Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of Dec. 4

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 Dec. 4.

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

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are reporting catching some rainbows and browns both through bank fishing and trolling.
Courtesy of Fish Sniffer.

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.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake level continues to drop here and will concentrate fish in certain areas.   Lake level is very low at 28 percent capacity. 

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

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.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This lake is now mostly frozen with some open water at the south end of the lake. There may be a few days left of open water fishing, but with the projected temperatures of the nights next week dipping into the low teens and even pushing single digits, this water may be soon frozen over. Generally not safe to ice fish here until around New Year’s Day.

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

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

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The reports have been that there are many weeds on the surface making it difficult to catch the trout.
Courtesy of Nor Cal Fishing News.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
This lake has been fishing very well.  Lake is at its winter level and a lot of fish are cruising the shoreline drop offs now! 

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Plenty of snow fell over the weekend, but it’s melting off quickly with current sunny skies. Ice has been forming nightly around the lake edges, but mostly melts off by afternoon and trout action remains good using power bait, nightcrawlers, small spinners and wooly buggers (dark coloration).
The campground is open and roads are passable.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Trout action remains good using power bait, worms, small lures and flies.
Ice has been forming overnight, but melts off by early afternoon.
The campground is open.

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

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
We are hearing reports of fair catches with many methods, such as bait fishing ,trolling and casting.
Fishermen report that stripers have been caught here recently.
Courtesy of MyOutDoorBuddy.Com.

FORT CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in February, 2014.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
Many fishermen were thankful for the good fishing at Frenchman Lake this past week. The fish were biting best in the late morning hours. Nightcrawlers and power bait were the baits of choice for most people.
Lee, from Reno, caught his limit at the dam using rainbow power bait and nightcrawlers.
Long-time Frenchman Lake fisherman, Mitch, reported that 2 women fishing from shore near the dam caught and released 12 rainbows on Friday, November 29th. They were floating nightcrawlers off the bottom.
Call us for updates - Wiggins Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports are coming in that fishermen are catching fish here. 
Fishermen using spinning, bait casting or fly fishing are not having a problem catching a couple of fish.
Courtesy of Hook & Bullet.

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  down to 4 CFS. Try a hopper or stimulator  with a buckskin nymphs caddis pupa or small pheasant tails as a dropper.
Surface action has slowed.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Like other lakes in the area, ice is forming, though there are reports of anglers breaking through the ice to fish. With the recent warmer weather there may be some open water, but with the snow that dropped last week, it could be quite muddy getting to the lake.

JACKSON MEADOWS RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake level is at 38%. This lake is a great escape for those who need to get a little further out of town! Access may be limited if we get all the snow that the news channels are predicting! 

JAKES/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Like all area waters, trout fishing is good here with the cooler weather.
The weeds have died off and anglers can now have some success fishing from shore, though if you don’t mind the cold, fishing from a float tube still gives you an advantage here.
Small spinners and minnow imitations as well as worms and Power Bait are good for bait anglers, while the usual assortment hare’s ears, prince and PT nymphs along with zug bugs, wooly buggers and crystal buggers should work for fly rodders.

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.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Upper Klamath River is still doing well for fishermen. We are hearing reports of catching an adult or two steelhead along with a few juniors.
The fish should still be biting through March.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Anglers on the river have been having great success catching rainbow trout.
In a recent fishing derby, a 5.7 pound and 4.7 pound trout were reeled in.
Power Bait has worked well for many of the stocked trout while the larger holdovers from previous years seem to prefer lures.
Try various methods to work on filling your creel. The stocked trout are moving from the immediate area in which they were planted and can be found in holes near the casino area or into the Sunshine Peninsula.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports of fishermen catching in the early morning hours are fair even with lowering water conditions.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

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.

MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANGEMENT AREA, NEV:
Hinkson Slough - North Pond - West Walker River - Crappie Pond:
Closed until the second Saturday in February, 2014.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water levels have been holding at 1,106 feet. With the recent rains causing runoff into the coves, anglers should have success working the shallows where bass are hanging in the murky waters.
Shad has been the most successful bait for anglers fishing for striped bass and can be found throughout the Vegas Wash area.
With the new moon December 2, try fishing under a light or even using a submersible light to attract more fish.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Lake levels have increased to 636 feet.
Striper action has been light on the lake but anglers report anchovies working better than the imitation lures.
At Willow Beach, those fishing for trout have had success using Power Bait and small spinning lures.
Those striped bass in the area go for various trout imitation lures and anglers have been reeling in many in the double digit range.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Still hearing good reports from fishermen when it comes to catching  bass.
Courtesy of My Outdoor Buddy.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Flow steady at 69 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. 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 dropped to 79 CFS. Fishing is good Try WD-40's,  pheasant tails and hares ears. Good dry fly action with para caddis and cdc caddis.


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.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports of good fishing in the afternoon hours. Fishermen have been pleased with the river  thus far. Some are using small dark nymphs, black A.P. and October Caddis. Fishing should be good through December.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Like shooting a fish in a barrel here! 
Lake level is very low at 23 percent capacity. 

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Rob Anderson (742-1754) (www.pyramidlakeflyfishing.com) and (www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
Wow! What a fall at Pyramid.
This has been the best fall fishing out at the lake in recent history.
The new strain of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout continue to grow and offer anglers the chance to catch a fish of a lifetime.
Several fish over 20 pounds and a couple in the 25 pound class have been caught over the past month or so.
Lots of fish in the 10-20 pound range have also been caught.
There are several beaches that continue to produce fish but the fish are really spread out. Spots with access to deep water have been the best places so far.
www.pyramidlakeflyfishing.com/fishing/beaches lays out the variety of spots to try at the lake and the ones that have access to deep water.
All sorts of techniques have been working.
Shooting head set-ups with Midnight Cowboys, Bloody Mary’s and Olive Martinis have been working well.
Dropper flies like white Wooly Buggers and Chartreuse Loco Beetles are also worth a try.
Nymphing has also been catching fish. An estimated 24 pound fish was caught last week on a size 12 Black Maholo Nymph.
Albino Wino Midges are also doing well.
There is a bunch of really cold weather headed our way and the water temperatures are bound to plummet. This could change the fishing conditions and drive fish into deeper water sometime soon. It should remain pretty good for a while however if you can handle the cold.
Fish have been biting seemingly any time of day so as the cold weather sets in it might be a good idea to get a little later start.

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

RUBY LAKE NAT. WILD. REFUGE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water levels are low and several of the Units are unfishable. Those include 10, 13, 14 and 20.
Weeds are up and travel through shallower parts of the marsh or through the tules is difficult.
Bass fishing is done for the year.
Trout fishing is improving in the ditch and anglers should have success with nymphs and buggers.
Harrison pass has about four to five inches of snow as of Tuesday, with slick ice underneath. It is passable, but only 4WD is recommended.

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

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
We hear reports of good fishing with waders do to the low water. Sources say you may catch big hog rainbows if you are lucky! Fishing should be good through the month of December.
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:
King Salmon fishing:
As of  December 3, 2013  water flow is currently 3,750 CFS.
Salmon fishing is good. The recent rain we got pushed some nice chromers our way. Most days getting one salmon per person, some days more fish.
We are picking up Rainbows and a few nice Steelhead too.
Rain is great for the salmon fishing.
Only a few weeks left of the salmon season ends December 16th, 2013. 
We will be turning the steelhead fishing next on the Sac and up North, the Chetco River steelhead. 
Flatfish lures working best, turning to roe later in the day, using Pautzke Red cure. Weather perfect.
We are fishing until December 16 for salmon. Call us today. 

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Better fishing near the lower river although we are hearing some anglers are doing well on the upper river using Amber wing prince.
Fishermen are reporting doing a fair amount of catching this week.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

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

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The reports are coming in of good bass fishing from the shore line out to about 40 feet. 
Courtesy of Phil’s Propeller.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Very little if any change here as the lake is approximately 70% full and fishing for trout is starting to slow down as the surface water temperatures are dipping below 40 degrees.
However, anglers are still catching some fish and it is still worth the trip with fish averaging around 15 to 18 inches.
Brown wooly, seal and crystal buggers work, as well as hanging chironomids and nymphs below an indicator in shallower water or fish from shore. Bait anglers should also suspend worms or Power Bait over muddy bottoms (that doesn’t sound right) in water that is three to six feet deep.

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of average sized Mackinaw trout caught while trolling with flasher blades and minnows near Homewood on the west side of the lake.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closed until January 01, 2014.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are reporting fair amounts of fish but not many steelhead.  
The water is clear but low.
Courtesy of Fish Trinity Lake.
           
TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen are reporting that there are few steelhead right now.
You might catch one or two for the day.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

TRUCKEE RIVER, NEVADA CALIFORNIA:
Rob Anderson (742-1754) (www.pyramidlakeflyfishing.com) and (www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
Flows on the Truckee remain excellent.
The river is closed from Tahoe City down to the Town of Truckee until the last Saturday of April.
The flows are a little low from Truckee down to the Boca Bridge area but they are really good downstream of that.
The Nevada side of the River is in the best shape right now especially with the cold weather we are expecting over the next week or more.
The middle of the day is the time to be on the water right now with the shorter days and cooler water temps.
There has been somewhat of a Baetis hatch on the lower river but for the most part Nymphing with smaller flies and lighter tippet has been the way to go. These flows are perfect for practicing short line Nymphing and High Sticking techniques.
Keep an eye on the river over the next week, there could be some anchor ice forming around the edges and floating ice in the river due to some extremely cold weather.
This may put a damper on the fishing for a while on the Truckee.
Flows are Town of Truckee 135 CFS, Boca Bridge 364 CFS, Farad 377 CFS and Reno 349 CFS.

TRUCKEE RIVER, BIG:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Flows above the Boca outflow are down to winter level and flows below this slightly higher as they are still dumping about 200 CFS out of Boca. 

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, NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA:
Rob Anderson (742-1754) (www.pyramidlakeflyfishing.com) and (www.renoflyfishingoutfitters.com) reports:
Flows on the East Walker River are down to 35 CFS.
The cold temperatures in the Bridgeport area are probably going to shut down the East Walker for a while.
It gets really icy in these conditions and very difficult to fish.
You may have a day or two before the conditions change but expect anchor ice to take form and the river to be nearly un-fishable.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
December 03, 2013 
The river is running at about 35 CFS right now, the water is a bit green still, probably from algae and weeds still coming through the dam from the reservoir. I'd say the fishing is just so so these days with most anglers reporting from 3 to 5 fish per day.
The best flies seem to be small midges still like copper johns, wd-40's, zebra midges, flashback emergers and rainbow warriors.
Best time of day to fish is going to be from about 10am to 3pm or so, depending on the weather.       
Sceirine Ranch:
December 03, 2013
Haven't had any reports from the ranch this past couple weeks, my guess is that it's going to be fishing much like the California side of the river, plenty of openings if you want to give it a go!       
Hunewill Pond:
December 03, 2013
Haven't had any clients on the pond for a while, getting a bit cold for tubing. If we have anyone out there we'll let you know! 

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 currently 35 CFS. Fishing is tough. Midge patterns, baetis emergers and pheasant tails.
Early am or last hour of the day.

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.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707)
www.kenssport.com) reports:
December 03, 2013
The West is closed to fishing for the winter, however, beginning March 1, 2014 there will be new regulations in place for the section from the bridge on Hwy 395 to Topaz Lake, during the winter months (the off season for regular fishing season) this section will be open to artificial flies or lures only, barbless hooks, zero fish limit.       
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Well folks, last week the lake was 90% open water but by Sunday was 90% frozen. By Tuesday night no open water could be found.
But Tuesday morning two anglers from Boise found about a 150 foot stretch of open water on the Hendricks arm and happened to be in the right place at the right time. Using wooly buggers and leeches suspended below indicators as well as some stripping, they managed to land almost 70 fish in just a few hours. The fish averaged 16 to 18 inches but several exceeded the 20 inch mark on their rulers.
Now you will have to wait until next spring for a similar condition to exist.
Most of the ice is an inch or less and it will probably be a few weeks before the ice is safe to venture on.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The lake is down to around 5% of capacity and turbid.
It is not worth the trip. This fishery is probably gone until we get enough moisture to recharge both it and the surrounding lands.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The outflow has been shut off with the water level at approximately 25% of capacity. The boat ramp is out of the water by 20 to 30 feet and unless it is a car topper, launching a boat here is not recommended.
There has been little or no fishing here over the past week.
However, chances are the conditions are similar to South Fork and the same techniques should be tried.

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
No change this week. Best Time to fish this is early A.M. Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes.
Courtesy of Hook & Bullet.

Photo: Rob Anderson of Reno holds his Cutthroat Trout caught and released on a Maholo fly on Nov. 26 at Pyramid Lake. It was about 24 pounds, (34.9 inches long with a girth of 24 inches).
Photo courtesy of Rob Anderson.

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