Fishing report through Dec. 27

Here is this week's fishing report for the week of Dec. 21 through Dec. 27. This report covers rivers, streams and lakes in Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and Southern Oregon.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Clarity at 8.5 feet and improving, and surface temps range from 40 degrees early, to 44 degrees by 2:00 before they begin dropping back down.
Great fishing weather, all that wind last week has passed, leaving ideal fall fishing conditions.
Very few fish over 2 lbs have been reported.
Trolling Lake Cove to the Dorado, and the east side of the peninsula produced the most action with mostly Browns and a couple Rainbow.
— Courtesy of Almanor Fishing Adventures Guide

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Bishop area is closed.
 
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF:
The fishing season for Bridgeport Reservoir is closed.

CAPLES LAKE, CALIF:
John Voss of the Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888) (www.capleslakeresort.com) reports:
Well it’s winter time here at Caples Lake Resort, and winter sports are in full swing. The lake is frozen over and people are starting to ice skate on it.  Kirkwood Ski Resort is open on weekends and the skiers and snowboarders are loving it. 

CARSON RIVER, CALIF:
East Carson River: The fishing season for the East Carson River is closed upstream from Hangman’s Bridge.
West Carson River: The fishing season for the West Carson River is closed.

CHETCO RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Low and clear. The few anglers hitting the river are reporting good numbers of steelhead in the river, but the cold, clear water is making things tough.
Anglers using smaller baits and line are doing the best.
ODFW is conducting a steelhead angler creel on the Chetco this year, along with Chinook salmon scale collection, and winter steelhead broodstock collection. At times, these projects may interfere with an anglers fishing.
Please be courteous to all ODFW personnel and volunteers.

COMINS LAKE, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife ( HYPERLINK "http://www.ndow.org" www.ndow.org) reports:
A few bass have been showing up, but no trout due to the pike infestation.
Pike fishing has also been poor.
There are few if any trout left in the lake also due to the pike infestation.

CONVICT LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Convict Lake is closed.

CROWLEY LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Crowley Lake is closed.

DAVIS LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The weather lately has been cold enough to put a thin layer of ice on the lake, so be wary of early morning fishing, and try the dam for a fishing spot. Tales of success include using Worms or Power Bait (rainbow, sherbet to lemon twist).
— Courtesy of the Wiggins Trading Post  
 
EAGLE LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Due to cold weather fishing is pretty much over at Eagle Lake for the season. Warmer days might liven the fish up for those who want to try their luck though.
— Courtesy of Big Daddy Fishing

EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
The reservoirs are frozen over, but the ice is too thin for fishing.

ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife ( HYPERLINK "http://www.ndow.org" www.ndow.org) reports:
The reservoir is frozen over, but the ice is too thin for fishing.

FALL RIVER, CALIF:
The fishing season for Fall River is closed.

FREMONT LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Fremont Lake is closed.

FRENCHMAN RESERVOIR, CALIF:
Wiggin’s Trading Post at Chilcoot (530-993-4683) reports:
There is ice on the lake in the morning and it is starting to stay longer and longer each day. Mostly on the east side of the lake. The west side is still open and they are catching their limits near Lunkers Point and just north of the boat landing.
Shore fishing has been good. Catching rainbow trout approximately 14 - 18 inches long, weighing 1 to 1 ½ pounds.
Fishermen are using nightcrawlers and marshmallows (Chartreuse and Pink Shrimp). Few are using Power Bait (Rainbow and Garlic). The roads around the lake are still passable, but early morning there may be ice on some parts of the roads. BE CAREFUL ! Early afternoon seems to be the best time to fish.

FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Ft. Churchill Cooling Ponds is closed.

HAT CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Hat Creek is closed.

HEENAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Heenan Lake is closed.

HINKSON SLOUGH, LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for Hinkson Slough is closed.

HOBART RESERVOIR, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for Hobart Reservoir is closed.

HOOVER WILDERNESS AREA, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Hoover Wilderness Area is closed.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Water flow at 10 CFS. Nymph fishing is the best bet right now.
Try small WD-40's miracle nymphs and pheasant tails.

HOT CREEK, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Water Conditions: Flows at 23 CFS as of 12/15.
GATE IS OPEN AND YOU CAN STILL DRIVE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE PARKING LOTS ABOVE THE CANYON SECTION.
Fishing Conditions: Excellent. With the clear, cool days, the fish are feeding hard 10 am until 2 pm and they are not very choosy!
Start with Midges, and then go to Baetis Nymphs and dries if they start sipping on the surface.
Once the action gets going you can go "big and buggy" and they'll gobble flies they wouldn't even look at in summer.

JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF:
The fishing season for the June Lake Loop is closed.

KIRMAN LAKE, CALIF:
The fishing season for Kirman Lake is closed.

