A friend of mine and I recently purchased pontoon boats and plan to fish out of them at Putah/Lake Solano.
On Sunday we launched at the park at Lake Solano and tried to paddle up to the "Y". It was our maiden voyage so it was somewhat of an adventure, but as we were putting in at 3:30 pm we were informed that the park closes at 5:00 pm. This put's a damper on our plans to fish after work during the summer.
I've heard that parts of Putah are pretty dangerous to float through, so I'm wondering if anybody has suggestions where to put in (8ft. pontoon boats) and where to get out. As well as good spots to fish in them.
I've thought about putting in at #5 and then getting out just above the diversion damn.
I think the 5 O'clock closing is only in the off season. Most of the signs at the park say "closes at sunset" or something like that. I got a warning from the ranger there about a month ago when I came back at 6:30 but I'm pretty sure he said hours would be longer in summer.
In the meantime, you could launch at the Y at the tip of the island and take out just above the diversion dam.
The sections I think would be good for a pantoon boat are from the lower tip of the island at access #5 and work downstream, other spot you may want to try is slightly above access #4, theres a very long slow section there, alot like the lake, and then the long slow section slightly above access #1, thats enough water to keep you busy for a bit. Hey I think the section I mentioned above access #4 gets very little fishing pressure, thats were i'd try. Theres a little current but it shouldn't pose much of a problem. Park along the road and closing time won't matter. Go get em !!!
Solano can be great fishing in the summer from a boat. My buddy and I take my canoe out there often. To avoid the park closing problem we launch the canoe at the boat launch and then park at the store across the bridge ($3). When we return after the park has closed we just park by the fence next to the baot launch and lift the canoe and gear over the fence to load up. I have taken my pontoon boat out there as well, but it is a whole lot harder rowing up the lake with that than in a canoe.
Another alternative is the new access between the access 5 parking lot and the tip of the island. There is now a wide path down to the creek. The other day we carried the canoe down to the creek and just floated down into the lake. Even when flows are at 600, this area of the creek is fairly shallow with a slow current, so it was easy to paddle back up in the evening to take out.
I have always wondered how the area above access 4 might fish. You can park along the road there and it is an easy trek down to the creek. I have been tempted to take my pontoon boat down there but just haven't gotten around to it.
I usually launch out of 5 and navigate the rapids, its sort of fun if you are good at it. Its a bit of a trip down to actualy lake, but fishing the way down is fun and productive. Its a good trip and no fees and no closing time.
