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—A new run of kings, and bigger fish to 28 pounds, are now in the estuary and filling fish boxes. This is the best run in years, so far, and it will continue until October, so now is the time to book your trip or trailer your boat up.

RUSSIAN RIVER—The smallmouth bass fishing is now great, especially if you’re fishing from a boat or canoe. One youngster came into Kings Sport & Tacke in Guerneville and bought a couple of spinners, then went out and caught 7 smallmouth in 45 minutes, according to Nick Wheeler. “If you’re in the right spot and have rock structure, you’ll get ‘em,” he said. Apparently, the smallmouth take a while to re-establish after a flood, and the last one was in 2006.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—Salmon fishing broke wide open in the estuary starting Thursday, and early indications are that fishery experts may have gotten it right this year. Unlike last year, a predicted good run fall Chinook may actually be realized. Trolling Kastmasters in gold and copper or spinners with an anchovy trailer in the estuary is good. Boondoggling or drifting roe between Klamath Glen and Blue Creek for both steelhead and salmon works.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—There were still some spring run Chinook salmon hanging around, but, with temperatures up to 100 degrees, the bite was strictly an early morning affair. Fall run salmon have yet to show up in any great numbers.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—Halfpounder steelhead started showing up in good numbers along with a few adults at the mouth of the Trinity at Weitchpec and were being caught on spinners and flies along with an occasional adult.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER—Still too hot for good fishing. A hardy angler willing to put up with a hot dusty hike down to the North Fork or the Middle Fork could probably find some good fish in the deeper pools.

BULLARDS BAR—Lake is down to 70-percent capacity. Wildfires in the area were 95-percent contained when WON called. with no smoke problems at the lake now. Fishing is in the summer doldrums and still no kokanee. A few trout are coming in for bait drifters and trollers up in the river arm. Bass are hitting plastic worms and nightcrawlers all around the lake but there a lot of small fish.

CAMP FAR WEST—Recreational boating crowds have thinned out a little, making fishing more enjoyable for bass anglers. Largemouths are hitting worms and jigs at the dam according to the North Shore Resort. The bigger fish are running 2 ½ to 3 pounds.

COLLINS LAKE—Lake is down 32 feet and the surface temp is up to 82 degrees which has slowed fishing. There were few reports of any good trout, but Larry Hemphill of Marysville caught a 9 ½-pound catfish while fishing for bass with a chatterbait. A few bass to 2 1/2 pounds have been caught. Recreational boaters are trying to get in their last trips before schools are all started.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—With Colgate Powerhouse back on line, the lake is up to 94-percent capacity. Trollers are doing well on a flasher/worm combo in the marina for 8- to 10-inch rainbows. Recreational boat traffic is still heavy, slowing down the bite on the rest of the lake.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—Lake is at 79-percent capacity. Fewer anglers were reported up here by the Forest Service, but trollers are still doing pretty well in the early morning or evening. Surface temp has warmed up, making shore angling a little tougher.

FULLER LAKE—Lake is still kicking out a few planters from the plant 2 or 3 weeks ago for shore anglers fishing off the dam with Power Bait and worms.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—Lake is at 81-percent capacity. Fishing has slowed here, according to the Forest Service, due to warmer surface temps. Experienced trollers will still be able to catch trout and kokanee working a little deeper near the dam and the powerhouse.

LAKE OROVILLE—Lake is down to 40-percent capacity. All main boat ramps (Bidwell, Spillway, and Lime Saddle) are still in operation though they are down to 2 lanes each. Bass fishing has been pretty slow on plastic worms and live bait on drop-offs on the points at 25 to 35 feet. Catfishing at night is fair at best especially near running water up in the river forks on cut baits and chicken livers.

