Fishing Report: The heat is on, and fish are taking a vacation
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 12:00pm
Hello fellow anglers. The heat is on and the fish are taking a vacation.
With the recent extreme temps, the rivers are getting lower and the water temps are rising. The fish have not flown south, they have just gone deeper or lay dormant in currents.
This report may not be a favorable one, but I will always give you the truth on what is hot and what is not.
Speaking of hot: I advise those that are venturing out to do some camping, check with the area you are going to visit because of the extreme conditions. Many national forests and public lands have banned campfires and charcoal BBQ's. This also includes many designated campgrounds areas. So let's leave the firewood at home and give our firefighters a little "breathing" room, and maybe, a little of that breathing room for the rest of us as well.
I would like to ask each of you to do me a favor: when you see any one of our firefighters out in your community, take the time to shake their hand, or simply say thank you. We need to let them know, 'We see you, and we respect the job you're doing for us.' So we can sleep at night, or camp in peace.
CAPLES LAKE: The lake level is still up, but the fish have gone deeper. Anglers have had best luck in the early morning or evening hours. Trollers have been using lead core or down riggers in 25 to 40 feet of water. Rapalas or flashers and a crawler have been most productive. Shore anglers have picked up a few off the dam or by the spillway. The EID day use and boat ramp is open. The Caples Lake resort is open for boat, kayak and cabin rentals, as well as boat launching. The general store is open for those little things you may need. For more information, stop by the Caples Lake Resort.
WOODS LAKE: Camping spots are available on a first come basis. Fishing for brook trout has been slow to fair. Anglers have been using salmon eggs in the morning.
RED LAKE: Fishing has been slow, but a few rainbows and cutthroat trout have been caught off the dam with salmon eggs or inflated night crawlers, Kast masters or Thomas Buoyant spoons have been productive. The lake as of 6/23 had no detectable blue green algae.
BLUE LAKES: The lake level is still up. Camping is available on the upper and lower lakes. The upper lake is a little low for this time of year. Fishing has been better for anglers on the lower lake for catchable rainbow trout. Powerbait has been most productive.
BURNSIDE LAKE: Fishing has been fair for the first few hours of daylight. Camping is available. No campfires allowed.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: Stay out of the water. Do not touch the scum in the water or on the shore. Do not let pets drink or go near the water. Fishing is not advised at this time due to blue green algae being in the danger level. Campground area is closed for the season.
CARSON RIVER WEST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The water level is low and running at 26 CFS. Fishing has been slow, but anglers are getting a few in the deeper moving waters in Hope Valley or from Sorenson's downstream to Woodfords. For more information, stop by the Creekside Inn.
CARSON RIVER EAST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The flows are down to 92 CFS. Fishing has been slow. But for those anglers that don't mind a little walk. Fish those untouched deeper holes and faster moving waters early in the morning, or an hour before sunset. Sammy Long from Lodi CA was fishing with a nightcrawler and caught a 24 inch 3lb cutthroat trout. For more information or to get your picture in the next Naw report. Stop by the Carson River Resort and let them take your picture.
UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER, TAYLOR CREEK, TROUT CREEK: All located on the south end of Lake Tahoe. Fishing has been slow with a few catches. Remember that these waters are catch and release with artificial lures or flies only.
TOPAZ LAKE: The lake level has come down about a foot or so over the last two weeks. The water temperature was in the mid 60's. We fished last weekend from 5:30 to 10 a.m. and had one fish with no other hits. We tried all four corners of the lake. I talked with another angler that launched and came in at the same time we did. They were using flashers and a night crawler and caught one nice rainbow and had a few other hits. I did see one shore angler on the west side catch a good size rainbow with powerbait.
Good luck on your next fishing adventure. I will be spending a few days in the sierras checking out some back waters for your next report.
Hope to see you on the waters soon. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to kelsey@carsonnow.org
Good fishin' and tight lines.
