Recent news headlines from NorCal Fishing News

Every year around this time, specifically May 20^th, the huge great western stoneflies start hatching on the waters of the Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam.  These hatches have been going on for centuries in certain waters of the West.  By the time Memorial Day rolls around, the flies are emerging in greater numbers.

 
Thursday, May 23, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

Ben Hutchinson's big mackinaw would make for a pretty picture no matter how he caught it. But it wins Picture of the Week award because he caught it from shore – on trout gear.

 
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: May 23 through May 29

The upcoming Memorial Day weekend means more time on the water and the chance at reaching places a little further from home – plenty of time to reach Eagle Lake for its opener. The extra day  presents a lot more inviting targets for the aggressive or curious angler. There are good options for striper, trout, bass, sturgeon and salmon. Are we missing anything? Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Eagle Lake season opens Saturday

Beleaguered Eagle Lake, home of the iconic Eagle Lake trout, opens to fishing Saturday and the challenges facing the lake are on full display.

 
Monday, May 20, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Saturday, May 25

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Saturday, May 23:

 
Klamath-Trinity fall salmon limit expected to be 4 fish

The 2013 Fall Chinook salmon regulations for the Klamath and Trinity River drainages are in the final approval phase.  The proposed season for the Klamath River will be from September 1^st through December 31^st.  The Trinity River season will run from September1st through December 31^st.

 
Sunday, May 19, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: May 20 through May 24

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

 
Saturday, May 18, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Sunday, May 19

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Sunday, May 19:

 
Friday, May 17, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Friday, May 17

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Friday, May 17:

 
Bass pro Gary Dobyns tells how to master Oroville

After decades of bass fishing experience and countless tournament wins on his home water, the "West's All-Time Leading Money Winner" Gary Dobyns shared some late spring, early summer info to help you enjoy 100 fish days on Lake Oroville.

 
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Party Boat Scores for Thursday, May 16

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Thursday, May 15:

 
Picture of the Week

Ashley Lotscher knows it takes confidence to catch fish. She is brimming with it, especially after having one of the better days any angler has reported recently at Lake Del Valle.

 
NorCal Fishing News and Announcements

Another big brown comes out of Twin Lakes, Tioga Pass is open, Chico hosts kids fishing day, Tracy Bass Tourney nets big ones and more in this week's news and announcements ...

 
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: May 16 through May 22

Keep an eye on the weather report, if the wind dies down there’s no reason to think the salmon bite won’t be back on. When weather allows there have been limits from Half Moon Bay north to Eureka. Keep an eye on the tide tables. Big tides next week mean another good shot at sturgeon. When those tides subside it will be time for live bait drifting for halibut. Plus, be ready to move on shad. It’s not red-hot but that can change soon. Meanwhile, here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, May 13, 2013
Party Boat Scores for Wednesday, May 15

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Wednesday, May 15:

 
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Party Boat Scores from Mothers Day

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Sunday, May 12:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: May 13 through May 17

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

 
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Party Boat Scores for Saturday, May 11

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Saturday, May 11:

 
Friday, May 10, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
45 pound sturgeon caught at Lake Chabot

Jon Clark was hoping to catch a trout or three Friday morning at Lake Chabot, instead he caught the first sturgeon from the Castro Valley lake since 1997 and earned himself a lake record..

 
Thursday, May 9, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Thursday, May 9

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Thursday, May 9:

 
Fishing, life and Mom

Even though the Upper Sacramento River is open year-round, I had a hotel room booked in Dunsmuir for opening weekend.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

Rarely does a 12-inch trout bring tears to an angler’s eyes. It did so for Pete Antonino and rightly so.

 
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Wednesday, May 8

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Wednesday, May 8:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: May 9 through May 15

The recent weather front played havoc on anglers, keeping boats from venturing out of the Golden Gate and putting snow in the high Sierra. All that changes this weekend with warmer weather and less wind. Should be a great weekend to wet a line, especially at any of these hot spots. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Tuesday, May 7

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Tuesday, May 7:

 
Sunday, May 5, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Sunday, May 5

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Sunday, May 5:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: May 6 through May 10

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

 
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Party Boat Scores for Saturday, May 4

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Saturday, May 4:

 
Friday, May 3, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Friday, May 3

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Friday, May 3:

 
Thursday, May 2, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
17 pound brown caught at lower Twin Lakes

Stan Stewart of Bishop nailed a 17-pound brown trout while trolling Wednesday evening on lower Twin Lake outside of Bridgeport.

 
BREAKING NEWS
When the Giants come to town, it's bye, bye salmon

Some members of the San Francisco Giants took advantage of a rare day off to enjoy some of the great salmon fishing. In fishing, like in baseball, sometimes it's best to be lucky rather than good. On Wedesday, the Giants were both.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Thursday, May 2

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Thursday, May 2:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

It was a difficult task choosing the Picture of the Week.

 
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat Scores for Wednesday, May 1

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Wednesday, May 1:

 
Best Bites: May 2 through May 8

Salmon fishing is open on the length of the coast and rock cod are in play below Pigeon Point. Although wind kept boats from Eureka from getting out, they will fish Thursday. On top of that there is excellent bass fishing at Oroville and Shasta and good trout fishing at Lewiston, McCloud River and Twin Lakes. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Upper Klamath trout conditions perking up

The official trout season is underway. While most opening days of years past were generally cold and windy - that was last week.  Now and for the coming week it is 80 degrees.  There is a considerable warm front in the North State making it quite comfortable.  Here is some information on the Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam.

 
Fishing News and Notes

This edition of fishing news & notes brings the announcement of a party in Oakhurst, salmon cam on Butte Creek, San Joaquin River salmon restoration update and light dimming in Redding ... 

 
Monday, April 29, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Trout opener delivers four 10 pound browns at Lower Twin Lake

Warm weather and fully stocked rivers and lakes greeted anglers during the opening weekend of trout season.

 
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Party Boat scores for Tuesday, April 29

Here are the Party Boat scores for Tuesday, April 29:

 
Trout Plants: April 29 through May 3

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

 
Saturday, April 27, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat scores for Saturday, April 27

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Saturday, April 27:

 
Friday, April 26, 2013
Party Boat scores for Friday, April 26

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Friday, April 26:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

Picture of the Week is a picture of success. It’s a photo of the spawning channel at Pyramid Lake, which opened earlier in the month. Lahontan cutthroat are coming back in greater numbers than expected.

 
Thursday, April 25, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat scores for Thursday, April 25

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Thursday, April 25:

 
Excellent forecast for saturday's trout opener

All is clear for Saturday’s trout opener. Mountain passes are open. Warm weather will greet anglers on the Eastern slope of the Sierra and hot weather will test anglers on the western side.

 
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Party Boat scores for Wednesday, April 24

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Wednesday, April 22:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: April 25 through May 1

It’s a great time of year. Traditional trout opener is Saturday. Salmon limits are coming in daily from Half Moon Bay and today a party boat from Monterey had a fish per angler – best day of the year. But there’s more. Shad are at Freeport and in the American River below Watt Avenue. Stripers are plentiful above Knight’s Landing. It’s tough to choose but at least there are many choices. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Clear Lake lives up to big bass cred at Lucas Oil Tourney

Bass anglers from across the country have heard tales of the big bass limits from famed Northern California “Bass Capital of the West” – Clear Lake.

 
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat scores for Tuesday, April 23

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Tuesday, April 23:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Small tributaries a good spot for early trout success

Traditionally the official opening of the general trout season is the last Saturday in April.  That generally includes all the fantastic, massive  drainages from the Sierra, the coastal ranges, and the southern Cascades.

 
Here comes the trout opener

Trout season opens Saturday and here’s one more reason to be excited. This 18.1 pound brown caught last October awaits anglers planning to fish the June Lake Loop.

 
Monday, April 22, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat scores for Monday, April 22

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Monday, April 22:

 
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Party Boat scores for Sunday, April 21

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Sunday, April 21:

 
Trout Plants: April 22 through April 26

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

 
Saturday, April 20, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Party Boat scores for April 20

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Saturday, April 20:

 
Friday, April 19, 2013
Party Boat scores for April 19

Here are the Party Boat Scores for Friday, April 19:

 
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Solid salmon scores and limits for the Berkeley boats today

For the first time since April 7 salmon boats were able to get back out today and they found the salmon just where they left them. Boats had solid scores at the Deep Reef in Half Moon Bay, including limit catches by the New Easy Rider and New El Dorado III from Berkeley.

