Lodi: A real fine for anglers

By Brett Marciasini
News-Sentinel sports writer

The city of Lodi may not look like much of a hot spot for fishermen, but when gazing at a map, you quickly notice how many fishing destinations are available at the tail end of a short ride.

For starters, only a 30- to 40-minute ride to the east, anglers will find themselves in a haven of lakes to choose from, all offering trout and bass, and for the most part, open year-round.

Keep driving east and eventually you’ll run into the Sierra where there are hundreds of drive-to or hike-in lakes and streams that offer trout from spring to fall.

If striper, sturgeon and black bass are the name of the game, look no further than driving about 15 to 20 miles to the west. Here you’ll find the San Joaquin Delta and its seemingly endless waterways.

Here are some of the places where the “locals” go:

• Lake Camanche — Lying only 30 minutes east is one of the area’s most popular lakes and, at 7,700 surface acres, one of its largest. Camanche is known for good trout and bass fishing to both boaters and bank tossers. Trout are planted by the Department of Fish and Game throughout the spring and fall in both the main lake and the South Shore Pond. Ten-pound lunkers are common in both impoundments. During the summer, when the water warms, bass and catfish become the main target. There is a daily access fee to use the Camanche area. (209) 763-5166, (209) 369-0204.

• New Melones Reservoir — New Melones is the largest foothill impoundment at a massive 12,500 surface acres. Not only is the fishing here good, but there is no fee to enjoy it. Bass fishing has always been fairly quiet here, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Many nice bass are taken from spring and throughout the summer. New Melones is well known for abundance of nice-sized German brown and rainbow trout and a rising Kokanee population. (209) 736-4333.

• Lake Amador — This lake is for fishing only. No recreational watercraft. Amador nestles in above Camanche, about 45 minutes away and is widely known for its Florida-strain bass population. Big bass are common after the pre-spawn in spring and throughout the summer. In the cooler months, trout take center stage. Concessionaires stock a special hybrid trout, known as a cutbow, which are known for their ability to fight and for making a good dinner. Not to mention their size. There is a daily access fee. (209) 274-4739.

• Lake Pardee — This impoundment is open only from February to September and is also a fishing-only lake. No body contact is allowed with the water because Pardee is a source of drinking water. However, when stocked, this place is good for bank fishermen in the Recreation Area Cove. Trollers do well when venturing upriver where they’ll find holdover trout, Kokanee salmon, and an occasional German brown. A daily access fee is charged. (209) 772-1472.