Sparks Marina stocked with 3,000 rainbow trout on Wednesday

Fishing is allowed year-round in Nevada, but spring is generally recognized as the start of fishing season and to that end, the Sparks Marina received its first stocking of the year on Wednesday.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife put 3,000 rainbow trout in the Marina, most in the 9-10 inch, 1-pound range.

NDOW Western Region education supervisor Zac Campbell said the plan is to stock about 88,000 fish in all 20 area urban named ponds, streams and the Truckee River this spring and summer.

“This is a great place to fish, if you’ve never fished before,” Campbell said of the Marina. “Community ponds allow people close access to home so they don’t have to travel as far to get to the fisheries.”

He said the Marina is also full of holdover fish including smallmouth bass, carp and catfish. He said NDOW will stock more smallmouth bass there this summer.

Fishing licenses in Nevada are good for a year, no matter when they are purchased. They are available online at NDOW.org

“Certain times of year are better for (fishing) for certain species,” Campbell said. 

He said anglers should do their research on regulations before heading out, as well as preparing the lures, baits and flies they use.

Campbell recommended using worms, corn or Powerbait off the bottom with a slip sinker and about two feet of line off the hook. He also suggested Rooster Tails or small spinner baits or small crank baits.

He said fish will rise if there is an insect hatch and that fly-fishing can also be good at the Marina.

He said fishermen should still adhere to COVID guidelines, such as social distancing even when outdoors.

Campbell said the Truckee River will be stocked later this spring with Lahontan cutthroat trout supplied by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

More: Monster fish caught — and released — at Pyramid Lake on Feb. 14

LAKE DAVIS: The lake is frozen over. No open water left at Mallard. Ice is reported to be 6-8 inches from Mallard down to the dam.

Regulations booklets will no longer be available except online. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is transitioning to a digital format for its 2021 hunting and fishing regulations booklets and Big Game Hunting Digest. Booklets will no longer be printed and shipped to license agents or customers, but electronic versions of the booklets will continue to be available online. J & J’s Grizzly Store and Camping Resort, 530-832-0270.

TRUCKEE RIVER: Fishing well in the Glenshire and Hirschdale areas of the river. Anglers are seeing the most success using small mayfly nymphs, San Juan worms, midges, jigged prince nymphs, and winter stones.

Some changes took effect this month. Little Truckee River – Zero trout limit from Stampede Reservoir Dam downstream to Boca Reservoir.

Martis Creek– Fishing permitted all year now. Permitted from Martis Lake dam downstream to the confluence with the Truckee River. Zero trout limit. Martis Lake Tributaries – Fishing permitted all year now. Zero trout limit.

Prosser Creek – Fishing permitted all year and zero trout limit now. Permitted from Prosser Reservoir dam downstream to the confluence with the Truckee River.

Truckee River – Zero trout limit now from the confluence of Trout Creek downstream to the mouth of Prosser Creek.

Flows: Tahoe City 106 CFS, Glenshire 124 CFS, Boca Confluence 344 CFS, and Farad Exit 364 CFS. Mountain Hardware, Truckee 530-587-4844.

PYRAMID LAKE: Fishing is good. The water temperatures are at their winter lows, around 42-43 degrees. This usually means low fish totals and the occasional cruiser with plenty of days when you wonder if there are any fish in the lake at all. Pyramid will always kick out big fish no matter the season with the Pilot Peak strain of Lahontan cutthroat trout taking over, but expectations this time of year should be for a grab or two with the occasional 3-5 fish day and maybe a big fish in there somewhere. The big fish are being caught all over the lake and it seems as though you just have to put in your time and be there when the fish find your fly. Weather and time of day are playing a part. On calm, sunny days, the fishing is best early and late with a slow middle of the day. Deeper drop-off areas will always be best this time of year and rocky areas as well. Stripping Loco Tadpoles paired with Bloody Mary Wooly worms has been great and for the indicator game, a Pyramid Lake Balanced Leech in Olive, White or Black with a Maholo Midge dropper is as good as anything. Reno Fly Shop, 775-742-1754.

LAKE ALMANOR: Lake level is at 4,480 feet. Clarity remains 5-8 feet and water temps are ranging between 36-39 degrees. As Hamilton Branch clears, fishing should improve. Seeing an increase in boats on the water, fish caught were fat and healthy with an equal mix of Browns and Bows. The bite around the dam is slowing; it will soon be time to branch out. Reports of fish being caught fast trolling hardware, ripping flies and going slow.

The Almanor Fishing Report is compiled from info received from a group of local hardcore fishermen and Lake Almanor’s resident guides. Almanor Fishing Association, 530-284-0861.

LAKE TAHOE: A 17.3-pound Mackinaw was caught in January, by Marissa McGlynn. She was on the south end using a minnow for bait. Down about 230 feet. Tahoe Sport Fishing. 530-541-5448.

DONNER LAKE: The boat ramp is snowed in. Some shore access on the docks on the way to the boat ramp, but not much. Anglers should try shore fishing with Powerbait, worms, or salmon eggs, all fished off a bottom fish finder rig. Donner Lake is at 65 percent capacity. Mountain Hardware, Truckee 530-587-4844.

BOCA: Mostly frozen. Good ice-fishing near the dam. The inlet is a small amount of open water. Some snow on the road so use a 4WD vehicle. Boca is at 16 percent capacity. Mountain Hardware, Truckee 530-587-4844.

STAMPEDE: Mostly frozen. Boat ramp is snowed in. Quite of bit of snow on the road as well. 4WD with high clearance needed. Anglers can try jigging with ice fishing lures using worms, Powerbait, swedish pimple spoons, Powerbait fry. Mountain Hardware, Truckee 530-587-4844.

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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