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Thread: Crappie fishing in the Central Valley

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Central Valley,California
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    Default Crappie fishing in the Central Valley


    I live in the Central Valley which is up north of you SoCal guys. Up here, most of the lakes have trout. There are a few lakes that have crappie,but they are near the Bakersfield area which is abot a three to four hour drive, way too south for me. So i just fish in the San Joaquin River near the wetlands.The water is muddy but there are plenty of catfish,carp,bass,and bluegills. I expect the river has white crappie since it's muddy.Recently,the water level has gone up since they are letting more water out of Friant Dam to restore the areas of the river which run dry in order to bring back salmon to the river. All this water has made plenty of reeds grow along the shore which provide cover for fish.One time my dad caught a black crappie in the river while fishing at night.There aren't that many places to fish at in the town where I live since the area's mainly agricultural. there's only one lake and there are plenty of jet skiers and power boaters which churn up the lake and make fishing difficult. The river is a thirty minute drive from my house.I will fish the San Joaquin and search for crappie. When i find them, I will catch enough so each person in my family gets to eat one or two crappie and let the rest go so they'll be there next time.
    Panfishing is fun!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Virginny
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    I don't know whee the "Central Valley" is, but, when I was stationed at Travis AFB (Fairfield) in the 80's, the Sac River sloughs around Suisun were great for crappie and bass! Click on the link, it works no matter if it says incompatible!

    Your web browser and the Maps site are incompatible
    Don't outsmart your common sense!
    Jack

  3. #3
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    Just Googled it, you're close to the area I'm referring to!
    Don't outsmart your common sense!
    Jack

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    SO-CAL
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    buena fista lakes close to bakersfield is
    going off right now..........

    santa margareta, san antonio, lopez..ect..
    all have good crappie bites....

    lets see some reports when your bites start
    up,,,

    goodluck

    crappiemike
    " SLABS ARE FUN TO CATCH "

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    Central Valley,California
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    In three years or so I plan to move to Massachusetts. I will live in the Springfield area. I have been looking up info on lakes, ponds, and rivers in that area. My remaining time in California will be short but I will make the most of it by fishing on weekends whenever I can.
    Panfishing is fun!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    yorba linda, california
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    Default central cal

    Definitely try to hit up Lopez just don't be like me and go when the so cal bite is going. But you live there so you know how cold it can still get in late march. Santa margarita is also suppose to be good.Good luck on the river hunting that would be a blast to catch slabs out of a river.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Central Coast of California
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    What part of the central valley are you in?


    Gonefission
    Bill

  8. #8
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    Jan 2010
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    Central Valley,California
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    I'm in Merced County
    Panfishing is fun!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Central Coast of California
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    You might try Millerton Lake, Hensley Lake, HV Eastman Lake. A little drive north you can go to Lake Mc Clure, Don Pedro Lake ans New Melones Lake. Hope this help.


    Gonefission
    Bill

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
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    California
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    A year late but anyone who read this post I'll chime in. The only places I've ever caught or seen crappie come out of the San joaquin river is in or near sycamore island and also the milburn unit, the pond at the north end of milburn avenue. The river is too shallow and clear most places so it's best to find deep murky areas full of structure. The crappie most likely are flushed from millerton lake which isn't loaded with crappie itself so the river is likewise. The old north channel ran thru sycamore and was deep and sluggish and held huge crappie. Now that water no longer flows thru there the crappie must have found another home. If your in Merced county then McClure would be the crappie spot hands down.

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