TOP PICKS
ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR--Continuing good weather has prolonged the good action here. Trolling broken-back Rapalas, nightcrawlers and dark-color grubs has been accounting for rainbows and a few browns. Some boaters have been landing 15 or more fish per day. Fly fishing folks getting their share of the action, too.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Plenty of rainbow action here, mostly catchables from the recent plant. Jim Cozzens at Sly Park Resort said anglers have also been picking up some browns, including a 20 incher weighing between 3 and 4 pounds. Smallmouth also on a decent bite. All that's missing are the Mackinaw--and nobody has caught any.
DELTA REGION: SACRAMENTO RIVER side--The sturgeon bite picked up with waters around 55 and 56 degrees. The best depths ranged from 45 to 59 feet in areas like Little Cut on the incoming tide, the Lower Big Cut on the outgoing, the Lower Pump House on an outgoing and Spoonbill Slough on an incoming tide, according to Lucky Strikes Charters. Striper sizes came up in Lindsey Slough, Pittsburg, and Rio Vista on baits like shad, jumbo minnows, or ghost shrimp. SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side--Striper fishing was generally very good in the main San Joaquin and the lower Mokelumne but sizes were down. Ladd's produces some on Pencil Poppers and Rat-L-Traps. If you're in clear water and bright sun, switch to throwing sub-surface stuff like Fish Traps and rip baits by late morning.
BENICIA--Anglers fishing out of Benicia headed up towards the Mothball Fleet for wide open striped bass action. Randy Hendrick at Benicia Bait and Tackle weighed in a 23 pounder, the biggest of the week for a regular who caught 6 other bass from 15 to 20 pounds while fishing the east end of the fleet with bullheads. While sturgeon weren't on fire like the bass, a few dedicated anglers reported catching some keepers on pile worms, roe and ghost shrimp.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--A striped bass pulling the scale down to the 30-pound mark was caught in the Port of Sacramento on a trolled swimbait, an increasingly popular trolling technique whereby a pair of swimbaits are trolled on a spreader. Trollers using deep-diving Yo-Zuris and Rebels with a plastic worm trailer seemed to be getting most of the larger fish however, because their rigs work deeper. Jiggers, too, were doing well, except that they, too, were switching to 1-once jigs in order to get to the bottom more quickly. Sturgeon were being seen--and caught--in greater numbers by the day. A big storm should bring even more upstream.
GENERAL
NORTH COAST RIVERS
With little rain in the forecast, it's best to call the DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline at (707) 822 -3164 before making a long drive to fish on the coast.
CHETCO RIVER--Extremely low, though anglers working the fast water spots with eggs found a decent pick on kings last week. Most of the fish have been bronze, but the bucks have still been cutting orange. A steelhead or two are showing every day.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--Closed due to low flows.
EEL RIVER, South Fork--Closed for lack of wateer.
FRESHWATER LAGOON--Thanks to a ludicrous lawsuit, the Department of Fish & Game is being forced to suspend all trout plants here until at least January 2010.
MAD RIVER--Closed but there are some salmon and steelhead milling around, so there could be some action when - and if - it ever rains...
MATTOLE RIVER--Closed to all fishing until at least January 1, 2009.
REDWOOD CREEK--Redwood Trickle would be a better name...the river remains closed to fishing and is in huge need of a good rain.
RUSSIAN RIVER--Super, super low, though there have been a few reports of steelhead showing up. It's late enough in the year now that a good rain will kick the action into high gear.
SMITH RIVER--Still open, but things are really, really tough here. The water's extremely low and clear and most of the kings are getting dark. If we get some rain soon, there could be one last good push of kings and then it's steelhead time!
VAN DUZEN RIVER--Mind-blowingly low and totally closed to fishing.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen--The short answer to the question, "How's fishing," was "slow." A few small steelhead were being caught from Blue Creek on up, but the expected run of winter fish has yet to show. They, and anglers were waiting for the next big storm which should to the trick. No new salmon have shown for a couple of weeks.
KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate--Fishing for adult steelhead, half-pounders and trout was quite good, made even better because of the light pressure. Fish were biting flies, Glo-Bugs, and roe, but the best bite was on small, backtrolled Hot Shots.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek--Fishing was slow, because the relatively few early steelhead were well upstream, while winter fish have yet to show in any great numbers.
TRINITY RIVER, Junction City--There was lots of pressure, but anglers were working hard for a couple of bites a day--if they were lucky, and good. The few steelhead being hooked have been nice-sized, with some weighing up to 10 pounds. Fly fishermen have been doing about as well, or as badly, as spin fishermen drifting roe.
