Anglers will probably have to hit small park lakes such as Sandy Wool, Cunningham, Cottonwood and the Campbell Percolation Ponds to find more consistent trout fishing.

Fabulous management by the lake concessionaires makes Los Vaqueros, Chabot and Del Valle some of the Bay Area's top waters. Los Vaqueros is boasting heavy plants of trout, light fishing pressure and a surprise excellent bite on inland chinook, even from the bank. Anglers fishing with dough baits and spoons in the vicinity of the marina have no problems bagging limits.

At Del Valle, trollers dragging Needlefish, Hot Rods and small Coyote spoons through the top 10 feet of water near the dam and in The Narrows will score easy limits. But keep an eye on your trout. A resurgence in the striper population has them on the lookout and afraid of getting eaten.

Lake Chabot doesn't allow private boats, but anglers who rent one can find productive fishing near Raccoon Point and around the inland, said lake staffer Stan Wong of Lake Chabot Outfitters.

TAHOE REGION
For the last half decade, guide Mike Nielsen of Tahoe Topliners has made a name for himself promoting Lake Tahoe's impressive rainbow and brown trout fishery.

But with more and more anglers top-lining for them, Nielsen cautions anglers to catch and release those species to ensure that the population will thrive for years to come.

This spring, dragging Cotton Cordell Grappler Shads, Rebel Minnows, Bomber Long As, Silver Hordes and Krocodiles through the top 30 feet of water will generate strikes on browns to 14 pounds and rainbows to 10.

This summer, anglers will also find a great bite on lake trout when jigging Crippled Herrings and Buzzbombs in 100 to 200 feet of water.

While Tahoe will be on fire again, Boca, Prosser and Stampede could teeter either way. All three suffered from low water in '07. This spring, bank-anglers will find success near the dam and at the inlets with Panther Martins and fly-and-bubble combos.

Donner Lake could be a sleeper for lake trout, browns and rainbows, said guide Rick Kennedy of Tight Lines Guide Service. He recommends that anglers target the lake in spring before the summer crowds arrive.

Kennedy also is keen on Jackson Meadows Reservoir where quality 12- to 18-inch rainbows can be had by trollers working the face of the dam.