NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures. Always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed or no reports. The DFG’s Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is (707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. Many streams close, and others change to artificial/barbless only on, March 31 and others on April 25. Trouble identifying salmon or steelhead? Go to: http://www.swr.noaa.gov/fmd/identify.htm.
CHETCO RIVER, Ore.—A 2-week season has been set for the Chetco ocean “Bubble Season”, running Oct. 1-14, according to guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. Salmon over 50 pounds are frequently caught during the season, as Chinook stage for the rains to open up the river. Anglers will be allowed 1 king per day and 5 per season. Trollers dragging herring or anchovies are the most successful.
ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach, Ore.–Water temperatures have climbed to 68.5 degrees, which means that it is time to start trolling in the bay, according to WON Field Reporter and guide Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. Reports of Chinook being caught while on anchor have not been good. “I have been told by my sources on the river that there are still salmon entering the river, but for many boats the hope of catching a big king salmon is just that, a hope. There are always a few fish harvested during slower weeks. As the winds die down on the coast more anglers will be trolling the bay.
RUSSIAN RIVER—Summer water sport activities are in full swing here, limiting the fishing availability. The shad run is about over, although a few are still being caught here and there. Anglers wanting some decent smallmouth action can find it early and late in the day when the kayakers and tubers are off the water.
UMPQUA RIVER, North Fork; Glide, Ore.—King salmon fishing has been better than normal here lately, especially early in the morning. There are some closures on the river, but the spots open for keeping kings have been good. It’s winding down, though, according to guide Curtis Palmer.
UMPQUA RIVER; Sutherlin, Oregon–Shad fishing has been slow over the last week. Many anglers are blaming the fluctuation of the river height from water being released from the dams in the upper forks of the river system, according to WON Field Reporter Curtis Palmer of River Secrets Guide Service. With warmer weather in the forecast, the fishing for shad should improve. Light pink jig skirts have been having the best results.
TRINITY/KLAMATH RIVERS
KLAMATH RIVER, Klamath Glen—There was a spurt of good salmon fishing midweek last week, but, alas, it lasted only one day before the success rate dropped back to one to three fish per boat. However, these are gorgeous dime-bright salmon, the best that the Klamath sees. Some early steelhead were being caught inadvertently by salmon fishermen, and it looks like there should be a good steelhead season on the way.
KLAMATH RIVER, Iron Gate Dam—The salmon fly hatch is continuing in spurts with big nymphs being the ticket most days, and big dry flies attracting vicious strikes on a few others. While dry fly fishing during the hatch is often iffy, the adrenalin rush of the occasional surface strike keeps anglers throwing the big bushy salmon fly imitations.
TRINITY RIVER–The river continued to drop, but was still too high last week at 2,500 cfs, and the few anglers doing exploratory trips didn’t do well. But, the river is dropping to 2,000 cfs this week, and that should trigger the start of some action that should quickly turn to great fishing. The lower river will take a little longer to fall into fishable shape because of tributary inflows. Remember, there’s no fishing below the South Fork. The limit is two salmon, two in possession. The river will be dropping into prime shape by late June and releases will be close to summer levels of 450 cfs around the 4th of July holiday, and become constant through the fall.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AMERICAN RIVER—Flows went up again, to 4,000 cfs, making for more challenging conditions for fly fishermen who need to use Hi Speed Hi D shooting heads now. However, the river is full of shad from Howe Ave. all the way to the Sailor’s Bar, including quite a few females, many of which weigh 4 pounds and even more. They put up a real battle on a 7-weight rod. Striper fishing continued to be spotty, but some were being caught on live minnows and sardines on the lower end of the river, while topwater and swimbaits were producing a few farther upstream. Fishing for stripers will continue to improve as water temperatures increase.
FEATHER RIVER— Shad fishing continued to be good above and below Shanghai Bend. The water temperature throughout the length of the Feather was high last week, at 72 degrees, not so good for spring run salmon making their way upriver.
FOLSOM LAKE—Fishing for trout and landlocked king salmon continued to be very good, with kings down deeper on Speedy Shiners and trout being caught near the surface on nightcrawlers trolled slowly or Hoochies behind Sling Blades fished a bit deeper, according Jerry Lampkin of TNG Motorsports Guide Service. Bass were being taken off outside points up the North Fork on drop-shotted and Carolina-rigged plastic worms. There’s a bit of a topwater bite around submerged brush early in the morning. The key to success is to get on the water very early, and get off when recreational boaters begin tearing up the water.
