PYRAMID LAKE: Crosby Lodge is hosting the 21st annual Pyramid Lake President’s Day Fishing Derby Feb. 9-10 and 16-17. Entry fee is $80. More than $15,000 in prizes will be awarded. For details, call Crosby Lodge at (775) 476-0400. Shore anglers and boaters are catching Lahontan cutthroat trout on a variety of lures. No really big fish have been reported, but trout to 5 pounds have been plentiful. “I’d rate both the shore and boat fishing as decent, said George Molino of the Pyramid Lake Store. Frog patterns and dark colored lures and plugs have been working well for trollers. Bank anglers are doing well with both flies and spoons, but the spoon guys seem to have an advantage. For a shot at the biggest fish, try from Indian Head to the south. There are plenty of fish up north, but most are small, Molino said. Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474 or Pyramid Lake Store, Sutcliff, NV, (775) 476-0555.
TRUCKEE RIVER: The Truckee is challenging to fish with so much snow but there are still fish to be caught. Fly fishermen accessing the river on snowshoes have had some success. One angler recently reported catching a rainbow and two browns nymphing in the deep, slow pools. Although this is the toughest fishing of the year on the Truckee, it's also the time of the year when the biggest fish are caught. Try dead drifting small midge and mayfly nymph imitations under a strike indicator or fish large streamers very slowly on a sinking line. You'll find most of the fish holding in deeper, slower water so concentrate your efforts on those areas. Fish through the afternoon hours as the early morning and late evening fishing is poor. Best flies for the Truckee: Deep Sherbet Bottom Roller 6-8, Zebra Midges 18-22, WD-40 22, Copper Johns Red and Copper colors 18-20, Two-Tone Hunchbacks 18-20, Slump Buster Rust and Black colors 6, and Stanley Streamers 6. Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474 or Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.
SPARKS MARINA: Action is still slow here and cold water temperatures continue making catching trout a challenge, but it’s not impossible to catch fish. Most urban ponds have received some stocking of pan size rainbows. When the weather is nice, fishing should improve. Use nightcrawlers for the best action, but Kastmasters, Panther Martins and Roostertails also will catch fish if one is passing by and hungry. Use the easy-access fishing pier or try fishing from shore. The fish are spread out around the lake, so anglers who have patience should be able to catch trout anywhere. The Gilly, 1111 N. Rock Blvd., Sparks, 358-6113.
LAKE DAVIS: Fall restocking of Eagle Lake trout into Lake Davis has been completed after the controversial pike-eradication project by the California Department of Fish and Game. Eight trucks from American River Hatchery delivered about 31,000 trout ranging from a half pound to three pounds in mid-December and additional plants are scheduled for the spring. The U.S. Forest Service has lifted the Lake Davis forest closure as of Jan. 18. The public is welcome to drive around the reservoir, ice fish, snowmobile, cross-county ski, snowshoe, and enjoy other winter recreational activities. Campgrounds are currently closed, but will reopen in the spring. The daily bag limit for trout on Lake Davis is five per day with 10 in possession. The fishing season for the creeks flowing into Lake Davis will open April 28. Updates are available at www.dfg.ca.gov/lakedavis. Dollard’s Sierra Market, Portola, CA (530) 832-5251 or Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474.
FRENCHMAN LAKE: Anglers are targeting rainbows through the ice near the dam. Expect to catch rainbows in the 12- to 18-inch range while using power Bait, worms and a variety of ice fishing jigs. The road to the lake is open, but the road around the lake is open only for 4-wheel drives with chains or snowmobiles otherwise, you could get stuck. Wiggin’s Trading Post, Chilcoot, Calif. (530) 993-4683 or Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474.
WILDHORSE RESERVOIR: The ice is thick enough to drive your vehicle on the ice and go fishing. The Wildhorse Resort will be sponsoring its annual Presidents Day Trout Derby, in conjunction with the Elko Chamber of Commerce's Winter Festival. The derby organizers will be planting two tagged trout, worth $5,000 each, in addition to offering $600 in daily prizes for the first, second and third longest trout. Wildhorse Reservoir is located 62 miles north of Elko on State Highway 225, about a five-hour drive from Reno. Dunn’s Wildhorse Resort, 775-758-6472.
LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: At best, anglers have to pick their spots and snowshoe in. Staying home and tying flies sounds like a better bet. Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474.
RED LAKE: Ice fishing has been pretty good here. Anglers have been picking up one or two 2 fish per day, both cutthroat and brook trout. Lots of snow on the ice from recent storms. The Gilly, 1111 N. Rock Blvd., Sparks, 358-6113.
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR: Because of heavy snowfall recently, the lake is still not accessible now accept by snowmobile. Road in to the lake is not plowed regularly, so situation isn't likely to improve any time soon. Tight Lines Guide Service, Grass Valley, (530) 273-1986 or Sierra Anglers Guide Service, Truckee, (530) 414-1374.
LAKE TAHOE: Mackinaw fishing here had been going strong until a series of winter storms moved through the area. Guides are reporting that fishing has been slow to good, but not many anglers are getting out on the water because it’s been cold and windy. Mickey Daniels of Mickey's Big Mack Charters out of Carnelian Bay has been catching nice macks from depths between 250 and 350 feet, pulling minnows and flashers. On a recent trip, anglers caught a few browns up to 5 pounds toplining off Deadman’s Point, Sand Harbor and Logan Shoals. Mickey’s Big Mack Charters, Carnelian Bay, (800) 877-1462 or Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters, South Lake Tahoe, (530) 544-6552.
DONNER LAKE: There is some open water and rainbows have been feeding in the open areas. Few people have even been trying to fish because of all of the storms recently. Tight Lines Guide Service, Grass Valley, (530) 273-1986 or Sierra Anglers Guide Service, Truckee, (530) 414-1374.
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