2/23 oroville diversion pool coho hunt

On a mission to get my name in the record books, hoping for that 12 lb coho most likely from the diversion pool, I marked a lot of big fish in there last time I put in. Company welcome, I will be launching by 8 am 916 837 3871. Plan is to troll hootchies behind large dodger

Saw Tote get a hookup last time we went that was huge! Broke his line and went away.... I saw it though Could have sworn he had turrets syndrome Last year? 2 years ago? good luck and don't forget an Apex lure in gold...

I'm probably wrong, but isn't that closed to fishing now?  Thought I read that somewhere but since it isn't in my neck of the woods, I didn't pay close enough attention.

I'm probably wrong, but isn't that closed to fishing now?  Thought I read that somewhere but since it isn't in my neck of the woods, I didn't pay close enough attention.

I saw something on a Chico ER article saying it doesnt open until march 1. But I haven't been able to confirm or deny looking at the DFG webpage

A little help ensuring i'm not missing anything here...
on the DFG page lake Oroville is not listed in the alphabetical list of waters with special fishing regulations section. Under species regulations "Trout/Salmon" There is a Coho alert indicating that Oroville is the exception to the general rule about the take of Coho Salmon.
"COHO ALERT:
Silver (coho) salmon may not be taken in any of the waters of the State, except in Lake Oroville. Incidentally hooked Silver (coho) salmon, except those in Lake Oroville, must be immediately released unharmed to the waters where they are hooked."
Lake Orville and it's tributaries (if you want to call the afterbay, diversion pool and forebay tributaries) fall in the Valley District...this section indicates that the salmon fishing is open all year unless exceptions are noted in the aforementioned alphabetical listing. (which it is not)
"(d) Valley District
(1) All lakes and reservoirs except those listed by name in the Special Regulations. Season: All year. Limit: 5
(2) All anadromous waters except those listed by name in the Special Regulations (See definition of anadromous waters, Section 1.04). Season: All year. Limit:  0 trout and steelhead Closed to salmon fishing. No take or possession of salmon.

* I dont think the Diversion pool, afterbay, and forebay qualify as Anadromous as they don't permit spawning fish entry (there is a fish dam to prevent just this occurrence.)

(3) All streams except anadromous waters and those listed by name in the Special Regulations. Season: All year. Limit: 5

-So what do think folks? can we fish for the Coho now or not? My vote is YES

ASK ATD

ASK ATD

+1 worth sending a pm

Personally, I think if these nonnative Coho were planted there along with the Forebay and Afterbay, then it's legally still part of Lake Oroville. 

ANSWER:

Daily bag and possession limits, unless otherwise provided, mean the total number of trout and salmon in combination. Unless otherwise provided, no more than one daily bag limit may be possessed. Coho (silver) salmon may not be taken in any of the waters of the State, except in Lake Oroville and Oroville-Thermalito Complex (Diversion Pool, Forebay, and Afterbay) and the Feather River from the Diversion Pool Dam to the Fish Barrier Dam. Incidentally hooked Coho (silver) salmon, except those in Lake Oroville and Oroville-Thermalito Complex (Diversion Pool, Forebay, and Afterbay) and the Feather River from the Diversion Pool Dam to the Fish Barrier Dam, must be immediately released unharmed to the waters where they are hooked. In waters where the bag limit for trout or salmon is zero, fish for which the bag limit is zero must be released unharmed, and should not be removed from the water. These waters may also be subject to restrictions on fishing methods and gear (sections 2.00 through 2.45), fishing hours (section 3.00), and the use of bait (sections 4.00 through 4.30).


Info sourced 2013-2014 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (page 27):  https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=58844&inline=1

PS:  I'll be glad to fish there.  Just PM me. 

I'm not to familiar with the Diversion area and Afterbay for that matter eventhough I have lived here for years.  I guess that's what I get for having the love for the salt.  I liked to make it but I already had plans for tomorrow.  Where is the launch at?  What road is it off of?  I'm going to try and get out of my other plans.

I'm not to familiar with the Diversion area and Afterbay for that matter eventhough I have lived here for years.  I guess that's what I get for having the love for the salt.  I liked to make it but I already had plans for tomorrow.  Where is the launch at?  What road is it off of?  I'm going to try and get out of my other plans.

Off hwy 70 Nelson rd exit, Cherokee road. I've only been there once before, I ended up on a dirt road stopping at the furthest launchable point. check it out on google maps.

Thanks Yester for the regs.. feeling more confident

I've been waiting for your report.  How did it go?

ya!

Yester beat me to it.  Coho fishing in the diversion pool = A OK.  There is a chance that you will catch a new state record there.  If you do, take it to the Oroville DFW office and get your recognition!

LOVE, LOVE the diversion pool of Oroville Lake! Fantastic spot to just kayak in general (I have a few family members in that area). The water is super cold - so just be prepared. That water is straight from the bottom of the dam!

As you drive further down the dirt road, there are several spots to launch from, but it's a slight downhill climb in most spots along the bank.

So...how did the fishing go, Motherload?!

-Cherie