Recent news headlines from NorCal Fishing News

The calendar says winter but the fish are thinking spring. Bass will be moving up toward shallower water and becoming more active with the recent bit of warm weather. Crappie bite continues to go great guns at Del Valle and improving on the Delta and Santa Clara Valley lakes. Trout lakes getting bonus plants are keeping anglers busy and happy. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Trout Plants: Feb. 21 through Feb 24

The following lakes, ponds, rivers and streams this week will be planted with catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, February 17, 2012
Tribute to a living legend

How does one describe a great angler these days?  My good friend and fishing buddy and I were float tubing on warm June day on Rock Creek Lake, near Manton.  I hooked a nice-sized, tough brown trout that snapped my leader.  Not long after that my friend came along and damned if he didn’t hook that brown, weighing about 4 to 5 pounds, he gracefully played the fish up to his float tube, and I would be damned again, he extracted my olive nymph with about four inches of leader for the fish’s jaw.  With that he gently released the fish and returned my fly, and then paddled off with a chuckle.

 
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Feb. 16 through Feb. 22

The steelhead season is turning into a good one, especially on the Eel and Russian Rivers. Prospects are good again this weekend but there is plenty of time left in this season ... Sturgeon are biting in the lower Delta. Anyone want to try? Not a lot of boats out there … Trout fishing should be very good during the upcoming opening weekend at Pardee and the fishing is very good for trout at Lake Chabot. Catch stripers at Los Vaqueros or crappie at Del Valle. Take your pick. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Pardee opens to fishing Friday

Pardee Reservoir (Amador County) is opening Friday after its winter closure. The lake is close to capacity and has good clarity. Water temps haven’t been taken but expect low 50s on the surface.

 
Monday, February 13, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Fly Fishing Film Tour to make first ever stop in Bay Area

The popular Fly Fishing Film Tour is making its first ever stop in the Bay Area this month.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Lake record crappie caught at Del Valle

The Lake Del Valle record for crappie has been broken again.

 
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Trout Plants: Feb. 13 through Feb. 17

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Saturday, February 11, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
San Pablo Reservoir opener provides good bite to a small crowd

One couldn’t have asked for a nicer morning to open the gates to San Pablo Reservoir to anglers.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Shadow Cliffs bass record claim denied

The tale of an 18.9 pound largemouth bass caught last week from Shadow Cliffs Reservoir in Pleasanton is being debunked by park rangers.

 
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
San Pablo Reservoir opens to fishing Friday

San Pablo Reservoir opens to fishing Friday morning and conditions are optimal for an excellent opening weekend.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Feb 9 through Feb. 15

This week’s Best Bites is a Bay Area affair. With the opening of San Pablo Reservoir this Friday in El Sobrante, a great trout fishing scene becomes even better. There are good trout prospects at Del Valle, good bassing in the back ponds at Shadow Cliffs and sturgeon in the lower Sacramento and into Pittsburg. Weekend wildcard are the coastal streams for steelhead. All should be dropping after Tuesday’s spurt of rain. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Know your rights as anglers and respect the rights of property owners

Probably one of the most confusing issues anglers and private property owners face is trespassing. 

 
Monday, February 6, 2012
InformativeFisherman videos give both how-to and know-how to NorCal anglers

Nick Smith’s ceaseless curiosity is now benefiting Northern California anglers.

 
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Trout Plants: Feb. 6 through Feb. 10

The following lakes, rivers, reservoirs and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, February 3, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Lake Mendocino to receive triploid trout

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will begin planting rainbow trout (triploids) in Lake Mendocino for the first time this February.

 
Thursday, February 2, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Striper reduction proposal fails; bass anglers win a big one

Striped bass anglers earned a huge victory today.

 
Innovative gadgets save money, bring angling rewards

Go Pro Helmet Cams are all the rage in bass fishing; but with a basic price point of three bills and additional required accessories that needed to "go pro" in recording one's bass fishing catches, many haven't found it financially viable to drop the cash on the vid equipment.

 
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Feb. 2 through Feb. 8

The time is now for steelhead anglers. Rivers are clear or clearing and there are fish in all of the coastal streams. Bass anglers can go to Clear Lake or nearby Lake Sonoma for action and solitude. Don Pedro and New Melones in the Mother Lode are the best trout bets but any of the lakes in the area should be good bets. Crappie anglers can find action in the Delta and Lake Del Valle. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, January 30, 2012
Trout Plants: Jan. 30 through Feb. 3

The following lakes, streams, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Trout to return to Loch Lomond Reservoir

Rainbow trout are returning to Loch Lomond Reservoir in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

 
Huge striped bass a mystery

This lunker striper just showed up on the wall of Bait Barn and Informative Fishermen. Thought it was worth sharing here.

 
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Jan. 26 through Feb. 1

Can’t complain about a forecast for warm weather in January, especially since it coincides with falling rivers on the North Coast which should be good for steelhead fishing. There are other options, of course. Trout at foothill and Bay Area lakes, cutthroats at Pyramid and a sturgeon derby in Martinez. Plenty to do and enjoy before winter roars back again. Here are this week’s Best Bites.

 
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
In trout fishing, sometimes you just have to believe

I set the hook on the heavy brick, but after a turn down river, the rod went limp.

 
Monday, January 23, 2012
19 pound cutthroat caught a Pyramid - biggest of the season

Matt Ceccarelli of Reno on Saturday landed a 19.8-pound cutthroat trout at Pyramid Lake while casting a white jig from the shoreline near the Marina.

 
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Trout Plants: Jan. 22 though Jan. 27

The following lakes, rivers, and streams this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Best Bites: Jan. 19 through Jan. 25

Everything changes this week. With significant rain and snow predicted through Saturday, prospects brighten considerably for steelhead to the north and sturgeon in San Pablo, Suisun and San Francisco bays. Sierra lakes will again soon be safe to ice fish upon. There will need to be time for everything to settle. The North Coast streams, except for the Smith, will be blown out for some time so it will be important to call first. Best bet for immediate fun is the International Sportsmen’s Expo at Cal Expo from Thursday through Sunday. Stay dry, get your 2012 license and all the gear you need for your next adventures. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Salt water sleigh ride awaits kayak sturgeon anglers

Wintertime can sometimes be boring for saltwater anglers in the Monterey Bay region.

 
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Bass pro Jared Lintner gives wintertime advice

Bass pro Jared Lintner doesn't  stay home  during the cold months of winter.

 
Monday, January 16, 2012
Salamander Sinker gives bass anglers a new tool

The Salamander Sinker is a valuable new bass tool that originally was designed for other types of fishing.

 
The history of hatcheries in California and the trade that changed CA sportfishing

In America’s early days, its pristine waters  supported plentiful and strong populations of wild fish. Nowhere was this more evident than in the Northern reaches of California.

 
First cast of the year brings in a Trinity steelhead

Menlo Park resident David McGrouther kicked off his 2012 angling season with a bang.

 
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Trout Plants: Jan. 16 through Jan. 21

The following lakes, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, January 13, 2012
Salmon Association defends stripers, offers DFG a new plan

The Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) submitted formal comments to the California Fish and Game Commission proposing an alternate common sense approach to address the striped bass predation problem.  The Commission is currently considering a proposal from the Department of Fish and Game to greatly increase fishing of striped bass in an effort to decrease or eradicate them.  The  Department made the proposal after being sued over its management of the striped bass fishery by a group of San Joaquin Valley growers calling themselves Coalition for a Sustainable Delta.

