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.

COLUMBIA RIVER, Buoy 10, Astoria, Ore.-Aug. 1 is the official opening of salmon season here, known as “the world’s most famous fishing hole,” but kings and cohos don’t show up in earnest for another week or two. Anglers are hoping a good bite will begin soon, but salmon numbers seem down. Fishing late on an incoming tide produced several adults and six jacks last week. One of the main stays on the Columbia at this time is plug cut green label herring or whole herring baits, threaded. Most reports now are of an infrequent Chinook being taken here and there on either side of a tide change. Kings are averaging 18 to 20 pounds per fish, according to WON Field Reporter Dave Pitts.

COQUILE RIVER, Main Stem, Bandon, Oregon-Things are starting to look up here for kings and especially coho, according to Curtis Palmer, WON Field Reporter and guide for River Secrets Guide Service. He said there’s very few boats fishing on the weekends, and the average is already over a fish a boat, including kings to 30 pounds. There may be an additional season for wild silvers, here, so stay tuned! This river will be prime in the third week of September.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.-Salmon are all through the lower river, jumping and on the surface, but almost all of them have lockjaw. Consistent numbers of kings in the box are tough to come by, but some are being landed, so it’s not impossible. Tips from WON Field Reporter Dave Pitts are to use or do something different: larger baits, fish away from most of the traffic and fish at different times than the main traffic. Try large blue label herring instead of anchovies, fish early a.m. or the last three hours of light and don’t be afraid to fish a shallow water column, even when water temps are hot. The main clog of boats will push fish away from them, upriver or out to the sides. Try mooching the mouth with cut bait.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Read this every week during the summer and you’re going get bored, bored, bored. It’s the same every day: if you want smallmouth bass, go early or late and you’ll get quite a few of these feisty fish running 10 inches to 1 1/2 pounds on Rooster Tails or other minnow-imitating lures. But get off the water by shortly after daylight, or you’ll be hooking rafts, tubes and kayaks.

TRINITY-KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-Good numbers of salmon and steelhead continued to enter the river. Anglers were trolling spinners in the estuary on tide swings and boondogging and sidedrifting roe farther upstream. The best fishing has been around Blue Creek and Blake’s’ Riffle. The river has been warming up and quite a bit of moss has started to foul hooks. Check your terminal frequently, moss is fouling baits and lures frequently.

KLAMATH RIVER, Weitchpec-Fishing was slow at the mouth of the Trinity River, but some steelhead were being hooked on spinners around Pearson’s early in the morning.

TRINITY RIVER, Junction City-Salmon fishing improved last week with some darker fish being caught early in the week, but more bright, newly-arrived salmon toward the weekend. Some steelhead are starting to be caught, too. Backtroll Kwikfish early then switch to roe. The release at Lewiston Dam has leveled off at 450 cfs and will stay there until October.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek-Fishing was slow, and the canyon hot during the day, but a few steelhead were being caught on spinners around Hoopa.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Don’t expect lots of grabs when you go out on the American River for stripers, but there are some scattered throughout the river. They are mostly small, but, occasionally, a 10 pounder, or larger will grab your bait, fly or lure. Throwing swimbaits and Yo-Zuris on spinning or casting gear is one effective method. Drifting and stripping Clouser-type streamers with fly gear is another. So is soaking sardines, minnows, or crawdads.

FEATHER RIVER-Salmon fishing below the Outlet Hole down to Gridley continued to be very poor, the water warm, and hook-fouling grass heavy. Some fish were being caught at times from the mouth of the Yuba River to Shanghai rapids. Backtrolling or anchoring up with sardine-wrapped Kwikfish continued to be the most effective method. Some days might produce multiple strikes and fish per boat, others skunks. It’s a question of putting in your time. The fish are in prime condition and are ranging between 15 and 20 pounds, some bigger. Some decent stripers continued to be caught, too, in the same area.

FOLSOM LAKE-Fishing for bass continued to be a challenge as the lake continues to slowly drop. Fish flats at edges of submerged river channels between 20 and 30 feet deep with drop-shotted Robo-Worms Carolina-rigs. A few bass can occasionally be caught in shallows early in the morning that are willing to strike a topwater lure or crankbait.

