Hello, folks, I've got a quick fishing report for you.

Bass are actively spawning, crappie are in the coves, keys and sloughs. Big cats are on the hunt. The water temp is in the low to mid-60s. There's ample water and lots of great fish habitat this year.

Here's the breakdown.

 

Bass anglers are finding quality fish in 4 to 10 feet of water. Look for bass to be holding tight to cover. A paddle-tail worm drawn just fast enough to get the tail thumping has been doing the trick. Jumbo minnows are still whacking 'em too!

I'm not hearing any specific hot spot reports just good consistent fishing with quality fish in the 2- to 5-pound class.

 

Crappie anglers are having success in the Clearlake Oaks Keys and Rodman Slough. Medium (that's the tiny ones) minnows are top fish getters while some of the classic mini jigs are working too (pink and white, smoke with sparkle, red and white).

And like the bass bite, this isn't a gangbusters, fill your livewell to overflowing, kind of bite. But, if you like eating crappie they are being caught. Reports are showing 1 to 2.5 pounders are common.

 

Catfish, after weeks of waiting, have finally kicked into gear just in time for next weekend's Catfish Derby. You'll find big cats prowling around the islands.

Classic tactics with slip sinker or a three-way rig will do the trick.

Mackerel, anchovies, clams, chicken liver, shrimp, shad and live jumbo minnows are doing the work.

 

It's Derby Time and we're stocked up! The annual Catfish Derby is taking place May 13-15 this year. This event draws more than 500 adult anglers and more than 100 youth fishermen. What a great time, too!

Applications are available at Lakeshore Sports in Clearlake or online at the www.clearlakeoaks.org site. With action heating up on the whiskerfish, the derby should turn out some great fish!

Lastly, don't forget about Lake County's quagga mussel inspection program. You MUST have your boat inspected before putting in the water.

The process takes just a couple of minutes and will cost you only $10 for tags that are good all month. We do the inspections at our store. The key to passing is simple: Clean, drained and DRY.

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Sports, located at 14913 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, Calif., telephone 707-994-FISH (3474) and online at www.994Fish.com.