Buying a 2011 California fishing license online?

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An angler's take on buying a 2011 California fishing license online
December 21, 2010 | 11:19 am

Carson_tunaVeteran angler and frequent Outposts contributor Steve Carson recently purchased his 2011 California fishing license, and did so using the new online system. Here's his take on the process:

The 2011 California state fishing licenses are now available, but buying one is not quite the same as it has been in the past. Along with the traditional spots like local sporting goods stores, the Department of Fish and Game now sells licenses online.

California’s previous attempt at online license sales a decade ago ended in a technological nightmare. One benefit of waiting so long to start again is that much of the license-buying public is now very comfortable with online purchases.

Accordingly, this writer tackled the new online system this week, with apparent success. I was able print out a "temporary" license, with the permanent version hopefully to arrive by U.S. mail. It should be noted that I am only a moderately active online shopper, but was an actual license dealer for more than 30 years, and so was extremely familiar with the "old way" of issuing licenses.

The entire process took about 20 minutes; and the DFG’s online purchase form is slightly less intuitive than say, Southwest Airlines'. California has more different fishing license options than any other state. It helps to be familiar with the kind of license options you will need, or the process may take considerably longer.
Purchasing licenses as Christmas gifts is still possible, but the purchaser must know all of the recipient’s personal information, including driver’s license or other ID number. It is also important to purchase the correct type of license, as no refunds or exchanges are given by the DFG for online purchases.

A typical Southern California-based angler who fishes all of the possibilities within a two-hour drive (but doesn’t go lobster hooping) can get by with $48.35. Fishing only in the High Sierras (without a second-rod stamp) can be done with the basic $43.46 license. Versatile SoCal anglers who want to "do it all" within a five-hour drive will need to ante up $73.86. The traveling angler who fishes all areas of the state, and enjoys abalone diving will shell out a whopping $106.78.

Online purchasers must have access to a printer. Those purchasing short-term licenses must immediately print out their license before use. Anglers who do so are cautioned that the vast majority of printer ink is not waterproof, so a sealed license-holder is a good idea.

Anglers purchasing annual licenses can print out a temporary copy for immediate use, but this expires in 15 days. The website states that a permanent copy will be sent via U.S. mail within 15 days. The various "Report Cards" do not print out, so anglers wishing to use them immediately must instead go in person to a license dealer to purchase them.

Photo: Steve Carson with a nice tuna caught last fall out of San Diego. Credit: Steve Carson
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More in: Abalone, Bass fishing, Fishing, Freshwater fishing, Lobster fishing, Saltwater fishing, Trout fishing

Surf Fishing

There are a lot of people out there who are very much interested in surf fishing and if you are one of them, then you will be very happy to hear that there are a lot of things that you will be able to benefit from when you will be engaged in such an activity.
So, I guess that you already know, if you are internet savvy, that you will be able to find a lot of tips surfing the internet and use them in your hobby. But if you are an inexperienced fisherman and you want to try out and see if this will be your next big thing and the next hobby that will make you wake up smiling every morning, then you should give it a shot and see if surf fishing can be that hobby.
Yes, I know that when you are just a newbie, you will have a hard time when it comes to anything. You will mostly hear the fact that you will need to have a state of the art collection of equipment in order to have chances of getting a good catch.
You know very well that the biggest problems that fishermen have are related to their Surf Fishing Equipment. So yes, this will be something that will utterly confuse you and hearing different opinions from all of those people, will certainly make your head spin.
Again, you will feel very confused and all of this info that will come straight at you will make you feel a little discouraged. Many of these people will recommend you all sorts of surf fishing rigs and they will also offer you Surf Fishing Tips that they have used, so that you will be able to have a good catch from your first cast.
But you dont have to feel that way anymore as there is a guide out there that will be able to make all of these worries just poof away. Surf Fishing, The Quick Start Guide To This Exciting Sport is just one of the best guides when it comes to such fishing and reading it, you will be able to find out a lot of tips and tricks that will help you out with your hobby. You will also be taught how to make special Surf Fishing Knots that will never untie and thus provide you with that solid catch that you've planned to have by the end of the day.

