Why are there so few posts to Calaveras ? Not long ago, there was always an active thread about Calaveras, now nothing. Has the fishing become lousey, the high cost to get in or all the above ? I have been away for awhile due to health reasons. Getting the old boat ready...
Thanks,
Roger

what kind of fishing did you go for?

I fish it often and was surprised there isn't more chatter about it. They permanently closed the wall to fishing but there has been plenty of boat traffic when I'm out and the red fishing has been good if you can deal with the heat.

Redfish & stripers...I have caught a bunch of them in the past. All catch & release. Drifting with live bait..gets pretty wild at times.

the heat can be bad, that is why I try to launch at daybreak. There use to be a crowd that posted on a regular bases, but suddenly, no more. If the fish are still there, maybe it's the entrance fees or maybe they have got old....just like me.

What does it cost to launch and fish for a day now?

It's like 7.00 a piece, plus another 5.00 to launch. I understand that kayakers have to pay a launch fee for each kayak. A family of 4 is going to spend some money, but doesn't everything costs these days. I usually buy an annual pass...that way I can go whenever I want. I live only 22 miles from the lake.

https://www.cpsenergy.com/en/about-us/community/lakes-and-parks/braunig-calaveras-lakes.html

I heard it does not matter if you have an annual pass .Once it hits 8:00 pm. You pay out handsomely again.To stay the night.It is no longer a 24 hour pay pass.And it does not matter if you have an annual pass.

I fish Calaveras when I can. I live 130 miles west of SA. IF their annual pass is the same as a military disabled pass, you pay no entrance fee throughout year regardless of the time of day.
I'm only about 55 miles from lake Amistad but haven't fished it yet due to the lack of knowledge of the lake but will start as soon as I put a top on my boat.

Gizzard, you are right about the additional "after 8 PM" charge... I don't know where that came from, but it sure has made a lot of people mad.
Ol Sarge, they do provide military disability passes, but but I am not sure what percentage of disability is required. Did you get your disability from Vietnam ? Agent Orange ?

I just renewed my annual pass for family and boat for $143. If you fish more than 10 times a year it's worth it. We fish it almost every weekend during the spring, summer and fall. I find it crazy that the reds all but disappear during the winter.

I have been fishing the bridges and doing well on the cats with head on shrimp. But the heat is a killer atm. The fee for after 8 pm they take serious. They will tow you at 8:01 pm if the wrecker happens to be coming thru. And the fee is 600$ if he hooks ya up.

You have to be no less than 60% Veteran disability to get the free pass.
It seems that the fee's are taking their toll as I've seen several open bank spaces even on holiday weekends, and fewer boats on the water.
Used to be the heat didn't stop folks from getting on the lake.
Combine that, and the high fee's and it's noticeable.

I think not being able to fish the wall keeps a lot of folks away. Cant explain the lack of bank fisherman. But in terms of economics, If people aren't paying to get in, then they won't be restocking! Won't have an effect on today's fishing but certainly will on tomorrow's.

Jimbo/russcue ...I had a feeling that increasing or adding additional fees would take their toll. Are there still a lot of kayakers or has the fee for each kayak run them off ? An open bank fishing spot use to be rare, except at 6 am in the morning & then it was gone fast. Remember the hot water discharge up past the bridge...that was great fishing until they closed it off. Now it's the wall, what's next ?