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Volume 44 Issue 10 Out Now!

Volume 44 Issue 10 Out Now!

Check out the new Issue of The Fish Sniffer magazine for November 29, 2025 In this issue of The Fish Sniffer, we are moving from Fall into Winter. Much cooler temperatures, rain and some snow has come to Northern Californial. Trout, salmon, bass, panfish, stripers, catfish and all other species will go on the bite to fatten up for the lean winter ahead. Check out the articles in this issue of The Fish Sniffer, including information on catching 3 different varieties of trout at Lake Amador, the beginning of the great fall season at Eagle Lake and much more. Check out Dan Bachers conservation features with some very good news about the future of salmon fishing in Northern California. Read how to catch more fish and enjoy the wonderful outdoors in Northern California for the season. The golden mussel problem is still impacting boaters all over the state and has caused major boat launch closures and strict new inspection and quarantine rules several lakes in our area. These rules are starting to change, with Lake Pardee and Lake Comanche announcing they will allow outside boats on their waters next year, with banding and inspections in place. Be sure to check out the regulations at any lake you want to fish before you go. All you need to know about fresh and saltwater fishing in Northern California is now available in the new issue of The Fish Sniffer Magazine!

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Staff Tackle

Jack Naves

Jack Naves

Jack Naves fished Lake Amador with Robbie Dunham of Koke Machine Guide Service in Robbie's 20’ Boulton boat powered by Yamaha. They caught three cutbow trout and one blue trout using Edge Mag Pro rods in Scotty downriggers.  The rods were teamed with Abu Garcia Max Toro DLC levelwind reels loaded with Triene XT 14-pound test clear monofilament line.  They trolled gold-colored Speedy Shiner spoons and orange Arctic Fox Tube Flies ran directly behind small Wigglefin Action Discs in the top ten feet of water.

Paul Kneeland

Paul Kneeland

Paul Kneeland fished Eagle Lake with Bridget Looney in the Fish Sniffer 21 Rogue Jet Coastal. They caught rainbow trout to 22 inches and 3.75 pounds using a Lamiglas 7 ½ foot ultralight graphite rod with a Daiwa Lexa low profile line counter reel loaded with 6 lb test P Line flourocarbon line.. They trolled 2 inch Mag Lips. Thomas Bouyants and Excel spoons, on the surface and off the Canon Downriggers at 10 to 20 feet deep and 2.2 mph.

Dan Bacher

Dan Bacher

Dan Bacher fished for rainbow trout at Lake Camanche South Shore. He used a Berkley Ugly Stik GX2 6’ 6” medium action spinning rod, teamed up with a Shakespeare GX235 spinning reel filled with 8 lb. test P-Line CX Premium Fluorocarbon Coated Line. He fished with Berkley Tequila Sunrise Power Bait on a #14 Eagle Claw gold treble hook on a sliding sinker rig.

Hot Bites

LAKE BERRYESSA

Boaters are catching limits of hefty rainbow trout. The fish are hitting Trigger Spoons, stick baits and other offerings at 15 to 45 feet deep.

BODEGA BAY

Limits of crab and rockfish are the rule for anglers boarding charter boats. The rockfish season will remain open through December 21.

CALIFORNIA DELTA

Sturgeon fishing has hit its prime. Anglers are catching and releasing diamondbacks while soaking salmon roe, grass shrimp and ghost shrimp.

NAPA RIVER

Trolling Rat-L-Traps is producing limits of striped bass. Fish averaging 5 pounds and going up to 10 pounds are rewarding anglers.

Good Bets

FEATHER RIVER

Steelhead action is going strong in the stretch of river above Live Oak. Anglers are hooking the 2 to 6 lb. steelies while drifting salmon roe and soft beads.

LAKE OROVILLE

Jig fishing for spotted bass is off the hook. The fish are mostly in the 1-1/2 to 3 lb. range.

LAKE CAMANCHE

Fishing from shore and rental boats is shifting into high gear. Anglers are catching rainbows and some lightning trout while using PowerBait, nightcrawlers and spoons.

LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR

Trout plants have begun with the cooler weather. Bait fishing from shore and trolling from rental boats are both productive.

Sleepers

COLLINS LAKE

Weekly trout plants have boosted the bite. Experienced anglers are picking up limits and near-limits of rainbows while pulling steel #5 floating Rapalas, orange Trout Trix Minnows and orange Metalheads at speeds of 1.8 to 2.2 mph.

TRUCKEE RIVER

Stoneflies, worms and eggs are all great attractor nymphs for trout right now. Pair these larger flies with the small bugs of winter, I.E. baetis and midges.

NEW MELONES RESERVOIR

This is a great time for target rainbow trout from shore. Use inflated nightcrawlers, PowerBait, Kastmasters and an array of lures to entice the rainbows.

LAKE SHASTA

Spotted bass fishing is very good this time of year. Drop shotting with plastics and fishing jigs are both top-notch methods.

Coming Soon

AMERICAN RIVER

Steelhead fishing in the upper stretch of the American below Nimbus Hatchery will open on January 1, 2026. Pulling plugs from boats and casting spinners, roe and soft beads from shore are both productive.

MOKELUMNE RIVER

Steelhead fishing in the upper stretch of the river below Camanche Dam will open on January 1, 2026. Anglers fishing spinners, roe and soft beads will find success.

TOPAZ LAKE

Located on the border between Nevada and California, this popular lake will open to trout fishing on January 1, 2026. Both shore and boat anglers can expect to find success on trout.

SUISUN BAYMONTEREY ROCKFISH

The rockfish and lingcod season will continue through December 31. Charter boat anglers use baited shrimp flies, bars and swimbaits to entice the bottomfish.