A 21-pound Mackinaw trout in Cave Rock area at Tahoe

LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): The only useable ramp has been the private one at Rec. 1, along the east side of the Almanor Peninsula, but all ramps have been plowed. Eager anglers are hopeful good weather will finish melting ice so public ramps are launchable. When that happens, trout can be taken just off the bottom on a nightcrawler and roe.

CROWLEY LAKE AREA, CALIF: Steve Osterman of Performance Anglers of Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-2181:

Hot Creek: Water flow is 5 CFS. Not much has changed this last week. Best fishing continues to be during the mid-day hours. Some good dry fly action with Adams or any BWO patterns in size 18 or 20. Nymph fishing is also good with small Pheasant Tails, gray or black Midge Pupa and Brassies.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Rainbow bite has turned on even more as bright, sunny weather has taken hold, producing more and better-sized fish. Honker Cove, Coot Bay and the dam have been top fishing areas. Try Power Bait, nightcrawlers and jigging with small jigs.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Some small, bright Steelhead moved into the river just below the Outlet and up into the Low Flow Section. They seemed to prefer nightcrawlers over other offerings. Striped bass were still largely no-shows at their usual haunts this time of year around Shanghai Bend.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Fishing has been slow this past week. The ice is beginning to soften and crack in several places, but there is no open water visible yet. Ice fishing is not recommended at this time. The ice at the dam is no longer safe and the road around the lake is not yet accessible.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Anglers still ice fishing here, but warmer weather can be degrading the ice now. Best bet is to call ahead for latest conditions.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS (on the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area): Elmer Bull of Yerington reported anglers are catching some bass and catfish but nothing big, same as last week.

HINKSON SLOUGH, NEV: Elmer Bull reported that fishing is pretty slow as it was last week. The fly fishermen are not doing good. The spincasters are catching a few by letting their spoons sink to the bottom.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930) reported that as of Monday, the reservoir was almost completely free of ice. You still have to go in by way of the dirt road in Diamond Valley. A few fishermen and fishing was fair over the weekend. One angler caught a 2-pound rainbow. The first plant of the year by Alpine County will take place later this week.

OROVILLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Recent bass tournament revealed that the bass are moving up into shallow water. Lots of fish are being caught in 0-20 feet of water as opposed to 20-40 feet just a week or two ago. Anglers throwing jigs and dart-headed worms accounted for a numbers of limits with a winning weight of just over 11 pounds in the event. Cohos still on a wide open bite for anglers trolling spoons and small Rapalas. Try around the marinas and launch ramps.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF: Steven Osterman:

Upper Owens: Water flow is 76 CFS. Fishing is good with Hares Ears, Pheasant Tails, WD-40's and most standard Nymph patterns. Bring your snow shoes and hike upstream from the Benton Crossing bridge.

Lower Owens: Water flow is currently 76 CFS. The lower water flows have created some easy fishing opportunities. Good dry fly fishing with BWO patterns. Nymphing is good as well with Pheasant Tails, WD-40's and May Fly Emergers. Some Caddis starting to show.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Valerie and Linda at Crosby's Lodge at (775) 476-0400: An awesome week of fishing. Our biggest fish were: An 11-pound, 8-ounce (31 inch) by Peter Thompson of Reno who was fly fishing at Pelican Point. We also had another 11-pounder, five 10-pounders, two 9-pounders, an 8-pounder and two 7-pounders. Those fish were caught mostly by fly fishermen and boats, and they were hitting really well at Pelican Point.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store at (775) 476-0555: Fishing has been pretty good. The boats were out on Saturday, but the weather hampered them on Sunday. Most people are catching fish. Remember that "The Nets" are now closed to fishing until May 15.

PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Chris and Jeri Grellman of Sparks of Hog Charters (358-5199): We did not go out over the weekend. We went stayed home with our new black Lab pup Chloe Rose.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Dave Jacobs (Professional Guide Service) (800-355-3113):

Rainbow Trout: Fishing from Redding downstream below Anderson has been good with multiple hook-ups for anglers, both on conventional spin and fly gear. Boaters both drift and jet should exercise caution because of the low flows. Side drifting small Glo Bugs in various egg pattern color combo's and/or live cricket or nightcrawlers with a Quickie puffball have worked well. Back trolling small Hot Shots 50's or small K-4 or K-5 Kwikfish in various color combos in these low clear conditions can be very effective for wild rainbow trout one to three pounds.

Sturgeon/Striper: Reports of good sturgeon fishing have come in for anglers soaking bait in the lower Sacramento River in several promising areas. Some good keeper and oversize white sturgeon have come in mostly during night trips in places like Princeton, Colusa and Tisdale, to name a few. Those who find groups of sturgeon have reported one or two hook-ups per night. Best technique and baits have been bottom fishing from anchor with ghost shrimp and/or pile worms. Striper fishing traditionally will pick up in late March and early April.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Check out the Backbone Arm for salmon with Sling Blades and Matrix Paddle Tails or Koke-A-Nuts in 24-75 feet of water. For trout, head back to the Holiday Harbor area or try Squaw Creek, with Cripplures and Hum Dingers in brass reds or orange patterns from the surface down to 30 feet. The bass action held steady on ripbait fish or just off the bottom.

LAKE TAHOE - North Shore: Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (530-544-6552): We are catching limits or close to limits on every trip. We have been trolling 60-220 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 Neva and Dollar Points. Monday, we caught a 10-pounder (32 inches) in 65 feet of water.

LAKE TAHOE - East Shore: Gene St. Denis: The Cave Rock Landing Ramp is now totally clear of snow. On Monday, I had a report of a man and wife toplining with a "Trophy Stick" in 25 feet of water in the Cave Rock area. She caught a 21-pounder.

TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck and Linda Fields at the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550): The "Auburn" fishing group is here, there are 75 of them, with one as far away as Texas. They are fishing in boats scattered all over the lake and they are catching fish. They fished on Saturday (windy and snowy), Sunday (snowy) and today the weather is beautiful. The biggest fish in that group, so far, is 2-pounds, 4-ounces.

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 up to 69 CFS. Fishing is better. Prince Nymphs, WD-40's, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Sparkle Caddis Pupa, Stimulators and E/C Caddis. Some decent reports from anglers fishing on the Nevada side. Warmer weather should improve fishing here.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: We still have 2 feet of ice, a foot of snow on the ice and nothing is melting. We should have ice for about another 2-3 weeks. The fishing is pretty darn good, especially with mealworms.