Plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, as well as most other baits, work well here. But if you're chasing a giant, use one of your trout-imitation lures. The more realistic it is, the better your chances at a big one.

Lake Dixon dam was constructed for water storage and was completed in 1971. It has picnic areas, hiking trails, concessions, and camping. Fish were planted about five years prior to the lake's opening for business, and trout were planted after the opening up until to the present.

The trout are probably the reason for the quick growth of the bass. This lake has produced 20-plus-pound fish, many in the teens, and is just a great all-around lake for fishing and camping.

DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE
Still working our way north, we come to Diamond Valley Lake. The name is appropriate for this gem of a fishery, thanks to Mike Giusti, a Game and Fish biologist. He stood on the bow of his research boat one day, gazing out over the lake with the glow of a proud father, and told me, "This is a dream come true. To see a lake through from start to opening day and know it is a topnotch fishery . . . I couldn't be happier."

This lake, nestled in a valley where mammoths and mastodons once roamed thousands of years ago, started life as a rearing pond of about 80 acres and has grown into the largest lake in southern California. When full, it has about 4,500 surface acres. Two giant earthen dams, the largest project ever in the U.S., were built to close in this valley and form the lake.

The water level is still fluctuating a little, but the current level is about 4,100 acres -- enough room for the small rental fleet and 250 private boats allowed each day to fish very comfortably. Fishing is also available from the shoreline for about 1 1/2 miles.

The top targets of fishermen are the largemouths and smallmouths. The original 217 largemouth bass released into the rearing ponds for Diamond Valley Lake came from Lake Hodges in San Diego and are known for being strong, large fish. The fish at Diamond Valley have had some good spawns and have flourished over the last several years. They are now some of the strongest-fighting bass I've ever wrestled with!

The smallmouths, on the other hand, have been harder to catch. Surveys bring in only a few of them. There's some uncertainty as to whether the original 2,500 have had good spawns, but 1- to 2-pound fish have been caught. Hopefully, there is a strong population, and more will be caught as fishermen discover their hiding spots. These golden bass are tough fighters and should do well in this deep lake. Look to steeper and rocky banks for these guys.