As Asians became more prosperous, they prefer to eat more “high-value” species, forcing fishermen to catch more of them even if it means using environmentally harmful and illegal methods, they  said. “Increased wealth, especially in Asia,” had raised demand for more expensive fish like certain groupers and tunas, said Jackie Alder, head of the marine coastal office of the UN Environment Programme.

“They are no longer satisfied with anchovies,” she told reporters on the sidelines of a UN conference on oceans in the Philippine capital. She warned that fish production had stabilised at 80 million tonnes in the 1980s and scientists believed that it would not go any higher.

“There is no doubt that changing lifestyles and eating habits are having an effect on resources,” said Jerker Tamelander, head of  the UN Environment Programme’s coral reef unit. He cited the case of live groupers which are in such demand in Asia that fishermen use cyanide to stun them and catch them alive, even if this kills other fish and harms coral reefs.

Even then, many of these groupers die during transport across Asia, he warned. “There is high mortality, high transport costs but also high returns.”    Depleting the stocks of high-value fish could also upset the balance of nature in coral reefs, possibly leading to their degradation, he added.

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A long-simmering debate over federal fishing quotas and their economic impact on Florida and other coastal states could reach a boiling point this year as Congress considers changes to a landmark marine conservation law.

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KENNEBUNK -- Dan Dykstra couldn't wait to wade into the cold water of the Mousam River. So he asked fellow fisherman Kevin McKay to pull over for a taste of the brown trout fishery after they drove down from Bangor earlier this month. And didn't the Old Town fisherman get into a mess of brown trout?

The next day at dawn alongside other eager fly fishermen, Dykstra willingly waded back into the ice-cold water to hook more than a dozen trout, including one 18 inches long. You'd think this was the April or May hatch season. Welcome to Maine's annual Freeze Up, the gathering of fly fishermen who kick off the year together doing what they love best.

Every January for nine years, these guys have gathered in the dead of winter -- some from as far as New York and Connecticut -- for a veritable fly-and-casting convention beside one of Maine's year-round fisheries.

The fishing is the crazy piece, but really secondary to the gathering on shore, where talk is about egg sandwiches, salmon, conservation and cigars. It evolved out of one guide's desire to say thank you.

In 2004, fishing website administrator Kevin McKay and a couple friends wanted to celebrate the new year fishing. That first year, a half dozen showed at the banks of the Presumpscot River. The next year, 10 showed, and pretty soon the count was over 20 for the annual event.

McKay continued the tradition to thank the fishing community for turning his fishing forum (www.Maineflyfish.com) into a buzz word. "So many people have come to the website and made it better," McKay said. This year's Freeze Up had as many as 70 show throughout the day. But even two years ago in a blizzard, 35 came to fish.

"This is the most. Right now there are more than 20 guys fishing on the river," said McKay as he looked up and down the Mousam's winding bends. McKay and Jim Bernstein from Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop in Cape Neddick offer a free breakfast spread, drawings for prizes and a casting contest for a new rod. No professionals are allowed in the casting competition, and past winners can't compete.

"The best casters blow it. The pressure is too much. I make everyone enter. I go around and tell them. Then I tell the kids the tricks," McKay said. This year the competition was won by Sam Kenney, 12, of Dixmont, which made for a perfect Freeze Up ending.

Kenney came to learn from the older fishermen. "He started fly fishing at seven and a half," said Ellen Gronlie, who watched her son cast from a park bench. "There are so many kind people here. They're so helpful. They share their knowledge. Now Sam actually teaches us, me and my husband."

Other youngsters showed up to learn through osmosis. Seth Greene, 20, of Kennebunk and Cooper Nunan, 15, of Arundel, caught their first fish on a fly rod after McKay showed them where to cast. Greene plans to keep fishing some of the year-round rivers, even when the weather turns cold.

