I haven't fished this lake in years but thought I'd give it a try this week. Anyone hear any reports on this lake, are the stripers or catfish biting? Thanks!!!

Quail lake is a pretty dam good place to fish, they have all kinds of fish coming in that place out of the aquaduct. It's a fairly good bass fisherie and nobody really fishes there much. If you want some easy action try the cats and carp with all the standard baits. Corn will catch them both. If you want large fish try some night fishing by the inlet where the water from the duct comes in. The big cats and stripers will sit in the current and wait for the duct to wash shad and other fish right into there mouths. Try some anchovies if your going to fish the inlet. If you want to fish the bass try some topwater if you get there really early or if you stay late. In the middle of the day the temps will probably drive the fish deep if you can find a good drop off you could try some drop shoting. Good luck, post the results because I haven't fish there since last summer and I'd like to know whats up.

I always pass that place from Lancaster on my way to Pyramid and Castaic. Is the inlet to the left of the outhouse? What kind of rigs do you use? I have know a lot of people who fish it, but I personally have not...

Where is this seceret lake? Can you take a boat in there? You can fish at night? I want my son to get some easy good fish and my wife would love for me to bring home some catfish and striper.

It's on Hwy 138 near 5 fwy. at Quail Lake Road this exit is north of Pyrimid Lake. No boats, no float tubes etc. you can't even ride a bike there. Walking the shore only.

Brad

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It's one of the few lakes that allows you to fish 24 hours a day. If your going to fish the rocky area near the parking lot at night watch for those rattlers. I have night is the best time to fish this lake for cats and stripers. Good luck guys.

jerryG

Thanks for the info Hookjaw. I'll try out the tips you posted and will definitely post the results if any. Thanks again!

I will probably head out there today. I will post results when I get back. First, I gotta get off my butt and leave. Will fish in the afternoon/evening. <x)))><

I fished Quail lake last night from 9pm until about 2am. Couldn't find the inlet so just fished off the rocks. I caught 2 cats that was it, had some nibbles but nothing serious. My buddies were skunked, water was rising and had to keep moving our stuff every 30 mins or so. Some of the locals said it was wide open last week, of course when I go it's never like that! LOL... Not a bad place to fish except for the wind and strong gusts from time to time. Quite a few people there at night, the parking lot was probably about 1/3 of the way full. I did notice some people taking their vehicles inside and driving around the lake to fish the far side of the lake. Is that allowed? Oh well...

First off, you are not allowed to drive on the road the Dept. of Water Resources uses. Although some people seem to get away with it. That road rides along side of the Aqueduct. Most of the times it is locked. So, if you are able to get through when it's open. It might be closed when you decide to leave (just a thought). Well, I went there today (3pm - 5:30pm). For me it was SLLOOOOOOOOWWWW!!!!!!!!! I used shrimp, anchovies, & nightcrawlers. The only thing that got bit was the nightcrawler. Darn, no hook-up! Short biter, probably a little guy. I figured it was probably a night-time bite because of the FULL MOON. That is my excuse anyways. I could not stay there that late. Had 2 go. Better luck for me next time.:-(

Sorry about the slow fishing at quail, that place can be pretty off and on. The inlet is like a twenty minute walk from the parking lot but it is usually well worth it. If you go at night you will see it easily because its the only place with lights. This lake is just like any other if you put the time in you can catch fish every trip. If you want a slam dunk for catfish and carp for kids or beginners go another forty minutes to buena vista near bakersfield. If you throw corn by the swim beach its impossible not to get bit. I went last week and caught two carp at the same time, one was three and one was two. 10 plus pound carp aren't at all uncommon and if you go early in the mourning you can see them eating the grass along side the bank. If your good at hook setting ten fish an hour can be average between two people. I think I might hit quail for some LMB action and see how the place is doing.

Hey HOOKJAW. I saw a small LMB jump right in front of me about 6 ft. away from shoreline. Looked small though. He did a side-flip 180`. Cool. In this weather, you better bring alot of water if you are going to walk to the inlet during the day.:P

If you want to fish for lmb you really don't have to go to the inlet its more for big cats and stripers. Its hot as you know what out there right now so I think I'll see if it will at least dip below 100 before I make a trip.

