NORTH COAST RIVERS

CHETCO RIVER “Fishing here was seriously good before the rains hit. Steelheaders drifting eggs and pulling plugs found nice numbers of bright winter fish throughout the system. That all changed, however, when the coast got pummeled by rain and wind. Without too much rain, the river should come back around late in the week.

EEL RIVER “Can you say big and nasty? That was the case here last weekend as the South Fork hit 40,000 cfs and the Main at Scotia got 100,000 cfs bigger than that! Flows were coming down on Sunday, but there’s rain ahead – so who knows?

GARCIA RIVER “Blown.

GUALALA RIVER “Large and brown!

MAD RIVER “There was a good shot of steelhead here on Thursday and Friday near Blue Lake, but the action got washed out by the rain and wind. Flows got up over 30,000 cfs here on Saturday! The river was on a serious drop Sunday, but it’s going to take some time. Call ahead before making the trip north.

MATTOLE RIVER “Open, but blown out.

REDWOOD CREEK “Like everywhere else, the “Creek” got a bunch of rain in a relatively short timeframe and flows shot up to 9,000 cfs. The big push of water drained off pretty quickly and the flows were coming down on Sunday. There’s more rain coming, so pinpointing when this stream will be back in shape is a tough call.

RUSSIAN RIVER “Just when things were starting to look good around here, the coast got pounded and flows jumped up to over 30,000 cfs at Hacienda Bridge on Friday. By Sunday morning, the river had dropped all the way to the 5,000 cfs mark but was on the rise again that night. Sad to say, but it’s going to be a while here, folks!

SMITH RIVER “The lone bright spot in a world of brown water. The Smith went out late Friday, but should be fishing all this week – barring any unforeseen gully washers. She was also fishing well right before the rain hit and boaters drifting eggs and Fish Pills were finding 3 to 4 nice adult steelies per trip. Plunkers working the gravel bars near the Outfitters were also seeing fish on eggs and Spin-N-Glos.

VAN DUZEN RIVER “Blown out right after New Years and still that way on Sunday night. More rain is in the forecast, so it’s hard to say when it will be fishing again.

TRINITY AND KLAMATH RIVERS

TRINITY RIVER–The river was blown out from top to bottom from the big storm, but the uppermost section of river from Lewiston to Douglas City was expected to be fishable again by the last half of this week assuming that the snow on the ground isn’t melted by a warm spell.

KLAMATH RIVER–It will be weeks before the Klamath is back in fishable shape again. The first few miles below Iron Gate Dam at the very upper end will clear first. Call ahead before making the trip.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE “Live minnows are costly but productive in the winter here, as are swimbaits that resemble baits. The best action continues to be in the deeper water in the south end. Try Jago Bay, the Boat Works and the rock piles near Rattlesnake Island. In the north end, try the docks at Nice and Lucerne as they continue to kick out some decent bass.

LAKE BERRYESSA “Bass anglers will find a good bite as these fish are hungry and the waters are stirred up. Jigs in dark brown, black/blue combinations or natural crawdad brown colors, worked around the points and rockpiles in waters from 15 to 30 feet deep will be a good place to start.

LAKE SONOMA “ Fish shallow in the clearer waters as the lake is up 9 feet already. Try jigs from the bank in black/red or black/orange colors along the main body lake points, rock and gravel banks. Wait a week for trout, as the water is very muddy now. Instead, go for cats where the water is coming into the creeks and feeder streams.

UPPER BLUE LAKE “A few hardy trollers continue to find limits by launching from the Narrows and trolling into the east basin towards Pine Acres. Dock fishermen will find trout averaging 17 and 18 inches on a worm with a slip-sinker and 3-foot leader, as well as a few trout.

INDIAN VALLEY RESERVOIR “It’s been bitter cold at the lake and about the only action is for bass along the rip-rap at the dam.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR “Stick to the shoreline this week with a bobber and a worm or some Power Bait. The Canyon Dam access area and ramp usually gets plowed first but call the Almanor Ranger District at (530) 258-2141 to confirm that the road to the dam has been cleared.

BAUM LAKE “Most fishermen are doing well, quite a few fish are being hooked. Look for good flows, as the fish seem to congregate there. Fly fishermen are finding success on nymphs however; don’t hesitate to try BWO’s, callibaetis or mahogany duns, as well as small emergers and bead-headed nymphs. Bait anglers are using salmon eggs and small crawlers. Check lake/road conditions with Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney at 530-335-2381.

McCLOUD LAKE “ No reports this week as phone lines were still down by press time.

PIT RIVER “Open now to catch and release only with artificials and barbless hooks from Lake Britton dam downstream, it continues to fish well — for hardy anglers. With the recent weather patterns, water will be clouded in most areas. Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney has latest access information at 530-335-2381.

