boating

So the big game tag application deadline came and went and you somehow forgot to get your application in. Or you applied for your hunts but you’re always looking for other opportunities. If either of these scenarios hits home for you, we would like to direct your attention to the Nevada Dream Tag.

The Nevada Dream Tags Program is a raffle that allows resident and nonresident sportsmen a chance at the hunt of a lifetime while also contributing to Nevada’s wildlife habitat. The tags are similar to other western states’ raffle tags and “hunt of a lifetime” tags.

Another strong cold front will push through the Sierra and western Nevada region Thursday into Friday, bringing rain to the valleys and snow to Lake Tahoe, according to the National Weather Service. Ahead of the front gusty winds will develop with gusts up to 45 mph and locally higher in wind prone areas.

A low pressure system will push a strong cold front through the Carson City region beginning Monday night, producing gusty winds, rain and snow showers and much colder temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board approved a $10 fee hike Thursday for its watercraft inspection, invasive species decontamination program, reduced marina funding for the programs and agreed to close an inspection facility at Homewood, officials said.

The fee hike was one of the changes to the watercraft inspection program recommended by the multi-agency Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinating Committee following a reduction in the federal funding that has helped support the program since it began in 2009, according to a news release.

No offense, but if you don’t put in for a Silver State Tag when the big game application period opens on Monday, you must not like hunting very much.

The Silver State Tag already allows hunters the chance to hunt one of four premier big game species (mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, Nelson (desert) bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope) anywhere in the state, but now you also have the chance to win thousands of dollars of hunting gear as well.

This is my annual reminder that if you are a trout fisherman and are new to our area, you may not be aware that some of our best Lahontan Cutthroat Trout fishing is at Pyramid Lake in the month of March.

Pyramid Lake (which is roughly the same surface size as Lake Tahoe) is about 30 miles north of Reno-Sparks, and it contains Lahontan Cutthroat Trout that can easily run into “Double Digits” in weight. That's big!
The lake is the terminus of the Truckee River which begins at Lake Tahoe.

If you were able to stop by the Nevada Department of Wildlife headquarters office in Reno in the early morning hours before the doors open to the public at 8 a.m. you would most likely find Shawn Espinosa, wildlife staff specialist responsible for the Upland Game Program, at his desk.

The same would be true if you poked your head in his door well after closing. After a while you would have to wonder, “Does this guy ever go home?”

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has announced the full implementation of the Aquatic Invasive Species Watercraft Decal Program, developed more than a year ago to fund prevention efforts against aggressive invasive species, such as quagga and zebra mussels.

When the Nevada State Board of Wildlife Commissioners met recently in Las Vegas, its members tackled an agenda that included the establishment of big game hunting seasons for 2014 into 2015, including several “antlerless elk management” hunts that allow for combination deer and cow elk tags, combination bull elk and cow elk tags, spike elk hunts and Nevada’s fourth bear hunt.

Also on the agenda was the removal of fishing tackle restrictions on certain spans of the Truckee River.

For years now, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has been telling the public to not feed wildlife. While there are many reasons why you should never feed wildlife, NDOW would like to point out the newest addition to the list: feeding big game mammals is now against the law.

With more than 14,000 inspections made thus far, Lake Tahoe’s waters remain free of new invasive species, a major threats to the overall health of Lake Tahoe and surrounding water bodies, according to watercraft inspection data and scientific reports.

During the 2013 boating season Tahoe Resource Conservation District watercraft inspectors performed more than 7,000 new inspections, including both newly inspected vessels and those with intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.

Teddy, the warm-hearted, floppy-eared 8-year-old drug sniffing Golden Retriever and valiant member of the Carson City Sheriff's Office K9 squad for years, officially retires today.

Known for his gentle demeanor and love of tennis balls, Teddy has been adored by law officers, sheriff's office staffers, children and even the most unlikely folks — those who have had their vehicles searched — ever since he came on board as an 18-month old rookie sniffer.

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 Nov. 27.

Here is this week's fishing report of rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and southern Oregon. This report is for the week of Nov. 20-27. Many California mountain waterways are closed for the season but a few remain open for fishing.

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 Nov. 13. Friday, Nov. 15 is the last day to fish in most California waterways. Go here to learn more. Opening day for California fishing is the last Saturday in April.

If you are a trout fisherman, you might want to consider taking a fishing trip (or more than one) to Pyramid Lake this month to fish for Lahontan Cutthroat trout that can run up to double digits in weight.

Old timers told me, many years ago, that the two months of November and March are the best times of the year to fish at that large desert lake, north of Reno-Sparks. And, through the years, I have found that to be true, even though I have fished at Pyramid many other months of the year.

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 Oct. 30 to Nov. 5.

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 Oct. 9. Go here for Doug Busey's latest fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in and around Carson City and Lake Tahoe.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is picking up with the cooler temperatures and hoppers are on the hillsides above Angel.

However, anglers are still reporting a few slow days here.

A strong cold front will move through the Sierra, Carson City and western Nevada on Tuesday bringing gusty winds and much colder temperatures with it, the National Weather Service reports.

This is an annual reminder that nearby Pyramid Lake, which is located about 30-35 miles north of Reno-Sparks, will open on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 to fishing for Lahontan cutthroat trout.

That large, desert lake (roughly the same surface size as Lake Tahoe) has a three-month trout closure, each year, from July 01 to September 30. Here are all kinds of interesting information about that lake:

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 Sept. 18-24.

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 Aug. 28 through Labor Day. Don't forget, California's second free day of fishing without a license will be Saturday, Sept. 7.

Have you ever thought about giving hunting a try? Well in the past if you wanted to try your hand at hunting you were required to take an eight hour hunter education course; purchase a hunting license and whatever stamps were necessary; figure out the correct gear you need for your hunt and then find someone to show you the ropes. It’s how hunting works in Nevada, but it does tend to scare off the casual observer who is not totally convinced that hunting is for them. That’s where the Apprentice Hunting License comes in.

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 Aug. 21-27.

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 Aug. 14-20.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Aug. 7-14.

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 Aug. 1-6.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (http://www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing varies from day to day, with some days being good, while others being slow. Best time of day is from about 6:00 am to 10:30 am and then again after the shadows start to hit the water in late afternoon.
Best conditions seem to be with a 5 to 10 mph breeze, putting a small chop on the water.
A few fish are being taken with small dry flies, mostly yellow in color, but most of the luck is still coming with nymphs below an indicator or dry fly.

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 July 10-17. Pack your fishing license and sunscreen.