Last Plant: 1000 lbs. of Catfish August 14th  

Next Plant: TBD   

Water temperature: At surface: 82.4°F, 6.19 D.O. @ 15' 82.6°F, 6.14 D.O.

Water level: High level, private water craft/fish finders are currently banned. 

Water Clarity: Moderate (18ft) 

Fishing permits, boat rentals, bait, and tackle are all sold at the Concessions Stand right next to the Ranger Station in the Lakeshore Area. Anglers "Must!" purchase a fishing permit before casting out to catch the big one. If you desire to fish with a second pole, make sure to pick up a second rod permit for an additional $2. We do not require a CA state fishing license; however, Rangers do strictly enforce the required fishing permits and fresh water regulations. 

***Night fishing will NOT be held this year at Dixon Lake***

Catfish: We have concluded planting catfish for this season. In the early morning, the catfish have been active in the boat dock cove area. Anglers fishing in the evening have had the most luck fishing for catfish from pier 1 and 2. The trout cove area is also a promising location for catching catfish. A 12 pound catfish was caught off of pier 2 on 7/31. The bite continues to improve with warmer water temperatures. Considering that catfish are primarily bottom feeders, setting up your rig with a weight that allows your bait to sink near the bottom will generally render good results. Catfish prefer bait with the strongest scent. Cut up mackerel, chicken liver and shrimp are typically the preferred bait of cat fisherman. Catfish have a limit of 5 at this time.

Bass: Drop shot rigs set up with Robowroms have been the ideal choice for bass in the recent weeks. Small top water lures are still a suitable choice as well. Largemouth bass tend to stay in deeper water on hot summer days. The bass will progress into shallow water in the early morning as well as the late evening when it cools down. The aquatic weeds are very abundant now and have created new habitats for the bass to reside in. Largemouth bass can typically be found in shallow water and are likely to be swimming under something that provides shade such as vegetation or a dock. In water bodies that contain aquatic vegetation, you may find it advantageous to use slightly heavier line. This time of year you may also see good results when using swimbaits and other “action” style baits. The fish tend to become more aggressive while defending their bass fry. Boat dock cove is still a promising location for bass. Just a reminder, bass must be at least 12 inches to keep with a limit of 2 at this time.

Bluegill: Meal worms and red worms are still proving to be the best choice of bait for the time being. Using cut up night crawlers for bait is also a good method. The bite has significantly picked up with the increase in aquatic vegetation. The piers and shorelines are promising locations for catching bluegill now that the vegetation has developed in the water. Bluegill are limited to 25 of any size at this time.

Trout: Our last trout stock took place on March 4th. Any remaining trout are primarily going to be in deeper waters throughout the summer. In the early morning hours, you may find a trout in the shallow waters of Trout Cove and Boat Dock Cove. Anglers seeking trout have been having the most luck fishing near the buoy line from a boat. A two-pound test set up with a 12” to 18” leader is recommended. Mini jigs and power bait were the primary choice of bait for anglers this past season. Chartreuse colored power bait did well in trout cove. The Trout catching limit is 5! "No Catch & Release of Trout." Please make sure you are familiar with the current freshwater fishing regulations prior to fishing here at Dixon Lake as we do strictly enforce these regulations. 

There is a ban on private water craft and equipment at this time. Restricted equipment includes: private boats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, trolling motors, fish finders, anchors, and any other equipment that contacts the water.