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Updated Nov. 21, 2024

GREGORY LAKE – Well stocked via both private deliveries of premium rainbow and lightning trout and multiple DFW plants. According to Jeff Cottini of Mountain Top Anglers, most of the trout are holding deep making them difficult to reach with jigs, so the bait dunkers are getting the best of it right now with PowerBait, Mice Tails and Berkley Trout Worms for the most part. Some lake regulars swear by garlic scent added (if not built in) to whatever they are dunking at Gregory

HEMET LAKE – The trout bite is hot for both quality and quantity after 4,000 pounds consisting of rainbow and lightning trout were dumped in on Nov. 5. Floating baits, micro spoons and minijigs are all in the mix. Short leaders are best for PowerBait or Mice Tails. A 6.5-pound lightning trout paced the big fish list this time around, and lake staffers are saying all popular fishing shorelines are producing. There is some algae but the water is clear for the most part, and wind can be an issue mid-day. Float tubes are now permitted on the lake. They must pass a quagga inspection before launching, and daily launch fees apply.Lake Hemet Campground privately stocks over 20,000 pounds of these premium trout between November and April.

HESPERIA LAKE – The trout arrived last week, in the form of a 1,000 pound stock. This was the second trout plant of the season, and as expected, excellent fishing followed. The lake stocks at night, so the fish have a small window to spread out before the anglers get there. White minijigs landed both size and numbers of trout, while the bait guys found success with Mice Tails, PowerBait, and nightcrawlers. There’s still some whiskerfish to be had as well. Garlic nightcrawlers, garlic shrimp, and mackerel are getting the job done on chunky cats to 6 pounds. Lake hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

HODGES LAKE – The lake is now closed until early February.

IRVINE LAKE— Tough sledding continues for bank anglers, but help in the form of the first trout plant of the season is on the way. That first delivery is slated for the week of Nov. 25-29 followed by Dec. 9-13. As it stands, it looks like Irvine will be regularly stocked through the end of February.

ISABELLA LAKE – Bass are still biting but have shown a preference for the slow-and-low stuff. Jigs, craws, creatures and worms should all be close at hand. A handful are showing up on deep-running crankbaits. The best depth window for bass is 15 to 30 fee. Crappie and catfish action has slowed in the chilly weather.

JENNINGS LAKE – Trout season kicked off over the weekend. The lake received 2,500 pounds for the opening stock. This will be the first of 19,000 pounds to be stocked this season. Every two weeks a 1,500 pound batch will arrive, and these stocks will continue until mid-April. The weekend fishing saw numerous stringers full of trout. The jig crowd was in full effect, and reported some great fishing. PowerBait and nightcrawlers also filled angler creels. Last year, the trout took up residence mid-lake, and responded to trolled Rapalas, which was a nice change of pace compared to most lakes in the region. A couple of nice bass were reported as well, and surely more will be weighed in now that the trout snacks have arrived. The lake’s hours are now from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Friday through Sunday, except when there is a new moon. On those dates, like November 30, the lake will be open until 10 p.m.

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