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Updated October 9, 2026

CLEAR LAKE — The overall numbers of largemouth bass has dropped in the past few weeks, and this week’s triple-digit weather is pushing the largemouth bass toward the deepest water or cover. A variety of techniques are working, and anglers should be prepared with a plethora of presentations including topwater, jigs, plastics, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits. The frog bite remains slow. Catfishing remains outstanding for experienced anglers, and the winter months will concentrate the catfish into deeper water locations. There are 13 bass tournaments remaining in October. The lake dropped to 2.27 feet in elevation on the Rumsey Scale. There are isolated algae bloom warnings on the lake.

COLLINS LAKE — Trout plants are anticipated to begin by mid-October. In the meantime, its bass, bluegill, and catfish along with holdover rainbows in the deepest parts of the lake. Wes Ward of Angling Wes Guide Service will start guiding on the lake as soon as the plants occur.. The Nor-Cal Trout Angler’s Challenge Tournament of Champions will be held at Collins the weekend of November 7/8.

DONNER LAKE — The Donner Lake Public Boat Launch closed completely on September 15, 2026, for a $1.7 million reconstruction project to extend the ramp into deeper water. The facility is slated to reopen by Memorial Day 2027.  Slip sinker rigs continue to produce the best results for shore anglers using Power Bait or worms.

DON PEDRO — Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported ‘tons of shad throughout the lake,’ but the bass bite has yet to turn on. The recent hot spell will not help as cooler weather is needed for the bass bite to ‘take off.” There are fish chasing bait on the surface and in the coves on occasion, but the bite is a challenge. A variety of techniques are being used including topwater, jigs, urchin baits, or plastics on the drop-shot, and everyone is finding their own bite. Trout trolling remains slow, but as the water cools, both trout and king salmon will rise in the water column. The lake dropped to 787.00 feet in elevation and 75%. Two bass tournaments are scheduled in October including the three-day Bass Angler Magazine event on October 16-18.

EAGLE LAKE —Tim Noxon of Fish Traveler Guide Service reported the bite is back on as the cooler water is pushing the Eagle Lake-strain trout closer to the surface. Launching later in the morning, and trolling orange Jay Fair’s flies at depths from 7 to 10 feet in 20 to 40 feet of water around the shorelines near Pike’s Point, Cristie Bay, Eagle’s Nest, and Merrill Campground on the south side of the lake. Thomas Buoyant spoons in Hot Orange or red/copper are also working. The Gallatin launch ramp remains in good shape for launching, but you have to pay attention to the red mark on the dock indicating the end of the concrete ramp.

FOLSOM LAKE —Trout trolling has slowed down, and the triple-digit weather is pushing the fish deeper. The lake continues to drop, and the State Park will declare the 5 MPH restriction into effect when the lake becomes unsafe for navigation at higher speeds. This normally occurs in October or early November. Bass fishing remains solid for numbers of spotted bass around ledges, bluff walls, rockpiles, and island tops as the fish are feeding on crawdads or pond smelt. Copepods and other sores have been noticed on several spotted bass. 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/. Granite Bay Stage 1 and Browns Ravine-Hobie Cove are the only open launch ramps for motorized boats with trailers.The lake continues to drop, and it is currently at 406.55 feet in elevation and 44%. There no bass tournaments scheduled in September or October.

LAKE McCLURE — Aaron Jones reported the bass bite is slightly better than at Don Pedro, and numbers of small spotted bass are the story. Bank fishermen have been loading up with live crawdads while there is a reaction bite in the early mornings and late afternoons. Holdover trout are found in the cooler portions of the lake near the dam in deep water, but trout trolling remains slow. There are two club bass tournaments in October. The lake dropped to 782.81 feet in elevation and 53%.

You are only seeing a portion of our reports. Subscribers to our digital and print newspaper enjoy the full spectrum of fishing reports. Print and online subscribers receive the new issue via email on the Tuesday morning of issue weeks, before we post these reports online.
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