ROLLINS LAKE—Lake is only down about 10 feet and recreational boat traffic is still heavy, especially on the weekends. Fishing has been slow with few reports of any success available. Catfishing at night should be good on stink baits and hot dog chunks.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—An angler that walked into the marina while WON was on the phone said it all, “it’s pretty slow out there”.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—Nice place for a picnic, but fishing has been very slow. The kids can still catch a bluegill or maybe even a bass on nightcrawlers off the shore.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—Lake is down to about 80-percent capacity according to the Georgetown Forest Service. Bass and catfish are providing the only action here with no trout plants this year. Remember there is a $6 day-use fee here, now.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—No recent reports were available for the Forebay. Bass fishing had been pretty good for anglers getting out early on the northern bank with Senkos.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BLUE LAKES—According to one source, a trout plant is scheduled for this week, but not sure if it is from DFG or PG&E.

BOCA LAKE—Lake is at 76-percent capacity. Fishing here is the slowest of the area reservoirs. The best bet is to fish at the inlet of the Little Truckee River but extra care needs to be taken to heed the regulations about fishing the moving water, artificial barbless lures only with a two fish 14-inch size limit. Cooler water coming into the lake is the attraction here.

CAPLES LAKE—Lake is down 6 feet from full. Several 8-pound EID trophy fish were caught this past week at the spillway and Emigrant Creek. Limits of planters are coming in for shore anglers and trollers. Shore anglers are doing well on Power Bait and nightcrawlers at the dam and the spillway or at Woods Creek and Emigrant Creek inlet. Trollers are working flashers and worms at 20 to 30 feet at Woods Creek and Emigrant Creek.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Flows in the East Fork are still good and anglers are catching easy limits of mostly catchable-sized planters. Rocklin angler, Mike Efsaif, caught a 7 ½ pounder on the Carson River Resort property this past week on a nightcrawler. Alpine County will be planting 2-pound minimum-size trout this week in the West and East Forks. The West Fork is still low and fishing is tough. A good rain over the last weekend caused the water to get a little murky but it won’t take long for it to clear up again.

DAVIS LAKE—Lake is at 53-percent capacity. Weather cooled off a little last week and fishing is still good for trollers. The best lure is still the No.1 Dick Nite in copper/red fished 12 to 16 feet deep from Mallard Cove to the island. Fly casters are doing well on a PT nymph under an indicator in the NW corner of the lake. Shore fishing is slow with only one or two coming in for a morning of soaking Power Bait and worms. Road construction may hinder access to Mallard Cove and Eagle Point.

DONNER LAKE—Shore angling has slowed down since the most recent plants. The west end boat ramp is the best area for those using Power Bait. No word on any macks lately.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Planter fish are still being caught in the North Fork near Caribou Crossroads Resort and the nearby campgrounds. Caribou Powerhouse is still kicking out some 2 pounders for those working the outlet area in the current with bait and jigs.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—Lake is down to 40-percent capacity. Shore anglers fishing from the dam area are picking up rainbows, browns and catfish. Trollers need to get deep, 30 to 35 feet, from the boat launch to the dam for trout running 15 to 17 inches. Last Chance Creek below the dam is producing some nice browns.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Bassetts Station reported that the fishing has been good, especially for those using worms. Recent plants have been made at Upper Salmon and Lower Sardine. The Yuba River is good for fly fishermen.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—Lake is at 80-percent capacity. There is a decent bite for trollers using a dodger/nightcrawler at 20 to 30 feet. Best bite is very early, first light to 8 or 9 a.m. Unsettled weather came through the Sierras this last weekend with rain and wind so it will take a couple of days for things to settle down.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Shore fishing off the dam with Power Bait and worms is the only choice if you don’t have a small boat or a float tube. Small boaters and float tubers are doing well in the channel between the ramp and the dam for fish up to 3 pounds on spinners and spoons.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Less fishing pressure here keeps the bite productive for shore anglers and trollers. Shore anglers are concentrating on the area from Pass Creek to the dam with Power Bait and worms. Trollers are working the dam with Needlefish and Krocodiles for 12- to 15-inch rainbows with an occasional 17 incher showing up.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Fishing is slow, but some big fish are coming into the store. Rebecca Calomari of Pollock Pines caught an 8.4-pound Mackinaw trolling a Flatfish up in the Narrows. Jim Calloway of Sacramento picked up a nice 5 1/2-pound brown trolling a jointed Rapala at the second dam. Bass fishing has been slow.

