LAKE SHASTINA-Water is really low.
LAKE SISKIYOU-- Trolling slow with a Sep's dodger and worm or K-7 KwikFish will land some nice trout.
North Saltwater
BERKELEY--The boats finished off the crab and rockfish combo season with trips to the Farallones for rockfish limits and less than limits on the crab. Captain James Smith will run one more combo trip, this on for halibut and crab, then the California Dawn will go into the boatyard for new engines. He expects to be back in the water at Martinez in February.
BODEGA BAY-- A big swell made conditions a little hairy for most, but earlier in the week, rockfish limits and 2 to 3 crabs per person was the norm. Bottomfishing is now closed for boat-based anglers, and anglers are now looking at giant squid and crabs, but with low crab numbers, some are passing on the crabs.
EMERYVILLE--When the boats here are not getting crab limits, you know there is a drought on Dungeness. The rockfish action made up for it with limits on all the trips, plus a handful of lingcod most days. The boats fished the Farallon Islands.
EUREKA--With a swell of 26-foot peaking over the weekend, there wasn't much fishing going on in the ocean. The commercial crab season opened Monday, but not many boats were expected to go out right away. As soon as the ocean lays down, the best prospects are crabbing and fishing for redtail surfperch on the beachs, or rockfish on the jetties (shore-based anglers okay).
FORT BRAGG--Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar reported a surprisingly busy week with crab trips producing limits or near limits (10 is the per person limit here) through the week until the swell bumped up on the weekend. Saturday's group of 26 still managed 126 keeper Dungeness.
HALF MOON BAY-- Nearshore action was made tougher due to the big swell, but the boats that ran to the Farallones found limits of rockfish and some lingcod. The local stuff produced 3/4 limits. Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat has embraced the squid fishery, running trips on Friday and Saturday, with Saturday's group boating 20 to 50 pounds. Crab numbers have been off, with 2 to 3 per angler. Bottomfishing is now closed for boat-based anglers.
MARTINEZ--Captain Jeremy Kangas on Stickem had some great days both for striper numbers and lunkers. On Friday, a last minute charter cancel resulted in the opportunity of a lifetime for one of Kangas' buddies, who caught and released a monster 33.5-pound striper, plus caught four other big bass between 8 and 20 pounds. Bullheads were the magic bait. Saturday's trip not only produced striper limits, but a 61-inch sturgeon for five anglers.
SAN PABLO BAY--Considering all the striped bass action up in Suisun Bay, there is very little going on here. A few leopard sharks and small stripers are the top bets, with squid, bullheads and pile worms getting the nod for bait choices.
SHELTER COVE--This port is going to be pretty quiet now that abalone season is over.
Motherlode
AMADOR LAKE--Lake managers are still hoping for rain with the lake not much affected by the storms so far. Trout fishing remained the top bet with the fish holding in the top 3 feet of water. Top tactic has been floating Power Bait with a bobber. Other good tactics include casting spoons, fly bubble combos and mini-jigs. Trollers need to let out a lot of line to get their lures back away from the boat.
CAMANCHE LAKE--Bass action rated good for anglers fishing the rock structure with jigs and worms. Trout plants continued to boost catches from the recreation area shorelines on both sides of the lake, top bets going to anglers soaking Power Eggs or inflated nightcrawlers. Trollers are working upriver or in the main lake, fishing the top 25 feet with spoons, grubs and threaded 'crawlers.
DON PEDRO RESERVOIR--Some good results reported by trollers fishing for trout and scoring bonus bass. Ex-cels and similar spoons worked in 20 to 35 feet of water. Trout to 1.25 pounds and bass to 2.5 pounds were reported, the key finding the bait schools. Another trout plant scheduled for this week. The lake level has remained steady with a slight gain.
LAKE McCLURE--No trout reports, but surprisingly good bass action on tap. Rocky structure produced best for anglers using weightless Senkos in the first 10 feet and drop-shot rigged worms in 20 to 30 feet of water. Another trout plant scheduled for this week. Lake level dropped about a foot.
LAKE McSWAIN--Trout plants will continue at this lake, which offered great action with cooler water temperatures and mild weather that brought out the effort. Top bets were shore fishing near the brushpile, and trolling from the marina on up towards the river mouth.
NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR--Black bass fishing good for a mix of quality largemouths and smaller smallmouths for anglers using small worms and jigs. Both darthead and drop-shot rigs are a good bet. Stripers are showing, but the best catching is going to the trollers and bait anglers. Water level has been pretty stable for a couple weeks now.
NEW MELONES RESERVOIR--Bank trout fishing continued to improve with the cooler water temperatures. Some anglers reported limits while fishing with bait from shore, most of the action going to those using rainbow glitter Power Bait or marshmallow/'crawler combos. Trolling is slow bug improving, with good action reported around the Stevenot Bridge. Another trout plant scheduled for this week.
TULLOCH RESERVOIR--Trout action improved for trollers with the top action reported by guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing, who took his two daughters out on Tuesday. They landed 8 fish, one a nice 3.5 pounder, lost a couple and missed several other strikes. The big one hit shad at 25 feet, while most of the action came on a Vance's Slim Willie flasher with a nightcrawler.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER--Salmon continued to trickle into Nimbus Hatchery last week, and it appears that the Hatchery will meet its quota of salmon eggs. That's nothing to cheer about however, since relatively few fish will produce all the eggs that are needed. The bigger, near term story for anglers looking for a chance to catch a fish on the American, is the increasing number of steelhead that continue to make their way up the fish ladder--and, apparently through the screens up into Nimbus Basin. Not many steelhead are being caught, but the ones that are beautiful fish, with some weighing 8 to 10 pounds. They are being caught on Blue Fox spinners, Little Cleos, Glo-Bugs, roe, nightcrawlers and beads. A few more were being intercepted on riffles at River Bend Park (formerly Goethe Park), above and below Watt Avenue, and Paradise Beach. In addition to the methods, above, fly fishers dead-drifted ion of a beadhead copper John and egg-fly combos under an indicator, or swung boss or assassin steelhead streamers.
FEATHER RIVER--It's not fast fishing for steelheading, even when good, it isn't like it should be. However, anglers were hooking up fairly steadily in the Low Flow Section, as well as in the Outlet and even below on riffles all the way to Gridley. Spin fishermen drifted nightcrawlers king mealworms, Glo-Bugs, spoons and spinners, while fly fishers dead-drifted Mayfly nymph-imitations such as a small beadhead flashback pheasant tail, or dark brown and black rubberlegs under an indicator.
FOLSOM LAKE--The lake level continued to drop, albeit slowly, and if big storms don't soon reverse the decline, even the low water ramp at Granite Bay might soon become unusable. Even so, bass fishing continued to be pretty good. Fish the edges and face of main and side channel drop-off. Finding concentrations of bait so much the better. Spoon and drop-shot with shad-patterned jigs and Robo-Worms. If that doesn't work, switch to jigs and Robo-Worms in darker colors. While most bass have been small spots, throw swimbaits, crankbaits, and ripbaits early in the morning for a shot at bigger fish.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa--Salmon fishing was up and down last week, with some good days, but more days than recently of just a few bites. More fish were being lost, as well, and the problem was being attributed to the low flows making salmon more spooky and tentative.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding--Fishing for trout continued to be good, and anglers were catching up to two dozen rainbows plus an occasional steelhead to 7 pounds on crickets and Glo-Bugs, while fly fishers caught them on egg patterns and caddis imitations.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
AMERICAN RIVER--Catch-and-release fishing with barbless artificial lures only. No more DFG trout plants due to recent lawsuit.
BULLARDS BAR--This lake will continue to receive trout plants by DFG due to its size, over 1000 acres. Very little fishing activity here with no reports available.
CAMP FAR WEST--Lots of boats enjoying a good bass bite for fish running 2 to 3 pounds on worms and jigs. No word on any success on stripers or catfish. Launching is still for small boats off the old dirt ramp at North Shore Resort.
COLLINS LAKE--Recreation Area was scheduled to receive delivery of DFG trout fingerlings for the pen-rearing program, but this has been cancelled due to the recent lawsuit. Lake will continue private plantings as long as it is still legal. Fishing has been pretty good with lots of trout and bass hitting lately. Try for brown trout in the headwaters above the lake. Run a boat up or drive to the bridge crossing the upper inlet and walk up into the creeks to the deeper pools hold the brownies. Bass hitting for trollers working Rapalas near the islands are running 2 to 3 pounds.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR--Lots of boats out trolling but no one reporting back in. This lake is on the "No Stocking" list for DFG plants, but received a lot of extra plants due to the low levels of other lakes that were scheduled for stocking last season and this might help mitigate the problem for a while.
FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR--Lake is very low, 49-percent capacity, and launching is difficult because of the steepness of the bank. Near limit-style trolling for rainbows longlining Rapalas along shallow rocky shoals for fish up to 17 inches. Access is still good with no snow at lake level. This lake is on the list to continue to receive DFG trout plants.
FULLER LAKE--Lake will remain on the DFG stocking list but there are no current reports available due to very little fishing pressure.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR--Toplining Rapalas is producing lots of browns to 2 pounds. Launching is still off the concrete ramp. Lake remains on the DFG plant list.
LAKE OROVILLE--Lake is down to 28-percent capacity with launching only available at the Spillway on a "launch-at-your-own-risk" with 4-wheel drive mandatory basis. Bass and coho anglers getting on the water are doing very well. Bass anglers are working the Middle Fork and North Fork in 25 to 35 feet of water with drop-shot worms, tubes and split-shot minnows for 15 to 20 spots from 2 to 4 1/4 pounds. Coho trollers are working any cove with water running into it on the main body and the North Fork with Sling Blades or dodgers with small silver/blue Rapalas or Needlefish at 20 to 40 feet for silver weighing up to 4 pounds. Others are reporting success tying up to the buoy line at the dam and mooching anchovies at 50 to 60 feet for fish to 3 pounds.
ROLLINS LAKE--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. No current reports were available this week.
SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. No current reports were available this week.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. Very little fishing pressure here according to the Forest Service with no current reports available.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. Last report from the Forest Service was that there are trollers working the lake but there were no current reports of success available.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY--Good action at the Hwy. 162 Bridge and Wilbur Rd. for big landlocked steelhead, running 2 1/2 to 5 pounds, with a few up to 7 pounds. Use live minnows set 5 to 6 feet below a bobber. Some bass being caught on the minnows providing bonus fish.
_ Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/story/1446487.html
LAKE SISKIYOU-- Trolling slow with a Sep's dodger and worm or K-7 KwikFish will land some nice trout.
North Saltwater
BERKELEY--The boats finished off the crab and rockfish combo season with trips to the Farallones for rockfish limits and less than limits on the crab. Captain James Smith will run one more combo trip, this on for halibut and crab, then the California Dawn will go into the boatyard for new engines. He expects to be back in the water at Martinez in February.
BODEGA BAY-- A big swell made conditions a little hairy for most, but earlier in the week, rockfish limits and 2 to 3 crabs per person was the norm. Bottomfishing is now closed for boat-based anglers, and anglers are now looking at giant squid and crabs, but with low crab numbers, some are passing on the crabs.
EMERYVILLE--When the boats here are not getting crab limits, you know there is a drought on Dungeness. The rockfish action made up for it with limits on all the trips, plus a handful of lingcod most days. The boats fished the Farallon Islands.
EUREKA--With a swell of 26-foot peaking over the weekend, there wasn't much fishing going on in the ocean. The commercial crab season opened Monday, but not many boats were expected to go out right away. As soon as the ocean lays down, the best prospects are crabbing and fishing for redtail surfperch on the beachs, or rockfish on the jetties (shore-based anglers okay).
FORT BRAGG--Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar reported a surprisingly busy week with crab trips producing limits or near limits (10 is the per person limit here) through the week until the swell bumped up on the weekend. Saturday's group of 26 still managed 126 keeper Dungeness.
HALF MOON BAY-- Nearshore action was made tougher due to the big swell, but the boats that ran to the Farallones found limits of rockfish and some lingcod. The local stuff produced 3/4 limits. Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat has embraced the squid fishery, running trips on Friday and Saturday, with Saturday's group boating 20 to 50 pounds. Crab numbers have been off, with 2 to 3 per angler. Bottomfishing is now closed for boat-based anglers.
MARTINEZ--Captain Jeremy Kangas on Stickem had some great days both for striper numbers and lunkers. On Friday, a last minute charter cancel resulted in the opportunity of a lifetime for one of Kangas' buddies, who caught and released a monster 33.5-pound striper, plus caught four other big bass between 8 and 20 pounds. Bullheads were the magic bait. Saturday's trip not only produced striper limits, but a 61-inch sturgeon for five anglers.
