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, Ore.-A 12-day October ocean salmon season called the “bubble” fishery just off the mouth runs Oct. 1-12, and the in-river season above tidewater opens Nov. 6 with a 2-fish limit. Some huge kings are caught here every year.

COLUMBIA RIVER, Ore.-Excellent shad fishing on both the Washington and Oregon sides of the river, but sturgeon action slowed dramatically, especially in the Portland area. Most are looking for the opener of salmon season on June 16 upstream of the Astoria/Megler Bridge with a daily bag of 2 adipose-fin-clipped kings and 5 jacks. The season runs June 16 through July 31.

NEHALEM RIVER, Ore.–Mainstem (bay) closed to all salmon/steelhead angling downstream from line extending from Nehalem Bay State Park Boat Ramp to Fishery Point July 1- Sept. 30 and closed to all Chinook angling upstream of Hwy 53 Bridge (River Mile (RM) 5.8) at Mohler Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Closed to all Chinook angling upstream of Miami-Foley Bridge (RM 7.5) July 1-Dec. 31. For the Nehalem and Nestucca basins no more than one non fin-clipped Chinook salmon retained per day and two non fin-clipped Chinook salmon in the seasonal aggregate combined with all waters in the Nehalem and Nestucca rivers. Seasonal aggregate applies to all non fin-clipped Chinook salmon retained between July 1 and Dec. 31 on the Nehalem.

NESTUCCA RIVER, Ore.–Mainstem Nestucca tidewater and bay downstream of Cloverdale Bridge (RM 7.1): closed to all salmon/steelhead angling Aug. 1 through Sept. 15. Mainstem Nestucca upstream of Cloverdale Bridge (RM 7.1) closed to all Chinook angling Aug. 1 through Sept. 15. Nestucca Bay downstream of department sign at the southern end of Guardrail Hole (aka Fishers Point, Brooten Road MP 4.5): closed to all salmon/steelhead angling Aug. 1 through Dec. 31. Little Nestucca including all Little Nestucca tidewater: closed to all Chinook angling Aug. 1 through Dec. 31. Mainstem Nestucca River upstream of Farmer Creek (RM 12.5): closed to all Chinook angling Aug. 1 through Dec. 31. For the Nehalem and Nestucca basins no more than one non fin-clipped Chinook salmon retained per day and two non fin-clipped Chinook salmon in the seasonal aggregate combined with all waters in the Nehalem and Nestucca rivers. Seasonal aggregate applies to all non fin-clipped Chinook salmon retained between Aug. 1 (actual Sept. 16 opener) and Dec, 31 on the Nestucca.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.–No two days of spring Chinook fishing has been the same over the last week. With the weather changing as fast as cards at a casino it has left fisherman hoping to be on the river at the correct moment to catch that salmon. Thursday’s rising river flow had some anglers smiling with sweat success. “I found anglers with catches from 3-6 Chinook’s in boats above Cannery Riffle,” said guide and WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of Wild River’s Guide Service. ” I was told by most of them that they were anchored in shallow water and when they weren’t getting bites from the salmon running upriver they could see the fishing rods bouncing in the rodholders lightly as the fish rubbed their lines swimming by the baits.” The river on Friday morning was looking like a cup of hot chocolate and will probably not fish until Tuesday, said Palmer.

ROGUE RIVER, Shady Cove, Ore.–The fishing for spring Chinook’s has improved immensely this last week, according to WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. The guide boats have been working hard to get 1-3 hookups a day for their clients. With the recent storm flooding the river, there were lots of salmon racing upriver past Elk Creek on Friday to get out of the mud-filled waters and into the clear waters that are running down from the hatchery. This small section of river is the only area that is fishable. With there being a few holes for the drift boats to fish, the rest of the access is shoulder to shoulder with bank anglers trying there best to harvest one of these highly desired salmon.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Flows are still high enough here at 750 cfs so the shad can be at one spot in the day and blast upriver to an entirely new spot the next, so it’s a matter of finding the school to get into the numbers. Nick Wheeler of King’s Sport and Tackle and two friends caught 30 one day, and the next the fish were gone. Water temperature is coming up and smallmouth are beginning to show.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–Weather has been the big thing, here, as plenty of rain has muddied up the river big time. Lots of salmon in the river, including spring kings and some summer steelhead. Fishing only fair with the muddy water.

