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.-Very few boats fishing the estuary for staging fall run kings, maybe a dozen boats instead of the normal 40 or 50. Reason could be the removal of the upstream dam, which is expected to result in cooler water flows, which will pull the salmon through without staging. Or, it could be California’s improving salmon action. Time will tell.

ROGUE RIVER, Grant’s Pass, Ore.–Summer steelhead is beginning to pick up on the Rogue. While spring salmon continues to be good. For summer steelhead try throwing spoons and spinners and also yarnies.

RUSSIAN RIVER-It’s summer, and that means the dams are up, the shad are done, the smallmouth are biting early and late in any good structure habitat on small minnow-imitating lures and Rooster Tails, and the waters are turned over to rafters, kayakers, tubers and swimmers during daylight hours.

UMPQUA RIVER, Sutherlin, Ore.—Smallmouth bass fishing while drifting down this river is absolutely at it’s best. Reports are coming in from guides and anglers of 100 smallie’s for every rod fishing for those putting in a good day, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City-Fishing for spring run Chinook salmon was pretty good once again, with 1 to 4 Chinook being caught by good fishermen from Steel Bridge down to Junction City. Almost all the action continued to be early in the morning, and with the flows continuing to drop, backtrolling Kwikfish is starting to score a few salmon.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek-Grays Falls continued to produce salmon last week, and anglers who knew how to fish with a float did well, mostly on jacks. They were taking tuna balls, roe and a combination of the two.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-Releases at Iron Gate Dam were dropping, and anglers might be able to get in a little trout fishing soon-before water temperatures skyrocket.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-Flows were down to about 10,000 cfs, and bright salmon continued to enter the river. Fishing was quite good over the weekend, and some anglers were hooking 6 or more bright Chinook to 16 pounds above Klamath Glen, on CV-7 spinners. In addition to adults, anglers were catching jacks and an increasing number of steelhead.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-Flows are dropping and the water is a nice green color. Fishermen were getting out, according to the Georgetown Ranger Station, but few were reporting back.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 97-percent capacity. The bass bite was slow. One boater reported picking up 7 or 8 fish to 3 pounds with most only measuring 12 to 13 inches. Sweet Beavers on a jig head worked best. Kokanee trollers were hooking plenty of 6- to 7-inch salmon, but the ospreys and eagles were stealing most of them before they could be landed. Trout were hitting at 20 to 40 feet deep in the North Fork, according to Emerald Cove Marina.

CAMP FAR WEST-Bass and catfish action was good this past week. Jason Cavasos of Sheridan caught 29 bass to 4 pounds throwing plastics in Rock Creek and the Bear River. Catfish, 2 to 3 pounds, have been hitting anchovies and nightcrawlers off the shore at night.

COLLINS LAKE-The lake is 5 feet from full. With the surface temp at 81-degrees, bass and sunfish were the most-caught fish during the day. Downrigger equipped trollers found plenty of trout at 25 to 35 feet deep. Shore anglers did well at the docks and the dam on trout this past week due to the unusually cool weather. Catfish action was predictably good with the warmer water temps. Kelly of Hayward picked up two big cats on the east side, an 8-pound, 14-ouncer and a 6 3/4 pounder, both on worms. Bass action was slow with only 3 bass checked in this past week.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 97-percent capacity. Trout action was good in the marina, up lake at Buck’s Beach, and at the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Yuba, according to Dillon Davis at Skippers Cove Marina. Most anglers were using Power Bait for a mix of rainbows and browns running 8 to 14 inches. One troller picked up limits of 12- to 15-inch trout on flasher/worm combos at Boston Bar at 10 feet deep. Bass up to 3 pounds have been hitting nightcrawlers and crawdads in the marina area.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 92-percent capacity. The water system at French Meadows campground is still broken, so no water or flush toilets are available-campers need to be self-contained. The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that some “big fish” were being caught.

