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, Lower, Ore.-The bite turned around this week as most folks gave up trolling the Bay and anchored upriver as far as Agness, scoring big time on what look like late-run spring salmon, but could be early fall fish. We’re not sure if anyone really knows where one lets off and the other begins. WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service said some boats were getting 5 or 6 fish at anchor using springer tactics, and most everyone was at least getting a fish or two.

ROGUE RIVER, Upper, Ore.-Fisherman Greg Glossop reported that there was a 43-pound springer turned into the Sportsman Warehouse Derby. “Otherwise there are still some springers on the upper and plenty of summer steelhead spread out through the middle and upper.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Stripers picked back up a little bit as pressure from swimmers diminished a little. The stripers are between 14 and 18 inches long, and up to 3 and 4 pounds. A 3-pound smallmouth was caught, although the normal size of smallies is 1/2 to 1 1/2 pounds. There isn’t any size limit in the Russian River for smallmouth, and there’s a 5-fish limit.

UMPQUA RIVER, Reedsport, Ore.-WON Field
Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets received a couple reports of fall Chinook’s being caught while trolling just upriver from the Coast Guard station. Another source said that they caught a couple Chinook’s while jigging at the jetty.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City-Spring run Chinook salmon “poured into the river last week,” and anglers were rewarded with limits of bright kings with some weighing as much as 30 pounds. The river will be down to its 450 cfs summertime flow by this weekend. Roe is still the best producer, but more and more fish are now being caught on backtrolled plugs. Most of the reports were coming from the Douglas City to Junction City stretch of river, but the fishing is good all the way to Lewiston. Lots of jacks are showing, which is good news for future years.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek-Salmon are continuing to move through the lower river, and some steelhead are starting to show up. Water conditions were improving, too, as the river dropped to summertime flows which will be reached this weekend.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-The water level continued to drop, and fishing for both salmon, both adults and jacks, as well as steelhead was excellent from the mouth all the way to Bear Creek. Side-drifting roe was the ticket for salmon, while Glo-Bugs and spinners for the steelhead, some of which weighed 8 pounds.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-The flows in the Middle Fork near Georgetown were down enough to persuade some of the locals to hike down for a chance at some nice browns and rainbows on worms and spinners in the bigger pools.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 94-percent capacity. Lots of recreational boat traffic, according to Emerald Cove Marina with few fishermen. Jason Kincanon of Woodland fished the lake this past week and only picked up 7 or 8 spots to 2 pounds fishing Beavers at 15 to 20 feet on main body points and shallow pockets. Another boat ran up into the North Fork and caught 15 bass to 2 pounds on topwater. Watch out for the huge wakes put out by the wake surfers!

CAMP FAR WEST-The water level is good with plenty of trees and bushes in the water to attract fish. Bass fishing has been better at night after the recreational boaters get off the water. Catfish to 4 pounds have been hitting sardines and anchovies at night, also.

COLLINS LAKE-Fishing is in summer mode with the warmer weather and water temp. Trollers were picking up trout to 8 3/4 pounds at 30 feet deep. Shore anglers have been doing best on trout at the dam using Power Bait. Catfish have been hitting for bait fishermen at night to 7 1/2 pounds. Only a few bass were checked in, but most of the bass boaters release their fish. Lots of bluegill and redear sunfish were hitting around the submerged brush for kids using worms. Very few trout limits, mostly 2 or 3 fish per rod.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 95-percent capacity. Trout fishing has been “outstanding” for bait drifters and bank fishermen in the upper end of the lake above Buck’s Beach. One group caught 18 to 20 fish up to 22 inches drifting Power Bait and nightcrawlers. No one has been trolling in the marina. Jason Kincanon of Woodland fished for bass and reported picking up lots of 12- to 13-inch fish on any flat bank on a 4-inch Gunfish (topwater).

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 92-percent capacity. According to the Foresthill Ranger Station, the water system at the campgrounds is finally back online-potable water and flush toilets. Fishing was reported to be slow, according to Will Fish Tackle in Auburn-one angler spent three days there and caught one 10-inch rainbow.