TRINITY-KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate-Salmonflies are just coming out, according to Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service, but fishing was still slow as of Sunday. The water was in good shape, however, unlike farther downstream. The hatch and fishing should improve greatly over the next few weeks.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-It’s shaping up to be a great springer run, and anglers were catching limits of chrome-bright salmon-until heavy rains blew the river out. “It’s the most water I’ve ever seen in May and June since I’ve been on the Klamath (1955),” said Rich Mossholder of Rivers West Outfitters. He predicted the river should be coming back into fishable shape by the time the paper hits the stands. But, to be sure, call ahead before making the trip.

TRINITY RIVER-The Trinity was blown out throughout its length, but Ed Duggan of “D” Guide Service thought that the Grays Falls area, a springer hotspot, should be fishable soon.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-The big news was a spot of salmon the fleet found on Thursday and Friday, which unfortunately turned into a tease for the weekend efforts when warm water temps changed things. Scott Sutherland at Berkeley Sportfishing reported 12 kings for eight anglers on the New Easy Rider and 10 kings for 11 anglers on the Flying Fish. Bay trips were more consistent with improving counts of halibut and bass, about one around on the average, with halibut to 21 pounds

BODEGA BAY- Windy conditions once again dropped the counts. Bottomfishing will open on June 13, offering another option if the wind ever stops blowing.

BROOKINGS, Ore.- Giant lingcod and big cabezon were on tap along with black and blue rockfish, weather permitting. “Some anglers brought in a 17- and a 27-pound lingcod and two cabezon over the 8-pound mark, and the same day, another boat had one over 21, and another over 30 pounds.” All the big ones were caught on large, whole herring in less than 40 feet of water. Surfperch are also on tap, at the California/Oregon border for anglers using sandcrabs, uncooked shrimp and 2-inch camo Berkley Gulp! sandworms.

EMERYVILLE-Fair to good bay potluck action helped out the fleet, with one around and up on most of the live bait efforts, the balance mixed between bass and halibut. There weren’t many lunkers landed, just decent sized keepers. The boats jumped around a bit, finding some of the action in South San Francisco Bay, and some on the north side.

EUREKA-Salmon remained slow, with the occasional king showing up, but no numbers. Pacific halibut action was best out of Trinidad, but the Eureka boats did get down to Cape Mendocino for some solid rockfish and lingcod action. WON subscriber Lonnie Dollarhide fished with Captain Tim Klassen on Reel Steel on the weekend, the first effort the Pacific halibut spot. Winds kept them off the spot, so they targeted rockfish. “I caught my limit of black rockfish in 15 minutes!” said Dollarhide. Two lings joined the rockfish in the fish box.

FORT BRAGG-Sarah Rosetto of Trek II Sportfishing reported good action on Sunday’s bottomfishing trip, with ¾ limits the final count and one lingcod boated. “They had one salmon per angler on our last salmon trip, but since then, the salmon action has slowed again,” said Rosetto.

HALF MOON BAY-Sherry Ingles at Half Moon Bay Sportfishing and Charters said the salmon fishing slowed down, and the bottomfishing below Pigeon Point remained slow with half limits on their Sunday trip. Locally, the stripers started going off on the beaches; she knows that not because her secretive beach regulars tell her, but because they are buying up all the Hair Raiser jigs. Sardines have been moving into the harbor at night, but are leaving again in the morning. A group of anglers bought some crab snares and caught 17 legal Dungeness crabs from the Pillar Point Pier.

LOCH LOMOND-Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star reported the halibut took the fight to his home ground, with the hot spot over the weekend off the San Rafael shoreline. His anglers also caught fish at Paradise and Chrissy Fields. Captain Jim Cox said he had his first good potluck scores of the year with both halibut and striped bass in the box.

SAN FRANCISCO-Captain Erik Anfinson on the Bass Tub reported a good halibut day on Saturday when 12 anglers caught seven halibut to 18 pounds, and more, excellent conditions in main bay where he predicted the stripers should be showing any day.

SAUSALITO-Captain Johnny Atkinson on the New Rayann was one of the few skippers to see some pink meat with a king landed near Point Reyes that weighed 17 pounds. The kings have been dodging the Golden Gate fleet with a small flurry on Thursday quickly subsiding.

SHELTER COVE-Bottomfishing, Pacific halibut and salmon are all options for this landing, but wind has been a problem. Crabbing is also offered on some of the charter boats.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-Fishing began to pick working plastic worms around the docks on the upper end of the lake. Senkos, tubes, and plastic worms fished around the fishable docks of Lucerne, Nice, and Lakeport have been producing limits of fish. Sight fishing also produced a few fish.