 
Picture of the Week

The bass bite is excellent at Lake Berryessa. Proof is in the latest Picture of the Week with guide Don Paganelli and Kate Hayashigatani with a four-pound plus smallmouth from Berryessa.

 
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Ocean and inland salmon season dates set

The California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) adopted ocean and inland salmon season regulations for 2013 at its meeting today in Santa Rosa.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: April 18 through April 24

The wind is expected to lessen and allow anglers to get back out on the water. There are good prospects available. Los Vaqueros Reservoir has been heavily stocked for this weekend’s derby as has Lake McSwain. Striped bass are making their move up the Sacramento River and are being caught in good numbers all the way to Colusa. For those who want an alpine setting without driving to the Sierra, the Mount Tamalpais lakes have been stocked with good sized trout, offering angling action and beautiful surroundings. San Francisco Bay Area salmon boats haven’t been out since opening weekend but boat will resume fishing this weekend when the wind gets down. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Countdown to trout opener

The countdownis on for the 2013 Trout Opener.

 
Monday, April 15, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
King salmon delivered to Pillar Point

The first of three deliveries that will eventually total 420,000 salmon Monday was dropped into a net pen at Pillar Point Harbor, soon to be released after a short period of acclimation.

 
NorCalFishingNews is 3

Today marks the third year of publishing the free  online fishing magazine, NorCalFishingNews.com.

 
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Trout Plants: April 15 through April 19

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

 
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Picture of the Week

This week's Picture of the Week is a sign of good things coming our way. This is not just any salmon, but a Los Angeles-caught salmon.

 
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: April 11 through April 17

The wind may have a say in this week’s fishing forecast but if boats can get outside the Golden Gate this weekend they will be heading south toward Half Moon Bay for salmon. There are other notable items worth considering. Ice is out at Bucks Lake and the ramp at Lakeshore Lodge is open. New Hogan stripers are on an early rampage and stripers are hanging around Rio Vista, too. Read more in this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
New fishing regulations provide worthwhile reading

The new Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for California and issued by the newly named  Department of Fish & Wildlife,

were recently issued last month (March) and are effective from March 1, 2013, through February 28, 2014.  If you purchased your fishing license before these regulations came out, it’s advisable to get a copy as there were quite a few changes. 

 
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Trout Plants: April 8 through April 12

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

 
Saturday, April 6, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon found outside Half Moon Bay

The salmon opener was a success in Half Moon Bay, so much so the boats from Berkeley, Emeryville, Sausalito and San Francisco all converged about 15 miles west of Pillar Point, near the Deep Reef,  to participate.

 
Friday, April 5, 2013
Fed study says remove Klamath dams

GRANTS PASS, Ore.—The federal government on Thursday recommended that all four aging hydroelectric dams be removed from the Klamath River in southern Oregon and Northern California to help struggling wild salmon runs, and nearly $1 billion should be spent on environmental restoration.

 
Get your drift on, but be prepared

For the past four years I’ve fished the Sacramento River in Redding from shore, hooking rainbows on the edges and watching drift boats glide down fishy runs and hook up consistently. I finally had enough of grinding out a few fish while the dudes in the boats watched their rods bend with massive resident rainbows.

 
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The crafty bass - a history lesson

When I was a young boy I used to fish a place called Salem Pond in central Utah. I didn’t have any fancy tackle as times were tough and it was during World War II.   I used a long cane rod I purchased at the Chase Lumber Yard in nearby Payson.  It was a long pole with a three-foot line tied to the end with a worm hook.   I would stick the rod through cattails and drop a the bait through little hole openings in the moss - mainly fishing for palm-sized bluegills.

 
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: April 4 through April 10

Angling attention is focused on the ocean for Saturday’s salmon opener. But that’s far from the only option in the Northern California angling game. There are good prospects for bass and trout, as is typical in spring. Sturgeon are thick near Rio Vista and stripers are edging upriver toward Freeport. But you know Saturday will be about salmon. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Picture of the Week

Eight-year old Michael Han learned a couple of valuable lessons last weekend at Shadow Cliffs.

 
Monday, April 1, 2013
Better bassing through kickboating

As many of the B.A.S.S. followers know, our own NorCal pro Chris Zaldain from San Jose took his bassin' from the kickboat to the Bassmaster Elite Series. Although he now competes amongst the crème de la crème of bass anglers in the world, Zaldain began his blast-offs in the San Jose Bass-N-Tubes club for kayaks, kickboats and float tubes.

 
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Trout Plants: April 1 through April 5

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

 
Monday, March 25, 2013
17 pounder caught from New Melones

A 17-pound, 13-ounce largemouth bass, the biggest in a big bass spring at New Melones, was landed March 19 by Alex Niapas.

 
BREAKING NEWS
17 pounder caught from New Melones

A 17-pound, 13-ounce largemouth bass, the biggest in a big bass spring at New Melones, was landed March 19 by Alex Niapas.

 
Say hello to my little friend

Thanks to a childhood spent throwing big lures at salmon, it took me awhile to accept tiny little bug imitations as the way to go when fly fishing.

 
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Trout Plants: March 25 through March 29

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

 
Friday, March 22, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Big week for big fish, pending world record from New Melones

Last week was extremely productive for big fish; highlighted by a 17-pound, 28-inch trout from Shadow Cliffs, the biggest trout caught this year in Northern California.

 
Thursday, March 21, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon season to open April 6

The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) and the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) announce the recreational salmon season from Horse Mountain, Humboldt County (40° 05’ 00” N. latitude) south to the U.S. - Mexico border will open on Saturday, April 6, 2013.

 
The 2013 Salmon Boat Directory

Following is a list of Northern and Central California salmon charter boats. The harbors are listed by alphabetical order. Included are the web address, phone, boat capacity and anticipated price per person. 

 
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: March 21 through March 27

Not a lot of better ways to celebrate the first weekend in spring other than breathing in crisp air, casting into cold, clear water and battling any number of worthy finned opponents. That opportunity awaits Northern California anglers in almost any direction. If you need evidence, consider in the past week there were 12 pound bass caught at Contra Loma and Lake Camanche, a 17 pound trout at Shadow Cliffs, a 16 pound brown trout at Stampede. Happy spring. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Picture of the Week

Tony Olson and Chris Fenton were on a mission for big browns at Lake Almanor. They spent all day March 3 trolling Rapalas in search of brown trout.

 
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Trout Plants: March 18 through March 22

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

 
Friday, March 15, 2013
Kayak, bass tourneys announced

Time to put Kayak fishing tournaments, Orland bass tourney on your calendar. Here is the info:

 
Thursday, March 14, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Another 10 pound bass hits the deck

Dave Maughan of Santa Rosa last Saturday was fishing at Lake Sonoma and was catching-and-releaseing dinks throughout the mid-morning. The action gave no indication of the excitement to come.

 
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: March 14 through March 20

Fishing momentum is picking up. Big bass continue to be reported. Just this week there have been a 15 pounder at New Melones, 10 pounder at Contra Loma, 10 pounder at Lake Sonoma, 10 pounder from the Delta. That’s a call to anglers to get a move on. Plus lakes are warming and planting continues which means very good trout prospects. Not that you need more, but stripers are moving in San Pablo Bay and into the Sacramento River. A good weekend to get your bait and sunblock and go do it. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Tahoe goldfish could be the impetus for fishery protection

Could an overweight goldfish found in Lake Tahoe be the poster child – er, poster fish – for the protection of Northern California lakes?

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

Contra Loma Reservoir in Antioch is the latest spot to kick out a 10-pound plus largemouth.

 
Monday, March 11, 2013
Alabama striper could best CA world record

A 70 pound striped bass caught on the Black Warrior River in Alabama will break the IGFA record 67-pound, 8-ounce record for landlocked striper set in 1992 fromThe O'Neill Forebay  once the weight and method of catch is verified.

 
More controversy on the Klamath

As I write this, I am looking out the window at the Pass Riffle,  a location where I generally catch steelhead and trout. But the Klamath River is quite silty and running high and cold.  I fished yesterday but never hooked a fish and only had one strike.

