6 June 26, 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 14
LAKE ALMANOR
Trout Bite Despite Unsettled
Weather
CHESTER - In the past two days
our temperatures have dropped by 30
degrees, daytime highs reached into the
mid 80’s earlier this week, today we are
looking at a high of 55.
This morning as I write this report my
gauge shows 32 degrees. Water temp
on Thursday reached into the low 70’s
Saturday the high was 66. We also
experienced a few thunderstorms with
precipitation and high winds which kept
boats off the water.
Water level is leveling off, around the
4486’ mark, last year at this time lake
level was approximately 6’ higher. We
are expecting our weather to settle over
the next week.
There has been little change to fishing
conditions over the past week with the
majority of trout fishermen targeting
fish in the north/west section of the lake
(Prattville to the tip of the Peninsula
north). One mph with crawlers, 2
mph with Arctic Fox trolling flies (hot
orange has been the preferred color) or
hardware at 2.5 mph and faster have all
produced fish.
Fish are scattered throughout the
water column adjust depths and speeds
based upon presentation and weather
conditions.
The bass bite has gotten tough as
bass are spreading out through the lake
and moving into deeper water. Target
sallies off rocky points moving deeper as
the sun gets brighter. Bank fishing has
been tough as is typical for this time of
year.
The recent cold front has slowed the
increase in water temps and will also
impact the onset of the Hex Hatch. I
have been checking Canyon Dam coves
most evenings and did see a few bugs
hatching on the warmer evenings. I have
not seen any bugs the past few days.
Hex’s were beginning to show in larger
numbers at Butt Lake which typically
means Almanor will see similar results
in a week to ten days. I will continue to
monitor and update as changes occur.
No official word on the opening of
campgrounds and Canyon Dam remains
the only public boat ramp open.
- John Crotty, Quail Lodge
FRESHWATER
FRESHWATER REPORTS
AMADOR LAKE
Night Time The Right Time for
Cats and Bass
IONE – The trout fishing has died off
with the hot weather at Lake Amador, but
nocturnal anglers are bagging channel
catfish and black bass on a variety of
offerings.
“There are not a lot of fishermen out
on the lake now,” said Laurie Lockhart
at the Lake Amador Resort. “It’s kind of
quiet. The majority of people coming to
the lake are now kayaking, swimming
and paddle boarding.”
One angler nailed a 10 lb. catfish while
soaking chicken liver at night from a
boat in the back of the Jackson Creek
arm.
For black bass, anglers should throw
black and purple plastic worms and jigs
on moonlit nights off the points.
Bluegill are also hitting nightcrawlers,
redworms and mealworms off the docks
at night.
The lake level is only 3-1/2 foot from
full and the boat ramp and dock are in full
operation.
The Tackle Box Café is now open,
with table service included. Tent and
RV camping are both available now.
However, the swim pond is closed over
COVID concerns.
- Dan Bacher
AMERICAN BASIN
SMUD stocking El Dorado
County reservoirs with
thousands of trout
SACRAMENTO - As summer starts and
folks get anxious to get out and enjoy the
outdoors, SMUD is again stocking three
Sierra reservoirs with rainbow trout. The
fish planting starts in June and runs into
August. SMUD will stock 25,000 pounds
of fish at Union Valley, Loon Lake and Ice
House reservoirs in El Dorado County.
Surveys say fishing tops the reasons
folks visit the Crystal Basin Recreational
Area and the trout plants enhance angling
opportunities for the public. On average,
the fish weigh almost two pounds,
including some trophy fish.
SMUD has scheduled six separate
trout plantings. The largest of the three
reservoirs, Union Valley, will get 9,400
pounds; Loon
Lake, 8,100
pounds;
and Ice
visit
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World-Class Trout & Bass Fishing, year round!
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CAMPING
Camp one
night at
Lake Camanche
and receive
your second night free. Offer must be
redeemed by calling (866) 763-5121 and
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Not valid on weekend, holidays, full hook-up RV sites
or for cottage stays. Supplemental fees may apply.
Mid Week Camping Special!
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LAKE CAMANCHE’S AMENITIES
• Guaranteed Weekly Fish plants
(OCT. - MAY)
• Boat Rentals
• Lodging Available
• Stores, Cafe & Marina Grill
• Courtesy Launch Ramps on
both North & South Shores
• RV Sites w/ Full Hookups
(LONG & SHORT TERM)
www.CamancheRecreation.com
3805
House, 7,500
pounds.
Mount Lassen
• Trout
• Bass
• Crappie
• Bluegill
• Catfish
Largest Trout Stocking Program
North of Sacramento
Lakefront
RV
Camping
Trout Farms of
Payne’s Creek will
deliver the fish.
The company also
stocks SMUD’s Rancho Seco Lake, which
annually hosts a very popular trout derby.
SMUD proactively works to improve the
quality of life in El Dorado County, where
the electric utility owns and operates the
Upper American River Project (UARP),
a system of hydroelectric generation
facilities. “Many SMUD employees work
and live in El Dorado County and support
the local businesses and the tax base,”
said SMUD Chief Energy Delivery Officer
Frankie McDermott. “Though El Dorado
County is outside our service territory, we
consider it a very important part of the
SMUD community.”
In 2014 SMUD was awarded a new
50-year license by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) to
continue operating the UARP, which
provides nearly 700 megawatts of lowcost,
clean, non-carbon-emitting hydro
power. The resource provides about 15
to 20 percent of SMUD’s energy capacity
during an average water year. The
fish-stocking effort helps SMUD meet
conditions of operating its FERC license
for the UARP.
For more information about UARP and
associated projects, please visitSMUD.
org and the Community and Recreational
Call for Reservations
800-286-0576
www.collinslake.com
P.O. Box 300 . Oregon House . California 95962 3913
Big trout are grabbing lures and baits
at Collins Lake. These fish were caught
during a late May fishing adventure.
Photo courtesy of
the COLLINS LAKE
RECREATION AREA,
Oregon
House.
Areas web pages.
Trollers are landing mackinaw in the 2 to
6 lb. range while trolling Rapalas at Hell
Hole Reservoir. Anglers are seeing a lot
of fish at 100 to 120 feet deep, reported
Craig Newton at Willfish Bait and Tackle.
French Meadows is kicking out rainbows
– more rainbows than browns – for
anglers trolling worms behind dodgers or
Rapalas. The larger fish are measuring 0
inches long.
“Some shore anglers are also picking
up rainbows and browns while tossing
out flies behind water bobbers,” stated
Newton.
Stumpy Meadows is another good bet
for rainbow trout. Fishermen trolling with
dodgers behind flashers are landing
planter rainbows in the 13 inch class.
Newton also noted that the lake features
smallmouth and spotted bass for anglers
to pursue.
AMERICAN RIVER
Shad Offer Top Early Summer
Action
SACRAMENTO – Shad continue
to reward anglers fishing the
lower American River from below
Nimbus Fish Hatchery to Watt
Avenue, but waders have to go out
further into the river with the lower
flows, reported Alan Fong at the
Fisherman’s Warehouse.
Bureau of Reclamation releases
from Nimbus Dam into the American
were 2270 cfs at press time. Waders
are using plastic grubs and shad
flies to entice the feisty members of
the herring family.
Your best bet is to use 1/32 oz.
teeny rounder jigheads, tipped
with 1 inch chartreuse, pink and
champagne color grubs. Some
anglers are experiencing the top
action while drifting the lures with
small split shot, while others are
drifting the flies and lures under
bobbers.
Striped bass fishing is also worth
a try at this time of year. Try fishing
the major holes of the river with
Continued on Pg 8