LAKE ALMANOR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): A red hot bite continues, thanks to many hatches on the Almanor West side. Work the topwater early trolling the top 15 feet of water, with rigging offered at 5 feet, 10 feet and 15 feet. Most of these early fish have consistently been big, ranging from 3 to 4.6 pounds.
BISHOP, CALIF. AREA:
Sabrina Lake: Rick and Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425): Once again, fishing was just as GREAT as the weather although towards the end of the weekend, anglers were having to work a bit, meaning the fish just weren't jumping in the boat, a bit of effort was needed. Nightcrawlers and Power Bait were the baits of choice while Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants were the lures of choice. Fish after fish, limit after limit left the lake. Good thing the Department of Fish and Game stocked the lake Monday for the first stocking of the season.
BLUE LAKES, CALIF: Doug Busey of Douglas County reported that the Blue Lakes Road will be opened, late this Friday, as far as Lower Blue Lake. There is a lot of snow still remaining in that area.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Randy Picton: The fishing really improved this past week as air and water temperatures have climbed. Guess we have to rate it as very good to excellent this week. Many limits of 1-1.5 pound rainbows mixed in with browns up to 4.5 pounds. Trollers are top lining with Rapalas, Thomas Buoyant, and Needlefish. Flashers with worms doing well also. Bait fishermen having most success with inflated nightcrawlers or Power Bait. The fly folks are catching and releasing like crazy with Midges, Caddis, Perch streamers and San Juan Worms. Looks like were in for some unsettled weather this week but the shore fishers are doing very well off the dam and the west shore at the dam.
CAPLES LAKE, CALIF: Doug Busey reported that the marina will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning this Friday.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF: West Carson River: Dave Kirby reported it is basically blown out with water high, fast and murky. It will be planted this week. Mikaela Meeden of Gardnerville caught a 1.5 pound rainbow on Sunday on rainbow Power Bait 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: Recent warm weather has kick off the runoff and the creek has jumped up to 42 CFS. The higher flow offers more room for the fish to roam and more spots to fish. The fly selection has not changed: Small Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Nori's Caddis Pupa and WD-40's. BWO's and E/C Caddis on the surface. The surface action has slowed with the higher water flow.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Ed Dillard (Dillard Guided Fishing) (530-832-6394): I fished Wed., Thu. and Sun. 16 on Wed., 38 on Thu., and 20+ on Sunday. Mostly 14-16 inch fish. Sunday one 4.5 lb fish. Copper redhead again was the best.
DAVIS LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Great fishing, and trollers are getting most of the rainbow action here, pulling lures like Wee Dick Nites, Needlefish, Rainbow Runners and Woolly Buggers. From the bank, nightcrawlers with Trout Dip, or rainbow Power Bait on a sliding sinker will work. Best bank bets are Honker Cove and Mallard Cove.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Shad are jammed up at Shanghai Rapids, unable to go any farther upstream because of the low flows (1,200 CFS). Anglers were catching to 50 an outing (especially in the evening) on Chartreuse Teeny Rounders, impaled on a red head 1/8-ounce jighead. There were a few reports of striped bass being caught last week, all the way to the mouth of the Feather. The river is still open to salmon fishing, at least until the new regulations come out (expected in July). This is to allow anglers to keep one spring run king which is not believed to be in as much trouble as the fall run salmon.
FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Good bank fishing reported at both the dam and at Lunker Point. Best bet is to float the worms just off bottom under a bobber or with green glitter marshmallows. Lures like Panther Martins, spinners and small frog-pattern lures have also been working.
HINKSON SLOUGH, NEV: Elmer Bull: The bass fishing has picked up with the hot weather. Two guys caught 15 bass, up to 3 pounds. They were using dark colored rubber worms.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): Water level is low and no fishing reports.
JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Flow in Rush Creek is up to 87 CFS. The increase in water flow is carrying lots of food and stuff into Grant Lake, so try Grant at the mouth of Rush Creek with minnow imitations such as Zonkers, Matukas and olive Woolly Buggers. In the creek, try Stone Fly Nymphs, Flashback Hare's Ears, olive Caddis Larva and sparkle Caddis Pupa.