Sierra Lakes/Rivers
BLUE LAKES--Lower Blue Lake has been fishing pretty good. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said 4 fishermen checked in with 19 rainbows they caught mostly on nightcrawlers. He said the 2 largest 'bows were 26 inchers.
BOCA LAKE--Anglers still catching some better rainbows at the dam using countdown Rapalas, nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said the court-ordered ban on DFG fish planting at Boca, as well as Prosser and Donner lakes, will have a seriously negative economic impact on the Truckee area. He said the ban that covers many waters all over the state can't help but have a major impact on the whole sportfishing community.
CAPLES LAKE--A few anglers at the lake over the weekend, but few reports coming in. Lake level is up a couple feet and 2 or 3 cfs of outflow is being released to maintain the trout fishery downstream. Kirkwood Lake is still accessible, with snow on the road and 4x4 access only, but next storm should close it.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)--Weather and water in good shape on the East Carson's catch-and-release section. Todd Sodaro at Carson River Resort near Markleeville said a few anglers have been fishing, but numbers are down.
DAVIS, LAKE--Fairview has been producing some limits of rainbows for shore fishermen, while fly fishermen have been scoring with nymphs and Woolly Buggers. Trolling has been best using cinnamon-colored trolling flies or fire-tiger Needlefish.
DONNER LAKE--Mackinaw action been picking up and fish 3 to 6 pounds have been hitting jigs like Buzz Bombs, and trolled AC Plugs and big FlatFish. Occasionally, bigger macks have been showing.
FRENCHMAN LAKE--Lunker Point and Frenchman's boat launch area have been two of the better spots for bank anglers. Limits of rainbows 1 to 2 pounds being reported. Terri Stancil at Wiggin's Trading Post in Chilcoot reports that floating nightcrawlers or rainbow glitter Power Bait off the bottom has been working.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR--Rainbow action here is not red hot, nor even close to it, but Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said anglers have been doing "okay." The recent plant of catchables and trophy 'bows up to 8 pounds has put some smaller fish on stringers and offers the possibility of nailing a whopper.
PROSSER LAKE--Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said the action here is about what can be expected this time of year--slow. He said the lake is low and fishing the inlets with nightcrawlers or red salmon eggs should provide the best opportunity for success. He also said anglers can try a variety of lures in dark colors in the early a.m.
PYRAMID LAKE--Weather too sunny and warm for the best fishing, but anglers not unhappy. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store in Sutcliffe said fishing has been fair, with many people catching at least a few fish. She said fly fishermen doing well with black and olive Woolly Worms. Shore fishermen having some success with frog and black lures, while boaters have been getting up to 20 fish per day, a few up to 7-plus pounds, using FlatFish and Apex lures. Crosby Lodge weighed in a 9-pound, 14-ounce cutthroat caught by Terry Sharkleford.
RED LAKE--Some small brookies have been rewarding anglers for their efforts, but numbers are low and it takes hard work. Try worms or Power Bait.
SILVER LAKE--Lake low, but a few fishermen were giving it a try over the weekend. Very little success reported.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Lake very low, but anglers have been catching a few Mackinaw between the island and the dam. Launch ramp still useable. Once in a while a really nice mack shows up, like the 43-inch, 11 1/2 pounder caught by young Colton Chenault from Klamath Falls on an AC Rainbow Plug.
LAKE TAHOE--Mackinaw action has been good, with both morning and afternoon bites producing good numbers of fish.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE--Clear Lake Guide Service said whether fished under slip floats or fly lined with a small splitshot, minnows caught the most fish, but you'd better hit the water with a dozen shiners for each hour you plan to fish these jumbo minnows. "Purists" spending their time fishing artificials have been successful with rattlebaits, drop-shotting, using Senkos, and paddle tail swimbaits. Worm colors run from Maverick's Ross's Recipe to RoboWorm's Morning Dawn and watermelon and green pumpkin varieties.
LAKE BERRYESSA--The usual areas of the Narrows, Steele Park's pipeline, and Monticello Dam areas are producing stringers of trout by drifting with live minnows with a bobber. Bass anglers are having a little tougher time but you might try darter heads with a twin tail grub, or the almighty drop-shot worm.
LAKE SONOMA-- Finding the bait is your only hope here still as we wait for more rain. Yorty Creek and other creeks in the north end were slow but if you were lucky enough to find some shad then you could find a few bass and steelies, too. Small swimbaits worked for bass and trout in the top 20 feet. J-Fair flies in olive or white as well as Needlefish also produced steelhead up here and by the dam.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
BAUM LAKE--Fishing here has been very good, with fish up to 11 pounds being landed. Lures, flies, and bait are all working well. BWO's, and Griffith's gnat for dries, while copper Johns in green, Don's bug, midges, and woolly buggers are doing well for nymph fishermen. Lure fishermen are doing well on just about anything. Bait fishermen are still doing best on nightcrawlers or Power Bait.