 
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Mokelumne River salmon come roaring back

A record number of fall-run Chinook salmon returned to the Mokelumne River to spawn in 2011, just three years after salmon populations plummeted across the Centraelumnel Valley.

 
ISE opens Thursday in Sacramento

The International Sportsmen’s Exposition will celebrate its 25^th anniversary when it opens Thursday for a four-day run in Sacramento at Cal Expo.

 
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Jan. 12 through Jan. 18

Mid-January is usually time to hit the fishing shows and get ready for the upcoming spring season. But it’s clear and warm and there are trout waiting. That’s bad news for steelhead anglers and sturgeon hunters, but inland water anglers don’t have any muddy banks to navigate and plentiful stocks provide rare winter opportunities. Those who like ice fishing beware of melting ice. It’s best to wait for a big freeze for safe ice or a big thaw for open water. Remember, wherever you go the fishing is a lot better than the skiing. Who thought that would be the case in January? Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, January 9, 2012
Trinity salmon, steelhead numbers continue to improve

The main stem of the Trinity River runs with 165 miles of fantastic, quality salmon, steelhead and trout waters.  This gem is truly one of the finest  rivers in the western U.S.

 
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Trout Plants: Jan 9 though Jan. 15

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Jan. 5 through Jan. 11

The first Best Bites of the year bring  excellent prospects for Mother Lode trout, Clear Lake bass, crab/squid possibilities from Bodega Bay and crab/sand dabs trips out of Monterey. Rain is needed for better steelhead prospects although the Eel and Smith have fish. Ice anglers should exercise caution as warm weather is shrinking the ice in the high Sierra. Good luck catching those first fish of the year. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
New Melones brown trout record broken

Michael Oliviera of Hilmar established a New Melones Lake record when he landed a 13 pound, four-ounce brown trout while bass fishing on Dec. 30.

 
Enriching angling resolutions for 2012

After a half hour of unconsciousness induced by Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, cole slaw, bread and lingonberry jam, I awoke to the prospect of being just days away from the opening of the Stanislaus River just 45 minutes from my house.

 
Monday, January 2, 2012
From the Alabama Rig emerges the legal Cali Umbrella Rig

The FLW Tour Open on Lake Guntersville last October will go down in the record books as a day that changed the bass fishing biz.

 
Float tubes a valuable weapon in an angler's arsenal

Many anglers remember trudging through brush thickets, rock slides, steep shorelines, and over-hanging trees to get to that special place on a lake.  Unless you had a boat, lake or stillwater fishing presented access problems for the shore angler.  Many such anglers could not afford a boat.   However, it did not take long for good old Yankee ingenuity to come up with canvas covers over big inner tubes.

 
Saturday, December 31, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: Jan. 2 through Jan. 6

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 29 through Jan. 4

This week offers the last chance at rock cod fishing and the first chance at Topaz Lake trout. Long-awaited and much-needed rain should spark steelhead on the Smith River and sturgeon fishing is improving each day in the lower Delta. There are other options to toast the end a good fishing year and usher in another.  Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Shaver Lake could be top spring trout destination

Shaver Lake sits empty this winter, drained to streambed levels, and the lake's entire population of trout, kokanee and other fish is presumed dead.That may sound grim, but the future of the popular Sierra Nevada fishery 45 miles east of Fresno appears much rosier.

 
Monday, December 26, 2011
Trout Plants: Dec. 26 through Dec. 30

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout:

 
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 22 through Dec. 28

With Christmas falling on Sunday, don’t expect much company if you do choose to get away and wet a line. That could be quite a good thing. Winter arrives Thursday and there is ice fishing taking place at Prosser, Davis, Red and Caples lakes. No reports on the fishing but there is safe ice. For those who like their fishing in a more comfortable climate, temperatures are expected to be in the 60s and maybe 70s in many parts of Northern California. That will make these Best Bites quite enjoyable.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Shadow Cliffs produces record striped bass

There’s a new lake record at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton and in an unlikely category.

 
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Bay Area anglers get gift of trout from DFG

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is providing supplemental fish
stocking at several Bay Area lakes for the holiday season.

 
Monday, December 19, 2011
Don't forget to buy a 2012 fishing license during your holiday shopping

If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer for the angler in your life, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has a suggestion.

 
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Trout Plants: Dec. 19 through Dec. 23

The following lakes, ponds and rivers this week are getting trout delivered for Christmas:

 
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Holiday crab specials offered at Pillar Point

Discount holiday crab trips are being offered at Pillar Point on the New Captain Pete.

 
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 15 through Dec. 21

Best catch of the week was a 12.9 pound bass from Santa Margarita by Garnett Marien who released the fish after measurement. That was the exception to the bass fishing action, which is tough all over. If it’s trout you want, there are options this week. Low elevation and Bay Area lakes all are well-stocked and churning out planted rainbows. Crab and cod are the surest bet from Bodega to Monterey but there are only two weeks left of that season and ocean conditions are flat calm. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Photo Derby is on and everyone who enters wins

NorCalFishingNews is holding a photo derby and everyone who enters wins.

 
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Trout Plants: Dec. 12 through Dec. 17

The following lakes, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, December 9, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Alabama Rig needs alteration to be legal in California

The newly-popular Alabama rig catching favor with bass fisherman isn't fully legal in California.

Fish & Game warden Carrie Wilson points out alterations must be made before it can be legally used by bass anglers. Here's the info: 

 
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Let it Rain

Here’s a hint of what the rain will bring when it arrives.

 
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 8 through Dec. 14

With slow fishing for salmon and steelhead on the northwest rivers and tough going in the Delta for stripers and sturgeon, it’s time to look toward the lakes for steady action. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, December 5, 2011
Gift book suggestions for the literate angler

One man’s off-season is another man’s steelhead season.

 
Ode to a King

I have been watching each day the surface of the river going by and observing the little silvery fingerling salmon feeding on the small caddis flies hatching occasionally out of the river now the weather has warmed.

 
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Trout Plants: Dec. 5 through Dec. 11

The following lakes and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Gift guide helps make it a Kayak Christmas

^{Note to readers:  Print this article out, and leave in a conspicuous location for your wife, partner, parent or progeny to find.  Using a chartreuse highlighter pen on specific desirable items is acceptable, but may be considered “going overboard,” a situation savvy kayak anglers tend to avoid.}

 
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Online petition will send Fish & Game an important message about striped bass

You can make your voice heard to the Fish & Game Commission about a proposal to liberalize the striped bass regulations by filling out this online petition.

 
Monday, November 28, 2011
Head north to the Smith River for a wild time

The Smith River is a thrill in so many ways. It is a true wild river. The only undammed major river in California flows cold and clear for its 25 mile run from the Siskiyou Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

 
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Trout Plants: Nov.28 through Dec. 2

The following lakes and ponds this week will receive trout plants from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, November 25, 2011
Give the gift of fishing for Christmas - click here

Here’s an idea that will solve gift list quandaries - give the gift of fishing for Christmas.

