Crappie, catfish bite remains strong
It's also a good time to try for trout at Upper Blue Lake
Clear Lake gets a brief rest this weekend from major bass tournaments although there should be plenty of recreational fishermen out on the lake. Overall the fishing is rated as fair to good, but to be successful you have to cover a lot of water and locate active fish. Mike Rothstein fished with Jim Craig on Wednesday and they caught more than 40 bass. According to Rothstein, most of their fish were caught on a Fluke cast to the weed mats. He said the water clarity was good and they saw a lot of fish.
The Fluke is a soft plastic lure that resembles a small swimbait. It is retrieved with short jerks and allowed to flutter down to the bottom. To a bass it resembles a bait fish. Other anglers report having good luck casting a plastic frog to the weed mats. The bass are building nests among the weeds in preparation for spawning. Normally the bass spawn from early June until late July or early August.
This year the low lake level could have an impact on the spawning bass. In many areas where the bass normally spawn the water is only 2 feet deep or even less. These same areas in a normal year would be 5-6 feet deep.
Bite holds
The crappie action remains strong throughout the lake. Many fishermen report catching up to 25 a day and the local crappie guides are doing even better. Ed Legan of the Clear Lake Crappie Guide Service fishes for crappie out of a pontoon boat, which offers comfort and all the electronics needed. His clients average nearly 50 fish a day. He can be contacted at (707) 497-8938.
Most of the crappie being caught have come on either red
white or black-white crappie jigs fished beneath a bobber. They are being caught all around the lake and have been holding in the deeper water. The daily crappie limit is 25.
Catfish
Catfish action has been very good but only a few fishermen are going after the popular fish. Nightcrawlers or cut bait have been the top baits. Some of the catfish are weighing up to 20 pounds.
The trick to success is to be patient and wait them out. The advice is to have at least 20-pound test line as catfish are tremendous fighters.
Trout action
Trout actions remains good at Upper Blue Lake and the East Branch of the Russian River. The streams weren't stocked this week but they were stocked two weeks ago and the area is holding plenty of trout. The bass action at Upper Blue Lake has been good although there have been very fishermen out after them. The lake is full despite the drought and is in excellent condition.
Hiking
This is the perfect time to make a hike up to the summit at Mount Konocti. Make the trip in the mornings before it gets too hot and be sure to take plenty of water.
Bird watching
If you're a bird watcher, then a trip to Lakeside County Park will give you an outstanding view of the pair of ospreys that are nesting next to the playground. They have little chicks and you will be able to see the parents bringing fish to the chicks.
The big question is where are the grebes? Normally at this time of the year grebes can be seen by the hundreds as they build their nests and take care of their young. This year they just haven't been out on the lake in any numbers. Apparently the food supply in minnows isn't available to the grebes and they have moved to other lakes. Grebes normally fly at night in small flocks. White American Pelican also can be seen all around the lake.