For those of us who have been fishing a while, I’m sure we’ve all heard the term ‘turnover’ used.

Turnover can happen several times during the year but is most commonly discussed during the fall. Turnover is basically a time of mixing in the water. During the summer months the water on the surface becomes warm and rich in oxygen but low in nutrients, while the water down below becomes cooler, void of oxygen and rich in nutrients.

In the fall, the upper layer eventually becomes cooler than the lower level at which time it sinks. The mixing of the two water levels is ideal for algae bloom, creating the greenish tint that we’re all familiar with.

For the fish this creates a water column that is uniform from top to bottom, causing a lot to scatter while putting them into a neutral state. A lot of the lakes are either experiencing this turnover or are on the edge of turning over.

Fishing typically is tougher during the turnover period, so my suggestion is to try and find a part of the lake or body of water that has been least affected by the turnover.

Not all parts of the lake experience turnover at the same time. Sometimes a boat ride to the other end of the lake can be enough towards making a bad day into a good one.     

Delta Report

The bite has been on and off for bass lately on the Delta. Decent numbers of fish are still being caught on all types of reaction baits, but they’re typically of the smaller size.
As the weather starts to become more fall-like, the bigger bass should become more predictable as they will settle into their fall locations.

Stripers are really starting to turn on for anglers fishing the flooded islands like Franks Tract and Mildred Island. There are also small schools of striped bass starting to appear along the San Joaquin River.

New Melones Lake

Trout fishing is tough on the lake. Anglers catching trout and kokanee are travelling up river near the log jam or in the backs of creeks, like Angels Creek.

Bass fishing has started to pick up lately as the bass are actively feeding on schools of fish. The jig bite is surprisingly good right now for those fishing brown and black jigs.

As the water cools even more look for the rip bait bite to turn on and the fluke bite as well.

Catfishing is still good at night for anglers fishing cut bait off the bank.  

Lake Don Pedro

The trout bite has been really good lately, as most fish are being caught from 25-40 feet deep. Several lures are working well for trollers.

Vance’s Little Slim Willie with a nightcrawler or scented grub, Ex-Cel small shad, Vance’s Nasty-Boy, or rolling frozen shad off a Pro-Troll Harness. King Salmon are being found in Jenkins Hill and Flemings Bay, while trolling with shad or anchovies.

Anglers trolling for salmon are finding them between 40-120 feet deep. Bass fishing is still good for smaller fish as many anglers are catching them early on surface lures and around main lake points during the day.

Lake Camanche

Trout fishing has been really slow lately. Once the water cools the trout bite should pick back up.

Catfishing is good for anglers fishing off the bank with cut bait. Anchovies and chicken livers have been the most productive baits so far.

Bass fishing continues to be steady with a lot of smaller fish being caught while dragging small plastic worms.  

Tip of the Week

One of the hardest things about fishing sometimes is to knowing when to change baits or techniques. Several times after a less than stellar day of fishing I found myself second guessing some of the decisions I made when on the water.

When things get tough I put on only those lures or baits that I have the most confidence in and I pick an area of the lake or river where I have the most confidence.

This helps in by preventing me from running from one location to another and also helps in keeping me focused.