MCCLOUD RIVER-The river is in nice condition, and fly guys use Mayfly and caddis patterns, mostly in nymph form but occasionally dries in the evening when there is a hatch. Try elk hair caddis, EC caddis, or edible caddis on No. 14 hooks.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-It was back to mostly panfish and catfish in sloughs and ditches. Some nice catfish were being caught in the Port of Sacramento on clams by the power lines. The panfish are eating mealworms and redworms.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff-Fly fishing for trout continued to be very good from Bonneview down to Balls Ferry. Spinfishing with Glo-Bugs has been quite a bit slower because there are no salmon spawning. Fish small nymphs under indicators with occasionally switching to dry flies in the evenings when there is a hatch. Spin fishermen have been catching some trout on drifted nightcrawlers and crickets.

UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir-Trout fishing was pretty good last week with the upper river being cooler and providing more action than the lower sections near the lake. However, anglers fishing below Gibson have a chance to catch a big rainbow or brown making a foray upstream out of the lake. Fish pocket water with indicators– Prince nymphs and rubberlegs with smaller nymphs underneath.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BLUE LAKES-WON Staffer Bill Karr fished lower Blue this past week and found big numbers of small planter rainbows from 9 to 12 inches schooled up at the dam, but not hitting Power Bait or a Mepps spinner. When he switched to a small Super Duper in frog, the schooled trout hit non-stop and he creeled enough for dinner.

BOCA LAKE-Fishing has been best around the dam and the inlet with the warmer water temps for 12- to 14-inch rainbows on Power Bait and worms.

CAPLES LAKE-Good shore action from the dam, spillway and Wood’s Creek using Power Bait, worms, and Kastmaster spoons. Trollers are working the deeper sections of the lake from 20 to 30 feet deep with flasher/worm combos, Rapalas, and Kastmasters.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-The West Fork is low and clear, so use stealth around the bridges where the fish were planted by Alpine County this past week. The East Carson is fishing well with most anglers picking up limits on bait, lures or flies. The Elk Hair Caddis bite is best in the evening after 6:30 p.m.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 63-percent capacity. The trolling bite has slowed way down according to Ed Dillard of Dillard’s Fishing Guide Service. He’s only been catch three to seven fish on a half-day trip working the copper/red Dick Nite at 16 feet deep around the island. Fly fishing, on the other hand, has been pretty good. Dillard’s buddy hit the Jenkins area with a damsel nymph/copper John duo under an indicator and picked up 11 nice fish. Shore action improved to 2 or 3 fish per person on rainbow Power Bait.

DONNER LAKE-No DFG plant for six weeks has trout action pretty slow. Very few fish and lots of waterskiers.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-Multiple wildfires along the Hwy 70 corridor from Belden to Caribou have caused roadblocks and delays. Call ahead before venturing into this area. Mike Hanson reported that one angler came into Caribou Crossroads Resort with four rainbows up to 21 inches that he said he caught in the main Feather River. Caribou Powerhouse is still kicking out some nice fish when the generators are running. Butt Valley Reservoir smallmouth action is still good.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 45-percent capacity. Trolling with the gold Thomas Buoyant is still producing 15- to 17-inch rainbows at 10 feet deep near Lunker Point and 25 feet deep in the main body. Fly fishing was good for one angler at Lunker Point using the damsel/copper john duo under an indicator set at six feet in 10 to 12 feet of water. The angler reported picking up 23 fish on his best day.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Shore anglers are reporting decent action on worms at Sardine, Salmon, and Packer, which have all been planted by the DFG this season.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-Campgrounds here have been overflowing on weekends-reservations are necessary-call Reserve America at 1 (877) 444-6777 for campsites in the Crystal Basin. No word on any trout action despite being planted this past week. Should be good near the boat ramp where the trout were dumped into the lake.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Campgrounds are still not open and winds have been strong most of the week blowing most anglers off the water. With the warm weather, the best approach to success is to get over the channel that runs from the boat launch to the dam and fish down 20 to 25 feet. A kayak or float tube will do the trick.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-Action has been slow for trollers working the Yuba River arm. Some shore action available near the dam on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-Fishing has been pretty slow according to Sly Park Resort, with only a few small macks coming for trollers working the south side of the lake by the second dam. A few planter rainbows have been taken by shore anglers off the peninsula at the mouth of the Narrows on Power Bait and worms.

