Catfish fishing is good at Los Vaqueros, Trout & Striper fishing slow

Los Vaqueros Reservoir - Livermore, CA (Contra Costa County)

Catfish fishing is good at Los Vaqueros, Trout & Striper fishing slow

by Urban Park Concessionaires
10-3-2012
(925) 426-3060
Website

GENERAL CONDITIONS
We're almost back! We have scheduled our reopening of the Marina for Monday October 15. The marina building will be open as well as boat rentals. This will be your first chance to see this beautiful new facility. Additional shoreline will also be open on the 15th.We recommend calling (925) 371-2628 for exact up to date information. The water level is currently at the 100,000 acre feet. Our water temperature is 67 to 68 degrees on the surface and 66 degrees at 30 feet. Our water is in great shape but can still be impacted short term by water temperatures, wind and air temperatures. Anglers are catching trout, a few striped bass and catfish every day. As anglers spread into newly opened areas we anticipate some exciting catches. We planted 1000 lbs of trout on Sept 18 and another 1000 lbs on Sept 25.

The North entrance to the reservoir reopened on July 14. The stairway to the top of the dam is closed due to construction on the fishing steps by the dam. The trail to the right of the dam remains open. Access to the reservoir for fishing on the north end is currently closed. See the CCWD web site for details. The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays.

As mentioned for now there will be no fishing access from the North entrance as final work continues on the fishing structures.

PLEASE NOTE:
We are still giving out Whopper mugs so if you catch a big fish stop by the kiosk on your way out of the park. We continue to give out some every week.

We have State of California Fishing Licenses for sale at the kiosk. Fish and Game has been checking fishing licenses so make such you have one for everyone 16 or over.

We have frozen bait and nightcrawlers available at the kiosk.

We remind anglers the limit on striped bass is 2 and they need to be at least 18 inches. Make sure you bring a measuring device. Rods must be closely attended.

Shoreline access continues to be limited due to expansion efforts but should open up in early October.

Use caution as rattlesnakes are active. Please be aware as you walk. Stay away from rock piles and high grass. Never try and pick up a snake.

TROUT
The current hot weather has temporarily slowed trout fishing. With cooling temperatures forecast for the end of the week we anticipate an improved trout bite. We planted 1000 lbs of trout on Tuesday September 18 and again on September 25.

A load of 2400 lbs will go in around the 15th of October. The recently planted fish averaged around 2 lbs with fish up to 6 lbs. The South Cove continues to be your best bet for trout but anglers are catching trout all along the open shoreline. The best way to catch trout this time of year is with nightcrawlers or power bait. Conditions require you to make pretty long casts. It is also important to use 3 or 4 feet of leader as we are experiencing some weed growth. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. Fishing is best early in the day or late in the day. Anglers also do well throwing kastmasters, blue fox lures and a variety of other trout lures. We see lots of big fish caught by anglers working lures.

LARGEMOUTH BASS
We have very few anglers focusing on largemouth bass. Over all we continue to rate largemouth bass fishing slow. Part of the reason fishing has been slow is the limited access to prime largemouth bass areas. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. The few fish we have seen caught were in great condition.

STRIPER
Fishing for stripers continues to be rated fair but there is always a chance at some keeper size fish. We continue to see some limits every day. Stripers from 18 inches to 24 inches are caught by anglers putting in the time. Anchovies, sardines or shad should do the trick. Fishing seems best early in the day or late in the day especially when it is hot. There are many fish in the 12 to17 inch range so measure very carefully. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our fishery. We are starting to see more and more boils every evening. It won't be long before anglers start taking stripers with lures. When we get out boat rentals going again anglers should do well trolling.

SALMON
No reports on salmon this week. We think they are hanging out in deeper/cooler water until the water starts to cool this fall. It should be interesting to see what happens after we start renting boats on October 15.

CATFISH Fishing for catfish is rated just fair for anglers putting in the time. Anchovies, liver and nightcrawlers all work well. We planted 1000 lbs of catfish on Sept 12. These fish averaged around 2 lbs. Anglers are catching them on mackerel, anchovies, nightcrawlers and liver. Several fish in the 20 lb range were reported caught last week but the lucky anglers did not stop in and share their information.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Seven days a week: 7:00am - 6:00pm


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