Fishing is fair right now at Los Vaqueros, but everyone is looking forward to Trout season

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

Fishing is fair right now at Los Vaqueros, but everyone is looking forward to Trout season

by Urban Park Concessionaires
10-18-2012
(925) 426-3060
Website

GENERAL CONDITIONS
WE ARE BACK! We have reopened the Marina as of Monday, October 15. The marina building offers bait, tackle, boat rentals, information, drinks and snacks We encourage you to come on out and see this beautiful new facility. There are some great views and new picnic areas. Additional shoreline for fishing and walking has also opened up. We suggest 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 68 to 69 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 had success catching trout, striped bass and catfish on both Monday and Tuesday of this week. As anglers continue to spread into newly opened areas we anticipate some additional exciting catches. We planted 1000 pounds of trout on September 18 and another 1000 lbs on September 25. We planted 2400 lbs of trout on Thursday, October 11, and will plant another 2400 lbs on Wednesday, October 17. That is 6800 lbs of trout in less than a month!

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 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. We are offering some great programs so check out the CCWD web site.

PLEASE NOTE:
We are still giving out Whopper mugs. Our program has changed some so check with us at the marina. It takes a 5 lb trout to earn a mug, 12 lb striper, 12 lb catfish and a released 5 lb largemouth bass.

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

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.

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
With cooling temperatures and increased trout plants we have seen an improved trout bite. Several anglers checked in limits on both Monday and Tuesday and we saw fish up to 5 lbs.

A load of 2400 lbs of trout went into the reservoir October 11 and another load of 2400 lbs will go in on Wednesday, October 17. These trout will average 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, power worms or power bait. It is 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. Some anglers float their baits under slip bobbers. 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. Late October should provide some great fishing. We have only had a few reports from anglers selecting trolling as their method of fishing. 1 angler took 2 nice trout on a silver Rapala.

LARGEMOUTH BASS
We have very few anglers focusing on largemouth bass. Over all we continue to rate largemouth bass fishing slow to fair. The reservoir is full off excellent bass habitat so throwing a senko around trees and brush should produce some nice largemouth bass. 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 school size stripers from boats was very good on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday about 10 of our 28 boats out took limits of stripers. Trolling a variety of lures was effective. Several anglers reported catching and releasing 10 or more fish. Fishing for stripers from the shore 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 did not see any BIG fish on Monday or Tuesday.

SALMON
No reports on salmon yet this week. We suggest anglers give them a try. Trolling a dodger with a lure of your choice behind the dodger could be productive. In the past anglers have caught salmon on kastmasters with tails and Rapala's in silver and black.

CATFISH
Fishing for catfish is rated fair to good for anglers putting in the time. Anchovies, liver and nightcrawlers all work well. We had about 20 catfish checked in on Monday. Liver, anchovies, nightcrawlers and sting baits took fish.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Open seven days a week 7:00am - 6:00pm
Boats are due in by 4:30pm.


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