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 close, and others change to artificial/barbless only on, March 31 and others on April 25. Trouble identifying salmon or steelhead? Go to: http://www.swr.noaa.gov/fmd/identify.htm.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.-Spring run is on its last legs, but guide Steve Huber and his son fished it two days last week and caught nice kings each day, including steelhead. With waters warming, guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service is expecting to see anglers trolling the bay as early as the first day the wind calms down for staging fall kings. He said the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has released reports indicating that there should be large numbers of 4-year-old king’s returning to the river with a mix of some 5-year-old fish. The last time this happened there were trophy fish being caught every day and even one record salmon caught on a fly.

ROGUE RIVER, Grant’s Pass-The Upper Rogue continues to be the best bet for anyone wanting to catch a spring Chinook. Water is finally back around where it should be, so the fish should be holding in the usually well known holes. Try back bouncing roe, using a diver with roe/shrimp and running Kwikfish.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Both dams are in at Johnson’s and Vacation Beach now and the shad action is about over. The majority of the fish are above the dams and scattered or heading back downstream after spawning, and not many are trying below the dams, since there aren’t many fish there. Smallmouth action is heating up in the dams, and anglers are targeting the weeds, willows and logs along the shoreline on crawdad-colored Rebels and Rooster Tails. Stripers are providing good action for anglers targeting them, but most are undersized, with the occasional fish to 5 pounds.

UMPQUA RIVER, Roseburg, Ore.–The e-mails are piling in with stories of triple digit days for those fishing for smallmouth bass on the Umpqua River from driftboats, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secret’s Guide Service. This is one of the leading rivers in the northwest for smallie fishing. The shad fishing is still productive, but the fishing is slower than it was a couple weeks ago.
UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–The summer steelhead season is just starting on the North Umpqua River and by the middle of July it should be in full motion, said Palmer. There are close to 25 steelhead a day climbing the fish ladder at the Winchester Dam just north of Roseburg now. Anglers are catching limits of springer’s on the upper river. Most of these salmon are turning darker in color after a long journey from the ocean.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

TRINTY RIVER, Cedar Flat-Spring kings are reported from here, although not many yet.
TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City-A 15.2-pound German brown trout was caught by Scott Brice of Orange County somewhere between the Steel Bridge and Indian Creek, probably on nightcrawlers, since he had bought some earlier that day. Other browns from 11 pounds a up were caught. Big news, though, is a 27-pound spring king caught at Steel Bridge by guide Kirk Portocarrero of Outdoor Adventures in Redding on a Kwikfish right at first light. They hooked two kings. No other word of kings up here, though.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-The releases from Iron Gate Dam are still a little too high for any fishing to speak of, but action should be picking up soon, and spring kings are on their way up the river.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-With the cut back in flows on the Trinity and lowering flows upriver on the Klamath, more spring salmon were being caught in the lower river around Klamath Glen, and they’re big and bright fish. They’re now spread out all the way to the top of the Trinity, although not many in the upper reaches yet.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-Scott Sutherland at Berkeley Sportfishing said the live bait potluck boats are getting about 10 halibut and 1 or 2 striped bass, and half limits of rockfish plus decent lingcod counts for the coastal trips. Salmon efforts found fish, with the top boat bringing in 5 kings, biggest a 21 pounder. The kings came from the Duxbury area.

BODEGA BAY- Wind was a factor much of the week, keeping the boats from really looking for salmon, but the bottomfishing held up and the lingcod bite was a top bet. “Lingcod fishing on Saturday was excellent, and three of my anglers caught ling limits,” said Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler. Total ling count on Saturday was 29 fish, while on Sunday 11 anglers caught 8 lings, along with rockfish limits both trips.

EMERYVILLE-The fleet picked up momentum with more of the boats running through the week, most of the effort on “potluck” live bait. The halibut and striper count has been decent, but filling out the sacks were rockfish and lingcod, most from the near coast, some from the Farallon Islands. The New Huck Finn had lingcod limits on Tuesday, with 32 for 16 anglers, plus near limits of rockfish. The Talisman is still running crab combos, finding limits of Dungeness and 9 stripers for six anglers on their trip on Friday.

EUREKA-Still some salmon around and the bottomfishing at the Cape remains limits the rule. WON reader Lonnie Dollarhide fished with Captain Tim Klassen on Reel Steel on Saturday, the group of five anglers on the boat scoring limits of rockfish after finding a slow salmon bite. One boat fishing north of the bar found 3 kings to 20 pounds. Reel Steel also had 4 kings on Wednesday, those fish caught by mooching off of Table Bluff.

