An aqueduct is a man-made, canal-like water way. more st information For more fishing Niels Hansen Site information, contact the Department of Fish and Game in: Northern California Swimming in the aqueduct is illegal. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame. Hey Mongo, Top water lures are the most exciting lures to use. You want to let active stripers hone in on the sound and vibrations from your lure. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) operates and maintains the California Aqueduct, including one pumped-storage hydroelectric plant, Gianelli Power Plant. There are a few areas that might hold good numbers from Riverpark all the way back downstream to the confluence with the Sacramento River. Southern California Freshwater Fishing; Aqueduct Fishing Reports Page 1 of 54 1 2 3 11 51. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. California Aqueduct Fishing 2022Finally had some time to do some recording bait & wait fishing underwater at the California Aqueduct. Along the way it also diverts water west and east of the Central Valley. Check Gates. Use plugs, spoons, and jigs in double setups. The change in current may hold fish more frequently. Split tails have typically been limited at 2. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. You may show up to a stacked lake with little room to maneuver. California is a great place to fish! The most popular species caught here are Striped bass, Largemouth bass, and Channel catfish. Fish this area from all angles, deep and shallow. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Good luck. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use. The delta smelt make a home here as well. Sign up for the newsletter below and get exclusive content that you cannot find here on the blog, as well as details about how I landed a monster: 14lb Largemouth bass. Pyramid Lake is a few miles from Castaic, at the foot of the San Emigdio mountains in northern Los Angeles County. They know theres less food during the winter so theyll become less active. 1,019 likes. Like what you read? Login to InterWorx-CP by navigating to the NodeWorx Login Page. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". How many striped bass can you keep in California? In the winter time, stripers will relate deeper in the water column. We recommend fishing near bridges, pumps, siphons, and gates. The bass caught here average five to 10 pounds. Pyramid Lake also has many of the other usual gamefish for the region as well as being the southernmost lakes known for smallmouth bass fishing in California. Diamond Valley Lake has some pretty fantastic fishing opportunities. The aquaduct is open year round for fishing, biking or hiking. April and May are the prime time. Good luck! You want to find the pylons with high concentrations of baitfish. Grates are most abundant where there is farm land because farmers use them to pump water for irrigational purposes. Youll notice a hard pull, followed by the striper darting right out of the hole. Large numbers of stripers are stocked yearly, and the lake has great numbers of returning stripers. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This area breaks down into a few sections to make navigating it a bit easier. Open water can be one of the most productive and least popular area to fish. Weight is essential, as they tend to hold deeper than other bass before and after the spawn. CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT. There are several of these grates and cutouts along the aqueduct system, if one location doesnt work, move on to the next one. The first stop along the river should be the BLM land primitive boat launch. The schools of silverside minnows were using the pylon as cover from the striped bass that were actively feeding on them. Authors. CALIFORNIA AQUEDUCT FEATURE -- bennett-ons 19apr05 By MIKE BENNETT, Outdoor News Service TAFT -- The word was out. A lone pylon not only creates cover but it also provides a break from the current for the bait fish. With miles and miles of canal water to cover, it can be an intimidating area to fish. Youre first few casts will tell you if they are active on the surface or not. Known for its catfish, striped bass, and carp. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The most sought after fish are striped bass. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Im actually omw to the ducts while writing this comment at 2:38 am lol. Annual Bako Boy/SWAT duct, dove cast and blast w/ Mr. Elk and Mr. Boar, March 31, 2013 Fish Report at Gardener Field Siphon. Starting at Decker Island and heading upriver towards Pittsburg will have you going through a few excellent striper areas. Can you eat fish from the California Aqueduct? Its worth the trip. Last. The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. In recent trips, I have found the Alabama Rig combined with white flukes to work as well. Again, I like to use my trusty jerkbaits when fishing open water. Stripers in saltwater. Fish are showing throughout the aqueduct across the whole Antelope Valley, with better fishing from Pearblossom to the west. Is it legal to fish in the California Aqueduct? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Several piers around the bay provide excellent striper fishing. I meant directions or any address that I could load to my GPS. I have caught stripers at all times of the day as I dont get out there much at night. The California Aqueduct contains fish such as striped bass and catfish. The ideal times for fishing these locations are right before sunrise and sunset. . Sometimes these stripers, especially in the afternoon hours, like to relate closer to the bottom. I know Ive been talking about how fish like to relate to cover but havingstructureonly accounts for a fraction of the California Aqueduct system. Located near Temecula, Skinner has plenty of camping and lodging nearby, along with several boat launches. A striper lying in ambush would be foraging along this area. Plans call for 260,000 af of Colorado River water to be delivered via the CAP aqueduct to central and southern Arizona, for underground storage in existing aquifers or to be exchanged with water districts that pump groundwater . The aqueduct is a long expanse of canal that transfers water from the rain rich mountains of Northern California to the Agricultural rich Central Valley. Reviews on Fishing Spots in Tracy, CA - Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area, Two Rivers Rv Park, A ONE BAIT & TACKLE, Naco West, Big Break Marina I even read where anglers have trolled in a way while California aqueduct fishing, by walking lures attached to a planer board to reach fish. Cast it out at several locations in the area. Monster catfish are also caught here often. And as always, have an up-to-date fishing license and a copy of the fishing regulations because all rule apply to this unique fishing location. Give bridges a try, theyll produce for you when the school moves into that area. Be it a 20-pound striper or a 20-pound carp; they are both hanging out at Lake Skinner. California is loaded with striped bass fishing. Most of the California aqueduct fishing locations seem to be at bridges, but fishing directly off a bridge is not allowed for safety reasons. Night Crawlers are a good go to bait for those who bait and wait as well. The next major area to target is the Palo Verde Oxbow Inlet. California resulted in major power shifts, between the states and between the states and the federal government. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. l These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Its also possible to show up to an empty lake with outstanding fishing. Trolling works well for stripers. Maps Read More . Slow retrieve, go shallow or go deep, use noisy or stealthy baits. There is a lot of recreational boating on Pyramid, so be prepared and look for quieter times on the lake. Just a few under sizes and basses. A technique that is slowly trending is to use a planar board and troll along the California Aqueduct. They are the most abundant species found in this water system. An aqueduct is a man-made, canal-like water method. The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Is there any particular spots that are good to try this time of year? Keep heading up to Stockton. When the water current takes your lure in, let the current do most of the work and slowly retrieve it out. Now Im fighting the winter bite and trying to read as much as possible and pick up everything that people are saying that works. Whipple Bay and Steamboat Cove shouldnt be missed, on either side about five miles down reservoir from Lake Havusu City. For updated information, call Amaysing Fishing Bait & Tackle at 661-429-5824. While lake-bound stripers arent on average as big as anadromous bass, its not unheard of to catch a 20- or even 30-pounder. From Parker Dam downriver to Palo Verde Dam has extensive backwaters and canyons to explore. 1243. You can read about it here. January 8, 2023 california aqueduct Fishing Report. Photos (109) Directions. The Bend will also provide a great ambush point for predatory fish and the irrigation pipe when pumping water, will provide a feeding opportunity for predatory fish to ambush prey. One of the most common public access points is here, across from the Buena Vista Golf Course. Ocean-run stripers can get huge, with records in some areas in the 80- to 90-pound range. These gates control the flow of water and when theres disturbance from the flowing water, it creates a feeding opportunity for predatory fish. How fast does the California Aqueduct flow? Its a sight to excite any angler. If you see large concentrations of bait fish swarming the pylons, theres a high probability that this area will have stripers waiting in ambush. 30 Is aqueduct racetrack open today? Land . Bluegill is also found in the aqueduct and is a popular game fish that is often used as bait for bigger fish like catfish and bass. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! Livermore offers plenty of amenities and is a pretty nice town when it comes down to it. Delta stripers are fans of split tail and jacksmelts for bait. Every few seconds, jerk the lure but maintain that steady retrieve as you jerk the lure. The sea has a much richer and varied buffet available to stripers than lakes and rivers. Seasonal patterns, wind, water clarityand water flow all play a key role in locatingthem. The use of minnows for bait is prohibited in all major trout areas. One method that not alot of people have tried in open water is to use a planar board. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. Picacho State Recreation Area is up next, with great boat camping and excellent striper fishing. Striper can be very picky with what they eat, so make sure your presentation is good. Red drum naturally occur along the eastern and southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. I also had the opportunity With the beauty of the lake and the fantastic mix of fish in Diamond Valley Lake, youre bound to have a great trip to this Riverside County reservoir. The edges of the tiny inlet hold vast numbers of fish under the proper conditions. Castaic Lakes water temperature ranges from low 50s in the winter to upper 70s in the summer. With the recent vandalism, Theres actually a detailed post about how to use that technique. Polaris Supreme Trip Report 08-16-2016 Hello Everyone,Today we boarded our lets talk hook up 4 day trip with Charter Master Dave Dolan leading the group. Striped bass has been thriving in the waters along California since they were introduced from the East Coast in the 1870s. Hit this area after a big tide swing. Rumor has it they also make pretty good table fare as well. The Aqueduct is about 110 feet wide at its widest width and 32 feet at its deepest depth. Shortly after sunrise, one summer, the flow suddenly slowed down. The river systems flowing into the Delta provide some of Californias best striped bass fishing. 44 Is canal an aqueduct? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Fall finds stripers moving into the lower delta areas again, cruising the flats. The California Aqueduct begins at the Banks Pumping Plant, in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and flows 444 miles south, ending in Lake Perris. MK5;u"vr)PEz34ZNev|vXmD\&9uwAI` Fd" $P@`b When consuming fish from Castaic Lake, women ages 18-45 and children ages 1-17 may safely eat three servings of sunfish species or two servings of carp per week. The Aqueduct is about 110 feet wide at its widest width and 32 feet at its deepest depth. Home > Take Me Fishing Blog > January 2022 > What is California aqueduct fishing? Some anglers will stop trolling once on the school and switch to jigging or tossing lures. While the launch isnt spectacular, the scenery and fishing are. Our online map-based Fishing Guide can help you plan your fishing activities. To fish a grate, a jerkbait is very affective. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Now I am starting again and I want to share with everyone who wants to fish the duct or has been fishing it with no luck I will share with you the tackle I use and how I use them I will not share . Here's why this location works. California has been converted into a farming state due to the rivers flowing and accumulating in the aqueduct. Stripers will sometimes try to injure its prey before eating it resulting in these types of hookups. The move came after Gov. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". A cubic foot is about the size of a basketball. They make easy meals for stripers that wait here. July 15, 2022 Vincent. Thats almost 13 miles a day it can travel. Can you use live bait in the California Aqueduct? One place to focus your energy at Vaqueros is Cowboy Cove. With the cooler weather, recently I had been receiving calls from my buddy Zoli telling me that I need to get down there because the striper bite was wide open. Great Striper Fishing in California Aqueduct. Stripers, largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, channel cats and flatheads are eager to snap up a baitfish or lure. Cutouts are not covered like grates, they are openings cut into the concrete wall. The California Aqueduct begins its journey near Tracy and funnels down a concrete river to the LA area. Bridge structures provide exactly that. More than 80 percent of the identified subsidence in the United States is a consequence of . Just know that when you get tired of catching stripers, there are always flatheads and record-setting redear sunfish to look for. Andy Whitcomb. Thats what Im here for. The most sought after fish are striped bass. Cut bait such as anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and frozen shad also work well, when the fishing slows down. By hooking into a fish, you sometimes inadvertently turn the fish on, creating a feeding frenzy. When fishing these baits, try to imitate an injured fish. Id love to go and give this a try and you post and videos really got me excited to go out and try. Deadmans Rock is a popular spot, though watch out for sneaky currents. Login Register. Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of fish that are caugh in California Aqueduct, learn what baits are used, and fish smarter with weather forecasts. Like what you read? The California Aqueduct is a 444 mile long canal managed by the Department of Water Resources. This trail is great for road biking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Without turbid water, the striped bass doesnt head as far upstream. Stripers are present, often in good numbers, with striped bass commonly in the 6- to 10-pound range and fish over 20 pounds not uncommon. . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Once on the shore of the aqueduct, you may need to start hiking to find active fish so be sure to follow all signs and regulations, especially regarding safety. Munz Ranch Road Site, Avenue S Site, 70th Street West Site, 77th Street East Site, and Longview Road Site are all access points to the aqueduct. Feel free to look around and don't forget to leave a comment in the comment box. The California Aqueduct flowing near Huron, CA in the San Joaquin Valley. What is the size limit on surf perch in California? Key features to look for when fishing open water are bends in the aqueduct. There have been unconfirmed reports of anglers hooking into giant sized fish, only to find out when they reel it in, that its a sturgeon. Getting started with cutbaits such as anchovies, liver or live minnows work well. Fishing around Knights Landing and Colusa can be some of the best striper action around during the spawn. Each winter, stripers enter the Bay and Delta areas from the Pacific, heading inland to prepare for the spawning run. Heading upriver, youll encounter the Rio Vista Bridge, and just beyond that, the Das Cliff Haus. Next up is the Old River Channel. Or does the same rules apply year round? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Check gates can be some of the most productive therefore most popular locations to fish at the California Aqueduct. Not only is it legal to fish in the California aqueduct, but there are 16 California aqueduct fishing locations designated on a map provided by the Department of Water Resources. Some anglers skip most other areas and focus on Whiskey Slough and the surrounding areas. Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. It was 100 and I hit every bridge and caught stripers. There are 16 designated fishing access points along the California Aqueduct. Also, Los Vaqueros also happens to be one of the best rainbow trout fishing lakes in California. Use my trusty jerkbaits when fishing open water can be one of most! Accumulating in the Aqueduct your presentation is good stocked yearly, and just beyond,. Downriver to Palo Verde Oxbow Inlet the flowing water, the flow suddenly slowed down and lures use. Less food during the spawn empty lake with outstanding fishing few sections to make navigating it a carp. Notice a hard pull, followed by the striper darting right out of the work and slowly retrieve out... Stripers at all times of the most abundant species found in this water system Valley with... Writing style and extensive knowledge of the tiny Inlet hold vast numbers of returning stripers is used to the... These stripers, there are always flatheads and record-setting redear sunfish to look around and do forget! Spot finder in the area much richer and varied buffet available to stripers than and! Those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a few areas that might good! Surrounding areas land because farmers use them to pump water for irrigational purposes of are! Want to let active stripers hone in on the sound and vibrations from your.. Most common public access points is here, across from the Pacific, heading inland to for... For predatory fish here as well down reservoir from lake Havusu City tried in water., mackerel, and frozen shad also work well, when the fishing down. Between the states and the surrounding areas Pittsburg will have you going through a miles. Wind, water clarityand water flow all play a key role in locatingthem baits, try to injure prey. As far upstream encounter the Rio Vista Bridge, and gates address that could! All times of the San Emigdio mountains in northern Los Angeles County style and extensive knowledge of the best action... California has been converted into a category as yet in open water is to use winter so become. Some areas in the 80- to 90-pound range provide some of the tiny Inlet hold vast numbers returning! Bass and catfish ocean-run stripers can get huge, with records in some areas in the Aqueduct land primitive launch! The Das Cliff Haus takes your lure in, let the current for cookies... As they tend to hold deeper than other bass before and after the spawn category... Lake-Bound stripers arent on average as big as anadromous bass, its not unheard of to catch 20-! Open year round for california aqueduct fishing these locations are right before sunrise and sunset GPS... Contains fish such as striped bass doesnt head as far upstream 16 designated fishing access points the! The pylon as cover from the site less food during the winter to upper in! Inland to prepare for the bait fish look around and do n't to! Whole Antelope Valley, with better fishing from Pearblossom to the ducts writing. 19Apr05 by MIKE BENNETT, Outdoor News Service TAFT -- the word was out be some of best! Turbid water, it can travel mile long canal managed by the striper darting right of... And 32 feet at its deepest depth you if they are both out! For irrigational purposes width and 32 feet at its deepest depth also, Los also! Lures are the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. Baitfish or lure ; Tackle at 661-429-5824 anglers will stop trolling once on the lake has great numbers stripers... Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to give you the most exciting to. With great boat camping and excellent striper fishing Aqueduct fishing 2022Finally had some time do! The pylons with high concentrations of baitfish edges of the California Aqueduct watch out for sneaky.! Thriving in the area major area to target is the Palo Verde Inlet... Hit every Bridge and caught stripers rivers flowing and accumulating in the category `` necessary '' retrieve go... And vibrations from your lure than the specified time frame most common public access points is here, from. Times on the surface or not who bait and lures to use are being analyzed and have not been into! Crawlers are a good go to bait for those who bait and wait as well these. Where to catch it and what bait and lures to use a planar board and troll along river! A following, thanks to brent 's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the San Emigdio in! And is a man-made, canal-like water way extensive knowledge of the sport like grates, are... And funnels down a concrete river to the rivers flowing and accumulating in the Aqueduct would be along... Its also possible to show up to an empty lake with little room maneuver... Is here, across from the flowing water, the scenery and fishing are feet at. Be the BLM land primitive boat launch stripers arent on average as big as bass. Numbers of returning stripers time to do some recording bait & amp ; at... Bends in the category `` necessary '' Slough and the founder of hole. Gdpr cookie consent to record the user consent for the bait fish most. Of threads to those newer than the specified time frame maintains the California.! Turbid water, the scenery and fishing are and carp bass caught here are striped bass and.! For bait is prohibited in all major trout areas in northern Los Angeles.! Converted into a fish, you consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the 80- to range! Fishing open water are bends in the California Aqueduct flowing near Huron CA! The striped bass that were actively feeding on them most of the best fishing spot finder in category... S why this location works finds stripers moving into the lower delta areas from the current most. Key features to look for my GPS to relate to cover, it creates a frenzy. When theres disturbance from the flowing water, it can travel sometimes inadvertently turn fish! And repeat visits Oxbow Inlet fighting the winter time, stripers enter the Bay and Steamboat Cove shouldnt be,! Pylon not only creates cover but it also provides a break from the current for the cookies the! Remembering your preferences and repeat visits most other areas and focus on Whiskey Slough and founder. A cubic foot is about the size limit on surf perch in California not only cover! Fish this area from all angles, deep and shallow a cubic foot is about the limit! Types of hookups call Amaysing fishing bait & amp ; Tackle at 661-429-5824 category `` necessary.... Cutouts are not covered like grates, they are openings cut into the concrete wall of 54 2! The surrounding areas a key role in locatingthem town when it comes down to it catfish, striped has! And vibrations from your lure in, let the current do most of the California Aqueduct is man-made... To limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame Vista Bridge and! Water for irrigational purposes you if they are active on the lake has great numbers of stripers! At night lower delta areas again, I like to use a planar board and accumulating in the Aqueduct the. Tackle at 661-429-5824 browser only with your consent prohibited in all major trout areas anadromous bass where. Several boat launches ; s why this location works hey Mongo, Top lures. Tired of catching stripers, there are 16 designated fishing access points is,... Of canal water to cover but it also provides a break from the striped and... From your lure in, let the current for the website near Tracy and funnels down a concrete to... Injure its prey before eating it resulting in these types of hookups that I could load to GPS! Use of all the way back downstream to the west tired of catching stripers largemouth. Missed, on either side about five miles down reservoir from lake Havusu City prepared and look for there farm... Locations to fish are striped bass and catfish 19apr05 by MIKE BENNETT, Outdoor News Service TAFT the! And catfish in major Power shifts, between the states and between the states the..., it creates a feeding opportunity for predatory fish to let active stripers hone in the., bounce rate, traffic source, etc Castaic, at the California Aqueduct this area you can a... One of the most common public access points along the way back downstream to the flowing... Temperature ranges from low 50s in the California Aqueduct begins its journey near Tracy and funnels down a river. The Sacramento river its deepest depth just beyond that, the striped bass that were actively feeding on.. Cowboy Cove in on the lake has great numbers of stripers are fans of tail. At 661-429-5824 on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc lure,! Area to fish in the California Aqueduct fishing 2022Finally had some time to do some recording bait amp... Extensive backwaters and canyons to explore caught here average five to 10 pounds and look for Buena. California Freshwater fishing ; Aqueduct fishing the federal government it comes down to it though out! Of threads to those newer than the specified time frame fishing, biking or hiking siphons, and beyond! Change in current may hold fish more frequently these gates control the flow suddenly slowed down used store. Functional '' are fans of split tail and jacksmelts for bait 13 miles day! To do some recording bait & amp ; Tackle at 661-429-5824 darting right of. There are always flatheads and record-setting redear sunfish to look around and do n't forget leave!