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Updated May 6, 2026

BIG BEAR LAKE— Straight from Big Bear Sporting Goods: If you’re after trout, you’ll want to stick to water west of the observatory. Trollers are doing well in front of Grout Bay along with the mouths of Metcalf and Boulder Bays. A depth of 10 to 15 feet, or 2 to 3 colors of leadcore, will put you in the zone.

Landlocked anglers are doing best between Windy Point and the Red House near the dam. Carolina rigs are still the preferred method, but slip bobbers set at 10 to 15 feet are bringing in results as well. There has also been a little spoon and spinner action around sunset. If you’d prefer to target the bass, you’re in luck. The moon phase will likely cause an increase in their activity over the weekend. However, low visibility in the water will dictate your tackle choice. Lures that create a lot of sound or vibration or that move a lot of water are the best choices. For example, square bills and jerkbaits with loud rattles, spinnerbaits with colorado blades, and hard-thumping chatterbaits will all make enough of a commotion to get their attention. Make sure you’re casting close to structure and cover to increase your chances of success. If you want to hook some of the slab crappie that have been coming in lately, bring your light gear with you. Grab a variety of both bright and natural-colored mini jigs and small paddletails, and head for the same type of habitat you’d find the bass lurking in.

The catfish bite is going strong in the warmer water on the east end of the lake. The best way to catch them is with a big hunk of cut bait such as mackerel or shrimp. WON Big Bear Troutfest will be held September 26-27 and sign ups are already possible at WONews.com under the TOURNAMENTS tab where there’s also a lot more info on this long-running event.  

CAHUILLA LAKE— According to Julian Rangel of Desert Valley Outdoors, the bite is “slow, slow, slow” pretty much across the board. He did say some small largemouth bass are biting here and there.

CACHUMA LAKE – Guide Rich tauber of richtauberfishing.com reports that some days are much better than others for the bass. When they are biting, plastic worms or chartreuse spinnerbaits are doing the most damage on 1- to 2-pound largemouth. The crappie fishing is still slow, but the bluegill and redear bites are really starting to take off. Worm chunks or small jigs will get these fish.

CASITAS LAKE – “It’s a lot like saltwater fishing right now,” exclaimed guide Rich Tauber of 661fishing.com. “Fish are breaking in open water, and they’re chasing the bigger sized shad.” Tauber recommends Basstrix or Keitech swimbaits for these fish. The bite generally shuts down around noon. There’s also been some larger fish chasing bluegill, as anglers have reportedly seen fish with tails sticking out of their mouths, so it might not be a bad idea to toss a panfish shaped swimbait around the shallower brush and cover.

CASTAIC LAKE – Wind has been a major factor here, and lead guide Jim Taibi of 661fishing.com is reporting that the only day boats made it out was on wednesday, due to both the wind and a kids fishing derby over the weekend. For the guys that did make it out, Taibi reports that there’s a solid jerkbait bite going on, with a Lucky Craft in the ghost minnow doing some damage. For the stripers, there wasn’t much to report, other than the fact that the shad have moved shallow so the stripers should be there too. The lake is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

CUYAMACA LAKE – Lake regular, Lee Smith, reached out to WON and said the trout bite has been spotty, but there has been a better catfish, bullhead and carp bite of late providing some more options. The lake received 1,500 pounds of rainbow and lightning trout from Mt Lassen on April 21, and 1,200 pounds of DFW rainbows a day later. More trout are slated to arrive from DFW the week of May 18.

DIXON LAKE – Trout season is done,and the lake’s catfish season doesn’t kick off until July. Bass will be the best bet for a while, and there’s usually a good topwater bite from May through the heart of summer. Otherwise, a dropshot worked near the tules or out in the 15-foot range will produce a few fish. The lake is now open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with all boats having to be off the water by 7 o’clock.

DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE – The algae is not going away, but it doesn’t seem to matter, as there have been several big, 6-pound plus fish reported, with some up to 9 pounds. Just be prepared to do some serious cleaning on those reels. With the murky water, a variety of new techniques are available, as the fish are used to gin clear water and will now react to baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits. Jigs are still the best big fish bait though. There are a few cleaner pockets though, and those are producing well on jigs, Senkos, or dropshots. No word on the striper bite. The lake is open Wednesday through Sunday, with half-off boat rentals on Wednesday. Also, effective immediately, the lake no longer accepts boats with Lake Perris or Lake Silverwood Stickers. Anglers that arrive with said stickers will be subjected to extra inspection. Hours are now 6:30a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

EL CAPITÁN RESERVOIR – The shad spawn is on, and the bass have responded in kind. Lots of those fish are in the 4 pound range too. Spinnerbaits or underspins are getting lots of fish early. There should be a good topwater bite here soon too, as this lake usually produces fun surface action after the bass spawn. Bluegill are taking redworms or nightcrawler chunks, and this bite is excellent too. Anglers are advised to wade with caution, as the mud is very soft near the launch ramp, and don’t expect to have the lake to yourself either.

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