Rain, trout stocks revitalize Bay Area lakes
The rain and wind this week has been pure sweetness for the lakes nestled across the foothills of the greater Bay Area.
Sweet, that is, as in the infusion of cool, fresh water, stirred by wind, that has refreshed dozens of lakes across the region that provide fishing and boating.
Between the Department of Fish and Wildlife, lake managers and park districts, 15 lakes in the greater Bay Area have been stocked with rainbow trout this month, crowned by the most fish at Los Vaqueros, Lake Chabot and Del Valle.
In addition, even Lake Merced North in San Francisco, left fallow for most of the year, was stocked twice this month, including this week.
Amid cool weather, occasional rain and the typical holiday commitments, many often overlook the late-fall and early-winter season. But it is the change of weather that jump-starts outdoor recreation at many lakes.
The spotlight, as in past years, is at 10 lakes in Alameda and Contra Costa counties that are receiving bonus trophysize rainbow trout courtesy of purchases from daily fishing permits.
On the other end of the spectrum, the San Francisco Peninsula is again the black hole of fishing and boating this winter, with no boating or fish stocks at any lake in San Mateo County. In fact, south of Lake Merced in San Francisco, the nearest lake (without crossing a bridge) that is stocked for fishing is little Sandy Wool Lake at Levin Park in Milpitas. Sandy Wool is 50 miles away and across a span of about 3.5 million people who are blocked from seven lakes in their respective vicinities.
Here is a county-by-county synopsis of the prospects right now:
Alameda County
Lake Chabot, Castro Valley: Stocked twice in November, including this week, with 2,400 pounds of trout. Catch rates high from shore until storm runoff with muddy water, deeper into winter, puts the ki-bosh on fishing. This is the site of Bay Area lake-record bass, a 19-pounder; 87 percent full, 318 surface acres. Del Valle Res., Livermore: Stocked three times in November, including this week, with 3,000 pounds of trout. The lake level is down, best estimate is about 60 percent full, and the boat ramp and dock are still functional, with the best fishing often in Swallow Bay; 750 acres, 5 miles long, 16 miles of shoreline. Don Castro, Hayward hills: Stocked this week with 750 pounds of trout; 23 acres. Quarry Lakes/Horseshoe Lake, Newark: Stocked twice in November, including last week, with 2,000 pounds of trout. Known for good shoreline fishing, landmark exchange program to prohibit use of lead weights; lakes complex is 350 acres. Shadow Cliffs Lake, Pleasanton: Stocked last week with 1,000 pounds of trout. Former water quarry known for good water clarity even during heavy storm activity, and occasional giant bass, catfish and trout; 80 acres. Lake Temescal, Oakland hills: Stocked twice in November, including this week, with 1,750 pounds of trout; 15 acres. Boating: Del Valle, Chabot, Aquatic Park, Bethany, Elizabeth, Merritt, Quarry, Shadow Cliffs. No boating: Anza, Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Jordan Pond, Shinn Pond, Temescal. No access: Upper San Leandro (hiking by permit from EBMUD only), San Antonio Reservoir.
Contra Costa County
Contra Loma, Antioch hills: Stocked twice in November, including this week, with 1,750 pounds of trout. Local spot for shoreline baitdunkers; 70 acres. Heather Farm Pond, Walnut Creek: DFW stocked twice in November, including last week; small lake in city park. Hidden Lakes Park, Martinez: DFW stocked last week; small lake in city park. Lafayette Res., Lafayette: DFW stocked twice in November, including last week; 67 percent full, 126 acres. Los Vaqueros Res., Livermore: Stocked twice in November, including last week. When wind isn’t howling, one of the best fishing lakes in California. Rich aquatic food chain and consistent trout stocks provide good fishing by boat and shore in South Cove, Cowboy Cove and other spots. Chance for big striped bass, catfish; 93 percent full, 1,500 acres, 62-degree surface temperature. San Pablo Res., El Sobrante: 73 percent full, 800 surface acres. Closed for winter. Boating: Contra Loma, Lafayette, Los Vaqueros, San Pablo. No boating: Briones. No access: Antioch Municipal Reservoir, Clifton Court Forebay.
Marin County
Bon Tempe, Fairfax: DFW stocked this week and last week. Shoreline fishing ignites after a stock, then after three days, tapers off. The only realistic chance for trout fishing in Marin County; 82 percent full. No boating: Alpine, Bon Tempe, Lagunitas, Kent, Phoenix, Nicasio, Stafford and Soulejule.
Napa County
Lake Berryessa, Napa: No trout stocks this month. Berryessa provides trolling for holdovers from past plants, often at the mouth of Skier’s Cove and the Narrows; 77 percent full, 20,700 acres. Boating: Lake Berryessa, Lake Hennessey (Conn Dam). No access: Lake Curry, Milliken and Rector.
San Francisco
Lake Merced North: DFW stocked twice in November, including this week. San Francisco’s backyard fishing hole is back on the map. Any type of boat can put you over the top, baitfishing along the edge of the tules just before they break into open shoreline; 650 acres. Boating: Lake Merced North, Lake Merced South, Stow Lake.
San Mateo County
Zilch: No stocks, boating or access to any of the reservoirs. No boating: Waterdog Lake. No access: Upper Crystal Springs, Lower Crystal Springs, San Andreas Lake, Pilarcitos Lake.
Santa Clara County
Sandy Wool Lake, Milpitas: DFW stocked once this month. Boating: As of this week, Calero (36 percent full), Lexington (28), Stevens Creek (19), plus little Shoreline Sailing Lake, are open to boating. Anderson and Coyote are closed for the season. All others are closed indefinitely to boating: Almaden, Arastradero, Campbell Perc Ponds, Chesbro, Cottonwood, Coyote, Cunningham, Grant, Guadalupe, Sandy Wool, Uvas and Vasona. No access: Boronda (Palo Alto residents only), Calaveras, Elsman, Felt. Zilch: No stocks. Boating: Chabot Reservoir, Lake Solano. No access: Lake Madigan. Ralphine Lake, Santa Rosa: DFW stocked three times in November, including this week. Boating: Spring, Ralphine. No access: Laguna Lake.