NORTH COAST RIVERS

North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. 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. Many streams closed, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31 and others on April 25.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower—Very later for springers, but there’s a few still coming through and being caught, and at the same time, there’s a few early fall-run kings being caught in the estuary, but that was considered more of an accident than the beginning of the run.

RUSSIAN RIVER—The 4th of July is “play in the river” weekend for thousands, and if there were any fish, they would have buried their heads in the gravel. Look for smallmouth bass to bite early and late after the turmoil calms down.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—A big push of fresh salmon was observed in the lower end of the river last weekend, and indications are that it’s the vanguard of the fall run. There were very few anglers out, but they were catching fish in the 12-pound class on CV-7 spinners in the two-tone green/chartreuse pattern. Quite a few fish were seen rolling, as well.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate—The water temperature has gone into the low 70’s, and has gotten quite warm for good trout fishing. The salmon fly hatch ended, too.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—Fishing pressure was heavy from Junction City to Lewiston, and salmon fishing was being called “average” with anglers happy to score 1 to 3 salmon per boat. Pressure farther downstream around Del Loma was lower, and fishing success similar. Most of the Chinook were being caught on roe, with an occasional fish grabbing Kwikfish at early light.

TRINITY RIVER, Falls Area—Anglers were finding the fishing for spring run salmon only fair, with around one salmon being caught for every two anglers making the steep trek into the falls. The stretch of river encompassing Hoopa and Willow Creek is still off-limits for the take of salmon (until September 1), but a trout and a few adult summer run steelhead were taking flies, nightcrawlers and spinners.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—Planted last week for the first time due to the completion of the DFG’s biological survey for the Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged frog. Power Bait and nightcrawlers catching limits near the boat ramp up to the inlet. Remember to avoid areas with current flow at the inlet or fish with barbless hooks.

CAPLES LAKE—Lake is at 97.5-percent capacity and still rising slowly–a miraculous recovery! Lake was PACKED over the holiday weekend and anglers were catching lots of fish off the dams on Power Bait. There was a 15 pounder cruising the first dam but no one could get it to bite.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Flows and visibility excellent throughout the system. Crowds of anglers over the holiday were catching lots of fish.

DAVIS LAKE—Bite has slowed down some according to Ed Dillard of Dillard’s Guide Service. His last trip only landed 12 fish but two measured 19 ½ inches. The No. 1 Dick Nite in copper/red is the best offering for trolling at 8 to 20 feet, shallower early with the fish moving deeper as the day warms up. Fly action is good at Freeman, Cow Creek and Eagle Point on damsels and PT nymphs either fished under an indicator at 4 feet or stripped on an intermediate line. Some fish running up to 20 inches with good numbers of smaller fish.

DONNER LAKE—Planted last week for the first time this season. Fishing is great off all the public piers with Power Bait and nightcrawlers or casting small (1/8-to 1/12-oz) Kastmaster spoons. From dawn to 7 a.m. anglers casting No. 11 or 13 CD Rapalas in trout patterns have a chance at a Mack up feeding on the new planters. Trollers using 1/2-ounce Krockadiles have a chance at the Macks also. Kokanee fishing is very sporadic for 12- to 15-inch fish on chartreuse or pink lures behind dodgers.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Fishing was great on the North Fork near Caribou Crossroads RV Park and the campgrounds along the river. Some anglers caught limits in 1/2-hour and even 5-year-olds were catching fish. The Caribou Powerhouse lake has been putting out rainbows to 4 ½ pounds on crickets under a bobber in the flows coming out of the powerhouse. The Hex hatch at Butt Valley Reservoir has dropped off but smallmouth action is still good on Senkos and tube lures.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—Shore fishing has slowed down some with trollers doing better overall. Some nice rainbows, 14 to 22 inches up to 4 pounds are showing near the dam on lures in blue and green. Shore anglers can scratch out a limit on Power Bait and worms.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Lower Sardine Lake is scheduled for a plant this week. All the lake were fishing well, especially Salmon, Sardine and Packer. 4-wheelers can try Deer Lake for good action.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—Good action reported on browns and planted rainbows for shore anglers at the inlet on Power Bait and worms. Trolling has been slow.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Lake was planted heavily before the holiday. Water level is somewhat low but float tubers and small boaters are working the deeper channels for some nice trout. Shore anglers are still doing well on Power Bait for 3 to 5 pounders. Editor Bill Karr saw lots of rabbits here for someone who wants to make a combo rod and gun trip. Bunnies are out very early and just before dark.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Bite has tapered off some and pressure is down now that Boca, Prosser and Donner are being planted again. This is the place to get away from the crowds, and fishing is still good. Trollers are working Needlefish, Krockadiles and J5 or J7 Rapalas in the coves for some of the nicer holdover fish. Shore anglers are still doing well casting spoons or soaking nightcrawlers.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Absolutely jammed with recreational watercraft of every description over the holiday weekend. Fishing is a very early or very late option only. Try the upper reaches of the lake for bass. The trout action has been slow due to the lack of plants.

