Mac the Naw: Sierra lakes thaw out bringing ample fishing opportunities

Hello fellow anglers, there's a lot going on in June as I will be fishing with around 2,000 kids over the next couple of weekends. This weekend I will be at the Lampe Park Kids Fishing Derby in Gardnerville and the Sawmill Pond Kids Fishing Derby in South Lake Tahoe.

The Lampe Park event will be held Saturday and Sunday. I will be on hand to assist on Sunday. On Saturday I will be helping the Optimist Club of South Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters with the Sawmill Pond kids fishing derby on the California side. It will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.

The following week I will be out of town for another kids fishing derby. I highly recommend if you have time, to become a volunteer at any of our kids fishing derbies. It will reward you the rest of your life, plus it is a good and fun way to help give back to kids and families.

For information on the Lampe Parks kids derby, you can contact Heather at 775-684-9018 or they will take sign ups at the park on Friday. You can also stop by Accolades at 1532 Highway 395 No. 10. No kids will be turned away.

For the Sawmill Pond derby you can call the Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters at 530-541-8208.

Now that majority of our upper lakes have completely thawed out, the California Department of Wildlife have started planting trout, which you will see in your report.

SILVER LAKE: The lake level is up and the boat ramp is open. Kit Carson lodge has opened for the season and has rental boats available. Silver Lake campground has opened as well. The CDFW has planted the lake with rainbow trout last week. Plasse's Resort is opening soon.

CAPLES LAKE: The lake is clear of ice and the Eldorado Irrigation District boat ramp and day use facility is open. The lake level is up and the fish have been biting. The Caples Lake Resort will open any day now. The CDFW has planted the lake with rainbow trout. For more information call the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

RED LAKE: The lake is up and the fishing has picked up. The CDFW has planted the lake with rainbow trout.

BLUE LAKES: The road is open seven miles in to the 4th gate as of last Wednesday. Scheduled to open any time now.

BURNSIDE LAKE: The road as of this week has not opened.

WOODS LAKE: As of this week has not opened for the season.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: The campground and boat launch is open. The water level is still up with minimal weeds. The CDFW planted the lake recently with rainbow trout. The lake has also been planted with cutthroat trout from Heenan Lake. Angler had had good success with green power bait or inflated night crawlers.

CARSON RIVER WEST FORK CALIFORNIA SIDE: The river is still running fast in the canyon area. Best areas have been in Hope Valley or in the lower Woodfords area. If you are in the area next week.

On June 9 they will be having a grand opening of the Mad Dog Cafe, along with a guided tour and a book signing from a trio of local authors. They will have free Hor Durves and their signature coffee.The location would be the old Woodfords General store. On June 10 will be a benefit concert for the Friends of Hope Valley at Sorenson's Resort. They will feature the Back Forty Blue Grass Band and appetizing food from the Sorenson's Cafe. Alpine County and the CDFW has planted the river over the last couple weeks. For more information stop by the Creekside Lodge.

EAST FORK CARSON RIVER CALIFORNIA SIDE: Waters are still high but very fishable. There has been a few trout brought in from 1 to 4 pounds. Spinners or salmon eggs right on the bottom have been most productive. The CDFW and Alpine County have planted the river with rainbow trout over the last couple weeks. The river is full of fish and with our rising temperatures. I feel the bite will come on strong this week. For more information or to get your picture taken. Stop by the Carson River Resort.

TOPAZ LAKE: The lake level is still high and there was a large algae bloom over the last couple of weeks. The lake has a nice green tint to it, but the shore anglers have been doing well with green or rainbow Powerbait.

JUNE LAKE: Hillary at June Lake Marina (760-648-7726) tells me that fishing has improved mainly due to recent weather changes like we thought it would, increased CDFW plants, and periodic releases of larger rainbows from their private pens.

One group had a 75 fish day of mostly rainbows. They are seeing quite a few cutthroats this year up to 4 pounds trolling lead core up to 9 colors with Tazmanians, Needlefish, and Bouyants in pink, red, and frog patterns. Nine colors is deeper than I would expect this time of year so make a couple laps at that depth and adjust up on ensuing passes. Contact the Big Rock Resort, 760-648-7717.

GULL LAKE: Home of Monster Trout, it looks like Gull Lake is living up to it's nickname with an 11 pounder and a 10.4 hauled in recently. Both Rainbows were 27 inches in length along with numerous rainbows in the 3 to 6 pound range. Go with the typical baits mentioned or troll 3 to 5 colors as Gull is not as deep as June. A bit of advice: when visiting the marina don't do what William says (he knows nothing about fishing) but rather what Emma and Sergio tell ya. Just joking of course, they're all great. Contact Gull Lake Marina at 760-648-7539.

SILVER LAKE: Silver is still cranking out a lot of 2 to 6 pound Rainbows with an occasional Brown. This is mainly due to the abundant stocking of those Oregon Rainbows with another load due in June. As I was standing in the store a guy came in with a 3.8 pound rainbow while tube fishing with wooly buggers, a good approach to try in any lake. Tom the dock man is adamant that leaders must be long with floating baits due to weeds in the lake. He says pink and white mice tails are working best right now. He should know, he's right there on the lake. Please note that Silver Lake Resort RV Park has full hook ups and propane service. Call 760-648-7525:.

RUSH CREEK: Stop in at Silver Lake Resort to get the latest: Rush produced a nice 3.8 Brown last week caught with a nightcrawler. The creek flows out of Silver down to Grant Lake with the best fishing in about the first half mile due to CDFW plants near the campground and larger trout migrating down from Silver. What I like to do is "Shoot and Scoot" with lures the entire length between both lakes as it is best way to become one with the water.

GRANT LAKE: According to Doug and Harold at the Grant Lake Marina and Campground, marina fishing has been a bit off here probably cuz the lake is rising 6" or so a day due to spring run off which is about at its peak. We expect that to change for the better as the lake level stabilizes.

They asked me to pass along that their privately run campground is booked full from mid June to mid September with openings before and after and they offer a two day boat rental deal that allows folks to stay out later and get going earlier the next morning.

On the other hand, Dan's Guide Service (661-478-0036) has been doing well like usual trolling in the eves for 16 to 20 inch Browns using a Rapala spin gear or streamer, fly rod set up which are both effective and a fun way to fish Grant. As a note, the near by hike in lakes are clear of snow and ice with great fishing and scenery. June Lake Loop area reports are provided by Scott Champion from Ernies Tackle and Ski Shop.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a photo of your catch send it to jeff@carsonnow.org. Hope to see you on the waters. Good fishin'and tight lines.