About Alamitos Creek, CA

Alamitos Creek is a 7.7-mile long creek found in Santa Clara County and runs through San Jose. The creek is a designated watershed that drains an area of 38 square miles. It starts off at Almaden Reservoir where it is fed by tributaries like Jacques Gulch, Herbert and Barret Creek, which joins from the south before feeding into the Alamitos Creek. At the end of the creek, it enters Lake Almaden before finally going into the Guadalupe River.

The first inhabitants of the area surrounding the Alamitos Creek were the Native Americans. Settlers from the area changed hands to the Spanish explorers, Mexico, and eventually became part of the United States of America. In the mid-19th century, miners from the nearby Almaden Quicksilver mine discharged high levels of mercury into the creek’s water, contaminating the fish. Since then, locals have been prohibited from eating fish caught in the creek’s waters. As late as December 1, 2020, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment(OEHHA) prohibits men and women of all ages from eating fish found in Alamitos Creek and other surrounding creeks, reservoirs, lakes. 

All About Fishing in Alamitos Creek, CA

Although anglers may not eat the fish found in Alamitos Creek, it is still worth a visit for those catch-and-release fishing trips. Fish species found in the creek include largemouth bass, carp, bluegill, and channel catfish.

Largemouth bass are one of the most common fish found in America. Its large population and variation of weight and size make it one of the most popular game fish for anglers. Bass may not be sensitive to sudden movements, reels, and flies, but they are quite heavy on average and will put up a good fight. Most anglers use a 6 to 8-weight rod depending on the fish’s weight. Others also recommend the use of a disk drag. When bait fishing there are a lot of bait to choose from such as jigs, jerk bait, minnows, and plugs. Largemouth bass typically swim in muddy parts of the water underneath fallen trees, weeds, and debris. Because they swim in murky water, it’s best to use colorful flies when fishing for bass in order to entice them.

Channel catfish are different from the bass in that anglers target their sensitive noses when using bait. Most anglers use stinkbait or cheese in order to bait catfish into biting the hook. It also helps to use an extra-long 7” to 7.6” rod. Its length allows anglers to use different techniques like pitching or flipping. Anglers should also take note that most catfish have hard mouths and skulls. Preparing a sharper hook like a big treble hook works well and will lessen the chances of the fish escaping.

Similar to the largemouth bass, the common carp are also a very popular game fish for anglers looking to test their strength. There are a variety of ways to catch carp, from trolling to fly fishing. Like the bass, anglers prefer to use 6 to 8-weight rods depending on the weight. When preparing hooks it’s best to use a #4 or #6 if the carp is around the 10-20lbs range and a #8 or #10 if they weigh more. Carp are one of the easiest fish to acquire bait for as they’re very responsive to bait like boilies, corn, and bread.

For new anglers or those looking for practice, bluegill are the best option. They weigh only up to 2 lbs. Fly anglers recommend the use of a spider bubble or a fly near bluegill spawning points. As they have small mouths jig fishing is also another viable method. 

Fishing Seasonality 

Anglers looking to go on a fishing trip in the area will have a lot of dates to choose from as fish are in season all-year round. Largemouth bass are best caught right after their spawning season during early spring and throughout summer, from the end of June until the latter half of September. Bluegill are also mostly found during that time. In contrast, channel catfish are best caught during colder temperatures during fall and winter. Carp can be found throughout the entire year.

Fishing Seasonality 

Anglers looking to go on a fishing trip in the area will have a lot of dates to choose from as fish are in season all-year round. Largemouth bass are best caught right after their spawning season during early spring and throughout summer, from the end of June until the latter half of September. Bluegill are also mostly found during that time. In contrast, channel catfish are best caught during colder temperatures during fall and winter. Carp can be found throughout the entire year.

All About Fishing in Alamitos Creek, CA

Although anglers may not eat the fish found in Alamitos Creek, it is still worth a visit for those catch-and-release fishing trips. Fish species found in the creek include largemouth bass, carp, bluegill, and channel catfish.

Largemouth bass are one of the most common fish found in America. Its large population and variation of weight and size make it one of the most popular game fish for anglers. Bass may not be sensitive to sudden movements, reels, and flies, but they are quite heavy on average and will put up a good fight. Most anglers use a 6 to 8-weight rod depending on the fish’s weight. Others also recommend the use of a disk drag. When bait fishing there are a lot of bait to choose from such as jigs, jerk bait, minnows, and plugs. Largemouth bass typically swim in muddy parts of the water underneath fallen trees, weeds, and debris. Because they swim in murky water, it’s best to use colorful flies when fishing for bass in order to entice them.

Channel catfish are different from the bass in that anglers target their sensitive noses when using bait. Most anglers use stinkbait or cheese in order to bait catfish into biting the hook. It also helps to use an extra-long 7” to 7.6” rod. Its length allows anglers to use different techniques like pitching or flipping. Anglers should also take note that most catfish have hard mouths and skulls. Preparing a sharper hook like a big treble hook works well and will lessen the chances of the fish escaping.

Similar to the largemouth bass, the common carp are also a very popular game fish for anglers looking to test their strength. There are a variety of ways to catch carp, from trolling to fly fishing. Like the bass, anglers prefer to use 6 to 8-weight rods depending on the weight. When preparing hooks it’s best to use a #4 or #6 if the carp is around the 10-20lbs range and a #8 or #10 if they weigh more. Carp are one of the easiest fish to acquire bait for as they’re very responsive to bait like boilies, corn, and bread.

For new anglers or those looking for practice, bluegill are the best option. They weigh only up to 2 lbs. Fly anglers recommend the use of a spider bubble or a fly near bluegill spawning points. As they have small mouths jig fishing is also another viable method.