KINNEY RESERVOIR, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported that there is some open water and fishing has been slow.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV: Missy Swain and Shirley at Burke's Market at Silver Springs (775-577-2750): The water level is low but the Carson River is flowing into the reservoir. We have had lots and lots of fishermen and the fishing has been spectacular. They are catching all kinds of Walleye, catfish, white bass and some small Wipers. The Walleye fishing has been amazing with an 8.5 pounder caught from shore by the dam. There was a 6-7 pound catfish caught by the mouth of the river. If you plan to fish from a boat, check with the park rangers about launching due to the low water.
MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Mammoth Lakes Basin: The recent heat wave should warm the surface water in the lakes and fishing should pick up in the next few days. Twin Lakes is improving in the middle and upper lakes. 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. Road is still closed at Twin but should open soon.
OWENS RIVER, CALIF: Steven Osterman:
Upper Owens: Water flow is 68 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 609 CFS. Try the Upper Owens!
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Chris and Jeri Grellman of Hog Charters in Sparks at 358-5199 (home) or Chris at 221-4014 (cell): Got 5 on Saturday at Hell's Kitchen and 12 on Warrior Point on Sunday. Nothing big.
PYRAMID LAKE, NEV: Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at Pyramid Lake at (775) 575-7850 (home) or (775) 813-3411 (Cell): It has been slow. We are having to work hard for our fish and nothing of any size.
RED LAKE, CALIF: Dave Kirby reported fishing was fair one day and then slowed down. Lots of fishermen over the weekend.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Anglers have been adjusting to the restriction against taking boats under the Cypress Street Bridge. There's a short float for jetboats from Posse Grounds to the bridge, or they can float downstream from Bonneview. Jetboats can go back upstream while driftboaters have to work a shuttle. Fishing was good for native trout to 3 pounds, especially on Glo-Bugs in the morning. The bite slowed down by mid-morning, and spin fishermen were switching to crickets and small Hot Shots. Fly fishers were using Caddis and May Fly imitations under indicators.
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 fluctuated this past week but have stabilized at 10,000 CFS. Very good trout fishing is being reported from Redding downstream to Red Bluff. Trout fishing should really improve with the increased flows in late May and June for wild rainbow trout 1-3 pounds with the occasional big trout of 4 plus pounds. Boats cannot pass the Cypress bridge construction in Redding from 7,000 CFS and up. Side drifting small Glo Bugs in various egg color combos and/or live cricket or nightcrawlers with a Quickie Puffball have worked well. Back trolling small Hot Shots 50's or small K-4/K-5 Kwikfish in various color combos can also be very effective. American shad are starting to show in the upper reaches of the Sacramento river below Red Bluff with better scores of shad in late May and June in this area.
Striper: Reports of good striper fishing have come in for guides who find the schools of new stripers in and around the Colusa/Grimes area. Many of the early season stripers have been spawning with the higher water temps from this past week's hot weather, however new stripers are still around the Colusa area and much cooler weather is expected this week. Reports of good bait fishing has come in from guides for keeper size 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 the Grimes/Tisdale area. 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 stripers, however this technique has been least effective due to low clear water conditions. Striper fishing can continue through June.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500): Use larger jig heads if wind is blowing to get you on the bottom for bass as they start to move onto beds. For sight-fish bedding fish in the shallows try Brush Hogs or lizards, anything that will get you on top of the nests.
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF: Kirk Portocarrero: Fishing is fair to good, catching nice Landlocked King Salmon and rainbow trout. Early mornings have been best fishing, trolling using Shad pattern lures. Fishing will get better as we move into the summer months, expect more fish and limits of fish 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 was a zoo this weekend. Some fishermen and lots of water skiers and jet skis. One boat got its limit (all over 2 pounds) by stillfishing at the south end with rainbow Power Bait.
UPPER TWIN LAKE, CALIF: Annett's Mono Village (760-932-7071): A 4.25 pound rainbow on yellow Power Bait, a 4-pound, 1-ounce rainbow on Gulp and a 3-pound rainbow on a nightcrawler.
VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF: Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort: The lakes are about 1/4 water and 3/4 very thin ice. Both Trumbull and Little Virginia will be thawed in less than 5 days, and I'm giving Big Virginia about 10 days, as it has the thickest ice. Weather has been incredibly warm topping out at 74 degrees. You could get a great tan being this close to the sun.
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF: Steve Osterman:
East Walker River (From Bridgeport Dam to the Nevada Stateline): The water flow is 118 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.