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—Just getting better and better, but totally dependent on temperatures in the estuary as to whether they are holding or moving through. Some days saw trollers in the estuary landing 100 kings a day for all of them, now averaging 18 to 25 pounds with some to 30 and even 40 pounds in the mix. Trolling is the key, and it might be deep or shallow depending on fishing pressure.
RUSSIAN RIVER—Same as ever during the summer: smallmouth bass fishing. It is better this year than past 4 or 5 years due to good smallmouth conditions, and the fish are numerous and active early and late on Rooster Tails or other small bass lures.
SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS
BLUE LAKES—Lakes have not received any DFG plants lately. Upper Blue was reported to be kicking out limits of small planters for shore anglers using worms. There isn’t much pressure up here right now.
BOCA LAKE—Heavy recreational boat traffic here has made fishing a tough proposition. An occasional trout is caught early or late.
CAPLES LAKE—A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. Fly casters using dries in the early morning and evening are catching some of the big trophy fish in Emigrant Cove. Trollers are still catching 7- to 12-inch planters on flasher/worm combos in deeper water.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Alpine County planted two 800-pound loads of three pounders in the West and East Carson this past week. Another plant is definitely scheduled this week for the East Fork, and also in the West Fork if the water is cool enough. East Fork anglers have been catching limits of three pounders this past week near the Carson River Resort, according to Todd Sodaro on salmon eggs, worms and spinners. The West Fork is still low and clear and tough to fish. There are plenty of fish there; they’re just spooky and hard to approach.
DAVIS LAKE—Trolling is the way to go here with Ed Dillard catching 16 to 23 fish on every trip for his clients on the copper/red Dick Nite spoon at 12 to 16 feet. The average fish are running 12 to 14 inches with big fish measuring 18 to 20 inches. Shore angling is improving at Mallard Cove on inflated nightcrawlers, but be prepared to lose some tackle in the weeds. Fly casters are doing pretty well along the West shore with a nymph under an indicator.
DONNER LAKE—Fishing has slowed down since the last plant, but the west end boat ramp is still providing the best place for success. Anglers throwing minnows caught in the lake into deeper water are catching a few smaller Macks along the South shore of the lake.
FEATHER RIVER CANYON—A DFG trout plant is scheduled for the North Fork this week.
FRENCHMAN LAKE—Water level is down to 39-percent capacity. Fishing has improved with cooler water temp due to the cold nights. Trollers are still picking up 2 to 3 pounders at 20 to 30 feet. Shore anglers are doing well at Lunker Point on Power Bait with one woman reporting a limit in two hours in the early morning. Early or late is best for all fishing.
GOLD LAKES BASIN—Snag Lake near Gold Lake is kicking out quick limits. Upper Sardine is producing a few fish off the shore on grassy banks. There are still lots of people coming up to this area.
ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. Fishing is tough. Dale Daneman fished here this past week and only landed 5 fish for 30 bites, the fish are not very aggressive. The rainbows were only 10 to 12 inches and 20 to 30 feet deep.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Lake is low and the best action is still from the channel between the launch and the dam. Kayakers, float tubers, and canoeists have the best chance at success by concentrating on the deeper water and can catch 4 to 7 pounders. Shore anglers using enough weight to get deep are doing okay on 1 ½ to 2 pounders
JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Nightcrawlers and gold Kastmasters are working from the shore at the campgrounds. The whole area has been slow because of the warm weather but that will change by next month as fall arrives.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—A local angler trolled for two days this past week with a large orange Needlefish, 10 feet off the bottom at 95 to 110 feet, and caught 17 Mackinaw up to 3 pounds. He said he caught one fish after another once he got on the pattern.
LAKE TAHOE—Windy weather made fishing tough over the past weekend. Mickey Daniels had seven Macks, 4 to 5 ½ pounds, in the boat when WON called on Sunday. He was trolling 450 feet deep.
LOON LAKE—A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. Dale Daneman fished here this past week and landed 10 rainbows, 11 to 12 inches, trolling 10 to 30 feet deep at the first dam. Shallow fish were toplined with a Jointed Rapala and deeper fish came off the downrigger on Sep’s watermelon Side-Kick dodgers and brown grubs.
