Oakland estuary to Lake Merritt- not yet opened

I read in the paper today that the channel from the Oakland Estuary to Lake Merritt is open for the first time since 1869.  I am going to launch at CCK as it is a public pier and go into lake Merritt for sailing.  Take off at 12:00.  I'll take a fishing pole and lures for stipers just in case.    I called CCK and it was opened yesterday for a special event, but you still cannot get to Lake Merritt from the estuary yet.  Stay tuned.


   

I just half listened to the news last nite and I thought it mentioned that part of the channel had been opened but you couldn't get from the estuary to the lake yet but they planned to open the whole way in the future.

Hope I heard wrong and you have a good trip, looking forward to a report.

If that's true they must have removed 2 pipelines and the garbage grate in the last 48 hrs.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Lake-Merritt-s-gateway-to-bay-reopened-4302095.php

Project is not complete as of yet.  Looks like they are targeting the end of summer to have the connection completed.  That Lake Merritt water is hella nasty.

You are right.  It was opened yesterday for a special event, but they closed it.  We will have to wait.

Personally, I wouldn't keep (eat) anything caught in the estuary or Lake Merritt. I'd fish it, though.
Good place to catch bait.

I'm moving into a house on the estuary with a deep water dock.  Ill be throwing out some lines and see what turns up.  Definitely not gonna eat anything from there though!

This is great news for people who frequent the lake(jogging, sight seeing... Women jogging). In the summer time the lake stinks! With this project the lake would get much needed "fresh" water from the estuary

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you might as well go sailing in your toilet that water is straight up poo poo:-[

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Glad to hear that they are perhaps revitalizing that water..
I heard stories from Don Dablazer on how he as a kid used to fish stripers in there.. He said the water would boil with huge stripers  coming in to gorge themselves on the bait fish..

Hard to believe looking at that body of water today..would be cool if they restored it.
D

The "lake" has always been tidal and connected to the "estuary". The water in the "estuary" is no different to the water at the arw and flushes out every tidal change. They have widend the channel to the lake which may help for water changes. My fear is that its going to let more predators into the lake. The lake in it's current state, perceived stagnation aside, is a huge nursery for anchovies, herring, sardines and smelt.

Glad to hear that they are perhaps revitalizing that water..
I heard stories from Don Dablazer on how he as a kid used to fish stripers in there.. He said the water would boil with huge stripers  coming in to gorge themselves on the bait fish..

Hard to believe looking at that body of water today..would be cool if they restored it.
D

+1
I have also heard Done crazy striped stories.  He said they would line up at the mouth and catch keepers all day.

That lake merritt sure is dirty but if stripers and other fishies go in there id totally fish it, that be way cool! Also, hard to imagin

Glad to hear that they are perhaps revitalizing that water..
I heard stories from Don Dablazer on how he as a kid used to fish stripers in there.. He said the water would boil with huge stripers  coming in to gorge themselves on the bait fish..

Hard to believe looking at that body of water today..would be cool if they restored it.
D

Wow thats pretty awesome. I also hope that they try and restore it. I'd totally fish Lake Merritt on a yak, im sure it's dirty but once water starts flowing im sure that would change 

Back in the 70s I saw guys pulling stripers by the gates.  I learned how to sail on that lake and hosted a luncheon on the old paddleboat.  Like most things in Oakland, if you don't live, work, or spend time there, it's easy to disparage.  I'll see if I can find out the water quality versus the other areas of the bay and post it.

Sounds like an interesting place.  Will look for your fpllow up post.  Thanks
Russ