TOP PICKS

FEATHER RIVER, Yuba City-Striped bass fishing was still good on the Feather, and limits common, but it was more challenging last week, and it was often necessary for anglers to do some prospecting to find scattered schools of fish willing to bite. Reports varied from fish being caught below the Highway 99 Bridge to above Star Bend. One day they might prefer trolled Yo-Zuri's, the next, drifted minnows or soaked sardines.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento-Anglers were still catching lots of smaller striped bass, mostly on pileworms, bloodworms, and sardines, but the occasional big female weighing in at over 20 pounds was also being caught from Freeport to Verona. Some sturgeon, too. However, more angling attention was being focused on shad which were providing lots of action at Miller and Discovery parks.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale-The striper bite was inconsistent last week with some days-and nights-producing lots of action, and others not so much. The inconsistency is being blamed on a variety of causes-from a full moon, to stripers' interests turning to spawning rather than eating. Drifting minnows seems to work one day, while trolling might be better the next. And, throwing black plastic over sandbars at night might do the trick.HELL HOLE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 86-percent capacity. The same guy who drove over the French Meadows dam launched at Hell Hole on Saturday with no problems and reported picking up several trout running 18 to 24 inches. Ken Mathis of Ken's Custom Tackle and Guide Service reported that kokanee action should be good on top now, followed by improving action for big Mackinaws in the next week or so.

DELTA REGION: SACRAMENTO RIVER side-The bite continues in the Freeport and other wind protected areas for stripers. In the Rio Vista area they were off the west bank and trolling was the best option, working the shallower waters. Cache and Prospect Slough areas still had sturgeon stacked up and taking eel and pile worms. In these same areas they were also starting to jig for stripers. Near limits of shad are also being taken.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side-Sturgeon anglers found working the shallower waters from Spoonbill Slough up to the Power lines above Broad Slough had some of the best action, as did the Pittsburg area. Depths were between 20 and 32 feet with grass shrimp being the bait of choice on outgoing tides.

General

NORTH COAST RIVERS

CHETCO RIVER, Ore.-Nothing going on yet with the ocean "Bubble" fishery outside the mouth, until a late report Monday morning from Dave Pitts of the Chetco Outdoor Store, who reported salmon being caught at a 270 to 280 degree heading out of Harbor, 4 to 8 miles out in 300 feet of water and down 60 to 120 feet. Some boats had 3 fish as of 8 a.m. Monday. Some silvers around 10 to 14 pounds, but they're off limits, so be careful. They're trolling Rotary Salmon Killers by Pro Troll in chrome or chartreuse.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower, Ore.-Slow action on springers has continued all this past week, with some big fish caught on occasion, like a 30 and 32 pounder, but a current weather pattern is dropping rain on the headwaters, and the fresh push of water is expected to bring in more runs of fresh kings. "The springer fishing during the beginning of the week was slow during the day with the evening producing a fair bite for those who stayed long enough on the water to benefit from it," WON Staffer and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service said. "As the end of the week came the evening bite disappeared, leaving discussions among boats about whether this the end of our spring Chinook season or it a low in the season? Because we have seen slow periods of fishing come and go before."

RUSSIAN RIVER-A good shad bite on mostly male fish, and a few females to 4 and 5 pounds, was shut off by the low pressure system, and the movement of fish above Forestville was halted by the installation of Wohler Dam, so whatever fishing upriver in the Healdsburg area will be from shad already upriver. The shad run is still in the early stages, and should pick up to 15-20 fish a day as soon as the pressure stabilizes.

UMPQUA RIVER, Elkton, Ore.-The lower section of the Main Umpqua River is still fishing as if it is prime season for spring Chinook. Most of the reports to WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer are saying that most of the salmon being caught are only weighing in the mid to high teens. The anglers on the Umpqua river are known for using lots of homemade spinners to catch Chinooks.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Roseburg, Oregon-There are a steady number of springer's being caught in the section of river below the Winchester Dam. "Most of the angler's I know on this area of river are backbouncing the best of their secrets recipes for curing fish roe," said guide Curtis Palmer. "There are a couple of nice boat ramps in a few short miles of river from the dam downstream to the confluence of both forks of the Umpqua.

UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork, Glide, Oregon-The evenings have the rocks on this section of river covered with local anglers floating bobbers with their best roe and some are using shrimp to entice a bite. Some of the more popular holes are Rock Creek Pool, Swift Water Bridge and Windy Rock. Sports fans wanting to drift fish can be found working the faster waters between the deep slow pools. The fishing is much slower than it is on the Main Umpqua river, but several nice fish are being caught on most days, said guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service.

TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS FORM CHARTS

TRINITY RIVER, Douglas City- The release to the Trinity from Lewiston Dam was down to 4,000 cfs over the weekend, although "down" is relative, given that the river is still far too high to fish. The flow at Cedar Flat was 7,000 cfs, and at Hoopa 11,000 cfs. It's still gonna be awhile before there's any fishing on the Trinity.

KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam-The release from Iron Gate Dam was 3,200 cfs over the weekend and 6,250 below Seiad Valley. At Klamath Glen, near Highway 101, the flow was 29,000 cfs and flowing mud. Fishing was out of the question and will be for some time.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

AMERICAN RIVER- The river is still high-7,000 cfs-and cold, so fishing for shad has not been all that great. Well, okay, it's been pretty slow. Most of the action has been over on the Sacramento River where the water is warmer. Spin fishermen are doing better, on the whole, than fly fishers since it's easier to drift a mini-jig down deep than a shad fly. However, shad are increasing in numbers in the American and beginning to populate upstream stretches. When the bite will improve is anybody's guess, especially with the crazy cold, wet weather over the weekend. Not many people are trying for them, but there are still a few small steelhead in the American along with the occasional, sometimes quite large, striped bass.

FEATHER RIVER, Oroville-A few small steelhead were being caught in the Low Flow Section, but fishing was slow once again.

FOLSOM LAKE-Bass fishing continued to be very good, especially up around Rattlesnake Bar. Stormy weather presented challenges, but fishing windward shores produced some nice catches. Reaction baits like ripbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits were attracting strikes, but so were more slowly worked wacky-rigged Senkos and drop-shotted Robo-Worms.

RANCHO SECO LAKE, MATHER LAKE-Area ponds and small lakes continued to produce, and the cold weather should keep water temperatures down and extend the spawning season. Wacky-rigged Senkos, Carolina-rigged plastics, crankbaits, swimbaits, and ripbaits were all producing.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding-Trout fishing around Redding was a bit tougher last week, but, changing tactics, like switching from drifting Glo-Bugs to drifting nightcrawlers or crickets seemed to work to get back on the bite. Some of the trout being caught, though, were real beauties, weighing up to 6 pounds. The trick was to be flexible. Fly fishermen, too, were changing things up, going from larger golden stones and rubberlegs to smaller Mayfly nymphs and tiny egg patterns.

NORTHERN FOOTHILLS

AMERICAN RIVER-The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that local river flows were below seasonal highs, but water clarity was good. A local Georgetown angler had not reported any success yet, but fishing should be good on the Middle Fork. Flows were high and off-color at the confluence at Hwy 49, and rain and snow over this past weekend will just make things worse.

BULLARDS BAR-The lake is at 94-percent capacity. Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle Company reported that there was a fair swimbait bite-5 to 6 fish a day, but a 4 1/2- to 5 1/2-pound average with fish to 7 1/2 pounds were caught this past week. A tournament is coming up and anglers are being tight lipped about locations and depths.

CAMP FAR WEST-The lake is still full and spilling-water is off-color. Bass and crappie are still hitting for anglers fishing around the submerged brush found all around the lake. Most anglers are reporting good action on nightcrawlers. Artificial lures should be working just fine.

COLLINS LAKE-The lake is down 1-foot from full. Trout limits were more common this past week for both shore anglers and trollers. Big trout for the week was a 7 1/2 pounder caught by Ryan Metteer while trolling with a Rapala, followed by a 6 1/2-pound rainbow taken by Tim Lesondak of Auburn from shore with Power Bait. Catfish from 5 3/4 to 9 pounds were caught, also. Bass fishing has been slower than expected due the colder than normal temps.

ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR-The lake is at 102-percent capacity and spilling. Trollers and bait fishermen have been picking up some big stringers of holdover browns and rainbows on the upper end of the lake. Trollers are toplining Rapalas and flasher/worm combos 10 to 15 feet deep, while some boaters are using nightcrawlers from shore for trout running 18 to 20 inches according to Dillon Davis at Skippers Cove Marina.

FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is at 68-percent capacity. A fisherman pulling a small boat with a 2-wheel drive truck from the Georgetown road reported driving over the dam here this past Saturday. Snow was in the forecast for Sunday, but warmer weather expected by mid-week should open the road by the weekend. Call the Foresthill Ranger Station for the latest road conditions before making the trip, 530-367-2224.

LAKE OROVILLE-The lake is at 94-percent capacity. The bass bite was good for numbers, but not much quality this past week according to Bruce Gibson at the Paradise Tackle Company. Senkos, jigs, and flukes were all working with the better fish coming on jigs. The water is clear, so light test fluorocarbon line is recommended-10-pound for jigs, 6-pound for finesse techniques. Gibson said the West Branch and the "slot" were both fishing well. 35 to 50 fish days are common for mostly small spots, but a good fish comes in once in a while. Coho action has been hit-or-miss-good one day, bad the next. John Kline, a Shasta Tackle pro-staffer, picked up 8 fish to 17 1/2 inches for three anglers while trolling Sling Blade/white hoochie combos at 25 feet deep off the houseboats at Bidwell Marina near the Green Bridge.

SCOTT'S FLAT LAKE-The lake is full. Smallmouth bass, 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, have been hitting nightcrawlers in the backs of the coves. Trout trollers were picking up some small rainbows, 10 to 12 inches, working the lake from the inlet to the dam with flasher/worm combos according to Jim Caldwell at the Scott Flat Lake Resort.

SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR-This lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Warmer weather by the weekend should make this a good choice for the first time this season.

STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR-The lake is full and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The campground concessionaires will be in place by this weekend and fees will be collected for camping and boat launching. No one has reported any fishing success according to the Georgetown Ranger Station.

THERMOLITO AFTERBAY-The lake is at 81-percent capacity. Lots of water is being run through this impoundment as the rice farmers in the Sac Valley flood up their fields, so water temps are lower than normal. Bass are on beds near the tules. Swimbaits, Senkos, and jigs should be working, but strong winds kept boaters off the lake all this past week, and rainy weather is in the forecast until mid-week this week. Weather and water need to stabilize before the bite turns back on here.

NORTH COAST LAKES

CLEAR LAKE-For anglers pursuing bed fishing, white or chartreuse baits (lizards, jigs, etc.) will do the trick for many of the fish. Some pitched Senkos around in the sparser sections of tules and flooded trees and anglers reported catching fish on the docks of the Lucerne and Nice shorelines. Plastic worms including Robo Worms and Margarita Mutilators in Aaron's Magic, Red Crawler colors, Maverick's June's Choice and Ed's Candy Crawler have been popular choices. Senkos in watermelon and green pumpkin variations have been doing the trick as well.

LAKE BERRYESSA- Expect to find bass biting in the shallows tight to the rocky banks. A smoke grub produced bass from 1 1/2 to 3 pounds. A mixed bag of kokanee, kings and trout were found at depths from 20 to 35 feet and from the mouth of the main lake to the mid lake area. Once found, it was keeping them that was hard. Sep's Kokanee Candy, Vance's small Sockeye Slammer spoons and Uncle Larry's Hot Belly Tiger were a few good choices.

North Saltwater

BERKELEY-Fair to good action on halibut on the potluck trips, with the California Dawn finding one around and a total of 25 fish on Saturday with live shiners and a mix of halibut and bass, then drifting the first live anchovies of the year on Sunday for 5 halibut and 8 striped bass. The Happy Hooker scored 15 for 16 anglers on Saturday, 8 bass and 7 buts, and 2 buts and 3 bass on Sunday for 6anglers. "The good news is we should have live anchovies at Berkeley this weekend," said Scott Sutherland at Berkeley Sportfishing. One salmon trip did show promise with 3 kings boxed.

BODEGA BAY- While the New Sea Angler is still not running trips, the six pack fleet has been finding king salmon. The Miss Anita had limits of salmon on Sunday, and Captain Bob Monckton on Reel-lentless went to pick up the boat from Bodega on Tuesday and took a couple anglers out for a try, finding 4 kings weighing 10 to 12 pounds.

EMERYVILLE-Frank Salazar at the landing said the New Huck Finn has started offering crab combos with potluck efforts, and the first trip on Tuesday scored 11 halibut to 15 pounds and 98 crabs for 18 anglers. The Talisman also fired up the crab combos on Friday, with 36 crabs for six, limits, plus 2 halibut and 1 striped bass. Live bait (anchovies) trips are expected to begin on Saturday, if bait supplies that arrived Sunday prove enough.

EUREKA-The salt fishing scene has come alive with king salmon and rockfish now open, Pacific halibut showing, and the beaches prime for surfperch and razor clams with the coming minus tides. Ben Williams, retired employee, happened to be hanging out at the Pro Sport Center so offered an update on the action, noting that Sunday's fish count was 11 kings for 23 boats, but most anglers gave up early due to cold, rainy conditions. Trinidad did better, with 30 fish for 11 boats. WON subscriber Lonnie Dollarhide was out again for both halibut and king salmon, his trip for salmon on the Shellback with Captain Phil Glenn scoring near limits, with fish to 21 pounds. The halibut trip found windy conditions, but only one 30-pound flattie boxed.

FORT BRAGG-Salmon fishing slowed, with one or two fish per trip, reported Captain Randy Thornton, his best day coming south off of Jughandle where 16 and 12 pounders proved the ocean wasn't empty. Crab combos are still getting good numbers of Dungeness, but not always limits, he said.

HALF MOON BAY-Mid-week limits on the Connie O inspired the fleet, and the Queen Of Hearts got over one around on Thursday, and the New Captain Pete nearly one around on Friday, but the action fell off when the fleet hit on the weekend with fewer than one salmon around per boat. The fish are great quality, reported Peggy Beckett at Huck Finn Sportfishing, most of Wednesday's fish in the 12- to 15-pound range.

LOCH LOMOND-Captain Gordon Hough on the Morning Star was able to report the first halibut of the year for his boat, and applauded the appearance of live anchovies at San Francisco's live bait receivers after spending most of his savings on live shiner perch for the weekend trips. Ironically, the first flattie of the year hit a "popsicle," or frozen anchovy despite the availability of shiner perch on the boat. Go figure. Friday's trip produced 1 halibut, 1 leopard shark and 2 stripers, and Saturday's trip produced 4 halibut and 1 striper.