LAKE BERRYESSA-Start early for a good topwater bass bite in the main body and then work your way down the Narrows with Aarons Magic or Morning Dawn Robo Worms for good numbers and sizes. The koke bite has also been best early, in the deeper water in the channel towards Big Island in 120 to 140 feet of water. This coming weekend California Inland Fisheries Foundation (CIFFI) will hold their 8th annual derby at Markley Cove Resort. Entry forms are available at http://www.kokanee.org/EVENTS/event_calendar.html

UPPER BLUE LAKE-With the return of the sun came trout limits from the surface to 10 feet but bigger fish can also be found at 30 to 40 feet. All the usual are working, a flasher and chartreuse Power Bait worm, wedding rings, nightcrawler/wedding ring, your choice. And all over the lake as each basin is producing. Bass have been in close as they are bedding.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Good surface fishing should continue until mid June. Try Speedy Shiners in red/gold. Bass are gearing up to spawn.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-Access to the lake is still blocked by several stretches of snow and deep drifts. It is obvious where people have gotten stuck trying to break through some of the heavier drifts so be patient as the snow is melting fast. With warmer nighttime temperatures this road should open in one to two weeks tops.

BAUM LAKE- Lots of fish being caught. Lure fishermen seemed to prefer Kastmasters or Panther Martins. Mini nightcrawlers were the choice for bait fishermen, though salmon eggs were also doing well. Fly fishermen mainly used pheasant tails, callibaetis, PMDs, scuds and BWOs.

BRITTON LAKE- Crappie are biting, as are smallmouth bass. Good bets are crappie jigs, crappie nibbles, or crappie magnets. Color does not seem to be an issue at the present time.

BURNEY CREEK-Below the falls nymphs still seem to be the ticket. Above the falls try caddis and callibaetis.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Fishing was a bit slower due to weather but bait fishermen using salmon eggs and Power Bait still scored some nice fish. The canal can get crowded during the summer so you need to be up and out early. Fly fishing remained quiet due to the weather but will turn on quickly as sunny days return. Wiggle-tail Zug Bugs and weighted nymphs were producing this past week both here and on the Baum lake stretch of the creek just below the Power House. Caddis hatches are late as are the flying ants, so look for some fast action when they finally show.

EAGLE LAKE- For both trollers and bobber fishing, start early at first legal fishing. The best area for bobbers was the Youth Camp area anchored up with baits half way between the surface and bottom with a nightcrawler. A 2-inch grub trolled in 6 to 8 feet over structure such as rocky bottoms and humps worked well for a 2-fish trout limit. Cover water as fish are still scattered.

FALL RIVER- Reports show good hatches, which should improve with the sunny skies predicted. Should be good numbers of PMDs coming off, but callibaetis cripples are a good bet also. Wiggle-tail Zugs were a favorite for nymph fishermen.

UPPER HAT CREEK- Fishing pressure was very light due to rainy weather but DFG is on its regular summer plant schedule of twice a week so the fish are here and biting. Fishing worms and eggs was the best way to take large numbers of fish this past week. The coming week should still see some good fishing but water levels are rising quickly due to the combination of rain and warmer temperatures. Water clarity should improve by the weekend without additional rain. Fly fishing on the upper creek is still slow with temperatures seasonally low but nymphs and streamers fished deep will still trigger strikes. Some big fish are taken every week for those who work at it.

HAT CREEK (wild)-Nymph fishermen still haunted the riffle just below the Power House. There were hatches of caddis and PMDs in the evenings, or try a callibaetis cripple.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR- Currently lake is up and fishing well.

KESWICK RESERVOIR-The boat ramp into Keswick is closed again for dredging efforts on the Reservoir, scheduled to re-open this summer. Most anglers are avoiding the lake until the ramp re-opens in June.

MANZANITA LAKE–Lassen Park Highway is expected to be open by the end of the month so the pressure here should remain light until then. Try brassies, callibaetis and midge patterns along the edges to catch more fish. Leech patterns also work well this time of year and can entice some big browns to strikes. Remember to heed the special restrictions on this lake. The lake has iced out and is fishing great. Unlike later in the summer months, the fish are very aggressive this time of the year. You can pretty much fish any method you prefer and catch lots of fish. The insect activity is still minimal, but as the weather warms expect to start seeing callibaetis and damsel hatches. Look for fish in the shallows, around weed beds, and the brush piles.

