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Lake Berryessa kokanee, trout, scent, and trolling updates.
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Lake Almanor Fishing Report | March 2026
Report by Capt. Bryan Roccucci Bryan Roccucci runs Big Daddy's Guide Service on Lake Almanor and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Bryan Roccucci's tackle. What is working right now Lake Almanor is in fantastic shape in March, with fantastic numbers of browns and rainbows keyed on pond smelt. Capt. Bryan Roccucci is toplining from the surface down to 25, even 30 feet, running Trout Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town to match the bait. Water is in the mid-40s and rising, and the lake sits about 5 feet from full. What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?Browns and rainbows in fantastic numbers, from heavy browns and midsize browns to a lot of nice rainbows and some smaller ones. Capt. Bryan Roccucci says the lake is healthy and fishing as good as it gets for early spring. What depth are the Lake Almanor trout holding?Best target depths are the surface down to about 25 and even 30 feet, depending on where the sport fish have the bait corralled. On flat, sunny days the fish may slide a little deeper, so watch your sonar and drop down when needed. What lures and scent work at Lake Almanor in March?The fish are feeding exclusively on pond smelt, so there is no better imitation than Trout Trix Minnows. Bryan sets them up with Brown Town scent to mimic the minnow, whether toplining plugs or trolling the soft plastics. How is Bryan presenting at Lake Almanor?Toplining is his preferred method this time of year, running plugs and soft plastics up high. When fish slide deeper on flat conditions he switches to deeper-diving plugs or drops down on the downriggers, keeping Brown Town scent on everything. What is the outlook for Lake Almanor?Bright. Water is coming up about a tenth of a foot a day, sitting about 5 feet from full, with temps in the mid-40s. Bryan expects the spring bite to keep going, and once the rainbows finish spawning they come back hot. Warm weather may spark early bug hatches. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Bryan Roccucci): Lake Almanor is in fantastic shape right now. Water temp running mid-40s. We continue to see fantastic numbers of fish out here, still a mix of browns and rainbows. These fish are feeding exclusively on pond smelt, there's no better imitation than some Trout Tricks minnows. We're setting them up right now with the Brown Town scent. Best target depths have been anywhere between the surface all the way down to about 25 and even 30 feet. Lake Almanor March 2026 FAQ What depth are trout holding at Lake Almanor in March?Surface down to about 25 and even 30 feet, depending on where the bait is corralled. What are Lake Almanor trout feeding on?Pond smelt, matched with Trout Trix Minnows and Brown Town scent. What is the best technique at Lake Almanor in early spring?Toplining plugs and soft plastics, dropping to deeper-diving plugs or downriggers when fish slide deeper. What is the water temperature at Lake Almanor in March 2026?Mid-40s, rising with warm weather, with the lake about 5 feet from full. What soft plastic works at Lake Almanor?Trout Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town to imitate pond smelt. Who guides Lake Almanor for Catch America?Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows 3" Soft Bait Brown Town Scent by Bryan Roccucci Shop Capt. Bryan Roccucci's Tackle Shop Trout Soft Plastics
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Fishing is a Catch America pro-staff captain who guides Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Dropping water temperatures are pulling Shasta Lake trout up top for winter. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is now spending nearly all his time in the upper water column, working side planers and divers, with occasional downrigger checks deeper. Rainbows and browns are the main show, with big post-spawn browns targeted around Thanksgiving. On the Sacramento River, hatchery steelhead are keyed on eggs behind spawning king salmon. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?Rainbows and brown trout are the main show. Dropping water temperatures are bringing fish up to the surface, making them easier to find. Capt. Jeff Goodwin expects nice rainbows through January and February, and is starting to target big browns coming back after their fall spawn. What depth are the Shasta Lake trout holding at?Up top. Most bites are coming near the surface, so Jeff spends about 99 percent of his time working the upper water column with side planers and divers. He still drops a downrigger or two now and then to check deeper water, but the top bite is best. When is the best time for big browns at Shasta Lake?Around Thanksgiving. That is when Jeff likes to start looking for the bigger browns coming back into the system after spawning. It is a prime window to catch some of the biggest fish to open the winter season. What is happening on the Sacramento River?Hatchery steelhead fishing runs from the second half of December into January. After a great king salmon return, trout and steelhead are hanging behind spawning salmon and keyed on eggs. Jeff side drifts with bobbers or pencil lead to get down to holding fish in this barbless fishery. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River?Strong. Jeff has a great winter season ahead, with nice rainbows expected on Shasta through February and March, and quality steelhead and rainbow opportunities on the Sacramento River from mid-December onward as the fish key on eggs. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): We have some dropping water temperatures, which means we are finally starting to see more fish coming up to the surface. We are going to spend 99 percent of our time up top looking for those bites on side planers and divers. These trout are hanging out with the spawning salmon now and they are really keyed in on eggs. So we are side drifting with bobbers or with pencil lead. Shasta Lake November 2025 FAQ Where are the Shasta Lake trout in November 2025?Up top near the surface, worked with side planers and divers. What are the main species at Shasta Lake this time of year?Rainbows and brown trout, with big post-spawn browns targeted around Thanksgiving. When is Sacramento River steelhead season?From the second half of December into January for hatchery steelhead. What are Sacramento River trout feeding on?Eggs, holding behind spawning king salmon after a strong salmon return. How does Jeff fish the Sacramento River for steelhead?Side drifting with bobbers or pencil lead to reach holding fish in a barbless fishery. Why are the Shasta Lake trout moving shallow?Dropping water temperatures are pulling fish up into the upper water column. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake trout into winter?Nice rainbows are expected through February and March. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreFrench Meadows Reservoir Fishing Report | November 2025
Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a Catch America pro-staff captain who bank fished French Meadows Reservoir with Nate for this report. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now Bank fishing is on fire at French Meadows Reservoir in November 2025. Cal Kellogg and Nate limited on rainbows and browns fishing bait from a rocky point where shallow flats meet the main channel. The water is a frigid 32 degrees. Vary your cast distance to find the right drop, watch for rising fish, and fish the new Catch America 7 foot 6 inch Spinning Rod Cal designed for trout. What is biting at French Meadows Reservoir right now?Rainbows and browns, and the bite came fast. Cal Kellogg and Nate limited out bank fishing bait from a rocky point. One cast got hit within 10 seconds. Fish were feeding tight to structure where shallow flats meet the main river channel. Where should I bank fish at French Meadows Reservoir?On a point that divides shallow feeding flats from the main channel, near submerged stumps and rock. French Meadows was a logged meadow before it was dammed on the Middle Fork of the American River tributaries, so structure is everywhere. Trout patrol these edges hunting forage. What is the key bank fishing tip at French Meadows?Vary your cast distance to find the productive drop. Nate got bit on a longer 8-second drop when a 4-second drop nearby was slower. Watch for rising fish and move to them. Nate spotted four fish rise 20 feet away, cast over, and hooked a brown two minutes later. What rod is Cal using at French Meadows?The new Catch America Spinning Rod, a 7 foot 6 inch fiberglass, medium-action rod Cal designed for bank fishing trout. Its soft cork grips, forgiving tip, and stout mid-section cushion the fight while giving enough backbone to control a 6 to 10-pound trout. What are the conditions at French Meadows Reservoir?Cold. The water is about 32 degrees, so the fish are cold-water hungry and fry up as excellent eating. Expect snaggy rock, so work fish out carefully rather than breaking off, and use a high, tight line to track the bite like a strike indicator. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Nate just threw that rod in, guys. He literally had that out there for 10 seconds and it was getting hit. That water is about 32 degrees. We got a beautiful rainbow, big old male, long, lean, getting ready for winter. We saw some fish rising over here, so I decided to make a little cast, and there she was, a beautiful brown. French Meadows Reservoir November 2025 FAQ What is biting at French Meadows Reservoir in November 2025?Rainbows and browns on bait, with a fast bank bite off a rocky point. What is the water temperature at French Meadows Reservoir?About 32 degrees. Where should I fish from the bank at French Meadows?A point dividing shallow flats from the main channel, near stumps and rock structure. What is the best bank fishing tip at French Meadows?Vary cast distance to find the right drop, and move to rising fish. What rod does Cal Kellogg recommend for bank fishing trout?The Catch America 7 foot 6 inch fiberglass medium-action Spinning Rod he designed. Why is French Meadows so full of structure?It was a logged meadow before being dammed, leaving stumps and rock throughout. What river feeds French Meadows Reservoir?Tributaries of the Middle Fork of the American River. Shop the Tackle Catch America 7 foot 6 inch Spinning Rod Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreTruckee River Fishing Report | October 22, 2025
Report by Matt Heron Matt Heron runs Matt Heron Fly Fishing in Truckee, California. What is working right now The Truckee and Little Truckee are running low, slow, and gin-clear in late October 2025, on winter flows around 400 to 450 cfs. Fish size 16 to 18 Baetis, Mahogany Duns, and Caddis on 4X to 5X tippet, especially a size 18 mayfly. Browns are pre-spawn, so watch for redds. The egg bite has started, and worms and crayfish are producing too. How is the Truckee River fishing right now?Low, slow, and gin-clear on winter flows, but fishable. Matt Heron reports the Truckee above Boca through downtown to the lake dropped to winter flows a couple weeks ago. A size 18 mayfly gives you a really good chance at fish. Temperatures are in the 50s all day, which is close to prime. What flies are working on the Truckee?Fish size 16 to 18 Baetis, Mahogany Duns, and Caddis, with a size 18 mayfly a strong bet on the Truckee. Use 4X to 5X tippet in the gin-clear, low water. The egg bite has started, and worms and crayfish are also producing. These are general fly patterns, not Catch America products. How is the Little Truckee fishing?Flows are still hanging strong in the 50s, which is good for fall. Baetis, caddisflies, and midges are around, though hatches have been so-so. Get over there for the dry-fly bite when the weather sours, on cloudy, rainy, or snowy days, which tends to bring fish up. What about the brown trout spawn on the Truckee?It is fall, so browns are pre-spawn. Matt has not heard of many fish on redds yet, but if you see them, especially on the Little Truckee, let them do their thing and do not harass them. The pre-spawn timing is also why the egg bite is turning on. Where else can beginners fish near Truckee?Matt is still running classes on the ponds at Everline Resort, where the bite has been good on dry flies and nymphs. It is a great end-of-year option for beginner or intermediate anglers, especially when the rivers are quiet. Exact pond stocking details were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Matt Heron): The Truckee, they did turn the flows off on us a couple weeks ago, so it's pretty low. It's basically winter flows. It's low, slow, and gin clear. We are seeing some Baetis, some Mahogany Duns, caddis, anything from 16s and 18s. If you're throwing a size 18 mayfly up there right now, you have a really good chance of running into some fish. Truckee River October 22, 2025 FAQ What flies work on the Truckee River in October?Size 16 to 18 Baetis, Mahogany Duns, and Caddis, with a size 18 mayfly a strong choice. What are the Truckee River flows right now?Winter flows, roughly 400 to 450 cfs, low, slow, and gin-clear. What tippet should I use on the Truckee?4X to 5X, because the water is low and gin-clear. Are the brown trout spawning on the Truckee?They are pre-spawn. Watch for fish on redds and do not harass them. Is the egg bite on in the Truckee?Yes, the egg bite has started, and worms and crayfish are also producing. How is the Little Truckee fishing?Flows are in the 50s with Baetis, caddis, and midges around, though hatches are so-so. Shop the Tackle Shop Catch America Flies Shop Fly Gear
Learn moreUpper Twin Lakes Fishing Report | September 29, 2025
