Managed by the California Department of Water Resourcesate over 400 miles long and perhaps as deep as 30 feet in some areas, California aqueduct fishing is surprisingly productive.. Is it legal to fish in the California aqueduct? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. It was the largest carp Ive ever seen alive, or dead, and was impressive. Some species, such as salmon or steelhead, may no longer be present upstream of dams that lack fish passage. That shot was taken about a foot or two beneath the water surface next to a bridge pylon. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". They make easy meals for stripers that wait here. Choose the one closest to you. Slow retrieve, go shallow or go deep, use noisy or stealthy baits. An aqueduct is a man-made, canal-like water way. Stripers may be foraging nearby or relating a little deeper. Its highly recommended you wear a life vest at all times. Most of the California aqueduct fishing locations seem to be at bridges, but fishing directly off a bridge is not allowed for safety reasons. This was the first time in about 8 months we did a morning run. Stripers know there are baitfish relating to these areas. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You are welcome to fish at 12 SWP reservoirs or at 16 designated fishing access sites along the California Aqueduct's more than 400 miles of open canals. Experiment when youre out there and you will find what works best for you. They provide cover for the bait fish to use as a place to hide or shield themselves from predatory fish. Crayfish are a freshwater crustacean, and legally acquired and possessed crustaceans can be used for bait in almost all inland waters in California (CCR Title 14, section 4.00). The aqueduct splits off into the East Branch and West Branch in extreme southern Kern County, north of the Los Angeles County line. Trout are also released into the South Fork of the Middle Fork at locations around the Camp Nelson and Cedar Slope close to SR 190. 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. More Information: Big Meadow Campground Sequoia National Forest. Florida-strain largemouth bass in the 18-pound range have been landed here. The key is to let the current do the work and all you have to do is introduce a twitch here and there with your rod while slowly reeling in your lure. Maps Read More Upper Kern 7 catches This is trout fishing at its best. So, the stripers are constantly on the move and you should be too. Any tips for hitting the aquaducts during winter? You could hit it when the fish are in the area and biting. These gates control the flow of water and when theres disturbance from the flowing water, it creates a feeding opportunity for predatory fish. Good luck and have fun! The creek is near the Generals Highway and often stocked in the stretch near Stony Creek Campground and Stony Creek Lodge. Can you eat fish from the California Aqueduct? These species American shad, Chinook (King) salmon, steelhead trout, striped bass, and white sturgeon are popular with anglers and eaten by many Californians. Local attractions include Bravo Land and El Adobe De Los Robles Historic Park. I live in Fremont CA. Most of the California aqueduct fishing locations seem to be at bridges, but fishing directly off a bridge is not allowed for safety reasons. This rocky stream near California Hot Springs is sometimes stocked with catchable rainbow trout. The lakes tend to be nicely stocked starting around Memorial Day and into June, and late spring and the very early weeks of summer are likely to offer the highest catch rates. Rod Tips up and Tight Lines HP = Handicapped Parking HR = Handicapped Restrooms. The fish in the Palmdale region are keying on shad, and anglers dipping the shad are hammering the fish. Ive noticed stripers lie in ambush inside the cutouts. Anglers who are familiar with California Aqueduct are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Good luck. This information and maps will show you diffrent fishing spots in the Aqueduct. Currents will be swift so dont wade or swim, put on rubber soled footwear, and find yellow marked security ropes and ladders. If nothing bites, you may want to try a little deeper with a swimbait or sinking fluke setup. Can you use live bait in the California Aqueduct? A good place to start your fishing trip is at Lemon Hill Recreation Area along Sierra Drive, where youll find a boat launch and marina. In recent trips, I have found the Alabama Rig combined with white flukes to work as well. Not only is it legal to fish in the California aqueduct, but there are 16 California aqueduct fishing locations . Schools of stripers will make contact with your lureif they are traveling in that area. Southern California Freshwater Fishing; Aqueduct Fishing Reports Page 1 of 54 1 2 3 11 51. Be sure to tell all of your fishing buddies and come back soon. The California Aqueduct supplies water for tens . From my research, the presence of largemouth bass, carp, and California aqueduct catfish, was not surprising. Some lunker-sized carp are being caught at the California Aqueduct as the fish move into the head gates to spawn. People in Kings County live in Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, Avenal, Lemoore Station, Armona, and smaller communities and farming areas. [mc4wp_form]. One very nice thing about fishing down there is the aqueduct has a lot of access points that are very close to the water and the land is very level making it easy for people with disabilities to fish and of course catch fish, so I packed up my striper gear and headed down, more than once, but I figured that I'd make this one post instead of Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If the fish are there, theyll take it on the first few casts. Nightcrawlers and meal worms are favorite bluegill baits at Castaic Lake, and they bite readily all summer long. California Aqueduct, Highway 198, No HP or HR . After that, check out the Fishing in Neighboring Counties feature at the end of this article. I obviously have a lot to learn 310.310.5411 Of course I panicked and half-committed to a set, jumping the lure a yard or two. Youre first few casts will tell you if they are active on the surface or not. The California Aqueduct is a 444 mile long canal managed by the Department of Water Resources. California Aqueduct Fishing 2022"When LURE fishing fails, BAIT & WAIT is the way to go. Is it authorized to fish within the California aqueduct? There are many other ways to catch fish using a variety of tactics. 