KLAMATH RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The Klamath is fishing great with clear, steady water conditions. Anglers are doing best once the sun hits the water around 10:30 am and catching adult steelhead between 3-5 lbs (but don’t be surprised if you can an 8 lb).
Productive flies include Red Copper Johns, Rubber Legs, Champagne Redd Reapers, Clown Eggs, Shrimp Pink Micro Spawns!  
— Courtesy of The Fly Shop

LAUGHLIN, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Colorado River: Stocked rainbows are providing anglers with good fishing from Davis Camp past Casino Row, and a few carry over fish from past plants are taking baits as well. Some anglers have found success for striped bass while throwing plugs and swimbaits in trout patterns. Access to the Nevada side of the Colorado River below the bridge is limited by construction.

MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, CALIF:
The fishing season for the Mammoth Lakes Basin is closed.

MARKLEEVILLE CREEK CALIF:
The fishing season for Markleeville Creek is closed.

MARLETTE LAKE, CARSON CITY & WASHOE COUNTIES, NEV:
The fishing season for Marlette Lake is closed.

MASON VALLEY W.M.A., LYON COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Mason Valley W.M.A. is closed.

MATHER LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

LAKE MEAD, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
Overall slow to fair action on both stripers and catfish using cut anchovies or sardines in deep water under balls of shad.
Many of the fish caught have been in the one to four pound range.
The largemouth and smallmouth bass are fair on plastics and reaction baits but cooling water is slowing this bite.
Redear sunfish and bluegill bite is fair with most fish being taken in six to 20 feet of water.
Overall lake water level is 44 feet above the same time as last year with lots of flooded brush. Look for these brushy areas for the bass and panfish.

LAKE MOHAVE, CLARK COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife ( HYPERLINK "http://www.ndow.org" www.ndow.org) reports:
According to the folks at Cottonwood Cove, cooling temperatures and the holidays are keeping some anglers away, but those who are braving the chill can enjoy the cove in privacy.
The striped bass action has slowed down, but a few fish continue to show each week after the trout plants. The best action has been between mile markers 50 to 52 on cast or trolled trout-like plugs and swimbaits.
The trout bite remains good on salmon eggs, Power Bait, worms, Super Dupers and other small lures and jigs after the weekly plants of 3,000 rainbows. Lots of limits reported.

OREGON PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
Recreational crabbing re-opens in the ocean on Dec. 15.
Recreational crabbing inside the estuaries remains open year round.
Fishing for bottomfish is open at all depths.
Anglers are reporting that bottomfishing has been spotty.
Anglers fishing from boats may no longer retain Cabezon because the quota of 15.8 metric tons will have been met.

OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Upper Owens River: Current water flow is 76 CFS.
Fishing is closed below the Benton Crossing Bridge.
The river upstream is open to fishing all year. Barbless artificials only. Zero limit. Fishing is slow with winter now upon us. Nymphing is the best bet. Try standard Nymph patterns like Pheasant Tails or Hares Ears.
Lower Owens River: Water flow is 128 CFS. Flows are up a bit. Water temp is up slightly due to warmer day time temperatures. Lots of perfect drifts are necessary for success. Olive WD-40's, Caddis larva and small Pheasant Tails.


OWENS RIVER, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
Upper Owens water conditions: Good. 12/15 flows are stable at 76 CFS above the Hot Creek confluence.
You can still drive all the way up to Long Ears as no snow in the valley.
Fishing conditions: Good to Excellent.
Small Midge dries around mid day, with bigger Midges subsurface.
Some bigger fish are still in the system. They'll go for a streamer midday.
Owens River Gorge water conditions: Great. Flow: 45 CFS.
This is a permanent flow required to be maintained by LADWP
Fishing conditions: Excellent and nice and warm on cool sunny days this time of year.
Lower Owens water conditions: Excellent. The flows are down to 105 CFS as of 12/15.
Fishing conditions: EXCELLENT. Now that the flows are perfect the fishing has gotten pretty much wide open from 10 am until 3 pm and okay before and after.
Big hatches starting with Midges early then about 11 am the BWO action takes off.

PINE VALLEY COMPLEX, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV:
The fishing season for the Pine Valley Complex is closed.

PIT RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
You should find good fishing on the Pit River! Water conditions are excellent this week.
Best flies should be dark colored stone flies like Zack's Thurmanator Stone, Dark Lords in all sizes and the Pheasant Tail Nymph in #14-18.
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop

POORE AND SECRET LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Poore and Secret Lakes is closed.

