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; Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, (707) 944-5533; South Central Coast streams (831) 649-2886. Many streams closed, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31 and others on April 25.

CHETCO RIVER– The Chetco River has been seeing some bleak years in its salmon returns, so all are hoping for a good return three-year-olds this fall. So far, trollers are seeing very poor times with only a few jacks and maybe two adult fish since the Chetco’s estuary opened August 1. “I expect more fish to be moving in as November swings in, but sources say they don’t expect a very large run of fish this season,” according to WON Field Reporter Dave Pitts.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower—Last Tuesday was a phenomenal day of fishing on the lower Rogue, when the Rogue Outdoor Store lost count of many kings were weighed in when they hit the 120 fish mark—but many of them were jacks. The kings are hitting anchovies and Rogue Bait Rigs, trolled in the estuary. The fish aren’t biting much above River View Restaurant, a mile or a bit more upriver, due to the water temperature.

RUSSIAN RIVER—Smallmouth bass fishing is still good here, and if you’re out very early or very late, throwing a Rooster Tail or small minnow-imitation lure, you’re catch a bunch of ‘em.

SMITH RIVER—The river is beginning to see some fish moving through.  Bill Hobbs of Brookings connected into a pair of nice kings, one coming unbuttoned at the boat. Hobbs trolled anchovy baits to connect on kings in the mid-20s.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—Salmon fishing had its ups and downs last week for the first time in a long time, with some good days, and some not so good. But fresh salmon and steelhead continued to enter the Klamath and anglers who hung in there and kept plugging away (actually side-drifting roe), hit the good days. Some of the better fishing was a little farther upstream around Blue Creek.

TRINITY RIVER, Del Loma—Not many fall Chinook have showed up as high as Junction City, but numbers continue to build farther down by Big Bar and Del Loma. A few are being caught early in the a.m., on Kwikfish, but the majority are taking roe. Some steelhead are showing, too, adults from 4 to 8 pounds. They’re mostly taking small, back-trolled plugs like Pee Wee Warts. Not many fly fishers are working the waters yet, but swinging streamers are also accounting for a few.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—It’s was extremely hot again last week, but anglers fishing deep holes and the mouths of cool creeks from the mouth to Hawkins Bar have been catching some nice salmon and steelhead. Try No. 4 Mepps and Blue Fox spinners, and swing streamers. Get on the water early and get off by 9 a.m.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Flows dropped again, but stabilized—for the moment—at around 1,600 cfs, and fishing, while not great, was producing the occasional steelhead and salmon. A few keeper-sized stripers were being caught on butterflied shad around Howe Ave. and behind the college early in the morning. A few more to around 10 pounds on swimbaits, jerkbaits and topwater in holes below riffles from Howe Avenue to Nimbus Dam. A few steelhead were caught last week. Again, not many, Most were being caught below the surface on nymphs under indicators, drifted nightcrawlers, and spinners. But there were even a few caught on big, high floating dry flies.

FEATHER RIVER—Flows in the Feather were very low, and boaters should use lots of caution. Fishing for stripers was spotty, but a few were being caught at Shanghai Bend on plastic worms, Pencil Poppers, Hair Raisers, and sardines. Steelheading continued to be slow in the Low Flow Section.

FOLSOM LAKE—Don Paganelli of Bass Fishing Experience said that the single most effective method for catching quality bass any larger than a juvenile has been to fish 25 feet deep and deeper working up creek channels toward cove outlets, either by spooning or drop-shotting. Shad-patterned plastics like FishTrixs and morning dawn Robo-Worms are two good examples. Only a very few king salmon are being caught, but they can be good ones weighing over 5 pounds. A more consistent bet is trolling Needlefish and Apexes 40 to 60 feet deep in front of the dam for some nice rainbows.

