LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): No reports were available but with good weather, anglers can expect limits to continue from the east shore shallow rocks from 38 to 45 ft. down in 50 feet of water on Rapalas, or in deeper waters on chrome red-headed Needlefish or an olive Arctic Fox Tube Fly.
BISHOP, CALIF. AREA:
Sabrina Lake: Rick and Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425): Can you believe it! Boats on the lake ! Surprised? We sure were. The front half of the lake went ice-free between Tuesday and Wednesday. Rick and I worked like the dickens to have boats on the lake Friday and for the weekend. Glad we did - they all went out! And how was the fishing you ask? AWESOME! No big fish yet. Heard a few rumors of Browns being caught and released, and saw plenty of limits coming out from all over the lake. Just about everything is working, from the tried and true nightcrawlers to Power Bait and Salmon Eggs. Remember your sunscreen - that snow glare is brutal and believe it or not we have a few of those pesky skeeters making an appearance.
BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): The road is still closed to travel.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Randy Picton reported fishing has improved since the opener as the water temperatures steadily increase. Trolling is spotty to good as the fish are moving constantly to find food and even temperatures. Try flashers with nightcrawlers, spoons, or Rapalas. Vary speed and depth from 0 to 12 feet. Bait fishermen have been doing good to very good just of the Marina and Paradise Shores with nightcrawlers and Power Bait off of the bottom in 7 to 15 feet of water. Biggest fish on bait: 4.0 rainbow on the 10th and its twin on Sunday the 11th. This last weekend, the fly fishers did very well with Chironomid Midging technique. Reports of many fish caught and released over 3 pounds. Big hatches going off in the afternoon as daytime temperatures climb.
CAPLES LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported he weighed an 11-pound Mackinaw and a 6-pound Mackinaw that were both caught on Sunday by the same fishermen. They were taken by the dam, by casting a Thomas Buoyant lure out on the ice and dragging it back into the open water. Some open water is showing around the edges.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
East Carson River:
Todd Sodaro and Chad Machado of the Carson River Resort (877-694-2229): The water level is up a touch and has a hint of color, but very fishable. The weekend was good but not a lot of big fish. Penelope Sanford, 10, of Stockton caught a couple of planters on Salmon eggs. Mike Abby of Stockton caught his limit of planters.
West Carson River:
Dave Kirby reported it is only rated as fair. A 2.5 pound rainbow was caught at Crystal Springs.
CROWLEY LAKE AREA, CALIF: Steve Osterman of Performance Anglers of Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-2181:
Crowley Lake: Try the north side of McGee Bay or Sandy Point in about 10 feet of water. Stevie's Wonder in black/silver or gray/black working well. Experiment with different depths if your not getting bit. The fish are scattered and suspending at different depths in different areas.
Hot Creek: Water flow is 20 CFS. Still fishing well. The higher flow offers more room for the fish to roam and more spots to fish. Small Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Nori's Caddis Pupa and WD-40's. BWO's and E/C Caddis on the surface.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Good trolling action reported, with fish in the top 4-6 feet, hitting Wee Dick Nites, Needlefish and red Rebel Runners. Rainbows have been running 12-16 inches. Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, DFG and Plumas National Forest will hold the "Lake Davis Trout Restocking Celebration" as part of the plan to restore the lake as a world-class trout fishing lake following the pike-eradication project last September. Thousands of fish will be planted on Friday, and then Saturday will feature activities for adults and kids at Coot Bay, as well as lots of fishing.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Although a few striped bass were hooked below Shanghai Rapids, even on flies, fishing for them was slow overall. Shad were, by far, the better bet. Anglers used both shad mini-jigs and flies. There were also a few stripers taken by trollers and plug throwers in the lower end of the river. With the river at 1,300 CFS, boaters, even jetboats, must exercise extreme caution.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Fishing has been very good off the shore at Lunker Point as well as at Turkey Point. Float nightcrawlers off the bottom or use rainbow glitter or Chartreuse glitter Power Bait.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Todd Sodaro reported John Bingham of Topaz Ranch Estates caught a 5.5 pound rainbow on Saturday on a spoon.
JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Some decent fishing at Silver Lake with black/silver Stevie's Wonder under an indicator or try black Doc's Twin Lake's Special on a sink tip or full sink line. Fish along the ledge on the west side or all the way across along the east shore. Flow in Rush Creek is 52 CFS. Try the section between U.S. 395 and Mono Lake with Madam X, Royal Wulff's, stimulators and black ants.
KINNEY RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that Ebbett's Pass (Calif. S.R. 4) opened last Friday afternoon. Kinney Reservoir is still ice covered with some small open water areas showing.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV: Missy Swain and Shirley at Burke's Market at Silver Springs (775-577-2750): They are catching Channel Catfish, Walleye and White Bass. Some of the best fishing has been just before sunset at Fisherman's Point, by the dam and at Beach Nos. 3, 6 and 8.
MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Mammoth Lakes Basin: Twin Lakes is open. The water is cold but fishing is picking up. Doc's Twin Lakes Special black or olive, Crystal Buggers and Mohair Leeches. Also try a Stevie's Wonder in black/silver under an indicator.
OROVILLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): The bass are on the beds and the Coho are on the bite at the dam and Hwy. 162 bridge. Bass anglers are using worms and jigs on the sight fish, use light colors for better visibility. The Coho are at 30 feet for moochers and trollers. Bigger average fish are coming for the trollers using Rapalas and Speedy Shiner spoons. Moochers are culling through a bunch of silvers on minnows, worms and anchovies.
