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-Another terrible year of spring salmon runs here, with nothing worth going after unless you live here and have nothing better to do. Only 3 or 4 fish per 30 or 40 boats-you figure out the odds. Sure, there's better days, but not many, and there's many zero days end-to-end, said Dave Pitts, WON's Field Reporter. We'll try to get a handle on the dilemma up here and report on it.

RUSSIAN RIVER-The past week has been the best for shad so far this season, averaging maybe 3 to 5 fish an angler, but "that ain't nothing" compared to what should happen now after the rain! Nick Wheeler at Kings Sport & Tackle in Guerneville said flows went up to 700 cfs and are expected to 1000 cfs, which will bring the shad in big time in the next two weeks! Hang on!

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen-The first hook and line caught spring run Chinook salmon were reported caught in the lower end of the river last week. Water conditions were "perfect" even with the rain that put some green color into the water. CV-7 spinners in brass and two-tone green and chartreuse were the most productive lures.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate-The river below Iron Gate Dam was in great shape and continued to produce small steelhead and native rainbows last week to mostly the few locals bothering to fish. Backtrolled Hot Shot/worm combinations, drifted bait and flies.

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City- Springtime flows maxed out at 4,500 cfs maxed out last week and are starting a slow decline. The magic number of around 2,000 cfs where the river becomes somewhat fishable will occur beginning of June. There should be nice numbers of spring run Chinook in the river by then. Be careful out there.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-Steelhead were reported being caught in Nimbus Basin and shad up to Paradise Beach. However, striper fishing remained slow, apparently due to the cold water. Fly fishermen have been dead-drifting small caddis-like nymphs like hares' ears around Sailor Bar, while spin and conventional fishermen have been throwing hardware and drifting nightcrawlers.

FEATHER RIVER- Striper fishing came back to life in the higher flows with some dandies weighing over 30 pounds being caught from Shanghai Bend to the Bear River. Shad were concentrated at Shanghai Bend, and steelhead, mostly small ones to 18 inches plus a few fish to 5 pounds, were being caught in the Low Flow Section.

FOLSOM LAKE-There were lots of flooded trees and brush to fish in the high water, but most of the fish, the biters anyway, seemed to be in a bit deeper water and taking dartheaded and Carolina-rigged plastic worms. Crawdads and jumbo minnows were working for bait fishermen, too. Some trout were being caught, mostly on the main body on Needlefish, Ex-Cels and Rapalas from 15 to 30 feet deep.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-The best striper action seemed to be downriver of Sacramento last week, from Clarksburg to Rio Vista. Fishing seemed to be somewhat slow around Sacramento proper. It's all gonna change with the high water from the recent storms, and more fish should move upriver. Bryte Beach was one of the better spots. Shad fishing was good at the mouths of the American and Feather rivers-at least until the river went higher. Those fish are likely moving up into tributaries like the American and Feather, but new schools should show up as the river drops back and clears once again.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa-Striped bass had finally moved up to Colusa in decent numbers, and anglers were catching them from Grimes to Colusa on jumbo minnows and plastic worms. Anglers were working relatively hard for their fish, however. Big streamers were working, too, at least until the river rose. Anglers were hopeful that the high water will bring a fresh school of fish to replace the spawners which have begun to go back downriver. Most anglers have been concentrating on stripers, but fishing for sturgeon remained quite good, especially above Colusa.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Guide J.D. Richey reported excellent trout fishing around Redding. Flows were high and visibility limited, but he said that it was possible to catch 30 fish a day side-drifting Glo-Bugs. These have been big trout, too, most 2 to 3 pounds, and quite a few to 4 pounds. However, the Cypress St. Bridge is closed to passage of boat above 7,000 cfs. Jetboaters have been fishing above the bridge and running back upriver, while fly fishermen have been launching their driftboats below the bridge. Richey said that the technique to use in the big water is to "poke around in the soft edges." He also said that a lot of caddis were hatching, so any "brown-nymphy-caddisy-looking thing" ought to work for fly fishermen.
UPPER SACRAMENTO RIVER-Fishing has been good for anglers able to work pockets and soft edges in the high flows with enough weight. The fish have been nice quality, up to 22 inches.
YUBA RIVER- The higher flows in the Feather have allowed shad to get above the rapids at Shanghai Bend, but there haven't been many anglers trying for them yet. A very few trout were being taken by good anglers, mostly on nymphs.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-Rain and snow over 7500 feet that was forecast over the weekend through the first part of the week and should increase flows in all forks. Sections below the dams at North Fork Lake and Chili Bar will have controlled flows. No DFG stocking is going to make this whole system a disappointing choice for anglers used to high numbers of fish sustained by the usual planting program.

