TOP PICKS
CAMANCHE LAKE--Great trout action for both trollers and shore anglers, with fish to 10 pounds caught, and limits common. Top spots for the shore anglers fishing the main lake included the North Shore Day Use area and Hat Island. The South Shore Trout Pond is another good bet, where anglers caught fish to 8-plus pounds. Power Bait, Power Eggs, Power Worms and Rapalas worked in the pond. Trollers fishing the main lake found the top action toplining Rapalas east of the Narrows, on up to the highway bridge. Also-rans for lures were Ex-cel spoons, Vance's Sockeye Slammers and Needlefish.
RUSSIAN RIVER--Flows at the Hacienda Bridge are down to 270 cfs, calling for the closure of the smaller rivers, but they dredged out the mouth last week and high tides brought in a lot of fresh steelhead. Very tough fishing with the low water and clear conditions, but fly guys are doing well with small presentations in the lower river, and some fish are coming in on bobber and bait. Lures are "offensive" to the fish in the current conditions, according to Nick Wheeler of King's Sport & Tackle in Guerneville.
BERKELEY--Still pretty slow activity wise, but the boats are running sturgeon trips, with the El Dorado fishing San Pablo Bay on Saturday. Scott Sutherland at the landing reported the occasional keeper sturgeon, rays and sharks are the normal rod benders on these trips. The boats will start potluck season early, in March, with an estimate of April 1 for the first live bait trips.
MARTINEZ--Plenty of activity on Saturday during the Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby. Over 260 anglers participated this year, all the fish caught were released, and the kids got special consideration and prizes. Also some big striped bass reported, one weighing 37 pounds taken by a local fishing the upper end of the Mothball Fleet. Captain Jim Smith on the Happy Hooker ran a combo catfish/striper/sturgeon trip on Saturday, but the catfish were off the bite. One angler did catch a keeper sturgeon fishing near Garnet Point, and they released two shaker sturgeon.
GENERAL
NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures, and you should always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed by low flows. 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. For the Eel and other North Coast rivers, call (707) 822-3164.
CHETCO RIVER--Still low and clear, having received no rain, and the fish are podded up in deeper holes and runs or upriver. A few fish being caught by the better anglers, but it's an early morning, light line affair.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--According to guide Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service in Garberville, lack of rain up here brought the river way down and cleared it, but good anglers were still hooking 1 to 4 fish a day. Spooky fish, and numbers are down from what should be expected this time of year, he said. The fish are being taken on small sized plugs with subdued colors, and natural colored roe. "Stay off the fish as much as possible and look for them in fast water with a broken surface as well as small pockets where they like to hide out," Nimitz suggested.
EEL RIVER, South Fork--Still open as of Monday a.m., but could be closed due to low flows at 1 p.m. on Monday when the North Coast Rivers closure recording is updated, as it's very low and clear. "It looks more like a creek than a river," said guide Marc Nimitz.
GARCIA RIVER--Closed due to low flows.
MAD RIVER--Low and clear but with a tinge of color, according to Khevin Mellegers of Mad River Outfitters. River came down and fish were podded up below the hatchery and are still there. Guys in the know can still get a fish or two early in the morning, but then they're put down. Hard to drift with skinny water. Mellegers and a friend ran into a fresh push of fish early in the week and caught 10 or 11 fish between them, all fresh, but 2 3/4 to 5 pounds. He said the smaller fish are 2-year-old fish and a good indication for next year.
MATTOLE RIVER--Closed due to low flows.
NAVARRO/NOYO RIVERS--Closed due to low flows.
ROGUE RIVER, Agness--Excellent conditions and the only thing missing was fish. Guide Tony Sepulveda of Greenwater Guide Service fished here last week and saw one adult steelie landed for about 15 boats that were trying everything.
SMITH RIVER--Low and clear waters make for very tough fishing, with plenty of pressure on the spooky fish, according to Tony Sepulveda of Greenwater Guide Service. He didn't see a fish caught in a day on the water, but heard rumors of a few lucky anglers.
GARCIA, RIVER--Closed
GUALALA RIVER--Closed
MAD RIVER--The river is low, but fishable. Unfortunately, the fishing has continued to be poor.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Happy Camp--Steelhead fishing was very good last week from Happy Camp to Iron Gate Dam, and, even better, fishing pressure was very light. Anglers were catching several adults to 7 pounds and a bunch more halfpounders. Side-drifted roe and back-trolled Hot Shots accounted for most of the action.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek--The river was dropping into good fishable shape, but the success rate was low.
TRINITY RIVER, Junction City--Steelheading was good from Del Loma to above Douglas City last week, with the count ranging from 4 to 7 steelhead per boat per outing. Side-drifting roe and pulling plugs seemed to be about as effective as dead-drifting small nymphs like caddis pupa, copper Johns, and golden stoneflies under indicators. Downrunners were still in a small minority of fish being caught indicating there should be at least a few more weeks of good fishing left.
North Saltwater
BENICIA--Slow overall, although there was a report of a 31-inch striped bass taken off the 1st Street Bridge. Bait supplies are good, and warming water temperatures should improve the action.