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. Swimming in the aqueduct is illegal. Worst Fish to Eat: Thomas DeLauer. It goes fast, almost 7,000 cubic feet per second. Im not making this up, there are actually places like these along the California aqueduct plus many more combinations I havent even mentioned. 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. When these pipes are pumping water out, they create a disturbance that can attract stripers to this area. So when the fish find something out of the ordinary, they naturally relate to it. 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. Where baitfish congregate, bigger fish are sure to follow when fishing these areas. Fish are showing throughout the aqueduct across the whole Antelope Valley, with better fishing from Pearblossom to the west. Youll hook into one or two your first few cast. The California Aqueduct begins at the Banks Pumping Plant, in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and flows 444 miles south, ending in Lake Perris. The Tule River also has some brown trout around, as well as smallmouth bass, sunfish and other warm water species of fish. If you dont get a strike, try the entrance of the cutout or areas nearby. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. These striped bass will compete with each other for an easy meal. CLICK HEREto view the video. It stretches just north of Tracy and ends near Los Angeles. California Aqueduct Fishing 2022 - STRIPED BASS UNDERWATER ACTION - Fish & Game Warden Shows Up Fish On Ronnie 1.61K subscribers Subscribe 31K views 9 months ago #striperfishing #fishing. Sucked into the California Aqueduct from the California Delta by the pumping station at Clifton Court Forebay, catfish thrive and do well in their new environment, growing up to 20 pounds or more. My fav lures are mostly top water ones. NFL World Shocked By The Gisele Bundchen Photos. If there are no takers, they maybe deeper in the water column. Feel free to look around and don't forget to leave a comment in the comment box. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". As the lure reaches the metal enclosure, I like to bounce it over the rectangular bars and have the bait go in and out of it. Trolling with a planar board will accomplish just that. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". There is also a map down below of all the different species of Fish in the California Aqueduct. Can you fish the aqueduct at night? This makes your lure look like its using the grate as cover with it slowly popping in and out. About San Diego Canal Can you fish in San Diego Canal? Heres another good example, a bridge situated next to a bend with an irrigation pipe pumping water nearby. They provide cover for the bait fish to use as a place to hide or shield themselves from predatory fish. (b) Live carp may be used only at the location where taken. Thanks for visiting my site. Select a state to find fishing and boating information: Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more. The stream has been stocked some years in the spring. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. Love to take my kids out and get them hooked on fishing. Make Short Casts. Copyright 2023 worldpetinfo.com All rights reserved. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Just a few under sizes and basses. If you troll a section of waterway with no success, move a few miles down and try a new area. Can you tell me of a location on the aqueduct I can fish at. Now Im fighting the winter bite and trying to read as much as possible and pick up everything that people are saying that works. Its in an area with large granite rocks and coniferous forests and is fairly easy to walk. This tributary may have some of the golden trout that are also found in the Little Kern, where it flows. Kings County sits in a largely agricultural area with few year-round waters open or agreeable for fishing, other than some opportunities to catch big fish stuck in the California Aqueduct. California commercial and sports fishers are bracing for the possibility of no salmon season this year after the fish . Even at times the trout fishing is slow to non-existent, anglers can catch resident bass, catfish, and panfish such as crappie and bluegill. The stripers have two possible food sources which will increase the likely hood that more predatory fish will congregate here. Stripers will linger just below the turbulent waters for disoriented or unsuspecting prey. These should help you get started. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Stripers have no eye lids so the sun beaming down would cause some discomfort if they stayed indirect sunlight. California Aqueduct offers 3 fishing sites in the Antelope Valley, 70th Street West Site, 77th East Site, and Munz Ranch Rd Site. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The changing weather makes for inconsistent bites so the patterns will vary from day to day. The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. California Aqueduct Overview Varying in bottom width from 12 feet to 85 feet and an average of 30 feet deep, the concrete channel Aqueduct uses check structures with an innovative controlled volume flow system to move water through an open canal much as a pipeline would. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These are just some of the locations you can use to find fish at the California Aqueduct. Contact Information Name Marea McCann Agency Name Department of Water Resources Contact Types Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant Address 1416 Ninth Street Room 452-1 Sacramento, CA 94236 Phone (916) 653-4270 Email casp_rehab@water.ca.gov Location Cities Cantua Creek, Kettleman City, Coalinga, Huron Counties Fresno, Kings Regions Unincorporated 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. The California Aqueduct contains fish such as striped bass and catfish. It is roughly 45 minutes from Visalia or just over an hour from Bakersfield. The lakes are in a county park of the same name, which also offers camping and other amenities. Stripers will sometimes try to injure its prey before eating it resulting in these types of hookups. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The lake, fed by the Tule River, includes several narrow arms and coves that offer a variety of fishing spots for both bank and boat anglers here. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Good luck. Additionally, youre considerably uncovered on a concrete financial institution so lengthy casts could also be required to keep away from spooking fish. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Sometimes a combination of these locations are excellent for striper fishing. At last check, regular plantings occurred in February, March and April. You want to let active stripers hone in on the sound and vibrations from your lure. Rian Grell (left), 7, of Tehachapi, caught this 10-pound catfish at Lake Isabella on April 18 while fishing with his grandfather Ben Stephens of Tehachapi and cousin Caiden Grell, 10, of Bakersfield. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. At last check, the pond was stocked once each in February, March and April. Thats what Im here for. The fish are always moving. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. The California Aqueduct flowing near Huron, CA in the San Joaquin Valley. I have caught stripers at all times of the day as I dont get out there much at night. Hit that area before sunrise or just before sunset to increase your chances. Spring is the most likely time it will be planted, before it gets too hot. Its located in coniferous forests at the southern end of Tulare County, southeast of California Hot Springs, off Capinero Drive in the Dark Canyon area. It does not store any personal data. Id recommend using google maps and look for locations with a bend after a long straight away. Read more; Header link September 15, 2014. Hedrick Pond is a 1-acre lake (a pond, really) located in Balch Park. If the sides do not produce, throw the lure as close as you can to the check gate outlets. It was on a slow retrieve and it just hammered it.. Parts of the Kern River, which is well known for trout fishing and often fly fishing, flow through Tulare County. The ideal times for fishing these locations are right before sunrise and sunset. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If you decide to hit this area in the morning, I like to use a top water lure. Forum: Aqueduct Fishing Reports. Give bridges a try, theyll produce for you when the school moves into that area. Mark This Forum Read View Parent Forum; We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Known for its catfish, striped bass, and carp. Both catfish and bass have been caught in impressive sizes, and this could be an under-the-radar spot to hit in the late winter into spring as the water warms up and the bigger fish get active. From the Sacramento River delta east of San Francisco, the California Aqueduct runs south through the San Joaquin Valley and over the summit of the Tehachapi Mountains, a distance of 440 km (273 miles). The best way to learn this waterway is to experience it for yourself. There are several of these grates and cutouts along the aqueduct system, if one location doesnt work, move on to the next one. What locations did you guys hit today? The aqueduct is a series of canals . Is fishing with corn illegal in California? Mountain Highway 99 provides excellent access to a lot of the stocked water in this area, from Johnsondale Bridge south into Kern County. They will use these areas throughout the day to hunt baitfish, if you return at the right time, catching multiple fish in a short amount of time is certainly possible. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. They act like funnels for disoriented baitfish that get sucked in when the current is flowing. Cast it out at several locations in the area. A place that worked today may not work the next. After incomes a B.S. Not quite crazy yet but enough to get your blood pumping. Its one of the most underrated waterways where striped bass, black bass and other species of fish can be caught year round. 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. As for the crank/jerk baits I use bombers long as and lucky craft ghost minnow. Bass fishing can really surprise people here when its good, with huge fish into the upper teens caught here. A cubic foot is about the size of a basketball. Success Reservoir (also known as Success Lake and Success Reservoir) is usually stocked with hatchery trout a couple of times in late winter or the first of spring, and trout fishing will be best during those cool months after its planted. Please complete the following fields to subscribe to our newsletter. The planting is likely to occur in the spring, and thats the best time to fish this creek. These locations will get you started. The sites are generally in remote areas with limited accessibility. Im pretty near the pear blossom and barrel springs spot that has some gates so I start there. There are 11 pumping plants pumping water hundreds of feet high. 770 catches are logged on Fishbrain. The East Branch supplies Lake Palmdale and terminates at Lake Perris, in the area of the San Gorgonio Pass. The striped bass limit throughout the aqueduct is now two fish over 18 inches long. Monster catfish are also caught here often. fishing sites on the California aqueDuCt The following maps are the 16 designated fishing access R sites along the California Aqueduct. Anyone interested in fishing California Aqueduct or waters within the wider area around Hesperia should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Ive noticedstripers school up inside the back of the check gates when a gate is partially open. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Im actually omw to the ducts while writing this comment at 2:38 am lol. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. What kind of catfish are in the Aqueduct? The schools of silverside minnows were using the pylon as cover from the striped bass that were actively feeding on them. Read More. More than 80 percent of the identified subsidence in the United States is a consequence of . Bicycling and walking along the aqueduct is allowed at specific areas also. Good luck! "It's a dream for us," said Phil Alwitt, project development manager for SPG Solar . The Aqueduct is roughly 450 miles in length. 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. Nonetheless, this waterway can also be recognized for good striped bass fishing. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Hey Tyler, glad youre finding interest in fishing the ducts. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Thats when trout fishing will be at its best, while fishing for bass, catfish, and panfish is likely to pick up in spring as the water warms. Look Hereand youll see what I mean. . more st information For more fishing Niels Hansen Site information, contact the Department of Fish and Game in: Northern California It was 100 and I hit every bridge and caught stripers. If the fish arent interested in top water lures, use a jerkbait. 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. When fishing these locations, the first lure I like to use is a jerkbait. Since these areas are nicely stocked and accessible, expect some angling pressure. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Can you use crawfish as bait in California? Ive caught stripes in all the areas mentioned on this post. Striper Fishing At The California Aqueduct Using Jerkbaits Near FloodGates Watch on Morning and Evening Bite In low light conditions, such as early morning or nearing the sunset hours, you typically want to use reaction based lures. I meant directions or any address that I could load to my GPS. Keep up the excellent work! The first lure I would try is a searching lure such as a jerkbait. It is also the northern terminus of the California Aqueduct. Half Moon Bay. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Guide to Central California Beach Fishing. Fish this area from all angles, deep and shallow. However, this waterway is also known for good striped bass fishing. You can take it a step further by matching the hatch. I even learn the place anglers have trolled in a method whereas California aqueduct fishing, by strolling lures hooked up to a planer board to achieve fish. 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 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. Those shifting water levels also can expose a changing array of potential underwater hazards for boaters. How far does the California Aqueduct run? With so much water to cover where do you start? Fishing the California Aqueduct can be very dangerous. I have caught stripers at all times of the day as I dont get out there much at night. One is the Milham Road crossing just west of Kettleman City (and just east of I-5). 24 Best Fishing Spots Near Visalia & Sequoia National Park, Big Meadow Campground Sequoia National Forest. Parts of the river are heavily stocked with hatchery rainbow trout, especially sections in the Sequoia National Forest. When the water current takes your lure in, let the current do most of the work and slowly retrieve it out. Along the way it also diverts water west and east of the Central Valley. It passes through parts of Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. This is a great scenario because the bridge can provide cover for both baitfish and predatory fish alike. Every few seconds, jerk the lure but maintain that steady retrieve as you jerk the lure. The California Aqueduct is the primary method of transporting water from Northern California to Southern California. California Aqueduct offers 3 fishing sites in the Antelope Valley, 70th Street West Site, 77th East Site, and Munz Ranch Rd Site. california aqueduct Fishing Reports For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the water of your choice. Sometimes when you catch a striper, youll notice that the hooks are lodged into its side or head. The park is near the intersection of California State Routes 99 and 198. This retrieve pattern has worked great for me in the past when the fish are behaving like this. The California State Water Project, begun in 1960, is designed to transport water to arid southern California from sources in the wetter northern portion of the state. Getting started with cutbaits such as anchovies, liver or live minnows work well. Four years ago, a central valley striper club petitioned the Department of Fish and Game have the limit changed so they were uniform throughout the aqueduct system. San Luis Obispo County: To the southwest, connected at the corner, San Luis Obispo has tremendous Pacific Ocean fishing out of Morro Bay as well as the excellent Lake Nacimiento. Answer: Im afraid it is not legal to do in California, for many different reasons. Ive caught bluegills, largemouth bass, perch, gobbies and even a gold fish! In most states it is illegal to use live goldfish as fishing bait in order to prevent the release of invasive species that can damage native ecosystems. Fish the middle of the water column and the bottom. You have entered an incorrect email address! Catfish . , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. 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. Not sure which area youre closest to but any access points in the Tracy or Newman area should work. Cutouts are not covered like grates, they are openings cut into the concrete wall. These are some Maps of the California Aqueduct throughout California and different fishing spots like Grant line road site, Niels Hansen site and more.