Don Q's Nevada and northern California fishing report for week of Dec. 11-17

Here's this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, northern California and the Sierra, including Lake Tahoe.

Your best bet, at least for now, is to stay off any ice until it is determined the ice is thick enough to hold human weight. Ice fishing reports should trickle in over the coming weeks. This report is for the week of Dec. 11-17.

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 still 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.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
Road closed.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
ICE ON PORTIONS OF LAKE! 
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.

BURNSIDE LAKE, CALIF:
Road closed.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
Frozen, the thickness of the ice is unknown. Stay off.

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.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Higher flows this week should make for some excellent fishing later in the week for chinook and even some early steelhead.
The chinook fishery will be winding down in the next week or two.
This year anglers are encouraged to turn in chinook salmon snouts from hatchery fish that are kept. The chinook salmon snouts may contain coded wire tags that tell where they come from.
ODFW and South Coast Fishermen have placed collection sites at Social Security gravel bar and at the Port of Brookings fish cleaning station.
Anglers will want to check current temporary regulations that affect the Winchuck and Chetco Rivers before heading out.

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

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

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeannie of the J &J's Grizzly Store and Camping Resort (530-832-0270) (www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com) report:
December 08
About seven and a half inches of snow from yesterday's snow. 
The lake does not have sufficient ice for ice fishing yet.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Those anglers braving the chilly conditions have found success for rainbow trout while fishing with green Power Bait off of the dam and boat dock where open water can be found. The rest of lake has been icing up and with the pending storm front, park personnel expect the lake to completely freeze over with thin ice by the weekend.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Most of the lake has remained free of ice and anglers have had good success fishing night crawlers off the dam, but conditions are expected to change with the arrival of very cold winter temperatures.
The lake is expected to freeze over with thin ice by the weekend.

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

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Sorry no update from last week.
Still 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:
This past week we received about 8 to 10 inches of snow at the lake and temperatures dropped to about 15 to 20 degrees below zero.
With these kinds of conditions, ice fishing shouldn’t be too far way.
We have heard that the north end of the lake is frozen, and there is ice at the dam, but we do not know if it is safe enough for fishing yet.
The road leading to the lake is plowed to the dam.
We saw many Christmas tree cutters this past week and those with 4 wheel drive vehicles are not having any trouble getting around the lake.
Call us for updates and current lake conditions.
Wiggins Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports from fishermen are saying this is a good week for catching rainbows.  We hear nightcrawlers and power bait were helpful.
Fishermen say the late morning was a good time to catch fish.
Courtesy of Wiggins Trading Post.

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 3 CFS.
Best  chance is nymphing with caddis larva or small pheasant tails.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water conditions:
Flows at 22 CFS as of 12-6 and water is clear.
(Note: Flows include water from the springs, not just the gauging station at the highway so this is what is really flowing through the canyon)
Fishing conditions:
Good. Winter game is in full effect - midges start about 10 am followed by small Baetis midday and back to midges after 2 pm.
Dry fly hatch on many days for an hour.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Frozen, the thickness of the ice is unknown. Stay off.

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 fishermen are reporting fair catches this week. We hear you can expect an adult steelhead and maybe a few smaller ones. The rain is needed to help catch the fish. 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:
The area near Davis Dam has still been producing fish but many of the stocked trout in the Rotary Park area have moved out.
The fish get tired of taking the same baits, so when one bait or lure choice seems to be exhausted, mix it up. Nightcrawlers, Power Bait and small spinners have all worked at various times.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Even with lowering water, fishermen are reporting that the lake is doing fairly well. The word from anglers is the A.M. hours are best.
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:
While fishing for striped bass has been good at sunrise, the best bite has occurred just after the sun goes down.
Anglers working a remade Old Henry, a type of spinning lure, have had success through the Vegas Wash area.
Those fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass have been catching at or near their limits while working the back of coves with drop shots.
According to Brent Becker, Pro Staff at Bass Pro Shops, with the cold front coming through, fish will be getting ready to head for their winter holding areas, which can be at depths ranging from 15-50 feet. This can be good as it will increase their appetite as the fish feed up for the winter, but also bad as the cold weather will make the fish more lethargic.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers have been finding good fishing for smallmouth bass.
Dark plastics and drop-shots are working well.
The striped bass action is light but some anglers using anchovies have reeled in fish nearing ten pounds.
Those fishing for trout at Willow Beach have been catching at or near their limits. Many are using Power Bait or small spinning lures.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Recreational Dungeness crabbing will reopen in the ocean on Dec. 1.
Fishing for bottom fish including rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon is now open at all depths. The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two).
Retention of 1 cabezon per day is still allowed.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports coming in from fishermen bass fishing has been pretty good with some surprise of how many salmon have been caught while bass fishing.
Courtesy of fishhound.com.

