GENERAL CONDITIONS

We had major hot weather early in the week followed by 3 very windy days. Both of these factors had an impact on both the fish and the fisherman.

Even with the above factors working against anglers, they continued to catch some quality fish including stripers, trout, catfish and bass.

Our water temperature varies between 68 and 70 degrees depending on the wind and air temperature. When the weather is hot fish early in the day for best results.

Our water level is currently at 87 percent and slowly going down.

Please note:

• Rattlesnakes are out around so please stay out of rocky areas and high grass.

• Summer winds continue to be an issue, please call ahead before heading out. The pattern has been for wind in the mornings, then laying down in the late morning and coming up again around 5:00 or 6:00 pm. Winds should be less of a problem as we head into September and October. Saturday we had sustained winds at 38mph with gusts to 44mph. Sunday afternoon was beautiful with almost no wind.

• We are in fire season so please be extremely careful.

Boat rentals are Half Off Monday - Friday, non holidays (Labor Day is a full price day). You can rent a 16-foot boat for up to 5 hours for only $25. Our patio boats are available at $50 for half a day. This is a great way to fish or just tour the lake and look for birds and animals.

Hours: Our hours starting Sept. 1 will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

TROUT

Trout fishing is spotty but some anglers continue to catch a few fish. The trout are still being caught close to shore near the weed beds. Try fishing power eggs or nightcrawlers under a bobber. PowerWorms are also effective. Trolling continues to be pretty slow. If you are in a boat try bait fishing in the backs of coves or trolling close to the shoreline. Rapalas and Kastmasters will take a few fish. We had two anglers check in six trout from Peninsula Cove. Another group of three had five trout from Howden Cove. Both boats were using a variety of baits.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Bass continue to receive light pressure. Experienced anglers who target bass are all taking at least a fish or two. Try fishing Senko's in the backs of coves and along the weed beds. The mouth of Peninsula Cove has produced some nice fish. Please release any big bass you catch as they are a limited resource and are not stocked in the reservoir.

STRIPERS

Not much has changed with the striper fishing. We continue to see stripers in the 10 to 15 pound range. We are also seeing a lot of shaker stripers and remind anglers that stripers must be 18 inches to keep. They are fun to catch but please release them carefully. They are the future of good striper fishing here at Los Vaqueros. Frozen anchovies and shad are hooking the most fish. Some anglers are setting up with surf leaders and others are using sliding sinkers. The majority of the stripers are coming from the Rock Wall area, off the two piers, off of Oak Point and down into Sunken Oak Cove. Most of the stripers are being caught by shore anglers. Anglers should fish early or late in the day for best results. Remember to watch for stripers chasing bait fish or trout. If you see this happening, cast your bait towards the feeding fish. We have not had many anglers fishing swim baits, but casting swim baits should be effective. The top fish this week weighed in at 15.9 pounds.

SALMON

Nothing was reported this week but salmon received almost no fishing pressure last week. We anticipate salmon being more active towards the end of September. Anglers that want to start now should try a dodger followed by their favorite lure. Get it down between 20 and 50 feet. The mouth of Peninsula Cove and Howden Cove have produced in past years.

CATFISH

Liver, anchovies, mackerel, nightcrawlers, dip bait and stink baits will all take fish. Not everyone catches a fish, but the fish caught are large. We encourage catch and release of the big fish. The top catfish checked in last week weighted 21.4, 19.2 and 15.3 pounds. We have had a few big fish come from deep water at the north end of the reservoir but most of the catfish are caught in backs of coves. The ADA pier has produced some nice fish for anglers working the deep water near the Rock Wall.

CARP

Carp fishing has been good for those anglers going after these fighting fish. Dough baits and dip baits are your best bet.