TOP PICKS

AMADOR LAKE--The first trout plant of 5,000 pounds went in Tuesday and provided limit action for shore anglers casting 'crawlers and Kastmasters. These fish cruise the top 2 feet of water, so the best results come to bobber anglers and those who keet their retrieves in that range. Bass action rated good, but no monsters. There was a jumbo 12-inch bluegill caught; lake managers put the sunfish on steroids in their fish tank. Lake level is down 52 feet.

CAMANCHE LAKE--Trout plants were scheduled to start this week with the first load going into the South Shore Trout Pond. "After that, we'll start planting the main lake," said Alisa Powers at the Northshore Store. There were still some holdover rainbows showing for trouters, with 5 and 7 pounders caught by an Elk Grove group upriver above the highway bridge, a 'crawler-Power Bait combo turning the trick. The best trouting is in the main lake, however, by the dam. Bass pressure has been light, but anglers fishing the north harbor for catfish found fish to 4 pounds on liver.

DELTA REGION: SACRAMENTO RIVER side--A steady striper bite continues for trollers with Bombers as well as bait soakers using shad, pile worms, and sardines. Sturgeon are also beginning to chew on grass shrimp and roe from the bottom of the system on up to Cache Slough. This week should see more of them brought in with tides that are more productive.

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side--Reporting for the Outdoor Sportsman in Stockton, Chris Chaing said the striper action continues with fish averaging 19 to 22 inches with larger ones also in the mix around Kings Island and Franks Tract. Anglers are using topwater tackle as well as bait for these sideliners.

AMERICAN RIVER--Water temperatures have been declining, and were around 64 degrees over the weekend. Fisheries officials are hopeful they'll be below the magic 60 degrees by Nov. 1 at which salmon spawning will be viable. In the meantime there have been very few salmon observed in the river, and projections are that even fewer salmon will return to spawn than the meager number of last year. A few small steelhead were being caught swinging flies and drifting nightcrawlers in riffles from Paradise Beach to Sailor Bar. The river closes to fishing above the power lines crossing the river at Ancil Hoffman Park on Nov/ 1. Fishing is allowed in Nimbus Basin above the Hazel Avenue Bridge year round.

KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen--A few salmon were still trickling in, but numbers were well down from earlier. Crowds were gone too, so anglers had the river pretty much to themselves, and a few more steelhead were being caught, but many anglers were disappointed in a season that in no way lived up to the projections. There was quite a bit of rumbling that quotas were set far beyond what they should have been, allowing far more salmon to be netted at the mouth than should have been. As one anglers said, "When you put up a wall of nets and leave them there, what do you expect?"

GENERAL

NORTH COAST RIVERS

As of Oct. 1, portions of several North and Central coast streams are governed by low flow closures. Always call ahead to be sure the river you're planning to fish is open. The DFG's North Coast River Hotline: (707) 442-822-3164; for the Central Coast, call: (707) 944-5533

CHETCO RIVER--Flows are way low here but there are a ton of jacks in the river, along with some adult fish. You'll have to make major adjustments for the Nov. 1 opener of salmon fishing here, depending on whether flows stay low or it rains and brings the river up. According to WON Field Reporter Dave Pitts, keep an eye on the rain, and think hard before using your driftboat if it stays low.

ROGUE RIVER, Lower--Coho and kings are starting to taper off, but fish can still be caught while trolling the Rogue Bay from the sand spit upriver under the bridge by the river view. Stay higher in the water column and pick up the speed just a touch, a 2-ounce weight will be more than enough, according to WON Field Reporter Dave Pitts.