Southern Valley Lakes
May 9
New Melones Reservoir
Both Danny Layne of Fishn’s Dan’s Guide Service (209) 586 2383 and Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sport Fishing reported outstanding kokanee fishing with numerous fish to 16.5-inches at depths from 26 to 65 feet with Kok-A-Nuts, pink Sockeye Slammers, Glitter Bugs hootchies in pinks or green behind a Sling Blade or Vance’s Dodger. The fish are holding above the 49 Bridge, Glory Hole Point, Tuttletown Boat Ramp, Bear Creek and Peoria Arm. Kokanee Power released trophy brown and rainbow trout from the net pens this week. These fish should improve the trout bite. Melanie Lewis of Glory Holes Sporting Goods in Angels Camp reported continued great bass fishing despite falling water levels. The bass are in less than 5 feet and are in all stages of spawning. Zoom Shakin’ worms, Robo Worms with shakey heads, Senko’s or brass n’glass in green pumpkin, watermelon or oxblood have been the most effective. The larger fish are still found on swimbaits. Catfishing is slow which is normal for this time of year. Crappie and blue gill are starting to pick up as the water continues to warm at 69 degrees. The lake dropped 895 acre-feet to 58% of capacity.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Ly Tu of Ly’s Fishing Goods in San Jose (408) 629-9644 reported bank fishing along Romero Visitor Center has improved on blood or pile worms for stripers to 24-inches. Boat action has been slow with the fish scattered throughout the lake. American shad to 4-pounds have been landed in the inlet canals with shad darts. The Forebay is producing small undersized fish on bait or flukes. The lake dropped 9016 acre-feet to 70% of capacity. As the lake continues to drop in capacity, fishing should improve.Wind conditions: 800-805-4805.
Eastman Lake
Ranger Keith Willis reported a big improvement in trout fishing at both Eastman and Hensley from the surface to 6 feet with crawlers behind a gold dodger or from the banks with Power Bait or night crawlers. Anglers have been scoring limits in a few hours of trolling, but the algae bloom can make things difficult. Bass fishing has improved with the fish on the spawn. The Mid Valley Bass Club had a winning weight of 12+ pounds on Saturday with a big fish of 7.5-pounds landed by Alex Alva of Madera. Bass are holding from the banks to 17 feet with plastics in green, purple, redflake or brown being effective. Only one bass 22-inches or greater can be kept at Eastman. Bluegill are starting to hit red worms. The lake came up 10 acre-feet to 26% of capacity.
Hensley Lake
Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno reported an improvement in trout fishing with firetiger Rapalas or Thomas Buoyants dragged on the surface. Bass fishing is improving with good numbers of small fish on Senko’s or Brush Hawgs. There are few crappie reports with most anglers heading to either McClure or Kaweah. The lake dropped overall to 36% of capacity.
McSwain Reservoir
Stephanie Wood of McSwain Marina 209) 378-2534 reported an good weekend of trout fishing with bank anglers scoring near the Dam, Handicapped Docks or up the river near the Maintenance Shed earlier in the morning with white or pink Power Bait or Power Eggs. Sam Gallegos of Turlock landed a 7.25-pound rainbow on salmon eggs near the Dam. Trollers are working the normal patter with Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler, firetiger or shad patterned Apex lures or blade/crawlers. The DFG and Calaveras Trout Farm will plant the lake this week in anticipation of the Mariposa County Fish and Game Tournament.
Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs
Interest in the canals slowed down this week, perhaps due to the high winds most days in the past week.
Millerton Lake
Merritt Gilbert reported continued good numbers of small fish to 14-inches anywhere in the lake with any method. There is a top water bite in the morning with most anglers using shad-colored plastics on a dart head. Stripers to 10-pounds have been landed past the 5 mph Buoy up the river arm. Recreational boaters are starting to take over on the weekends. The area below Friant Dam on the San Joaquin will be planted this week for the last time of the month. The lake came up 4432 acre-feet to 52% of capacity.
Pine Flat Reservoir
Merritt Gilbert reported slower trout scores from the Power Lines to the Dam with the best action from Sycamore to Big Creek. Patrick Movey said one angler was rolling shad on a shad bullet rotator at 105 feet near Lefevre Creek to 9 king salmon from 21 to 25-inches. Most anglers are working hard for a few salmon. The river channel near Lombardo’s at depths from 100 to 125 is also holding salmon. Gilbert said good numbers of bass consisting mostly of spotted bass are found on jigs, Senko’s, drop-shotting, ripbaits or top water lures. A kicker fish over 8-pounds was the catalyst for the winning weight at this weekend’s American Bass Tournament. The lake came up 3989 to 43% of capacity. The lower Kings below the Dam will be planted this week for the last time of the month. Reminder: the area below Cobble’s Weir is catch and release barbless hooks only.
