Don Q's fishing report for week of April 10-17

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and stream in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This fishing report is for the week of April 10-17.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Expect spring showers along with warm weather. Cloud cover has been holding the heat in, and it has 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.
The insect hatch, though only beginning, has started!
Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service (530-283-4103) (bryan@bigdaddyfishing.com) reports:
Fishing Report April 5, 2013
The spring bite at Lake Almanor continues to be solid.
I have been running a variety of trips in recent days depending on the clients wishes, some targeting specifically trophy Browns and others just looking for a nice day of fishing no matter what species of fish might be involved.
That is the beauty of running private charters, it allows me to really cater to each individual group and custom tailor a trip to match their needs.
Brown trips this week have seen solid numbers of quality fish, working both the east and west shores, targeting areas that they like to feed. The usual Rapalas in black and silver and gold have been getting the job done.
With the water warming into the mid 50's most days we have also been hooking some pretty nice Smallies or (SMB's) as well, while they are not our prime target, they sure do put up a heck of a fight.
The female SMB are moving in ahead of spawning time, so it is nice to get the ride out of them then return them to the lake.
How do you tell a female SMB from a male you might ask? By lifting up its tail of course.... Not really, the female SMB are larger and this time of year with their egg sacks packed, their bellies will be much more full and round while the males are smaller and have a much more slender waist line.
In addition to the Trophy Brown trips I have also run some days out over the open water on the downriggers catching mostly Rainbows and Salmon. This fishing is a little more relaxed but the battles have been great.
The Salmon are in good shape running 17 to 20 inches with a few of the younger 12 and 13 inch "rats" running around as well.
The Bows are also on the bite, and this time of year the more bugs they eat the better they fight.
We have been catching these fish on a variety of tackle from including minnow pattern spoons and Arctic Fox Tube Flies.
The weather has been a little un-settled, but that is spring time in the mountains, overall it has been excellent.
Look for the good weather and good fishing to continue.

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.

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

BLUE LAKES, CALIF:
The road is closed.

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.
Opening day fishing should be very productive.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Jim and Jeanne of the J & J Grizzly Store (530-832-0270) (www.grizzlystore.portola-ca.com) report:
April 03: As of today docks are in at Lightening Tree (about 4 feet of water at the end of the ramp) and at Old Camp 5.
Honker is still closed for repairs.
April 07: Ed Dillard reported that his brother caught a 21" 2 1/2 pound trout yesterday. Fishing is picking up.
No report from the Fly Fisherman.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
No change from last week.
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 night crawlers 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.

FEATHER RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The steelhead bite has been great lately with all different sizes of fish being caught in the low flow areas.
The stripers are finally showing up, drifting minnows and bait have been working the best.
Courtesy of Johnsons Bait & Tackle. & FishKevinBrock.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
04/08/13
We’ve had many good reports about the fishing this past week.
On April 3rd, Robert Spiva of Reno, NV, a longtime fisherman of Frenchman Lake, caught his limit at Snallygaster using nightcrawlers. One of the fish was about 12 inches and the other 4 fish were between 17 and 18 inches.
Preston and Vera Huff of Reno were fishing the west side of Turkey Point on April 5th and caught 3 nice sized rainbows in about 3 hours using nightcrawlers and power bait.
The fish measured between 16 to 22 inches in length.
Rudy, Sean and Travis were fishing Turkey Point on Saturday.
They caught 15 rainbows between 12 and 14 inches each using worms.
An unnamed fisherman reported catching 12 fish in about 3 ½ hours while fly fishing at Frenchman boat launch, southeast of Big Cove using small #12 wooly buggers on I line slow retrieve.
The campgrounds are tentatively set to open on April 19th.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Frenchman is free of ice and you can drive completely around the lake now.
Anglers were fishing Crystal Point 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.
Courtesy of the Wiggins Trading Post.

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 9 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.
Very crowded of late.

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

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

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Excellent river conditions. Though it is late in the season, you should be able to find a few steelhead. Most Klamath river steelhead anglers start looking elsewhere this time of year.
Here is the time to start looking for good rainbow trout fishing!
The window you should plan for is late May through mid June, it's the salmon fly hatch that produces many smaller fish, but more than a few 16" 1/2 pounders that tug the dry fly.
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:
Water conditions are very good and getting better.
Callibaetis are coming off and hatches will improve as we close in on May.
There are extra large rainbows here mixed in with 12"-14" rainbows that eat stripped or suspended nymphs.
Dry fly fishing happens almost daily between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Some of the best fly fishing on this mountain lake happens between now and June. 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.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The recreational Dungeness crabbing is open in the ocean.
Fishing for bottom fish including rockfish, and lingcod is now closed outside of the 30 fathom curve until September 30.
The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish and a separate daily limit for lingcod (two).
Retention of cabezon is not allowed until July 1 due to a small harvest cap.
Fishing for big ling cod has been good for anglers when the ocean has been calm. At this time of the year big ling cod move into shallower water in preparation to spawn.
Recreational chinook salmon fishing is open in the ocean from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. from March 15 through April 30.
All chinook caught in the ocean must be 24 inches or longer.
Anglers are reporting that surfperch fishing is slow to decent depending on what beach you are fishing.
Fishing with sand shrimp or sand worms are always great baits to use for surf perch fishing. Surfperch fishing usually picks up in April and May.

ORVILLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
No drastic changes from last week.
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 105 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 224 CFS. Fishing continues to improve.
Caddis hatch is unpredictable. 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 for some, great for others and tough at times.
Such a conflicting range of reports! Could be that as the day warms up, snow melt causes sections of the river to cool down.
Go to the Pit expecting good fishing, but if the bite dies off later in the morning, start looking at the water temperatures. Bring a thermometer!
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.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Every day is different on the Lower Sacramento. But, the one thing that remains the same is the ease at which quality rainbow trout, in respectable numbers, can be caught as you enjoy yourself on our beautiful river! 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 April 8, 2013, water flow is currently 5,800 CFS.
Lower Sacramento River fly fishing report, fly fishing has been excellent. Mid day, caddis hatch is epic. Weather warming this week, fishing will continue to be excellent. 
Double hook ups common now. 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.
Nice size Rainbows,16 to 20 inches average, occasional 24 to 25 inch. 
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:
April 3, 2013- BASS ARE IN !
Striped bass fishing in the Sacramento River Colusa area is red hot.
Fishing turned on this weekend.
Great action, lots of fish being caught.
These next 2 months are prime time for stripers. Call today. 
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:
Fishing has been on the tough side this week. Rainbows are off spawning.
Water conditions from Dunsmuir down to Delta are excellent.
The best wading conditions are near Dunsmuir, while more challenging conditions exist in the lowest section of the river near Lake Shasta. Between the two is 35 miles of diverse fly fishing water that offers a solid chance at big, wild Shasta strain rainbows.
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:
April 3, 2013
Northern California fishing Lake Shasta. We offer daily guided fishing on 
Lake Shasta. Lake Shasta fishing is fair to good. Catching salmon and trout now, we are catching mostly Rainbow trout on the surface and salmon 60 feet deep. The Dry Creek area, using Cripp Lures and Wiggle Hoochies.
Once the weather stabilizes we will see more action on the lake. It has been warm one day and then rain the next , fishing is up and down at the moment. Still bring in fish every day. 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.
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:
Rick and Tresa Kennedy of Tight Line Guide Service (888-975-0990) (www.fish tightlines.com) report:
March 29:
We met our Michael and Chase Barnes of Reno at the Stampede Ramp at 6:30. We decided to make a couple runs up the Little Truckee arm see if we could find a Brown. The fog was like pea soup, I was thankful I had the Lowrance 4G Radar on the boat.
Within 10 minutes we landed a nice rainbow, I haven’t seen many rainbows like this come out of Stampede in a few years. That was the good news.
After a couple hours of top lining Rapalas with only one other hit we decided to switch over to slow trolling for Mack’s.
We fished hard with everything I had in the boat.
I talked with a couple other guys on the water and they hadn’t had a touch.
We let out a top line with a Sep’s Watermelon Dodger and an Uncle Larry’s Bloody Tiger tipped with Pink Pautzke Fire Corn after seeing some Kokanee on the surface.
It wasn’t long before we landed and released a couple 10” Kokanee.
Finally, we hooked a Mack on the Pro Troll Sting Fish. At the same time, Paul Kneeland called on the radio and said he was hooked up as well.
Chase landed a 13 ½ pound Mack. We went a about an hour before Michael landed a 4 ½ pound Mack. Stampede wasn’t a wide-open bite today but we did manage a couple nice fish.

LAKE TAHOE:
Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbons Charters (530-544-6552) (www.blueribbonfishing.com) reports:
Excellent fishing for Mackinaw trout, up to 16 pounds.

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:
There are still a few steelhead roaming the Trinity. You can count on getting into at least one fresh, native steelhead a day this week. Be one of the few who can say they have caught steelhead on the Trinity in April. But, these fish are not expected to occur as we close in on May.
We recommend a day on the Trinity for the most dedicated Trinity angler.
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 new updates. No Lahontan cutthroat have been reported or seen at Walker Lakes since 2009.
Launching is not possible right now.

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:
April 07 , 2013
Here we are at the end of the first week in April already, where has the winter gone? The river is fishing pretty well right now, it's running at 59 CFS and has been there for the last 3 or 4 days.
Still small nymphs on the bottom with a little dry action here and there.
With a 59 CFS flow the water is good all the way from the dam clear down to Murphy's Pond. That water below the bridge has some nice riffles and there's plenty of fish hanging out down there.
Lots of anglers are reporting 15 to 20 fish or more per day, mainly ranging from about 12 to 18 inches with some going over 18 or 20.
Patterns to fish include: copper john, zebra midge, flashback emerger, pheasant tail, midgeling, rainbow warrior, blue dun, blue wing olive, chubby chernobyl, stimulator, madam-x.
Sceirine Ranch:
April 07, 2013
The Sceirine is also fishing well, we've had clients down there every few days. The same bugs that are working on the Cali side are also working down there, plus you can add some stonefly nymphs to your collection as well as a few san juan worms. Give us a call if you want to fish the ranch and we can get you on the calendar!

WALKER RIVER, EAST, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow is up a bit to 59 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.

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