EAGLE LAKE--Closes on Dec. 31 but 3- and 4-pound trout are still on tap. Fish Traveler Guide Service said trolling water between 6-11 feet deep with baits set from just below the surface to 2 feet off the bottom with a Sep's No. 3 orange grub did well, closely followed by either an Arctic Fox or Jay Fair Trolling Fly. The best trolling areas are still at the north end. Anchor up along the Youth Camp shoreline or Rocky Point in 8-12 feet of water and set your threaded nightcrawlers at 4-6 feet deep for bobber fishing.
LEWISTON RESERVOIR--Trout bite hasn't slowed, but just angler turnout has. Trout are jumping everywhere. Power Bait or a combination of white and red eggs will do the trick.
McCLOUD RESERVOIR-- McCloud Reservoir is kicking out some nice trout, according to SC Guide Service who landed over 30 trout, for two days fishing. Trolling Sep's dodgers with a worm trailers worked very well both days. Trolling flies also picked up a lot of fish as trout are hungry and are no too hard to catch. The trout are in the 1/2-pound to 1 1/2-pound size range but great for the BBQ.
MEDICINE LAKE--Check on snow first before heading up, but trolling slow with a Sep's dodger and worm will produce easy limits.
PIT RIVER-- Remains open to zero kill, barbless hooks, and artificials only from Lake Britton Dam, downstream to Shasta Lake. Black AP's, golden stones, rubber-leg prince are all doing very well. Good reports in the Pit 5 area.
LAKE SHASTA--The main body from Bridge Bay to the Dam is finding numbers of trout, while the McCloud arm continues to produce the larger fish. Feeding on the surface, Cripplures in florescent colors as well as the UV ones seemed to work the best, run 200 feet behind the boat. The UV Sling Blade and UV Pee Wee Hoochies worked best for the salmon, according to Shasta Tackle. For trout run a Cripplure Glow Shad, Brass Crushed Fire, or Fire Tiger. A good bass bite is picking up in 5 to 15 feet of water for anglers using Mothers Finest in the osprey color.
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/stor...Fishing/Hunting
ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR--Continuing good weather has prolonged the good action here. Trolling broken-back Rapalas, nightcrawlers and dark-color grubs has been accounting for rainbows and a few browns. Some boaters have been landing 15 or more fish per day. Fly fishing folks getting their share of the action, too.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Plenty of rainbow action here, mostly catchables from the recent plant. Jim Cozzens at Sly Park Resort said anglers have also been picking up some browns, including a 20 incher weighing between 3 and 4 pounds. Smallmouth also on a decent bite. All that's missing are the Mackinaw--and nobody has caught any.
DELTA REGION: SACRAMENTO RIVER side--The sturgeon bite picked up with waters around 55 and 56 degrees. The best depths ranged from 45 to 59 feet in areas like Little Cut on the incoming tide, the Lower Big Cut on the outgoing, the Lower Pump House on an outgoing and Spoonbill Slough on an incoming tide, according to Lucky Strikes Charters. Striper sizes came up in Lindsey Slough, Pittsburg, and Rio Vista on baits like shad, jumbo minnows, or ghost shrimp. SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side--Striper fishing was generally very good in the main San Joaquin and the lower Mokelumne but sizes were down. Ladd's produces some on Pencil Poppers and Rat-L-Traps. If you're in clear water and bright sun, switch to throwing sub-surface stuff like Fish Traps and rip baits by late morning.
BENICIA--Anglers fishing out of Benicia headed up towards the Mothball Fleet for wide open striped bass action. Randy Hendrick at Benicia Bait and Tackle weighed in a 23 pounder, the biggest of the week for a regular who caught 6 other bass from 15 to 20 pounds while fishing the east end of the fleet with bullheads. While sturgeon weren't on fire like the bass, a few dedicated anglers reported catching some keepers on pile worms, roe and ghost shrimp.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--A striped bass pulling the scale down to the 30-pound mark was caught in the Port of Sacramento on a trolled swimbait, an increasingly popular trolling technique whereby a pair of swimbaits are trolled on a spreader. Trollers using deep-diving Yo-Zuris and Rebels with a plastic worm trailer seemed to be getting most of the larger fish however, because their rigs work deeper. Jiggers, too, were doing well, except that they, too, were switching to 1-once jigs in order to get to the bottom more quickly. Sturgeon were being seen--and caught--in greater numbers by the day. A big storm should bring even more upstream.
