Site search
sponsored by
News
I found a press release earlier in the month from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) very interesting. It related to Comins Lake located in White Pine County east of Reno. Comins was noted for producing trophy rainbow trout and for the emergence of a largemouth bass fishery.
Unfortunately, someone illegally introduced northern pike into the lake in the late 1990's. The fish have successfully reproduced, and like our ownLake Davis near Portola, taken over the fishery.
According to NDOW biologist Chris Crookshanks, "We've reached a grim milestone with the pike. Because pike numbers are increasing, we're seeing a reduction in the trout population and the bass fishery is not developing."
Recent surveys conducted by NDOW show that the population of pike, a voracious predator, has increased dramatically while trout and largemouth bass numbers have declined. This is bad news for anglers who have gotten hooked on the trophy trout fishery. While the trout fishery is no in immediate peril of collapsing, it does mean that ominous times lie ahead, unless something is done.
Pike had an especially successful spawn in 2001 and the fish that resulted are now 30 to 36 inches in length, just the right size for consuming the hatchery reared rainbow trout that NDOW stocks each spring and fall.
Anglers will notice that trout they catch will be large, but fewer in number and no fish of a smaller size are caught. This is the same thing that has happened at Lake Davis.
Besides trout, pike consume largemouth bass, which has thwarted NDOW's efforts to produce a bass fishery at the lake. Biologists believe that pike eat all of the bass that are spawned in the lake each spring.
While pike are increasing their population and growing in size, if left unchecked, they will gradually decimate the trout and bass fishery and ultimately their own population will crash as well. This is the typical pattern that has been seen by biologists in other lakes where pike have been left unchecked.
Obviously, NDOW does not want to be in the business of raising trout in their hatcheries for pike food. Crookshanks believes that the ultimate solution will involve eradicating pike in the lake and then trying to restore that trophy trout fishery. This is a decision that has already been made at Lake Davis.
As Crrookshanks points out, "Everyone should be aware that it is both illegal and irresponsible to introduce fish into a lake. A prime fishery that is extremely valuable to the people of Nevada is threatened by the irresponsible and selfish acts of one or two individuals."
The correlation to Davis Lake is chilling. However, unlikeLake Davis where no pike are allowed to be possessed to prevent live transport; there is no limit on the number of pike that can be caught and kept from Comins Lake. NDOW encourages anglers to keep all of the pike they catch and not return them to the lake. Remember the transport of live fish is against the law without the proper permitting.
NDOW points out that Comins Lake is currently covered with ice and fishing has been fairly slow recently for trout and pike. Anglers witnessing what they think is someone illegally putting fish into a lake should call 1-800-992-3030 in Nevada and 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258) in California to report what they have seen. Remember tips can be anonymous and you could be saving a fishery for future generations in the process.
Boca - (32,400) Acre Feet) Overall fishing has been fair. Ice fishermen are probably wondering if there will be any ice fishing on this lake the rest of this season. Open water continues to be the rule. Nymphs and streamers have accounted for most of the fish caught although some fish have been caught on dry flies and emergers.
Donner - Fishing has been fair to good for mackinaw. A combination of jigging and trolling has been successful. Shore fishing has been fair. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait.
Lake Tahoe Ð At 6226.06 on 2/19/2006 (Lake Level 6223.00) Fishing has been good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use in
flated nightcrawlers.
Prosser Ð (14,400 Acre Feet) Overall fishing has been fair. I would be very careful with the ice conditions on this lake. Boca is completely ice-free. The warmer weather this year has cause marginal conditions at best.
Stampede Ð (Equipment Failure) Stampede fishing has been fair to those that have been able to access it after the most recent storm. Shore fishermen have found action fair. Most are using nightcrawlers or Powerbait.
Other Waters ÐPyramid Lake northeast of Reno has been fair for shore fishermen this past week. While the water has cleared, the lake has risen a little over two feet. Because of this rise in water level, many locations that anglers normally fished cannot be fished. The distance to the drop-off is considerable in some locations. This makes it very unproductive to fish these spots. Look for spots where you can access a drop-off. The water is cold but depending on your location, you can have some decent angling. Dark colored patterns and white seem to be the two best colors. Black, olive, and white are the most consistent colors. The south end of the lake is beginning to clear now as well
Unfortunately, someone illegally introduced northern pike into the lake in the late 1990's. The fish have successfully reproduced, and like our ownLake Davis near Portola, taken over the fishery.
