8 July 28 , 2023 VOL . 42 • ISS . 11

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 7

COLLINS LAKE

Big Channel Catfish On The Prowl

OREGON HOUSE – Trout fishing has slowed down on Collins Lake , with only a few being caught by anglers trolling below 20 feet , Anglers in search of big fish should target channel catfish now , according to Ed Palma at the Collins Lake Resort . Armani Aikens of Chico landed the largest fish landed lately , a 18.2 lb . catfish . He was bait fishing near the boat dock when he landed the giant . Abby McMinn landed an 8.5 lb . channel cat near the marina while using a drop shot rig . Tommy , Samuel and Jackson Sabaska teamed up to land a 5-1 / 4 lb . catfish and 4 lb . catfish while using sardines from the dock . Bass activity is scattered over the lake . Anglers are fishing deep water with Robo Worms on drop shot rigs . Dale Mansfield of Forbestown caught five bass to 3 pounds while fishing by the dam 3 pounds on a recent trip to the lake . Collins Lake is 10 feet from full and the surface water temperature is 80 degrees .

DAVIS LAKE

CDFW Reports On June Catfish Die Off

PORTOLA – Bank anglers and boaters have experienced solid trout and largemouth bass fishing since Lake Davis iced out this spring . However there was a die off of brown bullhead catfish in June that drew concern from anglers , guides and local residents . Amber Mouser , CDFW Fisheries Biologist , reported that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife ( CDFW ) has been working with local authorities in response to fish mortalities at Lake Davis in Plumas County , CA . From June 4-12 , 2023 , brown bullhead , a species of catfish , were observed dead or dying throughout the reservoir . “ These fish were observed floating and / or washed up onshore at Lake Davis ,” stated Mouser . “ A small number of dead or dying Largemouth Bass and Pumpkinseed were observed as well . CDFW collected fish carcasses from around the lake and

performed necropsies at the department ’ s fish pathology lab . Necropsy results indicate that Columnaris bacteria may have been a contributing factor in the fish mortalities .” “ Columnaris outbreaks are naturally occurring in the environment and typically occur when water temperatures are warm . Prior to the fish die-off , the area around Lake Davis experienced consistent warm evening thunderstorms for about two weeks . This weather combined with other factors such as post-Dixie Fire runoff , or a spring turnover event , may have been contributing factors to the fish die-off ,” she stated . “ Columnaris isn ’ t considered a risk factor for humans , and the bacteria is not known to transfer to humans ,” she continued . “ CDFW and its partners will continue to monitor the fish population at Lake Davis . The public is encouraged to report dead or sick fish through CDFW ’ s Wildlife Incident Reporting System ,” Mouser concluded .

- Dan Bacher

DON PEDRO LAKE

King Bite Shifts Into High Gear

LA GRANGE – The king salmon are on the bite at Don Pedro Reservoir – and some quality rainbow trout and kokanee salmon are also showing in the catches . “ King salmon fishing is really good at Don Pedro ,” said Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing . “ On my latest trip to the lake , two anglers , Brett Lawson and Ed Milam , caught 8 kings in the 2 to 4 lb . class , one kokanee weighing 2.7 pounds and two rainbows measuring 16 to 17 inches . They also released four smaller rainbows .” “ Lawson landed the 2 largest fish , kings weighing 3.4 and 4.2 pounds ,” noted Smith . “ We trolled at 50 to 75 feet deep with Apex lures , tipped with white corn , behind dodgers . The kings and rainbows are hitting kokanee gear . The best bite was from 10 to 11 a . m .” On his previous trip , two fishermen landed 4 kings weighing 1-1 / 2 to 2 pounds , one 2.2 lb . kokanee , and a 19 inch rainbow and one smaller one . “ We trolled at 40 to 50 feet deep ,” said Smith . “ We saw the top fishing early in the morning before the sun crested over the hill .” Don Pedro Lake is holding 1,952,414 acre feet of water , 96 percent of capacity and 120 percent of average .

- Dan Bacher

Richie Vanoli , of Spalding , with a fat 3.6 pound Eagle Lake rainbow taken trolling Thomas Buoyants with Tim Noxon .

Photo courtesy of Fish Traveler Guide Service

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