NORTH COAST RIVERS

ROGUE RIVER “Geez, another week of slow fishing for spring kings here. The Birthday Hole, John’s Hole and Elephant Rock produced a few fish last week for anglers fishing Rogue Bait rigs, but it was super tough overall despite good water temps. It just looks like there aren’t many fish coming this year (again).

RUSSIAN RIVER “Shad showing from Johnson’s Beach to Memorial Dam and anglers have been hooking fish on white/chartreuse or white/pink attractor flies or 1/32-ounce mini grubs in the same color schemes. A few people have also started catching some pint-sized smallies on black grubs and tubes.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY “The halibut action was prime with fish showing all over the bay for the fleet with the exception of the deeper water spots. Alameda’s rockwall, the Oakland Estuary, Southampton, the Berkeley Flats, and Paradise were all productive. On board the Reel-lentless, WON staffer Bud Neville got out for his first halibut trip, the group of 5 anglers finding 5 keeper halibut, 2 keeper stripers, and many shakers.

BODEGA BAY ” Still left out in the cold with not much happening due to the salmon closure. Halibut is open, but few are trying, and crabbing is another possible bet. Doran Beach has been good for redtail perch, with sandcrabs, Berkely Gulp! bait and store-bought prawns working best.

EMERYVILLE “With no salmon season, the fleet continued to concentrate on halibut and found good action with up to 2 around. Most of the action came from South San Francisco Bay or mid-bay around the Berkeley Flats and the mouth of Emeryville harbor.

EUREKA “While the wind came up on the weekend, the bottomfishing opener on Thursday was well attended, at least up in Trinidad. Local boats started out for Cape Mendocino, but turned back due to wind. Up at Trinidad, the boats lined up all the way up the road to launch. Bottomfishing was good with plenty of rockfish and some lingcod reported.

FORT BRAGG “Weather cancelled the Telstar abalone dive trips for the weekend, and other than that, not much else is available. Rockfish opens June 1. Shore fishing is open for rockfish now, but not many anglers are trying.

HALF MOON BAY “The bottomfish opener below Pigeon Point was tough, but a few boats tried and found less than limits. The Huli Cat reported good crabbing, however, and that saved their combo trips. “There are some days we will run crab only trips if the weather acts up,” said Captain Tom Mattusch. “And we will run combo trips below Pigeon Point when the weather cooperates until June 1 when local waters open for bottomfish.”

LOCH LOMOND “Captain Gordon Hough is back here offering live bait trips for halibut and striped bass on the Morning Star. They ran their first trip on Thursday, and ran on through the weekend, for roughly one around on keeper halibut and some striped bass. The action came from Brooks Island, the Richmond Rockwall and Paradise.

OYSTER POINT “The New Captain Pete ran Saturday with 15 anglers who caught one around on the halibut and 3 striped bass. The action came from the Port of Oakland to the Alameda Rockwall.

POINT SAN PABLO “The Fury was out again offering live bait trips for halibut and striped bass, finding one around on the flatties, plus bonus linesides on both trips over the weekend. Captain Frank Miller said he’s been keeping an eye on the rocks for stripers, but so far, no go. Top spot for halibut has been Southampton, with some also boated at Paradise.

SAUSALITO “The Outer Limits was on the bay looking for halibut Saturday, but no report or score.

SHELTER COVE “The bottomfish opener above the 40′10 line showed outstanding lingcod action, and plenty of rockfish for limits on the Bite Me. Captain Trent Slate said the big Pacific halibut action is back on with 4 caught to 52 pounds on different boats fishing since the opener. His boat took a 20 pounder.

MOTHERLODE

AMADOR LAKE “Warming temps should continue to challenge the trout anglers, perk up the catfish bite, and send more bass into dedicated post spawn patterns. Night fishing will begin to attract more bassers as the activity level of the fish peaks in the morning and evening. Topwater lures are good bets during those periods, while jigs and worms will work best the rest of the time. Main lake points are the big bass draws. Trout anglers scored with Power Bait, mini-jigs and worms while casting from shore. Trollers did best with small spoons, grubs and flies.

CAMANCHE LAKE “Trout and bass are still strong, but the news came from some catfish anglers who succeeded on 3 different efforts topped by weighing 3 fish at 22.68 pounds. Chicken liver worked in the South Shore Arm. Bass were still pre-spawn/spawn, with some good action rewarding anglers fishing with plastics. Top depth was 10 to 15 feet, with both 4-inch RoboWorms and Senkos working for fish to 3 pounds. Trout trollers scored in the main lake, the fish now down 25 to 35 feet. Early is still good for toplining but you have to let plenty of line out. Planting programs will continue until surface water temps reach 70 degrees. Temps at the marina were 65 degrees over the weekend.