MCCLOUD RIVER-The Upper McCloud near Fowler’s camp is fishing well. Anglers there have been reporting good fishing with either nymphs under indicators or a dry fly with dropper rigs. Fishing was good to great in the main river although flows remain a bit high with storms and snowmelt. Some early golden stoneflies and even salmon flies are hatching sporadically throughout the river, along with a mixed bag of mayflies (midday through afternoon) and caddis in the evening. Nymphing the pocket waters and riffles is productive during the day, with the best dry fly opportunities being in the evening.

PIT RIVER-There were good reports here using rubber leg nymphs.

LAKE SHASTA-Bass fishing was good for numbers but not sizes yet. There was a steady topwater bite in the morning that should start lasting longer into the day soon. Then switch to cranks and plastic. All the usual are working for trout from the surface down to 40 feet, all over the lake. The Pitt Arm in particular for trout trollers dragging watermelon or silver/blue Apex lures from the surface down to 20 feet. If you want to mooch anchovy tails for salmon, try by the dam.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 71-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The bite is best at first light at the dam casting a J3, J5, CD3, or CD5 Rapala in rainbow or brown trout patterns for browns and nice rainbows. The trout are running from 12 to over 20 inches. Shore fishing has been good in the coves. Trolling and shore action is good at the inlet, especially trolling off the nearby “cliff face”.

CAPLES LAKE-The lake is at 62-percent capacity-the level rose 5 feet just this past week. With the warm weather there is finally some open water along the shoreline between the spillway and the resort as well as by the dam. Quick limits of rainbows and browns are being caught on worms. No boat launching for a few weeks, though the resort is open.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-Nearby Markleeville Creek is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The flows increased dramatically earlier this past week in both forks of the Carson with the start of the runoff and the rivers are “blown out”. It might take a week or two to get them back to a fishable level. Some small planters are being caught in the slow pockets along the bank, but fishing is poor. Call ahead to Woodfords Station Store or Carson River Resort for the latest river conditions.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 68-percent capacity. Ed Dillard has been catching 25 to 35 fish per trip trolling firetiger Sockeye Slammers and copper/red Wee Dick Nites at 6 to 10 feet deep at the island. Remember the Rotary Club Trout Derby on June 19.

DONNER LAKE-The lake is at 79-percent capacity. The bite is sporadic for rainbows and Mackinaws. Macks are hitting kokanee colored Rapalas, Trophy Sticks and J-Plugs worked from 10 to 90 feet deep.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-Some native rainbows, 14 to 15 inches, are still coming out of the North Fork, but no limits. Caribou Powerhouse is good for rainbows when the plant is running. Butt Valley Reservoir smallmouth action is getting good and rainbows are hitting at the powerhouse there when it’ running. Timing is everything!

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 53-percent capacity. Limits of rainbows are coming in from the east side of the lake near Crystal Point on Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. Trollers are doing well with the Sockeye Slammer and the Dick Nite.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Sardine and Packer are still the only lakes open.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 77-percent capacity. The lake is now accessible from Georgetown via Wentworth Springs Road. Toplining anything will produce a limit of planter rainbows. Try a dodger with a spoon, spinner, grub or threaded nightcrawler.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Fishing is rated “good” by Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station. The bite is improving and will only get better as the water warms up. There have been some problems for anglers here due to strong winds.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-The lake is at 77-percent capacity. The roads are still not open to the lake yet, the closest is to Weber Lake.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-The lake is full. Good action on rainbows trolling up in the Narrows. Smallmouth bass action is improving with the warm weather and should get good soon.

LAKE TAHOE-The 17th Annual Jake’s on the Lake Trout Derby was a big success. A 20 1/2-pound Mackinaw took top honors. The big rainbow weighed 4 1/4 pounds and big brown was a 2 1/2 pounder. Macks are stacked up from 110 to 220 feet deep and will hit any lure put in front of them. Spoons, plugs, minnows and spinners are all working. Browns and rainbows are hitting Rapalas trolled at 20 to 30 feet. The runoff is causing a big surge in the food supply and fish are feeding heavily.

