Fishing Report: Winter Fishing is here for the season, despite the warmer weather
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Sat, 02/03/2024 - 12:17pm
Hello fellow anglers. Welcome to winter, or is it? Our weather has been so crazy lately. A few weeks ago I was plowing snow and last weekend it was 66 degrees while I was fishing Topaz Lake in a tee shirt. But give it time. As we say in Nevada, if you don't like the weather, give it an hour or so.
Many anglers stay in for the winter, but this angler is an all-season fisher. I have been rained on, snowed on, and even waited out a thunderstorm in a tent for hours just to wet a line. Just ask my friends Steve Lightfoot Geary and Deanna Ness about the time we huddled under a 12' canopy for 7 hours before we could get out to do some fishing. We listened to music, bbqed and reminised about old fishing trips, but we did get out for a short time that day to do some fishing.
It's not an obsession, it's a passion that only a true angler understands.
This time of year, many put up the fishing poles for snow skis, but in our area, we can do both! Caples Lake Resort or the Carson River Resort offers cabin rental accomodations. You can ski in the morning, come back to a cozy cabin to relax and then fish. The East Fork of the Carson River offers catch and release trout fishing, while Caples lake offers you a chance to do some ice fishing. Both with fantastic memorable views of the sierras.
All you have to do is dress correctly for the weather and layer down if need be. I did not start Topaz Lake fishing in a tee shirt, but by 2 p.m. that day, that was my preference of attire.
I personally like to use Weather Underground to check out the weather head of time. It will give you a 10 day forecast with hourly time temps and wind conditions. Now if the weather is acceptable in a couple weeks, we will be headed up to Caples Lake for an ice fishing get together. I will have all the info in my next report if you care to join us.
CAPLES LAKE: The ice near the dam was measured at 16 inches deep with a little snow on top. Fishing has been fair. Best lures to use are gold Kastmasters or Thomas Buoyant spoons. Bait wise, half a night crawler with a small pinch weight. The Caples Lake resort is open for lodging and cabin rentals. Now for a special treat: on the 24th of February, they are planning to open the lounge and restaurant. For more information call the Caples Lake Resort.
RED LAKE: The ice was measured at 18 to 10 inches. It all depends on how far out you go on the lake. I fish closer to the dam area, not because it is safer, but because fishing is better in 5 to 15 feet of water. Scented night crawlers, meal worms or jigging a 1/8 oz kastmaster has been most productive. The area behind the dam is open to parking without trailers.
BLUE LAKES - WOODS LAKE - BURNSIDE LAKE: Closed for the season
EBBETTS PASS: Closed 7 miles past highway 4 to one half mile east of State Route 207.
MONITOR PASS: Closed from highway 4 to Highway 395
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake level is up and the lake was ice free as of last week. Fishing has been fair for anglers using powerbait by the unimproved boat ramp or the dam area. The dirt road now is gated 1 mile up off Diamond Valley Road. It closed as of last week, but may open at any time. The paved road was clear of snow and ice all the way to the lake. There is construction in the area. They are clearing trees and putting up a guard rail along the road. The campground is closed.
EAST CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY: The river was running clear and good this week. The fishing has been good for fly anglers using a cooper jon or a bead head brown bugger, while casters are using Panther Martin or Roostertails. Special Note, the river is open to catch and release with artificial lures orlies with barbless hooks. If you must take a picture, keep the fish in the water and do not handle it, and use a catch and release net for picture taking. The Carson River Resort is open for cabin rentals and tent camping along the river for the die-hards. As a note, they also have a 100 year old cabin all by itself secluded right next to the river. I would call ahead for reservations on that one.
EAST FORK CARSON RIVER DOUGLAS COUNTY: The river was running good and clear. The fishing has been slow. In Nevada you may fish with artificial flies or lures or bait. There is a five fish limit.
TOPAZ LAKE: The lake level is high. The Douglas County park is open for camping. The boat ramp is open, but I would advise deeper boats on the east side and smaller on the west. The middle ramp was submerged last week. Fishing was slow for the first hour or so. I had to do some traveling to find the fish. The west side was most productive with an F5 blk/gold or hot steel Rapala. I fished in 8 to 20 feet of water varying my line back 75 to 150 feet behind the boat. I caught and released 16 trout between 12 to 18 inches, but also lost a dozen or more. Shore angling was slow, most were using powerbait with a few catches.
BOATERS QUESTION: What is required on a boat that is over 16 feet long?
Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a picture of your catch. Send it to kelsey@carsonnow.org. I hope to see you on the waters or the ice soon. Good fishin' and tight lines.