According to NDOW biologist Chris Crookshanks, "We've reached a grim milestone with the pike. Because pike numbers are increasing, we're seeing a reduction in the trout population and the bass fishery is not developing."
Recent surveys conducted by NDOW show that the population of pike, a voracious predator, has increased dramatically while trout and largemouth bass numbers have declined. This is bad news for anglers who have gotten hooked on the trophy trout fishery. While the trout fishery is no in immediate peril of collapsing, it does mean that ominous times lie ahead, unless something is done.
Pike had an especially successful spawn in 2001 and the fish that resulted are now 30 to 36 inches in length, just the right size for consuming the hatchery reared rainbow trout that NDOW stocks each spring and fall.
Anglers will notice that trout they catch will be large, but fewer in number and no fish of a smaller size are caught. This is the same thing that has happened at Lake Davis.
Besides trout, pike consume largemouth bass, which has thwarted NDOW's efforts to produce a bass fishery at the lake. Biologists believe that pike eat all of the bass that are spawned in the lake each spring.
While pike are increasing their population and growing in size, if left unchecked, they will gradually decimate the trout and bass fishery and ultimately their own population will crash as well. This is the typical pattern that has been seen by biologists in other lakes where pike have been left unchecked.
Obviously, NDOW does not want to be in the business of raising trout in their hatcheries for pike food. Crookshanks believes that the ultimate solution will involve eradicating pike in the lake and then trying to restore that trophy trout fishery. This is a decision that has already been made at Lake Davis.
As Crrookshanks points out, "Everyone should be aware that it is both illegal and irresponsible to introduce fish into a lake. A prime fishery that is extremely valuable to the people of Nevada is threatened by the irresponsible and selfish acts of one or two individuals."
The correlation to Davis Lake is chilling. However, unlikeLake Davis where no pike are allowed to be possessed to prevent live transport; there is no limit on the number of pike that can be caught and kept from Comins Lake. NDOW encourages anglers to keep all of the pike they catch and not return them to the lake. Remember the transport of live fish is against the law without the proper permitting.
NDOW points out that Comins Lake is currently covered with ice and fishing has been fairly slow recently for trout and pike. Anglers witnessing what they think is someone illegally putting fish into a lake should call 1-800-992-3030 in Nevada and 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258) in California to report what they have seen. Remember tips can be anonymous and you could be saving a fishery for future generations in the process.
Boca - (32,400) Acre Feet) Overall fishing has been fair. Ice fishermen are probably wondering if there will be any ice fishing on this lake the rest of this season. Open water continues to be the rule. Nymphs and streamers have accounted for most of the fish caught although some fish have been caught on dry flies and emergers.
Donner - Fishing has been fair to good for mackinaw. A combination of jigging and trolling has been successful. Shore fishing has been fair. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait.
Lake Tahoe Ð At 6226.06 on 2/19/2006 (Lake Level 6223.00) Fishing has been good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use in
flated nightcrawlers.
Prosser Ð (14,400 Acre Feet) Overall fishing has been fair. I would be very careful with the ice conditions on this lake. Boca is completely ice-free. The warmer weather this year has cause marginal conditions at best.
Stampede Ð (Equipment Failure) Stampede fishing has been fair to those that have been able to access it after the most recent storm. Shore fishermen have found action fair. Most are using nightcrawlers or Powerbait.
Other Waters ÐPyramid Lake northeast of Reno has been fair for shore fishermen this past week. While the water has cleared, the lake has risen a little over two feet. Because of this rise in water level, many locations that anglers normally fished cannot be fished. The distance to the drop-off is considerable in some locations. This makes it very unproductive to fish these spots. Look for spots where you can access a drop-off. The water is cold but depending on your location, you can have some decent angling. Dark colored patterns and white seem to be the two best colors. Black, olive, and white are the most consistent colors. The south end of the lake is beginning to clear now as well