 
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 24 through Nov. 30

Hopefully NorCal anglers don’t take for granted the numerous opportunities we are privileged to enjoy. Even now, as fall transitions to winter there is no reason to put away the fishing gear. There are sturgeon, striped bass, coastal salmon, steelhead and trout all waiting to be caught. Plenty to do, plenty of choices. Much to be thankful for. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 1 through Dec. 7

There were some brag-worthy catches made this week. There was a report of a 48-pound striped bass caught near Lewis Park in Stockton (no picture yet) and Tahoe guide Gene St. Denis on Tuesday landed mackinaw weighing 19 and 16 pounds while trolling the west side of the lake. While those are great catches worth noting, this week’s Best Bites are mostly trout related. The exceptions are the crab/cod opportunities from Bodega Bay to Monterey and the sturgeon and striper fishing in San Pablo Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Give thanks to the Mepps spinner, an anglers best friend

There are few fishing lures that can match the success of the Mepps Aglia spinner.

 
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Thanksgiving Week Trout Plants

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Don't forget the tried-and-true in the quest for the right offering

It’s the time of year when pumpkin pie starts sounding good, but regardless of what the calendar says cherry pie always tastes good.

 
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Striped bass meeting moved to Sacramento from San Diego

The effort of the hundreds of striped bass supporters who packed the hall in Rio Vista last week did not go for naught. The next hearing has been moved to Northern California.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 17 through Nov. 23

The winter season should kick off this weekend with rain in the northwest corner of the state. That should draw in salmon to the Smith, Eel, Mad and Van Duzen. There shouldn’t be a change in the striper action in the west Delta; in fact, it’s only gotten better since last week. Pittsburg is the hot spot but San Pablo Bay has been close to a sure thing for linesides. Berryessa is as good as it gets for both trout and bass and the Mother Lode lakes of Don Pedro and Tulloch have few anglers, but very good trout fishing. The trout fishing at Tahoe isn’t in the same caliber as the other top spots, but the 10 pound rainbow caught this week by Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Sportfishing is a reminder of the quality of fish that can be enjoyed. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Fishing News and Notes

There's a common thread through this edition of the fishing news. In all cases, more water has brought more fish. Such is the case with the Delta smelt, Calaveras River king salmon and Tahoe kokanee. These are among the top stories in this week's News & Notes:

 
Monday, November 14, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Wet weather puts North Coast salmon on tap

The weather pattern in the north state this week will shift to a wetter pattern bringing rain and the hope of large pushes of trophy salmon into the Smith River.

 
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Trout Plants: Nov. 14 through Nov. 19

The following lakes, streams, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout  from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, November 11, 2011
Crabbing easy to do and easy to get started

There are whoops of joy and triumph on the Pacifica Pier. The Dungeness crab sport season opened Nov. 5 and pier anglers have been celebrating with catches of fat crab since.

 
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 10 through Nov. 16

It doesn’t matter from which port you depart, the surest bet in fishing right now is crabbing. Crabbers have been reporting steady limits from Monterey to Eureka and everywhere in between. That’s by far this week’s highlight, but there are good trout prospects at Lake Shasta and Lake Berryessa and in the last week of fishing in the Eastern Sierra, Convict Lake has been an excellent producer of rainbows. There are also stripers in San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Crowd of 500 pack Rio Vista hall to tell DFG leave stripers alone

According to California Department of Fish & Game officials, the proposal to expand the bag limit and lower the size on striped bass is just that a proposal – not a done deal.

 
Monday, November 7, 2011
Trout Plants: Nov. 7 through Nov. 12

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout  from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, November 4, 2011
Salmon, steelhead face a rocky road - if they're lucky

Whether or not it’s the Russian River, Smith River, Sacramento River or any other river for that matter - salmon and steelhead both need clean, fresh, loose gravel to spawn.

 
Thursday, November 3, 2011
When the going gets tough, relax

I was going through leader like a kid through candy corn.

 
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 3 through Nov. 9

The two biggest happenings this weekend are Saturday’s sport crab season opening day and the possibility of rain on the North Coast that will open the Smith, Eel and Mad to more salmon and driftable water. There’s also trout up Highway 4 and a secret revealed near Pleasanton. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Striped bass meeting moved to Rio Vista Portuguese Hall

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will hold a public workshop to review its proposal to change sport fishing regulations related to striped bass. The workshop will be held tonight at the Portuguese Hall, 295 S. 7th street in Rio Vista, right next to Rio Vista High.

 
Monday, October 31, 2011
Big brown from way down under

This 27.2 pound brown trout was caught in Tasmania. There are no details on when or with what but we thought you'd enjoy the picture.

 
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Trout Plants: Oct: 31 through Nov. 4

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, October 28, 2011
Big lings worth thousands in SLO

The ling cod bite off the Central Coast is as good as it gets. Boats out of Avila Beach have been taking 10 hour trips to Point Purisma and returning with lots of lings. To make matters better, a big fish may be worth thousands of dollars.

 
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Oct. 27 through Nov. 2

Striped bass are moving into the Delta and on the prowl in San Luis Reservoir; white sea bass are roaming off Capitola, trout are cruising the shallows of Baum Lake and Davis Lake and the Berryessa bass bite is ready to take off. Add in quality steelhead fishing on the Feather River and you have this week’s Best Bites:  

 
Monday, October 24, 2011
Englebright gets its trout back

Back in 2008, a pair of environmental groups from out of state initiated a lawsuit that effectively halted most of the trout plants in the state, pending environmental impact reports on the waters in question.

 
Sunday, October 23, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Parkway Lake announces closure

Parkway Lake in San Jose announced this week it will be closing on Oct. 31 after 20 years of operation.

 
Trout Plants: Oct. 23 through Oct 29

The following lakes, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, October 21, 2011
When losing a salmon is better than catching a salmon

It’s late October now and the salmon and steelhead are on their spawning runs in many of the Northern California Rivers.   The leaves are turning and dropping on the ground and waters. The song birds have started migrating south.  Blackbirds and starlings can be observed flying in large flocks.  The ospreys have raised and weaned their young and also are headed south. The air has turned much cooler along the rivers and morning mist is starting to show.

 
Thursday, October 20, 2011
High and dry

This brand new Santa Clara County patrol boat got a full workover recently.

 
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Best Bites: Oct. 20 through Oct. 26

 There are outstanding trout options at Lewiston Lake to the north, June Lake to the south and Lake Almanor in between. All are producing well. Expect big numbers at Lewiston and June and big fish at Almanor. The stripers are running through Frank’s Tract but there are big bass being caught from Pittsburg into the lower Delta. The American continues to produce dozens of salmon per day for guide Bob Sparre and a fresh slug of bright fish just entered the river. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Central Valley salmon returns promising

The fall salmon run, the largest of the remaining three runs of salmon in the Central Valley, is nearing its peak  and indications are the runs are stronger than last year.

 
Monday, October 17, 2011
Fishing News and Notes

Surveys indicate higher rates of survival for delta fish, mainly due to more water. On the other hand, more water was pumped from the Delta this year than ever before. Plus news on golden trout and Shaver Lake in this week’s News & Notes:

 
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Trout Plants: Oct. 17 through Oct. 22

The following lakes, streams, rivers, creeks and ponds this week will be stocked with catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Diversify your approach and thrive as an angler

From my spot mid-river I saw a lady casting a heavy rig into the current right where I wanted to fish next.