KINNEY RESERVOIR—Editor Bill Karr fished here last Friday and caught a quick limit of 12- to 13-inch trout on rainbow Gulp! and Mepp’s spinners off the dam. No crowds at all on the holiday weekend but the road into the lake is very narrow, twisty, and dangerous which could explain the lack of pressure.

LAKE TAHOE—Mack bite has been sporadic. Mickey Daniels had 11 fish, 5 to 7 ½ pounds, in the boat and lost 8 others one day and only picked up 3 small fish the next. Fish are shallow early with multiple strikes coming in deeper water, 200 to 400 feet deep. Sling Blades and minnows are working best.

LOON LAKE—This lake has been fishing very well. One troller reported catching 20 fish from 12 to 16 inches on a variety of dodger/ lure combos.

PROSSER LAKE—Planted last week for the first time this season. Fishing is good from the boat ramp up into Prosser Creek on Power Bait, nightcrawlers and small spinners early and late in the day. Smallmouth are active in Alder and Prosser Creek on Rapalas and small dart-headed plastic worms.

RED LAKE—Lots of anglers over the weekend, but there is a big algae bloom causing the water to look like pea soup reducing visibility to less than one foot, according to a drive-by report from staffer Bill Karr.

SILVER LAKE—Lots of boats on the lake and the shoreline at the dam was shoulder-to-shoulder with anglers taking advantage of plants last week. Planted for the weekend crowds.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—Kokanee action has picked up again, especially on the back side of the island where there is more plankton blooming. Dark colors are working best, blacks and purples, at 30 to 60 feet for 12- to 16-inch fish, with limits fairly common.

TOPAZ LAKE—Warm weather has driven the fish back to the cooler inlet area for boaters anchoring and soaking Power Bait and worms. Rainbows are running 14 to 16 inches, but limits are getting harder to come by with the hot weather. It’s supposed to cool down some this week, so maybe the bite will improve. Lots of recreational boat traffic makes the fishing tougher, too.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Flows are good and the Special Regulation Section is fishing very well. Fish are running 10 to 20 inches and hitting caddis patterns in green. Use caddis pupas during the day and dries after 6 p.m.. There are also some yellow stones and PMDs coming off in the evenings. Lure tossers are doing well with Panther Martins and small Needlefish with a small splitshot attached 6 inches above the spoon to aid in casting. Run these offerings through the fast water early and late in dark colors.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—Trolling was reported to be good with macks up to 24 inches coming in this past week.

WEST WALKER RIVER—River received a big plant on June 29 and the “How Big Is Big Fishing Derby” is in full swing. A 5.2-pound rainbow was weighed in this past weekend along with 10 fish from 3 to 4 pounds. The river will get a load of 5-pound Alpers trout on July 13th to supplement the action for the derby that runs all month. Most fish are being caught on salmon eggs, worms and Panther Martins.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE—The one consistent theme has been that the afternoon bite has been a little better than the morning, although the night bite is starting to improve. The two best choices for locations were either the deeper rock sections of the lake or the shallow weedbeds of the north. On the deep rock mid-lake, both jigs and crankbaits were producing bites and in the shallower north end, plastics have been the ticket with an occasional blast of surface action.

LAKE BERRYESSA—The kokes are 45 to 60 feet down now and have moved to the upper end of the lake. They are biting now, and now measure between 15 and 18 inches. This past week the standard was a Chrome Starlite Dodger with a pink or purple Rocky Mountain spinner or Uncle Larry’s copper pop spinner. Bass anglers will find fair fishing with some early and late topwater action. Drop-shotting Chug Bugs and other popper type surface lures from the outside of week edges down 25 or 35 feet will be good through fall.

