April 7 2000 Catfishing is on the upswing with the warm spring weather. If the weather holds this weekend it should be excellent fishing. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) says Cache Creek is still the most productive spot in the south end of the lake. They are catching quite a few nice channel cats running from 10 to 13 pounds using mackerel and nightcrawlers. Drift fishing on the main lake has been fairly productive using cut mackerel. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports most of the catfish action in the Oaks has been in the Keys. The channel cats are grabbing nightcrawlers and clams. They are running from around 8 to 12 pounds. There are quite a few brown bullheads to 4 pounds falling for crawlers in the Keys as well.   The channel catfish in the north end of the lake are starting to move to the shallower water to feed on crawdads, bluegills and other baitfish. Fishing from docks or beaches just about anywhere in the north end should produce at least 2 or 3 decent catfish for a night's effort. Rodman Slough in Nice is kicking out fair catches of channel catfish to 14 pounds using nightcrawlers and shrimp. I would like to remind everyone about the upcoming Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Family Catfish Derby coming up on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th. They are giving away over $10,000.00 in cash and prizes including a new 14 foot boat, motor and trailer.   April 14 2000 The catfish were cooperating until the weather system hit us Wednesday afternoon. Sheltered areas such as Rodman Slough and Clearlake Oaks Keys are still producing good fishing. Percy Oved of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports good drifting action off Rattlesnake Island using nightcrawlers, cut bait and clams. Most of the fish are running around 8 to 10 pounds. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) says the fishing has been great until the weather change. A couple of anglers caught over 25 channel cats averaging 10 pounds each while drifting behind Indian Island near Brown's Landing using cutbait. Jeanette Owen of Lakeport Tackle (707-263-8862) says there are quite a few channel catfish being caught in the Lakeport Lagoons area including an 18.8 pounder on nightcrawlers. Rodman Slough in Nice is kicking out large stringers of brown bullheads ranging in size from 2 to 4 pounds but very few channel cats. The bullheads are grabbing mini-crawlers and garden worms. Don't forget to sign up for the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Family Catfish Derby being held on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th. They are giving away over $10,000.00 in cash and prizes including a new 14 foot boat, motor and trailer.   April 21 2000 The weather is improving and so is the catfishing. The south end of the lake is still the best bet but success can be had in the north end as well with a little patience. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports great action at the mouth of Cache Creek and fair action up in the creek. Al says a group of knowledgeable anglers have been averaging at least 8 channel cats each while fishing the mouth of the creek with mackerel and other cut baits. Most of the fish have been running from 10 to 15 pounds with a few to 20 pounds. The best time has been from 4:00am to about 8:00am. There have been a few decent channel cats falling for nightcrawlers and mackerel up in the creek. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports fair fishing in the Clearlake Oaks Keys for channel catfish running 4 to 6 pounds. Live crawdads have been accounting for most of the action with a few falling for nightcrawlers. It appears a little tougher in the north end but it's hard to tell since there is very little catfishing activity at this time. Fishing docks at night in the Nice/Lucerne area and around Lakeport is producing a few cats to 15 pounds with clams and nightcrawlers. Don't forget to sign up for the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Family Catfish Derby being held on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th. They are giving away over $10,000.00 in cash and prizes including a new 14 foot boat, motor and trailer.   April 28 2000 The catfishing hasn't really changed that much. The south end of the lake is still producing and the north end is still lacking catfish anglers. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports consistent action drift fishing with jumbo minnows at Bass Alley, two lucky anglers nailed 5 channel cats weighing from 12 to 23 pounds. The mouth of Cache Creek is still giving up good catches of 12 to 15 pounders with cut bait. Percy Oved of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says they're catching a few small channel cats in the Keys, mostly 2 to 4 pounders with nightcrawlers. In the north end of the lake, Rodman Slough is still kicking out a few brown bullheads in the 2 to 3 pound class plus an occasional channel catfish around 9 or 10 pounds with mini crawlers. Night fishing with crawlers and cutbait from docks in the Nice/Lucerne area is producing some decent channel cats for those that put in the time. The Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Family Catfish Derby is only a little more than a month away. It is being held on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th. They are giving away over $10,000.00 in cash and prizes including a new 14 foot boat, motor and trailer. Back to Year 2000 Catfish Reports