MATHER LAKE—Fish early and late around weed edges from a float tube, pontoon boat, or canoe for a few bass. Fish poppers, frogs over the weed mats, and weightless Senkos.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—“Slow.” “Poor.” “Don’t bother.” And other adjectives were used by various sources to describe the fishing around Sacramento last week. A few striped bass were reported being caught on whole sardines (to deter shakers) around Clarksburg, and fishing for catfish in the main river, sloughs, Port of Sacramento, and Sutter Bypass was pretty good. But, otherwise, anglers were either not bothering or doing poorly given the lack of traffic in area bait and tackle stores.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Knight’s Landing—This was about the only bright spot—sort of—on the striped bass scene on the Sacramento River above the Delta. Even then, there would be a couple of large stripers reported weighing in the 20-pound class one day, and then back to barely legal and sub-legal fish the next. They’re being between Knight’s Landing and Colusa on streamer flies and minnows.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Flows were down to 6,500 feet, and trout fishing was excellent last week. Even better was the fact, that with flows now below 7,000 cfs, anglers have many uninterrupted miles of prime trout water to fish without having to pull their boats out at the Cypress Street Bridge. In addition to scoring 20 fat rainbows or more an outing, anglers have a decent shot at a few steelhead the farther downstream they go toward Red Bluff. Some of the best fishing is occurring in the afternoon toward evening, so in addition to dead-drifting nymphs like princes, pheasant tails, and copper Johns under indicators, fly fishers have an occasional shot at some dry fly action. Spin fishermen also were scoring on Glo-Bugs with or without a bit of roe, nightcrawlers, and crickets.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Upper—It was hot once again last week, so there wasn’t much change in the fishing pattern. Most trout activity was very early and late and in the upper parts of the Sac. Evening time also sometimes offered a bit of dry fly action, but most fish were being taken dead-drifting prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and copper John’s deep, on short, tight lines into pocket water keeping the fly close to the bottom with lots of weight.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE—The bite and size of bass continued to improve. Successful fishermen were catching fish on combinations of presentations including swimbaits, top water, crankbaits, and plastics. Topwater selections include the Rico, Sammy, and spook. The better bites have been coming on the walkers over the poppers, and eliminate the many 5- to 7-inch fish that will attack the popper. Speed Traps and the various Norman DD12 and 22 baits have been the hard baits of choice. Also the rattle bait is a lure of choice in some areas of the lake. Large bluegill appear to be as scarce as the crappie, but the south end has produced some nice catfish.

LAKE BERRYESSA— By press time the spoon bite had picked back up, and 2.5- to 3-pound bass were found in 30 to 40 feet feeding heavily on shad and staying in the middle of the creek channels. There’s still some “fresh” kokes around but many more of them are ready for the smoker. Kokes are still being caught in the main body but heading to the Bureau of Reclamation area by the two river channels is better. Trolling depths were 60 to 80 feet, caught on chrome dodgers with a pink UV Apex. Salmon were from Skiers Cove to the Narrows and at the same depths.

UPPER BLUE LAKE—The lake is due for a plant this coming week, but trolling has only produced fair to poor fishing.

LAKE SONOMA—Heat has not helped the bass fishing, as it was still slow but with cooler nights there have helped the topwater and drop-shot bite. Big catfish are a nighttime favorite of campers here and panfish are coming up for red worms.

INDIAN VALLEY RESERVOIR—Working the shoreline can be good for bass here, but very few are fishing it with the low water levels. Another plus here are the big catfish.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—Trolling from 30 to 38 feet was still the best way to go, but be prepared for short periods of surface action as trout chase the bait. Watch for birds! Bigger bass were caught trolling while they chased the bait schools. The shaded side of docks or around marina log booms are good spots. Throw spinnerbaits or jerk baits if you’re following the schools and find some surface action in the mornings and evenings. Fly anglers can throw smelt imitation streamers in white or pearl white.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR— No reports at this time but typically P. G. & E. starts to draw the lake down around now, so you can expect lower water levels. Most fish will continue to be caught in the boat launch area of the lake or off the dam in deeper water. Power Bait, lures, and worms will continue to produce good action. Topwater action should improve in the evenings in the shallows near the boat launch area as the water temperature cools. Try PMD nymphs and cripple patterns then.

BAUM LAKE— Nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are working, but rainbow Power Bait is also working very well. Kastmasters are working well, but so are any other lure in a trout pattern. There are still good hatches of PMD’s, caddis, callibaetis, and trico’s on the water, with pheasant tails doing best for nymph fishermen.

BRITTON LAKE—The smallmouth bass bite was still the best bet in the mornings and evenings, but the crappie bite has slowed in the clear water.

BURNEY CREEK— Try copper John’s or pt’s below the falls or lures and nightcrawlers above the falls. Trout continue to rise for the caddis hatch in the evenings.