One Cool Tuna -
www.onecooltuna.com
Fishing Line Weight Labels - "Always Know your Line weight on your reels"

Fishing Tips & Tricks

Well people are always asking me how to do things when I am out fishing. Well here are a few of the most asked questions from my last trip.

1. What is the best knot to tie? Well that is easy, use the one you know how to tie the best, it is the fastest and if it hasn't failed on you before, use it. If you want to learn a new one, don't do it when your fishing. Always practice a new knot at home after a trip or before a trip, they will fail the first few times you tie them and you don't want to lose a fish due to a bad knot. Most of the major fishing line manufacturers as well as the hook maker all have a cheat sheet on how to tie knots that you can pick up at your favorite tackle store. Try a few out and find new that is easy for you to tie and doesn't break when you put pressure on it.

2. What is the best bait to use? Well that all depends on the fish you are targeting at the time. I was on a Off-Shore trip and we where after tuna, in that case my suggestion was live bait. With live bait you always want the liveliest and best looking bait. The bait should be the slimy and not red spots, as well as the hardest one to catch in the bait station. You can also use trolling lures, these can be a feather or Cedar plug are my favorite ones. But check with the crew if it is a charter and they will tell you what has been working the last few trips.

3. What is the best line? Line that doesn't break... The best line is one that fits your fishing style, I mean it depends on the fish and the conditions.  Mono is the basic and most common used, but with the new spectra lines and braided lines it can be one of those or a combination of those lines. I use a Spectra line with a short top shot of mono or fluorocarbon of the same weight or one size smaller. If you are in an area with a lot of plant material or rocks you should go with the straight braid or spectra line. This line will give a better chance if you get caught on something.

4. What is the best time to fish? When the fish are Biting.. The best time to fish depends on the a few things and what you are fishing for. But a few things hold true for all fishing, Moon phase, weather and water temperature. Moon Phase cycles have an impact on the tides and a few days before a full or new moon and a few days after are always a good time to fish. Weather fronts moving into an area with a change from high pressure to low pressure is a good time as well, the day a storm is moving in is a great time to fish a lake. Temperature of the water is something to watch, in ocean fishing you want to find the breaks in the water and fish those warm to cold changes.

5. Who makes the best reels? The reels that fit your price and work the longest without repair. I know that it is not a clear answer but to name one or two brands would not help you pick the one best for you. I use different reels for different types of fishing and I have my own favorites. You can check with some of the fishing forum and websites on reel reviews and they can give you a good starting point. Check to see which ones are asked most about getting fixed and cross them off your list. Check to see who has the most positive feed back or the best pricing in the style you are looking for. Always remember price is not always the important point, you can pay a little more now and save you a lot later.

The best tip I can give you is talk with other fisherman and people in the sport, the more time on the water the more you will learn or  find out. As long as you are fishing and having fun you are doing it right.

One Cool Tuna - Jeff

IMPORTANT COW COD CONSERVATION UPDATE - Send a letter

ACTION BY YOU IMPORTANT COW COD CONSERVATION UPDATE  On October 21, 2010, the California Fish and Game Commission will vote on the proposal.  There is a request out for public comment.  SAC has already submitted a letter of support to the Fish and Game Commission and will be at this meeting to testify.  It is important we get more letters before the Commission in order to move this modification to the regulations forward.   PLEASE help us form a UNITED FRONT from a UNITED FLEET and send letters of support for the initiative on your letter head to the Fish and Game Commission.  A sample letter is as follows as well as an E-mail address you can send it to.  Many people have worked quite hard to get this topic to the table.  WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Click here

To send a letter now, takes 30 seconds.