LAKE SONOMA—For bass, try drop-shotting and Senkos and there is a morning and evening topwater bite. The creek arms and main body points in 10 to 15 feet of water will be better areas to target. The trout bite is improving. Try in front of the dam with HumDingers and a Needlefish trolled in 15 to 25. Trout will go to 18 inches here.

UPPER BLUE LAKE— Slow with the heat but a few trout were taken on bright, red-colored Power Bait. Fish are down about 32 to 36 feet but not hungry these days.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—The lake has stratified and trout and salmon are now 20 to 30 feet down. Instead of being in the top 12 feet as they have been, just fish a little deeper for your limits. Trolling worms by themselves, without flashers or dodgers was productive now that they are deeper. Add some Activa trout spray or other scent on the worms and drop lines 25 to 32 feet down. A Speedy Shiner with gold and red also works. A small trout worm or a piece of a nightcrawler is all that is needed. Trout to almost 6 pounds were taken.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR—Fishing has picked up and pressure remains very low. Lots of fish being taken in the boat launch area of the lake as well as around the dam. Power Bait in rainbow and yellow was the most productive. For lures try a Kastmasters, Z-Ray, or spinners. More brown trout were still working the shore areas around the dam while the rainbows seemed to prefer the shallower areas near the campground. Topwater action was best around the dam and north shore of the lake. There was some surface activity, but the best fishing was still underneath. Dragging a sinking line was still the way to go. For topwater, try mosquitoes, ants, and mayfly patterns. This water can be tough to figure out at times but there are lots of fish and the opportunity to catch a real whopper exists. 

BAUM LAKE—There have been some good hatches of PMD’s, caddis, callibaetis, and female trico’s on the water, with pheasant tails doing best for nymph fishermen. Rooster Tails are working well, but any lure in a trout pattern should work. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait are still preferred baits.

BRITTON LAKE— Crappie bite is tough, with fish uncooperative.

BUCKS LAKE—The south side of Bucks Creek channel has been productive for macks and there has also been some pretty good action for browns and rainbows to 18 inches in both the Mill Creek arm as well as the Bucks Creek side. The fish have been hitting a variety of spoons trolled near the bottom with copper and red as well as red dot frog getting the most action.

BURNEY CREEK— Above the falls has been quite productive with lures and nightcrawlers.

CASSEL FOREBAY— Fishing in the canal above Power House No. 1 was still hot. The canal water level is somewhat lower than typical but the fish have adapted well. Power Bait, eggs, and worms were all working well and spinners were taking a lot of fish as well. Persistence pays off here and a lot of trout in the 2- to 3-pound range were landed. In warmer weather the best time to baitfish has been in the early morning from 6-10 a.m. or early evening from 4-6:30 p.m.   
 
EAGLE LAKE— There was a decent bite but not an early one. Water temperature here has been warm at 69 degrees but should cool down this coming week. Head to Miner’s Point and troll 2/3 of a mini-’crawler fished 3 to almost 4 colors down at a depth of 16 to 28 feet. Also, scale your bait size down and don’t troll as fast. Large deep V boats should not launch at the south end, it is too shallow, go down to Spaulding ramp.

FALL RIVER WILD TROUT AREA—Fishing reports have been good with PMD’s, rusty spinners, caddis for dries, and woolly buggers and zugs for nymphs. The Hex is in good shape and slowly moving up-stream.

HAT CREEK WILD TROUT AREA—The riffle is best fished with pt’s, birds nests, and hare’s ear. Look for PMD’s, caddis, and callibaetis with the warmer temperatures here.

UPPER HAT CREEK— Fly-fishing on the upper creek was good and a few nice fish were being caught on copper Johns and stone fly imitations. As always the topwater action was a bit tough due to the brush and fast current. Find good topwater action on Adams, superflies, and caddis imitations. This past week was another excellent catch week for the Hat with most fish being taken on worms, eggs, or spinners. Lots of large brookies were caught in the 2- to 4-pound class.       

LEWISTON LAKE— The hot ticket here has been a Cripplure slowly trolled behind a Sep’s sidekick dodger. Also working are nightcrawlers with a white Power Egg for a float. From shore some nice trout were being caught with orange glitter Power Bait.

