Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of Nov. 26

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Nov. 26, 2014 and beyond.

ADOBE POND:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
For launching, the Canyon Dam ramp is open with a dock, the USFS ramp is open but with no dock, the Rec. 1 ramp is closed due to low water, but Rec. 2 is open with a dock.  
With the brown trout getting ready to spawn, some of the biggest browns and rainbows will be on the prowl.  
Try to release the browns and try not to use a net.  Their meat is not that good during spawn.  
Avoid the west basin, as it's shallow with lots of grass and other line fouling material floating around.  Also, any big wind, and that water gets all stirred up, and cloudy with mud.
The east basin has better water and that's where the fish are.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road is closed to the lake and there will be no fishing reports for Angel Lake until late May of 2015.

BISHOP CREEK, AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake level very low here at only 27% capacity. 
Small car top boats, small aluminum boats or float tubes here, water level is too low to launch anything else.  
Fishing by the dam in the morning has been good along with the inlet portion of the lake more towards the evening or on cloudy days for macks that are stacked up here.  

BRIDGEPORT, RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CARSON RIVER, DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Current flow is reported as ice near Gardnerville. Fishing will be poor.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East (Upstream from Hangman's Bridge):
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
Carson River West:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The reservoir is at capacity and the water temperature is in the high 30’s.
This lake is still ice free.
Fall stocking has been completed with 12,174 rainbow trout being stocked in the month of October.
The trout averaged about 9.4 inches in length when stocked.
Fly fishing with beaded nymphs and wooly buggers should do well.
Bait casters will do well using trout power bait, crappie nibbles and worms.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Temporary regulations have been adopted for the Chetco River starting Sept. 1.
Anglers should check these regulation changes prior to fishing the river.
Temporary gear restrictions are no longer in effect.
As of Nov. 4, anglers can fish the Chetco River per zone regulations.
Chinook anglers are still under bag restrictions of 1 wild adult Chinook per day and 5 wild adult Chinook year.
Chinook fishing has slowed down with lower water conditions.
Anglers will want to check rivers conditions before heading out.
A few winter steelhead have been caught in the lower river.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Cold mornings with lows in the 20's and by the afternoon into the low to mid 50's.  Donner has dropped a little to 37 percent. 
Mack fishing here has been good and jigging for these guys has been best at depths from 55-75 feet and some smaller guys being caught along the shoreline.
Kokanee fishing has still be good with fat little guys ranging from 8-11 inches in 45-70 feet with most of the schools being between Loch Leven Lodge and China Cove as these are considered next years Kokes. 
Small Macks have been busy cruising the shorelines in the morning and evening picking off baitfish. 
Kastmasters, Krocodiles, Rooster Tails, Rapalas or anything that will mimic a baitfish will elicit a bite.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing here has been excellent for trollers fishing off the bottom with a nightcrawler and marshmallow, or fly fishing.  
Fishing here should continue to be great up until it closes Dec. 31.  
Try the Youth Camp area using Jay Fair Setups with All Around Best Flies or orange 3-inch grubs.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
There are some kings being caught here at the bottom, middle and upper ends of the river. Down low, the anchor crowd at the color line at Verona has been seeing slow to decent fishing, deepening on the day while fishing K15’s and spinners.
Anchor anglers fishing plugs above Shanghai Falls are also seeing a few spurts of fish moving at first light. Up around Thermalito, there are some dark springers and a few moderately bright fall fish but the flows are low, warm and grassy and it’s mostly a crack of dawn type of deal. 
Courtesy of fishwithjd.com.

FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.

HAT CREEK, UPPER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open May 01, 2015.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY WATERS, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Bilk Creek Reservoir:  
Was recently stocked and trout fishing should be good.
Chimney Reservoir:
No new reports, but it’s usually slow this time of year.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The water has cleared and the shorelines have dried out a fair amount.
However ice is forming on the lake. The water temperature was 38 degrees with ice covering the entire portion of the reservoir south of the old dam and ice covering 1/3 of the water on the north side of the old dam.
The ice is only about an inch in thickness and is very unsafe.
With daytime highs expected in the 40’s over the next week here don’t expect much buildup in ice thickness.
More than 7500 trout were stocked in Illipah during October. Once the ice is safe enough to go on, generally sometime after Christmas, expect good fishing.

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Like many of the other area reservoirs, ice is forming here and chances are it will be a few weeks to a month before it is safe enough to venture upon.

JIGGS/ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Construction is almost complete at this Elko County Reservoir that has been dry for the past five or six years.
All that is left is some mechanical work on the outflow mechanism for irrigation, rip rap on the dam and the spillway channel and a bentonite clay “wall” around the deep water pool in the middle of the lake.
With some help from Mother Nature in the form of snow this winter, and anglers may be lucky enough to be fishing this beautiful little gem by early summer.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.


KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The so-called "middle Klamath" is the rugged, remote section of the river starting at Weitchpec and running upstream through Somes Bar, Orleans, Happy Camp, and the Seiad Valley.
Highway 96 parallels the river through much of this section.
There's a lot of fantastic steelhead water in this section of the Klamath, and not much angling traffic. In fact, our friends at the Marble Mountain Ranch are located smack dab in the middle of all of it, and usually have the river to themselves from early October through November.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, CHURCHILL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Lahontan’s water level is very low and fishing has slowed but anglers are still catching. The best fishing has been by the dam where the Truckee canal normally dumps in to the reservoir.
Anglers have reported walleye and wipers in the 15-inch plus range.
The dam is closed and no water is coming in from the canal.
All state parks boat launches are closed and beach launching is difficult due to muddy banks.
Be careful if fishing from a boat due to obstacles emerging with the low water.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MAMMOTH LAKES, BASIN, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MARLETTE LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:

Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.

MARTIS LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR BECAUSE OF WEEDS AND SPORADIC FISH LOSS!

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open the second Saturday in February.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The ocean is closed for harvest of Dungeness crab through Nov. 30.
Fishing for bottom fish, including rockfish and lingcod opened back up to all depths starting Oct. 1. The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two). Retention of cabezon is now allowed but only one cabezon per day per angler.

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:
Onion Valley Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Blue Lakes: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Knott Creek Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY,NEV:
Rob Anderson of www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com (775-742-1754) reports:
Fishing Report November 18th 2014
There have been a number of big fish caught over the past couple of weeks.
The strong thermoclines finally broke down in the lake and cooler water in the shallows has brought the fish into shallow water and near some of the more popular shore fishing locations.
This is very consistent with our report from last year.
Fishing should remain really good until the water temperatures cool down to their wintertime lows. They are in the mid 50’s right now and will continue drop over the next few weeks.
Fish are really spread out from the North to the South end of the lake.
Days with some chop on the water have been better for sure.
Try to fish in areas where the wind is coming into the beach you are on.
Anglers are catching fish on a variety of flies and techniques.
Stripping Wooly Worms in size 2-6 with a Loco Beetle or Tadpole as a dropper with a fast sinking shooting head is a great way to go.
Nymph rigs set up with an indicator and a couple of Maholo Nymphs just off the bottom is also working well.
We now have a full selection of flies, leaders, indicators and other gear available for purchase.

RUBY LAKE NWR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Most of the still water has about an inch of ice on it including at the boat ramp.
The collection ditch has open water.
Unfortunately, the combination of daytime highs in the high 30’s to low 40’s and lots of springheads, don’t expect safe ice here any time soon.
Fishing has been good for trout in the collection ditch and anglers report quality fish being caught in several areas of the ditch, with the oxbow behind the hatchery producing a few three to five pound fish.
Small olive buggers, hare’s ears, damsel/dragonfly nymphs and leech patterns should all work.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only.

RYE PATCH RESERVOIR, PERSHING COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The boat launches are closed due to low water levels.
Shore launching is risky and is done at your own risk.
Fishing has been slow.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
King Salmon fishing:
November 24, 2014
King Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River.
Water flow is currently 3,900 CFS.
King Salmon fishing has been good the last few days.
Picking up nice size salmon now. The late Fall/ Winter fish are here. Limits today, catch varying daily. 
Combo trips, salmon, trout and steelhead trips, fishing for salmon the first half of the day and trout & steelhead for the rest of the day. Fishing daily.

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  November 24, 2014 water flow is currently 4,100 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing is great.
Trout fishing Redding area, trout fishing is great.
Rainbow Trout fishing, fly fishing, trout are 18 inches to 25 inches, 
15 to 25 hook ups. Fishing Redding to Balls Ferry ramp. Using PMD's, Black Caddis, Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Brown Micro Mays.  

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Winter Months on the Upper Sac provides some great late-season opportunities for die-hard trout anglers. The mornings and evenings are often cold in the narrow river canyon, but midday sunshine can warm the river up and provide some good action on nymphs and streamers for some of the river's bigger fish holding in the deeper pools.
And anglers fishing the Upper Sac in the winter months should always be prepared with a few blue-winged olive dry flies, as overcast afternoons can have some memorable Baetis mayfly hatches.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

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

SMITH RIVER, OREGON:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Fall Chinook will continue moving up the Smith as fall progresses and provide an excellent bobber fishery.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water temperature is still in the 40’s and on the colder mornings there is some ice in the shallows at the south end of the lake. It won’t be long before we start seeing this lake to ice up either.
The state park has taken the boat dock out of the water here.
With the cooler temperatures trout are moving into shore especially first thing in the morning and early evening hours. Fishing has been good for trout.
Fly rodders continue to catch fish using chironomids, hare’s ears, wooly bugger and leech patterns.
Bass fishing is slow. Anglers report fair to good fishing along Jet Ski Beach and the south end.
Good success for trout along the old river channel at the south end of the lake.
The eastern shore on either side of Tomera Cove has been fishing well, especially for fly rodders using the aforementioned copper Johns.
Fishing has been good for trout at either end of the dam in the coves.

SPOONER LAKE, DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Shore fishing is still accessible while ice free.
With colder temps float tubes may not be an option but small boats and kayaks will help you get out where the fish are.
Worms and Power Bait are good options for spin fishing.
Fly anglers usually do well with black, brown, and olive wooly buggers.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is stable now at 24% capacity and fishing has been decent for Rainbows, Macks, and Smallies. 
Small boats can still launch to the right of the ramp as they are concentrating their efforts outside the inlets and the deeper sections around the dam. 
Shore fishing has been sporadic for the Bows with power bait, nightcrawlers, and various hardware. 
Smallies are suspended along shelves in the Davis Creek arm and most are being taken on suspending baitfish patterns, Crayfish patterns, and various Jigs worked down these shelves. 
Some big smallies here, but you'll have to work hard for them.

LAKE TAHOE:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Lake Tahoe is the place to be if you are fishing from a boat in northern Nevada. It may be one of the few places you still can launch a boat and catch a fish. Anglers reporting good success catching Mackinaw in the 3-5 pound range. Anglers are concentrating in the 150 – 300 feet with white dodgers and minnows.
Kwikfish and broken back lures have also been working.

LAKE TAHOE:
A continuing report of limits of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnows, trolled at depths of 100-300 feet on the west side of the lake near Homewood, California.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closed. Will reopen January 01, 2015.

TRUCKEE RIVER, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The Truckee's current flow in Reno has been holding between 20 and 30 CFS.
The ongoing drought continues to challenge Nevada’s fisheries.
Low water levels throughout the Truckee River system will continue to stress this fishery. The colder conditions are starting to bring ice which will further concentrate fish into the deeper pools.
Let’s all hope for moisture and a good snowpack.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
California:
Nice weather this Thanksgiving week with temps climbing to almost 60 by Wednesday.  Cold temps in the morning so dress accordingly! Water temps are getting cold and fish are starting to get more lethargic and picky. 
Fish are pretty concentrated now and everyone should put in the back of their minds what the river looks like now. Take a careful look at structure that is now out or partly out of the water for a reference later when the water does come up. 
Almost no water coming out of Tahoe and anglers that are going to fish the river SHOULD fish downstream of the Boca outlet. 
Personally I wouldn't fish the Main river anymore this year because of the conditions, but if you must please fish below the Boca outflow as there is slightly more water found there. 
Don't be one of those people who are out to target Browns on spawning beds!  Let them do their thing. 
Cudos to NPR and the DFW for saying it's okay to fish the Truckee in good conscience because the water is so low and it will be easy to catch fish.  Great job.  If this state had any ethics about its resources, such as Montana,  it would have closed the Truckee and LT a while back to fishing. 
Caution! Almost forgot to mention those "shops" that still send people here with guides or no guides to our waters as it appears money outweighs ethics.
Nevada:
If you do fish the Truckee in Nevada please be aware that New Zealand Mudsnails have been found in sections of water there so please clean your shoes and gear accordingly to avoid aquatic hitch hikers!  
Study the water and turn rocks and see what is going on, also seine for what is in the drift.  Little things like this and slowing your approach to the river’s edge will greatly increase your chances of being successful. 
Again, make sure your box is stocked with every conceivable stage of bugs that are present now!  (x) = drawer number.

TRUCKEE RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Done.

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
Have a great winter, and let's pray for a lot of snow for water to refill all the reservoirs, lakes and streams with plenty for the ski resorts.
May you all have a Happy, Healthy 2015, see you on the water in late April!
Carolyn

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:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water flow is currently very low with ice beginning to form.
Fishing will be difficult.
Current brown trout study is going on and researchers are requesting information on tagged fish including color (to determine if wild or hatchery) and location where caught.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 20 CFS. Low and slow. Try the Lower Owens.

WALKER RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The lake is about 85% ice covered with unsafe ice. There are only a few spots to fish from shore, but if the winds come through this weekend, more may open up temporarily. However, a fair amount of snow is predicted, which will insulate the ice and keep it unsafe.
So the moral of the story is to call ahead before you head up.
Up to this time, fishing has been very good here as the few anglers who have made the trip and braved the cold have caught nice fish, and plenty of them.
One pair from Boise caught 50 trout with fly rods last week.
Fly rodders are having success with buggers, hare’s ears, leech patterns and chironomids. Fish the nymphs under an indicator and the buggers and leech patterns with an intermediate sink line in the shallows early in the morning. If fishing chironomids a slip-strike indicator allowing you to fish the fly right on the bottom with a floating line.
Bait anglers are having luck with worms and Power Bait.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wilson is 30% full and the lake is about 90 percent ice covered with unsafe ice (approximately 1 inch thick).
Combine that with the storm projected over the weekend, don’t make the trip.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

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