Mac the Naw: Topaz fishing opener ahead, are you licensed to fish?

Hello fellow anglers, we are getting closer to the Topaz opening day fishing season. The lake will open on Jan. 1, 2018. Some important things to do before the season opens. Time to change that line and lubricate your fishing reel.

For California anglers don't forget to get your new 2018 fishing license. There is a couple ways to get your license. You can get them at your local sporting goods store when they become available or you can go online to California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

They are now available to purchase. Have your old license to reference the license number, this will make the process easier. You can print out a temp copy, then you will receive your license in the mail within two weeks. As a note; make sure you choose the 2018 fishing license.

For Nevada anglers, your license is valid until the last day in February. For those boat anglers, all will need to register your boat for the new year, this again can be done on line at CDFW or Nevada Department of Wildlife. Have your old registration in hand to make the process much smoother. Make sure to print out a copy and keep it on your vessel just in case your new tags do not come in the mail by the first of January.

If you need a little fine tuning of your fishing vessel, there is a semi-new face in Minden. Ward MacMonagle, owner of Award Quality Speed and Marine has opened a shop at 2562 Silver State Parkway unit C2. Which is just off Johnson lane, or can be reached at 775-690-3483.

This year the Naw will not be able to join the festivities for opening day, he will be working to pay off all the lures he bought for Christmas. Many of the upper lakes in the Alpine County are icing up and please use caution, as they are not safe to venture out on as yet. Here is a small report for our local area.

LAKE TAHOE: Fishing has been very good for good sized mackinaws and some larger rainbows and browns have been reported. Mac action has been by the Cave Rock area and the Tahoe shelf. Some anglers have been long linning Rapalas from Camp Richardson to Emerald Bay.

SILVER LAKE: The lake has ice forming on it and the boat ramp is non accessible. The ice is to thin to venture out on, I would wait a few weeks before ice fishing.

CAPLES LAKE: Ice forming on the entire lake, not stable at this time to ice fish. The resort is closed for the winter season. Will keep you informed of the ice conditions.

RED LAKE: Ice covering the whole lake and very unstable at this time. Do not attempt to ice fish at this time.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: Many anglers at the lake over the weekend. The lake had some ice forming on the north west side of the lake. The lake level is still up and the weeds are far and few between. Best action was with a night crawler in the shallow areas of the lake. I fished with Tom Blotter from Minden.

We started around 9 a.m. and fished until 3 p.m. We caught approximately 19 small rainbows between us using night crawlers and small jigs. Ward Mac Monagle from Minden caught a nice 2.5 pound rainbow last week while fishing near the dam. I met an angler last Sunday who caught a 3 pound rainbow with Powerbait.

TOPAZ LAKE: Opens January 1, 2018. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has planted 11,000 trout since the lake closed for the season. The water level is very high and is expected to be at almost full capacity for opening day.
Good luck on your next fishing adventure.

If you have a photo to share, send it to jeff@carsonnow.org. If you have a question or a fishing report for our local fishing area. Call the Naw line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin' and tight lines.