California season opening soon

Hello fellow anglers.

Yes, it is that time of year - time to get ready to fish the streams and lakes of Mono and Inyo counties.

As of April 29, the season will open for California. This means East and West Fork Carson rivers, Markleeville Creek, Wolfe Creek, in fact all streams in Alpine County.

As of last week the Carson rivers were running a little low, mainy because of the colder temperatures in the area.

The rivers are also clear, but with our temps rising they will also rise.

The Alpine County Fish Commision usually plants some rather nice-sized rainbows, but only if the water conditions are good and not washed out.

The Carson River Resort, located approximately two miles past Markleeville on Highway 89, will be open for all your fishing tackle needs. In speaking to Brad Davis at the resort, the cabins are clean, the store is getting stocked with the basics and everything is ready for opening day.

But as for the campground area, you might want to call ahead due to the fact that there was a lot of mud still in the area.

For more information, call the Carson River Resort at (877) 694-2229. Special note: not all streams open on this day. All streams leading into Lake Tahoe, i.e. Taylor Creek, Trout Creek, and the Upper Truckee all in the South Shore are closed until July 1. Now let's see what's going on elsewhere in our fishing world.

LAKE TAHOE: Report from Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters says he has been doing better on the Tahoe City shelf in 150 to 250 feet of water using a dodger and a minnow or an Apex lure.

Gene has been averaging four to 10 fish per trip with the mac ranging 2 to 5 pounds and with one 31-inch long.

On the south end of the lake, Ski Run Shelf has been on and off, fishing 150 to 220 feet of water using the same technique. Gene has been getting one to four fish per trip ranging two to six pounds. This information dependeds on the weather. For more information, call Gene at (530) 544-6552. Please note, the Baldwin Beach ramp is open but only recommended for small boats.

CAPLES LAKE: In talking to John Voss at the resort, he told me the lake may thaw at this rate by the end of June. And no one has been ice fishing due to the weather.

RED LAKE: No reports of anyone going up fishing.

INDIAN CREEK: Last Friday Lew Souder from Gardnerville was fishing with a roostertail lure and caught an estimated pound plus rainbow - good news, it was released back into the lake.

And yes, I did see the picture. As of now the day use area is open at the camp grounds, you can drive to the boat launch but not into the campground area. Which is scheduled to be open by or before April 29 for the California opener.

TOPAZ LAKE: Due to weather, not many anglers have been venturing out. The ones that are have been bringing in limits according to Chuck Fields. The best areas for shore anglers have been the southwest bank using inflated night crawlers.The boaters have been trolling on the south end with flashers and worms or they have been using Rapalas. Chuck recommends not to fish the North Shore as it has been not very productive lately. As of last Tuesday, the lake is completely full. For more information, call the Topaz Marina at (775) 266-3550. And as a last note, the Topaz Casino derby is over.

FRENCHMAN'S LAKE: The campgrounds are open even though the lake received over a foot of snow on Easter Sunday.The road to the dam is plowed, but you will need a four-wheel drive to go any further. On April 13, Jeff Holm caught his limit using inflated night crawlers at Nightcrawler Bay. The stringer weighed 15 pounds. For more information, call Wiggins Trading Post at (530) 993-4683.

WALKER LAKE: On April 13, Nevada Appeal outdoors writer Don Quilici and his buddy Don Hettrick fished in a boat stating at 8:30 a.m. They fished in front of the ramp, went to the south end, then to Sportsman's Beach, Sand Point, and they even tried the middle of the lake.

By 2:30 p.m. they gave up because they got skunked, not even a bite. According to Don, when they started the water was clear and in just six hours the lake had completely turned over. He talked to 5 other boaters that day and not one had got a bite.

Good luck on your fishing outtings. Hope to see you all at the Naw-B-Que on April 29 at the cabin on the river on the East Carson River. Good fishin' and tight lines.

-- Doug Busey is The Record-Courier's fishing columnist. He can be reached at 267-9722.