Lake Kaweah
Larry Kerns of the Visalia Bass Club reported 43 boats competed in this Saturday’s tournament with a winning weight of over 16-pounds with a big fish over 7-pounds. Drop shotting plastics or Senko’s from the banks to 15 feet have been effective. Sierra Sport Fishing reported good crappie action with small minnows or jigs near the Houseboats or submerged trees. Catfishing has been fair for fish to 3-pounds on chicken livers or anchovies. Trout anglers are heading to the feeder creeks with crickets. The lake is rising rapidly with 2137 acre-feet to 55% of capacity.
Lake Success
The twenty-boat Success Bass Club found a bit of action on Sunday with a big fish of over 8-pounds. The previous day’s Kern County Bass Masters weighed in only 3 fish. Needless to say, the bass bite is challenging. Trout plants are over for the year, but there are still fish in the lake. The lake came up 337 acre-feet to 29% of capacity. The lake will continue to rise until irrigation commitments will draw the lake down in mid-May.
McClure Reservoir
Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling (209) 563-6505 reported wide open bass fishing from the banks to 25 feet with Robo Worms in Margarita Mutilators and shad-colored plastics. The best action has been up the river past Barrett’s Cove in the flats and in Cottonwood Creek. There is a top water bite with Zara Spooks early or late. 25 to 30 fish days are possible. Trout fishing is very good in the canyons from Barrett’s to Bagby from the surface to 25 feet with Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler with or without a flasher, shad-colored ExCel’s or blue/chrome Kastmasters for fish to 2-pounds. Crappie fishing is still best at night for fish to 1.5-pounds with some action during the day around rockpiles, brush or submerged islands with small minnows or red/white minijigs at depths of 30 feet. Catfishing is wide open with live minnows, anchovies or cut baits at depths from 15 to 20 feet on muddy, sloping banks from 5 to 20 feet. No kokanee or king salmon reports. The lake came up 1684 acre-feet but dropped overall to 36% of capacity.
Lake Don Pedro
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734 said king salmon fishing is still tough, but they were able to find a 4.2-pound rolling shad at 95 feet over the weekend. Danny Layne of Fishn’ Dan’s Guide Service (209) 586 2383reported an excellent salmon bite when you can locate the fish as the fish are on the move and not holding in one area for any length of time. Rainbow trout are found within the top 20 feet with Vance’s Slim Willies tipped with a crawler or ExCel Spoons. Kokanee can be found from Goose Island to Buzzard Point at depths of 50 feet with Uncle Larry’s Spinners, Marni Bugs or Sockeye Slammers behind green Sling Blades or gold Vance’s Dodgers. Mike Van Guilder Jr. of Fishwrangler’s Bass Guide Service (209) 604-8222 said a variety of plastics and methods are working for fish throughout the lake. The fish are spawning or are in post-spawn. There is a bit of a reaction bite. Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford (209) 874-301 reported an excellent night bass bite with 6-inch black Senko’s with a fair bite during the day. Berserk or Revenge jigs in brown/purple have also been working. The fish are within 10 feet of the banks.
Bass Lake
Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service (559) 288-8100 reported heavy fishing pressure over the weekend for the Chamber of Commerce Trout Derby. He has been picking up kokanee at depths from 15 to 30 feet near Miller’s Cove and from Indian Cove to the Dam on the Rocky Mountain Tackle or Shasta Tackle white dodger in front of a clear UV hootchie. The silver/pink dodger with a pink spinner or blue spinner are also working. He landed a 3-pound rainbow during the tournament and said the trout are feeding heavily on shad. The derby had over 1000 entrants with 96 tagged fish to over $3000.00 paid out. The top prize of $25,000 was not caught, but this fish is worth $500.00 for registered anglers until June 30th. The Department of Fish and Game planted the kokanee fingerlings on Monday. Merritt Gilbert reported bass anglers have been flipping Senko’s near docks or crankbaits along natural banks with a few fish to 5-pounds landed on swimbaits. The lake continues to rise at 82 % of capacity.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Captain Jack Yandell said kokanee action has slowed down with anglers having to work hard for near limits. He landed three fish to 15-inches on Monday trolling at depths of 55 feet off the Point in deep water with orange or pink Super Hootchies behind a Jumbo Jack blade in silver/silver. The fish are scattered and have dropped in depth. Trout are still biting from the surface to 4/5 colors of lead core with the same setups. The lake is holding at 71% of capacity. Merritt Gilbert reported a few anglers are dragging boats into Huntington with some large brown trout to 9.75-pounds landed in the past week. The has risen to 55% of capacity. Dinkey Creek Resort reported low water conditions with limited angler interest. The store will open on May 10th.