FORT BRAGG-Salmon fishing still slow, but the bottomfishing is more consistent with near limits on the party boats. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar found a couple willing salmon on a crab combo trip on Tuesday, one 17 pounder made it to the boat. The next day offered good conditions for rockfish, and his group of 16 anglers caught near limits plus 6 lingcod to 10 pounds.

HALF MOON BAY-Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat reported a mix of salmon and bottomfishing trips, with only marginal success on the kings, but better action on rockfish and lingcod. The action has been good when the weather allows shallow water efforts, with some nice grass rockfish, vermilion and plenty of school fish. Pescadero has been the hot spot.

LOCH LOMOND-Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star finally found some fish in the north end of San Francisco Bay, his halibut counts reaching one around from spots like Raccoon Straights, Red Rock and Paradise. Halibut to 26 pounds hit the Morning Star’s decks, that one coming from Raccoon Straights. Earlier in the week, Hough’s anglers found rockfish and lingcod to add to their halibut and bass catch, those trips out in main bay and just outside on the north side of the bay.

SAN FRANCISCO-Captain Jacky Douglas on the Wacky Jacky said things were starting to show promise on the salmon scene, with a 32.5-pound fish caught on her boat, the kings coming from around Duxbury for the most part.

SAUSALITO-Finally some salmon showing up, with the New Rayann accounting for a couple nice kings including two 24 pounders. Those fish came from Duxbury.

SHELTER COVE-Weather impacted trips part of the week, but when the boats could get out, they found a mix of action that included fewer salmon and more bottomfish. Captain Trent Slate on the Bite Me fished bottomfish and crabs, targeting the shallow reefs south of the harbor around Bear Harbor. “We fished light tackle in shallow water, fun fishing!” he said. A mix of black, copper and vermilion rockfish made up the catch, along with crab limits. This week should offer a chance to get up for Pacific halibut based on the weather forecast.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Flows went from 12,000 to 8,000 cfs and that opened the window for shad anglers, big time, according to Yee Vang of Broadway Bait and Tackle. Flows may have been cut for the safety of water users, however, so flows may go back up. Anglers working the area from lower Saylor Bar up to Sunrise are hammering ’em with chartreuse head jigs and 1- or 1 ½-inch curly tail grubs in pink champagne, although guide JD Richey made a float from the hatchery down to Sunrise and reported a poor shad bite A mix of some hens and a lot of males. Schoolie stripers are on a bite up by Howe Avenue, but bigger stripers are chowing down on topwater, live bait and swimbaits at Discovery Park.

FEATHER RIVER, Yuba City-A slower bite last week gained steam this week for stripers, but still a lot of smaller fish in the mix, mostly on bait. Biggest have been 4 or 5 pounds, according to Johnny Angel of Johnson’s Bait and Tackle. The bite is still centered around Boyd’s Pump. Flows are still too high for good shad fishing, but if you must, concentrate on the riffles upstream below the outflow.
FOLSOM LAKE-A switch this week, from challenging bass fishing last week to a good bass bite up the North fork. A lot of bass in the trees, and the logpiles on Senkos and worms, according to Yee Vang of Broadway Bait and Tackle. Most of the fish were 1 1/2 to 3 pounds, and a lot a lot of smallmouth showing up, too. Up the North Fork has been the best and not much action on the main lake.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff/Redding-Guide Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service fished it Sunday and reported a minimum of 15 trout 2 pounds to 3 1/2 pounds in a half day, up to 25-30 fish on a good half day trip. Shad are stacked up below the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, which is up now. He’s doing combo trips with a half day for trout upriver and a half day for shad below the dam, resulting in big, big numbers of fish in one day. Smear Pautzke liquid krill on your lures and baits.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Striper fishing has been relatively slow due to the high flows and cold water, and the few being caught are mostly small. Action was better below Discovery Park than above, although there has been some good early morning action on topwater, swimbaits and live minnows at Discovery on bigger stripers.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale-Striper fishing has been best in this area for quality and quantity, although not many fish over 10 pounds max. Bait and minnows are best in the high flows. There’s some shad being caught down around Verona on shad darts and greenhead jigs with champagne or chartreuse grub tails.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE- With the warmer water and stable weather, the bite that is second only to live bait has been Senkos. The spawn is still going strong in all 3 arms of the lake. Your best bet will be to start off with a little topwater first thing in the morning, a walking bait or popping bait and then switch to plastics for the rest of the day. The upper end has been more productive, followed closely by the Rattlesnake arm and the Redbud arm. Catfish and crappie are moving in shallow to spawn.