BULLARDS BAR-Lake is at 85-percent capacity. One angler reported having a 30 fish day on spotted bass up to 2 pounds using brown gitzits. Another report came in about a 19-inch trout caught up where the river comes into the lake. Kokanee trollers have been going out recently but no kokes have been found.

CAMP FAR WEST-Lake is still full and bass action is very good especially up in the Rock Creek arm. Bass should be all over the banks in various stages of spawning. No word recently on any stripers or catfish.

COLLINS LAKE-Lake level is expected to rise a little from all the rain of this past weekend and early part of this week. Lake received one private plant and the last two pens of trout were released. The pen-reared fish were running 3 to 5 pounds. With all these plants, the trout fishing is great for both trollers and shore anglers. Shore fishermen are doing best on Power Bait at the dam, swim beach and near the marina. A 7 pounder came in this past week from the dam on chartreuse Power Bait.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-Lake is at 88-percent capacity. A houseboat group trolled the lake this past weekend and caught rainbows, browns and kokanee. Lots of rain earlier this week, 3 to 4 inches, but the lake is still clear. Bass are still cruising the banks.

LAKE OROVILLE-Lake came up 1 1/2 feet this past weekend with all the rain. The rain was all the way up to 8000 feet, which should trigger some substantial run-off that will help fill the lake.
Bass fishing is still good, but some of the fish have finished spawning and are starting to move back out to the points. Keith Hurner caught 8 bass to 4 pounds in the Middle Fork in 5 to 10 feet of water on pumpkin pepper jigs, and Chuck Leman flipped root beer/red-gold flake Senkos into brush in the backs of North Fork coves for 10 bass to 4 1/2 pounds. No reports of any coho, but Feather River Outfitters is still selling minnows and anchovies, so anglers are fishing for them and just not talking

ROLLINS LAKE-Lots of rain in the area over the past weekend slowed down the fishing, but a private company bass tournament held this past week reported a good bite before the rain settled in at Long Ravine Campgrounds.

SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE-Fishing is good for trout and bass. A 10 1/2-pound brown trout was caught by Shawn Bottomley of Nevada City while trolling a Rapala along the Cascade shores area. There was also a report of a 32-inch fish caught off the dam recently, but we will try to get a confirmation on that fish as information becomes available. The guy who caught it said we wasn't sure what kind of fish it was, sounds 'fishy' to me.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Lots of rain in the mountains this past week slowed down any activity here. Roads are open to the lake but with no plants, action will be hit-or-miss.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Lots of rain here over the last week. Roads are open and there is a chance at some holdover rainbows, a few browns and the catfish.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Boaters and shore waders concentrating on the tule banks in the backs of the coves are finding lots of big fish, 4 to 7 pounds. Brown jigs and 10-inch red crawdad worms are producing. Joe Landers of Gridley picked up a 7 pounder on the brown jig and John Lackey from Feather River Outfitters got a 5 1/2 on the big worm. Some five-fish limits are running 21 to 23 pounds, which would be nice to have in a tournament. Remember to practice catch-and-release on the spawners.