LAKE TAHOE—At North Shore, Mickey Daniels at Big Mack charters is picking up 7 or 8 fish, 4 to 6 pounds, on Sling Blades and minnows from 150 to 350 feet. Multiple hookups come in the deeper water. At South Shore, Mike Neilsen at Tahoe Topliners was trolling 95 to 210 feet deep with Krocodiles and Bomber Long A’s for 1- to 5 1/2-pound Macks. The kokanee are schooled up at 75 to 80 feet and are hitting the No.2 Buzzbombs and dodger/spinner or spoons combos. The fish are running 14 to 15 inches with an occasional 17-inch male.

LOON LAKE—Lake is at 74-percent capacity. Decent trolling for trout at 20 to 30 feet with a dodger/nightcrawler with Pro-Cure Nightcrawler Gel

PROSSER LAKE—Lake level is being dropped to winter pool. The drop in water level is making it easier for shore anglers to get out to the channels in Prosser Creek and Alder Creek with Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers need to concentrate on the ledges from the dam to the boat launch with a Needlefish or a Krocodile.

RED LAKE—The algae is starting to turn from red to green, which is supposed to be a good thing. Anglers are advised to fish off the dam with worms to stay in the deeper water for brookies and cutthroat.

SILVER LAKE—Lots of fish being caught here. Canoeists and kayakers are casting toward the shore from deeper water and doing well on a worm-tipped, 1/8-ounce Kastmaster. Trollers need to get down 25 to 30 feet for the best action on a threaded nightcrawler or a Sep’s brown grub. Shore anglers need to use a bigger sliding sinker and get out to deep water.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—Lake is at 52-percent capacity. The kokanee are a little more aggressive now and hitting an Apex better than a spinner or hoochie near the island at 40 to 70 feet. Macks are falling for an F5 or F7 Rapala trolled at 80 to 100 feet from the boat ramp to the dam.

TRUCKEE RIVER—River has been shut down to rafting and now anglers can get to some of the sections above River Ranch. 10- to 14-inch browns are holding in the deeper pools and hitting Panther Martins and Rooster Tails at first light. The evening bite is strictly on midges for fly casters. In the Special Reg section, a hopper/dropper is the best approach. Casters throwing crawdad patterns can do well in the early morning or evening in the deeper running pools.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The kokanee bite is described as “brutal”. A true test of your kokanee trolling ability can be had here.

WEST WALKER RIVER—The area saw rain over the past weekend which cooled things down. Anglers are catching limits if they put in the time, but the fish are mostly 10- to 12-inch DFG planters. The Northern Mono Chamber of Commerce is planting 200 pounds of 1 1/2-pound Alpers trout on August 24. Mono County will plant a load of 3-pound Alpers and 400 pounds of 1 1/2-pound Alpers rainbows and browns on September 2 for the Labor Day weekend. Keith Powley of Benicia caught a 3 1/2-pound Alpers trout on a nightcrawler at Old Mountain Gate this past week.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE—Clear Lake Guide Service said clients found some frog action in the middle of the day, but more blowups than hookups. Better areas lake were the Nice and Lucerne areas, some areas of the Rattlesnake arm, and the Redbud arm. Algae and water is clearing. Weeds are thinning out. A shakey head outperformed the drop-shot and some bass were also caught on deep diving crank baits, jigs, swim baits, frogs, and other topwater baits. The morning action has been slow, but more active as the day moves along. Many points are producing at least some fish to successful anglers. The Jensen Point area and bass alley are both sharing an interesting mix of water and algae, but also producing bass from day to day as well.

