Salmon season set to open April 7

The ocean salmon season is set to open April 7 from Pt. Arena to the Mexican border.
On February 17, the recreational ocean salmon season opened north of Point Arena to Horse Mountain.
The DFG reminds anglers that both areas have a daily bag and possession limit of two salmon. The retention of coho salmon is prohibited.
There is a minimum size limit of 20 inches. Anglers may not use weights exceeding 4 pounds. Only two single-point, single-shank barbless hooks may be used to take salmon north of Pt. Conception, and anglers may not use more than one fishing rod and/or line. In addition, barbless circle hooks must be used when fishing between Pt. Conception and Horse Mountain.
For more info, check the DFG Ocean Salmon Hotline (707) 576-3429 and http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/oceansalmon.html

Preorder the Fishing Cent. Calif. guidebook

The 144-page, full-color "Fishing Central California" guidebook published by No Nonsense Fly Fishing Guidebooks is off to the printers and available for preorder at the following bookstores (Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com) for less than $20. The suggested retail is $24.95. Please support the free content at CaliforniaAngler.com by picking up the book, written by the editor of this site, Brian Milne.

Smith River fishing open a month longer

The DFG has announced that fishing on the Smith River's main stem will close April 30 not March 31 as originally reported in the 2007 California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
The main stem runs from the mouth to the confluence of the Middle and South forks.
Bag limits remain one wild trout or wild steelhead more than 16 inches in total length, and two cutthroat trout, minimum size of 10 inches in total length, or one hatchery trout or one hatchery steelhead (no size limit) and one king salmon, also known as Chinook salmon (no size limit).

FISH REPORT: Central Coast lakes update

It appears the inland Central Coast lakes are finally starting to turn with bass, sunfish and crappie coming up and basking in sunny coves protected from the wind.
The spawning season is just around the corner.
Santa Margarita Lake received a 1,000-pound trout plant on March 13 and another one earlier in the month, March 1.
There are reports that steelhead in the 6- to 8-pound range were included in the plant earlier this month. On a trip earlier this month, a friend hit a massive trout on a small bass fry crankbait and lost it at the boat before we could net it. It looked like it could’ve been one of those steelhead. So if you catch a steelhead with a crankbait in its lip, please let us know editor and send us picks.
A recent bass tournament at Santa Margarita was won with a 29-pound bag, which is huge for this lake. Fishing jigs around cover seems to be the best bet. Larger fish are still hugging the bottom at 25-30 feet early on.
Lopez Lake is starting to turn around. The trout fishing is still good on standard dough baits off the lakes points for shore fishermen.
For bass, boaters are sticking with flippin’ brush hogs in the sticks. Drop-shot worms are also a good bet for pestering fish in the prespawn.
San Antonio has been decent. Few stripers are showing but there have been tons of smallies showing in tournaments.
Nacimiento is offering a wide variety of fish. White bass are showing in The Narrows. Spotted bass are all over the lake.

Battle Creek restoration plans announced

The Department of Fish and Game today announced $67 million in funding to re-establish endangered and threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead in northern California.
Battle Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River near Manton in Tehama County, becomes the largest single restoration effort funded by DFG, with construction beginning as early as fall 2007. The project will remove several hydroelectric diversion dams in Battle Creek, as well as increase water flow while protecting fish and creating passages.
The restoration project, funded by the California Bay Delta Authority, will allow for maximum anadromous fish habitat restoration to support the Central Valley Project Improvement Act.
Battle Creek offers the geologic and hydrologic conditions to support state- and federally-listed spring- and winter-run Chinook salmon and steelhead. Restoration of habitat in Battle Creek will allow for improvement of these fish populations, which will enhance the consistency in state and federal water project operations and the salmon harvest.
Battle Creek has a relatively high and stable flow of water throughout the year, something unusual in California, making it a uniquely drought-resistant habitat for salmon and steelhead.
For more information about the project, visit the Bureau of Reclamation www.usbr.gov/mp/battlecreek or the Battle Creek Conservancy www.battle-creek.net.

Lintner turns in top-20 finish

Arroyo Grande’s Jared Lintner finished 19th in the Bassmaster Classic held at Lay Lake in Birmingham, Ala.
Lintner was one of three California anglers who cracked the top 20 for the three-day tournament. Lintner took home $12,700.
Skeet Reese of Auburn was runner-up to winner Boyd Duckett, while Ishama Monroe of Hughson was 14th.Reese won $45,000 and Monroe won $14,000.
See the complete standings here:
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3