Fishing at Boca Reservoir, California

Think of lakes in Northern California, and you probably think of the gem of the Sierra, Lake Tahoe. However, if you're into fishing, Boca Reservoir in California, not far from Lake Tahoe, may be your best bet. Open year round, Boca is stocked with several varieties of catchable trout in the summer and offers ice fishing in the winter.

Fishing at Boca Reservoir, California is much less stressful and crowded than at other major lakes in the Sierra District, even though it's easily accessible from Highway 80 near Truckee, California and only 27 miles Reno, Nevada. It's a mountain lake filled with many types of trout, and other fish. Fish you'll find at Boca include:

• Rainbow Trout (found along the Little Truckee River, too)
• Brown Trout
• Brook Trout (not as common)
• Mackinaw
• Kokanee Salmon (some of the best in the area)

If you want to try fishing at Boca Reservoir, California, you want to get there early in the summer or late in the fall for the best fishing results. In the middle of summer, the lake is a haven for water skiers and other recreational boating, so fishing can be limited. Early morning is the best time; most fishermen leave the lake by early afternoon (some say 11:00am is the latest they'll fish in summer). Most fishermen use boats on this lake, and launching is easy at the Boca Boat Ramp, which is even handicapped accessible when the reservoir level is high enough. The ramp can become unusable during low water, so check ahead.

You can bank fish in Boca, too, but not as successfully if you use a boat. However, in early spring, just after the lake thaws, and in the fall, you'll find plenty of bank fishing all along the reservoir, especially in rainbow and brown trout. You can also fish along the banks of the Little Truckee River that feeds Boca Reservoir.

Ice fishing at Boca Reservoir, California is a popular way to fish throughout the year, too, and it's one of only a handful of lakes in the Truckee region that offers this wintertime treat. Make sure to check with the Forest Service that the lake is fully frozen before attempting ice fishing.

This is a high-mountain lake, so when you think about fishing at Boca Reservoir, California, remember the daytime temperatures can reach the 80s to 90s in the summer, but dip into the 30s in the evening. In the winter, days can reach the 20s, and at night, temps often fall below zero, so bring the right gear for your season.

What do you need when you think about fishing at Boca Reservoir, California?

• Fishing gear
• Bait
• Sunscreen
• California Fishing License

You can get a one-, two-, or ten-day California fishing license to fish at Boca, or you can get a year-long or even lifetime fishing license if you plan to fish the area often. Check with the California Department of Fish and Game for your license, and any restrictions they might have on fishing at Boca Reservoir, California at different times during the year.

Ivy Johnson is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about Boca Reservoir, please visit California Fishing Online for current articles and discussions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ivy_Johnson