FULLER LAKE-This lake was planted by the DFG two weeks ago, so fishing should at least be fair for shore anglers and trollers getting out early in the morning.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is still spilling. Fishermen walking or boating into the Upper Hell Hole campground have been picking up some nice browns at the inlet of the Rubicon River. Kokanee were being caught at the powerhouse. Early morning trollers have seen some action on browns on Rapalas at the inlet. Look for macks at the dam at 70 to 90 feet deep.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is still full. The bass bite has slowed down. The most consistent bite has been on a 3/16-ounce finesse jig and warmouth Roboworm combo fished on steep walls in the North Fork above Berry Creek and in the West Branch above Concow Creek from 5 to 30 feet deep. Drop-shotters will pick up lots of small fish. There was some topwater action before sunrise and after sunset along the walls. Coho to 3 pounds were hitting Sling Blade/hoochie combos, 35 to 55 feet deep, south of the Green Bridge at the junction of the Middle Fork and South Fork.

ROLLINS LAKE-Long Ravine Resort reported that 9- to 13-inch crappie were hitting worms along the shore near the marina. Bass action has been good in the coves. Bass, trout, and catfish have been active at the inlets of the Bear River and Greenhorn Creek.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Fishing was slow for the most part. One angler picked up a 16-inch rainbow at the inlet. Some 12- to 14-inch smallmouth bass were caught on nightcrawlers in the coves near the marina. Weekend recreational boat traffic is heavy.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that all the campgrounds were open. Fishing has been “a whole lot of nothing” according to the Ranger Station.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is still full. The campgrounds have been packed, even during the week. Campers have been doing well on planter rainbows running 12 to 14 inches using worms and Power Bait from shore.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-The lake is at 84-percent capacity. Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle Company reported good action for bass in the tules in the mornings on jigs and Senkos. After the water warms up in the afternoon, throw frogs for a chance at a big fish.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER- The salmon opener on the American saw quite a few anglers, with most concentrated in Nimbus Basin. Some salmon were being caught, with the average catch one fish per 10 anglers. There are still quite a few shad in the river and fishing for them has become easier with the more fishable 4,500 cfs flows. Most of the action is above Sunrise Blvd. Fishing for striped bass provided some action on Pencil Poppers, swimbaits, jerkbaits, and softshell crawdads-if you can get them.

FEATHER RIVER, Yuba City-Fishing for salmon was a near-total bust. When the flows below the Outlet dropped precipitously, the salmon, which had been holding in the main river, jetted upstream into the Low Flow Section. Some nice steelhead were being caught around Gridley, and lots of small striped bass are present up- and downstream of Boyd’s Pump. But to say that anglers were quite disappointed in the poor salmon opener is an understatement.

FOLSOM LAKE-Bass anglers continued to struggle to find a consistent pattern to score on bass. The best bet has been bait like drifted minnows and crawdads. Lure diehards were catching a few early in the morning on crankbaits and topwater lures. They’ve been finding better success by working plastic worms through flooded brush and trees.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Some salmon were caught around the mouth of the Feather River by anglers anchored up with spinners and FlatFish working behind the boat. Jiggers caught a few at the mouth of the American. There were probably more striped bass caught accidentally that way than salmon though. Fishing for catfish was good in the Deep Water Channel and the Yolo Bypass.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Woodson Bridge-While a few salmon anglers managed to catch their limits of two nice kings, a score of zero or one was much more common. Almost all of the action was early in the morning, by noon the bite was all but over. Salmon fishing is likely to be challenging for awhile until the fall run gets going. DFG checkers found 17 salmon caught by 50 boats.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff-Guide Kirk Portocarrero of Outdoor Adventures had 6 takedowns and 3 salmon landed on the opener, the last one at 2 p.m. after all the boats had left. Very poor for most of the anglers here, but that’s because the salmon are still staging in the ocean and haven’t even yet reached the Golden Gate in big numbers.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Caddis and Mayfly hatches are producing good trout fishing for fly rodders who drift tiny imitations under indicators. Spin fishermen drifting Glo-Bugs and nightcrawlers have been also doing well on native 1- to 3- pound rainbows. The morning bite has been best.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-The bait of choice recently has been the jig on rocks. Black and blue or brown and orange or even watermelon blue, just as long as it is dragged across the rocks. Henderson Point and all similar spots on the lake are being pounded at night and then pounded again during the day.
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LAKE BERRYESSA-It was a mixed tackle bite with RMT squids in pink and Uncle Larry’s spinners, all fished in deep water mid lake over the old channel for kokanee to 19 inches. Pink was good, with yellow and orange a close second. With the weather becoming in the 90s this coming week the bite should be in full swing again with pretty easy limits over deep water, the fish are starting to bunch up a little better. Don Paganelli suggests topwater in the morning on the main body and coves in the Narrows for bass. Then switch to plastics and work the outside weed lines the rest of the day. The jig bite should pick up and the spoon bite. Look for schools of bait along deep channels leading into coves and creeks.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Downrigged threaded nightcrawlers have been the most effective trolling baits. Dodgers and flashers have helped tremendously as the temperature break appears to be down from 15 feet all the way down to 40 feet, and attractors are a good way for the fish to see your rigs, especially with all the clear water.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-Fishing improved somewhat this past week as DFG made their initial plant. Most fish remained deep and the best action was along the old streambed on the north shore. Some nice browns and an occasional rainbow were being taken on both bait and lures. Worms, floating baits, and salmon eggs usually work well here. For the fly fisherman mosquito and callibaetis took some topwater fish but most of the bigger fish were deep. Full sink lines on gold or olive crystal buggers at 20-plus feet were taking the most fish.