 
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites, Oct. 13 through Oct. 19

Fall trout fishing season is upon us and a number of lakes are celebrating with enormous plants of trout. That’s the highlight of this week’s Best Bites, but that isn’t the only game going. There are stripers at San Luis Reservoir and the lower Delta, trout in the Central Sierra, salmon on the American River and ling cod off Monterey, Marin and Bodega Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, October 10, 2011
Trout Plants: Oct. 10 through Oct. 14

The following lakes, rivers, streams  and creeks this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Upper Klamath River steelhead explained

By the time early October rolls around (read: now) , steelhead will be running up the Klamath River and taking up positions in the top or lower runs of the deeper holes where schools of chinook salmon pile up and rest.  This usually happens during this time up and down the river.

 
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Best Bites: Oct. 6 through Oct. 12

Albacore, cutthroat trout and inland salmon, ling cod and steelhead all are on tap this weekend. Boats from Monterey and Golden Gate are going out Sunday for albacore. It looks like the weather should cooperate and the albacore have been close. Salmon fishing is great on the American, Sacramento, Feather and Klamath River and the Smith opened this week, too. Steelhead are on tap on the Trinity and Pyramid Lake opened to fishing and anglers enjoyed decent action. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Trout Plants: Oct. 3 through Oct. 8

The following rivers, lakes, streams and creeks this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, September 30, 2011
Angler breaks his own month-old inland king salmon record

Mike Elster today broke his own state record for inland king salmon.

 
There's more to catching a record fish than hooking and landing

Catching a state record fish may be luck. It may be skill. It may be a combination. But getting the record correctly verified and credited isnt guesswork. There’s a process and if you know it, you increase your odds of immortalizing your fish of a lifetime.

 
Outdoor News & Notes

Cutthroat won't be going back into Silver King Creek any time soon; Klamath Dam removal gets good news; and Delta fisheries biologists get a scold. Here is the latest fishing news from Northern California:

 
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Trinity's trophy browns a worthy target and salmon problem

While fishing the Trinity River during the early days of the fly-fishing only water below Lewiston Dam and the Lewiston Hatchery, we made an interesting discovery.   Among the rainbows we were catching and releasing, we were also hooking some fine-looking brown trout from 12 to 18 inches. 

 
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Sept. 29 through Oct, 5

Autumn isn’t quite a week old and already it’s looking like a promising season. Salmon fishing is outstanding on the American River, stripers are on the move in the Delta and at San Luis Reservoir. In addition, there are numerous trout options and a spotted bass fishery kicking out dozens of fish per day. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Trout Plants: Sept. 26 through Oct. 1

The following lakes, streams, ponds and creeks this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Sept. 22 through Sept. 28

Stripers are beginning to make their fall move toward the Delta. Salmon are doing the same and migrating up through the Central Valley Rivers. Albacore are just offshore and trout are offering some special opportunities. Check them all out in this week’s Best Bites.

 
Monday, September 19, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
State inland coho record set at Lake Oroville

Rick Kennedy of Tight Lines Guide Service is the first angler to hold the record in the category of inland coho salmon.

 
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Trout Plants for the week of Sept. 18

The following lakes, streams, rivers and ponds this week will be planted with catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, September 16, 2011
Take care before chasing Sac salmon

There is a good run of salmon underway on the Sacramento River and it has reached the Bend District between Red Bluff and Redding.

 
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Don't overlook the obvious when planning fishing strategy

The best spots are the best spots because they are good.

 
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Best Bites: Sept. 15 through Sept. 21

There are rumors and high hopes this week. There are rumors of albacore off the Guide Seamount 50 miles outside the Golden Gate. There are also rumors of an early fall striped bass bite at New Hogan. Verified reports of white sea bass off the beaches of Moss Landing and salmon in Santa Cruz but how long those will last is anyone’s guess. The salmon fishing on the Sacramento isn’t quite the stuff of best bites, but it’s improving. Other fisheries to keep an eye on are the spotted bass at Bullard’s Bar and Whiskeytown. Both are just starting to get very good. But we are putting our money on these fisheries to be this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, September 12, 2011
Trout plants for the week of Sept. 11

The following lakes, streams, creeks and ponds this week will receive catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, September 8, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
State record king caught at Trinity Lake

A state record has been established in the newly created category for inland king salmon.

 
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Sept. 8 through Sept. 14

Trout fishermen would do well heading toward Tioga Pass. From the top they can hit Saddlebag Lake or proceed down the pass to Highway 395. A left turn will point you toward Lundy Lake. A right turn will send you toward Convict Lake or Little Virginia Lake. Both are on fire. Other good choices are catfish at San Pablo Reservoir, stripers at Lake San Antonio, salmon at the Golden Gate or trout at Lewiston Lake. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Trout Plants: Sept. 5 through Sept. 10

The following lakes, streams, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, September 2, 2011
Kinder, gentler approach leads to better spawning success

This is a story of sex, deceit and the desperate struggle for survival. And it plays out every year like a Greek tragedy, starting with romance and ending in... yes, death. It is the saga of what you probably once thought of as just another fish. The saga of the Coho Salmon.

 
Half-pound steelhead on the Klamath put a charge into fall fishing

September is here and that means it’s time to hit the Klamath River for the annual run of half-pound steelhead. It’s a favorite time of year for many anglers.   

 
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Sept. 1 through Sept. 7

The first week of September brings the start of fall fishing. Anglers have most water to themselves and plenty of choices. There are salmon gathering outside the Golden Gate ready to provide late season saltwater action as well as solid fishing on the Central Valley Rivers. There are some big white sea bass cruising Monterey Bay and the hope of albacore moving close enough to shore to get within reach of party boats. But the best games going are here in this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Rock fishing by kayak brings peace, serenity and dinner

It’s been a long day at work.  Why don’t people just do what they say they’re going to do and when they say they’re going to do it? Sure would make my job easier. The soft voice from my Macintosh announces “It’s four o’clock.”

 
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Trout Plants: Aug. 29 through Sept. 2

The following lakes, rivers, streams, creeks and ponds this week will be planted with catchable trout by the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Grand theft trout

The trout in the tanks at the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery, just North of Fresno, are supposed to end up in rivers, streams and lakes all over the state, but several hundred won't make it; they were stolen in one of the state's most unusual heists.

 
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Aug. 25 through Aug. 31

With schools back in session the crowds have lessened in the mountains, leaving plenty of wide open space and quality fishing. Look for trout at Huntington Lake, Grant Lake on the June Lake Loop and the Virginia Lakes. For something different, the early season salmon bite on the lower Klamath River has been better than it has been in years. It has been so good steelhead are being ignored. Plus there are rock cod at the Farallons and along the San Mateo and Marin County coasts and a shot at salmon from shore in Benicia. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Little known but highly recommended, Medicine Lake is a trout haven

If ever there was a lake I could recommend for a trout fishing vacation trip in Northern California, one of the first choices would be Medicine Lake.  

 
Monday, August 22, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Los Vaqueros catfish record falls for second time this summer

The catfish record at Los Vaqueros has been eclipsed for the second time this summer. Alec Michaels, a seven year-old from Livermore, was the latest to take the record.

