NORTH COAST RIVERS

As of Oct. 1, portions of several North and Central coast streams are governed by low flow closures. Always call ahead to be sure the river you’re planning to fish is open. The DFG’s North Coast River Hotline: (707) 442-822-3164; for the Central Coast, call: (707) 944-5533

CHETCO RIVER-The rains hit hard enough here to bring the river up to just under 4,000 cfs, which pulled out the stopper for the kings, which poured in and moved up throughout the system. There are huge numbers of jacks, up to 20 in a school. The river opens to salmon fishing on Nov. 1, but it can be fished for steelhead now. Don’t keep a king, or you’ll be cited, according to our WON Field Representative, David Pitts, up there.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower-Kings and cohos are both still available here, and trolling the estuary later in the day has been better than morning, although both are fair to good. Drifboaters on the river itself are also finding some fish in the deeper holes and runs, according to WON Field Reporter, Dave Pitts.

ELK AND SIXES RIVERS-There are some salmon in the rivers now, but most will hit after the next good rain. Always call ahead and check the regulations. Also, the Coquille, north of here, is getting primed up for kings.

ROGUE RIVER, Upper-Steve Nicovich at Joes Sports and Outdoors in Medford said that they’re picking up steelies on roe bugs, trailing behind an Ugly Bug or Leech, but there may be no added weight. This is a flies only area. Most of the steelies are between Shady Cove and the hatchery (where only flies may be used and no added weights). Over 3000 fish have come over the dam so far, but they’re only coming over in the teens to 20s a day. Most of the fish in the river will be the August fish, farther up in the upper reaches. Steelies are mostly cookie cutter 5 and 6 pounds, but there have been a few 10 to 12 pounders. Applegate River is closed, opens Jan. 1. There have been no coho over the Gold Rey dam, look for mid to late October.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Not enough rain for them to release any water to it. Won’t be anything on the steelies or salmon until the next big rain, and even then it will take quite a bit of runoff to get it going.

SMITH RIVER-The last rains moved the kings up and into the river all the way from Gasquet down, and fishing was good, but the flows dropped out and the river closes again since then. Fishing is now again just in the estuary and based on tidal movements. More kings are gathering, however, and the next big rain will really kick things into gear.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-Fresh salmon were still entering the river, but not in the numbers predicted by authorities. Crowds were way down, but sport anglers fishing between below Johnson’s Riffle and Blue Creek were catching between 2 and 12 salmon. The most effective method was to sidedrift roe. Steelhead fishing was only fair, but a few large fish to 10 pounds were being caught by swinging flies around Blue Creek.
KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate-Fishing for salmon improved last week, and it wasn’t uncommon to hook 20 fish an outing. Some were large, too, weighing up to 30 pounds. Steelhead fishing was fair, but improving, and should be even better when salmon begin to spawn.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek-Salmon numbers as counted by the Willow Creek Weir continued to be low, and fishing was slow. However, some nice steelhead were being caught. Ed Duggan of ‘D” Guide Service reported that clients caught 8 and 12 pounders.

TRINITY RIVER, Junction City-Salmon fishing was only fair, but picked up a bit from the week before. Steelhead fishing, however, was improving around from Junction City down to Del Loma. According to Ed Duggan of “D” Guide Service, an angler caught a steelhead weighing almost 16 pounds, a large steelie anywhere, but particularly big for the Trinity.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR-The lake has been slow all summer but the cooling water temps should bring the trout and bass action back into play. Some nice spots have been caught lately, but there are few reports available.

CAMP FAR WEST-Very low water and boating is out of the question. Lots of campers still come out on the weekends, but not much fishing success to report.

