Hello fellow anglers. Was that a nice little bit of precipitation recently or what. I had to take a week or more off from fishing, mainly because there was no access to anywhere. But the rain took care of that. Not only did it clear the snow, but boosted our lakes by footage, as you will see in this week’s report.
Before we get to the report, you need to write down a couple dates. First of all, we change our clocks ahead this weekend, which means you need to start out a little earlier to get to that fishing hole. But then again on the other side, we get an extra hour of daylight. And it will keep getting longer every day by one minute until the Summer Solstice on June 21.
But the most important date of the year is April 25. This is when fishing season starts and the southern lakes will open, and many of the California rivers will convert back the option of catch and keep, or release allowing you to use bait or lures. Make sure you check your regulations before fishing any river or lake. Some areas will remain artificial lures or flies only with barbless hooks and catch and release.
If you have not made your reservations for your favorite opening day adventure you may want to call right now, because many areas book up a year in advance. I have not decided on which lake I will be on this opener, or if I will be fishing the local rivers. Most likely both!
The last date is kind of funny because April 20 is the official start of spring. Oh heck, I was fishing Topaz Lake this week and it was 63 degrees. But March can be mysterious when it comes to weather.
Now let’s check out what this last storm did to a few bodies of water in our area.
LAKE TAHOE: The mackinaw fishing has been very good. I spoke with a long time friend Sean Luscombe from Carson City. He has been fishing with a friend and doing very well for good sized mackinaws. Best areas have been the Tahoe shelf, Rubicon Bay or the area between Camp Richardson and Emerald Bay. Best attractant was a dodger and a live minnow. Some have had success with F9 Rapalas in the rocky areas. I talked with my friend Jason and he was casting tube jigs in 30 ft of water for some nice rainbows. For more information go to Rubyjeancharters.com. or call 775-233-5055.
CAPLES LAKE: With the last storm they received 3 to 4 feet of snow on top of the ice. But with the rains that followed, the snow on the lake has diminished and there was 20 inches of ice on the lake as of last week. Fishing is still good for average rainbows in the 12 to 15 inch class. The red power egg was the ticket last week. Jigging small spoons or kastmasters can also bring in the strikes. Please note, there are plenty of areas along the highway by the spillway and the launch ramp to pull off and park. There were so many anglers using the resort parking area that they interfered with the guests of the resort. The resort has implemented a $20 parking fee, which is reasonable for direct access to the lake and for day use. For more information go to capleslakeresort.com. Or call 209-2528-8888.
TOPAZ LAKE: I fished the lake this week. I have to tell you, the lake is within a few feet of being full capacity. The water is almost at the top of the Douglas County Parks Department launch ramp. The lake was still and calm. I trolled for 4-1/2 hours for trout and got only a couple hits. I threw every pattern and size variation I had. But, If you love bass fishing, I had a blast with the smallmouth. I caught 6 smallies from 10 inches to 2 pounds using a small jig in about 15 feet of water.
I do want to give you some helpful hints when trolling Topaz right now. On the east side of the lake, there is a lot of debris that will require you to check your lures often. I must have cleaned off my Raplas every 15 to 20 minutes. On the far south end is a very large forest of submerged willows. Use caution or you will be losing some gear. The west side is much cleaner. I saw a few other anglers out there with no luck. I did see one angler along the shore reel in a fair sized rainbow. I can blame the bite or lack of it, on the full moon or just admit I had a great day and not every day will I catch fish.
RED LAKE: The lake had 18 to 25 inches of ice on it last week. Fishing has been a little slow for anglers jigging for brookies and rainbows.
WOODS LAKE: The road is still closed.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake is now full from all the rain we got last week. The fishing was slow. Most anglers have had some success with yellow or rainbow Powerbait. The main road is still closed from 89, but the back road of Airport Road is open. Take it slow, it is a dirt road and very bumpy, two-wheel drivable.
WEST CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: The river is flowing nicely. The fishing has been hit or miss. Many fly anglers have been out in the Hope Valley area with some success with midges. The Woodfords Canyon area is running a little fast right now. Catch and release with artificial lures or flies only.
EAST CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: Fishing was pretty good this week for anglers throwing small spinners across the current. I fished with Geary and Deanna Ness from Minden just a few hours before the snow flew. Geary had good luck with one nice 3 pound rainbow and saw a few more chasing his spinner. I got a couple hits but was unsuccessful. We fished for an hour or so and went back to the Carson River Resort to relax and barbecue a good dinner. For more fishing information or to make a reservation at the resort. Go to carsonriverresort.com. Or call 530-694-2229.
ALPINE COUNTY ROAD REPORT: Blue Lakes, Sunset, Tamarack Lake still closed.
LAKES TO OPEN FOR FISHING ON April 25: Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes, Kirman Lake, Virginia Lake.
Good luck on your next fishing adventure. I hope to see you on the waters soon. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to editor@carsonnow.org. Good fishin’ and tight lines.