New Proposed Regulations - Ca. Fish and Game

New and Proposed Regulations

The California Fish and Game Commission is considering the following changes to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. A business or a person submitting a comment to a proposed regulation or proposed amendment or repeal of a regulation has the right to request a copy of the final statement of reasons. Copies of the final statements of reasons will be available on this web page as they are prepared. Requests may also be submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission, 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1320, Sacramento, CA 95814. 

Click here for info

Fishing Picks of the Week - San Diego - Southern Calif.

JIM MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK

     1. The San Diego tuna fishing is still our number one pick this week. The tuna bite has been good to excellent for the overnight to 2 ½-day boats fishing just 40 to 60 miles out of port, and the fish are all quality tuna. Most catches being mixed bags of bluefin, yellowfin, and albacore tuna, they are all averaging 25 to 35 pounds. Five-fish limits, sometimes of more than one species, aren’t uncommon on overnight and longer trips. Loads are light. Now is the time to go. For an update or to check on boat availability and costs, call Fisherman’s Landing at 619-221-8500, H&M Landing at 619-222-1144, Seaforth Landing at 619-224-3383 or Point Loma Sportfishing at 619-223-1627.
     2. Diamond Valley Lake’s topwater striped bass action has continued excellent again this past week. Lots of fish up into the 20-pound class have been landed on surface baits, cranks, spoons, or swim baits hurled into boiling fish, and scads of smaller fish are whacking the same baits. This bite is getting a lot of attention and even during the week rental boats are going fast. For an update on the action, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
     3. All the picks are staying the same this week. The striped bass bite at Willow Beach on the Colorado River has been excellent for the past three weeks now, but getting relatively light fishing pressure. Lots of fish from 12 to 30 pounds have been reported, most on large trout-like plugs and swim baits in the mile marker 52 to 53 stretch of river. For an update on this bite, you can call the Willow Beach Resort at 928-767-4747.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

     TROUT: Top trout bets in Sierra continue to include Bridgeport Reservoir, Lake Crowley, Silver Lake, South Lake, Lake Sabrina, and most of the Bishop Creek and Rock Creek drainage streams, Virgina Lakes, and West Walker River. No plants in Sierra this week, however. For fly guys, the East Walker River improved this week, but Bridgeport Reservoir and Crowley remain hot spots. At Crowley, the big browns on working perch minnows in the backs of bays with water inflows. In Southern California, there continues to be good action at just a handful of waters. Top bet is Big Bear Lake, but Green Valley Lake, Lake Hemet, and Lake Gregory are all fair at best.
     BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass action is fair to good just about everyone this past week with very good surface action a lot of places. Diamond Valley Lake has been wide open on topwater. Other good bets include Casitas, Castaic, Skinner, Sutherland, Otay, Irvine, Perris, Silverwood, Pyramid and Puddingstone. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River has been very good in the lower river stretches and Topoc Gorge, but slowish in Lake Havasu with only a few fish showing on the points. Further up on the Central Coast, Santa Margarita continues to improve, and Lopez is fair to good, too. The spotted bass are pretty fair in Nacimiento.
     STRIPED BASS: Top bets this week are Diamond Valley Lake and Willow Beach on the Colorado River for quality fish, but there are good bites in most of the region’s striper waters. Silverwood, Pyramid, Castaic, and Skinner all decent bets. San Antonio Lake is still good for six to 10-pound fish with a few into the mid-20s each week, but there were darn few reports from there this week. The California Aqueduct near Taft remains pretty good, too, with a lot of three to five pounders, but weed growth is a problem.
     PANFISH: Redear and bluegill bites are hot just about everywhere -- with Perris, Diamond Valley, Casitas, Lower Otay, Sutherland, and Puddingstone some of the top picks. Crappie are off most places, with only Cachuma producing any crappie of note.
     CATFISH: Good action just about everywhere. Corona Lake and Hesperia Lake both continued to crank out a few bigger fish and have very good action for pan-sized fish. Other top bets include Elsinore, Santa Ana River Lakes, Irvine Lake, Diamond Valley, and Henshaw. Silverwood, Skinner, and Casitas are also good with a lot of cats to eight pounds. Isabella has been fair to good for cats from 1-8 to three pounds. The channel and flathead action is pretty much wide open along the whole lower Colorado River, especially in the backwaters and irrigation ditches. This is the top bet for a quality fish over 20 pounds and big stringers of channels.

