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.–
The well known Rogue Bay is producing more king salmon than any of the other rivers in Southern Oregon.  “The Mouth of the Rogue has proven her worthiness of producing large numbers of fish being caught during extreme warm water conditions,” according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. “There’s a lot more boat traffic. Local anglers have reported they have seen multiple salmon being caught at the same time.  One person even reflected back on the years around 2004 when all the boats were netting fish at the time.”

ROGUE RIVER, Grant’s Pass, Ore.–Lots of salmon appear to be coming through the Grants Pass are, but there hasn’t been much catching by the anglers, according to Troy Whitaker at U-Save Tackle in Grants Pass. “Steelhead fishing was fairly good from Valley of the Rogue on down using nightcrawlers, pink rubber worms, small Hot Shots or Brad’s Pee Wee Warts.  More water is expected to be let out of Lost Creek Lake, which might improve the fishing in the river below, while the lake is in bad shape water-wise.  Some bass action is being seen at Selmac Lake, along with bluegill.  Applegate Lake is still producing fair action bass and trout.

RUSSIAN RIVER— Not much to report on the Russian, according to Scott Heemstra of King’s Sport and Tackle in Guerneville. “Continual summer smallie activity remains good using Rebel Crawfish, Rooster Tail spinners, and soft plastics.  Flows have been hovering around 80-90 cfs with water temps around 70 degrees.”

UMPQUA RIVER, Reedsport, Ore.–
The lower Umpqua River near Reedsport has been seeing abnormally high water temperatures.  “This above 70-degree temperature has been getting the blame for lack of salmon being caught,” said guide Curtis Palmer. “Fishing conditions last week were not consistent from one day to the next.  For instance, at the beginning of the week I received a couple reports stating that it was difficult to even find a strike/bite.  During the end of the work week reports came my way of boats with multiple catches.  It was reported that a full boat of anglers had fortunately hook 8 Chinooks near Windy Bend.  But as luck would have it, they were only able to land 3 out of the 8 .  I except to see more consistent fishing conditions as we get closer to the end of the month of August.”

Trinity/Klamath Rivers

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate – The fall salmon run is about a month away. Fishing for steelhead between 1 and 3 pounds has been good on crawfish plugs and MagLip plugs. Flows out of Iron Gate Dam were 902 cfs on Sunday.

KLAMATH RIVER, Happy Camp – Cooler water, in part because of smoke-filled skies, is expected to draw the first salmon of the season into the middle section of the Klamath by the end of the month. Flows at Seiad Valley were 921 cfs on Sunday.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen –The sand spit at the mouth of the Klamath busted open last week, allowing shore anglers to catch some salmon near the mouth last week, but more steelies came in then salmon, and steelhead fishing is now good throughout the lower river, with a few jack salmon showing in the catch. Flows Sunday at Terwer were 2,140 cfs. The Blue Creek section is closed until Sept. 14.

TRINITY RIVER – Salmon fishing improved last week near Lewiston, as several groups of new fish moved into the river. Guide Travis Michel reported several days of limits last week on MagLip plugs, roe and tuna balls. Flows are expected to rise from 450 cfs to 2,500 cfs as water is released to help salmon migrating through the lower Klamath River.

North Coast Lakes

CLEAR LAKE—The Redbud and Rattlesnake arms are producing the best bass action. The best bites have been found bottom bouncing baits like jigs, deep crankbaits, Texas rigged Brush Hogs and drop-shot or shaking worms.

LAKE BERRYESSA–The free public launch ramp at Capell Cove is now closed, but you can still launch at Markley Cove, Putah Creek and Pleasure Cove. Work the shallow flats on the main body for a mixed bag of both largemouth and smallmouth bass cranking a LuckyCraft LC 3.5 in pearl shad. For kokes and a few nice trout, fish the schools of kokanee through the Narrows all the way to the dam in 70 to 95 feet. Rocky Mountain Tackle’s (RMT) 5 1/2-inch dodgers with Uncle Larry’s spinners, Assassin spinners, Plankton Micro Squids, Apex spoons and Pautzke Firecorn have all been good producers.

LAKE MENDOCINO–Drop-shot Roboworms in Oxblood in 20 to 35 feet of water off the main body points and islands for smallies from 1 to 2 pounds.

LAKE SONOMA--Soak stink baits in 15 to 30 feet of water for catfish, especially in the evenings. Cover water with a black buzzbait shallow around standing timber and brush or pitch a jig around that same cover for bass. 

Northeastern Lakes

LAKE ALMANOR—Bass fishing has been fair, but will improve once they finish drawing water from the lake. Drop-shot worms and run and gun all over the lake in order to find fish that have moved up on points. Troll slowly with some nightcrawlers in the Big Springs area over towards the A-Frame in 25 to 35 feet for trout.

