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Coastal Mountains
INDIAN VALLEY KOKANEE... The water level at Indian Valley Reservoir continues to drop and the surface water temperature has risen to 70 degrees, but kokanee salmon fishing has only gotten better at this popular lake.
Scott Bartosh of Miner Moe's Guide Service reported "fantastic" fishing during a recent trip by him and Jaysen McDaniel to Indian Valley.
"We estimate that we landed 50 kokanee and the fish we kept averaged 16 inches long," stated Bartosh. "The largest fish that we landed was just a shade under 18 inches. The fish moved up and down in depth from 35 to 65 feet."
Bartosh and McDaniel trolled with a variety of lures, including Dick Nites, Kokanee Kandy and Ted's Bugs. They found the fastest action at the east side drop off, the area straight off the boat ramp and off the trees by the dam. In addition to the kokanee, the angling duo also bagged a 2 pound Eagle Lake-strain trout.
"We saw 9 other boats on the lake, all fishing for kokanee," he noted. "Nobody was fishing for bass, crappie or catfish."
Anglers are reminded to exercise caution when fishing on Indian Valley, since the wind can come up suddenly and capsize a small boat. Anglers should be very careful about releasing kokanee or the fish may die.
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North Coast
FORT BRAGG KING SALMON/ROCKFISH... Salmon action is on the rebound in the Fort Bragg area with reports of near limit to limit style action on king salmon. Shallow water rockfish action has also been a solid bet for limits of blacks and blues in 40 to 80 feet of water.
"The salmon bite has really picked up during the last few days," reported Brandon Van Dine of Anchor Charters. "Rick (Thornton) on the Lady Irma II had full limits of salmon for 9 people yesterday and they were back at the dock by 10:30 am. They were trolling in 50 fathoms of water off the mouth of Virgin Creek."
According to Van Dine, the weather began to settle down Monday morning and conditions have been favorable during the last two days. "We started out rockfish at Cleone Reef yesterday morning, but the salmon bite was red hot so we switched over to salmon and limited out on fish to 33 pounds for our four passengers," he said. "Today, we ran a morning trip that produced 15 salmon averaging 10 pounds for 15 anglers. We're on an afternoon trip right now and already have 4 fish for 4 people. If the bite holds out, we should end up with limits."
The shallow water rockfish bite has been excellent for anglers fishing in water less than 100 feet deep from Juan Creek to Westport. "Our last rockfish trip was on Sunday and the bite was wide open," said Van Dine. "We were fishing Super Fly rigs with 8 ounces of lead. We ended up with full limits of mostly big black rockfish and a 20 pound salmon for 15 people."
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Oregon
ROGUE RIVER SPRINGERS/MOUTH OF CHETCO CHINOOKS... The spring run chinook salmon are holding strong in the upper Rogue River. Good numbers of quality salmon averaging 17 to 20 pounds are being caught by boaters using anchovies and spinner baits.
"Hefty spring salmon have been caught up river averaging 17 to 25 pounds, with a few fat 30-plus pounders," reported Heather from Jot's Resort. Anchovies and spinner baits continue to be the baits of choice for salmon anglers.
Greig Eide and Chris Young were fishing 5 miles up river when they bagged a 31 pound and a 32 pound spring chinook while using a spinner bait. Allen Bittleston was using anchovies while fishing 4 miles upriver to bag a healthy 30 pound spring salmon.
According to Scott from Rogue Outdoor Store, the majority of the spring salmon in the upper Rogue. "The springers are averaging 20 to 25 pounds and have been caught by anglers using anchovies and spinner baits."
"A few summer steelhead are running through the river system," noted Scott. The steelhead, mostly half pounders, are grabbing nightcrawlers and spinners.
"The mouth of Hunter Creek has provided anglers with a slow perch bite while using sand shrimp and mussels," said Scott.
Libby Pond, which is a stocked trout pond, has produced numbers of hard-fighting trout for bank anglers using Power Bait.
"The mouth of the Chetco River is producing solid numbers of spring salmon averaging between 18 and 23 pounds," reported Tony Kronemeyer of Sport Haven Marina. "Herring and silver/black Apex lures have brought success to anglers fishing during the late afternoon."
Joe Whaley and three fishing buddies were trolling near the mouth of the Chetco when they reported catching and releasing 11 fish within 30 minutes. Joe was trolling Army Truck Apex lures with gold spinner blades and herring to fool their fish.