Contact Information:  Jim Matthews, Editor and General Manager

P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007

Office: 909-887-3444   Fax: 909-887-8180   E-mail:odwriter@verizon.net

Yellowtail vs Yellow Fin

Difference between a Yellowtail and a Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowtail off San Diego and Baja often get confused with Tuna. The main difference between the two fish is the California Yellowtail is a Jack and a cousin to the Amber Jack on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico and the Yellowfin Tuna is a Tuna. The Yellowfin Tuna is just one of many tuna's targeted from San Diego based sport boats. Bluefin, Big Eye, Albacore and Skipjack are all species of tuna in the same family as the Yellowfin (locally called "Ahi" in Hawaii) targeted from late Spring to Fall with best action usually from July to Sept. Large Yellowfin Tuna 200+lbs are referred to as "Cows" by the long range community and are usually caught as far north as Magdelena "Mag" Bay off the Baja Coast between Fall and Spring. The explosive fighting Yellowtail peak season is summer months just offshore San Diego for 1/2 day and 3/4 day sportfishing party boats and at the Coronado Islands but it's not uncommon for them to be within 3/4 day trip range until about mid January. Both Yellowfin Tuna and Yellowtail are excellent eating both as Sashimi as Wasabi or Hamachi. For more info on catching Yellowtail I wrote a article about them here- Rob -

14 Dec 2004 by rmailly

Freshwater Picks of the Week- So Calif. Catch report

JIM MATTHEWS PICKS OF THE WEEK

     1. Diamond Valley Lake is having an epic topwater largemouth bass bite. The reports are for 15 to 40 topwater fish in a morning as the fish boil all over the lake. “Epic” is not used lightly here. This bite is epic. Guys will refer to this bite for years: “Remember the 2010 summer topwater bite at DVL?” Lots of two to four-pound fish on a wide range of surface baits or near-surface cranks and swimbaits resembling shad tossed toward boils. Even if there’s not a boil, toss the same baits around structure and the bass are blowing up on it. This is one of the best bites of the year. Go. Even during the week, rental boats are going fast. For an update on the action, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 951-658-7410.
     2. OK, a week of heat like this is enough to remind us that we live in the desert. So a trip to the Sierra for a weekend cool-off is completely understandable. The fact that a lot of the region is seeing its best trout fishing since May is also a good reason to go. There’s not one spot in the region that stands out, but a lot of solid candidates that are just wide open. Some of the top picks are South Lake in the Bishop Creek drainage, Crowley Lake for fly anglers (perch minnows), Silver Lake (getting Alpers fish each week now), Saddlebag Lake out of Lee Vining, and Bridgeport Reservoir.
     3. The bluegill and redear action at Lake Perris actually got better over the past week, but so did several of the other good panfish bites in the region. More Perris fish over a pound were reported this week than the week before. The bigger fish are all in 20-feet of water or more and the best spot has been off the north and west sides of the island. Full limits have not been uncommon for anglers fishing crickets, meal worms, or wax worms. Jigs tipped with one of those baits are as good or better. Other spots nearly as good at Perris have been Diamond Valley and Lower Otay. For an update on the Perris bite, call the marina at 951-657-2179.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

