Hello fellow anglers. Officially spring has sprung although it felt as if it came in February this year. Many anglers are getting the bug to get out and wet a line. Opening day for the California fishing season is only a month away, April 26, 2014. This year there will be a big surprise awaiting anglers in Alpine County, but that, my friends, will remain a surprise until mid-April. Believe me it will be worth the wait. For now, let’s check out our local fishing areas.

Lake Tahoe: Mackinaw action has been rated excellent. Anglers have been averaging two- to six-pound fish with a few in the six- to 11-pound class. Best areas have been the Cal/Neva point or the Tahoe City shelf. They have been fishing 150-200 feet of water using flashers or dodgers followed with a live minnow. Some anglers have been pulling AC plugs in the same areas and doing well. Top-lining has been rated as slow. Shore anglers have been doing fair at the Cave Rock launch with minnows or casting Kastmaster lures for rainbows and small mackinaw. For more information call Blue Ribbon Charters at 530-544-6552.

Silver Lake: The ice is thawing and is not safe to venture out on. The best fishing is when the edges of the lake start to open up. That is when you can toss a night crawler right off the edge of the ice into the open water.

Caples Lake: As of last Wednesday the lake still had a couple feet of ice and snow on it. The afternoons get a little wet and mushy. There were signs of blue areas out in the middle. Use caution if you go up to fish. I talked with John Voss from the resort this week and he said he would give it another week or so and it will be too unsafe to venture out on. This lake also is good to fish when the edges start to show open water, if our weather keeps up the way it is. They should open the marina and boat launch about the beginning of May. This lake still holds some big macs and rainbows. Cory Ocheltree from Rocklin, CA caught a 12-pound mackinaw on two-pound test line a few weeks ago. For more information call the Caples Lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

Red Lake: As of this week, the lake still had almost two feet of ice on it. This time of year, use extreme caution if you venture out. The mornings are cold enough to keep the ice on the lake but the afternoons bring slush and danger. I personally have put away my ice auger until next year. The thought of catching a big fish is not worth the risk of injury or worse.

Blue Lakes: In talking with Alpine County, the road will not be open for the start of fishing season. This may change and I will keep you informed of all road conditions for that important weekend.

Indian Creek Res: The lake level has dropped a little and both roads into the lake are open and clear. Renee and I ventured up there a couple weeks ago and we felt as if it were the middle of summer. We counted 26 vehicles, three boats and a couple float tubers enjoying a beautiful day. We found a spot to fish and the bite was on fire. In the few hours we fished, we lost over 20 fish, released a few and kept two nice 16-inch rainbows. The campground area is scheduled to open mid-April.

Carson River California Side: Fishing season will open on April 26, 2014. As of now, the Alpine County Fish Commission will be planting both rivers with rainbow trout. I have not received any word from the CDFG if they will be planting the rivers. Don’t forget to make your reservations if you plan to be there for the 2014 opening season. The Carson River Resort can be reached at 530-694-2229 or if you are looking for a nice lodge room call the Creekside Lodge at 530-694-2511.

Carson River Nevada Side: The river is open to fishing all year. The NDOW recently planted the river with rainbow trout.

Topaz Lake: The water level is still too low to open the Douglas County or the Topaz Landing boat launch. Most anglers have been shore launching or using the launch at the Topaz RV Park. Over the last nine weeks there have been 35 trout over two pounds and 21 tagged fish brought into the Topaz General Store. Guy McMannis of Carson City caught a 5.7- and a 2.6-pound rainbow, while Greg Rondy from Wellington, Nev., caught a nice 7.6-pound Brown. I talked with Chuck Fields from the Topaz Marina last week, and he told me that he has been able to put a few rental boats in the water. How long he will be able to maintain the boat rentals is questionable. Call the Topaz Marina at 775-266-3550 for more information.

NDOW fish plants for our area: Lyon County, Derby canal-Walker river, west fork-Carson river. Douglas County, Carson River east fork-Mitch’s Pond.

I spoke to Bob Spellberg from the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District last week, he told me that an angler caught 15 trout using orange marshmallow Power bait and another that caught a channel catfish while fishing at Mitch’s Pond.

Good luck on your next adventure. If you get a photo of your catch send it to ebrightman@tahoedailytribune.com . If you have any questions in our local fishing world call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. See you on the waters. Good Fishin’ and tight lines.