SAN FRANCISCO-The receivers were the first to fill with live anchovies last Sunday with the first successful wrap of bait. The bait boat was heading out again Sunday night to keep the supply going, so by the weekend, live bait should be available for charter and private boats alike.

SHELTER COVE-Captain Trent Slate on Bite Me said the Sunday opener of bottomfishing above the 40'10 line was phenomenal with a wide open lingcod bite that produced fish to 25 pounds. He was salmon fishing on Saturday, but one boat that ran north for Pacific halibut found excellent action with 8 hookups and 6 fish boated topped by a 70 pounder. He tried on Sunday, but the storm front arrived and they had to slip inside for bottomfish instead. That move put them onto the limits of lings and rockfish. Both trips also scored half limits of Dungeness crabs.

NORTHEASTERN AREA

LAKE ALMANOR- The west basin's insect hatches have begun to catch up with the east side and fish are just under the surface picking them off as the action shifts over here. The best bite starting at first light. The bigger salmon have been at the Snag, and anchovy tails four cranks off the bottom have been getting their attention.

BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR-There is no access to this area at this time due to very deep snowdrifts. Don't expect access here until Memorial Day or later unless the road is plowed by P.G.E. The lake is likely still frozen in any case.

BAUM LAKE- There are some really big fish in Baum Lake. Pro Fly Shop Guide, Ernie Denison put one of his guests on what is probably the biggest fish to see a net this spring on a black woolly bugger. Kastmasters, nightcrawlers and Power Baits are also good here.

BRITTON LAKE-Vaughn's Sporting Goods in Burney reported action heating up for crappie on jigs where water is coming into the lake.

BURNEY CREEK-Lower Burney Creek in the state park area should be good, according to Vaughn's Sporting Goods but otherwise, the water is muddy above the falls.

CASSEL FOREBAY-Rim Rock Ranch reported a few nice fish coming out of the forebay and canal on worms and Power Bait. With cooler temperatures, mid-morning and afternoon fishing was the most productive. Lures also worked well on this stretch of water, be prepared to change it up if your favorite presentation doesn't seem to be doing the job. If you are not quite sure where the fish are staging, keep an eye turned upward and watch where the Osprey are diving, as they will clue you in on the presence of cruising fish.

EAGLE LAKE-Pine Creek, plus several other feeder creeks, are running and will continue to do so for quite some time, especially with the warmer weather. It appears that boaters will experience no problems launching at any of the boat ramps. The egg-taking trap is now closed till next year and DFG biologist Paul Divine is optimistic that anglers will enjoy catching healthy, strong and beautiful Eagle Lake trout on the Memorial Day weekend opener. Still looking to come up multiple feet this year, and estimates vary from 3 to 6 feet.

FALL RIVER-The Fly Shop reported water conditions best above Island Road but a mix of reports from great to poor coming in. There have been good hatches of PMDs, especially from Island Road Bridge upstream, with the peak dry fly activity from about 10:00 a.m. until 4:00. There are some really big rainbows around, slurping up these tasty dry fly morsels, and since it's still early in the season they're not particularly tippet shy.

IRON CANYON RESERVOIR-The reservoir has come up a little, expect difficulty launching. There is a huge mud gap between the end of the boat ramp and the water. Since the lake is low, launching motorized boats can be impossible and the fishing's been good.

UPPER HAT CREEK- Rim Rock Ranch reported fish plants continue once a week for now but multiple plants should be on track for the week prior to Memorial Weekend. Some very big rainbows and brookies are still coming in, even with water conditions being a bit tough this time of year. With cooler temperatures and little rain the creek is still running high and clear. The most productive baits continued to be worms, eggs and Panther Martins in a variety of color combinations. The fishing pressure remains light, even on the weekends so there are lots of opportunities for everyone to hook up with some good rainbows and brookies. Fly fishing was slow but some nice fish were coming in on buggers and nymphs fished deep and slow.

HAT CREEK (wild trout section)-Nymphing was best on the stretch just below the powerhouse and there were good results with pt's, copper Johns. Salmon flies are starting to show in the riffle above the lake but still not good. Stone nymphs are picking up a few fish.

KESWICK RESERVOIR - Conditions continue to be good and stable. You will need a motorized boat, and a jet boat is best. The fish hold in the swirly waters near Shasta Dam. To find out more about fishing here, contact Michael Caranci, Director of Outfitters, at The Fly Shop at 800-669-3474 or by email at michael@theflyshop.com .

MANZANITA LAKE-The lake is open but the water is still quite cold. The weather this past week didn't help much as morning temperatures remained at or below freezing and the afternoons only climbed to the low 40s. Very few fish are showing on the surface or near the shoreline so consequently the best fishing was on nymphs and streamers fished in deeper water. The bite for smaller fish was just okay and very few larger fish were on the take. This should improve in the coming weeks with more sunshine and warming water, especially wherever the lake depth is shallow or sandy/gravel. Big browns and rainbows should start cruising if the temperatures improve. This is a catch and release lake with special regulations so be sure and check for specific restrictions.

