March: in like a lion, out like a lamb?
“Liquid Sunshine and Buttercups” my fellow anglers. All the wonderful rain we have been getting has been great! But with it, most anglers have gotten a serious case of cabin fever! We are all checking the weather on our phones with the hope of sunny days in the forecast. Dreaming of the spring day in which we will once again be able to say is “Fish on!” Sure hopin' that March is going to go out like a lamb.
Upper Mill Creek Pond
Poachers beware! The local game wardens are out to get those anglers that have been taking more than their fair share of trout each day. Most lakes have a limit of five.
Anglers are advised to check specific area regulations and opening dates in the 2024 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulation booklet (www.wildlife.ca.gov/regulations) for regulations specific to each body of water. —
Poachers, you are being watched! — You have been warned!
Blue Lakes
The fishin' on the Upper Blue Lakes has been fair at best. Due to all the rain and afternoon winds, if you are luck and catch a break in the rain the best times to trout fish are the morning hours.
The lake is pretty mud satined so, be sure to use bright colored baits. Trolling has been doing the best. With a few boats bringing in limits. Try using an action disc with a fly or worm chasing it. Set your down rigger at 20 — 25 feet. Also, the trout fishermen that have been fishing from the shore and off of docks have also been hooking into a good one here and there. (Right now, the best baits are a blown-up worm, power bait, castmaster, super duper, roostertail,& a red/ gold needle fish.)
But wait, don't forget about the bass fishin' — it has kinda picked up.
F.Y.I. the Upper Blue Lake still is scheduled to receive a trout plant! Wooo-hooo!
Lake Sonoma
Some good fishin' reports coming out of Lake Sonoma. The fall and winter fishing has been pretty tough for some. But, now the bass bite is back! The main body hot spots are anywhere there are running creeks coming into the lake.
Also, Yorty, Cherry, and Skunk Creeks are holding bass that are staged for spawning. The bass haven't moved up far yet. They are hanging out near submersed timber. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and drop shottin' are all working well.
Lake Mendocino
Go to the “Run-n- Gun” style of fishin'. (Cover a lot of water). Fish lures like a crankbait or a white spinner bait. Boom! Just like that you'll be catching bass. The bass are just starting to get in the spawn mode. Mostly males are within the first eight feet of the shore. Go get `em!
Did you-all know that the trout fishin' picked up? That's right…Trout Fishing! Back in 2012 the California Department of Fish & Wildlife stocked our hometown lake with a bazillion trout. And now they are BIG. The successful trout fishermen have been hooking them trolling the deep water pulling an action disc with a woolybugger.
F.Y.I. Our backyard lake has been receiving trout plants last week. Once again, wooo-hooo to Fish and Wildlife!
Clear Lake
Boy, our bass fishin' mecca of a lake over the hill is full, full! At the time this report was written, last Monday evening, the lake level was at 8.32. Which is well above full pool. Isn't that wonderful?
With the being so full there has been some restrictions put on boaters. Basically, you must idle out a 1/4 mile, 440 yards before you bring your boat up to plane. Also, I understand that you must slow down to idle while going thru the Narrows area. Gosh, why idle thru? Fish thru it… Just sayin'. Oh yeah, the only ramp I know of that is closed is the Red Bud ramp. The Lucerne and 3rd Street ramps are 1/2 closedi-sh . All other ramps are still open.
With few days of nice spring weather we had last week, the bass fishin' had started to pick up for some.
Under-spins continue to be the ticket. But also, if can find bass that willing, A-rigs, lipless crankbaits, chatterbaits and drop-shottin' have all be effective.
With the yoyo weather we are dealing with right now it can make it a struggle to figure out what the pattern is. Oh well, that is why it is called fishin' and not catchin'.
Please practice catch and release so that our grandkids' grandkids can also experience the joy of hookin' in to a giant bass. If you catch a giant, put it back in to the water so that it can spawn. Big bass make BIG BASS. thank you!
If you get a chance to get out on the water be safe, be kind and have a blessed day!
Thanks for reading and remember to keep it reel. Don 4REEL Fishin'