Fishing Report For March 14-21

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and portions of Southern Oregon.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The 20” of snow last week is melting away almost as fast as it came, meaning roads are now clear to fishing paradise.
Surface temps are 37 degrees early, warming to 39.5 by mid day, best bites are at 9:00 am and again at 12:00 pm.
Lake levels are @ 4486.94 ft. elev. and 948,112 acre ft.
This is still good from all the record amounts snow and rain that were achieved last year. 
Rainbow trout are on the bite and all over the size range running from 16 inch plants from last year, up to 3 lbs. 2 year olds.
Browns are around, but it has been the Rainbows popular.
Pond smelt is still the main food supplying these fish.
Pond smelt patterns or lookalikes are your best bet if your trolling, Pin Minnows, Rapalas, Shiners, Needlefish.
Lots of fish are stacked along the west side of the Peninsula about 100 to 300 yds. offshore from Rec. 2 to Bunell Point showing incredible numbers. Canyon Dam is still the only public ramp operating
USFS ramp is closed, no dock and not plowed.
Peninsula ramps at Rec. 1 and 2 are plowed and open.
— Fishing report provided by: D. Neal www.almanorfishingadventures.com.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy’s Guide Service (539-283-4103) www.bigdaddyfishing.com reports:
Let me start off by saying a big Thank You to all of you that came out to the Nor-Cal Boat, Sport and RV Show last week. I really like the small shows because they offer me a chance to spend some time with people in the booth and at the seminars answering questions and talking shop.
Well our solid bite along Almanor's east shore has continued to hold up with some days being better than others.
Water temps have been slowly on the rise starting out in the very high 30's if the overnight temps have been cold and coming up into the low 40's under mostly sunny, dare I say "spring like" conditions.
We have been continuing to target fish that are actively feeding on the lake's large Pond Smelt population. This week we have seen mostly Bows with a few Browns in the mix with the larger fish going into the 4 pound class.
The top bait in the last few trips has been the orange Arctic Fox Tube Fly, other baits have produced fish but this fly has been the "work horse".
The best part is they are fishing great without the use of flashers or dodgers, nothing in the way of you fighting the fish, on the light rods it is a blast!
I still haven't had a need to go any deeper than about 10 feet with these rigs to hook the fish.
Our nice weather looks to be coming to an end for a while, with a line of storms forecast to hit the area just about all week and into next weekend. While the weather will impact the fishing, or at least make you break out the rain gear, once the storms clear we will be on track for some more fantastic "spring" trout fishing.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road to Angel Lake is now closed for the winter.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Bishop area is closed.
 
BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road to Blue Lakes is now closed for the winter.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
The fishing season for Bridgeport Reservoir is closed.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
The resort reported 2 to 3 feet of ice on the lake.
Most people have been fishing on the spillway side of the lake and catching some average rainbows 10 to 14 inches. A few have fished by the dam and have had slow days but bigger fish. Night crawlers or jigging small spoons have been most productive.

CARSON RIVER, CALIF:
East Carson River:
The fishing season for the East Carson River is closed upstream from Hangman’s Bridge.
West Carson River:
The fishing season for the West Carson River is closed.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Fishing pressure has dropped off considerably, but drift boaters are still reporting good catches of steelhead, even with low flows.
This time of year anglers can expect a mix of spawned out and fresh fish.
Anglers should always check the flows before heading out and try to fish when river levels are dropping.
ODFW is conducting a steelhead angler creel on the Chetco this year.
At times, these projects may interfere with an anglers fishing. 
Please be courteous to all ODFW personnel and volunteers.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Convict Lake is closed.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Crowley Lake is closed.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeanne of the J & J Grizzly Store (530-832-0270) (www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com) reports:
Fishing continues to be good.  Rainbow Turbo Power Bait or worms. 
As of today Mallard Cove is accessible without 4wd, may change with storms coming in.
Ice in the dam area is shrinking, is still being fished, do not have a report on thickness. There has been a thin layer of ice in the early morning on the lake but melts off quickly.
If you go out on the ice, use your own discretion if it is safe or not.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Eagle Lake is closed.

ELK GROVE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Fall River is closed.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Feather River is closed.

FOLSOM LAKE AT GRANITE BAY, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

FREMONT LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Fremont Lake is closed.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
The weather got better and so did the fishing.
Marina and Mike Foreman of Portola and LeGrande Foreman of Loyalton caught seven rainbow trout on Friday. They were at Frenchman’s Campground using nightcrawlers and white glitter Power Bait. The fish were 12 to 15 inches long and weighed about one pound each. 
Mike McKee of Loyalton caught his limit at Big Cove using nightcrawlers last Monday.
The roads are good around the lake, but just be careful. We’ve had reports of fishermen taking small boats up to the lake and launching them.