Wishon/Courtright
Chris Onieta of Wishon Village RV Park (559) 865-5361 reported a good opening weekend after the store and park opened up. Bank anglers are scoring near the Dam and Short Hair Creek with crawlers under a bubble or with Power Bait. The launch ramp is accessible, but is on the dirt ramp in the low water conditions. Trollers are picking up limits with blade/crawlers worked in the top 10 feet of the surface. Courtright is closed with the road scheduled to open by Memorial Day.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
The lakes are still closed to all but quad access, but the water levels are rising from runoff.
San Antonio/Lake Nacimiento/Santa MargaritaWill Hesch of Central Coast Guide Service (805) 466-6557 reported a good bass bite at San Antonio with wacky-rigged Senko’s and crank baits with some action on topw water lures. There are some nice bass holding in shallow water, guarding the fry. School-sized stripers have been landed near the Dam on Black Dog Lunker Punkers. The lake is at 69% capacity. He said the spotted and white bass bite continues at Nacimiento with lots of shad boils on the surface. He recommended this lake as a good place to try other techniques as the fish are hitting top water, cranks, flukes, Senko’s and plastics. The fish are still shallow, but this lake is farthest along in the spawn of any coastal lake. The lake is at 57% of capacity. The bass at Margarita are starting to bulk up in post-spawn mode with schools of shad running around the banks in shallow water. Santa Margarita is now is subject to Quagga Mussel inspections prior to launching. San Antonio is holding at 69% of capacity.
Preseason Eagle Lake Report
Fish Traveler Guide Service
By Tim Noxen
Well, I missed a few months of reporting, actually about four. After closing on Dec 31, 2007, Eagle Lake will reopen for fishing on Sat, May 24, 2008. So, I can't give you a fishing report, but I can make a few comments.
Looks like the lake level has not risen much since the end of last season. At my residence in Saplding, we had over four feet of snow on the ground over the winter months, but the runoff coming into the lake from the creeks didn't seem to amount to much. That does not mean the fishing is not going to be good this season. It does mean that the lake level will be low and caution will be needed in navigating the lake due to exposed rock piles and other underwater obstructions.
I took a ride on the lake on April 27, 2008. Between 2:00 and 3:00 P.M the surface water temperatures were about 52 in the northern section, 51 in the central section, and 49-50 degrees F in the southern section of the lake. As the opener is a little over three weeks away, plan which section of the lake you are going to fish according to the water temperature. Cooler is better.
On the opener, Ill be launching from the Spalding Marina. I will probably fish on the west side of the lake, south of Pelican Pt. Here, weve done well trolling Sep's Grubs in watermelon, brown, and amber patterns early in the season. Troll these baits from 5-10 feet deep before the sun hits the water, moving them down to 8-15 feet deep later in the morning. Being on the water early is always a good idea as the early morning bite is usually very good on Eagle Lake.
Before I go, I wanted to mention that the period between Oct 1 and Dec 31, 2007, was about the best fishing I can remember since the same period of the 2000 fishing season. The average fish we kept was 3 lbs. We hooked, fought, and released many fish from just under this size to just under 5 lbs. And, wedid boat three fish over 5lbs, with 5lb, 4 oz our biggest fish of 2007. With very few exceptions, we caught limits of large Eagle Lake Trout every time out from Oct 1, 2007 until the season ended. Eagle Lake can surprise you.
Good luck. Don't hesitate to call if you need help.
Tim Noxon /Fish Traveler Guide Service
530-825-3524 res
Central Sierra/Hwy 4 Fishing Report
Sierra stream fishing opened Saturday, April 26, 2008. It was a busy weekend as access to the Stanislaus River was limited to Calaveras Big Trees State Park and Boards Crossing Road in Dorrington. The Gate to Beaver Creek through Sourgrass crossing is now open. NCPA anticipates having Spicer open by Memorial weekend, depending on the snowmelt and weather. For an update on the road to Spicer you can call 209-728-1387. Alpine still has quite a bit of snow around it. Hobart Creek is not open until JULY 1ST 2008!
Before we get into conditions in our fishing areas, I would like to invite all Fly Fishing People to attend Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods Fly Fishing Seminar on Saturday, May 10th at White Pines Lake beginning at 10 a.m. We will have instructors there who will demonstrate and be able teach beginners. There will be items on display to look at that we will be carrying this year in our store. We will be expanding our Fly fishing line immensely. The Representative from St. Croux will be here. The fee is $5.00 per person. Each entry ticket will be put into the raffle bin to win prizes. Save the day, it should be a lot of fun.
The snowmelt is on and the North Fork of the Stanislaus is running high. Baitcasters will probably have the bet luck split-shotting salmon eggs, floating Power Eggs, Crickets, or inflated worms with a 15 to 20 inch leader. Fly casters can try bead head nymphs, and bead head woolly buggers with a sink tip line. It will be tough fishing lures, but there are some slower moving areas where you can try Panther Martin spinners, Rapala's or Kastmasters.
