Fresno Bee April 1, 2026
Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.
Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother
Unless noted, area code is 559
Top 5 Picks:
Delta/Stockton
Bass 3 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3
Striped bass are moving quickly through the California Delta on their way to spawn in the upper Sacramento and Feather Rivers, and a new wave of stripers is one their way from San Francisco Bay as the females are loaded with eggs. Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing said, “The action has been great all week long, but it slowed down on Sunday as the big groups of stripers disappeared. We are drifting live bait or trolling, and the grade of striped bass has been good with fish to 15 pounds. We found great action for six limits on Saturday working the San Joaquin side from the Antioch Bridge to False River. There were some fish reported on the Sacramento side on the West Bank on Sunday.”
Captain Joey Gamez of Golden State Sport Fishing put his clients onto over 80 linesides caught and released over the weekend trolling on the San Joaquin side. Bass fishing is picking up with Fresno-native Vince Borges winning the 35-boat Nor Cal Bass event with his partner Chad Frie at 20.74 pounds. Borges said, “Chatterbaits were our most effective presentation, but we found some solid fish on the Frog Factory Sonic Boom Frog. We didn’t see any bed fish, even in the 70-degree water in the backs of sloughs. This coming full moon could bring out a huge wave of spawners.” Sturgeon fishing remains incredible with as many as 20 fish to the boat including several over 5 feet up to true giants pushing 8 feet. Sturgeon fishing ends on June 1 through October 1, and most of the six-pack captains will be heading to San Francisco Bay in the next few weeks.
Lake Don Pedro
Bass 3 Trout 2 Kokanee 2 King salmon 3 Crappie 2
Kokanee action at Don Pedro is on the rise, and both Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing and Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service are getting in on the action for landlocked salmon to 16 inches. Smith said, “You must have good electronics to find the small pods of quality salmon, but there are some quality fish here. Both rainbows and kokanee are there to be had, but you must find them.” Wise added, “The kokanee range from 14 to 16 inches at depths from 20 to 40 feet with J-Pex lures behind a dodger.”
Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto said, “All Mother Lode lakes are fishing great, and the techniques are very similar, as it is basically shallow water junk fishing. They are biting reaction baits well, like crankbaits and spinnerbaits, and the topwater bite is starting to turn on. I would advise starting by working PopR’s slowly, and some people are catching on walking baits already. Jigs or plastics on the drop-shot are still working great when fished shallow. I would focus on the warmer parts of the lake for the most active fish, as there are many fish on their beds.”. The lake rose a foot to 805.81 feet in elevation. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. A self-inspection is required for launching. There are 10 bass tournaments on the schedule in April.
Isabella/Kaweah/Success/southern California Aqueduct reports available at https://www.tackleandrod.com/weekly-fishing-report.
McClure Reservoir
Bass 3 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2
Bass fishing has improved considerably with Matt Frazier of Denair and Anthony Souza taking first during Saturday’s Angler’s Press event with 29.73 pounds including an 11.69-pound big fish. Aaron Jones reported, “The fish are holding from the banks to 20 feet, and 3-inch swimbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, 4-inch worms on a drop-shot, or jigs are your best bet.” Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing is looking forward to his next trip at McClure due to the quality of rainbow trout . 1120 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm rainbows were released at McClure Point South on March 27, and there will be single plants during April and May with a double plant in June. The lake rose to 831.39 feet in elevation. One bass tournament is scheduled in April.
New Melones Reservoir/Tulloch
Bass 3 Kokanee 2 Trout 2
Kokanee are there for the taking once you find the schools, but the size of the landlocked salmon is on the small side. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “Most of the kokanee range from 9 to 11 inches, and I have only picked up a couple of larger fish to nearly 15 inches. Trolling small J-Pex lures in gold or pink/gold behind at gold dodger at 20 to 40 feet has been the best.”
