NORCAL LAKES REPORTS

Published: Sep 02, 2010 SHAVER LAKE kokes finally slow down Catfishing tops at Collins Lake, Triploids line up for Camanche action...

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WON NORCAL LAKE REPORTS Bite is finally tapering off By Bill Karr/WON Staff Writer SHAVER LAKE   — Following one of the best kokanee season in recent history at Shaver Lake, the bite is finally tapering off as they enter their final spawning cycle, according to guide Dick Nichols of Dicks Fishing Charters. He said that the fishing action is now down to one or two limits of “mostly kokanee mixed with trout per boat the norm”. The salmon still look good, but have the obvious signs of turning, with fewer scales and hooked jaws on the males, most of them averaging 14 to 16 inches. “It is the last hoorah for kokanee anglers and they must be on the lake at the crack of dawn to have an opportunity for a couple limits,” Nichols told WON. “The kokanee will be all but gone within two weeks.” Even so, a healthy plant of trout is expected following labor Day weekend, which will bring on good fall fishing for the rainbows through October, if it follows last year’s pattern. “The trout bite is off and on,” Nichols said, “and they can be found scattered throughout the lake and caught on Trout Busters in chartreuse and orange and green and red with a tip of ’crawler on the back hook and corn on the inside at 10-15 feet deep.” Bankies are scoring if a school of trout are feeding the bank in their area, but It’s hit or miss on the bank fishing. Most anglers are using rainbow or chartreuse glittered Power Bait or nightcrawlers, and the best locations continue to be the Point, and around the Edison campground. Small mouth bass have slowed a little but can be found on warm days in the rocks at various locations around the lake. Crickets and small spinners do the best on the bass. The weather over the weekend turned cold with temperatures at about 58 to 60 degrees, overcast and windy. A couple of sprinkles were felt off and on. The lake is at 70 percent and the surface water temperature us at 70 degrees. The weather should turn a little warmer this week with mid 70s to low 80s. Catfishing is tops at Collins Lake By Pat Young/WON Staff Writer OREGON HOUSE  — Catfish made a big showing this past week at Collins Lake and fish up to 12 pounds hit the scales at Collins Lake Resort. The warmer temps have driven the trout into deep water, but the catfish thrive in the warmer weather. Night fishing is more popular this time of the year when the cats are more active and prowling shallower water looking for an easy meal. “It’s been catfish, catfish, and catfish this week,” said Kathy Hess at Collins Lake Resort. “We had a lot of nice catfish brought in this week by anglers and some were lunker-sized. The biggest fish of the week was a 12 pounder landed by Pete Albini of Cotati, who was fishing up by the powerlines with worms. We also had a 9-pound cat weighed in by David Jamison of Yuba City who caught his fish off the marina docks on sardines. There were plenty of smaller catfish running 2 to 4 pounds checked in by anglers all week.” The dam, docks, east side and the powerlines were the most mentioned spots on the lake by successful anglers and most were using the standard catfish baits — chicken livers, sardines, crawdads, and worms. “We’re still seeing a few trout, but they are tougher to catch because they’re in deeper water, usually at least 30 feet,” said Hess. “One Lincoln angler, ‘Mark’, caught a limit trolling along the dam with a Rapala that included a beautiful 6-pound rainbow. Most successful trout anglers are using Power Bait or worms in the deepest water they can find during the day, though the trout move shallower at night near the marina docks.” Trout plant won’t resume until later this fall when the water cools off. Triploids line up for Camanche action Western Outdoor News IONE — Camanche Lake managers are implementing a new planting program that will utilize close-to-home sources for triploid trout. The plants will begin in October, said Louise Buie at Lake Camanche Recreation. “These fish are coming from the Mokelumne Fish Hatchery, right in our own backyard,” said Buie. The plants will start with 20,000 pounds the end of October, and will be followed by 10,000 pounds each month through May. Currently, anglers are still catching holdover rainbow trout planted during the 2009-2010 season. “Trout fishing is good for anglers who can get down to the right depth,” said Buie. “The trout are holding down between 35 and 40 feet.” She said fishing during early or late hours seems to produce the best action for anglers using Ex-Cel and Needlefish spoons. Top areas are around the dam and Hat Island. Recent success stories included one from Ray McLund, who caught a limit of rainbows on Wednesday, big fish weighing 5.2 pounds. “Steve Keller of Sacramento also caught a nice limit,” said Buie. “He fishes the main lake using Power Bait.”