PYRAMID LAKE, WASHOE COUNTY, NEV:
George and Carla Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store (775-476-0555) (www.fishpyramid.com) reports:
I just weighed an 8-pounder caught on a lure on the south end of the lake by Albert Browline of Reno (Tuesday morning).
Fishing has been good and the weather has been cold but gorgeous.
The boaters are doing OK and they are catching fish up to 6-8 pounds.
The fly guys are also doing OK.
A fly fisherman, Dan Osborne caught and released a 15-pound, 31.5 inches Cutthroat on December 10.

ROOSEVELT AND LANE LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Roosevelt and Lane Lakes is closed.

SACRAMENTO RIVER (LOWER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
River flows are 5,000 CFS, and anglers are having a great week by following the spawning salmon.
The Insect hatches are comprised mostly of BWO’s, Baetis and small, # 18 tan and dark Caddis. Reports are showing the fisherman are favoring flies like Pat's Rubber Leg's, Zack's Thurmanator Stones, Fox's Olive/Gold Beeottis, Lightening Biot Baetis, and Mercer's Micro Mayflies.
Don’t forget to bring egg patterns like Boles Bazookas in peachy king and sockeye, Micro Spawns in Salmon Egg and MC Redd Reapers in all colors! Try swinging a Muddler Minnow or a Matuka!
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop

SACRAMENTO RIVER (UPPER), CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) (www.shastacascade.com) reports:
Fishing lately has been quite a challenge on the Upper Sacramento River due to weather. There have been some good reports though of good dry fly fishing, and with changes in the weather expected this week. Don’t pack your fishing gear way just yet!
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop

SAN JOAQUIN/RED’S MEADOW, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
Road closed.

SILVER CREEK, CALIF:
The fishing season for Silver Creek is closed.

SMITH RIVER, ORE:
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (800-720-ODWF) (www.dfw.state.or.us.com) reports:
The Smith is open to striped bass year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. The Smith is now closed for trout fishing. Steelhead will start entering the Smith as more rain occurs in the area. Most of the angling opportunity will be catch and release of wild fish; however, adipose fin clipped Coho and steelhead can be harvested in the Smith.

TOPAZ LAKE:
The fishing season for Topaz Lake is closed.

TRINITY RIVER, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530-365-7500) ( HYPERLINK "http://www.shastacascade.com" www.shastacascade.com) reports:
The fishing has been good overall. The Trinity River is producing the hatchery run Steelhead typically found at this time of year and they can be found to travel in Pods. Just don’t expect the fish to make it easy!
— Courtesy of the Fly Shop

TWIN LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Twin Lakes is closed.

VIRGINIA LAKES, CALIF:
The fishing season for Virginia Lakes is closed.

WALKER LAKE, MINERAL COUNTY, NEV:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (www.ndow.org) reports:
No fish have been reported or seen at Walker Lake so far this fishing season.
Mineral County Road Dept. has done some work on the State Parks Launch. Launching is improved but you still need four wheel drive.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods Store in Bridgeport (760- 932-7707) (www.kenssport.com) reports:
East Walker – West Walker – Sceirine Ranch - Hunewill Pond:
East Walker River: We haven't been getting a ton of reports from the EW lately, but there have been a few hearty anglers getting after it down there. The reports that we have been getting though have been pretty good. I had a Facebook report from one angler who had a 50 fish day last week, also talked to a couple guys who had a 150-plus couple days last week as well.
We had a couple guys on the Sceirine section last weekend who also had a great time with some nice browns being landed down there.
It sounds like the main bugs to be using are small Midge and Nymph patterns; however, we've also had some good reports on streamers like Buggers, Zuddlers and Moal Leeches.
There's also been a few good reports on dries, this is probably going to be a bit more dependent on the weather, usually the dry action is much better if there are some small snow flurries or if the sky is overcast. Be prepared with some small (18 and 20) dries if this happens while you're down there. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
West Walker River: Closed.
Sceirine Ranch: Pretty much the same story on the ranch as on the Cali side of the river, it does warm up a bit earlier each day down on the Nevada side so you probably have a slightly larger window of opportunity down there as far as good fishing hours go. Work those same patterns in the deeper pockets down there and you should have some great success this time of year!
Hunewill Pond: Closed.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Kent of The Trout Fly and Troutfitter (760-934-2517) (www.thetroutfitter.com) reports:
East Walker River Water Conditions: Good. Flows fairly steady for over two weeks at 30 CFS now down to 25 CFS as of 12/15.
Fishing Conditions: Good. Fishing continues strong - excellent midday.
Pick the sunny days - as soon as the water temp comes up a couple of degrees the Baetis start hatching in quantity and it gets good quickly.
Midges early as usual.

WALKER RIVERS, CALIF:
Steve Osterman of Performance Guide Service (760-934-6101) (www.performanceanglers.com) reports:
East Walker River:   Most recent flow 25 CFS. No change here. Water is low and cold and fishing is tough. Try red or gray Midge pupa.      :