What is the biggest fish in Castaic Lake? It goes fast, almost 7,000 cubic feet per second. Several reservoirs down in the valley areas add to the fishing opportunities and lend year-round fishing options to the mostly seasonal offerings in the high country. What was the kill count? You want to find the pylons with high concentrations of baitfish. I sampled the action for a couple hours and hooked one that was 43-inches long and weighed close to, or even over, 40 pounds. The location linked below is to the Buena Vista Golf Course gates. These grates and cutouts were incorporated into the aqueduct system so that farmers could use them for irrigation purposes. Surface-water imports via the California Aqueduct in the late 1960's and early 1970's, and the associated decrease in . Until Next Time, Good Luck and Tight Lines To Ya! Cart. That latter access is about 2 miles northeast of the State Route 169 exit on I-5. Cast your lure where the shadow of the bridgemeets the sunlight. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". The Marble Fork of the Kaweah River is managed for wild trout. While trout have been stocked here in the past, we havent seen any reports in recent years. Cut bait such as anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and frozen shad also work well, when the fishing slows down. Try that area. (b) Live carp may be used only at the location where taken. 18 related questions found. Fishing near the bottom of the aqueduct will entice these deeper fish to bite. This rocky stream near California Hot Springs is sometimes stocked with catchable rainbow trout. I've been getting skunked from lure fishing lately at the Aqueduct, s. 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). You could hit it when the fish are in the area and biting. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. In the past, there were varying regulations from Kern County south, sometimes no limit at all. Heres another good example, a bridge situated next to a bend with an irrigation pipe pumping water nearby. Of course I panicked and half-committed to a set, jumping the lure a yard or two. Is there a location I can fish on the aqua duct. Is there any particular spots that are good to try this time of year? Read more; Header link November 3, 2015. The wild Kern goldens are protected from harvest. Most of the California aqueduct fishing locations seem to be at bridges, but fishing directly off a bridge is not allowed for safety reasons. More Information: Big Meadow Campground Sequoia National Forest. Can you fish the aqueduct at night? You can take it a step further by matching the hatch. Read More. This close-in and fairly large reservoir with a capacity of about 2,400 surface acres has a variety of fishing options. Bridge pylons are great examples of this and heres why. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use. This makes your lure look like its using the grate as cover with it slowly popping in and out. These species American shad, Chinook (King) salmon, steelhead trout, striped bass, and white sturgeon are popular with anglers and eaten by many Californians. worldpetinfo.com is all about Pets, Dog, Cat, Pet Food, Bird, Reptiles, Fish and Wildlife relating website. Fish are showing throughout the aqueduct across the whole Antelope Valley, with better fishing from Pearblossom to the west. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Most of the California aqueduct fishing locations seem to be at bridges, but fishing directly off a bridge is not allowed for safety reasons. Access to this stream is from Forest Route 22S82. [mc4wp_form]. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Amenities. 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. How fast does the California Aqueduct flow? Spring is the most likely time it will be planted, before it gets too hot. One is the Milham Road crossing just west of Kettleman City (and just east of I-5). Look Hereand youll see what I mean. Check gates can be some of the most productive therefore most popular locations to fish at the California Aqueduct. Experiment when youre out there and you will find what works best for you. Those shifting water levels also can expose a changing array of potential underwater hazards for boaters. 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. Its not like you can launch a boat into this concrete river and start casting as you float down stream. The change in current may hold fish more frequently. I notice that virtually all of the postings refer to fishing areas of the aqueducts in the southern cal area. Schools of stripers will make contact with your lureif they are traveling in that area. How do fish get into the California Aqueduct? Sometimes youll see more than one fish following a striper you just hooked up. 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. Ive been fishing the aqueduct for months now and havent caught one. Field staff update the fishing reports each week through the fishing season, reporting on fishing success, lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information. Even at times the trout fishing is slow to non-existent, anglers can catch resident bass, catfish, and panfish such as crappie and bluegill. However, this waterway is also known for good striped bass fishing. If you travel along the California Aqueduct, youll notice grates and cutouts along the concrete wall. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. We didnt go today but yesterdays morning run we started at 145 pump and worked our way down the 3 bridges to the main road. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. 