??LAKE BERRYESSA- The warm weather has driven the kokanee into the deeper water over the channel at Skiers Cove, at three corners were the rivers come together and all the way to the Big Island. Find the bumps on your graph in 50 to 70 feet and fish three feet off the bottom for kokes. There also has been a very good king salmon bite up around the Big Island with fish ranging from 16 to 23 inches long and they are also biting kokanee gear. Setups include RMT’s hyper plaid and fusion dodgers or Sep’s Strike Master in nickel color with Uncle Larry’s spinners in green tiger, mad Irishman, pink tiger and RMT hoochies in pink cotton candy, purple, green and a pink super squid. Although the waters are warming, there continues to be a topwater bass bite, which may last another week or two. Usually the bite slow down by now but this year things are running late and longer due to the prolonged rainy season.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR- Trollers should score high this coming week with fast action lures such as Shiners or Needlefish run fast, or an attractor like a dodger/nightcrawler run slowly. Bass were taking several different colors of 6-inch Robo worms, but Morning Dawn with a chartreuse tail was by far the best color. Also good were 5-inch brown Senkos with a chartreuse tip. All fish were 12 feet less.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-PG&E has plowed through the major snowdrifts, at least to the campground access area, so you can now reach this reservoir. Fish and Game has indicated that they have plans to start planting browns here as soon as the fish truck has confirmed driving clearance to reach the water. No reports have come in yet, but we hope to have information next week.
BAUM LAKE-According to Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney, since the weather is heating up, fishing in the morning and evenings may be the best bet. Anglers still had their best luck with Kastmasters, olive woolly buggers and nightcrawlers or floating baits. Expect some midges, caddis, but pt’s and copper Johns in red always seem to get a few fish.

BRITTON LAKE-Little has changed here. Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported chocolate milk colored water again, but the crappie bite has definitely been good, even with the colored water. The smallmouth are in spawning mode, so it’s good fishing for them as well. The best results have been in the areas where water is coming into the lake and fish do not seem to be particular yet on colors of jigs. Crappie size has been a bit smaller than earlier in the month, but there are still some decent limits coming in.

BURNEY CREEK–Vaughn’s Sporting Goods reports good nymphing at the base of the falls, try green copper Johns for results. Bait and lure fishermen are catching them above the falls.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Rim Rock Ranch reported fishing in the forebay continues a bit slower, with heavy pressure and slightly clouded water. Salmon eggs and worms were doing well this past week, but floating baits are also a favorite in this section of the creek. This is a great area to bring the kids, as the water is slower and more open, which makes for easier casting and catching. Plan to see lots of people here over the holidays. Fly fishing activity as improved with better hatches, especially in the evenings. PMD nymphs as well as callibaetis patterns are working well. Streamer patterns worked deep are catching some big fish. Surface fish can be picky here so presentation is critical.

EAGLE LAKE-Trolling, bobber fishing and fly fishing were all productive this past week but the fly fishing took the spotlight and the hot fly was the Sierra Drifters Agent Orange in size 16. The most important thing to know is fish early.

FALL RIVER-The Fly Shop in Redding reported the hex hatch is starting up. Water conditions are great and insect hatches have been fabulous! Fair to good evening caddis hatches are happening.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR-Water conditions are great. The lake level is up enough for boat launching, but be careful. Callibaetis hatches are producing some good fly fishing for the rainbows, browns and brook trout that swim this body of water. Look for cruising, rising fish right in front of the boat ramp.

UPPER HAT CREEK-Rim Rock Ranch reported fishing has been good for the most part, but a bit more challenging with increased runoff which has slightly clouded the water. The catch should improve dramatically when the snow runoff slows, since DFG continues to plant lots of fish, providing plenty of opportunity for everyone. Salmon eggs and Panther Martins were working well as were floating baits. Pressure had increased somewhat mid-week but with increased numbers of fish in the creek this shouldn’t unduly impact the catch. Fly fishermen have been doing well on crystal buggers and nymphs with a bit of flash tied in. Topwater action on the upper creek is tough at best due to the fast flow so go deeper for better results.

HAT CREEK (wild trout section)-Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported nymphing was best, with fishermen doing okay on the stretch just below the Powerhouse. Anglers found good results with PT’s, copper johns and there were some decent hatches of PMD’s and callibaetis starting to show. There were also still some reports of salmon flies at the riffle and above the weir.

