Hey guys, like I've said before I'm trying to get back into freshwater fishing and I've tried a lot of the larger local (los angeles) lakes, mostly for bass. I'm now thinking about taking the kayak out for some panfishing. So the only two things I ask are that the lakes we're talking about allow kayaking and that you give me an idea of your success at these lakes. If you can be of any help, I will be using this information to introduce my 5yr old nephew and my girlfriend to freshwater fishing. So thanks in advance.

Mike

If your looking for really good bluegill and redear lake, Lake Perris in Riverside county is the place. Lake Perris and Lake Otay in San Diego are the premiere panfish lakes in S.California. I've fished Lake Perris for many years and have caught bluegill to 2 1/2# and readear to 2#. A good 'giller can expect to catch dozens of 1#+ 'gills during the year (please release). Unfortunately I see far to many of these big breeders taken ever year. The lake has tons of smaller 'gills for the taking. May usually starts the blugill spawning season at Perris and is the best time for fisherman not familar with the lake to catch a trophy 'gill as the fish will be shallow. After June the big 'gills migrate to deeper water humps. But, if you don't care about trophy 'gills, you can catch all the smaller fish you want along the weed lines, dam and fishing pier. Crickets are the bait of choice for the bluegill and these are available at the marina. A good place to kayak with the family is along the face of the dam and around the fishing piers. It's a easy launch from sailboat cove(Gate 1)by the face of the dam. Keep in mind there is a lot of boat and jetski traffic on the lake, so stay inside the buoy lines.

Thats great info, thanks. I hope to get some more info just like that. I think I'll be dropping by Perris again. Its been years since I've been there.

Mike