South Freshwater Fish Report
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Updated March 14, 2024
CASITAS LAKE – Guide Fred Klinshaw of fredklinshawfishing.com is reporting that spring has sprun here, with good to excellent fishing on quality two to three pound largemouth, and the occasional five plus pound fish frequently making appearances. The bite is up tight to the shoreline as well, with reaction baits like jerkbaits and spinnerbaits getting the job done. Trout were planted two weeks ago by the DFW, and it didn’t take long for them to get rounded up by anglers fishing with small jigs, nightcrawlers, and PowerBait. This is the second DFW plant this month, but no word on what March will bring for these fish.
CASTAIC LAKE – Guide Jim Taibi (661fishing.com) is happy to report that the lake is starting to show signs of life. The water is around 58 degrees, and surprisingly clear for the amount of rain it has received. The key is that the weather needs to behave. Main lake points are producing largemouth out to about fifteen feet or so. Both large and smallmouth are hitting dropshots and senkos in oxblood or green pumpkin patterns, with the best fishing having been in the Fish Arm on main lake points. Stripers are reportedly slow to fair, with few anglers targeting them. The trout have been inconsistent this year with the lack of plants, and the only good news on this front is that the trout that have been planted and subsequently caught were better sized than in years passed.
CUYAMACA LAKE – There are some trout being caught here, despite the often frigid temperatures. The bite should improve drastically when a 3,000 pound load of Mt. Lassen rainbows arrives on March 19. 500 pounds of that stock will be lightning trout. This will be the first stock of trout since January. The key has been to find the warmest day of the week, sleep in, and load up the smelliest bait you can find. This will hopefully change with the stock. The surprising thing is that were a few bass caught before the really cold storm hit last weekend. These fish were chunky, and looking like prespawn fish. The bite is far from even fair, but the fact that they are already moving signals a potentially very fun Spring for both bass and trout at this lake.
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