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-Rains brought the river up to excellent conditions and cold weather held the snow to keep it from blowing out. New fish came in and downrunners are still plentiful. Anglers are landing 3 to 4 fish per boat, a mix of fresh and spent fish. The river has good flow, and this is expected to be the last push of fresh fish.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem-High, muddy and blown out on Sunday with more rain on the way, according to guide Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service.
EEL RIVER, South Fork-A "gullywasher" came in Saturday night, according to Darrell Brown of Brown's Sporting Goods in Garberville, and brought the river up another 4 feet, plus holding 1 1/2 feet of snow in the foothills. He expects it to be out for at least a week with the holding snow. There was a big run of bluebacks in the river earlier in the week, and Brown's son, Darren, caught and released 10 one day using worms and marshmallow.
MAD RIVER-Blown out by the current storm.
MENDOCINO COASTAL RIVERS-The Navarro, Mattole, Gualala, Noyo and Garcia rivers were all opened to fishing on Wednesday, just in time to be blown out by the current storm, according to Craig Bell of Greenwater Guide Service. The first run of fish came in during Christmas, he said, so the size of the current run is not known, although he did see fresh adult steelhead and bluebacks coming into the rivers.
ROGUE RIVER-The current storm added a little height and color to the river but didn't hit the area hard and certainly didn't blow the river out. It has good color but still low. It's been a "relatively weak year for fish" said Jim Carey of the Rogue Outdoor Store. Fish are still being taken this late in the season, but they're smaller steelhead than average and lower quantity of fish in the rivet.
RUSSIAN RIVER-The river was still fishing pretty good earlier in the week for steelhead, as the mouth was open and flowing, but it blew out big time during the current storm and "won't be fishable for a week or two," according to a report from Kings Sport & Tackle in Guerneville. The bulk of the run should be in the river by now, and they were spread out from top to bottom before the most recent storm.
SMITH RIVER-As of press time on Sunday the river was getting off and on rain-enough to bring it up 6 to 8 inches, then drop back, then come back up the same amount-according to Phil Desautels of Phil's Smiling Salmon Guide Service. He said there's "a few fish in the river," and boats were getting 2 to 5 fish a boat. He fished John Jacobson of Hayward and JJ Rogers of Sacramento and they caught 5 fish to 13 pounds, including 3 in the 3- to 4-pound range. Fish are spread out from the Forks to Ruby and the river had good color. Willy Derby coming up this weekend, but conditions are unknown. Call ahead.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-There was once again very little pressure on the river, but snowmelt cooled the already cold water another couple of degrees and fishing slowed.
KLAMATH RIVER, Happy Camp-With warmer temperatures turning snow to rain on the hills, runoff increased, and the river has blown out. Call ahead.
TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek-Blown out. Call ahead
TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City-Bright new adults had moved into the area just before the weather turned warm and the latest rains blew the river out below Douglas City. Pheasant tail nymphs, golden stones, and especially psycho prince nymphs were all scoring on steelhead to 9 pounds before the river blew out below Douglas City. With rain expected to continue over the next week, call ahead before making the trip.
SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS
BOCA LAKE--Some ice fishing going on here, but latest storms haven't made it easy for fishermen. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said ice thickness is still over a foot thick, up to 1 1/2 feet, but the accumulated snow dump from the storms has put a snow covering on the lake 2 to 3 feet deep.
CAPLES LAKE--Lots of people ice fishing here, and they are catching good numbers of fish, both Mackinaw and brown trout. John Voss at Caples Lake Resort said the ice is still about 1 1/2 feet thick, and covered with about 1 1/2 feet of snow. He said the lake level is up now to 17 or 18 feet from the 12-foot level at the time the lake was drained for dam repairs. The increasing water level gives hope for the winter survival of those fish that remain in the lake.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)--Heavy snow falling at times throughout the week has pretty well shut down any fishing in the Carson River East Fork's restricted winter-fishing area. Todd Sodaro at Carson River Resort near Markleeville said he hasn't seen anybody on the river since the storms started coming through the area.
