Cold weather slows the bite

Clear Lake level inching up toward zero on Rumsey Gauge

A meager turnout of bass fishermen on Clear Lake continue to battle cold weather and a slow bite. A good example was Thursday morning at the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport where there were only two boat trailers in the entire parking lot.

The water temperature Thursday morning at the ramp was a chilly 42 degrees. The lake level Thursday morning was minus 1.11 feet on the Rumsey Gauge and rising.

The recent rains have raised the lake level approximately three inches, not counting the runoff that continues to flow into the lake from the recent storms. There are still only two public boat ramps open and they are the Clearlake Oaks ramp and the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport. Hopefully when the lake level rises to zero on the Rumsey Gauge some of the other public ramps can be opened.

There are no bass tournaments scheduled for the rest of December and that includes club tournaments. There are several scheduled for January.

On the fishing scene, the action for bass has slowed considerably. Most of the anglers are happy to catch two or three fish for a full day’s effort. The best action has been between noon and 5 p.m. and the top lures include live jumbo minnows rigged beneath a bobber and fished very slowly. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits also have also effective. They should also be retrieved slowly and allowed to bump the bottom. Jigs and plastic worms also have been effective when allowed to crawl over the bottom.

One reason the fishing has slowed is because of the cold water. During the winter months it can take a bass several days to digest a crawdad or minnow. Their metabolism slows down and they barely move. Studies have shown that a bass can go without food for several weeks during the cold months.

Some of the more productive areas include Henderson Point, the water off the swim beach at Clear Lake State Park, the Nice-Lucerne shoreline and the deeper water near Rattlesnake Island.

Other fish

Catfish action remains very good for the few anglers after them. Some of the fishermen have been catching up to 50 catfish a day using shrimp and fishing in water as deep as 30 feet. The catfish have been ranging in size from a few pounds to 20 pounds.

The crappie action remains slow but should improve in the coming weeks. A few bluegill ae being caught by anglers using nightcrawlers.

Blue Lakes

Trout action at Upper Blue Lake remains fair for the anglers willing to stick it out. Both the bank fishermen and boaters have been catching some nicesized trout. The lake is not on the current stocking schedule.

On the hunting scene, pheasant season closes Dec. 26 and overall it has been a poor season. Many of the hunters haven’t bag a single bird.

Quail season runs through Jan. 30 and the hunting in the national forests and other public land has been very good.

The fall wild turkey season closed last weekend and it was an excellent season as most of the turkey hunters had little trouble bagging their birds.

The bear season runs through Dec. 26 or until 1,700 bears are taken. To date, hunters have bagged 1,066 bears across the state.

Hiking

With good weather in store the next couple of days it’s a good time to plan a hike to Wright’s

Peak on Mount Konocti. Winter is the ideal time to hike up the mountain because it is cool. Don’t do it alone, instead make a party of it and invite several friends.

Clear Lake State Park in another excellent choice and here you can hike alone if you wish. The park is safe and well-patrolled.