LEWISTON RESERVIOR-You'll find good water conditions and fishing good to great. Suspending tiny midges, stripping woolly buggers and retrieving leeches has produced some really nice rainbows in recent days and weeks. Use a full sinking type 7 line for fast, speedy retrieves, like woolly buggers cast to the shallow bank and stripped back through progressively deeper water.

PIT RIVER-Fishing is rated poor to fair with higher than normal water releases preventing the truly good reports this river is famous for at this time of year from coming in.

McCLOUD RIVER- According to The Fly Shop, heavy stonefly nymphs and rubber legs fished deep have been the most productive flies, but some fish are also taking Prince nymphs, bird's nests, and caddis pupae. Turbulent, high, fast water conditions from snowmelt and excess water spilling out of the reservoir. Still, the water remains clear and fishable. Access is extremely limited due to the high flows, but if you can find a slower pocket to make a cast into deeper pools, the fish are there and hungry.

LAKE SHASTA- Until the weather stabilizes it's going to fish differently from day to day. The Pitt Arm has been good, even if the wind was blowing and water was muddy. Fish have been in the top 5 feet with 2 1/2 pounders working the points and biting red/gold HumDingers behind Sling Blades. Squaw Creek had a steady bite and trout averaging 1 1/2 pounds when the wind died, on Wiggle Hoochies behind Sling Blades. The bass bite was tough, most were in spawning mode and not eating. Try a slow presentation in 25 to 30 feet with Senkos and dartheaded worms in shad or crawdad colors.

WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR-The kokanee fishing is already off to a great start and there's a red hot bite from the north side of the 299 Bridge troll between 20 and 45 feet into the main body north and south, with Apexs and Wiggle Hoochies. Bass should be in the shallows for their spawn, toss a swimbait in 15 to 20 feet of water.

SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS

BOCA LAKE-The lake is at 87-percent capacity. Trollers have been picking up some nice 3- to 4-pound browns and macks on Rapalas in the shallows early in the morning. Shore anglers have been doing well on rainbows at the dam and inlet on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. Boaters are still launching along the gravel shores on the east side of the lake.

CAPLES LAKE-Ice fishing still happening here this past week. Lots of new snow fell over the weekend, though.

CARSON RIVER (East, West)-Pretty much blown out. On colder days when flows drop a little, try the pocket water tight to the banks. Young Ryan Solberg of Meyers caught a 6-pound 13-ounce rainbow in the East Fork this past week.

DAVIS LAKE-The lake is at 89-percent capacity. Ed Dillard at Dillard's Guided Fishing reported that the fishing is good for trollers. On a scouting trip this past Tuesday, he picked up 9 fish in 3 hours. Guide trips on Thursday and Friday produced 25 for 3 clients and 17 fish for two anglers. Firetiger Needlefish and Sockeye Slammers trolled at 6 feet early and then dropped down to 15 feet later in the morning produced consistent action. The boat dock is in a Camp 5. The Lightning Tree ramp could be in by Memorial Day. The Grasshopper and Grizzly campgrounds will be closed this summer for US Forest Service upgrades.

DONNER LAKE-The lake is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. Macks from 5 to 8 pounds have been falling for Lyman plugs and Jointed Rapalas trolled in shallow water in the early morning hours. There was a rumor of a 20 pounder being caught-and-released by a local. Trout fishing should be good at the west end docks and around the boat ramp after this next DFG plant.

FEATHER RIVER CANYON-Butt Valley Reservoir is at 83-percent capacity. Smallmouth bass and trout action was good, but it was snowing on Sunday. The Feather River was blown out and it could be mid-June before water levels can be ramped down to allow any fishing.

FRENCHMAN LAKE-The lake is at 93-percent capacity. Snowing on Sunday, but warmer weather later in the week should have the roads clear. Wiggins Trading Post reported that fishing was good at the dam and at Lunker's Point for limits of rainbows. Trollers were doing best along the east side of the lake. Local streams were fishing very well.

ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 48-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. According to Kyle Neeser of Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service, local boaters who headed up here this past week found very tough fishing and all boats got skunked. New snowfall that came in over this past weekend will delay any improvement in access or fishing success. One shore angler who fished by the dam reported catching 4 nice rainbows.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR-Snow this past weekend. Before the weather, fly casters, lure and bait fishermen were catching a few 3 to 5 pounders. Wait for the weather to stabilize-winds have been a big problem when it isn't snowing.

JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)-Wind, rain, and 6 inches of snow shut down the fishing here this past weekend. Earlier in the week, after the lake was planted by the DFG, Sly Park Resort reported that a couple of kids fished the first dam area and caught two limits of rainbows on Power Bait. Browns were active also, with trollers picking up a couple of 2 1/2 to 3 pounders on Rapalas near the second dam.

