Don Q's fishing report for week of Jan. 16-22

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and parts of Oregon. This report is for the week of Jan. 16-22.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing pressure is light and very little wind coming through the lake.
The Canyon Dam ramp has been removed for repairs. The USFS ramp access road is now plowed, but the ramp has been removed.
Rec 1 access road, parking area and turn around spots have not been plowed yet. Rec 2 is plowed and accessible to smaller boats wanting to launch.
Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

AMERICAN RIVER, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916-388-1956) reports:
STEELIES AROUND, GENERALLY SLOW.
The American’s opener was very good, but since January 1, it seems most of the fish flushed up into the hatchery and basin — or developed a severe case of lockjaw. There are still some beautiful 10-pound class steelhead being caught every day but the action has really dropped off for boaters.
The Nimbus Basin bite was solid but a sea lion…yes, a sea lion…showed up above the weir and mucked everything up. Probably the same one that had been posting up around Gristmill last weeK.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road has been closed for the season, so there will be no more fishing reports for Angel Lake until it opens next spring.

BIG SPRINGS RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the last day in February 2013.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

BLUE LAKES, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road is closed.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
About 1 foot of ice under about 1-2 feet of snow.
Ice fishermen are fishing by the dam and the spillway.

CARSON RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CARSON RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013, above Hangman's Bridge.

CATNIP RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Steelhead are spread throughout the river, the lower river producing the best.
Boat anglers side drifting small clusters of eggs or yarn balls seems to be producing the best.
Bank anglers have also been enjoying some success either plunking spin and glows or drifting some eggs.
Bank access on the Chetco River is really good, with some of the most popular spots being Social Security, Loeb State Park and Ice Box.
In 2013 ODFW is collecting angler caught steelhead broodstock for the hatchery program on the Chetco River.
Anglers fishing the river may notice that some adult steelhead are being held in drift boat live boxes or in river live boxes. Anglers retaining steelhead for this program must be signed up through ODFW. Anglers interested in this program or would like more information can contact the ODFW Gold Beach Field Office (541-247-7605) for more information.
ODFW does not maintain a hatchery facility on the Chetco River and all adult steelhead must be captured from the Chetco River and hauled to Elk River Hatchery to be spawned. Once the eggs hatch, steelhead juveniles are reared to about 1 year old before being returned to the Chetco River as smolts that will then head to the ocean.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916-388-1956) reports:
Well, the Chetco has been pumping out some pretty good steelhead fishing this week for side-drifters working down from Ice Box or Leob.
The flows are, however, getting down towards the skinny side and the bite is likely to get tougher without another shot of rain.
Guide Mike Stratman has been getting some nice chromers up there.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK. CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
01/14/13
The ice fishing continues to be very good at Frenchman Lake.
The road is plowed to the dam, but you cannot access much of the rest of the lake right now. The ice remains at least 6 inches thick at the dam.
Mike Pflimlin from Cold Springs caught 4 rainbows and lost 1 between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm on January 8th.
On 01/12/13 Mark W. From Reno caught his limit of 5 fish using worms and going about 30 feet deep.
Please call us for current conditions and updates on the fishing.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in February 2013.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2013.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is up to 21 CFS. Zero insect activity. Extremely cold temps. Mammoth registered -9 degrees this morning.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
Ely, which is the nearest city to the reservoir, reported a record-breaking low temperature of -24 degrees on Sunday night, January 13.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
It is frozen over and do not try to get there on the paved road.

JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Unfortunately, Jiggs has dried up.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing is great and many fish are coming out at 5 pounds. Weather has been cold during the day, but good fishing will continue through most of March. Try using egg patterns in shrimp pink, Salmon-Egg, and steelhead orange.
A good fly to have on the Klamath is Pat’s Brown Rubber Leg.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.
Fishing Guides: Marble Mountain Guest Ranch

KNOTT CREEK RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing is good during January with many Trout in the lake. The best fishing is happening north of the marina during the afternoon. #16-18 Peusdo Mays, Zebra Midges, and Lightnin’s Biot Baetis are fishing well.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2013.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Hinkson Slough – North Pond – West Walker River
Closed until the second Saturday in February 2013.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The recreational Dungeness crabbing is open in the ocean.
Fishing for bottom fish including rockfish, ling cod, and cabezon is open at all depths until April 1.
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish. There are separate daily limits for lingcod (two) and flatfish other than Pacific halibut (25).

