NORTH COAST RIVERS

North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures, and you should always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed by low flows. 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. For the Eel and other North Coast rivers, call (707) 822-3164.

CHETCO RIVER-Currently they're seeing downrunners and bluebacks, mostly averaging around 8 pounds. Phil Desautel of Phil's Smiling Salmon Guide Service fished it on Sunday with WON staffer Rich Holland, and they caught one downrunner about 9 or 10 pounds. It was snowing, and they didn't see another boat.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem-Blown out by the rains and staying that way due to melting snow in all the tributaries.

EEL RIVER, South Fork-"Just shaping up beautiful right now," said Daryl Brown of Brown's Sporting Goods in Garberville on Sunday. It's still on the high side due to melting snow. Currently a milky green color with visibility 6 to 8 inches at Garberville, but much clearer and perfect near Leggett and Pearcy. Guide Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service confirmed that, saying that there should be a good mix of fresh fish and downers. March is the month when some big numbers of steelies can be caught here!

MAD RIVER-It's way too high for fishing, and melting snow keeps it high, according to Mad River Guide Service. Every time flows get down to 2000 cfs the snowmelt brings it back up.

MENDOCINO COASTAL RIVERS-Good amounts of rain on the Navarro, Noyo, Gualala, Garcia and Mattole rivers, but as these are mostly short, coastal streams they were coming into shape for the weekend. Guide Craig Bell of Greenwater Guide Service fished the Garcia on Saturday, and his clients hooked 6 and landed 3, but on Sunday they were skunked. "Looks like we're between runs," Bell said. He said he had heard the Navarro and Gualala were slow, but Nick Wheeler of Kings Sport & Tackle, said that two anglers checked in with him on Saturday and they had hooked 9 downrunners..

ROGUE RIVER-Big transition from steelhead to spring king salmon now, and there were some caught three days in a row above the mouth. The spring king run has been down in recent years, so they're keeping their fingers crossed for a good run this year.

RUSSIAN RIVER-Nick Wheeler of Kings Sport & Tackle in Guerneville said the river was just getting into shape, and a couple of steelhead were even caught at Dry Creek. He said the river will be good around Healdsburg by Tuesday, and then Wednesday or Thursday at Guerneville. "The weekend should be great", Wheeler said. "March is one of the big months for the Russian and we should have fresh fish and then bluebacks the first part of April and the downrunners as well as the last main push of fresh adult steelhead."

SMITH RIVER-"It's the worst we've seen it in 20 years," said Phil Desautel of Phil's Smiling Salmon Guide Service. And that was confirmed by Bobby Westbrooke of Ship Ashore Resort. Conditions are great, it's very fishable, but there just aren't any fish. There's no pressure, since word has gotten out about the dearth of fish. The river is expected to be in great shape all week.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-Not much change. Virtually no fishing pressure, and good fishing conditions in the upper section of the Klamath down to the Shasta River. Decent numbers of native trout plus some adults to 6 pounds were still being caught, mostly by a few locals, on backtrolled small plugs and nightcrawlers behind Hot Shots.
TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City-The river was back in excellent shape down to the North Fork and there were still decent numbers of fresh wild adult winter steelhead arriving along with some brown trout. Flows were quite a bit higher below the North Fork but some nice steelies were caught around Hawkins Bar by fishing the edges in slower water. Fishing below the South Fork was still tough as of Sunday because of off-color flows. Tens of thousands of smolts are scheduled to be released to the river in the coming weeks, and that will make fishing for adult steelhead almost impractical. Call ahead.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-Fishing is picking up on the lake overall and anglers are looking forward to an early spring bite to switch into high gear. Now is the time to look for the warmest water you can find, as a temperature change of just a couple of degrees can really perk bass up to begin staging for the spawning season. Typically these are the banks that are facing south and protected from the north winds. Bass were caught both shallow and deep, and on almost any type of tackle.

LAKE BERRYESSA-The north end is off-colored with the runoff from Pope and Putah creeks and the dirty water will warm up faster, making bass move up shallower, using it as a form of cover. Spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and chatterbaits have been doing well in these areas. Just roll them slowly along these areas as they are producing both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

LAKE SONOMA- Bass'n Boars guide Tony Giorgio said bass are being caught throwing Senkos in shallow water back in the creek arms of the lake. Fish where the water begins to change color. The bass were all nice 2 to 3 pounders. The lake is still rising and is about 90% full, with a water temperature reading of 52 degrees. All the fish came in 2 to 10 feet of water. As long as the lake is rising or stable the bite should continue to improve. The lake is a bit stained now, but when it clears and the water temperature comes up a bit, trollers will start catching land-locked steelhead near the surface.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE--Lake still iced up pretty good. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware & Sports in Truckee said there is a little open water on the east side and down by the inlet, but not much being caught.