KESWICK RESERVOIR-The Fly Shop reminds anglers that water conditions can fluctuate a great deal here. With warmer, summer weather finally here, good hatches of hydro psyche caddis, yellow sallies, golden stones and PMD’s should produce excellent fishing.

LEWISTON RESERVOIR–The Fly Shop in Redding reported fishing good one day, and nothing the next. Water conditions are good. Warmer weather should trigger callibaetis hatches that have been mostly absent for some reason. Look for rainbow trout gulping down carpenter ants about midday. Lewiston will have great water conditions all summer long.

MANZANITA LAKE-Hatches are increasing but surface activity continues to be a bit slow. Snowmelt resulting in colder water temperatures could be a factor at this time. Reports indicate that beetles and ants are catching some nice fish on top. Streamers and nymphs worked deeper are also catching some nice browns and rainbows. Afternoons can be a bit crowded as kayak rentals are getting into full swing this time of year. Water temperatures should improve going into July, which should improve topwater action. Remember to check the special regulations on this catch and release lake.

McCLOUD RIVER-Nothing new to report here–the river is fishing great. Flows are 450 cfs and clear. You’ll find excellent golden stone hatches, caddis, baetis and PEDs. Anglers are finding fish on Pat’s brown rubber legs, black micro mayflies and HBIs. The big boulder that was blocking the road into the Nature Conservancy is gone and the fishing has been great, according to The Fly Shop.

PIT RIVER-Vaughn’s Sporting Goods reported releases have gone down to below 400 cfs, but the water is still colored. Still, it’s a big improvement from last week. Fishermen are doing best with dark nymphs on the bottom. But be extremely careful on slippery rocks.

SHASTA LAKE-Things are settling down here and so is the bite. Anglers are catching limits daily of both salmon and trout. Trolling Wiggle Hoochies, a pink Apex or Wee-Tads around the dam area was good for trout. Shad patterned lures have been best for king salmon in the Digger Bay area. Trout have gone deeper with the warming conditions, but good trout action continues in the Dry Creek area, as well as the arms, where the cooler snow runoff is coming in. For bass, there has been an early topwater bite, and then anglers have switched to working structures with Senkos or worms.

TRINTY RESERVOIR-The Stewart Fork arm was producing mixed bags of rainbow trout, kokes, and salmon with depths between 30 and 50 feet best. A UV Sling Blade and watermelon Apex provided all the action. The bass bite is heating up. You can throw reaction baits all day long for the bigger largemouth bass on the north end.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR-Kokes are averaging 15 inches with several 16 inchers per limit. Cover depths from 40 to 60 feet. The hot setup was a UV Sling Blade pulling an UV Apex.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 95-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The lake was fishing well this past week, especially at the inlet. Cast Rapalas and 1/4-ounce Kastmaster spoons in the early morning and then switch over to Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Lots of wake boarders and skiers are tearing the lake up during the afternoons and on weekends.

CAPLES LAKE-Lake has thawed and Caples Lake Resort was setting up their docks and rental fleet for the holiday weekend. The campgrounds were still not open. Call (209) 258-8888 for more info.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-The West Fork, East Fork, and Markleeville Creek are all scheduled for a DFG trout plants this week. The flows are dropping, especially on the West Fork. “Brian” caught a 6-pound, 10-ounce rainbow on salmon eggs at the Pebble Beach campground on the East Fork. Fish the slower pockets along the shore for any chance of catching a trout. The gate to Blue Lakes is still closed.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 88-percent capacity. Ed Dillard of Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported good trolling action north of the island. On his last trip, his clients landed two limits in 2 hours on copper/red head Dick Nites fished 16 to 20 feet deep. Anchoring off the 5 Trees area in 22 feet of water and bottom fishing with Power Bait produced 6 rainbows from 16 to 17 inches for Dillard and his wife. Fly fishing has been hit-or-miss with anglers picking up 1 to 8 fish on damsels and No. 16 midges. Shore fishing has also been hit-or-miss at Eagle Point, Camp 5, and Fairview for anglers using Power Bait.

