Don Q's fishing report for the week of March 27 to April 2

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This fishing report For the week of March 27 through April 2.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Though unseasonably warm in the north state, light cloud cover has been holding the heat in, and its improved the bite.
Surface temps have been pushing upper 40’s.
The west basin is shallower than the east, expect this area of the lake to warm first. Clarity has improved to 9 ft. + in some areas.
Lots of good reports all over the lake.
Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service (530-283-4103) (bryan@bigdaddyfishing.com) reports:
Welcome to Spring.....officially. Despite what the calendar says, spring has been here for the last week with un-beatable weather conditions for some prime trophy trout fishing.
If you are thirsty for some premium Brown Trout action, now is the time.
Following my last report, the fishing we have been experiencing on my boat continued to be great with plenty of hook-ups and battles with Almanor's Brown Trout population.
New this week; we haven't seen any more Rainbows, but we really aren't fishing in areas that they would be. It's either that, or they are fearing for their lives, because these big Browns are aggressive.
We also have started to see just a few of the lake's Small Mouth Bass, or "SMB" as they are known, a sure sign that they think spring is on the way.
Our fish this week have run between 3 and 5 pounds and have been stuffed with pond smelt. It is obvious when cleaning them, the record so far has been 35 pond smelt in a single fish, but even the fish we have been releasing are spitting them up on the way to the boat, and while removing the hooks.
I have continued to cover a lot of water along the east shore, with the fish and bait moving around from day to day.
The water clarity is just ok, certainly not the clearest water on the lake but that isn't stopping the fish from whacking our lures.
Rapalas as well as a few other plugs, simply run by themselves, covered in Pro-Cure's Trophy Trout Gel, in a variety of colors have been getting all of the attention.
No dodgers or flashers needed, these fish are able to hunt and feed in all kinds of water conditions, just ask the pond smelt we pulled out of that 4 pound brown. 35 pond smelt and not one dodger!
As I'm writing this we are seeing a little front push through bringing cooler temperatures and some needed rain. The snow level is extremely high with this one so look for the rain to increase the run off from what little snow is left around the lake and cool water temps just a bit. Then it is back to warm and sunny according to the forecast.
Despite the dry winter the lake level is in good shape being higher than average for this time of year with the exceptions of last year (really high) and in 2006. Plenty of water for the fish.

ANGEL LAKE, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The road has been closed for the season, so there will be no more fishing reports for Angel Lake until it opens next spring.

BISHOP CREEK AREA, CALIF:
Jared Smith - Parchers Resort (760-873-4177) (sierrasmitty@cebridge.net):
South Lake:
Greetings from the High Country!
Winter has officially come to an end and spring is upon us! The cold wintery weather is starting to fade and it is at this time that we are filled with anticipation for another spectacular season of fishing, hiking, backpacking, and photography in the Eastern Sierra.
While the 2012/2013 wet season isn’t quite over, the projection for our seasonal snowfall totals is a little below normal meaning the prospects for early access to the various hiking trails, lakes and streams is looking good.
Parchers Resort is scheduled to open May 16th this season with the boats and kayaks up at South Lake to be ready by May 23rd… my how the winter has flown by!
For those looking to get into the mountains early this season, we are again offering discounted cabin pricing Monday through Wednesday until June 15th. Feel free to visit our rates page for these lowered rates.
Angler Update:
Parchers Resort has arranged for another load of enormous trophy fish for South Lake in 2013. These Rainbows will be in the 5 to 10lb class!
Big fish of the season last year was a beautiful 9lb 8oz trout and we’re hoping that this year we will break the 10 lb mark a few times.
Hiking Update:
With what appears to be a mild winter in the books, trail access should be excellent again this year making for a longer hiking and backpacking season.
Our Hiker Cabins are already beginning to book up but if you are planning an ascent of Mt. Whitney, a thru hike on the John Muir Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, or just a short backpacking trip into the wilderness, feel free to contact us immediately to arrange for your resupply package to be held at the resort or to book a Hiker Cabin to acclimate prior to your trip.
Photographers Update:
Over the past several years the wildflowers have peaked around the first week of July and we expect that to be the case again this year.
Although outstanding compared to most destinations, last year’s bloom wasn’t as good as it typically is so with a much better winter during the 2012/2013 season, we’re excited to see the meadows and trails loaded with colorful blooms of wildflowers.
While some weeks in July and August are nearly booked up, we have quite a bit of availability during this early July timeframe so give us a call to reserve your dates and catch these flowers at their peak.
We are also working with a few photographers to hopefully host a wildflower photography workshop this coming July. Stay tuned to our events calendar for details on this as we get closer to the season.

