FRESHWATER
CASTAIC LAKE--Dozens of striped bass are biting on the slate at the nearby Mini-Mart. Mike Frazier, Valencia, caught a 19-pounder. Ray Diaz, Castaic, and Tony Sagliani, North Hollywood, caught seven stripers from 12-18 pounds, on Castaic Hard Trout. Largemouth bass bite fair in shallows, but few big fish. Exceptions: Jerry Gallimore, Santa Paula, 11-pound largemouth, on a Stocker Trout lure from shore; Gary Harrison, Castaic, 9-13 largemouth, on Castaic Soft Bait's new crappie-shaped lure. Some trout.
LAKE PIRU--Largemouth biting along brush lines on plastic worms to about 20 feet, averaging two-three pounds. Trout bite fair for trollers, biting on chartreuse Needlefish lures and orange Rapalas. Crappies active as well.
PYRAMID LAKE--Striped bass biting in deep water, mainly on anchovies, averaging four-seven pounds. Largemouth and smallmouth bass active in shallows, taking spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms. Panfish plentiful in marina area.
LAKE CACHUMA--Trollers using Needlefish and Rapalas at east end picking up some trout limits. Largemouth bass bite fair in shallows, with purple plastic worms getting fish averaging two-three pounds.
LAKE CASITAS--Largemouth bass are still the prime attraction, with larger females suspended at about 15-20 feet and smaller males at about five feet. Trout bite remains steady, with needlefish lures accounting for many limits. Red-ear perch bite is fair at times. Catfish bite slow.
CORONA LAKE--So much for the hot trout bite. Rain put a damper on things. Catfish should find the murky water to their liking.
SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES--Lake is still closed because a drop in oxygen levels that resulted in a substantial fish kill last week. Call (714) 632-7830 for updates.
IRVINE LAKE--In one day, 15 trout were weighed at 10 pounds or more. But that was before Tuesday's rain. With more rain likely, the bite might slow considerably.
LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE--Trout fishing is good only when the water has a chance to clear after rain. There was some stocking Wednesday. Largemouth bass are in the shallows, biting best on night crawlers. Catfish active.
OSO RESERVOIR--Bass fishing has been superb. The public is admitted to this catch-and-release Orange County fishery via reservations at a cost of $40. Memberships are also available. Details: (714) 858-9313.
SILVERWOOD LAKE--Trout activity is tapering off, but there are some limits. Cleghorn Canyon and Miller Canyon are the hot spots.
LAKE PERRIS--Largemouth bass remain the primary target. Ron Benton, San Bernardino, 11 1/4-pound bass, On six-inch Sluggo worm at east end. Trout action improving.
LAKE SKINNER--Largemouth bass fairly active, with fish averaging two-four pounds biting on plastic worms and night crawlers. Striped bass bite fair.
BIG BEAR LAKE--After a brief period of spring-like conditions, the fish and fishermen are back in their winter mode--slow.
SAN DIEGO CITY LAKES--Top catch, a 32-pound blue catfish by James Kent, Spring Valley, on mackerel at San Vicente. Bass bites good at Sutherland, San Vicente and El Capitan. Otay yielded the largest, a 10-pounder by Tom Pursell, Temecula, on shad. Trout bite fair at Miramar.
LAKE CUYAMACA--It snowed hard here, and the trout responded by diving for cover.
SALTWATER
MORRO BAY (Virg's Landing)--9 anglers (1 boat): 10 red rockcod, 25 rockcod, 100 rockfish.
SANTA BARBARA (Sea Landing)--18 anglers (1 boats): 3 sculpin, 2 whitefish, 14 rockfish. (Hornet's Landing)--6 anglers (1 boat): 2 calico bass, 2 sand bass, 19 red snapper, 11 rockfish, 2 lingcod.
OXNARD (Cisco's)--17 anglers (2 boats): 11 yellowtail, 24 barracuda, 70 calico bass, 19 bonito, 68 rockfish.
PORT HUENEME--18 anglers (1 boat): 51 calico bass, 68 barracuda, 5 sculpin, 1 bonito, 1 whitefish.
MARINA DEL REY--97 anglers (6 boats): 27 halibut, 64 sand bass, 73 sculpin, 2 calico bass, 12 red snapper.
REDONDO BEACH--26 anglers (3 boats): 3 yellowtail, 28 sand bass, 9 halibut, 1 cabezon.
SAN PEDRO (L.A. Harbor Sportfishing)--37 anglers (2 boats): 15 yellowtail, 9 barracuda, 4 salmon, 4 sculpin, 140 rockfish. (22nd St. Landing)--22 anglers (2 boats): 14 yellowtail, 2 calico bass, 5 sand bass, 5 sculpin, 12 whitefish, 2 sheephead, 48 rockfish.
LONG BEACH--30 anglers (2 boats): 5 yellowtail, 20 barracuda, 2 calico bass, 2 sand bass, 1 halibut, 29 whitefish, 2 sheephead. (Marina Sportfishing)--9 anglers (1 boat): 5 sand bass, 81 whitefish, 13 sheephead, 15 rockfish.
NEWPORT BEACH (Newport Landing)--26 anglers (2 boats): 1 yellowtail, 1 barracuda, 31 calico bass, 15 sand bass, 5 sheephead, 1 whitefish, 4 blue perch, 1 Spanish jack. (Davey's Locker)--23 anglers (2 boats): 3 yellowtail, 4 bonito, 7 calico bass, 19 sand bass, 40 sculpin, 2 sheephead, 15 blacksmith perch.
DANA WHARF--29 anglers (2 boats): 53 calico bass, 10 sand bass, 2 mackerel, 1 halibut, 1 sculpin, 2 sheephead.
