LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Dec. 18: Both rainbow and brown trout have headed to the inlets and tributaries around the lake. Fish to 5 pounds were taken this past week. Topline trolling threaded nightcrawlers will start you off. Then drop down from 5 to 15 feet with either silver/orange Needlefish in a size 3 or red/gold Speedy Shiners for fish. Troll very slowly.
BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): The Blue Lakes Road is now closed for the winter to vehicles. Be sure to tell your readers that I have California Sno-Park permits.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF: East Carson River Trophy Section: The Trophy Section of the East Carson River, from Hangman's Bridge downstream to the Nevada stateline, is now open, year round, with special restrictions.
Dave Kirby: Two fly fishermen caught and released 3 fish each at the confluence of the Carson River and Markleeville Creek. They were fishing deep and the fish were small. They had no action on the surface.
CROWLEY LAKE AREA, CALIF: Steve Osterman of Performance Anglers of Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-2181:
Hot Creek: Water flow is 7 CFS. Fishing here is a little tougher due to recent winter storms. Access is limited due to snow. Fish small Nymphs like Disco Midges, Brassies and Pheasant Tails.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Dec. 18: Lake has been planted with 24,000 pounds of hatchery rainbows. The lake is just about covered with a thin sheet of ice now and remains closed to the public until water tests clear of the Rotenone chemical compound used to eradicate northern pike in the lake. Anglers can check on lake opening by calling the DFG Pike Eradication Project Information Line at (530)832-4754.
EAGLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Dec. 18: Trout have moved back down south as the north end is frozen over now. Launch from Gallatin or fish from the banks with a worm and a bobber. Orange colored 2 or 3-inch grubs have been very effective for fish to 5 pounds. Remember this lake closes at the end of this month, but the fishing continues to be hot. Check road conditions ahead of time.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Dec. 18: Lots of half-pound Steelhead, plus a few adults to around 5 pounds were being caught from below the Outlet all the way down to Shanghai Bend. They were taking Nymphs, fry and egg patterns.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Ice has begun to form. It is about 2 inches thick at the dam. The ice is not safe. You should be able to get to open water if you are willing to hike along the shore to it. The road around the lake is OK but it may be icy in shady areas so use caution. Several nice rainbows were caught near the dam this past weekend with red Power Bait.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that the ice is not safe to walk on, and that there is some open water still showing on the east side.
OROVILLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Dec. 18: The lake is really low now and Bidwell Canyon launch ramp has been the only ramp open to the public now, but for how long it will remain open with dropping lake levels is the question. Very few reports last week as anglers are waiting for the lake to come up before fishing here. Coho salmon, 8 to 10 inches long inches long continue to bite anything that hits the water. A few decent sized silvers from 2 to 3 pounds were taken, mooching anchovy fillets or live shiners.
OWENS RIVER, CALIF: Steven Osterman:
Upper Owens: Water flow 86 CFS. Fly fishing is a bit more challenging with cold water and air temperatures. Expect to make many drifts for few fish. Work hard and you will be rewarded. Same fly's as Hot Creek. Best fishing during mid day hours.
Lower Owens: Water flow is currently 90 CFS. Fly fishing is very good. The fish are not too picky about the fly but still demand a good presentation. For Nymphing, try Pheasant Tails, Cased Caddis, green rock worms, WD-40's, Prince Nymphs, Hares Ears, Fox's Caddis Poopa and Brassies. On the surface, try Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams and E/C Caddis.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Valerie, Linda and Patsy at Crosby's Lodge at (775) 476-0400: It is windy today (Wednesday) and there is a handful of fishermen out there. There was an 11-pound, 13-ounce cutthroat caught on the 23rd at Blockhouse with a yellow spoon from shore by Steve Parker, and on that same day, a 9-pound, 1-ounce cutthroat was caught on a white Flatfish lure trolled at Indian Head by Christian Bellow.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store at (775) 476-0555: Fishing has been pretty good, it is not as good as before, but it is till good. The fish are scattered all over the lake. A couple of nice fish are being caught every day. George (Cutthroat Charters) was out on Sunday, and they caught and released more than 15 fish.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Chris and Jeri Grellman of Sparks of Hog Charters (358-5199): Chris and his daughter caught and released 13 fish on Saturday. Most of the fish were in the slot limit. They were trolling on the south end and reported that the weather was very cold. The fish were hitting Apex lures at a depth of 12 feet in 20 feet of water. His daughter lost a big fish that was well over 10 pounds, when it rolled and got off, right at the side of the boat.
RED LAKE, CALIF: Doug Busey reported that he, Steve Lightfoot of Havasu, Arizona and Jonathan Guy, age 9, of Minden caught a total of 10 trout on Saturday. The ice is about 12 inches thick. They were fishing with Kastmaster lures and nightcrawlers. Most of the trout were brookies (12-14 inches), with one rainbow and one cutthroat (about 2 pounds). There were not that many other ice fishermen.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Dec. 18: Increase your trolling speed to 3 mph and use brightly colored toplined Flee Bittys and Hum Dingers from the surface down to 40 feet. With the colder weather, baitfish are starting to move up. Salmon are hitting in the deeper waters from 75 to 125 feet deep. Bass action can be found in the Pitt Arm on Texas-rigged Crawdad colored 6-inch worms.
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 good to excellent. We have been trolling 100-200 feet deep. We locate the fish on the fish finder and then troll Dodgers and a live minnow in a "Figure Eight" pattern, bouncing the bottom. I've been fishing at Cal-Nevada Point, Dollar Point and Sugar Pine Point.
LAKE TAHOE - South Shore: Gene St. Denis: When I fish there, I've been 80-200 feet deep at Ski Run Shelf and Camp Richardson. Trolling with silver Herring Dodger flasher blades and minnows, and bouncing off the bottom in a serpentine pattern. Macks are small, 2-7 pounds.
LAKE TAHOE - East Shore: Gene St. Denis: They are trolling for Mackinaw with flashers and worms or minnows at the Cave Rock Shelf. Shore fishermen are catching small rainbow (up to 2 pounds) and small Mackinaw trout (up to 3 pounds) from the Cave Rock Landing. Topliners are trolling with flashers and either a Rapala lure or a Dodger with a live minnow at Logan Shoals, Zephyr Cove Buoy and Deadman's Point.
WALKER LAKE, NEV: A report of good fishing from shore at Sand Point with lures. Also, boat fishermen are reported to be catching some nice sized Cutthroat.
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF: Steve Osterman:
East Walker River (From Bridgeport Dam to the Nevada Stateline): The West Walker River, from the Bridgeport Dam downstream to the Nevada stateline, is now open, year round, with special restrictions. The water flow is 30 CFS. Fishing is tough as ice is forming in the channel. Prince Nymphs, WD-40's, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Sparkle Caddis Pupa, Stimulators and E/C Caddis.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn, Jerry, Fred, Ron and Debbie at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: It snowed last night and it is 28 degrees right now (Wednesday morning). Last week, it was bitter cold, up here, and it got down to -27 degrees. We have about 10 inches or more of ice and a few fishermen, about 4-5 every day. There is about 8 inches of snow on the ground, just perfect for snowmobiling.