 
Still trying on the Stanislaus

Saturday mornings used to be for cartoons.

 
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Trout Plants: Aug. 22 through Aug. 26

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Trout Plants: Aug. 15 through Aug. 20

The following lakes, streams, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, August 12, 2011
Fishing News & Notes

Steelhead get some help in the East Bay; coho undergo a slight setback and eating fish makes young children smarter.  Here is the latest in fishing news.

 
Play-by-play recount of a world record striper catch

They say records are meant to be broken. What they don’t always say is what should be done once you break them. The following is a first-hand account of my experiences on Friday, August 5, 2011, when news of a potential new world record striped bass spread through the fishing community like wildfire.

 
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Best Bites: Aug. 11 through Aug. 24

Go west. Go west to the Pacific Coast and get out and get after the best salmon fishing we’ve had in years. So plentiful you can catch them from shore at the Pacifica Pier and the state park in Benicia. No sure thing, but its happening. Salmon are plentiful enough for trollers and moochers off Monterey, the Marin Coast and Bodega Bay to expect limits.  There are other options, too. Rock cod out of Pillar Point, mackinaw at Lake Tahoe, trout on the West Walker River. There are all kinds of fun available in this week’s Best Bites:

 
Truckee trout gets away but the memory never will

        One of the finest trout rivers in both the states of California and Nevada is the Truckee River.  Access to this fine river is almost unlimited as it runs along a highway most of the time. 

 
Monday, August 8, 2011
Fishing time not spent is time lost

Time. Who has time to go fishing? We all have tight schedules yes, but everyone can take a couple of hours to get their line wet. Here is how you do it.

 
Bass Pro Charlie Weyer gives the how-to on the go-to Senko

Since the day a plastic Bic ballpoint pen gave birth to the idea of a plastic earthworm replica, the Yamamoto Senko has become the go-to bait of bass anglers around the world. 

 
Marble Mountains provide top-notch backcountry trout angling

By far the best fishing I’ve experienced all summer was on a recent backpacking trip to Siskiyou County’s Marble Mountain Wilderness.  If that doesn’t sound like a familiar destination, don’t be surprised,  99% of people who have heard my stories about the trip didn’t have a clue where it is located.

 
Sunday, August 7, 2011
This week's trout plants: Aug. 7 through Aug. 12

The following lakes, streams, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
First albacore found off Half Moon Bay

The first albacore of the summerr were caught Saturday off Half Moon Bay by the Connie O out of Pillar Point.

 
This week's trout plants: July 31 to Aug.6

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Parade of big fish highlight July angling action

The big fish honor roll for late July is long. All that water has made for early summer conditions during the mid-summer - coinciding with the time most anglers can make time to get out. Not all of can fish when conditions are optimal. Most do so when we can.

 
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
First shoreline salmon caught in Benicia

The inland salmon season has been slow but there is promise for better days ahead. Example? The first salmon of the season were caught in Benicia late last week.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: July 28 through Aug. 3

As we enter August, there is little  talk of the dog days of summer. Not this year. There is still cold, clear water in the mountains, salmon staging outside the gate, stripers in the bay and enough other options to keep things exciting. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Red Bluff Dam gates to go up for good; salmon to benefit

The Red Bluff Diversion Dam soon will raise its gates -  never again to be lowered. In turn,  the so-called Lake Red Bluff will be history and salmon will receive a much-needed boost. 

 
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Trout Plants: July 25 through July 30

The following lakes, streams, rivers and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tragic anniversary of toxic spill on Upper Sac remembered

Twenty years ago this month, the Cantara Loop over the Upper Sacramento River was the site of one of the worst ecological disasters in Northern California history.

 
NorCal Fishing News & Notes

In this week's News & Notes, Upper Sac to get trophy trout, Tahoe to get back its original trout and salmon give a much-needed jolt to the North Coast economy.  

 
BREAKING NEWS
13-pound brown landed at Almanor

The biggest brown taken this year from Almanor came in last week when Darrell Leaman of Turlock landed a 13-pound, two-ounce brown while fishing with guide Doug Neal of Almanor Fishing Adventures (http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com).

 
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: July 21 through July 27

Salmon are moving through Monterey and up the coast toward the Golden Gate. Wide open salmon fishing continues from Bodega Bay north. This is the news the fishery and the recreation economy has been wishing for. It’s been years since so many salmon from so many harbors have been caught. There are good inland options, too. Trout on the West Carson, West Walker are good targets. The Upper and Lower Sacramento River are fishing extremely well. Kirman is kicking out lunker brookies and cutts. Here are this week’s Best Bites:  

 
BREAKING NEWS
Trout falling from the sky at Collins Lake

It’s raining trout at Collins Lake.

 
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Inland salmon opener an expected dud

As far as openers go, the inland salmon opener of 2011 wasn’t one to remember. It was slow on all three rivers – the Sacramento, Feather and American. But most guides and bait shop operators are confident of better days ahead.

 
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Trout Plants: July 18 through July 23

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: July 14 through July 20

Saturday is the inland salmon opener and hopeful anglers will hit the Sacramento, Feather and American in search of returning kings. All signs point to the Sacramento being the best bet because of low flows on the Feather but whether there are fish and what part of the river they lurk will be unveiled this weekend. A surer thing is ocean salmon which has blown wide open this week from Monterey north. Freshwater anglers have fine options in the Crystal Basin kokanee, Eastern Sierra trout and more. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, July 11, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Almanor anglers get chance to make wishes come true

All fishermen take to the water wishing to catch the fish of a lifetime. On Saturday, Aug. 6 on Lake Almanor anglers can make the wishes of sick children come to fruition by joining the Seventh Annual Fish For A Wish trout derby.

 
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Trout Plants: July 11 through 16

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will be stocked with catchable trout by the Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, July 8, 2011
Salmon regulations at your fingertips

Here are the 2011 fishing regulations for salmon fishing on the American, Feather, Sacramento, Klamath and Trinity rivers effective Saturday, July 16. The following is a summary of seasons, daily bag and possession limits on salmon.

 
Central Valley river salmon season opens July 16

The inland salmon season begins Saturday, July 16 on the Sacramento, Feather and American rivers and few clues exist about how the early season will go.

 
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Iron Gate, Copco perch ideal for family fishing, eating

A little more than a year ago I wrote a few lines on fishing for yellow perch -  a fish  everyone can catch.  Now that is no fish tale.  After doing some research on the yellow perch I found that they are a very popular fish in the northeast and the Great Lakes area.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: July 7 through July 13

There are plenty of trout options available this week. The June Lake Loop, north to Bridgeport provide great options to the east. Edison and Huntington reservoirs are solid options on the west slope of the Sierra. Silver Lake is ice free and kicking out trout in the Central Sierra and there's good action for stripers, salmon and kokanee on the Mother Lode lakes. Time to get out and cast a line.

 
Sunday, July 3, 2011
This week's trout plants: July 3 through July 8

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week  will be planted with catchable trout by the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Los Vaqueros catfish record falls

There’s a new catfish record at Los Vaqueros Reservoir

 
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: June 30 through July 6

Celebrate the Interdependence Day weekend with trout, mackinaw, salmon, striped bass or rock fish. They all are jumping like firecrackers. The choices are yours and the options many. Here are this week’s Best Bites: 

 
Monday, June 27, 2011
Outdoor News from around the state and beyond

Probelms found in removal of Klamath dams, Russian River coho revival helped, steelhead get help in Southern California, deer poachers busted in El Dorado Co., and Florida sturgeon continue rampage. This and more in this week's Outdoors News & Notes.