BODEGA BAY-- The giant squid action dropped off over two weeks ago, and after a few unproductive trips, the boats that had been trying for them gave up. Crabbing has been slow, and no one is trying for sanddabs or sole. The calm ocean early in the week offered prime conditions for shore action for rockfish, but if anyone tried, no one reported.
EMERYVILLE--Only a couple boats running sturgeon and giant squid trips, but it seems that the squid have shut off.
EUREKA--Shore rockfish remained the top bet with anglers reporting limits of black rockfish to 7 pounds on weekend efforts before the wind came up. Top action went to black bass plastics fished weedless in the dolos at the end of the jetty. Surfperch fishing was good before the ocean roughed up, but bay fishing for the perch has been slow.
FORT BRAGG--Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar ran an experimental trip for giant squid, leaving port at 4 p.m. with flat calm seas on Thursday. Unfortunately, the squid have disappeared in the Fort Bragg area as well. Back up were 25 crab pots that yielded 43 crabs for 8 anglers. He ran a crab only trip on Saturday, finding limits of crabs for 4 anglers, plus some for the crew.
HALF MOON BAY--Very light activity, with a slow squid bite persisting, low crab numbers and no reports on sanddabs. Shore rockfish season is open, and there are great spots to try both south and north of the harbor, but not too many people trying.
SAN PABLO BAY--Last reports were for good action for sturgeon, although only a few keepers have been reported. Abundant herring spawns in main San Francisco Bay may draw the sturgeon down. There have been reports of spawning activity around Richardson Bay, Paradise Cove to Bluff Point and Belvedere Cove.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO BAY--Slower with only reports of sharks and rays caught, but that may change; herring spawning activity has been reported around the San Francisco Waterfront, Treasure Island and Alameda.
SUISUN BAY--Sturgeon fishing was fair with plenty of keepers reported, mostly from around the Mothball Fleet and on up towards Garnet Point and Pittsburg. Tides will slow this week, but will be picking up next week. All kinds of baits working including eel, shad and grass shrimp. Big striped bass were also reported, some in the 30-pound class, but no details were available.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE-- The water temperatures are in the mid 40's and the jig bite down south fished really slowly, has been the best bass bite, but anglers are also catching shaky head fish and crank fish. The numbers slowed for crappie and catfish, as well as anglers here, as it has been very cold.
LAKE BERRYESSA-- Jigs and Brush Hogs found more spotted bass but a few were also taken on drop-shot worms. The bass are holding close to the bottom between 20 and 40 feet and many of them were caught on the sides of points, but the larger ones were on the tops of them. Trollers are finding planted trout in the shallows with Needlefish, Kastmasters, Rainbow Runners or No. 5 or 7 Rapalas behind a dodger from the surface down to 20 feet.
LAKE SONOMA--Both the bass and trout bites have slowed, or at least reports, as few are making the journey here.
DELTA REGION
SACRAMENTO RIVER side--Starry-eyed flounder are being taken by anglers using shrimp for sturgeon and stripers. The bite is still very light for sturgeon still, and using mono leaders may help anglers detect the bite a little better. Be ready for the first or second tap because in most cases you don't get a second or a third. With a little rain and waters warming just a little, hopefully the bite will become more aggressive.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side--Jigs in darker colors like black/red or black/blue worked better for black bass. Work inside the weed lines during the high tides and outside of them during the low ones. Taylor or Dutch sloughs were suggested as areas to check out, though the bite is slow.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
LAKE ALMANOR-- The best bite for bank fishing has come in the Hamilton Branch area right near the Power House. Several nice rainbows and even a few king salmon where taken here. Trollers are jigging in several areas, as there is plenty of open water.
BAUM LAKE-- With plenty of trout averaging between 12 and 18 inches, this week's catch included at least one that weighed 8 pounds. Anglers continue to do extremely well where they find incoming water. Salmon eggs, worms or Panther Martins were popular with many, while the fly-fishermen found success with baetis and Griffiths gnats in sizes 18 and smaller, as well as with small nymphs.
LEWISTON RESERVOIR--Power Bait or a combination of white and red eggs will help entice the trout here. No new reports though as few are here to pursue them.
PIT RIVER--It remains open to zero kill, barbless hooks, and artificials only from Lake Britton Dam downstream to Shasta Lake but no reports were available. Black AP's, golden stones, rubber-leg prince did well when last reported.
LAKE SHASTA--The trout are right on the surface and limits are being taken on Red Magic Needlefish, or Krocodile in chrome blue, UV and glow shad Cripplures, Hum Dingers in brass red or silver/black/white Hum Dingers in the shad patterns have also found fish. Bass anglers reported success in the shallows and at the 40-foot mark, though the bite has just been fair.
Motherlode
AMADOR LAKE--Lake level rose quickly with the last storm, a 5-foot gain that floated the boat dock. Lake managers expect another couple feet increase before the runoff drops to normal. Trout are still the top bet with good action along the dam for anglers casting small white or white/red jigs. One angler caught a 3-pound bass on a live minnow and a 5-pound trout on a jig.
DON PEDRO RESERVOIR--Great shore action continued for anglers fishing around Blue Oaks with Power Bait, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs. Planter rainbows are the main catch. No recent trolling reports, but the action should be good for boaters using sideplaners to hug the shoreline, or longlining small spoons and Rapalas. No recent bass reports.
