8 February 28 , 2025 VOL . 44 • ISS . 2

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 7

LAKE BERRYESSA

systems , infrastructure , and water quality .” For questions about this new protocol and vessel decontamination , contact BOR- Berryessa @ usbr . gov .

- Dan Bacher

BULLARDS BAR / ENGLEBRIGHT LAKES

Trollers Bag Kokanee Limits

DOBBINS – If you want to hook kokanee this time of year , it ’ s hard to beat fishing at Bullards Bar Reservoir . Trollers are catching the kokanee from 10 to 30 feet deep while trolling with hoochies , spinners and Kokanee Cut Plugs . “ It took us until 10:00 a . m . to find the kokanee at Bullards today – I haven ’ t been there in over a month ,” stated Rob Reimers of Rustic Rob ’ s Guide Service after his latest trip to the reservoir . “ But once we did it was a pretty good bite . The biggest fish today was 13.75 inches . Although there wasn ’ t enough time left to limit out , we had a good day !” If you book a trip with Reimers at Bullards for kokanee or Oroville for kings from now through the end of March , he will smoke and package your fish for no additional charge . Bullards Bar is holding 840,370 acre-feet of water , 87 percent of capacity and 128 percent of average . Few anglers have been on the water at Englebright Reservoir fishing for trout . However , this is generally a great time of year to hook rainbows and an occasional brown while trolling with Rapalas , Needlefish , Cripplures and nightcrawlers behind dodgers . Expect to hook holdover rainbows in the 12 to 18 inch range . Englebright is holding 72,250 acre feet of water , 103 percent of capacity and 109 percent of average .

- Dan Bacher

CAMANCHE LAKE

Bank Anglers Land Rainbows As Boating Closure Continues

BURSON – Lake Camanche remains closed to all boating except for rental boats , but shore anglers are battling big rainbows at the South Trout Pond and on the North and South Shores of the reservoir . “ A few days ago at Lake Camanche , Santi and Sam put their fishing poles to work and reeled in some absolute hogs ,” the Lake Camanche Recreation Company reported . “ Sam landed a monster 9.28 lb . rainbow and a solid 4.74 lb . beauty , while Santi made history with his first lightning trout . What a way to celebrate the love of the sport and good friends !” The two anglers caught 3 trout each , with the largest trout

measuring 28 inches long .

Weekly trout plants continue . During the latest plant , the lake management planted 1,000 lbs . of Rainbow Trout at the North Shore Ramp , 1,000 lbs . of Rainbow Trout at the South Shore Ramp , 1,000 lbs . of Rainbow Trout at the South Shore Pond and 500 lbs . of Lightning Trout at the South Shore Pond . “ The boat launches at Camanche Reservoir ’ s north and south shores are temporarily closed following the detection of the invasive Golden Mussel in the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta .,” according to a statement from EBMUD . “ This closure will allow EBMUD to develop a specialized process tailored to address this specific new threat . Our commitment to preserving the health of the Mokelumne River remains a priority , and we greatly appreciate your understanding and support during this time .” There is currently no ETA on reopening boat entry - Please check back here for updates : https :// www . ebmud . com / recreation / sierrafoothills / camanche-reservoir . Bass boats , fishing boats , patio boats and party boats are currently available for rental at the marina . Learn more and book : golakecamanche . com / attractions /# boat-rentals

- Dan Bacher

The Fish Sniffer is looking for an Internet Marketing Specialist to help drive the digital Fish Sniffer Magazine into the future .

Knowledge of fishing is very helpful . FishSniffer . com needs to be totally rebuilt , and Internet marketing increased to build the numbers on the magazine and website .

Ownership status a possibility for the right individual .

Contact Paul Kneeland at 530-346-8696 or paulkneeland @ fishsniffer . com

COLLINS LAKE

Target Rainbow Trout Near Surface

OREGON HOUSE – Collins Lake is full and spilling from the February rains . The surface water temperature is 51.6 degrees and the water clarity is 3 feet of visibility . Cal Kellogg , fishing guide , reported off and on trout action at Collins . “ On one day , the four anglers fishing with me landed 17 trout to 4 pounds while using green PowerBait in 4 to 10 feet of water ,” said Kellogg . “ Two of the . fish were Lightning Trout . The fish were biting way back in the flooded trees on the lake .” However , the bait bite slowed down over the next two days . “ Slow trolling with worms at 1.8 mph produced 4 rainbows on my latest trip ,” said Kellogg . “ We didn ’ t catch any fish while bait fishing .” Ed Palma at the Collins Lake Resort confirmed that trout fishing is best now in shallow water and near the surface . Here ’ s some catches to catch you up : Butch DeMontmollin caught a 5 lb . rainbow trout on green PowerBait by the dam . Lightning struck for Randy Freeman of Grass Valley who caught a 5-3 / 4 lb . golden rainbow trout tossing a nightcrawler from shore at the beach . Michael Cobbold doubled

Trout plants Oct-May Including Trophy Lightning and Rainbow Trout

FISH PLANTS

• 3,000 Largemouth Bass Planted In June 2024

• 25,000 + Lbs of Trout Scheduled for Fall & Winter 2024 / 2025

down on Butch ’ s catch with another 5 lb . rainbow trout , on green PowerBait , by the dam . Kris Kopfman of Glenn landed two Collins Lake trout both over 7 lbs . using an Orange Jay Fair Fly on the east side of the lake . Johnny Grizzle of Manteca showed us a chunky 7 lb . rainbow trout that he caught on green PowerBait by site # 117 . Hunter , Wyatt , Hana , Ana & Troy caught the kid ’ s first two fish , one weighing in at 4.5 lbs . on a Caliboii Custom Cheese-Minitube lure . Levi & Sumner of Citrus Heights caught a pair of trout , the biggest one weighing in at 6.5 lbs ., while trolling a hot steel Rapala near campsite # 202 . Reagan and his dad reeled in a 6 lb . rainbow trout and a pair of 15 ″ bass on the east side of the lake while dragging a PowerBait clad Roostertail near the surface . “ Most catches trolling have been reported in the top two feet and more and more we ’ re seeing good shoreline activity ,” Palma added . “ Keep an eye on the wind - it ’ s better to be out in a light sprinkle on a calm day with a good chance of catching , than on a dry but blustery afternoon fighting whitecaps . We plan to continue planting Mt . Lassen rainbow trout into May , conditions permitting .”

- Dan Bacher

7530 Collins Lake Road , Browns Valley , CA 95918

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