We fished Quail on 7/16/03, on the rocky area by the parking lot. 6 of us caught a total of 5 nice 3# catfish, with the bite stopping around 2am. When back yesterday 7/18 and fished the inlet a caught only 2 small catfish. Lot's of snaged line over there though,just kept loosing our setups, not sure what's under the water.

I forgot to tell you theres a ton of rocks down there and its hard to fish on the botom without getting snaged. I usually fish a bober or some kind of lure that doesn't run along the bottom. The best fishing is when the water is being let in from the aquaduct. There may be some drop shot weights that will slide through the rocks without sticking or you can try a nail.

Anyone have tips they would share on the best place, bait, to hook up with some Big Cats or Strippers on Quail Lake. What's the biggest fish youv'e seen come out of there?

Thanks

I've fished Quail 4-5 times in the last few months, and all I've caught is a tiny Largemouth.

Not sure what the problem is, been fishing evening/night by the Inlet, mainly with anchovies and mackeral on light tackle, and have nothing to show for it. I've heard that Quail has great fishing, but I haven't even seen anyone else catch anything. The only guy I've seen with fish was some dude who caught 2 small stripers, and that was in the Aqueduct, N of the Inlet. The water level in the lake seems to be getting very low, don't know if that is affecting the fish?

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

Euro

First off, it was surprising for me to see a 24" fully filleted Striper. The bones were floating last Fall 2002. Wellerjohn, here is some advise on the losing your set-up thing. Use a round bank sinker for drop-shoting & the most important thing to do is "HOLD UP THE ROD HIGH & REEL IN REAL FAST" when checking your bait or just bringing up your rig. This works most of the time, not always though. For catfish, the better places for me have been in the middle of the rocky channel (near parking lot) during the hot daytime. At night the catfish will be closer to shore. Many places are good for night. Even though I got skunked last time out during the day, I have still done well other days in the past. I only go for cats. I had more success with nightcrawlers dipped in something (Smelly Jelly or Berkley Catfish sauce). I completely thread the worm through a #4 or sometimes a #2 hook. Use 15 lb. test (daytime) & 20 lb. (night). Mackeral at night is good. Works for me. Adjust to your likeing.

Thanks for the advice.

Hope you have better success next time Wellerjohn! Sometimes it stinks. Sometimes you just can't get enough of it!

Well to answer the question of the low water level, the water at Quail fluctuates quite often. One night I fished it and I had to move my rod holder and lantern every 30 minutes as the water was rising. It's fed directly from the aqueduct and it also releases water accordingly. The water that passes through Quail makes it's way to nearby Pyramid. I fished it this passed Tuesday 7/22 and only caught 3 cats, which were 1 pounders. Nothing big but I was getting nibbles all through the evening. If you want to catch both stripers & cats use cut chovy's but if you want to increase your chances with catfish use chicken livers. I spoke to a couple of the regulars and that's the bait of choice. I tried it Tuesday night and got more hits/nibbles using the livers. Problem with the livers though, when they start to thaw they just fall apart so keep them as cool as possible so they stay firm. Oh yeah, don't forget your fishing licenses because at 1AM the DFG was out there checking. Good fishing!

I'm suprised by the amount of traffic that this subject has generated. I know a lot of people who swear by Quail Lake (have seen the results) I know people who flyline chicken livers, nightcrawlers, and mackeral, I know others that use dropper style. Personally, I have fished this place with little to no success. What rig do you guys normally use? Maybe I'll give it another shot mid week

Well I fished Quail this past Saturday night 7/26 with my buddies. I caught 6 cats, 4 of which were between 2-4lbs. My cousin caught 3 and my buddy got skunked. Chicken livers did the trick!

Which part of the lake were you fishing?

We fished on the other side of the rock channel. We figured it would be better there since there's less fishing pressure on that side...

good going! :7

I really hate this lake. I've tried 3 times and and went 0 for 3. Just don't have any luck there. I'll give it one more shot then give it up if nothing!!!

This past Saturday night my cousin, a buddy as well as myself went to the lake. Similar to the 0-3 situation, he had pathetic results and swore never to return. He ended up going back and catching 4 cats at a size of a pound............total. For some reason on that night there was a foul odor...any idea where it would come from?

Fish On!!!!!!!