BLUE LAKES, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road is closed.

BOCA RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Boca is wide open now and the fishing has been good!
Best action by shore fisherman has been the dam and at the deeper troughs outside the inlet.
Lake is at its winter level so boaters are launching from the east side of the lake. Those who are able to launch should concentrate their efforts about 50-70 off the dam with kokanee (yes, kokanee) imitations as this is what the large browns are feeding on.
Also, concentrate off points as large fish will be suspended here.
Shore fisherman can be successful by throwing all sorts of bait and lures such as large spinners and small stick baits that will imitate kokanee, rainbows, or baitfish.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CARSON RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

CARSON RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013, above Hangman's Bridge.

CATNIP RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Closed to fishing. Opens Sat. April 27, 2013
The lake is totally ice free and stocking has begun.
With 6 weeks to eat and fatten up, opening fishing should be productive.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
A report that the lake was mostly open water on Saturday morning with some thin ice still along some of the edges.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The most exciting time to fish is on its way, May and lasts until the end of July. This is when the damsel fly hatch begins. Bringing large rainbows into the shallows and surface cruising for the nymphs and sometimes adults.
The fishing can be nerve-racking, many large rainbows splashing, water containing thousands of migrating nymphs.
You only hope they take your imitation along with the other "real" food.
For now, fishing pressure has been very light.
Use nightcrawlers dressed with Berkley’s garlic-flavored trout dip.
The average fish reported has been around 17 inches in length.
Courtesy of Fly Fish with Don.

DONNER LAKE, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
With moderate high temps in the 50's and this lakes close proximity to town it's the perfect cure if you need to get out and wet a line.
The west end of the lake by the boat launch or off the beach has been great for some planters using nightcrawlers, eggs, or power bait and small lures.
Patience is needed but when the big schools of rainbows come thru the action can be awesome.
Some that are fly fishing using jig head flies have been doing well!
If your fishing for Macks throw countdown rapalas or large spoons.
Boats can be launched here and the Mack fishing has been pretty good!
Trolling and jigging has been successful at depths from 55-75 feet with most Macks ranging in the teens. Some smaller Macks are at depths above this and can be caught even by the shore fishermen along the deeper drop-offs.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Excellent salmon fishing and steelhead fishing, as well as striped bass and shad, and has produced some of the most consistent numbers of salmon in Northern California.
All different sizes of fish are being caught in the low flow areas.
Steelheads are biting worms, roe, glow bugs, flies, and small spinners. Courtesy of Johnsons Bait & Tackle & FishKevinBrock.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
03/24/13
Frenchman Lake is free of ice and you can drive completely around the lake.
Steve Wilson and Bob Graham were fishing Crystal Point on 03/24/13 and caught 8 trout. Average size was 3 lbs. They were fishing midday, between 10am and 3 pm using power bait off the bottom.
The weather has been beautiful lately and the fishing is great.
Come on out and see for yourself!
Stop in and see us for all your fishing supplies, snacks and drinks and get the latest updates or call us at Wiggin’s Trading Post 530 993-4683.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until May 01, 2013.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is 7 CFS. Spring is here and the fish are hungry.
Look for the BWO's and when the fish are low try WD-40's,small P.T.'s and green rock worms.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF:
A report that the paved road from S.R. 89 is free of snow.
There were lots of fishermen on Sunday (two car top boats, one canoe, float tubers and shore fishermen) will lots of fishing but very little catching.

JACKSON MEADOWS RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
ACCESSIBLE BY SNOWMOBILE ONLY NOW!

