Go take a hike!
Did you know the age of a fish is determined by the number of rings on its ear bone — each ring equals one year. And: Fish tongues have no taste buds!
LAKE MENDOCINO » Go take a hike! Yup, if you are gonna fish our backyard lake, you will need to take a hike down to the water. Boy, the water level is really, really low! Gosh, I think Teresa and I are going give a go one of these evenings after work. It could be fun! It has been many years since I have not fished Lake Mendocino from a boat.
Next week’s weather looks like it is going to cool down and get overcast. Mostly cloudy spring days can be some of the best days of the year to fish for bass, crappie, blue gill and catfish. When cloud cover blocks the sunlight the fish will move away from cover to the open water looking for something to eat. Try fishin’ a reaction bait like a spinnerbait or a crankbait. Sometimes I need to remind myself how blessed we are to have a quality lake in our own back yard. (Even if it is in a sorry state right now ! ) Nothing beats the relaxation of being at the water after a tough day at work. Take a kid fishin’ —
“unplugged” time together is good for everyone.
LAKE SONOMA >> The bass have started their spawn mode! Many anglers are speeding up to the Dry Creek arm. Those that go all the way up to Skunk Creek have not been “getting skunked.” They all have reported hooking into some nice bass up in the creek or just inside its mouth. Slow reeling spinnerbaits around weed edges and cover has been working best. Also, I have received good reports from the Warm Springs arm starting at the Old Sawmill camp on up to the mouth of the creek. Remember to practice catch and release.
BLUE LAKES >>.The best times to fish are early morning, or dawn to about 9:30 am. and again from 5 p.m. to dusk. Trollers have been doing the best with a few anglers catching their limits. But you don’t need a boat to hook into one. Folks fishing from the shore along Highway 20 or off the docks at any of the Blue Lakes resorts have all had their share of success. If you are fishing from the shore here is a tip. When the water is calm fish off of the surface. Try using a sliding bobber with a pinch of Power Bait along with a salmon egg. If the wind picks up, fill your bobber with water and fish it off the bottom.
P.S. The upper Mill Creek Pond has been stocked by California Department of Fish and Wildlife with steelhead trout. Get your spot early. There are not many good areas to fish. Please also remember that if you packed it in, pack it out! Help keep the Upper Mill Creek Pond a clean place you can take your family fishing.
CLEAR LAKE >> This is the place to be. The bass fishing is on fire right now. If you like to site fish, this is where you should head. The shallow water all along Lakeport has cleared some, and if you look close you can see schools of five-pounders swimming along the tules and around docks. Rarely do you even hear of fish being caught that are under three pounds. Shoot, what part of catching three-, four- and five-pounders all morning long, wouldn’t a person like? .
Reaction baits like paddle tailed swimbaits, jerkbaits,and chartreuse/ white spinnerbaits have been working very well. Also, drop-shottin’ and slow draggin’ a jig or brush hog will always get you hooked up. The hitch are still up in the creek channel spawning. Look for these areas, they will also hold bass. Go get ‘em!