Check out the new issue of The Fish Sniffer Magazine for July 11, 2025!

Summer fishing is in full swing all over Northern California. Freshwater lakes are providing top notch action for bass, trout and landlocked salmon. Lake Berryessa, Shasta, New Melones and Don Pedro are very good for kokanee up to 18 inches and more. Some very nice landlocked kings as well as rainbow trout are coming to nets at Folsom and Oroville. The mountain streams are falling into very fishable shape and catching trout is picking up.

Saltwater fishing is going great guns, with the folks that were able to fish the 2 day Ocean Salmon season in June catching limits of big salmon all the way up and down the coast. Potluck fishing in San Francisco bay is excellent for both stripers and halibut, and rockfish and lingcod are filling sacks out of Bodega and Monterey Bays.

All you need to know about freshwater and saltwater fishing in Northern California is now available in the latest issue of The Fish Sniffer Magazine!

Pyramid Lake Nevada is home to the world famous Lahontan Cutthroat trout, including the Pilot Peak strain that have been growing in the lake for several years. The Pilot Peak trout are very aggressive and grow bigger and faster than the original Summit Lake strain. These trout make Pyramid Lake the best place in the world to catch a 10 pound – or even 20 pound --cutthroat trout!

John Brassfield of Foresthill and I went up to Pyramid early on a +

Wednesday morning in mid-June. We arrived at the ramp from my home in Colfax about 6:30 am. It was a beautiful morning with an air temperature of 50 degrees. A breeze was blowing from the north as we launched the Fish Sniffer Rogue Jet 21 Coastal, but it didn’t prevent us from running to the north to Fox Bay. We ran up on the east side of the lake and started trolling north of Hell’s Kitchen and into Fox bay in 60 feet of water. We didn’t do much until we started seeing bait and fish marks on the Lowrance screen, and then we started catching fish. My first fish weighed 13 pounds on yellow/red spot B-21 spoon behind Vance’s cannonball flashers at 2.3 mph. We caught fish here and there, whenever we saw bait on the screen. Mostly fishing in 40 to 70 feet of water, all right on the bottom. We saw suspended fish at 30 feet deep or so, but never could get one to bite. The B-21 spoon was the hot ticket in the morning, plus I got a few on a 4 inch chartreuse/orange Silver Horde spoon. John got some on his orange frog Built to Bite jointed plug plus a couple on a blue/yellow 4 inch Apex. The cannonball flashers really made...

Lake Almanor

Rainbows and Browns highlight catches in perfect conditions.

The conditions have been fantastic here at Almanor, following the cold windy conditions of a week ago. Cool mornings with warm afternoons and light breezes with some occasional gusty periods later in the day. Traffic on the lake is on the increase as we approach the big summer holiday of July 4th. The water level has reached its peak and is now on a slow decline currently sitting just above 4490.5. A drop of about 6 inches in the last week. Flows on all the lake’s tributaries have reduced to seasonal norms. Water temperatures are currently running in the upper 60’s ticking up into the low 70’s during the days. Bug hatches continue all over the lake with the Hex Fly being one of the main attractions. The trout are now widely spread throughout the entire lake. Action for trollers is happening at a variety of locations around the lake, from the dam to Big Springs which has proven to be a hot spot as of late. Both sides of the peninsula have also been giving up fish as is the west shore from Rocky Point to Almanor West giving anglers plenty of locations to visit. Trout have been caught on a wide variety of offerings, with lots of options for anglers. Worms and plastics along with fast trolled spoons in bright as well as dark colors have all produced fish this week. 25 to 45 feet seems to be holding the bulk of the active fish. The catch continues to be a mix Rainbows and Browns along with a few salmon. Bait fishermen have been netting a few fish at numerous locations including Dorado, the dam Rocky Point and Red Bank. Suspended baits like worms, crickets and meal worms...

Bullards Bar/Englebright Lakes

Kokanee Limits Are The Rule!

DOBBINS – If you want to catch a 10 fish limit of kokanee salmon, it’s hard to beat Bullards Bar Reservoir at this time.

“The fish are stacked in the main body near the dam and major points,” said Brett Brady of Bare Bones Guide Service. “Troll 70–80 ft deep with T-pex lures in red or purple. Don’t forget that scented corn tipped on the hook makes all the difference.”

