Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of Dec. 24

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Dec. 24-30, 2014.
Looking for a last minute Christmas gift? You may want to get the angler in your family a California fishing license. New licenses are effective as of Jan. 1, 2015. You can purchase that license and any applicable stamps at a number of local outlets or by going here.
Nevada fishing licenses go into effect March 1, 2015.

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

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
After a full week of stormy weather it'll take another week or so for the bite to pick back up, as there has been a lot of runoff dumping dirty water in.  
This is a great winter fishery though, with lots of big winter trout caught. 
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:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The lake is at 21.8 percent capacity.  
The inlet was holding browns staging for the spawn and some nice Macks.
Mountain Hardware and Sports recommended using a bobber/worm or a nymph/indicator.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

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

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:
Reservoir is at capacity and unsafe ice is covering much of the lake making fishing difficult. Anglers can still find some open water, especially at the south end where the creek enters the lake. Don not expect safe ice until after the first of the year, and then only if the weather cooperates

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Temporary gear restrictions are no longer in effect.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.
Good river flows have moved most Chinook upstream of Nook Creek and into spawning tributaries.
This time of year anglers start side drifting eggs or plunking spin and glows to pick up steelhead.
Look for steelhead numbers to really pick up through December.
Before anglers head out to fish, check flows and fish the river as it is dropping.

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

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

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Closes on December 31.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing should continue to be a good until the close of the season on Dec. 31.
The bite continues to be good for the few still fishing.  
The dock at the south end has been pulled.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This week angler pressure was very low due to the storm system that went through the area. Most of the lake is still clear of ice, but there is ice in the mornings around the edges of the lake and on most of the upper end.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The reservoir is still clear of ice despite recent storm activity. Fishing activity has been very limited. Night crawlers and Power Bait are always a good bet for enticing a sluggish trout on those cold days.

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.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
This lake is also covered with unsafe ice. No open water.

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Jakes should also be icing up with unsafe ice, but there hasn’t been any recent reports here. Wait until after the first of the year before you go.

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

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

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
With fluctuations in weather and water, fishing has slowed as the fish adjust.
Anglers have found trout in the areas of Rotary Park and the Sunshine Peninsula but the fish have proven tough to catch.
While shore fishing in the area, one angler brought in a striped bass nearing 13 pounds on a pencil popper.
Thanks to Rusty at Riviera Marina for the report.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been fair to good.
Best reports are generated by anglers fishing early in the mornings.
Fishing #16 Pheasant Tail Nymphs or #16 Black A.P.s has been the most productive techniques. Retrieving leeches on full sinking on a sinking line is also a productive method of angling with a fly rod on Lewiston.
Lewiston is known for its big, bad bows. Best fishing happens mid day.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

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.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are still having an easy go at netting shad but have had a difficult time enticing the striped bass to take their bait. For many, battling the weather is the first obstacle to overcome and then comes the trial of hooking a fish.
With the new moon Sunday night, fishing at night under a light or using a submersible light can prove productive.
Spinnows or other similar shad imitation lures can work well.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The report has been light from the past week.
Anglers are reporting striped bass in coves north of Cottonwood Cove and anchovies have worked well as bait. The catch rate has been better early in the morning and then slows during the midday hours before picking up again in the evening. Willow Beach has produced a few nice catches; one fish came in at 17 pounds and another at eight, mostly on AC Plugs.

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 now open again for harvest of Dungeness crab.
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.

RUBY LAKE NWR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Not a lot of changes here though it is icing back up.
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.
For spin fishermen the usual assortment of small spinners and minnow type lures are all effective here.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only.

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  December 19, 2014 water flow is currently  3,000 CFS. 
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report -  Rainbow trout fishing was fair to good before yesterday's storm. Water is muddy from Posse Grounds down.
Water may clear by Sunday.
Prior, fishing the Redding area of the Sacramento River, with most days 15 plus fish hook ups. Working best in these water conditions are egg patterns. We are floating from Keswick Dam to Posse Grounds now, short drifts but productive.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Releases out of Keswick Reservoir are 2931 CFS. Water conditions are muddy brown. Not say'n one can't get tight to rainbows in these conditions. More than once we've been pleasantly surprised. But, it's just not right for us to dish out a good report on this river for now. What's the prognosis? From a water color angle, it's going to be months before we see clear water conditions. When will the fishing improve is another story. Keep checking back. Safe to say, we are looking at least a week before anyone decides to check the fishing out. Maybe then we'll have a better report. Better days ahead. Hang in there.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, CALIF:
J.D. Richey of www.fishingwithjd.com (916-388-1956) reports:
Report updated Dec. 21, 2014
BIG AND BROWN!
The Sac, for much of its length, is big and brown right now — with a lot of debris in it. You can find some cleaner water up towards Redding, where the trout are still dining on salmon eggs. Downriver, be very careful anchoring and boating because the river is fast and full of junk!

