Idaho Fish Report
Lots of happy people at W. Carson River, Calif.
by Don Quilici
5-3-2007
BISHOP, CALIF. AREA: Gary Olson of the Bishop Creek Resorts (760-873-4484):
Intake No. 2: It was pretty crowded and the float tubers were like Cheerios in a bowl.
North Lake: Mostly half-pounders but lots of fish.
South Lake: There was barely any open water and the ice was too rotten to walk on.
Bishop Creek: A 5-pound, 8-ounce rainbow and a 4-pound, 6-ounce rainbow with nightcrawlers.
BISHOP, CALIF: Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425): Mark Baker and Rocky MacDonald, both of Anaheim landed nice hold-over Alper's on Power Bait. Mark's weighed in at 4 3/4 pounds, while Rocky's topped the scale at 5 1/8 pounds.
BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): It was a bit quiet for the weekend. The weather was good but I think the $3 gasoline is cutting back on fishing trips.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Jim Reid of Ken's Sporting Goods Store (760-932-7707): The opener was really good and the fishing was excellent, but it has slowed down a little since then.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Jeffry Wenger of the Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park and Marina (888-377-1677) or (760-932-7001): Saturday was unbelievable for the weather, water and fishing. Lots of browns, all 2+ pounds, and lots of nice rainbows, 2-4 pounds.
The biggest fish was a 7.10 pounder caught on a Spin-and-Glo lure from shore. The fishing slowed down a little on Sunday but picked back up on Monday. The fly fishing was great, right at the Marina.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
East Carson River: Todd Sodaro of the Carson River Resort (877-694-2229): The opener was pretty darn good. Lots of fishermen and lots of fish caught. James and Jose, two youngsters, caught a 2.5 pounder on Power Bait. Don Feeney of Roseville caught a 4.1 pound rainbow on a gold Mepps spinner. Dennis Hines of Elk Grove caught a 3.5 pound rainbow.
West Carson River: Dave Kirby reported: Lots of happy people with lots of limits. Most everyone got a limit or close to it.
On Saturday afternoon, in the Woodfords Canyon, I saw 6-8 people at every big hole, especially at the bridges where they planted.
For the weekend, I weighed a half-dozen fish over 5 pounds and a couple of 6-pounders.
CROWLEY LAKE AREA, CALIF: Steve Osterman of Performance Anglers of Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-2181:
Crowley Lake: Fishing was good for the opener. Sandy Point and the north side of McGee Bay seemed to fish best for the fly anglers.
Stevie's Wonder black/silver or Stevie's "Z" in 10-12 feet of water.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Dave Jacobs/Hank Mautz (Professional Guide Service) (800-355-3113): Fishing for spring salmon has gotten a bit tougher due to low flows this past week. Most salmon have averaged 24-30 pounds with some smaller fish to 12 pounds, from Oroville to Gridley. Best bets have been backbounced K-15 Kwikfish lures with a sardine wrap. Large No. 6 Blue Fox spinners have also produced springers to 35 pounds for boat and bank anglers.
FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS (on the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area): Some small catfish in the 8-ounce class caught with worms or chicken liver.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Will be planted with 500 pounds of trout on Friday.
Fishing was fair over the weekend. Mostly bait fishermen with worms or Power Bait.
Summit Lake (above Indian Creek Reservoir): Will be planted with 500 pounds of trout on Friday.
JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Not many fly anglers for the opener. Current flow in Rush Creek is 74 CFS. Try Pheasant Tail Nymphs, flash back Hares Ears and black ants.
KIRMAN (AKA CARMEN) LAKE, CALIF: Jim Reid reported three fishermen caught a couple but they got there late Saturday. Some other fishermen had caught 12-13 inch brookies and 14-16 inch cutthroat.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV: Missy at Burke's Market at Silver Springs (775-577-2750): The fishing was phenomenal and the weather was great. The Walleye are big! We had many reports of fish being caught. Brittany Manuel, age 9, of Silver Springs caught a 8.5 pound Walleye at Beach No. 7 with nightcrawlers. There was also a 2.5 pound trout caught up by the river.
MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Twin Lakes is ice free. The road to the upper lakes is still closed. Black or olive Doc's Twin Lake's Special.
MARKLEEVILLE CREEK, CALIF: Todd Sodaro reported Al Argo caught a 7-pound rainbow with a No. 3 silver Mepps spinner.
TOPAZ LAKE: Wayne Schlachta of Dayton caught a 4-pound, 1/2 ounce rainbow on Tuesday. Todd Boerner of Carson City caught a 2-pound 8 1/2 ounce rainbow.
TWIN LAKES, CALIF: Upper Twin Lake: Annett's Mono Village (760-932-7071): A 5.5 pound rainbow from shore with sherbet Power Bait. Judy Machel of Carson City caught a 3-pound, 12-ounce rainbow and a 3-pound, 6-ounce rainbow with a red/gold Thomas Buoyant lure.
WALKER LAKE, NEV: Best fishing was from shore, Boat fishing was very slow.
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF: Jim Reid reported:
East Walker: Was fishing very well the entire length to the stateline by the fly guys.
West Walker: Sorry to say there are no good reports.
WALKER RIVERS, NEV:
East Walker: Warren Senour of Stagecoach caught a 2-pound, 12 1/2 ounce brown and a 1-pound, 12 1/2 ounce brown. In addition, Norm Budden of Carson City caught a 13 1/4 ounce brown.
WEBER RESERVOIR, NEV: John Wayne (J.W.) Hatley of Minden caught a 3-pound, 13-ounce, a 2-pound, 9-ounce and a 2-pound 5 1/2 ounce catfish on Sunday.
Intake No. 2: It was pretty crowded and the float tubers were like Cheerios in a bowl.