 
11-year old captures 13 pounder on first bass trip

Alex and Mike Meyers made the memory of a lifetime when the father-son fishing family embarked upon on a first-time ever bass fishing trip on the tidal waters of the California Delta.

 
Sunday, June 26, 2011
This week's trout plants: June 27 through July 1

The following lakes, rivers, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, June 24, 2011
Orr Lake provides great stillwater alternative during high water

Heavy snowmelt has most rivers and creeks near unfishable condtions and experts are saying that the best stream and river fishing will be best from late July through August, and then through the month of September.  Meanwhile, now would be a good time to hit the still waters of the North State.  A favorite of mine is Orr Lake in Siskiyou County.

 
Saltwater kayak fishing tips to get you on the water

Saltwater kayak fishing has been a popular pursuit in Southern California for quite a while. It’s not unusual to see 40 or 50 kayak anglers out on a summer weekend at La Jolla Cove, for instance.

 
Thursday, June 23, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Lake record brown caught at New Melones

A new lake record for brown trout has been established at New Melones.

 
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: June 23 through June 29

Bass at Oroville and Whiskeytown; kokanee at New Melones and Whiskeytown; trout at Edison; rock cod off Bodega Bay and the first hint of striped bass on the beaches of Santa Cruz – all that and signs of salmon, too highlight this week’s Best Bites:  

 
Monday, June 20, 2011
Fishing News & Notes from Northern California

The drought's impact on agricultural not as bad as Fox News would tell, salmon return on Battle Creek threatened by upstream logging and more on the legal battles over north state, delta water in this week's news and notes.

 
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Trout Plants: June 20 through June 25

The following lakes, streams, rivers, creeks and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, June 17, 2011
Yellow Perch offer added action and good eating at Lafayette, Crowley & Iron Gate

A reader writes: “I had a question about the yellow perch in Lafayette Reservoir. I know that they encourage anglers to take these fish out of the lake if they catch them, but I can't find anything on the web about the safety of eating them.  I grew up in the Midwest and this is one of my favorite fish to eat....so wondering if I can eat these or if I should take some caution or not eat them at all?”

 
15 pound brown taken from the Trinity

A 15.2 pound brown trout was caught Monday from the Trinity River near the Lewiston Bridge. The fish was deep-hooked and could not be released.

 
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: June 16 through June 22

You can’t go wrong taking your father fishing this weekend. Whether you catch the fish of a lifetime or just have a great day outdoors it’s time well spent. These spots will provide the best shot at great action. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Delta water users sue for more water, disregard salmon

Lawsuits, lawsuits and more lawsuits. Get used to this because there is no end in sight. Here are the latest legal actions and how it may impact fishing:

 
Monday, June 13, 2011
Trout Plants: June 13 through June 18

The following lakes, streams, rivers, creeks and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, June 10, 2011
Lake Tahoe bass fishery targeted by DFG

Bass boats won’t zooming alongside the classic wooden boats at Lake Tahoe anytime soon if a California Department of Fish & Game program focused on eradicating a thriving bass is successful.

 
Big bass highlights hot bite at Del Valle

A 12.9 pound largemouth bass was caught last Friday at Del Valle Reservoir. The bass was kept and the picture that was taken was too blurry for publication.

 
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Every Picture Tells a Story, Chapter XI

Ten-year old Alex Christeson started a new hobby this year: collecting “whopper” glasses from Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

 
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Best Bites: June 9 through June 15

Here comes spring fishing, just in time for summer. The latest news bring a salmon bite at Duxbury Reef, ice out at Rock Creek Lake and possibly the Mammoth Lakes Basin, rock cod fishing above Pigeon Point beginning Monday. There are a plethora of other angling choices – some at the same places - that should bring good results. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, June 6, 2011
Fishing for stripers but finding salmon

We went fishing last week for striped bass but instead of returning with a cooler full of filets we came back with high hopes for salmon later in the summer.

 
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Trout plants: June 6 through June 11

The following lakes, streams, rivers, creeks and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Flying sturgeon strike again, salmon being lured upstream with large flows and more

The flying sturgeon of Florida has struck again. Plus, additional water releases into the Sacramento River may draw salmon upstream; "Wild Justice" case advances through the courts and the San Joaquin salmon return may be delayed.

 
Friday, June 3, 2011
Sport Fishing business lease for sale

The business lease for Huck Finn Sportfishing in Pillar Point is for sale.

 
Another big brown comes out of Lake Tahoe

Another 10-pound-plus brown trout has been pulled from Lake Tahoe.

 
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites, June 2 through June 8

No matter where you go this first weekend of June you’re going to need winter gear to fend off the cold temperatures and predicted rain and snow. But there’s never a bad time to fish and these options offer a good chance of success, no matter what the weather brings. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Trout plants: May 30 through June 3

The following lakes, streams, rivers, creeks and ponds this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, May 26, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Sonora and Ebbetts passes open in time for Memorial Day travel

The virtually around-the clock efforts by CalTrans may lead to the opening of Sonora Pass and Ebbetts Pass in time for the Memorial Day Weekend.

 
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: May 26 through June 1

This three-day weekend doesn’t give enough time to explore much of the fishing available fishing opportunities but there are excellend options no matter where you live and some are close enough that the fuel bill won’t be such a burden. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, May 23, 2011
Time to get your shad on in the Central Valley

It’s that shad time of year on Central Valley rivers and the timing is just about right to begin pursuing this often overlooked but more than worthy fish.

 
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Trout Plant schedule for the Memorial Day Weekend

The following lakes, streams and reservoirs this week will receive plants of catchable trout:

 
Friday, May 20, 2011
Every Picture Tells a Story, Part X

The picture of San Jose resident Jose Carillo proudly holding a 13.3 pound trout from Quarry Lakes in Fremont is a brag-worthy keepsake.

 
Thursday, May 19, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Mercury-laden trout, bass a growing threat in Sierra waters

The threat of over-consumption of mercury-tainted fish from the waters of the western Sierra is a serious threat that requires more education.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Sierra snow may block Memorial Day access to Eastern Sierra trout

Winter conditions in the Sierra may make passage from the west to the east problematic for anglers wanting to try the lakes and rivers along Highway 395 during the Memorial Day weekend.

 
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Flying sturgeon crashes boat and more

Flying sturgeon injures woman, cutthroat may be brought back to Tahoe and the Yuba River is "endangered" are the highlights of this week's Fishing News.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: May 19 through May 25

It’s another transition week given the winter weather of last weekend and the spring weather to come. Neither fish or fishermen have been able to get in a rhythm given the dramatically changing conditions. That all may change this week and with these Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Find your secret alpine trout lake with a little investigation and care

Finding a secret fishing spot is a challenge, but by using easily accessed maps and some care you can reach the solitude of an alpine lake and the quality fishing that comes with it.

 
Monday, May 16, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
North Coast salmon season opener a good one

The North Coast salmon season opened Saturday with signs of good fishing to come. Rock cod season opened Sunday and with quality halibut fishing already going on it’s a great time to be fishing the North Coast.