LAKE McCLURE--A great bet for trollers who want some variety to their trout catch. Plants of both rainbow and brook trout went in, and both are hitting with the rainbows outnumbering the brookies significantly. "We had fun catching and releasing the rainbows while looking for the brook trout," said guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing, who fished with his dad. Trolling with Ex-cel spoons fished behind a set of Mack Lures Hot Wings, the spoons well juiced with Pautzke's Krill Gel. Water levels finally started to climb, with a 3-foot gain.
LAKE McSWAIN--More great trout action, although the weekend rains hampered angler effort. Plenty of limits of quality planter rainbows, brook and some say brown trout (might be identification issues with the brookies). Power Bait, Power Eggs, nightcrawlers and for trollers, small spoons and Rapalas worked best.
LAKE PARDEE--Reopens Feb. 5 for campers, Feb. 6 for boaters and anglers.
NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR--A decent black bass bite if you have patience, the fish between 15 and 30 feet taking small worms. Not much effort for the striped bass or catfish. Water levels climbed a little with the last storm.
NEW MELONES RESERVOIR--Trout fishing remained very good for shore anglers and slower for boaters, and a crappie angler lucked into a 4-pound brown trout while fishing Glory Hole Cove with a crappie jig. Top bet for shore anglers was soaking bait at Glory Hole Point, Tuttletown, Angels Cove and under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
CAMP FAR WEST--Lake level is coming up and the concrete ramp may be operational by next week. A 15 boat team tournament reported good fishing, but no results were available at press time. The one boat that came into the marina reported having a good five-fish limit. Worms and jigs are the best now with the cold water.
COLLINS LAKE--Lake is at about 40-percent capacity and launching on the main marina ramp is good. There has been very little pressure by fishermen due to the cold wet weather but one group reported catching 6 rainbows and 2 browns from 1 to 1 3/4 pounds on Humdingers.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR--One boater reported success trolling up the lake in the 5 mph zone with flasher combos for 12- to 14-inch rainbows. Fishing has been hit-or-miss with action good one day and off the next. The most consistent area to try is in the Buck's Beach to Boston Bar section of upper lake at 10 to 12 feet. The lake is only down 7 to 8 feet from the spillway and Skipper's Cove Marina is open daily for bait and fuel.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR--Still accessible to the "extreme 4-wheeler". West side of the ridge getting in has 3-to 4-foot drifts with heavy ice that make this trip dangerous for the inexperienced. Dam operator said one Jeep made it in last week and fished from the shore.
LAKE OROVILLE--Rain last weekend brought the lake up 2 feet Saturday night to 28.1-percent capacity. The new ramp at Bidwell has been poured and the contractor is working on the parking lot, so the project should be completed in 2 or 3 weeks, weather permitting. Fishing has been pretty good despite the weather with bass and coho are still cooperating for boaters getting on the lake. The main body, Middle Fork and North Fork are all kicking out bass at 25 to 30 feet on jigs, worms and tubes with fish weighing up to 3 3/4 pounds. Coho are hitting Sling Blade/minnow combos at the Green Bridge at 45 to 50 feet.
ROLLINS LAKE--Lake is at 80-percent capacity and launch ramp is open but docks are not operational. Marina is anticipating a March 1st opening with campgrounds still open at Long Ravine. Trollers have had success up in the Bear River arm with a bikini Needlefish behind Sep's flashers at 10 to 12 feet for browns up to 18 inches.
SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE--Water level is coming up slowly and launching is good on both sides of the lake. Trollers have been catching some big brown trout on Rapalas, with a 6 pounder and a 9-pound 10-ounce lunker landed recently. The local anglers have been doing well but want to keep the hot action to themselves, so they're withholding information from Scott's Flat Resort about how and where.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR--Foresthill Ranger Station reported very little angler pressure on the lake with the cold weather.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR--Road is only plowed to Blodgett's and 4-wheelers are still getting into the lake with car topper boats. Trailered boats cannot make it in and the ramp is very icy with some snow. Experienced anglers are trolling flasher combos for small planters.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY--Action has slowed way down here with only a few fish being reported. Shore anglers are still picking up 1 to 2 steelhead to 6 pounds on worms and Power Bait at Wilbur Rd.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER-- Most steelhead being hooked have been fish which have been in the river awhile. However, a few bright fish, mostly under 5 pounds, were being caught near Sunrise, and there were also reports of a few fresh fish being caught down at Watt Ave. Fly fishermen were swinging leeches in browns and blacks, and dead-drifting small caddis imitations and egg patterns under indicators. Spin fishermen drifted small bits of roe, nightcrawlers, and spinners. For any hope at a bite, it's crucial, to go small, and light. And, DONT go wading out onto the riffles. It's not just a matter of staying out of areas where steelhead and salmon have been laying their eggs, (redds), but a matter of avoiding scaring the fish.
FEATHER RIVER--The numbers are low, but anglers are catching some bright, freshly arrived steelhead in the Low Flow Section. They weigh up to 5 pounds, and are taking nightcrawlers and beads. A few striped bass were being caught below Shanghai Rapids on Hair Raiser Jigs.
