Fishing Report: Fishing Season is coming fast, so get ready to get back on the water
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Fri, 02/26/2021 - 11:12am
Hello fellow anglers. I hope you have your lines prepped and reels lubed, because the California fishing season will open for most lakes and rivers on March 1, 2021.
Make sure you check your regulation book for all waters you plan to fish. I have spoken with California Fish and Wildlife officers, and they will be out to make sure you are following the new regulation changes.
But most of all, enjoying the extended fishing seasons California has offered. As the regulations state on streams and rivers, fishing will open to catch and release artificial lures or flys with barbless hooks only for the first part of the season.
On the last Saturday in April, the regulations will change for many to a five-fish limit by any legal fishing methods.
The CDFW regulations are no longer available at your local tackle shop. They are available online or you can download the CDFW APP on your phone. In this report you will see different regulations for various waters. This is why it is important to check before you fish.
CAPLES LAKE: Latest report was 2 feet of ice on the lake, with a small amount of snow covering it. Fishing has been fair for anglers fishing by the dam or the spillway area. Most anglers have been using nightcrawlers or jigging kastmasters.
RED LAKE: The lake had about 2-3 feet of ice with little snow on top. Fishing has been good to fair for anglers using salmon eggs, nightcrawlers or jigging kastmasters or small spoons. The blue green algae has been rated at a caution stage. Make sure you throw away the guts and rinse your fish off with fresh water from home before cooking or freezing them.
CARSON RIVER EAST AND WEST FORK CALIFORNIA SIDE: On March 1, 2021 the rivers will open to catch and release. Artificial lures or flys only with barbless hooks. All fish must be released unharmed back into the river.
EAST CARSON RIVER HANGMAN'S BRIDGE: This area is located
one mile past the town of Markleeville, CA to the Nevada state line. This section is open on March 1. Artificial lures or flys only. There is a 2 trout limit with a minimum size of 14' total length.
MARKLEEVILLE CREEK: Opens on March 1 with catch and release with artificial lures or flys with barbless hooks.
WEST WALKER RIVER: opens on March 1 to catch and release with artificial lures or flys with barbless hooks.
EAST FORK WALKER RIVER CALIFORNIA: Closed for winter to fishing.
TAYLOR CREEK, UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TROUT CREEK: Closed to fishing until the Saturday preceding Memorial Day to September 30th. Artificial lures or flys with barbless hooks. Catch and release only. All these streams are located on the south end of Lake Tahoe.
JUNE LAKE LOOP: Lakes on the west side of Highway 395 in Inyo County will open on the last Saturday in April.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR: Closed to fishing until the last Saturday in April.
MASON VALLEY WILDLIFE AREA: Located in Yerington, NV off Highway 95 and Miller. Hinkson slough recently stocked. The FT Church Hill Cooling Ponds also stocked recently. Check NDOW regulations for special restrictions on some waters.
TOPAZ LAKE: The lake is coming up and the fishing has been fair to good. The lake was planted with 3000 lbs of trout from the NDOW. Trollers have been using Rapalas or flashers and a worm. Shore anglers have been doing well with Power bait. Remember if one color is not working, change it up until you find the right color. Green and yellows have been most productive.
Hope to see you on the waters soon. If you have a picture of your catch. Send it to kelsey@carsonnow.org . More good news, On March 14 we get to turn our clock ahead and get more afternoon fishing time in. Good fishin' and tight lines.