BAUM LAKE—Not much changed here this past week as the water is consistently cold and clear and DFW plants trout by the boat ramp. Wild trout, rainbows and brown trout also reside here but further down in the lake. Go early if you want to use dry flies, although some days have been more productive than others. Generally the bite is best from the early morning until midday.

EAGLE LAKE—This is a good time to go as the excellent bite continues with easy limits. Bobber fishing picked up at the Eagles Nest anchored in 55 feet of water with threaded nightcrawlers down 20 to 25 feet. The week started well for trollers but then slowed down.

FALL RIVER—Trout fishing has been fair to good, but you’ll need to keep moving around. Wild rainbow trout here range from 10 to 14 inches, but there are also trout over 20 inches caught regularly. Good fishing can be found all the way from Spinner Fall Lodge down to the confluence but fish early and late. 

UPPER HAT CREEK—There are lots of planted fish in this area but brook trout, brown and rainbow trout are also common. Most fish average in the 12-inch range. Spinners are a good bet on this part of the creek. There is also lots of access via the many campgrounds along Hwy 89 from Old Station to Burney.

MANZANITA LAKE—You can fish from a float tube, pontoon boat or even a drift boat or raft but no motors. There is also plenty of wading access so you can find the shaded coves and undercut banks to look for rainbow and brown trout. But check the regulations for where you can fish and what you can use on this catch and release only lake.

McCLOUD RIVER—Blown out thanks to a mud slide.

MCCLOUD RESERVOIR– Scott Heemstra had some fantastic trout action with the help of Bob and Steve at Ted Fays Fly shop using streamer patterns from shore.

PIT RIVER—Use small nymphs in the PH 1 area for trout up to 20 inches.

SHASTA LAKE—Remember to fish early and late as there is a lot of traffic out there now. Fish the upper third of the arms where it is also less crowded. Rainbows, browns and salmon are between 55 and 85 feet. Chrome and watermelon Apexs and Wiggle Hoochies in white and blue are all produced limits. The bait is thinning out so the bass bite is starting to pick back up a bit.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR—Cover water and switch up your tackle. Fish the 299 Bridge in 40 to 60 feet of water using UV pink Apexs, pink spinners, hoochies or a watermelon bug. The curtain is another popular spot. Troll in 60 to 80 feet for 11- to 13-inch kokes at both sites.

Sierra Lakes and Rivers

BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 15.5-percent capacity.  Flows from the Little Truckee were increased and the lake rose this past week.  Mountain Hardware and Sports recommended wading out to the channel edge near the inlet and casting into deeper water for a chance at rainbows, browns and the occasional mack.

CAPLES LAKE—The lake is at 89.6-percent capacity.  Caples Lake Resort Marina is open 8 to 5 daily with boat rentals, bait, and tackle.  Rainbows to 3 pounds were hitting floating dough bait and scented artificial eggs at the Spillway. Shore fishing was good at the Wood’s Creek inlet.  Trolling was uncharacteristically slow.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Todd Sodaro at Todd’s Bait and Tackle at the Creekside Lodge reported fishing in the East fork was fantastic with lots of limits of DFW planters and a few trophy rainbows to 8 pounds.  The West Carson flows were very low and fishing was slow.

DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 50-percent capacity.  Fishing was slow overall for trout—trolling was dead and shore anglers were only picking up 1 to 3 fish at Mallard Point in the early morning.  Bullhead catfish were hitting worms at Fairview and Mallard.  The Honker Cove boat ramp was still good for launching craft under 18 feet long.

DONNER LAKE—The lake is at 67-percent capacity.  Kokanee trolling was still good at 80 feet deep over the hump between China Cove and Loch Leven using pink, orange, or purple hoochies behind a dodger.  Rainbows were still hitting garlic floating dough bait on the west end and north side.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported trout fishing was still good on the North Fork Feather above the resort for those giving it a try.

FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 28-percent capacity.  Wiggins Trading Post reported the Frenchman launch ramp and campground were closed.  Fishing was slow at the dam for trout, but some bullhead catfish were hitting worms.

GOLD LAKES BASIN—Mark Tieslau at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Blairsden reported trout fishing was still good for planter rainbows at Sardine, Packer and Gold Lake trolling a dodger or flashers and worms at 10 to 12 feet deep.  Shore fishing was good at Sardine and Packer.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 75-percent capacity.  Trolling for rainbows was consistent using dodger/worms at 30 to 50 feet deep according to Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—The best bet was fishing in the deeper water at the dam from a small boat or float tube with bait and spoons.  Shore fishing was slow.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—The lake is at 58-percent capacity.  Trollers were still picking up good numbers of planter rainbows and few holdovers on watermelon or gold Apex at 45 feet deep.  Try a gold dodger/brown grub too, according to Brett Brady at Bare Bones Guide Service.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—The lake is at 75-percent capacity.  Denise Cole at Sly Park Resort reported fishing for trout and bass was better in the Narrows away from the recreational boat traffic on the main lake.