COLLINS LAKE-Lots of shad schools showing on the surface attracting game fish. Trollers are running baits through the boils for bass and some trout. Boaters trolling Rapalas along the shore have been bringing in nice stringers of bass to 2 pounds. Catfish action has been good for shore anglers at the campgrounds. Tim Perry of Auburn picked an 8-pound cat on anchovies.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-Trout action for trollers working up the river and in front of the dam with dodger/threaded worm combos for 9- to 12-inch rainbows was good after a plant on Wednesday. Lake is almost at spill level with very little angling pressure.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Few reports available. Area saw a little bit of snow last week. Trollers looking for browns need to work the inlet area with Rapalas as these fish prepare for the spawn.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-Anglers still going here but few are reporting back to the bait shops. Crawdad trapping is getting some play for those who enjoy a good shellfish boil.

LAKE OROVILLE-Lake is low and launching is 4-wheel drive only at Bidwell Canyon but the fishing is good for those making the effort to get on the water. Bass are everywhere from the surface to 15 feet. The topwater bite is good early, then it’s worms and jigs as the fish drop into deeper water during the day. Lots of coho are hitting for moochers using anchovy tails at the dam and the bridge at 40 to 45 feet. Some big catfish being taken with one 30-pounder reportedly caught two weeks ago. Cats are in the forks and the main lake for anglers using anchovies, sardines and chicken livers.

ROLLINS LAKE-Outrigger Grill is closed for the winter at Long Ravine Resort. Good action on bass and the best catfishing in 10 years. Bass boaters are doing well on worms and jigs for fish up to 3 1/2 pounds. Lots of cats, 7 to 10 pounds, coming in off the campgrounds for shore anglers using anchovies and hotdogs

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-Main resort on the Hwy. 20 side of the lake is available for launching with 180 feet of ramp left in the water. Cascade Shores on the opposite side of the lake is closed as reported before. The marina at the main lake resort is open on an “on-call” basis, just request service when you check in at the gate and the marina will be opened between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-No reports available. This has been reported as a “put and take” fishery with no plants having been made in some time.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Trollers looking for browns should starting checking out the inlet area with a Rapala as they prepare for the spawn. Area can be shallow so use caution to avoid snags.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Water level is up in the tules and bass action is good on Senkos and frogs. Some big steelhead to 7 pounds are showing for shore anglers using an inflated nightcrawler or worm and bobber rig.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-A surprisingly great week of halibut fishing until the wind came up on Friday. The California Dawn scored halibut limits on Thursday, a total of 48 halibut for 16 anglers. Bottomfishing has also been good, with boats fishing both the Marin Coast and the Farallones, weather permitting. Live bait will be available after the weekend of Oct. 18-19 as long as the business lasts, according to Jim Holloway at the receiver.

BODEGA BAY- Tough weather conditions with the big north winds canceling most weekend trips, and many of the weekday trips as well. When the weather settles, the bottomfishing action should be right back to full limits on the rockfish with improving lingcod numbers.

EMERYVILLE-Still some impressive scores on the live bait halibut trips, plus the boats arranged for live bait supplies for at least a few weeks more. The New Huck Finn scored halibut limits on Wednesday, and despite strong tides, had good flatty counts on.

EUREKA-Wind made for tough fishing conditions but the forecast was for better conditions this week. Before the wind, surf fishing was great for red tail surf perch at the mouth of the Eel River, Centerville Beach and at Elk River Beach inside the bay. Anglers who found sheltered areas still caught redtails, but the day surf smelt have slowed.

FORT BRAGG-Tough conditions for shoreline efforts, which is the only open action here for rockfish and lingcod. There was some private boater albacore efforts early in the week that scored up to 4 albacore per boat. Diving conditions were marginal due to windy conditions on the weekend, but abalone will be fair game through November. Nov. 1 is opening of crab season, and some of the boats are planning squid and crab combos.

HALF MOON BAY-Most of the boats cancelled trips on the weekend due to wind, but there were some efforts that produced 1/2 to 3/4 limits of rockfish. Earlier in the week, the bite was tough due to weather as well, but the Queen Of Hearts did score limits for 10 on Monday.

SAN PABLO BAY-Striped bass have been hitting jigs and plugs off the China Camp shoreline, so the striper action from the boating side should be good. Wind kept anything from happening on the weekend, but this bite should be ready to explode any time.