DON PEDRO RESERVOIR “After a lull, king salmon action picked back up for trollers, with the fish down 94 to 125 feet. Fleming Bay is the hot spot from the River Channel to Ramos Creek. Shad, Ex-Cel Spoons and Sockeye Slammers worked. Kokanee action rated slower for 12 to 14 inchers scattered from 35 to 65 feet down and spread out in many different spots. “You’ve got to cover lots of water, at different depths,” tipped guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing. Lots of lures working including bugs, bead spinners, spoons and hoochies, all producing best behind a nickel or green dodger. Smith said although the kokanee bite went from robust to slower, but the kings were back and one client caught a 4-pound, 2-ounce salmon on Friday.

LAKE McCLURE “Bass action rated good, but most of the fish were still pre-spawn. Plastics fished in 15 to 20 feet of water was the top tactic. Trollers reported a mixed catch of kokanee and rainbow trout, and the occasional king salmon on shad, bead spinners and spoons.

LAKE McSWAIN “Trout fishing reported good for both trollers and shore anglers. Shorebound casters used Power Bait or ‘crawler/’mallow combos, while the boaters stuck with the standby flasher/worm combo. Three per rod was the general average, although some reported limits of rainbows.

LAKE PARDEE “Another big brown trout reported, this one topping 10 pounds, caught by a troller targeting kokanee. Overall, trolling has been challenging with the top action coming from the dam, the river mouth and up the river arm to Indian Rock. Hoochies, Midge Wobblers, and bead spinners are still top choices. Still a few trout showing up at the Mud Hole, like the 7.82 pounder hooked on a nightcrawler.

NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR “Bass fishing improved with fish active in the shallows on flats and points. Top strike getters were small plastic worms and jigs. No striper or catfish reports.

NEW MELONES RESERVOIR “Kokanee fishing continued to improve and should be even better with warming temperatures. The fish are jumbos, ranging up to 15.5 inches and over 2 pounds. The top depth is between 35 and 50 feet, and the usual variety of local favorite lures are working including bead spinners, spoons, and hoochies, all tipped with corn soaked with scent. Bass rated good, with fish from 0 to 20 feet and life stage everywhere from pre-spawn to post spawn, so a large variety of plastics, reaction baits, jigs, live bait and topwater lures working.

TULLOCH RESERVOIR “Bass action now rated very good particularly in the creek arms where the fish are in the first 10 feet off the bank and are picking off a wide variety of lures. Trout trollers did best up the river arm above the South Shore resort with shad and a threaded ‘crawler fished 15 feet below the surface.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER “It was pretty much the same story as the previous week with some shad in the lower end of the river up to Paradise Beach. There were also a few striped bass caught on jumbo minnows and, occasionally, on plugs, but fishing for them was slow.

FEATHER RIVER “Although a few striped bass were hooked below Shanghai Rapids, even on flies, fishing for them was slow overall. Shad were, by far, the better bet. Anglers used both shad mini-jigs and flies. There were also a few stripers taken by trollers and plug throwers in the lower end of the river. With the river at 1,300 cfs, boaters, even jetboaters, must exercise extreme caution.
FOLSOM LAKE “Bass fishing was very good last week, as fish, especially largemouths, to around 4 pounds, moved up into areas newly flooded by the slowly rising water. Some fish were being taken on jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, but the best success, by far was coming from Carolina-rigged Robo-Worms in the Aaron’s Magic pattern, and on weightless, wacky-rigged Senko’s in green pumpkin. Salmon fishing slowed, but a few were being taken where the South Fork opens into the main body, on William’s Wobblers, with a bit of blue tape added, trolled from 35 to 45 feet deep.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento “Striper fishing was, frankly, lousy right around Sacramento except for a few caught at Bryte Beach, and fishing for catfish at the Port of Sacramento and in local sloughs was a much better bet. Verona, though, was a different story, at least for anglers who hit it when a school of fish was moving through. Aside from the usual minnows, plugs and cut baits, some anglers fishing for shad (that was pretty good, too) were hanging their shad flies behind a big streamer intended for stripers, and catching both.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Ward’s Landing “Striper fishing really took off for several days last week from Ward’s Landing to Verona, but, as always, not everyone did well. Those that consistently caught fish were flexible in their approach. They would drift minnows when there wasn’t much fishing pressure or other boats around. But, when pressure got heavy, they would anchor up and hunker down at spots they knew to be productive and fish with pileworms, sardines or anchovies. The key was not to stick around too long if there was no action. A half hour to an hour was sufficient to see if it was worth sticking around. If not, it was “hoist anchor” and head to another spot.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding ” There wasn’t much change from last week. With the water level now above 7,000 cfs, boaters cannot pass under the Cypress Street Bridge, so driftboaters are floating downstream from Bonneview, and doing just fine fishing stone fly, caddis and May fly imitations under indicators. Most trout are from 14 to 17 inches, but there was a 26 incher caught last week. Jet boaters can run back up- or downstream from the Cypress Ave. Bridge, and are scoring on scoring on back-trolled Hot Shots and drifted Glo-Bugs.

