Coyote Reservoir
July 5, 2009 by Marce
I’ve wanted to write an article about Coyote Reservoir for quite some time, but I was somewhat hesitant due to the fact that some anglers may consider this place to be one of the South Bay’s best-kept secrets. However, after doing a quick Google search on “Coyote Reservoir” I realized that most of the larger fishing websites had already beat me to the punch. Some articles are over 5 years old, but nonetheless they each highlight the fact that on any given Sunday this place can yield large Florida-strain bass.
Having said that, I wanted to take a moment to highlight my own experiences out at Coyote, and explain to everyone why I love/hate this place. And then I also want to share some stories I’ve had out there, some of which were captured on film…
Disclaimer: As most of you may already know, I’m not a professional angler by any means, and most of what I know I’ve learned from friends that fish a lot more than I do. So if I say the wrong thing, or if you completely disagree with what I’m about to write please take it up with management. 
When I initially started San Jose Bass we decided to host our first “gathering” at Coyote. It was when the water level had dwindled so low that they didn’t allow any boats on the water. It was absolutely wonderful, and it pretty much even the playing field for everyone. In the end there were about 15 anglers out there that decided to join us, and to this day it still stands out as one of the best “gatherings” we’ve ever had. That day I caught my new Personal Best of 6.5 lbs. on a shaky head while fishing a rocky point.
That was also the day that I became “hooked”, and after that I knew that I needed to visit Coyote on a regular basis, but I had no idea how difficult the fishing would be at times. Which is why I want to let all of you know one thing – This place has one of the toughest bites in the Bay Area. Now, let me repeat that – THIS PLACE HAS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST BITES IN THE BAY AREA. Ok, I’m off my soapbox for now, but don’t ever say I didn’t warn you. For example, this past Wednesday I spent 11 hours fishing this place and I only caught 1 fish – a 3 lb. largemouth that was nestled in between 30 carp near some early-staged weed bed. My fishing partner Kevin, who I consider to be one heck of a fisherman, wasn’t able to bring in a single fish. If I’m doing the math correctly, that’s 22 hours of fishing and just one fish to show for it.
On the other hand, I’ve personally witnessed Kevin catch a double digit-bass on a shaky head, and historically there have been several tournaments (Bass-N-Tubes.com) with bags that held more than one double-digit bass. The big ones are definitely in there, but they can be extremely elusive at times.
As for what works out at Coyote – you can pretty much catch fish on swimbaits, jigs, senkos, crankbaits, and everything else in-between. There are also plenty of carp, crappie, and bluegill for the little ones. They used to plant trout on a regular basis, but this year due to some environmental lawsuit the County opted not to.
Anglers wishing to make a visit to Coyote Reservoir should also keep the following in mind:
1. Your boat will be subjected to the standard County mussel inspection.
2. On the weekends this place gets pretty busy with personal watercraft, wakeboarding/ski boats, and other fishing vessels.
If you decide to make your way up to Coyote Reservoir be sure to stop by Coyote Bait and Tackle on the way up. They have EVERYTHING you need and more…
For information on park facilities, call the Visitor Center at (408) 842-7800.
Nice write up, Marce.
The big mamas are in there, but it is among the most frustrating places I’ve ever fished.
One afternoon I hooked what I think was a DD, definitely my PB, and lost her right at my tube with about 6 other SJBers watching during one of our “gatherings” at Coyote. She came unbuttoned during her last rush, straight at me, and ended up in my lap, slapping me in the face and flipping me off as she jumped out of my arms and darted back to the depths.
I packed more explicit language in to the 30 seconds that followed than I ever have before or since. I probably sounded something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjiUrh_aR64&feature=related
Put your time in on this lake and you will get rewarded with some great FISH. Please practice Catch & Release. This lake is not big so the bass count will only dwindle if we do not practice C & R. If you get a biggie, let her go!
We are very lucky to have such a wonderful fishery so close to home. Coyote is by far, one of my favorite placeS to fish in the Bay Area.
Great article Marce! I think jim jr has this place dialed in lately. We should have him show us around.
Catch & Release!!!
Love this lake! I have caught & released many nice bass up to 10lbs here, All from the shore. The drop offs all along the shoreline make excellent hiding places so most hookups are within 15 feet. Be patient and you will be rewarded.
Brace your self ive got a lot to say about coyote lake. First off, Thank god someone finally wrote about what a F!@#$% frustrating lake coyote is, you have saved me my sanity! I was beyond excited to learn that such a renowned laregmouth fishery resided only some 7 miles from my gilroy home. I have been fishing for 18yrs of my 24yr existence but I am the first to admit that I’m very new to bass fishing.
I thought “how lucky, i got the bug to go out and catch bass and i have one of the best lakes in santa clara county to learn on,” haha i was wrong. This lake has turned me into an angry, discouraged newbie who has lost more lures and caught more ticks than anything else. I completely understand it is called fishing and not catching, and that i am new and my techniques may not be perfect, but geeeeeeez something has got to give!!!