BAUM LAKE-According to Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney fishing is still good here, with the best luck coming on little yellow stones, PMD’s and callibaetis. Nightcrawlers and floating baits did well, as did two-toned Kastmasters. Nymphs of choice were copper Johns in red or pt’s.

BRITTON LAKE-Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported the water color here has finally improved. The crappie bite is still on, with some nice stringers reported. Try crappie jigs or mealworms. The best places have been areas some structure.

BURNEY CREEK–Vaughn’s Sporting Goods reports good nymphing at the base of the falls still with green copper Johns. Bait and lure fishermen are catching trout above the falls.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Rim Rock Ranch reported pressure was light this past week. Fishing has been a bit tougher with smaller plants and cooler temperatures affecting the bite. Fishing here continues to be a bit off, some days hot and some days not. The temperature should gradually become warmer again and the bite should improve as well. Lures, salmon eggs, and worms are all working well.

FALL RIVER-The Fly Shop in Redding reported unchanged conditions, with the evening Hex hatch continuing. Sometimes the black caddis comes off late and the fish key on the emerging sedge rather than the Hexs. The morning PMD hatch and dry fly fishing have been good but the bite slows down midday, picking up in the late afternoon.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR-The Fly Shop’s reports coming from this remote reservoir have been good and consistent. It’s very scenic here, there is no more mud and there are good campsites near the lake. Best flies should be various callibaetis nymphs and dries. Bring Clouser minnows and fish them on a type 4 sink tip.

UPPER HAT CREEK-Rim Rock Ranch reported cooler temperatures and that the creek has come down a bit but still expect faster flows for the remainder of the season. The fishing continues to be very good with the catch size trending a bit smaller than previous weeks. DFG planted a lot of catchable brook trout, with a typical stringer reflecting more brookies than rainbows. Most fish were in the 12- to 15-inch range but several nice fish in the 3- to 5-pound class are still popping up. Typically worms and salmon eggs take the most fish, but spinners like Panther Martins and Mepp’s were the winners for this past week. These fish really like a lot of flash and as long as you fish deep, most holes are still holding a lot of fish. Fly fishermen have been doing quite well on terrestrials and streamer patterns.

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. There were good results with pt’s, copper Johns, and some decent hatches of PMD’s, callibaetis starting to show.

KESWICK RESERVOIR-The Fly Shop flows out of Shasta has been stable, which creates good fishing conditions. The trout here hold in the swirly water near Shasta Dam. Suspend bird’s nests, midges and strip leeches here now. Hot weather really seems to get these fish on the bite. Because access is time consuming and remote, pressure is light and the fishing can be fantastic.

LEWISTON RESERVOIR–The Fly Shop in Redding reports have been good one day, then fair to poor the next but there are some really huge rainbow here. Look for big rainbows eating tiny No. 20 midge patterns near the boat ramp, try Mercer’s Gidget in brown. Zack’s swimming leech and various Damsel fly patterns can work well now as long as you retrieve them slowly on an intermediate sinking line.

MANZANITA LAKE–Rim Rock Ranch reported midday activity since temperatures were quite a bit cooler and higher winds chopped up the water and sent afternoon kayakers packing. Some nice fish are still being caught on cripples and pheasant tails. Midge activity should increase as the summer wears on. Remember to check the special regulations on this catch and release lake.