MANZANITA LAKE— Fishing here picked up with the warmer weather. Caddis, callibaetis, and ants continue to take fish. Both mornings and evenings saw a lot of working fish and some nice fish came to the net. The outlook for the coming week looks good as well. Remember to heed the special fishing restrictions for this lake.

MCCLOUD LAKE–The lake level is good and rainbow and brown trout are in the 10- to 20-inch range. It’s been hard not to limit out, simply troll a Sep’s dodger and a Sep’s 2-inch grub, and troll slowly from .7 to 1.3 mph in an S pattern. Depths of 15 to 35 feet all over the lake have produced. Trolling a K-7 KwikFish near the bottom will give you a good shot at the browns. First light until the sun hits the water is the best time to go or later in the evening as the sun get off the water now that afternoon temperatures are reaching mid-90s.

PIT RIVER—Fishing remained good with nymph fishermen doing best, and rubber-leg princes a good bet. Road and dam construction set to begin this week. Construction for the PG&E relicensing will begin tomorrow July 6, so the road across the Dam at Lake Britton will be closed to vehicular traffic. The road will also be closed at Pit 4. Access to the Pit 3 road will be from Clark Creek road on the north side of Lake Britton, while the Pit River below Pit 4 will be accessible from Big Bend. Barnard Construction has listed a phone number for current road work, with intermittent closures (406) 586-2206, ext. 703. Also PG&E will increase stream flows in the Pit 3 bypass reach during this year’s construction on the Pit 3 Dam. Flow in the Pit 3 bypass reach will increase from about 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) to approximately 230 cfs.” These increases may occur as early as this month and can continue until December 2009.

LAKE SHASTA—The south end of the Pitt River Bridge, Toupee Island and Dry Creek, as well as the dam all were marking shad balls and fish around 40 to 50 feet. Salmon were at 70 feet. A medium-sized Sling Blade and a Shad Glow Cripplure caught trout, as did a silver/blue Apex and a watermelon Apex. For bass fish, fish deeper after the morning bite. Tubes and dartheaded worms fished in 35 to 50 feet should do it. Crawdad colors in 6-inch worms with weights up to a 1/4-ounce have been daytime producers. Dartheaded worms like Mother’s Finest No. 60 (Osprey color) or Robo Worm’s new one called the Sxe Shad have been good sellers. Head back in the arms as it may be cooler or try the main body in deeper waters.

WHISKEYTOWN–The bite is picking up and limits are the norm. The hot area has been around the 299 Bridge but the curtain, dam area, and channel up to Oak Bottom are all producing. Fish are being caught in 50 to 80 feet trolling an Apex’s, UV Cripplures, and Wiggle Hoochies, all behind UV Sling Blades. Best results for trolling these setups are to run them between 1.6 and 2.0 mph. All setups are tipped with Shoepeg Corn and scented with Pro-Cure Predator, Krill, Kokanee Special or Anise.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Flows on the American River were bumped up even higher to 5,000 cfs last week, and no, the reason was not to provide a good ride for Independence weekend rafters. Rather, to ensure plenty of fresh water for the State and Federal pumps to suck south. The high flows made for challenging fishing for shad, which were still present in decent numbers, especially in the upper end of the river above Sunrise Bridge. Striper prospectors went into high gear hitting their favorite spots up and down the river very early and late, putting in lots of time for each blowup or bite.

FEATHER RIVER—A few steelhead continued to be caught throughout Low Flow Section on mini-crawlers, Glo-Bugs, and spinners, and nymphs, but higher flows below the Outlet has attracted some decent-sized striped bass above the falls at Shanghai Bend to the mouth of the Yuba River where fish to around 8 pounds were being caught on jumbo minnows and even big streamer flies in the evening.

FOLSOM LAKE—The lake is dropping, roughly half a foot a day, and that has pulled bass out of the shallows into deeper water, so working plastic worms fairly deep over submerged islands, and across points around the main body has become more effective than fishing the shallows and coves. Try drop-shotting and dartheading with Robo-Worms in Aaron’s Magic and Sexy Shad. There’s a bit of a topwater bite very early and late. A very few trout and salmon were being taken by trollers in front of the dam with hoochies behind dodgers and Needlefish in pearl and rainbow from 30 to 50 feet deep. The use of an electronic Black Box which puts out a zone of positive charge around the boat has provided a bit of an extra edge.

