This outing is to fish Clear Lake, targeting Large Mouth Bass and possibly Crappie. Carp and Catfish can be caught too!
We'll be at Clear Lake State Park, Kelsey Creek Campground. The plan is to arrive and fish Monday 5/6-Thursday 5/9, leaving Friday 5/10. I will be in campsite #61.
LODGING: We will staying at Clear Lake State Park, Kelsey Creek Campground. ACT NOW AND MAKE CAMPSITE RESERVATIONS EARLY at www.reservecalifornia.com (search for "Clear Lake SP" or "Clear Lake SP Cabins"). Additional info available at: www.parks.ca.gov. Campsites for trailer/RVs or tents are $30/night (RVs <35 feet, no hookups). I have also reserved one of the campground cabins (#1) which houses up to 2 people (byomattress bunk beds, AC, no refrigerator, public flush toilets and pay shower, $60/night) - contact me for details if interested. For more plush & pricey lodging, you may want to check out Konocti Harbor Resort (~20 minutes south of the State Park) or several 3+ star hotels/motels in Lakeport (~10-15 miles away).
POLICY: IF YOU PLAN TO GO, RSVP THROUGH MEETUP! Members and guest(s) of all levels of experience are encouraged to attend. AFF Paid Members inviting guest(s) are responsible for the needs of their guest(s) and getting the signed Liability Waiver to the Fishmaster prior to fishing:
https://www.amadorflyfishers.org/AFF_Forms/2023_AFF%20Release%20of%20Liability-FILL-IN.pdf
Contact the Fishmaster if you would like any added instruction or any loaner equipment. If you RSVP but later cannot attend, please update your Meetup status to “Not Attending” (and/or notify the Fishmaster or another attending member) so that we are not waiting/searching for you. Likewise, for safety reasons let the Fishmaster or another attending member know if you leave an outing early.
FISHMASTER: Ron Calvert (direct contact info provided after sign-up). Campsite #61, white Toyota Tacoma and white/seafoam Shasta trailer.
DIRECTIONS: Clear Lake State Park is located on the west shore of Clear Lake, ~63 miles west of Williams, CA. From I-5 north, take exit #578 at Williams, and follow CA-20 towards Clear Lake/Colusa for 37 miles; at the traffic circle take CA-53 South for 7.5 miles, then turn right onto CA-29 North to Kelseyville for 14.2 miles. At Kelseyville turn right onto Main Street/State Street, ultimately turning right onto Gaddy Lane and following it north, turning right onto Soda Bay Road. At around 1 mile, watch for a lefthand entrance into Clear Lake State Park. (WARNING: Use manual navigation for this last step - Google Maps may not be trustworthy at pinpointing the entrance!)
FEES: No extra fees if you're camping. Folks coming in from outside the park pay a day-use fee of $7 for seniors/$8 non-seniors. The cabin rental includes parking for one car, but extra cabin vehicles are $8/day. Kelsey Creek also offers boat ramp access - alternate boat ramps may include Lakeside County Park, or the Third Street or Fifth Street boat ramps in Lakeport. There is a Lake County Quagga Mussels inspection sticker cost of $20 (does not apply to canoes, kayaks, car-top boats, float tubes, rafts, paddleboards).
GENERAL INFO & RULES:
* Park open from dawn to dusk.
* Park offers several self-guided hiking trails, bird watching, and a visitor center.
* other local attractions outside the park include wineries, restaurants, and a few casinos.
* Dogs allowed in parking lot, paved roadway, campgrounds; must be kept on a 6-foot maximum leash and may not be left unattended at any time. Dogs are not allowed on trails or day-use areas.
* Limits: 5 Black Bass >=12 in.; 2 Striped Bass >=18 in., possible Crappie limit of 10.
* Access by float tube, pontoon boat, or kayak is advised. Bank fishing is possible in some areas, but limited. Kelsey Creek campground offer several beach access points for launching.
* 5-7 weight rods are advised, with 4X-2X tippet. Floating lines for topwater patterns or float-n-fly setups, intermediate sinking lines for subsurface. Successful subsurface patterns include small Wooly Buggers (size 8-12) in black or olive, Wiggle Tails, or Sheep Creek Specials (size 10-12). For float-n-fly: "creepers" in various colors, or crappie minnow jigs in chartreuse/white and gray/white. Poppers could be a possibility in the early morning/late evening hours.
* Sunscreen and other protection (wide-brim hat) recommended.
