Northern Nevada and California fishing report for Feb. 16-23

Here is the Fishing Report for the week of Feb. 16-23:

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
Current water surface temperatures are at 35.5 degrees with water clarity at 7.5 feet. It has been sunny all week as forecasted. With the afternoon highs moving into mid to low 50s, and more sunshine is on the way, with the next possibility of some rain near mid week.

Lake Almanor access is excellent. Canyon Dam and the USFS ramps are open. Private ramps on the peninsula's Rec. Areas #1 and #2 are also open, both basins are ice free.

Lake Almanor is still cold, water surface temps are holding below 36 degrees. The fish are moving slow and they are scattered all over the lake, and it seemed like there was no real hot trolling lanes established yet. Fishermen have caught a fish here and there, just trolling around the entire east basin. You have to work a little longer for your dinner these days.
Silver, Needle fish and Speedy Shiners rigged from 5 to 15ft. down seemed to be the trolling ticket, hooking a mix of Rainbows and Browns. Most of these fish were plants from last year and are looking pretty good for February, plump rather than slender.

Geritol Cove has been the most pressured area the past week, from boat or shore line, there's always a few anglers around, and they are catching fish on a variety of bait applications like Power Baits, salmon eggs, crawlers and even jigs. The second most pressured area this week is the cove in the back at Big Springs, Salmon eggs worked back along the bottom gets Rainbows to occasionally strike.

In general fishing pressure has been on the light side, as usual for February. However, this year’s winter access has never been better for this high elevation lake, and fishing on sun sparkled water sure beats watching another rerun of "Caddyshack."

Lake levels are still low, watch for hazards. Almanor winds can be dangerous. Watch for hazards, there's submerged stumps all along the shoreline and known shallow areas these days.

Smaller boats not advised if wind is forecasted.
Dress for cold morning conditions.
— Courtesy of Doug Neal.

BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reported:
The road is closed for the winter.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209) 258-8888 www.capleslakeresort.com reported:

The weather is cold and crisp with beautiful sunny blue skies.
The ice is about 2 feet thick topped with about 2 feet of firm snow.
People continue to snowshoe and ski across the lake and ice fisherman are walking out without snowshoes to drill their ice fishing  holes at both the spillway and the dam.

There is plenty of plowed out parking on California Highway 88 and easy access to the lake. The weather forecast is for good weather until next Tuesday  February 15 and then a weather change finally occurring. YIPPEE.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reported:

Low and clear. Steelhead are throughout the system.
Anglers fishing smaller baits and lighter line are doing the best. 
Boat and bank angling pressure is light.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reported:
A few bass have been showing up, but no trout due to the pike infestation. Pike fishing has also been poor. There are few if any trout left in the lake also due to the pike infestation.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeanne of the J & J Grizzly Store (530) 832-0270 www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com reported:

There have been a few ice fishermen near the dam. The thickness is reported to be about four and a half inches at Mallard Cove and about eight inches at the dam. The ice is starting to thin and melt along the bank. Due to the colder weather at night, it is re-freezing; but it is still thin. There is no official monitoring of the ice thickness; so please use EXTREME CAUTION when going on the ice! 

A nice five plus pounder was recently caught. Fish are being caught at the dam, Coots Bay, and Mallard Cove, also on the other side of the island from Mallard Cove. The fishermen that stopped in the store were using nightcrawlers, Power Bait in Rainbow and Chartreuse; but jigs are also working well.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reported:

Action for rainbow and tiger trout is slow to moderate on this Lincoln County reservoir. The ice is about eight-inches thick, but there is some water on top of the ice during warm afternoons.
Anglers are finding success with Power Bait in a variety of colors.
Worms are catching the fish as well.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reported:

Rank ice dominates this reservoir. Ice fishing is not recommended. There is some open water at the reservoir's upper end.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:

It’s been spring like weather lately and that hasn’t done the steelie fishing any favors. Feather River steelhead fishing is continuing to slowdown. The fish are tougher to catch and have been well educated. Consequently, there have been few if any anglers fishing below the hatchery. There have been a few fish caught on nightcrawlers and various worm baits by bank anglers fishing just below the Table Mountain Bicycle Bridge, mostly dark fish that have been through the hatchery cycle already.