LAKE TAHOE-Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported sporadic action on Macks-limits by 7:30 one day and by 11:30 the next. Self was trolling with Rapalas and Lucky Craft lures with the best action coming from 140 to 225 feet deep. If you find some good schools of fish, stay with them and change lures often to keep them biting. Mike Nielsen of Tahoe Top Liners ran to King City and limited out by 7 a.m. trolling and jigging 160 to 170 feet deep using CD9 Rapalas and Williamson Benthos jigs tipped with minnows. Both guides are catching fish running mostly 3 to 5 pounds, with the occasional 8 to 10 pounder. The kokanee bite at Emerald Bay is still good, but a few fish are starting to change color and many are losing their scales.

LOON LAKE-The campgrounds have been full on weekends. The trolling bite is still good for nice rainbows on flasher/worm combos fished at 35 to 45 feet deep on the west end of the lake. Kyle Neeser recommends a watermelon Wild Thing trailing a threaded nightcrawler.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait will be working around the boat ramp until the fish disperse, then the Prosser Creek arm points will be best. One angler reported picking up some nice 14-inch rainbows while trolling Rapalas. Smallmouth should be hitting at the dam

PYRAMID LAKE-Still a good Sacramento perch bite for Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters at the needles on 1/8- and 1/4-ounce crappie jigs. Perch are running 1 1/2 to 2 pounds and are great eating!

RED LAKE-A big algae bloom and an over abundance of tui chubs have combined to make for lousy fishing, according to Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station.

SILVER LAKE-According to Plasses Resort, shore fishing is slow. Boaters working the deeper water in the middle of the lake are picking up some nice catches of 2 to 3 pounders while drifting Power Bait and worms.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The kokanee action is tough after the sun hits the water, get out EARLY! Rick Kennedy of Tight Lines Guide Service and Kyle Neeser of Crystal Basin Tackle both fished the Kokanee Power Derby here on Saturday and finished 13th and 14th with just under 4 1/2 pound apiece for 3 fish. Both caught good numbers of fish out from the boat ramp toward the island, 55 to 70 feet deep over 100 feet of water. Kennedy fished with Shasta Tackle’s Gary Mirales and used Sling Blades with tequila sunrise and green measle hoochies tipped with pink Pautzke’s Fire Corn for kokes averaging 16 1/2 to 16 3/4 inches with a couple at 17 inches. Neeser used pink-purple, chartreuse, or orange Wee Tads and flame red Apex behind his watermelon Wild Thing dodger or his Kicker dodger in chrome with pink tape. The derby fielded 155 anglers-the best turnout at this event ever. First place was just over 5 pounds for three fish and worth $1000.

TRUCKEE RIVER-Water is warmer, so fish are concentrated in the faster flows. Nymphs are working during the day while dries in the slicks and tail outs do best in the evening. Lure fishermen have been doing best with Panther Martin spinners in the evenings 3 to 4 miles below Truckee.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-Campgrounds have been overflowing on weekends. According to Kyle Neeser of Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service the kokanee bite just disappeared!! Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported picking up 6 Macks to 12 pounds on Sunday using a 10-inch Sling Blade trailing a whole herring at 110 to 140 feet deep over 250 feet of water.

WEST WALKER RIVER-Both the Little Walker and West Walker are scheduled for more DFG trout plants this week. According to Linda Foster at the Toiyabe Motel, fishing is still great with lots of limits and happy fishermen. Bait, lures, and flies are all working for fish up to 3 pounds.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-Find some open water and you may find a few fish. The baitfish are finally showing up and heading to the weed mats. Look for an improving topwater bite as well. Toss silverside minnows are now starting to show up and they tend to hang around the weed beds. The bass will hunt them there and throwing a popper and a frog around the edges of these weed beds will draw a strike. A few crappie have been taken and there is a good catfish bite but few are targeting them.