DONNER LAKE-Rainbow trout fishing was good on the west end at the docks and near the boat ramp. This is a great place to take the kids due to the easy access. Local trollers have been picking up a few macks in the 10- to 18-pound range, but they are quickly released. Trollers are using an F-11 or F-13 Rapala in kokanee and RBT patterns, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-The North Fork Feather River is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Flows are scheduled to drop by this weekend, according to Caribou Crossroads Resort. Butt Valley Reservoir was slow but should get better as the water warms. Smallmouth bass were still spawning this past week-everything has been delayed with the late snows.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 101-percent capacity and spilling. Ed Dillard of Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported catching 25 fish, 14 to 16 inches, trolling yellow watermelon Needlefish and firetiger Sockeye Slammers at 20 feet deep in the Big Cove area. Shore fishing was good at Crystal Point and Turkey Point.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Upper Salmon Lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. All the main lakes are thawed and accessible-Salmon, Sardine, Packer, and Gold. The main boat ramp at Gold Lake is still blocked with snow, though the old ramp by the spillway is open for small boats and kayaks. Check with Bassetts Station for the latest info, (530) 862-1297.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 80 percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Dale Daneman of Dale’s Foothill Guide Service made two trips this past week. Trip one produced 17 fish to 14 1/2 inches on Sep’s frog grub behind a Sep’s Strike Master Dodger for three generations of lady anglers. The second trip only netted 5 fish on the same rig fished 7 to 15 feet deep. All the campgrounds are open.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Fly fishing has been good for those using woolly buggers on an intermediate sinker or ants and beetles on a floating line. Alicia Site of Carson River Resort picked up a 4-pound cutthroat on a bead-head green flash woolly bugger at the creek inlet. Site said that shore anglers using bait were having a tough time.

JACKSON MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake unofficially opened this past Wednesday when some 4-wheelers made it into the lake. The Forest Service still has not opened the access.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-The lake is still full. Rainbow trout action was good for shore anglers and trollers. Shore fishing was good at the first dam on Power Bait and worms, while trollers did best in the Narrows using flasher/worm combos. Larry Carmassi of Pollock Pines picked up 7 smallmouth bass to 2 1/2 pounds in the Narrows.

LAKE TAHOE-All the charters operators reported good Mackinaw action. Big Mack Charters’ Mickey Daniels said he was picking up 4 1/2 to 5 pounders very early in the morning at 60 to 80 feet then fishing down to 240 as the sun got up. Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing was catching lot of fish, with limits of keepers to 8 pounds, on spoons and bouncing minnows on the bottom at 165 to 225 feet early and 250 to 370 feet later in the morning at Tahoe City, the Tavern Hole and Crystal Point. Tahoe Top Liners limits out for 5 clients in 2 hours on their last trip for macks running 3 to 7 pounds on Storm ThunderSticks at 170 to 180 feet deep. Rainbow and brown trout fishing was slow.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is at 92-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The Prosser Creek inlet has been very productive on 1/8-ounce Kastmaster spoons in bright color (silver, silver/blue, pearl) early and dark patterns (RBT, firetiger, watermelon) in the afternoon. Power Bait and nightcrawlers are always a good choice.

PYRAMID LAKE-The trout season ends on June 30. Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported excellent action for 20- to 26-inch cutthroats while trolling 17 to 35 feet deep on the east side of the lake at Hell’s Kitchen and Fox Bay. Perch fishing has been slow but should improve as the runoff slows down and water warms up.

RED LAKE-The lake is now ice-free.

SILVER LAKE-The lake has thawed and shore fishing is possible. One boater reported that he was skunked after 6 hours of trolling. Plasses Resort opens on July 1.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is full and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Kokanee fishing is tough, but limits are possible for trollers willing to work for the fish. The salmon are now down at 55 to 65 feet and UV or glow pink has been the best color for hoochies. Brown trout have been hitting Rapalas early off the points at 10 to 20 feet deep then moving down to 40 to 80 feet deep in the afternoons. Shore fishing near the campgrounds and boat ramp has been very good, but anglers need to beware of snags in shallow water now that the lake is full.

TOPAZ LAKE-Trout fishing was very slow this past week, according to the Topaz Landing Marina. There were a lot of recreational boaters and watercraft on the lake, and weekends are crazy. For the best chance at catching any fish, come out during the week. Local bass anglers from Carson City have been picking up a few largemouths to 3 pounds.

TRUCKEE RIVER-From Tahoe City to Truckee along Hwy 89 is fishable and some good fish have been caught. From Truckee to the border is pretty much blown out with high, cold flows. The Little Truckee below Stampede has been producing 10 to 15 hookups with about half coming to the net for fly casters using San Juan Worms and midges. The “Elbow” just above Boca has been a consistent producer.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 92-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Kyle Neeser of Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service fished three days with only fair results-3 or 4 fish per trip. The fish were a mix of 12- to 13-inch kokanee and rainbows taken on Wild Thing dodgers trailing El Diablo spinners and Kicker dodgers and spinners fished from the top down to 20 feet deep. The spinners were tipped with worms for the trout and corn for the kokanee. Neeser said the fish were scattered all over the lake.

