August 1, 2002 It's the same old story, excellent catfish action in the south end of the lake but very little fishing activity in the north end. Cary of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 reports big stringers of 2 to 4 pound brown bullheads (locally referred to as "yellow cats") at the White Bridge near the mouth of Cache Creek. A group of 3 catfishermen caught 35 bullheads weighing from 2 to 4 pounds and 2 channel cats weighing 14 and 16 pounds while fishing at the mouth of the creek with sardines and anchovies. Cary says Monitor Island is producing some big catfish for drift fishermen using large chunks of mackerel. One angler caught and released 4 channel cats weighing from 14½ to 24 pounds while drifting the island in 40 to 50 feet of water. Another deep water spot that should produce at this time of year is Shag Rock, try drifting in 45 to 50 feet of water near the rock. The only catfish action that I'm aware of in the north end of the lake is an occasional 6 to 10 pounder being caught at night off of various docks in the Nice/Lucerne Area with nightcrawlers and clams.   August 8, 2002 The north end of the lake is finally producing some decent catfish action and the south end is still producing as well. Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 reports excellent catfish action at Willow Point RV Resort in Lakeport. One angler caught 16 catfish there and brought 6 of them in to the shop that weighed from 12 to 22 pounds. Nightcrawlers are accounting for most of the fish and they are doing well both at night and during the day. Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 suggests drift fishing in 15 to 20 feet of water near Wheeler Point and Shag Rock with jumbo minnows and or mackerel. Most catfishermen are catching 3 to 4 big cats in the 10 to 15 pound range for their efforts. Brad says the fishing in Cache Creek and other shallow water areas has been very slow lately.   August 15, 2002 The catfish action has slowed down some but persistent anglers are still managing to catch a few decent fish. Cary of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 reports most catfishermen are catching 2 to 3 fish per outing weighing from 8 to 10 pounds with an occasional 14 or 15 pounder. The best action has been had by anchoring outside the mouth of Cache Creek in 10 to 15 feet of water and drift fishing the south side of Luebow Point in 18 to 20 feet of water. The top baits have been mackerel, anchovies and sardines. Cary says shorebound anglers have been getting a few pan size catfish in Cache Creek using clams. Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 says they are still getting a few nice cats at Willow Point RV Resort in Lakeport with nightcrawlers and one lucky angler caught an 18 pound channel cat with a jumbo minnow. They're catching an occasional big catfish from Rodman Slough near the bridge with clams or nightcrawlers but it's strictly a waiting game with a lot more waiting than catching.   August 22, 2002 The catfish action is still on the slow side. Knowledgeable anglers are managing 2 or 3 fish for their efforts. Ken Morrison of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 reports slow going for most catfishermen. They are catching a few big cats drifting Bass Alley and Monitor Island with cut mackerel and jumbo minnows. Shore fishermen are picking up some nice cats weighing up to 14 pounds at Austin Park in Clearlake with mackerel. Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 says the catfish are still cooperating at Willow Point RV Resort in Lakeport. Persistent anglers are catching 3 to 5 fish per evening with nightcrawlers as the preferred bait and most of the fish are running from 6 to 10 pounds apiece. They're catching a few nice cats in the Rattlesnake Island Area up to around 14 pounds. Drifting with jumbo minnows and live crawdads has accounted for most of the action. There have been a few big cats taken in the Nice/Lucerne Area at night by shore fishermen. The stretch of shoreline just west of The Barnes Yard as you're entering Lucerne has been fairly productive.   August 29, 2002 The catfish action is even slower than last week, only an occasional fish is being caught by patient fishermen. Ken Morrison of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 reports a few fish being taken at the mouth of Cache Creek with nightcrawlers and cut bait. Drift fishing at Bass alley with cut baits such as mackerel, anchovies and sardines is producing an occasional cat. Ken says most anglers are only catching one fish per trip. I heard of a few nice cats being taken out of Rodman Slough this week with nightcrawlers and mackerel but as usual, it's a waiting game, some fishermen are getting skunked while others are catching one or two fish for their efforts. I went out of Clearlake Oaks with a friend of mine on Monday morning and fished all around the Rattlesnake Island area and a few other spots that I know and the only action we experienced was a tiny little white cat that inhaled my shrimp. I hope the fall catfish bite starts soon, this is getting boring.