His latest trip produced the top fishing in the early morning hours.

“We got 40 fish on Bullards Bar today, but it got a little rough after 9 a.m. We ended up throwing the kitchen sink at them.,” Brady advised. “It was like they wanted something different all the time. We trolled at 70 to 80 feet deep.”

Likewise, Rob Reimers of Rustic Rob’s Guide Service reported great kokanee success at Bullards Bar on his latest trip. “We had limits for two before it got hot this morning,” he said.

Bullards Bar is holding 906,198 acre-feet of water, 94 percent of capacity and 109 percent of average.

Few anglers have been on the water at Englebright Reservoir fishing for trout. However, this is generally a great time of year to hook rainbows and an occasional brown while trolling with Rapalas, Needlefish, Cripplures and nightcrawlers behind dodgers. Expect to hook holdover rainbows in the 12 to 18 inch range.

Englebright is holding 68,050 acre feet of water, 97 percent of capacity and 103 percent of average.

• Dan Bacher

Davis Lake

Bait Fishing and Trolling Yields Trout Limits, Catfish Are Biting

PORTOLA – After a temporary slowdown, trout fishing on Davis Lake shifted back into high gear on the July Fourth Holiday Weekend.

“Yesterday I caught and released 11 rainbows, ranging from 17 to 20 inches long, while trolling Baby Simon lures in copper/red and orange at 18 feet deep,” said Ed Dillard of Dillard’s Guided Fishing. “The surface water temperature has been 73 to 74 degrees.”

On the following day, he anchored up near the island at 26 feet deep. The three anglers fishing with Dillard caught limits of rainbow trout ranging 14 to 19 inches long while fishing with rainbow PowerBait.

Bank fishermen are also catching trout at Davis. Jeanne Graham recommended fishing with Power Bait and worms at Camp Five, Mallard and Eagle Point.

“The trout are feeding heavily on scuds and damsel flies,” she stated. “Fly fishermen fishing scud and damsel fly patterns are hooking a lot of trout at Cow Creek and Jenkins Point.”

Some brown bullhead catfish are hitting at Mallard and Coot Bays. She hasn’t hear many reports on largemouth bass and bluegill lately.

Davis is holding 79,814 acre feet of water, 96 percent of capacity and 126 percent of average.

•    Dan Bacher
  

East Bay Lakes Roundup

Target Bass, Catfish and Panfish With Summer Conditions

ALAMEDA COUNTY – Alameda County – It’s that time of year when summer activities tend to take over our daily lives, sometimes keeping us off the water. It’s no surprise that reports get light, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some great action to be had. You just have to fit it in. As with the last several reports, summer conditions have set in, and you need to focus on the fish that are most active at this time of year.

The East Bay Regional Parks District has planted catfish on all their five fishing lakes and plants will continue every other week until at least the end of August. There were no catfish plants this week, but these fish do not get fished out as quickly as the trout and action should be good.

Cats can be taken most times of the day. Mornings and evenings can be more productive than midday, especially if it gets hot, but even if you get on the water a little late, you can still expect some decent action.

Bluegill, and crappie can be taken even in the middle of the day, though am-pm is generally best for crappie.

Largemouth can be taken most times of the day, but by midday, they are generally hunkered down in the shade, or tight against the weeds or will move into slightly deeper water if it gets especially warm. Smallmouth do tend to follow the same pattern, but because they hold a bit deeper, the bite window can be good during more of the morning and evening.

Stripers are hit and miss but tend to feed early or late in the day. Carp can be taken most of the day.

If you’re looking...

Folsom Lake

Kings and Rainbows Are Hitting At Wide-Ranging Depths

FOLSOM - Despite windy conditions, the trout and salmon were hitting during the latest guided trip on Folsom Lake by Wes Ward of Angling Wes Guide Service.

“Today, the wind was blowing pretty good all morning, and the bite was on.,” reported Ward. “I couldn’t hit the area I wanted to start the day at due to the wind, so I headed toward Folsom Point to hide. The first trout hit the deck just a few minutes after dropping lines. A couple more dinks came quickly.”

