NORTH COAST RIVERS

North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is 707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. Many streams closed, and others change to artificial/barbless only on March 31 and others on April 25.

ROGUE RIVER-"The Rogue is dead, and has been for more than a week now," said David Pitts, WON's Field Reporter who lives near the river. "High winds are killing it, and even boats using two anchors and drift socks are still getting hammered." To catch spring kings, boats need to anchor in a specific "travel lane" to catch fish.

RUSSIAN RIVER-The first of the spring shad showed up on Friday and Saturday evenings, with "2 or 3" fish for anglers trying below Johnson's and down at Guernewood and Monte Rio. River is in perfect shape, and the mouth is open, so barring anything unforeseen, the shad run should build from here and be very good within a few weeks. Only 1,100 steelies made it to both hatcheries this year, down from 6,500 last year. Dismal!!!

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER--Fishing the upper end of the Klamath the first few miles below Iron Gate Dam continued to be very good, even though there were very few anglers other than locals on the water. Hot Shot/worm combinations, drifting bait, and swinging flies or dead-drifting nymphs under indicators all were effective.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City-Releases to the river at Lewiston will peak at 4,500 cfs by the beginning of May, pretty much putting fishing out of business until flows start dropping back and reach 2,000 cfs the beginning of June, making the first spring run Chinook salmon available to fishermen. The river demands caution at any level, but it is particularly hazardous at these high springtime flows.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Even though flows have been increased once again, to 4,500 cfs, this has not seemed to have encouraged many striped bass to enter the American River, judging by the lack of success by anglers. A bright spot, though discovered only by a few, is a fresh run of small steelhead which have been providing good fishing for a few anglers dead-drifting small caddis-like nymphs like hares' ears around Sailor Bar. The higher flows make for tougher fishing conditions, but are ideal for hardware throwers and bait drifters.

FEATHER RIVER- Striper fishing slowed in the lower reaches of the river, but some nice fish, a few to over 20 pounds, were caught from the Bear River to Shanghai Bend. Some shad have started showing up, too, even though it seems to be somewhat early. With flows below the Outlet at 3,500 cfs, shad will be able to go up the Yuba River.
FOLSOM LAKE- Bass fishermen were still finding success on the beds around flooded brush and trees, but fishing plastics in depths to 15 feet was a more reliable method given the heavy fishing pressure on the spawning beds. A very few trout were being caught on Apex lures, nightcrawlers and Needlefish behind flashers between Dyke 8 and the dam between 15 and 40 feet deep.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Striper fishing was good for some, not so good for others, but it was clear that there are plenty of fish around. Bankies were catching mostly schoolies behind Raley Field, Miller Park, and Bryte Beach. Boaters worked the river from Freeport to above Verona, trolling deep-divers with a worm trailer, drifting minnows and soaking bait. While most fish weighed under 10 pounds, there were increasing numbers of fig females being caught. More and more anglers are releasing the bigger fish, recognizing they are the spawners responsible for the future of the striped bass fishery.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale-Action slowed last week, but good anglers who were able to find "quiet," meaning few boats tearing up the water, were catching limits of mostly schoolie bass, plus a smattering of bigger spawners. Most of the catches have been on minnows, but anglers fishing at night have been scoring on big, black plastic worms thrown against rocky banks as well as Yo Zuri's and Lucky Craft Pointers. Fly fishermen also have been scoring a few on big streamers.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding--Trout fishing has been fair on flies, small Hot Shots and Glo-Bugs. There are lots of insect hatches, and fly fishermen have been scoring on Flows have gone to 7,700 cfs and are going to 8,500 cfs, meaning that going under the Cypress Street Bridge is again a no-no. There are lots of insects hatching, including stoneflies, Caddis, March Browns, and PMDs. Rubber legs have been a good imitator of many of the hatching insects.
UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER-Flows have been high but clear, and fishing has been good for quality trout to 22 inches over quantity. Fish the edges and slower moving seams and pockets with lots of weight and short casts.
YUBA RIVER- The higher flows in the Feather should mean that shad should be able to get up into the Yuba. There hasn't been much of an improvement since the last report. Anglers were taking a few trout, mostly on nymphs.

NORTH SALTWATER

BENICIA-Randy Hedricks at Benicia Bait and Tackle reported slow striper action, fair flounder counts, and some nice keeper sturgeon, including a 65 incher that hit for an angler fishing off the Eckley Pier. The boat anglers found some keepers also, top action coming from the Mothball Fleet on grass shrimp.