GENERAL
NORTH COAST RIVERS
With little rain in the forecast, it's best to call the DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline at (707) 822 -3164 before making a long drive to fish on the coast.
CHETCO RIVER--Extremely low, though anglers working the fast water spots with eggs found a decent pick on kings last week. Most of the fish have been bronze, but the bucks have still been cutting orange. A steelhead or two are showing every day.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--Closed due to low flows.
EEL RIVER, South Fork--Closed for lack of wateer.
FRESHWATER LAGOON--Thanks to a ludicrous lawsuit, the Department of Fish & Game is being forced to suspend all trout plants here until at least January 2010.
MAD RIVER--Closed but there are some salmon and steelhead milling around, so there could be some action when - and if - it ever rains...
MATTOLE RIVER--Closed to all fishing until at least January 1, 2009.
REDWOOD CREEK--Redwood Trickle would be a better name...the river remains closed to fishing and is in huge need of a good rain.
RUSSIAN RIVER--Super, super low, though there have been a few reports of steelhead showing up. It's late enough in the year now that a good rain will kick the action into high gear.
SMITH RIVER--Still open, but things are really, really tough here. The water's extremely low and clear and most of the kings are getting dark. If we get some rain soon, there could be one last good push of kings and then it's steelhead time!
VAN DUZEN RIVER--Mind-blowingly low and totally closed to fishing.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen--The short answer to the question, "How's fishing," was "slow." A few small steelhead were being caught from Blue Creek on up, but the expected run of winter fish has yet to show. They, and anglers were waiting for the next big storm which should to the trick. No new salmon have shown for a couple of weeks.
KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate--Fishing for adult steelhead, half-pounders and trout was quite good, made even better because of the light pressure. Fish were biting flies, Glo-Bugs, and roe, but the best bite was on small, backtrolled Hot Shots.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek--Fishing was slow, because the relatively few early steelhead were well upstream, while winter fish have yet to show in any great numbers.
TRINITY RIVER, Junction City--There was lots of pressure, but anglers were working hard for a couple of bites a day--if they were lucky, and good. The few steelhead being hooked have been nice-sized, with some weighing up to 10 pounds. Fly fishermen have been doing about as well, or as badly, as spin fishermen drifting roe.
Sierra Lakes/Rivers
BLUE LAKES--Lower Blue Lake has been fishing pretty good. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said 4 fishermen checked in with 19 rainbows they caught mostly on nightcrawlers. He said the 2 largest 'bows were 26 inchers.
BOCA LAKE--Anglers still catching some better rainbows at the dam using countdown Rapalas, nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said the court-ordered ban on DFG fish planting at Boca, as well as Prosser and Donner lakes, will have a seriously negative economic impact on the Truckee area. He said the ban that covers many waters all over the state can't help but have a major impact on the whole sportfishing community.
CAPLES LAKE--A few anglers at the lake over the weekend, but few reports coming in. Lake level is up a couple feet and 2 or 3 cfs of outflow is being released to maintain the trout fishery downstream. Kirkwood Lake is still accessible, with snow on the road and 4x4 access only, but next storm should close it.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)--Weather and water in good shape on the East Carson's catch-and-release section. Todd Sodaro at Carson River Resort near Markleeville said a few anglers have been fishing, but numbers are down.
DAVIS, LAKE--Fairview has been producing some limits of rainbows for shore fishermen, while fly fishermen have been scoring with nymphs and Woolly Buggers. Trolling has been best using cinnamon-colored trolling flies or fire-tiger Needlefish.
DONNER LAKE--Mackinaw action been picking up and fish 3 to 6 pounds have been hitting jigs like Buzz Bombs, and trolled AC Plugs and big FlatFish. Occasionally, bigger macks have been showing.
FRENCHMAN LAKE--Lunker Point and Frenchman's boat launch area have been two of the better spots for bank anglers. Limits of rainbows 1 to 2 pounds being reported. Terri Stancil at Wiggin's Trading Post in Chilcoot reports that floating nightcrawlers or rainbow glitter Power Bait off the bottom has been working.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR--Rainbow action here is not red hot, nor even close to it, but Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said anglers have been doing "okay." The recent plant of catchables and trophy 'bows up to 8 pounds has put some smaller fish on stringers and offers the possibility of nailing a whopper.
PROSSER LAKE--Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said the action here is about what can be expected this time of year--slow. He said the lake is low and fishing the inlets with nightcrawlers or red salmon eggs should provide the best opportunity for success. He also said anglers can try a variety of lures in dark colors in the early a.m.
