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- Feb 14, 2009
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TOP PICKS
SACRAMENTO RIVER -- The Port of Sacramento was still producing schoolie striped bass, mostly to trollers and boaters drifting minnows.
Bankies had a decent shot at some larger bass along with the schoolies off Marshall Street soaking mudsuckers and bloodworms at high tide (now around the middle of the day). The limited salmon opener on Monday saw big crowds, especially at Knight's Landing and around other boat ramps in the open stretch of river, and some chrome bright kings to 27 pounds were caught in the open section of river.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park) -- The lake, which was added back on to the DFG "Stocking List", was planted last week with 10- to 12-inch rainbows. Locals are catching smallmouth up to 2 pounds up in the Narrows on worms and jigs. Trollers are still picking up some smaller mackinaw along the east side of the lake near the second dam at 30 to 50 feet, but some of the bigger macks may be moving into shallower water to feed on the newly planted rainbows.
LOON LAKE -- Lake is at 63-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching 30 to 50 fish a day toplining just about anything you want to try. The fish are running 10 to 12 inches.
DELTA REGION
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side -- Swimbaits, topwater, and white/chartreuse streamers all worked well for stripers at places like Franks Tract, Old River, Santa Clara Shoals, and Eddo's Harbor. Look for faster moving water to improve both the striper and sturgeon bites.
CAMANCHE LAKE -- Trout fishing ratcheted up for trollers and anglers fishing the South Shore Pond. One pair of anglers put in four full days fishing for trout, hooking some 60 fish, releasing most of the 40 they landed. Top lures were Rapalas and R-Lures, best spot between Hat Island and Little Hat. Others reported limit action as well from both the main lake and the pond. Bass action has been mostly going to the trout chasers, with trollers catching some nice "incidental" bass to 3-plus pounds. While catfish are surely around, no reports of success came.
GENERAL NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is 707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. Many streams closed, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31 and others on April 25.
CHETCO RIVER -- The river will reopen today above the Highway 101 bridge for the retention of Chinook salmon and steelhead, however, the tributaries will continue to remain closed for those species. Anyone caught fishing for salmon or steelhead in any Chetco tributary including the North Fork and Emily Creek will be fined. Only two wild kings are allowed per angler per season, according to Dave Pitts of the Chetco Outdoor Store and WON Field Reporter.
ELK, SIXES RIVERS -- Both the Elk and Sixes rivers have king salmon in them, but they're dropping out quick and low and clear, making for tough fishing. Guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers said he and clients caught a dozen including chromers, and some jacks, but it will get better with the upcoming rain.
ROGUE RIVER, Lower -- Very slow here, although they are still seeing a very few Chinook and a few early steelhead, but don't really expect anything until the next rain hits. Usually Thanksgiving is when it starts going again.
RUSSIAN RIVER -- The mouth opened up again on Monday and a healthy push of salmon came in. There are some good runs of kings this year, up in numbers from past years. A lot of 2- and 3-pound halfpounder steelhead all over the river. River still really low, but upcoming rain might be enough to bring in some adult steelhead. Salmon are still off limits.
SMITH RIVER -- Low and gin-clear, although there are kings in the river. Some being caught from the Sand Hole and Piling Hole, a few chromers but mostly dark fish. Rain needed badly as of this writing on Sunday, but a storm was on the horizon, so could be excellent by the time you read this.
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SACRAMENTO RIVER -- The Port of Sacramento was still producing schoolie striped bass, mostly to trollers and boaters drifting minnows.
Bankies had a decent shot at some larger bass along with the schoolies off Marshall Street soaking mudsuckers and bloodworms at high tide (now around the middle of the day). The limited salmon opener on Monday saw big crowds, especially at Knight's Landing and around other boat ramps in the open stretch of river, and some chrome bright kings to 27 pounds were caught in the open section of river.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park) -- The lake, which was added back on to the DFG "Stocking List", was planted last week with 10- to 12-inch rainbows. Locals are catching smallmouth up to 2 pounds up in the Narrows on worms and jigs. Trollers are still picking up some smaller mackinaw along the east side of the lake near the second dam at 30 to 50 feet, but some of the bigger macks may be moving into shallower water to feed on the newly planted rainbows.
LOON LAKE -- Lake is at 63-percent capacity. Trollers are still catching 30 to 50 fish a day toplining just about anything you want to try. The fish are running 10 to 12 inches.
DELTA REGION
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side -- Swimbaits, topwater, and white/chartreuse streamers all worked well for stripers at places like Franks Tract, Old River, Santa Clara Shoals, and Eddo's Harbor. Look for faster moving water to improve both the striper and sturgeon bites.
CAMANCHE LAKE -- Trout fishing ratcheted up for trollers and anglers fishing the South Shore Pond. One pair of anglers put in four full days fishing for trout, hooking some 60 fish, releasing most of the 40 they landed. Top lures were Rapalas and R-Lures, best spot between Hat Island and Little Hat. Others reported limit action as well from both the main lake and the pond. Bass action has been mostly going to the trout chasers, with trollers catching some nice "incidental" bass to 3-plus pounds. While catfish are surely around, no reports of success came.
GENERAL NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is 707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. Many streams closed, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31 and others on April 25.
CHETCO RIVER -- The river will reopen today above the Highway 101 bridge for the retention of Chinook salmon and steelhead, however, the tributaries will continue to remain closed for those species. Anyone caught fishing for salmon or steelhead in any Chetco tributary including the North Fork and Emily Creek will be fined. Only two wild kings are allowed per angler per season, according to Dave Pitts of the Chetco Outdoor Store and WON Field Reporter.
ELK, SIXES RIVERS -- Both the Elk and Sixes rivers have king salmon in them, but they're dropping out quick and low and clear, making for tough fishing. Guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers said he and clients caught a dozen including chromers, and some jacks, but it will get better with the upcoming rain.
ROGUE RIVER, Lower -- Very slow here, although they are still seeing a very few Chinook and a few early steelhead, but don't really expect anything until the next rain hits. Usually Thanksgiving is when it starts going again.
RUSSIAN RIVER -- The mouth opened up again on Monday and a healthy push of salmon came in. There are some good runs of kings this year, up in numbers from past years. A lot of 2- and 3-pound halfpounder steelhead all over the river. River still really low, but upcoming rain might be enough to bring in some adult steelhead. Salmon are still off limits.
SMITH RIVER -- Low and gin-clear, although there are kings in the river. Some being caught from the Sand Hole and Piling Hole, a few chromers but mostly dark fish. Rain needed badly as of this writing on Sunday, but a storm was on the horizon, so could be excellent by the time you read this.
More...