FOLSOM LAKE-- Bass fishermen were getting into some decent numbers, if not size at the "puddle," according to Don Paganelli of Bass Fishing Experience. They're mostly spots weighing from 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, and have been hitting a dartheaded Robo-Worm in the Aaron's Magic pattern. Work it very slow, with occasional pauses. Dragging a Carolina-rigged Robo-Worm in water 10 to 20 feet deep has been effective too. Fish from just a little ways up the North and South Forks, out into the main body. Trollers weren't doing much, but bank fishermen were catching a few planter trout around the Granite Bay boat ramp on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--A few sturgeon were reported caught around Courtland, Cache Slough and Elverta Beach on ghost shrimp and pileworms. A 20-pound striper was caught at Verona, but don't get too excited, as there were very few others. The Port of Sacramento was the scene of some small striper catches--on trolled deep-diving plugs, live minnows, and jigging.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale--A few sturgeon were caught last week, but rain and higher water is badly needed.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding--Trout fishing was very good once again, with the larger fish being caught from Redding to Anderson, while smaller trout, but in greater numbers were being caught farther downstream. The downstream stretches also produced an occasional steelhead, as well. Use caddis imitations when it's warm and sunny, but switch to baetis and stonefly imitations in cold wet conditions. Spin fishermen drifted Glo-Bugs, nightcrawlers and crickets.
Sierra Lakes/Rivers
BOCA LAKE--Caution is essential for ice fishermen now. Warming temperatures and rain can make ice very dangerous. A sharp drop in temperatures should improve ice conditions over a period of a few days.
CAPLES LAKE--No fishing reports coming in. The area did get a good dump from the recent snow storms.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)--River action very slow. Todd Sodaro at Carson River Resort near Markleeville said the East Carson winter fishing gets tougher as ice covers better water. He said a couple fly fishermen said they tried prince nymphs, small scuds, and caddis on top, with zero success. They said deeper holes in the river were frozen over and they were limited to fishing riffles.
DAVIS LAKE--Ice fishing has slowed here, but ice thickness isn't the cause. Jerry Dollard at Dollard's Sierra Market in Portola said ice is currently between 10 and 12 inches thick. Access is the problem, he said, with vehicle and fishing access limited to the dam area due to the eastside road still not cleared.
DONNER LAKE--Lots of snow and freezing around edges has reduced fishing opportunities for many fishermen. Boaters, however, are still able to launch and those trolling deeper water for Mackinaw have been getting most of the action. No big macks have been reported, but fish in triple-digit weights should be showing.
FRENCHMAN LAKE--Lake frozen over at the dam, but ice thickness is unknown. Terri Stancil at Wiggin's Trading Post in Chilcoot said people have been on the ice fishing and skating, but there is still some open water along the west shore opposite the dam. The north end of the lake appears frozen over also, but she warns there acre cracks in the ice. Roads still have ice on them past the dam. For latest conditions, call: (530)993-4683.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR--Lake still very difficult to access. Road in not cleared. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said it is possible to get to the muddy side of the lake, but the chance of getting vehicles stuck makes it hardly worth the risk.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Fishing action pretty slow here, with rain and snow making conditions not too inviting. But, still some die-hard fishermen have been braving the elements, according to Jeff Cole at Sly Park Resort. Nobody had been checking in with any bragging-sized fish, but they've been out there trying. Cole said studies clearing the lake of any concerns of frog habitat are good news. Hopefully, the lake will be cleared for more fish planting this year
PROSSER LAKE--Warming weather and rain may have degraded ice conditions some. A sharp drop in temperatures should restore ice to fishable conditions in a few days. Be careful out there.
PYRAMID LAKE--Cutthroat bite has slowed some as stormy weather conditions have moved through the area. A few bigger fish, 8 and 14 pounds caught, but most have been running just under 5 pounds.
RED LAKE--Lake some quieter now. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said anglers have been struggling to catch any fish through the ice. He rates fishing slow, but ice conditions are good.
SILVER LAKE--Ice fishing has slowed here, but Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said condition of ice is safe for fishing. But still be careful.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Access to the lake still just about impossible for any vehicles other than snowmobiles. No reports of what anglers may face if they can reach the lake.
LAKE TAHOE--Mackinaw action has been pretty well dictated by the weather, as usual. Mickey Daniels, with Mickey's big Mack Charters out in Carnelian Bay, said there's been a bit of a breeze at times that, with the wind-chill, made it too cold to go out. Otherwise, the mack bite has been good, starting slow in the morning and getting better later as he moves into deeper water. He's been catching, as well as tagging and releasing, macks up to 7 pounds.
TOPAZ LAKE--Action has slacked off here some, mainly due to lack of fishermen rather than fish, but a couple of good fish were caught. At Topaz Lodge, Renee Hurt said the biggest was a nice 24-inch, 4-pound, 5-ounce rainbow caught by Gardnerville fisherman George Ness. He was fishing along the southwest shore using Power Eggs. A close second was the 18-inch, 4-pound, 4 ouncer, caught by Ken Robertson from Yerington. He dunked a 'crawler for that one.
UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR--Reports very limited. While some angers had been launching at the dam and had been boating some rainbows, rain and following snow have degraded access to the lake.
- Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/stor...Fishing/Hunting
CAMANCHE LAKE--Great trout action for both trollers and shore anglers, with fish to 10 pounds caught, and limits common. Top spots for the shore anglers fishing the main lake included the North Shore Day Use area and Hat Island. The South Shore Trout Pond is another good bet, where anglers caught fish to 8-plus pounds. Power Bait, Power Eggs, Power Worms and Rapalas worked in the pond. Trollers fishing the main lake found the top action toplining Rapalas east of the Narrows, on up to the highway bridge. Also-rans for lures were Ex-cel spoons, Vance's Sockeye Slammers and Needlefish.
RUSSIAN RIVER--Flows at the Hacienda Bridge are down to 270 cfs, calling for the closure of the smaller rivers, but they dredged out the mouth last week and high tides brought in a lot of fresh steelhead. Very tough fishing with the low water and clear conditions, but fly guys are doing well with small presentations in the lower river, and some fish are coming in on bobber and bait. Lures are "offensive" to the fish in the current conditions, according to Nick Wheeler of King's Sport & Tackle in Guerneville.
BERKELEY--Still pretty slow activity wise, but the boats are running sturgeon trips, with the El Dorado fishing San Pablo Bay on Saturday. Scott Sutherland at the landing reported the occasional keeper sturgeon, rays and sharks are the normal rod benders on these trips. The boats will start potluck season early, in March, with an estimate of April 1 for the first live bait trips.
MARTINEZ--Plenty of activity on Saturday during the Diamond Classic Catch and Release Sturgeon Derby. Over 260 anglers participated this year, all the fish caught were released, and the kids got special consideration and prizes. Also some big striped bass reported, one weighing 37 pounds taken by a local fishing the upper end of the Mothball Fleet. Captain Jim Smith on the Happy Hooker ran a combo catfish/striper/sturgeon trip on Saturday, but the catfish were off the bite. One angler did catch a keeper sturgeon fishing near Garnet Point, and they released two shaker sturgeon.
GENERAL
NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures, and you should always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed by low flows. 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. For the Eel and other North Coast rivers, call (707) 822-3164.
CHETCO RIVER--Still low and clear, having received no rain, and the fish are podded up in deeper holes and runs or upriver. A few fish being caught by the better anglers, but it's an early morning, light line affair.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--According to guide Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service in Garberville, lack of rain up here brought the river way down and cleared it, but good anglers were still hooking 1 to 4 fish a day. Spooky fish, and numbers are down from what should be expected this time of year, he said. The fish are being taken on small sized plugs with subdued colors, and natural colored roe. "Stay off the fish as much as possible and look for them in fast water with a broken surface as well as small pockets where they like to hide out," Nimitz suggested.
EEL RIVER, South Fork--Still open as of Monday a.m., but could be closed due to low flows at 1 p.m. on Monday when the North Coast Rivers closure recording is updated, as it's very low and clear. "It looks more like a creek than a river," said guide Marc Nimitz.
GARCIA RIVER--Closed due to low flows.
MAD RIVER--Low and clear but with a tinge of color, according to Khevin Mellegers of Mad River Outfitters. River came down and fish were podded up below the hatchery and are still there. Guys in the know can still get a fish or two early in the morning, but then they're put down. Hard to drift with skinny water. Mellegers and a friend ran into a fresh push of fish early in the week and caught 10 or 11 fish between them, all fresh, but 2 3/4 to 5 pounds. He said the smaller fish are 2-year-old fish and a good indication for next year.
MATTOLE RIVER--Closed due to low flows.
NAVARRO/NOYO RIVERS--Closed due to low flows.
ROGUE RIVER, Agness--Excellent conditions and the only thing missing was fish. Guide Tony Sepulveda of Greenwater Guide Service fished here last week and saw one adult steelie landed for about 15 boats that were trying everything.
SMITH RIVER--Low and clear waters make for very tough fishing, with plenty of pressure on the spooky fish, according to Tony Sepulveda of Greenwater Guide Service. He didn't see a fish caught in a day on the water, but heard rumors of a few lucky anglers.
GARCIA, RIVER--Closed
GUALALA RIVER--Closed
MAD RIVER--The river is low, but fishable. Unfortunately, the fishing has continued to be poor.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Happy Camp--Steelhead fishing was very good last week from Happy Camp to Iron Gate Dam, and, even better, fishing pressure was very light. Anglers were catching several adults to 7 pounds and a bunch more halfpounders. Side-drifted roe and back-trolled Hot Shots accounted for most of the action.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek--The river was dropping into good fishable shape, but the success rate was low.
TRINITY RIVER, Junction City--Steelheading was good from Del Loma to above Douglas City last week, with the count ranging from 4 to 7 steelhead per boat per outing. Side-drifting roe and pulling plugs seemed to be about as effective as dead-drifting small nymphs like caddis pupa, copper Johns, and golden stoneflies under indicators. Downrunners were still in a small minority of fish being caught indicating there should be at least a few more weeks of good fishing left.
North Saltwater
BENICIA--Slow overall, although there was a report of a 31-inch striped bass taken off the 1st Street Bridge. Bait supplies are good, and warming water temperatures should improve the action.