The visibility is about ten feet and the temperature in the Low Flow has been between 47-50 degrees.

While traditional upriver steelhead techniques had been working for both Fly and Spin anglers, the fishing has been tougher as the water clears. As the water warms and insect activity increases, anglers should remember to key in on those blue wing olive Mayflies and Caddis hatches as feeding activity will bust wide open once the water temps reach the mid fifties as insect hatches start occurring daily.

Spincasters have been catching fish on nightcrawlers and spinners or spoons. Various trout worms have been effective baits in natural, pink, or red colors, either rigged to drift, or cast on a small jig head.
Courtesy of Craig Bentley and JD Richey.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530) 993-4683 reported:

Fishing has been excellent at the lake this week.
Catching limits of Rainbow Trout, fishermen have been using nightcrawlers and some jigs (Chartreuse and orange). The dam is still the favorite spot, but others are getting around to Lunker's and Frenchman's. There are spots of open water, but for the most part the lake is still frozen.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:

The ice at the dam is about five to seven inches thick, but it is getting slushy on top. BE CAREFUL!  Fishermen are catching their limits of rainbow trout at the dam using nightcrawlers. They are catching average size rainbows. You can get around the lake with a four-wheel drive, and fishermen have been lucky near Frenchmen's Campground. Most are walking down to the lake.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Elmer Bull of Yerington reported that the fishing was very slow on the Opening Day of the 2011 season.

HINKSON SLOUGH, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Elmer Bull of Yerington reported that a large group of 15 fly fishermen only caught one fish by lunch time on the Opening Day.
There was a report of a couple of other fishermen catching and releasing a total of 26 fish between them on the Opener.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reported:
Water flow is 7 CFS. The BWO's are starting to show up and dry fly fishing has improved. Try a parachute Adams with a BWO emerger as a dropper.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reported:
Water Conditions:
Good. Flows are steady at about 21 CFS as of Feb. 11.Paved road to entrance of Hot Creek ranch is plowed and dry.  Access to the canyon section and Interpretive Center sections are a walk over packed snow.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Red Hot. Warmer weather lately has flipped the switch and the fish are on the grab big time. Granite popped a cool 40 fish starting about 9 am.
Nothing much happening real early but then the Midges go off first, followed by a major BWO happening starting about noon.
Middle of the day even go big (#16) and buggy (PT's, Hares Ears, etc) sub surface as once the feeding starts they are not very choosey.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reported:

Wick Cobes of South Lake Tahoe caught two 18-inch browns and one 4-pound rainbow with trolling with an orange Rapala lure from his kayak.
Saturday an 8-pound rainbow was caught and released by a fly fisherman, using a cinnamon Woolly Bugger fly. Sunday was spotty due to the wind blowing off and on. Today (Monday), it is very windy.

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reported:
Colorado River:
Anglers have found success for rainbow trout from Davis Camp south to the bridge and along Casino Row. The Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery stocking plan called for a rainbow trout plant in the area on Feb. 8.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reported:

Debris continues to be a safety issue for boaters in the Overton Arm, especially near the upper end. Striper action has been sluggish and sporadic though anglers are hooking fish. One lucky fisherman reeled in a 13-pound striper while throwing swimbaits off the beaches near Hemenway, and word is that a 10-pound fish was caught in the same area.
Anglers are still finding live shad in the Vegas Wash area and using them to catch striped bass.

Trout anglers are finding good action for stocked rainbows following the Nevada Department of Wildlife trout plants at Crawdad Cove. The fish tend to hold well in the cove.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reported:

Rainbow trout fishing is good immediately following the weekly fish plants at Willow Beach, but frustrated anglers say the trout aren't staying in the area very long. Striper action is slow to fair; however, there are reports of anglers catching 10- to 20-pound fish.

