Fishing Notes:
Rainbow Trout provide the best action in spring and summer on the North Fork below the Belden Forebay. A mixture of planted, holdover and wild fish are available for anglers tossing bait, lure and flies. Spin fishermen experience the best success using crickets, nightcrawlers and Panther martin spinners. Good nymph patterns include Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails and Bird's Nests, while dry fly action is good during mayfly and caddis hatches.
Smallmouth Bass offer excellent fishing during spring, summer and fall in the Belden Forebay and other stretches of the river in the canyon behind power dams. Fish Gitzits, worms and crankbaits in crayfish patterns from a float tube.
Wild German Brown Trout inhabit the river with rainbows below the junction with the East Branch of the Feather. Remember that the stretch of the North Fork from the Belden Bridge to the Cresta Powerhouse (excluding reservoirs) is managed as a catch and release wild trout fishery. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used and a zero bag limit applies.

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