The water in the creeks is high. Beaver Creek should be planted through Big Trees, so the same methods will apply there. Angels and Murphys creeks also received plants for the opener. All other high country lakes are still frozen or inaccessible.
White Pines was planted twice this last week and is also on the plant list for this week. Bait casters should try Floating Power Eggs, Gulp Nightcrawlers, Gulp Eggs, and Gulp Power Bait. You should try your bait of choice on a 30" to 36" leader. Lure casters should try Kastmasters, Panther Martin spinners, and Rooster Tails. Fly fishermen have been doing very well. Try using woolly buggers, ants, and blue wing olive flies.
Camping is available at Big Trees State Park and Golden Pines just beyond the park on Highway 4. Campgrounds in the Stanislaus National Forest are not officially open, but there are spots available along the river. For camping information call the Calaveras Ranger District at (209) 795-1381 or go to their website at http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/stanislaus/calaveras
Southern Sierra Lakes
May 2nd
New Melones Reservoir
Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023 said the kokanee bite slowed as a result of strong winds and the full moon. There are still large kokanee averaging 15 to 16-inches, but Marci Barnes of Arcata landed a 2.5-pound kokanee measuring 18-inches. The fish have been located at Glory Hole Point, Big Bay, the Spillway and Little Rock Island at depths from 20 to 30 feet early in the morning, dropping to 55 feet by mid-day with Uncle Larry’s pink spinners, R and K Hootchies and Marni Bugs behind Vance’s nickel dodgers and Slim Willie Ball Trolls. Hamby has been successful with ProCure UV Flash, Garlic Plus and hot pink Anise scents. Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole Sports in Angels Camp reported slow trout fishing as most anglers are targeting kokanee. This should change after this week with the first of the net pen releases by Kokanee Power starting on April 29th. She reported great bass fishing despite water releases. The bass are in the shallows and in all stages of spawning. Zoom Shakin’ worms, Robo Worms with shakey heads, Senko’s or brass n’glass in green pumpkin, watermelon or oxblood have been the most effective. The larger fish have been taken on swimbaits. Catfishing is slow which is normal for this time of year. Crappie and blue gill are starting to pick up as the water continues to warm at 68.5 degrees. The lake came down 1702 acre-feet to 58% of capacity.
Lake Isabella
Ed Cordell of Big Ed's Bait and Tackle (760) 379-4170 said crappie action has exploded with fish to 2.5-pounds found in submerged trees and near docks in shallow water to 4 feet on the east or south side of the lake. They went through 2000 small minnows over the weekend, but all colors of minijigs are also working. Catfishing is continuing to improve on anchovies, shad, mackerel or clams for fish to 19.6-pounds. Despite the warming water temperatures, trout fishing continues to be good with limits reported of quality fish on rainbow, garlic, cheese or salmon peach Power Bait. In addition, the Kern River and surrounding tributaries continue to be planted on a weekly basis. Bass fishing has been good for numbers with small males cruising the submerged trees and the shallows with the larger females ready to move in shallow for the spawn. Bass action should take off within the next couple of weeks. The lake came up 1632 acre-feet to 32% of capacity.
San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay
Ly Tu of Ly’s Fishing Goods in San Jose (408) 629-9644 reported good action for stripers to 5-pounds at Check 12 in the Forebay on pile worms in the moving water from the dam. Merritt Gilbert said anglers walking the banks with rip baits, Brush Hawgs or lizards have been working for largemouths in the Forebay. In the main lake, stripers are still holding deep near the Trash Racks and Portuguese Cove. The green/gold Shimano Lucanus jig produced fish to 16-pounds this weekend. Smaller fish have been taken from the banks with blood worms. The lake dropped 10,428 acre-feet to 73% of capacity. As the lake continues to drop in capacity, fishing should improve.
Eastman Lake
Ranger Keith Willis reported the spring algae bloom is subsiding, and the water clarity is improving. The bass are on the beds with good numbers of small bass found in the shallows. Only one bass 22-inches or greater can be kept at Eastman. Shannon Peeples of Fresno picked up a 7-pound largemouth on a red/orange plastic worm from the bank. Purple and green plastics at depths to 15 feet are working the best. Trout have been found with blade/crawlers slow-trolled or off the banks with Power Bait or night crawlers. Bluegill are starting to hit red worms. The lake came up 20 acre-feet to 26% of capacity.
Hensley Lake
Patrick Movey of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Fresno reported good numbers of small fish on Senko’s or Brush Hawgs. There is no trout report, as most area anglers are taking advantage of good action at Bass or Pine Flat lakes. A few catfish are landed in the evenings on chicken livers. The lake dropped 115 acre-feet to 37% of capacity.