Report by Capt. Wes Hoskin Wes Hoskin reports from Upper Twin Lakes and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Wes Hoskin's tackle. What is working right now Fishing is starting to improve at Upper Twin Lakes the week of September 29, 2025, with surface temps around 61 to 62 degrees. Browns are still deep, so troll 35 to 55 feet with plugs and minnow baits in silver and black or black and gold. For rainbows, sit on bait near the surface. Kokanee season is done. As fall cools, browns and rainbows should move up into 10 to 20 feet. What is biting at Upper Twin Lakes right now?Fishing is starting to improve and is decent. Browns are the main target and a few are coming each trip, with trophy potential. The rainbow bite on the troll has been tough. Kokanee season is done, since they have turned over and moved into spawn mode. Capt. Wes Hoskin catch-and-releases all his browns. What depth are the browns holding at Upper Twin Lakes?Browns are still fairly deep at 35 to 55 feet right now. Surface temps are around 61 to 62 degrees, warming slightly in the afternoons. As fall cooler temps arrive, expect browns and rainbows to move up out of the deep water into 10 to 20 feet. What lures are working for Upper Twin Lakes browns?Wes Hoskin is trolling Rapalas, broken backs, and Mini Pins in silver and black and black and gold patterns for browns at 35 to 55 feet. These are not Catch America products, so match the size and colors from your own box. It takes a lot of hours for the big ones. How do I catch rainbows at Upper Twin Lakes?The rainbow troll bite has been tough, so sit on bait instead. Mice Tails and PowerBait near the surface will get them one after another, though the quality is not great right now. These are not Catch America products. Better rainbow fishing should come with fall. What is Wes Hoskin's outlook for Upper Twin Lakes?Hoskin looks forward to the next couple weeks as fall patterns set in and cooler temps arrive. Browns and rainbows should wake up and move out of deep water into 10 to 20 feet. Kokanee season is over after a tough year for size and quality. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Wes Hoskin): The fishing is starting to improve. Right now the water temps are about 61, 62 degrees on the surface. We are still fishing pretty deep, 35 to 55 feet. We are mainly trolling Rapalas, broken backs, and Minny Pins, silver and black and black and gold patterns for the browns. If you want to catch rainbows, sit on bait, Mice Tails and PowerBait, it is one after another. As we get into fall patterns, the browns and rainbows will start coming up into 10 to 20 feet of water. Upper Twin Lakes September 29, 2025 FAQ How deep are the browns at Upper Twin Lakes right now?Browns are holding 35 to 55 feet. As fall cools the water, they should move up into 10 to 20 feet. What is the water temperature at Upper Twin Lakes?Surface temps are about 61 to 62 degrees, warming slightly in the afternoons. What lures work for Upper Twin Lakes browns?Rapalas, broken backs, and Mini Pins in silver and black and black and gold. These are not Catch America products. How do I catch rainbows at Upper Twin Lakes?Sit on bait near the surface with Mice Tails and PowerBait. The troll bite for rainbows has been tough and quality is not great right now. Is kokanee season over at Upper Twin Lakes?Yes. Kokanee have turned over and are in spawn mode. It was a tough season for size and quality. When will Upper Twin Lakes fishing improve?Over the next couple weeks as fall patterns and cooler temps arrive, browns and rainbows should wake up and move shallower. Who guides Upper Twin Lakes for Catch America?Capt. Wes Hoskin, who catch-and-releases all of his browns. Shop the Tackle Shop Capt. Wes Hoskin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | September 8, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Fishing and guides Shasta Lake for trout and salmon. He is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake is moving into a fall pattern in early September 2025. Jeff Goodwin is catching browns, rainbows, and some kokanee, with most fish deep from 100 to 125 feet and kokanee schools marked at 150 feet. Water temps are around 76 degrees and cooling. Surface shad activity is starting to show and should really pick up in October. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?Browns, rainbows, and some kokanee. Jeff Goodwin reports steady fishing as the lake moves into a fall pattern. The summertime bite is behind us, and it is time to target deep fish and watch for building surface action. What depth are the Shasta Lake fish holding?Deep. A lot of fish are coming from 100 to 125 feet, and Jeff Goodwin is marking good kokanee schools down at 150 feet. He has not been pushing the gear that deep to avoid hang-ups while fishing structure. How should I fish Shasta Lake right now?Target the deep fish at 100 to 125 feet and be cautious around structure to avoid hang-ups. Watch for increasing surface activity, shad and bass feeding up top, which will grow as the surface temps keep dropping. Specific lures were not specified in this report. When will the Shasta surface bite turn on?Usually October. Jeff Goodwin is already seeing shad feeding on the surface, with bass, trout, and probably salmon on them. As surface temps drop, that big shift from deep bait to top-water action should really take off. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?Steady into fall, then a strong shad-driven bite in October. Once the late fall and early winter pattern sets in, the shad push deep again. Jeff Goodwin also looks ahead to a mid-February through March brown trout fishery. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): We've been catching browns, catching some nice rainbows, and there are some kokanee still around. We're fishing super deep. A lot of the fish are coming from the 100 to even 125-foot mark. We're even marking some pretty good kokanee schools down at 150 feet. I am starting to see a lot of surface activity, a lot of shad feeding on the surface. Shasta Lake September 8, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Shasta Lake in September 2025?Browns, rainbows, and some kokanee, per Jeff Goodwin. What depth are the Shasta Lake fish holding?Most fish are 100 to 125 feet deep, with kokanee schools marked at 150 feet. What is the water temperature at Shasta Lake?Around 76 degrees and cooling with fall weather. When does the Shasta surface bite start?Usually October, as shad and the fish on them move up with dropping surface temps. Should I worry about hang-ups at Shasta Lake?Yes, be cautious fishing structure at depth to avoid hang-ups, per Jeff Goodwin. When is the Shasta brown trout fishery?Jeff Goodwin focuses on browns from mid-February through March. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreEdison Lake Fishing Report | July 21, 2025
Report by Max Gross Max Gross reports from the Catch America warehouse in Fresno, covering Central Valley fisheries. What is working right now Edison Lake is a lights-out brown trout bite in late July 2025, with 99 percent of the catch being browns. Troll T-Pexes and Uncle Larry's Hot Belly and Pink Tiger spinners behind gold dodgers, and spread Trigger Scent on everything. For the biggest fish, switch to Junior Optimizers and troll faster at 2.7 mph and up. What is biting at Edison Lake right now?Brown trout, and it is lights out. Catch America customer Jacob Garnica fished the Edison Lake derby and 99 percent of his fish were browns, catching only one rainbow the whole time. Max Gross says if you want to go fishing right now, Edison is the spot for a rare, brown-heavy bite. What lures are working at Edison Lake?Troll T-Pexes and Uncle Larry's Hot Belly Tiger and Pink Tiger spinners behind gold dodgers. That was the main lure choice, and the browns loved it. For bigger fish, switch to Junior Optimizers. Spread Trigger Scent on the dodgers, spinners, and T-Pexes to boost bites. How do you catch the bigger fish at Edison Lake?Switch to Junior Optimizers and bump up your speed to 2.7 mph and higher, since those spoons want a faster troll. That change is exactly when the big fish bit, and here it was actually a rainbow trout, flipping the usual pattern where the big, fast fish is a brown. Does Trigger Scent help at Edison Lake?Yes. Jacob spread Trigger Scent on everything, the dodgers, the Uncle Larry's spinners, and the T-Pexes. Max says Trigger Scent works really well in the Central Valley, and this trip backed that up again during a standout brown trout bite at Edison. What is the outlook for Edison Lake?Max highly suggests Edison right now for the unusual all-brown bite. He expects the hot action to continue for anglers who troll T-Pexes and spinners on gold dodgers and speed up with Junior Optimizers for size. Depths and water temperature were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Max Gross): 99% of the fish he was catching were brown trout. That never happens. What he was using was T-Pexes, Gold Dodgers, Uncle Larry's Hot Belly Tiger, and Uncle Larry's Pink Tiger. He was spreading Trigger Scent on everything. He switched over to Junior Optimizers and bumped up his speed, and that's when he got his big fish. Edison Lake July 21, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Edison Lake in July?Brown trout, making up about 99 percent of the catch, with the occasional rainbow. What lures work at Edison Lake now?T-Pexes and Uncle Larry's Hot Belly and Pink Tiger spinners behind gold dodgers. How do you catch bigger Edison Lake fish?Switch to Junior Optimizers and troll faster, 2.7 mph and up. What scent works at Edison Lake?Trigger Scent, spread on the dodgers, spinners, and T-Pexes. What speed for Junior Optimizers at Edison?2.7 mph and higher, since those spoons want a faster troll. What depths are the Edison Lake fish holding?Specific depths were not specified in this report. Shop the Tackle T-Pex Kokanee & Trout Lure Junior Optimizer Spoon Trigger Scent UV Gel Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | June 4, 2025
Shasta Lake is very good with kokanee limits nearly every trip, good rainbows, and consistent king salmon.
Learn moreLake Almanor Fishing Report | June 3, 2025
Lake Almanor is firing on the bug hatch with high speed trolled Optimizer Juniors and Trigger Spoons in Brown Town scent.
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