MATHER LAKE—It’s producing some nice bass and even a few crappie. Use weightless Senkos for the bass, mini-jigs for the crappie. Some of the bass weigh up to 5 pounds.
RANCHO SECO LAKE—A few bass were being caught on crankbaits, ripbaits, swimbaits and Senkos by float tubers early and late, but redeared sunfish continued to provide the best action on worms under bobbers. Trout fishing has slowed nearly to a stop, though.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento—Some shad were still being caught at the mouth of the American River, but fishing was better at Verona. A few stripers were caught at Bryte’s Beach, but you have to wade through a lot of bait for every keeper. The Deep Water Channel off Jefferson and Marshall continued to produce some catfish on clams, nightcrawlers and chicken livers.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Tisdale—There was some pretty good striper fishing to be found early and late below Tisdale on topwater plugs, for fish to 12 pounds.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding —Trout fishing slowed a bit in strong winds and increased flows—11,500 cfs—but anglers were still getting around 20 fish an outing. Spin fishermen were side-drifting Glo-Bugs, crickets, nightcrawlers, and tiny FlatFish. Fishing was a bit more challenging for fly fishermen in the winds and higher flows.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Dunsmuir—The river is in good shape and fishing was good last week, including some good action on dry flies in the evening by matching various hatches. Nymph fishing under indicators is also good.
YUBA RIVER—Shad fishing continued to be good by walking in off of Hallwood. Pressure has been heavy, however. Flows have dropped, so jetboating has become a challenge.
NORCAL SALTWATER
BERKELEY— Halibut bit for California Dawn anglers at South Hampton and Berkeley Flats. W Buoy hosted a decent salmon bite and coastal reef zones gave up limits of rockfish for Berkeley Marina Sportfishing boats. Farallon Island trips produced high counts of a mixed bag of quality groundfish. The Happy Hooker got into big halibut and a 44-pound white seabass.
BODEGA BAY—Crabbing for Dungeness turned out to be better than at anytime in the past month. Salmon fishing was generally slow, though perseverance paid off in salmon fillets. Rockfish and lingcod fishing was excellent, both north of town and down the coast, with the New Sea Angler in the midst of the action.
EMERYVILLE—Salmon stayed consistent at the W Buoy, running from 1 fish per rod to occasional limits, when the fickle weather allowed anglers to fish the area. Rockfish performed well with the New Huck Finn scoring 188 rockfish and 44 lingcod for 25 people. Inside the Bay, the New Huck Finn found 11 halibut and 1 striped bass for 17 anglers on a live bait, potluck run.
EUREKA— Tuesday was the only fishable day during the week, when the wind died and the swells subsided. Capt. Tim Klassen on the Reel Steel found easy limits of salmon, with some fish pushing twenty pounds, according to WON Field Reporter, Lonnie Dollarhide who also noted that the rest of the fleet including Shellback and Seaweasel II as well as numerous private boats returned with limits. The next fishable day was Sunday and once again, most boats had limits, though it was more of a pick than an wide-open bite.
FORT BRAGG—Slow fishing was attributed to rough weather much of the week. Few boats made it out. The Trek II fished nearby reef zones on Saturday, due to iffy weather, catching 3/4-limits. A report from Subsurface Dive shop told of 10-foot visibility hampering dive activity. Beach goers however found abalone on the rocks at extreme low tide, with 10 to 15 people reporting limits of abalone on Saturday alone.
HALF MOON BAY—Boats made it out early and again over the weekend to find salmon 7 miles straight out and also up the coast outside the Golden Gate. Rockfish boats went south to score heavily between Pescadero and Pigeon Point. Striped bass bit in the surf zone from Half Moon Bay to Pacifica. Jetty fishers hooked rockfish and perch.
MARTINEZ—A 92-inch sturgeon was caught and released from the pier. Several people assisted, but the angler wished to remain anonymous. Mike from Denair caught a 58-inch sturgeon on grass shrimp from a private boat at Buoy 4. Striper action improved both from shore and from boats, with fish responding to anchovies, bullhead and grass shrimp.
