Fishing is rated as "Fair" at Los Voqueros Reservoir

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

Fishing is rated as "Fair" at Los Voqueros Reservoir

by Los Vaqueros Staff
10-31-2012
(925) 371-2628
Website

GENERAL CONDITIONS
We opened the Marina on Monday October 15. With the marina building open we now offer bait, tackle, boat rentals, information, drinks and a variety of snacks. There are some great new 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 64 to 67 degrees. Our water is in great shape but can still be impacted short term by water temperatures, wind and air temperatures. Anglers are having success catching trout, striped bass and catfish. As anglers continue to spread into newly opened areas we are seeing some exciting catches. We planted 1200 pounds of trout on Tuesday October 23. We have planted 8400 lbs of trout in the last 5 weeks.

The North entrance to the reservoir is open with a few limitations. Most trails are open but a few remain closed. 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. As is often the case some anglers do very well and others struggle to catch a few or two.

A load of 1200 lbs of trout went into the reservoir October 23. These trout averaged around 2 lbs with fish up to 8 lbs. We are not planting this week but will plant again the week of November 5. The South Cove continues to be your best bet for trout but anglers are catching trout all along the 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. Garlic scents also seem to help your chances. There is no need for heavy weights. Short casts are often more productive than long casts. 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 a variety of lures.

Some exciting news is that trollers are starting to catch fish all over the reservoir. Several anglers did well pulling broken back Rapala's in Peninsula cove. Late October should provide some great fishing. Top trout for the week included an 11.45 lb trout caught in the south cove by Manny Reyes of Mountain House. Gabe Camarillo took a 5.02 lb trout on a mice tail. Gabe is from Fremont and was fishing in the south cove. Mark Suitts of Fremont caught a 5.75 trout trolling a shad rap in the east cove.

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 fish we have seen caught were in great condition.

STRIPER
Trolling for school size stripers from boats was up and down all week. Several anglers reported catching and releasing 10 to 12 or more fish while others got skunked. Finding fish feeding on the surface was a key to success. If you find feeding fish just about any lure imitating a minnow will work well. Purple and silver or black and silver are good colors. Rattletraps continue to be a favorite. 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. 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 stripers this week.

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 for anglers putting in the time. Anchovies, liver and nightcrawlers all work well. Our largest catfish for the week went 15.9 lbs and was taken by Nai Saephan of Oakley using a chicken liver in Peninsula cove.

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


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