On the other hand, Randy Livernois at the Sly Park Resort caught smallmouth bass, along with mackinaws or rainbows, on his latest two mackinaw trolling adventures. "On the first trip, I landed two mackinaw weighing 3 pounds each and two smallmouth bass to 1-1/2 pounds," added Livernois. "On the next trip, I boated two bass and two rainbow trout going 1-1/2 and 3 pounds."

He found his success while trolling red and white Needlefish and Flatfish along the bottom with lead core line. "The mackinaw, rainbows and bass were holding at the same depth, 40 feet, on the bottom," added Livernois.

Jenkinson is unique in being the only major reservoir located in the Cosumnes River watershed. This 640 acre lake, set at 3500 feet in elevation in the Sly Park Recreation Area of El Dorado County, is the lowest elevation reservoir in California to hold a viable population of mackinaw.

Most of the macks landed by boaters here average 3 to 6 pounds, but fish up to 18 pounds have been caught. Tim Abbott landed an 18 pound mackinaw while trolling a Rapala on Jenkinson on December 26, 1999. Another angler, Scott Schemfield, also took an 18 pound mack on March 22, 1997.

Earlier this fall, two hard working anglers, Gary Schemone and Greg Dickerson, demonstrated their angling prowess by landing three mackinaw weighing 16, 14 and 10 pounds. They bagged the hefty macks while trolling A.C. Plugs along the bottom.

"The best mackinaw fishing on this lake starts when it begins to snow and runs through the early spring," advised Livernois. Although Livernois prefers to use red and white Needlefish and Flatfish, other minnow imitation lures, including Rapalas, Rebels, J-Plugs, will also work.

The key to success is to troll along the bottom, where the macks normally hold. On his latest trips, Livernois found the top action trolling with 12 colors of lead core line along the bottom from the first ramp to the island.

Jenkinson, unlike many higher elevation Sierra Nevada lakes, can be fished for mackinaw year round. The boat ramp is plowed in the winter so anglers can access the lake, though heavy snows may cause the recreation area to be closed temporarily. The Department of Fish and Game stocks the reservoir annually with 3,000 mackinaw fingerlings to supplement natural reproduction.

The lake also has a decent population of brown trout, since the trout population is boosted by a plant of 5,000 German brown fingerlings every year, according to Dennis Redfern at the American River Fish Hatchery. The lake record brown trout, caught by Amiel Casselagio of Camino in 1972, weighed 21 pounds and measured 36 inches long. You can view this monster mounted fish in the bar at the Sly Park Resort.

For brown trout, troll with orange Rapala or bikini #3 Needlefish or nightcrawlers behind flashers at 40 and 20 feet deep, advised Rene Villanueva of Steelie Dan's Service. Villanueva likes to fish Jenkinson in June for browns averaging 2-1/2 to 4-1/2 pounds.

The lake is stocked with catchable rainbow trout from the late winter or early spring until May when the water temperature gets too warm for the DFG to plant. Rainbows are the main trout species that bank anglers target around the dam and near the boat ramp in the winter and spring, though anglers fishing bait and minnow imitation plugs also bag an occasional brown or mackinaw trout.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are both found in the catches at Jenkinson, but smallmouth bass are the predominate species because the lake offers the rocky points, ledges and flats that smallmouth prefer. The fishing is best in the spring and summer, though fish are caught here year round. For maximum success, use plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits and tube baits that imitate Japanese pond smelt or crayfish, the main forage of bass and trout at Jenkinson.

The lake also features an abundant bluegill sunfish population. Fishing for the bluegill is best in the lake's shallow, warm coves in the spring and summer months. Try fishing mealworms and redworms under bobbers for the pugnacious light tackle scrappers.

The Bureau of Reclamation completed construction of Sly Park Dam as part of the Central Valley Project in 1955. The lake provides water for irrigation and domestic water supply to the El Dorado Irrigation District, which operates the reservoir and recreation area.

Seven family campgrounds are available, a total of 159 individual sites, each with a table, fire ring and barbecue. Vault toilets and water faucets are nearby. Reservations are accepted beginning the first Monday in March for the upcoming season which runs from May 1 - September. Five group campgrounds, two youth group campgrounds and one day use picnic area are available by reservation only.

Two concrete launch ramps are available at Jenkinson. There is a 5 mph speed limit within 200 feet of swimming areas, docks, ramp shoreline; 100 feet from downed skiers, other boats and in the narrows. Maximum speed on the lake is 35 mph or whatever speed is posted. Personal watercraft are not permitted on Jenkinson.

Pedal boat, kayak and canoe rentals are available May though September. A $20 deposit is required on all rentals. The boat rental dock is located at Stonebraker Campground. Groceries, fishing tackle and bait are available at the Sly Park Store.

The day use fee is $6.00 per vehicle. For a vehicle and boat, the fee is $12.00. History buffs can drop by the James Calvin Sly Museum on Saturdays and Sundays from May through September. The "Sly Park Story" is featured and displayed.

For facilities information, call the Sly Park Recreation Area, Park (530) 644-2545 or Office (530) 644-2792. For fishing information, call Sly Park Resort, (530) 644-1113. For guided trips, call Rene Villanueva of Steelie Dan's Guide Service, (916) 684-7148 or visit his website at thefishsniffer.com/steeliedan/.

The Map