A fisherman tries his luck on the Mokelumne River east of Lodi. (News-Sentinel file photo)

Fishing spots easy to come by in Lodi area

Nestled between the many lakes in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the numerous waterways in the Delta, Lodi is only a short drive away from some of the hottest fishing spots in the state.

While the Delta and foothills produce plenty of bass and catfish, the Delta also offers sturgeon and crawdad while the foothill lakes give anglers a chance to nab trout and prized Kokanee salmon.

Each fishing spot requires a California Department of Fish and Game Sport fishing license in order to take home a legal catch.

The Delta

While striped bass are the big prize, catfish are aplenty. Unlike the lakes in the foothills, the Delta offers a chance to catch sturgeon, but the minimum size for a keeper is 46 inches. Crawdad is also a delicacy in these waters.

Ken Dyer, owner of Valley Bait and Tackle in Lodi, primarily uses these waters for his own fishing.

"The Sacramento River is good for stripers," he said. "Rio Vista is good for catfish and anywhere is good for black bass. They are real good this time of year in the sloughs."

Check out White Slough, which has numerous ponds running parallel to Interstate 5.

"For stripers and black bass it's not so much about the time of day, but rather at the turns of the tides," Dyer said. "For stripers, fall and spring are best and for bass, spring, summer or fall is good." (916) 777-4041.

Lodi Lake

Fees: $5 per boat, $2 per vehicle for Lodi residents on weekdays, $4 on weekends and holidays until Memorial Day; $3 for non-residents on weekdays and $5 on weekends and holidays; $1 for resident seniors on weekdays, $2 on weekends and $3 for non-resident seniors.

This destination is one of the closest for visitors to reach. Located at the intersection of Turner Road and Lower Sacramento Road on the northeast end of town, the lake has bass, crappie and catfish populating the waters in season.

Lake Camanche

Fees: $6.50 per vehicle, $6.50 per boat, $4 per angler

The nearest lake in driving distance, Camanche is only 25 miles away and has two shores on which to fish from. While the 80,000 pounds of trout, which are stocked between October and June each year, dominate, the lake has an abundance of large and smallmouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, Kokanee salmon, crappie, bluegill and sunfish. North Shore, (209) 763-5166; South Shore, (209) 763-5178.

New Hogan Lake

Fees: $4 per boat, $4 per vehicle in specified area, no charge to fish

The lake owns the state record for largest black crappie at 4.1 pounds, but the striped bass are the most sought after fish here. Weighing in at 2-5 pounds on average, the best month for catching a striper is between June and August. But, only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. (209) 772-1343.

New Melones Reservoir

Fees: Free to fish and boat

Anglers will be happy to find that New Melones operates at no charge and allows fisherman to camp on their boats free as well.

While well-known for its rainbow and brown trout, bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill are also in abundance. Worms/marshmallows and chartreuse or rainbow colored Power Bait are perfect options for attracting a trout's attention. (209) 736-4333.

Pardee Lake

Fees: $8 per car, $7 per boat, $3.50 per angler

The lake currently owns the state record for the largest smallmouth bass caught at 9.83 pounds. But, Pardee is known better for its trout fishing. A short drive of just over 30 miles will treat fishers to Kokanee salmon, black bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill and sunfish. (209) 772-1472.

Don Pedro Lake

Fees: $6 per vehicle, $7 per boat

The furthest lake from Lodi at just under a two-hour drive is also the largest in the area, offering 13,000 square acres of water. Sitting quietly in the Sierra Nevada foothills due east of Modesto, the lake has year-round bass fishing and a large number of King and Kokanee salmon. (209) 852-2369.

Lake Amador

Fees: $9 per vehicle, $1 for each additional person, $7 per boat, $8 per angler

True fishing enthusiasts will be excited to find that this lake is free of all recreational watercraft as it is open to only fishing boats. The trout average 2-6 pounds, but the lake once held the record in Northern California for largest bass caught at 17.1 pounds. Catfish up to 40-pounds are regulars and crappie, bluegill and Threadfin shad also call Amador home. (209) 274-4739.