PYRAMID LAKE--Weather too sunny and warm for the best fishing, but anglers not unhappy. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store in Sutcliffe said fishing has been fair, with many people catching at least a few fish. She said fly fishermen doing well with black and olive Woolly Worms. Shore fishermen having some success with frog and black lures, while boaters have been getting up to 20 fish per day, a few up to 7-plus pounds, using FlatFish and Apex lures. Crosby Lodge weighed in a 9-pound, 14-ounce cutthroat caught by Terry Sharkleford.
RED LAKE--Some small brookies have been rewarding anglers for their efforts, but numbers are low and it takes hard work. Try worms or Power Bait.
SILVER LAKE--Lake low, but a few fishermen were giving it a try over the weekend. Very little success reported.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Lake very low, but anglers have been catching a few Mackinaw between the island and the dam. Launch ramp still useable. Once in a while a really nice mack shows up, like the 43-inch, 11 1/2 pounder caught by young Colton Chenault from Klamath Falls on an AC Rainbow Plug.
LAKE TAHOE--Mackinaw action has been good, with both morning and afternoon bites producing good numbers of fish.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE--Clear Lake Guide Service said whether fished under slip floats or fly lined with a small splitshot, minnows caught the most fish, but you'd better hit the water with a dozen shiners for each hour you plan to fish these jumbo minnows. "Purists" spending their time fishing artificials have been successful with rattlebaits, drop-shotting, using Senkos, and paddle tail swimbaits. Worm colors run from Maverick's Ross's Recipe to RoboWorm's Morning Dawn and watermelon and green pumpkin varieties.
LAKE BERRYESSA--The usual areas of the Narrows, Steele Park's pipeline, and Monticello Dam areas are producing stringers of trout by drifting with live minnows with a bobber. Bass anglers are having a little tougher time but you might try darter heads with a twin tail grub, or the almighty drop-shot worm.
LAKE SONOMA-- Finding the bait is your only hope here still as we wait for more rain. Yorty Creek and other creeks in the north end were slow but if you were lucky enough to find some shad then you could find a few bass and steelies, too. Small swimbaits worked for bass and trout in the top 20 feet. J-Fair flies in olive or white as well as Needlefish also produced steelhead up here and by the dam.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
BAUM LAKE--Fishing here has been very good, with fish up to 11 pounds being landed. Lures, flies, and bait are all working well. BWO's, and Griffith's gnat for dries, while copper Johns in green, Don's bug, midges, and woolly buggers are doing well for nymph fishermen. Lure fishermen are doing well on just about anything. Bait fishermen are still doing best on nightcrawlers or Power Bait.
EAGLE LAKE--Closes on Dec. 31 but 3- and 4-pound trout are still on tap. Fish Traveler Guide Service said trolling water between 6-11 feet deep with baits set from just below the surface to 2 feet off the bottom with a Sep's No. 3 orange grub did well, closely followed by either an Arctic Fox or Jay Fair Trolling Fly. The best trolling areas are still at the north end. Anchor up along the Youth Camp shoreline or Rocky Point in 8-12 feet of water and set your threaded nightcrawlers at 4-6 feet deep for bobber fishing.
LEWISTON RESERVOIR--Trout bite hasn't slowed, but just angler turnout has. Trout are jumping everywhere. Power Bait or a combination of white and red eggs will do the trick.
McCLOUD RESERVOIR-- McCloud Reservoir is kicking out some nice trout, according to SC Guide Service who landed over 30 trout, for two days fishing. Trolling Sep's dodgers with a worm trailers worked very well both days. Trolling flies also picked up a lot of fish as trout are hungry and are no too hard to catch. The trout are in the 1/2-pound to 1 1/2-pound size range but great for the BBQ.
MEDICINE LAKE--Check on snow first before heading up, but trolling slow with a Sep's dodger and worm will produce easy limits.
PIT RIVER-- Remains open to zero kill, barbless hooks, and artificials only from Lake Britton Dam, downstream to Shasta Lake. Black AP's, golden stones, rubber-leg prince are all doing very well. Good reports in the Pit 5 area.
LAKE SHASTA--The main body from Bridge Bay to the Dam is finding numbers of trout, while the McCloud arm continues to produce the larger fish. Feeding on the surface, Cripplures in florescent colors as well as the UV ones seemed to work the best, run 200 feet behind the boat. The UV Sling Blade and UV Pee Wee Hoochies worked best for the salmon, according to Shasta Tackle. For trout run a Cripplure Glow Shad, Brass Crushed Fire, or Fire Tiger. A good bass bite is picking up in 5 to 15 feet of water for anglers using Mothers Finest in the osprey color.
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
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