Fishing Report: Fish are still biting despite lower lake levels, river clean up planned for Oct. 17

Hello fellow anglers, Fall is definitely here. Renee and I took a trip through Alpine County last week to enjoy the fall colors. Many trees have turned, while others are just starting to get their true colors.

To get a good look at the viewing, venture up through Highway 88 from Woodfords to Caples Lake. Another good area of fall color viewing is from Woodfords on Highway 89 up to Kinney reservoir on Highway 4 .

While you're up there, make sure you take the trip up and over Monitor pass. Make sure you bring some warmer clothing; when we left the Carson Valley area it was 88 degrees. When we arrived at Caples Lake, the temperature was 69 degrees. This weekend may be a little chillier.

I have some news for all anglers that enjoy fishing the East fork of the Carson River in California. Next Saturday October 17th, the local community will be holding their first annual river clean up day.

They are asking for volunteers to help clean up the river of any trash that might have been left behind.

This includes cans, bottles, bags, cigarette butts, powerbait jars, fishing line to bottle caps.

Your efforts will not go unrewarded: the Carson River Resort and the Creekside Inn have pitched in together to have a BBQ with hotdogs and burgers with all the trimmings for those who volunteer.

Anyone interested in helping with the cleanup can meet at the Carson River Resort at 10 a.m. on Saturday October 17th to be divided into teams and will be given their designated area of clean up.

If you need any more information, please call Phil Elfstrom at the Carson River Resort at 530-694-2229. This is a great event for families as well as individual fellow anglers. See you on the river without a pole in hand, at least for one afternoon.

SILVER LAKE: The water level has come down, and the boat ramp is almost out of the water. Recommended for only small vessels only. The fishing has picked up for rainbows from the shore. Powerbait or salmon eggs have been most productive. Spinners or kastmasters have also been working.

CAPLES LAKE: The Water level has dropped 10 feet in the last few weeks. The EID day use facility and boat ramp will be closed for repaving from Oct 7th to the 13th. Depending on weather, it is scheduled to open on the 14th. The Caples Lake boat ramp is closed due to low water. They are still renting fishing boats, kayaks and canoe until the weekend of the 17th, in which they will then close for the season. Fishing has been fair to good. I would use a gold kastmaster along the dam area or down by the Woods Creek area. Inflated nightcrawlers are good this time of year for those hungry browns. For more information stop by the Caple Lake resort.

WOODS LAKE: still open for fishing and camping. Bring some warm clothes. With the ever changing weather, it can close at any time.

RED LAKE: Due to blue green algae, I would recommend to stay out of the water and not allow pets to drink or swim in the lake.

BLUE LAKES: Both upper and lower lakes were planted by CDFW this last week. The water level is low, but the fishing has been very productive. Salmon eggs are most productive.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK CALIFORNIA SIDE: The water is running very low and there are few spots that are fishable. You may see some construction in Hope Valley along the river. From what I was informed, they are shoring up the river banks to protect the river from high water runoff.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER CALIFORNIA SIDE: The river is running low, but very fishable. In fact, the CDFW will be planting the river this weekend with 1000 pbs of catchable rainbow trout. Alpine County will also be planting the river this weekend with 1800 lbs of 2 to 8 lb trout. The weather will be perfectly Fall like, and the bite should be good. Salmon eggs or powerbait will be most productive. Small spinners have been productive in the deeper waters or the faster moving waters. For more information, stop by the Creekside Inn.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The day use will be closing any day. The blue green algae has returned and the water is not safe to drink or swim in. keep pets on a tight leash and do not rinse your hands in the lake. No reports have come in from the lake this last few weeks.

PYRAMID LAKE: There has been some controversy on when the lake may open this fall. The lake usually opens on October 1st, but as of now they are still closed to all non tribal members. You may also want to visit their website. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe has also considered raising the day use fishing permit to $30. Another proposal was to raise the fee 25 to 125 percent. This information will be released after all has been discussed and considered.

TAYLOR CREEK, UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TROUT CREEK: All closed for the season to fishing. Special note, last week the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin management unit has announced that Taylor Creek and surrounding area will be closed to all visitors due to Trail work and the risk of human-bear encounters. due to the spawning salmon.

HEENAN LAKE: The lake is Fri-Sun for catch and release fishing for Lahontan Cutthroat trout. Observe the special regulations.

NDOW FISH PLANTING: Spooner lake, West fork Walker River, Mtn View Pond, baily Pond, Mitch Pond, Wilson Common Pond, Carson River Douglas County area. Due to lower water temperatures. Local rivers and urban ponds have been planted on a weekly basis.

JUNE LAKE AREA: June Lake Marina, (760) 648-7726. Hours of operation here are 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Oct. 25th. The Marina has done more than their part to boost trout fishing this season by releasing trophy trout from their pens on top of what they received from Oregon. Mitch tells me they had a great weekend of fishing as well seeing plenty of those trophies coming to their scale.

JUNE LAKE: Big Rock Resort, (760)648-7717. Hours here are 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. and planning on remaining open thru 11/1. Looks like they may be operating the longest this year. Alisa and her dad Mike, described a good fishing weekend. As has been the case all Summer trolling lead core or down riggers early has been the most consistent for bigger Rainbows and Cutts. Where a month ago down 45’ to 50’ Mike says now about 25’ to 30’ and should be good throughout the day.

GULL LAKE: Gull Lake Marina, (760)648-7539. They’re open 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. until at least 10/18 and plan on bringing in one more load of Oregon Rainbows prior to that. Claire and Maddie at the Marina also laid out a terrific weekend of fishing and catching of big fish. Most popular methods include bait fishing pink and white Mice Tails and Salmon Peach Powerbait along with trolling red and gold Thomas Bouyants.

GRANT LAKE: Marina and campground are closed however there is still access to the lake via dirt roads to the shoreline. Not much to report out of Grant except what Dan of Dan’s Guide Service has had going. Having just started back up Saturday we had a good trip that evening. Monday evening he took his client Tracey out and she nailed a five to six pound Rainbow trolling a streamer with a fly rod. Apparently she had quite the epic battle bringing it to net after about ten minutes. Dan will be on the lake till the end of fishing season weather permitting and can be reached at (661)478-0036.

RUSH CREEK: Creek fishing has been slow since state stocking stopped except for a few resident Browns and Rainbows or an occasional Oregon Bow making its way down from Silver Lake. We are anticipating the annual October run of Browns coming up from Grant and down from Silver soon. Best to check in with us at Ernie’s to get the scoop on this.

SILVER LAKE: Silver Lake Resort, (760)648-7625. Marina hours 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closing for season 10/26. The Resort resumed full operations on Sat. with over 40 three to six pounders brought to their scale that day and doesn’t account for others not brought in. Andrew reports it’s been great from both shore and boat primarily tossing Night Crawlers, Garlic Pinched Crawlers, Powerbaits, and red and gold Thomas Buoyant and with the cooler October temps the fish are not as deep. To help these fine folks have a good season finale, stop in the store for provisions and tackle and chow down in the cafe on the best breakfast and lunch this side of Yosemite.

For more information see the guys at ERNIE’S TACKLE AND SKI SHOP: (760)648-7756. Right in the center of the Metropolis known as June Lake Village and still alive and well outfitting the intrepid fishing folks visiting us through this year of uncertainty.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. I hope to see you on the waters. If you have a picture of your catch, send it to kelsey@carsonnow.org . Good Fishin' and tight lines.