10-29-2002, 04:14 PM
[ul][li][size 1]Caples Lake [/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]600-acre lake nestled at an elevation of 7,950 feet. The lake is usually frozen by Christmas and offers ice-fishing into March during cold winters.[/size][/left] [left][size 1]The drawback at Caples is the wind that whips through the mountain pass and over the lake. But on sunny, calm days the beauty of Caples is hard to match.[/size][/left] [left][size 1]Caples Lake is located on Highway 88, just past Kirkwood Ski Resort.[/size][/left] [ul] [li] [size 1]LAKE DAVIS[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]just outside of Portola in the Plumas National Forest, may have more fish than any other lake in California.The Department of Fish and Game has been aggressively stocking the lake since a pike eradication program resulted in the elimination of fish from the lake in 1997.[/size][/left] [left][size 1]That means plenty of brood-stock rainbows as well as the smaller 12-inch catchables are open game. Because there is natural reproduction occurring in Davis, anglers also have a shot at wild trout.[/size][/left]
[size 1]The road to Lake Davis is plowed to the dam and there is no fishing inside the marked area near the dam. A snowmobile is helpful if you have any desire to cover the 30 miles of shoreline. Top spots include just outside the dam, Mallard Cove, Coot's Bay, Mosquito Slough and Lightning Tree. [/size]
[size 1]Lodging is available in Portola and nearby Quincy. Dollard's Store in Portola is well-stocked with equipment to buy or rent. Information: Dollard's Store - (530) 832-5251.[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]PROSSER CREEK RESERVOIR[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]The dam area is the best place to start, but don't be afraid to work the shoreline in 4 to 10 feet of water. Count on catching rainbows, most in the 10- to 18-inch class. But don't be surprised by the larger browns. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Mountain Hardware - (530) 587-4844[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]RED LAKE[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]Red Lake is chock full of brook trout, although there are rainbows and large cutthroat trout lurking in its depths. Fish near the dam in shallow water (no deeper than 10 feet) for best results. [/size]
[size 1]To get to Red Lake, take the Red Lake turnoff from Highway 88 (about six miles from the junction of Highway 89). Information: Carson Ranger District - (775) 882-2766.[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]SILVER LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Less than 10 miles below Caples Lake is Silver Lake, also right on Highway 88. Nestled at 7,200 feet, Silver Lake is less accessible than Caples Lake because it lacks a developed resort or parking area. [/size][/left]
[size 1]If you can access the lake, try the island near the inlet stream. Expect mostly rainbow trout, but large browns and mackinaw also populate the lake. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Eldorado National Forest - (209) 295-4251[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]FRENCHMAN LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Frenchman Lake seems out of the way, but it's just 35 miles northwest of Reno. The lake is usually safe to ice-fish in late January and is good through February. The road is plowed to the dam, and many anglers cut holes right there. [/size][/left]
[size 1]The wind usually picks up in the afternoon, so fish early before conditions become unbearable. Night crawlers and Power Bait are the standards. [/size]
[size 1]To get to Frenchman Lake, take U.S. 395 from Reno north to Highway 70 and go west. Proceed to the town of Chilcoot and the turnoff on Frenchman Lake Road. Go right and drive nine miles to the dam. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Wiggin's Trading Post - (530) 993-4721.[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]BOCA RESERVOIR[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Located just two miles off Interstate 80 east of Truckee, Boca is easy to get to and is second only to Prosser Reservoir for ice-fishing prospects. [/size][/left]
[size 1]Boca is stocked full of rainbow trout and is complemented by a large population of kokanee salmon. What makes Boca attractive are the coves that dot the shoreline from the dam to where the Little Truckee River enters the lake. The shoreline offers access to a multitude of promising spots to begin drilling holes. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Mountain Hardware - (530) 587-4844[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]STAMPEDE RESERVOIR[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Just above Boca Reservoir is the larger Stampede Reservoir. Covering more than 3,000 acres, it is second in size in the area only to Lake Tahoe. Kokanee rule the lake, but there are rainbows and mackinaw to be had. Stampede takes longer to freeze than Boca and Prosser. Make sure to call and make sure it's safe before you venture forth. [/size][/left]
[size 1]Information: Mountain Hardware - (530) 587-4844[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]EAGLE LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Only the hardcore need apply for ice-fishing duty here because when it's cold here, it's really cold. The home of the famous Eagle Lake trout closes to fishing on Dec. 31, but that allows for ice-fishing if an early cold front moves through. [/size][/left]