LAKE TAHOE-Heavy snows and winds over the weekend shut down the fishing. Earlier this past week, charter boats did well on macks and browns. Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters in North Shore reported good action on macks, 3 to 5 1/2 pounds, trolling 60 to 80 feet deep early and then dropping down to 250 feet deep. Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners reported hosted Michigan guide and TV host Tim Roller to browns that weighed 7 and 10 1/2 pounds using CD-18 Rapalas at 20 to 30 feet deep at South Shore. Other trips produced as many as 20 macks, 3 to 6 pounds, trolling 200 to 220 feet deep with Storm Thunder Sticks.

PROSSER LAKE-The lake is at 49-percent capacity. Shore anglers were picking up rainbows and smallmouth bass in the coves near the dam and inlet on Rapalas and nightcrawlers. This was before the snows that hit over the weekend.

PYRAMID LAKE-Windy, snowy weather played havoc with trollers over the weekend. Earlier in the week, Joe Mendes at Eagle Eye Charters was picking up 13 to 19 cutthroats each day for clients while trolling rainbow trout and frog Apex lures in 17 to 25 feet of water at 2 mph. The fish were averaging 17 to 24 inches, with one fish at 26 inches.

RED LAKE-Still some ice fishing going on here, but there was a big snowstorm over this past weekend.

SILVER LAKE-Still some ice fishing going on here, but there was a snowstorm that pounded the area this past Sunday and weather was supposed to last until Tuesday-check road conditions.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR-The lake is at 90-percent capacity. Rick Kennedy at Tight Lines Guide Service fished the lake this past weekend and limited out on 13- to14-inch kokanee using watermelon Sling Blades with Uncle Larry Mad Cow spinners and UV Glow Sling Blades and Pee Wee Green Measles hoochies both tipped with pink Pautzke's Fire Corn at 10 to 30 feet deep. Trolling Rapalas, Kazi Minnows, and P-Line Predators produced a 3-pound Mackinaw and two lost fish. The water temp was 48 to 49 degrees. The boat ramp was in good shape and launching was no problem. All that said, it snowed hard on Sunday and weather was in the forecast until Tuesday. Call ahead to Mountain Hardware and Sports 530-587-4844.

TOPAZ LAKE-Trollers and bait drifters working the south end of the lake were catching 2 fish per person this past week before wind, rain, and snow flurries arrived over the weekend. Rainbows were running 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. Flows at the inlet are high and muddy and are expected to remain that way for several more weeks. The water clarity in the lake is good.

TRUCKEE RIVER-Flows are high and blown out along Hwy 80. Check flows down by Tahoe City.

UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR-The lake is at 74-percent capacity and scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week. The road from Pea Vine Ridge Rd is open and the Sunset ramp should open within 7 to 10 days, but a big snowstorm that hit the area this past weekend may delay that. Boaters on the lake this past week reported poor action with most anglers getting skunked.

WEST WALKER RIVER-High and muddy-probably until late June. Call ahead to Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel, 530-495-2281.

Motherlode

AMADOR LAKE-Trout fishing was very good for anglers through the week, the lake managers trying a new planting strategy. Instead of dumping 3,000 pounds in all at once, they planted 600 pounds a day Monday through Friday, which kept the action going all week long. "We saw lots of limits, with mostly the smaller fish and usually one bigger fish on most stringers," said Debbie Grayson at the store. "There was a 7 pounder caught." Power Bait, nightcrawlers and Kastmasters were the top three choices for hooking fish. While no concrete catfish reports have surfaced, a visitor at the lake early spotted a nice whiskerfish going home with an angler before the store opened.

CAMANCHE LAKE-Warming weather slowed the trout action early in the week, but by the chilly weekend the bite was on in the South Shore Trout Pond with a pair of anglers catching 9 fish weighing up to 8.8 pounds. Their other 8 fish were between 2 and 4 pounds, said Louise Buie at Lake Camanche Recreation. Still, the biggest trout was dwarfed by an 18.1-pound catfish caught near the Sugarloaf Campground on a Kastmaster. Bass are mostly post spawn, and are hanging in 10 to 15 feet of water in rocky areas.

DON PEDRO RESERVOIR-Guide Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing spent some time on the lake with four trips that produced steady action on kokanee and rainbow trout, most of the fish hitting Shasta Tackle or Glitterbug hootchies tipped with Pautzke's corn and trailed behind a Vance's or Sling Blade dodger. Most of the action came from Middle Bay, but there are fish scattered throughout the lake. The trout ranged in size up to 2.5 pounds, and the kokanee to 16.5 inches. The hot depth was between 35 and 65 feet.

LAKE McCLURE-Bass fishing is a top bet for anglers fishing Barrett's Cove and Horseshoe. Most anglers are using plastic worms, but one guy did great with the real thing (nightcrawlers) fishing in the evening at Horseshoe Bend. Trout trollers can expect fair to good action fishing the 25- to 35-foot zone with Needlefish, Ex-Cels, Apexes and nightcrawlers. Kokanee should be starting, but the weekend weather slowed angler activity, so no reports yet on the sockeyes.