BERKELEY-Still no live bait, but boats trolled for halibut and found good action. On the El Dorado, 9 anglers caught 16 halibut on Saturday, topped by a 17 pounder, according to Scott Sutherland at the landing.

BODEGA BAY- Rockfish season (boat based) opens in June, not April as we erroneously reported last week. Rockfish season is open now for shore-based anglers and divers.

BROOKINGS, Ore.- Kayakers had the top action on rockfish and lingcod, reported WON field reporter Dave Pitts. "They can fish the protected areas when the bigger boats can't go out due to the ocean conditions," he said. Limits of rockfish and lingcod are also the norm for boaters who fish when the ocean conditions permit. Surfperch is another good option, the bite good at the mouth of the Winchuck River, the new Stateline access and at Sporthaven Beach. Berkley Sandworms, 2-inch in camo were top bait bets.

CRESCENT CITY- Private angler Joseph Yabu reported great surfperch fishing when he and two friends fished Point St. George Beach for limits of jumbos. All were over 1.6 pounds, and five were between 2 and 2.9 pounds.

EMERYVILLE-A great week of halibut fishing, although the counts dropped by the weekend when tides started getting faster and pressure greater. Some big ones caught on the New Huck Finn including 21 and 25 pounders. All the boats are still trolling, since live bait still hasn't been of satisfactory quality to put in the receivers. Also a mix of striped bass coming in on the trips.

EUREKA-Despite rough seas, the rockfish continued to bite at the jetties for anglers throwing flukes. Pacific halibut season opens on May 1, and rockfish-lingcod on May 15.

FORT BRAGG-Captain Randy Thornton of Telstar Charters reported no trips besides a personal dive for abalone that scored a limit. He'll start running crab and rockfish combos starting May 15, when the season opens, and keep up the crab side of the combos as long as the Dungeness are viable. Cory Kilgus at Subsurface Progression reported slightly lower visibility last weekend as minus tides and rough seas combined. Still, minus 1.2 low tides encouraged a good turnout for ab chasers for the weekend. Spearfishermen are trying, but no reports have come back to the shop.

HALF MOON BAY-It's been a long, slow winter, but Sherry Ingles at Half Moon Bay Sportfishing and Tackle said anglers are getting excited about some local shoreline action and the coming May 1 opener for the waters south of Pigeon Point (the boats here will run down to fish the open area). Crab snares have been the hot item for shore casters who report both rock crabs and a few Dungeness while fishing the beach south of the breakwater and the harbor pier. Surf smelt showed on the beaches between the harbor and Pescadero, one netter reporting a 15-pound throw with a cast net.

POINT SAN PABLO-Captain Frank Miller on the Fury reported tough fishing for halibut, the tides being fast, waters murky. He said they had some action, with both small halibut and a few bass, but nothing to get excited about.

SAN PABLO BAY-Still great action on the sturgeon trips, with a mix of keeper sturgeon, shaker sturgeon, oversized sturgeon, flounder, striped bass, and the usual bat rays and leopard sharks to liven up the trips. Grass shrimp worked best. The waters east of the Pumphouse was top spot.

SHELTER COVE-Captain Trent Slate of Shelter Cove Sportfishing and the Bite Me is ready to go for the May 1 Pacific halibut opener, and he's even managed to eliminate some of the variables of the launching issues at the Cove by buying his own launch tractor. "We're pretty much booked up after bottomfishing season opens on May 15," he said. Until then, he'll focus on halibut and crab trips, then expand the combos to include bottomfish after the opener.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-The River is in pretty good shape with some runoff in the North Fork making water levels high and murky. Middle Fork is in beautiful condition. Remember that there will be no DFG plants this year. Other area streams will probably be a little high from the runoff.

BULLARDS BAR-Lake is at 84-percent capacity. There are a lot of bass being caught in the marina area with some running 2 to 3 pounds. Some kokanee trollers were out recently giving the fishery a try. No fish were landed but fish were seen on the electronics. Problem is they might not have been kokes; last year was a disaster for the kokanee crowd. Some trout are being caught drifting bait at Dark Day, the Willow Creek waterfall and the dam. Shore anglers are starting to pick up some trout on bait and spinners cast at the dam.