NORTH SALTWATER

BERKELEY-Captain Jim Smith on the Happy Hooker reported about one around, his trips focusing on striped bass and halibut, and he may be the only boat using live bait. He's getting live shiner perch for his customers to use. Chris Kane of Outcast Sportfishing reported good trolling action on halibut around K Buoy in the Berkeley Flats area of main bay. His top bite is on chartreuse hoochies behind a diamond flasher. While he's commercial fishing now, he's preparing to offer charter trips soon.

CROCKETT- Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star said since live bait was still not available for his weekend charters, all his customers chose against opting for sturgeon. "Between that and the weather forecast, they all cancelled," said Hough. He's moving the Morning Star to Loch Lomond this week.

BODEGA BAY- Still ho-hum, although local California halibut fishing should be picking up. Surfperch and shore fishing for rockfish are also possibilities, and abalone diving and rockpicking conditions were excellent earlier in the week, with minus tides and calm seas drawing many to the coast.

BROOKINGS, OR- WON field reporter Dave Pitts reported excellent bottomfishing before the recent bout of weather fronts, with flat calm seas preceding the storm. The school fish were on the bite, with many anglers reporting wide open action on blue and black rockfish. The fish were "everywhere," but anglers pinpointed the action by watching for bird/bait activity. "I've never seen that much bird action in my life," said Pitts.

EMERYVILLE-The boats found increasingly better halibut and striped bass action going through the weekend, with about a half fish to one around on Saturday's trips. On Sunday, the New Huck Finn reported over one around in the afternoon, and the bite had just started going for them. The stripers were on the bite, with 15 bass boxed for the 20 anglers on board.

EUREKA-Big seas returned about halfway through opening day of Pacific Halibut season, but there were a couple lucky anglers who scored halibut. One was a 50 pounder taken in 250 feet of water northwest of Humboldt Bay, the other 35 pounds and no details on the catch. Earlier in the week, some minus tides allowed great conditions for razor clamming, and Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center reported he had an easy limit of jumbos, most about 6 inches.

FORT BRAGG-While Pacific halibut season opened on May 1, no anglers reported trips. Captain Randy Thornton on the Telstar took some recreational trips for abalone, he and friends finding limits. Dive conditions were great early and mid-week, but on Friday afternoon the swell picked up. Minus tides early in the week made for great rock picking for abalone.

HALF MOON BAY-The charter boats fished south of Pigeon Point, finding the first rockfish and lingcod of the season. While the action wasn't wide open, a slow but steady pick allowed diligent anglers to score limits of rockfish, plus some greenling, cabezon and lingcod. Big fish on the Queen Of Hearts were single digit lingcod, with a mix of red and black rockfish making up the catch.

SHELTER COVE-A few boats braved the forecast for building southerlies and ran up to Punta Gorda seeking Pacific halibut on the May 1 opener, but not only was fishing tough, but the ride home very difficult.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE--Some action reported at the dam, but erratic weather conditions have either washed out or blown out much of the rainbow action, along with the few browns, that had been happening a week or so earlier.

CAPLES LAKE--Lots of open water now and anglers have been fishing at the dam and the outlet. John Voss at Caples Lake Resort said there is also big open water at the Woods Creek inlet. Lake level rising and a Memorial Day weekend opening is planned for store, lodging and boat rentals.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)--Stream flows are rising rapidly and water is becoming murky as well. Todd Sodaro said bait fishermen are still getting fish. He said Michael Elledge from Stockton got a nice 6.9-pound rainbow on the West Carson using salmon eggs. Eggs also worked for 8-year-old Andrew Gully from west Sacramento, who caught 3 'bows on the East Carson, 12 to 14 inches. A 5 pounder and a 2 pounder were caught by Paige and Will Guzuy, who were fishing with Power Bait. River conditions can be expected to deteriorate further as warm weather and the rains accelerate runoff from the snowpack.

