December 31 1999 It's the same old story that you have been hearing for several weeks. There just aren't any fishermen going for catfish. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) says he is still getting an occasional report of a few catfish being taken incidentally by bass fishermen using jumbo minnows, especially in the Monitor Island area. The only other catfish news is that the dates have been set for the annual Clearlake Oaks / Glenhaven Family Catfish Derby. It will be held on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th. This is the biggest catfish derby in the west, usually drawing at least 400 participants. I will have more details early next year.   December 24 1999 Even with the warmer weather, there are very few catfishermen on the lake. This probably won't change until we get enough rain to start the muddy water runoff into the lake. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake reports one of his customers has been catching a lot of big channel catfish off his dock near Monitor Island with jumbo minnows while trying to catch bass. Bass anglers drifting with minnows in the south end of the lake in around 15 feet of water are catching an occasional large channel cat.  I must admit that it's embarrassing when the only people catching catfish are bass fishermen. I should pick up some jumbo minnows and give it a try myself but I can't seem to find the time. If you really want to catch some cats, pick up some minnows and either fish off docks at night or try drift fishing in 20 to 30 feet of water during the day.   December 17 1999 Due to the extremely cold weather that we have had for the past week, catfishing activity has been almost non-existent. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports that there are still a few large channel catfish being taken by bass anglers while drifting jumbo minnows in 14 to 18 feet of water in the Clearlake area. Al says he has not heard of anyone fishing specifically for catfish all week. None of my other sources have heard of anyone trying for catfish. I honestly believe that if some anglers were willing to brave the cold they would do fairly well drifting in deep water (at least 30 feet ) with jumbo minnows. What we need to improve the catfishing is enough rain to soak the ground and start the creeks and drainage ditches running into the lake. Until that happens, I don't think we will see much improvement in the fishing.   December 10 1999 There are very few anglers fishing for catfish due to the winter weather. Most cats are being taken incidentally by bass fishermen. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports a few large channel catfish being caught drifting jumbo minnows in 18 to 20 feet of water by bass fishermen. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports one of his regulars caught 3 nice channel cats off his dock at Kono Tayee with live crawdads. Bob adds that they are catching a few small cats off docks with nightcrawlers in the Clearlake Oaks area. There are still a few ( very few! ) channel catfish being taken off docks in the Nice/Lucerne area mostly at night with crawlers and cutbait.   December 3 1999 The cold and rainy weather has eliminated all but the hardiest catfishermen. The few anglers that are going out are catching a few large catfish. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports quite a few monster channel catfish being taken with extra large and jumbo minnows. Most of the fish are being taken accidentally by bass anglers while drifting in 20 to 30 feet of water. Several of the catfish weighed over 20 pounds. There are still quite a few channel cats being caught in the Nice/Lucerne area off docks with nightcrawlers and cutbait, mostly at night. The best method is to cast your bait as far out as possible and then reel in a few feet every 5 minutes or so to stir up the bottom and attract the catfish. Back to Old Reports