Don't be fooled: 'Mac the Naw' says April brings fishing, camping and opening weekend

Hello fellow anglers, we're less than a month from opening trout season in Alpine County and throughout California. Many of you are beginning to plan ahead for the weekend of April 30. I just wanted to give you some info on the campground situation.

This will be my last report as the Naw is retiring from writing about fishing and will be doing it a lot more in person instead of writing about it.

The Carson River resort is open all year, Crystal Springs and Markleeville campgrounds are scheduled to open April 29, Hope Valley campground scheduled to open May 20, Kit Carson Campground scheduled to open May 13, Silver Creek campground scheduled to open June 17.

Indian Creek campground is not scheduled yet, but they have in past years opened on the first weekend in May. For the higher campgrounds such a s Blue Lakes, Wood Lake, Caples lake and Silver Lake, I would not start to plan a trip to camp there until mid June.

As the time passes, I will pass on to you more information as the season progresses. For the June Lake Loop area, I would recommend you call ahead to the various resorts to find out there schedule. Many of the area roads may still have snow until mid May or later. Now lets check out our local fishing report.

SILVER LAKE:
The lake has 3-4 feet of ice with a foot or more of snow on it. Fishing accessibility has been a long trek through the snow.

CAPLES LAKE:
The ice is 3-4 feet with a couple feet of snow on it. Matthew Cross was staying at the resort last week and caught a nice 2 pound mackinaw. Matthew was fishing in 20 feet of water using a combination of a gold Kastmaster with a piece of shrimp on it. Most anglers have been fishing at the dam area. Night crawlers or fresh water shrimp from your local grocery store has been most productive. Some angler have made the hike down to the Woods Creek area and have done well with night crawlers of jigging Kastmaster lures. Be careful in that area, as the snow can be deep and you need to watch your footing.

RED LAKE:
The lake is still 3-5 feet of ice with a couple feet of snow on it. Best action has been early morning with night crawlers. Some anglers have been using small Thomas Buoyant spoons or gold Kastmasters. Average rainbow has been 10 to 13 inches.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:
The lake is starting to get a little moss bloom. Not the summer weeds but the green slime right on the bottom. With the weather clearing up here and there. The fishing has picked up a little. I talked to a few anglers that caught their limits of nice 1.5 to 2 pound rainbows. They were using Powerbait by the dam area. This weekend should be in the high 60 degree temperatures. This should get the fish on the bite early in the morning. Remember when fishing Indian Creek, you can catch fish in 2 feet of water or 10 feet of water. If you are not getting any bites. Change your area, length of how far you are casting as well as color of Powerbait. The fish are definitely finicky some times. Then there are the time when all you have to do is inflate your night crawler to trigger a bite.

TOPAZ LAKE:
The Topaz Marina is open with rental boats as well as boat launching. I talked with Chuck this week. Chuck told me a couple anglers did very well early in the morning for fish up to 3 pounds. Blades and a night crawler have been productive. Many angler have been trolling Rapalas. Shore anglers have done just as well on the California side with night crawlers. For more information call the Topaz Landing Marina at 775-266-3550.

TOPAZ LAKE DERBY:
Week number 12. Jose Lopez took 1st place with a 3.6 pound rainbow, while Jeff Porras took 2nd with a 2.15 pound rainbow. 1 tagged fish was brought in and 22 fish were weighed in over 2 pounds. Week number 13. Jimmy McKinney from North Carolina caught a 5.9 pound rainbow while 2nd place was a tie for Robert Lekumberry from Sparks NV and Ron Wilson from Topaz ranch Estates. Both of their fish were 3.4 and 22 inches long. There were 15 fish over 2 pounds weighed in and 1 tagged fish brought in. For more information contact the Topaz Lodge at 775-266-3338.

NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE FISH PLANTS:
These plants have been over the last week or so. Fort Church Hill pond, Hinkson Slough, North Pond, Martin Slough, Mitch Pond, East and West Walker Rivers.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. Remember where ever your destination is, let some one know where you are going and when you will return. If you get a picture of your catch send it to jeff@carsonnow.org. Have a question or a report in our local fishing area, call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722.

Because Friday is April 1, beware of April fools jokes. The Naw has not hung up his pen yet. Good Fishin and tight lines.