Modesto-area fish report (Feb. 24, 2016)
Lake Don Pedro
Bass fishing is the best show in town with 76 teams of anglers having descended on the lake for Saturday’s Best Bass Tournament with 19 limits in excess of 10 pounds and the top limit at 15.47 pounds. Tournament director Kevin Cheek said, “There were a number of smallmouth bass weighed in during the tournament, which is unusual for this time of year, so all indicators are for an early spawn. A variety of techniques were reported, including drop-shot plastics, swimbaits, glide baits and jigs.” Some fish are moving into the shallows, but the majority of action remains from 10 to 30 feet in depth. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing will start hitting the lake soon. He scouted the back portion of the lake near Moccasin, and there is a launch ramp operation for shallow drafting boats there. This is an option in addition to the Fleming Meadows ramp. The lake rose more than 4 feet to 715.55 feet in elevation and 45 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.
MClure Reservoir
Harold Hass of Fresno reported great bass action Saturday, stating, “We were finally able to launch at Lake McClure, and it was worth the wait – 33 out of 35 anglers got limits with Joe Alanis having a 23.68-pound limit topped with an 8.38 largemouth bass.” Most anglers are using spinnerbaits, crank baits and jigs. The water is stained and about 51 degrees with the Barrett Cove South Ramp open. There are houseboats in several locations with the marinas moving the boats into deeper water, and there are no-wake zones throughout the lake. Maintenance work is being completed on one of the gates at the dam. The lake has risen to 17 percent of capacity and 659.14 feet in elevation. Call: A-1 Bait, 209-563-6505.
MSwain Reservoir
Trout fishing has been best from the banks near the campgrounds with blue/chrome Kastmasters or garlic rainbow trout dough bait. Bass also are showing up for trout fishermen, as a number of fish came over the spillway from Lake McClure with the water releases over the past several months. The lake is down a few feet, as work on the Exchequer Dam at Lake McClure continues. Call: McSwain Marina, 209-378-2534.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
At New Melones, trout fishing remains fair, but there have been more successful outings within the past few weeks. John Liechty of Glory Hole Sporting Goods said, “Anglers have reported catching planted fish as well as an occasional holdover, but it remains an extremely slow trout season in comparison to past years.” Bank fishing has been best with a standard bait rig with trout dough bait, nightcrawlers or marshmallows off the bottom near the Highway 49 Bridge and off Glory Hole Point. Heavy spoons such as Kastmasters or Krocodiles are also working on a long cast from the shoreline into deeper water. John Wilson and Harold Odahlen caught two limits of trout while fishing with Kastmasters from the shore. Trollers should try working over the existing river channel upriver at depths from 10 to 40 feet to keep clear of any submerged timber with light trolling spoons near the surface as well as larger minnow-plugs deeper. Kokanee have yet to show, and it will be until April before the landlocked salmon start showing up before peak season between May and September. Bass fishing remains good with the spring-like weather, leading Liechty to state, “Everyone seems to be catching some fish. It may feel like spring, but many fish are still holding in deeper water and on a winter pattern. The key to getting bit is to fish patiently with a slow retrieve with jigs in brown, purple or green pumpkin on a football head. Some days, the fish are biting jigs, and they will favor a soft plastic presentation such as shad or crawdad-patterned worms or creature baits on a drop-shot, shakey head or Texas rig.” Glory Hole Sporting Goods advised carefully releasing all largemouth bass and the bigger spotted bass into the lake, as the spawn is near and many fish will be holding eggs. Catfishing is improving with the warm weather, and there are some large whiskerfish moving into the shallows. Large chunks of frozen shad, mackerel, anchovies or sardines are the top baits. Crappie fishing is also picking up with the best action with live minnows on light tackle in the brush along coves and pockets off the main lake. The launch ramp at Glory Hole Point is a two-lane dirt and gravel road with no courtesy dock, and it’s best to launch with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The lake continues to rise, more than 3 feet to 844.84 feet in elevation and 18 percent of capacity within the past week. 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.
Delta/Stockton
Striped bass are showing up in the Sacramento River, and trollers, bait fishermen and plug casters are finding their best action in the north Delta above the Rio Vista Bridge. Johnny Tran of New Romeo’s Bait and Tackle in Freeport said, “The striped bass are here, and they are ranging from shakers to 10 to 15 pounds on sardines loaded with garlic spray along with pile worms or blood worms. Largemouth bass are also in Steamboat Slough with spinnerbaits, as the water is clearing up.” Alan Fong of the Fishermen’s Warehouse in Sacramento confirmed the sturgeon bite in the Sacramento River from Clarksburg to Merritt’s Landing, but there have been a number of oversized sturgeon released. Jim Pickens of the Fishermen’ s Friend in Lodi added, “Sturgeon fishing slowed some this week with the higher than normal temps and lack of rain, but with rain and cooler weather this week the bite should pick up.” The waters of the San Joaquin River continue to clear, and largemouth bass are moving into the shallows as the water clears and warms. Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, reported, “There is a small window for topwater lures on specific tides and locations, but the window is very short. We have been scoring with the ima Little Stick in shad patterns such as bone, white or chrome, and all of these fish have been close to the bank. The 10-inch Power Worm in black or blue on a Texas-rig is another good option, and we have landed largemouths in the 6- to 7-pound range pitching this up tight to the bank.” Jim Pickens of the Fishermen’s Friend in Lodi reported, “The change from high pressure to a low-pressure front turned the largemouth bite off this week, but the cooler weather and rain should help flush the San Joaquin side of all the weeds and debris that’s been hanging around.” Call: Randy Pringle, 209-543-6260; Captain Stan Koenigsberger – Quetzal Adventures, 925-570-5303; Intimidator Sport Fishing, 916-806-3030.
This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 9:11 PM with the headline "Modesto-area fish report (Feb. 24, 2016)."