I've seen a number of posts on this thread referring to a November / December spawn on Putah Creek. My understanding is that generally rainbows spawn in the late winter or spring. Is this different on the Creek? I certainly don't want to fish over spawning fish. Thanks.
We’ll these fish spawn nov through feb usually. Sometimes you’ll see some starting redds in October. As far as your normal trout spawn, it’s believed that the steelhead trapped by the dams have passed their genetics through what is now trophy PC trout. That’s the theory. I personally don’t know of any other rainbows that spawn this time of year other than steelhead and their size in such a small small water system I think isn’t usual. Plus they look steelie.....
Most of the spawning areas are marked in the winter but they will spawn wherever they find suitable gravel. Last year the spawn started later due to the warmer November we had but most anglers were off by the 31st. It's been a cold fall so far so I wouldn't be surprised to find some fish staging already. Just use your best judgement. I haven't been out there since the spring but I heard it's been a zoo this fall. My advice is nooks and crannies. That is all.
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