If you're an angler who enjoys fishing in the State of California, be advised that a large number of its nearby fishing waters will be closing in the very near future.
Nov. 15 is the date when California closes many of its streams, creeks and rivers for the 2006 fishing season. Those waters will not re-open again until the last Saturday in April (April 28, 2007).
And, as a special reminder, all of the applicable, open waters in Inyo and Mono Counties close Nov. 15.
Waters closing include:
Bridgeport area: Bridgeport Reservoir, Upper and Lower Twin Lakes, Robinson Creek, West Walker River, East Walker River, Kirman Lake, Virginia Lakes and Lundy Lake, to name just a few.
Hope Valley area: The West Carson River and Red Creek.
Markleeville area: The East Carson River and Markleeville, Silver and Wolf Creeks.
Truckee area: The Truckee River and Little Truckee River.
Waters staying open:
Ebbett's Pass area: Kinney Reservoir, Upper/Lower Kinney Lakes.
Hope Valley area: Upper/Lower Blue Lakes, Upper/Lower Lost Lakes, Twin Lake, Meadow Lake, Tamarack Lake, Upper/Lower Sunset Lakes, Wet Meadows Lake, etc.
Kit Carson Pass area: Red Lake, Caples Lake, Silver Lake and Winnemucca Lake.
Portola area: Frenchman's Reservoir and Davis Lake.
Truckee area: Boca Reservoir and Stampede Reservoir.
Lake Tahoe area: Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe.
Woodfords-Markleeville Area: Indian Creek Reservoir.
Special Note: During the Winter months, you'll have to go in on either a snowmobile, snowshoes or cross country skis at many of these waters. So, the good news is you can fish during the winter months at many of California's lakes and reservoirs. The bad news is that once you get to your destination, you will probably have to cut a hole in thick ice at most locations.
Last minute suggestions:
Here are some last minute suggestions for selected locations, soon to close, south of Carson City:
Bridgeport Reservoir:
Just outside of Bridgeport.
Good fishing for both rainbows and German browns.
Best from boats at the present time.
If you have a boat, troll between the Marina and the dam.
For information, call Jeffry Wenger of the Bridgeport Reservoir Marina (888-377-1677).
Upper and Lower Twin Lakes: Drive south from Carson City on U.S. 395 for 83 miles to Bridgeport. At Bridgeport, turn right at the first gas station on your right. Then, take that paved road west for 11 miles to Lower Twin Lake. Upper Twin is just past Lower Twin.
You'll catch mostly rainbow trout, an occasional nice-sized German brown trout or small Kokanee salmon.
Just remember that the last two California state record brown trout came from these two lakes!
Call the Twin Lakes Resort at Lower Twin at (760) 932-7751 or Annett's Mono Village at Upper Twin at (760) 932-7071).
Lundy Lake: Drive south from Carson City on U.S. 395. Then, about 20 miles south of Bridgeport, near the south foot of Conway Summit, look for the signed, paved road on your right. Take that paved road for five miles to Lundy Lake.
You'll catch rainbow trout, German brown trout and Eastern brook trout.
Be advised that Lundy is prone to being very windy in the afternoons.
June Lake Loop: Just west of U.S. 395, between Bridgeport and Bishop, located about 100 miles from Carson City.
The Loop contains four lakes: Gull, Grant, June and Silver, plus Rush Creek.
Gull Lake: Rainbow trout.
Grant Lake: Lahontan cutthroat, German brown and rainbow trout.
June Lake: Lahontan cutthroats, browns and rainbows.
Silver Lake: Some browns and mostly rainbows.
Rush Creek: Lahontan cutthroats, browns and rainbows.
All kinds of neat places to fish for all kinds of fish!
Call Ernie's Tackle Store at (760) 648-7756.
Convict Lake: About 140 miles south of Carson City via U.S. 395.
Excellent fishing for large rainbow and German brown trout is found in both Convict Lake and Convict Creek.
The lake and creek are consistently stocked with Alper's Trophy Rainbow Trout.
A good spot to fish is at the far end of the lake at the inlet.
Call the Convict Lake Resort at (800) 992-2260.
Finally
The last Saturday in April, 2007 is a long, long ways off.
So, you better get in all the fishing you can in the next few days before these waters close.
If you do go, good luck to you.
• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you where I will be fishing between now and Nov. 15.
If he grins and says, "Don is planning to be fishing at Pyramid Lake in Nevada," he could be one of my fishing partners.
• Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.