Saturday is Free Fishing Day in California

By Don Quilici
California has two Free Fishing Days associated with holidays this year. The first Free Fishing Day in 2011 is on July 2 (for the Fourth of July) and the second is on September 3 (for Labor Day).

So, on Saturday, July 2, you will be able to fish wherever you like in California, without the need for a fishing license. However, you will need to abide by the rules and regulations that govern whatever water(s) you will be fishing. Be sure to obey those rules and regulations. Don’t do something illegal. If you do, and if you get caught, it could become very embarrassing and expensive.

More importantly, be advised that July 2 is NOT a free fishing day in Nevada. So, don’t try to fish without a license in Nevada or it could cost you a lot of money in front of an unsmiling judge.

If you would like to try your hand at fishing on July 2 in California, and don’t know where to go, here are some Don Q suggestions:

The West Carson River:
It is located in Woodfords Canyon and Hope Valley. It will have been planted with a combination of planter-size rainbow trout by the California Department of Fish and Game and some super-size rainbows (up to 6-7-8 pounds) by a private fish hatchery in Susanville, which has been contracted to do so, by the Alpine County Fish and Game Commission.

As a special tip, you might want to fish in the deeper pools and holes downstream from bridges, which are the preferred locations for planting from planter trucks. On Monday, the river was very high, very fast and very muddy.

Upper and Lower Blue Lakes:
They are reached by a paved road from S.R. 88 in Hope Valley. Both lakes have rainbow trout. Shore fishermen usually use inflated nightcrawlers and boaters usually troll with flashers and small lures. Weather permitting you could find this area to be super crowded with fishermen, campers, hikers, bicyclists, camp trailers, fifth wheelers, etc.

Caples Lake:
It is next to S.R. 88 between Kit Carson Pass and the Kirkwood Ski Resort. The El Dorado Irrigation District (which controls the water at Caples Lake) has done a great job, stocking Caples with lots of very nice rainbow trout (up to 6-7-8 pounds), plus you can also catch brookies, browns, Cutthroat and even Mackinaw trout.
Be advised that the area where Woods Creek flows into Caples Lake will be crowded with shore and boat anglers.

Davis Lake:
A large-sized lake in Northern California, seven miles north of Portola, via two different paved roads, one of which is Grizzly Road, about four miles east of Portola and the other is West Street in the middle of Portola.
Davis has good fishing from shore, float tubes, canoes or boats for rainbows that can go up to 5-6-7 pounds.
If you like to fish from shore or a float tube, try Camp No. 5 on the west side or way up at the very far north end of the lake.

If you have a boat, troll with lures around the big island or between the big island and the east shore.

Frenchman Reservoir:
It can be reached by a paved road from Chilcoot, which is on S.R. 70, between Hallelujah Junction and Portola. The reservoir has good shore and boat fishing for rainbow trout. If you go there, be sure to stop at Wiggins’ Trading Post in Chilcoot for the latest tips on where to fish and what to use. And, as a special tip, the Trading Post has some of the best ground sausage in the entire area. It makes awesome biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

Indian Creek Reservoir:
This reservoir is located between Woodfords and Markleeville. It, too, will have been planted with planter-size and super-size rainbows by the state and county. Fishing is best in the deeper water with artificial flies or lures from a float tube, canoe, inflatable raft or small boat. If you camp at the BLM campground, be advised that it has hot showers!

Kinney Reservoir:
Near the top of Ebbett’s Pass on S.R. 4. Kinney is reached by a very narrow, very winding and very steep highway that is not recommended for large vehicles or those who are faint of heart. The reservoir has brook and rainbow trout. Some of the better shore fishing is on the other side, away from the highway. This lake is prone to being windy in the afternoons. On Monday, it had thin ice with some open water around the edges.

Red Lake:
This lake is situated at the foot of Kit Carson Pass on S.R. 88. This lake contains brook, Cutthroat and rainbow trout. The far end, which is fairly shallow, is a favorite location for fly fishermen in float tubes. Shore fishermen tend to favor nightcrawlers or various colors of Power Bait while fishing from the dam.

There you have it: A number of different choices for Free Fishing Day on July 2. Pick one or more, pack a big picnic lunch, load everyone into the family vehicle and then go out and enjoy a day of fun in the Great Outdoors.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can’t tell you which water is my all-time favorite to fish in the State of California. If he grins and says, “Don’s all-time favorite fishing location is Winnemucca Lake, which is a two-mile hike from Kit Carson Pass,” he has been one of my many fishing partners who have fished with me, for brook and Kamloop trout, either from the lake’s back shoreline or from my inflatable raft.

Photo Captions
Photo No. 01:
The West Carson River as seen near the U.S. Forest Service Campground in Hope Valley.
It is currently very high, fast and muddy from the snow runoff.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 02:
Lower Blue Lake, which is reached by a paved road from S.R. 88 in Hope Valley.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 03:
Looking across Caples Lake at Round Top Mountain in the Mokelumne Wilderness Area.
Caples Lake is near the top of Kit Carson Pass on S.R. 88.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 04:
Davis Lake as seen from the dam at the south end.
Davis Lake is north of Portola.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 05:
Frenchman Reservoir, which is north of Chilcoot.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 06:
Indian Creek Reservoir.
The reservoir is reached by a paved road from S.R. 89 between Woodfords and Markleeville.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 07:
Kinney Reservoir, which is next to S.R. 4 near Ebbett’s Pass.
This lake currently has some open water showing around the edges. The lake is mostly covered with a thin layer of ice.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 08:
Looking across Red Lake at Red Mountain.
Photo by Elaine Quilici