DAVIS LAKE--Fly fishing has dropped off sharply since spawning is over for the rainbows, but trolling has picked up significantly, with fish running up to 20 inches. Getting out of the wind has been key. Although results have generally been spotty, bank fishers' best bets have been Fairview Point and Mallard Cove, using rainbow Power Bait and pink Gulp.

DONNER LAKE--Kokanee and Mackinaw action has definitely kicked up a notch, when anglers can get a weather break. Rain and wind has limited anglers' ability to get on the lake at times, and made trolling difficult on many occasions when they are able to get on the water. Once weather settles down, hot action should follow.

FRENCHMAN LAKE--Limits of rainbows have been reported by anglers using nightcrawlers and marshmallows. Trollers have had some success working various areas around the lake, but the action has been only fair. Like most lakes in the Sierra, nasty weather at Frenchman has definitely had a negative impact on fishing.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR--Fishing tough right now, with windy weather conditions at times. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said very few fishermen have been out much of the time. He said putting a little more weight on to get out farther can help reach the fish.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Rains kept many anglers off the water much of this past week, but it can pay to brave the bad weather. Jeff Cole at Sly Park Resort said Pollock Pines fisherman Mark Presley trolled the lake in the middle of a rain squall and caught a nice 7-pound, 28-inch Mackinaw. The big mack hit a Rapala that Presley was pulling at about 200 feet deep.

PROSSER LAKE--On-and-off rains pretty well discouraged many anglers that might have fished here. Some smallmouth action that was starting to get underway has been slowed quite a bit.

PYRAMID LAKE--Windy conditions at times have been keeping people off the lake, and cutthroat have been cruising the shore, then going right back out to deeper water again. George Molino, with Cutthroat Charters in Sutcliffe, said fishing has been good at times, but water temperatures are still too cold for this time of year. He said when the weather straightens out there's a lot of good fishing ahead.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Mackinaw and kokanee fishing both producing well when weather permits. AC Plugs have been working for the macks, and pink or purple bugs will get the kokes. Rains have added to muddy conditions around the lake and high winds have been rough on trollers at times. Once weather conditions stabilize, anglers can expect the action to really turn on again.

LAKE TAHOE--Anglers here have been playing pretty much a wait-and-see game, trying to get on the lake between wind and rainstorms that have hit the lake in a steady stream. Having to cancel charters due to bad weather has been an all too frequent task for Tahoe fishing guides. When breaks in the weather permit, Mackinaw action has been pretty good generally, and even better in shallow near-shore areas. Shallow waters have been producing Mackinaw and rainbows, better in both number and quality.

TOPAZ LAKE--Wind has been a problem for fishermen at times, but some have found it worthwhile to brave the rough weather. Linda Fields at Topaz Landing Marina said a group of 67 fishermen, the Art's Foods group from Modesto, put boats on the lake despite windy conditions and all did very well. They were trolling nightcrawlers, Needlefish and Rapalas. Many stringers weighed 6-plus pounds, Fields said.

TRUCKEE RIVER--Fishing pretty well before, but blown out as runoff from melting snowpack increases river flows.

WEST WALKER RIVER--Lots of fish, but few anglers. Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel in Walker said crazy weather has been keeping much of the normal fishing pressure way down. He said the pre-season plant of Alpers trout are still out there waiting. He's checked in a couple 2 pounders, but that's it. River flows have been going up and down, from as low as 350 cfs, up as high as 800 cfs, then back down again.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-If anglers found an area with clearer water and some bedding activity, they also found some good action sightfishing for bass. Senkos and frogs have been two of the more productive ways to get fish although the recent weather has really brought the frog bite down. It will come back though with warming temperatures. Bass averaged 3 pounds. Experimenting with artificials found a few bass on crankbaits, chatterbaits, smaller swimbaits, and a few plastics all produced a few fish. A consistent number of larger crappie ranging from 1 to 3 1/2 pounds were found on the south end by free drifting small crappie minnows and jigs under or near docks in 6 to 14 feet of water.

