North Freshwater Fish Report
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Updated June 4, 2026
CLEAR LAKE — Catfish and crappie combination trips have been outstanding with Captain Steve Johnson reporting 25-fish limits of crappie to 2 pounds and catfish pushing 20 pounds. Bass fishing remains inconsistent with the rapidly changing weather, but the weather is anticipated to be stable soon. Urchin-style baits are a good option, and these baits are effective around weeds by using a single hook. Frogs in black are working around mats for fish to 6 pounds. Flipping is another option, but overall, the bass bite has been tough. The algae is taking over with blooms in the afternoons with the water temperatures hitting the mid-70’s in the afternoons. Grass is growing in the shallows, but herbicide spraying is taking place on the north end of the lake around Nice and Lucerne. Carp continue to spawn in the shallows. There are 11 tournaments on the schedule in June so every weekend will be very busy. The lake remains high at 6,65 feet on the Rumsey Scale, but the water level is steadily dropping.
COLLINS LAKE — The trout have gone deep with the water temperatures warming, and they have moved to the deepest portions of the lake. Trolling has slowed down considerably, but a few fish are taken from the shorelines in the early mornings or late afternoons. Bass and crappie with the occasional trout will remain the story during the coming months.
LAKE DAVIS — Ed Dillard of Dillard’s Guided Fishing continues to score trolling copper/red Baby Simon spoons at 8 feet in depth. Fly fishing has been fair, but the damselflies are starting to show up. Size 14 or 16 callibaetis mayfly patterns are working on the surface. The lake is at 99%, and the boat docks are in at Lightning Tree and Honker. Shore fishing remains best at Mallard with a variety of presentations including flies, Power Bait, nightcrawlers, or spoons. The JJ Grizzly Store is open every day now from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The water temperature ranges from 60 to 64 degrees.
DON PEDRO — Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing reported kokanee to 16.5 inches and nearly 2 pounds, but the schools are starting to hold onto structure. Smith has been working shad or Pro-Troll’s Kokanee Killers for king salmon to 7 pounds along with rainbow trout. have been particularly effective. The kokanee are there, but you will have to start looking for them in the shallows. Our largest kokanee was 16.5 inches and nearly 2 pounds.” Don Pedro is producing fat, football-shaped kokanee, and these fish will continue to grow prior to the July 11 Kokanee Power Tournament. Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto reported the lake has been busy, but the bass bite slowed down for a few days after the rainstorm earlier in the week. He said, “The topwater bite is back on, and you can find fish in the main lake as well as the creek arms now. Jerkbaits and jigs are the main baits for the suspended fish who are holding out around 20 feet. Spinnerbaits are working on windy days, and they are more effective than crankbaits right now.” The lake will continue to experience intense fishing pressure on the weekends with 8 tournaments in June including the 56th Annual Modesto Ambassadors Night Tournament on June 6. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. A self-inspection is required for launching. The lake continues to rise, and it is currently at 822.66 feet in elevation. The Blue Oaks Upper Launch Ramp has reopened.
DONNER LAKE — Captain Shaun Rainsbarger of Shaun’s Guide Service said fishing conditions were tough over Memorial Day Weekend due to high winds, but the kokanee are plentiful at 10 to 12 inches. Rainsbarger has consistently put his clients on mackinaw lake trout throughout May with “eaters” in the 3- to 6-pound range and occasional trophies in 12- to 14-pound class. Lately spoons at 180 feet have got the job done. Interestingly, If you catch a mackinaw with the adipose fin removed, it is likely at least 20 years old as the last mackinaw planting by DFW at Donner Lake is believed to be way back in 2006. To help sustain this fishery of trophy Macks, the larger ones should be carefully handled, thoroughly resuscitated and released.
EAGLE LAKE — Eagle Lake reopened for fishing on May 23, and fishing was spectacular for two-fish limits of Eagle Lake-strain trout. Tim Noxon of Fish Traveler Guide Service is nymphing with orange flies in sizes #14 or #16 over the rockpiles at depths around 8 to 10 feet. Wildcat, Shrimp Island, and the Broccoli Tree have all been producing, and we are averaging between 15 and 20 fish per day with our largest at 3 pounds/14 ounces. Trollers are working Speedy Shiners on a fast troll at 3 mph in 15 feet of water on the east side by the Eagle’s Nest or slow trolling red/gold spoons at 1.8 to 2.0 mph at a depth of 15 feet in 30 feet of water on the west side near Shrimp Island. June is the best month for nymphing over the rockpiles, and we will stay on this until the water gets too warm and the fish move out.
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