Clifton Court Forebay

Has anyone kayak fished this place before? I saw a pretty good striper report on Coastside. Looks like it is near Tracy, GPS coords:

37 49.0 N,  121 35.0 W 

Has anyone kayak fished this place before? I saw a pretty good striper report on Coastside. Looks like it is near Tracy, GPS coords:

37 49.0 N,  121 35.0 W 

Bill,

I haven't actually been out there but my understanding is that the forebay itself is closed to boats as in no way for them to get in. I have heard of boaters anchoring on one of the surrounding sloughs and climbing up and across the levee to bank fish the forebay but I'm pretty sure there is no water access to the forebay. I don't know for sure though - I'll check around; if the float tube guys can get in there and fish a kayaker should be able to as well. But generally I only hear of people fishing from the bank. On the other hand I do hear it is a great fishery at the right time of year - some very large stripers have come out of there in the past.

Jeff

I will have to go find the coastside report again but it seemed like it was a float tuber. Looks like it would be a pretty fun place to catch some decent fish.

Bill,

Okay what I have always heard referred to as Clifton Court Forebay is the large holding area for water being pumped to Southern California. It is a no contact area - but walking on the levees and bank fishing here is okay. Upon further research the actual forebay is a part of the west canal where the inlet gates are for the above mentioned holding area - the only problem I see is that there does not appear to be any direct drive to access. I figure it is about a 1 1/2 mile paddle from the nearest public road; Herdlyn road off of Byron Highway. Unfortunately I am not real familiar with the area - some of the levees around here are okay to drive and park on and some are basically private property. There may be a way to drive in closer than I think but I just don't know. It is one of the areas I plan on checking out locally but haven't gotten that far out yet.

Check out the attachment.

Ahh ok so you would need to paddle down the canal to fish the inlet area? Then maybe even get off and fish the shore of the inlet proper? Sounds like a fun adventure! 

I'm bringing this back from the dead.

I am looking for a good (free) launch spot to access the backside of clifton court forebay.
I know that river's end is right there, but its $10 to launch and park. a bit much for us kayakers.

I know that there are a couple of potential launch spots along the levee road near tracy oasis marina, but i've heard parking there can be a bit of a concern due to vandalism/break ins, as well as the sheriff may or may not approve. 

has anyone tried to park along the levee road on the side of tracy oasis, or know any other access points?

I have fished Clifton Court many times in the past (5-7yrs ago),
There is no water contact inside the res. and the best place to fish is by the gates when they first open (5-7am). There is a private dock on the outside levee but you could get a fine if you tie up there.
The best way to access is to come off the Byron Hwy to Lazy M marina and follow left to the Clifton Court access parking, walk or Ride Mtn. Bike around Levee to the gates (1/2 hour peddle). This is the only way I have found to fish without fine or major problems.
This probably is not the best place to take the kayak as there is no place to leave it while fishing and it would be a long paddle from most launch areas.

eric, i'm talking about fishing the grant line canal where the water enters (or is it exits?) clifton court.  i would want to stay in the kayak.

While reading the sniffer, there was a report on this place and a photo of some guys a few hundred yards in the water in waders. Looks to be pretty shallow area, but was wondering how this applies to the 'no water contact' deal, or perhaps they changed the rules. Pic was in the freshwater striper forum. Anyone have any info?

Thanks