SACRAMENTO RIVER—While the striper story remained the same, 10 to 20 shakers for every keeper (barely), fishing for catfish has been getting better and better with the warmer weather. Try slow spots out of the main current, Sacramento area sloughs, and the Port of Sacramento (like the public access at 2100 Jefferson Blvd. in West Sacramento). Some nice crappie were being caught in the Port, as well, on redworms. Shad fishing continued to be good around Chico and Ord Bend.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—The release at Keswick remained high at 12,500 cfs, but trout fishing continued to be very good. Jetboaters could fish the short stretch above the Cypress Street Bridge, but driftboaters were starting at Bonneview and floating down to Bend, using rubber leg stonefly nymphs, caddis pupa in tan and cinnamon, pmd’s, and blue winged olives for fly fishers for trout between 12 and 20 inches. There’s an occasional dry fly bite for a short while in the evening on warm days. Spin fishermen have been scoring on Glo-Bugs, nightcrawlers, and crickets.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Upper—Trout fishing continued to be very good for anglers who were able to get their offerings down to the fish by adding enough weight and keeping a short line. Mornings and evenings have been the best times for nymphing with small yellow stone imitations, larger golden stones, and caddis, and there has even been a bit of dry fly action in the evenings. Use lots of micro-split shot when nymphing,

YUBA RIVER—Shad fishing near Hallwood Ave. tapered off last week, a combination of fewer fish and waning interest. Trout fishing was pretty good between the Highway 20 Bridge and Daguerre Dam, but pressure was heavy over the Independence Day weekend.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER—The Middle Fork is providing the most reports of angler trout success. The Cash Rock area has been the most consistent producer of quality fish running 15 to 19 inches.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake was over-run with recreational boat traffic over the holiday weekend and fishermen were a no-show. Try here during the week for good bass action when things are more peaceful. Worms and jigs should be good for largemouths up in the creek arms on main points at 20 to 25 feet. Catfish action at night should be good on cut baits and chicken livers.

COLLINS LAKE—Despite the heavy holiday crowds, trout and catfish provided some good action for trollers and bait anglers alike. Trout anglers caught fish to 7 ½ pounds from the power lines to the dam on worms or Power Bait and trolling Rapalas and Needlefish. Catfish action has really picked up with the heat and night fishing is producing some big fish. The biggest cat weighed in was an 11 pounder caught by Roman Sedillo of Sacramento on worms but an 8 1/2-pound cat was caught by Richard Plise trolling a Rapala. Dave Callison and grandson, Hunter, scored on a limit of bass to 5 pounds and four catfish to 6 ¼ pounds on crawdads. Most anglers are targeting the 20- to 40-foot depths.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—Trollers doing well on 10- to 14-inch browns and rainbows using flasher/worm combos at 20 to 25 feet up above the “No-Ski” buoys. Bait anglers are drifting Power Bait/worm combo in the marina. Lots of recreational boat traffic on the lake, so fishermen may consider a mid-week trip to avoid the crowds.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—Lots of campers over the holiday weekend shore fishing and trolling. Good action for shore anglers on Power Bait and worms, with trollers doing well on flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.

FULLER LAKE—According to the Tahoe National Forest biologist, this lake is heavily stocked and also gets more fish washed in from the Bowman-Spaulding Canal that feeds the lake. There are spawning populations of both rainbows and browns that make this an all-season choice for local anglers because of its easy access off Bowman Rd. Shore anglers do well off the dam, and the single lane ramp provides access for small boaters who want to troll.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—Lots of pressure over the holiday weekend. Trout and kokanee being caught by trollers working the upper section of the lake below the power house outlet.

LAKE OROVILLE—Lake level dropped 10 feet in the last week with fishing rated “pretty slow”. Some anglers getting out and catching a mix of bass and catfish on live bait. Anglers reporting success up in the North Fork near Lime Saddle for bass to 2 1/2 pounds and cats to 3 1/2 pounds and up river in the Middle Fork for catfish up to 7 pounds. No reports of any success on coho.