McSwain Reservoir
Stephanie Wood of McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534 reported an outstanding weekend of fishing for the Mariposa County Derby. A total of 5 tagged fish for $804.00 were landed. The top three tagged fish are still in the lake, and registered anglers have until July 1st to claim the prize, now worth $500.00. Stanley Green landed the largest non-tagged fish with a 6-pound, 13 oz. brookie taken on a night crawler off of the bank. Bank anglers were the most effective with the larger fish on night crawlers. Trollers are picking up fish from the Dam to the 2nd Fence Line with Wedding Rings with or without a flasher or Needlefish in Cop Car.
Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs
Merritt Gilbert reported extreme interest in tossing Lucky Craft rip baits or RatLTraps to go with the standard anchovies near the moving water at the head gates in the California Aqueduct in response to the heavy water releases from San Luis Reservoir.
Millerton Lake
Merritt Gilbert reported good numbers of little fish to 14-inches on shad-colored plastics or 4-inch Senko’s in shad or bluegill colors. There are few fish on the beds. Stripers to 6-pounds have been landed by trollers up in the river arm. A few catfish have been found in Winchell or Squaw Cove on cutbaits. Recreational boaters are starting to take over on the weekends. The area below Friant Dam on the San Joaquin continues to be planted on a biweekly basis. The lake dropped 956 acre-feet to 50% of capacity.
Pine Flat Reservoir
Merritt Gilbert reported a slowdown in the king salmon bite with a few fish found at depths from 100 to 125 feet near the Powerlines. One angler has been trolling high in the water column at depths of 20 feet with a big dodger and a night crawler at 1 mph from the Pine Flat Lake Resort to the Powerlines for the kings. The trout bite is holding up at depths from 15 to 20 feet on Needlefish, ExCel’s behind a Sling Blade or Vance’s Dodger or Wedding Rings tipped with a Gulp! Worm. The bass bite has been sporadic with an 11-pound limit one day, followed by a 5-pound limit the next day. Jigs, drop shotting, Senko’s, ripbaits, or topwater lures have all been working for the small fish. A few crappie are found in Sycamore Creek with Crappie Stingers or minijigs. The lake is at 40% of capacity. The lower Kings below the Dam continues to receive weekly trout plants. Doyal’s Store reported a few trophy trout continue to be landed. There is heavy fishing pressure ont eh weekend, but limits can be caught on Power Bait, night crawlers or salmon eggs. Reminder: the area below Cobble’s Weir is catch and release barbless hooks only.
Lake Kaweah
Larry Kerns of the Visalia Bass Club reported a tough bite at Sunday’s tournament with a winning weight of 12-pounds. He came in 4th with a limit of spotted bass tat 7.24-pounds by drop shotting Robo Worms in Aaron’s Magic at depths from 25 to 30 feet. Senko’s have also been effective. The lake is rising rapidly with 2230 acre-feet to 45% of capacity.
Lake Success
The bass bite is tough for most anglers with only 12 fish landed over the weekend’s WON Bass Tournament. 10 out of 15 boats didn’t weigh in fish. The lake is rising, and all launch ramps are open. Recreational boaters are starting to trickle in on the weekends. Success Marina is now open on weekends. The lake came up 322 acre-feet to 26% of capacity. The lake will continue to rise until irrigation commitments will draw the lake down in mid-May.
McClure Reservoir
Mike Van Guilder Jr. of Fishwrangler’s Bass Guide Service (209) 604-8222.said the water fluctuation has made it difficult to locate the shallow fish. There are a few fish still on the beds. Plastics, worms, Senko’s, Brush Hawgs are all working with a topwater bite throughout the day for postspawn fish. Fish are holding along points and rocky areas with deep water access. Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505 reported good trout fishing at depths from 25 to 35 feet with blade/crawlers or Wedding Rings tipped with a crawler near the Dam and up the river arm near Barrett’s. Crappie fishing is improving around rockpiles, brush or submerged islands with small minnows or minijigs. Catfishing continues to be strong, especially with large minnows, at depths from 15 to 20 feet on muddy, sloping banks from 5 to 20 feet. A few kokanee were landed this week, but there are no king salmon reports. These species should be turning on soon. The lake came up 696 acre-feet but dropped overall to 34% of capacity.
Lake Don Pedro
Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734said things got tough over the weekend with kokanee scattering and disappearing after the excellent action the previous week. He reported marking only a few fish, and they had difficulty getting these to bite. His best action was for king salmon at depths to 100 feet with rolled shad. Bruce Hamby of Sierra Sport Fishing found kings to 3.2-pounds in Fleming Bay from the river channel to Ramos Creek at 80 to 100 feet in depth with shad, ExCel’s scented with ProCure UV oil and Sockeye Slammers on a dropper line. The water surface temperature has risen to 67.8 degrees. Manny Basi of the Bait Barn in Waterford (209) 874-301 reported an outstanding bass bite near the banks out to 15 feet on 5-inch Senko’s in green pumpkin with pepper (color 194j) and green pumpkin purpleflake (color 330) and 301 being the most effective. Drop shotting Don Iovino plastics in peanut butter and jelly or baby Brush Hawgs in watermelon redflake on a Carolina rig have also been working. The swimbait bite has slowed down.