CAMP FAR WEST-Last weekend's team tournament was won with 9.87 pounds. Big fish was a 3.08-pound largemouth. Lots of catch-and-release action going on with the bass spawning all over the lake. Reaction baits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits are all working. A 10-pound striper was weighed in this past week, but the angler didn't give any information on how he caught it. A big "Hot-Boat Bash" is coming up May 1st through 3rd, so fishermen should use caution on the lake during that weekend.

COLLINS LAKE-Trout fishing action is still off the charts with all the weekly plants. Trollers and shore anglers are doing equally as well and limits are no problem. Jim Cooper landed an 11 3/4-pound rainbow trolling an orange Flee Bitty in the east side bay where most of the big fish have been caught lately. Shore anglers are doing well on various colors of Power Bait at the dam.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-Bass are on the beds around the marina and two big ones in the high-teens have been spotted cruising around the docks. The best success has been coming for sight fishermen concentrating on the bedding fish, but the windy conditions have made seeing the nests a problem. Trout are still available for trollers working way up in the river arm for fish up to 22 inches on Rapalas or around the marina with flasher/worm combos for small planters.

LAKE OROVILLE-Water is starting to drop slowly because of water releases for the rice farmers. The bass bite is red hot with fish on the beds all over the lake. Anglers are using a variety of jigs, worms, and live bait to catch fish running up to 4 1/2 pounds. Remember to release the bigger fish. Coho trollers and moochers are doing well in the main lake and at the dam at 80 to 90 feet, unusually deep for this time of year. Successful anglers have used Sling Blade/worm combos or live minnows and anchovies for fish up to 3 1/2 pounds.

ROLLINS LAKE-Lake is nearly full. Smallmouth bass are providing most of the reported action with some fish running 2 to 3 pounds. Rapala jerkbaits have been productive. Some good brown trout to 3 pounds have been caught trolling a Sep's dodger with small Apex. Shore anglers have picked up some nice fish casting Mepp's spinners.

SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE-Water level is up and lake is in beautiful condition. Big sailboat/kayak regatta last weekend had the fishing crowd at bay so there were few reports other than the smallmouth bass being active.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Access is wide open but with no plants this year, action is supposed to be slow. There should be some holdover fish from last year's plants.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Access is wide open here too, but this lake is bigger and has catfish to fall back on if the trout action gets slow because of the "No Stocking" status. Trollers should get out early this season and try for rainbows and browns. Shore anglers can rely on the standards, Power Bait and worms, which should get the trout or the whiskerfish.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Bass action has been good for boaters or waders working the shallows for spawning bass. One guy picked up 7 fish with two around 5 pounds on black/red flake lizards thrown along the tule banks in the backs of the coves. There is still an occasional steelhead, to 7 1/2 pounds, coming in on inflated nightcrawlers at Wilbur Rd.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-The first part of the week was good for bass, crappie, and catfish, with warm weather and water, but by the end of the week, the water temperatures plummeted from 70 down to 57 degrees. Even so, bass were in the shallows and now is the time to throw frogs, Senkos, and swimbaits. Crappie were also moving under docks for their spawning efforts. A small crappie jig or bit of worm will entice them. Catfish were very active, and biting stinky baits like mackerel, although live crawdads under a bobber in the weeds work well.

LAKE BERRYESSA-Concentrate on shallow areas with deep water nearby for bass, and drop-shot Morning Dawn Robo Worms, split-shotting green pumpkin Power Worms and MMIII Robo's in 4- and 6-inch sizes. Kokes limits were netted from 16 1/2 to 18 1/2 inches in the main body with chrome dodgers and purple Rocky Mountain Tackle white/pink spinners and solid pink Uncle Larry's spinners (pinkies) from 30 to 37 feet deep.

LAKE SONOMA--Bass were the featured fish here, although few locals ever say how good the land-locked steelhead bite. Up in the creek arms bass anglers teased bass on beds with grubs and Senkos. Drop-shot worm were used in the main body for a few bass.

INDIAN VALLEY RESERVOIR- Largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as catfish action is still near the dam. There have been no reports of any trout being caught, as water is too low. If you have a small car-top boat or a float tube, you'll find fish and solitude.

LAKE PILLSBURY-Recently stocked with trout, this is a great lake to camp and fish for trout and bass now. With the lake at 85-percent of full capacity, the boat ramp at Fuller Grove open, the county road into the lake from Potter Valley in excellent condition--who could ask for more? Very few are fishing here and it's another great place you can basically have to yourself.