LOON LAKE-The lake is at 72-percent capacity. The parking lot, campground and boat launch are still snowed in, though the road is cleared by SMUD.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is at 93-percent capacity. The fishing is still good at the Prosser Creek inlet, but the fish are beginning to spread out now that the lake is so full. Flasher/worm combos, Needlefish, and Dick Nites are all working for trollers at 15 to 25 feet. The rainbows are running 14 to 16 inches.

PYRAMID LAKE-The cooler weather has prolonged the shore bite for fly casters and spin fishermen. Trollers are doing well with the spawn over and the fish starting to move offshore. Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye charters reported 17, 34, and 47 fish days this past week. The 47 fish day was with one client and the bite was non-stop for 17- to 21-inch cutts, with the big fish measuring 23 inches, 4 to 5 pounds. A frog FlatFish trolled at 17 to 25 feet deep over 180 to 215 feet of water off Warrior Point, Spider Point and Shot Dog has been doing the trick!

RED LAKE-Still covered with snow and ice. Warm winds are needed to get things thawed out.

SILVER LAKE-The lake is at 49-percent capacity. Open water along the dam should be producing rainbows and browns for bait anglers or those casting spoons and spinners.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 56-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The kokanee bite is still wide open, but is best at first light at the inlets at 10- to 20- foot depth. Back side of the island is good too at 35 to 50 feet where blue Uncle Larry’s spinners tipped with corn behind a dodger worked well for Brett Brady at Bare Bones Guide Service. The Mack bite has slowed down.

TOPAZ LAKE-The lake is at 70-percent capacity, rising 3 feet over this past weekend. There is a lot of debris in the southern end of the lake that boaters need to watch out for. The water is off color due to all the inflow. Fishing has been hit-or-miss-7 or 8 fish one day and 3 or 4 the next. The rainbows are running a healthy 2 to 2 1/2 pounds and hitting flasher/worm combos best either very early or very late in the day.

TRUCKEE RIVER-Blown out below Squaw Creek, but good above. Runoff is cold and dirty and river will need a week or two to return to fishable shape. Plenty of other options in the area.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 90-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service has been doing well on Macks to 18 pounds. A whole herring rigged behind a dodger or a big plug trolled at 80 feet over the tops of the sandy ledges has been the most productive. The kokanee bite is improving on trolled copper dodger/pink or purple hoochie combos at 30 feet near the power house. The kokes are mostly 10 to 11 inchers with an occasional fish to 15 inches.

WEST WALKER RIVER-Scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week, as is the Little Walker River. The West Walker is blown out and running higher than has been seen since 1997. The runoff should subside in a week or two, so call ahead to check on current water conditions. The Little Walker River is still in good fishable shape right now and offers a good option for those coming to the area soon.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Flows are high at 7,000 cfs, but fishing for shad has been good, especially in the lower river up from the mouth through Grist Mill . Fishing is easiest from a boat, but waders (be very careful in the high water, cinch your wader with a belt and wear an emergency flotation device just in case) are catching shad as well by suspending the shad jig under a float. Some striped bass are now being caught on topwater lures, as well, but fishing will continue to improve as the water warms up.

FEATHER RIVER- Fishing for shad continued to be good below Shanghai Rapids, and some striped bass to 15 pounds were being caught there as well, on topwater lures. Fly fishing for trout in the Low Flow Section continued to be good, but the water has warmed into the low 60’s and fish are no longer keying on dry flies. Most of the action has switched to caddis nymphs and imitations like Foxes Poopah and Lafontaine caddis are doing well.

FOLSOM LAKE-Some nice trout and king salmon are still being caught-a few trolling in the main body, but better action is being found high up in the South Fork trolling nightcrawlers without flashers. Bass fishing was hit and miss and even anglers drifting minnows and crawdads struggled to catch a few small bass. Hopefully, with the weather settling down, the fish will, too. Shaking and dragging soft plastics seemed to produce better than fishing reaction baits

RANCHO SECO LAKE-Fishing has definitely transitioned to warm water species and fishing early and late in the day. Worms and crickets under bobbers for panfish, and drop-shotting, jigging, and topwater for bass early and late.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-According to Yee Vang of Broadway Bait Rod and Gun, virtually all the fishing action-success anyway–around Sacramento last week was for shad, and most of that action was centered on Discovery Park. Shad were taking shad darts in red and green and red and pink.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale-Striped bass fishing was surprisingly good given the lateness of the season, but most of the success was up high above Colusa and most of the bites were coming on sardines fished on gravel bars. Most of the fish being caught apparently are from a new batch of unspawned males to about 12 pounds according to Bob Bradbury of Johnson’s Bait and Tackle.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff- The red hot shad fishing slowed for much of the week with the goofy weather and yo-yoing flows, but turned back on over the weekend. Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service fished between Red Bluff and Hamilton City for a mix of nice shad to around 5 pounds and trout to 3 pounds. While some of the biggest trout took small Hot Shots, few were attacking jigs meant for shad.