CASSEL FOREBAY- The canal above Powerhouse No. 1 continues to provide some excellent fishing. Spinners and Power Bait were the preferred methods to take some nice rainbows and brookies this past week. Fly-fishing was excellent with black or olive crystal buggers and red blood midges catching some big rainbows and brookies. The topwater bite continues to be good with the best action found early mornings and late evenings.

EAGLE LAKE— Trolling Sep’s watermelon, amber, or brown grubs between Pelican Point and the Youth Camp Point down 5 feet deep in waters 7 to 15 feet deep 150 feet behind the boat produced limits, or use a side planner. Anchoring up in 15 to 20 feet of water and dropping threaded nightcrawlers down 8 to 10 feet deep in these same areas also worked.

FALL RIVER WILD TROUT AREA— Fishing reports continued to show fair conditions with PMD’s, rusty spinners, woolly buggers, and zugs for nymphs.

HAT CREEK WILD TROUT AREA— While poor results were found here this past week, the riffle was best fished with pt’s, birdsnest, or hare’s ear. Look for PMD’s, caddis, and callibaetis with the warmer temperatures coming back.

UPPER HAT CREEK— Fish and Game has gone to a once a week plant schedule but with light pressure mid week the fishing remained good. Many limits were taken and a number of big brook trout in the 4-pound class are still being caught. Most fish were brookies, which seemed to prefer worms and spinners over eggs, but you can also connect with Power Bait. The pressure should remain light to moderate throughout the month of September.         

LEWISTON RESERVOIR—The action slowed with the heat. When it cools back down trout trollers will be using salmon and white eggs 10 to 15 feet down while fly anglers may want to try woolly buggers or black/purple leeches for kokes.

MANZANITA LAKE— Fishing here off a bit from last week, but most of the activity was happening in the early to mid morning and late afternoons. Flying red ants were still around, so ant imitations were still working well. Callibaetis cripples, PMD’s, and wired princes John’s were also taking fish. Topwater action will continue as long as the weather holds. Remember to heed the special fishing restrictions for this lake.

TRINITY RESERVOIR— Everything is out of the water including the rock plies up at the north end. Trinity is only at 45-percent of capacity and still falling. May want to pass on this lake until the skiers are gone as they have the waters churned up early.

LAKE SHASTA— Trout trollers are still taking salmon and trout in the Dry Creek mouth and the Sacramento arm but at the 40- and 50-foot mark. All the usual tackle is working, but a Wiggle Hoochie in purple and blue seemed to be catching the majority of fish. The topwater bass bite has been good early, but go deeper with plastics, drop-shots, and jigs in browns, blues, and greens once the sun and heat return. The evening bite has also been pretty good when it’s cooler.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY— Captain Bob Monckton on Reel-lentless reported nine halibut on his last effort in the bay, so the fish are still there, but the paying customers are thinning out big time. His next efforts will be for tuna. On the Berkeley Charter boats, Scott Sutherland reported good counts of halibut continued, with about 20 to 25 keepers per trip regardless of the passenger counts. The occasional striper surprises, like the 24 pounder caught by a Marysville angler. Rockfish trips to the Farallones have produced well when it’s not too windy; counts are lower when the weather interferes.

BODEGA BAY— The weather was up, but finally laid down for the weekend. Boats that fished found fair action on rockfish with some lingcod mixed in the catch. Both Point Reyes and Fort Ross have been producing fish.

EMERYVILLE— Great mid-week trips for halibut, with limits on the New Huck Finn on Thursday for a light load of seven anglers. Most halibut efforts produced at least one around, usually 1.5 around. A few stripers are showing in the catch, but not many. The trips to the Farallon Islands for rockfish found a little bit of a tough bite on Saturday but most of the boats reported limits and some fairly good ling action also. Tuna trips were on the schedule with the calm forecast.

EUREKA— The ocean was fishable early in the week, but the boats that ran for tuna found tough fishing. The fish were there, just not up and feeding. Out of the fleet, only four fish were counted. One Scotia-based angler reported a swordfish sighting. “Everything was good, lots of bait, just no tuna biting,” said Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center. Redtail surf perch was good earlier in the week, and day surf smelt took over the beach action when the ocean roughed up later in the week.

