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.

CHETCO RIVER-Low, cold and clear, and expected to be that way as long as it’s freezing in the drainages upstream. The salmon are spawning and done spawning, and steelhead have been coming in for the past two weeks, according to WON Field Reporter Dave Pitts, and it’s transition time from kings to steelies. January is prime time for big steelies in the teens to 20s, but the action begins now.

ROGUE RIVER-A few winter steelhead showing up, and that will improve with runoff from melting snow when that occurs, and the summer steelhead are providing cold-weather fishing (slow and lethargic fish) in the middle and upper river.

RUSSIAN RIVER-The mouth was manually opened up on Wednesday and now it’s wide open, and few steelhead are beginning to poke in, according to Steve Jackson at Kings Sport and Tackle in Guerneville. About 100 fish came past the camera at Wholer Dam above Guerneville, and there was one 8-pound hatchery fish caught. It’s still at 200 cfs and not driftable on Sunday, but when it melts and the river colors the steelies should show up big time-fingers crossed.

SMITH RIVER-King salmon fishing slowed as the river dropped, and fishing was almost at a standstill towards the end of the week. Snow is now on the ground, and the last of the kings are already in the river or possibly a few more to show, according to guide Phil Desautel of Phil’s Smiling Salmon Guide Service, but anglers will be switching over to steelhead now.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-The river is rising, but it was still fishable as of Sunday night. However, the situation might be entirely different toward the end of the week when the next storm arrives. It’s supposed to be a lot stronger. The best odds for getting bit extend from from Blue Creek to Johnson’s Riffle. Drifting roe and a Puffball has also gotten its share of steelhead.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-The water is very cold, which puts steelhead into a lethargic state of mind, so roe and nightcrawlers fished slowly are the best bet. Side-drifted, roe, and Glo-Bugs, backtrolled Hot Shots and dead-drifted nymph/egg pattern combinations under indicators are some of the better bets.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City-Pressure was extremely heavy over the Thanksgiving holiday and anglers worked hard for a grab or two an outing from Big Bar up to Lewiston. So far, the storms haven’t changed flows or visibility, but the one expected toward end of the week could be a game-changer. Call ahead before coming up. Back-troll Brad’s Wigglers and Wee Warts or side-drift roe. Fly fishers have been drifting egg patterns, copper Johns, and Prince nymphs, fished under indicators as well as swinging leeches and birdsnests.

NORTH SALTWATER

BENICIA-Tony Lopez at Benicia Bait reported excellent sturgeon action up in Suisun Bay around Little Cut in the deeper water. Several boats hooked and released keepers and shakers, and he kept a 65.25 incher on his trip Thursday. Eel worked for that fish. The Benicia shoreline continued to produce small stripers for the bank anglers using bullheads.

BERKELEY-The boats are running crab trips when they get the interest, the combo action hasn’t been there this season, but at least the crab numbers have held up. The boats are offering crab only trips for $55. The combo trips are now trying the sanddabs, and the action has been pretty slow.

BODEGA BAY- Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler has found a hit in the giant squid trips he’s been offering, the efforts producing huge numbers of Humboldts averaging in the 30-pound class, but running up to over 70 pounds. Every trip he’s run so far found squid which then came to the surface to provide the fast action that anglers like about the unique type of fishing.

CROCKETT-Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star reported good action on leopard sharks with a few striped bass showing up. The boat fished around the Pumphouse on Saturday for eight leopards and two bass, and for nine leopards and two bass on Sunday down near Rat Rock.

EMERYVILLE-Lack of angler interest has mostly kept the New Seeker from running crab combo trips. “Our last trip out was Nov. 26,” said Frank Salazar at Emeryville Sportfishing Center.

EUREKA-The usual winter doldrums on the salt here, with rough seas keeping crabbing a hit and miss proposition. “The commercial crabbers have found the crabs spotty, so they are moving their gear around, but the crabs are nicely filled out now,” said Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center. In-bay action has been slow.

FORT BRAGG-Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar is keeping busy with crab and squid trips, but as is usual for the season, the trips are subject to the weather and angler interest.

HALF MOON BAY-The Huli Cat is running crab, squid and sanddab trips, but the weather has made it a little tough to get out and do the job. When the weather permits, the boat is usually getting crab limits.