 
Sunday, March 10, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
14 pounder caught at Eastman Lake

A big bass monster that tips the scale into the teens can take any bass angler's breath away, etch a lifetime memory and at the bare minimum draw hundreds, if not thousands of Facebook likes to an angler's "timeline". This past week, California Reservoir Lures staffer Mitch Melikian from the Central Valley caught a 14 pound largemouth, the second teener of his bass fishing career at Eastman Lake.

 
Trout Plants: March 11 through March 15

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

 
Thursday, March 7, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

This week’s Picture of the Week not only is a great catch, but could be signs of a great spring to come.

 
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: March 7 through March 13

This week’s cold front halted the momentum of solid bass fishing and improving trout fishing. Before the storm there were 10 pound bass reported from Loch Lomond Reservoir, Lake Amador and New Melones. All were released so they will be waiting and eager as the weather gets warmer. This week anglers should find quality fishing at Amador, Clear Lake and Collins Lake, sturgeon in the lower Sacramento River and the last, best weekend of steelhead fishing on the Smith River. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Winter run clouds otherwise bright picture of 2013 salmon season

Scientists are predicting another strong year of salmon fishing but there may be summer closures outside the Golden Gate because of the continued decline of winter-run Kings.

 
BREAKING NEWS
New Melones record spot falls just shy of world record

A New Melones lake record spotted bass caught Saturday during a tournament fell three ounces short of tying the world record.

 
Monday, March 4, 2013
Releasing your catch means taking care of the fish and the future

I’d like to start with a few things about releasing fish because the “catch and release” doctrine has become more of a requirement than a voluntary gesture. 

 
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Trout Plants: March 4 through March 9

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

 
Friday, March 1, 2013
Central Valley hatcheries release 900,000 juvenile steelhead

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released 900,000 steelhead smolts from its Central Valley hatcheries in February.

 
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Help wanted - earn extra income from home

NorCalFishingNews is planning to continue its growth and needs a few good people.

 
Help wanted - earn income from home

NorCalFishingNews is planning to continue its growth and needs a few good people.

 
Picture of the Week

There are two Pictures of the Week this week and both celebrate the opening of Lake Pardee.

 
St. Denis boys land back-to-back 20 pound macks

It was a big week on the boat of guide Gene St. Denis. Last week, his son, Eric, caught a 22 pound mackinaw while trolling on Lake Tahoe. Five days later, Gene did a bit better landing a 26 pound mackinaw.

 
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Feb. 28 through March 6

This warming trend may be a false spring, but that’s fine if that means we get to do it all over again. Temperatures are forecasted to get warmer each day through the weekend and that has bass anglers antsy with anticipation. It also bodes well for trout anglers from the foothills on down. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, February 25, 2013
Fishing News and Notes

The flooded rice fields near Sacramento may help juvenile salmon but the lights on the Sundial Bridge in Redding may hinder young Chinooks … These stories and more in this week’s News & Notes …

 
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Trout Plants: Feb. 25 through March 1

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

 
Friday, February 22, 2013
Giant goldfish found in Lake Tahoe

Researchers are finding a growing number of giant goldfish in Lake Tahoe, and questioning the ecological impact the fish could have on the lake.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

Another big bass accounts for this week's Picture of the Week. It comes from Lake Camanche where George Yonekura caught-and-released this 13.66 pound largemouth.

 
10,000 steelhead planted in Thermalito Afterbay

Feather River Hatchery stocked 10,000 steelhead in the Thermalito Afterbay in February.   This follows the stocking of 5,000 steelhead last year as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife  strives to improve recreational fishing opportunities and provide a unique fishery in the Thermalito Afterbay near Oroville. All the steelhead released were raised in the Feather River Hatchery and have two fin clips to identify them.

 
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Big trout, easy access make Upper Sac a winner

I’ve heard people slam the Upper Sacramento River because it’s so close to the freeway and the trains are a nuisance.

 
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Feb. 21 through Feb. 27

There were reports of great success last weekend but a jolt of frigid weather knocked back efforts since. As the weather warms again, there’s little reason to think the good fishing won’t resume. When it does, here are a few spots you may want to fish. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Water politics at play on the McCloud River

In his famous poem “The Song of The River,” William Randolph Hearst described the anatomy of the river that runs off the south side of Mt. Shasta and eventually flows to the sea. 

 
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Trout Plants: Feb. 18 through Feb. 22

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

 
Friday, February 15, 2013
Picture of the Week

Most flock to San Pablo Reservoir for its excellent trout fishing. Asiel Van Cleeve visited the lake on opening day for the first time and learned there are more than trout that make San Pablo special.

 
Public invited to annual salmon meeting in Santa Rosa

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites the public to attend its upcoming annual salmon status update and outlook meeting. Possible seasons for 2013 California ocean and river salmon fisheries will be discussed.

 
Thursday, February 14, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Lake record spot landed at New Melones

A week after a potential lake record spotted bass was caught-and-released without an official weigh-in, a new New Melones record spotted bass has been officially weighed in.

 
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Feb. 14 through Feb. 20

Trout anglers have two excellent choices this weekend. Pardee Lake opens Friday and has planted three tons of trout to be ready. On the Upper Sacramento River, the caddis hatch began Monday and mid-day angling has been excellent near Redding. There are other quality options available. The Coho bite at Lake Oroville is excellent and fish can be hooked from the surface down to 45 feet. Eel River remains in very good condition and there are fish throughout the lower river. As a bonus, stripers have shown up in the South Bay and San Pablo Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
16 pound bass landed at Shadow Cliffs

A 16-pound, 14-ounce bass was caught Tuesday at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton by a trout angler using Power Bait near the first dock.

 
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Lower Sac from shore a solveable puzzle

Fishing the Lower Sacramento River from shore with a fly rod can be and intimidating endeavor for anglers.

 
Monday, February 11, 2013
Picture of the Week

The 26^th Annual Pyramid Lake Crosby Lodge President’s Day Derby is underway and that brings us the latest Picture of the Week.

 
Pardee opens Friday to fishing

Friday brings another noteworthy opening day for Northern California anglers.

 
BREAKING NEWS
San Pablo Reservoir opener a winner

Anglers eager to join the opening weekend action at San Pablo Reservoir caused cars to backup to the road both Friday and Saturday mornings.  Most were rewarded for their patience.

 
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Trout Plants: Feb. 11 through Feb. 15

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

 
Friday, February 8, 2013
Fishing News and Notes

Klamath Dam removal a good thing for farmers and fish; Coho get a boost in Santa Cruz and another suit filed over the Yuba River. Here is the latest fishing news from Northern California:

 
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Best Bites: Feb. 7 through Feb. 13

Full moons, minus tides, warm weather and then a shot of cold has fish confounded. A lot of tough fishing being reported but there are some bright spots. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Potential lake record spotted bass released at New Melones

A potential lake record spotted bass last week was caught and released at New Melones Reservoir.

 
Monday, February 4, 2013
San Pablo Dam Reservoir to open Friday

San Pablo Dam’s winter closure ends Friday and the lake will be open to fishing at 6:30 a.m.

 
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Trout Plants: Feb. 4 through Feb. 8

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

 
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Diamond Classic won by Butler for third time

The 7^th annual Diamond Classic catch-and-release sturgeon derby on Suisun Bay was won by a familiar angler.

 
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Big steelhead caught on the Smith River

The biggest California steelhead of the season was landed Tuesday on the Smith River with guide Mike Coopman. The female steelhead was 36.5 inches long and had a 23 inch girth. The measurements indicate the steelhead weighed 24.8 pounds. 

 
Best Bites: Jan. 31 through Feb. 6

It’s tough angling given the recent full moon and cold temperatures. There are no sure things this weekend except that once you hit the water you’ll get sun and clear skies and fresh air. There are a couple of places where your odds for hooking a fish are good. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, January 28, 2013
Lake Davis ice fishing derby on for Saturday

The annual Ice Fishing Derby at Lake Davis is scheduled for Saturday. Check in time is from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at J & J’s Grizzly Store in Portola. Fishing begins at 9 a.m.

 
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Record bass landed at Lake Camanche

Lonnie Owens of Galt established a Lake Camanche record for largemouth bass when he landed a 15.2 pound monster on Saturday morning.

