BISHOP, CALIF. AREA: Gary Olson of the Bishop Creek Resorts (760-873-4484):
Intake No. 2: Was the hot spot. Nightcrawlers seemed to be best but green Stingers and Blue Fox lures were pretty productive. An 8-pound, 15-ounce rainbow on a green Mini-Jig Stinger. Also, a 5-pound, 14-ounce rainbow on nightcrawlers.
South Lake: Ice was marginal. Heard of a few anglers going in, but no one was hurt. Some reported great brown fishing with fish in the 12-14 inch range.
Bishop Creek: Fishing was good with lots coming out. Nightcrawlers seemed to do best and green Stingers were pretty effective. A 3-pound, 7-ounce rainbow near Table Mt. Campground.
BISHOP, CALIF. AREA: Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425):
Sabrina Lake: Anglers had to walk from the locked gate at Aspendell. They reported awesome fishing. Lots of fish. A 3 3/4 pound rainbow on a spinner.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Jeffry Wenger of the Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park and Marina (888-377-1677): Unbelievable weather, record number of fishermen and great fishing. More browns that ever before. We had two fish almost 7 pounds (a 6-pound, 10-ounce rainbow and a 6-pound, 8-ounce brown). Numerous 2-4 pounders.
CAPLES LAKE, CALIF: Still iced over. Advised to stay off.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
East Carson River: Doug Busey of Douglas County reported the river was planted on Wednesday, and was running at 1,800 CFS over the weekend. Lots of fishermen but not many fish being caught. Alex Argo Sr. caught a 4 pound rainbow.
West Carson River: Doug Busey reported Bean Sousa of Carson City caught a 3-pound, 3-ounce and a 2.5 pound rainbow.
West Carson River: Dave Kirby: Early on Saturday, Ralph Buscher of Carson City caught a 6-pound rainbow on Salmon eggs. Then, a short time later, Kathy Tucker of Manteca, Calif. caught a 6-pound, 8-ounce rainbow, also on Salmon eggs.
CONVICT LAKE, CALIF: Michelle West of the Convict Lake Resort (800-992-2260): Jake, the trout worth $10,000 in the Berkely fishing contest, was caught on the south shore on Opening Day. The lucky angler was Jerren Klohr of Yucaipa, Calif. The fish weighed 3.6 pounds and was caught using a mini jig on 2-pound test line (all Berkely products).
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Sarah Bensinger of the Grizzly Store said the store will be open on only Fridays-Sundays for the first part of the fishing season.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Fishing all around the lake has been good. Float worms off the bottom or try green frog-type lures or Power Bait.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that late Sunday, Joe Walton of South Lake Tahoe caught a 4-pound rainbow on a 1/6 ounce Roostertail lure.
KIRMAN (AKA CARMEN) LAKE, CALIF: Jim Reid reported he hiked in on Wednesday before the Opening Day to check out the lake. It was ice free. It is about a 2 mile hike from S. R. 108.
RED LAKE, CALIF: Still iced over but advised to stay off.
SACRAMENTO RIVER: Kirk Portocarrero of Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing, Redding, Calif. (800-670-4448: Water flows are at 10,000 CFS. Drifting the Redding to Anderson stretch for wild rainbows. Fishing has been good.Fly fishing, using Prince nymphs, Pheasant tails and egg patterns. Spinfishing, using Flatfish lures.
LAKE TAHOE - North Shore:
Mickey Daniels of Mickey's Big Mack Charters (800-877-1462): "We have been getting our Mackinaw early in the morning. Tagging and releasing the smaller ones. We've been catching lots of fish, but nothing big. I've been trolling the deep-water area in front of Carnelian Bay and King's Beach with silver Herring Dodger flasher blades with live minnows or large Apex lures. The Ormsby Sportsmen's Association of Carson City fishermen were with me on Sunday. There were five of them and they all caught fish, up to 23.7 inches."
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. 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.
TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775) 266-3550: A young lady caught a 3-pound, 14-ounce rainbow from the southwest shore with a nightcrawler. Boats are trolling nightcrawlers at a depth of 25 feet in the middle of the lake and catching their limits. The shore fishermen on the south end are using inflated nightcrawlers.
TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Upper Twin Lake: Annett's Mono Village (760-932-7071): A 5-pound, 5-ounce rainbow on Power Bait. A 4-pound, 13-ounce rainbow on yellow Power Bait for Miguel Arellano of Yerington.
Lower Twin Lake: Steve Marti at the Twin Lake Resort at (760) 932-7751: "Fishing was great. Weather was fantastic. No big browns but lots of small browns to 4-pounds and lots and lots of rainbows. Bob Mirtich of California had the largest rainbow (5-pounds, 8-ounces)."
VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF: Tom Roberts: The road has been plowed for about the first 4.5 miles from U.S. 395.
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
East Walker: Running at 450 CFS, but not that muddy. Saturday success was very good for the fly fishermen.
West Walker: It is running very high, fast and muddy.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Linda at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: "The weather is nice and warm. There is still a little bit of ice in the middle, but there are boats out there, trolling. They have been catching some nice rainbows (up to 3-pounds, 10-ounces) in the river below the dam. They are using worms and Power Bait.