Lake Oroville Fish Report

Lake Oroville - Oroville, CA (Butte County)


by Steve Carson
10-30-2008

Anglers wishing to launch their boat at Lake Oroville this week should take note that the Bidwell ramp will be temporarily closed for a few days. Boaters are advised to go to the Spillway launch, which is currently free, although there is no courtesy dock available. For current launch ramp conditions, contact the Parks Department at 538-2200.

The Department of Water Resources is still awaiting issuance of an environmental permit before starting the Stage 3 improvement project on the boat ramps. "Hopefully we can get started with the ramp improvements in December", said DWR's Kevin Dossey.

The limited number of bass anglers heading out on Lake Oroville are doing well, observed Fil Torres at Oroville Outdoors. "The few boats we heard from reported releasing 25 to 35 bass per day", said Torres. "Boat traffic is not an issue. The average weight has also gone up to about two pounds per fish. Best depths have been 30 to 40 feet. Try dropshot-rigged plastics or tubes, in pond smelt and shad colors."

Torres tipped, "The catfish bite has started to pick up. Use standard cut baits is the south fork for cats in the four to six pound range."

Future prospects are good for coho salmon anglers, according to Eric See, the DWR's biologist for Lake Oroville. See related "We will be ordering coho eggs for stocking next year. Assuming they pass the disease inspection, we should be good to go for the fall of 2009. We have a target of about 200,000 yearling-size fish to be stocked."


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