Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of Dec. 26-31

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. 26-31, 2013.

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

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:
Lake level is very low at 24 percent capacity.
Ice thickness by Dam is about 5 inches and some nice Browns and lots of rainbows being caught! Ice fishing isn't for everyone so if it's your first time out be prepared and be careful! 

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

BURNSIDE LAKE, CALIF:
Road closed.

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

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort,com) reports:
A 10-pound Mackinaw Trout was caught on December 21 while ice fishing.

CARSON RIVER, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
ICE and very low flows.

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.

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:
Dec. 22, 2013
We had a couple of ice fishermen in the store yesterday. They were at the dam and reported about 6" or REAL CLEAR ice. One of the fishermen caught his limit and the others in the group did not do quite as good.  Remember, the ice on the lake is not officially monitored and you go on the ice at your own risk!  Please stop by the store and tell us how you did, so that we can share this with your fellow fishermen!

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! 
With nice temps early this week one should drop a line and take a break from skiing or boarding. 

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The ice on the lake is nearing six to eight inches thick.
Anglers have been have good success using green or orange Power Bait or night crawlers through the ice

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The ice on the lake is approximately four inches thick. Anglers using small jigs are doing well for the trout, but should use caution on the ice.

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

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:
According to the reports we are receiving here at the store, the ice at Frenchman Lake is about 5 - 6 inches thick at the dam and 6-7 inches at Lunker Point. There is some open water visible in the afternoons, but it is not accessible for fishing.
Roads around the dam are good.
Limits are being caught on the west side of the dam and well as in the narrows with nightcrawlers and jigs - white or red.
Paul Salas and his dad caught 5 rainbows at the dam on Friday, December 20th using worms and Kelly Johnston and his son Mason caught 8 fish there on Saturday, December 21st. They were also fishing with worms.
Call us for current lake conditions and well as updates on the fishing - Wiggin’s Trading Post (530) 993-4683.

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.

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

JACKSON MEADOWS RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Snowmobile only now.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

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

LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
ICE

LAUGHTON, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River:
Fishing on the river has been good for a variety of species.
Anglers are reporting near-limits of rainbow trout with some holdovers brought in that weigh more than four pounds. Nightcrawlers are often the bait of choice with Power Bait and small spinners working as well.
While recent reports indicate that most striped bass are on the small side, anglers are catching some larger fish as well. An angler using a pencil popper landed a 16-pound striper that measured more than 38 inches long while fishing from shore.

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.

MARTIS LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 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:
Anglers have reported lots of striped bass throughout the Boulder Basin, but the trouble is catching them. The fish prefer live bait, and the gizzard and threadfin shad have been caught near thick brush and trees in the back of coves in the Las Vegas Wash. Some stripers are hanging out in the area of 33 Hole in about 50 feet of water.
Largemouth bass are still providing action for anglers near Callville Bay.
Dark plastics and drop shots have worked well.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing activity has been light, but now is a good time to get out and wet a line. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active in the coves and striped bass are feeding a little more heavily with the colder weather.
Anglers are still having success at Willow Beach.
While reports have not included trophy stripers, anglers are still reeling in fish in the eight- to12-pound range. Trout imitations have proven successful.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Tom Loe of the Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250) (www.sierradrifters.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
The Crowley steelhead took a few days off this week, but man oh man did they make up for it today! I had the pleasure of guiding an outstanding young fly fisher, Cole (13yrs) who put on an Upper Owens clinic today with his grand dad Mel. Cole landed 8 rainbows 18” & over-plus another handful of smaller trout. We used a Drifters crystal leech #14 & 16 with an egg pattern while nymphing. The morning was on fire with a slow down after the wind came up. 
There is some turbidity/weeds around the Hot Creek tribs due to run-off. 
Crowley has thawed for the most part and what little snow there is below 8000 feet is melting rapidly.
Very little surface action as the west wind picked up very early today and put the kibosh on the mayfly hatch.  Ice in the guides until 10 am.
Spruce-A-Bu’s & Loeberg streamers will also get you grabs in the deeper slots and pools, ya just need to find where these rascals are!
Middle Owens River:
The wild trout section continues to provide consistent action while nymphing with smaller flashback PT’s, Assassins birds nest, broken back midges, olive crystal zebra and caddis larva imitations.
Some good dry action with first generation blue winged olives and the last stages of tricos. 
Weather will get nice down in the Owens Valley over the holidays with no storms forecast for the foreseeable future.  Good for vacation plans, not good for the future. Snow pack is only 8% of normal at Mammoth Pass.
Wading is easy at current flows-75 CFS. 
The realtime LADWP gauge is currently working so you can click on the link I have there on my resources page.
Drifting has been mixed, good conditions overall, but the wind put the kibosh on a building bite the last few days.  We did get into a few bigs on streamers, Spruce-A-Bu’s were the hot fly with a light sinking tip in the deeper pools.
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 Calif.

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:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Onion Valley Reservoir:
Has dried up.
Blue Lakes:
Closed.
Knott Creek Reservoir:
Closed.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is at 18% capacity and ice thickness at dam is about 6-7 inches. 
Ice fisherman can expect to catch rainbows and possibly a smallie and like Boca please use common sense and be equipped for the conditions.

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

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

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

RYE PATCH RESERVOIR, PERSHING COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
ICE

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

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

SPOONER LAKE, DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEV:
Frozen, but the thickness of the ice is unknown.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
 Some nice macks are always cruising around the dam this time of year so if you can get out, do. 
Access here is very limited so if you must try please use caution!

LAKE TAHOE:
A report of average sized Mackinaw trout caught while trolling with flasher blades and minnows north of the Cave Rock Landing.

LAKE TAHOE:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
It is cold in the valleys but pleasant at Lake Tahoe. Still, it is cold and icy at the boat ramps and the window of good fishing is expected to be in late morning and early afternoon for the big Mackinaw trout.

TOPAZ LAKE:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Opens on January 1.
Over 50,000 fish have been stocked by Nevada in advance of the opener.

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 22, 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, CA  fishing from the town of Weaverville, California.

TRUCKEE RIVER, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The Truckee River is flowing at the usual winter flows but few if any anglers are targeting brown, rainbows or whitefish (a winter favorite) because of icy conditions.

TRUCKEE RIVER, BIG:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
California:
Flows above the Boca outflow are down to winter level and flows below this have been shut down to a meager 18 CFS!  That means the flows below Boca are nothing now and its a good time to check out the lower river for topography reasons along with some good winter fishing!  Temps will be in the high 40's to low 50's for the rest of the Holiday week.  With weather like this you can expect to have the river to yourself and the whole river is very wadeable now. 
If you're a patient person (which I'm not) one can wait for heads to start breaking the surface or one can try to bump them on the nose reapeatedly nymphing.  As I see it, you're out fishing and getting away from the masses.  Hatches this time of year will consist of Midges, BWO's, and Baetis.  
Nevada:
Caution!  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:
Closed until Saturday, April 26, 2014.

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, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
It is winter on the East Walker. The California section is closed to fishing until spring. The Nevada side is open but ice and low flows makes fishing very, very 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 fish was caught.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
Hunewill Pond:
The pond if frozen now, we'll start checking in March or so and let you know when it thaws!

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.

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