Note: Conditions in the Sparks Tribune fishing report are based on the latest possible information. But because of constantly changing weather and road conditions, please call for an updated report from the listed sources to verify conditions and ensure your safety on the water.

2008 Fishing and Hunting Licenses available: The Nevada Department of Wildlife reminds anglers that the annual Nevada fishing season began Saturday and you need to renew your license for the new year. Annual resident fishing licenses are $29 and a Nevada Trout Stamp is $10. A junior fishing license for persons 12 through 15 years and a senior license for anyone 65 years or older with five years of continuous Nevada residency are each $13. One-day fishing permits for residents are $9 and each consecutive day is $3. A nonresident annual fishing license for anyone 16 years and older is $69 and the trout stamp is $10. A nonresident junior fishing license for persons 12 through 15 years is $21. One-day fly fishing permits for nonresidents are $18 and each consecutive day is $7. More information is available in the new, Nevada fishing seasons and regulations booklet, available anywhere fishing licenses are sold. For more information or to purchase your fishing license online, log on to www.ndow.org.

PYRAMID LAKE: Cutthroat trout have been on a fair bite before storms set in but the bad weather kept anglers off of the lake. Saturday’s wind was fierce and boaters mostly stayed home. Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store in Sutcliffe said the action has started to pick up again with the improving conditions. Just Rite Fishing, Sutcliff, 476-0126 or Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474.

TRUCKEE RIVER: Not much new to report here. Last week’s warming trend really improved the fishing on the Truckee. The fish are still in their slower water hangouts, but the warmer weather has helped to spur on a little bug activity that gets the fish feeding in the afternoon. The best bet is to dead-drift small nymphs deep under a strike indicator, but fly fishermen are also catching fish on streamers and some are dry-fly fishing. The dry-fly fishing is very localized. Best flies for the Truckee: Deep Sherbet Bottom Roller 6-8, Zebra Midges 18-22, WD-40 22, Copper Johns Red and Copper colors 18-20, Two-Tone Hunchbacks 18-20, Slump Buster Rust and Black colors 6, and Stanley Streamers 6. Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474 or Mark Fore & Strike, 786-3474 or 322-9559.

SPARKS MARINA: Look for more people to start showing up at the marina with fishing poles in hand. Fishing should start to improve by the end of this week as daytime temperatures rise. Nightcrawlers are the best bet for catching these scrappy trout, but Kastmasters, Panther Martins and Roostertails also will catch fish. Use the easy-access fishing pier or try fishing from shore. The fish are spread out around the lake, so have patience and you should catch some nice fish. The Gilly, 1111 N. Rock Blvd., Sparks, 358-6113.

LAKE DAVIS: Ice fishing has been improving. Ice thickness reported varying from 14 to 24 inches around the lake. Best bait bets have been nightcrawlers, Power Bait and flies like green Woolly Buggers. Best fishing areas have been at Coot Bay, Mallard Cove and the dam. The fishing season for the creeks flowing into Lake Davis will open April 28. Updates are available at www.dfg.ca.gov/lakedavis. Dollard’s Sierra Market, Portola, CA (530) 832-5251 or Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474.

HINKSON SLOUGH: The fishing hasn’t really picked up at the slough yet, but warmer days should get the fish active. There are fish being caught on large midge imitations and small wooly buggers. A few anglers have reported good success fishing from pontoon boats or float tubes and slowly retrieving a pair of nymphs near weedy areas. Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474 or The Gilly, 1111 N. Rock Blvd., Sparks, 358-6113.

FRENCHMAN LAKE: With ice thickness holding at about 12 inches, fishermen have had little difficulty finding a place to fish around the dam area. Baits of choice include ‘crawlers, Power Bait, small jigs and flies. Wiggin’s Trading Post, Chilcoot, Calif. (530) 993-4683 or Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474.

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: With above average snow pack in the Sierras, the road to the Little Truckee is closed. It should remain this way for at least a few weeks. Fire up your snowmobile and give us a report.

Reno Fly Shop, 294 E. Moana Lane, Reno, 825-3474.

BOCA RESERVOIR: Ice fishing anglers got back into action pretty quickly following weekend storms. Although on rare occasions when a Mackinaw or kokanee has showed up, most anglers have been catching rainbows and a few browns. A variety of small jigs have been working, as well as nightcrawlers ‘sweetened’ with marshmallows or Power Bait. The Gilly, 1111 N. Rock Blvd., Sparks, 358-6113.

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR: Access is still limited and only snowmobiles four-wheel drives can get in. The road should be open in a few weeks if good weather holds. Tight Lines Guide Service, Grass Valley, (530) 273-1986 or Sierra Anglers Guide Service, Truckee, (530) 414-1374.

LAKE TAHOE: The afternoon Mackinaw bite has been hot after weekend storms smacked the lake with high winds, rain and snow. Morning action has been slow. The macks have been hitting a wide assortment of baits varying from live minnow/flasher rigs, to lures such as Apexes, MegaBaits, SpeedTraps and Tasmanian Devils. Mickey’s Big Mack Charters, Carnelian Bay, (800) 877-1462 or Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters, South Lake Tahoe, (530) 544-6552.

DONNER LAKE: Still not much action here yet. The lake is still unsafe for ice fishing. A better bet for catching fish might be Boca. Tight Lines Guide Service, Grass Valley, (530) 273-1986 or Sierra Anglers Guide Service, Truckee, (530) 414-1374.