Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3903 Jan 17-31 2020 | Page 15

FRESHWATER VOL.39 • ISS. 3 LOS VAQUEROS LAKE cont. reservoir in the lake in December,” said Hintzman. Striped bass are also hitting at the reservoir, although most are shakers or small keepers. John Marfia caught a 20.6 lb. striped bass in Penn Cove while using a Rebel swimbait. NEW MELONES LAKE Winter Bass Bite Starts ANGELS CAMP - The bass fishing at New Melones is finally picking up after a slow fall and anglers are getting into good numbers of spotted bass, along with an occasional largemouth. “The bass action is improving - we’re seeing a pretty decent winter bite,” said John Liechty of Xperience Guide Service. “We caught and released 30 bass on my most recent trip on the lake. The bass were chunky spots in the 1 to 3-pound range, along with a couple of largemouths. We were fishing drop shot, shakey head and NED rigs. Most of the bites came from 50 to 70 feet deep off the steeper banks in the creek channels.” “We’ve been catching a few bass in 4 the 6 lb. range while using swimbaits, but we didn’t try using them on this trip,” he noted. “The key is to be patient, since the water is cooling down. The water temperature was 54 degrees on Friday.” Trout fishing remains tough, but the fish being caught are quality ones. “Trollers are catching just one or two fish during a trip, but the fish being boated are quality rainbows ranging from 4 to 7 pounds. Boaters are doing best while are trolling Apex lures and Rapalas at 25 to 45 feet deep, although top-lining works occasionally.,” said Liechty. Shore fishing for rainbows is very slow because of lack of fish plants from the CDFW. Big fish honors go to Ted Overton, who landed a 5 lb. 4 oz. rainbow while trolling a cop car colored Needlefish at 45 feet deep, reported Kelli at Glory Hole Sports. She hasn’t heard any reports on crappie or catfish success on the reservoir lately. New Melones Lake is holding 1,979,610- acre feet of water, 82 percent of capacity and 143 percent of average. - Dan Bacher Jan 17-31, 2020 13 OROVILLE LAKE Bass on Typical Winter Bite OROVILLE – Anglers can expect to hook decent numbers of spotted bass this time of year, but don’t expect to see many big ones in the catches. “It’s typical fishing for Oroville in the winter,” reported Jamey Sorensen at North Valley Tackle and Pro Shot. “Most of the fish are ones in the 1-3.4 lb. range. Angler are doing best while dragging plastics, Senkos and tubes and fishing Ned rigs and jigs at 20 feet deep. The water temperature is in the fifties.” Bret Brady of Bare Bones Guide Service reported top-notch salmon fishing while trolling at Oroville on his latest trip. “I came looking for kings and found them! I caught fish up to 4 pounds,” he stated. The Spillway Boat Ramp is open to the public seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please note the trail head parking area does not open until 8 a.m., according to California State Parks. Minor construction activities may occur during the winter season and access hours are anticipated to be restricted again once construction restarts in the spring of 2020. The Bidwell ramp is open with two docks and two lanes, but most anglers are launching out of the Spillway, as it is the easiest place to put in a boat. Due to the Camp Fire, Lime Saddle Campground was used heavily and will be closed until April to allow the park to be rehabilitated. Bidwell Canyon Campground continues to be used by FEMA for Camp Fire Survivors and is anticipated to be open for recreation by mid-summer. All other portions of Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon, including the marinas and launch ramps will remain open during this time. Loafer Creek Campground is open year-round. Oroville is holding 3,537,577 acre feet of water, 57 percent of capacity and 94 percent of average. The lake level is 783.82 feet in elevation. - Dan Bacher Monster lightning trout are up for grabs at several NorCal locations. These huge fish were caught by Dom Sciarretta during a recent bank fishing outing! Photo courtesy of DOM SCIARRETTA, FishSniffer.Com Steelhead season is underway throughout Northern California and Oregon. This impressive chromer was landed on the Chetco River. Photo courtesy of CHETCO RIVER FISHING. RANCHO SECO LAKE Shore Anglers Battle Rainbow Trout HERALD – Rainbow trout continue to provide the most consistent fishing at Rancho Seco Reservoir. Mt. Lassen planted the lake the week of December 9 and another 500 pounds the week of December 30. Anglers are now picking up rainbows while tossing out PowerBait, Mice Tails, nightcrawlers, Kastmasters and other lures. To see the plant schedule, go to: https:// rockymountainrec.com/lake-facilities/ listing/rancho-seco-recreational-area. A total of 6500 pounds of trout were planted in 2019. The Rancho Seco Trout Derby for 2020 will be held on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5. Florida-strain largemouth bass, redear sunfish, crappie and bluegill are also available for anglers on the lake. Anglers nail the bass while using Huddleston and other rainbow trout swimbaits, crankbaits, CONTINUED ON PG 17