FORT BRAGG— The port is quiet for fishing, but the shore action is good, with some choices like rockfish and lingcod fishing and abalone diving. The bottomfishing season is closed for boat anglers (except spear fishermen).

HALF MOON BAY— Weather continued to play a part in slowing the bottomfish bite. While not everyone is getting limits, the one theme that is becoming the phrase of 2009 for bottomfishers played out again: those who work for them, get their fish. Top spot for big fish was Pescadero, with some nice lings boated on the Queen Of Hearts, including a 15 pounder and a 16 pounder.

POINT SAN PABLO— Captain Frank Miller on the Fury had a great sevengill shark trip with 12 fish caught and six released for six anglers, big fish a 55 pounder. The action came from near Yellow Bluff. A live bait trip on Sunday found one around and a mix of bass and flatties from San Pablo Bay.

SHELTER COVE— Things are starting to calm down, with bottomfishing now closed north of the 40’10 line as well as south of it. The Pacific halibut action slowed, and while the season runs through Oct. 31, the local effort has been pared way back. Captain Trent Slate of Shelter Cove Sportfishing has closed his season, and is now planning his 2010 season. He celebrated by booking a charter on a tuna boat out of Monterey Bay, go figure.

SUISUN BAY— Striped bass fishing continued to improve, and while few are trying for sturgeon, those who do are getting some action. Grass shrimp has been the top bait for diamondbacks, while the bass like bullheads.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BLUE LAKES— Very little pressure here but the deer season opens this weekend and there will be lots of hunters in the area. Upper Blue was planted this past week, so there are plenty of fish to be caught. Power Bait and worms usually do the trick.

BOCA LAKE—Mostly all shore fishing here because of the recreational watercraft traffic that is still hitting the lake. With the recent DFG plant, the boat ramp and the adjacent coves are providing the best action for shore anglers using Power Bait and worms or casting Rooster Tails or a Kastmaster.

CAPLES LAKE— A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. Fishing is still pretty good with another EID trophy rainbow landed this past week by Nick Stake of Folsom. He caught a 9 pounder on a flasher/’crawler combo at 25 feet. Rainbow, brown and brook trout planters are still being caught by shore anglers off the dam and spillway, but trollers are doing the best because they can fish in the deeper water.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)— The East Carson received a 1450-pound Alpine County plant this past week. The planters averaged 3 pounds with some weighing up to 7 pounds. The flows and fishing are good with fly fishermen doing very well on Elk Hair Caddis and Adams dries in the evening. Golden Stone and Prince Nymph patterns are working during the day. Spinning-gear anglers are doing just fine with worms, salmon eggs and Panther Martins or Rooster Tails. The West Fork is still low and clear with fishing tough because the fish are easily spooked. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station said there are a lot of fish that can be seen in any deep pool, they just aren’t biting unless you’re very careful about approaching the water’s edge and use light tackle.

DAVIS LAKE— The lake is at 51-percent capacity. The nights are getting colder and the surface temp is dropping resulting in a great bite. Ed Dillard of Dillard’s Guide Service landed 43 and 57 fish on two all day charters this past week. One trip produced 18 fish from 17 to 19 ½ inches from 1 to 4 p.m. along with a lot of 12 to 13 inchers. A red Rainbow Runner has been the favorite for the bigger fish with the copper/red Dick Nite still being a perennial producer. Shore fishing has been slow lately with anglers only picking up one or two fish per trip. Fly casters are still catching lots of rainbows on nymphs at the creek mouths along the west side.

DONNER LAKE— Since the DFG plant, shore anglers are doing well at the boat ramp and the public piers on Power Bait and salmon eggs. The macks and kokanee have moved up to 50 to 70 feet. Trollers are using an AC Plug for the macks and watermelon UV dodgers with chartreuse/black or orange/black spinners for the kokanee.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON— With no recent DFG plant, the fishing has been pretty slow, according to the Caribou Crossroads Resort. There are a lot of people fishing, but the catching isn’t very good.

FRENCHMAN LAKE— Lake level has stabilized this week at 38-percent capacity. Cooler nights have dropped the surface temp which has improved the bite. Shore anglers have been landing rainbows to 16 inches at the dam and Big Cove Campgrounds. Trollers are doing better than last week down by the dam with Dick Nite and Needlefish spoons.

