North Freshwater Fish Report

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Gary Collins at Clear Lake

Updated March 14, 2024

CAMANCHE LAKE — 2000 pounds of Mt. Lassen rainbows were released into the main lake this week, split between the North and South Shores along with 500 pounds of Lightning trout and 500 pounds of rainbows in the South Pond. Rainbow trout to 9 pounds have been landed at the pond with Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or spoons. The tules have been cleared from the shorelines in the pond. The boat launches remain closed to all private boats including kayaks, and rental boats are the only boats allowed on the water.   A decontamination station has yet to be established at the North or South Shore Marina, and it appears that it may remain this way for some time. The East Bay Municipal Utilities District has yet to implement a plan for reopening the lake to private boaters. The lake rose to 77%.

CLEAR LAKE — The highlight of the week was the 15.92-pound largemouth landed by Gary Collins of GCJ Lures on a custom 12-inch swimbait. Limits over 35 pounds remain the rule to place, and two limits over 35 pounds were brought to the scales during Sunday’s American Bass Federation event. The hitch are moving out of the creeks in the northern end of the lake, and anglers are tossing swimbaits into the mouths of the creeks for the big fish. However, not everyone is getting in on the action as those with local knowledge are finding the most success. The water remains high at 7.67 feet on the Rumsey Scale, and the 5 MPH within a ¼-mile of the shoreline has been eased. Large schools of crappie remain in deep water around 40 feet near Redbud, but the slabs are pushing into the docks. It will be busy on the lake through the end of March with 12 more bass tournaments on the schedule.

COLLINS LAKE — The lake is full and spilling, and 8000 pounds of rainbow trout have been planted within the past four weeks. With the stained water, trout fishing remains best with Power Bait in the shallows throughout the lake, and bass are starting to move into the shallows. The troll bite remains slow in the dirty water, but the high water will lead to outstanding trolling action once the water clears with 4 and 6 feet of visibility. Rec4Vets and Collins Lake are hosting a Veteran’s Fishing Day and BBQ on March 29.

DAVIS LAKE — There is minimal ice in some of the coves, and bank fishing is only fair with Power Bait or nightcrawlers around Mallard. The lake rose to 92 percent.

DONNER — Stormy weather is once again arriving this week. Shaun Rainsbarger last trip produced a 12-pound Mackinaw on the only bite of the day at 50 feet. He said, “The Mackinaw are all over the water column as the lake temperatures are still in the 40’s.” Once the Spring Solstice arrives on March 21 with 12 hours of sunlight available along with 50-degree weather, the lake will see more interest in trolling for the trophy Mackinaw. The lake dropped to 37 percent.

DON PEDRO — King salmon in the 14- to 16-inch range are abundant with Pro-Troll’s Kokanee Killers tipped with corn behind a dodger. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said, “The fish are in a transition mode, and they have dropped down from 25 to 50 feet as the water temperature has decreased from 57 to 53 degrees. Rainbow trout are another option with custom shad patterned spoons on side planers or on 3 to 5 colors of lead core. Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported water temperatures ranging from 53 to 65 degrees, and the bass are beginning to move into the shallows. Jerkbaits, Senkos, or plastics on a drop-shot or Ned-rig are all working. It took a limit pushing 23 pounds to win Saturday’s 53-boat Best Bass Tournament. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake rose to 787.85 feet in elevation and 75%.  The lake will be very busy in the coming months with five more tournaments scheduled in March.

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