LAKE SONOMA-The lake level is about 90 percent full and in good shape compared to many of the other lakes. Smallies were hitting on Senkos and drop-shot worms in the main body. Up in the creek arms, bass anglers were sight fishing in fairly clear water with some success using Senkos and tubes.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-The lake will once again be planted the first week of May, when three of the largest trout will be tagged for the Big Bad 'Bow Challenge. The first tagged fish brought into one of the three participating resorts (Pine Acres, the Le Trianon Resort or the Narrows Resort) will receive the $1000 bounty, the second tag will be rewarded with $500 and the third tagged fish will be worth $250. All you need to do is pay $25 to participate and you can do that at any of the three resorts. If you don't register, you just get the fish.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR-Smelt imitations trolled early in the mornings will still be the way to go to start the day. Once the morning sun hits the water, the various insect hatches will begin mid-day and anglers will need to switch to flies and other tactics. Blood midge emergers, Rapalas, Needlefish and Speedy Shiners will all work.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-- The lake is still unreachable due to high snowdrifts in places. It is still unknown when PG&E will plow through to the dam area.

BAUM LAKE-Callibaetis, caddis, and BWO's (when it's overcast) are on the water, however emergers or nymphs were the best bet. Lure fishermen used Kastmasters and Panther Martins for best results, while crickets, nightcrawlers, and Power Bait were used for baits.

BRITTON LAKE-The crappie bite just started, with 20-plus being caught in the 9- to 10-inch range. The smallmouth bass bite also picked up. Nightcrawlers worked for crappie, while jerkbaits and plastic worms worked for smallies.

BURNEY CREEK-Look for caddis, though most fish below the falls are best fooled with nymphs. Above the falls, attractor patterns worked well for dries.

CASSEL FOREBAY- Fishing above the canal was good and eggs, worms, and Power Bait were the top producers. Pressure here should remain light until the warmer days of summer approach around Memorial Day. Fly fishing was moderate with blue wing olives and dun patterns in both nymph and dry picking up fish. The bite should pick up as the weather warms.

FALL RIVER WILD TROUT AREA-No reports from guides or anglers yet. Check regulations for this special area.

HAT CREEK WILD TROUT AREA--Hatches of callibaetis and caddis, as well as nymphing, should keep most fishermen busy. Watch for BWO's when the sky is overcast. No reporting on how the opener was, though.

UPPER HAT CREEK-- Fish & Game planted three times for the opener so lots of catchable rainbows were available along with some big broodstock brook trout in the 3- to 6-pound range. Fish and Game will plant twice a week, so fishing should be excellent. Pressure on the creek was very heavy for the opener but should ease up until Memorial Day Weekend. Panther Martins, worms and salmon eggs were the ticket this past week, as hungry trout were willing to bite on a variety of presentations. Fly fishing is slower this time of year but crystal buggers still work well.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR--Latest report showed fish were biting well but the water was quite low.

LEWISTON LAKE- The season started off on the right track with lots of fish being caught and beautiful springtime weather. Anglers using threaded worms and Power Bait up by the dam were doing well. Those out trolling found limits with Needlefish and Cripplures. Some larger native trout were caught and released using a vampire Rapala down in the channel. In the larger part of the lake the kokes were biting orange and rainbow Power Bait. In front of the marina is the spot for the fly fisherman using black leaches and black midges did well, also by Frog Rock.

MANZANITA LAKE- The lake is still mostly frozen but with warmer nights, it could be fishable in 1 to 2 weeks. Remember to heed the special fishing restrictions for this lake.

PIT RIVER-Water flows have returned to normal. Try dark lords, prince nymphs, pheasant tails, copper John's, or black AP's in sizes 16 and larger.

LAKE SHASTA- Trolling produced limits of rainbow trout up to 20 inches in the top 10 feet in the McCloud arm, across from Holiday Harbor. Bass were moving closer into the shallows. A Glow Stick on a Carolina-rig, dartheaded worms, and drop-shot worms produced bass from 8 to 20 feet out but the average depth was 12 feet, some fish were even shallower.

LAKE SISKIYOU-Just planted, trout were found trolling gold colored Sep's dodgers with a worm trailer. Troll in an "S" pattern here.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE--A bit more starting to happen here. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said one fisherman reported catching a 4-pound brown at the dam, but that's been about it. He said anglers fishing the restricted section at the inlet have been doing alright. Generally, fishing has been slow.

