Fishing report for the week of April 4

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and Southern Oregon. This report is for the week of April 4.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy’s Guide Service (539-283-4103) www.bigdaddyfishing.com reports:
Storms be dammed there are fish to be caught! Over the recent week we have fished in just about every kind of weather condition possible, sun, snow, sleet, rain and probably a few others, but with willing clients and fish it was time to be on the water.
Boat traffic certainly hasn't been an issue, in fact many days we haven't seen another boat. (Kind of enjoyable, having the lake all to ourselves.)
Most of the days have been pretty solid fishing with the exception of one, where things got kinda tough out there.
I have been covering a lot of different water around Almanor and a variety of depths to stay on the fish. We have put fish on the boat along the east shore in both shallow and deep water, Almanor West produced fish, as well as areas along the peninsula.
Some days found us fishing off of the Cannon Downriggers running in the top 10 feet of the water column with a combination of spoons and Arctic Fox trolling flies and on several of the trips I opted to fish shallow, running plugs on the top lines.
With the water temps running in the low 40's some shallow areas have been holding Pond Smelt and you can bet the fish know it.
Our catch has been made up of a mix of Browns and Bows to 4 pounds with the majority being Browns including one big fish that broke us off shortly after being hooked, probably on the rocks.
This week also marked the first Smallies I have seen on the lines including a 4 pound female that put up quite a battle.
We currently have another brief storm over us that is set to clear pretty quickly leaving us in a better, more spring like weather pattern, and if history is any indicator, the fishing should get even better.

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

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

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.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Conditions have changed quickly here with unsafe ice and possibly ice free any day now with the warmer weather and windy conditions.  No report on fishing, but Cave Lake is almost always good for 8 to 11 inch fish using natural baits, Power Bait or small Woolly Buggers.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Higher flows this week should make for some good steelhead fishing once the river drops. 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.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Comins has about 10 inches of ice, on warm afternoons the edges are soft. 
Fishing is poor here due to the introduction and overpopulation of pike.

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:
With our storm on Saturday, access to the lake is a bit sloppy but doable without 4WD. We are still freezing at night so there may be ice on the roads going to the lake.

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

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, 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:
A little bit of snow up at the lake, but the roads are passable around the lake. Be careful early morning, there may be some ice patches on the roads.
Some fishermen have put smaller boats into the lake, at Frenchman’s Campground and Lunker’s Point. They have been catching their limits at Nightcrawler Bay, and between Big Cove and Spring Creek.
Most are using nightcrawlers.

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.
 


ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
As of Friday, March 23 this lake was 90 percent ice covered with unsafe porous ice and open edges. It may become ice free the first warm windy day. 
The road to the lake is in pretty good shape, but the road around the lake is in bad condition and with the snow/mud conditions, driving all the way to the lake isn’t recommended. Take care. No report on fishing.

JAKE'S CREEK (BOISE) RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
At last report, this lake was 90% ice free, though it may be totally ice free by now.  Like most area reservoirs, spring fishing is often good right after ice out.  The usual natural baits, Power Baits and large presentations work best this time of year.

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:
Steady releases out of Iron Gate Dam have contributed to the Klamath being one of the better options over the past week.
The fishing has been fair to good.
Basically, anglers are into steelhead one day, and none the next.
Should be a great place to fish this weekend!
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Lewiston has been fishing fair to good! Sporadic insect hatches can produce surface feeding fish along the west side of the lake. Look for hatches of Callibaetis and small olive # 18-20 Baetis.
— 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.

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 redtail 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. 
Bottom fishing will be closed outside of 30 fathoms starting April 1.  

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Current water flow is 80 CFS.
Fishing is closed below the Benton Crossing Bridge.
The river upstream is open to fishing all year.
Barbless artificials only. Zero limit.
Fishing is picking up. The water is clearing 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 150 or so. Fishing is still great. 
The Caddis are starting to show in big numbers and the fish are eating. Midge pupa like Stevie's Wonder in the am then Caddis around noon.
X-Caddis, CDC Caddis, E/C Caddis.


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:
Tough conditions on the Pit River.
Look for your best chances along Pit # 3.
Pit # 4 and # 5 will be too high and off color this weekend.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

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

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:
Fishing is improving slightly as the weather improves.
The boats are doing OK and the fly and shore guys are starting to catch fish, but nothing big. There have been some 6-9 pounders caught.

ROLLINS RESERVOIR, 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.

RUBY LAKE N.W.R., WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Very little change here as the collection ditch and the ponds are all open. 
Gold ribbed Hares Ears and Copper Johns are still producing some fish, though it is time to start flinging egg patterns as this is the time of year that the rainbows are spawning.
Small Midge patterns also continue to produce a few fish and on occasional afternoons there is a small Mayfly and/or Caddis hatch.
Small presentations appear to still be working here with black/red Midge patterns in sizes 18 to 20 under an indicator or in tandem with a heavier Nymph to get them down in the water column.
Occasionally the fish are feeding in the surface film, so ditch the heavier Nymph and use a floating line with an emerger pattern. 
The collection ditch is artificial lures only and wading is not allowed.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
River color is perfect all the way down to Anderson. River conditions are low at 3,360 cubic feet per second. Great conditions for wade fishing!
The fishing has been excellent the past couple days!
A few reports of good dry fly fishing after 12:30 P.M.
Best nymphs have been orange and yellow egg patterns.
# 6-8 Pat's Rubber Legs and just about any dark colored nymph in # 16 like a Pheasant Tail Nymph, Dark Lord, Eng Thing.
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Tough conditions! Fishermen may be able to find a couple rainbow trout up in Dunsmuir, near Lake Siskiyou, but the rest of the river is too high and blown out. Stay tuned for more information next week.
— 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.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Keith Kerrigan of Sierra Anglers Guide Service (530-414-1374) (www.sierraanglersfishing.com) reports:
We were out one day last week. Fished up the McCloud arm for Browns. We did okay with 4 fish and the best one was 3.7 pounds. It looks like the weather will be good the next few days so I’ll try to get out for some more browns. The Rainbows should be starting to move up the arms to spawn, so look for action in the creek arms for trout.