DAVIS LAKE--Ice fishing showing some improvement and ice reported to be 10 to 12 inches thick. Jerry Dollard at Dollard's Sierra Market in Portola said young Austin Edwards from Sacramento pulled 3 chunky rainbows through the ice, weighing a total of 3.9 pounds. Worms and Power Bait did the deed. Dollard cautioned anglers to use the ice with caution.
DONNER LAKE--Fishing action here has slowed down as snowfall in the area has increased. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said the latest series of storms have kept the launch ramp blocked with snow. Since the ramp is cleared only sporadically by local fishermen, lake access will be "iffy" until weather stabilizes. Nyland said fishermen can call (530) 587-4844 for the latest information on Donner Lake boat launching.
FRENCHMAN LAKE--More open water and unsafe remaining ice has shut down ice fishing here. All the action is now from shore, fishing open water. Inflated 'crawlers and marshmallows have been the best bait bets.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Action here has been pretty good, despite rain, snow and windy conditions at times. Jim Cozzens at Sly Park Resort said some nice smallmouth up to 2 1/2 pounds and a 4-pound Mackinaw topped the week's action.
PROSSER LAKE--Ice fishermen have been picking up a few rainbows between storms using nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Following the latest series of storms, anglers can expect to deal with snow 2 to 3 feet deep on top of the ice.
PYRAMID LAKE--Plenty of action here for the Crosby Lodge President's Day fishing derby. Winning fish in the derby was a 13-pound, 13.2-ounce Lahontan cutthroat trout that was caught by Dan Pavlakis from Reno. Most of the action was coming to anglers fishing from shore, with fly fishers at the Nets getting the best of it. Windy conditions at time kept boaters off the lake for much of derby week.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR--Snowfall has definitely closed off access by anything other than snowmobiles, and shut down fishing completely.
LAKE TAHOE--Mackinaw action about as steady as could be expected under changeable weather conditions. Windy conditions at times have made trolling difficult and has dropped air temperature enough to put a big chill on fishermen. Mackinaw action has been good when weather calms down and limits of macks running up to a bit over 6 pounds have been fairly common. Try pulling AC Plugs or Sting Kings. Better action has been coming at depths below 300 feet.
TOPAZ LAKE--About the only things in short supply here have been people out fishing. Linda Fields at Topaz Landing Marina said very few people have been on the lake at all. There have been windy conditions occasionally, but hardly anything in the way of precipitation. A couple of nice rainbows were weighed in at the Topaz Lodge General Store for entry in the lodge's ongoing fishing derby. Store manager, Diane McEwen, said Carson City fisherman Steve Damico checked in with one 'bow weighing 2 pounds, 11 ounces and another weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces. He caught both on nightcrawlers fishing off the west bank.
TRUCKEE RIVER--Lots of snowfall in the Truckee area and river fishing is pretty well shut down. Brian Nylund at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee said conditions are better when fishing more toward the Nevada state line. Fishing should be better east of Floriston and Farad, he said.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER-More fresh steelhead ascended the river last week, and, although they are outnumbered by the spawners on redds, there are enough chromers to make a trip worthwhile. Unfortunately, unethical targeting of spawning steelhead is occurring in the low flows as well as outright snagging. DFG wardens are stretched thin, but they are conscientious and WILL respond to a call if poaching is observed. The DFG's toll free CALTIP poaching hotline is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258). Nimbus Basin has been one of the better areas to have a chance at a fresh steelie. Go small and light, using just enough weight to barely tick the bottom.
FEATHER RIVER-Very few steelhead were being caught, most of which were small, under 20 inches, and most of those were in the Low Flow Section. Some nice striped bass were being caught, though, between Boyd's Pump and Shanghai Bend, on Pencil Poppers, Yo-Zuri shallow runners, and Magnum Zara Spooks, according to Bob Bradbury of Johnson's Bait and Tackle.