Near Cottonwood Cove action is only poor to fair for stripers and catfish.
Anglers participating in the Ultimate Bass tournament over the weekend found good action for bucket mouths. The winning weight topped 18 pounds with a big fish pushing six pounds.

NORTH POND, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Elmer Bull of Yerington reported that he, his son and his daughter’s boy friend fished for three hours on the Opening Day (Saturday) and they only caught one dinky fish. They did not see anyone else catch a fish.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reported:

Fishing for rockfish and lingcod has been good when the ocean has been “calm.” Concentrate your fishing near rocky outcroppings and drop-offs. Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is now open outside of the 40 fathom curve.

A few lingcod and rockfish are being caught along the jetties inside the bays. Effective baits to use for lingcod are bouncing a jig with a big plastic tail or bouncing a herring near the bottom. There have been a few reports of surfperch being caught.

To fish for surfperch look for places that have riptides or areas that has steeper beaches. Best fishing is usually on an incoming tide with ocean swells less than 6 feet. Sand shrimp or sand worms are great baits to use for surfperch. 

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reported:
Upper Owens River:
Water flow 126 CFS. Closed from Benton Crossing downstream to Crowley Lake. Open to fishing up stream from the Benton Crossing Bridge.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is a bit better with the nicer weather.
A few Mayflys and Midges hatching sporadically.
Parachute Adams on the surface and WD-40's and small flashback Pheasant Tails under the surface.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow 88 CFS.  Recent spring-like weather has the May fly hatch under way. Use the same flies and techniques as Hot Creek.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reported:
Upper Owens River:
Water Conditions:
As of 2/11 flows are steady at 126 CFS, above the Hot Creek confluence Water is cold and clear. Access is over several feet of packed snow - not bad walking along the bank thought where the snow is about gone.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Good. Recent warmer weather has gotten the slow fish more active and better results for those walking past the troops and farther from Benton Crossing. Midges early, then some Baetis starting to rise midday. Fish subsurface or pull streamers for best results.
Owens River Gorge:
Water conditions:
Great. Flow: 45 CFS. This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP. Water is clear and cold.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Good. Possibly a good bet but a little snow on the trails down. Be careful.
Lower Owens River:
Water Conditions:
Flows are steady at about 87 CFSas of 2/4, perfect for wading.
Water is pretty clear and getting much warmer like 5 to 8 degrees.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Red Hot. Clients are taking 30-40 fish in a full-day session.
Spring is a happening . . . warmer weather, warmer water, fish are moving out of slow moving water and the bite is now like from 8:30 to 4.
Midges coming off early and again in the late afternoon.  If you see some fish sipping, try a Griffith's Gnat on top besides Nymphs subsurface.

HUGE BWO hatch midday. Bushes are full of them and sipathon ensues.
A Caddis or two have also been showing midday so if you see some go to a fat Pheasant Tail — a perfect pattern to match the Caddis pupa subsurface.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775) 476-0555 www.fishpyramid.com reported:

It is very windy today (Monday). Fishing has been good for everyone: The shore fishermen, the boats and the fly guys are all catching fish.
The boats are scattered all over the lake: North, south, this side and across.
George (Cutthroat Charters) had a charter on Saturday, and they caught 16 fish and lost another 16, with some nice fish being caught.
We had a report of a 16-pounder caught and released, and some 11-pounders being caught.
Saturday was slow for the fly guys and the got a lot of casting practice.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
There are trout near Redding and some sturgeon down below.
Trout fishing continues to improve from Redding down to Anderson as the river drops out.