I have literally fished this lake consistently (id called it obsessively, if u want to know the truth) 5 evenings a week for 5-7hrs at a time (some early mornings too, and both at times) since June 21,2009 (3 weeks of fishing as if i get paid to do it, which i dont) and i have ONE (yep only one) 1.5lb bass for my troubles. Ive almost walked around the entire lake on foot(north,south,east,west), tackle box in my back pack fishing every accessible part of shore there is and i cant figure out how to get a bite, yet all i hear is how many big fish people catch here. Ive rigged the “legendary” SENKOS every way possible, and just about any other soft bait one can imagine (green pumpkin, watermelon redblk flake, grn pumpkin chartreuse, red shad, tequilla sunrise, well u get the hint, i have every companies entire line in my tackle box) . I’ve patiently thrown a “snag proof tournament frog” in the mornings, evenings, afternoons. Nothing. Top water Pop’r. Nothing. 1/2oz black and blue jig with craw trailer. Nothing. Jig n pig. Nothing. Drop shot 6in straight worms, 4in curly tails, any color, type or size worm available. Nothing. Shad swimbaits. nothing. Shad rap, jointed shad rap, super spot. nothing. Walk the dog with a floating minnow. Nothing. flourocarbon leaders, braided line, mono line. all of the above. Nothing. Spinning gear. Nothing. Baitcaster. Nothing. even my terminal tackle ive changed up a million times and nothing!
I hope no one reads this the wrong way. Im not trying to be a huge crybaby and I know what you’re thinking. “wow kid why dont you spend less time buying stuff, and more time learning how to fish it first?” My immediate answer would be. “what do you think I do all those hours I’m casting and not catching fish?” I practice the proper retrieval techniques because ive literally given up hope that ill ever catch one. Im almost at a breaking point where i feel ill never learn the proper way to fish due to my lack of results, i mean i dont even get bites or the opportunity to be a bad newbie and miss fish. i just literally get no action what so ever. PLEASE HELP SAVE A PASSIONATE ANGLER WHO WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN A FEW FISH TO FUEL THE ALREADY BURNING DESIRE I HAVE BECOME A SERIOUS BASS FISHERMAN! I’m willing to b patient and put the hours in on the lake, as i have proven to myself in these last three weeks. any responses, or emails to MBEAMS44@gmail.com would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Coyote lake is driving me insane and away from fishing one 6 dollar entry fee and 5 dollar lure at a time.
Good article. I agree this lake is very tough to fish. I fished here 8 times or so before I caught a bass(and tiny). After some time with the lake though (and lottsa frustration:) it has been fantastic. Finding the right spot, of course, is key. Look for currents off of points. Fishing slow and methodical is key, also. Coyote bass are smart (heavily fished) and lazy because it’s a small, warm lake with a lot of baitfish and crawdads. Speaking of which, if you want to catch bass here, imitate craws especially with soft baits and jigs. Robo worms too. Unlike everyone else on the internet red and brown of anything works best for me (in clear and murky water). Goodluck! Catch and Release, Please Go Barbless!!
Great little article on a great little lake. I first made the trip up to Coyote a few years ago for a Bass-n-Tubes tournament (Thank You Coyote Bait & Tackle for a GREAT sponsored event. WISH THERE WAS MORE) I had never been to the lake before. I prefished the afternoon before the event in a down pour and never got bit. The day of the event I was was excited, mostly because of all the talk about what this lake can yield. I was working a stretch of shore line flippin a yabbie and my line went tight, like I had hung up. As I reeled up tight, I watched my line move to the right, right away I swung and I was hooked into something big. When I got her close and netted her, just about everyone on that lake could hear my yells of disbelief. I ended that day with my personal best 11.4 and and a 2nd place finish. Yes, a second place big fish, geees. there was one just bigger brought in.
In the 3 or so years following that first trip I only visited Lake Coyote for that Bass-n-Tubes event and cashed a check in every one of them. I would say I have a love/love relationship with this lake and I can’t say enough about it…..I need to make another trip up there this spring!
My first time on SJBass….Found out from one of my Boys I coach in little league about this site (i think he might be related to the web master some how?). Well when i’m not coaching or working I love to Fish. I am a South Bay Bass Fisher (Coyote, Anderson, Coyote Creek, all Ponds off Blossom Hill by Oakridge Mall, Snake Ponds off Almaden across from water works, Perk Ponds Campbell and Penitencia, etc.)…… Coyote Res. has been great to me each time I have gone out. I have never took my boat or float tube out on this water, so I cant speak on the deeper parts of the lake. I have also never scored a DD Bass off shore at Coyote but have hooked many 5-8 pounders. Overall my fishing experience at Coyote has always been great (never skunked there), not my favorite South Bay Fishing hole but ranks in the top 3 and I would rather travel to Coyote than take a trip to Shadow Cliff (Livermore/Pleasanton) any day.