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Northern Mountains
FRENCHMAN/DAVIS TROUT... "This week's trout fishing has been pretty consistent for bank fisherman as well as trollers," reported Shirley Wiggin of Wiggin's Trading Post. "There have been easy limits caught where Springs Creek enters into Big Cove."
Trollers have found success trolling deep during the early morning hours. "Try using nightcrawlers and flashers at the north end of the lake," noted Wiggin. Power Bait and nightcrawlers have brought success to bait anglers fishing from the bank.
Fly fisherman are using cinnamon Wooly Buggers on a sinking line. "An occasional trout has been caught in Little Last Chance Creek," said Wiggin. Try small worms or salmon eggs during the early morning.
Larry Mitchell from Reno caught 2 beautiful rainbows, weighing 2 and 1-1/2 pounds, near the dam/ "Larry always uses 'Wiggin's Worms' for bait," added Wiggin.
"The winds should calm down over the next few days and the rainbow action on Lake Davis should improve," reported Gary Milby from Gold Rush Sporting Goods. "The weight of the trout in Lake Davis is running an average of 2 to 3 pounds, with a few over 5 pounds."
Bank anglers are using rainbow glitter Power Bait and mini nightcrawlers to entice the fat fish. "Trollers have had more success than bank anglers while trolling Wooly Buggers in olive and brown in 20-25 feet of water," said Milby.
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Monterey Bay
SANTA CRUZ HALIBUT/ROCKFISH... The salmon fishing remains tough in Monterey, but the halibut and rockfish action is going strong with the excellent weather. For example, the 3 anglers fishing on the Wild Wave on Monday, June 11 landed 9 halibut to 15 pounds and half-limits of rockfish. The anglers drifted live bait from Wilder's Beach to New Brighton Beach. Most of the rockfish were bolinas (browns) and gophers.
"We also released 15 shaker halibut and some lingcod,"
said Captain Mike Baxter of Shamrock Charters. The lingcod and deep water
rockfish opener on July 1 looks very, very promising.
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North Eastern California
HAT CREEK RAINBOWS & BROOK TROUT... Upper Hat Creek is producing good numbers of rainbow and some brook trout in the 8 to 14 inch range, although the hot weather and wind has made the fishing tougher.
"Spin fishermen are using nightcrawlers, Panther Martins and Super Dupers to entice the trout," revealed Steve Vaughn at Vaughn's Sporting Goods. "Fly fishermen are finding the best success tossing out ants and hoppers, sizes #12 - #14."
The Cassel area is also yielding rainbows and some brooks to 15 inches for anglers tossing out nightcrawlers and crickets. Fly fishermen here are using Pale Morning Duns, Callibaetis Cripples and caddis flies to fool the trout.
"The wild trout section of Hat is yielding fine action in the late evening hours," according to Vaughn. "The top fly patterns are Pale Morning Duns, Callibaetis Cripples and Dusty Spinners. The fish here are rainbows averaging 10 to 17 inches."
The wild trout section of the Pit River is also a good bet. Rainbows averaging 10 to 17 inches are falling for wet flies and nymphs, according to Vaughn.
"Trout fishing is slow at Baum Lake, since there's a pelican predation problems there," said Vaughn. "A few smallmouth bass and crappie are also being caught at Lake Britton."
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Northern Sierras
SCOTTS FLAT TROUT... Rainbow trout continue to offer decent fishing at Scotts Flat Lake, but the kokanee salmon and brown trout action remains tough, according to Scott Bartosh of Miner Moe's Guide Service.
"We've been averaging only one kokanee per morning, but the fish are big, averaging 15 to 16 inches long," said Bartosh. "We're targeting browns in the afternoons; we caught two browns to 2-1/2 pounds on our last five trips. We're catching the planted rainbows while fishing for the kokanee and browns."
Bartosh has been averaging 5 to 8 planted rainbows per trip, along with the kokanee and browns. He is trolling Ted's Bugs, Uncle Larry's spinners, Sockeye Slammers and Dick Nites, tipped with Exude Corn, for the kokanee at 65 feet. For the browns, he's trolling Wee Tads at 35 to 55 feet. The top two areas are the middle of the lake and the cove by the dam.
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Sacramento Valley
LAKE OROVILLE SPOTTED BASS... Lake Oroville continues to drop, down to the 785 feet level at press time, but the spotted bass fishing continues to hold solid.
"Bass fishing is still good, but mainly spots in the slot limit of 12 to 15 inches are grabbing the lures," reported Dick Dunkel at the Golden Eagle's Nest Bait and Tackle. "Blue/brown plastic worms or any color with a chartreuse tail will entice them. You can also use top water lures early in the mornings or in late in the evenings. Good areas to target are rocky points and water fresh water is coming into the lake."
