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.—The slow springer fishing continues here due to river conditions, but good guides are still getting a chance or two or three a day. Guide Bill Divens of Salmon King Lodge said that he’s been putting clients on zero to three a day, but there’s always at least one opportunity. WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets confirmed the slow action, and said that the afternoon bite seems to be better than early in the day. Watch for gravel bars in the low flows. The firsts reports of halfpounder steelies came in this past week, according to Palmer.

Guide Steve Huber said about the same thing, and sent in a photo of a nice springer one of his clients caught.

ROGUE RIVER, Shady Cove, Ore.—Salmon fishing for springers has been pretty good, and it’s been a good early start for the season, according to The Fishin’ Hole in Shady Cove. The kings are all over the upper river, and it will get better every day until mid-May for anglers who backbounce roe, use sandshrimp or pull plugs. Steelhead fishing has slowed, but the salmon fly hatch is starting up and in another week things will be looking good for sea-run cutthroats and summer steelhead.

RUSSIAN RIVER—According to Kings Sport and Tackle in Guerneville, shad fishing got a little better this past week and some bigger females came in. If an angler works at it they might get 4 or 5, and one guy got 10 below Monte Rio, according to Steve Jackson.  Shad fishing is not really wide-open yet, he said, it’s been really spotty. Smallmouth are biting well in the river, though.

UMPQUA RIVER, Roseburg, Ore.–The best option here is to fish for shad, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. “Ultra light spinning rods or even your favorite 5 weight fly rod will result in an almost never-ending day of catch-and-release shad fishing,” he said. “The season is just starting and there still isn’t a constant flow of shad moving through the river, but a week in this fishery can be like night and day. Springer king fishing is still very slow on most sections of the Umpqua River.”

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–The first confirmed summer steelhead was caught this past week up near Swift Water Park, according to Palmer. The first of the steelhead will travel upriver with the springer’s, but this is a little earlier than normal for hatchery fish. The natives are usually the first, as they head up the system for the smaller tributaries. “Early morning is producing most of the spring Chinook salmon over the last week,” Palmer said. “ One of the hottest spots for catching a springer is the cliffs on the south side of the river below the Swift Water Bridge. The anglers fishing from the cliffs are using 3-ounce bobbers with roe or sand shrimp as bait. Most of the holes above the Narrows are producing some fish in the mornings.”

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—There’s virtually no one fishing now, but a few trout are around.  Everyone’s waiting for the beginning of the salmon fly hatch.  A few nymphs should be starting up the water column soon, and the hatch should be getting underway soon, the first or second week in June.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—A few more spring run Chinook were coming into the lower end of the Klamath, but very few.  Even Indian netters were having much success.  The run should start in earnest very soon, though.  One of the problems has been the very low flows for this time of year.  They’re running at about the level normally seen a month from now.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—Flows from Lewiston Dam down to around  2,500 cfs over the weekend, but still quite high.  Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service made and exploratory trip last week but drew a blank fishing from shore.  Flows will drop below 2,000 cfs this week , and while still high, fishability will be greatly improves.  Hopefully, a few springers will show up, as well.  Fish will be showing up first around the Falls area, and above the North Fork.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Happy Hooker and California Dawn fished inside the Bay to score halibut and striped bass, primarily on the Berkeley Flats, near Alameda Rock Wall and Oyster Point. Berkeley Charter Boat fleet headed to near the Farallones to score a large grade of salmon.

BODEGA BAY—Surf and jetty fishing ranked as very productive from Tomales Bay on up to Russian River. The first halibut of the season was caught off of Dillon Beach. Crabbing was still good in Tomales Bay. Some were scattered but catchable out in 300 feet of water off of Bodega Bay.

EMERYVILLE—Salmon fishing was great all week until the wind came up Saturday and even then the counts were good. New Huck Fin saw 24 anglers boat 26 salmon to 15 pounds. New Salmon Queen’s 21 folks got 21 salmon to 17 pounds. New Seeker had 14 people boat 23 salmon to 23 pounds. Super Fish had 11 anglers catch 4 salmon to 21 pounds. With live bait now available, live bait potluck trips started up. C-Gull II had 17 people catch 1halibut to 22 pounds and 2 stripers to 9 pounds.

EUREKA—Salmon bit wild in all directions out of Eureka, with the average weight running mid-teens to low-twenties. Rockfish season opened with great action. Pacific halibut fishing was very good with fish up to 74 pounds reported.

FORT BRAGG—Lingcod took the spotlight during the opening week of rockfish season, with the keeper count hovering right around one lingcod per rod. Red tail perch as well as greenlings, cabezon and rockfish kept jetty anglers busy. A 10.75-inch abalone was checked in by Tony Vau to the abalone derby at Subsurface Progression Dive Shop.

HALF MOON BAY— Huli Cat scored well on salmon, on the troll fishing anchovies behind flashers from Deep Reef to below the Farallones. Queen of Hearts took an “Old Guys group” (guys in their 80’s and 90’s) out for limits of salmon to 30 pounds. Riptide fished rockfish with limits posted daily along with decent counts of lingcod. New Capt. Pete found success on salmon below the Farallones.

MARTINEZ—Sturgeon action remained hot and stripers came to boat with them. Johnny Furtado (88 years old) fished a private boat near buoy 6 to battle and boat a 61-inch sturgeon… far from the first big one for this local legend.

SAN FRANCISCO—Fishing inside the Bay was just as good as outside the Bay for San Francisco boats. Capt. Eric Anfinson on the Bass Tub fished live bait inside the Bay to score 5 halibut and 1 striped bass for 3 anglers on Saturday and then 8 bass to 18 pounds plus 18 halibut to 30 pounds on Sunday. Wacky Jacky and Lovely Martha ran out to below the Farallones to find limit-style fishing for salmon up into the twenties.

SHELTER COVE—Lingcod fishing was off the hook out of Shelter Cove. Many were released after achieving limits. Rockfish bit very well also and some boats hauled crab pots. Sea Hawk and Bite Me posted high scores on the opener. Salmon were caught and at times in good numbers, but consistency is not quite there yet.

SOUTHERN ORE.—Capt. Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service in Oregon reported the first Chinook in a long time was caught out of Brookings this week. Friday had halibut fisherman from Bandon and Coos Bay harbors both excited with the results. The cleaning stations were busy with large catches being cleaned up to dinner hour daily. Lumpy seas over the weekend kept most boats ashore.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Steelhead have disappeared, replaced by lots of shad and a few striped bass.  Anglers have been catching a dozen or more shad an evening from Sailor Bar down to Grist Mill.  The occasional striped bass was attacking swimbaits and Pencil Poppers, mostly downstream from Howe Avenue.  Shad were taking pink and pink, or pink and chartreuse mini-jig combos and shad flies.

FOLSOM LAKE—Trout were still being caught on ‘crawlers behind Needlefish, Speedy Shiners and small Rapalas, mostly on the main body, but it’s necessary to go deeper now.  Only a few king salmon are being seen.  It’s important to get on—and get off—the water early, especially on weekends to avoid the ever-increasing number of recreational boaters.  Bass are making brief forays into the shallows very early in the a.m. and taking crankbaits, swimbait and even topwater lures, but they soon retreat to deeper water where working drop-shotted Robo-Worms  off points and sunken rock piles is more likely to attract bites.  Remember, fishing will be curtailed starting Friday May 31 through Memorial Day weekend.  And, the lake is likely to be completely taken over for the week before the actual event.

FEATHER RIVER—Fishing for shad was still okay below Shanghai Bend, but the big surprise is the continuing good steelhead fishing in the Low Flow Section and down to Palm Avenue below the outlet, according to fly fishing guide Brian Clemens.  They range from 16 inches to about 4 pounds.      

RANCHO SECO LAKE—Some bass were still being caught, mostly very early and late, but most of the fishing action now is for panfish, especially redeared sunfish.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Although shad fishing has slowed around Sacramento, it’s still pretty good at the mouth of the Feather, according to Yee Vang of Broadway Bait Rod and Gun.  Waders can score 8 or 10 in a couple of hours fishing early and late, and boaters can do even better.  Striper fishermen are catching lots of small stripers too little to keep, but occasionally a keeper from 18 to 22 inches at Bryte’s Beach, Miller Park and Freeport.  It’s a bait affair—bloodworms and sardines, but crawdads have been doing even better down at Freeport. 

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale—It’s not red hot fishing, but persistent anglers willing to move around to find small pods of fish were still catching schoolie-sized stripers from Tisdale to Colusa, mostly on minnows.  The better bet is that shad have shown up in big numbers, especially around Ward’s Landing and Colusa. Try 1/16-ounce min-jigs in pink-pink or pink-chartreuse combo colors.  

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Trout fishing continued to be outstanding with anglers catching around two dozen an outing between Redding and Anderson according to Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service.  Spin fishermen were catching big native trout, a few weighing as much as 6 pounds, small Glo-Bugs, drifted roe, and small back-trolled small Hot Shots. Fly fishers were dead-drifting prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and copper Johns under indicators.

UPPER SACRAMENTO/McCLOUD RIVERS—Flows continued to drop on the Upper Sac, and wading has increasingly become less challenging.  Trout fishing on the McCloud continued to be very good, especially around Ah-Di-Nah campground on nymphs dead-drifted under indicators and tan soft hackles swung on floating and sinktip lines.  There has even been some dry fly action late in the evenings. Fly fishers are now finding even better fishing on the Upper Sac as flows continue to drop.

YUBA RIVER—Dry fly fishing is the best way to go on the Yuba, but nymphing is also effective if not as much fun.  Stimulators, muddlers, or anything imitating a hopper  are really fun to use and effective.  Shad fishing continued to be good, too, all the way up to Daguerre Dam.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 72-percent capacity.  According to Mountain Hardware and Sports, things have been pretty quiet here.  Try the dam early in the morning and inlet where the heavier flows from Stampede are running in.

CAPLES LAKE—The lake is full and scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.  Ben Hutchinson at Kirkwood Lodge caught a 12-pound mack from shore at a ‘secret spot’ this past week.  Wood’s Creek, the dam, and spillway were producing for shore anglers

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters (TFFO) reported that the West Carson was running high but clear and anglers were picking up fish on black stones, copper Johns, and Glo-Bugs.  The East Carson was high and off-color, but fish were holding in the quieter pockets along the shore.  Chad Machado at the Carson River Resort reported that fish were being caught on dark spinners and salmon eggs in the pocket water on the East Carson—mostly 12 to 14 inchers with some fish up to 3 1/2 pounds.  Three anglers reported getting “broke off” by big fish.  The West Carson was running clearer and fishing better.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that trolling was good using No. 1 Wee Dick Nite spoons in copper/red head at 8 to 15 feet deep from the island to Mallard Point.  On his last trip, two young boys caught 9 nice rainbows—two 15 inchers, and seven 16 to 17 1/2 inchers.  Shore fishing was good at Eagle Point, Honker, and Grasshopper.  Boaters also did well anchoring off the same areas and using Power Bait.  Fly fishing was good for a club that hit Jenkins during a blood midge hatch.

DONNER LAKE—According to Mountain Hardware and Sports, the kokanee bite was just getting started.  The kokes were running small, 10 to 11 inches, and hitting dodger/hoochies. The mack bite was steady—one angler was jigging Kastmasters in 80 feet of water for 3 to 4 pounders.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported that anglers were still catching lots of fish on the North Fork on worms.  A resort customer followed Hanson’s advice and caught a 5-pound brown at Butt Valley Lake from shore off a mid-lake point on Power Bait.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 69-percent capacity.  Wiggins Trading Post reported that shore anglers were picking up limits of rainbows to 2 pounds at the dam and Spring Creek on nightcrawlers and Power Bait.  Trollers were doing well using flasher/worm combos.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—The roads were all clear to all the basin lakes.  Shore fishing at Sardine Lake after the DFW plant produced limits of 10- to 14-inch rainbows just past the boat ramp.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 91-percent capacity.  The stormy weather shut down the bite this past week, but clearer weather should kick the bite back in gear.  Trolling a dodger/worm should be producing limits of rainbows.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Try the shore fishing near the dam using Power Bait.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that trollers were doing well on rainbows at the Middle Yuba inlet at the SW end of the lake running Needlefish at 10 to 20 feet deep.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Sly Park Resort said trout fishing was slow.  Smallmouth bass fishing was good with the fish up shallow to spawn.

LAKE TAHOE—Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported catching limits of 3- to 6 1/2-pound macks in 5 hours on Saturday at 100 to 250 feet deep. On Sunday, it only took 2 1/2 hours to pick up limits of 5 to 8 pounders at 200 feet deep on small spoons and plugs.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported the best brown trout action in a month this past week.  On morning trips he was getting 4 to 6 browns and afternoon trips produced 2 to 4 fish, all running 4 to 5 pounds.  Nielsen was toplining CD7 Scatter Raps and ThunderSticks and running F11 Rapala and ThunderSticks on the downriggers at 25 feet deep over 35 feet of water.  The mack bite was hit-or-miss—trolling one day, jigging the next at 165 to 220 feet deep.

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  The north side RV camp was open this past week.  The main campground/boat ramp was still closed according to the Georgetown Ranger Station despite there being no snow anywhere around the lake.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 43-percent capacity.   With the lake still this low, the best bets were still the dam and the deeper Prosser Creek arm.  Try the dam in the early morning for big trout.  Work the western coves along the rocky flats for smallmouth bass.

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters and George Molino at Cutthroat Charters worked the west side from Monument to Pelican for 12 to 19 cutthroats running 17 to 22 inches trolling Apex, FlatFish, and Father Murphy Vibrators at 25 to 35 feet deep.

RED LAKE—No current reports available, but fishing should be good at the dam and inlet.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is at 97-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 69-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that kokanee trolling was good for good numbers of smaller fish, 12 to 14 inches.  The smaller fish were shallower, 10 to 30 feet deep, while the bigger fish were 10 feet off the bottom in 80 feet of water around drop-offs, humps, and points.  A watermelon dodger trailing pink or watermelon spinners tipped with corn were working best.  The mack bite was consistent using FlatFish, Kwikfish, Jointed Rapalas, broken-back Rebels, or flashers trailing small Rapalas or Needlefish below the kokanee.

TOPAZ LAKE—Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that trollers were still picking up rainbows in the middle of the lake on flasher/worm combos at 12 to 15 feet deep.  Smallmouth bass action improved this past week as more fish moved into the shallows to spawn.  One angler reported catching a dozen bass, including a 3-pound, 6-ounce fish on the SW shore.

TRUCKEE RIVER—TFFO reported that fly fishing was good using small March browns, midges, and golden stones above the Boca Outlet where flows were “perfect”.  Below the Boca Outlet, flows were high, but fishing was still decent using bigger, darker flies and streamers

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 92-percent capacity.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service reported that kokanee trolling was good for fat 10- to 13-inch fish.  Neeser was using a watermelon Wild Thing dodger with an orange Hoochie Thing or an orange Little Devil plug in Camino Cove at 20 to 30 feet deep.  The Sunset gate was open to the ramp, and the campgrounds should be open for Memorial Day weekend.

WEST WALKER RIVER—The West Walker River and Little Walker River are both scheduled for DFW trout plants this week.  George Anderson at the Toiyabe Motel reported that the flows were dropping and the water was clearing up.  Most fishermen were still only picking up a few fish in the quieter pockets, though experienced anglers scored a few limits.  The Little Walker was in good shape and producing for fly fishermen.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— Limited by wind, spawning carp and dirty water, visitors had no choice but to attack the shallows in protected areas and pound away on every fish they could find. Drop-shotting plastics and weightless Senkos in 4 to 8 feet of water have been the more productive. As the lake continues to drop a few more fish are showing up on the front edges of the deeper tules. Docks with a little deeper water are also producing fish. With bass guarding fry and water above 70 degrees, add a topwater bait such as the Rico popper, Skitter Pop, buzzbaits and Zara Spook.

LAKE BERRYESSA— Fish the main lake from the Ranch House to mid island for the best fishing this week with RMT dodgers in Hyper Plaid, Bahama mama, Watermelon Bahama with RMT squids in pink glow plankton, orange glow plankton, green cotton candy and Uncle Larry’s spinners in copper pop, copper blue pink. For bass it’s plastics, spinnerbaits, small grubs and swimbaits.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR— Both basins have good fishing reports coming in. From Almanor West to the east shore, everyone seems to be catching fish as aquatic insect hatches continue to drive the bite. Combos of dodgers and nightcrawlers, fast action trolling lures as well as mooching with anchovies are all effective this time of year.

BATTLECREEK RESERVOIR—The bite was a bit more sporadic but most anglers did well. The dam has been producing the most fish, but float tubers have been doing okay along the rocks and inlet. Floating baits and eggs continue to be the best producers but lures are working as well.

BAUM LAKE—The Fly Shop in Redding reported good fishing with plenty of trout here, but the bite seems to die off after 2:00.

BUCKS LAKE–The macks have been moving around the lake feeding on everything from kokanee to midges. Try a variety of plugs, spoons and even flies fished from the surface to 50 feet as they are what everything is after.

CASSEL FOREBAY— Rim Rock Ranch reports the forebay is fishing well with lots of catching.  Salmon eggs have been working well with worms a close second.  Floating baits in yellow and hatchery pellet have also done well. For fly anglers PMDs and callibaetis nymphs are catching fish, especially above the road near the post office.

FALL RIVER—Mixed reports, as it is still a little early here, but a few nice rainbows can be caught. The better bite will start come June. Try the upper river above Island Drive.

UPPER HAT CREEK– Rim Rock Ranch reports a few more fish moving throughout the system now. Fish plants will increase in preparation for the coming holiday and busy summer months ahead. Worms and eggs continue to be the top baits, but Panther Martins are beginning to pay off as well. The weather looks to be a bit cooler this coming week, but the outlook at this time is calling for fair weather for the holiday weekend. Expect better fishing and some bigger fish in the 3- to 6-pound range.

PIT RIVER—The Fly Shop in Redding reports great spring fishing as stoneflies and salmon flies mixed in with caddis and mayflies are filling up the bellies of hungry Shasta strain rainbows.

MANZANITA LAKE– Rim Rock Ranch reports some topwater activity is showing and flying ants are presenting so fishermen did better on the top than nymphing. Black ant patterns should do well now as well as mosquito and midge patterns. Remember this is a catch and release lake with special restrictions, so be sure to check the regulations. For those planning to camp Memorial Day weekend, Manzanita Lake will be open.

McCLOUD RIVER—The fishing has been great as mayflies are coming off.

SHASTA LAKE— The bite has been good from 7 a.m. to around 9:30 a.m. for both trout and kings. The bass bite has also been good early with topwater lures.

TRINITY LAKE—No change here yet. The rainbow bite has been good on Sep’s sidekick with a threaded nightcrawler on the surface or a blue Wiggle Hoochie. No real koke bite yet.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER above Folsom Lake—Flows are good, low and clear, but few fishermen were out, according to the Georgetown Ranger Station—fishing should be good in the deeper pools.  Lots of sunbathers were gathered at the confluence on Hwy 49.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 84-percent capacity.  Emerald Cove Marina reported that trollers were catching plenty of 10- to 12-inch kokanee salmon running dodger/hoochie or spinner combos at 20 to 25 feet deep.  Bass fishing was still good but few anglers were willing to talk about the bite.

CAMP FAR WEST—North Shore Resort reported that ‘Ron’ of Folsom landed 35 bass while throwing green pumpkin Brush Hogs and lizards in the Bear River and Rock Creek arms at 8 to 10 feet deep.  His best five were all 2 1/2 to 3 pounders.  The Bear River fish in general were smaller than those caught in Rock Creek.

COLLINS LAKE—Collins Lake Resort will plant another 1800 pounds of rainbows this week—1200 pounds of 1 to 2 pounders and 600 pounds of 3 to 6 pounders with a few 8 to 10 pounders possible.  Trout fishing was good all this past week with the fish moving toward deeper water as the weather warmed.  Shore anglers did well at the bridge and the dam using Power Bait.  Trollers were doing best running spoons and Rapalas at 20 to 25 feet deep.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 92-percent capacity.   PG&E stocked another 2500 pounds of rainbows this past week to complete their obligation under the conditions of their FERC permit.  One boater ran up to Rocky Bluff and drifted Power Bait for two 5-pound rainbows.  Trolling should be good in the marina.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The campgrounds were open and boaters were on the lake, but few fishing reports came into the Foresthill Ranger Station.  Cold, windy weather plagued the region all this past week.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that all the campgrounds were open.  Lots of boaters were seen on the lake, though windy weather kept fishing success on the slow side this past week.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 83-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that bass fishing was still very good with inexperienced anglers catching 20 to 30 fish per day and good sticks scoring up to 60 fish.  Though many fish were still spawning, most were in post-spawn and moving toward the outside points and walls.  Some huge females were seen cruising with males.  The shallows were loaded with huge masses of fry.  Drop-shot worms, darthead worms, Senkos, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater were all working from 5 to 20 feet deep. Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service visited the lake with a friend this past week and did well on coho salmon running 15 to 16 inches using dodger/white grub and dodger/hoochie combos scented with Pro-Cure bloody tuna gel at the Green Bridge at 25 to 35 feet deep. Guide Larry Hemphill fished it Sunday with Preston French and his two sons, and they landed about 60 bass including a 3-pound largemouth.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.  Casey Reynolds of Auburn reported good trout action in the Greenhorn area anchored at the mouths of the coves using nightcrawlers on the bottom.  His 6-year-old daughter, Josie, landed a 2 pounder.  Bass fishing was good with the fish up in the shallows spawning.  There were lots of bluegill in the shallows waiting for a kid with a bobber and a worm.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.  Jim Caldwell at the marina reported that bass fishing was good for smallmouths to 2 1/2 pounds and largemouth bass to 3 pounds on worms, jigs and crankbaits.  The shoreline from the marina to the day-use area was the best according to the reports.  Trollers were still picking up some rainbows on flasher/worm combos.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the campgrounds were open.  Fishermen were still picking up a few rainbows from shore and trolling flasher/worm combos from small boats and kayaks.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station said the campground host reported that anglers were still picking up a few rainbows from the shore near the dam or trolling flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 130.4-foot elevation—61-percent capacity.  The bass should still be spawning in the coves near the tule banks.  Pitch jigs and Senkos for a chance at some good fish.

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.—Low flows are still keeping the spring king run at a trickle, and the flows also make it very difficult to key in on the fish, and, there are only limited places where boats can anchor up to fish and still leave room other river traffic. There are still some springers being caught, but it has been slow for most the past few weeks. This may mean that the fall in-Bay fishery will be really good, though, as the fish move in and out to feed and begin to keg up, preparing for the migration upriver.

ROGUE RIVER, Shady Cove, Ore.—Guides out of The Fishin’ Hole are concentrating on steelhead and the occasional spring king salmon that made its way up through the low flows down below.

RUSSIAN RIVER—The shad run has not kicked into gear yet, and fishing was even a little slower than last week. Evening anglers taking advantage of the quieter evenings after water-users have left the river are getting a shad now and then, but it’s not fast action. Most of the fish are still the smaller males, with an occasional female to 4 pounds showing up, according to Steve Jackson, owner of Kings Sports and Tackle in Guerneville. He said a couple anglers drifted the stretch from Guerneville to Monte Rio this week and caught 5 smallmouth bass to 2 pounds using Rooster Tails and cranks. This time last year there was a good push of schoolie stripers in the river, but nothing so far on the linesides.

UMPQUA RIVER, Sutherlin, Ore.—“Springer fishing in the Umpqua River is, in my opinion a waste of time now, because of all the moss, “ said WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. “It is almost impossible to keep your gear clean for anything longer than two minutes. Between Umpqua Boat Ramp and the confluence of both forks of the river, a few salmon were caught this last week. They are holding in the deep dark pools, said the one angler at Cleveland Rapids. Shad fishing was good one day and terrible a couple days later, but it is just the beginning of the season and that will improve rather quickly. Gary Lewis of Gary’s Guide Service said he went out one day and his client’s caught approximately 14 shad each. He went out a couple days later with a single client and only had one bite from a shad in 3 hours. Smallmouth bass are getting aggressive with water temperatures well into the 60′s. This is the time of year that I look for them to be in the soft water of the edge of small currents and ledges.”

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.—The river level is what you would usually find in August, and there isn’t anyone fishing from the bank, like you would usually see, according to Palmer. “It is kind of barren and unusual to see so many good areas to fish with no one there. People are catching springers every day now, with most of the salmon on the smaller size from what I am used to seeing on this wonderful river. The average salmon being caught on the North Umpqua this last week was close to 16 pounds.”

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—No sign of the salmon fly hatch yet, but it is coming, and it might very well be early this year given the low water year and warm weather.   Stay tuned…

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—Fishing was still slow for spring run Chinook, and they’re still just “trickling” in.  The water is much lower than usual for this time of year, and quite a bit clearer, so gold and copper are probably going to be the best spinner finishes.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—Flows from Lewiston Dam are on the decline, and will be down to 2,000 cfs by May 20, at which time, fishing for springers, while still difficult in the high flows, is not impossible.  Fish the deep, slow water behind fast water.  The Falls area above the North Fork is one of the areas that might produce fish for bankies.  Use fresh-cured roe by itself or in combination with tuna.  Wrap in small mesh netting.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— Anglers are averaging 15 fish a day on an assortment of plastics including Senkos, drop-shot Roboworms and flick shake weightless worms. As more fish join the post spawn group the reaction baits come back into play. This upcoming week will find a lot of boat traffic with the annual Catfish Derby which draws over 600 entries each year, plus another big tournament will hit the lake this coming Saturday.

LAKE BERRYESSA— Fish the middle of the lake from the Ranch House to the Big Island for kokanee and rainbows starting to push into deeper water with the best catchable depth being 30 to 45 feet deep. RMT Bahama, Hyper Plaid dodgers teamed up with glow pink, UV purple squids and the mini plankton squids in pink and orange are good ones to try. Choice of scent has been herring soaked corn fished with sockeye slayer gel on the iron fished 1.3 to 1.6 mph.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR— Both basins have good fishing reports coming in. From Almanor West to the east shore everyone seems to be catching fish as aquatic insect hatches continue to drive the bite. Smallmouth, salmon, rainbows and browns are all on tap.

BATTLECREEK RESERVOIR—There were fewer reports, but those who ventured out did fairly good. The north and west shores have been the most productive with Power Bait and sparkle salmon eggs. Topwater action has picked up for the fly fishermen with mosquito patterns and Rickard’s callibaetis were both taking fish.

BAUM LAKE—The Fly Shop in Redding reported good fishing with plenty of trout here, but the bite seems to die off after 2:00.

BUCKS LAKE–The macks have been moving around the lake feeding on everything from kokanee to midges that have been hatching in big numbers. Hitting a variety of plugs, spoons and even flies fished from the surface to 50 feet, they are what everyone is after.

CASSEL FOREBAY— Rim Rock Ranch reports fishing is still quite good with a lot of limits coming in. Worms and salmon eggs are the best producers well, but veggie burgers and streamers are also tempting a lot of fish to strike.

FALL RIVER—Mixed reports, as it is still a little early here, but a few nice rainbows can be caught. The better bite will start come June.

UPPER HAT CREEK– Rim Rock Ranch reports a lot of rainbows are in the mix, so eggs have been working well for most fishermen. Panther Martins have been the way to go for the larger brook trout coming in. Some good fish also being taken by fly fishermen on crystal buggers.

PIT RIVER—Once the spring runoff slows down, conditions will become more consistent. Try Pitt no. 3.

MANZANITA LAKE– Rim Rock Ranch reports fishing has been fair with water temperatures already starting to climb. The bigger fish have gone deeper, but the topwater action is starting early this year with lots of mosquito action and a few motorboat caddis. Black ants should be a good go-to fly in the near future. The weed growth is extensive for this time of year, so search out the edges for fish lying in ambush. Remember this is a catch and release lake with special restrictions so be sure to check the regulations.

McCLOUD RIVER—The fishing should be good as mayflies are coming off.

SHASTA LAKE— Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero of Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing said trout and salmon fishing continue to be good around the dam and Bridge Bay areas. The trout are on the surface in the mornings and as it heats up, the salmon have been between 60 and 80 feet. Bass are holding from the shoreline out to 20 feet.

TRINITY LAKE—No change here yet. The rainbow bite has been good on Sep’s sidekick with a threaded nightcrawler on the surface or a blue Wiggle Hoochie. With warming days, the water is starting to warm up, but there has been no koke bite yet.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR—Kokes are 11 to 13 inches and fat and clean. Fish are still holding in 40 to 60 feet of water around the 299 Bridge and 60 to 80 feet by the Curtain.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Berkeley boats fished the Bay for halibut and stripers, with some boats, including the California Dawn and Happy Hooker, turning in solid counts. Berkeley Pier anglers got into the act, fishing live shiners on 3-way swivel rigs. Berkeley charter boats got into the salmon between N Buoy and Point Reyes.

BODEGA BAY— Good solid action on New Sea Angler caused excitement. On Tuesday it was 6 salmon for 8 anglers, plus limits of crabs.  Wednesday, 20 salmon to 18 pounds bit for 10 people plus half-limits of crabs. Friday, 7 anglers took 6 salmon to 20 pounds. More were hooked, but a pesky sea lion got some. The group also got full limits of crabs. Then on Sunday it was better than a fish per rod with 11 salmon to 26 pounds, plus plenty of crabs for 9 anglers.

EMERYVILLE—Solid counts of salmon kept Emeryville boats busily trolling inside of the Farallones where the fish are gorging on krill and putting up spirited fights. Live bait, potluck trips will begin this week. Over the weekend, 4 boats scored a cumulative 93 salmon to 23 pounds for 77 anglers.

EUREKA—Steady action with salmon to 30 pounds provided Eureka area anglers with a great week. Pacific halibut bit in deeper water, with a 50-pounder caught. Rockfish season opener is the 15^th and many people were busy this week prepping their boats and gear.

FORT BRAGG—Bait got scarce and the water cleared up late in the week, which meant a temporary lull in salmon fishing. Seahawk made it out Saturday and Sunday and boated a few fish between 12 to 16 pounds. Most fish were in close to the beach. Local abalone gathering is going great guns with limits commonplace. Rockfish and lingcod season opener on the 15^th put a lot of people to work getting boats and gear ready.

HALF MOON BAY/PACIFICA—Deep Reef held the greatest promise locally for salmon and catch counts remained decent. Counts could be considerably higher, but the krill-fed fish are hot, resulting in numerous missed opportunities. Up near Pacifica, 11- to 12-pound striped bass were caught at Rockaway Beach and southern Shark Park Beach.

MARTINEZ—Good fishing for sturgeon coincided with periods of greatest tidal flow. Outgoing tide was most productive. Salmon roe and clams joined shrimp and eel as the favored baits.

PORT SONOMA—Striped bass and sturgeon were both available in Napa River and Petaluma River, for shore fishers and boaters alike. Out on San Pablo Bay it was mostly sharks and rays, although the Pumphouse area did generate some sturgeon catches on strong tides.

SHELTER COVE—Salmon action went from fast-paced early in the week to a slow pick over the weekend, The average size, however, increased impressively with a private boater reporting the first 30-plus-pound salmon. Surf fishers scored perch and rockfish.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 69-percent capacity and rising quickly with big releases from Stampede.  The fishing was fair at best at the inlet, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.  An early morning trip to the dam could produce a big fish on spoons or a Rapala.

CAPLES LAKE—Caples Lake Resort announced that it opened for business this past week—lodging, marina store, boat rentals, and launch ramp.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—According to Bob Fedak at the Carson River Resort, the East Carson was running high and muddy.  The West Carson was high and clearer. Fishing was best in the quiet pocket water along the shore.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 82-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that trolling was good between the little island and the big island and Camp 5 and the big island for rainbows either 12 to 13 inches or 15 to 18 inches.  A copper/red head Wee Dick Nite run 4 to 12 feet deep worked best this past week. Shore fishing was good at Eagle Point for anglers using Power Bait.  Fly fishing was slow.  The Honker Cove boat ramp upgrade was still in progress and the ramp could open by mid-June.  The Camp 5 boat ramp can handle single boat launching for larger boats.  The Lightning Tree ramp can be used by smaller aluminum boats or shallow draft boats since there is only about 3 feet of water on the ramp, according to Dillard.

DONNER LAKE—Rainbow trout were still hitting for shore anglers at the west end on Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers.  Mack action was hit-or-miss this past week with lots of boaters trying to nail a 20 pounder, but no one reported any success.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported that anglers were still picking up limits of planters to 14 inches and native rainbows to 20 inches on the North Fork from the dam above the resort to the bridge above the third campground on salmon eggs, worms, and crickets.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 70-percent capacity.  Shore fishermen were picking up limits of rainbows, 13 to 15 inches on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait.  The area at Spring Creek inlet was a reported hot spot.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Mountain Hardware and Sports in Blairsden reported that Gold Lake was producing mostly rainbow trout for trollers and shore anglers.  Trollers were catching a few macks on large plugs.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 91-percent capacity.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service  and Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill fishing Service reported that trollers were picking up limits of 10- to 14-inch rainbows on flasher or dodger/worm combos in the top 10 feet.  The campgrounds should be open by this weekend.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—With muddy water in the East Carson River, the lake was receiving heavy pressure from shore anglers.  Fishing was reported to be good at the dam using Power Bait and worms.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Since the lake opened, shore anglers have been catching lots of limits of 16- to 18-inch rainbows in the NE corner of the lake where Pass Creek runs in, on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.  Trollers were doing well on Needlefish, Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—The lake is full.  Sly Park Resort reported that bass were spawning and up on the beds.  Worms, tubes, and jigs were working well for both largemouth and smallmouth bass—please practice catch-and-release!!

LAKE TAHOE—Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters reported good action in 300 to 400 feet of water for macks running 5 to 7 1/2 pounds.  On one pass in deep water, all 7 rods out had a fish on, but only 5 were landed.  The early morning bite was best.  Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported he was doing best in the first hour of trolling, then he had to work hard for limits of macks running 2 to 8 pounds. Small spoons and plugs worked best after the sun hit the water.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported only picking up 1 to 4 browns on morning trolling trips into shallow water.  He did best on Scatter Raps and Laxee spoons for fish running 3 to 3 1/2 pounds.  After the sun hit the water it was deep trolling for rainbows and macks.  Nielsen reported the best rainbow trout action in 10 years for fish in the 3- to 4-pound range.  The rainbows were hitting at 30 to 40 feet deep.  Macks were hitting ThunderSticks and Scatter Raps at 40 to 70 feet deep early and then down to 120 to 240 feet deep later in the day.  Some macks were hitting the Williamson Benthos jig tipped with a minnow.

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 77-percent capacity.  Still no word on when the campgrounds will open—apparently it’s up to the concessionaire and not the Forest Service!!

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 40-percent capacity.  Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that trout were holding on the rocky banks in the Alder Creek and Prosser Creek arms, with the Prosser Creek being the better of the two.  Hit the dam early in the morning for bigger trout.  Try the shallow rocky flats for smallmouth bass.

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported doing well at Anderson and north of Pyramid on the east side of the lake for cutthroats running mostly 17 to 24 inches.  His Sunday trip produced a 9 1/2 pounder for Brad Bronkowski of Carson City at Anderson on a chartreuse frog Flatfish along with 23 other beautiful trout.  George Molino at cutthroat Charters picked up 15 fish to 26 inches on his last trip on watermelon Apex trolled 25 to 35 feet deep from Warrior Point to Spider Point.  Shore fishermen were having a tough time as the water warmed and the fish moved out to deep water.

RED LAKE—Shore fishing should be good at the dam, but there were no current reports available.

SILVER LAKE—Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported that since ice-out, trollers were doing well on macks from 3 to 8 pounds with an occasional lunker approaching 20 pounds taken on Rapalas on 6 to 8 colors of leadcore line.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 70-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that kokanee trolling was good for smaller 10- to 14- inch fish, but mostly 10 to 11 inchers. Trollers were doing better on the larger kokes on dodger/pink or orange hoochies run 10 to 20 feet deep from the mouth of the Little Truckee arm into the Sagehen arm—the smaller fish were schooled up over deeper water.  Mack trolling was good under the kokanee schools in deep water using a blue/silver or black/silver Rapala, Rebel, or Predator.

TOPAZ LAKE—Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that trollers were still doing well for limits of 13- to 14-inch rainbows in the middle of the lake using flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.  Bass anglers were beginning to pick up some nice smallmouth bass—one guy reported catching 12 fish from 1 1/2 to 3 pounds on worms and jigs.  The bass were spawning in the shallows.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that bait anglers fishing from Alpine Meadows to Squaw were doing well, while fly fishermen were doing best below the Boca Outlet on March browns, green drakes, and some BWO.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 91-percent capacity.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle fished the lake 3 days this past week and only caught a few small rainbows. Another boater caught a few small kokanee, but they were scattered all over the lake.  Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported that mack trolling was slow at best.

WEST WALKER RIVER—George Anderson at the Toiyabe Motel reported that the river was still running very high but the clarity was improving.  Experienced anglers were picking up a few fish using bait in the quieter pockets along the shore.  Anderson expects the river to return to normal flow levels in a couple of weeks.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER above Folsom Lake—The Silver Fork was planted by the DFW two weeks ago and provides the easiest access.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 85-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi of Paradise reported that a friend fished here this past week and caught a lot of smaller spots and a couple of bigger fish to 4 pounds on drop-shot worms and big Senkos in the coves and points.  Emerald Cove Marina reported that a boater came in with several bass, the biggest a beautiful 6 pounder.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake level dropped dramatically this past week.   The bass bite was still good up in the river and creek arms on worms and jigs.

COLLINS LAKE—The resort will plant another 1800 pounds of catchable and trophy rainbows this week.  Shore anglers and trollers were both doing well for rainbows this past week.  Trollers were using Needlefish and Rapalas from the dam to the bridge for trout to 7 1/4 pounds.  Shore anglers did well at the dam, Elmer’s Cove and the bridge.  Bass fishing improved with the warmer weather with limits coming in for anglers throwing worms, jigs, and live bait in shallow water.  Redear sunfish were active for the kids.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 93-percent capacity.  PG&E planted 2500 pounds of catchable rainbows this past week as a condition of their FERC permit to generate electricity through the dam.  Trollers were doing well in the marina.  Elijah Dean of Sutter caught a 2 1/4-pound rainbow trolling a flasher/worm just outside the marina buoys. Dillon Davis at Skippers Cove Marina reported that he and his party caught 40 rainbows, 9 to 12 inches, toplining dodger/worm combos from the marina to Dixon Hill.  Davis stopped and talked to a houseboater at Boston Bar who caught two 5-pound rainbows and a 6-pound brown casting nightcrawlers off the back of the boat.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the campgrounds would open May 17.  Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that trollers were catching a few small rainbows near the dam on dodger/hoochie combos.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that the campgrounds would open on May 17.  Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that one customer picked up a 12- to 14-pound mack trolling a bikini Needlefish behind a chrome dodger 60 feet deep at the dam.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 84-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that anglers were still picking up 40 to 60 fish per day on tubes, Paradise Tackle Company finesse jig/Roboworm combos, darthead worms, and flukes in 5 to 20 feet of water.  The reaction bite was beginning to kick in using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater.  The worm/jig bite has been soft, so experience paid big dividends in more hooked fish.  Most bass have spawned, but there were still fish being caught spilling eggs.  The spawners were up shallow while the pre- and post-spawn fish were down at 15 to 20 feet deep on outside coves, points and walls.  Gandolfi saw a lot of coho trollers working from the dam to the Green Bridge running dodger/hoochie combos scented with Pro-cure’s bloody tuna gel.

ROLLINS LAKE—Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that one customer picked up two 14- to 16-inch browns fast trolling a vampire F9 Rapala early in the morning in the Bear River inlet area, and two 12- to 13-inch rainbows running a dodger/hoochie 30 feet deep above the power lines in the Bear River arm in mid-morning.  Bass fishing was very goods this past week with limits of largemouths and smallmouths to 3 1/2 pounds hitting worms and jigs.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Jim Caldwell at the marina reported that bass fishing was much improved with the warmer water temps.  Largemouths to 4 1/4 pounds and smallmouths to 2 1/2 pounds were caught in the coves on worms.  Trollers were still picking up a few rainbows on flasher/worm combos at the dam and up toward the inlet.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—Shore anglers and trollers were picking up some limits of rainbows.  The campgrounds are open.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—According to the Georgetown Ranger Station, the camp host reported that both shore anglers and trollers were still picking up a few 12- to 14-inch rainbows.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 129.3-foot elevation at press time—53-percent capacity.  At this water level, the bass move out of the coves to deeper water or onto the rocky banks along the west side.  Few reports were available from here.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—A few steelhead were still being caught, and some striped bass were attacking swimbaits and Pencil Poppers, but the focus now is on shad, which are all the way up to Sailor Bar Park.  Steelies still taking nymphs under indicators, and shad were grabbing champagne curly-tailed jigs and flies.

FOLSOM LAKE—Some trout were still being caught on the main body, but fish have gone deeper as the lake has continued to warm up.  Bass are in post-spawn and while a few can be taken early in the morning on topwater and ripbaits, most of the action is occurring off points and over rock piles drop-shotting, jigging and dartheading.  Anglers should be aware of the major Memorial Weekend event which includes unlimited hydroplane races, wakeboarding and other activities.  It formally starts on Friday May 31, and lasts three days.  The lake is likely to be completely taken over for the week before the actual event.

FEATHER RIVER—Fishing for shad was still  good,  and a few striped bass were still being caught, but, overall, fishing was only so-so.  Fish downstream of Shanghai Bend for both shad and striped bass.  Some steelhead in the 2- to 4-pound range were still being caught in the Low Flow Section.    

RANCHO SECO LAKE—Trout fishing has all but ended for the season, but a few were still being caught by boaters working the deeper holes.  The bass spawn has ended, and fish have gone back into deeper water.  A few were being hooked very early and late by anglers tossing topwater lures and ripbaits.  Redeared sunfish remain the surest bet on worms fished under bobbers.       

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Shad fishing has slowed around Sacramento, but it’s still the surest bet with anglers fishing Discovery Park and Verona able to get a dozen or so in an evening.  There are still some stripers being caught, but fishing was only fair.  The better spots were off South River Road and Old Sac.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Grimes—There actually was an uptick in striper fishing last week, and some anglers were managing to catch limits of bass, small ones mostly, that had not yet spawned.  Ward’s Landing and Grimes were two of the better areas. Drifting minnows was the best bet by far.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Trout fishing was “fantastic”  drifting between Redding and Anderson according to Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service.  Spin fishermen were catching fat 12- to 20-inch trout on drifted roe,  small Glo-Bugs, and back-trolled small Hot Shots. Fly fishers were dead-drifting prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and copper Johns under indicators.

UPPER SACRAMENTO/McCLOUD RIVERS—Trout fishing on the McCloud continued to be very good, especially around Ah-Di-Nah campground on nymphs dead-drifted under indicators and tan soft hackles swung on floating and sinktip lines.  There has even been some dry fly action late in the evenings.  The mid-section of the Upper Sac continued to be the best stretch for fly fishers, but flows are dropping, and the area around Dunsmuir, which has less restrictive regulations and trout plants was also providing good action.

YUBA RIVER—Dry fly fishing was good once again, and there are a surprising number of hoppers  flying about, which fish are keying on.  Use a big bushy dry like a stimulator or muddler as an indicator with a smaller dry or nymph  as the trailer.  Fish above or below the Highway 20 bridge.  Shad fishing continued to be good, too, all the way up to Daguerre Dam

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.

UMPQUA RIVER, Elkton, Ore.–Salmon fishing for spring Chinooks was good through Tuesday of this past week, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secret’s Guide Service. Fishing during the beginning of the week was good, but Wednesday fishing became dead. Boat traffic is mild with only a few boats per boat ramp. Scott’s Creek boat ramp is an exception. Moss is starting to float downriver, fouling lines. “Besides baitfish, I have found the Mag Lip 3.5 works well for the springer’s on the Umpqua River,” Palmer said. “By replacing the rear hook with a slightly larger one, it becomes a slight bit flatter running and the size is consistent with average baitfish used by anglers in the lower river.”

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Roseburg, Ore.—Not off the charts from Winchester Dam down to the confluence of the south and north forks yet this season, but I expect we will see some very good mornings over the next week, said WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer. He said most of the kings were small springers, and he expects them to begin stacking up the middle of next week. Anglers can catch fish all day, but the early morning is best. There is a NO FISHING DEADLINE from the Hwy. 99 Bridge (closest bridge to dam ) up to the Winchester Dam. The Winchester Dam has an excellent viewing area with three large windows to watch fish as they climb the ladder.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.—Very slow fishing, most likely due to minus tides where the fish can’t get into the Rogue Bay or into the system. It seems the river has warmed to approximately 58 degrees and that will slow the springer’s down on their race upriver,  said Curtis Palmer.  In the past, salmon run up to the flats below Elephant Rock on incoming tide and back down when the tide flows out. The boats anchored in one of the lowest hoglines will tend to be the most fortunate during these times when very few salmon are being caught. “May is my favorite month for fishing spring Chinook due to the nice weather and I’ve caught more springers than any other time,” Palmer said.

ROGUE RIVER, Shady Cove–Shady Cove has had spring fever for a couple weeks now, and they have been catching spring salmon at the fish hatchery already. “While talking with an angler about the fishing he was quick to point out that a small king he had caught had a hole punched in the side of the gill plate about the size of a paper punch,” said WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets. “This is usually known as the mark to show that a fish has been trucked back downstream a short distance and released to let anglers have another chance at catching and harvesting the fish. The upper-most section of the river has many good bank access spot’s.”

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—There were still a few small steelhead and trout being caught below Iron Gate, mostly drifting nightcrawlers and roe.  Not much going on, though.  The salmon fly hatch should cause some fishing excitement when they should show up in late May and early June.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—It’s not started to any extent yet, but a few spring run king salmon have started to enter the Klamath.  Fishing for them has not really taken off yet, but should start in a week or two. It’s likely to be a short, early run since it’s a low water year.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—The release in flows from Lewiston Dam per the Record of Decision peak this week at 4,500 cfs and then slowly decline starting May 4 and be back down to 450 cfs around June 13.  Needless to say, fishing is about out of the question right now.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—There were a few reports of spring run kings being caught in the Falls area before flows increased  but none since.      

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— It’s all about bedding fish now, find good clarity and you’ll find fish on artificials. For anglers who don’t want bedding bass, the bite can be a little tough. There are enough bass that have already spawned that going down the bank pitching weightless Senkos, Flick Shake worms and other plastics will produce bites. Live bait action is still good but won’t last much longer as the waters warm up.

LAKE BERRYESSA—While the kings, kokes and trout slowed some, the bass bite took off. Don Paganelli said you can find some very nice largemouth on the main body when the wind is not blowing, or you can stay in the Narrows and catch smallmouth and spotted bass. Largemouth are in the narrows and hiding in the backs of coves. Plastics are still the best but ripbait and spinnerbait bites were fair.

LAKE SONOMA—For post spawned bass, cover water with reaction baits like the LuckyCraft Sammy 128, Osprey swimbaits or Rio Rico poppers and hit main body points until the sun comes up. Once the sun reaches over the mountains, grab your dropshot with a 6-in. Robo worm in Margarita Mutilator or Aaron’s Magic and fish staging areas adjacent to spawning areas in the 10-15 feet.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—The east shore near Lake Cove and the Dorado Inn have been good trolling lanes for a mix of browns and trout,  but the majority have been kings. Look for this stellar action to continue as the hatches continue.

BATTLE  CREEK  RESERVOIR—You can get in now, but there are a few trouble spots along the way. Fishing was very good with both topwater action and a good bait bite. Worms and spinners caught a lot of fish, as did mosquito imitations. This lake should be a consistent producer this year and a great destination for family outings.

BAUM LAKE—Reports were mostly good for rainbows, but a few did not have such good reports.

BUCKS LAKE–All ramps are open now as well as the roads.

CASSEL FOREBAY— The fishing pressure and good fishing has already started. Fly fishermen also did well on buggers and callibaetis nymphs. Look for the fishing here to improve as the natural vegetation reestablishes itself in this section of Hat Creek.

FALL RIVER—Opened Saturday April 27 with good water conditions but no reports yet.

UPPER HAT CREEK–Worms and gold speck salmon eggs were the most productive, with Panther Martins a close third. The fish plant schedule appears to be once a week until Memorial Weekend and then twice a week for the rest of the summer. Reports will only get better as the planted fish begin to spread within the system.

PIT RIVER—Both fishing and water conditions have been good, although you may not find them in all of your favorite holes. The good news is there’s a good trout bite and great spring weather.

MANZANITA LAKE–No reports on fishing yet, but the weather has warmed to the point where the fishing should be turning on. Fish the deeper pockets of water near the shoreline to catch fish staging to feed. Streamers and bead headed nymphs should work well. The big browns will be hitting anytime now. Rim Rock Ranch reminds anglers this is a catch and release lake with special restrictions so be sure to check the regulations.

McCLOUD RIVER– Opened Saturday April 27 with good water conditions, but no reports yet.

SHASTA LAKE—The bass bite has been off the hook for dinks as the larger fish are deeper spawning. The Pitt was the best bet for trout and even a few browns.

TRINITY LAKE—The rainbow bite has been good on Sep’s sidekick with a threaded nightcrawler on the surface or a blue Wiggle Hoochie. With warming days the water is starting to warm up as well, but there has been no koke bite yet.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR—The kokes are still small but very healthy and fat. The fish were holding in 40 to 60 feet of water around the 299 Bridge, and 60 to 80 feet deep by the Curtain. These kokes will be up to 14 and 16 inches or larger by July and August.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER, above Folsom Lake—The Silver Fork is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 87-percent capacity.  The big spots were hitting this past week.  Mike Smullins of Folsom landed an 8.6-pound spotted bass near the Dark Day ramp on a shakey head worm fished 20 feet deep.

CAMP FAR WEST—Kathy DeRossett at North Shore Resort reported that bass fishing was excellent.  Anglers reported catching 32 to 96 fish per day throwing green pumpkin Brush Hogs in the coves from 5 to 10 feet deep.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is a foot from full.  Collins Lake Resort will make a 1000-pound private plant and release the last two pens of rainbows this week.  Trout fishing has been very good with lots of limits coming in for shore anglers and boaters.  The fishing derby this past weekend was won with a trout over 8 pounds.  A 6 1/2-pound rainbow was caught by a troller using a Rapala and Jim Catalano landed a 5 3/4 pounder at the beach on Power Bait. With the water temp in the 60’s, bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish were hitting in greater numbers.  A 5 1/4-pound catfish was taken by Eric Hansard on anchovies fished in the trees on the east side.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 90-percent capacity.  Trout fishing was “outstanding” this past week, according to Lisa Rogers at Skippers Cove Marina.  Boaters heading up to Boston Bar and either tying up to the shore or drifting were doing best on nightcrawlers.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the roads were open all around the lake—both north and south sides, to the boat ramps and campgrounds.  The campgrounds will open on May 16.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that several trollers were seen on the lake this past week, but no reports were available.  Trout and Mackinaw action should be good, and kokanee action should start soon.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 87-percent capacity.  The bass fishing was still excellent all over the lake with fish in all phases of the spawn.  Guide Ron Gandolfi was doing best with dart-head worms and Senkos, though the reaction bite was picking up as the water warmed.  Coho salmon were hitting for trollers at the dam, Green Bridge, and the upper Middle Fork.

ROLLINS LAKE—Casey Reynolds of Auburn reported that shore anglers were picking up some limits of 15- to 18-inch rainbows on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait in the coves from Long Ravine to Freeloaders Cove fishing early in the morning or late in the afternoon.  Bass were hitting too, Tyler Resetar picked a couple of 2 pounders on Power Bait while fishing for trout in Long Ravine.  Boaters were picking up some brown trout in the river inlet area on Rapalas.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Jim Caldwell at the marina reported that trout fishing was still good after the 4000-pound NID trout plant two weeks ago.  Shore anglers and trollers were catching limits of 12- to 15-inch rainbows all over the lake.  One troller picked up two 3-pound smallmouth bass on worms.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The lake is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.  The campgrounds opened this past weekend.  Call the Foresthill Ranger Station for info at 530-367-2224.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is full. The campgrounds are now open.  The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that shore anglers and trollers were picking up some rainbows.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at the 130.6-foot elevation at press time—62-percent capacity.  Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle Company suggested that anglers give the frog bite a try in the late afternoons with the hot weather in the forecast.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Late season steelheading slowed last week.   Some were still being caught, but not in the numbers or size of recently.  However, a few striped bass are now being spotted upriver, and there have been reports of shad starting to show in the lower end of the river.  Flows are down again, now to a skimpy 1,000 cfs.

FOLSOM LAKE— Bass are still being caught, with some of the best action in fairly shallow water and anglers working weightless Senkos over rock piles.  The lake is still rising but is still low, and there is little in the way of submerged trees or brush.  Trout fishing was pretty good for anglers drifting minnows under bobbers, but trollers were finding middling action, with most of it in front of the dam, deep, and far up the forks where the water is cooler.

FEATHER RIVER—Fishing was so-so most of the week with very low flows, but they jumped to 5,200 cfs over the weekend, and a few anglers found some pretty good angling between the mouth and Shanghai Bend.  However, most fishermen did not do very well.  Fishing will hopefully improve as flows stabilized, but the water is warming and stripers will be spawning soon and moving out.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—A very few trout were still being caught, but success has dropped way off. Bass fishing has slowed, too.  Most of the of the bites now are coming from redeared sunfish, which are fat and feisty, and will eagerly take a wiggly worm under a bobber.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento–Striped bass fishing was pretty good again last week up to Verona and down to around Courtland.  However, shad are now making their presence known, and many anglers are now focusing on them, because it’s been easy to catch 15 to 20 on mini-jigs in a couple of hours.  Try Miller Park, Discovery Park and Verona.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa—A big increase in flows from Keswick to 11,000 cfs and warming water temperatures turned off the striper bite toward the end of the week. Guides are hoping that the higher flows will attract new schools of stripers which have yet to spawn and the bite will return as flows stabilize.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—The release from Keswick increased to 11,000 cfs, and that should make an already good trout bite even better.  Spin fishermen were scoring on drifted roe and back-trolled small plugs while fly fishers were getting rainbows between 12 and 20 inches on prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and copper Johns  dead-drifted under indicators.

UPPER SACRAMENTO/McCLOUD RIVERS—Trout fishing on the McCloud opened to good water conditions and decent fishing last weekend especially around Ah-Di-Nah campground.  Most of the action was on nymphs dead-drifted under indicators.  Flows are higher on the Upper Sac, but trout fishing has been pretty good with the best action on the river’s mid-section.  No dry fly fishing, however.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing continued to be very good, and as air temperatures continue to warm, dry fly action has continued to improve with nice trout taking  blue wing olives, pale morning duns—even beetles.  Dead-drifted nymphs under indicators are getting their share of interest, too.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Berkeley boats enjoyed one of the best salmon fishing weeks in memory with limits on nearly every trip. On the Berkeley Flats, halibut bit well for boaters drifting or trolling shiners. Happy Hooker and California Dawn both posted score of halibut as high as a fish per rod. Berkeley Pier anglers hooked halibut, too. Happy Hooker limited on salmon on Sunday.

DILLON BEACH—Salmon action was sporadic and some boats did very well with fish ranging up to 19 pounds. Crabbers kept busy in Tomales Bay hauling up Dungeness. Surf fishers along Dillon Beach enjoyed an improving surf perch bite.

EMERYVILLE—All boats out of Emeryville Sportfishing ran salmon trips this week and found consistent limits of fish. The average size of salmon was 8 to 10 pounds and the typical jackpot fish ran 18 to 20 pounds. The best area was between the Farallon Islands and Deep Reef and most were caught trolling with anchovies on crowbars.

EUREKA—Good surf fishing for red tail perch was reported most of the week. Clammers gathered at extreme low tides to reach the most productive spots for razor clams.

FORT BRAGG— Abalone gathering has been good, with a 10.5-inch abalone reported. Spearfishers reported a 12.5-cabezon and a large lingcod taken in a shallow rocky area near town.

HALF MOON BAY/PACIFICA—Limits of salmon were commonplace aboard boats out of Half Moon Bay and most action was from 15 to 20 miles west of Pillar Point Harbor. Up near Pacifica, jumbo stripers bit for surf fishers.

MARTINEZ—Sturgeon and striped bass both bit for boaters fishing near Buoy 4 and also near Benicia Bridge. Flash finished her sturgeon season and is moving to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco for the summer season.

OAKLAND—Boats out of here found fish in every direction. Doolittle Bridge was the striper hotspot with one monster 40-pounder reported by Mike Huynh of Mike’s Bait in Oakland. Boaters slow-trolled shiners for halibut from San Bruno to Red Rock. One lucky angler got 2 halibut near the Bird Cage.

PORT SONOMA—Sonoma Creek and Napa River produced good striper fishing. Petaluma gave up some sturgeon. San Pablo Bay seemed to fill up with sharks and rays but still gave up good numbers of sturgeon, especially in the Pumphouse area, thanks to major tides.

SHELTER COVE—Salmon fishing was a hit or miss proposition due to crystal clear water and low water temps. Some fish were caught, though, and the water is expected to improve.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 62-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that little had changed here.  Fishing was best at the dam and the inlet.  The inlet was attracting a lot of trout due to the increased flows into the Little Truckee from Stampede Reservoir.

CAPLES LAKE—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  The lake is still mostly covered with ice and Dave Foley at Caples Lake Resort estimated a mid-May thaw.  There’s open water along most shores, so stay away from the ice.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Markleeville Creek and Silver Creek are both scheduled for DFW cutthroat trout plants this week.  Alpine County split an 1800-pound plant of 3-pound rainbows between the East and West Carson Rivers this past Thursday.  Warm weather increased the runoff and bumped up the flows for the opener.  The East Carson got muddy and fishing was slow.  The West Carson was clearer and fishing was much better. Salmon eggs worked best.  With only a 42-percent snowpack, the river should be back in fishable condition in a couple of weeks.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 82-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that trolling was pretty good for 15- to 18-inch rainbows using firetiger Needlefish, red-dot frog Needlefish, and Wee Dick Nite spoons at 8 to 12 feet deep from Honker Cove to the island.  Shore fishing and fly fishing was slower with lots of rainbows still moving into the creeks to spawn.

DONNER LAKE—The lake was fishing very well for rainbows, browns, and macks according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.  Shore fishing for 12- to 14-inch rainbows was good at the west end using Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers.  24-inch macks were hitting inflated nightcrawlers and a weighted floating Rapala from shore and trolled Rapalas in trout or kokanee patterns over deeper water.  Browns were hitting the weighted floating Rapala.  A weighted floating Rapala you say—what is that??  Slip an egg sinker on your main line and attach a barrel swivel.  Add a 2-foot leader and tie on an F5 to F11 floating Rapala and work it along the bottom.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported good fishing on the North Fork.  Anthony Solansky took first place in the opening day derby with a 23 1/2 –inch rainbow.  Bob Newby caught a 22 incher that was good for second place.  The kids’ derby was won by 4-year-old Jaden Selix with a 14 1/2-inch rainbow.  The river was in great shape and there was plenty of action for fishermen after the DFW plant made prior to opening day.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 70-percent capacity.  Shore fishermen were catching nice stringers of rainbows from 18 to 25 inches on inflated nightcrawlers and Power Bait at Turkey Point, Nightcrawler Bay, Lunker Point, and the dam.  Chilcoot, Frenchman, and Spring Creek campgrounds are all open, according to Wiggins Trading Post.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—The roads were open to Gold Lake, Salmon Lake, Sardine Lake and Packer Lake.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 84-percent capacity.  Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service reported that the trout bite was slowing due to the flying ant hatch.  He was catching a limit every hour early this past week, and by the end of week was down to 10 fish per day.  Toplining a dodger/worm or grub was working.  The ant hatch will last a couple of weeks.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that shore anglers were doing well at the dam using 1/4-ounce gold Kastmaster spoons or Power Bait.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that you might be able to get to the lake, but the gates were still closed at last report.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service reported that trout trolling was excellent with limits of 9- to 14-inch rainbows coming quickly on Wild Thing dodgers trailing a spinner tipped with a piece of nightcrawler.  Macks were stacked up on ledges at 40 to 60 feet deep and hitting 1-to 2-ounce spoons.

LAKE TAHOE—Every guide WON called reported catching limits of macks either trolling or jigging in deep water.  Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters was doing well running Sling Blade/Koke-a-nut combos at 350 to 375 feet deep at Carnelian bay.  Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing called early to report a beautiful young lady from Oakland landing a 19-pound mack on light gear from 220 feet deep.  She and her two girlfriends caught limits in two hours.  Mike Nielsen reported that winds early this past week shut down the fishing, but by Thursday, he was doing well trolling in shallow water for browns running 5 to 6 pounds with Scatter Raps and ThunderSticks.  Jigging for macks in 220 to 250 feet of water at Tahoe City produced 18 fish in 45 minutes—that’s gettin’ ‘em!!

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 63-percent capacity.  The lake is accessible from Wentworth Springs Road.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 35-percent capacity.  Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports walked the lake from the dam to the Prosser Creek arm and caught a lot of rainbows casting a watermelon or firetiger Kastmaster.  The Alder Creek arm was too shallow and fishing was poor here.  The best action was at the dam and in Prosser Creek.

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye charters reported that good numbers of better quality cutthroats, 20 to 25 inches, were located along the east shore at Hell’s Kitchen, above Pyramid, and Anderson.  Smaller fish were more prevalent on the west side at Warrior.  Mendes was doing well trolling a copper Father Murphy Vibrator and a chartreuse frog Flatfish. George Molino at Cutthroat Charters fished the west side for 12- to 22-inch trout using Apex and Flatfish from Warrior to Spider Point.  A shore fisherman caught a 14-pound 6-ounce fish on a Kastmaster at Block House on the south end of the lake.

RED LAKE—The lake is ice-free and shore fishing should be good.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is at 69-percent capacity and ice-free.  Boaters should be able to find a good mack cruising looking for an easy trout meal, but no current reports were available.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 72-percent capacity.  Macks, rainbows, and kokanee were all hitting this past week on all the usual gear.  Troll for macks at the island and the dam with Kwikfish at 40 to 60 feet deep.  The kokanee were hitting on top early in the morning and dropping to 20 to 30 feet as the sun gets higher in the sky.

TOPAZ LAKE—Not much change here.  Trollers were still doing the best in the middle of the lake for 13- to 14-inch rainbows using flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.  Shore fishing has improved a little, but the lake level needs to come up to make a real difference.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Fishing was good in the general section over opening weekend for anglers using a variety of baits and lures.  The Little Truckee River fished well also, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 88-percent capacity.  The huge influx of cold water has slowed the bite.

WEST WALKER RIVER—George Anderson at the Toiyabe Motel reported that the opener was slow due to heavy runoff muddying up the river.  Fishing the upper end of the Little Walker River was good due to much clearer water conditions.  Concentrate your efforts on slower moving pocket water along the banks when flows are up—avoid the strong current in the center of the channel.

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.— Reports from both WON Field Reporters Andy Martin of Wild Rivers and Curtis Palmer of River Secrets confirmed that the springer run began in earnest this past week after rains brought flows up to 10,000 cfs, then dropped back to 7,000 over the weekend. Wednesday through Friday were great fishing days, but it slowed over the weekend between runs. The run is expected to go through at least May. Guide Bill Divens of Salmon King Lodge intercepted them in the permit-only area upriver.

ROGUE RIVER, Shady Cove—According to Jack Germain of The Fishin’ Hole, increased flows in the river have brought more winter steelhead up and a few more spring salmon, although they usually don’t begin targeting them until after May 1. Right now guides are concentrating on winter steelies from 4 to 12 pounds with an incidental king.

RUSSIAN RIVER—Dave Delmue of King’s Sport and Tackle in Guerneville said that there’s now moss in the river and the steelhead run is over for the year. No more word on the few shad that were seen in recent weeks, but that’s what is coming up next!

UMPQUA RIVER, Elkton, Ore.—Anglers are finally beginning to score some spring kings here, according to WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. “Wednesday was the first day that more than just a couple salmon had been caught among all the boats scattered over several miles of river for the last two weeks. The fishing got better through Friday from the information I recived. With a lot of life left in the season and many miles of opportunity, this years spring Chinook season may be one of the best we have had in the last decade with the low precipitation.

WILLAMETTE RIVER, Portland, Ore.—WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer thought this report from the Willamette was interesting enough to send along: Cooper Hedgecock caught 5 sturgeon Friday from the tug boat he is assigned to while it was docked waiting for a load near Swan Island. He had to release 4 fish, because they were an inch or two short of the minimum length required for retaining. Cooper  was using a mesh bag stuffed with canned sardines to catch the diamondbacks.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—Flows were fishable down to about the I-5 Bridge and it was possible to catch some small adult steelhead along with native rainbows to about 15 inches.  There isn’t much fly fishing going on right now, but drifted roe and nightcrawlers, as well as backtrolled crawdad-patterned plugs were producing some bites for the very few anglers on the water.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—The release in flows from Lewiston Dam per the Record of Decision started last Sunday.  Even though the Bureau of Reclamation has designated this year as a Dry Water Year, the release is expected to peak at 4,500 to 4,800 cfs, making the river very difficult to fish.  There is the possibility of hooking a brown trout or two from the bank by dunking bait into eddies and slack water close to the bank.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—The river was already high and is going even higher because of high ROD flows which started to ramp up on Sunday night.   

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— Colder mornings and windy days took their toll on water temperatures, struggling to stay in the 60-degree range. Most mornings it was around 57-58 degrees. Water clarity was not great either, with most areas having only 2 to 4 feet. Bass are in all stages of spawning, it’s just a matter of warmer water so keep an eye on the weather.

LAKE BERRYESSA—The only reports from here this past week were of windy days blowing anglers off the water, but before the wind, guide Bill Dunn had found the kings and some big, big rainbows!  The bass bite is on though; it’s just a matter of being able to get out. Once it lies down the bite should be good in all of your usual haunts for all of the species, and the super-hot king salmon and rainbow trout bite should be on!

LAKE SONOMA—The wind was an issue her, but in a good way. The water now has a nice color to it and bass fishing improved. Cover water in the creek arms and main body points with a topwater favorite and then switch to a plastic worm and drop-shot in the afternoon.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—This is Almanor at its finest, with trophy brown trout, rainbows, kings and even some bedding bass. Please remember to put the fat bellied, larger female bass back in so they can spawn.

BAUM LAKE—The Fly Shop in Redding reported good results early and late in the day. There has been some pressure pushing the trout down, but pull them out of the weeds and you will do well.

BUCKS LAKE–Bucks Lake Lodge reports all ramps open now as well as the roads. Only a few boats have been out but a few nice macks were accounted for as an early season begins.

CASSEL FOREBAY–Repairs have been completed and they are working on making it fishable again.

FALL RIVER—Opens next Saturday on April 27 with good water conditions.

HAT CREEK–Opens next Saturday on April 27 with good water conditions.

PIT RIVER—Both fishing and water conditions have been good, although you may not find them in all of your favorite holes. The good news is that the fish are biting and as the weather and water warms up it’ll only get better.

McCLOUD RIVER– Opens next Saturday on April 27 with good water conditions.

SHASTA LAKE—Slow but steady, the next few weeks will a major improvement here as the lake warms. There have already been more brown trout caught than usual for the past few years. In the Pitt Arm, work the top 10 for trout, but in most arms the plankton and fish will be in the top 20. This coming week go up the Sac arm around Gooses Neck where there have been a lot of fish or the McCloud in front of Shasta Cabins in the top 20 feet. Everything has been biting on blue Wiggle Hoochies.

TRINITY LAKE—Still cold and slow with lots of debris up by the dam.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 58-percent capacity.  With the water rising, trout fishing was good at both ends of the lake—the dam and inlet.  Bigger inflows also had fish moving up into the Little Truckee.  Power Bait, worms, Kastmaster spoons, and Rapalas were all working, according to Tony Marotta at Mountain Hardware and Sports.

BUTT VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 90-percent capacity.  At this level, launching is a breeze.  No recent reports about the trout trolling, but it should be good.

CAPLES LAKE—WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the lake this past week and saw open water at the dam and EID had posted the area as having unstable ice.  The spillway area was still frozen and the ice covered with a thick layer of snow—use extreme caution if venturing onto the ice at the spillway—it could be unsafe!!

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Both forks are scheduled for DFW trout plants this week in anticipation of the trout season opener on April 27.  Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort said that runoff had bumped up the flows and dirtied the water.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 82-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing made an exploratory trip this past week and found fish at 15 to 18 feet deep.  He and a friend caught several rainbows on red-dot frog and firetiger Needlefish.  Shore fishermen at Mallard Cove did well on Power Bait and a float tube fly fisherman caught several fish on nymphs.  Fly fishermen were still catching big numbers of rainbows moving up into the small creeks along the west side of the lake on bead head nymphs and Copper Johns—remember to stay out of the moving water that falls under stream regulations.  A crew was working on the Honker Cove boat ramp upgrade, so progress was being made!

DONNER LAKE—Last week’s DFW trout plant had anglers doing well on the west end using Power Bait.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported there were lots of boats trolling for macks but there were few reports of success.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 70-percent capacity.  Shore fishermen were doing well at Snallygaster, Turkey Point and the Frenchman ramp for near-limits to limits of rainbows 12 to 22 inches long on nightcrawlers and Power Bait.  Fly fishermen reported catching good numbers of trout on woolly buggers from float tubes.  The campgrounds were scheduled to open April 19.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Mountain Hardware and Sports in Blairsden reported that the road to Gold Lake was open to Rocky Point.  The road to Sardine Lake was open, and the road to Packer Lake was pretty well clear.  The road to Salmon Lake was clear of snow in sections and could be plowed by this week.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 76-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.  Trolling was slower this week due to cold water runoff.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the lake this past week and watched anglers landing rainbows from the shore along the east side of the lake near the north dam and off the dam itself.  Most were using Power Bait.  Ron Garside of Gardnerville landed a nice rainbow after only 5 minutes of fishing.  Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that fly casters were doing well on blood midges and woolly buggers fished from the shore and float tubes all around the lake.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Denise Cole at Sly Park Resort reported that fishing was good after the unannounced DFW plant they received a week ago, but fishing slowed down since—the macks ate a lot of the planters.  Try Rapalas, spoons, and bait at the first dam for holdovers and leftover planters.

LAKE TAHOE—Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters continued to do well for macks trolling 350 to 375 feet deep with Sling Blade/Koke-a-nut or tube combos and Sting Kings.  Early this past week his fish ran 7 1/2 to 8 pounds and dropped to 4 1/2 to 5 pounds by the weekend.  Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported having to work hard for limits of macks running 2 to 9 pounds, but his clients weren’t keeping anything under 4 pounds so they were catching lots of fish.  Self was trolling UV spoons and small stickbaits 120 to 350 feet deep searching for active schools of macks.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported he was still picking up 1 to 6 brown trout running 3 to 6 pounds and lost a huge fish that ripped off over a 100 feet of line in 5 seconds before coming unhooked. Trolling for browns was much slower this past week with a lot more time between strikes running Rapala Scatter Raps and Laxee spoons.  Nielsen was doing well jigging for macks with Williamson Benthos jigs tipped with minnows on the west side of the lake at 160 to 220 feet deep.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 33-percent capacity.  The best fishing was still at the dam due to the low water level, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported that trolling was pretty decent with a good day producing 12 to 15 fish in the 17- to 24-inch range.  Mornings were good around the Nets near Sutcliffe and afternoons were better near Warrior Point.  Mendes was using Father Murphy Vibrator spoons and bleeding Frog Flatfish trolled 25 to 35 feet deep.  Ken Mathis of Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service was fishing Sunday when WON called and reported catching 6 to 12 fish per day running 14 to 24 inches trolling his Code Blue and Double Flutter spoons 30 to 47 feet deep from Pelican to Warrior Point.

RED LAKE—WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the lake this past week and found open water along the shore on the west side of the lake and thin clear ice along rip rap on the dam—stay off the lake!!

SILVER LAKE—WON Staffer Pat Young stopped by the lake and found lots of open water at the dam—EID has posted the lake as having unstable ice—stay off the lake!!

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 73-percent capacity.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported that a friend, Erik St. Dennis, sent him pictures of a mack in the 17- to 20-pound range that he caught trolling large stickbaits 30 to 40 feet deep.

TOPAZ LAKE—No recent report was available, but trolling should be good for 13- to 14-inch rainbows using flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that increased flows had slowed the hatches and the bite on the main river through Reno-Sparks, though midges, BWO, squala stones, and streamers were all working at times.  The CA section at Glenshire was okay using the same patterns.  The Little Truckee was fishing well with midges and BWO.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 84-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle fished the lake late this past week in windy conditions and only picked up one mack, 2 rainbows and a kokanee on Wild Thing dodger/spinner combos tipped with either worms for the trout or corn for the kokes in the top 30 feet.  A friend of Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle fished the lake this past week and caught four 3- to 4-pound macks on dodger/herring combos.  Kalan Richards of Cameron Park tried everything on Sunday and didn’t do well at all—success always depends on the day and mood of the fish!!

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—There wasn’t much change from a week ago, with a few stripers being caught in the lower end of the river, mostly on jumbo minnows and sardines.  Flows have dropped again to 1,000 cfs.  There are still some small steelhead present from Howe Avenue to the dam, but hardly anyone is fishing for them.

FOLSOM LAKE—Bass fishing continued to be great, and for anglers using live minnows over rock piles, 20-fish outings are possible.   Drop-shotting Robo-Worms and jigging has also been effective, and some larger fish were being caught on weightless Senkos, swimbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits.  There’s even a bit of a topwater bite early and late.   Fishing has slowed for landlocked king salmon and holdover trout, though.  Troll Speedy Shiners and hoochies behind dodgers between 40 and 50 feet deep for the kings, and flatline nightcrawlers behind flashers.     

FEATHER RIVER—Thousands of salmon smolts were dumped into the Feather triggering  a striped bass feeding frenzy.  Anglers, even fly fishermen, were hooking a dozen or more fish an outing.  Though most were schoolies, a few large stripers weighing over 20 pounds were also being hooked.  Flows are very low, so boating is very difficult.  A few small steelhead continued to be caught.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—The trout derby was a great success, and there are still quite a few trout left over from the heavy plants prior to the derby, but fishing has slowed a bit since then.  A few very large bass continued to bite, including a 13 pounder, on Senkos, Robo-Worms, swimbaits, and jigs.  

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—The striped bass bite continued to be very strong, but, some larger female fish are now being seen among the smaller males.  One weighing 41 pounds was caught on South River Road on a sardine.  Fishing pressure, has also  skyrocketed. The number of anglers trying for sturgeon has tapered off, but quite a few continue to be caught by anglers fishing for striped bass.  Remember, barbless hooks only are allowed for sturgeon, and the angler must have a sturgeon tag.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa—Striped bass fishing continued to improve, although fish still are not in big concentrations, so it’s necessary to move around quite a bit.  Minnows are now becoming the most effective bait.  Fishing pressure has increased dramatically.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding– Trout fishing was excellent again last week, and water conditions were just about perfect.   Both spin fishing and fly fishing were scoring fat rainbows between 12 and 20 inches.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing was very good, once again with trout taking nymphs under indicators, and there was even some dry fly action late in the day as the weather warmed.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Howling winds forced cancellation of salmon trips. California Dawn and Bass Tub both made successful runs inside the Bay for sturgeon, striped bass and halibut. Happy Hooker begins running out of Berkeley this week.

BODEGA BAY—Jetty crabbers cast snares and managed to keep their dinner plate full of tasty Dungeness crabs. A few hardy souls braved the waves and local beached to haul in surf perch, but generally it was a slow week due to weather. Reel-lentless plans to be out as soon as the winds let up, as will the New Sea Angler. A couple of skiffs made it out. One caught 4 keeper salmon, the other caught 4 shakers.

DILLON’S BEACH—Boaters worked Tomales Bay for crabs and pier fishers managed some crabs as well. Clam diggers unearthed decent counts of horsenecks when minus tides allowed access to the best spots.

EMERYVILLE—Howling winds forced cancellations of salmon trips.

EUREKA/SHELTER COVE— Salmon anglers throughout the northwest California coast watched the weather at Shelter Cove where salmon season is on. Charter boat, Seahawk, made it out and found salmon, yet most waited for better weather. Crabbing inside Humboldt Bay remains very good near the Coast Guard station.

FORT BRAGG—High winds and seas prevented salmon fishing until Sunday when the Telstar made it out. Jetty fishing however promised good action on greenling and perch, plus the possibility of cabezon for those using the right bait.

HALF MOON BAY—The Coastside Fishing Club is holding and feeding 120,000 salmon smolts in their net pen, and then will release them when bigger and stronger. The Queen of Hearts fished salmon on Wednesday with some success. Striped bass invaded the beaches from below Half Moon Bay all the way up to Pacifica.

MARTINEZ—Sturgeon and striper fishing show no signs of letting up. Boaters are getting sturgeon on grass shrimp and stripers on pile worms. Shore anglers scored numerous 23 to 24 inch striped bass on pile worms.

PORT SONOMA—Private boaters found sturgeon fishing to be a bit slower in the rivers of upper San Pablo  Bay. Very good striper fishing made up for any lack of action. Out on San Pablo Bay, salinity and water temps rose, creating ideal conditions for sharks and rays which are readily thieving baits and driving boaters nuts.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 86-percent capacity.  The bass bite should be great with the warm weather and fish moving up to spawn.  Kokanee salmon should still be hitting dodger/hoochie or spinner combos at Dark Day.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is full.  Bass fishing was good this past week.  Monroe and Shirley Smith of West Sacramento caught limits of 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-pound bass.  One angler got the surprise of his life when he landed a 30-pound catfish while trolling—they photographed the monster fish and released it.

COLLINS LAKE—Collins Lake Resort reported that the CIFFI Fishing Derby was a huge success with 170 anglers participating—it took almost 9 pounds to win.  The lake received a private trophy trout plant that included tagged fish, plus two more pens were released for a total of almost 3000 pounds of new rainbows.  Lots of pen-reared rainbows in the 2 1/2-pound range were caught this past week along with several 5 to 5 3/4 pounders.  Larry and Sandra Wright of Marysville redeemed themselves after losing a stringer with a 7 pounder on it a couple of weeks ago by landing limits that included 5- and 5 3/4-pound rainbows.  The biggest fish of the week was a 6 1/4-pound rainbow caught by Dana Sheldon of Antelope while using Power Bait at the dam.  The bass fishing has really taken off with limits of spots to 3 pounds being caught by Dave Callison plus his grandson and great-grandson.  One Sacramento group did very well on bass and redears using worms and minnows in Elmer’s Cove.  They also landed a 6 3/4-pound catfish.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 95-percent capacity.  Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that trollers were picking up rainbows at the dam on Rapalas, and running dodger/Needlefish combos for rainbows and browns up above the “No-Ski” buoys.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 50-percent capacity.  The road was clear from Ralston Ridge Rd. to the south end of the dam.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 64-percent capacity.  The road was plowed to the lake, but few reports were available about the fishing—mack trolling should be productive at the dam.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 87-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that the bass bite was ‘white hot’.   Bass could be found in all stages of the spawn—pre-spawn, on the beds, and post-spawn.  Worms, jigs, tubes, Senkos, and drop-shotting were working best, while the reaction bite was sporadic using topwater, cranks, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and A-rigs.  50- to 100- fish days were the norm with lots of small males in the counts.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is 2-foot from full.  Casey Reynolds of Auburn reported that shore fishermen were picking up 1 to 3 rainbow trout each at Long Ravine and Greenhorn using Power Bait and worms.  Reynolds landed a 16-inch rainbow that weighed 1 3/4 pounds.  Reynolds also said that one float tubers caught a limit of bass to 2 1/2 pounds on brown and green Git Zits at Long Ravine.  A.J. Harris at Long Ravine Resort reported that trollers were picking up some nice rainbows at the dam earlier in the week before the strong winds kicked up by the weekend.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is full and still producing rainbow trout for trollers working the dam and the area from the Cascade Shore boat ramp to Hensley.  The smallmouth bass should be moving up into shallower water to spawn.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—Shore anglers were still picking up holdover rainbows near the boat ramp on Power Bait.  The campgrounds were scheduled to open for the season on April 26—call now for reservations.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is full.  The campgrounds are scheduled to open on April 19.  Fishing was good trollers and fair for shore anglers catching holdover rainbows.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 131-foot elevation at press time—65-percent capacity.  The bass should be moving up to spawn.  At this lake level, the bass may be on the outside edge of the tules since the lake dropped over 1-foot from the previous week.  Try the rocky banks along the west side too.

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.

CHETCO RIVER, Ore.— The Chetco River closed Sunday night. The river will re-open to trout fishing in May. Anglers will begin trolling for kings in September. This fall’s bubble season for trophy kings at the mouth of the Chetco is Oct. 1-13. It was still giving up a fish or two before the opener.

EEL RIVER—Closed above the junction with the South Fork. Prior to that, the mainstem was a little tougher  fishing for WON Field Reporter and guide Tony Sepulveda of Green River Fishing Adventures than the South Fork, but action was steady.

EEL RIVER, South Fork—The South Fork Eel had some big piles of fish and it kicked out great action despite the fact it was getting on the low side, according to guide Tony Sepulveda.  “We broke the double digit mark on several days last week.”

GARCIA, GUALALA rivers—Closed March 31.

MAD RIVER— The Mad kicked out some nice steelhead right up until the end on March 31, according to guide Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures.

MATTOLE RIVER—Closed March 31.

NAVARRO, NOYO rivers—Closed March 31.

REDWOOD CREEK—Closed March 31.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower, Ore.— Spring salmon fishing was slow on the Rogue River near Gold Beach last week, mainly because of low, clear water. Rain over the weekend combined with increased flows from Lost Creek Dam is expected to give fishing a boost this week. April and May are peak season for springers on the lower Rogue, according to WON Field Reporter Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. That was confirmed by WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets, who said “it is just the beginning of the season and much to soon too become concerned with how many fish haven’t been caught yet.”

RUSSIAN RIVER—Reports were sketchy from Kings Sport and Tackle in Guerneville, but one angler came in and said “there’s a bunch of steelhead coming up the river.” It was pouring rain on Sunday at 4 p.m.. No reports on flows or conditions. 

SMITH RIVER— Action on the Smith was fair with up to 5 fish a boat being reported.  There were still lots of fish parked in the Middle and South Forks that should start making their way down on the next rain.  The Smith stays open below the confluence of the South and Middle Forks, according to Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures.

UMPQUA RIVER, Elkton, Ore.–The spring kings are just not here yet, or they are moving so quickly upriver that anglers aren’t able to get a bait in their path, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service, because there haven’t been any springers caught over the last week. “I feel that the salmon are a little slow getting into the river, and with the lack of a snowpack, we can expect them to travel more to the center of the river instead of in that 5 – 7 feet of water and close to the banks of the river.”

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–The last week has been as inconsistent as the rest of this season. The steelhead fishing has been winding down quickly over the last week. There are still some super bright fish in the river, but the post-spawned hens are grabbing up every bait just as fast as they can grab it. This has made it very difficult for anglers to catch a fish that is in good enough shape to take a picture with, since this is primarily a catch and release season on this river. Spring Chinook’s should be wandering through the fish ladder in the next two weeks.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—Flows were still up, and there was virtually no one fishing, but a few steelies to about 4 pounds were being caught on drifted roe and nightcrawlers. Flows were too high to fish by the time you get to mouth of the Shasta River.

KLAMATH RIVER, Johnson’s Riffle—Flows were too high to fish because of the recent storm.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—There were still lots of steelhead, but fishing was hampered by the hordes of hungry steelhead smolts released from the hatchery.  There were quite a few brown trout available, though, if you have the patience to deal with the smolts.  The browns ranged to around 18 inches, and were even taking dry flies at times.  The big increase in spring release from Lewiston Dam will begin around April 14 per the Record of Decision.  Flows will then become too high to fish for around two months.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—Steelhead fishing was pretty good last week between Willow Creek and the South Fork, as well as in the South Fork.  Backtrolling plugs seemed to be the most effective method on small, but feisty, mostly wild steelhead.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Striped bass went on the chew with a vengeance for both shore and boat anglers. Pinole and Richmond were the hotspots. Halibut bit at a slow but enticing pace for trollers and drifters. Perch season in the Bay ended with a crescendo for anglers near Berkeley and Point Pinole. The Flying Fish ran a charter inside the Bay and scored a 12-pound halibut plus a legal striper.

BODEGA BAY—New Sea Angler returned to port this weekend from a new fishing area with limits of heavy Dungeness plus all the sand dabs the passengers wanted. The bonus was finding an area up the coast that looked highly promising for the salmon opener.

EUREKA—Razor Clam digging resulted in easy limits at Clam Beach. Red tail perch showed up on the outside of the jetties. Jetty fishers also concentrated on black rockfish and lingcod.

FORT BRAGG—Overall shore fishing is rated very good. Mendocino Headlands gave up good numbers of lingcod, cabezon and rockfish. Westport and Usal Beach hosted surf fishers who targeted red tail perch. Divers worked right out in front of Noyo harbor for rockfish and lingcod. Abalone season opened April 1and prospects are outstanding.

HALF MOON BAY—Most fishing activity has been along the jetty. Anglers posted scores of rockfish, cabezon and monkeyface prickleback eels. Crabbers cast baited snares and brought in enough for dinner.

MARTINEZ/BENICIA—Sturgeon fishing continued strong near Benicia Bridge, Buoy 9 and Mothball Fleet. Striped bass began moving around, though the bigger units were still being caught inland, especially near Pittsburg. Flounder action continued late into the season and the small flatfish showed a preference for grass shrimp. Anglers aboard the Flash, out of Martinez scored well on both sturgeon and stripers this week.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 49-percent capacity.  The best fishing was still at the dam and inlet for anglers using Power Bait, worms, or casting spoons.

CAPLES LAKE—John Voss at the Caples Lake Resort reported that the ice at the spillway was still 2 feet thick, but there were spots of blue ice showing on the lake and open water was forming at the creek inlets.  Voss predicts an early thaw this year—most likely by early May.  Fishing was still decent at the spillway on a variety of baits and lures

CARSON RIVER (East)—Rains this past week doubled the flows in the river and turned the water a milky green.  Some people were cited this past week for fishing in the river upstream of Hangman’s Bridge—the river is only open below the bridge and then only with barbless hooks on artificial lures.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that shore fishing at Mallard Point was okay for anglers using Power Bait and nightcrawlers.  Fly fishermen were doing well at Coot on nymphs under indicators.  Boats can launch at Camp 5 and Mallard Point, but there are no courtesy docks at either location yet.

DONNER LAKE—Not much change here—still rainbows being taken on Power Bait and worms off the west end docks and macks were still hitting for trollers running big plugs and spoons in the top 20 feet.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 68-percent capacity.  Shore anglers did well at Crystal Point for rainbows up to 3 pounds using Power Bait.  The road around the lake is completely clear.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 73-percent capacity.  Trollers were still picking up easy limits of 10- top 13-inch rainbows toplining dodger/worm, grub, or hoochie combos.  The rains this past week should dump a lot of water into the lake, which could slow the bite until things stabilize.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that the roads into the lake off Diamond Valley and Hwy 89 were clear.  Some fly fishermen were doing pretty well from float tubes using nymphs under indicators.  Shore fishermen should be picking up a few fish off the dam.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Three trollers in one boat picked up 16-, 17-, 19-, and 21-inch macks, but wouldn’t reveal what lure they were using or where they were fishing, according to Sly Park Resort.

LAKE TAHOE—Heavy rains fell over the weekend, making for sloppy fishing conditions.  Charter operators on both ends of the lake did well on macks despite the weather.  Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters reported catching limits of macks to 8 pounds and releasing a few more smaller fish trolling 400 feet deep.  Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported having a great afternoon trip for macks to 9 pounds.  They kept 3 limits of 5 to 9 pounders and released 6 more fish between 3 and 5 pounds trolling spoons and small stickbaits from 200 to 250 feet deep.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported doing well on browns earlier in the week, catching 3 to 8 browns from 3 to 7 pounds on most trips.  He reported a client lost a brown that weighed in the teens to a buoy chain. He was doing well on the macks both jigging and trolling.  Jigging produced good numbers of 2 to 5 pounders while trolling Husky Jerk and Scatter Rap Rapalas produced fish up to 16 1/2 pounds, but mostly 4 to 8 pounders.  Nielsen was doing well at South Shore, and in Meeks and Rubicon Bay.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 32-percent capacity.  Not much change here—try fishing at the dam with the lake at this level.

PYRAMID LAKE—Trollers were picking up 15 to 67 cutthroats per day in the 17- to 24-inch size range running bleeding frog FlatFish and Father Murphy Vibrator spoons at 25 feet deep from Warrior Point to Monument.  Shore fishermen had the upper hand for size again this past week.  Glenn Lemmon of Sparks weighed in a 33-inch, 19 1/4-pound cutthroat at Crosby’s Lodge that he caught at Popcorn on a beetle fly.

RED LAKE—Few reports were available for this lake—the ice was reported to still be safe, but be extremely cautious near the shore at the dam on sunny days.

SILVER LAKE—Few reports were available for this lake—look out for soft spots and blue ice.  Use extra caution when getting on or off the ice at a rocky shore on a sunny day.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 73-percent capacity.  Rick Kennedy at Tight Lines Guide Service reported picking up a nice rainbow trout, a couple 10-inch kokanee, and two nice macks—13 1/2 and 4 1/2 pounds this past week.  The fishing was pretty slow but the quality was good.  He said he was using a Pro Troll Sting Fish for the macks and Sep’s watermelon dodgers with Uncle Larry’s Bloody Tiger spinners tipped with pink Pautzke’s Fire Corn for the kokes.

TOPAZ LAKE—Not much change here—trollers were still doing much better than shore anglers running Rapalas and flasher/worm combos in the middle of the lake in the top 10 feet for limits of 13- to 14-inch rainbows.

TRUCKEE RIVER—The best fly fishing was still in the Reno-Sparks area during the big BWO hatches.  Squala stones should be coming on soon.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 79-percent capacity.  Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported that the mack trolling had slowed down a bit, but his trips were still producing three or four 3- to 5-pound macks each.  A client hooked and lost a big fish this past week, but no lunkers were landed.  The influx of rain runoff into the lake slowed the bite and things will need to stabilize before the fishing improves.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Flows continued to be low at about 1,250 cfs, but there are still some nice steelhead being caught.  Most are half pounders to about 16 inches, and 12 to 15 inches, and spring run steelies up to about 5 pounds.

FOLSOM LAKE—Bass fishing  was pretty good again last week as the lake continued to slowly rise and warm.  Fish  have been moving up in the water column, and are becoming more aggressive.  Though drop-shotting Robo-Worms and jigging over rock piles continued to attract more fish, larger fish were being caught on weightless Senkos, swimbaits, crankbaits, and jerkbaits.  Fishing for landlocked king salmon was up and down with anglers catching some nice fish to 3 pounds in front of the dam on Speedy Shiners and hoochies behind dodgers trolled from 40 to 50 feet deep.   Holdover rainbows were taking nightcrawlers long-lined behind flashers fished near the surface.

FEATHER RIVER—Fishing for  striped bass to about 8 pounds continued to slowly improve from Verona to Shanghai Bend.  Steelhead fishing was surprisingly good from the Gridley on the High Flow Section up into the Low Flow Section.  Fly fishing was particularly good on small Mayfly, and caddis nymphs fished dead-drifted under indicators.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—Trout fishing was very good last week, and  a few very large bass were caught, as well.   A trout derby being is being held this weekend, April 6 and 7.  There will be a $100 first prize for adults, $50 for youth 11-16, and $35 for 10 and under.  A $5 entry fee will be charged  to enter the Derby (plus daily park entry fee).  There will be some heavy plants just before the event.  The bass were biting on Senkos, Robo-Worms, swimbaits and jigs.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Fishing for striped bass improved a couple of notches over the weekend, and quite a few limits were caught off South River Road,  the Minnow Hole, Bryte’s Beach,  Miller Park, Garcia Bend, and Discovery Park.  Most anglers are now focusing on stripers, but those using pileworms for bait have also been catching the occasional sturgeon.   Most of the fish are smaller males to about 8 pounds.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa—Sturgeon fishing was still excellent, but striper fishing was finally improving, too.  It wasn’t great, anglers drifting minnows were now catching a few small males to about 6 pounds up to Colusa.  Sturgeon fishing was still good, too.  The river was expected to rise and muddy up because of the weekend storm, but should also bring in lots more fish.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Trout fishing was excellent, once again, but, because of the storms, most of the action was concentrated in the Redding area above tributaries.  Nightcrawlers, crickets, and Glo-Bugs produced the best action, but fly fishers  also did well drift Mayfly and caddis nymph imitations under indicators.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing was very good, once again with trout taking nymphs under indicators, and there was even some dry fly action late in the day as the weather warmed.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— The warmest waters are found in back water areas right now and that is where anglers should concentrate their searches, as a few bedding fish are beginning to be reported. Pitching jigs, Brush Hogs, plastic worms, ripbaits and swimbaits are all being used, but of course the live bait crowd stills rules. This month will be even busier as the tourney crowds hit the waters hard and the bulk of the bass will be on beds by the next full moon. The fishing here has been great!

LAKE BERRYESSA—You can catch all the rainbow action you want with a dodger/worm combo on the surface at the Narrows before the main lake, Skier’s Cove and up on the shallow flats above the Ranch House. Bass fishing was a little slow due to the weather but the Narrows did produce bass up to 2 1/2 pounds on soft plastics.

LAKE SONOMA—No change here, bass anglers are still chasing fish up in the coves and down in the Warm Spring arm as we move to pre-spawn fishing. LuckyCraft BDS3 in the shad patterns. Other good techniques included pitching Senkos, Brush Hogs or Robo worms into standing timber in 5 to 15 feet of water but the water is stained and cold still. The steelies should be back in the main body soon, as well.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—The bait bite at the usual spots such as Big Springs and the A-Frame are paying dividends, and the trolling bite has also spiked. Salmon are running in schools up and down the east shore, so fishing has been good for those running downriggers or fishing from shore. Hamilton Branch, Geritol Cove, Bailey Springs are all accessible now. Add to that the hatches starting up and the bass getting ready to spawn and you have some great options here.

BAUM LAKE—The Fly Shop in Redding reported great fishing and lots of trout to go around. Floating baits, lures and all kinds of flies are working on these hungry fish.

CASSEL FOREBAY–Repairs have been completed and they are working on making it fishable again.

PIT RIVER—Both fishing and water conditions have been good, but with the snow melt as the day warms up, the waters can get a little colder. The good news is anglers are starting to see some March browns and some caddis.

SHASTA LAKE—Bass fishing has been good on main lake points in 10 feet of water using 7-inch Ospreys in ghost rainbow. The kings are just getting started from 60 to 100 feet down on shad patterns. Rainbows are scattered everywhere in the top 30 feet, but this past week weren’t eager to bite. No Name Island or the McCloud in front of Shasta Cabins will be good target areas close to the shoreline. Try Capt. America Hum Dingers and a watermelon Apex or Wiggle Hoochies in blue or white.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 83-percent capacity.  Severe rainstorms over the weekend slowed fishing.  When the weather stabilizes, look for kokanee while trolling dodger/hoochies combos in the top 40 feet. Spotted bass should be moving up to spawn on flatter banks on the points and in the coves.  Try Senkos, swimbaits, A-rigs, and darthead worms.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is full.  North Shore Resort reported that bass fishermen were catching 10 to 25 fish per day on jigs, lizards, worms, and Brush Hogs on the flatter points at 5 to 10 feet deep.  Most the fish were running 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds, though one angler said he picked up two 4 1/2 pounders.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is a foot from full.  Collins Lake Resort released 3 pens of rainbows this past week—mostly 2 1/2 to 3 pounders.  Trout fishing was good for most anglers with many picking up a big fish or two on their stringers.  Shore anglers and trollers both scored rainbows from 4 1/4 to 6 1/2 pounds. The shore fishermen reported doing well at the beach, Open Area, and the campgrounds using Power Bait and worm/marshmallows.  Trollers did best running Rapalas, and Kastmaster or Cleo spoons.  The CIFFI Derby will be held on April 13—check out www.ciffi.org for info and registration forms.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 90-percent capacity.  Skippers Cove Marina released all four pens of their trophy rainbows this past Wednesday.  They weighed some fish in the 10- to 12-pound range as they came out of the pens and saw bigger ones swim away.  Fish to 6 pounds had already been caught by the weekend.  The fish were turned loose from just outside the marina to Long Cove.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—It was rumored that the road to the lake had been plowed, but a call to the Georgetown Ranger Station revealed that one angler had to chain-up his 4×4 to reach the lake—wait until the weather warms back up before towing a big boat in here.  Call the Georgetown Ranger Station for the latest road conditions at 530-333-4312.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 84-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that bass fishing was getting better and better as the bass moved into the spawning phase and started bedding.  The males were all over the bank pretty much throughout the whole lake.  The females were still spread out from 3 to 30 feet deep.  Gandolfi did best with bottom bouncing baits—Senkos, darthead worms, tubes, and small jigs—but there was a good reaction bite going on ripbaits, cranks, spinnerbaits, and A-rigs on overcast or windy days.  30 fish days with spots averaging 2 pounds and the occasional 3 to 5 pounder are common.  Coho salmon were hitting dodger/hoochie combos near the dam in the top 10 feet this past week.  The lake was up 5 feet this past week and there was lots of debris floating, but DWR tugs were booming off large rafts of debris to make for safer boating.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is full.  A.J. Harris at Long Ravine Resort reported that shore anglers were catching rainbows to 20 inches in Long Ravine on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, and Kastmaster spoons.  Trollers were picking up 2 or 3 fish per person on Needlefish at the dam.  Bass fishing was reported to be good off the points in the river arm.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The marina reported that trollers were still picking up rainbows near the dam on flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—Holdover rainbows were still available here for shore anglers and trollers until DFW plants resume later this spring.  The lake facilities were all accessible with no snow at this elevation.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is full.  The fishing was good for trollers according to the Georgetown Ranger Station.  Limits of 10- to 14-inch rainbows were common for boaters running flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.  Shore fishermen were catching 2 or 3 fish each from the dam on Power Bait and worms.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 133.4-foot elevation—81-percent capacity.  At this lake level, the bass will be able to get back up into the tules to spawn.  Pitch jigs and Senkos into the tules for a chance at some big largemouths.  Don’t give up on trying cranks or spinnerbaits on the rocky banks along the west side.

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.

CHETCO RIVER, Ore.—Low flows plagued the Checto River again last week, although there were still some fish caught in the river, mostly in the upper river, according to WON Field Reporter Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. He expects some bluebacks to come in this week following a big storm that’s forecast for  Tuesday-Thursday, expected to push to river back up to 3,000 cfs. As of Sunday it was running at 1500 cfs.

COQUILLE RIVER, South Fork, Powers, Ore.–The middle of last week had a few driftboaters happy they chose to take that last trip down this small, but highly successful river for steelhead. With the water level at only 2.5 feet and good visibility, the half dozen boats found as many as a dozen fish for a couple of the boats for their count after a full day of fishing. Most of the steelhead were natives that had to be released, but they were mostly bright fish, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secrets.

EEL RIVER—The best steelheading of the year took place last week after the storm,  especially on the South Fork when it dropped into shape, with many guides and anglers finding double-digit hookups with about 2/3rds of them downrunners and the rest fresh fish. Drifting bait and plugs both worked, since the fish were eager to bite, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures.

MAD RIVER—The rain really kicked this river into gear and fresh fish poured upriver while downers moved downriver. There was a late run of wild fish that showed up, according to Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures. The hatchery to the Blue Lake bridge provided “fantastic” fishing for bankies drifting roe with a Fish Pill or tossing hardware.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower, Ore.—The first “Springer” spring salmon was officially caught last week up here, but the main run isn’t really expected for 2 or 3 weeks, according to Jim Carey of the Rogue Outdoor Store. It’s expected to be a “normal” year for the spring kings run. Carey said that guide Steve Beyerlin’s client Ken Turner of Durham, North Carolina, caught the first spring king salmon weighing 16 pounds on Saturday, March 16.

ROGUE RIVER, Grant’s Pass—Kurtis Jermain at the Fishin’ Hole in Shady Cove, said that fishing was “a little tough” on steelhead, “a few here and there.” He said the river needs rain to bring the steelies upriver, and hopes that the storm this coming week will do it. He said there’s been a good showing of searun cutthroat trout, though, and they’re catching a lot of them 16 to 18 inches while flyfishing. Amazingly, Jermain said someone caught a spring king salmon on March 7, the “earliest I’ve ever seen.”

RUSSIAN RIVER—Low and clear, but one guide on Saturday fished near Monte Rio and got a couple of hatchery steelhead in just a few hours, according to Kings Sport and Tackle in Guerneville. A few other guides went out on Saturday night around Monte Rio and had some hookups, but didn’t land any.

SMITH RIVER—Back to low and clear conditions after a brief upward move with the rain of last week. It fished well right after the rain, but is now “fickle” again, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–Finally the winter steelhead are showing up in consistent numbers, along with many anglers who are catching several fish a day. The main concentration of steelhead appears to be from Whistlers Bend Park downriver to Hesness  Boat Ramp. By the middle of next week there should be fresh fish as high as Colliding Rivers.

UMPQUA RIVER, Scottsburg, Ore.–Those highly desired spring Chinook’s don’t seem to be heading upriver yet, according to Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. He has heard of a couple Springer’s caught at Winchester Bay. “I am sure the salmon were caught, but I am not sure that they were spring Chinooks,” he said. “ I hope they were, but have to wonder if they weren’t feeder’s coming in to feast in the Bay.”  The news on the river in the Scotts Creek area is that nobody is catching any spring Chinook’s yet .

UMPQUA RIVER, South Fork, Canyonville, Ore.-Most of the anglers have been on the other two rivers this last week, fishing with what seems to be the majority of steelhead in the system. “I haven’t heard of any fish being caught on this river over the last week,” said WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—Some fresh adult steelhead to about 5 pounds have arrived at the upper end of the Klamath, and, along with some nice trout, are being caught on backtrolled crawdad  plugs, drifted Glo-Bugs, roe, and nightcrawlers.

KLAMATH RIVER, Johnson’s Riffle—Fishing was only fair as steelhead swam upstream after the rain of two weeks ago, and have not been replaced by very many new arrivals.  A few steelhead were being caught below the mouths of creeks, but fishing was slow.  There was virtually no fishing pressure, though.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—The very few anglers trying found some great fishing last week for a new push of mostly wild steelhead, including fish larger than usual with some weighing up to 10 pounds.  While some fish were downrunners, most were in good condition and quite a few were bright, new arrivals.  Some were being caught on backtrolled plugs and side-drifted roe, the best action was via fly fishing, and the best flies were poxy-back hare’s ears, and red copper Johns with white rubber legs.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—Fishing was pretty good last week as fresh steelhead stuck around the area waiting for the river and creeks to rise, especially downstream of the South Fork.  The rain raised the river a bit, and allowed fresh fish move into that section of river, while others moved out and went upstream.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Sturgeon action peaked, especially for boats running to Suisun Bay. Halibut bit in San Francisco Bay and the South Bay. Flounder bit near Point Pinole and Martinez.

BODEGA BAY—New Sea Angler found crabs and sand dabs providing steady action. Limits of crabs were the rule. Sand dab action was dependent upon the current and the hours of slower current were exceptionally productive for the flatfish. Surf fishers found perch action, with sand crabs, pile worms and Gulp! sandworms accounting for most fish.

BROOKINGS, Ore.—Lingcod and rockfish action went off the hook this week near Brookings, according to reports from Andy Martins of Wild Rivers Fishing. Action was great and limits were easy. Krill were so thick that they blanked out fishfinder screens. Incidental salmon were caught and released, building anticipation for the season ahead.

EUREKA—Jetty fishers exercised some ingenuity by using bobbers to successfully present anchovies and herring baits to rockfish between rocks along the jetty. Crabbers cast snares and dropped hoops from the local pier. Clammers dug up Clam beach and gathered good numbers of razor clams.

FORT BRAGG—Twin 8-pound lingcod, caught from the jetty Saturday highlighted local fishing action in Fort Bragg. Private boat crabbers found good action with short soak times, in 30 to 50 feet of water off of 10-Mile Beach. Jacksmelt (locally called “nightfish”) invaded the surf at McKericher beach where people waded into the surf at night to throw nets.

HALF MOON BAY/PACIFICA—Surf perch fishing picked up late in the week and over the weekend south of Half Moon Bay, while slowing somewhat near Pacifica. Rockfish action remained steady and good at the harbor jetty.

MARTINEZ—Sturgeon fishing was great, especially early in the week. The Flash turned in high scores of both sturgeon and stripers. Private boaters worked the Benicia Bridge and Buoy 2 for sturgeon. A 50-incher was caught from the left side of the Martinez Marina pier, which is unusual.

PORT SONOMA—River systems continued to produce fish, with Petaluma River taking a clear first place. Sturgeon and stripers were also caught in the Napa River. Few reports came from Sonoma Creek this week. Rising salinity levels are bringing in a few sharks and rays.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 39-percent capacity.  The ice is off the lake and shore fishermen can find rainbows and a few browns casting lures and bait at the dam and the inlet, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.

CAPLES LAKE—John Voss at Caples Lake Resort reported there was still 2 feet of ice on the lake and fishing was good at the spillway in 5 to 10 feet of water for anglers using worms, bay shrimp, and Kastmaster spoons.

CARSON RIVER (East)—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported seeing anglers parked at Hangman’s Bridge every day, but few were catching any fish.  With the warm weather, there was some run-off keeping the water temp on the cold side and putting a little color in the water.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 78-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported seeing the best fishing of the winter this past week.  Early in the morning the fish were 6 to 8 feet deep and then moved out to 15 feet later in the day at the dam.  Fishermen were picking up 3 to 5 fish running 14 to 18 inches on Power Bait and nightcrawler/marshmallow combos.  The ice was getting soft enough to push the auger through by this past weekend, so the ice could be unsafe very soon.  Call ahead for the latest ice conditions—J&J’s Grizzly Store at 530-832-0270 or Ed Dillard at 530-966-5500.

DONNER LAKE—Tony Marotta at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that shore anglers were picking up holdover rainbows on marshmallow/worms on the west end and on the north side public piers.  Trollers were doing well on macks from 3 to 10 pounds running spoons and plugs in rainbow trout and kokanee colors at 30 to 40 feet deep.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 66-percent capacity.  Wiggins Trading Post reported that the upper end of the lake was open, but ice was still showing at the dam.  Though there were a few anglers still ice fishing at the dam, Shirley Wiggins said that the ice should be considered unsafe for fishing.  The west side road was passable with 4-wheel drive and shore anglers were picking up some nice rainbows at Snallygaster and Lunker Point where there was open water.  The east side was accessible to Crystal Point, but not to Turkey Point.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 67-percent capacity.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service fished the lake this past week and said trolling was very good for rainbows running 12 to 14 inches.  Toplining a Wild Thing dodger/nightcrawler and a mini-flasher/’crawler in the top 15 feet produced 12 to 14 fish in just a few hours.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort and Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters (TFFO) both reported that the roads into the lake were open.  TFFO said that float tubers were picking up some nice fish on nymph/indicators.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—The lake is full.  Fishing was slow this past week with only a few shore anglers trying for rainbows at the first dam according to Sly Park Resort.

LAKE TAHOE—Rick Kennedy at Tight Lines Guide Service reported that trout trolling in shallow water was slow at Sand Harbor—only one 3-pound mack after dragging Rapalas and Indilure spoons for 4 hours for rainbows and browns.  Kennedy limited out on macks to 4 pounds off Cal-Neva Point trolling 200 to 280 feet deep.  Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing said the fishing was “off the charts” with limits of 4 to 7 pounders coming every trip in just a couple of hours trolling 170 to 240 feet deep with plugs and spoons from Crystal Bay Point to Tahoe City.  Self said that shore anglers were doing well on rainbows from 12 inches to 3 pounds on inflated nightcrawlers at Dollar Point.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners reported that trolling was very good early in the week for browns to 4 pounds and macks from 3 to 6 pounds.  The browns were hitting Laxee and Shoehorn spoons run 25 to 30 feet deep in 35 to 40 feet of water.  The macks wanted UV Laxee spoons and Storm ThunderSticks trolled 170 to 220 feet deep.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 32-percent capacity.  The ice thawed here this past week—lots of open water.  One shore angler picked up a nice brown trout on a Rapala that had a belly full of kokanee to 8 inches.

PYRAMID LAKE—The 9^th Annual Ken Hembree Classic Fishing Derby fielded 358 contestants.  Fishing was slow overall with a 12 pounder taken by Craig Kaiser leading the event at press time.  Earlier this past week, Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported that fishing was hit-or-miss with only 11 trout to 21 inches coming in on a half-day trip one day, while 26 fish to 10 1/4 pounds were caught the next day.  Mendes said the fish were hitting Father Murphy Vibrator spoons trolled right on the bottom in 30 to 35 feet of water in Fox Bay.

RED LAKE—Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that the ice was no longer safe for ice fishing here.  A word to the wise should be sufficient!!

SILVER LAKE—No changes here.  Try the dam area where there’s access, and use worms and bay shrimp through the ice.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 74-percent capacity.  The road is open and someone plowed the boat ramp, so trollers can now get on the lake.  Before the ramp was cleared a couple of locals slid an aluminum boat in and trolled around the island and scored on a 21-pound mack and a 10-pound brown according to Tony Marotta at Mountain Hardware and Sports.  Macks and browns were hitting big stickbaits.

TOPAZ LAKE—Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that trollers were still doing well for 1- to 1 1/4-pound rainbows using Rapalas and flasher/worm combos in the middle of the lake.  Shore fishing remained slow.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that “massive” 5- to 6-hour BWO hatches were triggering excellent  dry fly action east of Reno for browns and rainbows running 12 to 20-plus inches.  Fishing in CA at Glenshire was okay and starting to improve.  The Little Truckee was accessible and fish were hitting tiny midge and parachute patterns in sizes 20 to 24 on 6X and 7X tippets—bring you’re A-Game.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 74-percent capacity.  The lake level rose quickly this past week and was full of debris.  Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported he was still picking up four or five macks to 5 pounds on each trip with the possibility of hooking a lunker.  The fish were still holding on mid-lake humps at 90 to 115 feet deep and hitting Double Flutter spoons and herring dodger combos.  One big fish was hooked this past week but it was lost.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service reported that friends who fished the lake this past week for rainbows found slow action and tough conditions due to the heavy debris and fast rising water level.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— It didn’t take long for the word to get out big bass are being caught in all of the popular holes, especially with the big tourney sacks but be aware that the lake is very crowded right now. Come early in the week if possible.  While most of the fish are in the 2 1/2- to 4-pound range, angles are catching fish up to 8 pounds and larger all over the lake. After minnows the Alabama rig has been the most popular followed by a variety of swimbaits, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, Senkos and drop-shot worms.

LAKE BERRYESSA—Troll the dam and Skiers Cove if you are looking for kings but there haven’t been any reports. The water is very clear so bass moving into the shallows get spooked easily. The water is still a little cold but reports should start surfacing soon.

LAKE SONOMA–Bass anglers are still chasing fish up in the coves and down in the Warm Spring arm getting ready for the start of pre-spawn fishing. LuckyCraft BDS3 in the shad patterns tossed on the main body from the no ski buoys all the way back to the 5 mph buoys has been kicking out some nice fish as well but the water is stained. The steelies should be back in the main body by the end of March.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—Spring is the time to target the big brown trout, followed by big rainbows and kings in the early summer as they fatten up from the winter. Right now it’s the pond smelt they are after. Before too long there will also be hatches. Things are getting ready to bust open.

BAUM LAKE—The Fly Shop in Redding reported fair to good fishing from mid morning to mid afternoon.

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. The section above the canal near the post office is fishing well but does not accommodate a lot of fishermen. There’s been no indication as to when repairs may be completed or when the fore bay may reopen.

PIT RIVER—Fishing has been good here for the past month thanks to some hatches going off and conditions continue to improve. There has been very little pressure here as well so don’t be put off by tough wading conditions, just move slow and carefully using a roll cast.

SHASTA LAKE—This past week anglers started trolling for king from 60 to 80 feet down. Just follow the diving birds for limits. Trout limits were also found but on the surface. Bass fishing has been good on main lake points with small swimbaits.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—This is quite late in the season for adult winter run steelhead, but some bright fish are still showing up, and some weigh up to 12 pounds.  Typically, there are also some half-pounders from 12 to 15 inches in the mix.  Fishing pressure is virtually nil.  The steelies are taking side-drifted nightcrawlers, and fly fishers are getting them by swinging caddis- and smolt-imitating nymphs on the swing on floating and sinktip lines.  The only disappointment has been that the spring run adults that usually show up this time of year have been no-shows.

FOLSOM LAKE—Bass fishing continued to improve as the lake warms, rises slowly and bass approach spawning.  The best action has been slowly working jigs over rock piles at about 15 feet deep off the Peninsula and into the South Fork.  Some larger—but fewer—bass are being caught on swimbaits and ripbaits in shallower water.  Fishing for landlocked king salmon was up and down, but action might be good one day, slower the next.  The trick has been to be patient, and not to give up, because the strikes might start coming at noon as readily as at 7 a.m..  Speedy Shiners and hoochies trolled behind dodgers between 40 and 50 feet deep between the dam and the porta-potties provided the best odds of success.

FEATHER RIVER—The river went from 2,100 cfs to 5,000 cfs, and back down again last week, so not surprisingly fishing wasn’t very good last week.  The fish are likely there, but flows have to stabilize for awhile before the bite comes back.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—Trout fishing was fair last week with anglers fishing from boats (no gas engines allowed) doing best.  A trout derby being is being held April 6 and 7.  There will be a $100 first prize for adults, $50 for youth 11-16, and $35 for 10 and under.  A $5 entry fee will be charged  to enter the Derby (plus daily park entry fee).  There will be some heavy plants just before the event.  Some nice bass were caught last week.  Fishing for them is a challenge, but some of the bass are in the 10-pound class.  Work Senkos, Robo-Worms and jigs veeeery slowly.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Striped bass fishing hit high gear last week.  Most of the fish were small, weighing up to 6 pounds, but lots of limits were being caught from shore at  Miller Park, South River Road, Bryte Beach, and Courtland, and Rio Vista.  Fish bloodworms, pileworms and sardines close to shore.  Sturgeon fishing was good, too, especially off So. River Road.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa—Sturgeon fishing was “red hot” with some anglers getting multiple hookups in an evening’s fishing.  The best action was around Colusa, but Knight’s Landing and Tisdale were also producing.  Use eels, ghost shrimp/pileworms combos.  Striped bass fishing continued to be slow, though.  It should break open any time now.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—The water below Keswick continued to clear, and fishing around Redding was producing trout to 3 pounds, mostly backtrolling small plugs and drifting nightcrawlers.  As you progress downstream, the water continued to clear, and trout numbers increased, although the average size decreases.  Fly fishing was good, and there was even a bit of dry fly action in the evening as some nice hatches came off the water.  Dead-drifted Mayfly and caddis nymph imitations were producing the most action, though.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing was good with trout taking nymphs under indicators.  There was a bit of dry fly action late in the day as the weather warmed.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 96-percent capacity.  Guides Rick Kennedy and Ed Fisk took a DFW biologist trolling to collect some kokanee for research and hooked 24 fish landing 9—all 9 to 10 inches—all on Sep’s Goldstar dodgers trailing pink Uncle Larry’s spinners from the top to 40-plus feet deep near Dark Day.  Bass bite has been good.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is nearly full and the water is clear.  Bass fishing was very good this past week with reports of 32 to 58 fish being caught per day on green pumpkin lizards and Brush Hogs from 8 to 10 feet deep.  The bass were running 1 1/2 to 2 pounds.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake will receive a quadruple plant this week—a 1000-pound private plant including tagged fish, a DFW plant, and two pens will be released consisting of 600 rainbows running 2 1/2 to 3 pounds.  Kathy Hess reported that most anglers were still only catching 2 or 3 good sized rainbows, though there were a few limits.  Trollers picked fish weighing 7 and 9 1/2 pounds near the dam on Rapalas and Cripplures.  Shore anglers rely on Power Bait at the dam, beach, and the campgrounds.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 90-percent capacity.  Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that customers fishing here this past week did well for 14- to 16-inch rainbows running Sep’s watermelon dodgers and pink hoochies 20 to 25 feet deep at the dam and from the “No-Ski” buoys to the inlets.  Also, drifting worms at the waterfall was productive.  Skippers Cove Marina will release their pen-reared trophy fish this next week after March 24.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that bass fishing was excellent with the fish moving up into the shallows to spawn.  The smaller 1- to 1 1/2-pound males were all over the banks, while the larger females were holding in 15 to 25 feet of water on the flatter points all over the lake.  Drop-shot worms, jigs, tubes, dart-head worms and Senkos, and Paradise Tackle Company finesse jigs were all working well.  Anglers throwing A-rigs were picking up some bigger fish to 4 pounds.

ROLLINS LAKE—A.J. Harris at Long Ravine Resort reported that trout fishing was good after the DFW plant this past week.  Trollers were picking up fish from the dam to the inlet on flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is full and the water is clear.  Jim Caldwell at Scott’s Flat Marina reported that trollers were picking up limits of 11- to 14-inch rainbows all over the lake.  Shore anglers were only picking up 2 or 3 fish each using Power Bait near the marina.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that access to the lake facilities was good.  With the warmer weather, fishing should be improving for holdover trout.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The road is passable with 4-wheel drive and boaters can expect to see limits of rainbows to 14 inches on flasher/worm combos and Rapalas.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 131.9-foot elevation at press time—70-percent capacity.  Despite all the speed boat traffic earlier in the week practicing for the races this past weekend, bass fishing was good for fish up to 6 pounds.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported catching fish on the rock rip rap banks along the west side of the lake on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.  In the coves, a weightless Senko was working on the tule banks.  In one cove Gandolfi found several dead bass floating around and the biggest weighed 8 1/2 pounds.

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.

CHETCO RIVER, Ore.— The Chetco blew out and was fishing by Thursday and prime on Friday, with lots of downrunners and enough fresh fish to keep anglers happy. The North Fork area was one of the better spots. Most anglers were scoring well on mostly downers but some fresh fish, and both plugs and bait were working well. The reports were confirmed by both WON Field Reporters and guide Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures and Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing.

EEL RIVER— The Eel mainstem went up 6 feet at Scotia, and was still out of commission at press time on Sunday, as was the South Fork, but watch for both to be dropping and clearing quickly, and they should both be good places to try by the weekend for fresh and downer steelies, according to WON Field Reporter Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures.

MAD RIVER— The Mad River got hit with good rain and was blown out, but should be coming back into shape by the weekend and provide some good steelhead action on fresh fish, but mostly downrunners.

SIXES RIVER, Port Orford, Ore.–Fishing for steelhead on the Sixes last week was close to the same that it has been for most of the season. Low amounts of pressure from angler and even less boat pressure, with fair  to good responses from the steelhead, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets. From flies to plugs, these fresh-out-of the-salt fish are on a mission to move upriver. Only about 3-5 guide boats and 2-3 private driftboats on the river. One guide said he was catching 6 fish a day.

SMITH RIVER— The Smith went up after the rains and it was really the only river fishable right away, and fishing was good for steelhead even as the river was still going up! Guide Mike Coopman went 3 for 4, and the only other boat that day hooked 5. It now has fresh fish, and downers, according to guide and WON Field Reporter Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures.

UMPQUA RIVER, Sutherlin, Ore.–River is dropping quickly and the steelhead are piling up in the holes and riffles. Anglers might want too think about fishing this river before the next time the water rises and the fish bolt upriver. Fishing success has been minimal for just about everybody and the bite has been soft with the constant cold water temperature. No problems with crowds from bankies or from the driftboater’s last week. Not sure where the people that live for fishing steelhead were last week, but they couldn’t be found on this river, said guide Curtis Palmer.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.—“It was the most difficult first week in March that I have ever experienced  on this river,” said Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. “River levels have been like a rollercoaster, with it’s swift rising flow and then followed by a long steady drop in water height. Temperature of the water has been even more erratic with it constantly changing and almost daily, between 40 and 45 degrees, so it’s a light bite. No problem while using pink worms, because the steelhead have been inhaling the 4- and 6-inch worms. The better reports have been coming from people fishing above Whistler’s Bend Park and driftboats that have been putting in at Amacher Park near I-5 and staying there to fish have been catching good numbers of fish. The window at the ladder has had some very big steelhead working their way upriver during mid-week.”

UMPQUA RIVER, South Fork, Canyonville, Ore.--Just as most of the locals were giving up on the steelhead run this year and starting to get ready for other fishing seasons, fish were found just below Myrtle Creek, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer. During the middle of last week anglers fishing from Lawson Bar downstream to Myrtle Creek seemed to be finding a few hatchery fish to harvest. Downriver on the west side of Roseburg there were chrome bright steelhead being caught as well on the section of the river known as Kruse: The Forks River Park. The two pieces of tackle used the most were yarn balls with a small piece of shrimp with it and the other were Berkley Pink Worms in the 4-inch Bubble Gum.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—Some nice trout and small steelhead continued to be caught by very few anglers trying for them.  Backtrolled plugs, drifted Glo-Bugs, roe, and nightcrawlers worked best.  Fly fishing might attract a few strikes, but is not likely to be as reliable as fishing with bait or lures.

KLAMATH RIVER, Johnson’s Riffle—Fishing slowed in this area as the water rose from the rain, and fish that had been hanging in this area finally got the encouragement to finally move upriver.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—Fishing improved last week as the rain, as limited as it was, encouraged steelhead hanging far downstream to finally make a push upriver.  There was some pretty decent fishing for a mix of downrunner steelhead plus some nice, fresh, wild steelhead to about 8 pounds.  Some brown trout have been showing up, too.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—Fishing was pretty good last week as fresh steelhead stuck around the area waiting for the river and creeks to rise, especially downstream of the South Fork.  The rain raised the river a bit, and allowed fresh fish move into that section of river, while others moved out and went upstream.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— Local tackle shops reported a brisk business in minnows, trailer baits for umbrella rigs and swimbaits. Other favorites include drop-shot worms, shaking worms, brush hogs, bladed swim jigs, and rip baits. Even with the tourney pressure most are landing at least one 6- or 7-lb. bass. This week should be even better.

LAKE BERRYESSA—The fishing slowed with a cold front that had moved in, but with another warming this week, the water will start to warm up again. Troll the dam and Skiers Cove if you are looking for the kings. Tourney teams have been throwing the Alabama rig, crankbaits and jigs.

LAKE SONOMA— Reports from here have been of lots of hours trolling without any bites or fish. Water temperatures have been at 50 and 51 degrees in the mornings. Bass anglers are still chasing fish up in the coves for the start of pre-spawn while the steelies should be back in the main body by the end of March.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—The east shoreline still holds the king salmon and rainbow trout and there were a few browns on the west side of the peninsula by Rec.2. Not many anglers were fishing this past week though.

BAUM LAKE—The Fly Shop in Redding reported good fishing thanks to all of the hatches.

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. The section above the canal near the post office is fishing well but does not accommodate a lot of fishermen. There’s been no indication as to when repairs may be completed or when the forebay may reopen.

PIT RIVER—Fishing has been good here for the past month thanks to some hatches going off and conditions continue to improve. There has been very little pressure here as well.

SHASTA LAKE—This week should see the beginning of the king season, so head to the dam and Dry Creek area. Once you find what depth they are at, troll through them with shad or anchovy wraps. Trout are on top, but there aren’t any brown trout yet. Bass fishing had been good and this week’s warming trend could bust things open.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 38-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that ice fishing was done for the season.  Anglers could look for open water at the inlet and give shore fishing a try using bait and spoons.

CAPLES LAKE—John Voss at Caples Lake Resort reported that most anglers were ice fishing at the spillway for a mix of browns and rainbows using worms, Power Bait and bay shrimp.  Some anglers were walking to the south side of the lake from the dam and picking up a few 3- to 4-pound macks on worms and jigged Kastmaster spoons in 5 to 10 feet of water.  Anglers were also parking at the EID gate and walking to the launch ramp area to fish.

CARSON RIVER (East)—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that the river was in perfect condition with little snow on the ground.  The few anglers that were seen said that fishing was slow, but warmer weather could improve the bite in the late afternoons.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 77-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that ice fishermen did best this past week at the little island out from Honker Cove after the weather settled down—the area saw 4 to 5 inches of new snow during the mid-week storm.

DONNER LAKE—Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that the lake was fishing very well.  Large schools of planter rainbows were providing plenty of action on the west end of the lake for shore anglers using inflated nightcrawlers and salmon eggs.  Boaters were doing well on bigger macks trolling or jigging 65 to 75 feet deep, while the smaller macks were shallower at 35 to 45 feet deep.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 66-percent capacity.  Wiggins Trading Post reported that ice fishermen at the dam were still picking up rainbows from 14 to 24 inches on Power Bait and worms.  The ice was still 8 to 10 inches thick.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 66-percent capacity.  The road to the lake was clear and with the warm weather in the forecast for all of this week, trollers and shore fishermen could do well.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort 4-wheeled up the Airport Rd. a couple of miles this past weekend and turned around—you could probably make it in, but if you got stuck you’d be in for a long walk out to get help.  The warm weather in the forecast for all this week might melt enough snow to open the road by the weekend.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Lots of boaters and shore fishermen were out but there were few reports.

LAKE TAHOE—Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters reported that his clients on light loads were catching limits of 3- to 7-pound macks trolling Sling Blade/ Koke-a-nut or dodger/tube combos from 350 to 400 feet deep. Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing said he was catching limits of macks from 2 to 12 pounds from 180 to 220 feet deep.  Self was releasing the smaller fish trying to get limits of better macks.  Trolling for rainbows in shallower water was improving.  Shore anglers were also picking up some limits of rainbows to 6 pounds on inflated nightcrawlers, but Self recommended releasing the big females that are now full of ripe eggs waiting to spawn this spring—you gotta’ leave some for seed!!

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 30-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that the lake ice was in a transitional phase and could be soft in some places with the new snow that fell this past week covering some of those spots.  Brian Nylund recommended that first-time anglers stay off the lake due to their lack of familiarity with the questionable areas of ice.  Experienced anglers were still picking up some nice rainbows near the dam on nightcrawlers, tube baits, and Kastmasters.

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported that trout numbers were down to 7 or 8 fish per day, but the quality was up—few, if any, 17- to 20-inch keepers– mostly 20 to 24 inchers that had to be released.  The cutthroats were hitting bleeding frog FlatFish in Dago Bay and Howard Bay on the south end of the lake.  Valarie Taylor at Crosby’s Lodge reported weighing in four big fish this week for shore anglers—14-pound ,10-ounce, 12 3/4-pound, 11-pound, and 10 1/2-pound lunkers taken on flies from the North Nets to Popcorn.

RED LAKE—Victor Babbitt at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that smaller cutthroats were still providing plenty of action for ice fishermen at the dam on worms and small Kastmaster spoons.

SILVER LAKE—No change here—ice fishing was best at the dam area with worms and bay shrimp.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 74-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that the road to the lake was passable in 4-wheel drive though the boat ramp was still closed.  Shore fishing was available on the main body of the lake with ice still seen in the creek arms.

TOPAZ LAKE—Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that trollers were still picking up boat limits of mostly 1- to 1 1/4-pound rainbows.  Big fish of the week was a 3 3/4 pounder taken on a firetiger Rapala toplined in the middle of the lake by Rod Curtis of Orange County.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that trout action was “pretty good” in the Glenshire area and down in the canyon.  A 5-hour BWO hatch came off in the Reno-Sparks area this past week and produced some great dry fly action. One drift produced a 24-inch brown on a white streamer for guide Chris Nicola of South Lake Tahoe.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 73-percent capacity.  Ken Mathis of Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported a client picked up a 20 pounder this past week trolling a Ken’s Mack Master dodger/hoochie combo 90 feet deep over a mid-lake hump.  Most days clients were picking up four to six 3 to 5 pounders and hooking into one big fish.  The roads to the lake were clear.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service reported that trollers were doing very well on 14- to 16-inch holdover rainbows on flasher/Wild Fly combos north of the dam in Camino Cove.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Steelhead fishing pressure was virtually nil last week, but there are still some fish present, both a few newly arrived steelies, but also some spawners.  Flows have dropped to 1,750 cfs.  Fly fishing is probably working better than other methods due to the low water.  Drifting roe and nightcrawlers on light lines and leaders have also been good.  Dead-drift small egg patterns, golden stone nymphs, and prince nymphs under indicators.

FOLSOM LAKE—Fishing for trout continued to be very good with holdovers up to 17 inches being caught on the main body trolling Speedy Shiners and broken back Rapalas within 10 feet of the surface.  An occasional king salmon was also being caught, except deeper, from 25 to 35 feet deep.  The big news though was the dramatic pickup in the bass bite, at least for some anglers.  Bass weighing close to 10 pounds were caught, mostly on swimbaits.   Still, most bass continue to be caught on plastics worked slowly off main points leading into coves.  Fish the sunny areas where water temperatures are a little warmer.

FEATHER RIVER—Striped bass fishing was very slow, but the few anglers trying for steelhead found very good fishing both in the Low Flow Section and the High Flow below the Outlet down to Gridley.  A 9 pounder was taken on roe, though most fish were under a few pounds.   Fly fishers were scoring on dead-drifted copper Johns, prince nymphs, caddis nymphs and pheasant tails.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—Fishing continued to be good for trout from 12 inches to 3 pounds Watch for the trout derby being held April 6 and 7.  There will be a $100 first prize for adults, $50 for youth 11-16, and $35 for 10 and under.  A $5 entry fee will be charged  to enter the Derby (plus daily park entry fee.)

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Striped bass fishing improved last week, but still not great except for boaters on the Port of Sacramento.  However, stripers were being caught at Miller Park, South River Road, Bryte Beach, and Courtland.  Most have been schoolies weighing up to 8 pounds.   Sturgeon fishing was good, too, but most have been oversized.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale—Sturgeon fishing was really good last week, from Knight’s Landing to Colusa, but most fish were oversized.  Try ghost shrimp and pileworms in a combination cocktail, or eels.  Striped bass fishing continued to be slow, though.  It should break open any time now.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—The water below Keswick is slowly clearing, and anglers were catching nice natives backtrolling small plugs and drifting nightcrawlers.  Farther downstream, the water is much clearer, and though the trout are smaller, fly fishing continued to be good with dark flies such as rubberlegs  dead-drifted with smaller Mayfly and caddis nymph imitations producing a dozen or more strikes a day.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing was good with trout taking nymphs under indicators.  Not much in the way of dry fly fishing though.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Pretty quiet at the landing, although the usual pier fare is possible. No word on live bait availability. Salmon season opens April 6.

BODEGA BAY— When interest and weather permits, crabbing is good, and when the drift is right, sand dab numbers from about the 250-foot contour are high. Not much else until salmon season opens April 6. Surfperch are possible on Doran Beach, and shore anglers can still catch rockfish along the coast.

EMERYVILLE—Frank Salazar said the Tigerfish is planning the first halibut trolling trip of  the year on March 16, then outside of halibut, salmon will be the next big attraction on the opener on April 6. The boats were down for maintenance and a winter break since the last sand dab and crab combos back in January.

EUREKA—Some shore fishing going on around Humboldt Bay’s jetties. Clam Beach’s “preferred” side is open this year, north of Strawberry Creek, and most minus tides offer a chance to load up on the razor clams there.

FORT BRAGG—Rockfish is open for shore anglers, and the sportfishing boats are still crabbing. The most recent trips on the Telstar found limits of crabs from the deeper pots. Captain Randy Thornton called the grade “beautiful,” and said the best pot had 9 keepers.

HALF MOON BAY—Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat said crabbing is still productive with limits the rule, the only factor how many pots you need to pull.

MARTINEZ—Sturgeon fishing is turning the corner with the first good action in awhile this week on both sportfishing and private boats. There was an estimated 200 pounder released on the Happy Hooker, along with a 52-inch keeper. On the California Dawn, Captain James Smith reported 8 sturgeon caught on Thursday (3 keepers), and 2 keepers on Friday. Shrimp-eel combo baits and salmon roe are hot.

SAN FRANCISCO—“There have been a few fish caught in the Berkeley Flats and up by Paradise,” said Captain Erik Anfinson of Bass Tub Sportfishing. “We’re starting trips next week with live bait and trolling.” He still has some live anchovies left from last season to use for bait, along with shiner perch. The Bass Tub has been upgraded with a new fish finder and bait tanks, said Anfinson. “The boat is all updated and ready to go!”

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 80-percent capacity.  The warmer weather in the forecast should get the bass action going.  A big local tournament was on the lake Sunday but had not weighed in by press time.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is at 95-percent capacity.  North Shore Resort reported that “Ron” of Folsom hit the lake twice this past week and caught 20 bass each day to 2 pounds using green pumpkin and watermelon/red flake Brush Hogs from 8 to 15 feet deep in the coves.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is full.  Trollers and shore anglers were mostly picking up 2 or 3 rainbows, but there were a few limits.  Quite a few large trout from 4 to 7 pounds were weighed in at the store.  Ricardo Gomez and friends came in with a big stringer topped by rainbows that weighed 6 1/2, 6 1/4, and 4 pounds—all were taken drifting Power Bait on the east side of the lake.  The dam, beach, the bridge, and campgrounds were all producing for shore anglers.  Bass were beginning to get active with the warmer weather, too.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 92-percent capacity and scheduled for another DFW trout plant this week.  Lisa Rogers at Skippers Cove Marina reported that trollers and bait drifters were picking up limits of 1/2- to 2-pound rainbows at the dam.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 82-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that the bass bite was very good this past week except for a slowdown while a cold front passed through mid-week.  The AC team tournament held this past weekend was won with 16 pounds that included a 6-pound kicker.  The 6 pounder hit an A-rig in the early morning.  Gandolfi reported that fish were hitting everything from crankbaits to drop-shot worms.  The fish were up shallow in mud lines at 5 to 10 feet deep, but mostly down at 20 to 30 feet.  The bass were moving up all day long and good spots could be fished several times during the day and still produce.  The bite was light but anglers can catch 40-plus fish per day right now.  The South Fork and Middle Fork warm up quicker than the North Fork, and many anglers found warm water in the West Branch and the Slot, too.  With warm weather in the forecast for all this week, the fishing should only get better.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is nearly full with nice clear water and scheduled for its first DFW trout plant of the year this week.  Casey Reynolds of Auburn reported that shore anglers were picking up 2 or 3 holdover rainbows to 18 inches on Power Bait and bobber/worm combos from Long Ravine to the inlet.  Early morning trollers fast-pumping a Rapala saw browns up to 22 inches coming out of the inlet area.  The bluegill bite was fast and furious on pieces of nightcrawler, but the fish were small.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Jim Caldwell at the marina reported that trollers and shore anglers were all catching limits of rainbows.  The dam and inlet area were producing for the trollers running flasher/worm combos and shore anglers were picking up plenty of fish in the marina on Power Bait and worms.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—Not much change here.  The Foresthill Ranger Station said few anglers were seen here this past week.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The road to the lake was passable with 4-wheel drive.  Trollers can pick up limits of rainbows.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 130.1-foot elevation at press time—59-percent capacity.  With the sunny weather, the rocky banks down the west side of the lake were good for anglers casting crankbaits and spinnerbaits for bass.  Some bass to 6 pounds were reported.  Shore anglers can still try for steelhead at the Wilbur Rd. access.

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.

CHETCO RIVER, Ore.— Rains hitting the Chetco will bring flows up and bring steelhead in, although there are still plenty of fish in the system at press time, despite continued low and clear flows. They’re looking at a couple inches of rain that will bring more new fish in, and downrunners down the river, so call ahead.

EEL RIVER— Main Stem Eel was gin clear, and the South Fork even more so and low, but there were still plenty of fish in the holding holes and riffles, especially for those who have been following the fish and conditions. Rain predicted, so call ahead for conditions.

MAD RIVER— Low flows, but some color for part of the week, and a real mix of fish, including fresh and dark and bluebacks. Plugs and bait working. Stick to the well-defined holes, that’s where the fish are, but be sneaky. Rains predicted, so call ahead.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower, Ore.—The expected rains may very well bring in the first of the “springer” salmon run to his river, which generally begins this time of year, and really gets going in April, continuing into June normally, depending on river temperatures.

RUSSIAN RIVER—There’s a “nice run of hatchery fish in right now,” said Steve Jackson, owner of King’s Sport and Tackle in Guerneville on Sunday. The fish are only 2 to 5 pounds, but there seems to be a lot of them, and they’re hitting about anything: roe, spnners and the boaters are using plugs. River flow is 500 cfs and holding there from upstream releases, but rain was in the forecast so call ahead.

SMITH RIVER— The Smith has been gin-clear and running low for weeks, and counts haven’t been high, but there are plenty of fish in the river and plenty more waiting to come in, and you’re chances of getting a real wall-hanger are better here than most anywhere else.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—Warmer weather improved fishing for steelhead and trout last week, with anglers catching several small adults to about 4 pounds daily backtrolling plugs, drifting Glo-Bugs, roe and nightcrawlers.

KLAMATH RIVER, Johnson’s Riffle—From here to the mouth of the Trinity was where the best action  was on the Klamath last week.  Fresh steelhead were concentrated in this area up into the lower end of the Trinity, and were being hooked on roe and big Blue Fox spinners.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City—Fishing was, in a word, tough with low, clear water providing extremely challenging conditions.  It appeared that most fresh steelies were well downstream around Willow Creek waiting for rain to spur them into moving upriver.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—Fishing was pretty good last week as fresh steelhead stuck around the area waiting for the river and creeks to rise.  Salyer to Willow Creek produced some decent fishing for steelhead to about 8 pounds.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— With many anglers already catching at least one 6 or 7 pounder this season already chances are this spring will be one to remember for a long time. Anglers used live minnows with the best success but the tourney guys used Alabama rigs, lipless crankbaits by LuckyCraft, a variety of swimbaits, the River 2 Sea S waver and jigs.

LAKE BERRYESSA—With 50-degree water temperatures now showing up in the shallows a variety of LuckyCraft ripbaits, LV500s, swimbaits, A-Rigs and a variety of jigs have all been producing nice fish. Spring is the time of year bass anglers all wait for as the fish become more active, feed up and prepare for their spawning efforts.

LAKE SONOMA—This may be the “go to” lake for a bit if you don’t like a crowd of tournament boats around you. Bass fishing has been good in the creek arms working LuckyCraft pointer 100s and jigs slowly.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—Fishing was good for king salmon and rainbow trout on the east shoreline by the dam and good for a few browns on the west side of the peninsula by Rec.2.

BAUM LAKE—The Fly Shop in Redding reported fair to good fishing depending on the day as PG&E was altering the flows.

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. The section above the canal near the post office is fishing well but does not accommodate a lot of fishermen. There’s been no indication as to when repairs may be completed or when the fore bay may reopen.

PIT RIVER—Fishing has been good here for the past month thanks to some hatches going off.

SHASTA LAKE—Work the shallows in the upper arms for bass in the mornings out to 10 feet. You’ll find a few big ones but not much action by tossing big swimbaits. In the afternoons toss 6- and 7-inch trout patterned swimbaits for a few big bass but only one or two or but also try MF worms in shad hues for numbers of bass. Trout are still on top but not many have been trolling for them by the dam.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 37-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that the ice was beginning to break up and no longer safe for ice fishing.  STAY SAFE, STAY OFF!!

CAPLES LAKE—The lake is at 67-percent capacity.  John Voss at Caples Lake Resort reported there was 2 feet of snow over 2 feet of ice, and 1 to 2 more feet of snow was forecast for mid-week.  Ice fishing was good for rainbows, browns and a few 3- to 4-pound macks along the south side of the lake near the spillway.  Worms, bay shrimp, and Kastmaster spoons were all working in 5 to 10 feet of water.

CARSON RIVER (East)—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort said the river was in beautiful condition but few anglers were out on the water.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 76-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that ice fishing early this past week was good with anglers picking up 3 to 4 rainbows running 17 to 18 inches.  By the end of the week, the bite had slowed to a 1 or 2 fish success rate.  The SE side of the little island near Honker Cove and Catfish were the best spots.  The bite is still very light and the fish have been finicky and hard to hook.  Power Bait was working best on a size 16 treble hook.

DONNER LAKE—The lake is at 37-percent capacity.  The mack bite was improving for shore casters and boaters, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.  Trollers picked up some fish in the 12- to 15-pound range running large plugs and spoons from the top down to 35 feet deep.  Shore anglers were catching some 3 to 5 pounders on Rapalas and Krocodile spoons.  Rainbows were hitting bait and small jigs.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 65-percent capacity.  Wiggins Trading Post reported that ice fishing was still good at the dam for anglers using nightcrawlers.  On warmer days, the ice was melting along the edges of the lake in some spots later in the day, so use caution when getting on and off the ice.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 64-percent capacity.  Snow was falling on Sunday morning when WON called and more snow was forecast for mid-week.  It would be wise to wait for the weather to clear.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—The road was pretty well open this past week, but snow was the forecast for mid-week.  Call Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort for the latest road conditions at 530-694-2229.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Sly Park Resort reported that trollers picked up a couple of 3- to 5-pound macks at the second dam on flasher/nightcrawler combos and Rapalas.  Otherwise little was happening.

LAKE TAHOE—Guides on both ends of the lake were doing well for macks and some trout.  Rick Kennedy at Tight Lines Guide Service fished this past Monday and caught limits of 3- to 6- pound macks trolling Rapalas and spoons 260 feet deep in Carnelian Bay west of Stateline Point.  Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters reported picking up limits of macks to 8 1/2 pounds on dodger/tube and dodger/Koke-a-nut combos at 350 to 375 feet deep in the same area.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners fished South Shore for limits of 3- to 6-pound macks trolling 120 to 130 or 195 to 225 feet deep depending on the spot.  Moving into 15 feet of water produced browns to 4 pounds on Rapalas.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 29-percent capacity. Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that the ice was still safe here and fishing was best at the dam using small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm or a bay shrimp, and jigged Kastmaster spoons.

PYRAMID LAKE—Crosby’s Lodge reported that shore fishing for lunker cutthroats was very slow this past week with only one big trout weighed in by Jeff Morris of Austin, NV—a 10-pound 2-ouncer caught on a black fly at the North Nets.  George Molino at Cutthroat Charters reported that trolling was unexpectedly slow with trips only producing 3 to 4 fish for 5 to 8 hookups.  Most of the fish were in the slot (20 to 24 inches), so keepers (17 to 20 inches) were hard to come by.

RED LAKE—Ice fishing at the dam was still producing cutthroats using red worms, meal worms, Power Bait, and Kastmaster spoons, according to Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is at 27-percent capacity.  Ice fishing at the dam with bay shrimp, worms, and Kastmaster spoons was still the best bet.

TOPAZ LAKE—Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that trollers were still picking up limits of rainbows from 12 inches to 2 pounds on flasher/worm combos in the middle of the lake.  Shore fishing was very slow.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Peter Santley at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that fly action was decent from Glenshire to Floriston on small dark midges and BWO patterns, and squala stones were starting to appear.  Mountain Hardware and Sports said that some bigger browns and rainbows were hitting spinners and Rapalas—remember to use barbless hooks!

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 71-percent capacity.  Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported that his trips were producing four to five 3- to 5-pound macks and at least on hookup on a trophy fish.  This past week Ben Dixon of Cameron Park landed a 15 1/2-pound Mackinaw that hit a dodger/herring combo at 115 feet deep over a mid-lake hump.  The next day Mathis and his son, Willie, caught 8 and 12 pounders.  Most of the fish were found at 70 to 90 feet deep and hit dodger/herring or dodger/4-inch hoochies combos and Double Flutter spoons. Mathis said it was important to set the lures back 100 to 125 feet back from the downrigger ball and troll .9 to 1.2 mph.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Perch fishing went off the hook this week for rubber lip, pogies and red tail. Flounder fishing picked up along the shoreline and numerous schoolie-size stripers were brought in as well. Halibut bites were on the rise, with reports from the South Bay holding the most promise. The Lovely Martha reported a 15 pound halibut.

BODEGA BAY—Fort Ross area proved the best bet for shoreline rockfish and cabezon. Bodega Bay anglers worked the jetty for crabs and smaller rockfish. Surf perch bit very well at Doran Beach and down the coast at Dillon Beach. New Sea Angler maintained great numbers of crabs and sand dabs.

DILLON BEACH—Large surf perch were reported here, along with good numbers of leopard sharks in the surf. Inside Tomales Bay, crabbers found Dungeness crabs in the channel off of Tom’s Point.

EUREKA—Rockfishing along local jetties rated fair to good, according to WON Field Reporter, Lonnie Dollarhide. It was mostly black rockfish caught on Gulp! baits and Big Hammer swimbaits. Ron Webb of Arcata reported catching a 12-inch “sea trout” (greenling) before heading home due to blown-out weather.

FORT BRAGG—Gnarly seas kept most folks off of the water and prevented safe and sane spearfishers from entering the water to target the area’s great lingcod and rockfish population. Surf perch fishing was the only fishing game in town and anglers had to be wary of dangerous surf conditions.

HALF MOON BAY/PACIFICA—Arrival of live pile worms at Half Moon Bay Sportfishing and Tackle shop cranked up the success valve for rockfish along the jetty. Crabbers worked the jetty too, casting snares for Dungeness crabs. At Pacifica, surf fishers scored on perch and pier fishers were divided between perch fishing and crabbing.

MARTINEZ—Good counts of sturgeon over 50 pounds were weighed in this week at Martinez Marina Bait & Tackle. Other local action included stripers in the 18- to 24-inch range and plenty of platter-size flounder from shore, pier and boats. Charter vessel Happy Hooker posted a 60-pound sturgeon, with three 57-inch whopper list entries for the week.

OYSTER POINT—Trollers nailed halibut to the ol’ barn door. Fair and improving action was found near Oyster Point and also across the Bay off of Oakland Airport. Trolling with herring proved the most effective technique, though anchovies tempted strikes as well. Pier anglers enjoyed success on perch and jacksmelt, but suffered the loss of a couple of halibut that broke off while being hauled up to the pier.

PORT SONOMA—Sturgeon bit live baits in the Petaluma River, Sonoma Creek and out on San Pablo Bay. Striped bass were often the take-home meal when sturgeon came up either too short or too long. Sharks and Rays began showing in San Pablo Bay as salinity levels increase.

SAN RAFAEL—Striped bass bit exceptionally well for boaters sitting on anchor in the Pumphouse area. A few sturgeon were caught, with one 70 incher caught and released by Dean Toll of Marin County. Halibut activity is beginning to improve. Perch fishing was very good along local shorelines.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 80-percent capacity.  Emerald Cove Marina reported that bass fishermen pre-fishing for a tournament reported catching only small spots.  A marina employee said he was catching some nice 1-pound bluegill drifting worms 10 feet deep along the shore.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is almost full and the water color is good.  North Shore Resort reported that fishing was slow this past week even though the water temp was up into the low-50’s.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is 2-foot from full.  Collins Lake Resort planted another 1800 pounds of rainbows this past week—1/2 catchables and 1/2 trophy fish.  Despite the big plant, fishing was slow, but once the fish get acclimated to the lake, fishing should take off.  The top 3 big fish of the week were all 6 pounders—two were caught at the dam on Power Bait and one was taken trolling a flasher/worm off the beach.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 93-percent capacity.  Skippers Cove Marina reported that trollers and bait drifters were picking up limits of rainbows to 16 inches from the dam to Boston Bar.  The DFW may have stocked the lake.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 81-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that bass fishing was very good with 20 to 30 fish days common.  Tubes, Senkos, dart-head worms, and drop-shotting were all working on bass that were beginning to stage into spawning areas.  The fish were moving from the walls to the points and then into the coves and holding from the bank on down to 35 feet deep.  With the lake continuing to slowly rise, debris is still a big problem with major impact on the launch ramps.  Use caution while running!!

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is at 94-percent capacity with clear water.  Fishing was slow, but boaters were still heading up toward Greenhorn and the inlet.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is at 99-percent capacity.  Jim Caldwell at the Scott’s Flat Marina reported that trollers were still catching some limits of planter rainbows using flasher/worm combos from the marina to the dam.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the fishing pressure was very light despite the roads and facilities being snow free.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—Kalan Richards of Eldorado Hills, after failing to make it to Hell Hole through heavy snow, trolled Rapalas and dodger/Kastmaster/worm combos here for 3 limits of rainbows to 16 inches on a late afternoon this past week.  The road to the lake was icy/snowy and required 4-wheel drive to access the lake.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 127-foot elevation at press time—41-percent capacity.  One boater was doing well throwing spinnerbaits along the rocks along the west side of the lake south of the bridge for fish up to 6 pounds.  The cold front forecast for this week could slow the bite.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Steelhead fishing pressure has dropped off dramatically, but there are still fresh winter run steelhead coming up the river along with fat half-pounders to join the spawners and downrunners still present.  Drifted roe and nightcrawlers were scoring most of the fish, but backtrolled plugs were working, too.  Fly fishers were dead-drifting small egg patterns, golden stone nymphs, and prince nymphs under indicators.

FOLSOM LAKE—Fishing landlocked king salmon was very good, and some weighing up to 4 pounds were being caught on a variety of methods and depths—10 to 15 feet deep on Speedy Shiners, and 45 feet deep on Apexes, all fished behind dodgers on the main body.  Some nice holdover rainbows to 17 inches were also being caught near the surface on nightcrawlers behind dodgers.  Bass fishing continued to slowly improve, but the water is still cold and most of the bass being caught have been taken on plastic worked slowly off main points leading into coves.  Fish the sunny areas where water temperatures are a little warmer.

FEATHER RIVER—Striped bass fishing slowed as they apparently followed the recently released baby steelhead as they worked their way downstream into the Sacramento River.  Some steelhead were still being caught, but fishing slowed in the Low Flow Section as the pumping station came back online and the river’s flow was once again split with 600 cfs coming down the Low Flow Section.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—Fishing continued to be good for trout from 12 inches to 3 pounds with the best results coming from non-gasoline powered craft.  Bass fishing continued to improve, too, as bass prepared to spawn.  Work Senkos and jerkbaits in the  shallows, and jigs, and Robo-Worms out deeper.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Striped bass fishing was slow last week around Sacramento, but pretty good farther downstream around Cache Slough, Courtland, and Rio Vista.  Some sturgeon were being caught in those areas, as well.   Bloodworms and pileworms worked best for stripers to 8 pounds.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Grimes—Sturgeon fishing really took off last week between Colusa and Tisdale with some nights producing multiple hookups. Most of the fish being caught, though, have been over-sized.  Try ghost shrimp and pileworms in a combination cocktail.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—The water below Keswick was still off-color, but anglers backtrolling small plugs and drifting nightcrawlers were doing well down to Anderson. Flows cleared gradually the farther downstream one went and fly fishing picked up.  Dark flies such as rubberlegs were being dead-drifted with smaller Mayfly and caddis nymph imitations.

YUBA RIVER—Trout fishing was good with trout taking nymphs under indicators.  Not much in the way of dry fly fishing though.

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.

CHETCO RIVER, Ore.— Peak season has hit here, and the fishing has been very good with multiple fish per guides, and some monsters, including at least two over 20 pounds, and many “teeners” being caught. Emma Winter of Independence, Oregon, landed a 21 pounder, and there were a couple of 19 pounders landed last week, according to WON Field Reporter Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. Flows were at 2200 cfs on Sunday, and expected to rise with incoming rain. Guide Dave Castellanos of Cast Guide Service reported one over 20 in his boat, too. The Chetco is predicted to be on a slow rise through the early part of the week, according to guide Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing adventures who is currently fishing the river.

COOS RIVER, South Fork, Coos Bay, Ore.–Bank anglers are doing well during the early morning while fishing for steelhead. Fishing during the mid-day and afternoon has not been as productive. Anglers are allowed to harvest up to 3 hatchery steelhead a day on this river.

EEL RIVER—Totally unfishable and will be for some time.

EEL RIVER, South Fork—Guide Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures said the South Fork of the Eel fished well on the top end last week.  The bottom end was still on the dirty side. The Benbow area saw good fishing, and plugging and sidedrifting both accounted for solid numbers.  Expected rains shouldn’t have a big impact here.

GARCIA, GUALALA rivers—Keep an eye on these rivers for good conditions….now is the time for steelhead.

MAD RIVER—The Mad had been flirting with fishability for a few days as a slide was making the color bounce in and out, according to guide Tony Sepulveda of Green Water Fishing Adventures.  “The last couple days she’s been flowing a dirty green and the fish are there in a big way,” Sepulveda said. “While you definitely won’t have this river to yourself anytime soon, it’s one of the best bets on the coast for a bent rod.

RUSSIAN RIVER—Still running way high with huge releases from upstream dams.

SMITH RIVER— The river was getting low and clear on Sunday and in need of rain, but it had plenty of steelhead in it, including one over 20 pounds for guide Willie Plunkett, according to WON Field Reporter Phil Desautel of Phil’s Smiling Salmon Guide Service, who put his clients on a 17 pounder and good numbers of smaller steelies.

UMPQUA RIVER, Roseburg, Ore. –“Finally the Umpqua river is fishable, but it is still a foot higher than most of us like too fish it at,” said WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. “I prefer the river gauge at Elkton to be at 5.4 ft. or lower. With the lower levels of snow melting, it has made the water temperature of the river a little cold for very active fish. Fishing over the last week has been fair, with some very good afternoons. Due to very cold mornings, the steelhead have been biting extra soft and letting go pretty quickly. Warm afternoons have given us some active times on the river with lots of steelhead being caught in short periods. Areas that the sun hits the surface of the water directly have been better places to spend time fishing. There have been steelhead caught from Elkton upriver to Roseburg. The two thing’s that will make the fishing much better is, warm rain or higher daytime temperatures.

UMPQUA RIVER, North & South Forks; Roseburg, Ore.–Both of these rivers are low, with a good amount of visibility. Overall fishing success has been average, but is expected to become much better over the next couple weeks as more steelhead make their way into both forks of this river, according to guide and WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER— The Klamath  has dropped and cleared quite a bit and was fishable well past Orleans.  Fishing picked up, especially in the upper reaches, however down through Happy Camp, as the water warmed a bit, anglers scored on just about  everything, including drifted Glo-Bugs, roe and nightcrawlers, and backtrolled plugs.  Fly fishing was slow, however.

TRINITY RIVER—The river has cleared and dropped, but fishing was still challenging because of the cold water.  However, the warmer rain should raise water temperatures a bit, melt most of the snow, and bring some brighter winter fish upriver.   Fresh fish were being seen down toward Del Loma, while darker steelies and even some downrunners were more predominant upriver from Douglas City.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek—The Trinity was fishable all the way down to the South Fork, but very few anglers were on the water much below Del Loma and reports were sketchy.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE— Fish the mid section and Rattlesnake arm where there is better visibility. Big baits will produce larger bass but not very many. Minnows will provide more strikes.

LAKE BERRYESSA—The spoon bite has been good for bass, working bait schools holding in creek channels in the Narrows. The trout have been found on top, trolling the surface with silver dodgers trailed by anchovies cured in Mike’s Brite & Tight herring formula

LAKE SONOMA—The lake is still high and muddy, so steelie trollers will still have to wait. The bass fishing also slowed, but fishing black and blue jigs or shaking worms in 15 to 25 feet of water was producing nice largemouth to 5 pounds for persistent anglers.

UPPER BLUE LAKE—The lake was planted Saturday and is starting to clear. Earlier in the week the fishing was slow but it has picked back up with near limits. Fish the top 12 feet with light colored lures to reflect the light or small rattletraps.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR—No reports this past week as there was no place to launch. Everything was either unplowed, iced over or had pulled ramps and docks.

BAUM LAKE—The good fishing continues here but expect icy road conditions. The Fly Shop in Redding reports anglers are finding rainbows in good numbers.

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. The section above the canal near the post office is fishing well but does not accommodate a lot of fishermen. There’s been no indication as to when repairs may be completed or when the fore bay may reopen.

EAGLE LAKE—Closed on December 31.

PIT RIVER—The waters are getting better here now, with Pitt no. 3 providing the best action.

SHASTA LAKE—Trout fishing has been good, just find the bait and you’ll find fish. The fish have been in 40 feet at the dam, and in the arms at 20 feet. Senkos and MF in blue ‘crawler or spring craw worked well for numbers of bass, while swimbaits produced a few big fish.

NORCAL SALTWATER

BENICIA/MARTINEZ—Sturgeon and striped action continued unabated from boats and for shore fishers alike, from Vallejo to Suisan Bay. Flounders bit throughout little coves and bays from Vallejo to Benicia.

BODEGA BAY—Crabbing continued unabated through the week, with boaters doing considerably better than shoreline snare casters. Rocky coastlines gave up eels, rockfish and greenling for adventuresome anglers. The New Sea Angler plans to target Humboldt squid this month.

EMERYVILLE—Rockfish season ended on a high note for the New Seeker, New Huck Fin, New Salmon Queen and Sea Wolf, with limits of rockfish and limits of crabs for everyone. The landing is now running squid trips and also crab and sanddab combo trips.

EUREKA—Clamming proved worthwhile near Strawberry Creek. Surf fishing slowed due to high surf and off-colored water. The words, “crabs” and “limits” nearly always seem to be spoken together here and out of Trinidad.

FORT BRAGG—Divers worked the shallow reef zones to spear lingcod in the 10- to 15-pound range. Jetty fishers cast snare nets for crabs or worked baits for rockfish and greenling. Surf fishers caught enough to make it a worthwhile outing.

HALF MOON BAY—Crab and sanddabs grabbed most of the attention of anglers. Crabbers were busy by boat and along the shore where they cast baited snares. The exception to the focused attention was a perch bite on pile worms, south of town.

OYSTER POINT—Last week’s sturgeon bite at Coyote Point slowed, but spawning herring and herring eggs remained in the vicinity so the bite is expected to pick back up with the strong tides this week. Perch bit for pier fishers and the sharks and rays are not swarming baits, allowing anglers to soak baits longer for stripers and sturgeon.

PORT SONOMA/SAN RAFAEL—Slow tides depressed the sturgeon bite but super-tides this week are expected to bring much improved fishing. Striped bass bit in the river tributaries to the upper San Pablo Bay. A pick on flounder provided some excitement.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 43-percent capacity.  Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that the road to the dam was plowed by the county and ice fishermen were doing well over shallow water at the dam using small pearl or shad GitZits, Kastmaster spoons, worms, and Power Bait.

CAPLES LAKE—The lake is at 69-percent capacity.  Fishing was good, according to Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters.  Anglers were concentrated at the dam and the spillway where they were auguring through 3 feet of hard-pack snow and ice to reach water.  Most were using worms and Power Bait, or jigging with Kastmaster spoons.  Don’t forget the bay shrimp!

CARSON RIVER (East)—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that the bitter cold had the river about 75-percent frozen over, plus there was 5 inches of snow on the ground—tough fishing conditions for even the most dedicated of fly fishermen.  Stay home by the wood stove and watch a football game!!

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 77-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing reported that the road to the lake had spots with 2 to 3 inches of ice that made getting to the dam a challenge, though the county had plowed out the parking areas at the dam.  There were only 8 ice fishermen on the lake on Saturday and none had any fish showing on the ice when Dillard made a patrol through the area.  4-wheel drive and chains would be a good idea for safely getting to and from the lake with lows down to minus 10 and highs running from 10 to 28 degrees.

DONNER LAKE—The lake is at 40-percent capacity.  Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing was slow for rainbows on the west end of the lake—it’s been COLD!!

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 62-percent capacity.  Fishing was okay through 6 to 8 inches of ice at the dam using worms and Power Bait.  The road to the lake can be icy so 4-wheel drive is highly recommended because the road is only plowed by the county to the campground 3 miles below the dam, according to Wiggins Trading Post.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 61-percent capacity.  It was snowing on Sunday morning when WON called Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service.  Neeser said that the whole basin would be inaccessible until the weather cleared and SMUD plowed the road to the ramp.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Todd Sodaro reported the road was closed by 2 1/2 feet of snow—it’ll be a while until anyone gets back into this lake.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—The lake is at 84-percent capacity.  Denise Cole at Sly Park Resort reported that trollers were catching limits of macks to 2 1/2 pounds running crawdad pattern lures 60 feet deep in the Narrows.  Rainbows were hitting bait at the boat ramp by the marina and at the old ramp in the Narrows on the upper end of the lake.

LAKE TAHOE—Both Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters and Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported excellent trolling for limits of macks running 3 to 8 pounds at North Shore.  Daniels was doing best in the morning trolling near the bottom in 350 to 375 feet of water.  Self was doing well on both his morning and afternoon trips.  The morning bite was good from 180 to 340 feet deep, while the afternoon action was best at 200 feet deep.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 33-percent capacity.  Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that the county only plowed the road to the end of the road to the dam, so it was either a long walk or you had to use a lifted 4×4 or snowmobile to reach the lake.  Nylund hadn’t heard for sure if the ice was safe at the dam yet, so beware the unknown!!

PYRAMID LAKE—Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters reported that trolling was good for larger than average cutthroats on the south end of the lake.  Mendes scored 37 fish on his last two trips—mostly 20- to 24-inch cutthroats in the slot that had to be released.  He did catch some big fish including 9 1/4 and 7 1/2 pounders.  John Oppio of Sparks, who operates the Eagle Eye II charter boat, caught a 15.8-pound, 34-inch cutthroat in Sand Hole Popcorn on a FlatFish running 25 feet deep with leadcore line and followed it up with a 7 pounder and an 8 pounder along with 17 slot fish from 20 to 24 inches.

RED LAKE—Victor Babbitt at Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that fishing near the dam was excellent for lots of 6- to 12-inch cutthroats.  The ice and hard-pack snow was 2 feet thick.  The road to the dam from Hwy 88 was plowed and access was very good.  Most anglers were fishing 30 to 40 feet out from the dam and using worms, salmon eggs, and Power Bait or jigging with small Kastmaster spoons.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is at 43-percent capacity.  Ice fishing should be good near the dam.

TOPAZ LAKE—Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that the trout opener was okay but slower than last year for shore anglers and the few boaters that were able to get on the lake due to the low water level and ice on the launch ramps at the marina and the county park.  Shore anglers did best using worms and Power Bait for rainbows up to 2 pounds.  There was 6 inches of snow on the ground on Sunday morning when WON called and it was forecast to continue.  The Topaz Lodge reported that only 19 tagged fish were caught on the opener and just 20 fish in the 2-pound range.

TRUCKEE RIVER—Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters reported that the river through Reno-Sparks was very fishable and anglers were picking up some fish on midge and BWO nymphs, streamers, and San Juan Worms.  Due to the snow, access along Hwy 80 in CA was difficult at best.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 64-percent capacity.  The road to the lake was heavily impacted by snow and ice.  Fishermen would be wise to avoid this lake until the weather clears and SMUD can get the road plowed, but 4-wheel drive and chains would still be necessary to safely navigate the road.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER—Steelheading in the Salmon Closure Area, which opened on Tuesday, Jan. 1 was very good last week, even with yo-yoing flows on, and after opening day.  Some nice steelies, including a number weighing over 10 pounds were being caught on a variety of methods including spinners, flies and nightcrawlers.  Most of the pressure and success has been from Sailor Bar to Rossmoor Bar.

FOLSOM LAKE—Trout fishing was very good last week with many bankies as well as boaters catching limits of trout. Most were planters, but some fish to 16 inches were being caught, too.  Bank action was mostly around Granite Bay and trout were being caught on bait under bobbers or by throwing spinners.  Troll in front of the dam with Speedy Shiners and small Rapalas, as well as Wedding Rings in front of nightcrawlers.  Most of the action is within 10 feet of the surface.  Bass fishing continued to be very slow, and most of the action, what little there was of it, was by fishing plastics very slow 15 to 20 feet deep on flats near drop-offs.

FEATHER RIVER—The Low Flow Section continued to be murky, but a few steelhead were still being caught on nightcrawlers and San Juan Worms, egg patterns, and psycho prince nymphs under indicators.  Fishing was a little better in the newly opened section above the Highway 70 Bridge to the green bridge below the hatchery.

RANCHO SECO LAKE—It’s being planted with trout regularly, and fishing was good again from the bank with Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers and spoons and spinners.  Boaters in kayaks, float tubes, and canoes were trolling leeches, wooly buggers, Needlefish, and nightcrawlers behind dodgers for fish mostly around 12 inches and up to 3 pounds.

SACRAMENTO RIVER—The river is continuing to drop and clear a bit, and fishing is slowly improving but still only fair.  Fishing picked up a bit in  the Deep Water Channel, off Hood Franklin and South River Road for schoolie stripers to about 8 pounds, and a few more sturgeon were being caught.  Shag and Cache sloughs were also producing a few sturgeon and striped bass.  Soak bloodworms, sardines, and mudsuckers for stripers, and pileworms and ghost shrimp for sturgeon. Read the new sturgeon regulations.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding—Trout fishing was pretty good, even though the water was still somewhat murky, between Redding and Anderson, according to Al Brown of Al Brown’s Guide Service. He’s been doing well drifting Glo-Bugs on trout in the 1-to 2-pound range plus a few in the 3-pound class.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 82-percent capacity.  Emerald Cove Marina reported that the water clarity was good.  Ten bass boats were on the lake on Sunday, but no one had reported in–the locals want to keep a lid on the spotted bass fishing here.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is full and muddy—pretty slow fishing now.  The lake needs to clear up and warm up before the bite will improve.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is full.  Shore anglers and boaters picked up a mixed bag of fish this past week—trout, bass, and catfish.  Ricardo Gomez of Oroville and Gabriel Jaramillo fished the east side from a boat and caught 8 trout that included a 5-pound, 14-ounce rainbow and one 5-pound, 6-ounce bass while using Power Bait.  Chris Hazen of Penn Valley and his buddy caught 7 trout at the dam on Power Bait.  Ron and Mary Williams of Napa landed 7 rainbows on Power Bait while fishing from the shore near their site in the campground.  13-year-old Ian Halterman of Sacramento used sardines from a boat on the east side to fool a 4 1/2-pound catfish.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 93-percent capacity.  Cold and rainy weather kept most anglers at home this past weekend.  Skippers Cove Marina reported seeing a few boaters trolling in the marina.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 72-percent capacity with a murky water color.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported that the AC Pro-Team event this past weekend was won by Kelly Eagleton and partner with just over 14 pounds.  Gandolfi said there were lots of 1 3/4- to 2-pound bass being caught all over the lake from the bank down to 50 feet deep on worms, jigs, Senkos, spinnerbaits, ripbaits, and swimbaits—fishing was good with 20- to 30-fish days common.  The better fish were deeper and sitting right on the bottom so they were hard to meter.  A run-and-gun approach to hitting the points was necessary if using ripbaits and spinnerbaits.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is at 92-percent capacity.  A.J. Harris at Long Ravine Resort reported that the lake was muddy and fishing was slow—one bass boater who had done well a couple of weeks ago got blanked this past weekend.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is at 97-percent capacity.  Jim Caldwell at the resort reported that trollers were catching limits of 12- to 14-inch rainbows on flasher/worm combos at the dam and along Cascade Shores.  The bass bite was slow this past week.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The cold, snowy weather really shut down the fishing activity here.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 92-percent capacity.  The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that the road to the lake was 4-wheel drive only.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 132-foot elevation at press time—71-percent capacity.  There’s still a possibility of a nice steelhead for shore anglers at the Wilbur Road access.  Try using a minnow, inflated nightcrawler, bobber/’crawler, or a spoon.