Clear lake is currently at it's lowest level than it has been in years but there is still plenty of water left for the fish and to fish in. Compared to all the other lakes in Northern California, Clear Lakes drop in water level does not impact the fishing and or the access to the lake as it would elsewhere. The main ramps in the cities of Lakeport, Clearlake Oaks and the city of Clearlake are all still usable. Boaters do need to exercise caution and be aware that boating anywhere in close to shore should be done at slow speeds and with engines trimmed up until you get out into at least four to five feet of water. The lake will continue to drop about two inches a week over the next couple of months. As far as the fishing goes, the lake is literally loaded with thousands of small bass in the three to eight inch range. Also the silverside minnows have exploded all around the lake so there is a lot of bait size fish for the bigger bass to eat. This has made catching a larger bass harder and requires a change up in techniques and presentations. In the deeper water you need to fish deeper with a jig or deep diving crankbait to get away from the small fish. In the shallow waters, (North and West end of the lake) using top water baits such as a wake bait, buzz bait, and frogs will also keep the smaller bass away and you will be targeting the bigger bass. Chatter baits have also been successful in catching the larger bass.
With our shallow water conditions, you can find weed lines and weed beds as much as a mile off shore. These areas are going to be holding the bigger bass and using the punching technique and flipping larger plastic baits into the pockets and edges of these areas will also produce the bigger bass. A days outing right now using a drop shot rig is going to result in 20 to 50 small bass being caught. You may get a kicker bass during that time but odds are your going to catch all small fish with the drop shot. Bigger bass are going to come on something that will keep the smaller bass from biting.
Most all of the docks on the upper end of the lake have very little water on them and the fish have pulled out into those outer weed areas that I have mentioned above. In the deeper areas of the lake, concentrate on jig's, deep diving crankbaits and swim baits worked slowly along the bottom. Clearlake is open for business and there is plenty of areas to fish, Pray for rain, God Bless, Bob
With our shallow water conditions, you can find weed lines and weed beds as much as a mile off shore. These areas are going to be holding the bigger bass and using the punching technique and flipping larger plastic baits into the pockets and edges of these areas will also produce the bigger bass. A days outing right now using a drop shot rig is going to result in 20 to 50 small bass being caught. You may get a kicker bass during that time but odds are your going to catch all small fish with the drop shot. Bigger bass are going to come on something that will keep the smaller bass from biting.
Most all of the docks on the upper end of the lake have very little water on them and the fish have pulled out into those outer weed areas that I have mentioned above. In the deeper areas of the lake, concentrate on jig's, deep diving crankbaits and swim baits worked slowly along the bottom. Clearlake is open for business and there is plenty of areas to fish, Pray for rain, God Bless, Bob
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