 
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Trout plants: May16 through May 21

The following lakes, rivers and streams this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, May 13, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Bragging fish of all kinds being hauled in

It’s that big fish time of the year.

 
Thursday, May 12, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
First salmon limits of season scored out of Pillar Point

The Connie O out of Pillar Point was the first boat launching between the Golden Gate and Monterey to score salmon limits this season when it caught 14 salmon for seven people Wednesday while fishing outside the Deep Reef off Pescadero.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Big crappie becomes a trophy, not a record

Bill Taylor and his cousin, Paul Santos, may have caught a state record black crappie last weekend at New Melones Reservoir. It won’t go into the books because it’s with a taxidermist in Ripon, but the four pound, one-ounce crappie may have tied the state record

 
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Best Bites: May 12 through May 18

There is reason to expect better salmon fishing off Pillar Point and nearly sure things at Clear Lake, Don Pedro and New Melones where multiple species of fish are on the bite. There are plenty of enticing options in this week’s Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
42-pound striper landed, released in Feather

Darrrel Fredrickson hadn’t fished for striped bass in years. He picked the right time to get out again.

 
Monday, May 9, 2011
California fishing-related news & notes

Farmers sue fishermen; Study on Marin Creeks may help salmon, Klamath dam removal plans move along and Fresno State’s bass team wins big are the highlights in this week’s California fishing news.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Baby salmon poached fresh from hatchery trucks

Five people were cited late last week for allegedly poaching juvenile hatchery salmon only hours after the fish had been released into the American River.

 
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Trout Plants, May 8 through May 14

The following lakes, rivers and streams this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Saturday, May 7, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Red hot salmon bite at Shelter Cove

The salmon bite is on at Shelter Cove

 
Friday, May 6, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
NCFN honored as "Best Internet Site" in OWAC competition

At the Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) meeting in Lake County, on Sunday, May 1, Tim Goode received the first place award for Website, "NorCalFishingNews.com"

 
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Every Picture Tells a Story IX

The picture of Marvin Childs holding his 15-pound, 15-ounce brown trout tells a lot of stories, all of them relevant to any who fish. The picture displays a benefit of pursuing great fish, but doesn’t show the reasons.

 
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: May 5 through May 11

The first warm weather weekend of 2011 is upon us. How will you spend it? Chasing trout? Bass? Rock fish an salmon? Stripers? There are options. Bring plenty of bait and sun screen. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Boat seeking Captain

A fully restored 83 year old, 39 foot, Monterey in Pillar Point Harbor named the "Irene" located at the end of D dock is in need of a captain.

 
Fishing News Roundup from around the state

Fish win a round in a judicial ruling but the battle is far from over. Global warming predicted to change the Delta ecosystem, not to mention the Sierra and a poacher gets jail time. This and more in this week’s news & notes:

 
Monday, May 2, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Eastern Sierra trout opener brings big fish, medium crowds

Two thousand anglers isn’t a small gathering by any means, but that was the estimated crowd for Saturday’s trout opener at Crowley Lake.

 
Sunday, May 1, 2011
This week's trout plants: May 1 through May 6

The following waters this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: April 28 through May 4

Trout season opens Saturday in the mountains. Rock cod season opens Sunday below Pigeon Point. There’s also excellent bass and trout fishing in mid-elevation lakes. Even shad have started showing in the Sacramento River. The list of this week’s Best Bites is long and varied. Here they are:

 
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Trout opener predicted to have plenty of water, fish and good weather

The 2011 trout opener on Saturday may be a great one. It brings plenty of water and the forecast for good weather.

 
Sunday, April 24, 2011
This week's trout plants: April 25 through April 30

The following lakes, rivers and streams will this week receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Friday, April 22, 2011
Central Valley rivers to get full salmon season

The California Department of Fish and Game announced the 2011 river salmon regulations on Thursday, with some increased opportunities over last year for local anglers.

 
North State trout opener a great tradition, but choose the right spot

I always try to look at the opening of trout season with enthusiasm. Depending on where you plan to go, weather could sometimes be a factor. For sure high water this year will be an element to consider when choosing your waters. The heavy snowpack this year will cause high water runoff in most of the major drainages and larger rivers.

 
Lure selection the key to trout opener success

Heavy metal music blaring on my MP3 player and heavy metal in my tackle box can only mean one thing: the opening of trout season. The heavy metal will keep you rocking even when the river is raging.

 
Every Picture Tells a Story VIII

Bass pro Ron Tobey felt like a fish out of water in the accompanying photo. Possibly like a fish that just got clubbed. Worse, he was a fisherman out of the water, out of his boat and not in any shape to get started in a recent Pro Am at Clear Lake.

 
Bass Pro establishes a PB at New Melones

As John Loverin set off to New Melones to do some last minute tournament prep for an upcoming event on the lake, he had no idea what the day had in store for him.  The day on the water in late March turned into the day Loverin was able to pull a personal best from the foothill lake near Angels Camp.

 
This week's trout plants, April 18 through April 23

The following lakes, ponds, streams and rivers this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
NorCal Fishing News Roundup

Wild salmon may be extinct, sturgeon rescued near Sacramento, striper regulations to change and Klamath salmon may be listed threatened or worse. These are the hightlights of this week's news roundup.

 
Happy Birthday to NorCalFishingNews

It’s been a year this week since we launched NorCalFishingNews and we’d like to thank you for your continuing support.

 
Thursday, April 14, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Lunker striper landed at Los Vaqueros

It wasn’t a lake record but the 34.2-pound striped bass caught Monday at Los Vaqueros Reservoir by David Christeson was certainly a bragging fish.

 
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Best Bites: April 14 through April 20

Each week there is more and more promise on the fishing front. A bit warmer weather, a little clearer water and bang! Good fishing all over. Such is the case in this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Cody Meyer explains how to target pre-spawn bass

As April’s  full moon is predicted to trigger in bass the undeniable urge to spawn, visible signs of pre-spawn bass already have begun to appear.  FLW tournament pro Cody Meyer shared his thoughts on targeting this phase and gave a demonstration of how to do so in a lake environment at Pardee Reservoir during the recent 2011 Media Day.

 
Sunday, April 10, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon anglers looking for a rhythm, schools of fish

There was good news from the north, some promise from the south and spotty results in between during Sunday’s salmon fishing.

 
This week's trout plants, April 10 through April 15

The following lakes, streams, rivers and pond this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game.

 
Friday, April 8, 2011
Every Picture Tells a Story VII

Cole Matsuda is too young to really understand the greatness of the catch he and his father, Todd, made in March at Quarry Lakes in Fremont.

 
Bragging brown landed at Pardee

The first big brown of the season was landed last weekend at Pardee Reservoir.

 
Glory Hole Sports, Ca. Fly Shop to host spring fishing events

Glory Hole Sports in Angels Camp and California Fly Shop in San Carlos both are holding spring events to help anglers prepare for the upcoming season.

 
Thursday, April 7, 2011
News, Notes & Announcements

Big bass, big browns and other news and events are here:

 
Don't let snags hang you up

When I set the hook as my line stopped on that perfect drift, there was something very big on the end of my line. Whatever it was couldn‘t be moved. As it turned out, what I had done was set my hook into a rock pile.

