South Freshwater Fish Report
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Updated July 16, 2026
BIG BEAR LAKE— Big Bear Sporting Goods reports, “The heat has pushed the trout down to the dam. They’re suspending about 10 to 15 feet deep, so slip bobbers are the best bet to keep your bait in the zone. Powerbait, nightcrawlers, and floating trout worms are all getting action. Boaters are having luck trolling with 2 to 3 colors of leadcore, too. Small spoons in reds, pinks, and coppers have been very effective. Alternatively, tie a Flicker Shad onto your mono setup and hang on. Panfish are showing in good numbers in shallow structure. Small paddletails will catch them along with some of the bass that share their habitat. Mini jigs are also a great way hook up. Hang them below a rocket bobber to increase casting distance and keep them out of the grass. Summer fishing has been solid, too, especially for smallmouth bass which are gobbling up Texas-rigged creature baits and craws, finesse baits, and some largemouth are also being caught on that stuff as well as topwater.
EL CAPITÁN RESERVOIR – This is still the most fun fishing in the county, and during the week, crowds are not as bad as they should be. Topwater fish are dominating the bite early in the morning. Throw a buzzbait or a walking bait down just about any bank and hang on. Few anglers are fishing past 9 a.m., but those that stay are finding decent fishing on Drop-shots or smaller jigs and creature baits.
ELSINORE LAKE – There were a few reports of boaters (specifically kayakers) getting into some big wipers to over 20 inches. Slow trolling diving baits has been the preferred method, and the Berkley Flicker Shads have been overwhelmingly the top option for this.
GREGORY LAKE – Says Jeff Cottini of Mountain Top Anglers, “Last trout stock was the 30th of June 1,200 pounds by DFW, I believe. A lot of little ones are being caught all over the lake. South shore and San Moritz have been good. Bait-and-wait, minijigs spoons and spinners. I saw a few nice-sized trout caught as well.”
HEMET LAKE – The trout bite is next to nothing right now. Most anglers are moving into warm-weather mode and chasing bass, catfish and panfish.
PYRAMID LAKE – The solid, multi-species bite continues. Stripers are taking the usual trolled a-rigs off points and the mouths of coves, or sliced sardines in Yellow Bar, but anglers are advised to have a topwater walking bait, like a pencil popper, in case a boil pops up. Limits are available for those that know the lake. Larger fish are being taken on the topwaters. Largemouth are still biting at a solid clip and be prepared for a fish in the 7-pound range to strike that T-rigged plastic worm. Anglers are still advised to call ahead when they plan to rent a boat, as there are days when they are not available for various reasons.
SAN ANTONIO LAKE — Local guide Doug Rice (RGSFish.com) told WON “San Antonio Lake is slowly shrinking down to 56% with output at the dam is 265 cfs. The bass bite continues to be slow with most fish coming on steeper rock on jigs and crankbaits. Fishing spinnerbaits on the outside of bushes are getting fish up to 3 pounds. Catfish are still chewing bass lures anywhere from 5 to 15 feet. The shad are still thick around the entire lake shoreline. No crappie or panfish reports but fly fishermen are having a blast with the carp.”