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Bass fishing on Oroville is great!
Reports of catches are from surface all the way to 35 feet deep.
Anglers recommend soft plastics; dart heads, drop shots, wacky rigs, and texas rigs in browns and greens. Throwing a line in running water working best with spinner baits and crank baits, mud lines are great right now.
Rising water levels are causing more debris and driftwood floating just under surface.
Courtesy of Jason Bubier.

OWENS RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Fly Fishing Guide Service (760-935-4250)
(www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
The winter of 2013 will be remembered by the string of days where the temps dip double digits below zero in the upper valleys. Winter is supposed to be cold around here, however this one is turning out to be extraordinary with regards to the consistent low temps throughout the month of January.
Relief is in sight according to the NWS and we should see temps begin to normalize from now until the end of the month. No significant storms are forecast to hit the region in the ten day outlook as well.
The extreme cold has made the previously excellent fishing on the Upper Owens much slower.
There have been mornings where the LADWP has released water from the Rush Creek diversion and the inlet to the hydroelectric facility at Pleasant Valley Reservoir. This exercise prevents ice build up in their pipelines and puts large amounts of free floating ice and super cooled, low d.o. water into the UO and PV. Not good for the fish.
The “rat holing” of water this time of year should be looked at to prevent fish kills which have occurred at PV in the past. Like Mark Twian said, “whiskey’s for drinking, waters for fighting!”

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current flow is 82 CVFS. Section up stream of the Benton Crossing Bridge is open all year. Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Nymph fishing is the best bet. Try WD-40's , pheasant tails and caddis larva. Fishing is slow with the very cold and wintery conditions.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow down to 99 CFS. Fishing has slowed due to recent snow and below zero temps. Baetis hatch is over and midge patterns are the most effective. Red jujube midge, small Stevies Wonders and WD-40's.

PAHRANAGAT WILDLIFE REFUGE, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding some success at the upper marsh for panfish and catfish.
Mealworms or night crawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Pit are #3 has the best water conditions this week. Rainbows have enjoyed nymphs that have a dark color with rubber legs, #6-10. Useful flies are Pat’s Rubber Legs, Zack’s Thermanator Dark Stone, and BH Helgramite.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop
Fishing Guides: The Fly Shop and Ted Fay Fly Shop.

RED LAKE, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
About 1 foot of ice under a little more than 1 foot of snow.
Temperature was -14 degrees on Sunday morning.

SACRAMENTO RIVER DELTA, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916-388-1956) reports:
STURGEON TOP BET
The fishing here is mainly a sturgeon show at the moment, with the best action coming from the PG&E Plant as well as the upper reaches of Cache Slough on the north delta.
Cold, dirty water has made striper fishing a tough bet lately.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
River flows are at 4,460 CFS and fishing this week is great.
Water conditions are clearing and lightening.
Anglers using #6-8 Rubber Legs, #12-14 PT Nymphs are being successful.
Big Rainbows are coming out of the river!
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly Fishing:
As of January 13, 2013, water flow is currently 4,500 CFS.
Fly fishing Sacramento River in Redding, water is clear at the Posse Grounds and catching Rainbows in the Redding area. 
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing has been excellent, including several steelhead, FANTASTIC!
Egg patterns are working best now. Also Pheasant Tail # 14, Gordon Prince nymphs # 16, Cinnamon Pupahs # 14. 
Our guides are fishing daily, call or email us today.
We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. 
All fly fishing gear is included on our guided fly fishing trips.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California fly fishing
for wild rainbow trout.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916-388-1956) reports:
SLOW OVERALL
The overall fishing scene in the Bay & out the Gate is slow.
Rock fishing is closed and boats are mainly prepping to focus on crab/sand dab trips….when the weather cooperates.
I talked to Capt James Smit on Thursday at the ISE show and he said that the market squid spawn was immense out where he crabs and that, when the little critters hatch, the ocean will be alive with feed.
Good news for all local fish species!
Inside the bay, there are some sturgeon & bass hanging in San Pablo around the Pumphouse area.
Chatting with Super Angler Angelo Cuanang yesterday backstage at the California Sportsmen’s Theatre, he noted that he and his brother Angelo caught herring in the South Bay, so it looks like a spawn is about to happen.