SAUSALITO-The party boats have not been running much, but private boaters fished for bottomfish at the Farallones and up the Marin Coast before the wind came up. Also some halibut effort, with good results around Angel and Treasure islands.

SHELTER COVE-Some albacore success early in the week, but the north wind changed everything. Still some time for Pacific halibut, but the season is winding down.

SUISUN BAY-Good sturgeon fishing, with private boaters getting keeper action in Honker Bay’s shallows on the big incoming on Friday despite windy conditions. Captain Jay Lopes of Right Hook Sportfishing fished the upper end for some good striper action, finding 7 keepers to 6 pounds, plus tons of shaker action on shad and bullheads.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE- According to Clear Lake Guide Service, the bass bite continues to elude even the best of anglers here, even though conditions have improved and bass are chasing baitfish, few anglers are finding success getting bass to chew on their baits. Drop-shot, flukes, and an occasional topwater fish were the best choices.

LAKE BERRYESSA-The topwater bite on the main lake in the mornings and late afternoons disappeared, but as the water recovers from recent rains, anglers should cover water and look for the bite to return. River2Sea plastics did find some fish, as well as an occasional trout.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-A plant this week should find trollers working the middle of the lake with the usual Wedding Rings, worms or Needlefish producing. Bass continued to entertain anglers working the deeper waters with jigs, drop-shotting plastic worms or tossed Senkos.

LAKE SONOMA-Drop-shot worms for bass at the north end up in the creeks. If you can find any grass lines, toss a frog in the mornings or other topwater tackle. Later on, black jigs will be a better option.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Roger’s Guide Service said the good bite found around the Rec. 2 area should return this week on a No. 7 Rapala, or gold and florescent red color patterned lures in the top 15 feet. This past week saw the lake recovering from rain, strong winds, and few areas were accessible to get out of the wind.

ANTELOPE LAKE-Roger’s Guide Service said the action here continues to be hot for numbers of nice Eagle Lake trout to 18 1/4 inches, as well as smaller to medium-sized rainbow trout, and several nice brookies. To the left or right of the ramp was a good place to start as 50 to 60 fish per boat were being reported by the few here.

BAUM LAKE–According to Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney, BWO’s, and Mahogany duns seemed to do the trick for dries, while copper Johns in green, Don’s bug, and Steve’s bug did well for the nymph fishermen. Lure fishermen are doing well on just about anything, while bait fishermen still seem to be doing best on ‘crawlers or Power Bait.

BRITTON LAKE-According to Vaughn’s Sporting Goods, cold nighttime temperatures seem to have affected the crappie, though the smallies have still been active.

CASSEL FOREBAY-BWO’s and Mahogany duns seem to be doing the trick for dries, while copper Johns in green, Don’s bug, and Steve’s bug are doing well for nymph anglers. Bait fishermen are using worms and salmon eggs, while lure fishermen are doing best on Rooster Tails and Panther Martins.

EAGLE LAKE- Tom Muller of Eagle Lake Charters said trout continue to be scattered. but moving into the shallower waters on the north end where they are feeding on baitfish. There are some recently planted smaller trout being caught in the area, but the majority of them are 3 to 6 pounders up here. Fishing inside the bay at Pelican Island in 8 feet of water, with flies in brown or other dark colors did the trick. Dragging worms was also productive, but the larger fish all seemed to prefer flies.

FALL RIVER-Still fishing well, however, recent high winds are definitely affecting the afternoon bite

UPPER HAT CREEK-Plenty of large rainbows were planted recently and worms and salmon eggs picked up the majority of them. With light fishing pressure almost everyone is picking up limits of trout in the 1- to 2 1/2-pound range. Fishing should remain good to excellent throughout October. Continue fishing deep to entice more strikes. Fly-fishing on the upper creek was okay with crystal buggers continuing to produce the most strikes. Fishing underneath is usually the most productive, but fishing on top with caddis imitations or stoneflies were also productive.

