Trout heads will soon have list of options to work with
BY MIKE STEVENS
Trout season has kicked off in Southern California, and the number of lakes being stocked is set to increase in short order. Limits are already being compiled in non-Sierra waters, and there are a lot more to come as private stocking along with DFW plants are about to hit full speed. Here’s a quick-hitting list of what’s going on now and what’s coming up in the near future.
Higher elevation lakes like Big Bear Lake and Lake Gregory have received multiple plants in the last month-plus. Gregory was the recipient of some “bonus trout” from the DFW who was rumored to have a minor water pipe situation at a hatchery and had to unload its inventory. Private stocking at Gregory was soon to follow. WON sources close to Lake Gregory are saying anglers should look forward to a derby that’s in the works for spring.
Another trout hole with some altitude under it is Hemet Lake which started its season with a 1,200-pound load from DFW, and they plan on starting private stocking in December. Lake Hemet Campground privately stocks over 20,000 pounds these premium Mount Lassen rainbows and lightning trout between November and April. The big news out of Hemet right now is float tubes are now permitted on the lake. They must pass a quagga inspection before launching, and daily launch fees apply.
Hesperia Lake was on the books to blast the season off on November 7 when the first stock of the season arrives at that big-trout factory.
Santa Ana River Lakes will receive its first stocking on Nov. 7 and another on Nov. 14. SARL has listed November 15-17 as an “extra heavy stock” with trophy trout set to arrive Nov. 29 0 Dec. 1.
In San Diego County, ‘tis the season at Santee Lakes although WON sources have said the water is still warm resulting in some of those trout rolling soon after stocking, and tough fishing for those that survived. There is also already snagging going on at Santee which is unfortunately par for the course at many of these lakes, especially the ones that post their exact stock dates. Look for Cuyamaca to join the party soon (technically a year-round trout fishery) along with Dixon Lake (4,000 pounds stocked prior to derby on November 24) and Lake Wohlford in mid December when the lake will return to being open 7 days per week.
Lake Casitas received a 700-pound plant to sneak into the season, and a lot of the L.A. County and San Bernardino Regional Park lakes are also off and running or just about to get busy. Take a look at this issue’s “Truck Tracker” for a good chunk of those spots.
Diamond Valley Lake almost always gets crackin’ in the first week of December followed by huge plants in the first week of each month well into spring.
In the Bakersfield area, the annual trout derby at Buena Vista Lakes is going down on November 17, so it’s safe to say that will stand as the opener for BVL. Meanwhile, the nearby Kern River has been fishing very well under very good conditions while receiving regular plants. Lake Isabella anglers are also picking away at holdovers.
By the time this rascal printed, a couple may have slipped through the cracks, so keep an eye on the Reports By Region in the next issue which should have info on all the major SoCal lakes with trout in them.
