Fishing Report for the week of March 30 to April 5

Here is the weekly fishing report for Northern and Southern Nevada, Northern California, Eastern Sierra and Southern Oregon rivers and lakes. This report runs through April 5.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy’s Guide Service (539) 283-4103) www.bigdaddyfishing.com reports:
The winter trout bite at Lake Almanor continues to be pretty solid....when you can get to the lake!
Last weeks storms had cleared we were back on the water catching fish and them BOOOOOM!!! Things really blew up weather wise with fierce storms bringing high winds and more snow to the Almanor basin which is more accurately measured in feet not inches.
With winds gusting over 40 mph, and access to the lake being blocked by snow, I was forced to re-schedule a couple of trips.
Prior to the storms we were on a solid bite along the east shore as in weeks past. The hot rig was again the Arctic Fox Pond Smelt Tube Fly run at of near the surface. For more details please read last weeks report. With an eye to the weather, I hope to be back out on the lake soon hooking up clients with nice fish.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Water surface temps are at 38.5 degrees with water clarity at seven feet.
This report is more lake status than it is fishing.
Since Thursday of last week the Almanor Basin has received 50 inches of fresh snow, for a total of 18 ft. to date, with more on the way. Seasonal creeks and streams are flowing, lake levels continue to rise. It’s going to be a terrific water year, even if we don't get another snow flake.
Prior to all of the snow, trollers were working the east shore from the dam north to The Dorado Inn and back.
The Rainbow, and Browns fishermen caught looked good, plump, bright and clean. These fish have fed well over the winter and are looking fine.
Side finding sonar has been showing fish all around the surface the past couple of days so that's where most boats have been suspending their trolled baits and lures.
Smelt begin their pawn activity when temperatures push 42 to 44 degrees.
Ripping white trolling flies or other smelt patters are advised.
Officially spring time is here but remember at 4,500 ft. elevation there's always a chance for more winter type weather. Check the forecast before heading up. Lake levels are rising, watch for hazards, safety first. Almanor winds can be dangerous and smaller boats are not advised if wind is forecasted. Dress for cool morning conditions.
Rec. area # 2: Ramp has been plowed and the dock is in place.
Rec. area # 1: The road in has been plowed, but the ramps have not, also the log booms have been torn apart and the dock is sideways front recent storms.
Hamilton Branch ramp closed.
Knotty Pine ramp closed.
Big Cove ramp closed.
The USFS ramp closed.
Plumas Pines ramp closed.
— 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.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
The lake is about 85-90 percent ice covered with unsafe ice. Only about 50 yards of open water at the inlet end of the lake. With the current weather pattern expect the lake to be ice free in a week or two and spring fishing conditions to be in full swing.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
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.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Anglers have found success for rainbow trout with meal worms, Power Bait and earthworms. Hardware options include Panther Martins, Roostertails, Super Dupers and Little Jakes.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Stocked rainbow trout are biting at this Lincoln County reservoir.
Anglers are also finding a few crappie that are willing to take their baits.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The rain has forced water managers to start dumping out of Oroville.
At Gridley, the river’s flowing at a whopping 40,000 CFS and it only gets bigger as you add the 18,000 CFS the Yuba’s pumping in.
— Courtesy of JD Richey

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530) 993-4683 reports:
The lake is starting to fill up and fishing has been good. Most are catching their limits, using nightcrawlers or Power Bait (Chartreuse or orange).
Getting to the dam is no problem, but getting around the lake is still difficult. You need to be careful.
Hopefully, the weather should be warming up this coming week and some of the snow will be melting. There is about 2 feet of snow on the ground, and in some areas more than that. But you can fish at or near the dam.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The lake is all open water at this time. 
You can fish from the shore at the dam. It is plowed up to the dam. 
Getting around the lake, you still need a snowmobile. SO BE CAREFUL! Fishermen have been catching their limits at or near the dam using nightcrawlers or Power Bait (all colors seem to be working). Rainbow trout have been weighing 1 to 1 1/2 pounds, and about 17 to 20 inches in length. — Courtesy of Wiggin’s Trading Post

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
Water flow is 12 CFS. Fishing here is picking up and the Mayfly hatch is improving. Nymph fish with FB Pheasant Tails, gray WD-40's and Caddis larva. BWO patterns on the surface.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Illipah is also 95 percent ice covered with unsafe ice and the ice will probably be about a week behind Cave Lake's in coming off.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (866) 694-2930 www.woodfordsstation.com reports:
We are under a flood watch as they are expecting a heavy runoff from all of the melting snow.
The back road to the reservoir is still closed and the county might try to get it plowed. If you try to go in there before that happens and get caught, they will ticket you. There have been a number of people who have gotten stuck trying to drive in there.

JAKE'S CREEK (BOISE) RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
This lake is about 50 percent open water and the remaining ice is unsafe. Fishing is generally good right after ice-out and with the weeds down due to the weather. This is the best time of year for shore fishing here.
Expect this lake to be ice free any day now.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Flows are back up to around 3,200 CFS. Flows on the Klamath remain inconsistent. This week they're back up. Inconsistent flows and an overall lack of fish has made this not the best option this winter/spring.
If you're a Klamath fan, we'd suggest waiting for May/June when the stoneflies begin to emerge.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Colorado River: Nightcrawlers have been catching both stocked rainbows and carry over fish.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Windy weather conditions have kept many anglers away from the lake, though anglers have still managed to catch a few striped bass — some weighing in the mid- to upper-teens.
Rumors are that a striper weighing in at more than 40 pounds was recently caught off the beaches near Hemenway.
Carp are moving into the coves and providing good action for those who are willing to fish for this scrappy fish. For real excitement try catching carp on a fly rod. Sweet corn or "Cheeto flies" will catch the fish. Some anglers even use their own homemade carp bait.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Anglers have found slow action for stripers throughout the lake and fair action for other species.
Those who are coming back with striped bass are catching them while drift fishing with anchovies.
Catfish are hitting most commercially prepared baits fished on the bottom. They will also hit traditional baits like night crawlers or chicken livers – let them get a little ripe smelling first.
The best success is being enjoyed by fishermen targeting largemouth and smallmouth bass with top-water and shallow diving lures.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800) 720-ODWF www.dfw.state.or.us.com reports:
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 reports:
Upper Owens River: Water flow 64 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 slow but should pick up with nicer weather in the forecast.
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 421 CFS.  Fishing is poor due to high water flow.



OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760) 934-2517 www.thetroutfitter.com reports:
Upper Owens River:
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.

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.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775) 476-0555 www.fishpyramid.com reports:
Fly guys have been doing well. They are about the only ones to brave the weather (we have had cold and wind every day).
There are hardly any boats out due to the weather.
The lure guys are getting some fish.
Lot of the fishermen are catching and releasing.

RUBY LAKE N.W.R., WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
Same bat channel…same bat story. Very little change here as fishing for size has been fair to good, while fishing for numbers of fish has been just fair. However, the ditch has received a lot of pressure lately and the trout are spooky, so stealth and drab clothing are the order of the day. The collection ditch is producing a few 12 to 15 inch rainbows, with the occasional 5 lb. or larger fish coming in. The large hens are cruising looking for spawning habitat and this is the time to catch a big one.
Wooly buggers, crystal buggers, egg patterns and nymphs under an indicator should all work.
The boat ramp is now ice free.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Flows out of Keswick Dam remain low at 16,300 CFS.
The Lower Sac is on the rise! This makes the river very unsafe to wade, pushes the fish out of the good holding water and downstream.
With this week’s weather pattern calling for more rain you might want to take to the lakes to get some fishing done.
Winter is still clinging on this week with more winter storms coming this weekend. Still, the springtime caddis are already beginning to hatch, indicating that the early "Mother's Day" caddis - which typically hatch in March on the Lower Sac — will be in full swing as soon as the skies clear and it warms up.
March is the single best dry fly month of the year on the Lower Sac, and April can bring some fish to the surface, too.
While dries are unfortunately never a guarantee on this river, your best odds and seeing pods of rising fish are March and April when flows are low and PMD hatches create ideal surface conditions for rising trout.
All of the bridge construction projects are finished, so there are no longer hazards in the river or flow-related boating restrictions.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
The Upper Sac is remains blown out from recent storms.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SAN JOAQUIN AND RED’S MEADOWS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
Road closed.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Fishing will improve when there is more consistent weather.
Spring bassin' is a blast with flies. The trout and bass are near the surface, and anglers are finding them in the top 12-15 feet of water. Even though most of the tributaries are currently closed that feed the lake, the trout are going to be concentrated near those inlets.
A boat is a good idea to cover the most water.
Bring a selection of lines from a floating to fish nymphs under an indicator, or sinking lines to fish streamers and leeches.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

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

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
This lake has been ice free for a few of weeks and fishing is fair for trout, with the best fishing being at the south end of the lake.
The water is a bit turbid with the warmer days being responsible for decent flows bringing silt and debris into the lake.
Large, dark presentations such as leach, Woolly Buggers, and minnow imitations fished slowly as well as worms and Power Bait should all work. With water temps still below 40 degrees, the fishing appears to be better a bit later in the morning, rather than first thing.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530) 544-6552 www.blueribbonfishing.com reports:
North Shore: When we can get out between all of the storms, we’ve been getting our limits of average-sized (2-6 pounds) Mackinaw (Lake) Trout with a few larger Macks up to 7-8 pounds.
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.
On the March 24, I took out Chuck Lane of Morgan Hill, California, we launched from the Tahoe Keys and caught an 11-pound Brown Trout.
East Shore: Shore fishing at Cave Rock Landing has been slow for small rainbows and an occasional brown or Mack.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775) 266-3550 reports:
Not many fishermen and not much action due to the weather.
Today (Tuesday) it is starting to get nice and the wind is not blowing.
We got a group coming in their weekend from Auburn, so we should get some fishing reports from them.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reported:
Flows on the Trinity River remain at winter levels at 311 CFS out of Lewiston Dam and are higher the further downstream you go with runoff from the tributaries.
The Fly Fishing Only Section is closed until April 1.
The Trinity is still holding on for now. There's definitely not as many fish around, but the ones that are there are wild, fresh, and very grabby.
You may only drift over a handful of fish in a day, but the odds are very good that if they see your fly they'll be willing to eat. As a bonus, the fishing — including dry fly action — has been good for the Trinity's resident and migratory brown trout, and we've seen more than a few trophy browns taken on surface patterns in the past week.
Reports expect the Trinity to remain a viable option this year until the smolts are released from Lewiston hatchery, which usually takes place around March 15. After the smolts are released it's too hard to get a fly to adult steelhead because there are so many smolts that will eat anything they see. That said, late March and April (remember that the Fly Fishing Only Section above Lewiston Bridge opens on April 1) are a fun time of year to fish light tackle (2 and 3 weight rods) and dry flies for the aggressive immature steelhead smolts.
Plan on catching dozens of fish a day, though none of much size.
It's a stellar spring break option for introducing kids, spouses, family and friends to fly fishing with a high catch ratio!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

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

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760) 934-6101 www.performanceanglers.com reports:
East Walker River: Water flow 227 CFS. The flow has finally dropped to fishable levels. Suggested flies are stonefly Nymphs, Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and Midge pupa. 


WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
While the core ice is still in fairly good shape, between the warm weather and the rising lake level, the edges are in very poor shape and getting on and off the ice is dangerous.
Ice fishing is not recommended.
At the same time there isn't any open water, so fishing here is obviously poor. If the warm weather continues, open water may start appearing in a few spots in a couple of weeks.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife www.ndow.org reports:
This lake is ice free, though the road is ugly and travel is not recommended, though if you go 4WD is a must. The lake level continues to rise and if the trend continues will probably spill relatively soon.

Photo Information: Joey Machado of Fernley with his first-ever, 10-pound (30+ inches) Lahontan cutthroat trout caught and released at Pyramid Lake on an artificial fly on March 26.
He was fly fishing in his chest waders near the Pelican Point boat launch area. He is not currently entered in the Ormsby Sportsman’s Association annual fishing contest.
Photo courtesy of Rich Bachle