In Search Of The World Record Smallmouth At Pardee   By: Dan Bacher February 11, 2008 More Articles by Dan

Lake Pardee near Ione over the past several years has established its reputations as one of the most consistent producers of trophy smallmouths over 8 pounds of any reservoir in California. Many anglers, believe that there is a world record smallmouth swimming around in Pardee right now waiting for the right angler to hook it.

Harold Hardin of Stockton set a new state record in July 2007 when he bagged a 9.83 lb. smallmouth on the lake, eclipsing the previous state record of 9.1 pounds caught by Tom Brady in 1976 at Trinity Lake by nearly ¾ of a pound. He caught his fish on a 6 inch long charcoal colored Castaic swimbait.

When he caught the fish, Hardin told me that hooked an even larger fish that he believed would break the world smallmouth record the same day.

Kent Brown, host of the Ultimate Bass radio show on 1140 AM, also believes a there is a world record smallmouth bass swimming in Pardee Lake. The lake, overlooked by many bass anglers in northern California because of the huge largemouths that are common in Clear Lake, the Delta and other waters, played host to some of the best pro bass fishermen and outdoor writers in the state during a recent pre season “media day” event organized by Brown. The event proved the lake’s world class potential when two smallmouth bass over 9 pounds were caught.

Allen Fong of Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento caught a 9.58 lb. smallmouth outside of the recreation area cove with a green Yamamoto jig in 20 feet of water. Fong, who hosts Fun Fishing TV, fished with his co-host Warren Trumbley, who caught and released a 5 lb. bass.

Sacramento bass pro Dean McDaniel caught and released a 9.26 lb. smallmouth while fishing a grub in the same area. Neither angler got many bites, but the bites they got definitely counted!

“I have no doubt there is a world record smallmouth swimming around in Pardee,” said Brown. “One thing that is clear from the media day is that there are fish of world class caliber swimming around in Pardee.”

The pros that fished in the event included Kent Brown, Bub Tosh, Randy McAbee Russ Graves, Ron Brown, Ryan White, RJ Bennett, John Maes, Greg Guiterrez , Dean McDaniel and Corey Fenske. They were teamed with outdoor writers Bill Mays of WON Bass, Brian Sak of Bassmaster/Yamamoto’s Inside Line, Craig Gottwals of Bass West Magazine, John Johnson of Bassfan.com, Tony Stoltz of Westernbass.com. Cal Shu of Tackle Tour, Zander of Tackle Tour and Gary Errck, Fish Sniffer columnist.

Four winners from a contest that ran on Brown’s show Ultimate Bass and Sep Hendrickson’s California Sportsman were chosen to fish with the pros as well. Bud Guess from Sacramento won a Lamiglas rod for his big fish among the guests. Jackson Rancheria Casino and Pardee Lake Recreation hosted the event.

The event, on January 27, was billed as the Pardee Lake Recreation Outdoor Media Day. “Pardee Lake is closed annually from November 1 thru February 1, and for the first time, we will have access prior to opening day,” said Brown before the event.

The two big bass were caught in spite of cold, icy rain and heavy winds at times, not the best conditions for bass fishing. The two big smallies weren’t the only big fish caught that day. RJ Bennett brought in a 5 lb. largemouth, Greg Guitierrez caught a 3-3/4 lb. smallmouth and one pro nailed an 8 lb. largemouth.

Brown had a good day himself, considering the conditions. “I caught two largemouths over 4 pounds and a smallmouth over 4 pounds while throwing a football head patrol Jig with a Berkeley Sabre Tail Trailer,” he stated.

How would you go after the world record? Timing and presentation are both important.

“I’d go after the world record in the next 120 days, from February through May,” said Brown. “Learn how to fish a swim bait in the trout or kokanee patterns. The fish are the heaviest during this period of year before they spawn.”

There is no doubt that trophy smallmouth are wary and hard to hook, particularly in Pardee’s legendary clear water.

“Pardee is a super cool lake is that is so over overlooked,” said Brown. “Though it’s not easy to catch the big fish, fishing the lake is pretty much out of the textbook of reservoir fishing – the big fish will be hanging off the points and creek channels. I hadn’t been on the lake in 15 years, while most of the anglers who caught bass on our media day had never been on the lake and they still had no problem catching fish.”

