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.—Rains hit the Rogue River, dropping the temperatures and bringing flows up, drawing the last of the spring king salmon run into and up the river. Guides scored up to 5 kings a day for some. The first of the fall fish was caught trolling in the estuary, marking the beginning of that fishery.

RUSSIAN RIVER—There’s still a few shad being caught but it’s pretty much over, according to guide Dave Delmue out of King’s Sport and Tackle in Guerneville, and a few smallmouth can be found, but there’s nothing really great going on except for the kayakers, swimmers and tubers. Flow are 200 cfs.

UMPQUA RIVER, Elkton, Ore.–The moss floating down the river is overwhelming and has angler’s working extra hard to keep their tackle clean, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secret’s Guide Service.  Springer fishing is still strong in the upper section of the Umpqua River between the town of Elkton and Forks River Park, which is just west of Roseburg about 6 miles. Shad fishing has slowed down over the last week due to the river level rising and the water temperature dropping. On the other hand the smallmouth bass are starting to be targeted now by a few anglers. “I have been told that now is a good time to catch that 4-pound smallmouth in the river,” Palmer said.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork,  Glide, Ore.- – The deep pools are filling with more spring Chinook on a daily basis. There are still a huge amount of salmon to still find their way up this fork of the river and on to their spawning grounds. Until those fish make their way over Deadline Falls or up Rock Creek, they have to pass through some of the best salmon fishing holes that have public access. “I spoke with a pair of anglers that had spent the day fishing from a sled boat below Colliding River’s boat ramp,” said Curtis Palmer of River Secret’s, “they had caught two adult springer’s, two jack’s and had lost two jack’s at the side of the boat. Looked like a good day of fishing to me. Fishing in the Glide section of the river is going to improve over the next week as the river level drops.”

 

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—Salmon fishing picked up last week with boaters hooking one to four fish an outing as new runs of fish make their way into the estuary and move quickly upstream.  Try CV-7 spinners in brass or green and chartreuse.  The lower river around Klamath Glen has been the better spot to fish, but, remember, this is not fast fishing.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—The salmon fly hatch is beginning, so it’s important to get to the river quickly as the hatch can end just as quickly as it begins, which will likely be by the end of June.  Trout may alternate between biting big nymphs and big dries, so be ready with both sets of gear.

TRINITY RIVER–The river continued to drop, and should be fishable, albeit still high by this weekend.  It will be dropping into prime shape by late June.

 

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BLUE LAKES—Fishing should still be good on both Lower Blue and Upper Blue for anglers using worms and Power Bait.

BOCA LAKE—Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing was slow here in light of the fact that no scheduled DFG trout plant had been made here this year.

CAPLES LAKE—The lake is at 85-percent capacity.  Shore anglers were picking up some rainbows at the dam, spillway, and Wood’s Creek inlet.  Trollers were catching a few rainbows and an occasional mack off Wood’s Creek and in Emigrant Bay.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters (TFFO) reported that dry fly and nymph action in the pockets on the West Carson was good for a mix of the 2- to 4-pound Alpine County rainbows and DFG cutthroats—use hare’s ears, PT, caddis pupa nymphs and mayfly and caddis dries.  The East Carson was fishing better and better as flows dropped.  On windy days be sure to add terrestrial patterns—hoppers, ants, and beetles—to the mayfly and caddis imitations.   Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that the trout bite was slower this past week due to the colder water caused by the storm that moved through earlier in the week.   Alpine County will be planting 1800 pounds of trophy rainbows in the East and West Carson this week.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 80-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that the area was very windy this past week with some days seeing 20 to 30 mph gusts.  Trolling was good when the wind allowed for rainbows running 15 to 18 inches.  Dillard did best on copper/red head Wee Dick Nites, red-dot frog Needlefish, and red Rainbow Runners fished 10 feet deep off Camp 5 and the west side of the island.  Shore fishing was still best using Power Bait at Eagle Point and Camp 5 on the west side of the lake.  Fly fishing was productive for those working midge/indicators off Cow Creek and Jenkins Point for 12 to 14 fish per day—the afternoon bite was better than the morning bite.

DONNER LAKE—The lake is at 97-percent capacity.  With no recent DFG plants, the rainbow trout fishing has been slow.  Trollers were still picking up small 8- to 12-inch kokanee running just about any color combination of dodger/hoochie at 40 to 60 feet deep, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.  4- to 8-pound macks were hitting at 40 to 60 feet deep also, but the bigger lakers were coming out of 80- to 100-foot depths on Rapalas, J-Plugs, and AC Plugs.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported that anglers were still catching some 14- to 15-inch planters.  The North Fork was in perfect condition.  The Caribou Powerhouse has been producing limits of 2-pound rainbows on small 1-to 1 1/2-inch crappie tube jigs.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 78-percent capacity.  The boat ramp and Lunker Point were producing 12- to 15-inch rainbows for shore anglers using salmon eggs, worms, and Power Bait.  Some catfish showed up this past week for one angler using worms in the late afternoon.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Bassett’s Station reported that all the lakes were open and accessible, but had little to report about the fishing.  Cold weather with snow earlier this past week slowed the bite.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 92-percent capacity.  Windy weather over the weekend kept most boaters off the water.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Alpine County planted 1000 pounds of 1 1/2-pound rainbows here this past week for the kids’ derby which was attended by 140 people.  Some fish were caught right after they were planted but they dispersed quickly into the lake.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—The lake is at 97-percent capacity.  The trolling was still best from the north end boat ramp down the eastern arm of the lake on flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—The lake is at 99-percent capacity.  Sly Park Resort reported good fishing for planters at the boat ramp and the first dam on Power Bait and worms.  2- to 3-pound smallmouth bass were hitting plastic worms in the Narrows along the rock wall.

LAKE TAHOE—Big Mack Charters, Chuck’s Charter Fishing, and Tahoe Top Liners all reported good mack trolling on both ends of the lake.  Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters reported catching 3- to 6 1/2-pound macks from 60 to 300 feet deep.  Before sun-up the macks were 60 feet deep and as the sun rose they dropped down into deeper water.  Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing said he was picking up limits of 3 1/2 to 7 pounders on Needlefish, Coyote spoons, and small Rapalas from 145 to 350 feet deep fishing from Crystal Bay to Dollar Point.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners related that his last trip produced 8 macks and 1 rainbow. He caught mostly macks this past week up to 8 1/2 pounds with the bigger fish coming more often in the afternoon from 120 to 200 feet deep on Storm ThunderSticks and Krocodile spoons smeared with liquid krill.

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 87-percent capacity.  Dale Daneman reported good trolling action for rainbows averaging 13 to 14 inches.  He caught 4 to 5 fish per person trolling Sep’s 2-inch brown grubs at 11 feet deep on the east end of the lake, but fish were taken all over the lake on Saturday during a Boy Scout fishing day involving 28 people on 7 boats.

PROSSER LAKE—Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing was only fair due to the lack of plants by the DFG.  Fishing at the inlet and the dam was best in the early morning or late afternoon.

PYRAMID LAKE—Strong winds played havoc on trollers all week with boating made difficult at best by waves and whitecaps, according to Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters.  Cancellations were common among the charter boats operators.  When the wind allowed, trolling was good at Hell’s Kitchen on the east side of the lake for Mendes—42 fish for 4 clients in 7 hours on Murphy’s Copper Vibrator spinners.  The trout season closes on June 30.  The Sacramento perch fishing should be good this year and Mendes will begin exploratory trips this next week.  Shore fishing was good for lure casters and fly fishermen at Warrior Point and Spider Point.  Good numbers of quality fish were coming in for fly casters using terrestrials on floating lines in the early morning and late afternoon.

RED LAKE—TFFO reported that fishing was slow at the dam, but much better at the inlet for a mix of brookies and cutthroats.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is at 98-percent capacity.  TFFO reported that fishing was good here for trollers and shore anglers.  No big macks have been reported lately.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 88-percent capacity.  Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports said this lake was producing the best action in the Truckee area.  Rainbow trout could be caught all around the lake on worms and Power Bait in the shallower flats areas.  12- to 15-inch kokanee were hitting dodger/hoochie combos in orange, red, or pink at 20 to 40 feet deep near the islands.  Some 18- to 20-inch holdover rainbows were being taken by trollers also, but few browns.

TOPAZ LAKE—Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that strong winds shut down the lake this past weekend, but trollers who got out before the winds were catching limits of 1- to 1 1/4-pound rainbows on flasher/worm combos and Rapalas at 20 feet deep on the south end of the lake.  Bass fishing was still productive on the north end of the lake when the winds were down.

TRUCKEE RIVER—TFFO reported that the main river above the Boca outlet was still fishing better than the lower river due to lighter flows.  Green drakes, large PMD’s, and caddis pupas and emergers, were producing 14- to 16-inch rainbows.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 94-percent capacity.  Trollers were picking up limits of 13- to 14-inch kokanee running red, purple, or pink hoochies behind Code Blue or Orange Crush Ken’s Custom Tackle dodgers in the top 25 feet over the “tube” located on the east end of the lake.  Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service put Brian McGee of San Bernardino on a 19-pound Mackinaw.  The big laker hit a dodger/herring combo 80 feet deep over 100 feet of water on a sandy ledge near rocks.  Trollers might only get a couple of big macks in a day but can catch several 5 to 6 pounders.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle limited out on kokes on Sunday trolling pink hoochies or spinners behind his watermelon Wild Thing dodgers at 25 feet deep.

WEST WALKER RIVER—The Little Walker and West Walker are both scheduled for more DFG trout plants this week.  Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel reported that fishing pressure was very light this past week due to cold weather after the storm that moved though the area on Monday and Tuesday dumping rain and snow in Walker.  This coming week a big ATV group will have all the motels full, but campers and day fishermen should find little competition on the river, which is loaded with DFG planters.

 

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Flows have increased back up to around 3,000 cfs, but shad fishing has continued to be outstanding so long as anglers add a bit of weight or fly fishers go to faster sinking shooting heads. However, strong winds presented challenges to anglers last week, especially fly fishermen.  The best action continued to be from Sailor Bar to Sunrise, and the best time of day in the evening.  Pink and champagne continued to be the hot colors.  Striper fishing continued to be only fair, but a 28 pounder was caught on a jumbo minnow around Watt Ave.

FEATHER RIVER— Shad fishing continued to be good, and a few striped bass were being caught around Star Bend, but the big news last week was the closing of fishing from the Thermalito Outlet Structure, 250 feet downstream, effective immediately.  The action has been taken by DFG because of rampant poaching and vandalism of the fence blocking access to the Outlet structure.  The closure will remain in place through Feb. 2013.

FOLSOM LAKE—Not many folks have been fishing for trout or landlocked king salmon lately at Folsom Lake, but Jerry Lampkin of TNG Motorsports Guide Service had a good outing last week fishing mid-week before the big winds and catching a dozen, fat, foot-long native rainbows on longlined nightcrawlers.  No kings, though.  He said he saw one other angler trying for trout/salmon.  Before the winds drove anglers off the water, bass continued to produce some action around submerged brush and trees, and some were being taken on topwater and crankbaits early in the morning before the recreational boaters take over the lake.  Dartheading or drop-shotting deeper water has been effective for post-spawn bass.

MATHER LAKE—It’s producing some nice bass and even a few crappie.  Use weightless Senkos for the bass, mini-jigs for the crappie.  Some of the bass weigh up to 5 pounds.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—A few bass were being caught on crankbaits, ripbaits, swimbaits and Senkos by float tubers early and late, but redeared sunfish continued to provide the best action on worms under bobbers.  Trout fishing has slowed nearly to a stop, though.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Some striped bass were being caught at Bryte’s Beach and around Verona, but you have to wade through a lot of bait and sub-legal (under 18 inches) fish for every keeper to around 22 inches on bloodworms and sardines.  Shad fishing has dropped off around Sacramento.  Catfish in the 2- to 3-pound range continued to be caught in Lisbon Slough Deep Water Channel, and off of Jefferson Blvd. on mackerel, nightcrawlers and chicken livers.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Trout fishing was exceptional once again, except for when the winds hit.  Spin fishermen were side-drifting Glo-Bugs, crickets, nightcrawlers, and tiny FlatFish, while  fly fishers were dead-drifting small brown and gray nymphs under floats.  The release from Keswick was still 10,000 cfs.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir—The river is dropping but still high and swift, so there’s not much wading.  But, it is fishable and anglers are getting grabs by high sticking along seam edges with rubber legs, Prince nymphs,  and hare’s ears.

YUBA RIVER—Shad fishing was very good, once again with waders going in at Walnut Ave. while anglers in jetboats were heading up to the dump.

 

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE—The morning topwater action is a good choice, Ricos, Skitter Pops and frogs fished along the front edge of the tules. Sight fishing has died off unless the water clears up over the next week. Drop shotting Roboworms in Margarita Mutilator versions, oxblood and Morning Dawn has also been effective on the docks that have deeper water of 5 feet or more.

LAKE BERRYESSA—Excellent fishing for big kokanee! The best combos were 5 1/2-inch RMT hyper plaid and Bahama Mama dodgers teamed with Uncle Larry’s spinners in copper/blue/pink, copper pop, pinky, Mad Irishman and RMT squids in glow green, glow pink, double glow Caribbean or a UV watermelon Apex. The kokanee are still holding from 35 to 52 feet deep and following garlic, herring soaked corn at a speed of 1.4 to 1.6 on the gps.

 

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—The bite slowed down as another cold front came through with a lot of wind as well. Cooler water temperatures didn’t help either. The good news is that the salmon coming in have been larger. The bass bite also slowed as the larger fish went deeper but there were plenty of small fish to be found.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR—According to Rim Rock Ranch, fishing continues to be very good, with pressure increasing slightly. Bait and lure fishing has been the most successful lately.  Fish the west shore near the campground for better fishing.  Limits are still common with mostly rainbows. Fly fishermen have been doing well fishing the drop offs and substructure with streamers and lake dragons. Still not a lot of surface activity as of yet but this coming week should see a change as more summer like temperature are in the forecast.

LAKE BRITTON—Crappie in the 10- to 12-inch size and smallmouth bass fishing was still good here.

BAUM LAKE—Crowds put the pressure on here, but the water is in good shape and the trout fishing has been good.

CASSEL FOREBAY–Closed until further notice for repairs. All water has been drained into the natural creek channel that flows into Baum Lake in order to work on structure repairs in the canal. Up-stream from the Cassel Bridge is loaded with fish and has been fishing well for pansized fish with an occasional whopper in the mix. Pressure is high at times and the fly fishing a bit tougher with water levels higher.

EAGLE LAKE—Flyfishing and bobber fishing produced better fish than did trolling. The bobber bite is very early, shutting down by 6:30 in the morning though.

FALL RIVER—River conditions are low but insects such as PMDs and BWOs are coming off in flurries during the late mornings.

MANZANITA LAKE–Some afternoon hatches are happening and mid-morning and early afternoon fishing has been decent. Trout between 12 and 16 inches have been common, but there are some very big browns to catch with the right presentation. Fish structure and weed beds to land more fish. Callibaetis and pheasant tails are working well and black ants should be presenting any time now so ant patterns could work at any time. This lake has special restrictions so be sure and read the regulations. Lassen Park is open but subject to closure with any late spring snow.

MCCLOUD RIVER—Water conditions are great and the fishing has been good, with the dry fly action good for anglers.

PIT RIVER—Fishing has been very good lately with good action during the middle of the day for some nice trout.

SHASTA LAKE—Fishing here has been good for everything. Try a Sling Blade and hoochie for salmon or trout. Salmon mooching with anchovy tails is picking up. For numbers of small bass, toss a drop-shot worm in oxblood and green weenie at 10 to 20 feet deep on main body banks.

UPPER HAT CREEK—Fishing was good but bigger rainbows and brookies were slow to take as higher water flows also bring a lot of feed with it. Water clarity is still very clear and anglers have said that they are seeing some big fish not interested in taking anything right now.  That will change soon with warmer days, which should start seeing the creek levels begin to slowly lower. Pressure on the creek is beginning to increase slightly and will continue to build right up to Labor Day. DFG continues twice a week plants so there should be no shortage of fish all summer long. Panther Martins and then salmon eggs worked best, with worms and floating baits runners up. Fishing deep with plenty of weight is still the key. Fly fishing on the upper creek slowed a bit but was still good. Black ants and stone fly imitations both worked well.

 

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Ocean-going trips produced salmon to over 20 pounds and plenty of rockfish. Point Reyes was the targeted area for salmon. The California Dawn had 21 limits of rockcod on Thursday plus 31 lingcod to 12 pounds, on Saturday the boat had 24 limits of rockfish and 3 lingcod and on Sunday 28 limits of rockfish and 13 lingcod. The Happy Hooker posted similar success with two-thirds limits of rockfish plus a lingcod and a striper on Saturday and 35 limits of rockfish plus 13 lings to 14 pounds on Sunday.

BODEGA BAY—Combo trips on the New Sea Angler resulted in an average of one fish-per-rod of salmon, limits of rockfish and generous counts of lingcod. Beach fishing for perch turned wide open this week on rainbow perch to over 3 pounds.

BROOKINGS, Ore.—Salmon fishing has been very good out of Brookings. Many boats are not going out any farther than a mile past the Whistle Buoy to find more action than seen by most boats in several years. The average size of king salmon was 12 to 18 pounds and a king was weighed in last week that tipped the scales at 32 pounds. Silver salmon are plentiful, but the season does not open until July 1st. This season quota is only 8,000 silvers and it will most likely not be open for more than 3 weeks if these fish remain in the area the way they are currently, reported Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service.

EMERYVILLE—Coastal rockfish trips produced good counts of rockfish and also plenty of lingcod which bit better along the coast than at the islands. Salmon fishing is rated good but seemed limited by windy conditions. The New Huck Finn fished with live anchovies inside the Bay on Wednesday to nail limits of striped bass to 7 pounds for 13 anglers.

EUREKA—Quick, easy limits continued for charter and private boats out of Eureka where most fishers returned with limits of salmon to over 20 pounds in time for a leisurely brunch. For those desiring more time on the water, Pacific halibut bit at depths of 280 to 300 feet.

FORT BRAGG—Charter boats posted salmon catches even though windy weather kept boats close to shore. Charter boat Trek II offloaded several nice salmon in the upper teens and low twenties on Saturday. Perch went on a frenzy at 10-Mile Beach. Jetty fishers continued to catch rockfish, good-size cabezon and got lucky now and then with a lingcod.

PACIFICA/HALF MOON BAY—a 31-pound striper from the beach is the big news from Pacifica. Stripers are biting day and night. Half Moon Bay boats have been at dock for much of the week due to wind, but before and after the wind, salmon and rockfish trips proved successful.

MARTINEZ—Boat and pier anglers are sharing the bounty of sturgeon with a decent count of striped bass mixed in. Eel and herring have been the baits of choice.

PORT SONOMA—Napa and Petaluma rivers both gave up good counts of stripers and sturgeon for folks fishing with grass shrimp, eels and pile worms. Halibut are active in the upper San Pablo Bay and live shiners proved to be the most enticing baits.

SAUSALITO—The Sausalito fleet made successful forays to waters off of Point Reyes for salmon to 25 pounds. Water conditions were on the bumpy side but good fishing made up for any discomfort.

SHELTER COVE— Fishing had been spotty for salmon early in the week, but by Thursday anglers were in their groove. An area known as the Hat produced good counts of salmon to 30 pounds.

TOMALES BAY—Blondie, with Capt. Jack Marshall, fished 4 miles off Tomales Point, trolling green Rotary Salmon Killers to earn 8 hits, 4 solid hookups, landed only one.  The boat trolled 4 rods at 35 feet on the wire from sun up until the wind kicked up about 11am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that the flows had dropped and the water was clear making for great fishing conditions.  Anglers willing to commit to a 3 hour hike can catch some nice rainbows and browns on bait and spinners in the bigger pools.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 97-percent capacity.  Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that trollers were catching a few small kokanee on dodger/hoochies.  Emerald Cove Marina reported that there were very few fishing boats seen on the lake due to the overwhelming recreational traffic.  Small bass were still hitting drop-shot worms along the bank.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is at 89-percent capacity.  North Shore Resort reported that anglers were still catching lots of 1- to 1 1/2-pound bass on green pumpkin and morning dawn worms, and Senkos.  Catfish were starting to hit anchovies, sardines, and chicken livers for shore anglers fishing at night.

COLLINS LAKE—Trollers did better than shore anglers as the trout moved into deeper water.  Mooselock Wobblers, Needlefish, and flasher/worm combos run 20 feet deep along the east side and mid lake accounted for near-limits to limits of rainbows to 3 pounds.  Shore anglers did well at the bridge with Power Bait.  Crappie and bass were hitting minnows and crawdads in the brush along the east side of the lake.  Night fishing at the marina docks produced catfish to 4 3/4 pounds, and trout were beginning to show at night also.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 95-percent capacity.  Trout fishing has been good for small rainbows at the confluence of the Yuba River forks at the upper end of the lake on Power Bait.  Jonathan Hecker of Marysville caught a 5 1/2-pound largemouth bass in the marina on a nightcrawler.  Heavy recreational boat traffic has kept trollers off the lake, especially on the weekends—try very early in the morning mid-week for a chance.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that traffic control would be in place across the dam early this week to allow for road stripping.  Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that trollers were doing well on rainbow trout running bikini Needlefish or copper/red head Dick Nite spoons behind chrome dodgers at 15 feet deep over 30 to 40 feet of water from the boat ramp to the dam.

FULLER LAKE—The lake is scheduled for its first DFG trout plant of the season this week—the first of the season.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that anglers at the Upper Hell Hole camp were catching limits of rainbows and browns from the shore on bait, spoons, and spinners.  Trollers were doing well catching fat 14-inch kokanee on dodger/Koke-a-nut or Vance’s Bugs in firetiger at the dam and powerhouse at 25 to 30 feet deep.  Rainbow trout were hitting threaded nightcrawlers trolled 40 feet deep at the dam.  14- to 16-inch brown trout were hitting Rapalas toplined in the early morning at the inlet.  Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported that 5- to 7-pound macks were hitting Rapalas and dodger/herring combos 20 to 30 feet off the bottom all over the lake—just meter the fish first.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 98-percent capacity.  According to guide Ron Gandolfi, the bass fishing was still very good in the North Fork and main body this past week.  With all the breezy weather this past week, 3-inch swimbaits and spinnerbaits worked well on the mudlines and windward shores for largemouths to 4 pounds, smallmouths to 2 1/2 pounds, and spots to 3 pounds.  Paradise Tackle Company finesse jigs and tubes worked on calmer days for better fish down at 20 to 30 feet deep.  Big schools of salmon were showing on the meter and 70 to 80 boats fished a salmon derby on Saturday with good results, according to Gandolfi.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is at 97-percent capacity.  Johnny Anaya at Long Ravine Resort reported that trout action was very good with one father/son duo catching-and-releasing fourteen 14- to 16-inch rainbows in 3 hours while fishing from the shore with Power Bait.  Some good brown trout were caught trolling Rapalas in the early morning at the Bear River inlet.  Bass were hitting on worms and jigs.  FYI-the Outrigger Grill is now the Beach Hut Deli.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is at 99-percent capacity.  Jim Caldwell at Scott’s Flat Lake Resort reported that trollers were catching near-limits of 15-inch rainbows running Rapalas at the inlet and near the spillway on the Cascade Shore side of the lake.  Smallmouth bass to 2 1/2 pounds and largemouth bass to 4 pounds were hitting worms and jigs from the day-use area toward the inlet on the campgrounds side of the lake.  One angler reported catching 20 crappie on mini-jigs fished near submerged brush.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the campgrounds and day-use facilities were all open.  Anglers were picking up planter rainbows from shore and trolling.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 99-percent capacity.  The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that anglers were limiting out on rainbows at the inlet on flasher/worm combos.  A local Georgetown angler caught a 6-pound brown trout toplining a Rapala in the early morning near the inlet.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 133.7-foot elevation at press time.  At this level, the lake is high and water is well back onto the tule banks.  Try frogs and Senkos as the weather and water warms.