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

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Conditions remain excellent, but fishing has been fair.
Its nearly time, say "it's been a great season".
If you go this week expect to find a few steelhead, only if you know where to look. Otherwise, wait for the salmon fly hatch this June.
It's almost time for our famous Dry Fly fishing!
Flies of the week: Shafer's 3-D, Pat's Rubber Legs, #12-14 Prince Nymphs, Shrimp Pink Micro Spawns and a select Boles Bazookas.
And don’t forget your Red Copper Johns!
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

KNOTT CREEK RESERVOIR, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
Closed until the second Saturday in June 2013.

LEWISTON LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The going’s still tough. Still breezy, and coming chance of rain this week. However if you and your patient use leeches and #16-18 nymphs you have a good chance of hook-ups. Suspending midges under indicators almost always produces a few nice, fat Lewiston rainbows as well!
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

LUNDY LAKE, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
Closed until July 15, 2013.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Action is steady at Lake Oroville for bass at around 30 feet using jigs, shaky head, dart head and drop shot worms.
There has been a wide open bite on 10-12 inch land-locked Coho Salmon on just about any offering with minnows is a good bet.
With the Coho bite being so active using swimbaits for bass may entice a big one to bite.
Courtesy of My Outdoor Buddy.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River:
Current flow is 59 CFS. Warming temps should pick up the bite here.
Not much on the surface so dig deep with flash back hares ears, prince nymphs and bead head caddis pupa.
Lower Owens River:
Water flow is steady at 222 CFS. Fishing continues to improve.
Nice caddis grab. e/c caddis cdc caddis x-caddis. Red jujube midge, small Stevie's Wonders in black or grey and olive or grey WD-40's.
Baetis hatch midday but not much surface activity.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing has been good to fair.
The wet weather may be causing the fish to move around.
Beware, this river is known as a tough one to wade. Bring a wading staff! We highly recommend wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) too.
The Pit River is a demanding river to wade thanks to slippery, bowling-ball like boulders and rocks.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

PROSSER RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
Lake is ice free and one should concentrate their efforts in the inlets and by the dam. Small spoons, spinners, and flies such as woolly buggers are taking rainbows along with an assortment of baits.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
It’s been very windy, though still getting good reports for fly fishing.
Big rainbows are being found within the Redding City limits, also below Anderson River Park.
Insect hatches consist of #16 dark springtime caddis.
A few PMDs have been coming off.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

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 March 24, 2013, water flow is currently 4600 CFS decreasing to 4,000 CFS by Friday.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing has been excellent, including several steelhead. Double hook ups common now.
Mid day, caddis hatch is epic. Sac River on fire.
Using rubber legs black and brown , black caddis # 16 or 14, olive Micro Mays # 16 , yellow Sucker spawns.
Fishing great all the way down to Jellys Ferry bridge.
More Pressure on the river on weekends.
Nice size Rainbows,16 to 20 inches average, occasional 24 to 25 inch.
Gates on market street weir will be going up, slowing river flow. 
Our guides are fishing daily, call or email us today.
We offer daily guided fishing trips, 7 days a week. 
All fly fishing gear is included on our guided fly fishing trips.
Daily drifting Redding, California and Anderson, California fly fishing
for wild rainbow trout.
Groups and Clubs welcome, we can accommodate ANY size group.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
Striped Bass:
March 24, 2012-
The striped bass fishing heats up in the months of April and May, around the Colusa area.
There are a few fish moving up the system now.
Watch for fishing to heat up, in about 2 weeks. Ranging in size from 10 lbs up to 30 pound plus. A great fighting fish, using spinning gear and live bait. Schedule your date today.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Reports have been good/fair, however the warm weather caused cold snow runoff, making the bite fall a bit.
Hot flies: #6 Thurmanator Dark Stones, #14-16 Dark Lords, Amber Wing Gordon Princes in #12-16 and Red Copper. Have a few BWO patterns ready. Always have a few Parachute Adams in #16 in your fly box.
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Kirk and Lisa Portocarrero at outdooradventures@sacriverguide.com and www.sacriverguide.com (1-800-670-4448) report:
March 24, 2012
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta.
We offer daily guided fishing on Lake Shasta. Lake Shasta fishing is great.
Catching limits of salmon and trout.
We are catching mostly Rainbow Trout on the surface and also about 40 feet deep. The Dry Creek area, using Cripp Lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
Anglers, book now for the Spring Break. Lake Shasta is place to be for lots of action and great trout fishing & salmon fishing.