SIERRA LAKES AND RIVERS

BOCA LAKE–Bank fishing continues to be the best bet for now. Lake is still low and trollers overall haven’t been getting the action bankies have.

CAPLES LAKE–Some open water around the edges that is fishable from shore in places now. Lake thaw expected to be complete around May 30. Anglers can also expect the lake level to possibly be drawn down some time this summer if and when initial construction begins on the new U.S. Forest Service-El Dorado Irrigation District launch ramp and recreation area.

CARSON RIVER (East ,West)–East Fork has been producing good numbers of fish, with 3 pounders fairly common. Chad Machado at Carson River Resort said occasional brief rainfall hasn’t hurt river flows much at all. He said action on the West Fork has been good, with good numbers of fish caught and a 4 pounder reported landed at the Crystal Springs Bridge.

DAVIS, LAKE–Good trolling action reported, with fish in the top 4 to 6 feet hitting Wee Dick Nites, Needlefish and red Rebel Runners. Rainbows have been running 12 to 16 inches. Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, DFG and Plumas National Forest will hold the “Lake Davis Trout Restocking Celebration” as part of the plan to restore the lake as a world-class trout fishing lake following the pike-eradication project last September. Thousands of fish will be planted on Friday, then Saturday will feature activities for adults and kids at Coot Bay, as well as lots of fishing.

DONNER LAKE–Kokanee fishermen are still waiting for more and bigger kokes to show. Mackinaw action continues to improve along with better weather conditions. Some have even been caught by kokanee fishermen trolling a variety of spinners. China Cove still the best-bet area.

FRENCHMAN LAKE–Better bank action being reported as fish move in closer to shore. Cathy Downs at Wiggin’s Trading Post in Chilcoot reported bank fishers are dong better than trollers now, unless trollers work in close to the mouths of creeks coming into the lake. She said ‘crawlers and chartreuse Power Bait have been working well, and small frog lures have also been good. Downs said Zachary Azevedo and Cody Myers from Colfax caught limits of ‘bows at Frenchman Creek.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR–Water conditions good here, but fishing continues over-all slow. Rancho Cordova fishermen Steve Yeater said he and his brother found the bite slow, but did pick up a couple nice browns fishing the far back-end of the lake.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR–Good numbers of rainbows in the 2-pound range reported caught by bank fishermen dunking ‘crawlers on the bottom when there’s not a lot of wind.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)–Decent rainbow action before, and better after the recent DFG fish plant. Rainbows and some smallmouth reported, as well as a couple nice browns. Jeff Cole at Sly Park Resort said local fishermen, Jim the painter, caught a 21-inch, 2-pound, 13-ounce brown, top-lining a FlatFish back in Narrows. Then he backed that fish up with another 22 1/2-inch brown that weighed in at 5 pounds.

PROSSER LAKE–The better rainbow action is still being had by fly fishermen working the shoreline, with fish to 15 and 16 inches common. The next good bet is the smallmouth, which have been hitting flies, small spinners and even a ‘crawler at times. Smallies run up to 2 pounds and more.

PYRAMID LAKE–It’s definitely shorefishing time here. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store in Sutcliff said generally fishing has been from very good to very slow, but mostly has been good. She said boats have been struggling at time because the fish are in so close to shore. The bank-fishing folks aren’t even having to get their feet wet, she said. Fly anglers taking ladders out have been casting back in toward shore the fish are in so tight.

SILVER LAKE–Lake still extremely low and fishing has been slow at best. Also, Mormon Emigrant Trail, the popular shortcut from Hwy.50 over to Hwy.88 is still not open to vehicle traffic. WON staffer Bill Karr checked out the road late in the week, finding it still impassable and likely to remain so for possibly another two weeks. He said there is a big snow drift right above Alder Creek that nobody has been able to get through. The road is also blocked at least three other places, he said.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR–Access is good now and fishermen are working the lake, but success hasn’t been so good. Rick Kennedy, with Tight Lines Guide Service in Grass Valley said he and clients fished the lake looking for trout. They fished all the regular spots without a touch…and other anglers had similar reports. Kennedy said the best they did was hook a couple kokanee on large Smithwicks.