 
Trout Plants: Jan. 28 through Feb. 1

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

 
Friday, January 25, 2013
Picture of the Week

This week’s Picture of the Week has a bit of serendipity to it.

 
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wade safely and prosper

One of the most important activities involving fishing, no matter where or when, is wading. 

 
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Jan. 24 through Jan. 30

Looks like a great weekend for the Diamond Classic Sturgeon Derby in Suisun Bay. Reports have been great from Pittsburg and Benicia and Martinez so get your tickets ASAP. That’s not the only game in town. Steelhead anglers should stay up-to-date on the condition on the Eel, which is in great shape for now. Trout anglers can do no wrong at Los Vaqueros, Chabot and Lake Amador. Here are this weekend’s Best Bites:

 
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Trout Plants: Jan. 21 through Jan. 25

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

 
Friday, January 18, 2013
Fishing News and Notes

Bad news for fish in the Delta as water exports continue to plague the health of the fishery; good news on the Shasta River and a lawsuit is being readied regarding the Yuba River in this week's Fishing News and Notes ...

 
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Catch and release sturgeon derby slated for Jan. 26

Registration is now being accepted for the 7^th Annual Diamond Classic Catch-and-Release Sturgeon Derby scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26 hosted by the Martinez Marina and Martinez Bait & Tackle.

 
Picture of the Week

Winter bass fishing can be rewarding. Justin Rose is holding the proof with this 10.21 pound largemouth he landed at New Melones Reservoir.

 
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Jan 17 through Jan. 23

It’s cold everywhere but fish still have to eat and anglers going out are finding excellent crab/sand dab angling, decent sturgeon fishing and the onset of good steelhead conditions. Bay Area and Mother Lode lakes are finally clearing enough to expect better trout fishing. This weekend is predicted to be warmer and that may be enough to trigger better action. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Trout Plants: Jan. 14 through Jan. 18

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

 
Friday, January 11, 2013
Shasta River a catch-and-release gem

While the water of the Klamath River is on the cloudy side, the nearby Shasta River is presently in perfect condition for steelhead fishing.

 
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Winter conditions inviting, but be careful

My parents told me to save when I was growing up. I ended up being better at saving rolls of lint from the dryer than money, but it might end up saving my life one day.

 
Best Bites: Jan 10 through Jan. 16

Water conditions are finally settling after the holiday deluge. North Coast steelhead streams are in play and the Eel seems to be most productive. Trout anglers can score at New Melones or Quarry Lakes while big-game trouters continue to pull in trophies at Pyramid Lake. Conditions for sturgeon anglers will be excellent this weekend, with big tides and nice weather while shoreline anglers can get buckets of perch in the East Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The saga of salmon, steelhead, shad and the first US fish hatchery

In the early days America’s pristine waters once supported strong and plentiful populations of fisheries in our lakes and rivers.  These National natural treasures, especially trout and salmon, appeared to be abundant without end.  The United States fueled the industrial revolution with resources of water, timber, minerals, and wildlife.  Then the fish began to disappear. Farming, industrialization, population growth and overharvest degraded our Nation’s water quality and fisheries resources.

 
Monday, January 7, 2013
Picture of the Week

The Picture of the Week is a not-so-subtle reminder steelhead fishing is on up on the North Coast.

 
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Trout Plants: Jan 7 through Jan. 11

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

 
Friday, January 4, 2013
Fishing News and Notes

There’s more than salmon in the news. Native trout are returning to the Kern, Pescadero steelhead get a much-needed break, sturgeon survey is completed and crabber gets busted for poaching in this week’s news and notes:

 
Three rules for a rewarding angling year

On the way up to the American River to fish for steelhead last Friday, my buddy Kurt and I recapped the last 12 months and prepared for the next 365 days of potential drifts. Obviously, dropping caddis flies, pheasant tails, egg sucking leeches and beads every single day in 2013 isn’t possible, but making a concerted effort to keep the passion active instead of turning dormant is important to having a life. Though I fished over 90 days this year, I still have to keep sharp on my three basic angling rules which I will dispense as I remind myself.

 
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Salmon news and notes

Salmon returns to the Central Valley provide hope and highlight the challenges anglers and conservationists face. Check out the news being made by returning Chinooks ...

 
New sturgeon regs greet anglers

New regulations for sturgeon fishing went into effect Jan. 1, 2013.  The regulations are meant to increase the survival and spawning success of sturgeon caught and released by anglers in California and will support development of data for management of the fishery.

 
DFG becomes CDFW

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is now the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

 
BREAKING NEWS
15-pound brown landed at Tahoe

It was brutally cold on Lake Tahoe the morning of Dec. 29 but fishing guide Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters was out with his son, Eric, toplining for trout when a rod went off while trolling near Elk Point.

 
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Jan. 3 through Jan. 9

The first Best Bites of 2013 provides a handful of angling options that should be productive. Sturgeon anglers will enjoy good tides this weekend as well as clear weather. That clear weather should make trout fishing at Los Vaqueros enjoyable and action packed. Trout anglers in the foothills may want to drop a line at New Melones. Perch are being caught along the East Bay shoreline from rocks and piers. Make sure you have your 2013 fishing license and take advantage of this week’s Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
First cast of year brings great reward

Robert Courser picked a great way to start 2013.

 
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Trout Plants: Dec. 31 through Jan. 4

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

 
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

This isn’t a great photo by any means, even the photographer admits as much. That’s what happens when you fish alone. But the Picture of the Week has been chosen for what it represents.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 27 through Jan. 2

Figuring out the best places to go this coming week is more about intuition than following proven track records. Big rains and Christmas gave plenty of good reasons to stay inside. But forecasts for clear conditions give anglers a chance to enjoy the final days of rock cod season, the opening of trout season at Topaz Lake, steelhead prime time on the Smith River as well as other opportunities unique to this time of year. Here are this week’s Best Bites, the last of 2012:

 
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Trout plants: Dec. 24 through Dec. 28

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

 
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 20 through Dec. 26

Storms are supposed to start bringing more rain and cold as well as a  burst of Santa. There won’t be many anglers out over the next week given the convergence of weather and holidays. But there are good bets if you do go out. Here are this week’s Best Bites for the Christmas week:

 
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Trout Plants: Dec. 17 through Dec.21

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

 
Friday, December 14, 2012
Bay Area lakes to get 15 tons of trout

The Department of Fish & Game is in the process of delivering its holiday gift to the Bay Area. They are doing it by truck, rather than sleigh.

 
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 13 through Dec. 19

Crab/cod combos on boats from Bodega Bay to Monterey  continue to be sure things but it’s a bit of a crap shoot finding a sure thing outside of that game. Changing water conditions and temperatures make long range planning a tough go this time of year.  It’s worth keeping an eye on the Smith and Trinity for steelhead while the rest of the rivers need time to clear. Otherwise there are a handful of fishing holes that should out-perform the others and they make up this week’s Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

It’s a great time for hunting big mackinaw in the Tahoe Basin. Proof is evident here with a 28-pound, 9-ounce mackinaw caught Sunday in Lake Tahoe by Eric St. Denis, son of Tahoe guide Gene St. Denis.

 
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Last minute gift advice for the angler

There are 13 days until Christmas 2012.  If you are shopping for that special person who loves fishing, I would like to offer a few suggestions that might help you decide what to buy or what not to buy.

 
Monday, December 10, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Record sturgeon catch recounted

Everything had to go exactly right for Gary Howard to land the biggest fish ever caught from an East Bay lake.

 
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Trout Plants:: Dec. 10 through Dec. 14

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

 
Friday, December 7, 2012
Bay Area salmon comebacks bring surprises

Coho return to Marin earlier than usual and a king returns to Berkeley, of all places. Read more about these salmon related items …

 
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Pilot Peak planting at Pyramid a USFWS success story

A United States Fish & Wildlife project dedicated to restoring native Lahontan cutthroat trout to Pyramid Lake is proving to be a success.

 
Updates from up north, including a 65 pound salmon

It is not so cold up here on the Klamath, but it is plenty wet. However, the raise in water levels from the rain has pushed more steelhead into the upper river. 