FOLSOM LAKE-There were a few diehards out fishing in the stormy weather, but not many. Bass have hunkered down again, going deeper, but right after the weather stabilizes again, fish the coves where streams are dumping in warmer water. Ripbaits are probably going to need more warm weather, so go slow with jigs and plastic worms in darker colors. The lake is still quite low, but the Hobie Ramp is now open. About the only folks trying for trout were fishing from shore for planter trout at Granite Bay.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Most folks were staying home, but anglers willing to venture forth in the lousy weather found improving sturgeon fishing. South of Sacramento, Cache Slough was the place to try. Upstream, the prime spot was the Old Tisdale Boat Ramp where even bankies fishing daylight hours managed to catch some nice sturgeon. Reports of angler success were also coming from between Meridian and Grimes. The river had gone up 3 feet from Saturday to Sunday and was expected to potentially go up another 10 feet or more from Sunday on. This might put a temporary crimp in fishing, but it's good news for later on. Not much word on striped bass.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-With the creeks pouring mud-It's about time-trout fishing was pretty much constrained to Redding and a short distance downstream.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE-North or south, live bait anglers are finding more fish. Those fishing with artificials are finding fish scattered or bunched, depending on the day. Plastic worms, creature baits, rattle baits, rip baits, and tube swimbaits are being reported as productive by those catching fish, while others are reporting little success at all.
LAKE BERRYESSA-Drifting a live minnow on a 6-foot leader with a bobber caught the winning trout in last week's trout and salmon derby for Jesse Corral of Napa. When things settle down, try the north end and east side flats with Carolina or Texas rigged plastics like Brush Hogs or 6-inch worms in green pumpkin, worked slowly.
LAKE SONOMA- This lake has some nice landlocked steelies, and the rain should help the bite. Trout were being taken by the dam with the usual tackle. Fish for a few bass in the top 15 to 30 feet off points, cranking and flipping jigs. The bite continues to be slow but look for a change in tactics after the rains stop.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
LAKE ALMANOR- Hamilton Branch and Big Springs from the bank were the best spot all week. The Branch was running clear water, and rainbows and German brown trout were thick in there. Using roe down deep produced the bigger fish for some. Nightcrawlers and a cheese marshmallow, small crappie jigs or even a silver Kastmaster found rainbows over 2.5 pounds for others.
BAUM LAKE-Still a good bet for limits, try nightcrawlers, and Power Bait in rainbow at the inlets. For lures try Kastmasters and Panther Martins. Fly-fishermen are using small nymphs, copper John's and pheasant tails, or woolly buggers in olive or black.
IRON CANYON RESERVOIR-Fishing well, however with the snow the only access is through Pitts 5, then head to the dam. Four-wheel drive is still needed here, but anglers making the trip have not been disappointed. These are hungry fish that anglers haven't been able to access until now due to snowpack until and anglers are finding trout limits with large worms and Power Baits in a variety of colors.
LEWISTON RESERVOIR-Anglers are out even with the bad weather, catching trout with nightcrawlers and Power Bait, though they are also teasing anglers. Lots of complaints of fish being seen rising and chasing lures but not actually biting. The new pens receive fish this week. Look for that story next week.
McCLOUD RESERVOIR-Anglers were picking up some nice trout here with a K-7 KwikFish in a frog pattern along the shoreline. We'll see what the storms do to this quiet little paradise.
PIT RIVER-It remains open to zero kill, barbless hooks, and artificials only from Lake Britton Dam downstream to Shasta Lake but nymphing with black AP's and Prince nymphs were very effective here. Fish were feeding actively, and as many fish were hooked as lost. Anglers fishing here had a great time.
LAKE SHASTA- Before the rains came, bass were returning to the shallows, one spotted bass weighed over 7 pounds and was caught on a crankbait. The rains should help bring bass into shallower waters. Use spinnerbaits in whites in the clearer waters and in the dirtier waters try chartreuse colors. The trout bite was good from the surface down to 20 feet. Trout were closer to bank, and fish weighing up to 4 pounds were found by bass anglers, too, using rip baits, and larger spinners like Panther Martins in yellow or black colors.
NORTH SALTWATER
BERKELEY-No reported trips, and with the terrible weather, no anglers trying on the pier. The party boats will offer sturgeon trips with enough angler interest. Live bait should be available in a couple more months.
BENICIA- Randy Hedricks at Benicia Bait noted few anglers checking in mid-week, and practically none on the weekend when the storm hit. "I did have a private group go out and try to find a place up in a slough somewhere to get out of the wind." They metered fish but at deadline but no reports of any caught.The rains should pick up angler interest, but may make for some bait shortages.