North Lake: Mostly half-pounders but lots of fish.
South Lake: There was barely any open water and the ice was too rotten to walk on.
Bishop Creek: A 5-pound, 8-ounce rainbow and a 4-pound, 6-ounce rainbow with nightcrawlers.
BISHOP, CALIF: Patti Apted of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425): Mark Baker and Rocky MacDonald, both of Anaheim landed nice hold-over Alper's on Power Bait. Mark's weighed in at 4 3/4 pounds, while Rocky's topped the scale at 5 1/8 pounds.
BLUE LAKES AREA, CALIF: Dave Kirby of the Woodfords Station (530-694-2930): It was a bit quiet for the weekend. The weather was good but I think the $3 gasoline is cutting back on fishing trips.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Jim Reid of Ken's Sporting Goods Store (760-932-7707): The opener was really good and the fishing was excellent, but it has slowed down a little since then.
BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR, CALIF: Jeffry Wenger of the Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park and Marina (888-377-1677) or (760-932-7001): Saturday was unbelievable for the weather, water and fishing. Lots of browns, all 2+ pounds, and lots of nice rainbows, 2-4 pounds.
The biggest fish was a 7.10 pounder caught on a Spin-and-Glo lure from shore. The fishing slowed down a little on Sunday but picked back up on Monday. The fly fishing was great, right at the Marina.
CARSON RIVERS, CALIF:
East Carson River: Todd Sodaro of the Carson River Resort (877-694-2229): The opener was pretty darn good. Lots of fishermen and lots of fish caught. James and Jose, two youngsters, caught a 2.5 pounder on Power Bait. Don Feeney of Roseville caught a 4.1 pound rainbow on a gold Mepps spinner. Dennis Hines of Elk Grove caught a 3.5 pound rainbow.
West Carson River: Dave Kirby reported: Lots of happy people with lots of limits. Most everyone got a limit or close to it.
On Saturday afternoon, in the Woodfords Canyon, I saw 6-8 people at every big hole, especially at the bridges where they planted.
For the weekend, I weighed a half-dozen fish over 5 pounds and a couple of 6-pounders.
CROWLEY LAKE AREA, CALIF: Steve Osterman of Performance Anglers of Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-2181:
Crowley Lake: Fishing was good for the opener. Sandy Point and the north side of McGee Bay seemed to fish best for the fly anglers.
Stevie's Wonder black/silver or Stevie's "Z" in 10-12 feet of water.
FEATHER RIVER, CALIF: Dave Jacobs/Hank Mautz (Professional Guide Service) (800-355-3113): Fishing for spring salmon has gotten a bit tougher due to low flows this past week. Most salmon have averaged 24-30 pounds with some smaller fish to 12 pounds, from Oroville to Gridley. Best bets have been backbounced K-15 Kwikfish lures with a sardine wrap. Large No. 6 Blue Fox spinners have also produced springers to 35 pounds for boat and bank anglers.
FT. CHURCHILL COOLING PONDS (on the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area): Some small catfish in the 8-ounce class caught with worms or chicken liver.
INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR, CALIF: Will be planted with 500 pounds of trout on Friday.
Fishing was fair over the weekend. Mostly bait fishermen with worms or Power Bait.
Summit Lake (above Indian Creek Reservoir): Will be planted with 500 pounds of trout on Friday.
JUNE LAKE LOOP, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Not many fly anglers for the opener. Current flow in Rush Creek is 74 CFS. Try Pheasant Tail Nymphs, flash back Hares Ears and black ants.
KIRMAN (AKA CARMEN) LAKE, CALIF: Jim Reid reported three fishermen caught a couple but they got there late Saturday. Some other fishermen had caught 12-13 inch brookies and 14-16 inch cutthroat.
LAHONTAN RESERVOIR, NEV: Missy at Burke's Market at Silver Springs (775-577-2750): The fishing was phenomenal and the weather was great. The Walleye are big! We had many reports of fish being caught. Brittany Manuel, age 9, of Silver Springs caught a 8.5 pound Walleye at Beach No. 7 with nightcrawlers. There was also a 2.5 pound trout caught up by the river.
MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIF: Steven Osterman: Twin Lakes is ice free. The road to the upper lakes is still closed. Black or olive Doc's Twin Lake's Special.
MARKLEEVILLE CREEK, CALIF: Todd Sodaro reported Al Argo caught a 7-pound rainbow with a No. 3 silver Mepps spinner.
TOPAZ LAKE: Wayne Schlachta of Dayton caught a 4-pound, 1/2 ounce rainbow on Tuesday. Todd Boerner of Carson City caught a 2-pound 8 1/2 ounce rainbow.
TWIN LAKES, CALIF: Upper Twin Lake: Annett's Mono Village (760-932-7071): A 5.5 pound rainbow from shore with sherbet Power Bait. Judy Machel of Carson City caught a 3-pound, 12-ounce rainbow and a 3-pound, 6-ounce rainbow with a red/gold Thomas Buoyant lure.
WALKER LAKE, NEV: Best fishing was from shore, Boat fishing was very slow.
WALKER RIVERS, CALIF: Jim Reid reported:
East Walker: Was fishing very well the entire length to the stateline by the fly guys.
West Walker: Sorry to say there are no good reports.
WALKER RIVERS, NEV:
East Walker: Warren Senour of Stagecoach caught a 2-pound, 12 1/2 ounce brown and a 1-pound, 12 1/2 ounce brown. In addition, Norm Budden of Carson City caught a 13 1/4 ounce brown.
WEBER RESERVOIR, NEV: John Wayne (J.W.) Hatley of Minden caught a 3-pound, 13-ounce, a 2-pound, 9-ounce and a 2-pound 5 1/2 ounce catfish on Sunday.