WEST WALKER RIVER-Both the West Walker and Little Walker are scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. The flows are still high, but some fish were being caught in the slower pockets along the banks on nightcrawlers and salmon eggs.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-Still running very high. Most of the locals are staying away until the flows slow down.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 99-percent capacity. Bass action at 20 to 40 feet was reported by the Emerald Cove Marina. The kokanee bite should still be good for limits of small fish at 20 to 25 feet at Garden Point.

CAMP FAR WEST-The lake is still full. Fishing has been much more productive during the week-the weekend recreational boat and jet-ski traffic is HEAVY!! Bass action was still producing fish to 4 pounds around the submerged trees and brush.

COLLINS LAKE-The lake is 1-foot from full. Trout action was good for rainbows up to 7 1/2 pounds. With the warmer water temp, the trout are more likely found in deeper water. The bridge area has been good for shore anglers and bait drifters. Trollers were using dodger/worm combos at 40 feet for some limits. Bass, catfish and sunfish are much more active with the warm water. A 7 3/4-pound catfish came out of Elmer’s Cove on worms. Bass to 2 1/2 pounds were checked in by anglers using minnows and plastic worms. Kids are having a field day catching a mix of bluegill and redear sunfish on worms.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 105-percent capacity and spilling. Houseboaters have been picking up small rainbows in the marina on worms. Trollers and bait drifters were still picking up some nice trout on the upper end of the lake above the “No-Ski” buoys. Bass were thick along the banks and one angler caught a 2 1/2 pounder on a crawfish imitation, according to Dillon Davis at Skippers Cove Marina. Heavy recreational boat traffic is guaranteed on the weekends.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 91-percent capacity. The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the boat ramp was open, but campgrounds wouldn’t be ready until July 1-dependent on whether the water systems could be cleared and tested for safety. Check with the Foresthill Ranger Station for the latest word on campground availability at (530) 367-2224. Self-contained campers could use the campgrounds if the water systems are not functional- have your own water supply and haul out your own trash. Fishing should be good, but no reports were available.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is full and spilling. The Georgetown Ranger Station reported one troller stopped at the station and told of catching a mack in the 20-pound range working the dam area at 90 feet with a kokanee imitation. Browns and rainbows were hitting Rapalas in the early morning.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is full for the first time in years. Bass action was good for guide Ron Gandolfi in the mainbody, North Fork, and West Branch on main points and walls on Senkos, Flukes, and shaky-head worms at 10 to 20 feet, especially if there is a mudline or shade. There’s a good topwater bite early and late on Spooks, Pop-R’s and frogs. Try spinnerbaits in the backs of the pockets with submerged trees and incoming water. Try a Rat-l-Trap on rocky walls in the afternoon. John Kline, Shasta Tackle pro-staffer, said the coho should be 35 to 45 feet deep at the Green Bridge and the dam.

ROLLINS LAKE-The lake is still full. Bass action has been best on nightcrawlers and plastic worms. Trolling for trout has been slow-water temp is getting high and recreational boat traffic is heavy on weekends. One troller picked up a 3-pound brown on a Rapala in the early morning in Greenhorn Creek, according to Will Fish Tackle in Auburn.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-The lake is still full. “Brian” from Grass Valley caught two big largemouth bass-7 1/2 and 8 1/2 pounds-on plastic worms in the brush in the coves along the east side of the lake this past week. Trout fishing has been fair though trollers are doing better than the shore anglers due to the warmer water temp-72-degrees. The dam and the inlet area were the most productive for trout.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. With the campgrounds and day-use areas open, this should be a nice place to go for the July 4 weekend.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Trout fishing has been hit-or-miss-some anglers get limits, some have a tough time just catching a fish. Trollers were doing better due to the warmer water temp. Rainbows are running 12 to 14 inches.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-The lake is at 80-percent capacity. Bruce Gibson of the Paradise Tackle Company reported picking up some 2- to 3 1/2-pound bass while flipping 1/2-ounce brown/black jigs with a purple trailer in the tules in Skier’s Cove. Gibson saw some 5 to 6 pounders cruising the tules. Gibson said there was a good early morning swimbait bite in front of the tules using rainbow trout and hitch patterns. As the water warms, the frog bite in the late afternoons should get good.