Fishing line

TOP PICKS

LAKE DAVIS - Set May 16 and 17 aside. That's when the Department of Fish and Game and the Plumas National Forest will hold the Lake Davis Trout Restocking Celebration as part of a plan to restore the lake as a world-class trout fishing lake following the pike-eradication project last September. Thousands of fish will be planted May 16; May 17 will feature activities for adults and kids at Coot Bay as well as lots of fishing. Meanwhile, they're catching fish: trolling action reported, with fish in the top 4 to 6 feet hitting Needlefish and red Rebel Runners. Rainbows have been running 12 to 16 inches.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Ward's Landing - Being flexible in the approach paid off from Ward's Landing to Verona. They drifted minnows when there wasn't much fishing pressure or other boats around. But when pressure got heavy, they would anchor up and hunker down at spots they knew to be productive and fish with pileworms, sardines or anchovies.

BERKELEY - The halibut action was prime with fish showing all over the bay for the fleet, with the exception of the deeper water spots. Alameda's rock wall, the Oakland Estuary, Southampton, the Berkeley Flats and Paradise were all productive. On board the Reel-lentless, Western Outdoor News staffer Bud Neville and others caught five keeper halibut, two keeper stripers and many shakers.

SHELTER COVE - The bottomfish opener above the 40'10 line showed outstanding lingcod action, and plenty of rockfish for limits on the Bite Me. Captain Trent Slate said the big Pacific halibut action is back on with four caught to 52 pounds. His boat took a 20-pounder.

MOTHER LODE

AMADOR LAKE - Warming temps should continue to challenge the trout anglers, perk up the catfish bite and send more bass into dedicated post-spawn patterns. Night fishing will begin to attract more bassers as the activity level of the fish peaks in the morning and evening. Topwater lures are good bets during those periods, while jigs and worms will work best the rest of the time. Main lake points are the big bass draws. Trout anglers scored with Power Bait, mini-jigs and worms while casting from shore. Trollers did best with small spoons, grubs and flies.

CAMANCHE LAKE -- Trout and bass are still strong, but the news came from some catfish anglers who succeeded on 3 different efforts topped by weighing 3 fish at 22.68 pounds. Chicken liver worked in the South Shore Arm. Bass were still pre-spawn/spawn, with some good action rewarding anglers fishing with plastics. Top depth was 10 to 15 feet, with both 4-inch RoboWorms and Senkos working for fish to 3 pounds. Trout trollers scored in the main lake, the fish now down 25 to 35 feet. Early is still good for toplining but you have to let plenty of line out. Planting programs will continue until surface water temps reach 70 degrees. Temps at the marina were 65 degrees over the weekend.

DON PEDRO RESERVOIR--After a lull, king salmon action picked back up for trollers, with the fish down 94 to 125 feet. Fleming Bay is the hot spot from the River Channel to Ramos Creek. Shad, Ex-Cel Spoons and Sockeye Slammers worked. Kokanee action rated slower for 12 to 14 inchers scattered from 35 to 65 feet down and spread out in many different spots. "You've got to cover lots of water, at different depths," tipped guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing. Lots of lures working including bugs, bead spinners, spoons and hoochies, all producing best behind a nickel or green dodger. Smith said although the kokanee bite went from robust to slower, but the kings were back and one client caught a 4-pound, 2-ounce salmon on Friday.

LAKE McCLURE--Bass action rated good, but most of the fish were still pre-spawn. Plastics fished in 15 to 20 feet of water was the top tactic. Trollers reported a mixed catch of kokanee and rainbow trout, and the occasional king salmon on shad, bead spinners and spoons.

LAKE McSWAIN--Trout fishing reported good for both trollers and shore anglers. Shorebound casters used Power Bait or 'crawler/'mallow combos, while the boaters stuck with the standby flasher/worm combo. Three per rod was the general average, although some reported limits of rainbows.