FULLER LAKE-This PG&E lake should be fishing well for shore anglers at the dam using Power Bait, worms, and salmon eggs. Trollers should be picking up fish on flasher/worm combos. Few reports have been available from any source.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 98-percent capacity. Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported slow action on all fronts. The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that Mike Tompkins trolled deep at the dam for macks up to 20 inches.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is still full. Mike Hanson from the Caribou Crossroads Resort caught two big brown trout on small brown Gitzits-a skinny 30-inch fish that weighed 8 to 9 pounds, and a chunky 23-inch brown that weighed over 5 pounds (both fish released). Ahike up the Middle Fork could produce some fantastic trout action in the deeper pools on nightcrawlers, spinners, and tubes or jigs-the fish are feeding on sculpin. Don Reighley reported tougher action for bass with10 to 15 fish a good day now and they’re either up shallow early or suspended later in the day. The jig bite has been good in the morning on grassy, brushy banks-stay away from open hook presentations like tubes and dart-headed worms. Suspended fish have been tougher to catch, but they have been larger. Steep walls in the river arms with lots of shade are a good place to look for schools of suspended fish-try very lightly weighed worms (1/32- to 1/16-ounce jig heads) or Senkos. Coho were hitting Sling Blade/hoochies combos for trollers

ROLLINS LAKE-Long Ravine Resort reported decent action on a mix of bass, bluegill, and trout for anglers fishing with nightcrawlers off the trail to Freeloaders Cove. Catfish were caught-and-released near the beach up in the Greenhorn Creek arm. Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported good action for 1 3/4- to 2-pound bass on watermelon Senkos fished in the Greenhorn Creek arm.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE-The lake was planted by the DFG this past Thursday-1000 pounds of rainbows from half-pound catchables to 3 pounders. Boaters drifting nightcrawlers at the inlet and dam have been doing well. Shore anglers fishing in the south side coves have been catching smallmouth and largemouth bass and some rainbows on nightcrawlers and plastic worms.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that fishing was “nothing to talk about”, but the campgrounds were all open. This lake has a 10 mph speed limit that keeps recreational boaters off, so fishing opportunities should be better here than are being reported.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is still full and just barely spilling over the “glory hole”. Fishing has been good in the morning and evening for limits of 11- to 14-inch rainbows for both trollers and shore anglers-Power Bait and worms from the shore, flasher/worm combos from the boats.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-The lake is 3 feet from full. Fish the tule banks in the early morning with Spooks for 3 to 4 pounders. After the sun is up, pitch Senkos to the points and pockets along the tule banks or target isolated trees and laydowns for 2 pounders. After the water warms up in the late afternoon, try a frog for some more exciting topwater action.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-Mornings have been best, since there has been less algae then, but it moves in and out of the arms all day so you’ll have to keep checking spots out. The most productive bite has been on jigs in the deeper water of the Redbud and Rattlesnake arms. Try using a 3/8-ounce jig with a crawdad type color trailer (reddish brown) or throwing a crankbait into the open lanes between the weed lines.

LAKE BERRYESSA- It was a squid bite for sure this past week with a longer leader and the middle area of Big Island where the water is deeper produced kokes to 17 inches. A 4/0 Sep’s watermelon blade with a 16-inch leader and a double glow pink hoochie worked well. You won’t need long setbacks this time of year, 10 to 20 feet behind the ball is fine. Rely on your electronics and use your mapping and way points to mark your fish and stay on them when you get them to bite.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-It was a tougher bite with a lot of recreational boating pressure, and lots of food for fish to forage for in the system. Big Springs produced some small salmon and some browns were taking crickets in areas like the Snag and Fox farm where there’s some hex hatch activity in the evenings.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR- Fishing has begun to improve with quite a few fish being taken on worms and lures. Fishing activity seemed best on the north shore along the old streambed channel. A lot of fish are holding deep, so be patient and wait for the take. Worms, floating baits, and lures typically are your first go to baits here. Pressure is light both on the water and in the campground so if you want a beautiful, yet quieter place to camp and fish then this is your place. For the fly fisherman going deeper was the best way to catch more fish. Gold/olive crystal buggers fished on full sink type three or heavier line worked best.