MARTINEZ-Some good sturgeon action came for the boats fishing up in Honker Bay near Little Cut, the top action at the flood tide, while the outgoing was slower. Striper fishing remained good for the Happy Hooker around Seal Island and the first row of ships, with bullheads getting the bass. Bass to 20 pounds were caught on Saturday, and the skipper even caught a nice sturgeon on Friday.

SAN PABLO BAY-Forecasted rains may make a difference, but for now, there is so much saltwater in the system that leopard sharks are the top action. There are a few striped bass showing up for the anglers with the patience to soak a bullhead for them.

SUISUN BAY-The fast tides produced some good sturgeon action particularly in the Honker Bay area, with striped bass rated very good also around the Mothball Fleet and Seal Island. Another good bass spot was Middle Grounds, where linesides to 30 pounds hit bullheads.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-It’s not fast fishing to be sure, but the reports of steelhead on the American were the best so far this fall. Most of the action has been on flies, but that might just be because that’s where most of the effort is taking place. Swinging leeches, burlaps, and brindle bugs has been effective for fish to around 5 pounds-although most have been smaller. Dead-drifting nymphs under indicators has been effective, too. Swing spinners and small spoons or drift nightcrawlers if you are not into fly fishing.

FEATHER RIVER-Fishing continued to be poor. There were no reports of striped bass at Shanghai Bend, and the steelhead reports coming from the Low Flow Section were few and far between.

FOLSOM LAKE-If one is to try to dope out a pattern to the bass bite, it would be to find the bait. Concentrations of small minnows might be 20 feet deep, and in that case, try spooning. In the 10- to 15-foot deep range, crankbaits often work. When bait is spotted thrashing the surface, toss Kastmasters. Bottom line: Use your electronics, but don’t forget the binoculars, either. A DFG trout plant was made at Granite Bay last week, and another this week at Brown’s Ravine.

SACRAMENTO AREA PONDS-Local ponds are being planted with trout this week now that water temperatures have dropped far enough. They give inner city residents, especially kids the chance to catch a feisty rainbow trout or two without venturing far from home. Aside from Rancho Seco Lake and Folsom Lake, the following lakes are being planted this week: Mather Lake, Southside Park pond, and William Land Park pond.

SACRAMENTO RIVER-Fishing around Sacramento was fair at best, and about the only reports of striped bass success, came, as usual from the Port of Sacramento. Boaters soaked mudsuckers, bullheads and minnows for a few keepers in the Deep Water Channel below the Turning Basin, Trollers used Mann’s 15 in the Dr. Death pattern. Bankies also scored a few bass on the same baits, plus blood worms and sardines. The greatest success has been coming on incoming tides just before high tide.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Knights Landing-Fishing for late fall king salmon fell into a relatively typical pattern last week, certainly better than the previous week which was tough. Last week, though, while some days were slow, other days produced a fair amount of action from 1 to 4 fish a boat. That’s not bad. Two primary patterns of fishing have emerged that seem to be most successful in putting fish into the boat: trolling downstream with a No. 5 or 6 Blue Fox spinner, or backtrolling with a sardine-wrapped Kwikfish.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Cold weather has chased most fishermen off the Sacramento below Keswick Dam, but that leaves lots of elbow room for the few anglers who have stuck around. Fishing has been pretty good, and, although numbers of fish caught are fairly modest, most boats are scoring around a dozen fat rainbows to around 18 inches. Anglers fishing farther downstream toward Red Bluff, have a pretty good shot at bonus steelhead. The predicted storms coming in should perk up fishing even more. Even though the number of salmon spawning is low, a good strategy is to combine and egg pattern and nymph dropper under an indicator.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-The artificial bite is still a hit and miss and is typical for this time of the year. Most of the anglers are working hard to catch 4 to 6 bass. The best success was by using a lipless crankbait, Lucky Craft LV 500 in chartreuse shad color managed to put 19 fish in the boat for two experienced locals. The technique here is a yo-yo type retrieve. Those using minnows however are finding as many as 25 a day. Boat traffic will be light through the rest of December but be prepared for the cold wind and rain, and definitely wear life jackets. With this cold water, falling in can be fatal without one.

LAKE BERRYESSA-There’s still some nice deep water spooning to be had here for bass, salmon, trout, and catfish, if you can find a good crop of shad. The bait balls will be in the creek channels and you’ll have to motor around until you find them. Hint: look for grebes! Then drop a 1 1/4-ounce Blade Runner spoon in a Morning Dawn pattern down to them. The fishing pressure has been very light here.

