FISH REPORT
FEATHER RIVER: The flows remain low at 1899 cfs at Boyd’s Pump below Yuba City, but the striped bass are moving into the lower river from East Nicolaus to Verona with rip baits, jerk baits, or soft plastic swimbaits. Few anglers are soaking bait right now, but there are a few out there with anchovies or sardines. The launch ramps at Boyd’s Pump and Yuba City are accessible, but a jet boat and knowledge of the river is needed in the low flows. Only hand-carried boats are able to launch at Star Bend.
LAKE OROVILLE: The king salmon bite remains the focus for the lake, and although limits are uncommon, trollers are averaging from 1 to 3 kings to 6 pounds working at depths from to 60 feet with white Speedy Shiners or white/pearl hoochies behind a large dodger around the bait balls. Bass fishing has been tough overall for size, but last week’s massive 11.79-pound largemouth was landed on a shakey head. There are several bass tournaments are scheduled in /March with a mix of club circuits and major tournaments such as Best Bass Tournaments. The Bidwell Canyon, the Spillway, and Lime Saddle ramps are open with Loafer Creek remaining closed. Updated information available at 530-538-2200. The lake held at 38 percent.
AMERICAN RIVER, Sacramento: Steelhead action has been slow with the best opportunities in the upper part of the river below the dam with small silver spoons such as Little Cleo’s as the fry are moving out of the salmon redds. The downstream steelhead are on their way. The river remains low, but water releases brought the river up from 975 to 1179 cfs at Fair Oaks.
AMERICAN RIVER, above Folsom: The river is catch and release barbless hooks only above Folsom, and access to the upper river has improved with the lack of recent snow. However, with the clear water, action is limited to the deeper pools.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa: Sturgeon fishing is hit or miss in this section of the river, but most sturgeon anglers are working out of Colusa with lamprey eel or ghost shrimp/nightcrawler combinations.
The launch ramp at Colusa is open, and although the flows are low, but the river is navigable. The flows have risen to 4850 cfs at the Colusa Bridge.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Verona to Colusa: Stripers are coming in the section between Knight’s Landing and Verona and drifting minnows has been the best technique along with tossing swimbaits or glide baits Sturgeon have been landed near Meridian on ghost shrimp. The flows at Verona is 7029 cfs.
LAKE SHASTA: The best bass action remains on the bottom with finesse techniques of Senkos, jigs, or plastics on the drop-shot or Ned-rig with the best action in the river arms holding submerged timber. Tournament limits remain in the 12- to 13-pound range with the lack of reaction bite, and this weekend’s two-day Wild West Bass Trails event held to form with a 24.07-pound 10-fish limit taking first. For trout. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin’s Guide Service said, “Trout fishing has been hit and miss with one day being pretty good and another leaving me scratching my head. The rainbows are up really high, and the browns are mostly being caught in the 20-foot range in my boat. Trinidad Tackle Optimizer Jr. spoons are a top bet right now along with rolling Shad. This is just the beginning, and some of the best fishing is yet to come.” The public docks of Centimudi, Sugar Loaf, Jones Valley, and Packer’s Bay are open.
TRINITY RIVER: Kenny Priest of Fishing the North Coast said, “Boats fishing the lower Trinity below the South Fork are landing a couple spawned-out adults per trip along with an endless number of half-pounders. River conditions were good over the weekend, despite the rain and snow. Road conditions weren’t as accommodating. Flows were predicted to hover right around 3,000 cfs throughout the week on the Hoopa gauge. There should be more fresh steelhead making their way upriver as a few are still being caught in the lower Klamath.”
Kyrie Irving scored 40 points to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 121109 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
James Harden had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn, which improved to 25-13 with its 12th win in 13 games. Landry Shamet added 18 points and fellow reserve Jeff Green finished with 11.
BUCKS 134, KNICKS 101 >> Giannis Antetokounmpo followed up his MVP performance in the All-Star Game with his fifth tripledouble of the season to help Milwaukee rout New York.
76ERS 127, BULLS 105 >> Tobias Harris scored 24 points and Philadelphia beat Chicago.
HEAT 111, MAGIC 103 >>
Jimmy Butler had 27 points and 11 assists, Kelly Olynyk scored 20 points and Miami beat Orlando.
HORNETS 105, PISTONS 102 >> P. J Washington had 20 points and nine rebounds and Charlotte beat Detroit.
HAWKS 121, RAPTORS 120 >> Tony Snell hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer and Atlanta beat Toronto.
TIMBERWOLVES 135, PELICANS 105 >> Jaylen Nowell hit six 3-pointers on his way to a career-best 28 points and Minnesota routed New Orleans.