     TROUT: Top trout bets in Sierra continue to include Bridgeport Reservoir, Lake Crowley, Silver Lake, Rush Creek, South Lake, Lake Sabrina, and most of the Bishop Creek and Rock Creek drainage streams, which are getting heavily planted each week. Virginia Lakes has also been wide open on fish to two pounds, and the West Walker is very good now. For fly guys, the East Walker River is tougher this week, but Bridgeport Reservoir and Crowley remain hot spots. At Crowley has more and more fish are working perch minnows in the backs of bays with water inflows. In Southern California, there continues to be good action at just a handful of waters. Top bets are Green Valley Lake, Big Bear Lake, and Lake Hemet with all three pretty fair and improved over the previous week. Deep-water trollers at Cachuma are still getting quite a few fish, but no one is trolling Diamond Valley for its big, holdover rainbows, and this is staying our sleeper trout pick.
     BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass action has improved just about everyone this past week with surface action turning on a lot of places. Diamond Valley Lake has been wide open on topwater -- as good as this kind of fishing can get. Other good bets include Casitas, Castaic, Skinner, Sutherland, Otay, Irvine, Perris, Silverwood, Pyramid and Puddingstone. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River has been very good in the lower river stretches and Topoc Gorge, but slowish in Lake Havasu with only a few fish showing on the points. Further up on the Central Coast, Santa Margarita has continued tough, but Lopez improved with fair action. The spotted bass are pretty fair in Nacimiento.
     STRIPED BASS: Striper bites are generally pretty good everywhere, with Silverwood, Pyramid, Castaic, and Skinner all decent bets. San Antonio Lake is still probably the best fishing for six to 10-pound fish with into the mid-20s each week but it was a little up and down this past week. The Colorado River is finally seeing some good reports on boiling fish at Lake Havasu the first hour of light, and there’s always a chance for a big fish at Willow Beach. The California Aqueduct near Taft remains pretty good, too, with a lot of three to five pounders.
     PANFISH: Henshaw and Cachuma crappie bites are both fair but hanging on with some real whoppers at Henshaw (over two pound!). Lake Isabella’s crappie bite finally died. Redear and bluegill bites are hot just about everywhere -- with Perris, Diamond Valley, Casitas, Lower Otay, Sutherland, and Puddingstone some of the top picks.
     CATFISH: Simply good action just about everywhere. Hesperia Lake, Henshaw, Elsinore, Corona Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Irvine Lake have been the hottest spots in Southern California with a lot of fish landed at all six. Elsinore, Skinner, Silverwood, and Diamond Valley are also good with a lot of cats to eight pounds at these four. Isabella has been fair to good for cats from 1-8 to three pounds, and the California aqueduct near Taft has also been good, too. The channel and flathead action is pretty much wide open along the whole lower Colorado River, especially in the backwaters and irrigation ditches. This is the top bet for a quality fish over 20 pounds and big stringers of channels.

Contact Information:  Jim Matthews, Editor and General Manager

P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007

Office: 909-887-3444   Fax: 909-887-8180   E-mail:odwriter@verizon.net

Help Restore Billfish Stocks

	Help Restore Billfish by Ending Commercial Overfishing of These Threatened Iconic Sportfish Send a letter to your U.S. House of Representatives Member urging him or her to support the Billfish Conservation Act of 2010 The SituationMarlin, sailfish and spearfish, collectively called billfish, are some of the world’s most majestic marine fishes. In the U.S., billfish are highly esteemed by recreational anglers, who practice catch-and-release fishing while generating substantial income to the economy.  Unfortunately, stocks of these magnificent big ocean fish have been greatly depleted in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as a result of commercial overfishing, primarily from foreign countries. On July 21, 2010, Representative John Shadegg (R-AZ) introduced the Billfish Conservation Act of 2010 (H.R. 5804), which will prohibit the commercial harvest, sale and importation of billfish throughout the United States. It is currently illegal to harvest or import Atlantic-caught billfish into the U.S., but Pacific-caught fish come into U.S. markets in substantial numbers.  According to a study commissioned by the International Game Fish Association, the U.S. is the world’s largest importer of billfish, buying about 3 million pounds of marlin in 2006 - or between 10,000 and 15,000 fish a year – for sale in restaurants and grocery stores. The Billfish Conservation Act would close U.S. commercial markets to billfish, preventing their harvest and importation. It would have a negligible impact on the commercial industry in the U.S. while increasing billfish abundance and thus the value of the recreational fishery, which brings in billions of dollars but has a minimal impact on billfish populations.   How You Can HelpIn order to ensure this important bill is passed, we need your help! Please click here to send a letter now to your U.S. House of Representatives member asking him or her to support the Billfish Conservation Act of 2010. You are encouraged to personalize the letter as you see fit. Thank you for your taking the time to help to Keep America Fishing!

