Fishing Report – Los Vaqueros Reservoir – 5/10/2011

General Conditions

Striped bass fishing continues to provide the best action here at Los Vaqueros Reservoir. A few catfish, trout and largemouth bass also provided some action. Winds have limited anglers boating time on the reservoir this week.

The water temperature is now between 60 and 61 degrees and the water level remains at 50%.

One fishing pier is open and has been a good spot to catch stripers. We have one pier closed due to the low water. The shoreline is dry and in good condition for fishing.

Trout

Trout fishing continues to be only slow to fair. We have some trout checked in every day. Anglers take a few fish trolling but bait is probably a better bet. The South Cove has been a good place to fish for trout.

Nightcrawlers are the best choice for trout this time of year. You can float them with a marshmallow, inflate them or fish them under a bobber. Anglers also take some trout on power bait. If you are bait fishing from a boat try the backs of coves and cast close to shore.

Trout are in great shape and averaging between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Top trout weighed in was 4.5lbs.

We planted 1200lbs of trout on Friday May 6. These fish came from the Calaveras Trout Farm and averaged about a pound and a half with some fish to 5lbs.

Largemouth Bass

Hard working anglers continue to catch bass. Fish are in a pre-spawn mode and will be on their beds soon. Senko’s are your best bet for largemouth. Please practice catch and release. We are hearing anglers catching and releasing fish in the 2 to 5 pound range.

Stripers

Fishing for stripers has slowed down but we weigh in nice fish every day. Anglers are catching keeper stripers from 5 to 15lbs. Anglers also catch large numbers of shakers in the 14 to 16 inch range. Remember legal size is 18 inches. Several anglers reported catching and releasing up to 10 undersize stripers per trip. Anglers continue to catch fish from shore on bait with anchovies and shad producing the best results. As always some fishermen did well while others struggled to catch fish. Rattle traps seemed to work best for trollers but many other lures produced fish.  Stripers are being caught all over the reservoir. After a fish is caught it is important to focus on that area. Fish seem to be a little deeper than they were a few weeks ago. Wind kept anglers off the water several days last week. Call ahead if you plan to rent a boat as the spring is the windiest time of the year. Silver and purple half ounce rattle traps have been one of the more effective lures this week.

Top striper this week was 16.4lbs.

Salmon

A few here and there but nothing consistent.

Catfish

Several big catfish were caught this week. Top fish weighed in at 26.8lbs and was caught on an anchovy by an angler fishing from a boat in Howden cove. Fishing for catfish will improve with warming water. Please release the big catfish so they can spawn. We also had big fish of 26.3lbs and 19lbs.

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