CATCH REPORTS

TROUT REPORT

Lake Record:
17 pounds 14 ounces
Mike Long, 1999

As many dissapointed anglers found out on opening day, we had a tremendous die off of fish. This was due to a multitude of variables, but was largely related to the transition from the stocking trout to the lake being of too large of a temperature change and the sheer shock killed off hundreds of fish. Though many fish were lost, a few very superb fish were caught! The numbers for many anglers was significantly down due to the die off, but the surviving fish were large and ready for a fight! Lake Poway regular, Aleks Yermakov is no stranger to catching big fish at Lake Poway and his knowledge of trout hunting won him big fish of the opening weekend with an impressive 11.5 pound fish and its smaller 5 pound brother! The larger fish was caught on a Mini-Jig and the smaller on Powerbait. We had 3 other respectable 10.5 pound triplets caught, a few 7 pounders, and some 5 and 6 pounders in the mix. This was a phenomenal stock of quality fish and it was hard to see so many good fish perish, but a few lunkers did survive!

Though many fish did die off, our hatchery has agreed to put in additional 1,500 pounds of fish to make up for the huge die off. Just goes to show that they not only have quality fish, but quality customer service to give all of our fishermen a better chance at catching the Tailwalker trout of a lifetime! We are planning on adding this quantity of fish to our scheduled November 22nd stock making it a "Re-Do Opener," with a 3,000 pound stock. Conditions should be better and hopefully more fish will survive.

Fish are far and few so best bet is to keep on the move to find them. As shown above, Half Moon Bay has been a great bet as well as Hidden and Bucktail Bay. They are being caught else where, but these places hold the highest concentration of fish. Patience is well rewarded for those that find the fish and work for them hard. Best choices have been Mini-Jigs, Powerbait, and nightcrawlers. No fish were reported being caught on the troll and the fish continue to hug the shallows in water between 20 to as shallow as 5 feet deep.

CATFISH REPORT

Lake Records:
Blue Catfish - 34 pounds 8 ounces, Scott Marchese, 2008
Channel Catfish - 28 pounds, Richard Kolas, 1981

Stormy weather always puts catfish on the chew and this weekend was no different! Many smaller fish were caught in the shallows on Powerbait and Nightcrawlers and provided some fun for anglers that missed out on trout. Many limits were caught all throughout the lake. Judging by how many dead trout were scooped out, we can only speculate that the catfish were having quite a feast deep down on all of the dying trout so this winter is sure to hold some trophy cats! Stay tuned for more!

SUNFISH & BLUEGILL REPORT

Lake Records:
Sunfish - 2 pounds 4 ounces, Zach Greim, 2006
Bluegill - 2 pounds 8 ounces, Deadre McCullough, 2002

The large Red Ear Sunfish would not be over played by the trophy trout being caught as many 1 plus pound sunfish were incidentally caught on nightcrawlers this weekend. The Log Boom turned out over a dozen sunfish in the 1 to almost 2 pound range. Though small compared to other species in the lake, their meat is some of the finest eating you can find and their spunky fights make them an enjoyable fish to catch.

BASS REPORT
Lake Record:
18 pounds 1 ounce
Mike Long, 2002

Many bass were also caught this weekend, but many unintentionally. Brian Schiebel who also caught the previously shown 10.5 pound trout also caught a 6.5 pound bass on a nightcrawler. He had quite and impressive day and was well deserving of these big fish considering the time he puts into Lake Poway each week and the nasty weather he endured all day.

Others reported catching smaller bass on nightcrawlers and Rapalas. A few bass anglers made a showing and brought with them big trout plugs, but due to large crowds, reported little to no action. A few fish in the 4 pound range were reported being caught on plastic worms and jigs slowly crawled over rockpiles. Many of the bass brought in displayed healthy guts and are definitely packing down the crawdads!

Bass fishing is very good right now, but large crowds complicate and reduce the chances of anglers catching them as readily as they could. The fish are in a variety of depths right now and are being caught from 20-40 feet deep.


STOCKING SCHEDULE

November 9 3,000 pounds for the Opener; Lake will be closed 11/9 & 11/10.
November 22 3,000 pounds
December 7 1,500 pounds
December 21 1,500 pounds TROPHIES!!!!
December 28 1,500 pounds TROPHIES!!!!
January 11 1,500 pounds
February 1 1,500 pounds Small Trout for the Kids Derby!!
February 15 1,500 pounds
March 7 3,000 pounds + TROPHIES!!!!
March 21 1,500 pounds
April 4 1,500 pounds
April 18 1,500 pounds
TOTAL: 21,000 pounds of pure Tailwaker Rainbow Trout Madness!!!!


Fishing Requirements

A State of California Fishing License is no longer required to fish at Lake Poway.

Each angler is allowed to use a maximum of two rods.

The trout limit is now 4 trout.

Mandatory Catch & Release on bass during March, April & May

All anglers require a daily fishing permit to fish.

All permits can be purchased at the Lake Poway Grill & Tackle

You must carry your permit with you at all times.

Shad can only be caught using a dip net.