For bass, Aaron Jones said, “All the Mother Lode lakes are doing well, and 3-inch swimbaits, 5-inch Senkos, spinnerbaits, tube baits, or plastics on a shakey head are all working at depths from the banks to 20 feet.” All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated at the New Melones Marina. The decontamination unit is only available on Fridays by appointment only until May 1. New Melones rose 1.5 feet to 1041.74 and 79% with Tulloch dropping to 81%.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 3
For the 15th straight year, the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project has released trophy rainbows to 7 pounds into Shaver, and 7000 pounds of trophies were planted recently. Additionally, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released quality brooder rainbows a few weeks back. Together, through the SLTTP, the lake continues its moniker as ‘The Home of the Trophy Trout.” Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle said, “Kokanee action has been steady for some, and Dave Loftin of Visalia found great action to catch and release 6 rainbows including 3 trophy-sized trout to 7.8 pounds along with a limit of kokanee running Dick’s orange tubes tipped with a white Berkley grub behind a Super Dave Mountain dodger at 25 to 30 feet on one rod with a Huntington Trout Buster tipped with a white Berkley grub behind a Mountain Flasher at 10 to 15 feet to target the trophy trout. Loftin said, ‘The bite was slow until 10 am.’” Check the launch ramp at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver is at 58 with Huntington at 69%. A CDFW trout plant is scheduled for the week of April 5. Online registration begins on May 1 for the June 13 Greg Marks Youth Fishing Derby. This event fills up quickly. Shaver is at 63 with Huntington rising to 94%.
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Valley/Westside waterways
Striper 2 Catfish 2
Jayden Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported decent striped bass action around Kettleman City as the flows are fast and high near Firebaugh. Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle reported big jerkbaits or Rat-L-Traps are working best. Striperz Gone Wild’s Spring Striper Tournament is Saturday, April 25 at Volta Road with an entry fee of 10 non-perishable food items to be delivered to Merced County food banks. Trophies for first through third will be presented in both the adult and youth divisions.
Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Jayden Moau reported a challenging bite for most bass anglers, but Damian Thao of Fresno continues to find big bass and big limits with the Workingclass Zero Tyrant 10-inch swimbait for limits pushing 40 pounds. The Sierra Bass Club tournament last weekend posted some impressive limits to nearly 30 pounds so the big fish are there for the taking for experienced anglers. For numbers. 5.8-inch Keitech swimbaits or dragging plastics are working best. Hensley remains slow overall with catfish and carp making the best showing. There is one bass tournament on April 4 at Eastman. Eastman rose 2 feet to 509.32 feet in elevation and 29% with Hensley also rising 2.5 feet to 496.43 feet in elevation and 38%. Trout plants at Eastman and Hensley are scheduled next week.
*Lake McSwain
Trout 3
The lake received another plant of 2,240 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm rainbows on Friday, March 27 in addition to over 4300 pounds released since February 25. There are plenty of fish in the lake. Anglers rush to the shorelines after the plant with a variety of offerings including Berkley’s Mice Tails, garlic-scented Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters from the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, and the peninsula near the marina. Trollers are finding their best action in the river arm above the Fence Line with Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger or Kastmasters. The lake rose to 89%. Heavy planting is scheduled in the next three months with two plants in April, one in May, and 2 in June. Single plants are scheduled at Lake Yosemite in April, May, and June.
Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River
Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2
Jayden Moua reported quality spotted bass to 5 pounds have been taken on spinnnerbaits, jerkbaits, slow-rolling a 3.3 Keitech swimbait on ball head, or plastics on a drop-shot or Texas-rig near the shorelines. Numbers in the 2- to 3-pound range are the story as the lake has perked up considerably. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant dropped from 1104 to 780 cfs although Millerton rose 4 feet to 554.83 feet in elevation and 80%. There are no bass tournaments scheduled in April. Trout plants are scheduled at Woodward Park for the next two weeks.
Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2
Jayden Moua reported, “It’s a numbers game here with small males cruising the banks around the Trimmer and Deer Creek area as the females have yet to lock in on their beds. Spinnerbaits, plastics on the drop-shot or Texas-rig, or topwater lures are all working for numbers.” On the lower Kings River, a trout plant is scheduled below the dam once again this week, but the flows have risen from 2626 to 4179 cfs., making for dangerous conditions. Finding the transition from slow to fast water with Berkeley Mice Tails, Pinched crawlers in floating or garlic, small spoons, or garlic Power Bait is best. A trout plant is scheduled at Avocado Lake this week. The lake continues to rise, and it came up 10 feet this week to 908.55 feet in elevation and 76%. Three bass tournaments are on the books in April.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2
Mickey Clements of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported pile worms, jumbo minnows, and anchovies have been the story in both the main lake and the O’Neill Forebay, but the coming colder weather could restart the reaction bite. He said, “The mouth of Portuguese Cove and the Romero Visitor Center have been the top locations at depths from 30 to 40 feet. Jerkbaits such as Duo Realis 120’s in Chartreuse Shad have also been popular.
Roger George of Roger George Guide Service said the overall bite has been slow , with anglers having to cover ground in both Portuguese Cove and the main lake to find active fish. “ I guided Bob McGill of Selma and his two grandsons, Luca , 18 and Vince , 11- on a reaction bite at 50-75’ in the main lake on silver lures for 11 nice fish- topped by a fat new PB 20 lb’er measuring over 36 “ for Bob. We used the Seaqualizer to put the big fish back quickly! Serious striper anglers need to have one in the boat. The algae is getting thicker. The water level may have topped out this week with small releases the last few days. We have a full moon this week- which may slow things further too.” George reported.
In the forebay, Jayden Moua reported small striped bass in the 17/18-inch range are taken on paddletailed swimbaits around the beach areas. The main lake and forebay both rose slightly to 89%. Los Banos Creek Reservoir is closed to public access through April 2026.
High Sierra
Bass Lake
Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0
Mike Beighey of ‘Fishing Bass Lake with Mike’ reported, “The weather is awesome, but the trout action has slowed, and I believe it is because the lake is filling and the trout are following the shoreline feeding on insects and other easy meals. Boat fishing should turn back on soon but for now it’s slow. Shore fishing should be solid. The Veterans’ Warrior Fishing Event sponsored by Miller’s Landing Resort will start with a dinner on Friday, April 24 to allow the veterans to meet their boaters before heading out the following morning. There will be three veterans per boat.” For bass, Jayden Moua reported a fair bite with small bite windows for numbers with plastics on the drop-shot or Texas-rig with the best quality taken on swimbaits or glide baits. He added, “Trout fishing from the shorelines is best near the boat launch.” A webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1. Three bass tournaments are scheduled in April. A CDFW trout plant is scheduled for the week of April 5.
*Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 3
For the 15th straight year, the Shaver Lake Trophy Trout Project has released trophy rainbows to 7 pounds into Shaver, and 7000 pounds of trophies were planted recently. Additionally, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released quality brooder rainbows a few weeks back. Together, through the SLTTP, the lake continues its moniker as ‘The Home of the Trophy Trout.” Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle said, “Kokanee action has been steady for some, and Dave Loftin of Visalia found great action to catch and release 6 rainbows including 3 trophy-sized trout to 7.8 pounds along with a limit of kokanee running Dick’s orange tubes tipped with a white Berkley grub behind a Super Dave Mountain dodger at 25 to 30 feet on one rod with a Huntington Trout Buster tipped with a white Berkley grub behind a Mountain Flasher at 10 to 15 feet to target the trophy trout. Loftin said, ‘The bite was slow until 10 am.’” Check the launch ramp at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver is at 58 with Huntington at 69%. A CDFW trout plant is scheduled for the week of April 5. Online registration begins on May 1 for the June 13 Greg Marks Youth Fishing Derby. This event fills up quickly. Shaver is at 63 with Huntington rising to 94%.