LAKE BERRYESSA—Kokes were found on open water off the small island that is now sticking up near the mouth of the Narrows in 80 to 100 feet of water. Try using 5 1/2-inch Rocky Mountain Tackle dodger in Hyper Plad and the 5 1/2-inch pink Bahama Mamma dodgers with chrome blade spinner and blue pearl splatter. Also a chartreuse colored spinner with a black splatter worked well, although the bite slowed this past week.
UPPER BLUE LAKE—Another 2000 pounds of trout were privately stocked and DFG will again start planting on Sept. 1 and again on September 21. After that the lake will be put back on its regular stocking schedule. A single sliding sinker in the 1/8-ounce size and a No. 6 snelled hook took some trout from the docks while trollers used a downrigger at 28 and 29 feet with their favorite fly or lure found trout to 3 pounds.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—The east shore continues to produce big salmon, with one weighing almost 6 pounds. It was taken by the Dorado Inn, but browns and rainbows were also in the area. A small piece of worm by its lonesome did the trick in 35 to 40 feet of water. Bass were also an option on this side with crickets being a favorite.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR—Fishing has been good in the early morning and evenings and with fishing pressure almost nonexistent this time of year, anglers who enjoy serene solitude will have a good time. Most trout continue to be caught in the boat launch area of the lake or off the dam in deeper water on Power Bait or worms. Topwater action was best around the dam and the north shore of the lake with good surface activity in the very early morning. For topwater action try mosquitoes, hoppers and the caddis patterns. 

BAUM LAKE— Fishing continues to be good here with some nice fish being taken. Pheasant tails did well for nymph anglers. Kastmasters worked well, but any lure in a trout pattern should work here. Nightcrawlers and salmon eggs were bait anglers favorites and there were still some good hatches of PMD’s, caddis, callibaetis, and trico’s on the water.

BRITTON LAKE—Bass anglers found a bite for smallies in the mornings and evenings but the crappie has slowed.

BURNEY CREEK—Lures and nightcrawlers have been favorites above the falls, while below, anglers found good results with copper John nymphs. Trout are coming up in the evenings for the caddis hatch.

CASSEL FOREBAY–The canal above Power House No.1 continues to fish well. Early in the morning and early evenings were the most productive, with Power Baits, eggs and worms all catching limits. Lures like Kastmasters were also popular. Like most bodies of water in the area, pressure here has decreased so it’s a good time to fish. Limits are common and many large trout still being caught. Fly-fishermen did well with Adams, duns and PMD nymphs all catching fish. The topwater bite is also improving and early mornings have been best. There are still some very large trout here so be ready for some great action.           

EAGLE LAKE–Dropping lines in around 5:20 a.m. produced constant, and sometimes multiple hook ups for the first hour and a half of fishing. Before the sun comes up, anglers are trolling from just under the surface all the way down to 30 feet deep. After the early morning period, the trout will move deeper and become a little more finicky. Move trolled baits to the 12- to 30-foot depths. Best trolled baits were minnow imitations like Sep’s grubs in watermelon, brown, and amber or Needlefish with red or orange in their color patterns; Sep’s or Arctic Fox trolling flies and if all else fails a nightcrawler. Miners Bay on the east side of from Shrimp Island to Wildcat Point on the west side trolling in 50 feet of water.

FALL RIVER WILD TROUT AREA— Fishing reports have been fair with PMD’s, rusty spinners, caddis for dries, woolly buggers, and zugs for nymphs but the bite has slowed with the heat.

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

UPPER HAT CREEK— The days this past week were warm and the mornings cool. Fishermen caught lots of trout and large broodstock brookies were still being caught. Most fish are being caught on worms, crickets, and spinners. The pressure was moderate and lots of limits were taken. DFG continues to plant twice a week so the fishing remains excellent. Pressure on the creek should remain moderate on weekends and light mid-week through September. Many believe the best time to fish this area is late August and September so spend some time in the area and enjoy some quality fishing. Fly-fishing on the upper creek was good with many a fish falling to copper Johns and stone fly imitations.         