Most of the larger fish will be heading to the deeper portions of the lake for the coolers water, so you will have change tactics, depending upon the area you are fishing. "A good bait to use in the summer conditions is a live crawdad," Dunkel tipped.
"Catfish are still going strong," he noted. "Cut anchovies or sardines will take a few catifhs, but mackerel is the best choice of the die hard anglers looks for the big ones."
Salmon and trout fishing are still at a standstill. "Some fish have been in 50 to 60 feet of water chasing pond smelt, but they're not taking any of the bait or lures," added Dunkel.
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Delta
WEST DELTA... The sturgeon and striped bass action in the West Delta slowed down because of a cold front with high winds that moved through the region over the weekend.
"I couldn't fish in the areas that I like to, since the wind causes problems in reaching the good fishing spots and in getting the fish to the boat," reported Diana Canevaro of The Fish Hookers Sportfishing. "The sturgeon action has been good near the Mothball Fleet and in Montezuma Slough, but the wind slowed the fishing down."
Canevaro took two anglers sturgeon fishing in Montezuma Slough on Friday. "We were using grass shrimp and shad to entice sturgeon to bite, but we had a problem keeping the catfish off our lines," noted Canevaro. Canevaro's clients landed two stripers to 4 pounds, one shaker sturgeon and a few catfish.
"The black bass action has been good for anglers fishing near the south end of Franks Tract when the wind is not blowing hard," said June Bug from Hook, Line and Sinker. "Buzz baits have been productive in the morning hours, while jigs are working best during the afternoons."
"Dutch Slough is producing good numbers of catfish for anglers using mackerel and fresh clams in 25-30 feet of water," he added.
The last fishing adventure by Hayden Mullins from M & L Ace Hardware was in San Francisco Bay, rather than the Delta. Mullins and his four fishing partners landed 6 stripers weighing between 12 and 15 pounds, along with a 30 pound halibut. Carey Mitosinka bagged the hefty halibut while drifting a live anchovy.
For a complete Delta Report, click here.
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San Joaquin Valley - Mother Lode
MILLERTON STRIPERS/AMERICAN SHAD... The stripers have returned to Millerton Lake in a big way. Jeff Huth of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis reports that several stripers in the 20 to 25 pound class have fallen to anglers working the river inlet in shallow water.
"The area is plugged with floating logs and debris, but if you can negotiate the water, the action is good," said Huth. "Anchovies, Rapalas in shad patterns and Hair Raisers in white are fooling the big fish. Most of the action is coming before 8 a.m. or right at sundown."
American shad are also cruising Millerton in large numbers. Most of the action is upriver. Fish are running 2 to 4 pounds. Small shad flies, silver spoons and Kastmasters are producing 3 to 4 fish per outing.
The spotted bass bite has slowed, with the best action going to anglers fishing plastics and jigs in deep water.
Trout and kokanee are providing anglers with full stringers at Bass Lake. "The kokanee action has been strong around the dam," said Huth. "The fish are schooled up at the 40 foot level."
Apex lures in pink or red, Hum Dingers in orange and Needlefish in shad, all tipped with white corn, have been the hot set ups. Most of the fish are running 13 to 14 inches with a few in the 16 inch range. Trollers are landing 4 to 5 fish per rod.
"Action for rainbow trout averaging 13 inches is good," he stated. "Trollers are catching the bows with night crawlers behind small blades or dodgers. Fire tiger Needlefish are also landing a few fish."
Most trout action is taking place at the 20 to 30 foot levels. The most productive areas have been around the northern shoreline and near the Sheriffs Tower.
Shoreline angers are using yellow Power Bait to fool trout up to 15 inches. The hot spots have been near the dam and around the Sheriffs Tower.
Anglers are advised to plan an early start to their fishing day. The boat and ski traffic gets heavy by mid morning.
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Central Sierras
INDIAN CREEK RAINBOWS/RED LAKE BROOK TROUT... If you want to catch some hefty rainbow trout, Indian Creek Reservoir is a good bet to bank fish now.
"The Alpine County Fish & Game Commission stocked the lake with 1,000 pounds of big rainbows," said Dave Kirby at Woodfords Station. "Anglers brought in some beautiful trout weighing 2-1/4 to 2-12/ pounds while fishing Kastmasters at Indian Creek Reservoir."
