LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Nov. 29: Use mealworms, crickets and other baits by the dam for brown and rainbow trout. Troll over deep crevasses and underwater streambeds for a mix of fish with Rainbow Runners in orange or red on the west shore, though fish are being taken everywhere. This is high season for trout now, many of which are trophy browns by anyone's standards.
BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): Not much fishing in this general area. There were a lot of tree cutters and a lot of wind over the weekend. The Blue Lakes Road is still open for now.
CAPLES LAKE, CALIF: It has a thin layer of ice that is too dangerous to venture out onto.
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: The fishing has been on the slow side with some ice forming along the edges of the river.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: The lake, its shorelines, all its tributaries, all land upslope of these water bodies to the ridge tops of the Freeman Creek watershed, and all campgrounds, boat launches, and day use sites in the Davis Lake Recreation Area are now closed for the eradication of Northern Pike. This closure will remain in effect until the tributaries and Davis Lake are found to be free of rotenone constituents.
EAGLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Nov. 29: Trout have moved back down south. Good weather and fish are still the case. Orange or brown colored 2 or 3-inch grubs have been very effective. Bobber action has picked up with the increased shoreline activity. Float a worm under a bobber and you're set. Please remember to come prepared with more layers of clothes as the mornings can be very cold.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Nov. 29: Salmon fishing perked up a bit last week, and a few nice kings were caught on Kwikfish above Shanghai Bend. There were also improved reports from the Low Flow Section and in the main river below the Outlet. Fish were being caught on nightcrawlers, roe, Glo-Bugs, dead-drifted egg flies and small nymphs.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Fishing has improved this past week. Most anglers are having good luck floating nightcrawlers off the bottom. Some Power Baits have been working pretty well too. Try rainbow or orange glitter. On Nov. 29, a 5-pound rainbow from shore with nightcrawlers.
ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Nov. 29: Bass fishing was rated fair last week with lake levels stabilizing somewhat, along with the lake's turnover occurring. The bass were hitting jigs and drop-shotted or dart-headed plastic worms at 10 to 40 feet. Just one little problem, there's 150,000 juvenile coho salmon that are biting anything that hits the water! Please let 'em grow up. A few decent sized silvers from 2 to 4 pounds off the main body points and in the river arms, mooching anchovy fillets or live shiners. Lots of fingerling coho biting anything, everywhere, after spreading out from last October's plant by DWR. The lake surface temperature was 55 degrees last Sunday.
OWENS RIVER, CALIF: Steven Osterman:
Hot Creek: Water flow is 2 CFS. Fishin here is still good but somewhat tougher due to the lower water flow. Brassies, WD-40's and Pheasant Tails under the surface. Some minimal surface action mid-day with black Caddis and BWO's. Fish size 18 and smaller flies for best results.
Upper Owens: Water flow 84 CFS. Fly fishing is great. Most standard Nymph patterns are working well. Some dry fly action with small Adams or BWO's. Best results from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lower Owens: Water flow is currently 108 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: Fishing is picking up. We had three nice fish turned in from Blockhouse on Saturday. There was a 9-pound, 9-ounce, a 8-pound, 15-ounce and a 8-pound, 4-ounce. One was caught on a Coyote lure, one was taken with a spoon and the other was on a green Woolly Worm fly.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store at (775) 476-0555: The fishing has been pretty darn good. On Saturday at Blockhouse, A fisherman caught a 10-pounder, another fisherman caught an 8-pounder, and then, they barbecued both fish for breakfast. The boats did not get out, much, over the weekend due to the wind. Today (Monday), it is nice but the wind is forecast to come up later in the day.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Tim Wilson of the Pyramid Lake Marina and RV Park at (775) 476-1156: Fishing has been pretty good. It is definitely picking up with the cold weather. A lot of fish being caught at the south end. There was a 10-pounder and a 8-pounder turned in, plus I personally caught a 4 and 5-pounder. The fly fishermen are doing well with black and olive Woolly Bugger flies or streamers that they are dragging along the bottom. The trollers are doing well with Apex or Flatfish lures. The spincasters are picking up fish, all the way from Warrior Point to South Wino Bay.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Chris and Jeri Grellman of Sparks of Hog Charters (358-5199): Fishing has gotten better. We caught and released 15 on Saturday. Nothing big, the biggest was 23 inches. We have been trolling on the west side.
RED LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that ice is forming on the lake, but it is too dangerous to get out on.
SILVER LAKE, CALIF: It has a thin layer of ice that is too dangerous to venture out onto.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): As of Nov. 29: Head to the cooler water in the arms for fish to 20 inches, although 17 inches has been the average. Trout are up but shad are still down. Flee Bitty's and Hum Dingers are being worked over points but keep moving as fish are scattered. Rapalas and Kazi Minnows have also been producing, all in the top 20 feet. Trolling picked up to 3 mph. Salmon are deeper by the dam from 70 to 150 feet. Sling Blades and Paddle-Tails produced fish from 15 to 16 inches. Pro Cure Shad gel is a must. The bass bite held on "confidence baits" around trees, such as Hula grubs and dart-headed worms worked out to 45 feet and spinnerbaits or topwater tackle closer in. The reaction bite is also returning. Plenty of bass are being taken including a few larger ones.
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 and Dollar Points. Most fish are running 2-7 pounds and our biggest was 8 pounds.
LAKE TAHOE - South Shore: Gene St. Denis: When I fish there, I've been 50-200 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. Some shore fishermen are catching small rainbows from the Cave Rock Landing. Topliners are trolling with flashers and either a Rapala lure or a live minnow.
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 down to 21 CFS. Fishing is tough. 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: We've had a lot of wind, about 2 inches of snow and it has been down to -2, -4 and -6 at nights. The reservoir is iced-over, except for a hole out in the middle. I would guess that in about a week, it will be OK to venture a short ways (not more than about 100 feet) out onto the ice.