Trout Fishing Blues

Taken from the DFG:

TROUT PLANTS
The DFG is usually a bit late on posting plant info so that fishing activity will not be focused right after the time of the plant as well as the occasional, operational problems that may cause any change to the schedule.

Week of April 23, 2007
LOS ANGELES – Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Lake, Jackson Lake and Pyramid Lake.
ORANGE – Trabuco Creek.
SAN DIEGO – Cuyamaca Lake, Lower Otay Lake and Murray Lake.
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake and Santa Margarita Lake.
SANTA BARBARA – Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River.
VENTURA – Casitas Lake, Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.

Week of April 30, 2007
LOS ANGELES – Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Big Tujunga Creek (Lower & Upper), Castaic Lagoon, Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, San Gabriel River (East & West Forks) and Santa Fe Reservoir.
ORANGE – Laguna Lake.
SANTA BARBARA – Lion Canyon Creek.
VENTURA – Rancho Simi Park Lake.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

There has been speculation that the noise pollution caused by sonar is causing fish to go deaf.

According to the AP, a study will be conducted to expose rainbow trout to various amounts of noise pollution in a controlled environment to study the effects.

Since sound seems to travel farther underwater, it would be no surprise that it would also amplify louder underwater as well, especially for aquatic animals that are sensitive and used to their regular levels of sound. It makes sense that any artificial noises, louder than what most aquatic animals are used to would be affected by the change.

Another aspect to take into consideration when discussing conservation.

Although frequent catching and planting would limit the possibility that fish would become deaf over a populace, it does bring into question on how effective “noise making” lures will have on fish in lakes with heavy water traffic and a long history of lunkers caught and released.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

TROUT PLANTS
Barring adverse weather, water, road conditions, and the availability of trucks and personnel, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:

Week of March 26, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Castaic Lagoon, Cuddy Creek Pond, Elizabeth Lake and Pyramid Lake.

ORANGE - Centennial Lake, Mile Square Park Lake, Ralph Clark Regional Park Lake and Tri-city Lake.

SAN DIEGO - Cuyamaca Lake.

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Atascadero Lake, Lopez Lake and Santa Margarita Lake.

SANTA BARBARA - Cachuma Lake and Santa Ynez River.

VENTURA - Piru Lake, Rancho Simi Park Lake, Reyes Creek and Rose Valley Lakes.

Week of April 2, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Alondra Park Lake, Arroyo Seco Creek, Belvedere Lake, Big Tujunga Creek (lower & upper), Cerritos Lake, Downey Lake, Echo Park Lake, El Dorado Park Lakes, Hollenbeck Park Lake, Kenneth Hahn Lake, Jackson Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Lincoln Park Lake, Magic Johnson Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Lake, San Gabriel River (east & west forks) and Santa Fe Reservoir.

ORANGE - Laguna Lake.

SAN DIEGO - Doane Pond.

SANTA BARBARA - Lion Canyon Creek.

September 23, 2006 is FREE FISHING DAY in California!

The Department of Fish and Game of California offers two “Free Fishing Days” each year. What this means is that you can fish without having to purchase a license . Some department offices even offer free lessons on the free fishing days. They also have a “fishing in the City” program where they offer fishing lessons in the middle of metropolitan areas.

“Fishing in the City” and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you’ll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night!

Please keep in mind however that all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures are still intact.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

I got back from Mammoth Lakes last week and it was a good trip over all.

We brought in a total of 18 trout 3 of them being Alpers (2-4 pounders). However, it seems as if Crowley lake was the big winner. I talked with a few anglers who came in from Crowley with a rather large stringer of Trout, surprisingly none of them being less than 2 pounds! These fish were huge! And while they were cleaning them you can see the beautiful tasty pink and orange meat the big ones are known to have.

I definitely made it a point to check out Crowley Lake if not soon, then next year for sure on my annual trip.

Here is some Information about Crowley Lake straight from their website:

Crowley Lake fishing season begins the last Saturday of every April and goes through October 31. Opening weekend at Crowley hosts the largest festivities in the Eastern Sierra. The opening day BIG FISH contest has every angler in competition for cash, prizes and trophy’s given by Fred J. Hall and Crowley Lake Fish Camp.

The lake is located 25 miles north of Bishop on Highway 395. It offers some of the most prestigious trout fishing in California. The huge man made reservoir is a domestic water system for Los Angeles.

The lake is 12 miles long and 5 miles at its widest point. Crowley Lake is a facility for storing the Eastern High Sierra snow and rain water. When the reservoir is filled, it becomes an anglers delight.

CAMPING - After Opening Weekend, camping is permitted only at South Landing in designated site. Reservations may be made in advance, call 760-935-4301. Fee: $12 Nightly R.V. Hook-ups: $25 Nightly

DAILY USE RATES

TROUT SEASON - April 29 thru Oct. 31, 2006

TROUT LIMIT - Trout limit is five fish. No more than 2 bag limits of trout may be possessed.

***RESTRICTED FISHING SEASON*** - August 1 through Oct. 31, 2006. No Bait, barbless lures or flies only. Limit trout: 2 (18″ or longer) Perch: No limit

SAILING/WATER/JET SKI SEASON - Through October: 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

POWER BOAT REGULATIONS

**Please consult 2006 State Fishing Regulations regarding late season Trout Fishing at Crowley.

Visit http://www.crowleylakefishcamp.com for more information!

And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Trout Fishing Secrets, the perfect primer before any trip!

>> Trout Fishing Blues

This is straight from the DFG, it seems a bit dated, but this is straight from the source.