ROLLINS LAKE—Heavy recreational boater traffic over the holiday chased most anglers off the water during the middle of the day. Anglers who get out early and late have the best chance at success. One angler reported catching a bunch of little smallmouth along the bank in 3 to 6 feet of water on worms. Catfish action should be good at night on cut baits and hotdogs.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Lots of recreational boat traffic making fishing difficult. Lots of big bluegill are being caught at the inlet area of the lake near the weed beds on worms. A few trout to 2 pounds are coming in on Power Bait. One angler reported a big fish breaking his rod during the fight, but never saw what it was–probably a catfish.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—A biologist at the Foresthill Ranger Station reports that some of the thousands of Eagle Lake trout fingerlings planted in the lake 5 years ago, native trout from Shirt Tail Creek, and some DFG holdover planters all should be living in the lake. There is also a good population of largemouth bass and some smallmouth bass in residence. With the hiking trails and picnic areas, this a nice place to bring the kids.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—Trout action is slow with bass, catfish and bluegill accounting for all the action lately.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—Bite has been “dead” here with the hot weather.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Captain Bill Clapp of Bill’s Sportfishing and Guide Service had a great day fishing for halibut on Monday, finding limits of halibut to 34 inches, and four stripers to 10 pounds. The fish came from around Alcatraz and Treasure islands. The weekend bite went ballistic on bass, with striped bass limits on most of the boats trying at Mel’s Reef.

BODEGA BAY— Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler reported more limit trips for bottomfish, this time trying out the bite up off of Fort Ross again on Saturday with 43 anglers catching a wide variety of rockfish including some less common like rosies, black and yellows. He was looking for higher lingcod counts, but didn’t find the lings, only one about 12 pounds. Some of the Bodega skiffs got in on the tuna action, finding counts in the double digits. Captain Bob Monckton on Reel-lentless said he was planning tuna trips, trip dates to be announced.

EMERYVILLE—Another good week of potluck action, and some great results on the Farallon Island trips also. One such trip produced a 40-pound Pacific halibut. By the end of the week, the striped bass were really going off and the boats that targeted them found limits in some cases.

EUREKA—A few reports of Pacific halibut coming in, one boat bringing in three fish in the 40- to 50-pound class, caught in 250 to 320 feet of water. California halibut was still a slow pick, but more bait in the bay is promising. Most bay efforts produced at least one per boat.

FORT BRAGG—The rockfish action picked up, Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar crediting the calm seas and clear water with the boost. He made a crab attempt during the week, and found way too many soft shells still, but did manage to keep 12 nice males. Most trips produced limits or near limits of rockfish, and on one day, his group caught five cabezon, and nearly every trip produces some lingcod. Abalone season closed July 1, and will stay closed until Aug. 1.

HALF MOON BAY—Great bottomfishing action for the party boats, with some pretty impressive lings weighed on the Huli Cat, one 20-pound plus from local waters and another big one from the Farallones. Some of the skiffs ran for tuna and found good action down around the 601.

LOCH LOMOND—Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star had a busy week with a long run of live bait “potluck” trips, finding steady action on halibut with a few striped bass every trip. Fish came from many spots including Alcatraz, St. Francis Yacht Club, Paradise, Mel’s Reef, Southampton, Treasure Island and Raccoon Straights.

POINT SAN PABLO—Captain Frank Miller on the Fury ran on Friday and had a great day with his Teichert Construction group, with six anglers putting seven halibut and five bass in the box. The fish came from Alcatraz, Mel’s Reef and Paradise.

SAN FRANCISCO—Captain Steve Talmadge on Flash Fishing reported great action on a half-day trip early in the week, his four anglers getting into a fast flurry of striper action before heading to South San Francisco Bay for some high action on sharks with 8 leopards plenty of smoothhounds and a few rays released.

SHELTER COVE—Captain Trent Slate had a Jamul based group spend three days fishing with him, targeting the big halibut, bottomfish and crabs. They scored some nice halibut, including a 70 pounder, but the bite wasn’t fast, just a very slow pick with few opportunities missed. “We had three of four chances on Thursday, three on Friday, and one on Saturday,” said Slate. Better news was the crabbing, with many hard shelled jumbos in the pots. Bottomfishing was also great with rockfish limits, the only slow spot the ling bite.

SUISUN BAY— Captain Jeremy Kangas of Stickem Sportfishing reported more sturgeon action, finding both shakers and keeper-sized fish. Top bait was grass shrimp. His trip on Thursday with a group from Anaheim produced a 52 incher (released by a first-timer, an 11-year-old) and three shakers.

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