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Updated April 10, 2026

FOLSOM LAKE — Small king salmon are showing up at depths from 35 to 45 feet with Speedy Shiners in the main channel in the South Fork. Spotted bass are a solid option as the fish are in all stages of the spawn, and bank anglers are getting in on the action with Senkos, plastics on the drop-shot, or purple Bass Union jigs at depths from 10 to 20 feet. All boats must be either quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated, and there is a decontamination station at Mello Marine by appointment only at https://www.folsomlakedecon.com/. The lake rose to 455.19 feet in elevation and 88 percent, and there is floating debris and trees on the surface. Granite Bay Stage 1 and Browns Ravine-Hobie Cove are the only open launch ramps for motorized boats with trailers. Granite Bay, Folsom Point, and Brown’s Ravine are now open. No bass tournaments are on the schedule in April with two in May.

McCLURE LAKE — Aaron Jones reported all Mother Lode lakes are fishing similarly good as shallow water junk fishing is continuing. He said, “The weather did throw the fish for a loop but trending upward now. They are biting reaction baits decently, but topwater turned off a bit since the dip in weather. Jig/dropshot/worms are still working especially fished shallow. There are lots of fish on beds. 3-inch swimbaits on an underspin, crankbaits, finesse jigs, and 4-inch plastic worms on the drop-shot are all effective at McClure at depths from the banks to 20 feet.” 1120 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm rainbows were released at McClure Point South on March 27, and there will be single plants during April and May with a double plant in June. The Reel Deal Market & Cafe at Lake McClure is now open for weekends with Barrett Cove Cafe service returning on May 23. The lake rose 3 feet to 834.40 feet in elevation. One bass tournament is scheduled in April. A trout plant occurred on Monday, April 6 at Lake Yosemite, and the park rangers are closing off the launch ramp until 11 am on planting days. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and park rangers will be on site during plants checking fishing licenses and ensuring regulations are followed.

LAKE McSWAIN — The 2,240 pounds of Calaveras Trout Farm rainbows on March 27 spurred on bank action, and there are plenty of fish in the lake. Berkley’s Mice Tails, garlic-scented Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters from the Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, and the peninsula near the marina are producing while trollers are scoring in the river arm above the Fence Line with Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger or Kastmasters. The lake is at 87%. Heavy planting is scheduled in the next three months with two plants in April, one in May, and 2 in June. Single plants are scheduled at Lake Yosemite in April, May, and June. will be single plants during April and May with a double plant in June. The Reel Deal Market & Cafe is now open for weekends.

NEW MELONES — New Melones continues to pick up for bass, and Aaron Jones touted 3-inch swimbaits on an underspin, 5-inch Senkos, tubes, flukes, or jerkbaits at depths from the banks to 20 feet. Kokanee are another option, but the bulk of the landlocked salmon are smaller than at nearby Don Pedro. Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service said, “We’ve been finding limits with Papa G’s J-Pex lures in pink/gold or hoochies in pink or gold tipped with Pautske’s Tuna Fire Corn behind a gold dodger at depths from 35 to 50 feet.” The marina will open in two weeks, and park hours will change to 6:00 am to 8:30 pm starting May 1. All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated at the New Melones Marina. The decontamination unit is only available on Fridays by appointment only until May 1. New Melones dropped a foot to 1040.98 and 78% with Tulloch holding at 82%.

LAKE OROVILLE — The lake continues to rise, and it is currently at 8881.30 feet in elevation and 92% as water releases are being held back with the lack of snowpack. Log booms from the south, middle, west, and north forks of the Feather River that feed into Lake Oroville are being removed, allowing access to the lake further up the forks, including views of Feather Falls. Floating debris removal ensures continued infrastructure operations and the safety of the recreating public on Lake Oroville. Spotted bass fishing remains solid as the fish are in all stages of spawning with most on the flats with access to deep water. Bass Union Weedless Darter Head or Weedless Ned Head continue to produce along with plastics on a drop-shot, or crankbaits continue to be effective. Brown trout to 24 inches have been caught and released as browns are few and far between here after being planted in the 90’s. Boat inspections for golden mussels are required at the North Forebay at Garden Ave and Highway 70 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Starting March 8, the Spillway and Bidwell Canyon are open from 7:30am to 9pm; Lime Saddle and Loafer Creek/Loafer Point are open from 5:00am to 9:00pm; Thermolito Afterbay from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset; and Thermolito Forebay from 8:00am to sunset. If the boat is wet, a decontamination must occur, and it takes around 10 to 15 minutes depending upon the size of the boat. Owners have the option to have a vessel decontaminated at a DWR-designated decontamination station where they will receive a blue Oroville seal and may launch immediately. There are two remaining club tournaments in April with one on the schedule in May.

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