Fishing bite still red-hot on Clear Lake
The dropping lake level hasn’t slowed the bass fishing on Clear Lake. Most fishermen are catching from 1015 fish per day, some even more. The success of the local fishing guides is a good example. Bob Myskey’s clients have been averaging around 15 bass. Other guides report similar results. They all report the weeds have begun to disappear, which is normal as we move toward the fall months. The water is also starting to clear up in many areas.
Topwater lures have been the top baits and fishermen report they are getting a lot of blowups. One reason the bass fishing has been so good is because there are thousands of baitfish in the lake and the bass are chasing them. The best action has been off the Lucerne shoreline to Clearlake Oaks. The Redbud arm is also producing good numbers of fish.
What is surprising are the number of bass boats on the lake. There are at least 30 or more boats being launched at the Fifth Street boat ramp in Lakeport just about every day. There are presently only three ramps open — Clearlake Oaks ramp, Redbud ramp (partially open) and the Fifth Street ramp at Library Park in Lakeport. Fifth Street is by far in the best shape and will be the last ramp to close. Care should be used when launching a boat so that your trailer wheels don’t fall off the end of the ramp, which could damage your trailer. There is also major construction going on around the Fifth Street ramp where crews are repaving the parking lot. Barriers are also being installed. The construction will continue for several weeks.
Bass tourneys
Best Bass Tournament (BBT) is scheduled to hold a team tournament Saturday. It will go out of Library Park in Lakeport with the weigh-in starting at noon. The tournament should draw approximately 100 boats. There are several major bass tournaments scheduled for September and October. Hopefully the ramps will remain open for the tournaments.
Kayak tourneys
The kayak tournaments held last weekend were a major success.
The winner of the Lakeport Bait and Tackle tournament had a total length of 98 inches for five fish. The kayak tournaments don’t have a weigh-in, instead the fish are measured and then released.
That tournament drew 65 boats.
There also were two other kayak tournaments. The good news about kayak fishing is despite the low lake level kayaks can be launched just about anywhere on the lake.
Not stocked
There was a rumor that Upper Blue Lake was stocked with trout this past week, but a check of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) website showed that no stocking occurred.
Catfish/crappie
Catfish action has been good for the few anglers out after them.
Some of the catfish have been huge, a handful weighing more than 20 pounds. Crappie action has slowed but should improve in the coming weeks.
Deer season
The Zone A deer season is in full swing but hunters have been banned from the Mendocino National Forest because of a high fire danger.
The forest is closed for another week or two depending on the fire situation.
Cow Mountain is open but few deer have been taken from the area. The hunting on private lands has been good despite the hot weather.