LAKE McSWAIN-Excellent action for trout with the brushpile a top spot for anglers soaking Power Bait and Power Eggs. The dam also produced limits for shore anglers. Trollers can use flasher/'crawler combos, Rapalas and Kastmasters for good results.

LAKE PARDEE-Project Kokanee's annual Mike Carrington Memorial derby found excellent action with most participants reporting limits of combined kokanee and trout. There were some big trout checked, including a 9-pound rainbow, and a 6 pounder caught by one youth angler. Bass fishing is rated good, one example the 9-pound, 11-ounce largemouth caught on a nightcrawler by a bank angler.

NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR-The stabilized lake level meant good black bass action until the cold front hit on the weekend, and while anglers reported a good reaction bite mid-week, count on that changing. The most recent striped bass reports indicated a good bite for trollers using shad and anchovies for 3 to 5 fish per boat.

NEW MELONES RESERVOIR-Take your pick, steady action on kokanee in the 12- to 15-inch range or giant catfish, brown trout and crappie; anglers caught crappie to 4 pounds plus, and catfish to 20 pounds. Bass fishing was good with a 16.27-pound limit winning a recent tournament, the fish scattered all over the lake from the bank out to 20 feet, and no particular pattern with fish caught on swimbaits, topwater, Senkos, Brush Hogs and worms. A shore angler landed the big trout of the week while fishing up near Camp 9, his 11.4 pounder hitting a rainbow pattern Kastmaster.

TULLOCH RESERVOIR-Excellent trout action continued thanks to continued plants, with trollers using spoons in the top 15 feet to score limits of mostly planter-sized rainbows, and the occasional holdover up to 3 pounds.

Cen Cal Saltwater

CAPITOLA-The small boats are finding halibut, rockfish and the occasional lingcod around the mile buoy and outside the kelp line. Salmon fishing has been slow. Surfperch are a better bet for anglers fishing the beaches south to Marina with sandcrabs, shrimp and plastics.

MONTEREY-The fleet is concentrating on bottomfish due to slow salmon fishing, and while most boats are running rather light loads to local spots, the rockfish limits are coming quickly. The Chubasco had seven anglers on Sunday who limited on rockfish, added one ling to the box and were home early. Saturday's trip lasted longer, with vermilion and a few lings in the mix, plus several shakers released. Chris' Sportfishing boats chartered for a salmon derby, and their three boats had 3 salmon, but the rockfish action is limit style when the boats offered bottomfishing.

MOSS LANDING-The Kahuna fished Point Sur on the weekend, finding good action with 28 limits of vermilion, copper, olive, yellow and blue rockfish on Saturday's trip. "It took a little longer than usual on Sunday, but everyone went home with nice sacks," said Carol Jones at Kahuna Sportfishing.

SANTA CRUZ-Excellent local rockfish action continued for the charter fleet, and some bonus halibut rewarded some, like a pair of anglers from South Africa on Becky Ann, who hooked a 25- and a 27-pound halibut. "I've never seen the local rockfish action so good this time of year," said Captain Jim Rubin of Captain Jimmy Charters. Captain Ken Stagnaro on the Velocity agreed, pointing out that on Saturday's half day trip, 27 anglers caught their limits of quality rockfish despite the reduced time of the discounted adventure. Salmon remained tougher, with a private charter on the Velocity finding only one keeper king, a 20 pounder, one big one lost at boatside, and 3 shakers released.

BAY AREA LAKES

CONTRA LOMA RESERVOIR-Bass fishing continued to be very good with some nice whoppers being caught off the weed-lined banks with wacky-rigged Senkos and flukes. Ripbaits, crankbaits, swimbaits, and spinnerbaits were also producing at times, but slowly worked plastics were more consistent producers. Trout fishermen were catching a few 1 and 2 pounders in the Swim Lagoon and Channel Point on nightcrawlers and Power Bait.

LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR-Trout fishing picked up toward the end of last week, and some nice catfish were caught as well. The best action was coming from the south end of the lake. The lake was clearing nicely, and 4,000 pounds of trout and catfish were planted in one week.

LAKE CHABOT-Trout fishing continued to be very good for both bait fishermen and trollers with a common denominator of getting out on the water early. Rapalas and Kastmasters were the ticket for trollers and Power Bait, Power Eggs, and nightcrawlers attracted lots of bites for bait fishermen in Indian Cove, Half Moon Bay and Raccoon Point.

LAKE DEL VALLE-Fishing for trout was very good again last week with lots of limits being caught-whoppers, too. Fishing for bass, catfish, and striper was also good last week. Striper fishing was particularly good in Swallow Bay and the East Beach. Smallmouth bass were being caught on nightcrawlers, mostly around the dam.

LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR-It's pretty much the same story as the past few weeks with anglers not catching many trout, and striped bass providing the most consistent action. Throw in a few whopper catfish, usually caught by anglers soaking anchovies in Howden Cove and off Oak Point. The shoreline is drying out, making for easier walking along the bank. Trout were planted last week, but, as usual, catch results were mixed. Some nice stripers were caught on bait off Oak Point and in South Cove, on anchovies. Trollers had a tough time of it trying to work their Rat-L-Traps, Rapalas, and SP minnows in the wind.

