Fish Report through June 30
Lake Don Pedro
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “Fat, chunky kokanee to 13.5 inches are taken on Rocky Mountain Tackle micro-hoochies behind an RMT dodger at depths from 50 to 85 feet around the Buoy Line and in Jenkins Hill.” He took out three clients during the week for quick limits of 11 kokanee to 13.5 inches and four king salmon to 2 pounds. The king salmon were mixed in with the kokanee. Bass fishing is solid with the available live medium minnows. Trout are also biting the minnows from the banks. The lake dropped 4 feet to 693.75 feet in elevation and 38 percent of capacity. Call: Monte Smith, 209-581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan, 209-586-2383; Gary Vella, 209-652-7550; Bait Barn, 209-874-3011.
McClure Reservoir
The North and South Barrett Cove launch ramps are open, and there is no time restriction. Trout trollers are pulling PPK Tomahawk spinners in black/white or chartreuse at 1.5 mph for limits of holdover rainbows. Bass fishing continued to be very good with live medium minnows from the banks or in the deepest part of the lake near the dam. The lake is releasing water, but it still is at 13 percent of capacity and 636.47 feet in elevation. Information on the launch ramp is available at 855-222-5253.
McSwain Reservoir
The McSwain Marina Store is closed on Mondays through Wednesdays at the present time but is open throughout the remainder of the week. The water temperature continues to rise with warm-water releases from Lake McClure. Bank fishing is limited to early hours before daylight. Trout trollers are working PPK Tomahawk spinners or Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of crawler behind a dodger at depths from 30 to 35 feet up the river arm. The Calaveras Trout Farm dumped 4,000 pounds of small rainbows before its closure May 18. Call: McSwain Marina, 209-378-2534.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
New Melones Reservoir continues to drop precipitously, but the catfish and bass action remain solid. John Lietchy of Xperience Bass Fishing said, “The bass fishing on New Melones has been extremely good for months now. We have fished a few tournaments and done well in them, with an average five-fish limit of 15 to 17 pounds each tournament. The fish are hitting topwater baits first thing in the morning. A couple weeks ago, we caught and released a 7-pound spotted bass that crushed a topwater plug first thing in the morning. Once the sun comes up, we switch to slow-moving soft plastic presentations. Not only catching quality but catching quantity as well.” Catfishing remains excellent with bass, trout, kokanee and crappie anglers also finding incidental catches of whiskerfish. The catfish are active and feeding alongside the bass and trout. Big baits such frozen shad, sardines or a ball of nightcrawlers soaked in Pro Cure scent have been effective. Trout fishing is fair, as the surface temperature has warmed up within the past few weeks and the rainbows are seeking the coolest water in the deepest portions of the main lake and river channel. Fast-trolling large plugs, spoons such as Speedy Shiners and adding a piece of nightcrawler and/or scent to the lure at depths to 90 feet are enticing rainbows to 2 pounds. Kokanee action is fair with a few limits landed each week. Lietchy said, “Using a larger lure and dodger as deep as 60 feet have been bringing out the best action. Putting a bend in the dodger will displace more water and help draw in fish.” Crappie action has improved, particularly under submersible lights at night. Live minnows or crappie jigs fished below the lights are working for the slabsides. A four-wheel drive is necessary to launch at Glory Hole Point. New Melones dropped 3 feet to 836.18 feet in elevation and 17 percent of capacity. Tulloch rose slightly to 508.8 feet in elevation and 98 percent of capacity. Call: Glory Hole Sports, 209-736-4333; Monte Smith, 209-581-4734; Danny Layne-Fish’n Dan, 209-586-2383; Sierra Sport Fishing, 209-599-2023.
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Chris Arcoleo of Chris’ Landing in Monterey reported rockfishing remains the best bet in the bay, and live squid are thick, allowing the party boats to catch live bait before heading out for rockfish. The Check Mate posted three-quarters limits of rockfish and 20 ling cod for 12 anglers Monday while scoring 32 limits and 90 lings Sunday. The Star of Monterey also picked up 90 lings in addition to three-quarters limits of rockfish Sunday fishing south near Point Sur. Call: Chris’ Landing, 831-375-5951; Bayside Marine, 831-475-2173; usafishing.com.
San Francisco Bay
Salmon fishing has been outstanding one day, followed by periods of slower action. Inside the bay, Captain Jim Smith of the Happy Hooker out of Berkeley Marina had another memorable day Monday, putting his 36 clients onto limits of striped bass (72) to 18 pounds along with 18 halibut to 27 pounds. They picked up the bass limits early in the morning.
This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Fish Report through June 30."