SHASTA LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing is fair to good. Dry Creek has been the best.
Try for Rainbows from 6am till 8am, at the surface.
Salmon are going down to around 0 to 80 ft deep, using Hummdingers and Wiggle Hoochies.
Bass fishing is excellent around the shorelines to 20 ft deep. Most fish average 10 to 15 inches, Ripp Baits, Crank baits , along the rocky shores has been the best bet for numbers of Bass. 4 inch Plastic worms have been the ticket for some bigger fish!
Courtesy of Sacriver Guide.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Mountain Hardware and Sports of Truckee (530-587-4844) (mountainhardwareandsports@gmail.com) reports:
With the boat launch plowed anyone can launch a boat here now, but early in the morning it can be icy!
Word is out here now and a lot of Macks are being caught as they are in full on feed mode.
Fishing around the island has been the hot spot in 25 to 45 feet of water.
Some toplining can be done but the few browns that were being caught have gone silent. Other areas one can look to are the transition zones between ice and water as baitfish will hide under the shelves of ice and like Boca the points between coves may hold some large suspended fish.
For the shore fisherman spoons, large Spinners, and stick baits will work and of course if you're throwing bait nothing beats an inflated nightcrawler drenched in your favorite scent.
Action here has been better for the boater, but recent reports have indicated that shore fishing has picked up.

TRINITY LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
No current fish report, however good news: March through June are the favorite months for experienced bass anglers there. The lake has good populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
It also holds the California record for small mouth bass!
A dredger piles at the head of the lake, as well as other structures found in the coves and points throughout the lake provide excellent bass fishing for most of the year. Spring always provides the hottest action, as both species move into the shoreline to spawn.
Courtesy of Fish Trinity Lake.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Though the season is undoubtedly over, the smolts are coming down from Lewiston, and they are fast, and aggressive, will bite at almost anything, if you want to take the kids this could be an exciting time for them!
Courtesy of The Fly Shop.

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 RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) ( HYPERLINK "http://www.kenssport.com" www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker River:
March 25, 2013 -
Still getting some great reports from the river these days, the flow is at about 40 CFS and the fish are still biting.
It seems like the best time of day to fish is from about noon to 4pm, though there is some pretty good action before noon as well.
We’ve started to get some decent streamer reports but as usual the best reports are with nymphs and some dry/dropper rigs in the afternoon.
Patterns to try include: pheasant tails, rainbow warrior, zebra midge, copper john, mercers midgeling, zuddler, JJ special, sculpzilla, chubby chernobyl, rubber leg stimulator, BWO, blue dun and para adams.
Sceirine Ranch:
March 25, 2013 -
We’ve had a few clients on the ranch this week and they’ve done pretty well.
It’s looking like right now the only patterns you’ll want to add to your arsenal that are different from the ones listed for the Cali side would be a poxyback stone and micro stone.

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow has dropped to 40 CFS. Fishing is tough.
Warming weather should get the fish busy.
WD-40's, buckskin nymphs, copper John's and Prince nymphs.

WALKER RIVER, WEST, CALIF:
Closed until the last Saturday in April 2013.

WASHOE LAKE, WAHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Washoe Lake dried up in 2004 and, although it is presently full and has been restocked, the fish population, consisting mostly of channel catfish and white bass, is small. Fishing is expected to be poor.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Fishing is poor for the warm water species here, and with few trout in this lake, there will be no new reports on this water until spring.

WILSON RESERVOIR, ELKO COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:

WHISKEYTOWN LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Still no current fishing report. The lake is not especially known for good fishing, however if your patient there is plenty to catch.
Most reports say the colder areas by the powerhouse are good trout areas and the rest are decent for bass.
Courtesy of Fishing Notes.com.

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