NORTH BAY LAKES-A few small planters continued to be good at Bon Tempe on bait and Kastmasters near the dam. Bass fishing continued to improve at Bon Tempe, Phoenix and Lagunitas. Depending on how nice the weather is, bass might be found in the shallows and willing to hit reaction baits and as wacky-rigged Senko's or deeper and taking jigs.

PARKWAY LAKE-Fishing for catfish continued to be good off the Peninsula and sand bar on nightcrawlers, anchovies and stinkbaits. Trout anglers continued to struggle a bit but were catching a few, mostly in the Back Cove.

QUARRY LAKES- Trout fishing slowed a bit, but some continued to be caught, mostly for bait fishermen on Fisherman's Row and off Peninsula Point. Trollers continued to struggle in windy, stormy conditions.

SAN PABLO RESERVOIR-Fishing for trout and bass was excellent last week with most anglers catching at least a couple apiece, and some nice whoppers mixed in with the 1 and 2 pounders. Scow Canyon, Pink Lady Cove, Sandy Point, the Main Rec and the Boat Launch were all producing. Trolling near the surface with Kastmasters and small broken-back Rapalas was good between Scow Canyon and the buoy line. Drop-shot Robo-Worms along the Whopper Trail toward the dam.

SHADOW CLIFFS RESERVOIR-Trout fishing has been very good from boats as well as from the shore, with the boat launch area producing some of the better catches. Fishing and float tubing are no longer permitted in the arroyo, and Stanley shoreline is closed until further notice. Some bass were being caught by working the shallows with Senkos and flukes.

SOUTH BAY LAKES-Bass fishing at Anderson continued to be very good from tight against the bank out to about 15 feet deep. While reaction baits were attracting some action, finesse fishing was producing the most bites. Fishing for the larger bass at Calero was inconsistent last week because the lake has gotten very low, and fishing pressure has been heavy. Coyote has not been producing lots of numbers but the quality has been good with some bass exceeding 5 pounds.

Cen Cal Lakes

BASS LAKE- More snow, but it shouldn't last long or change the fishing action much. The bass bite was already on the blink, so the cold front is not going to ruin anything, but the trout action is good here, with trollers flashing nets often and shore anglers using Power Bait and Pautzke's salmon eggs getting limits regularly.

EASTMAN LAKE-Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun said the lake may have reopened from the rockslide closure, but he wasn't positive since no anglers who may have tried reported in.

HENSLEY LAKE-Still a top bet for small crappie, and trout trollers will get an extension with the colder temperatures. Bass fishing was generally slow "in the doldrums," with top bet Senkos fished weightless in the first 15 feet, but few anglers reporting consistent success.

MILLERTON LAKE- Water levels are rising fast, and the bass action is fast also, and good if you like catching large numbers of small fish. A Saturday tournament produce a 13-pound winning limit, and there were several 6- to 7-pound limits caught. Rip baits took the lead with a few morning topwater fish. Most caught reaction fish early, then finished their limits by drop-shotting and dartheading worms. The average fish/day was 15 to 30 bass, but the cold front might crimp things a little.

PINE FLAT RESERVOIR-Bass fishing is slower, with a Saturday tournament won with only 12 pounds of fish, possibly the first time this year that concurrent tournaments saw a bigger winning weight at Millerton. Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun said the bite before the cold front passed was all about reaction fish, with rip baits, spinnerbaits, Ricos and Spooks hot, and Senkos getting a share of the action. Trout trollers are stuck in a pattern that produces smaller fish upriver, and bigger fish in the main lake, fishing deeper. Rainbow Runners are top choices. There continued a small contingent of tightlipped anglers catching crappie above Sycamore. Once they locate the fish, they're boating 8 or 9 slabs before losing the school again.

SAN LUIS RESERVOIR- Night fishing has been producing good action on small fish (16 to 20 inches, with a few up to 23 inches) for anglers walking the bank flinging Lucky Craft hard baits or Super Flukes. Both the forebay and the main lake are producing.

SHAVER LAKE- Guide Dick Nichols of Dick's Fishing Charters said the kokanee are still on a hot bite with good action until the winter weather returned for the weekend. Nichols said all his clients mid-week limited out with 90 percent of the catch kokanee, biggest about 13 inches. The action came at the 25-foot level on Captain Jack pink Super Hoochies tipped with corn behind a Captain Jack dodger. Most trips produced 4 to 5 limits for the boat.

WISHON LAKE-While another foot or so of snow fell over the weekend, the trout action remained a top bet. The ramp is still dirt and recommended for small boats only, but the fishing action is hot. One pair of anglers put in and started trolling, heading for the upriver section and had two limits of rainbows to 14 inches well before reaching the river arm. Frog patterned FlatFish and Needlefish tricked the fish, along with a nightcrawler and flasher combo. The deepest they tried was three colors of lead core, so the fish were in the top 20 feet.

--Western Outdoor News

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