Central California fishing report, Aug. 21-27: Delta striper and bass bites are good, kokanee are hitting at Don Pedro and New Melones. Shaver is kicking out kokanee and trout.

Compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.

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Best bets

Delta bass and stripers bites good, Alan Fong reported. New Melones kokanee limits the rule, Kyle Wise said. Shaver Lake kokanee hitting, Dick Nichols reported. Wishon pumping out rainbows, Kelly Brewer said. Don Pedro kokanee still biting, Monte Smith reported. Bass Lake rainbows are back, Mike Beighey said. Eastman bass action strong, Michael Crayne reported.

Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother

Unless noted, area code is 559

Valley/Westside waterways

Striper 2 Catfish 2

In the northern sections of California Aqueduct and Delta Mendota Canals, Bill Sterling of Striperz Gone Wild reported tough action during the hot daytime temperatures, and it will be over a month before the temperatures get into the middle 60’s. He said, “Plenty of largemouth bass are caught in the local irrigation canals on anything from crank baits to plastic worms.” Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop added, “It really hasn’t been that great in the northern part of the aqueduct, but there is a good striper morning bite at Clifton Court Forebay on fresh shad.”

In the south aqueduct in Kern County, striped bass action has improved with cooler water temperatures, and cut sardines, anchovies, or jumbo minnows remain the top baits.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474 ; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351; Bob’s Bait Bucket, Bakersfield (661) 833-8657 .

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Michael Crayne reported Eastman numbers of largemouth bass are possible, but the ratio to small fish to a 3 pounder is 15 to 1. He said, “Some anglers are reporting 80 to 100 fish in a day, and everything is working including topwater lures, big plastic worms on a Texas-rig, Creature Baits, or jigs. Anything dragging the bottom is working.” At Hensley, Crayne reported the bass are holding around the rockpiles, and a variety of techniques are effective for the smaller bass. Catfish and carp remain a solid bet at Hensley. Both lakes are releasing water, and Eastman has dropped 2 feet to 537.48 feet in elevation and 50% of capacity with Hensley also receding 2 feet to 490.32 feet in elevation and 32% of capacity.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255 ; Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474 ; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151 .

Lake Don Pedro

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

The kokanee are still around, and Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported good action at depths from 100 to 120 feet with big Apex lures behind a 5½-inch dodger. The kokanee are in varying stages of spawning, and they are well on their way towards full spawning colors. Rainbow trout to 4 pounds are holding above the kokanee, but there have been a few large king salmon hooked at the same depths as the kokanee. There has been little change on the bass scene as Dylan Bos Kinser of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported the fish are suspended in deep water as the lake continues to drain slowly. There is a limited topwater bite in the early mornings or evenings before heading to the bottom with jigs or plastics. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com . The lake is releasing water, and it dropped over 2 feet to 800.49 feet in elevation and 82% of capacity. There are no bass tournaments scheduled in August with only two in September.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734 ; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

McClure Reservoir

Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 0 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

Like Don Pedro, there are few good reports coming out of McClure as the bass are suspended into deep water throughout the lake. There is a small window for topwater before working the submerged humps or islands with deep-diving crankbaits, Keitech swimbaits on an underspin, jigs, or plastics on a drop-shot. The lake dropped 4 feet to 833.40 feet in elevation and 79% of capacity.

There are no bass tournaments scheduled in August and September. The Merced River has dropped slightly to 1,633 cfs at Merced Falls downstream of Lake McSwain. The Reel Deal Market and Barretts Cove Marina are open only on weekends and holidays through October. Information

Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 3

About 2,000 pounds of CDFW catchable rainbows were planted on Aug. 16, and the trout bite from the banks improved within days of the release. Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters are working from the normal bank locations of the brush pile, handicapped docks, or the peninsula around the marina. Trollers continue to find both recently planted and holdover rainbows up the river arm . The lake rose to 93% of capacity.

Call: Angler’s Edge Market (209) 226-4416 ; McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534 .

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 2 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

Michael Crayne reported this lake remains the dead sea at Millerton as the bass are small around a pound at best with jigs or plastics. The bass are holding around the shad schools in deep water. Catfishing from the banks is the best bet.

The lake dropped another 3 feet to 517.75 feet in elevation and 52% of capacity. Sycamore Island is open once daily from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant are stable at 442 cfs. No tournaments are scheduled through August.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474 ; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3

The kokanee, rainbow trout, and catfish remain viable species, but bass fishing remains a challenge. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to find early limits of up to 20 kokanee by 10 a.m. running Paulina Peak’s Tackle over island tops at depths to 90 feet.