Bass Lake
Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net Guide Service (559) 288-8100 said things got tougher over the weekend, perhaps due to heavier recreational boat traffic. He scored a 50/50 mix of kokanee and trout at depths to 20 feet on Rocky Mountain Tackle (RMT) UV pink splatter Signature Squid behind Bahama Mama dodger, blue Radical Glow Tubes behind a Crystal Basin Wild Thing or a blue Ring of Fire in front of Miller’s Landing, the Sheriff’s Tower to Lake Point and near the launch ramp by the jet ski area. Paul Kalpakoff of Central Sierra Outfitters (559) 960-6634 reported similar action with the PPK red or orange spinner behind a 4-inch silver/green or silver/red Sling Blade. He said ProCure UV Anise Plus hot glow pink was a secret weapon. The water temperature has risen to 66 degrees. Merritt Gilbert reported good action for spots to 2-pounds, but the big fish bite has slowed in the past month. The lake continues to rise at 78 % of capacity.
Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake
Captain Jack Yandell reported excellent kokanee action for fat fish to 14.5-icnhes on orange Super Hootchies or Super Fat Bugs behind a Jumbo Jack blade in silver/yellow or silver/silver. He also has picked up a few fish on the orange Ringo of Fire. He has been working depths from 35 to 44 feet near the Dam, the Point and near Black Rock. He said the fish are scattered in small groups, and once you landed a couple of fish, you have to move on to another group. Trout can be found from the surface to 20 feet on similar set-ups. The lake has come up to 71% of capacity. A few brown baggers have pulled in aluminum boats over the snow for brown trout to 17-inches. It is difficult to get more information from this hardy group of anglers willing to brave the less than ideal conditions for the chance at a trophy fish. Huntington has risen to 47% of capacity and is iced out. All local creeks were heavily planted in preparation for the stream trout opener and are in excellent shape.
Wishon/Courtright
Patrick Movey reported excellent trout action at Wishon for trollers pulling Rapala’s or Wedding Rings near the surface on this opening weekend. The Wishon Village RV Park and Store will be open on Friday, May 1st.
Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool
Merritt Gilbert reported a group of anglers motored in on quads to catch and release numbers of rainbows and browns to 16-inches on spinners, Kastmasters, Power Bait or night crawlers at Edison.
San Antonio/Lake Nacimiento/Santa Margarita
Will Hesch of Central Coast Guide Service (805) 466-6557 reported white bass are chasing shad in the backs of coves throughout the lake. He has been picking them off the surface with 4-inch BassTrix lures in the early morning. Nacimiento Marina reported shad boils outside the Marina with great action for both spots and white bass on small PopR’s, mini Buzz Baits or Tiny Torpedos. The spotted bass spawn is over, but fish are still holding in shallow water. The lake has dropped continues to drop at 59% of capacity. No report for either Santa Margarita or San Antonio, but Santa Margarita is now is subject to Quagga Mussel inspections prior to launching. San Antonio is holding at 69% of capacity.
Northern Lakes Round Up April 27
Whiskeytown Reservoir:Steve Gildesgard of Dragonfly Outfitters in Weaverville (530) 623-4999 said a few small kokanee have been hitting typical kokanee gear near the surface by the Curtain The fish are still small, but show grow in size rapidly as they feed on the plankton. There have been some small club bass tournaments on the lake, but most area bassers are heading for Trinity Lake. The lake came up 1049 acre-feet and is at 98% of capacity.
Lewiston Reservoir:
Steve Gildesgard reported trout fishing should be improving as the water have been moving in from Trinity Lake as of this Tuesday. The moving water will push down the grass, exposing lots of feed. This normally brings on the bite. The lake has come up to 96% of capacity.
Trinity Lake:
Steve Gildesgard said Trinity continues to be the hot spot with both smallmouth and largemouth bass up in the shallows. He said this lake is “on fire”. Strike King rip baits tossed near the banks along the points have been picking up bass in good size and numbers, as well as brown Gitzits (Color Number 195br) or Robo Worms in Margarita Mutilator on the drop-shot. The lake came up 1282 acre-feet to 67% of capacity.
