Anglers' Edge Online

Vol. 1140 | May 17, 2019

NO SMOKING on EBRPD property, including all piers, parks & trails. (Ord. 38, Sec. 404.3)

• Fishing Rules
• Which Fish Are in Which Lakes?
• Fish Planting Information
• General Activity
• Boat Rental Information
• General Information

Fish Planting Information

The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) plants rainbow trout and channel catfish up to 6+ pounds each. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife (DF&W) plants trout averaging over ½ pound each. Note: Plants are subject to change due to weather conditions.

Attention Anglers

1. DO NOT LET YOUR DOG EAT OR LICK RAW TROUT/SALMON. They may be infected with a parasitic disease which can be fatal to your pet. For more information call Fisheries Manager Joe Sullivan at (510) 544-2329.
2. EBRPD recommends all bass be released. Please do not remove tags from released bass. Record the tag number, length, and weight of the fish to include in your catch report.
3. Please report your catches and turn in all retrieved tags from kept bass to the marina or kiosk attendant. Length and weight (if possible), location and date would be helpful also
4. Please remember to clean up any fouled line and bait containers. Wildlife can be injured or killed by fishing line!! Please use the special fishing line disposal tubes at Del Valle, Lake Chabot, Quarry Lakes and Shadow Cliffs. Recycling your broken fishing monofilament helps protect wildlife.
5. All park hours are 6am to 7 pm unless otherwise posted.

General Activity

DEL VALLE (LIVERMORE) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
OPEN Seven Days a Week
May: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm; all watercraft must be off the lake by 7:00 pm.
June: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm; all watercraft must be off the lake by 7:00 pm.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
The lake temperature at Del Valle has been in the upper 60’s to low 70’s, making it perfect weather to come out and fish for bass!
The sunfish bite has really picked up at the water temperature increases. We recommend casting some red worms or mini-crawlers. You can find the bluegill and crappie around the weed mats near the shores or near the cattails as they are using these structures for spawning.

TROUT
The trout fishing out here is almost gone. As the water warms to above 70 degrees, the trout will move into deeper water. If you plan to target them, be prepared to drop your lure deep.

CATFISH
The catfish bite is good. Their favorite baits are large nightcrawlers or anchovies. The catfish hang out around the fallen trees that are all around the lake. Many of the catfish take some time to get moving so you want to get your bait close to the structure in the water and give them a decent amount of time.

BASS
The small and largemouth bite are doing well. Nightcrawlers or Senkos are their favorite bait to chase. You can usually find them hanging out in the cattails that are spread out across the lake. Try to cast the worms as close to the weed mats as possible. Try fishing the rock points that have a nice drop off to let your worm sink in. Alternatively, rattletraps and crankbaits also get the small and largemouth interested. Many bass are also moving in the south end of the lake if you are fishing from shore you are going to want to try either to east or west beach swim areas.

STRIPED BASS
The striped bass are moving along the channels that move through the center of the lake. The striped bass are balling the bait up and pushing it on shore so you are going to want to use shad imitations to entice the stripers to attack your bait, flukes, or swimbaits. Kastmasters work while fishing the sharp points on shore. They love to push the bait they are chasing onto these points. Early morning is the best time to catch the stripers chasing the shad. Alternatively, you can use anchovies as bait to get the stripers if you are throwing these with a ¼ weight, usually a smaller weight will help the fish take the bait since they can feel less weight when they pick up your bait allowing them to run with it more.

Good luck out there the bass fishing is intense right now! – Captain Jacob

Jack F. of Livermore caught this largemouth bass while fishing with nightcrawlers.

Gabriel V. of Livermore caught this largemouth bass while fishing with nightcrawlers.

Julien W. of San Leandro caught this eight-pound striper while fishing with anchovies.

LAKE CHABOT (CASTRO VALLEY) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
May through Labor Day: Monday-Thursday 6:00 am to 6:30 pm with boats due back by 6:00 pm.
Friday – Sunday 6:00 am to 7:30 pm with boats due back by 7:00 pm.
Hours are subject to change based on weather conditions and light levels.

We encourage all anglers to report their stories, comments, or concerns to the Marina. Thanks again for choosing Lake Chabot as your recreation destination.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
The water temperature is in the mid-60s and water clarity is about four feet. Please follow our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lakechabot, for weekly updates on fishing conditions.

TROUT
We have had a few reports of trout caught reported to the marina. If you would like to report your catches, please come to the marina, and we will take your picture!