LAKE TAHOE–Occasional wind and a little rain can invite anglers off the lake at times, and lately the morning Mackinaw bite has been slow even with a lot of hard work. Afternoons, however, have been much better with scattered fish even attacking lures. Chuck Self with Chuck’s Bait, Tackle and Guide Service in Kings Beach, said he has started seeing some bigger macks now and better fish on recent charters have been running around 7 1/2 pounds.

TOPAZ LAKE–Rainbow action perking up some here. Linda Fields at Topaz Landing Marina said anglers have started to pick up more and better fish; some limits being reported. The better ‘bows have been running 2 pounds and over. Trolling flasher/’crawler rigs and some Needlefish have been working. Fields said the bank bite has also improved a bit for anglers dunking worms at the south end of the lake. Fish are still schooling at times out in the middle of the lake.

TRUCKEE RIVER–Flows are up as snowmelt picks up slowly, but generally water is plenty fishable, although a bit murky. Generally, working slower water at the edge of fast flows, and deeper pools with nymphs and streamers will produce.

WEST WALKER RIVER–Action has calmed way down since the opener. Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel in Walker said the water is rising some and it has a little color, too. The kind of water conditions that can challenge a fisherman’s skill level, and definitely not good conditions for novice anglers.

TRINITY AND KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER “No change from last week. Iron Gate Dam releases continued to be high, around 2,800 cfs, and the flow at Orleans was 12,100 cfs, so there was virtually no one bothering to try to fish in the high water.

TRINITY RIVER “The Trinity River at Lewiston was ramped up to 2,700 cfs and will be reaching its springtime peak this week. The flow at Hoopa was 6,560 cfs, so fishing is pretty much out of the question until the river drops considerably. Anglers and guides were crossing their fingers that at the Fish and Game Commission meeting it will allow a daily limit of 3 Chinook salmon, two of which could be over 22 inches, plus a total of 9 Chinook in possession, of which 6 could be adults exceeding 22 inches.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE ” Depending on who you speak with, the fishing is either improving or remains the same, but a predicted steady weather pattern this week may help to kick things back in gear. Many anglers are finding the action better in the southern portions of the lake and concentrate either under docks or the front edges of tule stretches. Plastic worms, and Senkos, rigged either weedless or wacky style in the normal colors, including Robo Worm’s MMIII’S, Salt River Craw and Yamamoto’s in watermelons and green pumpkins, in any of their color variations seem to be doing the best.

LAKE BERRYESSA “The best presentations for kokes came from an Uncle Larry Copper Pop with a Sep’s U V dodger in orange and for trout it was from the surface down to 15 feet for limits with Needlefish and Apex lures when the winds died. Bass were taken with nightcrawlers from the banks or plastics.

LAKE SONOMA “Ed Paul from the Outdoor Pro shop caught limits to 16.5 pounds last week in the arms like Cherry and Yorty creeks with 6-inch wacky-rigged Senkos in watermelon or pumpkin/pepper colors. For bedding fish the shallows around trees closer to shore by grasses and rocky flats. Anglers working the dam for trout are finding success under the bridge in 20 feet with small jointed black/silver Rapalas for fish from 1-3 pounds.

UPPER BLUE LAKE “A flasher and worm are still effective for trout trollers from the surface to 20 feet, with the larger ones coming from 30-35 feet.

LAKE PILLSBURY “Trout trollers continue to find limits with very little competition, while bass anglers found fish to 8 pounds. The lake level is going down so get up here fast while the fishing is still good.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR– No reported access as of yet but snow is melting fast. Perhaps 1 to 2 more weeks if the weather remains warm.

BAUM LAKE “The fish seem to be in a more cooperative mood now with lots of anglers catching some but no whoppers and no reports of easy limits. The best bet for bait seems to be nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Lure anglers did best on Kastmasters or spinners while fly-fishermen preferred pheasant tails, copper john’s in red or olive wooly buggers for nymphs, and blue-wing olives (BWO’s), caddis or pale-morning duns (PMD’s).

BRITTON LAKE “The crappie bite should definitely improve with the warming weather, but al least the smallies are still biting.

BURNEY CREEK “Report shows fishing is tough above the falls, and there are still no reports from anglers below the falls; however the salmon fly hatch should start up soon, if it hasn’t already.

CASSEL FOREBAY ” Still seems to be difficult to catch fish here, but at least a few are biting. No specific bait, though, as lures seem to be working like magic. Fly-fishermen are having some luck in the evenings above the post office with BWO’s, PMD’s, caddis, some spent-wings.

