15 lb. Catfish

Del Valle Lake - Livermore, CA (Alameda County)

Todd Lillak from Livermore caught a 15.4 lb. Catfish he was using Anchovies caught at the Rocks in the Lower Narrows.

by Del Valle Marina
6-28-2021
(510) 544-3146
Website

Staff: Shirley Stambaugh
Fishing at Lake Del Valle has been rather good this week for Catfish and Trout.
Weather: weather at the lake has been warm ranging in the 80’s. The water temperature is at 79 degrees.
Clarity of water: The water is clear around the Marina and the farther you go to the Dam the better the water clarity will get.
Hot spots: The hot spot has been by the rocks in the Lower Narrows and the Dam.
 
WHAT BAIT TO USE!!
Stripers- Anchovies and Sardines.
Catfish- Chicken Liver, Anchovies, Sardines and Night Crawlers. Catfish tend to not be interested in any lures.
Trout- Power bait, Worms, have been working well. Trout also love lures such as Panther Martins, Kastmaster, Roster Tails, and all types of small Spinners. But as of right now trout are slowing down a lot due to the warm water.
Largemouth/ Smallmouth- Plastic Worms have been a good choice, another good choice is Jigs or Drop Shots.
Crappie/Panfish- Night Crawlers, Redworms, and little Micro Jigs have been working good as well.
 
FISH PLANTS!!!!!!!
No Fish plants to report this week.
 
Do not forget to fish Lake Del Valle anyone 16 or older must have a Del Valle Fishing Permit, and a California Fishing License. The Fishing Permit is $5.00 per person 16 or older. You can purchase them at the Main Kiosk or at the Bait Store located at the Marina. For the Fishing License you can purchase them at the Bait Store. It is $17.02 for the day. And if you are a California residence for the year it would be $52.66. Featured Anglers: Mateo, Doug, Jeremy, Riley, and Gavin from Morgan Hill Caught 4 Striper the largest one weighed 4.85 lbs. they were using Anchovies, caught at the Dam.
 
Here is a report from our own dear fisherman Dr. Al:
 
Al Hurwitz of Saratoga and Abbey Lev of Sunnyvale trolled the lake on 6/24/21 looking for Smallmouth Bass. We trolled with some of our favorite lures:
-Silver and Copper-colored 1/4 oz Panther Martin Spinners.
-Rainbow, Fire-tiger, and Shad-colored Jointed Balsa wood lures (e.g., Rapalas). We applied scent liberally to the lures.
 
We did have a few strikes and hooked up with two Smallmouths, but fishing was slow. Most of the fish (and there a goodly number) were located on the western shore of the lake between Heron Bay and the Narrows. They were in about 30–40-foot water columns and were swimming from 10-30 feet below the surface. The lake is at maximum level, clear throughout, and with a surface temperature averaging about 75 degrees. Perfect conditions for Smallies. It is just a matter of time when they should become more aggressively feeding. When that happens in the weeks ahead, one should be able to catch them more easily.
All the best, Dr. Al Hurwitz




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