Hello fellow anglers. If you want to keep in shape for fishing, go put up some Christmas lights. That my friends will keep you in perfect shape to start off the new year at Topaz lake. Because, fishing line and Christmas lights will catch on any and every thing it touches. They both have the ability to tangle itself with out trying. Only a angler would know these similarities.

The year is coming to and end, and with one ending comes the opening of Topaz lake fishing season on January 1,2017. This year the lake will have plenty of water for all boat launches to be open. The annual Topaz Lodge fishing derby will run from January 1 to April 16, 2017. Where else can you get paid to go fishing. Each Topaz lodge tagged fish will be worth $100 cash, $10 in free slot play plus five entries into the drawing . Catch a 2 pound and over trout and get $5 free slot play and 5 drawing entries. Each week the the two largest trout entered into the derby will be awarded $25 cash for 1st place and $25 in free slot play for the second largest trout. All eligible trout must be brought in to the Topaz general store to be officially weighed. The derby is open to anglers 21 years of age or older and must be a Topaz Lodge slot member. Become a Topaz lodge a slot member only takes you less than it took to reel in your fish. Each weighed trout will be marked with a hole punch in the dorsal fin to eliminate and fish from being weighed twice. Any anglers presenting a trout, determined not caught in Topaz lake or not following the rules, may be subject to disqualification. The rules are simple, catch a big fish and you are rewarded. break the rules and you get nothing but shame and the boot from the derby.The Topaz Lodge reserves all rights to the derby and this promotion. For a full list of rules and regulations go to the Topaz Lodge website or you can pick up a copy a when you visit the lodge. If you plan on going to the opening day celebration and want to stay at the lodge, call ahead to reserve a room at 775-266-3338. If you plan on camping or doing some shore fishing, bring your patience and get ready to be squeezed in real tight. If the weather cooperates, there can be over 200 anglers for the Topaz opener. I have been in contact with the Nevada Department of Wildlife over the last few months. They have planted over 20,000 pounds of various strain of rainbow trout in Topaz Lake in just the last 2 1/2 months. get ready to have some fun. A few other things to remember. For California anglers you will need a 2017 fishing license and for those that will be fishing from a boat. You will need to register your boat for the 2017 season. You can do it online in five minutes and print out a temporary registration slip until your new tags arrive, but you must have the copy with you while boating. Hope to see you on opening day. Ice fishing is coming up soon, most of the higher lakes are frozen but not safe yet to venture out on. My rule of thumb is 8 to 10 inches of solid ice before I venture out. Good luck on your next fishing adventure. if you get a photo of your catch send it to dprice@recordcourier.com. If you have a question in our local fishing area. Call the Naw line at 775-267-9722. Good fishin' and tight lines