TROUT PLANTS

Barring adverse weather, water or road conditions, the following lakes and streams, listed by county, will be restocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Department of Fish and Game hatcheries:

THE WEEK OF JULY 10

LOS ANGELES –- Jackson Lake and Bouquet Canyon Creek.

SAN BERNARDINO –- Big Bear Lake , Gregory Lake , Santa Ana River , Santa Ana River (South Fork).

SAN DIEGO –- Doane Pond.

INYO –- Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South Forks), Bishop Creek (Intake II), Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lane and below Tinnemaha), Rock Creek Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.

MONO –- Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek (South Fork), Little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Owens River (Benton Crossing Road), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Section 1), Rock Creek (Section 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Swauger Creek, Tioga Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper), West Walker River (Section 2 and Section 3).

THE WEEK OF JULY 17

RIVERSIDE – Fulmor Lake and Hemet Lake.

SAN BERNARDINO – Green Valley Lake and Jenks Lake .

INYO – Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Lower, Middle, South Forks), Bishop Creek (Intake II), Georges Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lane and below Tinnemaha), Rock Creek Lake, Sheperds Creek, South Lake, Symmes Creek, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.

MONO –Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, Green Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lee Vining Creek (South Fork), Little Walker River, Mammoth Creek, Mamie Lake, Mary Lake, McGee Creek, Owens River (Benton Crossing Road), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (Section 1), Rock Creek (Section 2), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Swauger Creek, Trumble Lake, Twin Lake Bridgeport (Lower and Upper), Twin Lakes Mammoth, Virginia Creek, Virginia Lake (Lower and Upper), West Walker River (Section 2 and Section 3).

(more…)

Quick Tips on Catching Alpers Trout in The Mammoth Lakes and Which Lures to Use. The Answer find may be Simpler than you Think.
In about two weeks I’ll be heading out on my annual Mammoth Trout Fishing trip. One thing I always make sure to stock up on before I go is my assortment of tackle and to be honest, it’s actually quite simple. Since I don’t fly fish or float tube my tackle stays pretty minimal.

These are the things I make sure to have upon arrival at the lake:

1. Thomas Buoyant Lures (Red/Gold 1/4 oz.)
2. Light Line (Vanish 2 - 4lb. test line)

That’s it. It’s simple. I honestly see no point in trying to get all detailed and technical when really, if you’re just casting off the shore or a boat, the assortment should be pretty straightforward. If things work out well, you should catch your limit or at least half your limit by the time noon hits when the fish get lethargic or spooked and go into hiding. That’s when you can dock and take a break, or use bait and sit it out for a few hours before sundown.

If you’re wondering about bait, nightcrawlers using a sliding bubble rig work well. Look for the drop off areas, or where the ground starts to “disappear” into the water.

Remember in order to be successful you have to hit the lake as soon as you can, usually two hours after sunrise.

Also remember when on a boat to stay quiet, the sounds resonate into the water, and trout get spooked easily, especially when fishing in shallow water.

TIP: When using light tackle with Buoyants you can really feel the action. If you don’t feel a slight resistence when retrieving your lure, try a different angle or “twitch” the rod a bit to get it going.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

There are all kinds of baits that can be used for catching trout. Everything from home made recipes tried and true in local ponds and lakes to technologically advanced super baits made in labs and extensively tested in tanks. But despite all the super dough baits and artificial irresistable action lures, sometimes when it comes down to it, nothing beats an old fashioned worm.

Worms are especially effective when the lures and dough baits just don’t seem to be bringing the fish in. It really is all natural and no trout can deny that.

Part of the success with using nighcrawlers is using it in the proper rig.

There’s the classic sliding sinker setup, using a small hook, about 8 inches of leader depending on the water conditions and a sliding egg sinker. In most cases trout fisherman will inflate their worms to keep them off the ground so that the trout can better see the worms. Remember line is key so keep it 2-4 lb. test line.

Another easy rig is simply using a small worm hook, a 8-12 inch leader and a slip shot sinker. This is usefull when trying to keep the tackle light, however you might not cover a lot of distance with the light gear, this is usefull when fishing off of boats. A nice trick in addition to the tackle is slowly jerking or jigging the worm with this setup.

Lastly a popular rig used in lakes is the slip bubble rig. You take a clear slip bubble float (the kind you fill with water) and use it in a egg slider rig, but instead of using the egg sinker, you use the bubble instead. Throw the line out let it sink and slowly retrieve the line. This is especially useful and highly effective when fishing drop offs. Cast the line out where is starts to bank, let it sink and bring it in slowly as it “climbs” down the bank.

This is a fun and a nice change to bait fishing if the cast and wait method gets a bit boring.

Don’t forget to pick up Trout Fishing Secrets to further your aresenol of Trout Fishing knowledge.

http://www.troutfishingblues.com

DOANE POND

Doane Pond is located in Palomar Mountain State Park in San Diego County (CA California). The great thing about Doane Pond is that you can fish for trout all summer long, meaning year round trout fishing in Southern California, which is a real treat. Although the pond is a bit too small for boats, after your first experience you’ll agree that it’s a great place to fish, the only downside being there is no night fishing and there is limited shore space. It’s stocked several times a year by the DFG and yes, you do need a California fishing license.

Trout Fishing Doane Pond is simple. Rainbow Powerbait, your choice of float rig off the bottom, sliding egg sinker, split shot, it’s up to you.

Fishing hours are from 6:00am to sunset.

There is a day fee as well as a camping fee.

From San Diego: 15 North to the 76 East. Turn left, North up S6 and then left onto State Park Road, S7.

19952 State Park Road
Palomar, CA 92060
760-742-3462.
http://www.troutfishingblues.com