Wiper bite busts loose at Lake Elsinore

February 24, 2026

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TROLLING BERKLEY Flicker Shads has been the top tactic for piling up big wipers at Lake Elsinore like this one nabbed by Kei Vang.

“The wiper bite has been solid this past month,” said Vang. “We are landing fish in the 5 to 8-pound range trolling the Berkley Flicker Shad in sizes 5 and 7. If you’re heading out, get on the water as early as you can. Once you locate the baitfish, start trolling 1.3 to 1.6 mph with a 60 to 80 foot setback. The bite can happen anytime. I’ve hooked up as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 1 p.m. It’s only going to get better as we roll into April through July. As the water warms up, wipers will start feeding closer to shore, giving bank anglers some fantastic action. Get ready, it’s about to heat up.

There have also been reports of decent fishing for largemouth bass at Elsinore, and a lot of them are coming out of shallow water. Anglers pitching 6-inch Texas-rigged worms around flooded timber and in mini sheltered coves are running into decent numbers of 2- to 4-pound fish.