J&J Guide Service and John Minster present Eagle Lake Trout Fishing at Eagle Lake, California

[gotchahookedfishtrip]

COME SEE HOW WE DO IT IN NORTHERN CALIF ON THE SMITH RIVER 

[spirate19]

I fish eagle lake every winter with my dad, when i was little the average fish was around 4 pounds , over the last 5 years the average is around 2 pounds. We went fishing this morning and limited , 6 trout in 2 hours the biggest was around 2 and a half. the water levels have droped dramatically the spots we used to fish are no longer under water, we mainly fish from the shore. they should cut down on the season length possibly the first 3 opening months?

[EasyMexicanCooking]

Tome how is the lake levels looking for 2010? I saw some pictures of how bad the hatcheries were upstream or (lack of upstream) due to the water shortage. Is it going to be a good year?

[mrsockeye]

I'm a fan of Eagle, but in the last few years the size of the fish has been down quite a bit. The lake is getting overcrowded, and I can't rationalize driving up there for trout that are a lot smaller than they used to be. I would like to see CDFG shorten the season, maybe restricting fishing in the summer months do to high mortality. I don't know the answers, but something needs to be done because this fishery is going to shit.

[tome75]

@mrsockeye, The average size of an Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout is between 2.5 to 6 pounds which is larger than many trout found in other bodies of water. Eagle Lake Trout are also known for their acrobatics, fight, unique coloring and excellent taste. Project Eagle Lake has paid to keep fish in the hatcheries longer so that they are released at a larger size too. There is some controversy brewing over funds to maintain this as well as water issues.

[tome75]

Thanks bionk2. The footage was shot over opening weekend during Memorial Day. The water level at the Lake is low and the weather has been off which have affected a lot of people. However, J & J Guide Service utilizes a 21' Jetcraft white water boat w/jet engine so John's still able to launch in water levels as low as six inches. Since the marina's water level is well above that, he's had no problems. The weather affects water temp and that breaks up the fish. Gotta fish early to get em

[bionk2]

By the way isnt it illegal to keep fish alive in a live well????

[tome75]

Great question, bionk2. If you read the F&G code, the section regarding live well's is listed under the taking of bait. These fish are not bait. The section was created to prevent people from catching trout as live bait. I'm sure you noticed the dead fish in the live well too. J & J does not place live fish in the live well, this was an exception. The footage was shot after the fish were hooked simultaneously, (which was a remarkable feat). Everyone was reeling, so we could not get footage

[bionk2]

good stuff guys. looks like your fishing in october november?? How you liking the water level this year?? lol I havent done so well this season except for the opening weekend the weather has screwed me everytime.