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Updated July 2, 2025

MIRAMAR LAKE – The worm bite is strong here, and as always, purple hues are the best colors in this crystal clear water. Margarita Mutilator or Tequila Sunrise are good colors to start with. The topwater bite is hit or miss right now, but a walking bait is reportedly besting baits like poppers or frogs. There is some concern over water levels and whether or not launching will be available as summer progresses. 

MURRAY LAKE – Reports were light this time around, but that chatter that was picked up by the WON sonar suggests targeting bass that are relating to shad schools is still the way to go. Lake Murray is open daily from sunrise to sunset, but it’s closed on the second Tuesday of every month. 

NACIMIENTO LAKE – Continued solid fishing for spotted bass and white bass, and a lot of the time both species are hanging out in the same areas. They aren’t locked into a certain depth zone either, with good numbers of spotties and whites being caught between 5 and 15 feet of water. Spots are picking up smaller reaction baits like scaled down squarebills early and late with finesse baits in natural colors picking up the midday slack. White bass can be caught on bladed baits (tailspins, underspins), Kastmasters and white or shad-colored grubs and small swimbaits. The catfish bite has been fair for shorepounders using mackerel or chicken livers. The water level dropped a little, but the lake is still over half full. Avoiding the weekend crowds has been a plus for anglers who can do so. 

PERRIS LAKE – The bass bite is fair-to-good for anglers drop-shotting on high spots in 10 to 20 feet of water. Five pounders (give or take) seem to be the “big ones” right now. Jerkbait are getting a couple along with smaller jigs and Ned rigs. There is still a small topwater window very early in the morning, and most anglers miss it. Fishing for big bluegill has been hot, with guys targeting them with nightcrawlers (drop-shotted or pieces under a bobber) really piling them up. Most biters are being found around flooded brush, tules, rocks and stumps, but some real knotheads are being caught incidentally by guys fishing for bass. Conversely, some of the panfish anglers are catching chunky bass on the small stuff. Best action is early before boat traffic arrives. Launching kayaks at Parking Lot 12 is now available. 

PIRU LAKE – Anglers prioritizing bass numbers over size know this is the place to be right now. Most largemouth being caught are under 2 pounds, but a lot of guys are putting up easy double-digit numbers with some of those getting into the 20s if not 30s. Bigger 7-inch worms have “entered the chat” joining squarebills and other medium depth crankbaits that have been working for weeks. 

POWAY LAKE – The big news is that a 12-pound largemouth was taken by a shoreline angler who was fishing a drop-shot. This is the first significant fish reported in several weeks.The crowds here mostly consist of picnickers and early morning hikers, as the fishing is pretty slow all around. The first catfish stock will commence on July 11, and this lakes catfish respond well to chicken liver and mackerel. The bass bite is slow, but anglers should consider a bluegill patterned swimbait if they want a big summer bass. Otherwise, a dropshot with a small natural colored Roboworm is the way to go. Light line is key too. Weigh in your largest caught fish at the boat dock (dock scale must be used by the city staff), and you may win two fishing permits and a full day motorboat rental. Prizes will be given away each month for bass, trout and catfish. The lake is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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