LAKE SONOMA–Some land-locked steelhead continue to bite in the main body by the dam, where Kastmasters and other similar lures are netting steelies. A little rain should help. It should also help muddy up the waters and improve the tough bass bite.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-Trolling from 12 to 30 feet down (depending on the time of day) produced trout limits in the east basin. Try a Ford Fender behind a Kastmaster or Needlefish with a chunk of worm. The lake was planted this past week.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR- Geritol Cove, the Rec. 2 area, and Almanor West jetties were good areas to target brown trout. Try roe, jigs, and an occasionally a nightcrawler there. Fish are all shallow so downriggers are not required but lead core is good. For trolling flies you’ll need to hold the rod, and pump it to give the light lead core line and fly some action.

BAUM LAKE- BWO’s are a good bet, as are sparse PMD’s, midges, and mahogany duns. Olive nymphs are a good bet for nymphs. Nightcrawlers and meal worms seem to be the bait of choice, while Kastmasters seem to be the lure of choice. There’s lots of fish, but the catching has been tough.

EAGLE LAKE-No reports but the ice has been extending out and staying on the water in the bay all day. This week’s storm may chinch the deal. If not, work farther out in 20 feet of water with an orange or brown 2-inch grubs.

McCLOUD RESERVOIR-The upper end by Decker Rock and other areas have been producing brown trout to 19 inches on a purple Apex and silver/blue Cripplures. Watch for road closures here.

PIT RIVER- Open to catch and release only, barbless hooks, and artificials only from Lake Britton dam downstream.

LAKE SHASTA-Launching at the dam, troll for trout from 12 to 20 inches between there and Digger Bay and up to Frost Gulch. Stay on the right side of the lake all the way up. A few landlocked salmon were also reported, trolling in the top 12 feet with Speedy Shiners in gold/red. Mother’s Finest in oxblood and Mohave colors imitating crawdad colors and swimbaits did well for 50-plus bass days on main lake points near deep water access.

TRINITY LAKE-Rick Tietz spoons found bass after a long search just outside the East Fork on rock piles in 30 feet.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-Lake is at 16-percent capacity. Winter storm warnings for the Truckee area most of the week will make travel cumbersome here though the road is plowed right to the dam for the diehard angler.

CAPLES LAKE-Lake is at 66-percent capacity. Winter storm warnings for this area are better suited for skiers going to Kirkwood than fishermen. Ice had already been forming along the shore, so this storm will finish the job. The ice will not be thick enough for ice fishing after this storm, so don’t try to get on the ice next week after the weather clears.

CARSON RIVER (East)-Winter storm warnings for the Markleeville area most of the week will make this a tough choice for fishermen.

DAVIS LAKE-Lake is at 48-percent capacity. Snow and ice has made access difficult and more weather is forecast for most of this week. When anglers can get out, shore fishing has been very good at Fairview, Long Point, Mallard Cove and the west point at the dam on inflated nightcrawlers, Power Bait and Super Duper lures. Trollers are doing well with Dick Nites and Needlefish. Boaters need chains to launch due to ice on the ramp and the boat dock has been removed for the winter. Ice is forming in the shallower coves on the northeast side of the lake.

DONNER LAKE-Lake is at 34-percent capacity. Truckee area has winter storm warnings up for most of the week that will make access a problem. Trout fishing had been fair for bait dunkers off the piers before the weather.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-Lake is at 37-percent capacity. According to Wiggin’s Trading Post, fishing has been excellent for trollers and shore anglers. Trollers are picking up 1- to 2-pound rainbows on orange spoons at 20 to 30 feet at the Frenchman’s boat ramp and the dam. Shore anglers are catching 13- to 16-inch fish on inflated nightcrawlers at Crystal Point. Call ahead for ice and snow conditions with bad weather forecast for most of this week. Bring tire chains to safely launch boats on icy ramps.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Fishing reports are hard to come by with most of the lodges and shops closed until later in the winter when the cross country skiers and snowmobilers come up to the area. Ice fishing is popular but lakes are only accessed by snow mobile.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-Lake is at 57-percent capacity. Rain and snow is forecast for all of this week in the area with elevation the deciding factor. Fishing had been wide open here for trollers, but anglers will be out of luck this week.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Winter storm warnings are up for this area for most of the week. The whole Hwy 88 corridor will be shut down this week. One local gave it a try on Sunday, but the cold wind and light snow made things very tough.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-Winter storm warnings for most of the week will bring lots of snow to this area but not many fishermen.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-Lake is at 70-percent capacity. It was snowing when WON called Sunday afternoon and the weather was only forecast to get worse as the week progressed. No one had reported any fishing success this past week.