BAUM LAKE-The Fly Shop in Redding reported unchanged conditions, with the best action coming early and late when the sun is not on the water. Good flies to suspend under a tiny indicator could be a No. 16-18 brown or black micro mayflies, Zack’s Pseudo May in black No. 18 is also a great choice. Don’t forget to have little zebra midges in 16-22 handy. Micro buggers and Fair’s wiggle tails could produce nice-sized rainbows and the rogue brown trout near the lower, deeper part of the lake.

BRITTON LAKE-Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney reported 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 good to excellent fishing. Fishing has definitely picked up with a number of very large trout brought in. Fishing has picked up with temperatures back to near normal last week. Lures, salmon eggs, worms, and floating baits all caught fish. Fly fishing activity picked up as well with better hatches. Caddis and PMD patterns all tempted fish to strike. Early mornings and late evenings are the most productive but an occasional mid afternoon bite presented lots of opportunities to hook up.

FALL RIVER-The Fly Shop in Redding reported time is running out. After the first week of August, the Hex hatch tapers off to only a few mayflies a night emerging from the dark waters of the lower river. The insect hatches have been sparse; however, rainbow trout are coming to dry flies as long as the presentation and fly are correct. Nymphing under indicators or swinging flies has been most productive in the mornings and early afternoons.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR-The Fly Shop reported good fishing in the mornings. The bite tapers off in the afternoon, though. Best flies can be woolly buggers and No. 16-18 pheasant tail nymphs. When fishing nymph patterns like the pheasant tail, suspended them under indicators for best results. Water color is less than clear but can be ideal for good trout fishing. The fishing picks up in the late afternoon and early evening.

UPPER HAT CREEK-Rim Rock Ranch reported catch sizes have been a bit smaller, but the bite is still very good and the bigger fish are still around. A very large native brown was brought in, which shows that you never know what you might hook up on at the next hole. Temperatures are back up to around normal. so pleasant days and nights are back. DFG plants continue twice a week. so regardless of pressure there are lots of fish to be taken. Several fish came in at 3 to 4 pounds including the 21-inch, 4-pound native brown mentioned above. Worms and Panther Martins were hot. Surprisingly, floating baits were catching a lot of fish as well. Water levels have dropped in the last several days so finding the holes has become a bit easier and closer to normal. Pressure on the creek is moderate mid week and a bit heavier on the weekends. Fly fishermen have been catching a lot of fish on buggers and stones.

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 had no changes to report except that good dry fly fishing can happen along the edges of the reservoir where the flows start to slow down near sunset.

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 rainbows here.

MANZANITA LAKE-Rim Rock Ranch reported mid-day activity was the most common as temperatures began to improve. Damsel nymphs and midge patterns seemed to draw the most interest. Although it looked like weed growth was going to be a problem, it hasn’t been as the water level is much higher than usual. Some nice fish are still being caught on cripples and pheasant tails, but watch for motorboat caddis for some awesome fishing. Remember to check the special regulations on this catch and release lake.

McCLOUD RIVER-According to The Fly Shop, the water has become silty due to rain-generated runoff. So the dry fly fishing won’t be any good for a few days, but nymphing with rubber legs and bigger, darker mayfly nymphs like black A.P.’s and Shafer’s 3-D can get you into rainbow and brown trout. River conditions are wade friendly, however, don’t plan on any easy river crossings yet. Expect better fishing as sunlight penetrates the cloudy water.

PIT RIVER-Releases are around 340 cfs now and the water has finally cleared. Try midday and fish the slower water, were you can find it. Look for glides in between big frothy riffles. Hot bugs can be rubber legs, red copper Johns, San Juan worms, Shafer’s 3-D and black A.P.’s.

SHASTA LAKE-Find the bait and fish through them. 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 for rainbows and kings with Paddle-Tails, HumDingers an Apex or a Wiggle Hoochie. The “No ski zones” are more bass friendly for fishing and hitting shade pockets with Senkos and topwater baits should produce a few bass averaging 13 inches, 10 bass a day is a good day.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVIOR-It was a tough bite and a lot of pressure. Mike’s Fishing Guide Service fished for five hours in 40 to 60 feet for one limit using UV Apexes and Sling Blades.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 95-percent capacity. Shore fishing has been good at the dam and the inlet in the early morning or evening after the recreational boaters get off the water. Bait fishermen have been using nightcrawlers and Power Bait; lure tossers prefer Panther Martin and Rooster Tail spinners or CD 5 Rapalas.