Mike Harris, DFG fishery biologist, who officially certified Hardin’s record fish as a smallmouth last July, noted that the bass was very well-fed, having come from a lake that is heavily stocked with trout by the DFG and the lake concessionaire and has an abundant kokanee population.

“Our state record bass – whether smallmouth, spotted or largemouth – have come from lakes where lots of trout are stocked,” said Harris.

Although the lake is becoming increasingly known as a trophy bass fishery, most anglers who fish Pardee come for the great rainbow trout and kokanee fishing. After years of planting kokanee at Pardee, the DFG is no longer planting the reservoir because the fish are self-sustaining because of the excellent spawning conditions found on the Mokelumne River and the lake.

While kokanee are no longer stocked, Lake Pardee Recreation regularly stocks huge numbers of rainbow trout during the fishing season at the lake from February 1 through October. The concessionaire stocked over 10,000 pounds of trout on or prior to the February 1 opener this year. The DFG also regularly stocks catchable rainbows in Pardee.

Though the fishing was much slower than that sizzling hot trout bite that anglers experienced during the 2007 opening weekend, more trophy-size fish were caught this year. Rick Sabou of Stockton had an incredible day fishing at Pardee on February 1, catching a 13.22 lb. rainbow while fishing a chartreuse jig from shore. The angler also displayed his angling prowess by catching two other fish weighing 4 and 6 pounds on his jigs.

Steve Dippold of Placerville caught one of several limits of trout that I saw taken on the opener. Dippold hooked 8 rainbows, keeping 5 to 3 pounds, while soaking Berkley rainbow Power Bait in Recreation Area Cove. Gail Heatherington of Loomis also bagged four trout, including a 4 pounder, while fishing Power Nuggets in the same area.

Other fortunate anglers who caught quality trout on the opener included George Babich of Pinole, Aly Miller of Placerville , Bill George of Wallace and Joel Fritts of Citrus Heights.

For more information, contact Pardee Lake Recreation, 4900 Stony Creek Road, Ione, CA 95640-9439, Office: (209) 772-1472, FAX: (209) 772-0985.

Lake Pardee Facts

Location and size: Situated on the Mokelumne River in the Mother Lode foothills west of Ione, Lake Pardee has 2257 surface acres and 37 miles of shoreline when full.

Management: The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) oversees the operation and maintenance of facilities, determines recreation fees and establishes rules and regulations. The recreation facilities are operated by Pardee Lake Recreation.

Camping: Lake Pardee boasts a total of 141 beautiful, oak studded campsites located within two separate campgrounds within its boundaries. Campsites offer plenty of shade, are clean and each contain a picnic table and a fire ring. Clean, portable toilets are within a short walk. In each campground, running water is close to or right next to a site. Two ADA designed handicap sites are also available. Lakeview Campground is within walking distance of most facilities. The Oaks Campground is a little more secluded. For reservations and fee information, call (209) 772-1472.

RV Sites: Nightly and weekly RV sites, known as "C" units, are located in the Oaks Campground and feature full hook-ups, including electricity, water, and sewer connections. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.  

Boat ramp: The ten-lane boat launch ramp is a real convenience for easy launching and exiting. The extra long trailer parking area is also a plus to boaters at Pardee. The boat launching fee is $6.50 and the vehicle fee is $7.50. Note: EBMUD rangers will be inspecting boats for the presence of Quagga and Zebra mussels.

Marina: Pardee’s full service marina features boat rentals, boat supplies, fuel, ice, propane, oil, bait, tackle, beverages, sandwiches and snacks, lake maps and fishing licenses.

Boat rentals: are available out of Lake Pardee Marina for hourly, half day, full day and weekly rates. Deluxe and pontoon boat rentals are also available.

Fishing fees: Permits are $3.50 each day for each individual 16 years and older. A valid California fishing license is also required for all persons fishing who are age 16 and older.

Fish cleaning facilities: The state-of-the-art fishing cleaning station is an automated system where you simply approach the station and the grinder turns on automatically. Also, it is ADA designed for the disabled. It’s open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

For more information, contact Pardee Lake Recreation, 4900 Stony Creek Road, Ione, CA 95640-9439, Office: (209) 772-1472, www.pardeelakerecreation.com.

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