HAT CREEK WILD TROUT AREA “As usual, nymphing at the Hat 2 riffle was productive for a few fishermen. Try a bird’s nest, pheasant tail, or a copper john in red for best results. In the evenings some BWO’s, PMD’s, and caddis are coming off.

UPPER HAT CREEK “Nightcrawlers and eggs top the list of baits with spinners like Panther Martins a close second. There are still a lot of carryover fish from the opener and the hatchery is scheduled to continue large plants of fish. The coming weekend shouldn’t be too busy and expect the fishing to be fair. Rainbows and brook trout represent the majority of the catch but a few nice browns are also being taken. Fly-fishing has been slow still but some fish are being hooked on crystal buggers and stone fly nymphs.

LEWISTON LAKE ” Reports are that they finally started releasing water into the lake. If true, then the trout fishing will take off.

MANZANITA LAKE ” Lake has thawed and fly-fishermen are on the water searching out the big browns that hit this time of year. No reports as of this writing on tactics and best bites. Prince nymphs and crystal buggers typically work well in early spring. Be sure and observe the restrictions when fishing this trophy water.

PIT RIVER “As always, a good bet for the hardy fisherman. Fish have become a little harder to locate, but perseverance and patience definitely pay off here. Still some reports of salmon-fly hatches coming off sporadically. Prince nymphs, with or without rubber legs, stone nymphs are also still working. Try a pheasant tail or copper john for a dropper.

LAKE SHASTA ” Fish your confidence baits and the bass will respond from the shore out to 20 or 30 feet. Spawning has slowly started as the weather warms. When it does, sight-fish for bedding fish in the shallows with Brush Hogs or lizards for bedding fish, anything that will get you on top of the nests.

TRINITY LAKE “Stellar fishing for bass and native trout continue. For bass pull out your confidence baits and enjoy, as they are hitting everything now. For trout troll a broken-back Rapala for fish to 5 pounds.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR “Koke trollers are still only finding a few small kokes by the curtain and dam as the season is young. Give them a month or so to fatten up.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER–The South Fork is the only branch that has been planted by DFG and that was done at Riverton.

BULLARDS BAR–The kokanee schools have moved up to 30 feet but the bite is still hit and miss. Anglers are trolling all day for just a few fish. The spotted bass bite is still red hot all over the lake on anything you want to throw.

CAMP FAR WEST–The bass bite has been the most reliable. The crappie have not shown up yet, but when they do, concentrate on Rock Creek. There were boat races on the lake last weekend that stirred things up a bit for the fishermen.

COLLINS LAKE–The last of the penraised trout should have been released and private plants will continue until the water gets too hot at the end of May. Both trout and bass are active. Trollers are pulling Rapalas and Kastmasters. Shore anglers are using Power Bait for trout up to 6 pounds. One hot spot was reported to be the east end of the dam for trout and bass.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR–The trout bite was boosted by a 4000- pound plant. Trollers and bank fishermen are doing well anywhere on the lake using Kastmasters. Try around the marina if you’re a bankie and above the no-ski buoys if you’re trolling. An 11-pound bass was caught and released last weekend and 4 to 5 pounders are being seen all around the lake on beds. Red crawdad worms are the hot ticket right now.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR–It was reported as being slow, but keep in mind the lunker mackinaws and browns that are feeding on the kokanee. Make the trip in and fish for the kokes and hope for a big bite from one of the toothier trout.

LAKE OROVILLE–The bass are on the beds and the coho are on the bite at the dam and Hwy 162 bridge. Bass anglers are using worms and jigs on the sight fish, use light colors for better visibility. The coho are at 30 feet for moochers and trollers. Bigger average fish are coming for the trollers using Rapalas and Speedy Shiner spoons. Moochers are culling through a bunch of silvers on minnows, worms and anchovies.

ROLLINS LAKE–Trout trollers are using an F7 firetiger Rapala or No. 2 pumpkin Needlefish with a dodger for 12- to 14-inch planters at the dam or up the Bear River. Bass anglers are having a great time with a broken-back Rebel either from the bank or a boat for fish up to 5.5 pounds.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE–The lake was just planted with 2000 half-pound trout. Shore anglers are using Kastmasters at the marina and the day use area. Trollers are doing best up the lake at the inlet area, the dam has been slower.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR–The road is open and the lake has been planted this spring but there were no current reports. Give it a try, it should be just beautiful up there.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY–The bass bite has slowed down from the fever pitch of a couple of weeks ago but there are fish to 5 pounds still being reported. Try jigs and wacky worms. Steelhead, 2 1/2 to 4 pounds, are being caught by trollers using a Sling Blade and threaded nightcrawlers.

– Western Outdoor News