As lake fills, bass bite is improving

Results of American Bass Association tournament are encouraging

Warmer weather greeted local fishermen this week. Although it's still cold in the mornings the daytime temperatures are reaching into the 50s and 60s. The good news is the bass have finally started to bite. In fact, during the American Bass Association tournament held last weekend it took 21 pounds to win it and several fishermen had more than 20 pounds.

The bass are in excellent shape, too. With the deeper water now thanks to all the rain, the bass should spread out more and they should also start to hang around the docks. It has been a tough year for fishermen so far. On any given day there have been only a few fishermen out on the lake.

The lake has reached 4 on the Rumsey Gauge and is still climbing, and it's not just Clear Lake that is rising. Lakes such Oroville, Mendocino and Sonoma are also filling fast. It will take a few more days before the lakes clear and the fishing improves.

The more successful fishermen at Clear Lake are using jumbo minnows and working them slowly. The local tackle shops all carry jumbo minnows.

A question many are asking is what has happened to the double-digit bass? Any fish weighing more than 5 pounds is a rare fish right now.

Catfish/crappie

The catfish action has been very good for the few catfishermen on the lake.They are catching some monster catfish, with 20-pounders being common. This should sit well with the organizers of the Clearlake Oaks/ Glenhaven Catfish Derby.

There are still very few crappie being caught but that should change soon. The top crappie fishing time is normally early spring.

Selection

There are five tackle shops located around the lake and they all have a wide selection of fishing lures. The operators are all seasoned fishermen,

Trout

Trout action is rated good at Upper Blue Lake. The lake was stocked two weeks ago.

Duck season

Duck season runs until Jan 29. Overall the season has been only rated as fair. Until the latest rains hit the refuges in the Sacramento Valley had been holding little water. That has now changed.

Bird watchers

Bird watchers have a golden opportunity on Clear Lake as there are pelicans and other water birds all around the lake. If you go out in a boat be sure to bring a pair of binoculars. The birds are scattered all around the north end lake, including Library Park in Lakeport.

Hiking

A hike at Clear Lake State Park would be great in this improved weather. The view of Mount Konocti is breathtaking, Hopefully Lake County will run the buses back up to the summit again.

A trip to Lake Pillsbury should also be on your agenda. There are several herds of Tule elk that live along the shoreline.