LAKE SHASTA “ The trout are so hungry they are hitting reaction baits for bass. Troll in coves where the wind drives bait and toss Kastmasters or Rapalas that imitate the shad for fish to 3 pounds. It’s anglers choice for bass tackle, focus on finding the bait schools and stick with them close to the banks with churned up the water, as the water rises, fish are actively feeding in the runoff areas.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR “No report as phone lines were still down by press time.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER, Rancho Cordova–The steelhead opener was a disappointment. The best spots of a poor lot were Nimbus Basin which is open year round, Sailor Bar, and the run below the fish hatchery. Steelhead counts so far at the hatchery are down from the big number of last year, but are normal for this time of year. The peak of the steelhead run isn’t expected until the end of January and into February. The flow was still at 1,100 cfs, and the river was still a nice steelhead green. It’s expected to get murkier, though, as the mud from big inflows to Folsom work their way through the lake.

FEATHER RIVER–There were lots of fishermen but not much action for the steelhead opener on New Year’s Day between the Highway 70 and green bicycle bridges on the upper end of the Low Flow Section. Fishing is expected to improve as crowds thin out. Nightcrawlers are the ticket for steelhead now with all the rain. Fly fishermen were getting a few on egg and fry patterns.

FOLSOM LAKE–The lake was rising, but muddy water was working its way down the forks. Bass fishermen weren’t doing very well on their favorite targets, but they found some pretty good salmon fishing in front of the dam spooning and jigging. Minnows and mooched anchovy chunks ought to work, too.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento–The river was high, cold, and muddy after the rain, and the only action–which under the best of circumstances isn’t usually much, was fishing for sturgeon between the Hog Farm and Portuguese Bend. Verona was a good spot as well. Debris was coming down the river, but boaters were able to find some relatively safe spots out of the current.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff–Mud was pouring in from Cow and Cottonwood Creeks, but if no more big storms hit, there might be some very good salmon fishing for the last few days of salmon season which ends Jan. 14. Most anglers have given up, however, and are looking to the coastal rivers for steelhead.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY “Still quiet on the party boat side, and the weather has kept anglers off the pier.

BODEGA BAY “ Weather has been heinous, but when the surf subsides, surf perch fishing should be good on Doran Beach on the breakwaters. Still a chance for giant squid trips when the ocean lays down, and crabbing is another option. Some of the party boat operators are keeping an eye out for sand dabs.

EMERYVILLE “No party boat trips due to the weather, but the landing is booking sturgeon trips for the coming weeks. The Captain Hook and six-pack boat Wet Spot are the sturgeon boats, while the New Salmon Queen will also keep an eye out for good conditions for giant squid.

EUREKA ““I have never seen the ocean so big for so long,” said Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center. The bay is also likely to be out of action for awhile due to all the fresh water and mud washing in from the rains. Once things settle down, options are surf perch on Centerville Beach and in Humboldt Bay. Crabbers have mostly pulled their gear, and there were a couple mishaps in Trinidad; one boat broke moorings .

FORT BRAGG “Crabbing is open, but not much else to chase here. The ocean swell has made for impossible conditions for both boats and shore anglers, who can target rockfish and surf perch.

HALF MOON BAY “Not much going outside of crabbing, with the bumpy seas. Captain Tom Mattusch went out for crabs and scored 10 limits for passengers on board the Huli Cat.

MARTINEZ “Mixed reports from the fleet, with most reporting slow action upriver due to cold water temperatures. Most of the boats are planning to run downstream to fish San Pablo Bay with all the fresh water running into North Bay. Captain Jay Lopes of Right Hook Sportfishing ran a trip to Montezuma and scored one undersized fish and one oversized fish, both released. Grass and eel has been the top bait.

POINT SAN PABLO “Not many trips out on the Fury, but when Captain Frank Miller ran, he found good leopard shark action. The bites came on squid in 45 feet of water near the Sisters in South San Pablo Bay. The six anglers on board caught 28 leopards, releasing all but six big males in the 25-pound class.

SAN PABLO BAY “Sturgeon fishing is improving with the rains, and one private boater reported releasing two, one tagged 51 incher, and another 71 incher. Shrimp has been the top bait.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO BAY “Sturgeon action heated up off the Oakland Airport, with keeper action on herring baits. Reports of herring spawning activity off of Candlestick has some anglers getting cast nets ready to make bait.

