Don Q's Nevada and Northern California fishing report for week of Feb. 18 and beyond

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada and Northern California. This report is for the week of Feb. 18, 2015 and beyond.

ADOBE POND:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road is closed to the lake and there will be no fishing reports for Angel Lake until late May of 2015.

BISHOP CREEK, AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
With recent releases here lake level is now at 18 percent.  
Lake is completely ice free but be careful about driving down to the shoreline as some areas are like quicksand! 
Nightcrawlers, Rapala's, Power bait, small Kastmasters, and jigs have been good for Rainbows and Browns.  

BRIDGEPORT, RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
Carson River East (Upstream from Hangman's Bridge):
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.
Carson River West:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CAVE LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The lake is mostly covered in unsafe ice with the only open water at the Cave Creek inlet. Expect the ice to come off very quickly over the next week with the projected warmer temperatures.
No report on fishing conditions, though it should be good, where there is open water, for 9 to 12 inch fish using the usual assortment of worms, Power Bait, small spinners/lures and flies.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Flows are dropping all week which will greatly improve steelhead fishing.
Boat anglers may have to wait a few days before the river drops low enough for good boat fishing.
Anglers will start to see some spawned out steelhead in their catch as these fish are dropping out of tributaries and heading back to the ocean.
The ODFW and local volunteers are collecting angler caught winter steelhead for the hatchery program on the Chetco River.
Adult steelhead donated by anglers are placed in holding pens along the river each day before they are taken to the hatchery.
Anglers interested in participating in the program can contact the ODFW Gold Beach Office at 541-247-7605 for more information.

CONVICT LAKE AND CONVICT CREEK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Donner has been fishing sporadically as some fisherman are still taking small Macks along the North shore and some around the China Cove area. 
Rainbows have been sporadic up and down the north shore with Power bait or nightcrawlers. Kastmasters, Krocodiles, Rooster Tails, Rapalas or anything that will mimic a baitfish will elicit a bite. 
If you're in a boat right off the ramp in about 100 to 135 feet is a good concentration of macks. Trolling through this group of fish with No. 2 and No. 3 needlefish and similar patterns has brought some success. Light on the bite.

EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open the Saturday of Memorial weekend.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HAT CREEK, UPPER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed. Will re-open May 01, 2015.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

ILLIPAH RESERVOIR, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The south end of the lake is covered with very unsafe ice, while the north end is ice free and fishing should be fair to good here.
The lake should be ice free shortly. Shorelines are muddy so be careful.
The usual assortment of worms, artificial baits, spinners and lures should all work. Fly rodders should be using wooly and seal buggers, hares ears, PT nymphs and copper Johns.

JAKE'S/BOIES RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports: Jakes Creek is also starting to open up and the ice is unsafe. No recent reports of any fishing activity.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.


KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MAMMOTH LAKES, BASIN, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

MARLETTE LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:

Closed. Will re-open July 15, 2015.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The ocean is open for harvest of Dungeness crab.
Anglers continue to catch surf perch from the beaches near Bandon and Coos Bay.
The best fishing is usually on the incoming tide.
Sand shrimp is one of the best baits to use when fishing for surf perch.
Fishing for bottom fish, including rockfish and lingcod is open to all depths.
Marine daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two).
Starting January 15 anglers will only be able to keep 3 blue rockfish as part of their daily limit and there will be no harvest of China, quillback, or copper rockfish.
Sometime in March, once a parallel federal rule is adopted, ODFW will announce anglers can retain one canary rockfish as part of the marine fish daily bag limit.
Retention of cabezon is not allowed Jan. 1 – June 30.

PAHRANAGAT WILDLIFE REFUGE, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Anglers are finding some success at the upper marsh for panfish and catfish.
Mealworms or night crawlers below a bobber will catch fish.

PINE FOREST COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Onion Valley Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Blue Lakes: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.
Knott Creek Reservoir: 
Closed. Will re-open second Saturday in June, 2015.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is at 24 percent capacity. Completely ice free. 
Small Rainbows here but since this lake was only stocked once fishing has been pretty slow, much better around the dam.  