Wishon/Courtright:
Access to both Wishon and Courtright is closed as of December 1, but access should be open soon with the rapid snowmelt. Road conditions –297-0706. A CDFW plant is scheduled for Dinkey Creek this week.
Ocean
Monterey/Santa Cruz
Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch
Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “On their latest trip, J&M Sportfishing in Monterey reported 10 clients aboard the Chubasco caught 127 sanddabs plus 60 Dungeness crab on a ½-day twilight trip. Mackerel, anchovies, some sardines and a few herring are maintaining presence in the area. Halibut anglers are enjoying an early influx of flatties near Monterey with the best success reported from Pacific Grove and Lover’s Point areas. The Del Monte shell beds and the Hotel Area are also holding halibut. Out of Santa Cruz, anglers have reported catches this week as deep as 100 feet and shallow as 50 around the SC-3 buoy near Capitola, the Mile Buoy area, including outside Steamer Lane. As in Monterey, the fish caught are mostly smaller males, though plenty have been logged in the 15 to 25-pound class.
Monterey Bay was hit or miss for surfcasting this week.”
Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay/Half Moon Bay
Halibut 2 Striper 2 Leopard shark 2 Sturgeon 2
Boat-based rockfish season opens without a depth restriction in the San Francisco Management Section from Point Arena at the Mendocino/Sonoma County Line to Pigeon Point in San Mateo County on Wednesday, April 1st, and landings out of San Francisco and Half Moon Bay are geared up for the opener. The daily bag for rockfish is 10 fish in combination with sub limits of one copper, 2 vermilion, and 2 canary rockfish. The daily bag for ling cod is 2 fish with a 22-inch minimum length.
Striped bass in San Pablo Bay had been spectacular early in the week with big linesides to 25 pounds caught and released, and the females are ripe with eggs ready to spawn. The stripers were scarce over the weekend although the Pacific Dream out of Berkeley Marina was able to put their customers onto 17 stripers and 2 halibut in the north bay. Most party boats are targeting halibut in the Oyster Point region in the south bay, but up to 70 undersized halibut have been released per trip to pick up a few keepers over 22 inches.
Party boats are taking reservations for the salmon opener, but the opening date, season length, and harvest quota won’t be revealed until the April 7-12 meeting of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
San Luis Obispo
Surf perch 3
Boat-based rockfish season opens without a depth restriction in the Central Management Section from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to Point Concepcion in San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday, April 1st, and landings out of Morro Bay and Port San Luis are ready to go. The daily bag for rockfish is 10 fish in combination with sub limits of one copper, 2 vermilion, and 2 canary rockfish. The daily bag for ling cod is 2 fish with a 22-inch minimum length.
From the surf, Allen Bushnell added, “Vince Chiafalo from Battlestar Baits reported in from the San Luis Obispo area saying, “BIG surfperch are chewing from Oceano Dunes to Guadalupe. It’s a ‘wide open’ bite. Grubs and jerkbaits are getting hit hard. The perch are likely pushing north into Pismo for spawn.”
Events:
April 24/26th – Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill – Annual Spring Sale with everything on sale with no tax for three days
Tournament Results:
Eastman – Sierra Bass Club – March 21st: 1st – Jordan Ali/Brett Scroggins – 28.45; 2nd – Tony Gonzalez/Jamal Lane – 25.05 (Big Fish – Gonzalez – 8.25); 3rd – Traci and Joe Ploharz – 22.15.
Delta/Paradise Point –Nor Cal Bass – March 28th: 1st – Vince Borges/Chad Frie Goddard – 20.74; 2nd – Bub Tosh/John Heller – 20.12; 3rd – Brittin Wiggins/Nick Peterson – 18.61. Big Fish – Rowdy Reed – 7.64 pounds
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The Fresno Bee
Christopher Kirkpatrick is senior editor of The Fresno Bee and Vida en el Valle.