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.