RUBY LAKE NWR, WHITE PINE, COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is still fair to good depending upon the day, the angler and where you are fishing along the collection ditch.
The go-to fly seems to be the hares ear, with the pheasant tail nymph close behind. Also wooly buggers, egg patterns and flies that have some red in them seem to be working.
Trout are starting to take a hit at anglers strike indicators, so egg patterns are definitely worth taking.
For spin fishermen the usual assortment of small spinners and minnow type lures are all effective here.
The ditch is artificial lures and flies only.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Fly fishing:
As of  February 14, 2015 water flow is currently 3,250 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report- Rainbow trout fishing in the Redding area to Anderson area is good.  
Weather beautiful, clear in the 70's, water is clearing and fishing is really good! 
Most days 15 plus fish hook ups. Working best are egg patterns. 
Drift  boats or Jet boats available.We cater to all levels of anglers.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

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

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Again, this water is completely ice free and fishing has been fair to good.
Fish range in size from 12 to 18 inches with a few coming in around 20.
Shore fishing has been good as the fish are in the shallow warmer water.
Water temperatures are in the 40’s.
Areas that have been productive for trout include the main boat ramp cove, Tomera Cove, the bluffs below the east side campground and Jet Ski Beach.
Sherbet Power Bait or worms is what most anglers have been using with the Power Bait doing the best.
Flyrodders should be trying wooly buggers, seal buggers, hare’s ear nymphs and chironomid patterns.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
Lake is dropping and is at 21 percent capacity. 
Fishing has been slow for Rainbows, Macks, and Smallies. 
Some thin ice in the inlets but for the most part lake is wide open. 
Small boats can still launch to the right of the ramp as they are concentrating their efforts outside the inlets and the deeper sections around the dam. 
Shore fishing has been sporadic for the Bows
Smallies are suspended along shelves in the Davis Creek arm and most are being taken on suspending baitfish patterns, Crayfish patterns, and various Jigs worked down these shelves.  Some big smallies here, but you'll have to work hard for them.

LAKE TAHOE:
A continuing report of limits of average sized Mackinaw Trout being caught on silver flasher blades and minnows, trolled at depths of 100-300 feet on the west side of the lake near Homewood, California.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
February 14, 2015 Fishing report
. Currently, Trinity River flows are as follows: Currently 300 CFS. 
We are fishing the Trinity River for Winter Steelhead fishing and fishing is good. Steelhead have been ranging from 4 to 10 pounds, number of hook ups are 4 to 8 fish  days, varying. Getting into some nice steelhead now. Rain on the way, we will keep you posted of the water conditions over the weekend. 
Fly or Spin fishing are both productive.
We are fishing from Lewiston Bridge to JC Campgrounds.

TRUCKEE RIVER, CALIF & NEV:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports: 
California:
Later in the week we should see some unseasonable, and coupled with the higher flows, should make for some great early season fishing! 
High water right now as our area has received a lot of rainfall over the weekend, but water is starting to clear and get back in shape.  Good for now but we would rather have had more snowpack, but at this time we'll take anything. 
Best hours to fish will be 11 to 3. Water temps are cold and fish are somewhat lethargic and somewhat picky.  
Lots of Midges and small BWO/Baetis Mayflies and even Skwala Stones  Flows are reasonable but the general outlook could be dismal if we don't see an increase in out snowpack. Snowpack sits at 27 percent now.   
Fishing has been pretty good with a mix bag of streamer fishing to throwing dries to rising fish. Best sections to fish have been the Glenshire stretch as some anglers have seen double digit days here. 
Nevada:
If you do fish the Truckee in Nevada please be aware that New Zealand Mudsnails have been found in sections of water there so please clean your shoes and gear accordingly to avoid aquatic hitch hikers!  
Study the water and turn rocks and see what is going on, also seine for what is in the drift.  Little things like this and slowing your approach to the river’s edge will greatly increase your chances of being successful. 

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
John and Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort (760-647-6484) (vir@qnet.com) report:
Have a great winter, and let's pray for a lot of snow for water to refill all the reservoirs, lakes and streams with plenty for the ski resorts.
 May you all have a Happy, Healthy 2015, see you on the water in late April!
Carolyn

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No new updates. No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lakes since 2009.
Launching is not possible right now.

WALKER RIVER, LITTLE, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

WILDHORSE RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
As of Wednesday, Wild Horse was about 25 to 30 percent ice free with the rest of the ice being unsafe. Most of the open water at the time was at the south end and along the western shoreline. With temperatures expected to be in the 50’s and even pushing 60 degrees, expect the open water to expand quickly.
Shore anglers were having fair to good success depending upon location and skill of the anglers. Most anglers contacted were using either worms or worms in combination with corn.
Anglers should park a fair distance from the shoreline to avoid getting stuck as it is very muddy.
The state park is open to camping.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Water is only about 10 percent of capacity and is covered with unsafe ice.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Wilson is more than 80 percent full thanks to the recent heavy rains in the Bull Runs and should reach capacity and start spilling sometime in early spring.
Fishing was slow to fair last fall and expect those conditions to continue until it is stocked later in the spring. While NDOW only stocked about 23,000 fish last year due to the low lake levels, expect that number to double this spring.
The county road was graded, but once you get past the county’s portion, it does get rutted. You don’t need 4WD at this time, but you do need some clearance due to the ruts.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF:
Closed. Will re-open April 25, 2015.

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