YUBA RIVER-The river was high but clear, and high flows on the Feather were allowing shad were getting over Shanghai Rapids and move into the Yuba.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-Georgetown locals went down into the Middle Fork for two days but only caught 5 fish. The flows are very heavy, dirty, and cold! Hikers need to use extreme caution if venturing down into remote sections of the river now, or better yet, wait a month for the run off to subside and then fishing will be much better–and safer!!

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 96-percent capacity. Trollers out of the Dark Day ramp reported catching limits of 10-inch kokanee at 40 to 50 feet on a dodger/Dick Nite combo, according to John Wadden at Will Fish Tackle in Auburn. Finally!!!

CAMP FAR WEST-The lake has dropped to 91-percent capacity. Bass, crappie and bluegill action is improving as the water warms on the brushy banks around the lake. Try areas away from the recreational boating crowd up in the creek and river arms or by the spillway.

COLLINS LAKE-Trout action is still good in relatively shallow water, 10 to 20 feet, but as the weather heats up the fish will move deeper. Shore anglers are catching two to four fish per person, mostly running 2 to 3 1/2 pounds. Shore anglers are doing best by the dam with Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers are working the channel with Rapalas for fish up to 8 3/4 pounds. Bass and catfish are starting to show up more frequently in catches as the water warms up. There was double plant of bass and crappie made over the winter to take advantage of the increased habitat flooded by the high water levels. Try for the warm water species around all the submerged brush along the shore.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 98-percent capacity. Trollers are doing best working from the ‘no-ski buoys’ to Rice’s Crossing at 10 to 20 feet. Try Pin Minnows, Rapalas and flasher/worm combos for 12- to 14-inch holdover rainbows.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 66-percent capacity. One brave soul made it to the launch ramp with a 17-foot boat this past week. There is still a lot of snow on the road, but it’s passable with 4-wheel drive. The boater who made it in reported less than stellar action on trout.

FULLER LAKE-It’s on the DFG plant list-they just don’t have enough fish to go around if the lake requires triploid rainbows (sterile).

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 71-percent capacity. Middle Meadows Campground is open now and Big Meadows Campground should be open by this coming weekend if the weather warms up as forecast. Fishing has been good for browns, rainbows, and kokanee. Some Macks are being caught near the dam while trolling for the kokes. Rainbows are hitting best at the power house toplining a small spinner (Panther Martin) while the browns are being taken on Rapalas up at the inlet of the Rubicon River. The Macks are only 20 to 30 feet deep at the dam. Troll dodger/hoochie rigs with two hooks for the kokes and maybe a Mack will try to steal a hooked kokanee.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is at 72-percent capacity. Bass and coho action is still wide open. Bass to 3 1/2 pounds are hitting Roboworms (warmouth, Morning Dawn, and SXE Shad), nightcrawlers, minnows and crawdads at 15 to 20 feet on main lake points. The coho are being taken by trollers using Sling Blade/Koke-a-nut combos and Speedy Shiners at 30 to 40 feet at the dam and the Bridge.

ROLLINS LAKE-The lake is full. Rainbow trout and small spotted bass action is good. Trollers are working the cove to the right of the Outrigger Grill at Long Ravine, the dam and the mouth of the Bear River for 12 to 16 inchers. The bass are running 12 to 14 inches and hitting nightcrawlers and plastic worms.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-The lake is full. A big sailboat regatta this past week made it difficult for trollers to use the lake. During the week, the trout action has been good at the dam, along Cascade Shores and up by the inlet. Lucy Hopkins of Sacramento landed a 29-inch brown up at the inlet on worms.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Open campgrounds and good fishing for planted rainbows have visitors all happy, according to the Foresthill Ranger Station.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is full. Campgrounds are in full operation and trout are hitting for shore anglers and trollers. Shore anglers are doing best with Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Trollers do well with a flasher/worm combo or a Rapala.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-A small local tournament was won with 17 pounds by an angler throwing frogs on the tule banks in the backs of the coves. The warmer weather should improve the bite.