Lafayette Reservoir

Went for an early morning "check out" paddle in the middle of the suburbs this morning.  If you go fishing to get away from the masses and enjoy the solitude this NOT the place to go.  There's a hiking trail that goes around the entire outer edge of the reservoir and it's loaded with packs of people and kids.  For most of the paddle if you stay within the recommended trolling depth of  15' to 20' you'll be close enough to the trails to hear the conversations.  In about 50% of the reservoir, if you close your eyes you would swear that you're in the middle of a shopping mall during Christmas.  It doesn't help that water can carry noise over a distance.

Other than that it was a beautiful day and not much wind.  The water was a little murky and there was a bit of underwater debris that would jump on the castmaster I was trolling.  I did drop shot a few nightcrawlers in some of likely spots but there was no trout love today.  By the time I paddled around the entire reservoir and then decided on where I thought the honey holes were, I ran out of time.  At least I had a chance to play with my first FF and a newly mounted Scotty rod holder.  Better in calm water than in the bay or the ocean.

I did speak with a few fishermen from the fishing piers.  They were catching one or two (one pound) fish here and there on power bait but it was very spotty.  The folks with the rental boats were clustered around the water tower when I left at noon.

A few logistics: The cost for parking is $6, daily fishing permit $3.50 and boat permit $4.  You launch from a dock so Mooch's forwarding of the dock entry and exit came in handy (Thanks Mooch!).  On the map that they give you there's supposed to be a launch on the other side of the dam from the visitor's center.  There's no beaches and the entire shore is enclosed by thick tulle weeds.  They don't allow boats on trailers or gas motors.  Float tubes aren't allowed in a large portion of reservoir.  The fishing reports on the web say that they routinely stock the reservoir with Calaveras Trout and they receive weekly trout plants.

Tight lines,

Gary (Sandman)

Thanks for the report! Where is Lafayette Reservior exactly?

thanks for a great report.    Where can I find the info on entering / exiting from a dock?

Bill.
Lafayette Reservoir is in Lafayate..
Take HWY 24 to Walnut Creek and the exit for Acalanes. That exit puts you on MtDiablo Blvd
Go about a mile on Mt Diablo Blvd park sign is on right...

Here's a link to a map that was posted by FishSniffer:

http://www.fishsniffer.com/maps/lafayette.html

Lafayette is next to Orinda and Walnut Creek.  The fishsniffer map illustrates most of the stuff that I was trying to describe.  The only thing missing on this map is a launch site that's on the park map that they hand out when you pay your fees at the visitor center.  Its to the east of the dam (right side as you look at the map).  I haven't seen the east launch but wonder if its a ramp or you just launch off an extention of the dam.

Just up the road is another popular suburban fishing hole, San Pablo Reservoir.  It's closed to fishing at the moment but will open soon for stocked trout and catfish along with resident bass and (illegal) sturgeon.

If you look under "Newbie Help" you'll find Mooch's post for "Entry and Exit from a dock on SOT".  The instructional video was very helpful because I know that I wouldn't have figured out that I could use the paddle as a brace.

Sorry to say but Lafayette has been in the news lately for a few unexpected murders.  People usually move to Lafayette to get away from the mayhem but it goes to show that you have to watch out where ever you go.

Stay safe,

Gary

thanks for a great report.    Where can I find the info on entering / exiting from a dock?

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=2710.0