LAKE BERRYESSA-A mixed bag of bass came from the north end in deeper water and from under the Putah Bridge. Try working Blade Runner spoons in the 1 1/4-ounce size. Carolina rigged Robo Worms also pulled in a few on shoreline structure. Time to shorten up your leaders and run larger dodgers with an Apex for kokes. Target the deeper waters on the east side from the Ranch House fishing north and south and then from the tip of the Big Island to Goat Island.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-Trout fishing continued to be slow with no recent plants and the fish have gone down in the heat.

LAKE SONOMA-Steelies came between 45 and 60 feet with 55 feet being the best. An Apex in silver and one in purple worked great paired with RMT UV Tiger dodgers and RMT hyper plaid dodgers. Most fish were by the dam. There is a 2-fish limit here now for them and the wardens are giving out tickets, so be aware of the change for the 2010 season.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Finesse fishing can still put trout in the boat. Trolling in the A-frame area in 40 to 60 feet, fish from 30 to 36 feet and scale down all your stuff. Use smaller hooks and garden worms. The Rec. 2 area and the A-Frame both produced trout. Bass were on the east side and taking crickets.

ANTELOPE LAKE-Trolling Rapalas, a flasher/worm, or different colored Needlefish in 15 feet can produce a lot of trout. Trolling was productive everywhere except in the warmer, shallow coves. Bass, catfish and panfish are also options here.

BAUM LAKE-According to Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney, fishing has been spotty, with early mornings getting the best reports, though the hatches in the evenings have been fairly good. Otherwise, the fish seem to be keeping to the shadows or deeper water during mid-day. As usual, Power Bait, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers are all working well. Fly fishermen report red copper Johns or brown or olive wooly buggers were working well. Lure fishermen are sticking with Panther Martins and Kastmasters.

BRITTON LAKE- Crappie are still biting, as are the smallmouth bass. Good bets for bass can be topwater in the morning or evenings. Crappie are taking their usual favorites of mealworms and an assortment of small jigs. Regulation changes now includes bluegill and perch in the 25-fish limit on crappie so be sure to count them in your total catch.

BURNEY CREEK-The bit here has been consistent on the usual, caddis and callibaetis above the falls or attractor patterns. Below the falls try a pheasant tail, copper john, bird’s nest or hares ear.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Worms and eggs are working well and lots of trout limits were taken. The best time to fish is in the morning in cooler temperatures. Some success fishing with spoons and spinners was also reported. Fly fishermen did well on PMDs, little yellow stones, callibaetis and caddis while copper johns in red were favorites for nymph fishermen. Early morning and late evenings remain the best time for flies.

EAGLE LAKE-Trout are in their usual summer spots such as Miners Bay on the east side and Shrimp Island on the west side. The magic depths were in 50 feet of water, with the nightcrawler down 25 to 28 feet for bobber fishing and from 30 to 40 feet for trollers. Just move around until you find fish.

UPPER HAT CREEK-Fishing just keeps getting better. Fish and Game continues to plant twice a week and with most kids heading back to school the fishing pressure is starting to ease. With daytime temperatures in the mid to high 80s the weather has been just about perfect for fishing. Worms, crickets and Power Bait have been the “go to” baits this past week. Plants have been brook trout as of late and most people are catching fish in the 12 to 15-inch range.

HAT CREEK (wild) -Fly fishing was good with crystal buggers and wired stones working well when fished deep.

LEWISTON RESERVIOR-Trout fishing continues to be slow with the hot weather but worms and orange Power Bait fished early or late in the day were top baits. Start at the dam in the morning and head to Coopers Gulch and Mary Smith campgrounds during the day where there is a little more shade. Fish were caught from the surface down to 15 feet.

MANZANITA LAKE–Rim Rock Ranch Resort reported surface activity in the early mornings and late evenings has been the pattern. Go small to catch more fish. Brassies and midge patterns size 18 and smaller were very effective when fished below an attractor fly. Lots of motorboat caddis were evident in the evening and fishing this pattern was productive at times. Some big browns are showing but the average fish is in the 14- to 16-inch range. Remember to heed the special restrictions on this lake.

McCLOUD LAKE AND RIVER–The flows and clarity have been good and the fishing has been too. Nymphing under strike indicators, swinging streamers, or fishing dries in the evenings have all produced fish. There have been a lot of really nice fish being caught lately including some big lake run browns. Super Floss rubber legs still seems to be the top producer and dropping a smaller nymph behind it will pick up some nice fish as well.