SAN JOAQUINN/RED'S MEADOW, CALIF:
Road is now closed for the season.
Reopens by 4th of July weekend usually.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
January 13, 2012 Shasta Lake guided fishing-
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. Lake Shasta fishing is fair to good. Some days have been better than others, but still catching Rainbow trout. We are catching mostly Rainbow Trout on the surface and also about 40 feet deep. The Dry Creek area, using Cripp Lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
Anglers, book now for the Spring Break.
Lake Shasta is place to be for lots of action and great trout & salmon.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing is good for some and harder for others. Anglers have been reporting catching rainbow trout this week. They seem to be near the surface and at 40 ft. around the Dry Creek area. Try using Wiggle Hoochies or Cripp Lures.

Courtesy of AA Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing.
Fishing Guide: Phil's Propeller.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Steelhead will start entering the Smith River. There is no hatchery program up the Smith River so the angling opportunity will primarily be catch and release of wild steelhead.

SMITH RIVER AND CHETCO RIVER:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
January 13 , 2013 Smith River Steelhead fishing report
Catch big steelhead on the Smith River and Chetco River.
We are fishing for steelhead now.
January, February, & March are the prime months to catch monster Steelhead on the Smith River.
Steelhead fishing on the Chetco is great. The catch has been good averaging 2 to 4 fish per day, depending on level of experience of angler.
All day trips, with amazing views, and catching nice bright steelhead.
It's time to go steelhead fishing on the Chetco River and Smith River.
Let's go. Book today by calling or email.
For accommodations for lodging we suggest staying in Smith River, California or Brookings, Oregon when steelhead fishing the Smith River or Steelhead fishing the Chetco River.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been great for some, while others have to work a bit harder.
Highway 299 is snowy and icy so be careful, and check road conditions before heading out. Suspending Nymphs under an indicator, stripping buggers and leeches, swinging muddlers or PT nymphs will get hook ups. HYPERLINK "http://www.theflyshop.com" C HYPERLINK "http://www.theflyshop.com" ourtesy of The Fly Shop.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
January 13, 2012 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS.
RED HOT STEELHEAD FISHING ON THE TRINITY RIVER.
Picking up nice Steelhead. Steelhead Fishing is fantastic! 
Red hot, Excellent fishing for Steelhead on the Trinity River from Lewiston to Pigeon Point is fishing very well.
With 12 to 18 hook ups a day now. 
Flies working best are Stone flies, Copper John's, and Egg patterns.
Egg patterns working better in the morning hours, then turning to flies later in the day. Steelhead in early morning in shallow riffles and the later in the afternoon, steelhead are moving into the deep holes. 
Bait fisherman using lures and producing nice Steelhead, as well.
We are fishing for steelhead on the Trinity River from now through the month of March.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lake since 2009. Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow has been up and down and is now 33 CFS. Fishing is tough.
Cold, cold, cold.
WD-40's, Buckskin Nymphs, Copper John's and Prince Nymphs.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

WASHOE LAKE, WAHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Washoe Lake dried up in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor. 

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
Reported a low of -25 degrees for Monday evening.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is poor for the warm water species here, and with few trout in this lake, there will be no new reports on this water until spring.

— Writer Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now and www.SouthTahoeNow.com. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com