OYSTER POINT—Fishing overall was characterized as slow, but there are silver linings to the dark cloud. Halibut at Angel Island provided a pick at good quality fish. Pier anglers caught small leopard sharks and rays. Striped bass are active, but most of the successful fishing was done during the evening hours so it was difficult to get consistent reports.
PORT SONOMA—Sturgeon in the rivers and upper San Pablo Bay kept anglers busy soaking baits. Napa River is the best bet for sturgeon. Petaluma River is good for sturgeon but bat rays steal baits. Stripers are hitting trolled lures at the top of the tide in the lower rivers. 7-gill sharks began spawning in the Bay near the Pumphouse.
SAN FRANCISCO—Winds subsided and boats cast off to find a variety of fish biting. The Flash, out of Fisherman’s Wharf ran up the coast to find excellent rockfishing. Halibut fishing improved inside the Bay and along the nearby coastline.
SAN RAFAEL—Halibut and striped bass bent rods during slow and moderate tidal periods. When the super minus tides came along, those fish quieted down and sturgeon surged in the fish counts.
NORTH COAST LAKES
CLEAR LAKE—Anglers are running the lake and working hard to land 5 to 10 bass for a day that average 3.5 to 4 pounds. Anglers using frogs should plan on having a white one and a black or dark one and switch off as the day goes on until the fish show a preference. A few anglers are out after catfish and doing well on a mix of cut baits, minnows and nightcrawlers. Even bass anglers are reporting catching an occasional catfish in the 8- to 12-pound range on a crankbait, spinnerbait or jig.
LAKE BERRYESSA—The kokanee fishing has been really good just off the channel by the Big Island area on white RMT squids and rolled bait. A lot of the fish are still holding from 45 to 60 feet but with the hot weather over the weekend it drove them a little deeper. Drop-shot, Carolina rigs and Senkos have been working for bass of main body points. For catfish try cut bait.
NORTHEASTERN AREA
LAKE ALMANOR—Conditions will change with the weather getting hotter. There is a ton of food in the system and with all the aquatic food available the bite has been sporadic. Fish are snacking on small portions all day so expect to work a little harder for your limits.
BATTLE CREEK RESERVOIR—According to Rim Rock Ranch, fishing continues to be good despite the heavy winds this past week. The most productive areas were along the shoreline to the south of the dam. Floating baits and lures were the most productive with mostly rainbows with an occasional brown in the mix. Fly fishermen did best along the dropoffs near the dam. Crystal buggers and psycho princes worked well. Not too much surface activity but that can change on any given day.
BAUM LAKE—Fishing has been hot and cold here. Try lures and floating baits.
CASSEL FOREBAY–Closed until further notice for repairs. All water has been drained into the natural creek channel that flows into Baum Lake in order to work on structure repairs in the canal. Up-stream from the Cassel Bridge saw lots of pressure but if you could get a line in the water fishing was pretty good.
EAGLE LAKE—Bait fishing was hot, fast and very early with anglers off the water by 6:30. Trollers didn’t fare as well.
FALL RIVER—No new reports were available but previous reports were that the river conditions are low but insects such as PMDs and BWOs are coming off in flurries during the late mornings.
MANZANITA LAKE–Hatches were very sporadic and fishing was a bit slow for most. Fly fishermen fishing a bit deeper were doing better on gold psycho princes and crystal buggers in olive. The weather has turned warmer and consistent hatches should become the norm. No reports on excessive kayaking here yet, but when it happens, early mornings and late afternoons will be the most productive times to fish. This lake has special restrictions so be sure and read the regulations.
MCCLOUD RIVER—Water conditions are excellent and the fishing continues to be good with hatches late in the day.
PIT RIVER—Fishing has been very good lately with good hatches, but the wading here is tough.
SHASTA LAKE—It’s topwater time for numbers of small bass so it’s a great time to get the kids involved. Both the trout and salmon are going deeper now, with trout found starting at 35 to 40 feet and the salmon deeper at 100 feet. Fish early or later after it cools down and the water traffic slows.
UPPER HAT CREEK—It was very busy here for Father’s Day weekend and both the fishing and the weather were excellent. Water levels have begun to drop and the bite has improved dramatically. All in all fishing was quite good and limits of mostly rainbows were common. So far salmon eggs have been working the best but spinners and spoons were hot this past week. Most fish were in the 12- to 16-inch range though some big brooders are still out there. DFG continues to plant twice a week and should be introducing a good number of large rainbows or brookies in the weeks leading up to the 4th of July. Pressure mid week has been moderate with the weekends quite a bit busier. Fly fishing on the upper creek was good with hoppers and salmon flies both doing well.
