Fish Sniffer Issue 3920 | Page 15

FRESHWATER 16 Sept 25, 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 20 FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 13 KLAMATH/TRINITY RIVERS Lower Klamath Salmon Quota Met REQUA – Based upon California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) projections of the recreational fall Chinook salmon catch on the Klamath River, anglers will meet the Lower Klamath River adult fall Chinook salmon quota below the Highway 96 Bridge near Weitchpec for the 2020 season as of 11:59 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14. This triggers the closure of the adult Chinook salmon fishery on the main stem of the Klamath River from the Highway 96 Bridge to the mouth of the Klamath River at the Pacific Ocean. The fishery at the mouth of the Klamath was closed as of Tuesday, Sept. 8 and will remain closed to all fishing for the rest of the calendar year. The rest of the lower main stem of the Klamath River below the Highway 96 Bridge at Weitchpec will remain open to the harvest of jack (2-year-old) Chinook salmon (less than or equal to 23 inches). All adult Chinook salmon caught must be immediately released and reported on the angler’s report card. Anglers may still fish for adult Chinook salmon in other reaches of the Klamath Basin, including the main stem of the Klamath River above Weitchpec and the entire Trinity River until the closure of those fisheries. Anglers may monitor the quota status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling the information hotline at (800) 564-6479. For more information regarding Klamath River fishing regulations, please consult the 2020-2021 California Freshwater and Supplemental Sport Fishing Regulations at wildlife.ca.gov/regulations. California Department of Fish and Wildlife LOS VAQUEROS RESERVOIR Watershed Still Closed for Fire Clean Up and Remediation BRENTWOOD –-The fire that resulted in the closure of Los Vaqueros Reservoir was 100% contained. But at press time, the watershed still remains closed until further notice for clean-up and remediation. Before the watershed closed, channel catfish were providing the top sport for anglers fishing from shore and boats at Los Vaqueros. Anglers bagged the catfish, along with some stripers, while soaking anchovies and chicken livers. Yekam El Nakar caught his catfish limit and a 30 lb. carp on his latest bait fishing trip to the lake, according to the Los Vaqueros Marina. Albert Attiya was fishing from a rental boat when he reeled in a giant catfish. The latest fish plant by the lake management was of 1,000 pounds of catfish on August 12. Fish plants should resume when the reservoir reopens. Boat rentals will reopen at the marina after the fire emergency is over. They will be available on a first come, first serve basis, and are subject to wind restrictions. Just a few reminders: social distance and masks are required. No pets, BBQs, alcohol, or fireworks are allowed. Cold water is available at the marina, but always make sure you pack extra in the heat. No swimming is allowed at the reservoir. For more information, call the Marina at 925- 371-2628.. NEW MELONES LAKE Reclamation Increases Fire Restrictions SONORA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation CONTINUED ON PG 17 Stripers have returned to the Delta and the fall bite is on. This quality bass was caught while trolling on September 2. Photo courtesy of DELTA PRO FISHING, Elk Grove. WHAT’S HOT continued from page 1 high country views. Unlike many lakes this year, Caples is nearly full, making NOW BOOKING Sacramento River SALMON Professional Guide Dan Ponciano Call Dan for a Great Salmon Trip Call Now for Best Dates! (360)607-8511 24’ North River sled G Loomis Rods • Shimano Reels Also Specializing in Columbia River Sturgeon Trips www.columbiariverfishing.com Scotts Flat Handicapped barrier free fishing access, Fish cleaning station, Restrooms at marina, Boat Launch Ramp, Marina, Store. Fishing ❂ Camping ❂ Boating 23333 Scotts Flat Rd., Nevada City, CA 95959 Just 5 Miles East of Nevada City on Hwy 20 Fishing•Camping•Boating Our LAKE IS FULL! 3816 Scotts Flat Lake Recreation Area is the gateway to the Tahoe National Forest. At an elevation of 3,000 feet, the lake is an ideal headquarters for a complete vacation and family fun! EXCELLENT FISHING FOR: Rainbow Trout German Browns Kokanee Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Reservations (530) 265– 5302 • Office (530) 265–8861 recreation.nidwater.com Nevada Irrigation District it an especially attractive destination for trout enthusiasts this fall. Caples Lake 3810 encompasses about 600 surface acres when at full capacity, setting at an elevation of 7,806 feet near Carson Pass. Unlike many of the Sierra’s high country trout lakes that require stout hiking boots or four wheel drive vehicles to access them, Caples offers easy access to both bank anglers and boaters. Highway 88 traces the entire northern shoreline of Caples, 3907 GREAT Fishing for: ������������������������ ����������������������� ��������������������������� �������������������������� �������������������� ����������������������������� Call for Information & Reservations (800) 416-6992 4900 Stony Creek Rd. Ione www.rockymountainrec.com offering bank anglers excellent opportunities mere feet from the pavement. For the boating fraternity the lake boasts a pair of launch ramps, one is private at Caples Lake Resort and the other public administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Caples Lake Resort serves as the prefect headquarters for the entire family to enjoy the lake and the surrounding country. In addition to its cabins and 6 unit lodge the resort boasts a launch ramp, store, marina, guest dock, rental powerboats, kayaks and canoes. Guests at the resort not only have easy access to the lake, but they can explore extensive hiking trails during the summer and cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails during the winter. Bucks Lake: Small Lake, Plentiful Trout Plumas County’s Bucks Lake, the centerpiece of recreation in Central Plumas County, is 17 miles south-west of Quincy, past the small community of Meadow Valley. This beautiful, semi-isolated destination offers yearround enjoyment at an elevation of 5,200 feet. With 17 miles of shoreline, sandy beaches and tall pines, Bucks Lake attracts fishermen, campers, hikers and water sports enthusiasts in the temperate months, and snowmobilers and snowshoe explorers in the winter. Fishing is great for rainbow, brook and brown trout, kokanee salmon and trophy mackinaw. If you need a place to stay at Bucks Lake and camping isn’t your cup of tea, Bucks Lake Lodge has got you covered. The lodge features 11 European housekeeping cabins. These are cozy, rustic cabins that house from 2-10 people. They have furnished kitchens and are open all year. Lake Shasta: Big Water, Big Numbers of Trout Lake Shasta is truly a magnificent fishery. It sets a high standard against which all other California Lakes are measured. Shasta impounds water from a 6,665 square mile watershed encompassing the Sacramento, Pit, McCloud and numerous lesser creeks and streams. When at full capacity, the lake boasts 4,552,000 acre-feet of water with a surface elevation of 1,067 feet and more than 365 miles of shoreline. Cold water anglers spend their time targeting several strains of rainbow trout, brown trout and king salmon. While Shasta does receive heavy planting from the DFW, it has a big enough population of wild and holdover trout that a decline in planting doesn’t affect fishing success very much in the short term. Shasta is primarily a troller’s lake, but bank anglers can prosper too. The most common cold water fish are rainbow trout. They average about 2 pounds and range up to 5. There are lots of them and they make their living feeding primarily on threadfin shad. Trollers score well pulling shad imitating spoons, plugs and hoochies teamed with dodgers. To hook up you’ll need to use your sonar unit effectively to located bait and pinpoint the depth of the trout. After that a brisk troll with shad imitations typically does the trick. Bankers can hook up during the late fall and winter months when good numbers of trout can be found shallow and close to the bank. Tossing spoons and drifting live minnows beneath slip bobbers are the methods of choice for bank anglers.