PIT RIVER-The Pit 3 reach access is closed until Labor Day weekend, then it closes again until October. The Labor Day holiday will be your last chance to fish this area before the flows are increased to unfishable levels for the rest of the year. The Pit River is still fishing well. The key this time of the year is usually downsizing your flies and targeting the faster whitewater.

LAKE SHASTA-Try going up in lake arms where the water is cooler for bass. Start off first with topwater and then switch to crank baits and fish the mud lines. They’re catching trout at 30 and 50 feet and catching salmon at 70 and 80 feet. Digger Bay, Big Backbone, Gooseneck, Pit River Bridge all had trout; salmon were caught at the dam.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVIOR-The koke bite was a little tougher but there was a short bite between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. and then it shut down until 10 a.m. Kokes were found at 40 feet on orange or pink UV Apexs out in the main body in front of the 299 Bridge. The average was 14 and largest was 15 inches and all were clean looking.

NORTH SALTWATER

BODEGA BAY- The salmon bite continued scratchy with the private boats putting in time getting limits, but bigger loads on party boats putting a couple in before switching to bottomfishing. The fish did move up to between Bodega Head and the whistle buoy, so some scored close to home action on kings. Good action on the rockfish trips, with plenty of big reds. “We fished the wreck down off of Point Reyes, and had 40 to 50-pound sacks,” said Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler. “Everyone on board had three to six vermilion each, and we had many in the 5-pound class.”

EMERYVILLE-Some winds of change, with salmon starting to offer some option for the boats, and while the counts aren’t stellar, the fish are big and the opportunities are there. Rockfish trips up the Marin Coast and out to the Farallon Islands produced rockfish limits as a rule, plus some lingcod. A few of the boats also scored halibut bonuses on the way in.

EUREKA-Salmon continued to offer promise with hit and miss action with some days producing limits for several boats, and other days not so grand. “We’ve seen a solid one fish per boat average at least,” said John Corbett at the Pro Sport Center. Pacific halibut action was fair to good, with some boat limits, and one big 100-pound class fish lost at boatside. Jetty fishing has been good for black rockfish and the occasional keeper lingcod, and redtail surfperch fishing is fair to good at Centerville, the mouth of the Eel, Freshwater and Gold Bluffs beaches.

FORT BRAGG-Bottomfishing season ended for boat based anglers, but salmon season continued, and albacore popped up about 42 miles out from Noyo Harbor. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar said the final days of bottomfishing provided good action with more school fish biting, and the occasional lingcod a bonus. Salmon has been slow, but there are fish around, proven by a 16 pounder, a 14 pounder and a 12 pounder caught on the Telstar on different days. “Bait and water conditions look great, but there aren’t many boats trying and it’s a big ocean!” said Thornton.

HALF MOON BAY-White seabass were the big surprise for anglers fishing out of Pillar Point, with a 33 pounder caught on the Huli Cat on a special croaker trip. The fish moved into the area following massive schools of market squid, their favorite food. Captain Tom Mattusch said there have been up to 20 fish per day caught by as many as 100 boats trying for the seabass. A more reliable bite is on for anglers targeting rockfish and lingcod, with limits of rockfish the rule, and the occasional ling a bonus.

POINT SAN PABLO-Captain Frank Miller on the Fury reported a slow in-bay halibut bite, but success nonetheless with a El Dorado woman catching her first ever ‘but, and an 18 pounder boated by another angler. Miller said Angel Island was the hotspot. The Fury will be running more sevengill cow shark trips this week.

SAN FRANCISCO-Captain Jacky Douglas on the Wacky Jacky was hitchhiking on the salmon highway with her anglers and the Golden Gate fleet, with some good opportunities at lunker kings, mostly around Duxbury. “The fish are moving through,” she said, not really interested in feeding, but hitting baits nonetheless. One newby hooked up and lost two lunkers before finally boating his third. Captain Steve Talmadge on Flash Fishing also fished the Marin Coast, but his goal was limits of rockfish, with halibut and lingcod on the side.