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  a bit tougher due to the recent cold weather. Try WD-40's,  pheasant tails and hares ears.
Good dry fly action with para caddis and cdc caddis.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Upper Owens River Water conditions:
66 CFS as of 12-6.
Fishing conditions:
Good. Some big guys are showing up just above the bridge.
Bring some cold weather gear cause the temps have dropped!
Lower Owens River Water conditions:
Excellent. DWP metering station is back online and last week's guess of 80 CFS was pretty close. It's 85 CFS as of 12-6.
Fishing conditions:
Excellent. Fishing has been great especially off the beaten track where our shallow draft drift boats can get.
Nice hatches from 10am to 3pm.
Owens River Gorge water conditions:
Great. 45 CFS as of 12-6.
Fishing conditions:
Fair to Good. Good midday hatch on warmer days.
Lots of 12 inchers very hungry! Nice on cold days.
Pleasant Valley Reservoir:
Water conditions: Clear and cold.
Fishing conditions:
Fair. Not too many reports of good fishing.
Fish are on the move with colder weather.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
You will find some ice and frozen ground here, but access remains good at this time.  It is wicked cold here currently with no immediate warming for about a week. You will be greeted with sub-zero air temps (minus 15) in the morning along the river bank.  The last couple of days there are “icebergs” forming on the surface here making it unfishable until well afternoon. Highs are forecast to be in the teens and low twenties.
Getting the fish to move is difficult, (getting your guide to move can also be difficult) under these temps. Redundant drifts using attractor patterns like SJ worms, glow bugs or roe imitations, flashback PT’s, Agent Orange, and crystal leeches are good choices.  Keep those rigs right on the mat and do not expect aggressive takes. 
Please be extra careful during the release procedure as  gills can freeze instantly during sub-zero weather. Keep the fish completely submerged at all times if you land one in extreme weather.
Middle Owens River:
The polar cold fronts have really diminished the hatches and have caused the fish to seek the shelter of deeper water making them very lethargic and unwilling to move very far for a fly.
Trout are cold blooded. This dramatic change in water temps has slowed metabolisms & will make them go off the bite until conditions stabilize.
The good news is that the flows have been raised over 90 CFS below the dam at Pleasant Valley. This will really help out the fish during this prolonged period of cold.
Numbers are down on recent drift trips; however we are still getting into double digits using  larger streamers like Spruce-A-Bu’s and #10-6 punk perch, agent orange, & leeches. A moderate sinking tip is adequate to get down to the fish with these flow rates.
The Lower Owens River is now being designated as the “Middle Owens” due to some re-watering of the section below Tinemaha Reservoir down to the Owens dry lake several years ago. This has been deemed the LORP, or Lower Owens River Project.  The mid-Owens is around Bishop Ca.

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:
Fishermen are still pleased with the river this week. We are hearing that the best time to catch is late morning into the afternoon. This river is pretty remote so please be prepared in case a cold front moves in on you.  
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Pleasant Valley Reservoir/The Gorge 12-8-13
This is the only year around still water open in Inyo or Mono Counties. 
The transition area is choked with heavy weed beds-more than I have ever seen. The level is very high and you will find only limited access near the inlet section. It pretty much sucks here right now in this section.
The short creek section is fishing so-so in the deeper pools.
Midge patterns and smaller mayflies are good choices for nymphing or dry/dropper combos in both areas. 
FREEZE tubing has been the most consistent currently. The cold weather has really slowed all sections down and no hatches to focus on.
Still water nymphing can be productive along the drop-offs on the west side in 9-12 feet. Tiger midges, gillies, crystal pupa and emergers are hard to beat here fished below an Under-cator.
If the wind picks up use a broken back tiger as the lower. 
Small Assassin birds nest work well for imitating the mayfly nymphs, use these under a stimulator or hi-vis para Bwo as your indicator.
Streamer tuggers have a full sinking or heavy sink tip line.
Loebergs, Agent Orange, & Spruce-A-Bu’s will get you grabs near the inlet and launch ramp areas.

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

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOW COUNTY, NEV:
A report of trolling at Warrior Point, very slow fishing with large lures trolled near the bottom. Caught and released one fish.

RED LAKE, CALIF:
Frozen, the thickness of the ice is unknown. Stay off.

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

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

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishermen report some of the nicest Rainbows come from this river in the winter months.  The lower water line is great for wading and reports are that fishing has been good this week.
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 8, 2013  water flow is currently 3,750 CFS.  
Salmon fishing is fair to good. Catching a few nice chrome salmon, slowed a bit now, need rain.
We are picking up Rainbows and a few nice Steelhead too.
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, roe later in the day, using Pautzke Red cure.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports are fishing has been fair. Fishermen are reporting getting some catches from rainbows feeding off the surface.
We hear the best fishing is towards Dunsmuir.  
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 this week are coming in of good bass fishing from the shore line out to about 30 feet. Fishermen are saying that mud pie tubes and green pumpkin senkos are working well.
Courtesy of Phil’s Propelle.r

SILVER LAKE, CALIF:
Frozen, the thickness of the ice is unknown. Stay off.

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.
Another report of catching rainbows while top lining with flashers and lures along the eastern shoreline of the lake.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Closed until January 01, 2014.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 8, 2013 Fishing report
Currently, Water is at 300 CFS. Trinity River steelhead fishing is red hot.  We got the rain we needed, steelhead fishing on the Trinity River is awesome now. 5 to 8 fish hooked and landed, a day, on average.
8 steelhead day yesterday. 
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, fishing from the town of Weaverville, Calif.

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, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow has been up and down and is currently 34 CFS.
Fishing is tough and you may encounter ice in the channel. Midge patterns, baetis emergers and pheasant tails. Early am or last hour of the day.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Kent Rianda of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water conditions:
Flows constant at 35 CFS for the last 10+ days as of 12-6. Water is clear.
Fishing conditions:
Good. East Walker has been cold and the fish are only active a couple of hours midday. Big fish are being taken for those who brave the cold.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Double digit below zero air temps this week.  Not much snow-not much flow.  Keep’n our fingers crossed for a wet winter!

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.

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.

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Best Time to fish this lake fishermen are saying is between 9:30 a.m. and 11: 30 a.m. Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes.  
Courtesy of Hook & Bullet.

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