LAKE TAHOE—Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing reported mack action was hit-or-miss this past week for fish running 3 to 8 pounds.  Everyone on his trips caught at least one fish, but limits were tough on trips with full loads of 4 to 6 anglers.  Self was trolling from Tahoe City to Crystal Bay Point.  Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Topliners Sportfishing said he was catching limits of mostly 3- to 6-pound macks with a few fish to 9 pounds while trolling in the early morning and jigging late mornings at South Shore at 100 to 160 feet deep.  Zach Gordon at Tahoe Sportfishing reported the fleet was concentrating on kokanee trolling scoring 25 to 40 fish per boat along with a few macks to over 12 pounds.  The kokes were hitting flasher/Wedding Rings in red or green tipped with corn at 75 to 90 feet deep from Camp Rich to Cascade.

LOON LAKE—The lake is at 50-percent capacity.  The low lake level made for tough fishing and boating this past week.  Boaters need to use extreme caution due to shallow hazards.

PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 26-percent capacity.  Lots of little smallmouth bass were hitting tubes and worms.  Think about casting a topwater popper in the early morning or late evening for surfacing fish.

RED LAKE—A few cutthroats were still being caught at the dam.

SILVER LAKE—The lake is at 78.8-percent capacity.  Fishing was surprisingly slow here.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 15-percent capacity.   Trout and kokanee fishing was slow with the low water level and warm water temps.  Smallmouth bass fishing was pretty good.

TOPAZ LAKE—The Douglas County Park launch ramp was still launching any size boat, but most recreational boaters were launching off the shore with 4-wheel drive in the “primitive area”.  Fishing was slow for trout and fair for bass.

TRUCKEE RIVER— Mountain Hardware and Sports reported the river flows were too low and warm to support any ethical fishing—leave this precious resource alone!!

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 66-percent capacity.  Ken Mathis at Ken’s Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported rainbow trout trolling was the best bet here with kokanee and mack action slow.  SMUD was stocking nice Mt. Lassen Trout Farm rainbows as mitigation for their FERC permit.

WEST WALKER RIVER—The DFW stocked the Little Walker and West Walker at Pickel Meadows and the Canyon this past week and was scheduled to plant them all again this week.  Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel reported fishing was fantastic for DFW rainbows and a few trophy fish to 6 pounds.  With regular thunderstorm activity in the region, the river flows were much better than expected.  Catch-and-release flyfishing was very good.  Plan a trip now before the flows drop!!

Sacramento Valley

AMERICAN RIVER – Salmon fishing is slow.

FEATHER RIVER – Stripers have been biting well at Shanghai Bend on topwater lures as well as minnows and cut bait. The river is dropping and fishing very poorly for salmon.

FOLSOM LAKE – The Brown’s Ravine boat launch closed last week, leaving Granite Bay as the only option for launching boats. Bass fishing is good using drop-shot rigs for suspended fish in the main body. Trout and salmon fishing is slow.

RANCHO SECO LAKE – Bass and trout fishing is slow.

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.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding to Red Bluff – Salmon fishing was good early last week at the Barge Hole but slowed over the weekend. Trout fishing remains very good. Anglers are waiting for fresh salmon to enter the river, which normally happens in mid- to late August.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa – Salmon fishing was slow last week, as anglers wait for new salmon to enter the river.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Knight’s Landing to Colusa – Salmon fishing is slow. Fishing for catfish has been very good near the wingdams at Verona, as well as near First Beach at Knight’s Landing. Pile worms and chicken livers are catching catfish to 10 pounds.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento –  Salmon fishing is poor. Stripers are once again being caught in the deepwater channel at the Port of Sacramento.

Northern Foothills

AMERICAN RIVER—According to the Georgetown Ranger Station, the river was running low and clear.  Hikers willing to make the trek down to the North Fork and Middle Fork can find good rainbow action in the deeper pools using worms and spinners.

BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 48-percent capacity.  Emerald Cove Marina reported their boat ramp was closed, but launching was good at the one-lane Dark Day ramp.  Fishing was slow.

CAMP FAR WEST—The lake is at 40-percent capacity.  North Shore Resort reported their ramp was still in operation.  Ron Franks of Folsom fished this past week and caught 17 bass, a mix of spots and largemouths, in the main body at 10 to 15 feet deep using oxblood and green pumpkin lizards and bold bluegill Roboworms.