Lake Oroville:
Mike Searcy Star Bait in Maryville (530) 742-5431 said they haven’t heard much on the coho fishery in the past week, but trollers have been scoring salmon to 15.5-inches on pink hootchies behind a silver Crystal Basin Wild Thing, Rocky Mountain Tackle pearlescent UV hootchies or Ken’s Custom Tackle Mini-Skirts in pink at depths from 25 to 30 feet near the 162 Bridge or outside the Spillway Buoys. A few anglers are releasing the fish to grow for later in the season, but several of the fish have been pulled out of the lake. There has been little boat pressure. Ron Gandolfi of Gandolfi’s Bass Guide Service (530) 872-0907 reported the fish moved off the banks briefly during the cold front, but have moved back on throughout the lake as of Thursday. The top limits to 16+-pounds were taken off the beds. He has been scoring with Senko’s in watermelon/blackflake or green pumpkin/blackflake in the backs of coves near wood and also at the points into coves with ˝ oz. football head Hula Grubs in the same colors as the Senko’s plus brown cinnamon/purpleflake. Bed fish can be taken with clear sparkle Gitzits worked in front of the fish. The lake came up 2170 acre-feet of inflow, but overall the lake level has dropped to 48% of capacity and 752.96 feet in elevation – a drop of 2 feet in the past week. A 100% Bass Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, April 27th.
Folsom Lake:
Don Paganelli of Paganelli’s Bass Fishing Experience (916) 427-0374 reported continued good action in the both the North and South Forks for both large and spotted bass with the 1/8th oz. Smoke Grubs on a dart head or Robo Worms Carolina-rigged at depths from 5 to 10 feet. The fish are moving up into shallow water in the process of spawning, and he anticipated that they will continue to move up, although fish are in all stages of spawning There still is a reaction bite early in the morning on the points leading into coves on Lucky Craft Stacy’s in chartreuse shad or ghost minnow. It is anticipated that with the warmer weather, recreational boaters and jet skiers will be out making fishing conditions difficult after the early morning hours. Bill Dunn of Bill Dunn’s Fishing Charters will be out over the weekend and plans on using the same techniques of rolling shad, 2.25-inc pearl Radical Glow Tubes in 2.25 or 2.5-inch Yozuri Pin’s Minnows in white in the deeper water in the channels near the Dam. He also will be trying his double white grub creation. He thinks the fish are still around, but they have dropped deeper in the water column. Alan Fong of the Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento said anglers are still pulling in salmon . The lake continues to come up steadily with 3452 acre-feet to 52% of capacity and 418.14 feet in elevation.
Collins Lake:
Kathy Hess of Collins Lake Marina reported trolling with Rapala’s on the east side near the Dam has been one of the best producers. Power Bait or inflated crawlers have been bringing in limits of rainbows near Elmer’s Cove. Bass have also been hitting crankbaits near Elmer’s Cove.
The results from the Project Kokanee Trout Derby. Bass are as follows: Adult winners: Don Nelson – 6.85-pounds; Vanessa Klingenbers – 6.05-pounds and Jesse Joseph – 5.23-pounds – Youth Division: Jake Pontes – 5.1-pounds; Richard Plise Jr. – 3.14-pounds; Everett Frank – 2.74-pounds. The big fish of the tournament was landed by Don Nelson at 5.14-pounds. 3rd Annual William Jessup Univ. Trout Derby will be held on Saturday May 3, 2008 at Collins Lake. Bring your friends and family out and enjoy the day! For additional information and to register please click here: www.jessup.edu/outdooradventures or call Frank 530-308-6976
The 2nd Annual CBAF (Christian Bass Anglers Federation) KID'S CAMP is also May 2nd & May 3rd. Call Paul Baker for more info at 209-852-0157. I just received the applications for Kid's Camp (call Kathy at Collins Lake if you'd like one mailed to you).
Lake Tahoe:
Chuck Self of Chuck’s Bait and Guide Service in Kings Beach (530) 546-8425 reported a great mackinaw bite, particularly in the afternoon with easy limits of fish to 3 to 9-pounds the rule. The morning bite has been a bite tougher, and they have had to work hard for limits. The fish are big and healthy and showing signs of heading on a feeding frenzy. He said the fish are loaded with mysis shrimp with some stomachs lined with bait fish. The water temperatures keep rising with the temps from 45 to 49, but this may change with this weekend’s projected cooler weather. He said the fish have been scattered and his has been changing his lures from day to day with Mega Baits and Tasmanian Devils continuing to be top producers. He is adding a stinger or Siwash hook to some of his lures to increase hook ratio, but closely watches how the extra hooks effect lure action. He also has been stacking rods on the downriggers to pick up either kokanee or rainbows. He has been working from the surface to 210 feet, as the kokanee and rainbows are becoming more active. The shoreline area has been turning on late in the day, as the inlets are bringing in fresh water and nutrients. He advised targeting rocky area with crawdad patterned lures in a slow presentation. The rocky areas allow the browns, macks and rainbows to ambush the bait. Anglers must stay 300 feet from any inlet into the lake as the fish are moving into the creeks to spawn.