"We're from Maine," he shrugged. Erik Wisniewski, 15, of Salisbury, Mass., drove up with his father to learn from the guides who lined the river. "I wanted to meet up with great people. To hear their stories. These guys know a lot, and there is a willingness to share," said Wisniewski.

Alan Lindberg came from Gray to do just that. Lindberg is not a guide, but he is one of the Freeze Up founders, a 53-year fly fisherman known for giving his flies away to novices. Having scanned the busy river, Lindberg was happy to leave early for a grandchild's birthday. The Freeze Up tradition, he said, will continue.

"I'm not in the first photo, because I took it," said Lindberg. "That first year it was so cold out I told my wife to drive by (the Presumpscot River) and see if they were there. And she said, 'Yeah, there's a guy with a red pickup with a grill in the back.'

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This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers, anglers, guides and local businesses. Conditions may vary as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

East–Central, including the Pecos River
Coyote Creek — Closed for the season. Will reopen next spring.

Pecos River — No read on flow due to ice. The upper river is under ice. In lower sections, fish the afternoon hours, especially while the sun is on the water.

Conchas Lake — No report due to no traffic at the lake this past week

Morphy Lake — The lake has closed for the season and will reopen next spring.

Santa Rosa Lake — No report.

Storrie Lake — Fishing is slow to fair for trout due to light traffic and cold weather.

Sumner Lake — No report.

Ute Lake — No report.

Southeast
Oasis State Park Lake — Trout fishing is good on a variety of baits. The lake was stocked with 823 trout last week.

Rio Ruidoso — Fishing is reported as slow.

Bonito Lake —The lake is closed for the season and will reopen next spring.

Bottomless Lakes — No report.

Brantley Reservoir — There has been light pressure and no current report. A mandatory catch and release is in place at Brantley Lake because pesticides have been found in the fish. Do not keep or eat them.

Grindstone Reservoir — Fishing is slow to fair for trout using worms, Power Bait and Pistol Petes.

Northwest
Animas River — Slow with very little pressure.

Chama River — Recent heavy snow storms have kept anglers off the water. No report.

San Juan River — On most days, fishing has been fair to good using a size 24 midge pattern despite only having about two feet of visibility. Fishing has also been descent using a size 18 red larva and a grey midge pupa and scintilla patterns in size 24. Recent weather has slowed fishing down quite a bit. The quality water section was stocked with 20,000 6-inch trout last week.

Abiquiu Lake — Fishing is slow for all species. No staff on site until spring.

El Vado Lake — No report due to weather and a lack of anglers. Ice is forming around the edges of the lake.

Heron Lake — No report due to weather and a lack of anglers. Ice is forming around the edges of the lake.

Jackson Lake — Trout fishing is reported as fair using Power Bait.

Lake Farmington — Trout fishing is reported as slow.

Morgan Lake — No report.

Navajo Lake — The lake is turning over, visibility is poor and trout fishing is slow.

Northeast

No reports. Fishing pressure has been very light due to weather.

West-Central, including the Jemez Mountains

Jemez River — The lower Jemez was stocked with 1,700 rainbow trout last week. The Valles Caldera National Preserve has closed the fishing program until spring.

Metro Drainages — The fishing is reported as fair

with most methods catching fish. The drainages were stocked last week: Albuquerque with 301 triploid rainbow trout; Belen with 200; Bernalillo with 80; Corrales with 119; and Peralta with 250.

Bluewater Lake — No report.

Cochiti Lake — No report. The lake is closed for the season along the Tetilla side. The upper lake is also closed above Tetilla due to a log boom in place on the lake.

Escondida Lake — No report, but fishing should be good as it was stocked with 2,086 trout last week.

Fenton Lake — The lake is iced over and there is no ice fishing due to unsafe conditions. Warm thermal releases under the ice make for unsafe conditions. The lake will most likely be closed until spring thaw.

Tingley Beach — Trout fishing in the Tingley Beach Children's and Central Ponds has been good using salmon eggs and Pistol Petes. The ponds were stocked with 2,400 triploid rainbow trout last week.

Southwest
Gila River — With warmer weather the flow is 220 cfs and fishing is slow. Gila trout were stocked last week at the forks.

Rio Grande — No report. 1,700 triploid rainbows were stocked last week.

Bear Canyon Lake — Fishing for trout is very good with garlic cheese and Power Bait. Other species are slow.

Bill Evans Lake — Fishing for trout is reported as good with bright colored Power Bait, fireballs, spinners and flies all working well. 1,500 Triploid rainbow trout were stocked last week so fishing should remain good. No reports on other species.

Caballo Lake — Water levels are very low and caution should be used if boating. Very light fishing pressure and no report of success.

Elephant Butte Lake — No report.

Glenwood Ponds — Fishing is reported as good for trout. Bright colored Power Bait is working best.

Lake Roberts — Trout fishing is reported as slow with Power Bait. Fishing pressure has been light.

Quemado Lake — No report. Much of the lake is covered with ice, though some anglers are having success with Power Bait for trout. No reports of tiger muskies being caught.

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It's been about a decade since hunting and fishing fees have gone up in Minnesota. It's time it happens. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and sportmen's groups from throughout the state will go to the Legislature this year in an effort to increase fees to help offset a major lack of revenue.

Why the push for an increase?

Well, some of the blame goes to the Legislature - last year's government shutdown reportedly cost the DNR somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 million in lost fishing and hunting license sales. Also, revenue from hunting and fishing license sales are projected to fall well short of projections. Because of the political stalemate over tax and spending between Republicans and Democrats last summer, the Legislature didn't act on the DNR's proposal in 2011. That needs to change this year, otherwise, the DNR is looking at making some major cuts. And for you hunters and anglers, don't think you wouldn't notice those cutbacks.

Last year, the DNR proposed a bump from $17 to $24 for a one-year resident individual adult fishing license and from $24 to $40 for a married couple. An individual deer license would have gone from $26 to $30. An annual angling license for a nonresident adult would have gone from $39.50 to $44 and a nonresident deer license would have gone from $140 to $160. The DNR's proposal this year is expected to be about the same. If the Legislature pushes the increase through the increased fees would take effect in 2013.

There are two key points to keep in mind here. One, the increases will be paid for by user fees - that is, it's those who hunt and fish who will be affected; and two, fishing and hunting licenses in Minnesota are, for the most part, lower than other places in the United States.

Not only that, but the fishing and hunting business is vital to the state's economy, generating more than $3.5 billion per year. Fishing and hunting are not only traditions in Minnesota and part of who we are, outdoor sports are a key mechanism in our economic engine. If it takes a little more from each hunter, each angler, to make that engine run more smoothly - or prevent it from breaking down - than we believe it's those very people - the ones who enjoy sitting in deer stands every fall or in a fishing boat in the summer - who should pay a little more to keep our rich reputation strong.

From gas to groceries - things we all pay for - the price of everything else is going up, so why shouldn't the cost to go hunting and fishing? If it means avoiding drastic cuts to outdoor programs and state agencies that watch over our lakes, parks and trails, and wildlife areas, we're all for it. Ten years? The state has put the increases off for too long already.

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Recognition for 50 years' unbroken service to New Zealand fisheries and the fishing industry came as a big surprise for Spring Creek fishing legend Ted Collins. Especially when Kaikoura MP Colin King and Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley paid 74-year-old Ted a visit at Wairau Hospital to present the award.

Ted had been permitted to leave hospital to attend an international rock lobster conference at the Marlborough Convention Centre in August and had just arrived back when he heard footsteps coming down the corridor towards his room. A group of about six officials gathered around his bedside before speeches were made and the plaque was presented.

"It came as a shock, but I was very humbled," Ted says. Ted, who has been chairman for Cramac 5, a Marlborough/Canterbury commercial rock lobster stakeholder group, since its inception in 1987, says he has always loved the sea.

His first fishing memory was as a 6-year-old fishing off the wharf at Picton with a penny's worth of bait from the shop. From there, he went on to receive his first fishing licence in 1958, and has held various positions in the industry, including national president of the Federation of Commercial Fishermen, of which he is also a life member.

Ted recalls the first annual meeting of the Picton Fishermen's Association, at which the secretary, chairman and vice-chairman had arrived straight from the pub. A somewhat untraditional appointment as president was confirmed after the chairman pointed at him, one of nine people at the meeting, he says.

Three generations of the Collins family have now worked in the fishing industry, with grandson Kurt being a fisherman for Arapawa Island resident Joe Hebberley.

Ted believes his involvement in the implementation of the New Zealand quota management system is his biggest achievement. The industry realised it was in deep trouble in the mid-1970s when fish catch fell 50 to 60 per cent, and the size of the fish being taken diminished.

Fishermen were working longer hours and there were several cases of boating accidents caused by fishermen falling asleep at the helm, says Ted. Something had to be done. Federation of Commercial Fishermen executive member Peter Stevens suggested the quota scheme, receiving unanimous support from fellow members.

Although it was Prime Minister Robert Muldoon's Think Big era of expansion, the federation strongly lobbied the government, finally achieving success in 1986, when the quota system was implemented.

Cramac 5 executive officer Larnce Wichman says Ted is a stalwart of the industry, having devoted much time and energy to its advancement. His involvement with lifting rock lobster numbers back to a sustainable level had been amazing and of great benefit to Cramac 5.

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BERRYESSA: Fish offshore structures and rock piles for bass. All the better if there is bait nearby. Trout fishing is slowing. Live minnows offered before sunrise are the best bet. After that, the trout spread out and trollers pick a few trolling 15 to 20 feet deep. (916) 502-3474, (707) 372-7599

CAMPBELL PERC PONDS: Trout were stocked here this week. Good place to bring the family.

CHABOT: Trollers are experiencing better action near the island. Trout are in the top 10 feet and chasing Rapalas, Kastmasters and similar offerings. Shoreline bait anglers get good action at Raccoon Point and Indian Cove. Dylan Gonzalez of Castro Valley caught the big fish of the week, a 6-pound trout with a nightcrawler from Raccoon Point. (510) 247-2526

CONTRA LOMA: Fishing has been slow. Best trout spots are the boat ramp and Channel Point dock. Use nightcrawlers or Power Bait. Black bass bite is fair all around the lake. There are panfish taking jigs or worms near the boat ramp or Loma Island. (510) 544-3154/3153

DEL VALLE: A trout plant of 1,000 pounds from Mt. Lassen went in last Wednesday. Fishing has been very good at the East Beach, Narrows and near the dam. Water temperature is 50 degrees. Best Power Bait colors are white, chartreuse, rainbow and spring green. Also effective are three-inch floating Power Worms in white, chartreuse, pink shad, or bubble gum. Kastmasters and Rapalas are the best lures. (925) 449-5201

LAFAYETTE: A DFG trout plant is scheduled for this week. Another from Mount Lassen is on tap for next week. Big fish of the week was a 7-pound trout by Cory Smith of Walnut Creek. (925) 284-9669

LOS VAQUEROS: Striped bass bite continues to be good. Most are 5 to 8 pounds. Slow days translate to a half-dozen fish landed from the shoreline. A good day means up to 30 fish. Shad or anchovies will work, but most use anchovies. (925) 371-2628, (925) 371-5056

McALPINE: Use nightcrawlers or Power Bait on the end of a three-foot, 4-pound test leader for trout. Bite has been decent throughout the day. Sturgeon are biting well but must be released. (831) 623-4263
MOUNT TAMALPAIS LAKES: Bon Tempe was planted last Friday with 1,000 pounds of half-pound trout from the Department of Fish & Game. (415) 945-1194

QUARRY LAKES: Quality trout are being caught but not at the pace of the past weeks. Biggest fish this week was a 9.3-pound trout caught by Murray Gannon of Vista. Best spots are Fishermen's Row and the Peninsula. Kiosk Cove also is worth exploring. Two plants went in this week -- 1,000 pounds from DFG and 250 pounds from Mount Lassen. (510) 544-3130

SHADOW CLIFFS: The bite has been on the slow side. Most shoreline anglers get a fish or two. Limits are very rare. Boaters do much better. A trout plant of 1,000 pounds from the DFG went in last Thursday. Biggest fish of the week was a 7-pound catfish caught Eric Doppee and Mitchell Wilson. Biggest trout was 5.8-pounder caught on rainbow Power Bait. (510) 544-3230
Rivers

NAPA: Crabs are a bother all the way up to Kennedy or Cuttings Wharf. A good rain is needed to flush the river. Cut bait and live bullhead or mudsuckers can get striped bass. But the going is tough with all the crab. Sturgeon will take ghost and grass shrimp or eel. Sweeney's Sports (707) 255-5544

NORTH COAST RIVERS: The only open rivers are the Smith and main stem of the Eel. Closed because of low water are Redwood Creek, Mad River, Van Duzen, South Fork Eel and the Mattolle. (707) 822-3164

RUSSIAN: The mouth has been closed for three days. It was supposed to open Wednesday afternoon. Johnson's Beach has been the best spot, but there are a lot of people fishing that spot. King's Sporting Goods (707) 869-2156
Delta

ANTIOCH: Stripers are near the Antioch Bridge and Sherman Island. Most are in the 20- to 30-inch class. Live mudsuckers bounced off the bottom are a good way to go. Sturgeon anglers are going upriver to Liberty Slough. (925) 706-7400

BENICIA: There are four hot spots for sturgeon: Buoy 2, the east end of the Mothball Fleet, the shallows of Grizzly Bay and between Roe and Ryer islands. Eel, grass shrimp and ghost shrimp work well. (707) 745-4921

FRANKS TRACT: Striped bass fishing is slow. There is a scattering of stripers in Frank's Tract. Black bass fishing is quite slow. The winning weight was 16 pounds for a five-fish limit at a tournament last weekend out of Russo's. The key to any success is to radically downsize. (925) 625-2441

PITTSBURG: The fishing may be good, but very few are out in the pursuit of sturgeon. Best spots are Buoy 33, Honker Bay or the PG&E plants. There were reports of a 40-pound striped bass from the deep water near the Firing Line. (925) 252-0151

RIO VISTA: Striped bass bite has faded. Best action is in the sloughs. Liberty, Cache, Prospect and Montezuma sloughs have had reports of fish. Best action is on low tide. (707) 374-2372

TRACY: Black bass bite is fair. Limits are in the 13-pound range. Striped bass bite is very hit-or-miss. Next amateur tourney is Jan. 22. Tracy Oasis Marina (209) 835-3182
Saltwater

BODEGA BAY: Crab/squid combos are being offered for $100. The next trip is Saturday. Crab/sand dabs also are on the slate. (707) 875-3344

CAPITOLA: A few boats go out and get kingfish. There are mackerel and sardines available to skiffs and kayaks. No sea bass or halibut lately. (831) 462-2208

MONTEREY: Limits of crabs, buckets of sand dabs and great weather have made fishing here a delight. (831) 375-5951, (831) 372-7440

PACIFICA: Crabbing has been so-so at the pier. Best approach is with snares. Perch fishing is decent when the water is calm. (650) 355-8303, (650) 359-9790

SAN FRANCISCO: A herring spawn was reported midday Wednesday at Coyote Point, and that's on top of last weekend's solid bite. Two sturgeon were caught Saturday from the Oyster Point Pier. Ghost shrimp has been the best bait, but herring also accounted for sturgeon and will be the go-to now. (650) 589-3474, (510) 703-4148

SAN PABLO BAY: Sturgeon bite is so-so. Weekend tides are fair but minus tides arrive next Wednesday. That should help the sturgeon bite. Striped bass bite is slow. Biggest sturgeon lately was a 63-incher caught west of the Pumphouse. (415) 456-0321

SUISUN BAY: A few keepers in the 60-inch range are being caught near the Mothball Fleet and Buoy 2. A lot of shakers have moved into the area. Striper bite has slowed. Best method is live bullhead in the shallows. (925) 229-9420

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Arizona Game and Fish’s Rory Aiken’s first tip of 2012 is to get a new annual fishing license, or a new combo license.

Youth especially get a smoking deal — even those youngsters from out of state. The youth combo license is only $26.50 and includes trout fishing privileges for both resident and nonresident youth.

There is also the family fishing license some of you folks might want to check out. A fishing license is your key to a lot of fun and adventure in the healthy outdoors for the family.

Here’s some great fishing news — Salt River Project is taking water from Stewart Mountain Dam to keep the Bartlett Lake level up. This means a 10-mile, mid-winter trout fishing bonus for all of us. This coming week, Arizona Game and Fish will stock feisty winter rainbow trout at the Water Users area just below Stewart Mountain Dam and at the Blue Point Bridge along the Lower Salt River.

Also, another piece of great news — Now you can get the new Arizona Fishing Guide book from any of the Arizona Game and Fish offices across the state.

In the high country, things were a little different. We actually had decent snow pack for the winter before this one, with good corresponding levels at most trout lakes in the pine country. Then came the horrendous fire season. Some lakes were not accessible. Others were, but didn’t get a lot of fishing pressure. But here’s the kicker — we kept growing trout at the hatcheries and ultimately, those trout went into the lakes.

So let’s see: we had low fishing pressure, yet the same amount of trout stockings, which left lots of fish uncaught at the end of last year’s season. Can you say HOLDOVER trout? That alone means the high country trout season is shaping up pretty good. Now we wait and see on what type of snow pack we get to find out if we have a very good year, or hopefully a great fishing year in the mountains.

Keep in mind that the annual incentive trout stocking in the Urban Fishing Program Lakes (includes larger fish) is scheduled this week (Jan. 9-14). So if you don’t already have a fishing license, get a Super Conservation one and you can fish both the urban waters, state waters and also have trout fishing privileges in the state waters.

Here’s another tip — look for late afternoon shade lines, such as the one adjacent to the bluffs along Humbug Creek at Lake Pleasant, or the upper end of Bartlett just before the no-wake zone. Largemouth bass like to loaf in the shadows (great blue herons and bald eagles can’t see them easily) and wait in ambush for any meal swimming or floating by. Don’t expect great numbers or even a large percentage of the bass population. What you will most likely find is an occasional bass in the shallows. On the plus side, those can often be the larger bass that need to support their body mass.

ROOSEVELT LAKE - Lake Elevation is 2,121 feet (66 percent full). Tonto Creek runoff is 53 cfs while inflow from the Salt River is at 198 cfs.  Water temp as reported by anglers ranged between 53 and 56 degrees Fahrenheit.

A couple anglers caught over 5 largemouth bass in the 16-inch range using cranks and spinners. The largest largemouth bass fell for spinner bait. It was 23 inches long and over 6 pounds.

Dropshot and worms attached to jigs worked pretty good. A new rig known as Darter worms enticed a bite. You can look the rig up on the web but basically it is where the rounded head of a worm is nipped off and fits snuggly against the jig head. You can also buy a Darter Head jig if you wish. The point is to eliminate the space between the jig head and worm so it looks like one smooth unit. They are supposed to work well in clear water.

An angler spent the day fishing and caught 11 largemouth bass with the largest a quarter pound shy of 3 pounds. Dropshot proved to be the most productive ticket for this angler in the 30 to 60 foot range. Jerkbait and spoons in around the marina worked pretty well. With the water a bit chilly, a slow retrieve is a good idea and use your fish finders to locate them as they don’t like to expend a lot of energy chasing their dinner right now.  

This is the time of year when crappie congregate into large schools. In the past, you could typically find them in open water in both the Tonto and Salt River ends of the lake, and might do so again this year since the lake level is down. But crappie also like wooded cover. Roosevelt has lots of deep, wooded cover for them. So if you don’t find them in the open water, go looking in deep water with cover. Good sonar might depict them as looking almost like Christmas tree ornaments in the tops of trees. Keep in mind that crappie feed upwater, so place your jigs and minnows accordingly.

APACHE - Lake elevation is 1,908 ft. (94 percent full). It’s a bit chilly out there, but anglers are finding the bite using live worms, spoons on the ledges and dropshot near the drop-offs. On these sunny and warm winter days, look for yellow bass to be holding just inside the mouths of coves or along the deeper secondary points inside coves at 15 to 35 feet deep. While jigs can work, night crawlers or mealworms might prove almost irresistable.

CANYON - Lake elevation is 1,658 ft, which is 96 percent full. Water temp as measured by anglers ranged from 54 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anglers are doing quite well with the relatively new A-Rig. A group of anglers caught around 30 fish with the largest largemouth bass at 4 pounds. The A-Rig entices an exuberant bite so the hook can be lodged pretty deep in the mouth. This new presentation certainly has the attention of the fish. Don’t forget you can only “arm” two of the lures, so take the remaining hooks off. Play with the positioning and you will find the best spots to place the armed lures. Live bait is still a good bet for those who want a nice, relaxing time on the water.

On these sunny and warm winter days, look for yellow bass to be holding just inside the mouths of coves or along the deeper secondary points inside coves at 15 to 35 feet deep. While jigs can work, night crawlers or mealworms might prove almost irresistable.

SAGUARO - Lake elevation 1,525 feet at 93 percent full. Water temps taken by anglers ranged between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Salt River Project is now taking water from Stewart Mountain Dam, which creates a current-like situation that can result in a better winter bite.

Anglers are hammering bass with A-Rigs, especially in the main channel. Yellow bass are slurping up the shad and are susceptible to spoons and live bait. Largemouth bass are also going after spoons, but it’s a slow retrieve or slowly bouncing it off the bottom toward your boat.

On these sunny and warm winter days, look for yellow bass to be holding just inside the mouths of coves or along the deeper secondary points inside coves at 15 to 35 feet deep. While jigs can work, night crawlers or mealworms might prove almost irresistable.

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ALBANY—With the onset of winter, the thoughts of many anglers often turn to ice fishing and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds ice anglers about a recent change to the Environmental Conservation Law.

In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two lines with five tip-ups.

“Ice fishing provides a great opportunity for people to get outdoors during the long winter months,” said DEC Assistant Commissioner for Natural Resources Kathy Moser. “According to a recent DEC survey, ice fishing participation has doubled over the past 10 years.”

The use of fish for bait is very popular when ice fishing, and bait fish may be used in most but not all waters that are open to ice fishing. See DEC’s website for a list of special regulations by county to find out where bait fish can and cannot be used:

Anglers are reminded to take these important steps when ice fishing: –Follow the bait fish regulations to prevent the spread of harmful fish diseases and invasive species. –Use only certified disease-free bait fish purchased at a local tackle store or use only personally collected bait fish for use in the same waterbody in which they were caught.

–Check for sufficient ice thickness before venturing onto the ice. A minimum of three to four inches of solid ice is usually safe for anglers on foot. However, ice thickness varies on every body of water and anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks/houses where “bubblers” may be installed to reduce ice buildup.

DEC cautions that the presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be taken as evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions for themselves and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk.

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• NEW MELONES RESERVOIR — Big news was the lake-record brown trout taken by Michael Oliveira of Hilmar while bass fishing near the dam with a shad-patterned crankbait. He didn't realize what a trophy he had landed until he got back to the boat launch and friends told him to take the fish to Glory Hole Sporting Goods. The fish checked in at 13.25 pounds and 26.5 inches, with a girth of 20.5 inches. It might have topped 14 pounds at the time of the catch since she was dropping eggs "like crazy." Melanie Lewis of Glory Hole said trout fishing remains very good with bank anglers scoring on Power Bait or Power Eggs in rainbow or chartreuse with a garlic scent. It's the perfect time to target brown trout, and large lures such as a Rapala J9, Sebile Magic Swimmer, or River2Sea SWaver swimbait trolled fast along structure create the possibility for a trophy.

Blake Kuehl landed a 4.5-pound brown while trolling a shad-patterned broken back Rapala at 100 feet. Lewis said "right now is a great time to take your kids fishing" because there's so much action they won't get bored." Trollers are pulling Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of night crawler behind a dodger or spoons such as Needlefish, ExCels, or Vance's Slim Fins in natural shad, chrome or Cop Car. Lewis said bright colors (chartreuse, flame orange, copper/gold) will work usually, and she advised anglers to add a trolling grub, hootchie skirt, or piece of crawler to catch the fish's attention. Lewis reported decent action for bass as the fish focus on shad — which makes shad-patterned plastics an excellent bait. Larger fish are hitting Zoom Craws or tubes or rainbow trout patterned swim baits. Call: (209) 736-4333; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne (209) 586 2383; Sierra Sport Fishing (209) 599-2023.

• McSWAIN RESERVOIR — With the anticipation of trout plants starting again in mid-January, action has slowed for trollers and bank fishermen. A few limits have been taken up the river arm from the bank with green or orange Power Bait, with the best trolling action on Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of crawler behind a dodger, blade/crawler combinations, or small spoons from the floating restrooms to Gilligan's Island. Call: (209) 378-2534 // no ads

• McCLURE RESERVOIR — Live bait — large minnows or live crawdads — is producing spotted bass to 5 pounds. Hunter's Valley Point, Arnold Bay, Cottonwood Creek, and Barrett's Cove have been consistent locations for crawdads. Brendan and Emily Comerford landed a 20-inch, 5-pounder. Bass also have been taken with the 082 Keeper worm on the drop-shot. Crappie are starting to show up, and Diana Mello of A-1 Bait in Snelling reported selling a lot of small minnows for crappie. One angler landed 10 crappie on medium minnows and chartreuse mini-jigs after sunset in Barrett's Cove. Trout fishing is good for trollers up the river arm, in Cottonwood, or near the dam at 15 feet with ExCels in Popsicle or rainbow trout, Needlefish in Cop Car or rainbow trout, or blade/crawler combinations. Call: A-1 Bait (209) 563-6505; Bub Tosh (209) 404-0053.

• LAKE DON PEDRO — Trollers and bank fishermen both are finding the trout fishing excellent. Guide Gary Vella has been targeting large fish at 30 feet in Mexican Gulch with shad-patterned ExCels and was rewarded with three rainbows over 2.5 pounds. Guide Monte Smith took out Cal Kellogg, editor of Fishsniffer Magazine, on a midweek trip, and they fast-trolled spoons in the 53-degree water for quality rainbows. Smith advised looking for swooping birds or bait schools on the meter; the trout will be in the same area. Smith said the spoon bite will remain good until water dips below 50 degrees where blade/crawler combinations will be more effective. Guide Danny Layne said the heavy plants from the Moccasin Fish Hatchery mean plenty of planters are feeding at 10-20 feet in Mexican Gulch and off the Fleming Marina into Fleming Bay; catch them on small spinners, ExCels, Needlefish or Triple Teasers. King salmon can be found in Fleming Bay over the main river channel into Middle Bay at 150-180 feet with rolled shad. Bass fishing has slowed. Call: Monte Smith (209) 581-4734; Danny Layne (209) 586-2383; Bait Barn (209) 874-3011

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