Hello fellow anglers. Tis the season for Fishmas (as they call it down south). On April 26th the 2025 fishing season in California will officially begin. While most rivers are open now all year to catch and release. The last Saturday in April starts a change to rules and regulations.

I highly recommend checking each body of water you fish. There will be some areas that remain catch and release with artificial lures or flies.  There are some waters that specify barbless hooks, or single barbless hook. No excuse for not knowing the regulations, we all carry a phone with us and the regulations are at a fingers touch. 

Before we get to the fishing reports. A few things to remember to do, because there are a few that are seasonal anglers. 

Most important is to change your line. After sitting for a long time, many fishing lines get a memory. That is when you cast your line and you see loops in the line. This can get messy quickly. Personally, I use a 6 or 8 lb clear blue Stren line. It has a little stretch to give you a little easier play time when you hook up. I also recommend cleaning each eye on your rods. This will give you smoother casting and does not damage your line when reeling. If you use powerbait, check your stock on hand. If the lids were not secure, it drys out. Nothing worse than getting your favorite fishing hole to find out you don't have usable bait. 

Now for fishing streams. I recommend the power eggs.. They stay on your hook with multiple casts. I also recommend using only one  power egg, not two or three. One egg will entice a fish to bite more often then when you throw a glob of eggs at them. Plus they last longer.  

Always bring a small pair of needle nose pliers for the fish you wish to release. Important note; do not bring a fish out of the water if you are going to release them. And most importantly, don't use a towel to grab them. If you do use a towel, wet the towel and gently cradle the fish in the water while using the needle nose pliers to grab the hook and give it just a small turn. If a fish has swallowed the hook, cut the line at the closest point to the hook.  Or if you plan on not keeping any fish, just pinch the barb down. 

Now for those anglers that will be trolling the lakes. I also recommend changing your line if you use monofilament. For those that are now trying to use the lead line. I use a hundred feet of Spiderwire backing. I then use 5 colors of the TufLine MicroLead 18lb test. It is a thinner line and withstand a lot of abuse from structures on the bottom. I top it off with a 40 ft of Stren clear blue line. I also recommend using a double uni knot between each line. One the end I put a bronze snap, Not a snap swivel. This way you can change up your patterns and sizes quickly when fishing Rapalas. Plus it does not take away any action from the lure. This should give you a little more information to ensure you have a great opening day. If you ever have fishing questions, ask me when you see me on the waters. Sometimes those knots get a little scary until you learn them. 

Here is your local report for now and information for opening day.

LAKE TAHOE: The fishing has picked up over the last couple weeks. Mainly from Zephyr Cove to Sand Harbor. A few other areas have been off the Tahoe shelf. Trolling J plugs or a dodger and a live minnow.  Raplas have also been productive from the Camp Rich area to Emerald bay. I recommend either the F11-F13 or a J11 rainbow or black and silver. Talking with Jason Blanchette from Ruby Jean Charters. They have been doing well with fair to good sized mackinaws. He has also hooked into a few browns from 2 to 13.34 lbs at 32 inches long. The browns he told me were released. For more information, go to rubyjeancharters.com.

CAPLES LAKE: The lake still has a good foot or two of ice on it. I would guesstimate it will start breaking up by mid May. Hopefully sooner. One of my favorite lakes for Browns and Mackinaws. The report is open for lodging and dining. For more information, go to capleslakeresort.com.

SILVER LAKE: The lake should be thawing out soon. A great lake for big mackinaw and rainbows.

WOODS LAKE: As of this week. The road and campground is still closed.

BLUE LAKES: The road as of this week is still closed at the first gate. The snow may be melting, but the mud and the slush will get you stuck in a flash if they open it too soon. There is some primitive camping on the meadow side of the road before the gate.

BURNSIDE LAKE:  As of this week the road is still closed.

EBBETTS AND MONITOR PASSES; As of today,. Monitor pass has just opened. Ebbetts Pass is still closed.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR:  The campground is closed and do not have a date yet to reporn due to wildfire destruction. There is primitive camping allowed by the dam. Fishing has been slow and the lake is starting to get a little green.

CARSON RIVER EAST FORK ALPINE COUNTY: The river is running good and clear. Late last fall, Alpine County planted 1800 lbs of rainbows from 10 inches to 5 lbs. They are still in there since it has been catch and release. The county is planning another plant of rainbow trout just before the opener. This should be one of the best fishing openers they have had in many years. Weather permitting. The Carson River Resort Store is fully stocked for the things you need or may have forgotten. If you're planning last minute reservations. I would call them asap. They will fill up quickly. For more information call the Carson River Resort at 530-694-2229.

WEST FORK CARSON RIVER ALPINE COUNTY:  The river is running low but very fishable. The county is planning to stock some rainbow trout before the opener. If you fish the Woodfords Canyon area. Bring a warm coat. The sun does not shine in that area for most of the day this time of year.

SILVER CREEK AND WOLFE CREEK;  As of this week, the road is closed just past Monitor pass jct.

TOPAZ LAKE: The lake has been fishing well midmorning to afternoons. Flashers and a worm or Rapalas have been most productive. Shore fishing has been slow to fair. Most anglers have been using powerbait or inflated nightcrawlers.

BRIDGEPORT RESERVOIR:  The lake level is up and the fishing will commence on April 26th.  I spoke with Chase at the Bridgeport marina. They have a few spaces left for RV's and trailers. The ramp will be open and they will have pontoon boats, small aluminum boats and some mid size boats for rent . Between the BFEF, CFGW, Mono County and the Bridgeport Marina. They will have four loads of special trout planted this year. These fish range from 4 to 10 lbs. Get your gear out and set your drag loose, because you will be in for a ride when you hook up. For more information go to bridgeportreservoir.com.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. I will be out there for opening day and I hope to see you on the waters. If you get a picture of your catch, send it to sports@recordcouirier.com.

Good fishin' and tight lines.