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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Clear Lake has long been the crown jewel of California’s bass fishing scene, but while the largemouths often steal the spotlight, a "silver rush" is quietly taking over.
The black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) population has seen an explosion in both numbers and size over the last five years.
Local buzz is reaching a fever pitch, with many suggesting the state record already held by a Clear Lake local might be shattered again any day now.
Black crappie aren't actually native to these waters; they were introduced in 1908, arriving by rail from Meredosia, Illinois.
In the century since, they have done more than just survive; they have established a thriving, dominant population that rivals any panfish fishery in the country.
The benchmark for excellence was set on Feb. 17, 2021, by David Burruss, owner of Clear Lake Outdoors.
Burruss landed a “mega slab” weighing 4 pounds, 5 ounces. Measuring 17.75 inches long with a massive 17-inch girth, the fish shattered a 46-year-old state record.
Burruss found the monster in 26 feet of water off the point at Shag Rock. "I spotted a three-pack on my Garmin Forward Facing Sonar," Burruss recalled.
He was using a baitcaster with 15-pound test, a half-ounce Cool Baits Underspin, and a 4-inch Keitech Easy Shiner. Last month marked the five-year anniversary of that historic catch.
To bag "Clear Lake Silver," you have to follow the water and the weather. Local veterans keep a close eye on the Rumsey Gage, established in 1873 by Lakeport cattle driver DeWitt Clinton Rumsey.
Currently, the lake sits just a foot below "full pull" (the official full mark of 7.56 feet). One more atmospheric river should be enough to top it off for a spectacular season.
Winter crappie congregate in the deep waters of the Rattlesnake Arm. Look for the "armada" of boats near Rattlesnake Island, where fish hold in 25 to 35 feet of water.
During spring (March–April): As temperatures rise, the fish move shallow to spawn. They often take over existing bass beds, making the Lakeshore Boulevard area in Lakeport a primary target for spring action.
Modern technology is fundamentally changing how we hunt crappie. Forward-facing sonar (like Garmin Livescope) allows anglers to target schools that appear as distinct clusters of dots on the screen.
Because a crappie's eyes are positioned on the top of its head, they feed upward; always present your bait slightly above the school.
“Strolling” or slow-rolling a jighead minnow through a school is incredibly effective for tempting big bites. Experienced anglers prefer tungsten jigheads over lead; the denser material provides a much sharper return on sonar, making it easier to track your lures in relation to the fish.
Success often comes down to the details. Specialized 10-to-15-foot rods, such as the ACC Crappie Scopin Stix, allow for precise lure placement. Top-performing soft plastics include the Bobby Garland 2-inch baby shad (in Purple Monkey, Key Lime Pie, or Ice Out) and the 6th Sense Panorama “Ghost Pro Shad” on a Cyclops jighead for a "dying-fall" presentation.
When the artificial bite is tough, often due to the lake's abundant natural forage of threadfin shad and Mississippi silversides nothing beats a live minnow. You can pick these up at local bait and tackle shops like Clearlake Outdoors, Lakeport Tackle, Clearlake Bait & Tackle and The Konocti Bait Shack.
The proof is in the livewell. Recently, Nate and Michelle Hilligoss of Kelseyville showed just how productive the lake can be, landing a 15-plus pound five-fish limit. Nate’s biggest weighed in at 3.7 lbs, while Michelle contributed a 3.1 lb beauty, both caught on 1/16 oz jigheads and 3” Yamamoto Scope Shads.
Other notable catches include Marlene Healey, who landed a 3.3-pound slab on a Gratt Rocker Minnow and Arnold Valerio Jr., who pulled a 3-pound fish using a "double jig rig" (a dropshot-style setup with a jighead at the bottom and a loop-knotted jighead above).
For those without a boat, Clear Lake offers excellent public access. The pier at Lucerne Harbor is a prime venue for groups, and various parks around the lake offer dock access perfect for a simple jig-and-bobber setup.
If you’re looking for a guided "Masterclass," Ed Legan of “Fishing With Ed” is the resident expert. His pontoon boat is a common sight in the winter months, consistently finding the schools when others can't.
Clear Lake may be famous for its bass, but for those who have experienced the "Silver Rush," the real treasure is the slab of a lifetime waiting just beneath the surface.
Craig Nelson is a former professional golfer who fell in love with tournament bass fishing 20 years ago. He found Lake County after fishing an FLW Stren Series event and never left. He’s the back-to-back winner of the Konocti Classic and runner up in the inaugural WON Bass Clear Lake Open.