CAPLES LAKE--Lake way up now. WON staffer Bill Karr said the lake is well up on the main dam now and all the rocks and remains of the old dam are no longer visible. Lake still frozen over, but Karr said there are big patches of blue ice where it has melted and frozen over again, Definitely not safe for ice fishing now.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)--Lots of fish being caught on both forks of the river, with heavy pre-season fish stocking loading the streams with catchable and some whopper rainbows. Much of the action has been on baits like salmon eggs and Power Bait, but spin-fishermen and fly casters also report success. Rainbows well over 7 pounder caught so far.

DAVIS, LAKE--Fly fishing has slowed down as the spawning cycle is winding down. Jerry Dollard at Dollard's Sierra Market in Portola said trollers have been catching fish from 6 inches to 20 inches and the hot lure has been the Wee Dick Nite copper redhead trolled at about 6 feet deep. Bait fishing from shore has been spotty, with Fairview and Mallard Cove popular spots.

DONNER LAKE--Action still pretty slow here. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said kokanee are deep, 70 to 80 feet down, and purple or pink bugs will get 'em, sometimes. For Mackinaw try most anything that looks like a kokanee. Mack fishermen have been doing some good with Rapalas and AC-Plugs.

FRENCHMAN LAKE--At last report, the boat dock is in at Frenchman's ramp, but not at Lunker's. Most, if not all, campgrounds, are open by this time. Reports from Wiggin's Trading Post in Chilcoot indicate anglers catching rainbows and some catfish using nightcrawlers, marshmallows and Power Bait, with some limits of 'bows reported.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR--Some rainbow and brown action reported here, but slow and spotty at best. Julie Siebert at Ice House Resort has heard virtually no reports of angler success. The resort has been open since the trout season opener.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR--Number of anglers hasn't been all that many, but Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said that those who have been fishing the lake have been doing pretty well on rainbows.

JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR--Not open yet. Anglers still waiting for the road in to be plowed.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Mackinaw action still picking up here. Jeff Cole at Sly Park Resort said Walt Williams checked in with 3 macks from 2 to 5 pounds he caught trolling Kastmasters at 80 feet deep at the second dam. Bass anglers report the smallmouth bite slowed down and the smallies aren't spawning yet.

LOON LAKE--Not yet. Julie Siebert at Ice House Resort said husband Bob checked access to the lake and found the gate still locked and a big wall of snow just beyond.

PROSSER LAKE--About the only thing going on here is some smallmouth action at the dam. Try small countdown Rapalas.

PYRAMID LAKE--The bite is on. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store in Sutcliffe said everybody is pretty happy now. Fishing has loosened up and most anglers have been catching decent numbers of good cutthroat. She said the biggest fish weighed in over the weekend was an 11-pound, 13-ounce cutthroat caught by Reno fisherman Dan Grohs. The big fish hit a spoon Grohs was casting from shore.

SILVER LAKE--Some ice still reported on the lake, but anglers have been fishing open water at the spillway.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Rainbow action fair from the bank and kokanee can be caught throwing Kastmasters by the launch ramp. Mackinaw fishing real good and kokanee bite can be red hot. Both are hitting shallow, and top-lining lures has been working. Launch ramp very muddy and 4x4 vehicles required for anything larger than small aluminum boats.

LAKE TAHOE--Mackinaw fishing has been fairly good, as weather permits. Chuck Self, with Chuck's Charter Fishing in Zephyr Cove, said some better action lately has been in shallow areas.
Good rainbow and macks have been hitting from the bank and for anglers in small boats.

TOPAZ LAKE--A bit windy at times, and few big fish caught, but overall fishing not bad. Linda Fields at Topaz Landing Marina said overall, anglers have been doing well, catching plenty of good catchable rainbows, many getting limits. She said dragging nightcrawlers and Needlefish in a variety of colors has been doing the job.

TRUCKEE RIVER--The general trout section has high flows that are real big below town. Brian Nylund, at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee, said fishing is going to be tough. Anglers have to find soft spots close the bank behind rocks where the fish are hiding.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR--Some kokanee action has been reported, but main gates are still not open and few anglers have been getting on the lake.

WEST WALKER RIVER--River well stocked for the opener and beyond, but the fish just haven't been interested. Sam Foster at Toiyabe Motel in Walker said the water is in beautiful shape. The largest fish he has seen so far was a nice 2-pound brown.