WHISKEYTOWN RESERVOIR—Fishing guide Mike Elster was here last Thursday and was pleasantly surprise as kokes averaged 12 inches and were all clean. There were a few more large ones, as he had one that weighed 1 1/2 pounds. The fish are there but you have to work through the little guys for a few larger ones. All fish were at 40 feet on UV Sling Blade in front of a pink UV Apex. He stayed mostly on the north side of the bridge due to wind and couldn’t check out the curtain and the dam.
SIERRA LAKES/RIVERS
BOCA LAKE—The lake is at 74-percent capacity. Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing was still slow here—the lake needs a trout plant with DFG records showing no plants made so far this year.
CAPLES LAKE—Caples Lake Resort reported that Jesse Castellanos of Granite Bay caught two big mackinaws this past week—an 8 pounder and a 10 pounder. Castellanos caught the 10 pounder trolling an Apex 20 feet deep off Emigrant Bay and came back the next day and picked up the 8 pounder on a Rapala trolled 25 feet deep in the same place. Shore anglers were catching a mix of macks and rainbows from the Wood’s Creek inlet.
CARSON RIVER (East, West)—Alpine County planted 1800 pounds of 12- to 20-inch rainbows this past week. Alpine County will be making similar plants this week and next week to load the river with fish for a total of 5400 pounds over three weeks. The water flows were down to 220 cfs—perfect for all types of fishing. Everyone was catching limits this past week, even 4-year olds!! 12-year old Jessica Williams of Sacramento caught her own limit of rainbows on the West Carson on Gulp! salmon eggs.
DAVIS LAKE—The lake is at 80-percent capacity. The bite slowed down with the heat but limits were still available for those who put in the time, according to Ed Dillard at Dillard’s Guided Fishing. Dillard put clients on limits of 16-inch rainbows trolling firetiger Sockeye Slammers, copper/red head Dick Nites, and red-dot frog Needlefish 10 to 12 feet deep at Lightning Tree. Shore fishing was still producing at Eagle Point and fly fishermen were doing okay along the west side and at Fairview on nymphs under indicators.
DONNER LAKE—Shore fishermen and trollers were catching kokanee here this past week. One group using inflated worms with a salmon egg caught kokanee, rainbows and macks from shore at the boat ramp this past week. Trolling for 12- to 13-inch kokes was good for boaters working the bottom in 40 to 50 feet of water with dodger/hoochie combos—orange in the early morning and pink later in the day.
FEATHER RIVER CANYON—Mike Hanson at Caribou Crossroads Resort reported that trout fishing was slow in the North Fork and little was happening at the Caribou Powerhouse. Some big squaw fish to 10 pounds were hitting for anglers fishing at the confluence of the East Branch and North Fork—no good to eat, but a heck of a fight!! The North Fork Feather at Belden needs a DFG trout plant.
FRENCHMAN LAKE—The lake is at 77-percent capacity. Shore fishing was productive for rainbows up to 18 inches at the dam, Turkey Point, and Crystal Point on Power Bait. 1- to 2-pound catfish were showing up with greater frequency for anglers using nightcrawlers, according to Wiggins Trading Post.
GOLD LAKES BASIN—Gold Lake and Sardine Lake are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week.
ICE HOUSE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 92-percent capacity. Trolling dodger/grub or worm combos should produce some rainbows for boaters. The lake hasn’t been planted for at least 6 weeks.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR—Todd Sodaro at the Carson River Resort reported that some of his clients fished the lake this past week and only caught a few fish on Power Bait from the shore.
JACKSON MEADOW RESERVOIR—Still producing for trollers running J-5 and J-7 Rapalas in the east arm of the lake for rainbows running 14 to 18 inches, according to Mountain Hardware and Sports.
JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)—Sly Park Resort reported that fishing was slow since the lake hasn’t been planted for a month. Heavy recreational boat traffic made it tough for trollers over the weekend.