 
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Dec. 6 through Dec. 12

Big changes are in store after the storms clear. Lakes are rising and rivers are spitting debris. Lake Oroville has come up 50 feet since the rain began. Lake Shasta has risen 22 feet. Little Lake Amador received a 10 foot boost. Anglers will be back out this weekend under clear skies and settling conditions. The most reliable are the Trinity River for steelhead, San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay for sturgeon and the rock bottom lakes in the East Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, December 3, 2012
A drag is anything but when landing a fish

I always wondered how many anglers actually know what the drag is on their fishing reels.  Then again, I wonder how many actually use their drag when landing a fish.  

 
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Trout Plants: Dec. 3 through Dec. 7

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

 
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Rare albino catfish gets spotlight

This albino catfish isn’t a monster but it is rare enough to qualify for Picture of the Week.

 
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 29 through Dec. 5

The first big rain of the fall season doesn’t mean you have to sit home and watch the gutters fill. Especially Bay Area anglers who have access to a couple of lakes that won’t get muddy and are full of trout. The parade of wet storms sets the stage for the arrival of steelhead on North Coast rivers. All will be blown out this weekend but the Smith will round back into shape by early next week. So there are options for anglers and here they are in this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
100 pound sturgeon caught and released at Del Valle

A 100 pound sturgeon was caught at Lake Del Valle Tuesday by Gary Howard of Livermore. It is by far the largest fish ever caught from Del Valle but comes as a surprise to most everyone but Howard.

 
Monday, November 26, 2012
Fishing News and Notes

Salmon may use San Joaquin River to spawn and a record number of kings return to the Russian River. It’s a good week for the beleaguered California king salmon …

 
Holiday gift ideas for an angler

So it’s getting to be that time of the year when you contemplate what exactly it is that you need as an angler and upon being prompted, divulge it to those whom are looking out for you. If you haven’t decided, here are some ideas to cover all your bases.

 
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Pyramid Lake brute landed, released

A Reno man caught the biggest cutthroat trout from Pyramid Lake in at least five years, said an official from the Pyramid Lake Fisheries. 

 
Trout Plants: Nov. 26 through Nov. 30

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

 
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Picture of the Week

This week’s Picture of the Week is from a few weeks back. Lake Tahoe guide Gene St. Denis took a 14 day solo hike near the crest of the Eastern Sierra to search for golden trout.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 22 through Nov. 28

Talk about reasons to be thankful, look at the bounty provided to Northern California anglers. This weekend you can find excellent bass, trout, catfish, rock cod, crab prospects and the possibility of salmon on the north coast in the Smith River. Steelhead are thick in the Trinity and starting to enter the Russian River. Trout planting is in full swing at all the Bay Area lakes so you can’t make a bad choice. Oh, and don’t forget about all the striped bass in Suisun Bay. Here are this week’s Best Bites;

 
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
California fishing news

Trout go into Bass Lake; Central Valley king salmon run still not meeting legal requirements and a deadline looms on the Klamath River. These are this week’s California fishing note

 
Monday, November 19, 2012
Deer can't wait for Black Friday

CORALVILLE, Iowa — Shoppers in Iowa got an unusual glimpse of wildlife Monday morning when a doe and two fawns wandered into a department store.

 
All is quiet on the Klamath, but steelhead are pouring in

The Klamath River is quiet now.  All of the salmon fishing boats have moved away from the river.   It has become a peaceful and most beautiful setting.   All natural things prepare for winter.

 
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Trout Plants: Nov. 19 through Nov. 23

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

 
Friday, November 16, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Bass slot limit discontinued at five NorCal lakes

The California Fish & Game Commission voted on Nov. 7 to rescind the black bass slot limits currently in place at Lake Oroville, McClure Reservoir, Millerton Reservoir, Orr Lake and Siskiyou Lake.

 
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Picture of the Week

Cindy Mindrup has been fishing Bay Area lakes and reservoirs for years. She has mastered trout at Lafayette, San Pablo Reservoir and Lake Del Valle with a variety of bait presentations she has concocted.  Alas, Cindy is packing her tackle box for a move out of state and on Nov. 10, made one last fishing trip to Lake Del Valle. No surprise she hooked a big one.

 
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Best Bites: Nov. 15 through Nov. 21

Ocean salmon season ended Monday, the majority of trout streams close Thursday. That doesn’t mean there is little to do. Eagle Lake has been a trout factory of late. Lake Oroville bass fishing is excellent despite low water conditions and the same goes for Shasta. Pyramid Lake anglers are enjoying the best cutthroat fishing in years and striped bass are swarming around Pittsburg, Frank’s Tract and Discovery Bay. Want a wildcard? The forecasted rain may make the Smith River worth a trip for trophy king salmon. Want a sure thing? Crab/cod combos out of Bodega Bay, Emeryville, Berkeley, Pillar Point or Monterey. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Fishing News and Notes

Eel River salmon returning in huge numbers, Auburn Ravine also getting salmon back, plus more controversy on the Yuba. Here are this week’s Fishing News & Notes:

 
Monday, November 12, 2012
Klamath steelhead taking over upper river

The October run of salmon, one of huge numbers I might add, is drawing to a close.   The “Creamer Crews” from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agency In Yreka, are now counting salmon carcasses of spawned out salmon.

 
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Trout Plants: Nov. 12 through Nov. 16

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

 
Thursday, November 8, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Del Valle striped bass fishery get a boost

There’s a whole bunch of juvenile striped bass roaming Lake Del Valle and that further brightens the future for the east bay’s richest and most diverse lake.

 
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 8 through Nov. 14

Get out the boat. We’re done with the vote, get out the boat. Sick of all the political ads and year-round campaigning? Get out the boat and go where it’s quiet. There are plenty of spots where you can catch fish and cleanse your mind.

 
Monday, November 5, 2012
When the going gets tough, make sure there's a way out

Once I got there, I wasn’t so sure it was the right place to be.

 
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Mob scene at Pacifica Pier for crab opener

There was plenty of excitement of Saturday's crab opener and the proof was on the Pacifica Pier.

 
Trout Plants; Nov. 5 through Nov. 9

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

 
Friday, November 2, 2012
Picture of the Week

Lou Denny of Arroyo Grande took advantage of his home water last week and enjoyed results worth bragging about. Denny fished Lopez Lake, taking his boat to Lunker Point and using mackerel  as bait, landed these large catfish.

 
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Fishing News and Notes

Kings are returning to the Stanislaus River and humans are invited to celebrate, plus plans for coho and the Yuba River are discussed in this latest NorCalFishing News & Notes:

 
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Nov. 1 through Nov. 7

Nothing scary about this weekend’s fishing prospects. Not unless a full sack of trout from Lake Camanche, Davis Lake, June Lake or the Carson River seems frightening. Striped bass are doing more treating than tricking near Antioch, Martinez and Pittsburg and Los Vaqueros is starting to produce all kinds of big fish. And just too make sure there are enough goodies to share, crab season opens Saturday. Here are the Halloween Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Great forecast for Saturday crab opener

Dungeness crab season opens Saturday and spots on party boats out of Pillar Point, Emeryville, Berkeley and Bodega Bay are quickly being reserved.

 
Monday, October 29, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Monster brown caught in June Lake Loop

An 18.1 pound brown trout, the largest trout caught from the June Lake Loop (Mono County) in two decades was landed and released last Thursday from Silver Lake.

 
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Trout Plants: Oct. 29 through Nov. 2

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

 
Friday, October 26, 2012
Picture of the Week

No doubt Lake Berryessa is a terrific bass fishery, especially in the spring. But guide Don Paganelli for the past two weeks has been spooning for large numbers of fish. He also used a buzzbait to hook this big, eight-pound bass.

 
Klamath salmon run wanes; fall colors and steelhead the latest reward

The big run of salmon on the upper Klamath has subsided as quickly as it started.  The mass of drift boats has now shrunk and all but disappeared in all directions south, north, and west.

 
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Late season trout worth a final shot

It doesn’t seem like that long ago I was making rounds through my winter fishing grounds while waiting for everything to open up the last weekend in April. Now here we are again, just days away from the closure of many of our favorite rivers. 

 
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Oct. 25 through Oct. 31

The first storm of the year brings transition. Lakes soon will turn over bringing baitfish and game fish close to the surface and bring excellent fishing to trout and bass anglers. Cooler weather is what striper anglers ordered and they are being rewarded with very good fishing at Antioch, Rio Vista and the San Rafael shoreline near China Camp. Things are looking up and getting better. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Open Delta gates bad news for salmon

Salmon get dealt a tough card by Bureau of Reclamation, according to this story from the Sacramento Bee ..