CAPLES LAKE--Ice fishing still good here and Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said a South Lake Tahoe fisherman, Mark Flores, checked in with 23-inch, 4-pound brown he caught through the ice on a nightcrawler. Kirby said the fish was the most beautiful brown trout he had ever seen. Ice conditions are still good, Kirby said, running 18-inches to 2-feet thick. He said there is a bit of slush on top now.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)--East Carson reported fishable now. Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords said water temperatures are still fairly cool and there hasn't been much surface action.

DAVIS LAKE--Rainbow bite continues to improve, already kicking out good numbers of 'bows up to 4 1/2 pounds for shore anglers using inflated nightcrawlers. Fly fishing has also turned on, with the fly folks catching and releasing from a half-dozen to over a dozen fish per day, some using small dark nymphs along the east shore. Access still limited to 2-wheel-drive vehicles on the east-side road, 4x4 from road to lake. Look for an even better bite as water temps warm.

DONNER LAKE--Mackinaw action starting to get underway, with mostly smaller macks hitting jigs at around 70 feet along the China Cove shelf. Continuing cold water temps have been keeping the bite generally slow, but it's definitely starting to happen.

FRENCHMAN LAKE--Anglers getting some nice rainbows up to 16 inches at the dam, with nightcrawlers and marshmallows the top bait combo. Road to the dam is open, but any farther past there is "iffy," and 4x4 vehicles are still a must.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR--Fishing has been "pretty fair," according to Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station in Woodfords. He said a Gardnerville fisherman checked in with a nice 18-inch rainbow he had caught on a nightcrawler. The fish, Kirby said, had obvious talon marks on its head, likely from being caught, brought out of the water, then dropped by an eagle sometime recently. He said lots of golden eagles and bald eagles are "fishing" at the lake now.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Lots of brown trout action here, topped for the week by a 7 pounder. Other browns from 4 to 6 pounds have been caught on Kastmasters and nightcrawlers. Biggest fish of the week was a 10-pound, 9-ounce Mackinaw.

PROSSER LAKE--Still frozen over and ice is very unsettled. Nothing happening here.

PYRAMID LAKE--Fly action for the lake's Lahontan cutthroat lake trout definitely picking up. Truckee fisherman Dan Gomez, along with Brian Darney, from Belmont and Dan Waddell from Fremont, got a taste on a recent trip. Setting their ladders about 30 feet out from shore at the Nets, they got into some great action from 9 a.m. to around 1:30 p.m. Gomez caught 6 fish in the 5- to 7-pound range, and landed his 2nd largest Pyramid cutthroat ever, the fish weighing between 9 and 10 pounds.

RED LAKE--Ice reported still at least 18-inches thick. Expect some slush now with warmer temperatures. Mostly brook trout being caught.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Lake generally free of any ice now, and warm weather temperatures for a couple weeks have pretty much eliminated ice and snow on the boat ramp that required chaining up vehicles launching boats. Keith Kerrigan with Sierra Anglers Guide Service in Truckee said mack action has been pretty good for fish in the 6-pound range.

LAKE TAHOE--Latest Mackinaw action outstanding, according to Chuck Self with chuck/s Bait, Tackle & Guide Service in Kings Beach. Reporting from his boat on the lake, he said clients had been releasing fish all day and had a pair of 7 pounders in the boat. Good weather has put the macks on a bite that Self call "stellar." MegaBaits, Tazmanian Devils and Needlefish all working at various times. He said rainbows are currently few and far between.

TOPAZ LAKE--No big fish to report, but good numbers of folks getting limits of nice rainbows running 1 1/4 pounds or so. Chuck Fields at Topaz Landing Marina said either nightcrawlers or Rapalas have been the top choices for picking up the 'bows.

TRUCKEE RIVER--Pinch your barbs or get busted. That's pretty much the message for winter-fishing anglers. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware & Sports in Truckee said some anglers are forgetting to pinch down hook barbs to meet the barbless hook regulations and are being ticketed by DFG wardens. He said fishing on the main river has started to pick up, but most action is still from Boca to Trout Creek where the flows are better. Anglers on the Little Truckee have been getting some nice rainbows farther up toward the dam and browns down lower.

NORTHERN FOOTHILL

BULLARDS BAR-Lake rose 23 feet this week to 69-percent capacity.

