are only about 17,000 years old.

There are numerous motels, resorts and commercial campgrounds on the lake that feature boat rentals, tackle shops and stores. In addition to the resorts and motels there is the Clear Lake State Park. The park has a boat ramp plus campsites and a visitor's center.

One advantage of Clear Lake is its accessible boat ramps. There are 11 public ramps around the lake where fishermen can launch their boats free of charge. The wide variety of launch points is an advantage for the small boaters on windy days.

Known as the Bass Capital of the West, Clear Lake supports large populations of bass, crappie, bluegill, carp and catfish. Two-thirds of the fish caught in Clear Lake are largemouth bass, with a record of 17.52 pounds.

In addition to fish, there is abundant wildlife within the Basin.

The algae in Clear Lake are part of the natural food chain and keep the lake fertile and healthy. Because of the lake's relative shallowness and warm summer temperatures, the algae serve another important purpose. It keeps the sun's rays from reaching the bottom and reduces the growth of water weeds which would otherwise choke off the lake.

Blue-green algae typically "bloom" twice a year, in spring and late summer. The intensity of the blooms varies from year to year and is unpredictable. When this occurs, unsightly slicks and odors can be produced.

Algae do not affect the edibility of fish. However, due to elevated mercury levels in some of Clear Lake's fish, the advisory from the California Department of Health Services limiting the number of fish consumed should be heeded.

First Blog - What is this?

What? Your blogging? LMAO!! That was my first reaction to me blogging, but here goes. This blog will be an ongoing adventure to fish every lake in California. Since I've already fished a few of the lakes in No Cal, the first few posts will be of lakes we have hit in the last couple of years. When I say we, I refer to my wonderful girlfriend Amy, who loves the outdoors and being on the water. Without her support, this wouldn't be a viable endeavor to accomplish. Also, my good friend, fishin partner and poker buddy Scott, will be included. Scott and I put alot of time on the water learning by trial and error, and the virtual poker felt (again by trial and error) and share many memories.

With 175+ lakes in California, this will be a daunting but very enjoyable endeavor!! Since we live in No Cal, those lakes will be the first to fall. So Cal will be quite a bit more difficult, but let's see how it shakes out!!