 
Monday, October 22, 2012
Picture of the Week

We're caught up in Giants Pennant Fever and will invoke anything to bring luck to the home team - including employing the Photo of the Week. Click on the photo to bring luck.

 
Sunday, October 21, 2012
California Fishing News and Notes

This week's News & Notes gives a different perspective on hatchery-raised salmon plus updates on two rehab projects that should greatly aid California salmon.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: Oct. 22 through Oct. 26

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

 
Friday, October 19, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Lake Amador starts planting two tons plus per week

Trout stocks have begun at one of the heaviest planted lakes in Northern California and they won't stop until the spring when nearly 90 tons of rainbows have gone in.

 
Upper Klamath salmon run plentiful

A while back I talked to Department of Fish and Game officials regarding the four salmon limit on the Klamath.  Many anglers were asking the question why so many in the limit. 

 
Thursday, October 18, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Expanded Los Vaqueros opens with more shoreline, new marina

The new marina at Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Brentwood opened this week with more boats, renovated boats and the addition of more fishable shoreline.

 
Bay Area trout season about to explode

Tons of trout and cool weather in the forecast will jump start the Bay Area fall trout fishing season.

 
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Oct. 18 through Oct. 24

This October has been a gift of pleasant weather and excellent fishing results all over the state. Sure, we need rain but it’s fine to enjoy what we have. There hopefully be plenty of weather to keep us inside in the not too distant future. That brings us to another promising weekend with plenty of choices for NorCal anglers. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, October 15, 2012
Rio Vista Derby results bring stripers, but few striper anglers

The 65^th Annual Rio Vista Striped Bass Derby had all the makings of a roaring success – great weather,  good fishing and a full schedule of wholesome, family-oriented events.

 
Baseball to bassin', Pulliam is a pro

Harvey Pulliam fondly remembers his days as a major league outfielder with the Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies organizations where he spent parts of six seasons. One of the best athletes ever to come out of San Francisco, Pulliam now quenches his competitive urges fishing Delta bass tournaments.

 
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Trout Plants: Oct. 15 through Oct. 19

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

 
Friday, October 12, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Catching record crappie part of Collins Lake job description

If you want to know how to catch big crappie at Collins Lake, it would be wise to talk to the employees.

 
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Oct 11 through Oct. 17

Whether the salmon returns come close to pre-season predictions remains to be seen, but there certainly is little complaining so far. Great bite continues and this week anglers can get salmon outside the Golden Gate, and in the Feather River and the Sacramento River above Ord Bend. That’s not all. The Rio Vista Striper Derby is this weekend and the carnival rides can provide a thrill if the fish won’t pull. There are also bonus plants of trout going into Los Vaqueros Reservoir and San Pablo Reservoir, plus a quality smallmouth bite few know about. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, October 8, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
65th Rio Vista Striped Bass Derby this weekend

The 65^th Rio Vista Striped Bass Derby and Festival, the oldest fishing derby west of the Mississippi, will be held this Friday through Sunday. The derby not only brings the opportunity for anglers to compete for cash and prizes, it also provides good old fashioned family fun in the way of a parade, soap box derby, fireworks and music.

 
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Trout Plants: Oct. 8 through Oct. 12

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

 
Friday, October 5, 2012
Man shoots self while salmon fishing

A Thurston County, Washington man told deputies he accidentally shot himself in the head with his .22-calibre rifle on Sunday afternoon while he was "fishing" for salmon on the Deschutes River.

 
Northern California Fishing News and Notes

Two stories about what unforseen problems with hatchery salmon and good news on the Russian River in this week's NorCal Fishing News & Notes:

 
Thursday, October 4, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Pyramid Lake providing best fishing in years

Big cutthroat and plenty of them are being caught during this opening week of Pyramid Lake’s trout season and a cutthroat trout enhancement program instituted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife may be the reason.

 
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Oct. 4 through Oct. 10

It’s getting close to baseball playoff time but it’s NorCal anglers who can hit a grand slam. Albacore, salmon and striped bass are entertaining Bay Area anglers. Salmon are parading upstream from the Golden Gate, through the Delta and in a solid line up the Sacramento and Feather rivers. Pyramid Lake is open for cutthroat fishing and the best brook trout fishery in the state, Kirman Lake, is producing. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Lin enjoys finsanity

Basketball star Jeremey Lin seems to be fitting in to his new surrooundings near Houston, Tx., quite well.

 
Monday, October 1, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Tuna trips from Pillar Point scheduled this week

Fresh off a Saturday albacore trip that returned with 40 tuna for three anglers, the Connie O out of Pillar Point has scheduled trips for Wednesday and Saturday.

 
An October gift - the first steelhead of the year

Late this morning, I landed my first steelhead on the upper Klamath where I am presently camping.  Amazingly it was a hatchery fish with the adipose fin clipped.  

 
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Trout Plants: Oct. 1 through Oct. 5

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

 
Friday, September 28, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Fishing news and notes from around NorCal

Truckee river trout and whitefish populations are in excellent shape and two distinctly different salmon festivals are on tap for October. Here are fishing related notes from around Northern California …

 
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Trout found with human finger

A fisherman cleaning a trout he caught at Idaho's Priest Lake in early September found a human finger inside, according to a report in the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

 
Picture of the Week

It's not often one gets to see a 1,000 pound sturgeon so here you go.

 
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Best Bites: Sept. 27 through Oct 3

Fall fishing is warming up. There are signs the brunt of the salmon run in the Central Valley is just getting underway. Rio Vista has salmon blowing through and there is good action on the Sacramento from Colusa to Red Bluff and the Feather. There are bass at Shasta, two good bets for trout on the Eastern Sierra, and still even more salmon outside the Golden Gate. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, September 24, 2012
Mystery fish record waiting to be established

Introductions in Alaska aren’t subtle. Whether it is the frigid, arctic wind launching needle-like rain drops into any bit of exposed flesh; or the emergence of swarms of bugs the moment sun appears; or the stunning beauty of the tundra and the spicy, rich smell that rises up with each footstep. Everything is bold - especially the fishing, which is what we went to the Aniak River to experience.

 
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Trout Plants: Sept.24 through Sept. 28

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

 
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Take the information, but trust your instincts

Meteorologists rely on science, observation and a network of radars to predict what is going on above our heads. Guides and fly shop employees use experience and observation to make their own prognostications, but forgive them for not being omniscient.

 
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Sept. 20 through Sept . 26

Go to the mountains and find few anglers and plenty of trout, or hop a long-range party boat and get in on the albacore action. Salmon runs on the Klamath, Feather and Sacramento rivers are turning out to be everything anglers hoped for. Add the beginning of the striper bite at San Luis and near Antioch and you have this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, September 17, 2012
Topwater not just for morning anymore

An avid, lifetime hunter and fisherman, Don McDowell is the host of the weekly radio show, Shake, Rattle and Troll.  His experience on the water has led him to a love of bass fishing and especially topwater baits. 

 
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Trout Plants: Sept. 17 through Sept. 21

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

 
Friday, September 14, 2012
Fast water trout tips that will boost your catch rate

The Upper Sacramento River from now until late September and perhaps into October offers opportunities at very fine fishing.

 
Thursday, September 13, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
New Melones rainbow record set

A record for largest rainbow trout from New Melones was established last Friday. John Gray of Sonora was fishing with guide Gary Burns when he hooked and landed an 8.2 pound rainbow trout.

 
Big money awaits lucky bass angler at Lake San Antonio

A bass worth $25,000 dollars will be planted at Lake San Antonio and the prize will be awarded to the angler who can catch it during a derby on Oct. 13,

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

Jim Howard of El Cerrito was out on San Pablo Reservoir in El Sobrante when his peace was interrupted by a jolt.