LAKE TAHOE—All the charter services reported good action for macks to 13 pounds, and some trout. The kokanee were beginning to hit for trollers but the fish were small, 11 to 12 inches. Mickey Daniels at Big Mack Charters reported good action at Carnelian Bay from 80 to 350 feet deep for macks running 4 1/2 to 7 pounds. Chuck Self at Chuck’s Charter Fishing said that the early morning bite was “awesome” for fish to 8 pounds on spoons and dodger/minnows from 140 to 250 feet deep from Crystal Bay Point to Dollar Point. Mike Nielsen at Tahoe Top Liners reported he caught a 13-pound mack off South Shore on Storm ThunderStick. Jigging for macks produced 25 fish for Nielsen while using Williamson Benthos, Abyss, and Vortex jigs.
LOON LAKE—The lake is at 88-percent capacity. Dale Daneman at Dale’s Foothill Fishing Service reported that the trolling was very good here for rainbows while trolling Sep’s brown grubs from the top down to 12 feet deep. He was toplining early with just a grub, but added a Sep’s watermelon Side Kick dodger to get deeper as the sun rose higher in the sky.
PROSSER LAKE—The lake is at 73-percent capacity. Mountain Hardware and Sports reported that fishing was slow here. The lake really needs a DFG trout plant to get the bite going again!
PYRAMID LAKE—The trout season ends here on June 30. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store reported that trollers were still doing well running FlatFish and Apex at 20 to 40 feet over deeper water. Anglers were catching 12 to 50 17- to 24-inch cutthroats a day when the winds allowed—mornings were calmer than the afternoons. Shore fishing was still good at Spider Point and Block House for jig and spoon casters. Fly fishing was slow and few were trying as access to deeper water was limited—a small boat or float tube provided the best opportunity.
RED LAKE—Fishing was still slow along the highway by last report, but better at the inlet for a mix of brookies and cutthroats.
SILVER LAKE—Fishing was slow, according to Plasses Resort.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 87-percent capacity. Kokanee were hitting for shore anglers and trollers!! Will Fish Tackle reported that Mike Cunningham of Colfax ATV’d around the Sagehen Creek arm and caught a limit of kokes to 14 inches while casting a Kastmaster spoon near any drop-offs he could find close to shore. Trollers were doing well on 12- to 14-inch kokanee running dodger/purple or green hoochie combos at 20 to 40 feet deep. Rainbows were hitting the kokanee offerings, too. Shore fishing for rainbows was good all around the lake using Power Bait especially on the points in the creek arms.
TOPAZ LAKE—Linda Fields at Topaz Landing Marina reported that the heat and thick layer of cottonwood seed on the lake made for slow fishing. The water level was dropping due to irrigation demand, also. Look for trout in the deepest water in the lake in the early morning during the week when the recreational boat traffic is at a minimum. Bass fishing was still good all around the lake in shallow water on worms, jigs, and crankbaits.
TRUCKEE RIVER—The flows on the upper main river from Truckee to Tahoe city were increased when two gates were opened at Tahoe City. Until the fish get used to the increased flows, the fishing will be a little slow according to Mountain Hardware and Sports. PMD’s, PED’s, small yellow sallies, and caddis are all coming off right now on the Little Truckee and fishing is good.
UNION VALLEY RESERVOIR—The lake is at 94-percent capacity. Kokanee trolling is “on fire” according to Kyle Neeser at Crystal Basin Tackle and Guide Service. Kokanee were scattered all over the lake and hitting anything pink—hoochies, spinners, or bugs—25 to 35 feet deep. The kokes were running 13 to 16 inches.
WEST WALKER RIVER—The Little Walker and West Walker are both scheduled for DFG trout plants this week. Sam Foster at the Toiyabe Motel reported that fishing was very good on bait, lures, and flies for fish to 5 pounds. Anglers were catching-and-releasing lots of rainbows from the DFG plants.
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS
AMERICAN RIVER—The Silver Fork is scheduled for a DFG trout plant this week—the first in some time!!
BULLARDS BAR—The lake is at 96-percent capacity. Emerald Cove Marina reported very light fishing pressure on the lake. Kokanee trolling should be best in the early morning mid-week, due to the heavy recreational boat traffic on weekends.
CAMP FAR WEST—North Shore Resort reported that extremely heavy recreational boat and watercraft traffic on weekends made for tough fishing. Try mid-week in the early morning for bass and crappie around the submerged brush or rocky points. A few catfish were hitting at night for shore anglers using cut baits and chicken livers.