COLLINS LAKE—The lake is 45 feet from full.  Trout fishing was very slow with only one rainbow checked in all this past week.  Catfishing on the other hand was very good for fish to 4 1/2 pounds at the Beach, Bridge, and dam using sardines, anchovies, and stink bait.  The occasional bass to 5 pounds, and lots of redear sunfish were hitting for kids fishing at the docks.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 97-percent capacity.  Skippers Cove Marina reported a boater at Black’s Ravine caught rainbows and a big kokanee on worms at night. 

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 37.4-percent capacity.  The water is 70 feet below the French Meadows ramp but small boats can still launch on the gravel and packed earth according to the Foresthill Ranger Station.  Some rainbows were still being caught.

HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 37.9-percent capacity.  Small boats can still launch on the shore below the concrete ramp, but 4-wheel drive is mandatory.  Trout and kokanee were still hitting dodger/hoochies at the powerhouse.

LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 32-percent capacity—down 10 feet in the last 2 weeks.   Guide Ron Gandolfi reported the bass fishing was very good with the reduced recreational boat traffic on the lake.  Topwater in the early morning, spinnerbaits, tubes, dart-head and drop-shot worms, and Keitech swimbaits were all working on steep walls from 2 to 40 feet deep.  Trips were producing 50 to 60 fish for novice anglers mostly on drop-shot worms and tubes.  Experienced anglers can expect to catch 70 to 80 fish a day.  King salmon were still hitting dodger/white hoochies at the dam in the early morning, and the Green Bridge after the sun hit the water at 55 to 65 feet deep.

ROLLINS LAKE—The lake is at 92.4-percent capacity. Bass were hitting drop-shot worms on the steeper points.

SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—The lake is at 48.6-percent capacity.  Bass were hitting topwater in the early morning and late afternoon, and drop-shotting Roboworms mid- to late-morning at the dam was also producing nice smallmouths.  Trout fishing was slow.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The boat ramp was still in the water but at the low lake level the shoreline has been increasingly used as a beach and beachgoers and boaters can come in contact near the ramp—both groups need to use caution!

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported the campgrounds were open, but camper traffic was light.  With the lake so low, fishing was slow.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 133.8-foot elevation at press time—80.5-percent capacity.  Bass fishing was good on the rocky banks using crankbaits and jigs.  Punching through the heavier weed beds and laid over tules was producing bigger fish to 6 pounds.

North Saltwater

BERKELEY—California Dawn and Happy Hooker focused on striped bass, lingcod and rockfish, posting consistently great numbers including full limits of lingcod on one day. Some of the rockfish trips ranged as far up as Point Reyes. Berkeley Charter Boats vessels mixed it up with some trips targeting bass and halibut and other trips working for salmon outside the Gate.

BODEGA BAY/LAWSON’S LANDING—Halibut action expanded from Tomales Bay to the beaches, thanks to squid spawns. Salmon were not exactly filling boats, but there were catches at Bodega Head, Bell Buoy, Ten Mile Beach and Tomales Point. New Sea Angler and Surf Scooter found excellent lingcod and rockfish action on runs both down the coast and up the coast to Fort Ross.

EMERYVILLE—Salmon fishing was generally slow, however Sundance got roughly a fish per rod over the weekend and other boats posted decent counts. Most boats hammered the lingcod and rockfish along the Marin Coast. New Huck Finn posted a count of 40 lingcod plus limits of rockfish for 18 anglers.

EUREKA—Albacore runs were marginally successful with fish to 30 pounds. Pacific halibut bit better at 35 fathoms than the typical 50 fathoms. Salmon fishing was perhaps better than anywhere on the coast and Cape Mendocino was the hot spot. The same locale also produced dazzling catches of lingcod and rockfish.

FORT BRAGG—Some fine big fish were reported including a 22-pound lingcod on Telstar and a 46-pound salmon on Bragg-n. Telstar kept her passengers on the lingcod and rockfish, finding that local spots produced better than some favorite spots to both the south and north. Old Mill surf anglers scored greenling, cabezon and rockfish.

HALF MOON BAY/PACIFICA—Salmon showed up right outside of Pillar Point Harbor  and Huli Cat got into them one day, and some were hooked at Pacifica Pier. Hopefully the bite is on! Lingcod and rockfish bit great. Que Sera Sera managed limits of both rockfish and salmon. Stripers bit along sandy beaches and evening high tides were the magic times.

SAN FRANCISCO—Lingcod and rockfish made it easy for skippers to send their passengers home with lots of fish. Bass Tub posted high scores of lings and rockfish and also took the time to stop for bass to stuff the sacks. Wacky Jacky caught bass, halibut and salmon – all in one day. Lovely Martha had a trip when the Rescino family joined forces to help 4-year-old Junior Rescino catch a 29-pound salmon.