06/15/24
Summer is upon us with triple digit temperatures making a showing for the first time this year. The mountain lakes are accessible and producing. Summer delta winds and blows at the coast are keeping things interesting when trying to plan trips for stripers and the available ocean fish. Get out early to increase your odds of running into better weather and tolerable temperatures.
ROCKFISH: Making a trip to the coast can be a great way to cool off but the ocean has not been friendly for small craft. Out of Bodega Bay the New Sea Angler has only been out 6 days in the last 6 weeks. Hopefully some weather windows will open up for all of us to get out get some tasty rockfish over the rail.
LANDLOCK KINGS: Kings are starting to show up in all the area lakes stocked with them. Folsom, Oroville, Berryessa, and Don Pedro have been producing quality Kings. The grade has been getting better with some fish over 6 lbs being taken at Oroville and Don Pedro. Depending on where you wet a line, large numbers are not going to be the norm but the good ones make up for it. Try rolling shad, small anchovies or cut plugs behind flashers. Think ocean salmon trolling on a smaller scale. Fast troll speedy shiners or similar spoons to cover more water.
TROUT: The opening of upper elevation lakes has made fishing for high country trout an excellent option. French Meadows, Hell Hole, Jackson Meadows, Loon Lake and Stampede are all open and producing good numbers of rainbows and browns. By far Jackson Meadows has been the best options for numbers and action. Look for rainbows up higher in the water column and browns a little deeper once the sun is up. Try a watermelon dodger/nightcrawler combo shallow for rainbows and jointed rapalas deeper for the browns. These baits can be run at the same speed and makes a great way to present different styles of baits at the same time.
HALIBUT: The SF Bay fishing has been decent when the weather cooperates. Both halibut and stripers are on tap for live bait drifters. A few Bodega Bay anglers did well on halibut in Tomales Bay while trying to find a place to fish out of the wind. Drifting live jack smelt or frozen anchovies is the best bet if you want to give Tomales Bay a try. Expect it to busy there this time of year as this is s favorite spot for small boats and kayaks.
BLUEFIN TUNA: The weather has not permitted north coast tuna fishing. When things settle down the boats will be out looking for them. Keep your ears open for reports. If you have to get your tuna fix, they are cooperating out of San Diego if the boat you are on lands on them at night. Lots of fish over 100 lbs are being landed.
KOKANEE: This year is lining up to be a mediocre one for kokanee based on size. There are some bigger fish available at Whiskeytown and New Melones but the bigger fish are getting fewer and farther between. Whiskeytown has been the lake of choice for consistent fishing of bigger kokes. Locals at New Melones are finding bigger fish stuck on the bottom but it is very location sensitive and you must be willing to sacrifice a weight or two. Stampede is putting out 11-12" fish which is not a good indication for the rest of the year. Bullards Bar fish are going to be the best option for local lakes. There are some kokanee coming out of Hell Hole but the grade and numbers are not a good as they have been the last few years. That said, if you want a great eating fresh water fish, you can't go wrong chasing kokanee.
LAHONTAN CUTTHROAT: There are a few more weeks to take advantage of great fishing a Pyramid Lake. Reports have been great in the last month with good numbers of 10 lb class fish with a few bigger fish being landed. If you want to take advantage of great weather, a beautiful environment, and a chance at a trophy cutthroat, get up there before it closes at the end of the month.