SAN PABLO BAY--Considering all the striped bass action up in Suisun Bay, there is very little going on here. A few leopard sharks and small stripers are the top bets, with squid, bullheads and pile worms getting the nod for bait choices.
SHELTER COVE--This port is going to be pretty quiet now that abalone season is over.
Motherlode
AMADOR LAKE--Lake managers are still hoping for rain with the lake not much affected by the storms so far. Trout fishing remained the top bet with the fish holding in the top 3 feet of water. Top tactic has been floating Power Bait with a bobber. Other good tactics include casting spoons, fly bubble combos and mini-jigs. Trollers need to let out a lot of line to get their lures back away from the boat.
CAMANCHE LAKE--Bass action rated good for anglers fishing the rock structure with jigs and worms. Trout plants continued to boost catches from the recreation area shorelines on both sides of the lake, top bets going to anglers soaking Power Eggs or inflated nightcrawlers. Trollers are working upriver or in the main lake, fishing the top 25 feet with spoons, grubs and threaded 'crawlers.
DON PEDRO RESERVOIR--Some good results reported by trollers fishing for trout and scoring bonus bass. Ex-cels and similar spoons worked in 20 to 35 feet of water. Trout to 1.25 pounds and bass to 2.5 pounds were reported, the key finding the bait schools. Another trout plant scheduled for this week. The lake level has remained steady with a slight gain.
LAKE McCLURE--No trout reports, but surprisingly good bass action on tap. Rocky structure produced best for anglers using weightless Senkos in the first 10 feet and drop-shot rigged worms in 20 to 30 feet of water. Another trout plant scheduled for this week. Lake level dropped about a foot.
LAKE McSWAIN--Trout plants will continue at this lake, which offered great action with cooler water temperatures and mild weather that brought out the effort. Top bets were shore fishing near the brushpile, and trolling from the marina on up towards the river mouth.
NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR--Black bass fishing good for a mix of quality largemouths and smaller smallmouths for anglers using small worms and jigs. Both darthead and drop-shot rigs are a good bet. Stripers are showing, but the best catching is going to the trollers and bait anglers. Water level has been pretty stable for a couple weeks now.
NEW MELONES RESERVOIR--Bank trout fishing continued to improve with the cooler water temperatures. Some anglers reported limits while fishing with bait from shore, most of the action going to those using rainbow glitter Power Bait or marshmallow/'crawler combos. Trolling is slow bug improving, with good action reported around the Stevenot Bridge. Another trout plant scheduled for this week.
TULLOCH RESERVOIR--Trout action improved for trollers with the top action reported by guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing, who took his two daughters out on Tuesday. They landed 8 fish, one a nice 3.5 pounder, lost a couple and missed several other strikes. The big one hit shad at 25 feet, while most of the action came on a Vance's Slim Willie flasher with a nightcrawler.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER--Salmon continued to trickle into Nimbus Hatchery last week, and it appears that the Hatchery will meet its quota of salmon eggs. That's nothing to cheer about however, since relatively few fish will produce all the eggs that are needed. The bigger, near term story for anglers looking for a chance to catch a fish on the American, is the increasing number of steelhead that continue to make their way up the fish ladder--and, apparently through the screens up into Nimbus Basin. Not many steelhead are being caught, but the ones that are beautiful fish, with some weighing 8 to 10 pounds. They are being caught on Blue Fox spinners, Little Cleos, Glo-Bugs, roe, nightcrawlers and beads. A few more were being intercepted on riffles at River Bend Park (formerly Goethe Park), above and below Watt Avenue, and Paradise Beach. In addition to the methods, above, fly fishers dead-drifted ion of a beadhead copper John and egg-fly combos under an indicator, or swung boss or assassin steelhead streamers.
FEATHER RIVER--It's not fast fishing for steelheading, even when good, it isn't like it should be. However, anglers were hooking up fairly steadily in the Low Flow Section, as well as in the Outlet and even below on riffles all the way to Gridley. Spin fishermen drifted nightcrawlers king mealworms, Glo-Bugs, spoons and spinners, while fly fishers dead-drifted Mayfly nymph-imitations such as a small beadhead flashback pheasant tail, or dark brown and black rubberlegs under an indicator.
