Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for the week of Feb. 27

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Feb. 27, 2014. As a reminder, the new fishing license year for Nevada begins on March 1.

ADOBE POND, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This lake is frozen and the road is snow covered. Travel isn’t recommended and there will not be a report on this lake until next spring.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
Road closed.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

BURNSIDE LAKE, CALIF:
Road closed.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East:
Upstream from Hangman's Bridge, closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.
Carson River West:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
Fish are starting to congregate around the creek channels already.
The biggest problem is there is really no water coming into the lake and there will probably be no spawn this spring due to no snowpack in the area.
Be careful when fishing these areas because fish will be stacked up trying to find moving water. The best places to fish are on the outside of the creek channel arms where fish are roaming a bit more. Midges, Wooly Buggers and Leaches are all worth a try on an intermediate line.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
We have received lots of good reports on the fishing at Frenchman Lake this week, especially at Lunker Point. 
On 02/17/14 Hans from Chilcoot caught 2 19" rainbows there floating inflated nightcrawlers 2" off the bottom and Daniel from Susanville caught 4 rainbows at Lunker Point using baby nightcrawlers. His fish weighed between 1 ½ and 3 pounds each. A couple of days later, Bill from Portola caught 3 rainbows at Lunker using nightcrawlers. On 02/20/14, Mondo and Joe from Reno caught 4 nice-sized rainbows at Big Cove with green power bait and another long-time fisherman from Chilcoot caught his limit of rainbows using glitter garlic flavored power bait.
Both boat ramps are open, but the docks won’t be in until the first part of May. Lunker Point is extremely muddy so you might want to use the Frenchman boat ramp instead.
Please call us for updates on the fishing and current lake conditions - Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

HAT CREEK CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the Friday before Labor Day, 2014.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2014.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is  at  5 CFS. Fishing has picked up at the creek. Best  chance is nymphing with caddis larva or small pheasant tails and the BWO's should be beginning to show in decent numbers.

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 Saturday, April 26, 2014.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2014.

MARTIS LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current flow 54 CFS. The section downstream  of the Benton Crossing Bridge is closed for the season. Upstream of the bridge is open all year. Fishing is slow due to the wintery weather of late Some larger lake fish showing up here and there. Some hold over stockers and a few wild fish available. Nymph fish with WD-40,buckskin nymphs and midge pupa.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow 102 CFS. Fishing is  good  in the wild trout section with WD-40's,  pheasant tails and hares ears. Nice hatch of BWO's around mid day but the fish seem to prefer the emergers over the duns

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 nightcrawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Onion Valley Reservoir:
Has dried up.
Blue Lakes:
Closed.
Knott Creek Reservoir:
Closed.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (pyramidlakeflyfishing.com) reports:
2-25-14
The lake continues to pump out some big fish.
There have been some tough days and some good days and that should continue right through the middle of May.
The water is starting to warm a little with the warmer weather we have had. It is still around 44-45 degrees unless you are fishing in the shallows where it can reach 47 degrees.
The beaches that offer access to deeper water have still been fishing the best but the fish are really spread out and can be caught all over the lake.
Follow the wind on calmer days.
There are already some female Summit Lake fish with eggs and the spawn is just around the corner.
Red Maholo Nymphs and Albino Midges have been working well for the indicator rigs and Midnight Cowboys and Popcorn Beetles for the shooting head set ups.
Locally in town Mark Fore and Strike has a great assortment of these flies at great prices. Go to pyramidlakeflyfishing.com for more info.

ROCK CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

RUSH CREEK, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of February 26, 2014, water flow is currently 3,250 CFS. 
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing is great. 
Fishing Posse Grounds area in Redding, fishing well. 
Rainbow Trout fishing, 18 in to 22 inches, from 12 to 20 fish days.
Later in the day best, as the day warms a bit. 
Using Prince nymphs, Iron Sallies, Pheasant Tails & Brown Micro Mays, Yellow Sucker Spawn.
 Rain has been great for the fishing , a little murky this morning , but cleared as the day went on
Call or email us today. We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. Drift  boats or Jet boats available. 
For those of you who are not fly fisherman, we offer spin fishing trips on the Sacramento River are available.
We cater to all levels of anglers.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California. 
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

SPOONER LAKE, DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEV:
Still frozen, Thickness of ice unknown.

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of limits of small to average sized Mackinaw Trout caught on the west side of the lake near Homewood in 150-300 feet of water, bouncing the bottoms with silver Herring Dodger flasher blades and minnows.

TOPAZ LAKE:
A report that the water level is low and the fishing is slow.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
February 26, 2014 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS. Trinity River steelhead fishing is awesome.  Trinity River is low but very productive, 4 to 10 fish hooked and landed, a day, on average.
Fishing daily, now is time for steelhead fishing.
We are fly fishing and spin fishing the river, fishing from Lewiston to Junction City. 
Fly fisherman are using eggs patterns and doing very well. 
Please give us a call to reserve your day on the water. 
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA  fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
February 25
The river has been fishing great. One of the short term positives of no snow is access is not a problem on the river.
Blue Wing Olives have been hatching in force the last few days. For some reason there are not many fish eating on the surface even during the hatch.
Nymphing with Baetis and Midge patterns have been working well.
The water is really low in the Upper California stretches and in West Reno but East of Reno and the Lower California stretches hare just about perfect.
Looks like we are in for some more weather over the next week so keep an eye on the flows.
If we get some cloudy days on the Nevada side it could be awesome.
Flows are Town of Truckee 121 CFS, Boca Bridge 351 CFS, Farad 372 CFS, Reno 322 CFS and Vista (East of Reno) 379 CFS.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No new updates. No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lakes since 2009.
Launching is not possible right now.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, NEV:
Rob Anderson (Cell: 775-742-1754) (renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
Flows on the East Walker are really low at 22 CFS. This is normal for this time of year. The air temperatures in the area have not been too cold and the fishing has been o.k.
Most of the fish are stacked up in the deeper pools and runs which is common for lower flows. There has been a Baetis hatch as well as Midges.
Everything seems to happening early this year and the Skwalas could be just around the corner.
The best fishing times are late morning to late afternoon right now.
Nymphing with Baetis and Midges has been producing the most fish. There are some rising fish on cloudy days late morning.
Approach new spots slowly and wear clothing that conceals your outline a little better. With the flows this low the fish can pick you out pretty quickly.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
Hunewill Pond:
The pond if frozen now, we'll start checking in March or so and let you know when it thaws!

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is 21 CFS. Fishing is tough and you may encounter ice in the channel. Midge patterns, baetis emergers and pheasant tails.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
A report that on November 6, 2013, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife announced that the West Walker River has been designated for winter fishing, from the confluence with the Little Walker River (Hwy. 395 Bridge at mile marker 96), north to the inlet of Topaz Lake, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April.
These new regulations go into effect on March 1st, 2014.
Along with these new dates, the winter fishing regulations are as follows: Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used for catch and release only, zero daily bag and possession limit.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now and does a weekly fishing report and regular feature articles. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com