HAT CREEK WILD TROUT AREA-Weather turned cold during the week, but the forecast calls for some warming with the possibility of high’s into the 70’s, according to Vaughn’s Sporting in Burney. Fishing has been very good in most areas, with the exception being the wild trout section of Hat Creek, where the fish are as selective as ever!

PIT RIVER-Black AP’s, golden stones and rubber-legged princes all did very well. There were also sporadic caddis hatches up and down the river during the afternoons.

LAKE SHASTA- Toupee Island had a lot of bait and active fish, working shad on the surface anglers picked up trout to 19 inches. Some of the better producing lures included Cripplures and Hum Dingers in shad patterns. Other good color choices for lures included nickel/silver, silver/blue, or silver with black.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE–Kokanee starting to run up the Little Truckee now. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware an Sports in Truckee said most fishermen have been getting success at the inlet area and the dam, picking up mostly smaller rainbows.

CAPLES LAKE–Lake still dropping and fishing gets more difficult as access to the water becomes more of a challenge. Plans for the restocking of the lake are proceeding and fish for the first year’s stocking have been purchased. Anglers should have trophy fishing opportunities at the lake in the spring of 2009.

CARSON RIVER (East,West)–West Carson fishing continues to be challenging with the very low flows and skittish fish, according to Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords. There are plenty of fish, however. On the East Carson water conditions continue to be a good bit better. Anglers have been scoring some nice rainbows, running as big as 6 and 7 pounds.

DAVIS, LAKE–Fishing good, if place and presentation are good. North end of lake good for trollers running lures shallow, at 8 feet deep. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait work for bank fishers. Dark nymphs and midge patterns work along weed-bed edges at north end of lake.

DONNER LAKE–Fishing not too bad here even though the lake is low, according to Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee. He said rainbow action has been good for anglers fishing off docks and even down where the lake dumps into Donner Creek; lots of Mackinaw stack up there. A few macks have been caught lately by anglers jigging Buzz Bombs at 60 to 70 feet deep. Anglers looking for browns should concentrate on points around the lake.

FRENCHMAN LAKE–Shore fishermen still doing good at Lunker Point and at the dam, floating nightcrawlers just off bottom. Trolling through the Narrows with ‘crawler/flasher rigs also producing fish. Campgrounds closed, with Frenchman Campground the only one still open. Day camping allowed in unlocked areas. Ramps still in the water at Frenchman and Lunker.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR–Fall bite definitely on here. Dale Daneman with Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service in Placerville said his last trip produced 25 rainbows in 5 hours’ fishing. His top rigs are either half a ‘crawler or a Sep’s scented grub trolled behind a watermelon Side Kick dodger. Mostly small rainbows running 12 inches or so. His friend, Earl Pennington from South Lake Tahoe, fished the lake a few days later with the same lures and landed 40 rainbows for the day.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR–Action slow here, but Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said cold weather temperatures should change that. Colder water temps will knock out the algae bloom and fishing will get better.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR–Lake level dropping. Best bet is fishing the inlets. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said some pretty big fish, many browns, are in the inlet areas trying to go up the creeks.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)–Anglers here have been picking up some smallmouth, mainly back in the Narrows. Jeff Cole at Sly park Resort said people have also been catching pretty good numbers of planter rainbows. Lake level good and ramps all open. He said campgrounds have been opening and closing for the road paving construction. He suggested campers calling EID at (530) 644-2792 for current information regarding which campgrounds are open.

LOON LAKE–Fall action good here for anglers trolling nightcrawlers or grubs behind a Sep’s watermelon Side Kick dodger. Fish mostly smaller rainbows running under 14 inches.

PROSSER LAKE–Best bet here is working the inlets and creek beds. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said mostly rainbows biting, with browns showing up on the rare occasion. He said there had also been some smallmouth activity at the dam and the Prosser Creek arm.