Summit Lake was also planted with 1,000 pounds of rainbows by the Alpine County Fish & Game Commission, according to Kirby.
"Caples Lake is producing some limits of rainbows ranging from 3/4 to 1-1/2 pounds," said Kirby. "However, I haven't heard of any browns or mackinaws caught lately."
Red Lake is kicking out quality brook trout to 15 inches while bank fishing with Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers, according to Kirby.
The East Fork of the Carson River's wild trout section is producing excellent fly fishing action. "Two anglers from Santa Cruz found great trout action while fly fishing in the morning and tossing out Kastmasters, with barbless single hooks, in the afternoons on a two day trip," said Kirby. "They reported catching and releasing 30 rainbows each on both days, along with bagging at least two browns in the 2-1/2 pound class. The hot flies were olive parachute patterns."
The West Fork of the Carson is low and clear, though very fishable. "Salmon eggs are the best bet for catching trout in the low water," emphasized Kirby. "One angler nailed a 3-1/2 pound rainbow in the West Fork this week."
For Wiza's Tahoe area report, CLICK HERE.
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Southern Sierras
CROWLEY/CONVICT LAKE TROUT... Crowley Lake is kicking out good numbers of trout in the 1 to 3 pound class.
"Troll Needlefish down around 3 to 4 colors in 20 feet of water," advises Susan Greilich of Kittredge Sports. "Leaders need to be in the 2 to 4 pound range. The average catch is 3 to 5 fish per rod."
The fish are also active near the surface during the evening hours. Midge flies, green wooly buggers and brown matukas flies are the top picks.
Anglers at Convict Lake are picking up Alper's trout up to 5 pounds. The bite is on night crawlers, green Power Bait and green or black wooly buggers. The hot areas continue to be around the inlet and along the picnic grounds.
"Convict Creek has been excellent for rainbows," said Greilich. "The fish are falling for salmon eggs, flies or pink Power Bait."
Although most of the fish are in the 1 to 2 pound range, occasional browns are being caught up to 6 pounds. 3 to 5 fish per angler is the norm, according to Greilich.
Rock Creek Lake is producing limits of 12 to 15 inch rainbows. Bank anglers are fooling the fish with frog Super Dupers and rainbow Power Bait.
Rock Creek has been good for 12 to 13 inch bows. Salmon eggs have been the hot bait, according to Greilich.
For the SouthEast Sierras Report, click here.
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Nevada
WALKER LAKE CUTTHROAT... The slow fishing of the early summer season has settled in at Walker Lake. Shoreline anglers are landing a few Lahontan cutthroats in the 2 to 4 pound range, but the action is scattered and slow.
Bob Tompkins of the Gun and Tackle Store reported that there are few fishermen working the lake. He advises anglers to drift Power Bait in Captain America, sherbet, or rainbow select flavors around the western shoreline.
"Most of the action is coming form the Sportsmen's area," Tompkins said. "The boaters are trying just about everything in their tackle boxes, but the fish are close to the bottom and not rising for anything."
Tor-P-Does in the red with black spot pattern are picking up a few fish. Yo-Zuri minnow imitations are also nailing an occasional fish.
"The lake should remain quiet until around mid July when the fish really get active again," noted Tompkins.
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Bays and Ocean
S.F. BAY HALIBUT & STRIPERS... Live bait potluck trips are producing excellent action on a mix of striped bass and halibut throughout San Francisco Bay. Quality stripers averaging 8 to 15 pounds are hitting on the rockpiles and the halibut action has been best off Treasure Island, Alcatraz and the Berkeley Flats.
"The striper bite has been very good for the past two weeks and now we're starting to see a jump in the halibut scores," reported Bob Lane of the Berkeley Marina Sportfishing Center. "As for the salmon bite, it's been rough on the outside the last few days, but a couple boats made it out today and they found some fish to the north off Point Reyes."
On Tuesday, June 13, the Golden Eye came in with 17 big halibut to 35 pounds and 25 striped bass to 17 pounds for 14 anglers. The New Golden Eye ended up with 27 halibut to 17 pounds and 15 stripers to 15 pounds for 20 people. The Golden Eye 2000 found a red hot halibut bite and limited out (24 fish) for 8 anglers. They also ended up with 4 striped bass to 16 pounds.
At press time, the El Dorado I had checked in with a total of 6 king salmon for 8 anglers. "It was only 11:00 am when they called in, so it looks like they are well on their way to a solid 1-1/2 or 2 fish a rod," added Lane.
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