Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3704 Feb 2-16, 2018 | Page 19

Sugar Pine Reservoir Facts r il C ta irt Sh Office ) Cartop Launch Sugar Pine Reservoir Morning Star Reservoir (Pvt.) Giant Gap CG Su Newcastle Cool Pilot Hill To Foresthill Rd I80 and Auburn (18 Miles) Area Map To Sacramento ree k d Sugar Pine (OHV) Staging Area 10 To Foresthill Rd I80 & Auburn (20 Miles) Sugar Pine Recreation Area Placer County Coloma Rescue s C 1.3 mi. oa Sugar Pine Twin Pines Res Foresthill Meadow Vista d ll R thi res Fo Auburn To Reno, NV To Grass Valley & Nevada City e R Pagg Pin gar Parker Flat (OHV) Staging Area Trailer Dump Station e Cr eek Loomis Rocklin rbe 10 Penryn Fo Forbes Creek Group CG Dam tions during the drought. But the lake is nearly full and the boat ramp is in full operation, due to the runoff from this snow the snow and heavy precipitation in 2016 and 2017. Rainbow trout draw most anglers to the lake when the CDFG stocks them in the spring. The Department has historically planted the lake with both catchable rainbows and fingerling rainbows, but hasn’t planted fingerlings since 2010. The CDFW is now planting only catchable rainbow trout and Eagle Lake trout in Sugar Pine. “We released 6,470 trout in the lake 2016, and 16,900 in 2017,” said Jay Rowan, California De- partment of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) North Central Region Senior Environ- mental Scientist. While most of the fish caught at Sugar Pine are recent planters, a decent number of holdover rainbows in the 14 to 20 inch range are caught here also. In addition, wild trout inhabit the lake’s tributaries. Trolling set-ups used at other mid-elevation lakes, such as nightcrawl- ers behind dodgers, Rapalas, Cripplures, Needlefish and Apex lures, are produc- tive here. Bank anglers do best tossing out Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyants and Cripplures, Power Bait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs and Berkley Gulp Baits.. The points near the boat ramp offer the best fishing. This lake can be fished all year round, though access can get tough after snowstorms in the winter and spring. Sugar Pine is a relatively quiet, peaceful fishing lake, with a boating speed limit of 10 miles per hour, preventing water skiers and personal watercraft enthusi- asts from marring your fishing expe- rience – and making it a good lake for family camping and fishing adventures. Shirttail CG (OHV History and Location: Sugar Pine is located in the Tahoe National Forest at 3,620 feet above sea level. Fishing season: Fishing is open year round for rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill. Access can be tough during winter storms. Fishing is most popular from mid-May through November. Manzanita Picnic Area: North shore, 23 sites. There is mile-long, paved, shoreline trail suitable for wheelchairs. The rail continues on a gentle, rolling grade for another 2.5 miles around lake to south shore. Camping: Forbes Creek Group Campground: Southeast side, two 50-person campsites, central parking suitable for RVs. There is a paved boat ramp nearby. Swimming is not rec- ommended near ramp. Fees and reservations required. Giant Gap Campground: North shore, 30 campsites, some access for trailers/RVs. This is a fee area; reserva- tions accepted. Double or triple vehicle sites are avail- able. Shirttail Creek Campground: North shore, 30 camp- sites, some double and triple vehicle sites, and moder- ate trailers/RVs okay. This is a fee area; reservations are accepted. Boating facilities: All craft is allowed, but there is a 10- mph speed limit. Paved boat ramp on south shore. This is flat water paddling lake. With the limit on power boating, this is a good lake to let kids learn and adults practice. Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trails: 
Well groomed OHV Trails in the Sugar Pine Recreation Area attract off-road riders of trail bikes, dirt bikes and quads. Parker Flat and Sugar Pine OHV Staging are provided primarily for OHV users. Both sites have vault toilets and a loading ramp. Parker Flat is suitable for car and tent campers. Sugar Pine Staging is for RV use and day parking; tent camping is not permitted. Both provide easy access to the For- esthill OHV trail system. China Wall OHV Staging area, approximately 5 miles further northeast on Foresthill road is also a popular kick-off point to access the many OHV trails that criss-cross the Divide. Information and Reservations: Tahoe National Forest, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, CA. 95959, phone 530- 265-4531.For camping reservations, call 1-877-444-6777. Directions: From Foresthill follow Foresthill Divide Road east for 7 miles, then turn left (north) on Sugar Pine Road #10. It is five miles to the reservoir. Giant Gap Ridge Rd 17 Feb 2 - 16, 2018 MAP FEATURE VOL.37 • ISS. 04 Drawn by Dewayne Hight Placerville Fishing Notes • Rainbow Trout are the most popular fish at Sugar Pine. Shore anglers find the best fishing from March through June. Fish PowerBait, Atlas Mike’s Sierra Gold Trout Bait, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers from the dam and boat ramp area. A hiking trail around the lake allows you easy access to the shoreline. Trollers also experience excellent trout action during the spring and fall.. Use Cripplures, Hum Dingers, Tasmanian Devils, Speedy Shiners, Needlefish, Rapalas and other lures in the top 20 feet of water. When the water temperature warms up during the summer, trolling with downriggers or leadcore line is a necessity. • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass both are found in the lake. Target rocks and stumps for the smallmouths and trees and brush for the    largemouths. Since the water is so clear, finesse worms and Senkos can be very productive. Other good lures include crankbaits, ripbaits,    spinnerbaits and jigs. • Channel Catfish offer the top action in the summer and fall. Dunk mackerel, chicken liver, nightcrawers and sardines in the creek inlets. • Bluegill and Redear Sunfish are found in the lakes warmer coves and off points. Fish redworms and small jigs in the spring and summer. The reservoir also features self-sus- beach and a trailer dump station. Most Fishing and camping is also