McCLOUD RIVER-According to The Fly Shop, fishing is fair to good but good fishing brings more pressure. River conditions are wader friendly, however, don’t plan on any easy river crossings. A few golden stone flies are coming off in the evenings. Best hook ups happen in the morning with a slight taper in the action midday, then the fish get more aggressive in the late afternoon through sunset.

PIT RIVER-Releases are around 340 cfs now and the water has finally cleared. Anglers are doing best with big stones on the bottom but be extremely careful on the slippery rocks.

SHASTA LAKE-Find the bait and fish through them. The cold, hot, cold weather has mid-July feeling more like fall. But on the positive side, there is a lot of bait suspended from the surface down to the bottom (120 feet). This means there is food there and the fish will all be chasing it, at least you’ll know where to find the fish. The first thing in the morning the fish may be in the top 20 but the once the sun hits the water they will be headed down to the 40- to 60-foot mark. Work the “No ski zones” and shade pockets with Senkos and topwater baits for a few bass averaging 13 inches. We are in the dog days of summer now, 10 bass a day is a good day.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-A great week of combo fishing, with a big surge of striped bass the big news, but solid rockfish and lingcod action, plus a few halibut boated. On the California Dawn, Sunday’s group caught 164 rockfish and 2 lings before Captain James Smith headed the boat back into the bay to catch the striper tides, and the 21 anglers on board caught 30 bass and 4 halibut. On the Happy Hooker, Monday’s trip found striper limits for 14 passengers and crew, but Sunday’s trip was banner with 37 limits of rockfish and 43 stripers. The salmon boats ran south to find kings down the coast, but moving up, with 10 to 20 keepers per boat, and fish into the 20-pound class.

BODEGA BAY- Salmon hit the region big time on Saturday, with many limits on the six-pack and private boats. Captain Bob Monckton on Reel-lentless got into the kings on Sunday after a week of picking away at kings every morning before switching up to bottomfishing. “Our best day (before Sunday) was 4 fish to 18 pounds, plus limits of rockfish,” said Monckton. On Sunday, they boated 9 kings to 25 pounds, then switched to rockfish at 11 a.m. and scored 8 limits of rockfish and 9 lings to 12 pounds. Captain Rick Powers on the New Sea Angler was committed to rockfish on Saturday and a bird trip on Sunday, so missed the salmon bite, but had rockfish limits plus some good ling counts all week.

BROOKINGS, Ore.- For the first time in a few years, the Pacific halibut showed up and anglers are hooking fish in the 40- to 60-pound class. While the salmon fishing is nothing to write home about, the tuna action kicked off here, with albacore caught within 8 miles of the harbor, but the best action out 18 miles.

EUREKA-Another great week of action for Humboldt anglers, with Pacific halibut, the first big tuna counts on private boats, and limits of big salmon all week long. The biggest salmon entered in the Englund Marine salmon derby weighs 38 pounds, gutted and gilled, must have been well over 40-plus before the weight loss. There was a salmon shark sighted (actually briefly hooked and lost). Three private boats seeking tuna on Saturday found fish at 60 miles, boating around 50 fish on all three boats.

FORT BRAGG-Like the rest of the coast, salmon fishing came to life with at least one fish around on most of the trips, and kings to 29 pounds caught. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar said the action kicked in on Wednesday, but his best day for numbers was on Friday when six anglers caught 6 kings to 29 pounds. He also ran a crab combo on Thursday, finding limits of Dungeness again, plus 6 kings for 11 anglers. On Sunday, he bottomfished and most of the anglers had rockfish limits, plus there was one ling and a jumbo cabezon caught.

HALF MOON BAY-The fleet got into the salmon finally, with some solid scores on kings, and lots of action with shakers and silvers released. The bite started down off the Deep Reef, then the kings started moving north. On the Huli Cat, Captain Tom Mattusch reported a good trip on Saturday with one around. On Monday, the Queen Of Hearts had salmon limits for their Monday regular charter group, the Fishin’ Fools, scored salmon limits for 11 anglers, topped by a 17 pounder. Tuesday’s trip produced 23 kings and limit-style fishing, Wednesday’s 20 kings.