CAPLES LAKE-John Voss at the Caples Lake Resort reported that shore anglers and trollers were catching 2-to 3-pound rainbows that were planted by KPUD and EID two weeks ago. Shore anglers were doing well using nightcrawlers and Kastmaster spoons and trollers were on the east and south shores with Jointed Rapalas in 10 feet of water, according to Voss. Joe Rizzo, a Bay Area resort guest, landed a 16-pound Mackinaw while trolling the south shore with an orange-copper dodger/worm combo. Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothills Guide Service did well across from the resort halfway between the spillway and Wood’s Creek for 10 rainbows, 13 to 14 1/2 inches. Daneman did best on a Sep’s brown grub behind a Sep’s watermelon Strike Master dodger in the top 10 feet.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-The flows in the East Fork were still a little high but anglers were catching fish in the quieter pockets, topped by a 6-pound, 2-ounce rainbow caught by Jerry Marquis of Hollister on a nightcrawler. The West Fork is in good shape and the Hwy 88-89 bridge has been a hot spot-James Kaioa of Mountain View picked up a 7-pound, 11-ounce rainbow here on a nightcrawler. The Alpine County Fish and Game Commission will be planting 1800 pounds of 3-pound average rainbows this week-they will be spread out between the East Fork, West Fork, and Markleeville Creek.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 86-percent capacity. Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported good action while trolling between Honker and the island. His last trip produced 20 fish– seventeen 15 to 16 inchers, two at 17 inches, and one 18 1/2-inch rainbow. The best bite came at a depth of 20 feet on the red dot frog Needlefish and the copper/red head Dick Nite. Shore fishing has been slow.

DONNER LAKE-The lake was planted by the DFG this past week so fishing was good at the west end docks and piers for anglers using Power Bait, worms, and salmon eggs. Trollers did well along the ledge on the west end using flasher/worm combos. Some small kokanee, 12 to 13 inches, were still being caught at 55 to 60 feet deep on pink, blue, red, or yellow hoochies behind dodgers tipped with corn. No word on any macks from Mountain Hardware and Sports.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-Mike Hanson at the Caribou Crossroads Resort reported good action for planted rainbows on worms and salmon eggs. The flows are down, the water is warm enough for swimming and rafting, and everyone is having a great time. One angler caught a 3 1/2-pound rainbow in the North Fork below the Caribou Powerhouse dam.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 96-percent capacity. Trollers were doing well at Lunker’s Point on firetiger Needlefish for limits of 15- to 16-inch rainbows.

GOLD LAKES BASIN-Most of the lakes have been planted at least once by the DFG. Fishing on Gold Lake has been hit-or-miss-good for some anglers, lousy for others. Salmon, Sardine, and Packer have been more consistent producers. One group hit Sardine Lake for three limits in 1 1/2 hours trolling flasher/worm combos.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 90-percent capacity. Fishing should be good trolling 30 feet deep with a dodger/worm or spinner from Strawberry to the east end inlet areas, according to Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Fishing running hot-and-cold-two guys fished for hours and got skunked, while two kids fishing nearby landed 8 fish to 14 inches-the right place at the right time!! Trolling has been better than shore fishing with the majority of the fish in deeper water.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR-The trout are scattered along the shore and trollers have been working for their fish using Rapalas and Krocodiles. Some fly fishermen have been picking up a few fish on wooly buggers and ants. Shore anglers do best on nightcrawlers and Power Bait for rainbows averaging 15 inches.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-The hot weather and heavy recreational boat traffic has slowed the fishing. Campers continue to pick up rainbows at the first dam and in the Narrows on Power Bait. Bass have been active early and late when the recreational traffic is off the water.

LAKE TAHOE-Nevada Fish and Game planted 6000 9- to 10-inch Lahontan cutthroats at Cave Rock this past week, part of 22,000 cutts that will be planted over the next several months. Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing and Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners were both catching limits of macks for their clients working schools of fish from 140 to 400 feet deep. Self’s fish ran 3 to 10 1/2 pounds; Nielsen’s went 3 to 6 pounds. Self was trolling spoons, Nielsen did best jigging with Williamson Vortex and Abyss jigs. Both guides fished for kokanee, Self picked up a few on small minnow imitations at 80 to 90 feet. Nielsen caught limits of 11 to 12 inchers at 35 to 45 feet deep off Camp Richardson on flasher/Sockeye Slammer or Wedding rings tipped with red Pautzke’s Fire Corn. Mickey Daniels continued to pick up 8 to 13 fish per trip trolling down to 400 feet for 1/1/2- to 4-pound macks on Sling Blade/Koke-a-nut or minnow combos.

LOON LAKE-The lake is at 88-percent capacity. Trollers are still limiting out on 10- to 12-inch rainbows in the top 10 feet, according to the Georgetown Ranger Station.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is full and spilling. Fishing has been good at the dam in the evening. Trollers have been picking up limits of 12- to 15-inch rainbows on flasher/worm or Needlefish combos. The Prosser Creek arm has been god for smallmouth bass on Rapalas and jigs.

PYRAMID LAKE-The Sacramento perch bite has been slow due to strong currents, according to Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters. The currents need to slow down and then the perch will move up into the sandy bottom shallows to spawn.

RED LAKE-Shore action should be improving for brookies and cutthroat on worms.

SILVER LAKE-Shore action and trolling has been sporadic-some people get fish, others don’t. Shore fishermen prefer using Power Bait and worms or throwing Kastmaster spoons and spinners. Trollers were using dodger/worm combos.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 99-percent capacity. The kokanee fishing is getting tough-you have to work for a limit–the kokes are 55 feet deep one, and 70 feet deep the next. Pinks, blues, red, and oranges are all working, but be prepared to experiment and change if the bite slows. Davies Creek has been good for smallmouth-Bob Tilton of Truckee caught a 5 1/4-pound smallie on topwater this past week. Lots of recreational boat traffic makes life miserable for anglers on the lake after the sun gets up-fish early or late for the best chance at success.

TOPAZ LAKE-Fishing was sporadic this past week-on Friday, anglers caught limits; on Saturday no one caught a fish; on Sunday it was limits again. Most of the fish were being caught drifting bait on the south end of the lake.

TRUCKEE RIVER-The flows were down and fishable from Tahoe City to the Boca inlet on the main river. Caddis and golden stone nymphs, and streamers were working for some nice fish in the quieter pockets. The Little Truckee has finally slowed down with Stampede no longer spilling. The fish need a little while to get stabilized, but fish were still hitting San Juan Worms, PT, and midge nymphs along with some green or gray drake dries. The rainbows were running 15 to 20 inches.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 91-percent capacity. Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service reported 30 hookups and limits of 13- to 15-inch kokanee by 10 a.m. this past week. A watermelon Wild Thing dodger trailing a pink spinner at 25 to 40 feet off Yellowjacket did the trick.

WEST WALKER RIVER-The West Walker and Little Walker are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. Warmer weather bumped the flows back up to 1100 cfs, but Mono County made a plant of 2- to 5-pound Alpers trout this past week anyway and will make another plant this week. Curt Harner of Carson City caught the current leader of the “How Big is Big” Trout Derby this past week-an 8.2-pound rainbow. Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel reported very good action for anglers with big numbers of 2 to 4 1/2 pounders checked in. Fly fishermen were thick in the Pickle Meadows area across from the Marine base.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-Summer potluck has finally hit stride, with the tides backing down and the big ‘buts moving into the main bay spots like Alcatraz and Angel Island. Scott Sutherland at Berkeley Sportfishing said the salmon boats caught a fish per rod to limits on the weekend trips. Potluck trips scored 10 to 15 halibut per boat plus striped bass. Rockfish limits are the rule on coastal and island trips, with some bonus lingcod.

BODEGA BAY- Salmon fishing really popped early in the week with wide open action up off the Russian River on Monday. On Tuesday the fish moved a little north, then the bite dropped off on Wednesday. No worries, for the switch to rockfish produced limits and some bonus lingcod.

EMERYVILLE-The summer variety is on high with salmon limits on one boat on Wednesday, rockfish limits the norm on the bottomfishing trips, and climbing halibut counts as the tides slowed. There were some great mixed scores on the bay potluck efforts, with double digit bass and ‘but counts, and halibut into the 20-pound class.

EUREKA-The big kings moved north, but there were a smaller grade of fish available, along with some silvers released. A couple Pacific halibut were boated, but the weather was too ugly to attract much attention.

FORT BRAGG-Salmon remained a hit and miss affair, but the fish were moving north from Point Arena, so sources are hoping for a surge of kings soon. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar found local action on Friday and Saturday, each day producing 4 or 5 fish into the 20-pound class.

HALF MOON BAY-Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat said salmon fishing was great early in the week, but warming water at the spot brought in mackerel on Wednesday. The early week action was better, with 29 salmon one day, and 16 the next. Bottomfishing is very good, with the Queen Of Hearts reporting limits with cabezon mixed, and some good lingcod counts, that action from Pescadero.

SAN FRANCISCO-Captain Jacky Douglas on the Wacky Jacky took a light load out on Sunday, her five anglers hooking 9 kings to 24 pounds at Duxbury. On the Bass Tub, summer potluck finally hit stride with 15 halibut and 10 bass for 19 anglers on Saturday, and 12 halibut plus 18 bass for 20 anglers on Sunday. Big halibut went 26 pounds, and all the fish came from the deep water main bay spots like Alcatraz and Angel Island.

SAUSALITO-Some big kings landed again this week, with the New Rayann reporting a 31 pounder and a 35 pounder, and the Hog Heaven scoring fish to 31 pounds. The boats found salmon numbers over a fish around on the Marin Coast.

SHELTER COVE-Salmon are still around; the commercial salmon season opened and one boat nailed 81 kings. Over 40 commercial boats were at Shelter Cove for the opener. Count on good bottomfishing locally and up the coast, weather permitting. Still not much effort up at the Pacific halibut grounds due to inconsistent weather.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER- Anglers were finding the best fishing conditions of the year in the 4,000 cfs release at Nimbus and some decent fishing for shad, striped bass and salmon. The shad are mostly in the upper river above Sunrise Blvd, and stripers have followed them upstream. They are being caught on swimbaits, topwater plugs, minnows, and crawdads. Fly fishers are scoring on Clouser-type streamers. A few salmon are being caught in Nimbus Basin as well as at the mouth of the American on Kwikfish and jigs. Even though flows have dropped, they are still more than high enough to kill the waders who do not use extreme caution.

FEATHER RIVER, Yuba City-Flows below the Outlet were below 2,000 cfs last week, and salmon fishing was slow. A few were being caught right below the “No Fishing” boundary below the Outlet at first light, on spinners. A few more were being caught below the mouth of the Yuba on Kwikfish. A surprising number of steelhead were being caught, with the best fishing below the Outlet on threaded nightcrawlers, spinners, and Berkley Gulp Eggs.

FOLSOM LAKE-Anglers continued to struggle to find some sort of a consistent bass fishing pattern, and mostly failing. Not helping any is heavy recreational boating traffic even on weekdays. There’s a bit of a crankbait and topwater bite very early in the morning, which transitions to fishing the brush and trees with plastics.

MAITHER LAKE-Weeds are heavy now, but fishing for bluegill is still good at Mather Lake, and other area ponds when you find a bit of open water.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Some nice salmon were caught last week at the mouths of the American and Feather Rivers, and there were even a few salmon caught on spinners tossed from shore below the Yacht Club. Boaters mostly anchored up and let spinners twirl and Kwikfish wobble below them. The Deep Water Channel, Miller Lisbon Slough, and Sutter Bypass continued to be some of the better spots for catching a mess of catfish.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Woodson’s Bridge-It requires patience and not getting discouraged, but anglers working the river between Red Bluff and Woodson’s Bridge who apply that strategy are scoring 1 to 3 beautiful bright king salmon a day on Kwikfish.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Trout fishing continued to be good for spin fishermen drifting Glo-Bugs and crickets and fly fishermen dead drifting caddis- and Mayfly imitating nymphs under floats.