How To Catch Panfish At The California Aqueduct

My father was an avid outdoorsman.  He loved hunting and fishing.  He’s the reason why I’m so passionate about fishing today.  My fondest memories of him are our fishing moments together. 

Of all the father son moments, why did I remember these the most?  It’s because fishing brings a human connection we remember for the rest of our life.

There’s something about the thrill of the catch that connects us…all of us.

I take my children fishing because my father took me fishing.  I feel excited when my children catch a fish. I’m excited for them and they’re excited too.  

At that very moment, something primal, something deeply rooted in our DNA is formed: a human connection. It’s an indescribable feeling.  The best we can muster is, it “feels good”,  “feels great”, “feels wonderful.”  In fact, it’s a feeling that’s meant to strengthen the bond between you and that person.  In my case, my children.  

You see, fishing is more than just a sport, it brings out the most human connection in all of us. It’s mind boggling to think that something as simple as fishing for bluegills can trigger such a bond.

Read on as I show you how to catch bluegills and other panfish at the California Aqueduct.  Maybe this post can help you create this special moment for you and your child or someone special.

In today’s post, I will show you:

• Types of Pan Fish that are in the California Aqueduct
• Where to locate Pan Fish
• Gear to use
• How to Fish for them

The California Aqueduct can be a very dangerous place to fish.  Caution must be exercised when fishing here.  The walls are very steep and slippery when wet.  Here is a safety video made by the State Water Project just for anglers fishing here.  Click Here to view the video.

 

Types of Pan Fish At the California Aqueduct

There are several types of panfish that can be found at the California Aqueduct.  Such as bluegills, perch, redear, crappie and sunfish just to name a few.  Below are some I’ve caught in the past.

Other bycatches you’ll have are bass, sculpin and even goldfish.  You’ll never know what you’ll catch here with just a worm and hook.

Where To Locate Panfish

Panfish can be found all along the California Aqueduct.  But like most fish, they like to relate to structure.  The most consistent locations to find these fish are inside the Grates. 

What are grates?  These are cutouts along the aqueduct wall.  They are enclosed with metal screens to filter out weeds and trash.  Farmers use them to pump out water from the aqueduct water system for irrigational purposes. 

These grates can be found every few miles on either side of the California Aqueduct.  These are the most popular locations to find them.  Move from grate to grate to increase your chances of hooking into fish consistently.

Bridge pylons also hold panfish.  They like to use the pylons as cover from the current and bigger fish that prey on them.

 

There are smaller canals that branch out from the California Aqueduct system.  These smaller canals can concentrate them as well.  Where there’s cover, pan fish are sure to follow.  The smaller canal that runs by Highway 145 is a popular location for finding panfish.  Fishing near the entrance of the smaller canal where it connects to the California Aqueduct can be productive.

One place that anglers ignore when fishing for panfish are check gates.  I’ve seen them take cover in the weeds before water goes underneath these gates.  If you happen to be fishing after the checkgates, they’ll be swimming along the concrete wall near the headgates and downstream where the current begins to flow in one direction.

Gear To Use

You don’t need the most expensive gear to fish for panfish.  A standard 6’6” to 7’6″ rod should be enough.  I’ve found the shorter rods to be better when fishing for pan fish on grates.  It allows more freedom to move around.  

A worm on the bobber may work too if you see them swimming shallow along the aqueduct wall.  Most of the time, they will be hard to spot.  So fish lower in the water column if you’re trying the main aqueduct system.

I like to use a size 10 or 12 hook with 4-6lb line.  I’ll clip on a 1/8oz to 1/4oz split shot weight about six to twelve inches from the hook when fishing inside the grates.

All other locations, tie on a weight that can withstand the current.  If the current is too strong, you’re better off fishing inside the grates.

My bait of choice are wax worms and red worms.  Be sure to cover the entire hook all the way up the eye of the hook.  If they are picky, they won’t eat it or they’ll nibble at it without taking it all in.

How To Fish For Pan Fish

Grates

Fishing grates is almost like ice fishing but without the ice. You are literally dropping a worm into a giant hole.  The best part is, if the fish are there, you won’t have to wait long for a bite.

Grates are divided into small sections.  They are separated by concrete walls.  So if one hole doesn’t produce, try the next one.  You can even fish for panfish where the grate screens begin to converge into the California Aqueduct.

What I like to do is, drop my line in one section of the grate and if I don’t get a bite, move onto the next one.  When I drop my line, I’ll let the weight touch bottom. Then reel it back up so my hook is a few inches off the bottom.

 

I like to leave it motionless for a little bit.  If nothing takes it, I’ll jig it in place.  If I get no takers, I’ll reel it up a little higher in the water column and leave it motionless.  If I get no takers there, I’ll jig it again in place.  This gets repeated all the way to the water surface.

Remember to keep moving from grate to grate to increase your chances of catching more.  I’ve noticed sometimes that after catching a few, they seem to shut off.  Only after leaving and coming back after a long time that they’ll bite again.

Bridge Pylons

Bluegills will be hugging next to or taking cover behind bridge pylons when there is current flowing.  You can vertically drop your bait with a heavier weight down to them. 

You should try the entire water column but your best bet may be near the bottom.  You’ll have to be more patient here because panfish may not be as concentrated as they would inside grates.  It may take them longer to find your bait.

Smaller Canals

There are smaller canals that branch out from the California Aqueduct system.  These feed water to other regions of California from the aqueduct water way. 

One such place that I’ve found productive at certain times of the year is near Highway 145 (Fresno Coalinga Road).  Fish where the smaller canal intersects the California Aqueduct.  In recent years, I have seen a decline in the amount of fish being caught.  This is probably due to high angling pressure, but this location has produced for me quite well in the past.

 

When fishing this location, try the bridge pylons by the entrance to the smaller canal.  There are a lot of bass that like to linger here.  You may hook into bass before catching a bluegill for instance.  If it’s unproductive, you can always try a new location.

Check Gates

Fishing for panfish at this location is a little more difficult.  When there is no current, the fish will be scattered across the area.  So you will have to try different locations around the check gates to find them.  When the water is flowing, it will concentrate them to the areas with the least amount of current.  That is usually near the canal walls.

With a heavier weight, you can can fish for them vertically all along the water column.  The current can even give the worm some action to entice a fish to bite.

Fishing for panfish can be the simplest way to create a bond or connection between you and someone special to you.  Like the bond I developed between my father, you too can create these special moments with someone dear to you.

So what’s your best fishing memory?  Share with us in the comments below.

I Challenge You

If you’ve found this post helpful or inspiring, I challenge you to take someone dear to you fishing.  Take the challenge and create those memorable moments in your life or that persons life.  It’s the human thing to do.