Tom Mailey's fishing report for Feb. 2-8

Folsom Lake Rainbow trout action continues to be very good with a combination of wild trout and hatchery fish in the mix. The lake had a recent, unexpectedstocking of around 4,000 pounds of larger trout from Crystal Lake hatchery in Northern California, where an equipment malfunction created the need to clear out their pens. As a result, the shore bite near Brown's Ravine, where they were put in, was recently very good for anglers using Power Bait and nightcrawlers. However, those fish, most of which seem more heavily spotted than the usual stocked trout, are now probably acclimating to the lake and beginning to spread out. I caught and released one about 18 inches on Jan. 27 near the mouth of the South Fork on toplined fire tiger Rapala, and had three other catch-and-releases that day, too. But fellow Guide Jerry Lampkin (530-320-0994) hit the jackpot last Thursday and Friday, toplining spoons and small flashers/nightcrawlers for client limits in the north fork to about Peninsula Campground, and near the floating weather station out in front of the dam. His catch also included a 22-inch king salmon. Donner Lake Since the weather has been cooperative lately, there are few places more beautiful to soak a line than Donner Lake. Yeah it's cold, but that's half the fun, right? According to Truckee Ace Hardware, the shore bite for trout has been good, especially the closer you get to the launch area. A few mackinaw have also been hauled in. Fun fact about Donner: Unless otherwise marked, all the docks along the Old Donner Pass road shoreline are open to the public. Soak Power Bait or nightcrawlers, and if the wind starts kicking up, try throwing 8-ounce Kastmasters as the scuffed surface makes the fish a little more comfortable moving around and chasing flash. Sacramento River/Delta Striped bass fishing has been a struggle below the Rio Vista bridge due to poor water visibility and lots of grass. Reports from the Port ofSacramento have been better with fish up to 10 pounds coming on Yozuri deep divers and other similar lures. Reports from the Brannan Island area talk about low-vis water, but some fish are still being caught using spinnerbaits and bladed jigs on outgoing tides. – Tom Mailey