PYRAMID LAKE–Winds pretty well blew out the cutthroat bite. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store said boats weren’t able to get out some days, but did Sunday, with the best catch being 5 fish for the day. She said shore fishermen have definitely been doing best, with just about everybody getting at least a couple fish. There were no big cutts to report for the week, but Jared Coleman at Crosby Lodge in Sutcliffe said a fisherman checked in with a 20-pound carp he caught on a fly rod at Blockhouse. He said the fish was a real rarity, since they are unable to live in the lake’s water and are rarely seen.

RED LAKE–Lake continues to surprise anglers. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said some fishermen have been catching lots of little brookies, getting some limits. He said some have been scoring with worms, while others have been using small lures like Daredevils and little 1/8th ounce Kastmasters.

SILVER LAKE–Hot fall fishing has kicked in here. Lake Tahoe angler Earl Pennington landed and released 56 rainbows by noon. He was trolling either half a nightcrawler or a Sep’s scented grub in brown or frog pattern behind a watermelon Side Kick dodger. Reports indicate the lake is getting low enough to make launching difficult, if not impossible. They’re now drawing from Silver, since Caples is drained.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR–Lake level is lower than in years, below half full. Fish are stacking up in the Little Truckee inlet. Also Mackinaw begin to congregate at the dam at 50 to 60 feet deep. Macks 2 to 8 pounds come in there.

LAKE TAHOE–Windy and cold at times, but when the wind isn’t too high, the Mackinaw bite is still pretty good. Mickey Daniels with Mickey’s Big Mack Charters in Carnelian Bay, reporting on his most recent charter, said the wind dropped after a while and he got into some fish. He had 7 people on board and they caught 8 macks and lost 4 or 5, mostly small fish up to 5 1/2 pounds. Sting Kings and also Koke-A-Nuts behind a dodger have been working for Daniels.

TRUCKEE RIVER–Bite slowed over the weekend as temperatures dropped into the 20s. It’s a good time of year to throw spinners, while fly fishermen can go to streamers. Try drifting salmon eggs in the unregulated section of the river. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said fly fishermen in regulated sections can use baetis patterns, big stimulators in orange, and midges. Spin fishermen can throw black patterns or little 1/8th ounce gold Kastmasters. He advised warm clothes to handle cold morning temperatures. Daytime highs barely 50 degrees.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Fishing was slow on the American River last week, with a few small steelhead caught on the lower riffles from Paradise Beach to Goethe Park and a rare striped bass taking Pencil Poppers, swimbaits, mudsuckers and crawdads. There were a salmon observed, but, unfortunately, they were in the Giant Aquarium at the Salmon Festival held last weekend.
FEATHER RIVER-Quite a few big stripers were caught below Shanghai Rapids last week, including a 37 pounder. They were caught on Pencil Poppers, Hair Raiser Jigs, and shallow running jerk baits. Steelhead fishing continued to improve, too, from Gridley up into the Low Flow Section. While small nymphs and egg patterns were catching a few, nightcrawlers seemed to be a better bet.
FOLSOM LAKE-The biggest challenge at Folsom was to find lee shores to get out of the wind. Crankbaits and jerkbaits worked early, but later in the day, if you could keep from being blown away, it was more productive to work sheltered rock piles with Carolina rigged, drop-shotted and dartheaded plastic worms.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Good fishing early in the week demonstrated that there were still plenty of striped bass around. Most fishermen stayed home after the winds started blowing, though. The area around Ward’s Landing continued to be good on minnows, although no whoppers were reported. Some were caught at Verona, and others in the Turning Basin at the Port of Sacramento. There were even a few steelhead caught above Colusa on roe.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Nice trout were keying on eggs being dropped by spawning salmon, and anglers were having a field day catching from 40 to 60 rainbows a day, mostly on Glo-Bugs or small egg patterns. Although most of the spawning salmon are in the stretch from Balls Ferry into Redding, fishing was good all the way down to Red Bluff. Use lighter champagne or peach colors.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Upper-Fishing continued to be good from Dunsmuir all the way to Shasta Lake for rainbows. Most fish are 10 to 12 inches, but some occasionally are in the 18 to 20 inch class. . Fish a short line with prince nymphs and Foxes Poopah were producing rainbows to 18 inches.