[size 1]"During the winter of 1988-89 it hit 30 below and the ice was plenty thick," said Paul Chappell, a biologist in the Department of Fish and Game's Region I office. "And four years ago the ice-fishing was phenomenal. But most years I wouldn't trust it." [/size]
[size 1]The mouth of Pine Creek is where most ice-fishermen congregate. Worms work best. [/size]
[size 1]Eagle Lake is located near Susanville. From Highway 5, take Highway 36 in Red Bluff east toward Susanville. Prior to reaching Susanville, turn left on Eagle Lake Road. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Eagle Lake Ranger District - (530) 257-4188[/size]
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[size 1]The road to Lake Davis is plowed to the dam and there is no fishing inside the marked area near the dam. A snowmobile is helpful if you have any desire to cover the 30 miles of shoreline. Top spots include just outside the dam, Mallard Cove, Coot's Bay, Mosquito Slough and Lightning Tree. [/size]
[size 1]Lodging is available in Portola and nearby Quincy. Dollard's Store in Portola is well-stocked with equipment to buy or rent. Information: Dollard's Store - (530) 832-5251.[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]PROSSER CREEK RESERVOIR[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]The dam area is the best place to start, but don't be afraid to work the shoreline in 4 to 10 feet of water. Count on catching rainbows, most in the 10- to 18-inch class. But don't be surprised by the larger browns. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Mountain Hardware - (530) 587-4844[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]RED LAKE[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]Red Lake is chock full of brook trout, although there are rainbows and large cutthroat trout lurking in its depths. Fish near the dam in shallow water (no deeper than 10 feet) for best results. [/size]
[size 1]To get to Red Lake, take the Red Lake turnoff from Highway 88 (about six miles from the junction of Highway 89). Information: Carson Ranger District - (775) 882-2766.[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]SILVER LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Less than 10 miles below Caples Lake is Silver Lake, also right on Highway 88. Nestled at 7,200 feet, Silver Lake is less accessible than Caples Lake because it lacks a developed resort or parking area. [/size][/left]
[size 1]If you can access the lake, try the island near the inlet stream. Expect mostly rainbow trout, but large browns and mackinaw also populate the lake. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Eldorado National Forest - (209) 295-4251[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]FRENCHMAN LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Frenchman Lake seems out of the way, but it's just 35 miles northwest of Reno. The lake is usually safe to ice-fish in late January and is good through February. The road is plowed to the dam, and many anglers cut holes right there. [/size][/left]
[size 1]The wind usually picks up in the afternoon, so fish early before conditions become unbearable. Night crawlers and Power Bait are the standards. [/size]
[size 1]To get to Frenchman Lake, take U.S. 395 from Reno north to Highway 70 and go west. Proceed to the town of Chilcoot and the turnoff on Frenchman Lake Road. Go right and drive nine miles to the dam. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Wiggin's Trading Post - (530) 993-4721.[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]BOCA RESERVOIR[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Located just two miles off Interstate 80 east of Truckee, Boca is easy to get to and is second only to Prosser Reservoir for ice-fishing prospects. [/size][/left]
[size 1]Boca is stocked full of rainbow trout and is complemented by a large population of kokanee salmon. What makes Boca attractive are the coves that dot the shoreline from the dam to where the Little Truckee River enters the lake. The shoreline offers access to a multitude of promising spots to begin drilling holes. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Mountain Hardware - (530) 587-4844[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]STAMPEDE RESERVOIR[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Just above Boca Reservoir is the larger Stampede Reservoir. Covering more than 3,000 acres, it is second in size in the area only to Lake Tahoe. Kokanee rule the lake, but there are rainbows and mackinaw to be had. Stampede takes longer to freeze than Boca and Prosser. Make sure to call and make sure it's safe before you venture forth. [/size][/left]
[size 1]Information: Mountain Hardware - (530) 587-4844[/size] [ul] [li] [size 1]EAGLE LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [left][size 1]Only the hardcore need apply for ice-fishing duty here because when it's cold here, it's really cold. The home of the famous Eagle Lake trout closes to fishing on Dec. 31, but that allows for ice-fishing if an early cold front moves through. [/size][/left]
[size 1]"During the winter of 1988-89 it hit 30 below and the ice was plenty thick," said Paul Chappell, a biologist in the Department of Fish and Game's Region I office. "And four years ago the ice-fishing was phenomenal. But most years I wouldn't trust it." [/size]
[size 1]The mouth of Pine Creek is where most ice-fishermen congregate. Worms work best. [/size]
[size 1]Eagle Lake is located near Susanville. From Highway 5, take Highway 36 in Red Bluff east toward Susanville. Prior to reaching Susanville, turn left on Eagle Lake Road. [/size]
[size 1]Information: Eagle Lake Ranger District - (530) 257-4188[/size]
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