At Los Vaqueros Striper limits are being taken, Catfish is hit or miss, all other species are slow

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


by Los Vaqueros Staff
7-3-2013
(925) 371-2628
Website

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Very high temperatures for the last 5 days have had a major impact on the fishing. Anglers are catching a few trout, striped bass, large mouth bass and catfish. The water level is now 119,000 acre feet and the water level continues to rise. Our water temperature is 69-72 degrees and in poor condition for fishing. We need some cooler weather and windy days to improve the water conditions.

Rattlesnakes continue to be out and active so caution is advised. Watch where you are walking, stay out of high grass and stay out of rocky areas. Never try to pick one up or kill one. Eagles are nesting so a few trail closures are in effect in some areas until July 7th. Information on trails is available at the gates, marina or on the CCWD web site.

We are in the fire season so extreme caution with any fire sources is required. Extreme caution is advised when fishing or hiking on these very hot days

The North entrance to the reservoir is open with a few limitations. Access to the reservoir for fishing at the north entrance is open but requires a strenuous 1.5 mile hike up and over a major hill. Caution is advised. The fishing platform can not open until the reservoir rises another 8 to 10 feet. See the CCWD web site for details. The Interpretive Center is open from 9 to 4 on Saturday's and Sunday's.

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 or a released 5 lb largemouth bass. We have 2013 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 and over. We suggest taking advantage of the second rod stamp that is available.

TROUT
We planted 1000 lbs of trout from Mt. Lassen on June 19, June 12 and June 4. We will not be able to plant any trout until our water temperatures go down and conditions improve.

Fishing for trout has been fair depending on your skill level and luck. Fish average a pound and a half but range up to 8 lbs. Limits has been difficult to come by in this hot weather. Many of the points east of the marina and past the rock wall have been producing a few trout lately. Garlic power bait, chartreuse and orange mice tails, rainbow power bait and nightcrawlers are all good choices. Garlic scent on any bait seems to help. It is important to use 3 - 4 feet of leader. Using light line also helps; 4 to 6 lb test is plenty. There is no need for heavy weights. Longer casts might be needed in this hot weather. Anglers catch trout throwing kastmasters, blue fox lures and a variety of other trout lures. Don't be afraid to move locations and change your baits if you are not catching fish.

Trolling for trout is fair when you can get on the water. The successful reports we are receiving are from anglers trolling a variety of Rapala's in Cowboy Cove, off of points and in the mouth of Howden cove. Mix it up until you start catching fish. The fish seem to be holding between 14 and 18 feet in 25 to 30 feet of water. Vary your depths until you start getting strikes. Look for areas that are free of algae. Try different colors and sizes of lures until you start catching fish. The fish seem to change their minds on their favorite colors on a daily bases so it is important to switch it up until you find their favorite for the day. Trollers also catch trout on a variety of other lures including kastmasters, roostertails and Thomas Bouyants.

LARGEMOUTH BASS
We saw very few bass this week. Bass fishing is considered slow. Please release any big largemouth bass you might catch. They are the future of largemouth bass fishing in the reservoir. When the winds let up and anglers are able to explore other areas of the reservoir we hope to see an improvement in the largemouth fishing.

STRIPER
Fishing for stripers with bait had picked up and many anglers were catching limits. The very hot weather has slowed the striper action down. Cut anchovies or shad should do the trick when bait fishing. Stripers need to be 18 inches or more. We are seeing lots of under size fish being caught and released. Please release the small fish as quickly and carefully as possible. They are the future of our striped bass fishery. We have not seen any large striped bass caught recently as all the keeper stripers are in the 18 to 23 inch range. Fishing from the pier below the marina has been effective. Several boats came back with limits caught on cut anchovies fishing some of the points throughout the reservoir. Anglers trolling continue to pick up a few stripers on a wide variety of lures.

SALMON
No salmon were reported this week.

CATFISH
Fishing for catfish surprising continues hit and miss. Anchovies, liver, mackerel and nightcrawlers all will catch catfish. We suggest fishing with as little weight as possible and watch for very soft bites. The back of cowboy cove and the south cove are good bets. We continue to have a few boats do very well on catfish in 3 to 5 feet of water in the back of cowboy cove. We encourage and appreciate the release of any monster catfish (20 lbs plus). No big catfish were weighted in this week. Top fish went around 4.5 lbs. We planted 1200 lbs. of channel catfish averaging 2 lbs each last week.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Open seven days a week 6:00am - 8:00pm
Boats are due in by 6:30pm.
These hours remain in effect through August.


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6-27-2013
GENERAL CONDITIONS The water level is now 113,000 acre feet and the water level is rising. Our water temperature is 67- 68 degrees in 3 feet of water and in excellent condition for fishing. Rattlesnakes continue to be out and active so caution is advised. Watch where you are walking, stay out of high grass and stay out of rocky areas. Never try to pick one up or kill one. Eagles are nesting so some trail closures are in effect. Information on...... Read More

6-21-2013
GENERAL CONDITIONS The water level is now 113,000 acre feet and the water level is rising. Our water temperature is 67- 68 degrees in 3 feet of water and in excellent condition for fishing. Rattlesnakes continue to be out and active so caution is advised. Watch where you are walking, stay out of high grass and stay out of rocky areas. Never try to pick one up or kill one. Eagles are nesting so some trail closures are in effect. Information on...... Read More