12 May 5 , 2023 VOL . 42 • ISS . 7

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 9

EASTERN SIERRA

lakes and streams are accessible . As of press time , many waters including the very popular Crowley Lake still have extensive ice cover . The 2023 opener started Saturday , April 29 one hour before sunrise . Thousands of California and nonresident anglers are known to visit the wide open spaces of the eastern Sierra on opening day weekend to enjoy great fishing , amazing views , family tradition and camaraderie . Fishing experiences this year were different . As of April 14 , the California Department of Water Resources shows the snowpack as 208 percent of normal in the northern Sierra , 241 percent in the central Sierra and 314 percent in the southern Sierra . Only a handful of lakes are open due to wintry conditions and public safety concerns . Rivers and streams are flowing at higher rates , shore ice may be a concern and historical access points may not be accessible . Some access roads are closed , flooded or washed out . CDFW recommends anglers planning to fish in either Mono or Inyo counties call ahead to determine which recreation areas are impacted by ongoing snow conditions .

Salmon • Trout • Kokanee • Striper

it ’ s all about NOW BOOKING fishing

Brett Brady

USCG licensed bonded & insured

TROUT

• SALmON CATFISH LARGEMOUTH • TROUT BASS

• STRIPED BASS

The New Marina

• CATFISH Building & Boat Rentals

• LARGEmOUTH NOW OPEN BASS !!!!

$ 25 boat rentals every

Los Vaqueros Recreation Co . Monday

9990 Los Vaqueros Rd . thru Friday

Byron , CA , 94514

( non holidays )

www . NORCALFISHING . COm A Contra Costa Water District Facility

4005 2907

Dalton Heryford , of Sac Valley Fish & Fowl , has been putting his clients on some nice stripers . Dalton has reported that the spring striped bass run has been epic at times on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers .

Photo Courtesy of Sac Valley Fish & Fowl

( 530 ) 272-7137 • ( 530 ) 263-4451 www . fishbarebones . com 4207

4201

On a positive note , CDFW hatcheries have recovered from previous disease issues and are running at near capacity . A full season of bi-weekly stocking of lakes and streams is anticipated as they become accessible . Stocking schedules are available at fish planting schedule . Current fishing conditions are available by calling local visitors centers , chambers of commerce , sporting goods stores and resorts . Current road conditions for the two counties are available at Mono County roads and Inyo County roads . The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power also has current access information available at LADWP Access Information . CDFW reminds anglers that while ice fishing is legal , it can be very hazardous . All safety precautions should be utilized when attempting to access fish through the ice . Every fishing season , anglers are also advised to check specific area regulations and opening dates at 2023 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations ( PDF ). All anglers 16 and older must possess a valid California sport fishing license to fish within state boundaries , which can be purchased at CDFW ’ s Online License Sales and Services website or through a licensed sales agent .

- CDFW

FOLSOM LAKE

Black Bass and Trout Lead Spring Angling Parade

FOLSOM – Black bass fishing is heating up on Folsom Lake as the weather and water temperature warm up . Don Paganelli of Paganelli ’ s Bass Fishing Experience reported “ good , not fantastic ” fishing on his latest two trips to the lake . “ The two anglers with me on the first trip caught and released 15 fish , including one largemouth and 14 spotted bass ,” said Paganelli . “ Most of the fish were in the 2 pound class , with the biggest going 2-1 / 2 pounds . We used 3.5 inch Keitech swimbaits all day in the top 10 feet of water in the South Fork .” “ On our previous trip , we caught the same number of fish , but the fish were bigger ,” stated Paganelli . “ We hooked and released a 4-1 / 2 lb . . largemouth and a spotted bass weighing around 3 pounds , We didn ’ t hook any smallmouths . We fished the same lures and depths as the day before The fish are still in pre-spawn mode ; they haven ’ t started spawning yet .” Trollers are experiencing fair rainbow trout fishing at Folsom Lake , but the king salmon have been absent from the catches lately . Jerry Lampkin of TNG Motor Sports reported that Steve Burgess and Peter Meadows of Folsom caught three rainbows from 12 to 14 inches long on his most recent trolling adventure on April 24 . “ Our 3 planter rainbows hit copper / maroon Speedy Shiners and

CONTINUED ON PG 13