Fishing at Lake Chabot is slower than usual, again this is temperature related

Lake Chabot - Castro Valley, CA (Alameda County)


by Lake Chabot Marina
7-3-2013
(510) 247-2526
Website

GENERAL CONDITIONS
The water clarity is about 15 feet but the bite has still been off and on with trout. When it is on, bites have been caught from the shore and trolling. The last few plants we've had have been in the tube right next to the marina and we've planted more than 16,500 lbs of trout. We usually get a plant ranging from 500 to 1,000 lbs every Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Our last recorded trout plant was on June 17th and it was our last trout plant of the season. On June 26th, we had our first catfish plant of the season with 500 lbs. When you bring in a fish of 5 lbs or more, we will take your picture and give you a "Lake Chabot Whopper Club" button. If you catch a whopper over 8 lbs (trout), 10 lbs (catfish) or 5 lbs (bass), you will also receive a Lake Chabot Whopper mug. For beginning anglers, if you have any questions on what to use or where to go, please come down to the Marina and one of our friendly staff members will be more than happy to help you get set up on your fishing adventure. Be wary of the wind in the afternoon though if you plan on taking out an electric, row or kayak!

It's now July and the heat has been picking up so it's turning into catfish season here at the lake. Like every year, free fishing day is coming up. Instead of being on July 4th weekend (since it doesn't land on a weekend this year!), it will be on July 6th. On that day, any angler can come by the lake and fish for free, that means no fishing permit or license!

Our schedule for the summer is 6 AM - 6 PM, Monday through Thursday and 6 AM - 7 PM, Friday through Sunday.

Download Our Fishing Hotspots Map (PDF)

TROUT
Trout fishing has been slowing down and will continue to slow down as the water gets warmer from the summer heat. It won't start to pick up until the water cools down and we won't get our first trout plant for fall until late September or early October. For now, make sure to use bait that is bright to lure the fish in and if you're going to be trolling, the best lures to use are Firetiger Rapalas, Kastmasters and Mirashads. As we get closer to summer the water will begin to warm up, so if your trolling make sure to use some split shot about 18 inches away the lure. When they do start to pick up, chartreuse and rainbow Powerbait will be the best baits to catch trout! When trolling, make sure to let out about a hundred feet of line and let the motor do all the work but also be wary of other anglers on the shoreline so your lines don't get caught!

BASS
Bass fishing should start to pick up as we get into catfish season, it's now the post-spawn period for bass and they'll start to bite soon. If you are fishing for bass, they are hitting mostly in the early mornings and evenings on plastics, jigs and hula grubs. A good spot to fish for bass would be near the island, or the tulles by Raccoon Point. Most of the anglers are throwing Senkos, drop shots and Brush hogs to get the fish to come out from their deep, off-shoreline structure. Livewells can be provided upon request thanks to Walton's Pond. Please practice catch and release for bass, as they are not stocked in the lake and their population depends on you!

CATFISH
With the heat picking up for summer, catfish should start to pick up. We just got our first catfish plant on June 26th with 500 lbs from Mt. Lassen. Water temperature will determine how active catfishing will be. The warmer the water the more active they will be. Typically around this time, catfish are going to be located by Raccoon point and behind the island, but they have also been around the Half Moon Bay area, behind the island, and Coot's Landing. Anglers are using mackerel, anchovies and chicken liver for bait, as well as night crawlers. We are done planting catfish for the year, so grab your most stinky bait and come on out before all the catfish swim back down to the bottom of the lake! With the heat picking up here and there, catfish might start picking up but there's no guarantee!

SPECIALS
HALF OFF ALL BOAT RENTALS (including Patio Boats!)
Tuesday -- Thursday (non-holidays)

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday -- Thursday
Boat rentals are 6:00am -- 5:00pm
Boats due in by 6:00pm
Friday -- Sunday
Boat rentals are 6:00am -- 6:00pm
Boats due in by 7:00pm

Hours subject to change based on weather conditions and light levels.


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More Reports

6-27-2013
GENERAL CONDITIONS The water clarity is about 15 feet but the bite has still been off and on with trout. When it is on, bites have been caught from the shore and trolling. The last few plants we've had have been in the tube right next to the marina and we've planted more than 16,500 lbs of trout. We usually get a plant ranging from 500 to 1,000 lbs every Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Our last recorded trout plant was on June...... Read More

6-21-2013
GENERAL CONDITIONS The water clarity is about 15 feet but the bite has still been off and on with trout. When it is on, bites have been caught from the shore and trolling. The last few plants we've had have been in the tube right next to the marina and we've planted more than 16,500 lbs of trout. We usually get a plant ranging from 500 to 1,000 lbs every Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Our last recorded plant was on June...... Read More