Weather: Weather at the lake has been ranging from the low 60s to about 93 degrees. The water surface temperature in the marina area is 76 degrees.

Clarity of water: TThe water has been clearing up around the Marina and clarity will increase as you get closer to the dam. The water level is higher than normal for this time of year.

Hot spots: The hot spots have been the Narrows and near the dam.

WHAT BAIT TO USE!!

Stripers - Anchovies, Sardines

Catfish - Chicken Liver, Anchovies, Sardines and Night Crawlers. Catfish tend to not be interested in any lures.

Trout - Power bait, Night Crawlers, have been working well. Trout also love lures such as Panther Martins, Kastmaster, Rooster Tails, and all types of small Spinners, Atomic Tubes

Largemouth/ Smallmouth - Plastic Worms have been a good choice, another good choice is Jigs or Drop Shots, various spinners

Crappie/Panfish - Night Crawlers, Redworms, and little Micro Jigs have been working good as well.

Don’t forget that to fish at Lake Del Valle, everyone ages 16 and older must have a Lake Del Valle Fishing permit and a California Fishing License. The Lake Del Valle permit is $5.00 per day. They can be purchased at either the entry kiosk or the Marina/Bait Store. The California Fishing License is $17.54 per day or $54.00 per year for a Resident of California. The California Fishing License can be purchased at the Marina/Bait Store. Also, a reminder after all fish plants please make sure you wait 2 hours before fishing the plant.

We got the following detailed report from Dr. Al:

Paul Clouse of Fremont and Al Hurwitz of Saratoga trolled Lake Del Valle on 7/14/2022. We were trying to target Smallmouth and Striped Bass. The weather was very nice, and the lake was full with a surface temperature of 74-76 degrees. The water clarity was excellent over much of the lake.

We had one big strike at the western entrance of Heron Bay which tore line off the reel, but then broke off (likely a good-sized Striper). We also caught a Smallmouth Bass off one of the points in the flats of Heron Bay. There were a lot of fish along the western shoreline of the lake,
25-30 feet below the surface, located in 30-60 foot water columns.. However, those fish wouldn't hit our lures. Of interest, the strikes occurred only with Jointed Rapalas. The fish never hit our usual "go-to" lure, Panther Martin Spinners. Based on all of this, I recommend trollers use Rapalas with scent applied trolled along structure in 30-40 foot water columns, mainly along the western shoreline from Heron Bay south. Troll the Iures around 25 feet below the surface. You may lose a lure or two in the underwater structure, but catching a Striper or Smallie will be
worth it!

Thanks Dr. Al! Terrific info as alwaysl