Collins Lake

It can be hard to judge winter fishing. Lots of folks would rather toast their socks by a fire than roll the weather dice to chase a trout. Under the waves the bite can waver from a post shower frenzy to sunshiny stillness in just hours. Still, if you’ve staked out the right patch of shore and cast your line at the right time there are hits to be had. Just about every time I suppose that fishing is slow I’ll hear about a big trout or some guy who caught a limit.

January has been no exception- generally fishing has been slower than spring and fall months but there have still been some notable catches, among them Mark Kushnir (no picture available) who landed a 4.5lb and 3.25lb trout using worms down by the dam; Tony & Carol (above, left) caught three including a 6 pound fish using kastmasters; Hayden Sampley from Live Oak who landed a huge 9 3/4lb trout out in front of the beach using yellow corn PowerBait. Justin & Don Davenport from Roseville (not pictured) used orange PowerBait and pink Mice Tails in the same area to hook four nice trout. And John Welch of Oroville caught four on PowerBait by the dam.

Now I would say that it’s hit or miss depending on the day but Channing Venegas is proving otherwise. He’s been up here four different days in the two weeks usually with a friend. He seems to catch trout no matter the conditions- and we’re not talking about small fish. I posted his 8.2 & 5.3 pound fish on our Facebook page back on the 8th along side Hayden Sampley’s 9.75lb monster. Here is Channing again (above) with a 8lb rainbow caught floating worms/cheese powerbait combo- and Channing’s friend Arii Gomez (below) with a 9.1lb beauty caught floating a worm from the beach.

While it’s no spring frenzy there are moments around sunrise when you can see trout bobbing on the surprisingly still clear surface. The lake is up to 23ft from full with morning surface temperatures flirting around 50F.

There are some beautiful days left in winter. This weekend looks like calm winds mostly overcast and no rain until Sunday evening. I can’t gurantee good weather for catching but at least it looks like a few good days for those who are casting.

Ed