LAKE TAHOE-Winter storm warnings for the Tahoe Basin will make fishing a poor choice for the rest of the week. When WON called Mickey Daniels the wind was blowing 30 knots and snow was going sideways. Fishing had been very good for mackinaws with a great early bite for fish 4 to 7 pounds.

LOON LAKE-Lake is at 72-percent capacity. Winter weather will make this a poor choice this week due to the snow in the forecast. Trolling had been excellent before the weather settled in.

PROSSER LAKE-Lake is at 33-percent capacity. The Truckee area will be under winter storm warnings most of this week.

PYRAMID LAKE-It was snowing when WON called and winter storm warnings for the rest of the week will make anglers think twice before heading here. Early last week, Steve Pinkston of Reno caught a 15-pound 2-ounce cutthroat trolling a firetiger Apex on the south end of the lake.

RED LAKE-This lake had already been starting to ice over this past week and the winter storms forecast for this area most of the week should finish the job. Chain restrictions start at Red Lake for vehicles heading west over Carson Pass and things won’t change much for the better this week.

SILVER LAKE-Lake is at 38-percent capacity. Winter storm warnings for this area will be better for the skiers going to Kirkwood than for fishermen. Snowing when WON contacted Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station, with chain restriction over the Pass.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-Lake is at 49-percent capacity. The Truckee area will be under winter storm warnings for most of the week, with heavy snow in the forecast.

TRUCKEE RIVER-Big winter storms are forecast for this area all week, so go Christmas shopping at your nearby fly shop instead.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-Lake is at 54-percent capacity. Winter storm warnings for this area promise snow and closed roads. Trolling this past week was pretty good for boaters toplining almost anything from threaded nightcrawlers to spoons and grubs. The only launching now is accessed by Peavine Ridge Road.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR-Lake is at 57-percent capacity. The boat ramp at Emerald Cove Marina is closed due to low water levels. Boaters can launch at the Dark Day ramp. There haven’t been any reports given at Emerald Cove due to the ramp closure. The marina reported that anglers are still calling about coming up to the lake.

CAMP FAR WEST-Lake has risen from 5-percent to 17-percent capacity. Very few fishermen have been to the lake recently and no current reports are available. North Shore Resort said that the water has been steadily rising and the main ramp might be operational in a couple of weeks.

COLLINS LAKE-Lake is holding at 45 feet down from full. Fishing has been slow but trout, bass and catfish are still showing up in the catches. A recent bass tournament yielded a big trophy spotted bass for Rickey Paez of Yuba City, a 7-pound 5-ounce beauty. Catfish to 5 ¾ pounds are hitting anchovies. Will Fish Tackle reported one troller doing well on trout toplining a Needlefish at the dam.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-Lake is at 92-percent capacity. Some brown trout have been seen cruising around the marina. Anglers heading up river have been picking up a few nice rainbows, 14 to 20 inches, toplining Rapalas. Not much pressure lately as it has been cold in the mornings.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Lake is at 47-percent capacity. Winter storms forecast for this week will probably close the access to the lake for a while if not all winter. There have been no reports available of any activity here, though fishing should be good for trollers.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-Lake is at 50-percent capacity. A boater made it up here this past week and found limit fishing for rainbows trolling an F7 vampire Rapala at the powerhouse and the dam.

LAKE OROVILLE-Lake is at 31-percent capacity. The low water has closed the last remaining concrete ramp at Bidwell Canyon. The only launching now is at the old road at the Spillway and is “4-wheel drive only”. Bass and coho action is still good. Fish plastic worms at 30 to 35 feet and catch both.

ROLLINS LAKE-Most of the resorts are on limited winter hours and no reports have been available. Fishing for trout should be good for browns trolling Rapalas. Catfish should be hitting cut baits.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-Only 1 or 2 boats on the lake all this past week and no reports of success. It has been very cold here in the mornings, 24-degrees on Sunday, and most people are staying home. Weather is forecast for most of this week, so be prepared for snow.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Lake is at 70-percent capacity. Very little pressure here and no reports were available from the Forest Service. Weather this week might bring snow along with difficult access to the area.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Cold weather has really slowed the bite here. Fish are in deeper water.