24 Best Fishing Spots Near Visalia & Sequoia National Park, Big Meadow Campground Sequoia National Forest. Nightcrawlers and meal worms are favorite bluegill baits at Castaic Lake, and they bite readily all summer long. Check out Lake Isabella, the Kern River, and more. The stripers have two possible food sources which will increase the likely hood that more predatory fish will congregate here. Any change in water flow will concentrate fish. california aqueduct Fishing Reports For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the water of your choice. Check out Lake Success website for more detailed information. In general, live fin fish for sale as bait must be obtained from registered aquaculturists, except for longjaw mudsuckers, staghorn sculpins, and yellowfin gobies, which may be taken from the wild under a commercial fishing license. Can you tell me of a location on the aqueduct I can fish at. The Tule River at times is stocked with hatchery-reared trout at several locations on three forks. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Has anyone fished areas up here near the source in northern cal? From my analysis, the presence of largemouth bass, carp, and California aqueduct catfish, was not stunning. You can read about it here. Keep at it. There is also a map down below of all the different species of Fish in the California Aqueduct. I like to use a search bait such as a jerkbait. Most of the California aqueduct fishing locations seem to be at bridges, but fishing directly off a bridge is not allowed for safety reasons. 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. The stream has been stocked some years in the spring. That shot was taken about a foot or two beneath the water surface next to a bridge pylon. Fish this area from all angles, deep and shallow. Like what you read? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The Middle Fork is sometimes stocked above the Springville area along SR 190, and the nearby North Fork has been stocked at times just a mile or so up Wagner Road from the same area. 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 River Aqueduct pumping plants. Im not making this up, there are actually places like these along the California aqueduct plus many more combinations I havent even mentioned. If there are no takers, they maybe deeper in the water column. Where would one go to start fishing the aqueduct? Bass fishing can really surprise people here when its good, with huge fish into the upper teens caught here. They know theres less food during the winter so theyll become less active. California Aqueduct A large canal system that ranges from the Sacramento Delta all the way down to Los Angeles. To fish a cutout on the aqueduct wall, I like to throw my jerkbait right into the hole and let the current take it inside a little before retrieving it back out. 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. Id love to hear a story like that. The guidelines recommend that children and women of childbearing age should avoid eating any striped bass and white sturgeon. Some of my best trips are the places I havent tried before. That section has been stocked at times but may not always receive planters. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Cast it out at several locations in the area. Its easy to access and the bite is good. This is a great scenario because the bridge can provide cover for both baitfish and predatory fish alike. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There are hiking trails and primitive campsites in the area. These gates control the flow of water and when theres disturbance from the flowing water, it creates a feeding opportunity for predatory fish. Visitors will find camping and boat ramps at the reservoir, which is just east of Porterville on State Route 190. 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. The California Aqueduct contains fish such as striped bass and catfish. 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. Read more; Header link May 15, 2014. 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. Thats what Im here for. Its crazy how they boil like that sometimes. When there is current flowing, it creates more oxygen which makes the stripers more active and engaged in feeding. There isnt much in the way of structure to hold fish so look for any irregularities such as bridge supports and bends, where current changes direction. Answer: Corn is permitted as bait for carp and any other species of fish and in any type of inland waters where bait is allowed. People in Kings County live in Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, Avenal, Lemoore Station, Armona, and smaller communities and farming areas. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State. LinkedIn. The California Aqueduct begins at the Banks Pumping Plant, in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and flows 444 miles south, ending in Lake Perris. Throwing an Alabama Rig would also be a great rigto try if nothing bites. The California Aqueduct is the primary method of transporting water from Northern California to Southern California. 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. Select a state to find fishing and boating information: Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". A place that worked today may not work the next. Stripers will use this change in water clarity for ambushing prey. The answer is yes. Rod Tips up and Tight Lines There are several of these grates and cutouts along the aqueduct system, if one location doesnt work, move on to the next one. Hey Mongo, Top water lures are the most exciting lures to use. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Also, you are somewhat exposed on a concrete bank so long casts may be required to avoid spooking fish. Mooney Grove Park Pond is located along S. Mooney Boulevard at the south end in Visalia. They provide cover for the bait fish to use as a place to hide or shield themselves from predatory fish. By 1970, significant land subsidence (more than one foot) had occurred in about half of the San Joaquin Valley, or about 5,200 square miles ( Poland and others, 1975), and locally, some areas had subsided by as much as 28 feet. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Whats the best bait to use in the California Aqueduct? Fishing on the New River Gorge, West Virginia. Ive caught stripes in all the areas mentioned on this post. California has been converted into a farming state due to the rivers flowing and accumulating in the aqueduct. These gates control the flow of water and when theres disturbance from the flowing water, it creates a feeding opportunity for predatory fish. There are several places for finding these elusive fish but they have consistently been caught at these locations regardless. Swimming in the aqueduct is illegal. Ive seen boils in the summer but wasnt able to hook up. Answer: Yes, for the most part, provided the crayfish were legally caught. CLICK HEREto view the video. There is plenty of camping and other amenities around. There are many other ways to catch fish using a variety of tactics. Sometimes cover such as weed edges or the occasional sunken car can concentrate fish in this expanse of water. An aqueduct is a man-made, canal-like water way. Swimming in the aqueduct is illegal. Striped bass is relatively easy to catch because it goes after a wide variety of bait and breeds plentifully in landlocked waters. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This spot is near one of several USGS land subsidence monitoring stations in the San Joaquin Valley. Thank you very much Meng for the prompt reply! It is roughly 45 minutes from Visalia or just over an hour from Bakersfield. Mark This Forum Read View Parent Forum; Awesome Michael. 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. If the sides do not produce, throw the lure as close as you can to the check gate outlets. 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. And as at all times, have an up-to-date fishing license and a replica of the fishing laws as a result of all rule apply to this distinctive fishing location. 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. Id love to go and give this a try and you post and videos really got me excited to go out and try. Anglers also enjoy seasonal opportunities for striped bass, California halibut, jacksmelt and surf . The California Aqueduct is about 444 miles long. If youve caught a striper by a bridge before, your comment might look like: Hey, one time I caught a striper right under the bridge with a fluke. By hooking into a fish, you sometimes inadvertently turn the fish on, creating a feeding frenzy. We recommend fishing near bridges, pumps, siphons, and gates. California's water board has decided to temporarily allow more storage in Central Valley reservoirs, waiving state rules that require water to be . Swimming in the aqueduct is illegal. Since these areas are nicely stocked and accessible, expect some angling pressure. The California Aqueduct contains fish such as striped bass and catfish. Unlike a lake or reservoir, the Aqueduct doesnt have traditional structure or cover we are used to seeing. By Ken Schultz 01/21/2022. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) operates and maintains the California Aqueduct, including one pumped-storage hydroelectric plant, Gianelli Power Plant. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. 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. There is primitive camping and trails in the area. No striped bass may be taken while using a sinker weighing over four pounds, or while using any power-driven gurdy or winch. A cubic foot is about the size of a basketball. It also features a bike trail (along the California Aqueduct Bikeway) - and many windmills. Were they hitting the shady area or the sunny area? Here i will share my dads 30+ years of knowledge fishing the Southern California Aqueduct along with his favorite lures and bait. 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. The best way to learn this waterway is to experience it for yourself. The park is near the intersection of California State Routes 99 and 198. When these pipes are pumping water out, they create a disturbance that can attract stripers to this area. Nonetheless, this waterway can also be recognized for good striped bass fishing. Of course, these arent the only techniques and lures that will work here. From Sacramento-san joaquin delta to Las angeles aquaduct and everything in between. These fish are active fish, meaning they are either hunting or agitated by your lure. text. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Forum Tools. Fishing can be very good here before the weather turns broiling hot. The striped bass limit throughout the aqueduct is now two fish over 18 inches long. So, the stripers are constantly on the move and you should be too. You can read about it. You either find the fish or you dont. 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. There are a variety of lures and baits that work at the California Aqueduct. Try retrieving the lure at a steady pace. View a printer-friendly version of this brochure (PDF). He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. 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. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! The massive aqueduct doesnt just carry water, it carries striped bass, catfish and sometimes other fish along with it. Welcome to Southern California Aqueduct Fishing hosted by Striper Bills daughter Amy Rini. I think I just need a mentor. Its one of the most underrated waterways where striped bass, black bass and other species of fish can be caught year round. According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Marine Fisheries, a striped bass was found 540 miles away from where it was initially tagged 42 days later. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". The California Aqueduct supplies water for tens . When the water turns on, it kicks up sediment that muddies up the water as well. Shortly after sunrise, one summer, the flow suddenly slowed down. Trolling with a planar board will accomplish just that. 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. Castaic Lagoon Largemouth Bass: 19 pounds, 3 ounces, caught by Butch Brown, March 2008. So I paused for a few seconds and when I jerked it again, thats when the 7 lb striper bit and stayed on! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Youll find stores (including bait and tackle), fuel, camping and other amenities in the immediate area. the biggest finfish and shellfish taken in California by sport anglers and divers Fishing Passport Fish ID Book California Outdoors Q & A answers to hunting and fishing questions (a weekly column) Search For a Licensed Guide (Fishing or Hunting) Declaration for entry into California with wild-caught game or fish (PDF) Fish Hatcheries 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). 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. Its easy to get discouraged but put some time into itand your confidence will only grow. 7. 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. Cutouts are not covered like grates, they are openings cut into the concrete wall. A lone pylon not only creates cover but it also provides a break from the current for the bait fish. Maybe might have to try them A-rigs next time which I hate using lol. They are constantly traveling along this vast waterway. The aqueduct provides water to more than 25 million people and irrigates almost 750,000 acres (3035 sq km) of agricultural land. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. The changing weather makes for inconsistent bites so the patterns will vary from day to day. Check gates can be some of the most productive therefore most popular locations to fish at the California Aqueduct. California Aqueduct The massive aqueduct doesn't just carry water, it carries striped bass, catfish and sometimes other fish along with it. It was on a slow retrieve and it just hammered it.. California Aqueduct 6 catches A large canal system that ranges from the Sacramento Delta all the way down to Los Ange. A hungry striper will hone in on a lure for an easy meal. 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. Most of the California aqueduct fishing locations seem to be at bridges, but fishing directly off a bridge is not allowed for safety reasons. Good luck. After that, check out the Fishing in Neighboring Counties feature at the end of this article. Experiment when youre out there and you will find what works best for you. Thats almost 13 miles a day it can travel. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If youve ever dropped a worm into one of these grates, youll often catch smaller species of fish. The California Aqueduct flowing near Huron, CA in the San Joaquin Valley. Feel free to click on the images below. To provide on-call professional and technical services for Bay-Delta . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Most of the strikes usually happen a few seconds after my retrieve starts. Youll sometimes see the fish give chase but turn away just as the lure is reaching shore. Theres actually a detailed post about how to use that technique. This small urban park lake in Tulare is a closeby fishing spot where you can catch stocked trout. There are 11 pumping units and basically it pumps water about 250 feet up that hill and discharges into the first reach of the California Aqueduct, says Torgersen. very old post but informative and i enjoy it more. . The blog quickly gained a following, thanks to Brent's engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the sport. Getting started with cutbaits such as anchovies, liver or live minnows work well. Many of the California aqueduct fishing places appear to be at bridges, however fishing straight off a bridge will not be allowed for security causes. Sounds like your catching the morning bite. What was the longest aqueduct where did it run to? 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 live in Fremont CA. Here's why California aqueduct fishing is worth a try. The schools of silverside minnows were using the pylon as cover from the striped bass that were actively feeding on them. The fish are always moving. They can attract predatory fish because it provides cover for smaller fish. I was using a xrap Rapala minnow. If anyone is looking for a partner, hit me up. Currents will be swift so dont wade or swim, put on rubber soled footwear, and find yellow marked security ropes and ladders. Anglers who are familiar with California Aqueduct are asked to suggest changes using the link above. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Throw a swim bait or a rattle trap type of lure.