BODEGA BAY-- The giant squid action dropped off over two weeks ago, and after a few unproductive trips, the boats that had been trying for them gave up. Crabbing has been slow, and no one is trying for sanddabs or sole. The calm ocean early in the week offered prime conditions for shore action for rockfish, but if anyone tried, no one reported.
EMERYVILLE--Only a couple boats running sturgeon and giant squid trips, but it seems that the squid have shut off.
EUREKA--Shore rockfish remained the top bet with anglers reporting limits of black rockfish to 7 pounds on weekend efforts before the wind came up. Top action went to black bass plastics fished weedless in the dolos at the end of the jetty. Surfperch fishing was good before the ocean roughed up, but bay fishing for the perch has been slow.
FORT BRAGG--Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar ran an experimental trip for giant squid, leaving port at 4 p.m. with flat calm seas on Thursday. Unfortunately, the squid have disappeared in the Fort Bragg area as well. Back up were 25 crab pots that yielded 43 crabs for 8 anglers. He ran a crab only trip on Saturday, finding limits of crabs for 4 anglers, plus some for the crew.
HALF MOON BAY--Very light activity, with a slow squid bite persisting, low crab numbers and no reports on sanddabs. Shore rockfish season is open, and there are great spots to try both south and north of the harbor, but not too many people trying.
SAN PABLO BAY--Last reports were for good action for sturgeon, although only a few keepers have been reported. Abundant herring spawns in main San Francisco Bay may draw the sturgeon down. There have been reports of spawning activity around Richardson Bay, Paradise Cove to Bluff Point and Belvedere Cove.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO BAY--Slower with only reports of sharks and rays caught, but that may change; herring spawning activity has been reported around the San Francisco Waterfront, Treasure Island and Alameda.
SUISUN BAY--Sturgeon fishing was fair with plenty of keepers reported, mostly from around the Mothball Fleet and on up towards Garnet Point and Pittsburg. Tides will slow this week, but will be picking up next week. All kinds of baits working including eel, shad and grass shrimp. Big striped bass were also reported, some in the 30-pound class, but no details were available.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE-- The water temperatures are in the mid 40's and the jig bite down south fished really slowly, has been the best bass bite, but anglers are also catching shaky head fish and crank fish. The numbers slowed for crappie and catfish, as well as anglers here, as it has been very cold.
LAKE BERRYESSA-- Jigs and Brush Hogs found more spotted bass but a few were also taken on drop-shot worms. The bass are holding close to the bottom between 20 and 40 feet and many of them were caught on the sides of points, but the larger ones were on the tops of them. Trollers are finding planted trout in the shallows with Needlefish, Kastmasters, Rainbow Runners or No. 5 or 7 Rapalas behind a dodger from the surface down to 20 feet.
LAKE SONOMA--Both the bass and trout bites have slowed, or at least reports, as few are making the journey here.
DELTA REGION
SACRAMENTO RIVER side--Starry-eyed flounder are being taken by anglers using shrimp for sturgeon and stripers. The bite is still very light for sturgeon still, and using mono leaders may help anglers detect the bite a little better. Be ready for the first or second tap because in most cases you don't get a second or a third. With a little rain and waters warming just a little, hopefully the bite will become more aggressive.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side--Jigs in darker colors like black/red or black/blue worked better for black bass. Work inside the weed lines during the high tides and outside of them during the low ones. Taylor or Dutch sloughs were suggested as areas to check out, though the bite is slow.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
LAKE ALMANOR-- The best bite for bank fishing has come in the Hamilton Branch area right near the Power House. Several nice rainbows and even a few king salmon where taken here. Trollers are jigging in several areas, as there is plenty of open water.
BAUM LAKE-- With plenty of trout averaging between 12 and 18 inches, this week's catch included at least one that weighed 8 pounds. Anglers continue to do extremely well where they find incoming water. Salmon eggs, worms or Panther Martins were popular with many, while the fly-fishermen found success with baetis and Griffiths gnats in sizes 18 and smaller, as well as with small nymphs.
LEWISTON RESERVOIR--Power Bait or a combination of white and red eggs will help entice the trout here. No new reports though as few are here to pursue them.
PIT RIVER--It remains open to zero kill, barbless hooks, and artificials only from Lake Britton Dam downstream to Shasta Lake but no reports were available. Black AP's, golden stones, rubber-leg prince did well when last reported.
LAKE SHASTA--The trout are right on the surface and limits are being taken on Red Magic Needlefish, or Krocodile in chrome blue, UV and glow shad Cripplures, Hum Dingers in brass red or silver/black/white Hum Dingers in the shad patterns have also found fish. Bass anglers reported success in the shallows and at the 40-foot mark, though the bite has just been fair.
Motherlode
AMADOR LAKE--Lake level rose quickly with the last storm, a 5-foot gain that floated the boat dock. Lake managers expect another couple feet increase before the runoff drops to normal. Trout are still the top bet with good action along the dam for anglers casting small white or white/red jigs. One angler caught a 3-pound bass on a live minnow and a 5-pound trout on a jig.
DON PEDRO RESERVOIR--Great shore action continued for anglers fishing around Blue Oaks with Power Bait, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs. Planter rainbows are the main catch. No recent trolling reports, but the action should be good for boaters using sideplaners to hug the shoreline, or longlining small spoons and Rapalas. No recent bass reports.