LEWISTON RESERVOIR—The Lewiston Cocktail (one red Fireball and two Power Eggs) took 2 or 3 trout and a few limits over 2 pounds this past weekend. Best areas were off the north end of the Pine Cove Marina and down at the south end of the main body of the lake. Here’s a koke challenge for you, as many are being seen feasting but are so full of good, natural eats that few are biting. Kokes weighing between 1 and 1 ½ pounds fish were caught and released.

MANZANITA LAKE—Fishing here picked up with the topwater action improving as well. Callibaetis, PMD’s, ants, and damsel patterns all netted fish. Look for the topwater action to continue through August and remember to heed the special fishing restrictions for this lake.

LAKE SHASTA—The bite is still on and hot and heavy with Dry Creek still going gangbusters for trout and salmon. The Pitt River Bridge is showing some nice fish as well as the O’Brian inlet on the Sacramento arm. which is also producing some nice rainbow. Rainbow trout are running between 70 and 90 feet down and averaging 1 to 2 1/2 pounds with a 3 to 3 1/2 pounder possible when presenting Sling Blades, HumDingers, Cripplures, or an Apex. Salmon are running between 100 and 150 feet down using the new Shasta Tackle Wiggle Hoochie with large Sling Blades.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR–Start trolling around 6:15 at the 299 Bridge and covering depths from 50 to 75 feet using an UV Apex and Wiggle Hoochies both behind UV Sling Blades. Kokes were netted to almost 15 inches, and some did and did not have copepods. Soaking them in a slushy ice water mix will fix that.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Captain Bob Monckton on the Reel-lentless reported good halibut action in the bay until the tides picked up, with about two around and fish to 19 pounds. As the tides sped up, Captain Kevin Yost on Lucky Strike saw a big increase in shark action with leopards to 39 pounds and sevengill cow sharks to 43 pounds. He also put an angler on a 29-pound halibut. The action came from Angel Island and Treaure Island.

BODEGA BAY— Good fishing all week, with the New Sea Angler heading south for rockfish limits and a few nice lings. Captain Rick Powers said he’ll start running albacore trips next week after reports of private boats getting counts in the double digits, and commercial boats getting counts in the triple digits, the action coming from 40 to 50 miles out.

EMERYVILLE—A mix of bottomfishing at the Farallones and halibut fishing in and just outside of the bay, the former producing limits and the occasional lingcod and the latter about one around on the halibut and the occasional striped bass. Mid-week, when the ocean was nice, the island trips produced more lings, up to 16 per boat.

EUREKA—Rough seas at either end of the week made for a small and rather ugly window mid-week, and while the Pacific halibut grounds were unfishable, the nearshore efforts found rockfish limits. The California halibut action in the bay has been slow. Surf fishing has been good for redtails except when it gets really rough, then you might as well switch to day surf smelt, which like the big surf. Centerville has been the top beach spot. Salmon season opens Saturday from Horse Mountain north, and prospects are very good with “salmon of all year classes everywhere.”

FORT BRAGG—The landing is quiet, since rockfish season closed for boaters. Shore fishing is still a go, and abalone diving is another option. Some of the charter boats are heading north for Humboldt Bay for the salmon season, which opens Saturday.

HALF MOON BAY—The rockfish action was good until the wind kicked up on the weekend, and then it was still decent. Most of the week, the bite was off the hook. The Queen Of Hearts reported near limits or limits most of the week, tapping into the cabezon and lingcod, and with a 20-pound halibut bonus on Wednesday. Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat braved the rough weekend weather to appease some tuna junkies, and found a few fish over the Pioneer Canyon between waves “taller than the cabin on the Huli Cat.”