 
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Best Bites, April 7 through April 13

Salmon season is on, bass fishing is busting loose, the first halibut are being reported and a last good surge of steelhead is taking place. These are the highlights of this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, April 4, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon Sunday keeps promise of a good season

Opening weekend of the 2011 salmon season in Monterey Bay showed enough promise for anglers from other harbors to be eager to hit the decks and drop a line.

 
Sunday, April 3, 2011
This week's trout plants: April 4 through April 9

The following lakes, streams and ponds this week will receive plants of trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Saturday, April 2, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon opener brings quick bite, shakers in Monterey

Action was immediate but relatively brief for the 2011 salmon opener Saturday and all of it was in Monterey Bay.

 
Friday, April 1, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon season to open tomorrow

The salmon season will open tomorrow after the Office of Administrative Law Friday morning finalized recommendations from the California Fish & Game Commission to allow the season to begin.

 
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Red tape, weather may delay salmon opener

The 2011 salmon season opener scheduled for Saturday is in limbo and whether fishing will be allowed or when it will be allowed  to begin won’t be known until Friday at 5 p.m. when the California Office of Administrative Law makes a final decision.

 
Monster sturgeon caught and released in San Pablo Bay

The biggest sturgeon of the year was caught-and-released Tuesday in San Pablo Bay near the Pumphouse - a behemoth measured at 12-feet, five inches and estimated to weigh more than 800 pounds.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: March 31 through April 6

This week’s best bites come with a lot of hope. Hope for a bang-up salmon opener Saturday. Hope the coming warm weather triggers a bass bite through the lower elevation lakes and the break in the rain allows the lakes to settle and resume the very good trout fishing that was being enjoyed. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, March 28, 2011
Help wanted

NorCalFishingNews is looking for sales people to help grow the NorCalFishingNews site. Industry experience is a plus but any print or electronic sales experience will be considered in this commissioned position. Send a resume and brief cover letter to Tim@norcalfishingnews.com. The spot is perfect for a retiree in need of extra income or a part-time worker with extra hours to maximize.

 
News & Notes for the week of March 28

Delta water decision to come delayed, native fish on the wane at Tahoe and coho on the rebound at the Russian River are the headlines in this week’s News & Notes.

 
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Trout Plants: March 27 through April 2

The following lakes, rivers and streams this week will receive catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Best Bites: March 24 through March 30

Winter weather has rudely interupted the advent of spring. We will enjoy better days later because of this new water but for now rivers are high and unsafe and many lakes are under restrictions. There are still some spots that qualify for best bites and next week’s forecast should bring a go do it time for bass anglers all over the state, including Clear Lake, Frank’s Tract and Lake Nacimiento and the Mother Lode lakes. But that is when the rain stops and the sun comes out. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Salmon Season to open amid high hopes

Salmon season opens on Saturday, April 2 and already party boats out of Monterey are booked for the opener and calls are starting to come in to reserve space at the other harbors between Cape Mendocino and Point Sur.

 
Fishing news & notes from around the state

Delta anglers may take another hit if new striped bass regulations are enacted; San Joaquin River anglers get good news and the popular Lake McSwain trout derby will soon be open to registration highlight this week’s news & notes.

 
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Trout plants: March 21 through March 26

The following lakes, rivers and streams this week will receive plants of catchable trout from the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Huge trout at Quarry Lakes, Camanche and Collins highlight angling action

Monster trout, some caught and some still roaming, highlight recent Northern California fishing action. A near record in Fremont, a Titan on the loose at Collins Lake and husband and wife team land two lunkers from the same shoreline.  

 
Best Bites: March 17 through March 23

Want sturgeon? We’ve got sturgeon. Black bass? Got that. Stripers? You bet. Trout? Plenty of choices. Whatever type of fishing you want to partake this weekend, there are quality options. The best are here in this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Alan Fong provides Delta pre-spawn bass solutions

Cold winter days have started dwindling and the blossoming vegetation is arriving.  To California Delta fishermen and the bass that live within the Sacramento-San Joaquin waterway this means only one thing…the pre spawn period has commenced.

 
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Trout plants: March 13 through March 18

The following lakes, rivers and streams this week will be planted with catchable trout by the California Department of Fish & Game:

 
Thursday, March 10, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon season set to open April 2

The sport salmon season is set to kick off on Saturday, April 2 and the only questions remaining regarding the 2011 salmon season is whether it will end in September, October or November.

 
Every Picture Tells a Story VI

When Kerry Fong was a child growing up in Oakland, he spent many afternoons swimming and fishing for crawdads at Lake Temescal. Those times helped spark his love of fishing and as an adult; he has spent close to four decades fishing the lakes of the East Bay.

 
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Another record largemouth caught at Santa Margarita

A lake record largemouth has been caught at Santa Margarita Lake near San Luis Obispo for the second time in two years, proving anglers don’t need a groundhog to tell them spring is near - the arrival of big bass does the trick.

 
Best Bites: March 19 through March 16

All signs point toward spring and improved striped bass and black bass fishing. Trout fishing is excellent at a number of spots highlighted in this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Lunker bass comes out of Shadow Cliffs

Ed Bore of Concord wasn’t looking for more than a few trout as he cast his fly rod at Shadow Cliffs while kicking in his float tube. Instead, Bore hooked into the biggest bass landed in the Bay Area this spring when he caught and released a 14-pound, 8-pounce largemouth on March 3.

 
Monday, March 7, 2011
Fishing News & Notes - Posted March 3

Salmon season seems on target; Delta pumping gains support, especially with the push to eliminate sportfish; and a state record rainbow is caught in Nevada. These and other stories highlight this week's fishing news. 

 
Sunday, March 6, 2011
This week's trout plants: March 7 throug March 12

Catchable trout will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish & Game in the following waters:

 
Friday, March 4, 2011
Electro-shock surveys show healthy bass, crappie in East Bay lakes

The lakes dotting the east bay area have a reputation for fine winter and spring trout fishing, but bass and crappie anglers have reason to celebrate their opportunities, too.

 
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: March 3 through March 9

It’s transition time and one has to be able to time the weather, water conditions and the like to maximize prospects. This week’s Best Bites give you the best chance at success.

 
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Bass pro Mike Folkestad shares drop shot tips he uses to win

Mike Folkestad has become an icon in the world of bass fishing. Known as the quintessential finesse fisherman in the sport that specializes in the drop shot,  he agreed to share his tips on the technique so  it can be added to every angler’s arsenal.

 
Monday, February 28, 2011
Fishing news & notes from around the state

A temporary settlement in the Delta water wars may mean bad news for striped bass, Stimulus funds save jobs and salmon, a poacher gets caught three times in three weeks and "Wild Justice" witness decides to stand tall. These and other stories highlight New & Notes.

 
Sunday, February 27, 2011
This week's trout plants: Feb. 27 through March 5

The Department of Fish & Game this week will stock the following waters with catchable trout:

 
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Feb. 24 through March 2

Whatever you do this weekend, don’t forget the jacket, gloves and cap and be prepared to knock ice of the guides on your pole. There are still worthwhile endeavors while the arctic chill embraces Northern California. Among them are these, this week’s Best Bites: