Butte County Fish and Game Commission meeting

The Butte County Fish and Game Commission awarded its 2011-12 financial grants on Monday night in Chico. Funds are derived from Butte County's share of fish and game fines written within the county. Historically, the lion's share of such monies were derived from salmon fishing violations; and the drastic curtailment of the salmon fishery means that total funds available are down over 50-percent.

The final 2011-12 financial grant awards were: Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation- $2500; Bidwell Wildlife Rehab Center- $3500; Butte Environmental Council- $1000; Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve- $2900; CWA Rancho Esquon- $2250; Lake Oroville Florida-strain Bass Project- $3000; Chico Creek Nature Center- $2250; Gridley Kids Fishing Day- $2500; Golden Empire Boy Scouts- $3000; Chico Kids Fishing Day- $2500; Kids and Creeks- $1345; Oroville Kids Fishing Day- $3500; Paradise Lake Kids Fishing Day- $2500; Paradise Park and Rec Kids Fishing Day- $2000; Snow Goose Festival- $2000. Also discussed at the meeting is the new optional "Warden's Stamp" for fishing and hunting licenses. Available only online at the DFG website and at DFG Regional Offices, the voluntary $5 stamp is actually a decal that can displayed in a car window. The funds raised will help pay for specialized equipment purchases for wardens throughout the state.

Local DFG warden Lt. Sam Castillo reported that Butte and Glenn County warden teams will be given special recognition from the DFG Director's Office for superior patrol achievements, particularly in the Oroville Wildlife Area. "The Oroville Wildlife Area has really had a turnaround", observed Castillo. "The Wildlife Area is for wildlife again. You no longer have to worry about your car getting broken into, or your equipment stolen."

Lake Oroville

Boat launching is going smoothly at Lake Oroville, according to Fil Torres at Oroville Outdoors. "The launching is fine on the new ramp at Bidwell", said Torres. "The courtesy dock is also there at Bidwell, and it is even possible that the lower ramp at the Spillway may be operating by the end of the month."

On the fishing front, Torres reported, "Bass fishing is pretty good. Lots of spotted bass, with a few going as large as three or four pounds. Best bet is working jigs and tubes at from 8 to 30 feet on main lake points. Some reaction bait fish are being caught in shallow water on chatterbaits, crankbaits or slow rip baits."

Torres added, "The bass anglers have not been getting any cohos this week, so I suspect that the salmon are up in the back arms where water is running into the lake."

Smith River

Its prime time for steelhead action on the Smith River, reported local guide Kevin Brock. "We hooked seven steelhead on Wednesday, but landed only three", said Brock. "The biggest one we caught that day was 12 pounds, but we hooked and lost one in the high teens early this week, and another angler weighed in a confirmed 20 pounder this week."

Brock continued, "All of our fish are biting on Pro-Cure natural roe with a pink puff ball. The bite is spread out all day long, and lots of boaters are catching fish. The action is more consistent, and the fish are bigger than in the past two years."

NWTF Chico banquet

The Chico chapter of the National Wild turkey Federation will hold its annual fundraising banquet on Feb. 27 at the Chico Masonic Center at 1110 W. East Avenue. A great selection of raffle and auction prizes will be available, including guns and wildlife-themed art. Catering by Steelhead BBQ. Tickets are $65 single, $100 couple, $35 youths 17 and under. For tickets or more information, call 570-6284.

Lake Almanor

Winter fishing is in full swing on Lake Almanor, reported Doug Neal of Almanor Fishing Adventures. "Lake Almanor is ringed with deep snow right now, but the launch ramps are clear and the fish are biting", said Neal.

"Easy limits are coming in from all points around Almanor. Hamilton Branch is running clear, and there are more rainbows and king salmon in there right now than any other time I have seen.

"Geritol Cove at Canyon Dam has been another hot spot, and offers great bank fishing; snow-bank that is. Several big browns have been reported the last few days in the five-pound class.

"Trolling near Prattville, we hammered one clean rainbow after another, trolling a white trolling fly behind a UV dodger at four feet. We released eight fish in about three hours, all around three pounds each."

DFG Q and A, by Carrie Wilson

Q- My son was 15 years old when the waterfowl season began, but just turned 16 in December. Is he eligible to participate in the special Federal Youth Waterfowl Hunt?

A- Unfortunately, the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days regulations state that youth hunters must be 15 years of age or younger at the time the hunt is conducted.