BASS
Anglers are using plastic worms or swim baits. There has been an abundance of smaller size bass (one to three pounds) being caught all over the lake along the shorelines. Senkos have been the most popular bait to use.

Please practice catch and release for bass as they are not stocked into the lake and their population depends on you!

TEMESCAL (OAKLAND) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
OPEN Seven Days a Week
5:00 am – 10:00 pm, unless otherwise posted. Gate hours are 8:00 am – 10:00 pm.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
We are getting reports of largemouth bass and rainbow trout being caught, but we have not received any photos. If you would like your catches highlighted here, approach park staff!!

DON CASTRO (HAYWARD) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
OPEN Seven Days a Week
8:00 am – 10:00 pm; Park Curfew is 10:00 pm – 5:00 am

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Please remember that a California state-fishing license is required for anglers aged 16 or older. In addition, a Park District daily fishing permit is required and may be purchased from the iron ranger located at the swim complex gate.

Please remember there is NO fishing on or around the fish plant site and dock for two hours after a fish plant.

HORSESHOE LAKE, QUARRY LAKES (UNION CITY/FREMONT) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
OPEN Seven Days a Week
May: 6:00 am - 7:00 pm; boaters can go through inspection and launch up until 5:00 pm and get banded until 5:00 pm.
June: Park Hours: 6:00 am - 8:00 pm; Kiosk Hours: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm; boaters can go through inspection and launch up until 6:00 pm and get banded before 7:00 pm.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
If the kiosk is closed, please use the yellow Ventek machine to pay for parking (exact change only, please). For fishing permits, you may use either the Ventek machine or the blue iron ranger posts across from the kiosk, from the entrance from the Isherwood Staging Area, and from the walk-through gates by the Sequoia Bridge and from the Niles gate.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST BE 100 FEET AWAY FROM THE FISH TUBE, THE BOAT DOCK, AND THE BEACH AREA while fishing from the shore and from a boat. Also, note that the use of lead fishing tackle is prohibited at Quarry Lakes. You can exchange lead tackle at the kiosk in a “1 for 1” trade for stainless steel weights.

Lots of limits of trout are being caught lately! Please remember that the limit is FIVE trout.

On May 2nd, Jack A. of Hayward was fishing from his boat and caught and released two trout, the larger of which weighed about five-and-a-half pounds! He was using a rainbow runner and he caught the big trout in the front part of Horseshoe Lake.

On May 9th, Shin K. of Fremont caught his limit of trout, the largest of which weighed seven-and-a-half pounds. Shin was using one of his own hand-painted spoons and was fishing along Fishermen's Row.

Also on May 9th, Nick P. of Hayward caught his limit of trout using rainbow and chartreuse Powerbait! Nick was fishing in the Kiosk Cove.

On May 10th, Michael F. of Milpitas caught his limit of trout using a mini jig. He was fishing at the end of Fishermen's Row.

Fishing was REALLY good on May 11th: Jeff D. of Newark caught an eight-pound CATFISH! Jeff was fishing in the front of Horseshoe Lake from his kayak using a trout spoon! Shin K. of Fremont caught his limit of trout for a total weight of 20 pounds! He was using his own hand-painted spoon and was fishing in the Kiosk Cove. Michael F. of Milpitas returned and caught four more trout using an ultra-light Carolina rig with a wacky worm! He was fishing from Fishermen's Row and the Kiosk Cove.

On May 12th, Raj P. of Fremont caught a four-and-a-half-pound trout using a mini-jig. He was fishing in the Kiosk Cove.

If you want to report your catches, or have your photo taken, please come to the kiosk, and we will take your information!

CONTRA LOMA (ANTIOCH) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
May-August: 6:00 am – 8:30 pm; all watercraft must be off the lake by 6:00 pm.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Reminder to boaters: All watercrafts (including float tubes) need to have a wearable Coast Guard approved personal floatation device (PFD) per person. Children age 12 and under must wear personal floatation device (PFD) while the vessel is underway.

Contra Loma has a great sunfish population including Bluegill and Redear Sunfish. These fish can usually be found in the shallower and more vegetated coves and along the dam face. We would recommend using small lures or worms if you are targeting the sunfish.

TROUT
Trout fishing has slowed down as the water temperature increased and we prepare to start stocking catfish for the summer.
We recommend fishing with Powerbait, lures, or nightcrawlers for the trout. Try fishing at the boat ramp area, or the Channel Point dock areas. Right now the trout seem to be congregating near the swim lagoon.

CATFISH
Try fishing for catfish at Channel Point or Loma Island with anchovies, nightcrawlers or chicken livers. Boaters would do well toward the middle of the reservoir or along the dam.