SUISUN BAY “Sturgeon action has been slow due to the cold water temperatures, and most of the bigger boats are now planning to head down to San Pablo Bay to fish instead of trying the upriver spots between the Carquinez Bridge and Roe/Ryer islands. Some success has been reported around the mouth of Montezuma Slough. Shrimp/eel baits have been best. “It’s been slow,” said Captain Jay Lopes of Right Hook Sportfishing. Still, on his last trip, is customers released an undersized and oversized sturgeon.

SIERRA LAKES AND RIVERS

BOCA LAKE–Lots of snow and limited access. Road only plowed as far as the dam and ice has been forming around lake shoreline.

CAPLES LAKE–Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said ice fishing has been strong here, with lake covered with 8- to 10-inches of ice now. No limits, but most anglers getting 2 or 3 fish, Kirby said. Heavy snow has closed road at times for avalanche concerns.

CARSON RIVER (East, West forks)–East Fork catch-and-release area getting zero angler interest–too much snow.

DAVIS ,LAKE–Lake opening still awaiting latest results from tests on lake water for detectable levels of any residue from chemical treatment to kill northern pike.

DONNER LAKE–Some freezing on the lake and launch ramp is snowed in. Few people even trying to fish.

FRENCHMAN LAKE–At least 2 feet of snow down in Chilcoot and plenty more up at the lake. Road to lake only plowed as far as the campground and 4×4 vehicles are advised. Some ice fishing was reported before the last storm, with ice reported 6 inches thick at the dam, but changeable weather can make for dangerous conditions on the ice.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR–Lake frozen over now, but not ready for ice fishing yet.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)–Lots of nothing going on here. Jeff Cole said the lake had about 8 inches of snow and nobody had been trying to fish. He said the lake has been coming up and needs to come up more.

PROSSER LAKE–Road only plowed as far as the parking lot. Lake freezing around shoreline.

PYRAMID LAKE–Fishing here early in the week was pretty much knocked out by storms. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store in Sutcliffe said the few anglers who did brave the elements did pick up some fish, but nothing spectacular. Warmer storm conditions projected for this weekend shouldn’t hamper fishing as much, she said.

RED LAKE–Ice fishing reported good, with 8 to 10 inches of ice on the lake now. Be careful and don’t fish alone.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR–Lake not accessible now accept by snowmobile. Road in to the lake is not plowed regularly, so situation isn’t likely to improve any time soon.

LAKE TAHOE–High winds at times, and plenty of snow, have pretty much kept anglers at bay. Once weather conditions settle back down, anglers should again be able to take advantage of the good Mackinaw bite in progress before fishing conditions tanked.

TOPAZ LAKE–Fishing opener was cold and launching was limited, but those anglers out trying did pretty good, picking up rainbows running from 12 inches to 4 pounds. For launch ramp availability and weather conditions, call Topaz Landing Marina at (775)266-3550.

TRUCKEE RIVER–At best, anglers have to pick their spots and snowshoe in. Staying home and tying flies sounds like a better bet.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

FOOTHILL STREAMS “No reports came in from anglers fishing streams in this area. A small stream flood advisory was issued last week by the National Weather Service for this area. Fishing remains open on the forks of the American and ended on many streams Nov.16, Check the reg’s for the stream you’re planning on fishing before venturing out.

BULLARDS BAR “No recent reports. Last weeks storms caused power outages here last week.

CAMP FAR WEST “The lake has come up about 6 feet, but it’s been quiet here lately. No reports on the lake last week and Sunday. Bass from 4 to 6 pounds were caught before the storms while fishing crankbaits. Boaters are now using the regular launch ramp.

COLLINS LAKE “Fishing for rainbow trout was picking up before last weeks storms, fish from 2 to 3 pounds were caught by bank anglers fishing nightcrawlers near the dam. Very quiet here last week, with no boaters on the lake. The lake has come up 2 to 3 feet and has become muddy at the upper end. Water temp was 50 degrees on Sunday last week.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR “Fishing for rainbow trout had been fair here, and last week very few anglers came out. Prior to the storms, trolling nightcrawlers behind a dodger, fishing by the dam and by the no ski buoys in the narrows section of the lake was producing a few rainbows.

FRENCH MEADOWS ” No recent reports. Access to the lake is limited by snow and ice.

FULLER LAKE ” No recent reports due to low lake levels and the muddy water.

OROVILLE RESERVOIR “The lake is coming up slowly and Bidwell Canyon launch ramp has been the only ramp open. Slot sized bass were caught prior to the storms by small boaters on plastics. A few decent sized coho salmon from 2 to 3 pounds were taken, mooching anchovy fillets or live shiners under houseboats. A few cohos were also taken trolling under the Bidwell bridge before last Fridays storm. The lake surface temperature was 44 degrees last Sunday.

– Western Outdoor News