GOLD LAKES BASIN— Sardine, Salmon, Snag and Gold are all reporting pretty good fishing according to Bassetts Station. Shore fishing with worms appears to be the most popular technique for planter rainbows.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR— A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. Dale Daneman at Foothill Guide Service caught 18 fish on his last trip trolling grubs and worms from the top to 30 feet on the east end of the lake. Most of the fish are rainbows, 11 to 12 inches, with the occasional brown to 14 inches.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR— Cooler water temps are improving the shore action for anglers getting out at first light. The bite stops as soon as the sun hits the water. Small boaters and float tubers are still doing well in the deep channel between the ramp and the dam.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR— Lake level is stable and boat ramp is still operational. Trollers are picking up rainbows and browns on a J9 Rapala in black/gold or a Krocodile in silver or gold. Shore anglers are doing well from the campgrounds to the dam where there is easy access from the road that runs along this side of the lake.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)— Mackinaw and browns are hitting for trollers. Macks, four to five pounds, are still coming in from the second dam on Rapalas at 40 to 60 feet. The browns are hitting Rapalas in the Narrows at 30 to 40 feet and running two to three pounds.

LAKE TAHOE— Wind warnings this past weekend made for difficult fishing conditions. Mickey Daniels fought the wind for five fish and three or four lost fish on Saturday. Earlier in the week before the wind hit, trolling was very good for fish up to seven pounds coming out of 325 to 340 feet of water on Sling Blade/minnows or Koke-a-nuts. When the wind lays down, macks and kokanee are being caught jigging with Buzz Bombs in South Tahoe. Take the kids to the Stream Profile on Taylor Creek, the kokanee are already showing up.

LOON LAKE— Trolling has been good for multiple limits of mostly planter rainbows from the top to 30 feet on grubs, worms and spoons like the Dick Nite or Needlefish.

PROSSER LAKE— A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. Shore anglers are doing well at the campgrounds in the Prosser Creek arm where the creek flows into the lake on worms and Roostertails. The bigger smallmouths found in the lake are in the same area. Smallmouths, eight to 12 inches, are all over the dam and hitting small jigs (size 8 or 10 hook) in pumpkin and olive/white. Try the Gulp! Minnow in both colors.

RED LAKE— Algae still a problem, but getting better. Two anglers from Minden, Nev., hiked to the south side of the lake to get away from the algae and caught limits on worms that included a couple 2 1/4-pound brookies. Small boaters and float tubers still have the best chance at connecting on the brookies and cutthroats here.

SILVER LAKE— The boat ramp and parking lot will be closed September 22-24 during the demolition of the Kay’s Resort buildings. Boats can launch before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m., but the ramp will not operate during the demolition activity. Lots of fish in the lake and trollers have been doing well with flasher/worm combos at 25 feet.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR— The lake is very low and many boaters are avoiding the lake for that reason. Those who go are picking up some kokanee at 55 to 70 feet along the island on watermelon UV dodgers with black/chartreuse spinners. Mackinaw fishing has been slow. There are plenty of little smallmouths hitting small jigs at the dam in pumpkin (crawdad) or olive/white (tui chub) colors.

TRUCKEE RIVER— From Trout Creek to Stateline, in the Special Regs Section, cooler nights have improved the bite as the fish become more active. The bite is best in the early a.m. and late afternoon until dark on a double nymph dropper rig using a yellow stone/caddis combo. During the day use a hopper/bead-head nymph or yellow stone/caddis nymph dropper along grassy banks. Streamer fishing is producing some very nice fish below Prosser Creek. Crayfish patterns are still working early or late from 5 to 7 p.m. The General Section is producing some browns in the deeper holes behind the campgrounds along Hwy 89 on worms and Roostertails.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR— A local fishing club hit the lake this past week with 21 anglers and they caught 59 fish. Most of the trout caught were rainbows from the recent DFG plant, though there were a few macks and three kokanee. One of the kokanee was a 14 incher that had not lost its scales indicating that it was a “next year” fish. This means that the kokes next season could measure 18 to 20 inches. The macks and the kokanee were 100 feet deep, with the rainbows at 10 to 30 feet.