BASS
The black bass population at Contra Loma is thriving with lots of large bass in the lake! They will bite at artificial lures and baits, and they tend to chase the stocked trout, so a good swimming lure that resembles a trout should help you hook into some of the bass in the lake.

Please practice catch and release for bass as they are not stocked into the lake and their population depends on you!

This seven-and-a-half pound trout was caught by the pool using silver and blue Kastmasters.

SHADOW CLIFFS REGIONAL PARK (PLEASANTON) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
May to September: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
Concession Hours: Weekends Only until Memorial Day: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Marina Hours: Weekends Only until Memorial Day: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Boat banding ends at 8:00 pm.
All watercraft have to be off the lake by 8:00 pm.

Trail Closures: The third dock is only accessible via the levee trail. The trail between the second and third dock that runs alongside the lake is closed until further notice.

Please note boaters must be 100 feet away from the fish tube, swim ropes and the boat docks.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
The weather has been cool in the mornings with temperatures reaching into the 70s in the afternoon.

Water Temperature: 55 degrees, depending on depth.
Water Clarity: Visibility seems to vary between 10-15 feet.

Boaters around the lake are still catching trout in the deeper waters, but as the water temperatures rise, it will harder to catch the trout from shore. The bass are starting to come into the shallows and build nests, court, and spawn. If you throw a lure, they may hit it hard and put up a great fight.

We encourage all anglers to stop by our kiosk on the way out to report catches, stories, comments, and/or concerns.
All personal watercraft must be off the lake ½ hour before sunset.
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REGULATIONS FOR THE ARROYO PONDS
* EBRPD Daily Fishing Permit, CA State Fishing License
Catch and Release, Barbless Hooks, Artificial lures, Float tubes only.

FERRY PT. (MILLER KNOX) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
OPEN Seven Days a Week
Park Hours: 5:00 am - 10:00 pm
Parking lot open 7:00 am - 4:30 pm

GENERAL CONDITIONS
The weather has been pretty typical for this time of spring. Foggy, cold, and windy in the mornings, clearing to somewhat clear skies and warm temperatures by mid-day.

Anglers have been fishing for striped bass from the shoreline.
Reminder to boaters: Seas have been rough due to the high winds!
Attention anglers: Please do your part to keep the pier clean!

PT. PINOLE PIER (RICHMOND) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
OPEN Seven Days a Week
San Pablo Bay open 24 hours for fishing
Shuttle operates 7:30 am – 3:00 pm
Park/Gate hours 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Fishing has been picking up, as the spring gets closer. The spring striper run should bring more fish into San Pablo Bay. Temperatures have been 50-60 during the day with rain coming on and off almost daily.

Reminder to boaters: Please check conditions before launching your boat as conditions can change quickly this time of year. Pier retrofit is complete, with all new benches, windscreens and cleaning station.

STRIPED BASS
We are seeing more striped bass being caught at the end of the pier. The best baits we can recommend would be chunks of jack smelt, anchovies, and pile worms.

OTHER SPECIES
Several bat rays, leopard sharks, kingfish, jack smelt, herring and a few undersized halibut have been caught as well. Squid or anchovies are a good choice of bait to soak for most of these species. We would recommend fishing between the first and second wind breaks.

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Fishing information can be found our Fishing page.
Fees and Licenses: A California State Fishing License and an EBRPD fishing access permit ($5 per day for persons 16 years+) are required to fish at Del Valle, Contra Loma, Lake Chabot, Shadow Cliffs, Temescal, Don Castro, and Quarry Lakes.

NEW STURGEON REGULATIONS:  Sturgeon must be between 40 and 60 inches, (fork length) to keep.
> Sturgeon regulations - California Department of Fish & Wildlife

General Information

General Fishing information: Fishing Activities

Guidelines for Fish Consumption: Fishing Advisories

Fees and Licenses: A California State Fishing License and an EBRPD fishing access permit ($5 per day for persons 16 years+) are required to fish at Del Valle, Contra Loma, Lake Chabot, Shadow Cliffs, Temescal, Don Castro, and Quarry Lakes.

Individual Membership Program

Angler
 - Includes all the benefits of Basic Membership plus boat launch and annual fishing permit for one named individual; state fishing permit also required for individuals 16 years and older $300.

Special Access Angler (Seniors, Students, Veterans and persons with disabilities)
 - Senior Anglers must be 62+ years of age
 - Proof of eligibility required. Please supply documentation to membership@ebparks.org or fax it to (510) 635-3478 (attn: Membership) $180.