CAMP FAR WEST-Lake is full with two weeks of rain. Bass and catfish are hitting on nightcrawlers. Lots of boaters out over the weekend and good weather is forecast for the rest of the week. Hot boaters will be on the lake in force with the closure of Lake Red Bluff on May 1-3 and May 22-25.

COLLINS LAKE-Lake is at 71-percent capacity and muddy. Trout action has been good with one angler landing a five-fish limit that weighed 33 pounds on spinners up in the river arm. Shore anglers are doing well at the beach on inflated nightcrawlers.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-Lake level has been fluctuating from 102-percent to a current 88-percent capacity with all the rain. The old guys fishing in the marina were out again trolling Rapalas for 20 rainbows. One angler reported trolling a rainbow dodger with a spinner in the river arm for browns and rainbows running 16 to 20 inches.

LAKE OROVILLE-Lake came up 30 more feet this week and put Bidwell Canyon's upper ramp in operation. Now all three main ramps are in the water: Lime Saddle, the Spillway, and Bidwell. Bass action has been pretty good with a Saturday tournament being won with 11 1/2 pounds. Bass are hitting plastics and jigs from the bank down to 30 feet. Catfish should be hitting cut baits and chicken livers in areas with a good inflow of run-off. No word on coho action but try at the dam with minnows at 40 to 50 feet.

ROLLINS LAKE-Lake is full, highest it's been in years according to a representative from NID. Marina is open and boat rentals are available at Long Ravine Campgrounds. Fishing has been pretty good with bass and catfish hitting. The 20-pound catfish reported last week was caught by a Colfax angler at the launch area by the dam on cut bait. One angler from Reno has been doing well on bass trolling flasher combos along the shore.

SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE-Lake is 15 feet from full and still coming up. Trout fishing has been good for trollers working in the middle of the lake down by the dam. Bass action is picking up with lots of smallmouth hitting crankbaits along the shore. One angler reported picking some nice largemouth on Super Flukes.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Lake is full and there was still 6 inches of snow at the launch ramp. 4-wheel drive is recommended for boaters coming up to try trolling, but action has been slow with most people staying away because of all the bad weather. Good weather is forecast for the rest of the week, so it may warm up enough to be worth a look.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Very slow action reported here with no one catching any steelhead recently.

NORTH SALTWATER

BENICIA-Shoreline action has really picked up for stripers, but especially for sturgeon with two keepers released during the week. Bass action is more spotty, but one angler did beach a 27 incher at the end of 5th Street. Also, still some starry flounder showing. Pile worms and eel are top baits.

BERKELEY-Finally some light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. Scott Sutherland said the boats are ready to target halibut via trolling trips starting this weekend, and with live bait as soon as live bait is available. "We had a great early season last year, and can't wait to get back after the halibut and striped bass again," he said.

BODEGA BAY- Still only shore action to talk about, and little enough of that last week due to the rough seas. Doran Beach is semi-protected and is the best bet for surf perch.

CROCKETT- Excellent fishing on Thursday on the Morning Star down in San Pablo Bay's northeast corner near the mouth of Sonoma Creek, with 3 keeper sturgeon boated and one oversized released, plus 10 striped bass and 3 starry flounders boxed. On Saturday, the tides were later and the action slower, but one keeper did make the fish box. Sunday's trip was tough, with no keepers.

EMERYVILLE-No reported trips, but the boats are currently offering trips targeting sturgeon, striped bass and sharks, with trips scheduled for this weekend, angler interest allowing.

EUREKA-Rough seas on the outside, but when Centerville Beach was fishable, anglers caught surfperch there. Also some good stories of sharks and rays coming from Humboldt Bay for the few anglers trying. Squid worked best for bait, and the hot tip is a wire leader, said Ben Williams at the Pro Sport Center.

FORT BRAGG-Still pretty quiet, with weather a factor part of the week. Now open, shore fishing for rockfish, and spearfishing. Abalone opens April 1.

HALF MOON BAY-Captain Tom Mattusch on the Huli Cat reported good action on the weather window days. The most recent trip found some cabin-fever afflicted anglers anxious to get out. They found 16 crabs while rebaiting the crab pots, then found the sanddabs 7 miles from the harbor in 210 to 225 feet of water.