LAKE BERRYESSA-Biggest news was a 19 1/4-inch koke caught by the Big Island on a chrome starlight 3/0 dodger with a red Radical Glow Tube 30 to 42 feet down. This has been a great season so far, look for the bite to only get better. Smallmouth bass are already post spawn and the Senko bite has also been hot here.

INDIAN VALLEY RESERVOIR- If you have a small car-top boat or a float tube, you'll find fish and solitude here as largemouth, smallmouth bass, as well as catfish action is still near the dam.

LAKE PILLSBURY-With the lake 85% full and the boat ramp at Fuller Grove open, it's a wonder why so many drive right past this lake. The trout are in the top 20 feet and hitting Needlefish, an Apex, Kastmasters and worms. Bass are also in the shallows here.

LAKE SONOMA-The bass bite is still excellent up in the creek arms. Some huge bass are being caught right now.

UPPER BLUE LAKE-Planted last week, it didn't take trout anglers long to return. The first trout caught weighed 7 1/2 pounds. Power Baits, worms, and Kastmasters are good choices here. 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-The bite slowed due to rains, but the trout and salmon bite will pick right back up as hatches were going off everywhere in the shallows. Brown trout were taken on black/silver Rapalas on both the east and west shores in the shallows around 7 or 8 feet. Salmon were taken on a variety of things rigged behind plain silver dodgers. Small lures resembling pond smelt, mini-crawlers and trolling flies all got their attention. Keep some flies like small woolly buggers in a No. 10 around for when the hatches are going off.

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-BWO's are on the water now, with pheasant tails doing best for nymph fishermen. Lure fishermen are still holding onto Kastmasters and Panther Martins for best results, while nightcrawlers and Power Bait are fishermen's choice.

BRITTON LAKE- Crappie went back down, as this past week's rains definitely affected them. A few brave souls are catching a few smallies, but they, too, slowed with the weather.

BURNEY CREEK- Above the falls has been quite productive with lures and nightcrawlers. No report from below the falls.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Fishing in the canal above the Power House remained good and eggs, worms, and Power Bait are all producing. Pressure here should remain light as well 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 dramatically 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-Slow here with a few BWO's, but mostly nymphing with birdsnest or gold-ribbed hare's ear, but catching is very slow.

UPPER HAT CREEK--Fish and Game will plant twice a week so fishing should be excellent. Light fishing pressure should be the norm until Memorial Day weekend, so now is the time to beat the crowds. Panther Martins, worms and salmon eggs are still the best bet to catch the most fish. With light fishing pressure the fishing should remain good. Fly fishing on the upper creek is slower this time of year but nymphs and crystal buggers should still produce.

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

LEWISTON LAKE-Up by the dam has been good for anglers using threaded worms and Power Bait. Those out trolling found limits with Needlefish and Cripplures. Down in the channel was where some of the larger native trout were caught and released using a vampire Rapala. In the larger part of the lake the kokes were biting orange and rainbow colored Power Bait. In front of the marina is the spot for the fly fishermen using black leaches and black midges as well as by Frog Rock.

MANZANITA LAKE-The lake is now open and fishable. Fishing is still slow but should pick up quickly with warming temperatures. This lake saw very light fishing this past week but some nice rainbows were brought to net using beadhead olive or brass ribbed midges in sizes No. 20 or 22 fished slowly. With warmer days the brown trout should start seeking the shallows for bait and fishing should pick up. 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-Trout and salmon trolling produced brown trout to almost 6 pounds and salmon weighing about 4 pounds. Rainbow trout averaged 2 1/2 pounds. The Pitt arm, McCloud and by the dam are good areas to start. Bass are still in pre-spawn patterns but are in shallow excepting crankbait patterns in all white with purple highlights.

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

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR-The trout patrol started back here this past week but with trout and kokes still scattered, few where found. Give this lake another week or so to warm up a bit.