LOCH LOMOND-Can you believe Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star ran yet another sturgeon trip? Saturday’s group caught 2 keeper sturgeon and 3 keeper bass and released shakers, and lost a couple keeper fish. Sunday was rockfish heaven for the deckhand with a youth group catching 41 rockfish, 1 lingcod, 3 halibut and 6 bass.

POINT SAN PABLO-Captain Frank Miller on the Fury said the sevengill trip on Tuesday really scored big, with 3 big sevengills over 7 feet hooked and released. He said there were 2 hooked they couldn’t budge. Sunday’s trip tapped the striper action at Mel’s Reef, and his six anglers caught 8 to 10 pounds.

SAUSALITO-The fleet ran south to meet a wave of king salmon moving north, finding 10 to 20 keepers per boat, and fish up into the 20-pound class. The kings moved from the Deep Reef area 25 miles south to a point about 19 miles south. There were kings to 23 pounds caught, that one on the New Rayann, from this area of fish.

SHELTER COVE-As if the giant size and quick limits of salmon weren’t enough, the Shelter Cove boats got into albacore on the weekend, with some decent numbers of fish 50 miles outside.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 96-percent capacity. According to Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports, the west end of the dam and the inlet have been consistent producers in the early morning. Float tubers have been finding some very good action on rising fish in the coves below the inlet on the NW side of the lake on callibaetis and midge patterns in the late afternoons/evenings.

CAPLES LAKE-The DFG planted 3100 pounds of catchable rainbows and 2100 pounds of trophy rainbows here so fishing was very good this past week. 2- to 3-pound rainbows have been caught at the spillway and at Wood’s Creek. The Wood’s Creek campground should open by this weekend.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-The flows were down in the West Fork and the East Fork and fishing was excellent this past week. The DFG planted 800 pounds of rainbows each in the West and East Fork, and 200 pounds in Markleeville Creek this past week. Alpine County spread 1800 pounds of rainbows averaging 3 pounds between the West and East Carson and Markleeville Creek. Roger Marciasina caught a 10-pound, 1-ounce rainbow out of the West Carson on worms. Carson River Resort anglers picked up rainbows weighing 7-pounds, 7-ounces and 4-pounds, 2-ounces at the Pebble Beach campground.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 87-percent capacity. Trolling has slowed down and bait fishing has really kicked in. Ed Dillard only picked up 3 rainbows for a morning of trolling one day this past week. That afternoon on another trip, his clients landed 16 trout to 19 inches on Power Bait in 30 feet of water at the island. Another boater trolled 4 hours for 11 fish, 12 to 16 inches, from the island to Camp 5 at 6 to 15 feet deep. Shore anglers picked up rainbows to 4 pounds off the dam.

DONNER LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. 13- to 14-inch kokanee trolling has picked up with fish coming from 75 to 85 feet deep on pink, yellow, and orange hoochies. Fish the top of the humps for kokanee-4- to 6-pound macks are around the bottom of the humps. Shore fishing for rainbows has been slow, but this week’s plant should improve the success rate.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-Caribou Crossroads Resort reported limit-style fishing for trout 15 to 20 inches on worms and salmon eggs. A lot of small squawfish have shown up to harass anglers, too. There was little pressure at the Caribou Powerhouse with the good fishing in the North Fork below the dam.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 98-percent capacity. Limit action from shore and trolling on the north end of the lake according to Wiggins Trading Post. Turkey Point, Crystal Point, Lunker Point, and Nightcrawler Bay were all producing on Power Bait. Trollers were fishing 60 feet deep to find rainbows running 17 to 22 inches.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-The DFG was scheduled to plant Gold Lake this past week, but according to Bassetts Station, they planted Packer Lake also. The fishing was good in Sardine, Salmon, Packer, and Gold this past week, with lots of limits coming in on worms. The areas behind the lakes are now accessible.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 91-percent capacity. Trollers and shore anglers are all catching fish-“like shooting fish in a barrel” according to Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-With the fishing wide open in the Carson River, few anglers have ventured here recently according to Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-One angler reported non-stop action on holdover trout at the inlet. Planters are hitting for trollers at 10 to 20 feet deep, bigger fish are down at 35 to 45 feet.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-Strong winds kept trollers off the lake this past week. Campers were doing well on planter rainbows at the first dam and in the Narrows on Power Bait and nightcrawlers, according to Sly Park Resort.

