Poway Lake has re-opened, after being closed since the Witch Creek Fire scortched a large portion of the lake's shoreline. BIG trout were the headline story the opening week, with several fish over 9 pounds caught.

LAKE POWAY FISHING REPORT FOR 13 DECEMBER – 16 DECEMBER 2007

NOTABLE CATCHES:

Duane Miguel, Poway—11.3# trout on a Roostertail in Half Moon Bay (See photo)
Mike Rosell, Escondido—10.4# trout on a Mini jig between Boulder Bay and Jump Off Point (See photo)
Jason Thornton, Ramona—9.2# trout on a Thomas Buoyant on the North Shoreline (See photo)
Mike Harris, San Diego—9.2# trout on a Fire Tiger at the First Buoy (See photo)
Anna Johnson, Escondido—9.2# trout on Power Bait in Boulder Bay (See photo)

FISHING TIPS:

We are Finally Open and Big Trout are everywhere! Shoreline fishing was excellent during the first week of trout season. Big trout were caught on the north shoreline and all along the west shoreline in Half Moon Bay. Fishing in boats was also excellent with very little need to troll as the fish are all over the Lake. Best bait was Power bait and best lures were Rapalas and silver Kastmasters. The catfish bite was also very good along the Log Boom. The bass bite was very slow this week. The water is at 57 degrees. The bluegill bite is basically non-existent.

FISH STOCK:

LAST STOCK: Tuesday, 4 December was 4500 pounds of rainbow trout.
NEXT STOCK: Tuesday, 18 December will be 3000 pounds of rainbow trout. 25% will be trophy sized

EVENTS:

Hours –Lake Poway is open for fishing and boating Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. The gates open at 6:15 AM.

Christmas Day – Lake Poway will be closed to all activities on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December25, 2007. We will reopen on Wednesday, 26 December.

Trout Season – Trout season is finally here. Please remember that adults (anyone 16 years of age and older) require both a California State fishing license and a City of Poway Adult Fishing permit to fish at Lake Poway. Youths between the ages of 8 and 15 years of age only require a Youth Fishing permit. Youths under the age of 8 only require a Youth Fishing permit when their accompanying adult is not fishing. All permits and licenses can be purchased at the Lake Poway Concession.

NOTICES:

Witch Creek Fire Damage Recovery – Lake Poway suffered severe damage during the Witch Creek fire. Lake Poway is a domestic water reservoir serving the City of Poway and its integrity must be protected.
An erosion control curtain has been installed a few feet offshore between the middle of Half Moon Bay and the east end of the log boom. The purpose of this curtain is to catch debris, ash and mud before it enters the main body of water. There are also erosion control features installed on the shoreline and trails (check dams, hydro seeding, etc).

All of these controls will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

As a result, the rules for fishing at Lake Poway have changed as follows:

SHORELINE FISHING
· You may fish on the north shoreline
· You may fish on the west shoreline from the limit line to the start of the curtain in half moon bay
· There is absolutely no fishing in any area where the curtain is in the water. There is a sign stating where this area starts. Fishing in this area will result in eviction from the lake.
· Casting near or over the curtain may result in snagging. You cast at your own risk. We are not responsible for anything you lose.

FISHING IN A BOAT
· Beaching of a boat is now prohibited. There are no restrooms across the lake. Beaching your boat, driving into the curtain or tying up to the curtain will result in immediate loss of boat privileges and possible eviction from the lake.
· In the area where the curtain is located, you may fish as close as one boat length from the curtain. The 100 foot rule is only in effect in the areas where there is shoreline fishing
· Casting near or over the curtain may result in snagging. You cast at your own risk. We are not responsible for anything you lose.

We recognize that these conditions are not ideal for fishing. We request that you work with us and understand that they are necessary to allow Lake Poway to recover from the effects of the fire damage.


Quagga Mussels –The Quagga mussel is not in Lake Poway. It is known that there are Quagga mussels in other lakes. In order to protect the integrity of the Lake Poway water system the following temporary restrictions are now in effect. Until further notice, the following items are prohibited at Lake Poway:
· Float tubes
· Private motors and anchors
· Live Bait Containers
· Fish Finders
· Floating Catch Baskets
· Live Bait (shiners, crawdads, etc) from any source other than the Lake Poway Concession
· Any other items, determined by Staff, to be potential contaminants

No Smoking at Lake Poway –Smoking is prohibited on Lake Poway, in the park and on the trails. Smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking area that is located on the Northeast side of the Concession building.

INFORMATION: Lake Poway Information Line: (858) 668-4770, Concessions: (858) 486-1234