FRESHWATER
8 Sept 25, 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 20
EAGLE LAKE
CABIN RENTALS
3811
FRESHWATER REPORTS
ALMANOR
Trout Bite for Deep Water
Trollers
CHESTER- The calendar shows fall is
a few short weeks away, my thermometer
says different. We are expecting temps
to reach the 100 degree mark today and
tomorrow with temps dropping into the
80’s the balance of the week.
Water temps continue to hover in the
mid-seventies and lake level continues to
drop. We expect the water level to drop
feet not inches over the next few months,
navigational hazards such as Dakasu
Islands, located in the middle of the lake
off Rocky Point Campground and Flag
Island also known as Goose Island, are
well known by locals, both are extremely
dangerous especially during hazy/windy
low visibility conditions.
It’s no secret fish are congregating in
deep water in search of cooler water.
They continue to feed on pond smelt and
trollers are catching quality fish both fast
and slow trolling.
Gulp! and crawlers at 1 mph on a size
8 hook 40 + feet on the wire will work as
will Speedy Shiners trolled between 2.5-3
mph. With hardware stagger depths and
Furnished
Cabins from
$60 per night or
$360 per week
Awesome
• Trout Fishing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Relaxing
Rentals — Real Estate — Lots & Land
For Reservations and info:
(530)825-2131
www.eaglelakeheritage.com
colors as both change daily with and as
always have at least one forty-niner color
on at all times.
Start at the typical deep water spots
such as Rec#1 to Big Cove, Big Springs
to Dorado and the East Shore and stay
on the fish when you find them. Hamilton
Branch remains the only legitimate
chance for bank fishermen to catch trout.
The bass bite remains tough and most
likely will stay tough until we get a break
from the heat and water temps begin to
drop.-John Crotty, Quail Lodge.
AMADOR LAKE
Junior Anglers Target
Largemouths
IONE – When asked how things
are going, Laurie Lockhart of the Lake
Amador Resort quipped, “It looks like a
Halloween horror flick here now. Where’s
Jason?” in reference to the dark skies and
smoke resulting from the California fires.
Few people have been out fishing on
the lake. The one event that took place
was a junior bass fishing tournament
over Labor Day weekend. “They reported
catching a few fish up to 3 pounds during
the tournament,” said Lockhart.
Channel catfish, bluegill and crappie are
available throughout the lake, but nobody
has reported back on how they have done
over the past couple of weeks.
She is looking forward to when the
weather cools down, it rains and they are
able to start stocking trout from the lake’s
on-site hatchery in late October.
The lake level is 25 feet from maximum
pool and the water temperature is 78
degrees.
The Tackle Box Café is open, but the
swim pond is closed. The resort is open
for fully self-contained trailers, RV’s, and
tent camping by reservation only.
- Dan Bacher
AMERICAN BASIN LAKES
Kokanee Enter Spawning
Mode at Hell Hole Reservoir
AUBURN – Before the latest fires
erupted and the Forest Service
temporarily closed all 18 National Forests
in California,
kokanee
salmon
fishing at
visit
LAKE CAMANCHE
World-Class Trout & Bass Fishing, year round!
2 for 1
CAMPING
Camp one
night at
Lake Camanche
and receive
your second night free. Offer must be
redeemed by calling (866) 763-5121 and
mentioning promo code FS14 at the time
of booking. offer not redeemeable online.
Not valid on weekend, holidays, full hook-up RV sites
or for cottage stays. Supplemental fees may apply.
Mid Week Camping Special!
Your 2nd Night is FREE!
CALL 866.763.5121
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
Hell Hole
Reservoir
has been up
and down
as the fish
enter their
spawning
phase, with
limits caught
one day and
nothing the
next,
LAKE
AMADOR
Trout Planted Seasonally!
• Cafe • RV Park • Waterslide
• Campground • Disc Golf
• General Store
Cafe Open Seasonally On
Friday, Saturday & Sundays
3721
“The fish
are in the 13
to 16 inch range,” reported Craig Newton
at Willfish Bait and Tackle. “They are
moving up the river arm now. Trolling with
GVF and other lures, tipped with white
corn, behind dodgers has been producing
the best action.”
For mackinaw trout, Newton
recommended trolling with black and
silver Rapalas under the kokanee, since
the macks are feeding on the kokes. Most
of the mackinaw go from 2 to 6 pounds,
but larger fish are available.
French Meadows, like Hell Hole, is
producing up and down fishing. Newton
advised boaters to troll nightcrawlers
behind dodgers and Rapalas for rainbows
and browns. The rainbows are mostly in
the 12 to 14 inch range, while the browns
go 2 to 3 pounds and up to 5 pounds.
- Dan Bacher
AMERICAN RIVER
Stripers and Salmon
Challenge Anglers
SACRAMENTO – Very few anglers
have been targeting salmon on the
American since the season began on July
209-274-4739
7500 Lake Amador Dr., Ione, CA 95640
WWW.LAKEAMADOR.COM
Christy pulled this huge
rainbow trout out of Lake
Camanche during a midsummer
trolling adventure.
Photo courtesy of GREG GALLI,
Sacramento.
16, due to
the recent
heat wave
and lack of
Chinooks on the
American. However,
that will change when
the weather begins to
cool and more salmon
begin entering the
American towards the
end of September and
during the month of
October.
River fishing for
salmon should be good
this year, based on
the limit-style fishing
that trollers have been
seeing outside of the
Golden Gate and off
Bodega Bay.
Fishing pressure
for stripers has also been very light. “A
couple of guys have been picking up
stripers in the lower American while
throwing swim baits and Sneaky Petes
early and late in the day,” said Reggie
Birring at the Freeport Market. “They
reported landing fish from 25 to 30 inches
long.”
During the day, you should find the top
striper action while drifting live jumbo
minnows, live crawfish and cut anchovies
and sardines at Sailor Bar, Upper and
Lower Sunrise, El Manto, Rossmoor Bar,
River Bend Park, Gristmill, Watt Avenue,
Howe Avenue and other locations.
Releases to the American River below
Nimbus Dam are now 2,250 cfs.
- Dan Bacher
LAKE BERRYESSA
Lake Facilities Remain Closed
Due to Fire Damage
NAPA - The Bureau of Reclamation’s
Lake Berryessa facilities remain closed
until further notice due to fire damage.
This includes all day-use areas, boat
launching and concession-operated sites.
“We are working hard to make Lake
Berryessa safe for our employees
and visitors and that will take time,”
said Regional Director Ernest
Conant. “We ask the public to be
patient during this process, and we
look forward to opening as soon as
possible.”
The area sustained extensive
damage from the recent lightningignited
fires and will not reopen until
it is safe. Vehicle access is limited
due to road closures and evacuation
orders by Cal Fire. Communication
services and utilities are extremely
limited for the time being.
“We would like to thank the
public for their continued patience
during this challenging time for our
community,” said Napa County
Continued on Pg 10