LAKE POWAY FISHING REPORT FOR 20 JULY ??? 27 JULY 2008

NOTABLE CATCHES:

Ginger Guillen, Poway ??? 4.9 pound catfish using Mackerel on the shoreline between Dock & Pier

Tsob Fang, San Diego ??? 4.8 pound catfish on Mackerel on the Fishing Pier

FISHING TIPS:

There were some good catches on both the shoreline and in the boats. The best bait is Mackerel. The bass bite is still good, particularly on top water with the bass chasing the shad boils. The bluegill bite is very good, notably in Hidden Bay. The water is now at 79 degrees.

FISH STOCK:
LAST STOCK: Tuesday, July 22 was 1,000 pounds of catfish.
NEXT STOCK: Thursday, August 14 will be 2,000 pounds of catfish

EVENTS:

Hours - Lake Poway is open for fishing and boating Wednesday through Sunday from 7:00 AM to sunset. The gates now open at 7:00 AM.

Night Fishing - There is night fishing on every Friday and Saturday night through September 6, 2008. You can fish in boats until 11:00 PM and fish on the shoreline until 11:30 PM. The Lake Poway Midnight Catfish Craze is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2008 from 4:00 PM to Midnight. This year there will be a $100 cash prize awarded each week sponsored by the Lake Poway Grill & Tackle.

The Rules for Cash Fishing at Lake Poway are:

* Each week's prize will be awarded for the largest CATFISH caught between 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning and the closing of Lake Poway on Sunday night.
?? The prize will be awarded at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night for the previous week's largest catch
* All catfish must be weighed on the Dock in the presence of a Lake Poway Staff member who will record the weight and fisherman's information
* All weighed catfish must be released.
?? Winner gives the City of Poway all rights to use of photographs for promotional purposes.
* All persons fishing must possess proper Lake Poway permits and State of California fishing license (if 16 years of age or older).
* All fish must be legally caught in accordance with Department of Fish & Game freshwater fishing rules. Chumming, snagging and netting of fish are not allowed. Corn may not be used as bait.
* No more than 5 Catfish per person may be taken per night

Also, make night fishing a family event. On Saturday, August 2nd, Lake Poway is having the second Family Campout of the year. Reserve a spot in the campout and while you try your luck at winning the cash prize of the week, your family can enjoy the activities of the Family Campout. Entertainment and activities are offered for the whole family and include boating, children's crafts and games, and night hikes. Gather around the campfire for an evening of s'mores and a special visitor for entertainment. All participating families will need to bring a family tent, camping equipment, and barbeque dinner supplies; we will provide the grills and charcoal. Wake up to the birds chirping, fresh coffee, and a continental breakfast. This event is limited to the first 75 families that register.

Check the City of Poway website, www.poway.org for details and registration information for the August 2nd Family Campout.

Fishing Requirements - Please remember that adults (anyone 16 years of age and older) require both a California State fishing license and a City of Poway Adult Fishing permit to fish at Lake Poway. Youths between the ages of 8 and 15 years of age only require a Youth Fishing permit. Youths under the age of 8 only require a Youth Fishing permit when their accompanying adult is not fishing. All permits and licenses can be purchased at the Lake Poway Concession.

Bass Season - We realize that bass fishermen like to fish closer to shore than our 100-foot rule allows. We allow some flexibility, between Boulder Bay and the East end of the log boom you can get as close as one boat length from the floating erosion control curtain. Beaching your boat on the curtain, driving into the curtain, tying up to the curtain or throwing your anchor over the curtain may result in immediate loss of boat privileges and possible eviction from the lake.

The rest of the Lake still has the 100-foot requirement. Also, if there is someone fishing on the shore, you must give him 100 feet of clearance. Beaching boats to fish on the shoreline and standing on/steering the motor with your foot are prohibited.

NOTICES:

Parking Fee - From now through October 26th there is a $5 parking fee for non-residents of Poway on weekends and holidays. If you are fishing and purchase your adult permit at the Entry Station the parking fee is waived.

Witch Creek Fire Damage Recovery - Lake Poway suffered severe damage during the Witch Creek fire. Lake Poway is a domestic water reservoir serving the City of Poway and its integrity must be protected.

An erosion control curtain has been installed a few feet offshore between the middle of Half Moon Bay and the east end of the log boom. The purpose of this curtain is to catch debris, ash and mud before it enters the main body of water. There are also erosion control features installed on the shoreline and trails (check dams, hydro seeding, etc).

All of these controls will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

As a result, the rules for fishing at Lake Poway are as follows:

SHORELINE FISHING ?? You may fish on the north shoreline
?? You may fish on the shoreline behind the curtain from Half Moon Bay all the way around the Lake. Please note that this area may be closed on a daily basis due to weather-related events. Please check with a Ranger or at Concessions when getting your permit.
?? Casting near or over the curtain may result in snagging. You cast at your own risk. We are not responsible for anything you lose.
FISHING IN A BOAT
?? There is now one restroom across the lake near Bucktail Bay. You may beach your boat between the orange markers in order to use the restroom. There is no fishing while beached at the Restroom Landing. Beaching of a boat anywhere else is still prohibited. Beaching your boat on the curtain, driving into the curtain or tying up to the curtain may result in immediate loss of boat privileges and possible eviction from the lake.
?? The 100 foot rule is now in effect in all areas where there is shoreline fishing
?? Casting near or over the curtain may result in snagging. You cast at your own risk. We are not responsible for anything you lose.

We recognize that these conditions are not ideal for fishing. We request that you work with us and understand that they are necessary to allow Lake Poway to recover from the effects of the fire damage.

Quagga Mussels -The Quagga mussel is not in Lake Poway. It is known that there are Quagga mussels in other lakes. In order to protect the integrity of the Lake Poway water system the following temporary restrictions are now in effect. Until further notice, the following items are prohibited at Lake Poway:

?? Float tubes
?? Private motors and anchors
?? Live Bait Containers
?? Fish Finders
?? Floating Catch Baskets
?? Live Bait (shiners, crawdads, etc) from any source other than the Lake Poway Concession
?? Any other items, determined by Staff, to be potential contaminants

No Smoking at Lake Poway -Smoking is prohibited on Lake Poway, in the park and on the trails. Smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking area that is located on the Northeast side of the Concession building.

INFORMATION: Lake Poway Information Line: (858) 668-4770, Concessions: (858) 486-1234

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUTDOOR RECREATION AND LAKE POWAY.

Stephen November
Park Ranger -- Lake Poway
City of Poway
(858) 668-4772, fax (858) 748-0286