Donner Lake:
Larry McKurtis at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee (530) 587-4844 reported a few anglers are heading out for mackinaw and trout, but the access to the lake through the ramp is still a bit iffy for large boats, as there is only a couple of feet of clearance with the lake is down to 40% of capacity. There are some small kokanee near the surface. AC Plugs, J-Plugs or Magnum Rapalas are all good choices for the mackinaw which are holding in deep water of 100 feet or more. Shore anglers must stay away from moving inlets into the lake as the fish are also moving in to spawn. You are advised to check DFG regulations. Boca has open water, and some small boats are being dragged in as the launch ramp is not an option yet. Prosser also has open water, and boats are able to be launched. There have been some reports of smallmouth bass in Prosser.
Stampede Reservoir:
Mountain Hardware reported the road to Stampede is open and the launch ramp cleared. There haven’t been too many reports as the first guys into the lake are generally secretive about their catches. The word is that Keith Kerrigan of Sierra Anglers Sport Fishing and Jake Bunio of Trophy Stick lures have both landed browns in the 5-pound range in the past week. now accessible with the boat launch open. Since the lake just opened up, there have
Caples/Red and Indian Creek Reservoirs: Dave Kirby at Woodford’s Station had high expectations for an outstanding opener to the stream trout season with a plant of 2000 pounds of trophy and catchable trout released in both the East and West Carson prior to the stream opener with some remaining fish released in Markleville and Hot Springs Creeks. Indian Creek Reservoir is open water, as well as Summit Lake above Indian Creek. Alpine County had previously planted Indian Creek. Red Lake has open water, but there is still ice in the middle. He thought the conditions were less than ideal. Caples still is surrounded by soft ice. He reported excellent stream conditions with a gradual run-off and very clear water. All of the campgrounds in the area are open as of this weekend.
Silver Lake
The lake level is low and is iced over. Most area anglers are going for the open water at Bear River Reservoir.
Lake Alpine
The gates at the west end of the lake are closed, but the road should be opened up by Memorial Day.
Lake Amador
The Tackle Box Café Lake Amador said the bass bite slowed down with the recent cold front as the fish backed off of the shallows, but they have returned with the recent warm weather. The last cutbow plant of the season occurred on April 8th, but there are still loads of trout in the lake. These fish have dropped deeper in the water column, but they are still located close to shore. Blue gill are hitting wax, meal or red worms near the docks with crappie taken on minijigs or small minnows. The lake is 16 feet below the Spillway and most likely will not rise any more this year in the absence of rain. .
New Hogan:
Fred Thomason of Last Chance Guide Service (209) 765-5284 has been on a hot striper bite in the past week trolling frozen anchovies on a harness from the surface to 15 feet in depth on the triangle from the launch ramp to the Dam to Deer Island. He said the fish are much larger this year and are averaging 6 to 7-pounds. That’s a lot of fun on light tackle. It is still too early for the stripers to start boiling on the surface, but when the water warms up, this is a sight to see.
Loon Lake:
The lake is still iced over, but will be open in a few weeks down the road.
Union Valley Reservoir:
Ken Mathis of Ken’s Custom Tackle will be back on the lake tomorrow, and he expected the lake to have risen several inches since his last trip. He thought the fish would be deep and holding to sandy ledges near the bottom. His Double Flutter lures are getting rave reviews from mackinaw and brown trout fishermen in the High Sierra and Nevada lakes. Mathis said the mackinaw bite will improve when the water stabilizes both in inflow and water temperature. He advised anglers to be aware of the floating debris and submerged logs on the water. The lake is accessible through Peavine Road as the Sunset Gate is still closed. Information about road or lake conditions is available at kenscustomtackle.com.
Indian Valley Reservoir:
This lake is suffering from this year’s low precipitation. The water is way down and will only get lower through releases and evaporation. Trees are sticking up throughout the lake. Bass and catfishing should be decent, but the campground situation makes it difficult to justify the trip over Walker Ridge Road. The store is closed, and there is no potable water at any campsite. All garbage must be packed out of the campgrounds. It doesn’t really sound very inviting at the present time.
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Register Now for William Jessup University’s 2008 Trout Derby!
The 3rd Annual WJU Trout Derby will be held on Saturday May 3, 2008 at Collins Lake. Bring your friends and family out and enjoy the day! Cost is $25 per person, Juniors (15 years and younger) are free and $50 per boat. Check in begins at 7am, Derby begins at 7:45am, and weigh in at 4pmPrizes will be given out for the 1st through 5th Place Winners-Heaviest Fish Wins.For additional information and to register please click here: www.jessup.edu/outdooradventures.
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