Salton Sea Tilapia Fishing Report

The warm weather and wind caused a small tilapia die-off over the past week, and the fishing was slow. The fish that died were usually good sized fish, but, which bodes well for afterward this winter or spring when the bite does kick off. The water level is still so low that launching is almost impossible except for small boats boaters should verify with the major office at the recreation area before bringing a ship . The camp store is open Friday through Sunday. Info: Camp Store at 760-289-9455 open Friday-Sunday . Salton Sea State Recreation Area major office at 760-393-3059, or the ranger station kiosk at 760-393-3052 or mobile phone at 760-331-9944 . (fishhound.com)

SALTON SEA: The tilapia fishing was slow and it seems like the bite is pretty much over till the water starts to cool in the fall. There haven’t been any anglers at the state park jetty since the weekend, and the few showing up then didn’t get many fish. In the past three weeks, the few fish landed have all been small. Air temperatures have been up to 115 this week, and there’s still a serious fly problem. The park entrance fee is $5 with self-registration. The water has dropped so much that launching was almost impossible except for small boats boaters should verify with the major office at the recreation area before bringing a ship . (976-fresh.com)

Finding a school, but, is the major challenge. The Sal-ton is a big body of water with a usually flat and featureless bottom, so it is hard to predict where the fish will be from day to day. The key is finding the right water color. As indicated by Penn, Brightenburg and other Salton Sea regulars, you want to look for black-brown water that resembles rootbeer or coffee. This healthy color – which takes some to get used to as a sought-after commodity – is a result of blooming algae. Green water indicates dying algae, which saps oxygen from the water and drives the fish away. Water conditions may change quickly, so it pays to verify with local resources ahead of time. (saltwatersportsman.com)

With the Great Flood of 1905 06 came a range of freshwater fish. The most perished over time as the sediment-laden waters of the Colorado mingled with soluble mineral deposits of the sink, creating a saline environment inhospitable for many freshwater fish species. Early on, striped mullet had migrated up the Colorado River from the Gulf of California making their way into the sea till the Imperial Dam blocked their passage in 1938. After failed tries to stock silver salmon and striped bass, a viable sports fishery was established in the 1950s by the California Department of Fish and Game. (greetingsfromsaltonsea.com)

Is at the extreme southern end of the recreation area, beside the small town of Bombay Beach. Its now closed it offered beach camping with chemical toilets and water. This was a well-liked campground for fishermen. Some services are available in the bordering town. Bombay Beach, CA is a point of interest for photographers and visitors who want to view and shoot the ruins of the town that once was. (desertusa.com)

The Salton Sea isn’t a place for which only Democratic politicians have shown concern. The wildlife refuge at the sea’s southern shoreline bears the name of late Rep. Sonny Bono, R-Palm Springs, whose widow and eventual replacement in the House of Representatives, Mary Bono, was quoted in a 1998 CNN article saying Sonny said to me that he wanted his legacy to be saving the Salton Sea. Ruiz defeated Rep. Mary Bono Mack, who had been a 14-year fixture in the House, in November. (sbsun.com)

But, growing crops in the desert demands lots of water – not just to satisfy the thirst of the crops, however also to flush the extreme salts away from the roots of the crops. One acre of alfalfa, as an example, requires six acre-feet of water. Some of that water goes to draining the soil of salts. The farms of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys have been plumped to carry salts and the left over farming wastes selenium, fertilizers and pesticides to the Salton Sea, which, conveniently enough, sits between the Coachella and Imperial Valleys. Mexico s New River also unloads tons of human, animal and industrial wastes right into the waters of the Salton Sea. (truth-out.org)

Rolled into the long-abandoned North Shore Marina about 8am and rigged everyone up with light turn tackle and used 1/4 oz. Sinkers at the bottom, and a #6 Gamakatsu baithook on a tight dropper loop about 18 above, using 1/3 part of a nightcrawler.   There were a half-dozen other fishermen there, however all facing into the Sea off the jetty, using much heavier tackle than I brought.   I saw a couple of fish caught by them, few.   I lined up the kids facing into the Marina some yards separately since I knew that was where the tilapia could be bedding, and it proved to be so. (976-tuna.com)

Viewed from the air, the Imperial Valley’s half-million acres of verdant fields end abruptly in pale dirt. Colorado River water is diverted near Yuma, Arizona, to an 82-mile canal that runs west along the Mexican border, then north into 1, 700 miles of gated dirt and concrete channels that crisscross farms. When gates open, water floods fields and gravity carries more and more salty runoff downhill through the New and Alamo rivers to the Salton Sea. (scpr.org)

Wow. A report from the Salton Sea. I do not remember ever seeing one. Great pics. I have heard of the WO tilapia fishing there but never tried it. The photo of the camping area with the benches and all really puts into perspective what the lake seems and the buildings there. I have generally thought of the Salton Sea as a dead lake. I am sure it is deteriorating, however it does not look as bad as I thought. Thanks for the report and share. Generally love family fishing pics, too. (Visit this page)