SAUSALITO-The fleet scored some nice kings, with a pair of 25 pounders on the New Rayann, and a 29 pounder on the Outer Limits. Salmon season is winding down, so now is the time to get yours if you want to get one before the season closes.

SHELTER COVE-A warm bubble of water enticed anglers out for albacore on the weekend, scores ranging up to 50 per boat. “Even the guys who didn’t have a clue got 20 fish,” said Captain Trent Slate on Bite Me. Pacific halibut action continued strong for Bite Me anglers when the weather allowed, which it did on Saturday resulting in rockfish and lingcod limits and halibut to 45 pounds. Salmon are around, and one angler scored eight on Saturday, mostly fishing deep south of the Hat.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-Lots of rafters on the Middle Fork making it tough on anglers trying to fish the deeper pools, according to the Georgetown Ranger Station. Hikers making it down to the river need to look out for rattlesnakes!

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is down to 75-percent capacity. Small kokanee, 10 to 12 inches, are still being caught up in the Garden Point area on pearl-red Wee Dick Nite/dodger combos tipped with corn at 40 to 60 feet.

CAMP FAR WEST-Bass and catfish action is good for anglers who can get away from the heavy recreational boat traffic. Catfish running 2 to 3 pounds have been hitting chicken livers and anchovies for shore anglers at night. Bass fishing has been best for boaters heading up to the Bear River inlet area.

COLLINS LAKE-Trout action has been surprisingly good for this time of year. LOTS of rainbows have been coming out of 30 feet of water all over the lake. The Anderson family from Pinole and Vallejo landed 30 fish in one day on Power Bait. Bait anglers have been doing well at the dam, the docks, and bridge from shore or drifting in the middle of the lake by boat. Trollers were doing well on flasher/worm combos near the dam. Blake Bertolin of San Jose caught the biggest trout of the week, a 2 1/2 pounder.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 92-percent capacity. The lake received a plant of 12- to 14-inch rainbows on Saturday and houseboaters in the marina have been catching lots of fish on worms. This plant was sponsored by PG&E as part of the mitigation for their FERC permit to generate power through the dam.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR–Fishing has been very good. One boater reported trying Power Bait from the boat ramp before launching and caught a limit-didn’t even put his boat in the water. Construction is still going on at the new spillway Monday through Friday.

FULLER LAKE-The lake is finally scheduled for another DFG trout plant this week-the first in over six weeks. Trolling with flasher/worm combos and shore action using Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers should be good.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-Kokanee action is still reported to be good at the powerhouse on No. 2 bikini Needlefish/dodger combos at 40 feet. The kokes are running 12 to 14 inches with an occasional fish to 16 inches. Lots of boaters were on the lake according to Georgetown Ranger Station staff.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is down to 64-percent capacity. The lake is falling 1 to 2 feet a day and the fishing is tough. The bass are suspended off the main points and aren’t eating. There’s a small chance for some topwater very early in the morning or late evening, but day time drop-shotting has been very slow. No word on the coho action either. Try the buoy line at the dam with anchovies.

ROLLINS LAKE-Catfish action has been good here for shore anglers using hot dog chunks. Long Ravine Resort employee, Daris Bullock, landed a 12-pound catfish in the marina while fishing at night. Bullock picked up a 4 pounder the next night. Some small bass have been hitting nightcrawlers. No word on any trout action.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-A trophy-sized smallmouth bass, a 5 1/4 pounder, was landed by Josh Richardson of Sacramento by the dam on a nightcrawler. Bass fishing has been good for mostly smallies and a few largemouths along the Cascade Shores area on plastic worms and ‘crawlers. Catfish running 2 to 3 pounds have been hitting chicken livers and hot dog chunks in the late evening and at night.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-The lake hasn’t received a DFG trout plant in over six weeks and action is slow. The best chance for success will be very early or late off the steeper banks using Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers. Bass could hit a topwater lure during low-light periods, early or late in the day.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Campgrounds have been full every weekend-reservations are essential to get a campsite. Call Reserve America at 1 (877) 444-6777 for campsite info. Fishing has been good up at the inlet of Pilot Creek.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Water levels are up with the releases from Lake Oroville and a few bass are hitting frogs or topwater along the tule banks in the heat of the day after the water gets a chance to warm up a little.