GIBSON RANCH COUNTY PARK, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

GRANITE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

HAGAN PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

HALSEY FOREBAY, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Hat Creek is closed.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Heenan Lake is closed.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for Hobart Reservoir is closed.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Hoover Wilderness Area is closed.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 10 CFS. The BWO hatch is in full swing. 
Barrs Emerger and Midge pupa sub-surface and CDC Baetis or Para Adams on the surface. Some caddis beginning to show but the fish are showing little interest in them. Please do not wade here.


HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water conditions:
Great. Flows at 20 CFS as of 3/12.
The road to the canyon section is clear and the gate has again been unlocked so you can drive right up to the parking lots.
No snow on the road to the interpretive section either.
Fishing conditions:
Good to Excellent. The fishing in the canyon section has been pretty amazing the past week. Pretty big Mayfly hatches mid-day considering it's still March. Mainly Baetis.
Once the water temp comes up about two degrees the food bell rings and it is downright good for 3-4 hours daily.

HOWE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
Last weekend I counted 18 vehicles at the lake.
Fishing was on in one spot then shift to another angler. The bite was hard, fast, and gone. That is how they would hit.
Anglers were catching average sized rainbows with spinners on the dam and night crawlers or power bait around the rest of the shore.
Paul Aguilera from Carson City caught a 2 pound brown and a 2 pound rainbow by throwing spoons from the other side of the lake. He told me it was less crowded and the fish liked that.
The water level has gone down a foot and is still clear.
Renee and I parked up on top and walked to the dam area. While we watched other people drive up and down the small four wheel drive access, we saw one truck get one wheel over 2 feet off of the ground while going down it and one truck almost go over. I have seen to many front ends broken and to many people stuck on that little section. My recommendation is to park on top.

JIGGS / ZUNINO RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Unfortunately, Jiggs has dried up.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
The fishing season for the June Lake Loop is closed.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Kirman Lake is closed.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Klamath River has been fishing great! Steelhead fishing is expected to wind down through this month though. So, go get it while it's still hot. After this month the waiting begins until June when the Salmon Flies hatch and the rainbows crash'em and mash'em!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Mammoth Lakes Basin is closed.

MARKLEEVILLE CREEK CALIF:
The fishing season for Markleeville Creek is closed.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
The fishing season for Marlette Lake is closed.

MATHER LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Anglers have picked up a few pink-tail surfperch on the beaches near Coos Bay and Bandon when the swells have been smaller. Sand shrimp or sand worms are a very good bait to use when fishing for surfperch. 
Fishing for bottom fish is open at all depths. Fishing for lingcod has been excellent when anglers are able to get out on the ocean.
Anglers may not retain cabezon between Jan. 1 and March 31.
Fishing from shore near the rock outcroppings can be very good this time of the year for catching rockfish.
Be careful of slippery footing and sneaker waves.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current water flow is 91CFS.
Fishing is closed below the Benton Crossing Bridge.
The river upstream is open to fishing all year.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is fair. The water is murky and the current temp is 46.
Try standard Nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails or Hares Ears. 
Not much on the surface. Cover lots of water. 
Some reports of larger lake fish in the river.
Lower Owens River:
We estimate the flow to be around 175 or so.
Fishing is still good.  The Baetis hatch around noon brought fish to the surface. Extended body BWO and BWO Emergers. Prior to that Midge pupa in gray or black and FB Pheasant Tails under the surface.
This time of year  the hold over stocked fish in the lower sections feel the spawning urge and begin to migrate toward the dam.
 


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Upper Owens Water conditions:
Good to Excellent. As of 3/12 the flows are down to 81 CFS.
Road is open all the way up. 4X4 a must now and expect to get a wash job when you get back to town.
Fishing conditions:
Good to Excellent. Getting some reports of better results with streamers than Nymphs. Best bet would be to fish a size 16-18 attractor Nymph, with a much smaller 20-22 Midge or Western Coachmen below.
Mostly Nymphing but a 45 min hatch midday is typical.
Maybe longer now with the expected warmer weather.
Owens River Gorge Water conditions:
Great. Flow: 45 CFS.
This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP
Fishing conditions:
Excellent and nice and warm on cool sunny days this time of year.
Beautiful these days and lots of hungry fish to greet you!
Lower Owens Water conditions:
Excellent. Notice how the flow report hasn't changed by even a tenth of a CFS in two weeks. 'Found out the gauge is stuck.
Actual flow is really about 125-150 CFS as of 3/12.
The latest first-hand info from LADWP is that the flows will be gradually increased until they reach 400 cfs then hold there indefinitely.
Warmer and longer days have brought water temps up.
Wading and drifting are still good now so strike while the iron is hot.
Fishing conditions:
Getting reports of clients hooking upwards 20 fish! Should continue to be good until they bump up the flows, but they're holding steady still.
Midge clusters showing up as early as 9 am, so start with small Midge patterns sub-surface or go with Griffth's Gnat up top.
About 10-11 am the Mayflies start to come off big time. To get your "one of the many" noticed try a surface emerger in the film off a big BWO as the indictor. If they take the "indicator" skip the dropper and enjoy life for a couple of hours. Late in the day, like 3-4 pm, go back to Midges.

