Ice Derby at Lake Davis is on! Saturday, Feb. 19 is the date
Compiled by Mari Erin Roth
Lake Davis
How is fishing at the lake? “It’s been good!“ said Jeanne Graham at J&J Grizzly Store. “Lots of browns came out last weekend and it’s been all rainbows this week.”
Reports on ice thickness and ice catching are both good. “The ice is 8 to 12 inches,” said Jeanne. The permit was just issued for the Ice Derby that will take place Saturday, Feb. 19. No matter the conditions, this is always a wonderful day at Lake Davis but this year conditions are prime. No precipitation has plus sides, too. Maybe a downfall of rain will follow in late February, but for now, conditions are ideal for outdoor fishing in Plumas County. For up to the minute details and registration for the Ice Derby, call J&J Grizzly Store at (530) 832-0270.
Bucks Lake
The roads are closed to wheeled vehicles but fishermen traveling by snowmobile are enjoying a lake full of fat fish for any who care to dip a line.
Lake Almanor
Conditions remain consistent around Almanor. “We have not received a drop of moisture since December and there is nothing in the forecast for the foreseeable future,” said John Crotty of Almanor Fishing Association. “We still have snow in the shaded areas around the lake and there are patches of ice on the South and North ends of the lake.” Water temperatures remain in the mid to high thirties and clarity remains unchanged at 5-10’. The lake level keeps inching up daily.
Bank fishermen continue to target fish around the dam and at Hamilton Branch. Crawlers and power bait are the top offerings. Fly fishermen are also picking up fish in Geritol Cove and at the Branch. Trollers are concentrated around the dam and along the East shore up to Lake Cove. Fish are on the surface early, dropping down the water column when the sun gets on the water. “Rappala’s, hardware and crawler’s/gulps will all catch fish,” offers Crotty.
Debris cleanup has resumed in Greenville, and travelers will encounter large volumes of trucks traveling through the Canyon. The Canyon Dam boat ramp remains the only useable public ramp. We can all agree with John when he says, “As comfortable and beautiful as the weather has been over the past six weeks we are in dire need of some moisture.”