COLLINS LAKE—The crappie lake record was broken this past week with a 3-pound, 2-ounce fish taken by Probhat Palma on a live minnow. Trollers were catching some limits of trout at 25 feet deep in the middle of the lake on Wedding Rings and spoons tipped with worms. Shore anglers did best at the bridge and the dam where there is easy access to deep water. The biggest trout this past week, a 2 1/4 pounder, was taken by Hayden Holbrook at the bridge on Power Bait. Bass and crappie fishing was very good for anglers using live crawdads and live minnows along the east side and in Elmer’s Cove. Bluegill and redear fishing was very good for anglers using worms under a bobber.
ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIR—The lake is at 93-percent capacity. Dillon Davis at Skippers Cove Marina reported that trout action was good for boaters fishing off the shore at the confluence of the Yuba River forks at the upper end of the lake—Point Defiance. Trollers were doing well with dodger/worm combos from Keystone Cove to Long Cove at 10 to 20 feet deep especially off the points. Bass were hitting plastic worms along the shore in the marina—many 3 to 4 pounds.
FRENCH MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The lake is at 86-percent capacity. Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that a Tasmanian Devil/chrome dodger trolled at the dam was producing 12- to 14-inch rainbows and browns up to 16 inches. The campgrounds are all open. There will be road closure/delays on the dam for construction early in the week.
FULLER LAKE—The lake was planted by the DFG this past week.
HELL HOLE RESERVOIR—The lake is at 85-percent capacity. Will Fish Tackle in Auburn reported that trollers were picking up limits of 12- to 14-inch kokanee and rainbows up to 15 inches on dodger/hoochie combos run 30 to 40 feet deep at the powerhouse.
LAKE OROVILLE—The lake is at 97-percent capacity, but the DWR will be making big releases into the Feather River to attract salmon into the hatchery, so the lake will be dropping 1-foot each day for 2 to 3 weeks. Coho trolling was excellent according to Brett Brady at Bare Bone Guide Service for limits of 16- to 18-inch salmon. Trolling dodger/hoochie combos 35 to 50 feet deep at the dam before the sun hits the water and later at the Green Bridge was producing 40 fish days. Mooching anchovy tails at the buoy line at the dam was good also. Bass fishing was good for guide Ron Gandolfi in the slot, West Branch, and North Fork on spinnerbaits, Keitech 3.8 swimbaits, tubes, and Paradise Tackle Company finesse jigs rigged with 6-inch worms. 25 to 35 fish days were yielding several over-slot spots to 4 pounds on rocky points, walls with secondary points, and submerged brush from 5 to 20 feet deep.
ROLLINS LAKE—Casey Reynolds at Long Ravine Resort reported that bass fishing was good in the coves for spots from dinks to 3 pounders on plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and crawdads. Trout action was fair at the mouth of the Bear River, though very heavy recreational boat and jet-ski traffic on the weekends made for tough fishing. The best fishing is mid-week in the early morning or last afternoon.
SCOTT’S FLAT LAKE—Jim Caldwell at Scott’s Flat Lake Resort reported that trout trolling was good for rainbows averaging 12 to 14 inches with a few to 16 inches. Running a Sep’s mini-flasher/worm combo at the inlet and from the ramp at Cascade Shores toward the spillway worked best this past week. Smallmouth bass were still hitting worms and jigs, but the fish were smaller than seen the previous week.
SUGAR PINE RESERVOIR—The Foresthill Ranger Station reported that the campgrounds were all open. The lake was planted by the DFG a month ago so there still might be a few holdover rainbows around for shore anglers and trollers.
STUMPY MEADOWS RESERVOIR—The Georgetown Ranger Station reported that trollers were doing better than the shore fishermen. Boaters were catching limits of 12- to 14-inch rainbows running flasher/worm combos and Rapalas up near the inlet in the early morning. Shore anglers were doing okay near the campgrounds and boat ramp with Power Bait and worms.
THERMOLITO AFTERBAY—The lake was at 128.8-foot elevation at press time—40-percent capacity—generally considered marginal for good fishing. At this level, boat launching can be difficult at Monument and Larkin—the best ramp is at Wilbur Road. If the water level rises, the frog bite along the tule banks should be good with the hot weather.