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Updated January 8, 2026

LOWER OTAY RESERVOIR – The algae is thick in certain areas, but some bass are still being caught by those in the know. A recent tournament saw the winning weight of 17 pounds, with the big fish weighing just over 8. Forward facing sonar seems to be the key, with small plastic minnows and jigs getting the bass. Big bluegill are still showing up too, usually caught by bass guys on spoons. Water temps are in the high 50s.

LOPEZ LAKE – “Lopez Lake is still at 50% (full) and the deep bite for bass is still going good,” Local guide Douglas Rice told WON “Jigs in 25 to 35 feet are getting bit and cranks on steeper rock is still getting smallmouth bass. Rip baits on main lake points will get the smallies to react as well. Crappie are still suspended in areas sheltered from the wind.”

MIRAMAR LAKE – Trout have been planted by the DFW, and guys got a few on PowerBait or minijigs. Another DFW plant is scheduled for next week. There’s bass being caught too, mostly on the dropshot or BFS techniques. Still, the lake has tanks, so a swimbait may crank one of them out in the next few months.

MURRAY LAKE – Angler pressure lightened way up with all that weather, so the WON radar didn’t pick up the standard amount of intel on this San Diego fishery. That being said, Murray has a winter recipe (and stands out among most SD lakes in the colder moths) and prior to the weather as well as between it, decent largemouth were being caught on ice jigs, spoons, drop-shots and at times, suspending jerkbaits on very long pauses. Trout are in the water, so swimbaits should also be close at hand right now.

NACIMIENTO LAKE – As you can imagine, Naci also got a nice boost of new water with all that weather, and it’s now up to 40 percent of capacity. The bite remained fair through the storms for both spotted and white bass with spots inhaling a wide range of finess plastics on light gear, and whites picking up spoons, grubs and smaller shad imitating swimbaits as those fish continue to relate to offshore shad schools. According to guide Douglas Rice (RGS Guide Service), “fishing can get hot if you’re in the right place at the right time. Spotted bass are right to the bank and will eat just about any lure or technique you want. Stay on steeper banks with rock or rock/med mix. White bass are suspended in small schools in the mouths of coves and small swimbaits or crappie jigs are slaying. Crappie are biting on cover or structure as deep as 35 feet. Old trees and lay downs are holding.”

PERRIS LAKE – WON’s sources on Perris fish the lake more than anyone, and most of them have sat the last couple weeks out for the most part. Anglers who are getting out there are targeting winter-mode largemouth over or on deep structure. Heavy on the electronics, drop-shots, spoons, ice jigs and tailspins as deep as 50 feet down.

PIRU LAKE – Started the year with fishing, camping, boating and day-use all open. Reasoner and Juan Fernandez launches are both open. Staffers reminded visitors that “the speed limit will be 10 mph because of debris. Be sure to have the new Blue Registration Sticker for 2027, Boater ID handy, and Mussel Fee Sticker.” Recent rains added 41 vertical feet of water.

Click here to see all the reports in the online edition of WON