foothill lakes trout trolling?

we are looking at a cold sunny week followed by a warm wet and possibly stormy (and giant waves) weekend.

or at least that is what is forecast right now.

So I'm assuming all the cool weather is what these lakes need to 'turn over' and for the trout fishing to get good?

J

I would bet they are indeed ready to turnover if not already there. Given the lack of snowfall right now (I think so anyway--need to check the web sites), there is no need to do the foothill lakes. Go to Alpine, Silver, Caples or some of the ones around Tahoe (Martis, etc) unless the drive is too far. Alpine and Silver are far better Trout lakes than any of the foothill lakes. I been on Silver and seen Trout go by that looked like they would be legal Lingcod in length. too bad I never landed any of those...yet  But I've had my tippets snapped more than a few times there. But maybe its getting dicey to drive there now and it will be cold for sure.

Update: sounds like the Foothill lakes are turning over according to the New Melones hookup posting. That lake is a good one I have heard. Not like Manzanita, Butt, Eagle, or Davis--but a lot closer to us down here.

I agree with Marmot that the upper lakes have the better potential to kick out some 10+ lb trout. I got a 13 mac out of silver a few years ago. The only kicker is that you have to bear down on temps in the 20s and 30s. I don't like it that cold. Other people can handle it just fine. I prefer to fish ice out around june because the air temps are warmer.

The foothill lakes have a period where the trout will chase shad in to the shallows and right at the turn over the shad will die and the trout will gorge themselves. A 5lb trout out of melones, is not to say common place, but at the turn over stage is something that every 10th rod will probably exeperence. The average size during this period is around 3lbs for a good day. When the fishing picks up you can usually get limits too.

The storm will probably knock the fishing off a little with the dropping barameter. Water flowing in to the lake or cold temps will finish turning the lake over. Good amounts of wind with a storm can help stir the water up too. I'll be launching from the 49 bridge this weekend unless it's really stormy.

-Brian G


-Brian G

how about comanche? I saw on the sniffer that had some fish too and was not quite as crowded fishing-wise...

J

Commanche is OK. Campgrounds are decent. I have fished there 5 or 6 times...from boat and shore. Usually good for a couple planters. However, it does tend to get windy, really windy.
I've done best by trolling frog pattern needlefish across the face of the dyke. The lake does sustain holdovers so there is a chance that you could catch a nice one, but most likely will catch recently planted fish. Great bass fishery in spring. And catfishing can be epic in summer.

Amador is a good option, albiet crowded and pricey. Is Pardee still open--might be worth the drive. Then there's Mclure/Mcswain or Don Pedro or Melones. Melones is supposedly prime right now.

Good luck,
PK

Is Pardee still open--might be worth the drive

Pardee closed Oct/29/06, reopens on Feb/1/07.

Pardee is a nice lake.

http://www.pardeelakerecreation.com/

The local paper's report states that the bank fishing at Melonies has been great, and reports a 7# rainbow caught off the bank recently. 

I might see ya out there this weekend Brian G

Craigh

looks like my local lakes (ponds!) are being stocked this month so I will probably just go local for the 10"-ers...

J

It looks like sunday will be the day for me to get out. Depends on the storm.

-Brian