LOCH LOMOND—Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star focused on the shallows due to the fast tides, finding one around on the halibut on the mid-week trips. The wind complicated matters on Saturday, and scores dropped to under one around, then Sunday’s group of 12 anglers making a comeback with 10 fish, 9 halibut and one bass. Fish to 14 pounds weighed, that one from Raccoon Straights.

POINT SAN PABLO—Captain Frank Miller on Fury reported good action on a shark trip on Friday when his anglers caught two sevengill cow sharks over 100 pounds, the fish hitting in deep water off of Yellow Bluff.

SAN FRANCISCO—Captain Steve Talmadge of Flash Fishing reported a really mixed week of action, with his first skunk of the year bracketed by some good scores from outside the bay. His best action came from the North Bar, with two keepers boxed and two shakers released on a half-day charter.

SAUSALITO—The boats are offering live bait potluck trips, and some impressive catches came in, including a 39-pound white seabass and a 27-pound halibut, both caught on the Outer Limits.

SHELTER COVE—Wind was a problem most of the week, but when the weather settles, expect more good Pacific halibut action and for the boats that run north of the 40’10 line, wide open rockfish.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Flows were down to 3,000 cfs last week, and, while fishability on the river improved, especially for fly fishermen, there really wasn’t much change in the success rate. Stripers were still scattered from the mouth to Nimbus Dam–and so were the bites. Much of the pressure was centered below Paradise Beach where an eclectic bunch soaked bait, threw flies, and trolled Bombers. Upstream, bait was being soaked in holes, but most of the effort, if not the catching was by tossing Pencil Poppers and soft plastic swimbaits.

FEATHER RIVER—Steelheading in the Low Flow Section slowed last week after a flurry of action the week before. Perhaps part of the reason for a lack of fish being reported, is a lack of fishermen. One thing didn’t change, the high number of jacks. They are now being joined by the first of the fall run kings. There is also a large number of 4- to 6-inch steelhead juveniles showing themselves as they frenzy feed on spinners. All of this activity augurs well for the future. Downstream, striper fishing was slow, likely a result of lower flows.

FOLSOM LAKE—The lake is continuing to drop, but there was some fair, not great, bass fishing being experienced by anglers fishing the very early and very late hours. What was rather a nice departure from the pattern of the past month or so, was that there was no pattern. Namely, that, while most bass continued to be caught fishing jigs and plastic worms deep and slow over rock pile and flats, there was some topwater, buzzbait, and crankbait action and even the occasional 5 pounder mixed in with the usual dinks.

MCCLOUD RIVER—It was hot most of the week, but a weekend storm front seemed to perk up the trout, and they were a bit more enthusiastic in going after a skillfully dead-drifted nymph. It’s still best to fish early and late.

SACRAMENTO RIVER—Striped bass fishing around Sacramento seemed to relapse last week with few positive reports. But, Miller Park did produce a 15 pounder for an angler dunking anchovies. He caught a mess of small catfish, as well. A better bet for getting some bites from catfish, bass and panfish has been the sloughs like Sutter and Elkhorn, and area irrigation ditches There was an uptick in action from Knight’s Landing to Ward’s Landing, on flies and minnows.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Trout fishing continued to be pretty good, with rainbow trout to 3 pounds, plus an occasional steelhead to 5 pounds, being caught from Redding to Los Molinos. Fly fishers dead-drifted nymphs like prince’s, pheasant tails, and copper Johns under indicators, while spin fishermen used Glo-Bugs with or without a bit of roe, nightcrawlers and crickets.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Upper—Trout fishing perked up a bit with the cooler weekend weather, but still was only fair. The best action continued to be in the upper river and will stay that way until the water cools some.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing was fair with some decent action drifting nymphs like rubberlegs and caddis pupae. There’s been a bit of dry fly action in the evening when caddis come off the water. Easiest access is at the Hwy 20 Bridge. Of course, that’s where the most pressure is, too.

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