Tuna Fishing off San Diego - On again - Off Again

It appears that the tuna fishing for Albacore and Blue Fin has started in the San Diego Area, off-shore anywhere between 120 to 180 miles South West. But it is a hit or miss type fishing. When it is on it is on big, but when it is not it is scratch at best. I would say if you are going, go for at least a 3 day or longer trip. The 1.5 day trips have been getting them but if the bite is slow you will need that extra day or 2 to get limits.

Cool Tuna - Jeff

Action Alert - MLPA So. Calif.

Action Alert Urge the California Fish and Game Commission to Hold a Series of Scoping Meetings for the South Coast Phase of the MLPA The Commission plans to railroad the process and hold just one meeting for the entire South Coast Background In order to gather information essential to the development of Environmental Impact Reports for the implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) along the Central and North Central Coasts, the California Fish and Game Commission held a series of scoping meetings under the state's Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). The purpose of the scoping meetings was to solicit input from other agencies, the public, stakeholder organizations and other interested parties on issues related to the potential environmental effects of the MPA proposals being considered.   This is not the case with the South Coast. In an attempt to meet rushed and arbitrary deadlines, the Fish and Game Commission plans to hold only one scoping meeting for the entire South Coast at a date, time and location to be determined. Given the complexity and heightened controversy surrounding the South Coast process, multiple public scoping meetings are essential to ensure that all the potential impacts of MPAs throughout the South Coast region are heard.   What You Can Do Send the letter below to the Fish and Game Commission urging them to hold more than one scoping meeting on the South Coast MPA Project Environmental Impact Report. Without stakeholder input, the Commission will continue to unnecessarily accelerate the process and ignore the need for further input. Send your letter today!

Local Bass Tournaments _San Diego 2010

Director: Dave Brantley Contact Ph: (619)448-0988 Contact: Dave Brantley Assistant Director: Contact Ph: Local Division Web Site Entry Fees: Divisional Qualifier: $70.00 (includes big bass) Divisional Championship: $140.00 (includes big bass) Payout and more information click here
Special Message from Director: Download the 2010 Division 63 Flier (PDF) Click Here

2010 Season Division d063 Schedule

	Date	Lake	Ramp	Days	Register
3442	2009-10-25	El Capitain	Main	1	Register
3443	2009-11-22	El Capitain	Main	1	Register
3444	2010-01-17	El Capitain	Main	1	Register
3445	2010-02-28	Otay	Main	1	Register
3446	2010-03-28	Hodges	Main	1	Register
3447	2010-04-25	Otay	Main	1	Register
3448	2010-05-30	Sutherland	Main	1	Register
3449	2010-06-27	Hodges	Main	1	Register
3450	2010-07-17 2010-07-18	Otay	Main	2	Register

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Fred Hall Fishing Show - Del Mar, Ca. 2010

Come on by the Fred Hall Show at DelMar this weekend and stop by the M7M Rod booth and check out the One Cool Tuna Line Weight Labels.

