Doug 'Mac the Naw' Busey's fishing report: Ice fishing begins and so does the Topaz Lake Fishing Derby

Hello Fellow anglers, a new year will soon be upon us. With the new year brings the Topaz Lake Fishing Derby beginning Jan. 1, and ice fishing in the Sierra. For those California anglers it is time to purchase a 2016 fishing license.

For Nevada anglers, fishing license's are valid until the end of February. For all the hundreds of anglers fishing the opening day at Topaz Lake, a fishing license from either state is valid. For fellow boat anglers, it's time also to get new registration and your aquatic invasive species decal.

All of these can be purchased on line at either California Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Either site will allow you to print out a temporary license or registration, which must be kept on your person and not in the glove box of your vehicle.

For those anglers heading for Topaz Lake on New Year's Day, use extreme caution on your morning drive. Many of the drivers you encounter may be driving home from a New Years party and may be still under the influence. If you are camping at the lake, enjoy your cocktails and festivities but do not get behind the wheel. Just a heads up, you can get a DUI while operating a boat.

The Douglas County boat ramp will be open for launching, the water has been coming up the last couple of weeks. The Topaz Lake, Douglas County Park Ranger told me larger boats may have to use the end of the dock, but they will be open.

Use caution on the ramp as it will be icy. Topaz Landing Marina as of now, is not scheduled to open due to low water. For further update you can contact Topaz Landing at 775-266-3550.

The Topaz Lodge Fishing Derby officially starts Jan. 1, 2016. This where you can get paid to fish. There's a $100 cash prize plus $10 free slot play and 10 entries into drawing for a tagged fish, which this year Topaz Lodge has stocked more in than any other year.

Catch a trout two pounds and larger and you get $5 in free slot play and 10 entries into the drawing. Each week the two largest trout weighed in at the Topaz General Store will be awarded $50 cash for the largest and $25 free slot play for the second largest trout.

There is no entry fee into the derby. Anglers must be 21 years of age or older to participate, due to the sole sponsor of this event is the Topaz Lodge and Casino. Anyone caught trying to enter a fish caught from another location other than Topaz Lake will be disqualified for the entire derby, and may be publicly humiliated in this column. To get more information on the derby or to make reservations, you can call Topaz Lodge at 775-266-3338.

Now for those ice fishing enthusiasts like myself: Caples Lake has reported 6-9 inches of ice as of Dec. 18. A few anglers have been seen fishing, but no one has reported back to the resort. Red Lake reported 8-10 inches of ice as of Dec. 16. Josh Otto from Woodfords, Calif., caught a nice stringer of rainbows using a Kastmaster lure or Powerbait. I will be joining my fishing partners on Red Lake on Sunday Jan. 10, if you would like to join us.

Ice fishing is great sport, there is no special equipment needed to ice fish. Except for an ice auger which you can pick up at most sporting good stores. Or come out to Red Lake and I will loan you my auger to see if ice fishing is for you.

I started ice fishing with a 5 gallon bucket to carry my gear which can be used as a seat to sit on. No tackle box needed. A few split shots, hooks and a gold Kastmaster can fit in a zip lock bag, and a box of worms. I now use a small sled to carry my gear which includes a fold up chair for a little more comfort.

If you would like to learn more about ice fishing or would like to just watch. Weather pending, join us on Jan. 10 at Red Lake.

Hope to see you on the waters or on the ice. If you have any questions or fishing reports in our local fishing world, call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. Have a photo of your catch, send it to jeff@carsonnow.org. Be safe and have a Happy NAW Year. Good fishin and tight lines.

fishderby-flier2016.pdf by Carson Now