VOL . 44 • ISS . 1 January 10 , 2025

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FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 16

DON PEDRO LAKE

Tryphonas of Sweden , who reeled in fish after fish with Smith during his latest trip to Don Pedro Lake . Accompanying him were his mom , Daphne Tryphonas , his uncle , Steph Tryphonas , and Long Ngyuen of San Jose , who set up the trip . “ We caught about 20 trout ,” said Smith , “ keeping just 6 . Most were planter rainbows , but we also got 4 or 5 nice holdovers ranging from 2 to 3 pounds . We found pretty steady action while trolling with my large homemade spoons on leadcore line at 12 feet deep in the backs of dead end coves where the water is shallower and warmer .” On his previous trip , one angler fishing with Smith caught and released 30 rainbows to 3-1 / 2 pounds and a largemouth bass while trolling spoons .

- Dan Bacher

EAGLE LAKE

Cold weather prompts Big Trout to bite !

Eagle Lake has been getting some of the cold and wet weather we have all been experiencing . Snow and low air temperatures in the teens and low twenties have dropped the water temperature and

spurred the Eagle Lake rainbows to come in close to shore to feed . The best area has been on the south end and east side from the boat ramp rocks around to Pikes Point , Wildcat and even up to Shrimp Island . The shore fisherman are doing very well with nightcrawlers under bobbers in shallow water . The trout are averaging 4 to 5 pounds with several documented at a little over 6 pounds . Some flyfishermen are also doing well off the bank as well . Trollers are catching fish in shallow water trolling right on the surface and down to 7 feet deep with red / gold Thomas Bouyants , orange Jay Fair Trolling flies , and small spoons like Needlefish and Hot Ticket in bright colors . Trollers are also doing well with naked nightcrawlers at 1.2 mph . For more information , contact the Eagle Lake RV park at 530-825- 3133 or www . eaglelakervpark . com

EAST BAY LAKES ROUNDUP

Quarry Lakes Kicks Out Winter Rainbows

FREMONT – Anglers saw a drop in action following last week ’ s rain . There were , however , a couple of bright spots and by the weekend , conditions should have settled , and action should be good . Quarry Lakes was the most productive . The lake received some water , but the rain had little effect on water conditions and anglers were able to pull some decent numbers . Wind over the past couple of days did stir up a little mud , but most was limited to the immediate shoreline and anglers fishing out beyond it took some decent fish . The “ cove ” and the “ row ” should be a solid bet this weekend . Sight fishing might be a bit off , but the fish are holding just outside of visible range and if you can get to them , action should be good . Natural colors like cricket or grasshopper have been producing but mix it up if you ’ re not catching . Anglers soaking PowerBait along the ‘ row ” are doing well and there doesn ’ t appear to be a favorite color . There were no reports from Rainbow , Shinn or Grau . Lake Temescal anglers also enjoyed some decent action . The lake has received some heavy plants , and the pressure has been light . Water conditions are fair , and this weekend should be good . Shadow Cliffs has been one of the more productive lakes but despite a recent 1,000-pound Lassen plant , action has slowed . Bait anglers have been doing best with a decent mix of DFW ’ s and Lassen ’ s . Both sides of the tube have been producing , but the point to the left of the ramp has been the most productive . The bite may pick up for anglers throwing jigs , or spoons , but that action was tough this week . Lake Del Valle received a 1,000-pound Lassen plant and action has been fair . The water level did come up slightly , but the lake is still low . The water level has been holding at approximately 37-percent compared to a summer level in the low 50-52-percent range . The low water has made it difficult to fish the East Swim Beach but has exposed plenty of shoreline beyond the Narrows . Trout action has been consistent , not on fire but decent . There were some slab bluegill taken and the occasional striper . Lake Chabot has been tough .

The lake received a 1,000-pound Lassen plant but action was very slow . Water conditions are good with just a bit of stain . Most anglers that I have spoken with just don ’ t understand the low numbers . It might be a good weekend to focus on the shoreline out to Indian Cove and Racoon point . Trolling might also be a decent bet . Contra Loma received a DFW plant last week and a Lassen plant this week , despite the heavy plants , reports have been very low . I am not sure why action is so light . Conditions are good and there should be plenty of fish . If you ’ re headed out there this weekend , try fishing the area around the ramp , the rock wall , or the far dock . PowerBait may be your best bet .

- Chuck Wolf , EBRPD Angler ’ s Edge

FEATHER RIVER

Steelhead Bite Below Hatchery On Opening Day

OROVILLE – An estimated 40 and 50 people fished for steelhead on the opening day , Jan . 1 in the stretch of river below the Feather Fish Hatchery . “ The fly guys did good on blue wing olive and egg patterns ,” said Joshua Giordano . ” Conventional tackle was a bit slow for some . Nightcrawlers under floats and roe and beads seemed to be the go-to baits .” “ The few guys throwing spoons said it was hit or miss ,” he said . “ I fished the smelt imitation and spoons . I hooked 9 fish , landing 7 . For the most part , anglers hooked 1 to 1.5 fish per rod . My big fish was 7 to 8 lbs .“

CONTINUED ON PG 18

Rancho Seco Recreational Area

Open year round with RV sites , waterfront campsites and BBQ ’ s . You can rent electric and row boats , kayaks , and paddle boards for more water fun !

• Wet a line

• Hike a trail

• Pitch a tent

Visit smud . org / RanchoSeco or call 1-800-416-6992 .

Park Operator

• Launch a boat

• Have a picnic

4201

© SMUD 1150-10 / 23 ® A trademark of Sacramento Municipal Utility District , Reg . U . S . Pat . & Tm . Off .

Rancho Seco Recreational Area is located 25 miles south of Sacramento at 14960 Twin Cities Road in Herald , CA .

80

1-5

Sacramento

99

Vicinity Map

Clay

N

Twin Cities Rd . Herald

104 Rancho Seco Recreational Area

From Sacramento , take Highway 99 South to the Highway 104 exit . Go East on Highway 104 , 15 miles , to the Rancho Seco Park exit .

Clay Station Rd .

Park Entrance

Powering forward . Together .