“Hoochies, spoons, and apexes with a variety of attractors in different colors produced trout all day all over the water column from 15’-75’. Our best trout of the day was a Folsom Silver Bullet near the South Fork,” said Ward.

“Big fish of the day was a fat king hooked in open water in front of the Dyke that clobbered a green hoochie. We picked up another king as the wind was lying down in the early afternoon off the peninsula,” added Ward.

“The wind and waves made boat control challenging, but perseverance paid off as we worked thru it. Final count for the day was 10+ trout, mostly skinny dinks, 2 kings, a couple of bass, and a bonus pike minnow that fooled us as it was tearing line off reel.,” he concluded.

Jerry Lampkin of TNG Motor Sports Guide Service also reported topnotch fishing on his latest trolling adventure at Folsom.

“We had a pretty good day today,” said Lampkin. “We released 2 limits of rainbows to 20 inches and a 24 inch, 4+ pound king. We kept 2 bleeder bows for supper. All of our fish hit 360 flashers/hoochie combinations in green/green, chrome/pink and white, and chrome/purple UV.”

“The surface temperature...

New Melones Lake

Trollers Bag Kokanee Salmon Limits

ANGELS CAMP - Anglers embarking on trolling adventures now on New Melones Reservoir are hooking limits of quality kokanee salmon

“I had the pleasure of having Nick and Cameron back out on New Melones to fill the smoker,” said Kyle Wise of HeadHunter SportFishing. after a recent trolling adventure. “Paulina Peak Tackle gold dodgers paired with orange/gold spinners made easy work of their limits by 7:20, then back to the marina to get our breakfast tacos at the broken prop grill.”

“Even with the lake dropping, the bite remains red hot if you stay on top of them daily. If you’re looking to get out to fill the smoker or just learn how, we have trips departing the marina daily,” he added.

“There were three generations on the boat this morning and Captain Bryan McGinty put them on the fish early and was able to beat the heat.,” said Wise on his following angling adventure. “It sounds like Jpex and Turtle lures made quick work of it for them.”

Boaters interested in participating in the new seal program can obtain a quarantine seal to attach to your boat and trailer at this time. Please visit the Glory Hole boat launch location between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to obtain one from a park ranger free of charge, to begin the 30-day quarantine period prior to any future boat launching at New Melones.”

For questions about this suspension and the new protocol, contact a New Melones staff member at 209 459-7290 or visit the New Melones website.

New Melones is holding 2,003,005 acre feet of water, 83 percent of capacity and 134 percent of average.

Rio Vista/Delta

Trollers, Pluggers Nail Striped Bass on San Joaquin River

RIO VISTA – The striper bite for trollers and pluggers in the Delta has been consistent according to legendary troller Mark Wilson. Mark told me that wind has been hindering anglers, but when they can get out on the water, they’re catching fish.

Mark went on to say that some of his friends found a decent striper bite in the Liberty Island area shallow water plugging. Mark continued to say that the trolling bite can be productive if you put in the time. Trollers are finding decent numbers of stripers trolling deep diving P-Line Predators and Yozuri lures on the San Joaquin River from Eddos Marina to the Antioch Bridge.

Meanwhile, the sturgeon bite continues to be good, but I’m getting this information from private anglers since most of the 6-pack charter boat captains have moved their boats down to San Francisco Bay. Wind has also kept anglers off the water on some days.

I’m hearing that the powerlines on the Sacramento River, below Rio Vista, has been productive on both the incoming and outgoing tides for those anglers anchoring in 35 feet of water. Salmon roe continues to be the bait of choice.

It is to be noted that sturgeon fishing will close from June 30th until October 1st from the west side of the Carquinez Bridge east to downstream of the confluence of the Feather River on the Sacramento River and downstream of the I-5 bridge on the San Joaquin River.

• Ken Baccetti, President of the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), Isleton-Delta Chapter.

