Trout have been biting well around the dam and Johnsons Bay on needlefish and rapalas early and late, and drifted nightcrawlers in the mid-morning through the afternoons. The rainbows were reported to be as deep as 60 feet in some areas. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are also on the crew and are taking reaction baits, top waters and jigs all over the lake. There have been spots of shad pushed up on the bank in Santa Cruz and the Storke flats area and have been rather easy to obtain. Crappie are coming out of Santa Cruz and Cachuma bays on mini-jigs and mealworms. Catfish have been holding in creek channels in the backs of coves, with mackerel still producing the best, followed by packaged baits. Bowfishing for carp has slowed in the mornings, but still good in the evening around the island and the chalk cliffs. Bluegill have been in the backs of shallow coves as well as jackrabbit flats.
– Ken Hemer