Special Note No. 1: The 2006 fishing season will open on Saturday, April 29 in the State of California.
Special Note No. 2: When fishing in California, you must wear your fishing license where it is readily visible, above the waist.
BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): "We are ready for the Opener this Saturday. If you need a fishing license or any supplies, we have them.
CAPLES LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that the lake is still iced over but to consider the ice as dangerous to be out on, with the warming weather.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that there was a large plant of 2,000 pounds of "catchables" and trophy-sized trout in both the East and West Carson Rivers by Alpine County, In addition, Calif. F&G has been busy stocking both rivers with planter rainbows. The water in both rivers is up, but fairly clear. However, that could change this weekend with the forecasted warm weather.
FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS (on the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area): Several small catfish weighing less than one pound were caught on the far side with either worms or chicken liver.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported fishing at Indian Creek has been pretty good. Some fly fishermen are catching and releasing rainbows at the south end. They are using Woolly Bugger flies from their float tubes. Alyssa Marroquir (hometown unknown) caught a 9-pound, 2-ounce rainbow from shore with rainbow Power Bait.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV: Missy Swain at Burke's Market (Closed on Mondays) at Silver Springs (775-577-2750): "Reports of good Walleye fishing (up to 5-6 pounds) all the way from Beach No. 4 to Beach No. 12. They are fishing from shore with minnows, nightcrawlers, lures or jigs. Lots of people out fishing, everywhere. We had a report of a 21 pound catfish caught on chicken liver by the river, but we did not see it."
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Jerry Rogers at The Gilly Sporting Goods Store in Sparks (358-6113): "The fly fishermen are using Popcorn Beetle flies or red/black Copper Johns. The best action has been at the North Nets and the South Nets in the late afternoons. The boats have been doing real well, trolling Flatfish lures. Spincasting has also been good."
RED LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that the lake is still iced over but to consider the ice as dangerous to be out on, with the warming weather.
LAKE TAHOE - North Shore:
Mickey Daniels of Mickey's Big Mack Charters (800-877-1462): "We have been getting our Mackinaw trout early in the morning. I'm tagging and releasing the smaller ones. We have been catching lots of fish, but nothing really big in size.
I've been trolling the deep-water area in front of Carnelian Bay and King's Beach with Herring Dodger flasher blades with minnows or large Apex lures."
LAKE TAHOE - North Shore:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters and Tahoe Trophy Trout at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (530-544-6552): "Fishing has been very good to excellent with limits on every trip. Catching 1-2 fish per trip that are in the 6-9 pound range. Our biggest last week was a 31-inch Mack. We have been trolling at 120-280 feet with silver Herring Dodger flasher blades and live minnows at depths of 110-290 feet. I've been fishing Agate Bay, Dollar Point and the Tahoe City Shelf.
LAKE TAHOE - South Shore: Gene St. Denis: "It has been poor to good, depending on where you fish. I've been trolling at Ski Run Shelf and Camp Richardson. We have been trolling at 160-250 feet with silver Herring Dodger flasher blades and live minnows. We have been catching 1-6 fish per trip with the largest being a 24-inch Mack.
LAKE TAHOE - East Shore: Gene St. Denis: "Toplining and shore fishing hat Cave Rock Landing has been producing 1-2 fish at best or nothing. Very slow.
TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775) 266-3550: The Ninth Annual John Riordan Invitational Fishing Derby was held over the weekend under some stormy weather conditions. A number of rainbow trout, weighing up to about 3 pounds, were caught, mostly at the far south end by both boaters and shore fishermen.
TOPAZ CANAL: The water is running fast and clear. Some limited success where the water comes out of the tube.
WALKER LAKE, NEV: A small number of cutthroat, weighing about 3 pounds, were caught over the weekend. Most boat and shore anglers reported that fishing was slow, slow, slow. A rainy and windy weekend. The fish were being caught along the highway side of the lake.
WALKER RIVERS, NEV:
East Walker: A 3-pound, 1/4 ounce brown was caught at "The Elbow" by Warren Senour of Stagecoach on Monday morning.it was his only catch of the day. The river is reported to be running high and muddy.
West Walker: Running very high and muddy. Fishermen reported there was no action.
WEBER RESERVOIR, NEV: Cat fishermen reported no action while fishing near the dam.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: "The sun is shining and it is getting warm, up here. There is still some ice, way out in the middle. There's lots of water and lots going over the spillway. You can launch a boat at the state ramp. Last week on Thursday, NDOW planted 7,000 Tiger Trout.