PARDEE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

PINE VALLEY COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Pine Valley Complex is closed.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing on the Pit River has been great! Two fishermen have shared a very good report with us just a couple days ago entail that the best bite happens when fishing wet flies, Nymphs under heavy split shot.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

POORE AND SECRET LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Poore and Secret Lakes is closed.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775-476-0555) (www.fishpyramid.com) reports:
Nothing much going on, it is very windy today (Tuesday).
Fishing has been OK, the fly fishermen are catching 1-2 fish per person and the boats are still catching a few fish. It has been slow this year.

RANCHO SECO PARK LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

ROOSEVELT AND LANE LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Roosevelt and Lane Lakes is closed.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Lower Sacramento River has dropped, however the fishing has been great. Some wet windy weather this week put a damper on the fun, and wind in the forecast for today could make conditions less than ideal, but when conditions are ideal, the fishing is rarely at its best. A little adversity goes a long way in producing great fishing and the month of March always serves up enough weather diversity to keep us guessing and the fish eating!
Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The River is dropping and conditions are going from good to even better! The fishing has been great all winter, but when the rain falls and snow accumulates on the surrounding peaks, run-off and snow melt fill the river creating less than ideal fly fishing conditions. Go ahead and fish the upper Sacramento and expect to catch rainbows, but focus more on the sections near Dunsmuir and less below Sims Rd.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SAN JOAQUIN/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Road closed.

SILVER CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Silver Creek is closed.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Steelhead have arrived in the Smith River.
Although most of the angling opportunity will be catch and release, a few hatchery fish have been reported.
Only an adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested.
Striped bass have been caught recently in the basin.

SOUTHSIDE PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
The Mackinaw fishing continues to be good.
The Macks are running about 2-8 pounds with an occasional one in the double digit weight size.
I’ve been trolling 250-280 feet deep with Dodgers and minnows at the Tahoe City Shelf on the west side of the lake.

TOPAZ LAKE:
Doug Busey of Douglas County reports:
TOPAZ DERBY RESULTS; Week 9,  1st place Chris Cloutier from Gardnerville Nv 5lbs, 2nd place Gary Manley from Gardnerville Nv 2.14 lbs.  Week 8 of the derby, 1st place Edmond Zilaff from Sacramento Ca with 3.10 lbs, 2nd place Ted Taylor from Wellington Nv with 2.5 lbs.
And 2 more tagged fish have come in giving the derby a total this year of $8700 given away in tagged fish.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Not slowing down, yet! Good reports coming across the situation desk here at N. California Fishing Report HQ.
A fresh push of steelhead are in the upper river in Lewiston, CA.
The 2011/2012 steelhead season is going to close out with a Hit!
If you can make it, go now.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Twin Lakes is closed.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Virginia Lakes is closed.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lake since 2009. Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch - Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River:
The flows on the river have been bouncing around 55 to 65 CFS a little bit and the fishing has been excellent!
We've had some good reports on streamers and some really good dry action here and there but Nymphing is still the main attraction.
With this kind of flow there is a lot more holding water for fish so you can find fish spread out a little more than when it's really low.
I'd say the average size of fish being caught lately is around 15 or 16 inches but there's been a good number of fish going over 20 as well.
Some good patterns include WD-40, Zebra Midge, Flashback Emerger, Para Adams, Neversink Gnat, BWO, Blue Dun, Zuddler, Zonker, JJ Special. 
West Walker River: Closed.
Sceirine Ranch:
We haven't had any clients on the Sceirine lately but it should be fishing excellent as well. If you want solitude this could be a great opportunity!
Hunewill Pond: Closed.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
East Walker River Water conditions:
Good. Flows are at 65 as of 3/12.
Fishing conditions:
Excellent! Might start off a little slower in the morning, but it picks up by mid-day. Decent Baetis hatch after noon with fish sipping big (# 16-18) flies on the surface. Fish aren't terribly spooky but keep fishing riffles and pocket water well downstream. The water is about as clear as it ever gets!

 WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River:
Flows steady at 65 CFS. The river is fishing pretty well.
Nymph fishing is good with Midge emerger patterns. On the surface most small dry flies (20-22) will work as the fish are actively feeding on midges. Some improving Baetis activity.

WILLOW HILL RESERVOIR, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

WILLIAM LAND PARK POND, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Photos:
Photo No. 1:
Marina and Mike Foreman of Portola, California and LeGrande Foreman of Loyalton, California caught seven rainbow trout on Friday at Frenchman Reservoir, California.
They were fishing at Frenchman’s Campground using nightcrawlers and white glitter Power Bait. The fish were 12 to 15 inches long and weighed about one pound each. 
Photo courtesy of Wiggins Trading Post

Photo No. 2:
Doug Busey of Douglas County with a nice rainbow trout caught recently at Indian Creek Reservoir, California.
Photo courtesy of Doug Busey