“We have been finding a mixed grade of kokanee with a few up to 18 inches,” Wise said. “The kokanee are in full spawn mode with no scales, and some have the huge kype with big teeth. I have also been taking catfish trips at night, and there some huge catfish in the lake with beef liver. Night trips for rainbow trout have been fair, although there are some big trout to 4 pounds.

“The lake is loaded with threadfin shad, and it is a matter of getting the shad to come to your lights. You must wait a few hours before the trout move in,” said Wise. Not much change on the bass scene as similar to other Mother Lode lakes, the fish are suspended in deep water. The most consistent action remains on the bottom with slowly dragged plastics. The lake is releasing water, and it dropped 1½ feet to 1042.88 feet in elevation and 79% of capacity. There are only four club tournaments scheduled through the end of September.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932 ; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966 ; Alex Niapas, Catching California Guide Service (209) 728-4225; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734 .

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

The Fresno Bass Club held a night tournament over Aug. 17-18 weekend, and Bill Kunz of St. Croix Rods, who came in third with a 10-fish limit at 19.27 pounds, reported a very tough overall bite. Michael Crayne reported the best bass action is occurring in the river arm above Sycamore with plastics on a shakey head or Texas-rig along witih jigs.

“Finesse presentations on the bottom are best.” For rainbow trout, Crayne added that some are working lights at night or trolling at depths from 40 to 50 feet with Needlefish in Cop Car, Kastmasters, or Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a large profile dodger.” he said. “King salmon can be found around 100 feet, and the key is finding the shad schools. The shad are thick throughout the lake, and the trout and kings are chasing the bait fish. In the lower Kings, a trout plant is scheduled this week. Avocado Lake is producing a few holdover rainbows and largemouth bass. The flows at Trimmer are becoming more comfortable for fishing at 442 cfs. The lake is releasing water, and it has receded to 842.42 feet in elevation and 47% of capacity. Only one club tournament is scheduled in September.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun 292-3474 ; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

“The main lake is kicking out limits of striped bass from the banks around Dinosaur Point with jumbo minnows, anchovies, or blood worms,” Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill said. “There hasn’t been much going on at the O’Neill Forebay as the grass is very thick, limiting access from the banks.”

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service added that the overall bite between wind storms has been tough for reaction anglers and trollers this week.

“I guided some guests on a tough suspended bite that only produced 7 fish to 23 inches. I wasn’t happy with the bite and went scouting after my folks left- looking for some active fish,” he said. “I got the one bite I wanted with a big 44-inch, 30-pounder ( electric scales) that just wouldn’t give up. Huge head and frame. I released it using the Seaqualizer release tool. If it was filled out -- it would have been in the upper 30s. It’s my biggest fish this year. “

The water temperature ranges from 74 to 78 degrees.

The main lake rose slightly to 44% of capacity with increased pumping out of the south Delta with the forebay at 88% of capacity. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir .

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711 , Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954 .

High Sierra

Bass Lake

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0

Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Guide Service said, “ Fishing is still decent at Bass Lake for some nice fat trout to 5 pounds in the dam area at 20 to 35 feet. One day, it’s hot the next day slow, so you never know when it’s going to turn on, but the fish are stacked up in the dam area. We went nine for 13 hookups on a recent trip with orange Dick’s Trout Busters. We’ve been landing a few around five pounds, but there are even larger ones out there.” Bass fishermen are working early from first light. A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1 .

Call: Mike Beighey, Bass Lake Fishing 676-8133 .

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool

Edison remains the best of the Kaiser Pass lakes for both bank anglers and trollers at Edison. Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station – 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra . Fire danger is extreme in the high country.

All the high Sierra reservoirs continue to release water as Edison dropped to 69% of capacity, Florence dropped to 67% of capacity, and Mammoth Pool dropped to 50% of capacity.

Road conditions 297-0706 .

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000 .

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake

Trout 3 Kokanee 3

Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Dick’s Fishing Charters, said, “The kokanee bite at Shaver is still on as I was on the lake twice this past week, and first trip produced a limit of kokanee and a limit of trout, but we found kokanee willing to bite on the second trip with nearly four limits of kokanee. Jack Engle and his wife, Annie, fished this week and picked up a couple of limits kokanee running Dick’s Mountain Tubes or Mountain Candy in pink behind Mountain Dodgers at 80 feet. Mike Giubinni of Paso Robles also picked up a limit of kokanee at 80 feet with pink Dick’s Mountain Tubes in pink behind a Mountain Dodger. I fished Friday with friends from Long Beach, picking up a couple of limits of kokanee and 7 trout, but we had to go down to 85 to 90 feet before we got into them. Pink or orange Mountain Tubes, pink Koke Busters, or pink Mountain Candy tipped with corn behind Captain J, Doc Barb, or Pink Scale Mountain Dodgers did the trick. The water has receded significantly, possibly 3 to 4 feet, and there is heavy fishing pressure on the kokanee due to the upcoming Kokanee Power Derby and the report of last week’s 22-inch kokanee, the largest in the state so far this year.” Huntington remains loaded with small kokanee, but they are starting to turn into spawning colors as well. Shaver is at 78% of capacity with Huntington holding at 98% of capacity.

Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100 ; Tom Oliveira, Tom Oliveira Fishing 802-8072 .

Wishon/Courtright

Trout 3

Kelly Brewer of the Wishon RV Park and Store reported trout fishing is still excellent at both lakes as they were stocked with trout last Thursday. At both Courtright and Wishon, trollers are running Rapalas, blade/’crawler combinations, or spoons at three colors of lead core while bank anglers are scoring with various colors of Power Bait or inflated nightcrawlers. Courtright is being drained slowly into Wishon for repairs to the dam and release gates. Road conditions – Sierra National Forest Ranger Station 297-0706 .

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361 .

Ocean

Half Moon Bay

Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

The ocean became flat over the weekend, and the Codfather out of Alameda made an 80-mile run offshore and found albacore on a trip totaling 239 miles. Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters reported both albacore and bluefin tuna have been found 63 miles out of Half Moon Bay at Pioneer Canyon, but several anglers reported being either spooled or broken off by the big bluefin. Rockfishing south of the harbor remains outstanding with the Ankeny Street posted 13 limits of rockfish including 17 cabezon, 2 halibut, one lingcod, and a rock sole on Sunday while the Queen of Hearts had 7 limits including 2 cabezon and four lingcod. Rockfishing is restricted to 20 fathoms through Sept. 30.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819 ; Captain Bill Smith, Riptide (650) 728-8433 ; Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, Queen of Hearts (510) 581-2628 .

Monterey/Santa Cruz

Rockfish 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Josh Mesa of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported an improved and solid perch bite throughout the day regardless of the tide with a variety of motor oil/red flake grubs on a Carolina-rig. For striped bass, the best action has been in the mornings or evenings off Marina or Seascape in Aptos with a variety of jerkbaits.

Call: Chris’ Landing (831) 375-5951 ; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay

Halibut 3 Striper 3 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 3

A flat calm ocean greeted charter boats on the weekend, and most of the fleet went outside to experience outstanding action on their ‘Super Combo’ trips with halibut, lingcod, rockfish, and striped bass all possible. The Pacific Dream out of Berkeley headed north along the Marin coast for 7 lingcod and 75 rockfish before working the North Bar and local beaches for 21 big halibut for 11 anglers. Their sister boat, the Happy Hooker , was out with 7 anglers for 11 ling cod, 50 rockfish, and 5 halibut, also along the Marin coastline. The California Dawn 1 and 2 combined for 325 rockfish, 90 lingcod to 20 pounds, and 15 halibut to 24 pounds on Sunday. The large minus outgoing tide made for difficult conditions on the North Bar where the large halibut have been hanging out, but the tides get smaller every day this week. Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco put his Saturday group onto limits of lingcod and rockfish north along the Marin Coast. Captain Steve Mitchell of Hook’d Up Sport Fishing had a similar trip on Sunday with limits of lingcod and rockfish to go with a few fish shy of halibut limits to 16 pounds.

There are still a few spots on the Aug. 24 Coastal Conservation Association of California charter on the California Dawn I , a full-day trip limited to 20 anglers: https://ccacalifornia.org/ .

Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169 ; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362 ; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736 ; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388 .

San Luis Obispo

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3

Rockfishing remains the only game in town as the ports previously known for albacore have watched the longfins move further and further offshore as the warm water break continues to be on a track far from Central California, moving closer to northern California, Oregon, and Washington. On Monday, 26 anglers went out of Morro Bay Landing on two boats for 130 assorted, 15 copper, 27 vermilion, 3 Boccaccio, and a lingcod. Out of Virg’s Landing, the Fiesta was on a full-day trip on Saturday with 14 anglers for 61 assorted rockfish, 6 vermilion, 5 lingcod, and 3 Petrale Sole while the Rita G was on a half-day trip with 10 passengers for 52 assorted and 14 vermilion. Webcams of many of the coastal locations are available at https://805webcams.com/ .

Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263 ; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100 ; Morro Bay Landing

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 3 Striper 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

The fall striped bass run continues in earnest as striped bass are flooding into the California Delta. Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors has been scoring numerous linesides to 13 pounds in the shallows on topwater lures in Liberty Island, but he plans on heading west towards Sherman Lake to toss topwater lures. For bass, Fong said, “I have been flipping Brush Hogs in green pumpkin or watermelon red or D-Bombs in Delta Red on a 1-ounce weight in the shallows from 1 to 2 feet. The current is ripping, and the northern largemouth bass are hunkering down on the shallows. They are transitioning to wood as the water temperature has dropped around 8 degrees.”

Johnny Wang, manager of Turner’s Outdoorsman in Stockton, added, “There are lots of stripers in the Delta, and on the San Joaquin side, the Shoals, Frank’s Tract, and Prisoner’s Point are all holding linesides. In downtown Stockton, the water is green, and the stripers are mostly undersized. Bass fishing has been best with plastics.”

Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, was the tournament director for two separate Best Bass Tournaments last weekend, and he said, “Sunday was better for the overall grade of largemouth bass as there was wind. The wind changes the surface of the water, and the bass can’t see imperfections. As a result, the bite with moving baits such as spinnerbaits or bladed jigs was best. When the wind is blowing, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or other reaction baits are best, but on flat calm day, topwater lures like a Heli P prop bait is effective. With this lure, you have to make it chug and take long pauses. Make the bait act like its wounded. Flipping and pitching wood with large profile baits such as the Berkley Chigger Craw or Pit Boss are also effective, particularly on the high tide. When the water is high, flip your lure high into areas that have tules with vegetation. As the weather changes, the bass are moving into structure such as rocks or wood. Earth tones of greens, blacks, or reds are working best for plastics, but you must let it sit and don’t move it too much.”

In the San Joaquin River south of the Mossdale Bridge, Omega Nguyen of Mega Bait and Tackle in Lathrop reported the river is loaded with threadfin shad, saying, “I fished several times this past week, and the best action is two hours before high tide into the peak as the shakers are thick before the tide comes in. The stripers are feeding heavily on shad since they are thin from their trip back into the Delta, and blood worms, pile worms, or fresh threadfin shad. The larger stripers are coming on shad.”

The Fish and Game Commission voted 3-2 to allow catch-and-release for white sturgeon during their Aug. 15 meeting, and the fishery will be reopened within the next three weeks for catch-and-released only, no harvest. The date of opening has yet to be determined as it is dependant on the Office of Administrative Law.

Call: Randy Pringle (209) 543-6260 ; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736 ; Vince Borges, Vince Borges Outdoors (209) 918-0828 . Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events

Tournament results

Aug. 17-18

Pine Flat –Fresno Bass Club Night Tournament (10 Fish Weighin)

1st –Mark Corrente – 21.78 pounds (Big Fish – 7.51); 2nd – Justin Barton – 21.16; 3rd –Bill Kunz– 19.27.

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)

Aug. 17-18

Don Pedro – Modesto Ambassadors

Aug. 17

Isabella – America Bass Association

Santa Margarita – San Luis Obispo Bass Ambushers

Aug. 18

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Angler’s Press

New Melones – Riverbank Bass Anglers

Aug. 21, 28

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Wednesday Night Shootout

Aug. 24-25

Tulloch – Valley Backlashers

Aug. 24

New Melones – Oro Madre Bass Anglers

Santa Margarita – 805 Bass Addicts

Sept. 7

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Angler Inc.

Shaver Lake – Kokanee Power Team Tournament

Sept. 14-15

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Bass Fest

Clear Lake – Modesto Ambassadors

Millerton – Bass 101

Sept. 14

Delta/B and W Resort- Valley Backlashers

Isabella – Central Valley Kayak Fishing/American Bass Association

Lopez – San Luis Obispo County Bass Ambushers

Sept. 12

Lake Amador – 17/90 Bass Club

Sept. 15

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Kings River Bass Club

Sept. 21-22

Delta/B and W Resort – Fresno Bass Club

Delta/B and W Resort – California Bass Federation

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass

Delta/Russo’s Marina – Sierra Bass Club

Sept. 21

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Sonora Bass Anglers

New Hogan – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

New Melones- Bass N’ Tubes

Don Pedro – Christian Bass League

Pine Flat – Golden Empire Bass Club

Santa Margarita – Kern County Bass Masters

Sept. 28-29

New Melones - BABC

Delta/B and W Resort – Cen Cal Elite Bass Tournaments

Sept. 29

Tulloch – Stanislaus County Employees

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing .