NORTH COAST RIVERS

North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG’s Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is (707) 822-3164. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886.New low flow closures for Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties, Oct. 1-April 30, call (707) 822-3164 for Mendocino, (707) 944-5533 for Sonoma, Marin and Napa.

ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.–Salmon fishing for Chinook has been quite a bit more consistent this last week. “The mouth of the Rogue River has started producing approximately 30 salmon a day over the last 7 days,” said WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets. “Average salmon size has been a nice sized fish of 18-20 pounds.” According to WON staffer and guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing, salmon fishing was good again last week on the Rogue Bay, where many guide boats caught multiple fish each day trolling anchovies and spinner blades. The river temperature at Agness has remained above 70 degrees, so salmon are holding in the bay. The morning incoming tide was the most productive last week.

ROGUE RIVER, Shady Cove, Ore.– The last week of fishing for spring salmon in the upper most section of the Rogue River has been a lot better fishing than I would expect for this late in the season, according to guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets. “Mike O’Conner Guide Service, last Saturday, caught 5 Chinook’s and a summer steelhead during a 6-hour trip down the river. He said the average has been 3 hookups a day and he has been luckier than many this season. “Fishing is about the same as last week, with springers being taken from Shady Cove and down to the Gold Hill area,” said Troy Whitabker at U-Save Tackle in Grant’s Pass. “The Kwikfish bite with sardines continues, but the water level dropped quite a bit.  Action is best on roe and sand shrimp, or back trolling Kwikfish. A few summer steelhead are being taken, too, on small black-and-silver plugs or 49er plugs, spoons and spinners. Trout fishing is fair in Grants Pass areas and some steelhead are being taken on Brads’s Wigglers or K-9 plugs in gold colors.  Action is also being seen on roe or sand shrimp, or back-trolling Kwikfish.”

UMPQUA RIVER, Roseburg, Ore.–The Umpqua River is extremely low for this date of the year. “Water temperatures are much warmer than what are usually experienced,” said guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets. “These conditions are making the smallmouth bass fishing some of the best I have ever seen. Bass running 1 1/2 pounds are caught just about ever cast. Four-pound fish are caught  every once and awhile, with lots of smallies being caught in between that range.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Ore.–Salmon are everywhere in the river, but they are not being caught by most anglers. Actually, very few salmon are being caught at all. “The extreme heat of the last part of the week had most people thinking of the river for swimming instead of fishing,” said guide Curtis Palmer. “Sunday morning was much cooler and brought a few early fisherman out to the river. The local store reported happily four summer steelhead had been caught before 10:00 a.m.”

 

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate – Fishing for halfpounders and small adult steelhead has been good near Hornbook. Flows Sunday at Iron Gate Dame were 1,030 cfs.

KLAMATH RIVER, Happy Camp – Conditions are good and anglers are catching a mix of spawned out adult steelhead and half pounder steelhead. Pressure is very light.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen – Fishing for springers has slowed. Flows on Sunday at Terwer were 2,900 cfs. The water temperature was up to 74 degrees on Sunday. The Blue Creek section is now closed until Sept. 14.

TRINITY RIVER – Spring salmon fishing improved last week near Douglas City and Junction City. MagLip plugs with sardine wraps have been working well, along with roe and tuna balls.

 

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE—The better bass are coming on surface baits. Poppers, walkers and buzzbaits aren’t producing big numbers but are providing opportunities for better fish sizes.

LAKE BERRYESSA—The kokanee are holding from 50 to 70 feet deep and falling for 5 1/2-inch RMT dodgers, Uncle Larry’s spinners, Assassin spinners, radical glow spinners and Apex spoons with Pautzke fire corn. With this heat bass will start to move out and hold deeper.

 

NORTHEASTERN LAKES

LAKE ALMANOR—The fish have moved deeper and while there are still plenty on the west side the better bite has been on the east shore. Bass fishing has been good all over the lake.

BATTLECREEK RESERVOIR—Kastmasters and worms always do well here. Fishing has been best early in the morning since the waters are warming up. Check special regulations here.

BAUM LAKE—Expect more good fishing here with more hatches, which are going off before the sun is high. Fishing should be good here all summer, but go early.

CASSEL FOREBAY—Power Bait, worms and eggs are good go-to baits here. There is always more pressure on the weekends but there is plenty of room for everyone. An overcast sky will help the bite here.

EAGLE LAKE— Eagle Lake trout fishing was better for bait anglers than some trollers this past week. Fish are from top to bottom try anchoring in 30 to 50 feet and 10 to 15 feet down with a threaded nightcrawler.

FALL RIVER—The Fly Shop in Redding continued to rate the fishing as good here. There are lots of big rainbows and good hatches along the upper river but the lower section is also producing from Island Dr. all the way to the confluence.

UPPER HAT CREEK—Worms, eggs, dry flies and lures all work well here. Fishing is at its best early before the sun gets high in the sky and then right at sunset. Hat Creek is a good spot to throw dry flies all morning.

MANZANITA LAKE—Fish the shoreline and structure for better action. Remember that this is a catch and release, single hook, artificial lure only lake. Remember to check Lassen Park’s special regulations for this lake. Fishing has been fair for some and great for others. Go early or late to avoid the kayakers and other boaters.

McCLOUD RIVER–River conditions are excellent and so is the brown and rainbow trout. The fishing continues to be good here but it may be getting a little more crowded. Anglers not charging into the river but instead looking for occasional rises and then going in are doing best.

PIT RIVER—Water conditions are good and with hatches going off the fishing has been good. This is a go-to river so expect some company at the popular spots. Be careful if you’re wading out there it’s got slippery, bowling-ball like boulders and rocks.

SHASTA LAKE—Remember to fish early and late as there is a lot of traffic out there now. The trout fishing picked up thanks to the arrival of bait in the form of shad. Any shad patterned spoon will provide limits. But with shad scattered everywhere so did the bass and they were harder to find.

TRINITY RESERVOIR—You can catch 6-inch kokes all day long. The ramp is in decent shape but take it slowly. They also have a dock in now.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR—Only a few 10- to 12-inch kokanee were reported. This impoundment stays pretty full until October. And there is not a lot of pressure here.

 

SIERRA LAKES AND RIVERS

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 13.8-percent capacity.  With only 30 cfs running in from the Little Truckee River out of Stampede Reservoir, the cooler water trout expect to find at the inlet isn’t so cool.  Look for the deepest water in the lake to find active fish.

CAPLES LAKE—The lake is at 96.5-percent capacity and was stocked by the DFW this past week with 2500 pounds of rainbows to 7 pounds.  Earl Pennington of Morgan Hill and two friends fished here this past Thursday and caught 41 12-inch planter rainbows trolling dodger/worms and grubs after 11:30 a.m.—right after the DFW trout got acclimated to the water after being planted earlier that day.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—The West Carson is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week and Alpine County will stock another 1800 pounds too.  A major wildfire was burning up over Monitor Pass and Hwy 4 toward Markleeville at press time.  The East Carson below Monitor Pass was still open and fishing well.  Brenda Peacock of Carson City caught a 9-pound, 14-ounce ‘bow in the East Carson.  Flows were low in the West Carson, but the deeper pools at the bridges were producing.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 53-percent capacity.  Ed Dillard at Dillard Guided Fishing reported trolling was much improved this past week.  Boaters were doing well for up to 16 fish running a copper/red head Dick Nite in the channel between the island and the dam at 20 to 25 feet deep.  Flyfishermen were doing better on the west side in the mornings with the damsel hatch and in the evenings with the Hex hatch.  Shore fishermen capable of casting to the deeper water at Mallard Point were scoring some nice fish.  There were lots of lightning fires burning in the area this past weekend

DONNER LAKE—The lake is at 71-percent capacity.  Kokanee were still hitting dodger/hoochies in the China Cove to Loch Leven area at 55 to 80 feet deep.  4- to 8-pound macks were holding under the kokanee and hitting large plugs and spoons.  The rainbow trout bite along the north shore was tough—a matter of the right place, the right depth and the right bait.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported anglers were still catching limits of 12-inch rainbows in the North Fork on worms, salmon eggs, and crickets.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 32-percent capacity.  Wiggins Trading Post reported trout fishing was slow with only 1 rainbow reported this past week coming from the shore across from the launch ramp.  The boat dock at the ramp was removed and launching larger boats was not recommended due to large rocks on the ramp that could damage boats and trailers.  Only smaller aluminum boats under 16-foot were recommended.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Gold Lake and Lower Sardine Lake are scheduled for DFW trout plants this week.  Fishing should be great near the boat ramps after the plants.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 82-percent capacity and was stocked by the DFW this past week.  Nearby Wrights Lake is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—The lake was stocked by the DFW this past week.  Small boaters in kayaks and canoes were doing well casting spoons and spinners in the deeper water in front of the dam.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—The lake is at 72.9-percent capacity.  Brett Brady at Bare Bones Guide Service recommended trolling dodger/worms near the Pass Creek ramp for planter rainbows.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—The lake is at 82-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.  Rainbows to 3 1/2 pounds and smallmouth bass to 2 1/2 pounds were hitting.  Look for a good bite near the boat ramp after the DFW plant.

LAKE TAHOE—Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported he was catching limits of 2- to 9-pound macks daily by 9:30 trolling 180 to 250 feet deep at Crystal Bay Point.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners Sportfishing reported having to work hard for limits of 2- to 5-pound macks jigging and trolling from Tahoe City to Rubicon at 170 feet deep.  Zach Gordon at Tahoe Sportfishing reported the fleet was working hard for near limits to limits of 4- to 7-pound mack mooching live minnows from 80 to 200 feet deep at North Shore.  The kokanee bite was generally slow on the south end and in Emerald Bay.

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 53-percent capacity and was stocked by the DFW this past week.  Road work to the lake could cause delays and launching was difficult due to broken concrete on the ramp, according to the Georgetown Ranger Station.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 26.3-percent capacity.  Look for smallmouth bass at the dam and on the steeper rocky points.  Rainbows should be congregating in the cooler water running into the Prosser Creek arm.

PYRAMID LAKE—The trout season closed on June 30 and reopens October 1.  Crosby’s Lodge reported the season was going out with a bang with an 18 1/4 pounder, three 14s, two 12s, and five 10s weighed in this past week by trollers using FlatFish and Apex.  Sacramento perch fishing should be getting good on rocky banks where they spawn.  Trout caught incidental to the perch fishing must be released unharmed.

RED LAKE—Reports from here are hard to come by, but the last one said the fishing was slow.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is at 94-percent capacity and was stocked by the DFW with 670 pounds of rainbows on Thursday this past week.  Earl Pennington of Morgan Hill took two friends here last Wednesday and fished for 7 1/2 hours without a bite.  They hardly ever marked a fish on the sonar!!  What a difference a day could make.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 17-percent capacity and was stocked by the DFW this past week.  James Netzel at Tight Lines Guide Service reported good action for limits of 14- to 15-inch kokanee trolling a dodger trailing a RMT double glow pink plankton hoochie or an orange RGT at 25 to 45 feet deep in front of the launch ramp.  Boaters were still launching off a steep rocky bank 200 yards toward the dam from the main ramp.

TOPAZ LAKE—The West Walker Motel reported there were very few fishermen on the lake with so many jetskiers and waterskiers out that were still launching at the County Park.

TRUCKEE RIVER—The river was running 5 cfs in Truckee, 14 cfs at Glenshire, 78 cfs below the Boca Outlet, and 101 cfs at Farad with water temp to 74 degrees and heavy algae growth evident.  All these factors combined can result in fish kills.  Trout caught under these conditions will most likely die from the stress, so it’s time to leave this river alone to protect the fishery!!

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 78-percent capacity and was stocked by the DFW this past week.  Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service reported the kokanee bite was tough with the fish scattered all over the lake.  His last trip produced 8 strikes with five 13- to 17-inch kokes making it to the net.  He was trolling orange hoochies, spinners, Hoochie Things, and Sockeye Slammers behind an orange stripe or watermelon Wild Thing dodger at 20 to 45 feet deep.

WEST WALKER RIVER—The Little Walker and West Walker in the canyon were stocked by the DFW this past week.  The Little Walker and West Walker at Pickel Meadows and the Canyon are all scheduled for DFW trout plants this week.  The Mono County Fisheries Commission stocked 400 pounds of 1- to 4-pound rainbows this past week and the Northern Mono County Chamber of Commerce will stock 400 pounds of 4- to 6-pound rainbows this week for the “How Big is Big” Fishing Derby that starts July 1 and runs until July 31 with no entry fee.  The official weigh-station is the Walker General store.  Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel and Pam Hamic at the West Walker Motel reported good flows and good fishing this past week for trout to over 7 pounds.

 

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER – A few shad are still present. King salmon have begun to show up at the mouth of the American at Discovery Park. The river open to salmon fishing July 16, but the run is generally more for fall fish than early fish.

FEATHER RIVER – A few shad are still being caught, but overall action is slow. Some stripers also are being caught, but the spring run is practically over. Salmon season opens July 16.

FOLSOM LAKE – Spotted and smallmouth bass are suspending off the points in 20 to 30 feet of water. Anglers using drop-shot rigs are doing well in the mornings. Trout and salmon fishing was hit and miss last week.

RANCHO SECO LAKE – Bass and trout fishing are slow to fair.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir – The city of Dunsmuir has stocked hundreds of 14- to 22-inch rainbows. Trout fishing is very good from Dunsmuir to Shasta Lake, where numerous hatches have sparked good nymph and dry fly action. Gear anglers also are catching fish. Be aware of the tackle restriction areas on the river.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding to Red Bluff –The river is closed to all fishing between Keswick Dam and the Highway 44 bridge from April 27 to July 31. Trout fishing has been good below the Highway 44 bridge, although the river stretch between the bridge and Anderson is crowded. Egg patterns are working best. Salmon season opens July 16 below the Red Bluff Diversion Dam and Aug. 1 above it.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa – Shad fishing is fair. Salmon have been reported throughout the section of river, which opens to king fishing July 16.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Knight’s Landing to Colusa – While shad fishing has begun to slow, some stripers are still being caught as small schools of fish move through the river. Anglers are using cut bait. Salmon season opens July 16.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento – Fishing pressure has dropped in the deepwater channel at the Port of Sacramento. Crappie fishing is very good in the sloughs and ditches near Sacramento for anglers using small minnows and wax worms.

 

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER—Mostly running low and clear with heavy day-use by swimmers and picnickers at the Hwy 49 confluence.  Watch for rafters on the South Fork and Middle Fork.  Fishing should be good in the deeper holes in the North Fork and Middle Fork, but these spots require a strenuous hike in steep terrain.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 56-percent capacity.  Emerald Cove Marina reported kokanee trolling was good at the dam and in Willow Creek. Spotted bass to 8 pounds were still hitting shad Senkos on the steeper points and walls.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is at 65-percent capacity.  North Shore Resort reported bass fishing was getting tougher with the hot weather and heavy recreational boat traffic.  Ron Franks of Folsom fished this past week and caught 14 small spotted bass on green or oxblood worms on the main body and Bear River arm at 10 to 15 feet deep.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is 34 feet from full.  The hot weather slowed the bite for trout.  Anglers were picking up 1 to 3 rainbows on worms and floating dough bait at the dam during the day and off the docks at night.  Catfish to 8 3/4 pounds were hitting on the east side of the lake for boaters drifting worms.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 96-percent capacity and was stocked by the DFW this past week.  The hot weather and heavy recreational boat traffic put a big dent in the fishing pressure according to Skippers Cove Marina.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 41.5-percent capacity.  The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that all the campgrounds were open with working water systems.  The French Meadows boat ramp was still usable.

FULLER LAKE—The lake is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week and was stocked this past week—the American River Hatchery is dumping fish again this year!!

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 47.6-percent capacity.  The scorching hot weather kept fishing pressure to a minimum this past week with only 1 boat reported by the Georgetown Ranger Station.  Kokanee fishing was slowing as the fish became scattered.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 40-percent—down 5 feet this past week.  Guide Ron Gandolfi reported bass fishing was tougher with the heat and heavy recreational boat traffic.  Tubes and drop-shot worms were working best for bass at 10 to 20 feet deep on steep points and walls.  There was some topwater action early in the morning and the spinnerbait was good in the mudlines later in the day.  The lipless crankbait bite was developing along the steeper walls.  Brett Brady at Bare Bones Guide Service reported salmon trolling was good from the dam to the Green Bridge for 2- to 5-pound kings and the occasional coho using dodger/white hoochies at 25 to 90 feet deep with the best action at 55 to 65 feet.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is at 93.7-percent capacity and is scheduled for a DFW trout plant this week.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is at 59-percent capacity.  Fishing for trout was slow.  Bass and bluegill were hitting worms at the dam.  The great bluegill bite makes this a good place to bring the kids.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that all the campgrounds were open with working water systems.  The lake was getting low but the boat ramp was still usable.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported the campgrounds would not be ready for the July 4 weekend.  Fishing was fair for shore anglers.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 133.9-foot elevation at press time—81.2-percent capacity.  Guide Ron Gandolfi said the frog bite was good for mostly 2- to 4-pound bass and a few 5 to 6 pounds.  Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle company found a great bite from early morning to noon.  The topwater bite was stellar before the sun hit the water, and then it was pitching or flipping Senkos, tubes and jigs to the weed beds in 6 to 10 feet of water.  Gibson and friend caught 40 fish by noon on the last trip.  Anglers need to get off the lake before the overwhelming recreational boat traffic and sunbathers descend on the lake after noon.

 

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY—Berkeley Flats was a highly productive area for both striped bass and halibut. Party boats including California Dawn, Bass Tub, Jilly Sea and Happy Hooker put the hurt on stripers on the Flats and also at Alcatraz and other hotspots. Private boaters like Don Ballanti set the bar high for halibut counts.

BODEGA BAY/LAWSON’S LANDING—Halibut bit well in Tomales Bay. Hotspots of activity were Hog Island and Marshall. A few were also taken along local beaches. Surf perch chomped baits at Lawson’s Landing and up the coast at Doran Beach. New Sea Angler clobbered the rockfish and took appreciable numbers of lingcod. Rumors of albacore catches 10 miles offshore stoked the fires of excitement.

BROOKINGS, ORE.—Anglers willing to venture offshore found limits of salmon at 15 miles. Even at 6 miles, people were beginning to catch some. The salmon seem to be offshore feeding on abundant pink shrimp. Rockfish and lingcod fishing was steady all week, with many limits reported.

EMERYVILLE—Sundance managed a fish per rod on the salmon, Sunday. New Salmon Queen and Wet Spot also went after salmon. Other Emeryville boats loaded up on bass, caught a few halibut and some ran out the Gate to work the North Bar or Marin Coast for halibut, rockfish and lingcod.

EUREKA—Boats went exploring for albacore after the weekend catches of albies off of Fort Bragg. Salmon fishing was hit and miss, with generally low counts. Lingcod and rockfish action however was excellent, giving boaters and shore fishers plenty of opportunities to bring home fresh fish dinners.

FORT BRAGG—The first albacore of the season hit the decks off of Fort Bragg. One boat got 2, another boat got 4 and a third boat got 7. That action lit the fuse on the season. Lingcod and rockfish catches were quite good at Cleone Reef on Telstar. Jetty fishers got kelp greenling, cabezon and rockfish.

HALF MOON BAY/PACIFICA—Half Moon Bay party boats made repetitive successful forays down the coast for rockfish and lingcod, with some limits of lings taken. Huli Cat made a couple of runs up the Channel Buoys for salmon and put a few aboard. Striped bass were exceptionally voracious along are beaches from near the Gate to below Half Moon Bay, with Pacifica getting plenty of feisty bass.

SAN FRANCISCO—Early limits of bass, followed by forays up the coast to tear into the lingcod, was the happy story for Bass Tub out of fisherman’s Wharf.

VALLEJO—Striped bass hammered baits and lures at American Canyon, Carquinez Bridge and along the Vallejo waterfront. Several keeper sturgeon were caught in the Napa River and on the Vallejo Waterfront. Leopard sharks and rays were plentiful in San Pablo Bay.