Truckee Area Lakes

Donner and Stampede Kokanee Lead Summer Angling Parade

TRUCKEE - Donner Lake: Donner Lake is fishing well with surface temps in the low 60s°F and full lake levels. Kokanee are active in the mornings, schooling between 25–35 feet. Trolling pink or chartreuse hoochies behind dodgers is producing best. Mackinaw are holding deeper—try white tube jigs or silver dodgers at 100–120 feet. Shore anglers are hooking rainbows near the boat ramps and west-end docks using PowerBait, inflated worms, and various lures. The bite slows after 10 a.m., so early starts are key, especially with heavier boat traffic expected for the holiday week. Donner Lake capacity is currently at 100%.

Boca Reservoir: Fishing at Boca Reservoir remains productive for both boaters and shore anglers. Kokanee are biting at 40–50 feet near the dam and west shore—orange Dick Nites, pink wedding rings, and small dodgers are best. Recently stocked rainbows are biting on PowerBait, worms, and spoons near the inlet and campground. Surface temps are in the upper 50s°F, pushing trout deeper by midday. Mornings are most productive before crowds and boat activity picks up. Boca is currently at 90% capacity, and shore access is excellent. Boca Reservoir is at 90% capacity.

Stampede Reservoir: Stampede Reservoir continues to be the top Kokanee spot in the region. Fish are aggressive and schooling between 15–30 feet, especially near the Little Truckee arm and island. Productive setups include pink hoochies, purple squids, and orange dodgers. As the sun rises, adjust depth accordingly—Kokanee go deeper after 9 a.m. Trout are cruising near coves and inlets early, while bass are active in 10 feet of water. Surface temps are in the upper 50s°F, and lake levels are at 100%. Early mornings offer the best bite. Stampede Reservoir capacity is currently at 100%.

Prosser Creek Reservoir:...

East Walker River

Flows and warm weather slow the fishing

The flows on the East are about 132 cfs right now and so far the temperatures are holding out and the fish are still very happy and healthy. The weather has been getting warmer so we’ll keep you posted as to when it may be time to give the fish a break down there. This is kind of the time of year when the best time to be down there is early in the day and later in the day, maybe up until 11 or so in the morning then from 5 or so in the evening until dark. We’ve had lots of good reports coming in and a few not so good reports as well. It sounds like first thing in the morning they’re getting some fish on streamers then progressing on to nymphs as the morning wears on. It also sounds like there are some decent numbers of fish moving back into the “Miracle Mile” section as we’re getting some decent reports here and there from that section. There’s also been some decent dry action late in the evening with some caddis and attractor dries. Some patterns to try: elk hair caddis, E/C caddis, parachute Adams, chubby chernobyl, dead drift crayfish, sculpzilla, double bunny, darth baetis, flashback emerger, silver streak, copper John, zebra midge, pheasant tail, hare’s ear. Report courtesy of Kens Sporting Goods.

Fisherman’s Wharf/Berkeley

Live Bait Drifters Battle Stripers and Halibut

SAN FRANCISCO – Anglers targeting striped bass, halibut and leopard sharks are experiencing stellar fishing on

San Francisco Bay and in the ocean just outside of the Golden Gate.

“What an epic bite today,” reported Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sportfishing on Sunday, July 6. “Both

boats checked in with limits of jumbo halibut and the California Dawn 1 checked in with limits of bass as well. We got

‘em big time in the ocean.”

The final count for the California Dawn 1 was 22 limits of striped bass (44) to 15 pounds and 22 limits of halibut

(44) to 31 pounds. The California Dawn 2 came back with 26 limits of halibut (52) to 30 pounds.

Captain Craig Hansen of Argo Sportfishing said he’s been putting his customers on both halibut and striped bass in

numerous locations. F-Buoy and the Berkeley Flats, the backside and frontside of Alcatraz Island, and the south side

of Angel Island have all been productive.

The key, according to Capt. Craig, is to move around to these locations until you find the fish. Other locations that

can be very productive, if the weather and ocean conditions cooperate, is the north and south bars out the Golden

Gate on the outgoing tide.

Meanwhile Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions said he’s been targeting mainly stripers for his clients in

the bay, but when the tides and ocean conditions look good, he’s been drifting Seal Rock and the north and south

Bars out the Gate (see the attached photos).

Also in the bay, Captain Steve Talmadge of Flash Sportfishing Charters stated that he has been drifting live bait

targeting halibut and striped bass for his customers.

Capt. Steve also said, as a change of pace, he...