Fly fishermen have been fishing Rubber Legged Stones and some sub-surface Caddis stuff while the spin crowd is doing well drifting Glo Bugs and ‘crawlers. Down below, there are sturgeon between Verona and Knights Landing, but not loads of them.
Water temps are still running cold — 48-49 degrees thanks to the ever-present fog — and that’s made the fishing a little tougher.
A few fish are rolling at night at the color line at the mouth of the Feather and rumor has it a 43-pound striper was caught there this week too.
Courtesy of JD Richey.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
With the Upper Sac flows now below 900 CFS, more and more locations are becoming fishable. The river should continue its slow drop until the next big storm so right now is prime time winter fishing.

It's predominately a Nymphing game now. The dry/dropper setup may produce a fish or two but your best success will come from running nymphs. Fishermen are using a 6 or 7 weight and 3x and 4x tippet with either a 7 1/2 or 9 feet 3x leader. Recommendations are to use 3/0 or AB and lots, these fish are near the bottom. Combine big and small, size 6-10 rubber leg with a size 14-18 nymph.

The most successful rubber leg has been the Jimmy Leg and recommended Nymphs are the Ted Fay Winter P.T., Gordon Prince and S&M.
The window is mid day, forget early and late this time of the year, be in the water starting at 10 a.m. and off at about 4 p.m.
Courtesy of Ted Fay Fly Shop.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
The best bet lately has been the trout fishing.
Trollers working the dam area in the top 10 feet have been doing well on mostly rainbows (with some browns) in the 1- 4 pound range while dragging Kastmasters Speedy Shiners and Cripplures.
Bass fishing has been pretty good for spots, but they are very much on the dinky side. The majority are going to be 12 inches. Throw Senkos, grubs and drop-shot gear down on the rocks as deep as 40 feet.
— Courtesy of JD Richey.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reported:

The Smith is open for adipose fin-clipped Steelhead and Chinook from mouth to Spencer Creek and North Fork from mouth upstream to Johnson Creek. This area is open to striped bass year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size.
Fishing on the mainstem Smith from Spencer Creek upstream to Sisters Creek and the North Fork from Johnson Creek to bridge 10 opened for adipose fin-clipped steelhead on Dec. 1.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530) 544-6552 www.blueribbonfishing.com reported:
North Shore:
Lots of wind lately and when we can get out, we’ve been getting limits of Mackinaw Trout (averaging 2-6 pounds), with some larger Macks running up to double digits in weight.
We have been trolling at The Tavern Hole, Cal Neva Point, Dollar Point and Sugar Pine Point, 110-220 feet deep, with either Dodgers and minnows or Dodgers and large Trophy Stick lures.
East Shore:
Shore fishing at Cave Rock Landing has been slow for small rainbows and an occasional brown or Mack.
Remember that the boat ramp closes at 4:00 p.m. each day during the winter.
The Sand Harbor boat ramp may be opening on March 01 on a limited basis.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
The River is low and clear!
There are fishable numbers of steelies from Lewiston down to Baghdad but the water is so low and clear now that stealth is the key.
Water temps are also cold, so fishing a little later in the day is not a bad call. Fly fishermen have mainly been fishing Copper Johns and Stones under indicators, though there are some swing fish to be had as well if you have the patience.
Pulling small Hot Shots or drifting eggs and nightcrawlers are all working for the conventional fishermen.
— Courtesy of JD Richey.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reported:
East Walker River:
Water Conditions:  
Flows steady for 8 days at 112 CFS as of 2/11. Water temps are coming up and fish more active everyday. Access much better.
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Good. Warmer weather has improved hatches. Still a midday thing but getting going about 10 now. Nymphing still producing best but surface action about noon. 

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reported:
East Walker River:
Water flow 112 CFS. Fishing is picking up. Nymph fish with Golden Stone Fly Nymphs and gray or red Midge pupa. 


YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AREA, CALIF:
The Tioga Pass Highway (California S.R. 120) to Yosemite (from the east side) is closed for the winter. Tioga Pass has an elevation of 9,943 feet, making it the highest automobile pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.