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:
Steelheads are now spread throughout the system. 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 caught recently in the basin particularly near the head of tide.
Fishing will improve as the water clears and drops.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Boats have been on the water and a few fish are being caught with most of the fish in the 16 to 22 inch class. 
Shore anglers appear to be doing just as well as the boaters. 
If you are launching a boat, use the main boat ramp on the east side of the lake as the new ramp at Jet Ski Beach has a drop-off at the end of the concrete that you can get  your trailer hung up on. 
Spring tactics are recommended with large slow presentations.
Fishing has been slow to fair for boaters and fair for shore anglers. 
Like Wildhorse, fish shallow water for trout, while smallmouths are holding in deeper water where it is warmer. 
Fish for smallmouths using blade baits, deep diving crank baits or finesse baits in 15-20 plus feet of water. 
The usual worms, Power Bait, spinners, Woolly Buggers and leech patterns should all work for trout. 
Fishing below the dam where the spillway meets the outflow has been good. 
The river above the reservoir is a special regulation water with single barbless hooks on artificial lures only allowed. Make sure to read the new regulations before you head out. 
When wading the river below and above the reservoir, please don’t walk through the riffles. Spawning trout are putting their redds (nests) in these areas. Any place that looks like it has had the algae cleaned off of it is probably a redd and should be avoided.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Keith Kerrigan of Sierra Anglers Guide Service (530-414-1374) (www.sierraanglersfishing.com) reports:
The Mackinaw were on a good bite on Stampede till the snow came and covered the ramp. Looks like more snow this weekend.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
The Mackinaw fishing continues to be good when we can get out.
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:
Chuck and Linda Fields of the Topaz Lake Marina (775-266-3550) reports:
It was pretty good for the weekend.
Yesterday (Monday) the boaters did well.
They are catching their limits of fish out in the top 10 feet of water in the middle of the lake with Needlefish lures.
Shore fishing has been slow.
We had some wind, it died down and it is beautiful right now.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Conditions in and around Lewiston have been good!
Mid day insect hatches have put the brown trout on the surface.
A few anglers have been out catching fish on dry flies.
An adult steelhead or two has been caught on dry flies this week.
So, there are a few fresh fish in the Trinity which is amazing for this late in the season, but sometimes the steelhead keep coming into April in better years, this being one of them. 
— 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 fluctuating a bit this week, today they are at 40 cfs. The fishing has been very good all week, we've had some overcast days that have made for some good dry action and some windy days that have made things a little tricky at times but not impossible.
There have been lots of fish being caught in the 14 to 17 inch range and most days there's been a good number of fish over 18.
Haven't heard much about streamers lately, but the Nymphing and dry fly fishing have both been good.
Fly patterns to try include Parachute Adams, Blue Wing Olive, Stimulator, Blue Dun, Griffiths Gnat, Zebra Midge, Flashback Emerger, WD-40, San Juan Worm, Micro Stone.
We've also had a few good reports from the Rosachi section on the Nevada side of the river, also mostly with Nymphs and Midges.

West Walker River: Closed.
Sceirine Ranch:
We've had a few clients on the ranch this past week and most 
have done very well. Most of the same patterns that work on the Cali side will also work on the Sceirine. Dry/dropper rigs also have been producing very well down there.
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 steady now for 5 days at 50 CFS as of 3/24.
Fishing conditions:
Excellent! Dry action after 11 am is strong. Beforehand subsurface with Midges then Baetis coming off.
Dry and emerger combinations seem to be the best for quantity and swing streamers has been the trick for the bigger fish.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River:
Flows dropped to 26 on Wed. and are now up to 45.
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 around mid day


WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
As of Wednesday, Wild Horse still had approximately 22 inches of good ice with a crust on top and by afternoon there is slush on top of the ice.  
Water levels have been rising with the snowmelt and this is causing soft edges for getting on and off the ice. Getting on in the morning is okay, but getting off the ice on these warm afternoons may be a problem. 
With these warm temperatures, if the wind comes up, the ice could come off very quickly.  So give the state park a call before heading up to see how the ice is.  Their number is 775-385-5939. 
Fishing has been slow to fair, but the number of anglers hitting the ice has been very low. 
Most fish are still being caught in shallow water and if the water is more than 10 feet deep, move to shallower water if you want to catch fish. 
Most of the fish are being caught high in the water column within two to three feet of the bottom of the ice, though an occasional trout is still caught by perch anglers in deeper water. 
Natural baits appear to be working best. 
Generally right after ice off fishing is good for about a week and then drops off, so if we get some winds, anglers may want to call about open water.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No recent report on ice conditions here. 
Since Willow Creek Reservoir is a warm water fishery, not many anglers ice fish this lake as angler success is poor in the winter.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The lake is open with some and the water temperature is just starting nose above 40 degrees. The lake is down about 3 feet or approximately 100 yards from spilling. When it does spill, it won’t be for very long due to the lighter than average snowpack.
The road to the turnoff to the lake isn’t too bad, but the road to the lake is very wet and muddy.
Spring fishing can be very good here using natural baits, spinners and large natural colored flies like Woolly Buggers and leech patterns.

— Don Quilici is Outdoor editor for Carson Now and www.SouthTahoeNow.com. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com