MARTINEZ-"Fishing is picking up," said Lisa Rezentes at Martinez Bait and Tackle. Lots of good sturgeon action around the Mothball Fleet, and striped bass also. Bass to 22 pounds and sturgeon to 64 inches reported, the latter caught off the Ozol. Grass shrimp was the popular bait. Captain Bob Monckton on Reel-lentless reported a keeper and an oversized released, but by Sunday the wind came up. Captain Jim Smith on the Happy Hooker reported a keeper on Saturday, as well as an 8-pound striper.

POINT SAN PABLO-While Saturday's charter found tough fishing on the Fury, a fun trip on Sunday produced a keeper for one of Captain Frank Miller's friends from the harbor. "Fish are starting to move into San Pablo Bay, so it's looking promising," said Miller.

SAN PABLO BAY-Improving action, with the runoff boosting the bite throughout the system, with hot spots at the mouth of Sonoma Creek, in the Napa River, and around the Rockwall. While grass and ghost shrimp worked, the fish are stuffed with mud shrimp.

SUISUN BAY-Plenty of action reported system wide, with striped bass into the 20-pound range, and sturgeon from shaker to oversized. Hot baits are pile worms, grass shrimp and anchovy strips, often combined with eel. The Benicia shoreine, Ozol Pier, Martinez, and the Mothball Fleet all produced.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER-It was mostly dark steelhead last week providing action for anglers with a few bright fish mixed in. The river is still quite low at 850 cfs, so many anglers have been spotting spawning steelhead then repeatedly drifting small nymphs and egg flies in front of their noses to incite strikes. It's legal, and effective, but many question the ethics, or lack thereof. For those not interested in this style of fishing and want to try for a fresh run steelie, swing a streamer, or drift a nightcrawler or bit of roe though a deeper run just below shallow fast water.

FEATHER RIVER-Striped bass fishing went from virtually a lost cause in muddy water to pretty darn good in reasonably clear water practically overnight below Shanghai Rapids. A 30 pounder was caught on a fly, but minnows produced, as well. The reason for better fishing was a rapidly clearing Yuba River. The Low Flow Section, however, was still off-color through Sunday, and steelhead fishing slow.

FOLSOM LAKE-The lake rose over 20 feet in one week, the 5 mph speed restriction has been lifted and bass fishing has taken off. Bass are following the rising water looking for food and entering the prespawn phase. Because the water is still cold, however, fish slowly with jigs, drop-shotted, and dartheaded plastic worms in darker colors. Live crawdads have been effective, as well. It's not necessary to get on the water early since the best fishing has been occurring later on sunny days as the water warms a couple of degrees. Trolling for trout has continued to be slow, and planters still were being caught from the bank at Granite Bay on Power Bait and nightcrawlers.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Sturgeon fishing was still good last week, although high flows and lots of trees coming down the river made boating a real dicey situation. Bank fishing was pretty good, however, and even a few striped bass were caught, in spite of the tough conditions. Anglers are anxiously awaiting flows to drop, stabilize and clear. That should trigger the start of the spring striper run. South River Road, Miller Park, Tisdale, Verona and Knight's Landing were some of the spots were sturgeon and/or stripers were caught last week.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR- The Canyon Dam ramp is in very good shape, the road in has been plowed and is ready to use again. Lake Almanor continues to rise and some seasonal streams have started to flow, even Bailey Creek is flowing. Troll or bait fish the east shore, south to the dam as theses areas will have the best water. If you're shore-bound, some quality fish are being hooked in Big Cove. Jigging off the docks has been excellent, as has casting Kastmasters and Blue Fox spinners.

BAUM LAKE-Baum Lake continues to produce for most fly fishermen, however, some are having difficulty enticing the trout. Best bets are small nymphs, with a few dries off and on. Bait fishermen continue to have best luck with nightcrawlers, while lure fishermen continue to prefer Panther Martins and Kastmasters.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR- Accessible at the dam only via the Pit 5 Road but be sure to have at least a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get here still. No reports this week.

PIT RIVER-Water is spilling over the dam at Lake Britton, due to run-off from the heavy, recent rains. No guess as to when lake will return to normal level. Pit River is colored and high due to water pouring over the dam at Lake Britton.

LAKE SHASTA-Bass fishing held steady for anglers using 6-inch brown or green worms and a variety of other tackle. Brown jigs and trailers or Senkos fished wacky-style, small 6- to 8-inch swimbaits, chartreuse colored spinnerbaits, are all working at different times of the day from the shore out to 30 feet. The Sac and Pitt arms were seeing the better action. Trout are still being trolled for from the surface down to 20. Troll or cast Kastmasters, Rebels, Cripplures, or Hum Dingers. The dam or Toupee Island are always good areas to start, but stay in the main body, as the arms are too discolored still.