PROSSER LAKE—Fishing is very slow with the only bright spot being up in Prosser Creek for a chance at an occasional trout and some smallmouth bass. Trout are eating nightcrawlers from the dam to the old ramp. The smallies are hitting Rooster Tails in brown to imitate the crawdads or chartreuse and firetiger.
RED LAKE—Still murky with the algae and things won’t improve until cold weather sets in and gets rid of the algae.
SILVER LAKE—A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. A 15-pound, 35-inch Mackinaw was landed by Kaare Fladby of Gardnerville, Nev., trolling a flasher/nightcrawler combo. Smaller trout are still hitting the same rig, too. Concentrate you efforts in the deeper water.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—Kokanee and Macks are down by the dam at 50 to 70 feet, 100 yards off the shore. Wind and current is piling plankton up on the dam, which is attracting the kokanee and the Macks are after the kokes. Dodgers with black/chartreuse or black/orange spinners are accounting for most of the kokanee.
TRUCKEE RIVER—In the Special Reg Section, BWO and PMD patterns are working in the morning, with caddis and yellow stones coming off in the afternoon/evening. Scott Koper at Mountain Hardware and Sports went diving in the General Section in some of the deep pools and saw a lot of 15- to 22-inch browns and rainbows, so they are there but hard to catch.
UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—Fishing is tough, but one boat reported catching three kokanee and two trout at 70 feet on dodger combos tipped with corn.
WEST WALKER RIVER—The DFG has been planting here each week and an Alpers plant of trophy fish was made by the Northern Mono Chamber of Commerce on September 2. Anglers are working for limits of small planters on worms and salmon eggs.
NORTH SALTWATER
BERKELEY—The fleet ran trips for halibut, bottomfish and albacore, with good results on most efforts. Friday’s trip on the El Dorado scored 21 tuna up around Bodega Canyon. The Flying Fish nearly limited on lingcod on Saturday at the Farallon Islands. Halibut scores are up and down.
BODEGA BAY— Not a lot of activity last week, but the New Sea Angler did fish down at Point Reyes on Friday with a charter from Encore Glass in Richmond for limits of jumbo rockfish with many big vermilion and coppers, but not too many lingcod. Tuna fever is lurking and as soon as the weather lays down, the boats will be trying. One boat found fish as close as 18 miles out on Friday.
EMERYVILLE—Good action on all but the Wednesday tuna trip, which had good weather and sought distant fishing grounds as far as 90 miles southwest of Seal Rocks. “They saw jumpers, but no fish!” said Craig Stone at Emeryville Sportfishing. Rockfish remained the closest to a sure thing with limits the rule at the Farallone trips, but halibut trips did well also, with the Captain Hook finding the top score of the week with near limits on Thursday’s trip.
EUREKA—The brief salmon season started with rough ocean forecasts, but the ocean was a lot better than expected. Fishing was slow, but there were some kings caught on the opener including a 28 pounder weighed at Englund’s Marine. Things should pick up as the fleet pins down the fish and the where to info gets out.
FORT BRAGG—Shore fishing for rockfish and abalone diving are the top prospects. A few of the boats headed up to Eureka to fish for ocean salmon, so not much news on the charter end.
HALF MOON BAY—Wind plague came back slowing the action later in the week. When the ocean lays down, the bite is very good, when the bump is up, the bite slows down. Tuna anglers are ready for the next weather break also, poised to run out for more albacore action.
LOCH LOMOND—Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star had a tough week, with less than one halibut around and the occasional striper. The bright spot of the week was a stint at Raccoon Straights on Sunday, were they hit them good. Also producing fish were Alcatraz and Southampton.
POINT SAN PABLO—Captain Frank Miller on the Fury found a hotspot for his Saturday group of six anglers catching seven halibut, no big deal, but four were between 17 and 28 pounds, and one angler caught a pair of flatties nearly 50 pounds. The action came in Raccoon Straights on sardines fished with a trailing treble.