OWENS RIVER, CALIF: Steven Osterman:
Upper Owens: Water flow is 61 CFS. Fishing is good above the Benton Crossing Bridge. Remember the river is closed from the bridge to the monument. Some good Caddis activity on the surface. Try elk hair or E/C Caddis on top and Cased Caddis or Z Wing Caddis down deep. Some larger, spawning fish in the section of river below the monument. Please watch for Redds and don't wade those areas.
Lower Owens: Water flow is currently 596 CFS. Try the Upper Owens!
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Valerie at Crosby's Lodge at (775) 476-0400: We had two 10-pounders turned in, but it has been a little quiet. It is starting to turn into summer.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store at (775) 476-0555: Fishing is still pretty good. The fish are still at places like Pelican. We have had reports of some fishermen with 100 fish days. The fly guys are going smaller with their flies. The boats are having to work a little harder for their fish but it is getting better. George (Cutthroat Charters) had an 80 fish day on the other side of the lake. The Nets will re-open on May 17.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at Pyramid Lake at (775) 575-7850 (home) or (775) 813-3411 (Cell): The shore fishing is starting to slow down, as the fish move out into deeper water. We were out both days on the weekend. We trolled 24 feet deep in water 100-150 feet deep from Pelican Bay to the Marina.
RED LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported fishing was very good on Saturday, mostly on worms, for a mix of rainbows and brookies.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): There wasn't much change from last week. With the water level now above 7,000 CFS, boaters cannot pass under the Cypress Street Bridge, so driftboaters are floating downstream from Bonneyview, and doing just fine, fishing stone fly, Caddis and May Fly imitations under indicators. Most trout are from 14 to 17 inches, but there was a 26 incher caught last week. Jet boaters can run back up or downstream from the Cypress Ave. Bridge, and are scoring on back-trolled Hot Shots and drifted Glo-Bugs.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Dave Jacobs (Professional Guide Service) (800-355-3113):
Rainbow Trout: Fishing for wild rainbow trout from Redding downstream below Anderson has been good with multiple hook-ups for guides both on conventional spin and fly gear. River releases from Keswick dam near Redding have remained the same at 8,250 CFS. Father and son, Paul Bradley and his 10 year old son Steffan, from Danville, Ca. boated 26 rainbow trout while out with guide Dave Jacobs on May 10th. Boats cannot pass the Cypress bridge construction in Redding from 7,000 CFS and up. Trout fishing is improving with the increased Spring flows. Side drifting small Glo Bugs in various egg pattern color combos and/or live cricket or nightcrawler with a Quickie puffball have worked well. Back trolling small Hot Shot 50's or small K-4/K-5 Kwikfish in various color combos can also be very effective for wild rainbow trout one to three pounds.
Striper: Reports of good striper fishing have come in for striper guides who find the schools of stripers in and around the Colusa/ Grimes area. Reports of good bait fishing has come in from guides fishing for stripers from anchor. Sardine/Anchovie cut bait or pile worms have worked best from anchor. Best striper action has been spread out with most activity from Colusa downstream near Grimes/Tisdale area. Some days reports of limits come in with a couple of days where striper guides are reporting working hard to bring in their limits of stripers. Backbouncing minnows or pile worms are producing nice stripers 5-12 pounds. Trolling Rebel style lures in various color combos has also brought in nice striper's. However this technique has been least effective due to low clear water conditions. Striper fishing should improve through May.
Sturgeon: Reports of good numbers of sturgeon have still come in with fish being found from Colusa downstream around the Tisdale area of the Sacramento or Sac River. Guides soaking pile worms, ghost shrimp or store-bought eel from anchor have produced most sturgeon bites.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Fish your confidence baits and the bass will respond from the shore out to 20 or 30 feet. Spawning has slowly started as the weather warms. When it does, sight-fish for bedding fish in the shallows with Brush Hogs or lizards for bedding fish, anything that will get you on top of the nests.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Kirk Portocarrero: Fishing is good, catching nice Landlocked King Salmon. Starting to see a lot of Shad, which means more big salmon. A few nice big trout, too. Early morning have been best fishing, trolling using Shad pattern lures. Fishing will keep improving as the weeks go on. Great place for kids to fish.
LAKE TAHOE - North Shore: Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (530-544-6552): Fishing has been good for Mackinaw, up to 10 pounds. We have been trolling 150-300 feet deep, going deeper later in the day. 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 trolling at Sugar Pine Point and at Dollar Point.
LAKE TAHOE - South Shore: Gene St. Denis: Fishing at the Ski Run Mound, 150-250 feet deep, with a Thunderstruck lure for Macks, 1-8 pounds.
LAKE TAHOE - East Shore: Gene St. Denis: Has been slow with 1-3 fish per trip. Toplining 20-40 feet deep, using Trophy Sticks and A/C plugs. The shore fishermen are catching 1-4 pound rainbows. They are using worms or minnows.
TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck and Linda Fields at the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550): It's been very quiet out here. A few fishermen were out and 1 or 2 fish were being caught. We even had some water skiers, already.
UPPER TWIN LAKE, CALIF: Annett's Mono Village (760-932-7071): Lots of pan-sized stringers being caught on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. A 3.25 pound rainbow on a rust Woolly Bugger fly and a 4.45 pound rainbow on a Trout Teaser.
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF: Steve Osterman:
East Walker River (From Bridgeport Dam to the Nevada Stateline): The water flow is 111 CFS. The increase in water flow should improve fishing here. Water temps are still low so try fishing in the mid-day hours. Red Serendipitys, flashy Prince Nymphs, Z-Wing Caddis and Brassies.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: We have new cooks, good food and almost good weather. Fishing is starting to pick up with a few channel catfish coming in. Trout are spawning and slow but nice sized. The trout being caught are 16-20 inches and very fat. We will have a wiper derby every week, $5 entry per week, winner take all.