 
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Sept. 13 through Sept. 19

No sure things this week but there are plenty of solid options available to anglers. The powerhouse at Butt Lake is on and that’s a green light for those who want to cast to lunker trout. The upper Klamath River is kicking out well-fed trout and steelhead. Sacramento River trout anglers are enjoying great action through Redding and finding steelhead further downstream. Salmon anglers are enjoying great action from Ord Bend to Los Molinos. Striped bass are showing life in Antioch and Rio Vista and coast rock cod fishing has been nearly a sure thing. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, September 10, 2012
Trout Plants: Sept. 10 through Sept. 14

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

 
Klamath, Trinity and Sac steelhead are here

Call it early fall or late summer, the steelhead season is upon us.

 
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Picture of the Week

This week's picture doesn't have a big fish or a great catch but this photo by Lake Almanor guide Doug Neal gives a pretty good image of the result of all the forest fires of late.

 
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Aug. 30 through Sept. 5

Saltwater action continues to greatly outpace freshwater opportunity. The salmon bite remains excellent off Eureka and good off Crescent City. There are albacore from Half Moon Bay to Monterey and good weather early next week will give anglers another crack at those. Boats out of Santa Cruz have a shot at everything. Spawning squid have drawn white sea bass, halibut, salmon and rock cod to near the Whistle Buoy. Freshwater enthusiasts have options, including stripers at Lake San Antonio, trout at Caples Lake and salmon on the Klamath River. Here are this week’s best bites:  

 
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
A Sierra trout challenge - one weight fly rods on small streams

Fly rods smaller than a 4-weight can seem frivolous and a waste of money to those just dabble in, or are outside the sport. But taking a 9-foot, 5-weight to half foot rainbows and brookies in upper Sierra Nevada creeks is what SEC coaches do the first week of the college football season. It’s a horrific mismatch.

 
Monday, August 27, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Albacore bite going strong off Santa Cruz

Weekend albacore fishing was productive and boats are back out today. Action is out of Santa Cruz and Monterey but close enough for boats from Pillar Point to reach the fishing grounds.

 
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Trout Plants: Aug. 27 through Aug. 31

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

 
Friday, August 24, 2012
Big fish honor roll highlights fish worth bragging about

It’s worth having a Big Fish Honor Roll this week due to a number of notable recent catches …

 
Picture of the Week

As far as sports go, it has been a great week for John Galaros of of McKinleyville

 
Klamath, Trinity salmon are on their way back - miraculously

An update from the Department of Fish and Game watchdogs reports  salmon are just entering the estuary or mouth of the Klamath and moving further upstream and the Trinity.  Their run to the upper river will take almost a month.

 
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Fishing News & Notes

A surprise hits the Yuba and a reminder to be careful in this NorCalFishingNews Update:

 
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Aug. 23 through Aug. 29

It’s that salmon time of the year. Find them outside Crescent City, the Golden Gate, on the Sacramento, Feather and Klamath Rivers. The runs are living up to what was predicted and that’s worthy of a cheer or two. There are also good prospects at Tahoe, Clear Lake and Hat Creek. And don’t forget albacore outside Monterey if the wind stays down. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Record salmon caught, released in British Columbia

It’s not a California fish but it’s a photo worth sharing. This 83.3 pound king salmon was caught Sunday out of Good Hope Cannery Resort at Rivers Inlet in British Columbia.

 
Monday, August 20, 2012
Coho planting to cease at Lake Oroville

Coho salmon will no longer be planted in Lake Oroville after the current fingerlings in rearing ponds are introduced.

 
Delta pro Buchholz tells how to solve the tides for more bass

Navigating the thousand miles of waterways on the California Delta isn't an easy task; but for fishermen learning their way around Northern California's estuary is only the beginning step to becoming a successful angler on the tidal waters.  The other half of the battle on the Delta is mastering - or at least understanding - how to fish the tides.

 
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Trout Plants: Aug. 20 through Aug. 24

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

 
Friday, August 17, 2012
Mettah Riffle on the Klamath is worth every effort to visit

Labor Day weekend is approaching and that usually is the time the great angling starts up on the lower Klamath.  As I write this salmon are entering the estuary and are proceeding up Blake riffle, then up through Starwein Valley and up the beautiful wide stretches and many riffles of the lower river. 

 
Picture of the Week

Kasey Slick of Antioch most likely hasn't caught a lot of 10 pound bass, but on Aug. 12 he hooked this 10-pound, four-ounce largemouth while drop-shotting near the swim area at Contra Loma Reservoir in Antioch.

 
Thursday, August 16, 2012
GGSA Salmon Fundraiser postponed to Sept. 21

The Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) announced today that it has postponed its scheduled San Francisco fundraising dinner this Friday, August 17 and will marry it with the scheduled dinner in Sausalito on September 21.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: Aug. 17 through Aug.22

Freshwater options are limited but saltwater opportunities are many. There are salmon in Eureka, and possibly between Tiburon and Angel Island. There's great rock cod fishing out of Pillar Point and with a squid spawn there should be white sea bass. The ling cod bite has been epic in Bodega Bay. Fpr those needing a freshwater fix, the kokanee are huge in Berryessa and at Tahoe the mackinaw and kokanee are plentiful and aggressive. Here are this week's Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
It's Tuna Time

The warm water currents carrying albacore and yellow tail are near Monterey Bay and within reach of Bay Area and Monterey anglers. And the catch is on.

 
Sunday, August 12, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: Aug. 13 through Aug. 17

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

 
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Bass pro Monroe adds more power to the punch

Ish Monroe is famous for his signature Snag Proof Frog lines, the Phat Frog and the Poppin' Phattie, but Monroe is also making his mark with a "double bomb" on his punch rig this season.

 
A tribute to salmon anglers and the Sac River kings

The picture with this article is a very large salmon recently landed by expert Sacramento River angler Joel Hensley of Red Bluff.  This salmon, weighing more than 45 pounds, was caught near where Salt Creek and Antelope Creek enter the Sacramento River.

 
Saturday, August 4, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: Aug. 5 through Aug. 11

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

 
Thursday, August 2, 2012
This week's fishing reports

This version of the fishing report consists of recent email updates. The full report will return in mid-August.

 
Tami Curtis tells how to get more back deck bass

Tami Curtis, the current reigning WON BASS AAA Southern Angler of the Year (AOY) has been bass fishing on a regular basis for about 15 years.  As team partner and co-angler , Curtis has learned a lot over  the years and has put her experience to use in making the most of her time on the back deck. 

 
DFG Salmon surveys begin on CV rivers

The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Central Valley angler surveys
have begun on the American, Feather, Mokelumne and Sacramento rivers.
Over the next five months, survey crews will repeatedly visit 20
different sections of river to cover the full extent of the inland
salmon fishery. Survey crews count the number of boats and anglers,
weigh and measure each fish caught and collect the heads of those salmon
imbedded with a coded wire tag.

 
Picture of the Week

Every summer, Shih Chan uses his vacation to visit California from Taiwan and on each occasion ventures out fishing from Half Moon Bay. This year’s trip became even more memorable when he landed this 11.5-pound, 32 inch-long ling cod while fishing from the Riptide.

 
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Trout Plants: July 30 through Aug. 4

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

 
Trout Plants: July 20 through July 24

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

 
Saturday, July 21, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Upper Klamath Update: Trout bite is on

The excitement of the salmon fly hatch is all over and many disappointed anglers have abandoned the Klamath River in favor of other waters.

 
Friday, July 20, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Albacore found off Humboldt County coast

Albacore have been found off the Humbold County coast.

 
Thursday, July 19, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Big bass from Del Valle latest East Bay bragger

Last week San Pablo Reservoir was the site of a 10-pound plus bass. This week it’s Del Valle.

 
Fish for a Wish Tournament slated for Aug. 4

Registration is open for the eighth annual Fish for a Wish tournament at Lake Almanor on Saturday, Aug. 4 from the Big Cove Resort.

 
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: July 19 through July 25

We interrupt this summer pattern for thunder, lightning and rain in the north state and high winds and a 30-degree drop in temperature through the Central Valley. The weather showed who was boss Monday and Tuesday but this weekend promises a return to normal conditions and with that excellent fishing options. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

Dave O’Neal of Pittsburg is a regular at Contra Loma Reservoir, routinely catching large trout when others can’t.

 
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Lake record spot landed at New Melones

There’s a new spotted bass record at New Melones Reservoir.

 
Monday, July 16, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Wind crashes Feather River salmon party

A lot of parties end in the wee hours of the morning. On Monday, that’s when the party on the Feather River started.

