The cold and windy days over the past week in Northern Nevada should help prolong the snowpack in the mountains and possibly extended the fishing season on the Truckee River.
Cooler temperatures will also help keep the water cool, although it is expected to warm up quite a but later this week, with daytime highs getting into the lower 80s this weekend across the Truckee Meadows, according to the National Weather Service.
Free Fishing Day in Nevada is scheduled for June 11; no license will be required to fish anywhere in the state that day.
Nearby in California, campground openings are delayed at Lake Davis. Preparations are being made to open some sites at Wyandotte Campground at Little Grass Valley Recreation Area, as well as sites in Sly Creek and Strawberry Campgrounds in the Sly Creek Recreation Area on May 22.
May 4 fishing report: Little Washoe Lake receives stocking of catfish
Here is this week’s fishing report, as compiled from various sources.
LAKE DAVIS: Anglers are picking up bass now, from boats and shore around the dam. Try Needlefish and light spoons. For bass, spinner baits are doing well early in the morning. Some Plumas recreation site openings are delayed. This includes facilities at Lake Davis and in the Feather River Canyon, which were originally scheduled to open last weekend. Info from Mark Fore & Strike, 775-786-3474 or 775-322-9559.
FRENCHMAN LAKE: Almost entire lake is open, fishing around west cove by the dam producing fish. PT nymph under indicator is doing well. Mountain Hardware, Truckee, 530-587-4844.
TRUCKEE RIVER: The Truckee is still holding at around 1,000 CFS in the canyon section, but the big change has come upstream along Glenshire Drive where flows have gone up to around 750 CFS thanks to heavy run-off in the upstream creeks, primarily Donner Creek, which is flowing at around 300 CFS near the confluence of the Truckee. This added some turbidity to the water and helped keep water temps cool. This makes fish less willing to move for your offerings, so try larger bugs to entice them, and fish later in the day as temps warm up.
Starting to see a good mix of spring hatches happen as well as standard winter fare such as BWOs and midges. But with the off-color water, we recommend using Stoneflies, worms or eggs in tandem with bugs imitating march browns, caddis or BWOs. Fishing in the canyon can be a great way to find some protection from the elements and using indicators will certainly outperform the tightline set up which can be next to impossible to fish during high winds.
Fishing is a little easier east of Sparks, where the river is wider and slower. Run an indicator with a leech or bugger, or even dry flies. Between Tahoe and down past the town of Truckee, the river is high and fast, making the fishing more technical and fish are up against the edges where there is more debris. From Miles and crew at Trout Creek Outfitters in Truckee, 530-563-5119.
Weather patterns: Winds pack extra punch as record-breaking gusts recorded
LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: Seeing some great flows over the last few weeks and the fish are responding positively. However, with a mix of high water and late season storms, we have not seen great dry-fly fishing out here yet. Using a Euro Nymph set up can be a great way to get into fish, as long as the wind allows. If using an indicator, we recommend using white or clear “thingamabobbers,” airlocks or yarnies to prevent spooking fish.
Dry droppers with a heavy nymph and a long drop (3-5-feet) can be another great way to present to these educated fish now. Keep in mind that even though this is small water and you wont need as much weight as the Truckee, the runs here are short and using heavy nymphs to get down quick will help tremendously. From Miles and crew at Trout Creek Outfitters in Truckee, 530-563-5119.
PYRAMID LAKE: The bite continues to be a little spotty with mixed reports. It appears to be mostly a stripping game at the moment and using a type 3 sinking line with buggers, boobies and beetles on beaches with a gradual drop-off seems the most consistent. As we come into the tail end of the season out here, the crowds have diminished and it can be a great time to go out if you don’t like combat fishing. There was a report from an angler who caught a 20-pounder during an otherwise slow outing last week. Trout Creek Outfitters, Truckee, 530-563-5119.
TOPAZ LAKE: Topaz has been stocked well this season and is fishing great, especially around the south end. Aim for the beds, where the smallmouth bass are more aggressive. Mark Fore & Strike, 775-786-3474 or 775-322-9559.
SPARKS MARINA: Kastmaster lures have been working well here, because they can be cast farther out and they sink deep. Nightcrawlers or Powerbait also working well, with a bobber. Some rainbows up to 3 pounds coming out lately. Fishing for carp and catfish has become popular here, especially along the east side. Mark Fore & Strike, 775-786-3474 or 775-322-9559.
DONNER LAKE: The boat ramp is open There are some holdover rainbows being caught by anglers trolling worms and flashers, Rapalas and small spoons. The best shore fishing for anglers is near the west end beach and boat ramp. According to fish and game, Donner Lake has not been stocked yet. Currently at 84 percent capacity. Mountain Hardware, Truckee, 530-587-4844.
BOCA: Boca Reservoir is almost full. Mornings and evenings are producing more bites. Anglers are seeing a good rainbow and cutthroat bite off of the dam using Powerbait and worms. There is a five-fish limit in this lake with no size limit. Anglers trolling the shore line with small spoons and small Rapalas are also producing some fish. Boats can be launched on the east and west shores. For launching larger boats, the main boat ramp on the west side is recommended. Currently at 78 percent capacity. Mountain Hardware, Truckee, 530-587-4844.
STAMPEDE: Boat ramp is open with a decent trout bite happening in most of the coves. Anglers trolling for Kokanee should try trolling around 30 feet for the best size fish. Not much is going on for shore fishing. The best spot for shore anglers is off the dam using Powerbait, worms or casting lures. Currently at 50 percent capacity. Mountain Hardware, Truckee, 530-587-4844.
PROSSER RESERVOIR: The boat ramp is open. Trolling for cutthroat and rainbows is good in 15 feet of water. Prosser also has great shore access around the whole lake with a good shore bite. Throw your favorite lures off the bank or soak a worm off the bottom or under a bobber. Regulations here are a five-fish limit with no size limit. Prosser is fishing the best out of all the Truckee reservoirs now. Currently at 51 percent capacity. Mountain Hardware, Truckee 530-587-4844.
SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR: South Fork has received extra fish that other waters were not able to take during the past few years in the NDOW stocking program. Fish can grow quickly here and are in good condition. Trout are averaging 19 inches in length. The largemouth bass have come on strong and bass anglers should also have good fishing for both largemouth and smallmouth.
Wipers (white bass x striped bass hybrid) have not been stocked in over a decade, but NDOW is planning on stocking them in both South Fork and Wildhorse this summer. Fishing both reservoirs this spring has been good and while water levels aren’t ideal, anglers should be able to take advantage of the good fishing conditions, at least for this year. Provided by NDOW.
CROWLEY LAKE: Fishing has remained good here. The Upper Owens and Crowley Lake tributaries are seeing some cutthroat trout. Sierra Drifters, 760-935-4250, sierradriftersgs@gmail.com.
HOT CREEK: The water is low and hatches are sporadic. Micro midges are getting some looks. Conditions should pick up here soon with a little water run-off. Sierra Drifters, 760-935-4250, sierradriftersgs@gmail.com.
Jim Krajewski covers high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com.
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