Anglers' Edge Online

Vol. 1150 | October 4, 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 7pm unless otherwise posted.

General Activity

DEL VALLE (LIVERMORE) »

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

GENERAL CONDITIONS
September has been great for striped bass and catfish. The water temperature is currently at 75 degrees, which makes it best for catfish and striped bass. The water level is lowering as the lake level is dropped in preparation for winter rains.
Good Luck Fishin’

BLUEGILL/PANFISH
The panfish have been loving that the bass are off the beds and are very much active. The best baits for the panfish are redworms, nightcrawlers, and little jigs over on the west side of the lake.

TROUT
We are not expecting the trout fishing to pick up until we start getting our fall stocking of rainbow trout, which should start the week of October 7th.

CATFISH
Three weeks ago, we received a catfish plant. They like the narrows and swallow bay and all the coves with structure as well as fallen trees. Anchovies, Chicken Liver and Mackerel have been top producers. Nightcrawlers and sardines have been the “go to” bait!

BASS
The Bass are out on the open water hanging around rock points, weed lines, drop offs, and any structure you can find. Lots of smallmouth in the one to two pound range, most being caught on jerk baits, crankbaits, and grub jigs. If you like trolling, the Smallies can be found in the Upper & Lower Narrows in about 15ft of water along rock walls on Panther Martins we also recommend night crawlers.

STRIPED BASS
The stripers are average size being between five and ten pounds. The striper boils are continuing, and fishermen are taking full advantage of the opportunity. The boils only lasting from about 6:00 am – 8:00 am. After the boils die down the best bet is frozen cut baits like Anchovies or Sardines. The hot striper lures are anything that could mimic a shad or any lure that creates lots of top water action. They are being caught in the Lower Narrows just before Swallow Bay, the Upper Narrows and near the dam. During the mornings we recommend top water lures. Towards the afternoons you should aim for frozen baits that can hit deeper into the water.

Stanley H. of Castro Valley caught this 10 pound catfish while fishing in Swallow Bay. He was fishing with anchovies.

Russell L. of Livermore caught this six-and-a-third pound largemouth bass while fishing in the narrows. He was fishing with night crawlers.

Mike J. of Hayward caught this seven-and-three-quarters pound catfish while fishing with anchovies by the dam.

LAKE CHABOT (CASTRO VALLEY) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
October: Monday – Thursday 6:00 am – 5:30 pm with boats due in by 5:00 pm.
October: Friday – Sunday 6:00 am – 6:30 pm with boats due in by 6:00 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 catfish 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
October: Park Hours: 6:00 am – 7:00 pm; Kiosk Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm; boaters can go through inspection and launch up until 5:00 pm and get banded before 6:00 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.

Rico G. of Union City caught a seven-and-three-quarters pound catfish. He was using chicken livers and was fishing from the Old Boat Launch.

“Sexy Dexy” Miguel of Union City caught a four-pound catfish on his new Cordell lure. He was fishing from his kayak in the back of Horseshoe Lake

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
October: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm; all watercraft must be off the lake by 5:00 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
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!

SHADOW CLIFFS REGIONAL PARK (PLEASANTON) »

HOURS OF OPERATION
October: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Concession Hours: Closed for the season
Marina Hours: Closed for the season

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.

Boat banding ends at 6:00 pm.
All watercraft have to be off the lake by 6:00 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 90s in the afternoon.
Water Temperature: 60 degrees, depending on depth.
Water Clarity: Visibility seems to vary between 10-15 feet.

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 conditions have been pretty typical of late summer with some added uncharacteristic humidity. We have some early morning fog.

Halibut have been biting at the Ferry Point Pier. Some anglers are also going 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 - 7:00 pm

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Fishing has slowed down with the strong winds and muddy water coming in.
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
There have been a few striped bass caught from the fishing pier, but most are too small to keep.

OTHER SPECIES
Several rays, jack smelt, and one halibut have been caught along with several sharks, and lots of seaweed.

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 [PDF] 

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.