 
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Trout plants: July 16 through July 20

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

 
Friday, July 13, 2012
San Pablo Reservoir gives up big bass

The biggest bass of the year caught from San Pablo Reservoir was pulled out last week by a trout angler. Faum Foo Saechao landed an 11.8 pound largemouth using a nightcrawler as bait.

 
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Tickets available for Golden Gate Salmon dinner/auction

The Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) will host its Second Annual Membership Dinner Friday, Aug. 17 at the Presidio Golden Gate Club,135 Fisher Loop.  Doors open at 5:30 pm.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

The biggest trout to be caught this year from the June Lake Loop is the latest Photo of the Week. It's an eight-pound, seven-ounce cutthroat trout from June Lake.

 
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: July 12 through July 18

The Central Valley salmon season opens Monday and expectations are high and for good reason. Salmon are stacked from Monterey to Crescent City.  Salmon have been incidentally caught near Rio Vista. Whether they will bite come Monday is the question. The Feather River has warm water released from Oroville heating the river. Whether that can be corrected will not only help the fishing but keep alive the salmon that have arrived. There are other options available with the caveat to get out early before the stifling heat takes its toll. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, July 9, 2012
Informative Fisherman Series, video IV - Delta bass fishing
(Monday, July 9, 2012, 12:38 PM)

 
Salmon news from around the state

Here are the latest updates on salmon from newspapers around the state. Below are articles about salmon being encouraged to get upstream in Butte Creek, concerns about enough water for the fall run on the Klamath and the delay in restoring the San Joaquin River ...

 
Central Valley salmon regs released

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is announcing fishing regulations for the 2012 salmon season on the Sacramento, Feather, American and Mokelumne rivers. The regulations are effective Monday, July 16.

 
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Trout Plants: July 9 through 13

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

 
Friday, July 6, 2012
Good time to find Orr Lake

Last year about this time I wrote about Orr Lake in Siskiyou County in the Klamath National Forest.   As the weather warms up, so does Orr Lake.

 
BREAKING NEWS
41, 29 pound striped bass caught near Colusa

Ronnie Lorenzo of Butte City knows how to show visitors a good time.

 
Picture of the Week

Jay Han's joy with his catch of this big bass can only be equaled by the surprise of the result.

 
Thursday, July 5, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Salmon come back for 4th of July

The excellent salmon fishing outside the Golden Gate took a turn during the weekend and through the early week. Wind and jelly fish conspired to make angling problematic. Voila, the wind died down and on 4th of July the bite was back on.

 
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: July 4 through July 11

A holiday week gives extra opportunity to get out and enjoy the excellent prospects available to anglers. Look west to the salt and you will find stripers, salmon and white sea bass. The Eastern Sierra lakes are packed with trout and both forks of the Carson River are equally as crowded with trout. It’s a great time to celebrate. Happy 4^th. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Trout Plants: July 2 through July 6

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

 
Saturday, June 30, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Stripers hitting the beaches in Pacifica

The striped bass bite has turned on at the Pacifica Beaches. Marque Glisson of New Coastside #2 reported a good bite Thursday night and into Friday.

 
Friday, June 29, 2012
Big fish plants, big fish catches and other NorCal fishing news

New & Notes after culled from two days  on the telephone with sources from all over the state:

 
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Picture of the Week

The latest Picture of the Week is dramatic if one thinks back to last season or the four seasons prior. This is a boat limit of salmon. Very few were taken last year and fewer the season prior. There was no salmon fishing for three years before that. And now this.

 
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Best Bites: June 28 through July 4

It’s almost like the good old days for salmon anglers. It’s been great fishing out of Eureka, Bodega Bay, the Golden Gate and Pillar Point so there’s no reason to take them off the list of Best Bites, especially when limits are being accomplished before lunch. More good news is the hex hatch is on at Butt Lake. That means it should happen soon at Lake Almanor. Guide Ken Mathis reports the kokanee bite at Hell Hole is epic. The perch bite is very good at Pyramid Lake and the trout/salmon fishing at Don Pedro continues to be beyond excellent. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Forget bluegill for kids; go big, go Tahoe

Want a great way to get a youngster hooked on fishing? Go big. Go to Lake Tahoe.

 
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Trout Plants: June 25 through June 29

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

 
Thursday, June 21, 2012
East vs. West trout plant numbers may be a draw

There are dozens of Mono County lakes and streams that receive trout plants every week while western slope waters in Nevada, Alpine, Placer and Plumas counties go months without a visit from the hatchery truck.

 
Picture of the Week

There's something about a big brown trout that captivates an angler's imagination and this catch by AJ Lowe of Tracy does just that.

 
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: June 21 through June 2 7

Warm weather hasn’t beaten down the trout bite, especially in higher elevation destinations like Edison Lake, Twin Lakes and Mammoth Lakes. There’s a wide open trout, salmon and kokanee bite at McClure and very few boats are on the water. Go to Frank’s Tract or Shasta for black bass, the American River for shad and the Golden Gate and Half Moon Bay for salmon. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tricking fish is a pursuit as old as man

If one was to think about all the different ways we use to trick our favorite species of fish it might take several volumes of books just to list everything. 

 
Sunday, June 17, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Trout Plants: June18 through June 22

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

 
Friday, June 15, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Piranha cousin caught at San Pablo Dam

Piranha in El Sobrante?

 
Thursday, June 14, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Poaching, vandalism force closure of Thermalito Afterbay Outlet

Fishing is now prohibited at the Thermalito Afterbay outlet, a popular spot on the Feather River below Lake Oroville.

 
BREAKING NEWS
Shadow Cliffs possible record trout goes unweighed

Eric Poppe of Pleasanton may have set the trout record for Shadow Cliffs but we’ll never know for sure.

 
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: June 14 through June 20

The summer bite is on and that means crappie, kokanee, shad and ocean salmon. The wind should lay down this weekend and that should allow more access to ocean salmon. Freshwater choices include bass in the Santa Clara Valley or Clear Lake, kokanee in the Mother Lode, shad in the Central Valley and crappie at an under-used lake in Lake County. Here are this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, June 11, 2012
Picture of the Week

This week’s Photo of the Week comes with a partner.  Al Younger captured two of the three categories at the recent Jake’s at the Lake 19^th Annual Charity Fishing Derby on Lake Tahoe. Younger took the mackinaw category and the brown trout title and the mack was a derby record 26.32 pounds. Both photos are with this story.

 
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Trout Plants: June 11 through June 15

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

 
Thursday, June 7, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Big fish, record fish landed across Northern California

Proving again the best time to fish is when you can get out, anglers recorded a number of remarkable catches during the Memorial Day Weekend despite the unseasonable weather.

 
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: June 7 through June 13

The salmon bite  in Eureka shows no sign of slowing and the trout season at Eagle Lake got off to a very good start. Rock cod fishing out of the Golden Gate has provided a new angling outlet and big trout have been dumped into Los Vaqueros. These and a few other options make up this week’s Best Bites:

 
Monday, June 4, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Picture of the Week

How's this for a lucky catch? This young angler was trout fishing at Shadow Cliffs when he hooked a trout and started reeling it in. The commotion attracted this bass who siezed the opportunity to sieze the trout.

 
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Trout Plants: June 3 through June 8

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

 
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
BREAKING NEWS
Best Bites: May 30 through June 6

There’s a new fishing target open in Eagle Lake where Saturday's  opener produced well. Now on the radar is Lake San Antonio which is quietly producing bass. There’s also near sure things for bass anglers at Shasta, salmon anglers at Oroville and shad anglers on Central Valley rivers. Throw in Friday’s rock cod opener north of Pigeon Point and you have a good lineup for this week’s Best Bites:

 
BREAKING NEWS
Klamath stonefly hatch is "on"

Finally after all nasty cold weather and heavy winds, the Great Western Stone Flies (pternarcys californica) have begun their hatch. These flies commonly called “salmon flies” started their annual hatch this week on the Klamath River.  Today I counted thousands of flies which are now mating in the trees, willows, and available vegetation along the river banks.

 
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Picture of the Week

This week's top picture is of courtesy of near-legendary East Bay angler Cindy Mindrup whose daughter, Wendy Jensen, is pictured here holding an admirable six-pound, nine-ounce largemouth bass.

 
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Trout Plants: May 28 through June 1

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