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER/RED’S MEADOW, 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:
You'll find bass scattered throughout the lake chasing the scattered bait, but the clarity has been a real problem due to the runoff dumping a lot of silt back into the system, from what were dry creek beds.
Trout trolling will also pick back up on the surface after the clarity improves.
Watch out for a lot of debris in the system.  
The low water ramp at Sugarloaf is back in, but there's no ramp.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

SMITH RIVER, OREGON:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Winter steelhead will start arriving in the Smith River basin. Most of the steelhead will be wild, therefore fishing will be primarily catch-and-release.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
As of Wednesday, the south end of the lake and the backs of some of the coves had skim ice in the mornings.
Surface water temperature was 40 degrees on Thursday.
This lake is lower in elevation than Wild Horse, it may be a while before it completely ices over with highs predicted to be in the 40’s for the next week.
Fishing has been hit or miss, with anglers having success one day and little or no success the next. Weather seems to be a definite factor. Fishing the day before a storm moves in has been the most productive time.
Fly rodders continue to catch fish using chironomids, hare’s ears, wooly bugger and leech patterns.
Bass fishing is slow to nonexistent.
Anglers report good fishing along Jet Ski Beach. The eastern shore on either side of Tomera Cove has been fishing well, especially for fly rodders.
The coves on either side of the dam have also been productive.
Bait anglers are using nightcrawlers and Power Bait in a variety of colors though orange and chartreuse as well as rainbow seem to be favorites.

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.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
December 19, 2014 Fishing report
Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows: Currently 300 CFS. 
We are fishing the Trinity River for Winter Steelhead fishing and fishing has been decent.
We are fishing from Lewiston Bridge to JC Campgrounds. 
We have gotten a lot of needed rain, this has been great for the steelhead fishing, as it has brought up many new fish throughout this week already.
Water is dirty from JC Campground to Pigeon Point due the last couple of days of heavy rains.
Steelhead have been ranging from 3 to 8 pounds, number of hook ups are up to 10 a days, varying.
Fly or Spin fishing are both productive. 
Call Kirk or Justin at 1800-670-4448 for more details.
Trinity River fishing is conveniently located 40 minutes West of Redding, CA  fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

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, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
December 21, 2014 
Still getting very few reports from the EW, the ones we have been getting are saying the fishing is ok.
Still most anglers getting into around 4 or 5 fish per day, with the majority of them going over 15 or 16 inches.
Dry/dropper rigs seem to still be doing the best though we have had reports of some fish being caught dead drifting streamers.
The weather is still a bit cold so you really don't need to get down there until around 10am or so and fish until around 3pm.
Patterns to try include jj special, zuddler, wooly bugger, flashback emerger, wd-40, top secret midge, rainbow warrior, madam x, stimulator and chubby chernobyl. The Nevada side of the river still seems to be the best area to fish.     Sceirine Ranch:
December 21, 2014
We didn't have anyone on the ranch this week, I'd expect the fishing to be about the same as on the Rosachi section right now though.     
Hunewill Pond:
December 21, 2014
The pond is frozen over, probably for the remainder of the winter, we'll try to get out there as soon as it thaws and let you know how the fish wintered!

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
December 21, 2014
We didn't have the opportunity to talk to anyone who fished the West this week, if you have any reports from there let us know!      

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:
Wild Horse is completely covered with ice that is only an inch thick with two inches of dry powder snow on top of it. This ice is very unsafe and it will be a couple of weeks before anglers may be able to venture upon it. Depending upon the weather, it may be safe for ice fishing the first weekend of 2015, but make sure to call ahead to find out.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water is only about 10% of capacity and is covered with unsafe ice.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No current report so you take your chances if you go.
Speaking of chances, chances are the road is wet and muddy so 4WD is recommended if you decide to go. Should be icing up.

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The lake and ramps are in great shape and the kokanee fishing has been good for fish from 13 to 16 inches.  
Troll a pink Apex behind a Sling Blade in the channel at the bridge or the coldwater curtain.  
Try an Uncle Larrys spinner, with pink and white beads, tipped with shoepeg sweet corn, the long kernel corn you can get in the grocery store.  
You have to keep the hooks tipped with corn, so if you aren't getting a hit, check to see if your corn is gone.
Courtesy of Western Outdoor News.

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