WEST WALKER RIVER— The River received a Mono County/Northern Mono Chamber of Commerce plant this past week of 140 rainbows, running two to three pounds. Another plant by Mono County and the CC is scheduled for September 30 and will be more rainbows, 1 3/4 to 2 pounds. Fishing has been very good with lots of limits. The DFG planters account for most of the fish being caught but some 2 to 2 ½ pounders showing up in the creels. Worms, salmon eggs and Panther Martins are all producing.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER— Anglers are still going down into the Cash Rock area and finding some nice fish. Beware of the local property owner who thinks the river belongs to him. The Middle Fork below French Meadows is good for rainbows for anyone who wants to make the effort to hike down to the water. The fish are running 12 to 14 inches and hitting on every cast according to the Georgetown Ranger Station.

BULLARDS BAR— Lake is down to 65-percent capacity. Emerald Cove Marina didn’t have anything to report about the fishing so it must not be very good. There must be some spotted bass action somewhere on the lake especially now that the water temp is cooling off.

CAMP FAR WEST— The lake is down below 30-percent capacity. Bass anglers are doing pretty well on the main body of the lake since the creek arm water levels are so low. Catfish are hitting at night on worms and cut baits.

COLLINS LAKE— Lake is down 37 feet from full. The surface temp is down to 72-degrees but not enough to get the trout into shallower water yet. The best action for all species is coming out of 25 to 30 feet of water. The boat docks are still the best bet for shore anglers using worms and Power Bait for trout and catfish. Trollers are occasionally connecting on limits of trout using Wobbler spoons and Rapalas at 30 feet. The biggest fish of the week was a 7 3/4-pound rainbow caught by Pat Evans while trolling.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR— ke is at 93-percent capacity. An angler reported catching a limit of kokanee on worms. Trout action is still good up river for those drifting worms and Power Bait. Some trollers are doing well at 30 to 50 feet deep at the dam.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR— No current reports were available from the Foresthill Ranger Station, but fishing should be good with the cooler water temps. Troll at the dam or the inlet for a mix of browns and rainbows. Fish the river below the dam for plenty of action on 12- to 14- inch rainbows, but be prepared for a good hike.

FULLER LAKE— Trollers using flasher/worm combos are still picking up good numbers of planters. Shore anglers should use worms and Power Bait at the dam or the picnic area.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR— Not much has changed here according to Will fish Tackle in Auburn. Mackinaw and kokanee are still hitting for spoon jiggers at the dam at 60 to 80 feet. Trollers are picking up some browns early on Rapalas at the power house and the inlet. Big Meadows Campground is closed for repairs to the water system; Mosquito Pit Campground is still open.

LAKE OROVILLE— Water releases have slowed and lake has stabilized at 38-percent capacity (down 188 feet). All the main boat ramps are still operational. Bidwell Canyon has 3 lanes and Lime Saddle and the Spillway each have two lanes. Bass and catfish action is pretty good with the stabile water level. Bass, to 3 3/4 pounds, are still hitting crawdads and plastic worms at 25 to 40 feet on the points throughout the lake. Catfish, to 7 1/2 pounds, are hitting best at 35 to 50 feet on cut baits and chicken livers, with Lime Saddle and the South Fork reported as a good spots. No word on any coho action at all.

ROLLINS LAKE— Catfish, running 2 to 3 pounds, are hitting hotdog chunks at night up in the Bear River. Bass anglers are on the lake but there are few reporting any success. NID reported that the DFG has cleared the lake to resume trout plants in 2010.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE— Smallmouth bass providing the only action reported this past week. NID reported that the DFG has cleared the lake to resume trout plants in 2010.

SPAULDING LAKE— King salmon and a few rainbows are hitting for trollers. A chrome dodger with a threaded nightcrawler is still the best choice at 70 feet in front of the power house, but troll slow, 0.8 to 1.2 mph.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR— Fishing has been very slow here all year since the DFG trout plants were stopped. Bass and bluegill are in the lake and provide the only opportunity for any realistic chance at fishing success. The Foresthill Ranger Station could not provide any current report on the fishing here.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR— Not much change here. The fishing has been slow with no DFG plants. The bass and catfish are providing the only action and the Georgetown Ranger Station reported little success on them. The campgrounds will close on September 30.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY— Some bass are still hitting Senkos along the tule banks, but the fishing pressure has been low. A few big steelhead are starting to show with a 7 1/2 pounder weighed in at Feather River Outfitters this past week.

Category Uncategorized