LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): With the public ramp usable now, anglers can launch and work the seasonal stream inflows and deep holes on the east side. A threaded nightcrawler scented with Pro-Core garlic, worked 2 to 3 cranks off the bottom is a standard here.
DAVIS CREEK POND IN WASHOE VALLEY: Planted on March 24 with 552 rainbow trout, 9.7 inches in length.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Some open water showing along the edges and the ice looks thin. Use extreme caution out on the ice.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Even better ice fishing this past week as the fish have dispersed around the lake. Fish are coming from 5 to 15 feet of water on worm and marshmallow, small jigs with a nightcrawler and Power Bait. Secret: Smaller baits work best under the ice due to slower metabolism and fish being less aggressive.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): There were a very few small Steelhead being caught in the Low Flow Section and below the Outlet, but action was slow. A few stripers were being caught around Shanghai Bend, mostly on lures, but fishing was slow, and, with the low flows, few stripers were moving up the Feather.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): Fishing conditions are slowly improving. Water is opening up along the shore at the dam. There is also some open water on the northwest side going towards Lunker Point. You still can not drive around the lake. People are getting as far as Frenchman Campground.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Same report as last week: 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.
HINKSON SLOUGH, NEV: Planted on March 27 with 1,518 rainbow trout, 10.0 inches in length.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930) reported that there were a fair number of fishermen on both Saturday and Sunday. They has some limited success including a 2-pounder on worms. It was windy on Sunday.
OROVILLE LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Same report as last week: Coho fishing still wide open. Shore anglers are using Power Bait and live minnows. Boaters are trolling small spoons and Rapalas or mooching with Anchovy tails and minnows. Some of the fish are running 14-16 inches. Bass fishermen are working worms, jigs, spoons, and tubes down 25 to 30 feet for the majority of the bass. There are some pre-spawn fish in the shallows responding to crankbaits, depending on the water temperature.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Valerie at Crosby's Lodge at (775) 476-0400: We had a good week of fishing. The biggest cutthroat checked in was 11-pounds, 11-ounces (31 inches). It was caught by Al Miller of Pyramid Lake with a white Flatfish lure at the Marina. We weighed a total of 14 other fish that weighed from 4 to 11 pounds, with most in the 9-pound class. All of the 14 except for one at the Marina and one at the Separator were caught at Pelican.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store at (775) 476-0555: Pelican has been getting most of the action, especially from the Fly Guys. They have also been fly fishing at Wino Beach and a little bit at Warrior Point. Pelican is now the new "Nets." Beetle is the most popular fly for fly guys.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Chris and Jeri Grellman of Hog Charters in Sparks at 358-5199 (home) or Chris at 221-4014 (cell): Pelican is on fire. I Had charters on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, the lake was like the ocean with 4-5 foot waves from the wind. We caught 18 fish, trolling Apex lures 26-30 feet deep in 80 feet of water at Pelican. Sunday, we caught an 8-pounder and a 7-pounder and lost a huge fish after 12 minutes of fighting in the same area. There are a lot of fly fishermen at Pelican and it is like a circus.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at Pyramid Lake at (775) 575-7850 (home) or (775) 813-3411 (Cell): Pelican is red hot! My boss, Scott Berge of Reno, got a 10-pounder from the beach with a TOR-P-DO lure. On our charters, we have been getting good numbers of fish (average of 10 per trip) but nothing huge. We are trolling Apex or Flatfish lures.
RED LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that there is still some 40 inches of ice. One ice fisherman on Sunday limited out on brookies with worms. Some other fishermen were catching some fish.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Trout fishing continued to be excellent, and the Caddis hatch is beginning, so just about any small Caddis-imitating Nymph fished under an indicator has been good. However, some bigger Stonefly Nymphs have been effective, too. Waders have been having their best opportunity in years to catch the Sac's big rainbows because of the low flows. Spinfishermen have been throwing spinners.
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 angler's, both on conventional spin and fly gear. River releases from Keswick dam near Redding have been low, averaging 3200 CFS, making for very low clear fishing conditions. Side drifting small Glo Bugs in various egg pattern color combos and/or live cricket or nightcrawlers 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 in these low clear conditions can be very effective for wild rainbow trout one to three pounds.
Sturgeon: 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.
Striper: Fishing has improved for anglers in the right place at the right time. Fish have been caught from Princeton downstream below Grimes. Sardine cut bait fishing from anchor has worked as well as backbouncing minnows or pile worms producing nice stripers to 10 pounds. Trolling Rebel style lures in various color combos has also brought in nice stripers. Striper fishing should improve through April.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): It was all about the bass bite here this week as good weather, and warming conditions helped fish to stage. Ripping baits from 4 to 11 feet down off main body points found the majority of fish but darter-head worms, Senkos, drop-shot worms and tubes were also productive.
LAKE TAHOE - North Shore: Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters at South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (530-544-6552): Fishing has been on the slow side. 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.
LAKE TAHOE - East Shore: Gene St. Denis: Shore fishing at the Cave Rock landing is very, very slow.
TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck and Linda Fields at the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550): Not much to report. It was pretty quiet last week. A few fish were caught with flashers and nightcrawlers in the middle of the lake. Not a lot of shore fishermen. The water level is coming up, but it is just creeping due to the cold weather in the mountains.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, NEV: Dennis Dunn at the Wild Horse Resort (775) 758-6472: We still have 20 inches of ice and it will be fishable for another two weeks. No fishing report due to lack of fishermen.