FOLSOM LAKE--The lake level continued to drop, albeit slowly, and if big storms don't soon reverse the decline, even the low water ramp at Granite Bay might soon become unusable. Even so, bass fishing continued to be pretty good. Fish the edges and face of main and side channel drop-off. Finding concentrations of bait so much the better. Spoon and drop-shot with shad-patterned jigs and Robo-Worms. If that doesn't work, switch to jigs and Robo-Worms in darker colors. While most bass have been small spots, throw swimbaits, crankbaits, and ripbaits early in the morning for a shot at bigger fish.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa--Salmon fishing was up and down last week, with some good days, but more days than recently of just a few bites. More fish were being lost, as well, and the problem was being attributed to the low flows making salmon more spooky and tentative.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding--Fishing for trout continued to be good, and anglers were catching up to two dozen rainbows plus an occasional steelhead to 7 pounds on crickets and Glo-Bugs, while fly fishers caught them on egg patterns and caddis imitations.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
AMERICAN RIVER--Catch-and-release fishing with barbless artificial lures only. No more DFG trout plants due to recent lawsuit.
BULLARDS BAR--This lake will continue to receive trout plants by DFG due to its size, over 1000 acres. Very little fishing activity here with no reports available.
CAMP FAR WEST--Lots of boats enjoying a good bass bite for fish running 2 to 3 pounds on worms and jigs. No word on any success on stripers or catfish. Launching is still for small boats off the old dirt ramp at North Shore Resort.
COLLINS LAKE--Recreation Area was scheduled to receive delivery of DFG trout fingerlings for the pen-rearing program, but this has been cancelled due to the recent lawsuit. Lake will continue private plantings as long as it is still legal. Fishing has been pretty good with lots of trout and bass hitting lately. Try for brown trout in the headwaters above the lake. Run a boat up or drive to the bridge crossing the upper inlet and walk up into the creeks to the deeper pools hold the brownies. Bass hitting for trollers working Rapalas near the islands are running 2 to 3 pounds.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR--Lots of boats out trolling but no one reporting back in. This lake is on the "No Stocking" list for DFG plants, but received a lot of extra plants due to the low levels of other lakes that were scheduled for stocking last season and this might help mitigate the problem for a while.
FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR--Lake is very low, 49-percent capacity, and launching is difficult because of the steepness of the bank. Near limit-style trolling for rainbows longlining Rapalas along shallow rocky shoals for fish up to 17 inches. Access is still good with no snow at lake level. This lake is on the list to continue to receive DFG trout plants.
FULLER LAKE--Lake will remain on the DFG stocking list but there are no current reports available due to very little fishing pressure.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR--Toplining Rapalas is producing lots of browns to 2 pounds. Launching is still off the concrete ramp. Lake remains on the DFG plant list.
LAKE OROVILLE--Lake is down to 28-percent capacity with launching only available at the Spillway on a "launch-at-your-own-risk" with 4-wheel drive mandatory basis. Bass and coho anglers getting on the water are doing very well. Bass anglers are working the Middle Fork and North Fork in 25 to 35 feet of water with drop-shot worms, tubes and split-shot minnows for 15 to 20 spots from 2 to 4 1/4 pounds. Coho trollers are working any cove with water running into it on the main body and the North Fork with Sling Blades or dodgers with small silver/blue Rapalas or Needlefish at 20 to 40 feet for silver weighing up to 4 pounds. Others are reporting success tying up to the buoy line at the dam and mooching anchovies at 50 to 60 feet for fish to 3 pounds.
ROLLINS LAKE--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. No current reports were available this week.
SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. No current reports were available this week.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. Very little fishing pressure here according to the Forest Service with no current reports available.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR--On the DFG "No Stocking" list. Last report from the Forest Service was that there are trollers working the lake but there were no current reports of success available.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY--Good action at the Hwy. 162 Bridge and Wilbur Rd. for big landlocked steelhead, running 2 1/2 to 5 pounds, with a few up to 7 pounds. Use live minnows set 5 to 6 feet below a bobber. Some bass being caught on the minnows providing bonus fish.
_ Western Outdoor News
www.wonews.com
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/story/1446487.html