SHELTER COVE—Since the salmon season was open above Horse Mountain, several boats ran up to fish despite a big swell and windy conditions outside. Out of 25 boats, a total of 18 salmon were boated all good sized fish to 30 pounds. Captain Trent Slate on Bite Me had a 20 pounder. Most boats had zero to one fish.
SUISUN BAY—Captain Jeremy Kangas of Stickem Sportfishing reported sturgeon are still biting with a 13-year-old catching one oversized fish and a shaker. Another trip produced an oversized fish at 84 inches also released. All the action came from around the Mothball Fleet on ghost shrimp.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
AMERICAN RIVER—Warm weather still making fishing slow or at least uncomfortable for hikers who have to walk in to access points along the North Fork and the Middle Fork. Some rainbows and browns are holding in the deeper pools for anglers throwing worms and spinners.
BULLARDS BAR—Fishing has been slow overall. The area is still recovering from the big Yuba fire that was contained last week. Emerald Cove reports that there are lots of bass and bluegill being seen around the marina. Trout anglers have the best chance of success by running up into the river arm and drifting worms. The Labor Day weekend will be a guaranteed zoo of skiers and wave runners, so fishermen need to get out early or into a no-wake zone up river.
CAMP FAR WEST—Fishing is pretty good for bass and bluegill during the day with some big catfish hooked and lost at night. One lady reported into the marina with 4 bass and a stringer of bluegill. One group fishing off the shore reported hooking a big cat that eventually broke the line. Labor Day weekend recreational traffic is expected to be heavy.
COLLINS LAKE—The lake is currently down 33 1/2 feet. Cooler weather over the past week has improved the bite with anglers picking up some nice trout, bass and catfish. The biggest fish of the week was a 12 1/2-pound catfish caught by Kevin Donovan of Yuba City on a nightcrawler. Trollers and bait anglers are both catching limits of trout with the best action coming very early in the morning or at night. The best trout of the week came on a nightcrawler fished off the dam and weighed 3 3/4-pounds. Bass to 4 3/4-pounds are hitting nightcrawlers and crawdads.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—Boaters are running up the river and drifting worms for some trout. Bass are all over the marina, suspended around the cables that anchor the dock systems. The better fish are running to 2 pounds. Houseboaters are catching 9- to 11-inch planters on worms in the marina.
FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—Camping and fishing pressure has been low here according to the Foresthill Ranger Station. Shore and trolling action is fair for those making the trip.
FULLER LAKE—It has been a few weeks since the last plant and action has slowed here for anglers using Power Bait off the dam.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—Lots of work going on here by the Georgetown Forest Service crews. Fishing has been productive for anglers getting out early and trolling near the dam or up at the powerhouse, but experience is a big factor.
LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 39-percent capacity and actually stabilized the water level this week. All launch ramps are still operating on concrete, so no problems there. Bass and catfish action has been good. Bass anglers are catching limits of spots up to 4 ½ pounds on plastics and live bait at 30 to 50 feet in the Middle Fork and Lime Saddle. Catfish up to 9 pounds are being caught on mackerel and anchovies at Lime Saddle, Foreman Creek and the dam.
ROLLINS LAKE—Lake level has dropped to 15 feet below full. Brown trout up to 16 inches are hitting worms for bait drifters running up into the Bear River. Largemouth and smallmouth bass up to 2 pounds are hitting plastics in the shady coves. Lake will be swarming with recreational boaters for the Labor Day weekend.
SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Fishing here has been very slow, though some bass are coming out of out of the coves in the early morning on plastic worms.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—A nice place for a picnic and a chance for kids to catch a bass or a bluegill on nightcrawlers.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—Georgetown Ranger Station reported that fishing here has been very slow with only an occasional bass or catfish being caught by shore anglers using nightcrawlers.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—Topwater bass action has been surprisingly good here this past week with local anglers picking up 8 or 9 fish per trip up to 3 pounds in the early morning or evening on buzzbaits and Spooks.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER—Striper fishing was spotty, but there were just enough reports of fish being taken , such as the 44 pounder caught behind Sac State, to keep anglers interested. Besides, there are few pleasanter ways to spend an early morning or evening than on the American, even if there is no action. There were also reports of smaller stripers being caught in the hole by the Old Fair Oaks Bridge on sardines, jumbo minnows and crawdads. While some anglers reported seeing steelhead jumping, very few have been caught. Flows continued a decline, down to 2,500 cfs.
