Doug 'Mac the Naw' Busey: Winter fishing begins around the region

Hello fellow anglers, I am here to say that winter fishing has officially begun. Last Monday, my friend Jerry Dow from Carson City joined me for some ice fishing at Red Lake. We arrived about 10am to a cleared parking area behind the dam. There was approximately a foot of snow on the dam, which makes it much easier to pull your sled on.

When we got to the top of the dam we saw a couple anglers that had already started fishing. The lake was completely covered in ice and about 3 inches of snow on top of that. Before we got to our fishing spot, one angler had reeled in two fish and told us that the lake had 8 inches of ice on it.

Now that we felt safe we ventured out and drilled our own holes. Jerry and I used gold Kastmasters to jig in one hole and used a nightcrawler in another hole. As we fished I spoke to other anglers around us to see what they were using.

One angler told me his wife had caught and released 30 fish a few days earlier using green power bait. Most others were using Kastmasters with a worm on it or small spoons. The fishing would turn off and on throughout the day.

By 3pm when we left, most anglers had caught their limits or close to. Two of those anglers I spoke to told me this was their first time ice fishing. They said they could not wait to come back and do it again. Yes, they are hooked.

Ice fishing get together:
This Sunday a few friends of mine will be joining me at Red Lake at about 10 a.m. for our annual ice fishing get together. For any one that would like to join us, please do.
For the first time ice fishing angler, I will drill you a hole to get you started.
No special equipment needed for this type of fishing.
All you need is a pole, pinch weights, #8 hooks, worms, and a 5 gallon bucket or a small sled to carry your gear. For those that prefer jigging, gold Kastmasters or Thomas Buoyant spoons work well. 
A must item to bring is a good pair of polarized sunglasses, sunscreen and warm clothing. Better to dress for 20 degree weather and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

Now for Caples Lake
I spoke to a couple anglers last week and there was 4-6 inches of ice on the lake.
There have been a few anglers out, but not having much luck. I personally will wait until the lake has a minimum of an 8 inch foundation before I venture out. The edge may have 4 inches of ice, but the farther out you go the ice gets thinner. Use caution any time you venture into thin ice.
For more information call the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

Topaz Lake:
On the other side of the hill, Topaz Lake fishing is off and running. The first week of the Topaz Lodge Fishing Derby, there were 25 trout weighed in at the Topaz General store over 2 pounds.

David Richter was the first angler of 2015 to weigh in a 2.12 pound trout at 8:15am. The largest fish weighed in on week one was James Hubbard from Gardnerville with a 4.10 pound ainbow, second place for week one was James Muller from Gardnerville with a 4.03 pound rainbow trout. That got one James $50 cash and the other James $25 in free slot play, but it gets better.

There were seven lucky anglers that caught a tagged trout worth $100 cash. No entry fees to enter, all you need is to be 21 or over (as the derby is sponsored by the Topaz Lodge and Casino and have a valid fishing license.
Where else can you get paid to fish. For more information call the Topaz Lodge and Casino at 775-266-3338.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure:
If you have a picture of your catch send it to donquilici@hotmail.com.
Have a question about our local fishing area call the Naw Line at 775-2167-9722. Good Fishin and tight lines.