Fish Traveler Guide Service
Fishing Report for Eagle Lake, CA

Post Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Howdy Folks,

We had a few days of very warm temperatures here at Eagle Lake this past week, with daytime temperatures in the low 90’s and the mid 50’s at night.  The surface water temperature quickly warmed to 70 degrees.  Then on Sunday and Monday, June 9 and 10, we had heavy showers.  I believe we got about 3 inches of rain between Sunday night and Monday afternoon.  Today, Tuesday, June 11, the water temperature had dropped to 65F.  We caught fish all week long trolling and fly fishing.

I’ve been waiting to report this to see if it would change but the season is now in its third week so HEADS UP:

  The average size of the fish we’ve caught since the beginning of the season while trolling is down by about ½ to ¾ of a pound PER FISH from last year.  We are catching a bunch of fish in the 1-1.5 lb range (and releasing most of them).  On the average, we are putting at least one fish in the 3lb+ range in the box every other outing while trolling.  When fly fishing we are hooking and releasing bigger fish with plenty of fish in the 2 lb range and a few in the 3lb+ range.

I don’t know why we are catching so many little fish.  I don’t know either, if the size of the fish will increase as the season wears on.  I will keep you posted as long as I am here at Eagle Lake. 

Trolling:                                                        

 Trolling is good.  I trolled three days this past week and we boated 28 fish.  (We released most of them keeping only a few.)  We are still trolling the west side of the lake south of Pelican Pt over rock piles and bottom structure.  Pumpkinseed grubs 125 feet behind the boat at 5 feet deep in water 6-12 feet deep have been the ticket. 

This area has been producing all season long.  It has also produced the biggest fish we have landed this season (3lb+ fish as reported above).  The fish we are keeping have bright red/orange flesh and are loaded up on shrimp and snails.  The water temperature has cooled so the fish should be in the shallows for 2-3 more weeks.

Fly Fishing:

I fly fished two days this past week.  We are nymph fishing under an indicator in 8-11 feet of water with a two fly rig.  Had a great day Thursday, June 6 with 17 fish caught and released in 4 hours of fishing. We also missed at least 8 or 10 “takedowns”.  Saturday, the fly fishing slowed way down for us and our score was only 6 fish.  We were in the middle of a heat wave up here at Eagle Lake.  That’s my excuse anyway. 

The fly fishing should be good through the end of June.  After that, the water will be too warm for the fish to be feeding in shallow water.

Bobber Fishing:

Bobber fishing is picking up a bit.  (Most folks are still catching their fish trolling.) Best bobber spots have been the Youth Camp and on the west size of the lake, south of Pelican Pt.  There are numerous points between Pelican Pt and Shrimp Island off which fish can be caught bobber fishing early in the morning. Anchor off these points in 10-15 feet of water and set your threaded night crawler at 7 feet deep. 

Launching

I launched my 19 foot Arima at the Spalding Launch Ramp this week without a problem.  The water you have to cover on the way out to the main lake is very low.  The lowest readings I am getting on my scope are 1.3 feet.  Elevate your motor, or go in and out on your kicker motor.

The launch ramp at the southern marina at Gallatin Marina is open and will be useable for the entire season.  Travel time between Spalding and the southern launch ramp is 25 minutes.

Good Luck.  And do not hesitate to contact me if you need help with anything here at Eagle Lake.

Tim Noxon

Fish Traveler Guide Service

530-825-3524 residence

916-201-4648 cell

tnoxon@gmail.com

www.fishtraveler.com