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TOP PICKS
CAMANCHE LAKE--A huge largemouth bass weighing 14.11 ounces missed becoming a new lake record by a couple ounces, the fish hitting a Zara Spook in 7 feet of water for a tournament angler, and yes, he did win big fish of the event. Trout action remained good for both trollers and bank anglers, with limits possible from both accesses for anglers soaking Power Bait or nightcrawlers. "The same holds true for the South Shore Trout Pond," said John Cunningham at Lake Camanche Recreation. Trollers fish the main lake with Rapalas, R-Lures, Ex-Cels, Needlefish and Sockeye Slammers. Top colors are silver/blue, red/gold or Cop Car. Grubs are another good choice in pink, orange or pearl.
FOLSOM LAKE--Bass continued to move to the shallows, with the smaller males preparing the nest while most of the bigger females hung farther out. Flooded brush, backs of coves, and points were some of the better spots, and some of the nicer bass were out in open water. The reaction bite has continually improved, Robo-Worms in Aaron's Magic continued to be the go-to bait, but reaction baits were starting come into their own, and even big swimbaits were starting to trigger bites from bigger fish. Fishing for landlocked king salmon was spotty with a very few coming from around 35 feet deep in front of Dyke 8.
RUSSIAN RIVER--River conditions remain ideal here for steelheaders, and they are still scoring on nice fish--mostly downrunners, but some fresh bluebacks to 7 pounds, and the occasional fresh adult fish. Over 100 new fish in the hatchery last week means more fish in the river. Best stretches from Healdsburg to Steelhead Beach and from there down to Guerneville. Three nice fish out of Johnson's on Saturday, and a fresh 12-pound fish on Sunday a.m., according to Steve Jackson of Kings Sport and Tackle.
LAKE OROVILLE--Lake came up 10 feet last week to 55-percent capacity. Some of the secondary ramps are due to become operational soon if the water level continues to rise at the current rate, like Loafer Creek. Bass and coho action is busting wide open. Bass anglers are having 20 to 30 fish days drop-shotting and jigging at 15 to 25 feet on the points all over the lake. Over-slot fish are running 3 to 4 1/2 pounds. Coho trollers are doing well on Sling Blade/nightcrawler combos off the main body points in the North Fork at 65 feet for silvers up to 3 1/2 pounds.
General
NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. 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. Many streams close, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31.
CHETCO RIVER--The river closed to fishing on March 31.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--The Eel River system closed to fishing March 31, but it was good up until then. The main stem was fishable to well below the forks, but it was still flowing a little high. Upriver winds were making it tough fishing conditions. Most fish were downers, with a few fresh fish in the bag. Roe was best, and most boats were landing 3 to 8 fish per boat, according to Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service
EEL RIVER, South Fork--The river closed on March 31, but the entire South Fork has fishable color all the way to the forks, although the lower portion was still high. Downrunners made up the bulk of the catch, although there were still some bright, fresh fish in the mix. Averages were 3 to 8 fish a boat.
MAD RIVER--Closed to fishing on March 31.
MENDOCINO COASTAL RIVERS--Closed to fishing on March 31. The Gulala wasn't very good towards the end, but two anglers fished the Garcia before it closed and hooked "8 or 9 fish" according to Steve Jackson at Kings Sport & Tackle in Guerneville. Mostly downstream fish, but a couple of fresh ones. "It was better than the Gualala, and the Noyo and Navarro were very poor this year," he said.
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CAMANCHE LAKE--A huge largemouth bass weighing 14.11 ounces missed becoming a new lake record by a couple ounces, the fish hitting a Zara Spook in 7 feet of water for a tournament angler, and yes, he did win big fish of the event. Trout action remained good for both trollers and bank anglers, with limits possible from both accesses for anglers soaking Power Bait or nightcrawlers. "The same holds true for the South Shore Trout Pond," said John Cunningham at Lake Camanche Recreation. Trollers fish the main lake with Rapalas, R-Lures, Ex-Cels, Needlefish and Sockeye Slammers. Top colors are silver/blue, red/gold or Cop Car. Grubs are another good choice in pink, orange or pearl.
FOLSOM LAKE--Bass continued to move to the shallows, with the smaller males preparing the nest while most of the bigger females hung farther out. Flooded brush, backs of coves, and points were some of the better spots, and some of the nicer bass were out in open water. The reaction bite has continually improved, Robo-Worms in Aaron's Magic continued to be the go-to bait, but reaction baits were starting come into their own, and even big swimbaits were starting to trigger bites from bigger fish. Fishing for landlocked king salmon was spotty with a very few coming from around 35 feet deep in front of Dyke 8.
RUSSIAN RIVER--River conditions remain ideal here for steelheaders, and they are still scoring on nice fish--mostly downrunners, but some fresh bluebacks to 7 pounds, and the occasional fresh adult fish. Over 100 new fish in the hatchery last week means more fish in the river. Best stretches from Healdsburg to Steelhead Beach and from there down to Guerneville. Three nice fish out of Johnson's on Saturday, and a fresh 12-pound fish on Sunday a.m., according to Steve Jackson of Kings Sport and Tackle.
LAKE OROVILLE--Lake came up 10 feet last week to 55-percent capacity. Some of the secondary ramps are due to become operational soon if the water level continues to rise at the current rate, like Loafer Creek. Bass and coho action is busting wide open. Bass anglers are having 20 to 30 fish days drop-shotting and jigging at 15 to 25 feet on the points all over the lake. Over-slot fish are running 3 to 4 1/2 pounds. Coho trollers are doing well on Sling Blade/nightcrawler combos off the main body points in the North Fork at 65 feet for silvers up to 3 1/2 pounds.
General
NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. 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. Many streams close, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31.
CHETCO RIVER--The river closed to fishing on March 31.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--The Eel River system closed to fishing March 31, but it was good up until then. The main stem was fishable to well below the forks, but it was still flowing a little high. Upriver winds were making it tough fishing conditions. Most fish were downers, with a few fresh fish in the bag. Roe was best, and most boats were landing 3 to 8 fish per boat, according to Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service
EEL RIVER, South Fork--The river closed on March 31, but the entire South Fork has fishable color all the way to the forks, although the lower portion was still high. Downrunners made up the bulk of the catch, although there were still some bright, fresh fish in the mix. Averages were 3 to 8 fish a boat.
MAD RIVER--Closed to fishing on March 31.
MENDOCINO COASTAL RIVERS--Closed to fishing on March 31. The Gulala wasn't very good towards the end, but two anglers fished the Garcia before it closed and hooked "8 or 9 fish" according to Steve Jackson at Kings Sport & Tackle in Guerneville. Mostly downstream fish, but a couple of fresh ones. "It was better than the Gualala, and the Noyo and Navarro were very poor this year," he said.
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