FEATHER RIVER–Steelheading was still slow in the Low Flow Section, but some were caught below the Outlet, including an 8 pounder reported taken by the Gridley Bridge. A better bet was to fish for stripers below Shanghai Bend–but do it at night. Some nice stripers to almost 20 pounds were caught there and at Starr Bend, on poppers.
FOLSOM LAKE—It continues to be a mixed bag for bass. Most of the action seems to be around the main body with a bit of early morning topwater and crank action. Some bass were being caught on weightless Senkos dropped alongside structure. But, day in, day out, most bass were being caught on jigs and plastic worms fished over rock pile and flats.
MATHER LAKE–About the only way to catch bass out of Mather during summer months is out of a float tube or pontoon boat because of the heavy weed growth. But, it’s a fishy looking, and just plain fishy lake. Fish early with topwater and jerkbaits, or Senkos.
MCCLOUD RIVER—Heat suppressed the bite, but good anglers were having fair success swinging soft hackle wets and dead-drifting nymphs under indicators. Most fish were 10 to 14 inches. It’s strictly an early and late affair.
SACRAMENTO RIVER—Not many people were talking, but there were some reports of decent striper fishing from Freeport through downtown Sacramento along the 5-mph no-wake zone. They’re scoring on whole sardines rigged with double hooks to deter bait-stealing shakers. Fishing for catfish was very good, too, with a 40 pounder caught on a crawdad by the I-Street Bridge. 5 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 in area sloughs, the Port, and the main river.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding— Trout fishing continued to be good, and anglers were catching a dozen or so a day plus the rare steelhead to 5 pounds, on dead-drifted nymphs like prince’s, pheasant tails, and copper Johns under indicators. Spin fishermen used Glo-Bugs with or without a bit of roe, nightcrawlers, and crickets.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Upper—Trout fishing slowed in the heat, but there was some action early and late, mostly in the upper river around Dunsmuir, on prince, pheasant tail, and copper John’s fished with lots of weight into pocket water on a short line.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
LAKE ALMANOR—A small piece of worm did the trick in 35 to 48 feet of water. Brown trout averaged 2 1/2 pounds but fish to 7 pounds were also taken from the east side of the lake. Jig fishing on anchor or drift fishing with a pearl Git-Zit can also produce trout or salmon. If you’re in a cool, oxygenated area like over a spring, fish can be shallower and a worm, small piece of roe, or a mealworm/cricket combination would be good there.
BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR— The fishing has been good in the early evening. Most fish continue to be caught in the boat launch area of the lake or off the dam in deeper water. Power Bait or worms were the most productive this past week. Topwater action was best around the dam and north shore of the lake again, where surface activity was good with the best fishing in the very early morning. For topwater action try mosquitoes, hoppers, or caddis patterns.
BAUM LAKE— Still some good hatches of PMD’s, caddis, callibaetis, and trico’s here on the water, with pheasant tails doing best for nymph fishermen. Kastmasters are working well, but any lure in a trout pattern should work. Nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are working well for the bait fishermen.
BRITTON LAKE—You’ll find smallies in the mornings and evenings but the crappie has slowed.
BURNEY CREEK—Above the falls has been quite productive with lures and nightcrawlers. Below the falls, good results were found with pt and copper John nymphs, and fish were coming up to caddis hatch in the evenings.
CASSEL FOREBAY The canal above Power House No.1 continues to fish well with spinners and worms the preferred methods for some nice rainbows. Early mornings and early evenings remain the most productive times to fish. Pressure on this area has decreased so this is a good time to fish. Limits are common and many large trout are still being caught. Fly-fishing was good with blue wing olives, Adams, and callibaetis nymphs catching fish. The topwater bite continues to improving with good action in the early mornings and late evenings.