LAKE TAHOE-Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters reported good action on macks running 3 to 5 pounds trolling 240 to 270 feet deep off Carnelian Bay. Sling Blade/Koke-a-nut, hoochies, or minnow combos worked best later in the morning. Some fish came early 60 to 80 feet deep, but multiple hookups came out of the deeper water. Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners did well on all his trips, morning and afternoon, jigging 2 1/2-ounce and 3 1/2-ounce Williamson Benthos and Vortex jigs in blue mackerel and green mackerel at 220 feet deep for limits of macks running 3 to 7 pounds. Friends of Nielsen caught a 10 pounder and a 12 1/2 pounder trolling Apex lures. Kokanee trollers were doing well off Camp Richardson and Emerald Bay at 25 to 35 feet deep on flasher/red spoon/corn combos.

LOON LAKE-The lake is 1 1/2 feet from full and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Dale Daneman of Dale’s Foothill Fishing hit the lake three days this past week and found great action for mostly holdover rainbows and the occasional brown running 12 to 14 inches. A watermelon Sep’s Strike Master dodger trialing a Sep’s brown grub on a 10-inch leader accounted for 3 hour limits the first two days and 5 hour limits on the third day as the wind came up and slowed the bite. Toplining at 7 feet did the trick in the 58-degree water.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is full, spilling and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Smallmouth bass to over 5 pounds have been seen prowling the shallows, but they are almost impossible to catch from shore-a boat presentation might work. Keeper smallies are common off the dam. Rainbow trout action has been good at the inlet in the early morning.

PYRAMID LAKE-The Sacramento perch bite has been slow with 6 to 12 fish showing on a good day for Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters. 1/8- to 1/4-ounce crappie jigs fished off the tufa rock structure at Hell’s Kitchen has been producing 1- to 1 1/2-pound perch. Winds have been a big problem.

RED LAKE-Few reports available, but fishing should be good for brookies and cutthroats on worms.

SILVER LAKE-Trollers and shore anglers were doing well according to John Voss at Caples Lake Resort.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is full and spilling. Kokanee moved a lot shallower this past week with fish coming 35 to 50 feet deep, though the bigger fish are still near the bottom, according to Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports. With the warmer water, copepods are starting to show up on the fish. Dodgers and hoochies in yellow, orange, chartreuse, blue, and red are all working-don’t be afraid to change colors if the bite slows on another. 4- to 6-pound macks are hitting trolled lures below the kokanee. No word on any brown trout this past week.

TOPAZ LAKE-The lake is full. The trout bite has been sporadic–good one day, slow the next. One couple came out for two days and left with 16 rainbows to 3 pounds. They were drifting Power Bait off the bottom on the south end of the lake. Heavy recreational boat traffic on the weekends makes fishing tough-for the best chance at success come out during the week.

TRUCKEE RIVER-Flows in the Little Truckee are still high with Stampede Reservoir spilling, but fly fishermen are catching some nice rainbows and browns in the pocket water on caddis pupa, golden stones, San Juan Worms, PT’s, and hare’s ears. The main river is fishing well from Glenshire to Truckee on the same flies, but streamers and olive wooly buggers are working well for bigger fish.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 92-percent capacity. The kokanee have moved into deeper water, according to Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service. Trollers should start at 30 feet deep and work down to 80 feet as the day wears on depending on fishing pressure and boat traffic. Neeser picked up limits of kokes to 15 inches trolling his Wild Thing dodger trailing a spinner or hoochies off the peninsula. Ken Mathis echoed the same report finding early limits from 5 to 7 a.m. at 35 feet. Fishing was also good in the evening at 65 feet deep. Mathis reported mack action trolling Double Flutter spoons at 90 to 100 feet over deep water.

WEST WALKER RIVER-The West Walker and Little Walker are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. According to Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel, the flows were down to 1200 cfs this past weekend. The river should be in perfect shape by this weekend. Catch-and-release anglers have been picking up big number of 1 to 2 pound rainbows per day, as many a 30 or 40 catch-and-release. Fishing is very good. Mono County will be making a plant of 3-pound average Alpers trout this week and another next week to support the “How Big is Big” Trout Derby which ends on July 31. A 3 pounder is still leading the derby. Bigger fish have been hooked but the high flows made it impossible to land them-this should change by this weekend with the river flows dropping 100 to 150 cfs per day.