Wiggin's Trading Post at Chilcoot, Calif. (530-993-4683): There is still some ice at the dam but you can walk down to plenty of open water. Only small boats can be put in at Lunker Point.

The fish are hungry and close to shore. We've heard of many catches of rainbows in the 18-inch range. Nightcrawlers and marshmallows are the best bait.