EAGLE LAKE—Find limits trolling in 50 to 60 feet of water and at either 30 feet or top lining as a good trout bite continues starting about 6 a.m. and anglers have caught fish until about 9 a.m. Most anglers are fishing on the east side between Miners and Eagles Nest since there is shade there longer.
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—Look for PMD’s, caddis, and callibaetis with the warmer temperatures. The riffle has been best fished with pt’s, birds nest, or hare’s ear.
UPPER HAT CREEK—Anglers caught lots of fish this past week with the majority being brook trout in the 12-15 inch class but some larger brook trout were also caught. Most fish are still being caught on worms and spinners. The pressure is light and lots of limits are being taken. Fish and Game continues to plant twice a week so the fishing should remain excellent. Pressure on the creek should remain moderate on weekends and light mid-week through September. Fly-fishing on the upper creek was good with quite a few fish being taken on stone flies and hoppers.
LEWISTON RESERVOIR—Anglers are going out between 6-8:00 a.m. and then in the evenings during the same time for trout and kokes. Kokes are on top in front of the marina and from Frog Rock to the tip of the island by the marina has been good for trout trollers and fly anglers using woolly buggers or black/purple leeches for fly anglers. Trollers are using a Sep’s sidekick dodger with a wedding ring or Cripplure.
MANZANITA LAKE—Fishing here was fair with most of the activity happening in the early morning. Callibaetis, PMD’s, and damsel patterns are still taking fish. Look for the topwater action to continue to be good into September and remember to heed the special fishing restrictions for this lake.
LAKE SHASTA—The trout started to bite later in the day from about 10:30 or 11:00 on and limits were taken. Trollers caught trout between 50 and 70 feet, while salmon were between 100 to 130 feet. The hot lure for the week was still Shasta Tackle’s UV Sling Blade and a UV Wiggle Hoochie. Dart-headed worms and jigs in crawdad colors would probably be the way to go for bass anglers, targeting points and throwing out to 40 feet or working the areas along the cliffs.
WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR–Covering depths from 50 to 75 feet using an UV Apex and Wiggle Hoochies both behind UV Sling Blades along the 299 Bridge. Kokes were netted to almost 15 inches, and some did and did not have copepods.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE—The Redbud arm still is the most productive arm of the lake overall from the reports coming in, but look for the shallower upper end of the lake to start turning on as the water temperature continues to slowly drop. The average fish is still running to almost three pounds and the average catch has been between 5 and 7 fish per angler. Still hard to put those kind of numbers together on many other bodies of water right now!
LAKE BERRYESSA—Kokes ranged from 15 to 17.5 inches and had no scales or hooked jaws yet. The females eggs were separated and a really good size. It may go three more weeks but the fish are heading back to were they were put in, so stay in the river channel and fish it from Skiers Cove to goat island and cover the west side as well in 100-plus feet of water at 55 to 65 feet deep.
UPPER BLUE LAKE— Good for bass with boats catching fish including bass from 3 to 5 pounders. One angler caught 30 (c/r) bass with a crankbait, from deep to shallow and from the brush out from the Narrows to the west basin. Trout have been show for the trollers but good from the banks and docks with chartreuse Power Bait or worms for limits of trout from 16 to 18 inches. DFG should be planting sometime this week as well.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—Salmon fishing was good in the estuary on tide changes, especially on the outgoing. Troll Kastmasters in gold and copper and spinners in copper and brass with an anchovy trailer. Upstream, Starwin Riffle has also been good for anglers boondoggling or drifting roe. Steelie action was up and down with fresh fish moving in all the time but jetting upstream to get to cooler water.
TRINITY RIVER, Junction City—The river was high and off-color for a few days, but was back in good shape by the weekend, and anglers were starting to see some decent numbers of fall kings for the first time. Half-pounder and adult steelhead were showing up in the Del Loma area where the pulling of the last of dredger equipment made for better launching, as well as fishing conditions. Junction
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—The salmon season opened on Tuesday, and it looks like anglers are going to have some pretty good fishing. Half-pounder and adult steelhead were showing up in greater numbers, too, after the river dropped and cleared.