BODEGA BAY- Still a ghost town, and with the big surf, there wasn't even shore perch nor rockfish to try.
CROCKETT- Captain Gordon Hough of the Morning Star said Captain Mike Shimel's last trip out on Thursday targeting sturgeon and leopard sharks in San Pablo Bay was a hit with over 20 leopards caught (most were undersized), a couple striped bass, flounder and perch, plus a 70-inch sturgeon released. The rains will only improve the sturgeon action.
EMERYVILLE-Weather cancelled the planned weekend sturgeon trips on the Captain Hook, but the boat is scheduled to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and with the rains, there should be some good action.
EUREKA-With the surf cresting at 28 feet on Saturday, there wasn't much fishing going on. The rains also muddied up the bays and any other place anglers could drop a line.
FORT BRAGG-Crabbing remains an option for anglers when the ocean is throwing 30 footers at the beach. Shore fishing for rockfish and surfperch are also options, but trying it with the weekend's ocean conditions is suicide.
HALF MOON BAY-No reported party boat trips. Options include sanddabs, crabs and mackerel, and giant squid if they come back around. Problem is lack of angler interest and even more so, the weather.
MARTINEZ-Nearly everyone cancelled their sturgeon trips on the weekend, but the last trips out before the storm showed some promise. Captain Bob Monckton on Reel-lentless reported some success early in the week, his anglers catching a short fish and a 57-inch keeper.
SAN PABLO BAY-A good bet is getting better with all the rain. Sources predict even better action on sturgeon as the runoff floods from Sonoma Creek, the Napa and Petaluma rivers.
SUISUN BAY-The upper system continued to produce the best reported sturgeon action for anglers fishing with eel, ghost shrimp, mud shrimp and grass shrimp. Not much happening on roe. No striped bass reported caught (besides the usual dinks).
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
BULLARDS BAR-Rain forecast for the whole week has shut down most activity at this lake. Heavy winds on Sunday made it tough on any diehard boaters who went out. Lake is coming up with all the runoff, which is the silver lining around this week of dark clouds. Lake is at 50-percent capacity.
CAMP FAR WEST-Heavy wind and rain in the area shut this lake down with no reports of any angler success available. Lake is coming up with all the rain and more is forecast for the rest of the week.
COLLINS LAKE-Heavy wind and rain was chasing boaters off the lake on Sunday with very little fishing success being reported. Rain is forecast here for the rest of the week, but the lake is coming up almost a foot a day. A 1000-pound trout plant was made on Tuesday with half the fish just catchable and the rest lunkers.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-Lake level is at 91-percent capacity. The area has been hit by heavy rain with more forecast for the rest of the week. Before the storm, one boater did well up past the "no-ski" buoys with a no. 2 bikini Needlefish behind a chrome dodger.
LAKE OROVILLE-Lake has come up over 6 feet in the last 8 days with rain forecast for the whole week. Ramp construction has been shut down because of the rain but the only thing that needs to be completed is the road from the ramp to the parking lot. The official completion date is mid-March. Rain has made the old road ramp at the Spillway muddy, making boat launching very tough. It would be best to wait for things to dry out a little before attempting to get on the lake.
ROLLINS LAKE-A foot of snow on the ground on Friday was melted by heavy rain, which is forecast for the rest of the week. The boat ramp is open but very few anglers are out because of the weather. Before the storm, one troller worked the Bear River arm with a Rapala for four 12-inch rainbows.
SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE-Major storm forecast for the whole week will bring rain and snow to the area, making this a choice only for the diehard angler. Heavy rain and wind on Sunday made conditions very tough for anglers. Snow level at press-time was forecast for 3000 to 3500 feet with lake elevation at 3000 feet.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-Foresthill Ranger Station was closed because of the snow and more storms are forecast all week. Wait until the storms break before trying to get up here.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-Big storms all week will put this lake out of touch until spring. Even the Georgetown Ranger Station was closed because of the snow.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-Lots of wind and rain making it miserable to be out. More rain is forecast for the rest of the week. Before the storm, 4- to 5-pound steelies with some lunkers to 8 pounds were hitting inflated nightcrawlers and live minnows at Wilbur Rd. and the Hwy. 162 Bridge.