LAKE McCLURE--A great bet for trollers who want some variety to their trout catch. Plants of both rainbow and brook trout went in, and both are hitting with the rainbows outnumbering the brookies significantly. "We had fun catching and releasing the rainbows while looking for the brook trout," said guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing, who fished with his dad. Trolling with Ex-cel spoons fished behind a set of Mack Lures Hot Wings, the spoons well juiced with Pautzke's Krill Gel. Water levels finally started to climb, with a 3-foot gain.
LAKE McSWAIN--More great trout action, although the weekend rains hampered angler effort. Plenty of limits of quality planter rainbows, brook and some say brown trout (might be identification issues with the brookies). Power Bait, Power Eggs, nightcrawlers and for trollers, small spoons and Rapalas worked best.
LAKE PARDEE--Reopens Feb. 5 for campers, Feb. 6 for boaters and anglers.
NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR--A decent black bass bite if you have patience, the fish between 15 and 30 feet taking small worms. Not much effort for the striped bass or catfish. Water levels climbed a little with the last storm.
NEW MELONES RESERVOIR--Trout fishing remained very good for shore anglers and slower for boaters, and a crappie angler lucked into a 4-pound brown trout while fishing Glory Hole Cove with a crappie jig. Top bet for shore anglers was soaking bait at Glory Hole Point, Tuttletown, Angels Cove and under the Highway 49 Stevenot Bridge.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
CAMP FAR WEST--Lake level is coming up and the concrete ramp may be operational by next week. A 15 boat team tournament reported good fishing, but no results were available at press time. The one boat that came into the marina reported having a good five-fish limit. Worms and jigs are the best now with the cold water.
COLLINS LAKE--Lake is at about 40-percent capacity and launching on the main marina ramp is good. There has been very little pressure by fishermen due to the cold wet weather but one group reported catching 6 rainbows and 2 browns from 1 to 1 3/4 pounds on Humdingers.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR--One boater reported success trolling up the lake in the 5 mph zone with flasher combos for 12- to 14-inch rainbows. Fishing has been hit-or-miss with action good one day and off the next. The most consistent area to try is in the Buck's Beach to Boston Bar section of upper lake at 10 to 12 feet. The lake is only down 7 to 8 feet from the spillway and Skipper's Cove Marina is open daily for bait and fuel.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR--Still accessible to the "extreme 4-wheeler". West side of the ridge getting in has 3-to 4-foot drifts with heavy ice that make this trip dangerous for the inexperienced. Dam operator said one Jeep made it in last week and fished from the shore.
LAKE OROVILLE--Rain last weekend brought the lake up 2 feet Saturday night to 28.1-percent capacity. The new ramp at Bidwell has been poured and the contractor is working on the parking lot, so the project should be completed in 2 or 3 weeks, weather permitting. Fishing has been pretty good despite the weather with bass and coho are still cooperating for boaters getting on the lake. The main body, Middle Fork and North Fork are all kicking out bass at 25 to 30 feet on jigs, worms and tubes with fish weighing up to 3 3/4 pounds. Coho are hitting Sling Blade/minnow combos at the Green Bridge at 45 to 50 feet.
ROLLINS LAKE--Lake is at 80-percent capacity and launch ramp is open but docks are not operational. Marina is anticipating a March 1st opening with campgrounds still open at Long Ravine. Trollers have had success up in the Bear River arm with a bikini Needlefish behind Sep's flashers at 10 to 12 feet for browns up to 18 inches.
SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE--Water level is coming up slowly and launching is good on both sides of the lake. Trollers have been catching some big brown trout on Rapalas, with a 6 pounder and a 9-pound 10-ounce lunker landed recently. The local anglers have been doing well but want to keep the hot action to themselves, so they're withholding information from Scott's Flat Resort about how and where.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR--Foresthill Ranger Station reported very little angler pressure on the lake with the cold weather.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR--Road is only plowed to Blodgett's and 4-wheelers are still getting into the lake with car topper boats. Trailered boats cannot make it in and the ramp is very icy with some snow. Experienced anglers are trolling flasher combos for small planters.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY--Action has slowed way down here with only a few fish being reported. Shore anglers are still picking up 1 to 2 steelhead to 6 pounds on worms and Power Bait at Wilbur Rd.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER-- Most steelhead being hooked have been fish which have been in the river awhile. However, a few bright fish, mostly under 5 pounds, were being caught near Sunrise, and there were also reports of a few fresh fish being caught down at Watt Ave. Fly fishermen were swinging leeches in browns and blacks, and dead-drifting small caddis imitations and egg patterns under indicators. Spin fishermen drifted small bits of roe, nightcrawlers, and spinners. For any hope at a bite, it's crucial, to go small, and light. And, DONT go wading out onto the riffles. It's not just a matter of staying out of areas where steelhead and salmon have been laying their eggs, (redds), but a matter of avoiding scaring the fish.
FEATHER RIVER--The numbers are low, but anglers are catching some bright, freshly arrived steelhead in the Low Flow Section. They weigh up to 5 pounds, and are taking nightcrawlers and beads. A few striped bass were being caught below Shanghai Rapids on Hair Raiser Jigs.
FOLSOM LAKE-- Bass fishermen were getting into some decent numbers, if not size at the "puddle," according to Don Paganelli of Bass Fishing Experience. They're mostly spots weighing from 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, and have been hitting a dartheaded Robo-Worm in the Aaron's Magic pattern. Work it very slow, with occasional pauses. Dragging a Carolina-rigged Robo-Worm in water 10 to 20 feet deep has been effective too. Fish from just a little ways up the North and South Forks, out into the main body. Trollers weren't doing much, but bank fishermen were catching a few planter trout around the Granite Bay boat ramp on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--A few sturgeon were reported caught around Courtland, Cache Slough and Elverta Beach on ghost shrimp and pileworms. A 20-pound striper was caught at Verona, but don't get too excited, as there were very few others. The Port of Sacramento was the scene of some small striper catches--on trolled deep-diving plugs, live minnows, and jigging.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale--A few sturgeon were caught last week, but rain and higher water is badly needed.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding--Trout fishing was very good once again, with the larger fish being caught from Redding to Anderson, while smaller trout, but in greater numbers were being caught farther downstream. The downstream stretches also produced an occasional steelhead, as well. Use caddis imitations when it's warm and sunny, but switch to baetis and stonefly imitations in cold wet conditions. Spin fishermen drifted Glo-Bugs, nightcrawlers and crickets.
Sierra Lakes/Rivers
BOCA LAKE--Caution is essential for ice fishermen now. Warming temperatures and rain can make ice very dangerous. A sharp drop in temperatures should improve ice conditions over a period of a few days.
CAPLES LAKE--No fishing reports coming in. The area did get a good dump from the recent snow storms.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)--River action very slow. Todd Sodaro at Carson River Resort near Markleeville said the East Carson winter fishing gets tougher as ice covers better water. He said a couple fly fishermen said they tried prince nymphs, small scuds, and caddis on top, with zero success. They said deeper holes in the river were frozen over and they were limited to fishing riffles.
DAVIS LAKE--Ice fishing has slowed here, but ice thickness isn't the cause. Jerry Dollard at Dollard's Sierra Market in Portola said ice is currently between 10 and 12 inches thick. Access is the problem, he said, with vehicle and fishing access limited to the dam area due to the eastside road still not cleared.
DONNER LAKE--Lots of snow and freezing around edges has reduced fishing opportunities for many fishermen. Boaters, however, are still able to launch and those trolling deeper water for Mackinaw have been getting most of the action. No big macks have been reported, but fish in triple-digit weights should be showing.
FRENCHMAN LAKE--Lake frozen over at the dam, but ice thickness is unknown. Terri Stancil at Wiggin's Trading Post in Chilcoot said people have been on the ice fishing and skating, but there is still some open water along the west shore opposite the dam. The north end of the lake appears frozen over also, but she warns there acre cracks in the ice. Roads still have ice on them past the dam. For latest conditions, call: (530)993-4683.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR--Lake still very difficult to access. Road in not cleared. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said it is possible to get to the muddy side of the lake, but the chance of getting vehicles stuck makes it hardly worth the risk.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Fishing action pretty slow here, with rain and snow making conditions not too inviting. But, still some die-hard fishermen have been braving the elements, according to Jeff Cole at Sly Park Resort. Nobody had been checking in with any bragging-sized fish, but they've been out there trying. Cole said studies clearing the lake of any concerns of frog habitat are good news. Hopefully, the lake will be cleared for more fish planting this year
PROSSER LAKE--Warming weather and rain may have degraded ice conditions some. A sharp drop in temperatures should restore ice to fishable conditions in a few days. Be careful out there.
PYRAMID LAKE--Cutthroat bite has slowed some as stormy weather conditions have moved through the area. A few bigger fish, 8 and 14 pounds caught, but most have been running just under 5 pounds.
RED LAKE--Lake some quieter now. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said anglers have been struggling to catch any fish through the ice. He rates fishing slow, but ice conditions are good.
SILVER LAKE--Ice fishing has slowed here, but Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said condition of ice is safe for fishing. But still be careful.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Access to the lake still just about impossible for any vehicles other than snowmobiles. No reports of what anglers may face if they can reach the lake.
LAKE TAHOE--Mackinaw action has been pretty well dictated by the weather, as usual. Mickey Daniels, with Mickey's big Mack Charters out in Carnelian Bay, said there's been a bit of a breeze at times that, with the wind-chill, made it too cold to go out. Otherwise, the mack bite has been good, starting slow in the morning and getting better later as he moves into deeper water. He's been catching, as well as tagging and releasing, macks up to 7 pounds.
TOPAZ LAKE--Action has slacked off here some, mainly due to lack of fishermen rather than fish, but a couple of good fish were caught. At Topaz Lodge, Renee Hurt said the biggest was a nice 24-inch, 4-pound, 5-ounce rainbow caught by Gardnerville fisherman George Ness. He was fishing along the southwest shore using Power Eggs. A close second was the 18-inch, 4-pound, 4 ouncer, caught by Ken Robertson from Yerington. He dunked a 'crawler for that one.
UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR--Reports very limited. While some angers had been launching at the dam and had been boating some rainbows, rain and following snow have degraded access to the lake.
- Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/stor...Fishing/Hunting
