Fishing Report : Big Catfish Week Topped by 22-Pound 4-Ounce Catch

Big catfish catches were reported at several Southland reservoirs this week. At the head of the list was Lakeside fisherman Chris Toney, who caught a 22-pound 4-ounce blue catfish at El Capitan Reservoir in San Diego County.

WILLOW BEACH--Limits of rainbow trout reported by fishermen trolling with cheese baits at 44-mile marker. Shore fishing slow.

LAKE MEAD--Good striped bass action for both deep water and surface fishermen. Larger fish caught at 40-foot depths with anchovies, some in 20-pound class. Lower basin areas best. Early mornings best for top water striper action, near entrances to coves. Top water fish in 2-to-3-pound class.

BULLHEAD CITY--Good striped bass fishing on river, with fish averaging 3 to 4 pounds. Drift fishing with anchovies best, but some success at “firing line” near dam, casting to white water. Good drift action for 15 miles, to Fort Mohave. Good Lake Mohave trout fishing at night with floating lights, nightcrawlers.

LAKE CACHUMA--Good trout action, trolling eight colors near dam. Good catfish results in narrows, behind island, Cachuma Bay. Shallows best bet, with cut mackerel. Bass fair in shallows with surface lures.

LAKE PIRU--Largemouth bass, catfish best bets. Recent trout plant resulted in good trout action.

LAKE CASTAIC--Largemouth bass best bet, with two weighed in at over 8-0 this week. Trout limits.

LAKE ISABELLA--Some catfish this week, but slow overall. Brown’s Cove best bet for catfish.

SAN DIEGO LAKES--Hodges: Still excellent producer of big largemouth bass, with five over 9-0 this week. Poor launch conditions due to low water--only car-toppers and lightweights can be launched. Excellent crappie bite underway. Dave Martinez, Chula Vista, 18-0 catfish at bridge. Otay: Improved for largemouth bass; good for bluegill, channel catfish (to 16-2). Miramar: Slow overall, some redear sunfish, trout limits. El Capitan: Fair for bass, catfish. Toney’s 22-4 catfish caught with crawdad. Sutherland: Fair for bass, bluegill, channel catfish. Murray: Slow.

IRVINE LAKE--Catfish best bet, with numerous limits reported. Best area near west shore, dam. Slow for trout. Good for crappie. Bass fair.

VAIL LAKE--Good for catfish, bluegill. Bass slowing down. Jasper Tucker, Compton, 17-12, 13-8 catfish from boat.

LAKE SILVERWOOD--Several big striped bass this week: Jack Becker, Nuevo Canyon, 34-0; Ken Meyer, Rialto, 22-8. Rick Slivers, Ontario, 6-8 largemouth bass. Some trout limits.

LAKE HENSHAW--Catfish best bet now, limits reported. Shad, cut mackerel best baits. Trout, bass slow.

BISHOP AREA--Lake Sabrina, South Lake good for stocker size rainbow trout, averaging 10-12 inches, but some in 13-14-inch class. Good fly fishing evenings at Intake II with bubble-and-fly rigs. Some Kamloops limits at Pleasant Valley Reservoir early mornings, evenings. Lower Owens running high, fast--slow fishing.

BRIDGEPORT AREA--Exceptional summer trout fishing underway at Bridgeport Reservoir, with fishermen averaging five fish per rod using inflated nightcrawlers, cheese baits. East Walker River good for experienced fishermen. Water low and extremely clear. Good for dry flies, fair for nymph fishing. Good streamer results early or late in day only. Virginia Lakes good for pan-size trout with bubble-and-fly rigs. Twin Lakes fair to good for small rainbows from shores, boats. Area streams running low and clear--ultra light line suggested.