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Fishing Report for Southern Cal

JIM MATTHEWS' PICKS OF THE WEEK      1. The action on the big Humboldt squid slowed at the more northerly spots this past week for obvious reasons, but this action will stay our top pick, especially with moderating weather. The squid are still showing from San Diego all the way into the Santa Monica Bay. The boats out of Seaforth Landing, which have pioneered this fishery over the last couple of years, are seeing the best scores with eight to 10 squid per angler per evening trip. The best part is that the squid are running up into the 50-pound class. Contact Seaforth Landing at 619-224-3383      2. There are two 30-pound class rainbow trout swimming in Southern California. The state record-sized rainbows were released in Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake this week and anglers can see video clips of the release at The Lakes web site at www.fishinglakes.com. The fish were planted as part of a big fish promotion at the two waters where the angler who lands the biggest fish could win a $5,000 Alaskan fishing trip. Both lakes are a little murky because of rain, but both also still have a pretty darn good trout bite if you fish shallow water and scent-enhanced floating baits on short leaders. For updates, you can call SARL at 714-632-7851 or Corona at 951-277-3321.      3. Department of Fish and Game biologists say at least some of the largemouth bass at Diamond Valley are already moving shallow to spawn, and with forecast warmer weather and a new moon on Sunday, DVL might be the place to head for a little sunny day plastic worm tossing for largemouths that are averaging from 3 1/2 to 5 pounds. There is no water in the state that has a better average size largemouth than DVL. Oh, and there could also be good striped bass and trout action, too. To get the latest on the bite, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410. FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS      TROUT: This is reading like a broken record, but the trout bite is still generally good throughout Southern California at all of the urban waters. The best action is at the lakes planted each week. Those include Irvine, Santa Ana River Lakes, Corona Lake, Hesperia Lake, and all of the San Bernardino County Park lakes. Hesperia Lake is getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week and has been excellent. Santa Ana River Lakes and Corona Lake were stocked with a pair of 30-pound rainbows. Off-color water hasn't slowed the bites at most waters. The next tier are the lakes planted alternating weeks (most everything else), including all of the popular waters in San Diego County, where Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, and Dixon all remain top picks with regular plants, but Cuyamaca remains perhaps the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers.      BLACK BASS: The largemouth bass bites are still mostly slow throughout the region, but there are increasing signs that the pre-spawn movement of fish up into shallower water is beginning. Top indicators of this are all of the San Diego City lakes, Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Perris, and Casitas Lake. While Diamond Valley has been the hands-down best bass water, Casitas, Otay, and El Capitan have been improving each week. The smallmouth action on the Colorado River looks like it might be poised to take off again, too, and Cachuma's smallmouths are also picking up. It looks like some of the pre-spawn bite might be poised to start in the next couple of weeks, especially with the warmer weather and good moon phase. It's that time of year. Some big fish are going to start popping.      STRIPED BASS: The Diamond Valley and Castaic are the top bets. DVL has stripers over 12 pounds and Castaic has fish just over 10 pounds. While Skinner has been tough, there was a 20-plus this past week. Silverwood, Pyramind, and the California aqueduct are all producing a few fish. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off.      PANFISH: Little to report on this front. Bluegill are quiet just about everywhere, and Lake Perris is only producing a few deep-water redear under a pound. Crappie bites even have seemed to lull. Only a few fish are showing at the Buena Vista Lakes. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, but its still in a funk. El Capitan in the San Diego region looked like it might be turning on for crappie, but it has fizzled in the past week. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.      CATFISH: Slow most places, but there is again a notable bite at Casitas in the Santa Ana Arm where the runoff enteres the lake. It produced cats up into the 20-plus pound class again this week. But the rain didn't seem to perk much other action except for a fair bite at Corona Lake and Santa Ana River Lakes. Hesperia Lake has had a pretty good catfish bite thanks to plants this week and two weeks ago. It cranked out cats to 15-plus this past week. To view the rest of this week's report go here.

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Jan. Fishing Report - Freshwater and Saltwater - So. Cal

JIM MATTHEWS'PICKS OF THE WEEK

     1. Picking the top bites after a week like this is a fool's errand, but one of the most consistent bites the past three weeks has been the action on big Humboldt squid out of San Diego and Oceanside. Seaforth Sportfishing and H&M Landing in San Diego and Helgren's Landing in Oceanside have all be making evening trips and their anglers have been slamming the 15 to 30 pound squid. Well, they were before this wave of storms. This is the most likely of the three picks to come back on quickly. For updates, call Seaforth Sportfishing at 619-224-3383, H&M Landing at 619-222-1144, or Helgren's Sportfishing at 760-722-2133.
     2. Diamond Valley Lake's striped bass continue to be one of the best bets of a soggy lot this week. There was a 20-pounder caught this past week and Mt. Lassen trout were slated to go in Thursday this week, which may or may not happen with the weather. The trout plants have been key to turning on the striper bite. Call ahead, and if the plant didn't make it, you might want to reconsider and try one of the other top picks (or stay home and watch football). For that update, call the marina at 951-926-7201 or Last Chance Bait and Tackle 951-658-7410.
     3. With the weather forecast calling for nicer weekend weather, Hesperia Lake continues to look like a top bet for trout fishing. As with most places this week, call ahead to make sure the bite hasn't been messed up or even closed by the heavy rain. You might want to make sure the stocking truck was able to make it down. Hesperia Lake is still getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week, and it produced rainbows to just over 12 pounds this past week. For an update on the action and trout stocking, call the store at 800-521-6332 or 760-244-5951.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

     TROUT: The urban trout season is wide open, and all the lakes are cranking out nice stringers of fish. Hesperia Lake is getting 2,500 pounds of trout a week now and cranked out trout to 12 pounds this week. Irvine Lake has been good but it was closed much of the week because of rain. Call ahead. Corona Lake's water level rocketed up and it was muddy but still producing trout and had a 20-pounder this past week. Santa Ana River Lakes was also muddies up but still pretty darn good on fish to eight pounds. All of the San Bernardino County Park Lakes -- Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, Yucaipa, and Mojave Narrows -- also remain good with a few nice fish over five pounds showing. In San Diego County, Wohlford, Poway, Jennings, and Dixon all remain top picks with regular plants, but Cuyamaca is perhaps the best bet in this region with limits showing in less than an hour for good anglers. Check ahead everywhere to make sure lakes are open and plants were delivered.
     LARGEMOUTH BASS: The largemouth bass bites are just spotty right now, with really just one big exception -- Diamond Valley Lake continues pretty good. There are a few quality fish showing at lakes where trout are being planted, with Casitas the best of those in a distant second place behind DVL. Smallmouth bass remain fair with flurries of good action in the lower Colorado River from Parker to Palo Verde. And there's almost no fishing pressure.
     STRIPED BASS: The Diamond Valley bite remains a top bet with fish to 20 pounds this past week. Skinner remains slow thanks to weather, while Pyramid, Castaic, and Silverwood all had light fishing pressure and are harder to gauge. Before the storms, all three were fair with lots of two to five pounders showing at Pyramid. On the Colorado River, there has been very little fishing pressure and most bites are off.
     PANFISH: The bluegill have all but died everywhere, but one decent redear bite is lingering for diligent panfish anglers. That bite is Lake Perris with the action in deep water on nightcrawler pieces or jigs tipped with bait in the marina area. Crappie bites are surging a couple of places with others keying up to take off. Top bet for bigger fish are the Buena Vista Lakes (west of Bakersfield). On the Central Coast, Lopez Lake turned on with a number of 25-fish limits posted before the storms, but the fish are all just under a pound. The Topoc Marsh on the Colorado River is also one to keep an eye on, and quite a few crappie are showing El Capitan and Lower Otay in the San Diego region. The tilapia bite at the Salton Sea is very slow.
     CATFISH: Slow most places, but water flowing into most lakes from the rain has a tendency to turn on the catfish bites. Casitas is a notable spot for this kind of activity in the Santa Ana arm of the lake. Perris, Skinner, and all of the San Diego area lakes can also see their catfish bites perk in the rain. Catfish would be our sleeper picks of the week.