12 June 23 - July 7 , 2017 VOL . 36 • ISS . 14

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 9

DON PEDRO LAKE

Trollers Battle Rainbows To 4-1 / 2 Pounds

LA GRANGE – Lake Don Pedro , located on the Tuolumne River , is a popular destination for anglers in search of big , beautiful holdover rainbow trout , as well as kokanee and landlocked king salmon .

Trolling for the trout has improved with the warming weather as the fish begin to concentrate in deeper water . For example , two people fishing with Captain Monte Smith of Gold Country Sportfishing landed 10 rainbows , ranging from 2-1 / 2 to 4-1 / 2 pounds , while trolling with big spoons at 25 to 50 feet deep on Sunday , June 4 .

“ We caught the fish all over the main body of the lake , including Middle Bay , Big Oak Island , Jenkins Hill and Big Creek ,” he noted . “ They kept just four fish .”

Fishing was tougher on Saturday , when three anglers fishing with Smith landed six fish , including two kings weighing around 2 pounds each and four rainbows ranging from 2 to 2-3 / 4 pounds . “ We also lost a big salmon that made a couple of long runs ,” said Smith . by Dan Bacher

EAGLE LAKE

Trout Fishing Improves With Wind

SPALDING - On the opening weekend at Eagle Lake , two weeks back things weren ’ t great . The bite was a so so at best , the trout were holding somewhat deep and there was a fair amount of algae in the water .

What a difference a little time makes ! Brisk winds have been pushing through the Eagle Lake Basin clearing large areas of the lake of algae and bringing the trout out of the depths and closer to the surface .

Anglers aren ’ t experiencing limit-style action , but the fishing is productive . Some guys are getting skunked , many are bringing in a fish per rod and some folks are scoring limits . The average trout is right around 2 pounds , with the largest models running up to 3.5 pounds .

In terms of lures the bite has been pretty random . Needlefish are producing fish as are Red Dog Spoons . Plastic grubs are a staple at Eagle and they are working in both natural and bright colors . Orange Rapalas have caught

Mark Black caught this massive 9 lb spotted bass while fishing Bullards Bar Reservoir this May .

Photo courtesy of LIZZ BLACK , Sacramento . some fish and threaded worms are getting hit too .

Overall the best action is coming for trollers working the top 20 feet . Bobber fishing is fairly slow at this time . The trout seem to be moving around in small groups , so when you hook one , work the area hard for another hookup .

If you ’ re planning a trip to Eagle Lake and would like to take your RV , get in contact with the team at the Eagle Lake RV Park and ask them about the Fish Sniffer Special !

EAST DELTA

Panfish , Stripers Pace Stockton Area Action

STOCKTON - Panfish action in Delta sloughs is heating up , while striped bass action is on the upswing as fish return from spawning on the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers .

Bluegill have moved into the shorelines in the sloughs , and the Delta Loop off of Highway

Joelle landed this impressive striper while fishing the Feather River this May . Photo courtesy of MSJ GUIDE SERVICE , Yuba City .

12 is a good location to try for the panfish with jumbo red worms .

Steve Johnson of H and R Bait in Stockton reported good action for striped bass on the outgoing tide on the San Joaquin River at the Highway 4 Bridge with Super Flukes .

He said , “ We must have landed 50 to 60 stripers , and most of the fish were in the 20- to 23-inch range . The stripers were gorging on shad , and one of the fishermen on the bridge gave us a tip that the fish were there . Other than this , a 14 pounder was landed on the Old River so there are still some larger stripers around . Bluegill are all over the place in every slough with red worms , and we have once again received a supply of fresh shad .”

Largemouth bass continues to challenge fishermen wanting to will the fish to rise to a reaction bite , but the there is some hope with the emergence of a frog bite in the East Delta . Dan Mathisen of Dan ’ s Delta Outdoors in Oakley said , “ My wife , Sandra , just landed her first frog fish at 4.5 pounds , and the frog bite is starting along with chatterbaits , and Fat Sack swimjigs .”

Alan Fong , manager of the Fishermen ’ s Warehouse in Sacramento reported good action for black bass in the San Joaquin with Senkos and Zoom Trick Worms .

– by Dave Hurley

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EASTERN SIERRA

Bridgeport Reservoir Rated As “ Great ”!

BRIDGEPORT - “ Bridgeport Reservoir has been great this week with lots of very nice rainbows in the 2 to 5 pound range as well as a couple browns weighing in at just under 6 pounds and there was an 8.75 pounder as well ,” exclaimed Jim Reid of Ken ’ s Sporting Goods .

“ Rapalas seem to be the lure of choice for the browns as well as some nice rainbows . Trollers are also using Tasmanian Devils , Speedy Shiners and nightcrawlers . Bait anglers are using Mice Tails , pinched crawlers and night crawlers . The anglers fishing from boats are doing the best but both the large browns and some nice rainbows were taken from the shore too . The weather has been great and the fishing on the reservoir just seems to keep getting better and better ,” Reid asserted .

“ Twin Lakes have kicked out some nice fish up to about 5 pounds this week . There have been some very good reports for some fly anglers stripping streamers . Bait anglers are having some success on PowerBait , Mice Tails and pinched crawlers . Trollers are catching some fish with Rapalas , Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters . Fly anglers are using wooly buggers , prince nymphs , soft hackles and matukas ,” tipped Reid .

Crowley is fishing really well at times ,” disclosed Tom Loe of Sierra Drifters Guide Service . “ Good quality fish are now showing up feeding heavily on midges in both larval and pupal stages . Trout are now being caught in much shallower water than the opening week . We have been getting them as shallow as 12 ’ some days and having to push out to deeper water on others . Best spots have been Stormy Flats , Sometimes Bay , Sandy Point , Six Bays , Alligator Pt ., Christmas Bay , and Layton Springs . 1-3 ’ off the bottom has been getting the job done as the fish cruise their depth of choice depending on what level the bulk of the chironomids are concentrated at .”

Most rivers and streams are running pretty large due to melting snow . While you can catch fish in the rivers , lake fishing is a much better option at this time .

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