Trinity Lake
Trinity County Salmon, Trout, Bass, Catfish, Bullhead
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What's Biting - 2 weeks ago
Bass
Excellent
Trout
Fair
Salmon
Inconsistent

Trinity Lake Fishing Overview

Water Description

Set amidst the rugged landscape of the Trinity Alps, Trinity Lake unfurls over 17,000 acres, presenting a captivating blend of shimmering waters, dense evergreens, and majestic, glacier-capped peaks. Just a stone's throw north of Redding, California, this expansive reservoir provides more than just scenic beauty. Trinity Lake is an smallmouth angler's paradise. Its deep, cool waters harbor an impressive number of smallmouths, averaging anywhere between 3-5 pounds. Largemouth bass are equally abundant during the summer months and are often found...

Set amidst the rugged landscape of the Trinity Alps, Trinity Lake unfurls over 17,000 acres, presenting a captivating blend of shimmering waters, dense evergreens, and majestic, glacier-capped peaks. Just a stone's throw north of Redding, California, this expansive reservoir provides more than just scenic beauty.

Trinity Lake is an smallmouth angler's paradise. Its deep, cool waters harbor an impressive number of smallmouths, averaging anywhere between 3-5 pounds. Largemouth bass are equally abundant during the summer months and are often found in the lake's rocky flats alongside their smallmouth counterparts, especially during the warm seasons.

As the temperatures drop, the lake's trout activity spikes. Dominated by rainbows due to the yearly stockings by CDFW, Trinity also houses a lesser known brown trout population. The lake also boasts a healthy population of kokanee salmon.

However, anglers should note that Trinity Lake's breathtaking vistas draw more than just anglers. The summer months see an influx of pleasure boaters, houseboats, and water sports enthusiasts. For a serene fishing experience, the lake's early morning hours are the most promising. It's also advisable to touch base with park rangers about the reservoir's fluctuating water levels, as some boat ramps may become unusable during drier times.

Species:
King Salmon, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bullhead
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 4 months ago - View Schedule
Trophy Fish:
  • Chinook Salmon: 20 lb 15 oz - 2013
  • Smallmouth Bass: 9 lb 1 oz - 1976
  • Bullhead Catfish: 4 lb 8 oz - 1993
Boating / Access:
Open to all boating
Geography:
Max Depth: 416 ft
Surface Area: 17,280 acres
Surface Elevation: 2,370 ft
Excellent Bass bite
Trout, Bass
68°F Clear

Water levels are very high at Trinity Lake and conditions are excellent. Water is clear, and temps are sitting in the high 60s. In far north lakes, the bass spawn is typically delayed, and that's exactly the case for Trinity. Fish are actively on beds, with a few transitioning into post-spawn. The coves on the south end are holding some quality...

Water levels are very high at Trinity Lake and conditions are excellent. Water is clear, and temps are sitting in the high 60s. In far north lakes, the bass spawn is typically delayed, and that's exactly the case for Trinity. Fish are actively on beds, with a few transitioning into post-spawn. The coves on the south end are holding some quality largemouth, with jigs, swimbaits, and T-rigged worms doing the work. Some bigger females have been reported in the double-digit range... look for them holding a few feet deeper from their male counterparts on beds.

Smallmouth action has been very good as well, but more so on the upper end... off points, downed logs, or any hard structure. Small trout-colored swimbaits are getting crushed in these spots, with some nice 2-3+ pound fish being caught.

Not a lot of reports on the salmon or trout front. A few trout guys are running Rapalas near the dam and off points, hooking some quality rainbows with the occasional big brown. Most of the attention is on bass right now though.

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Excellent Bass bite
Bass, Kokanee Salmon
63°F Clear

Trinity is waking up big time. Both largemouth and smallmouth are starting to really chew. The lake’s sitting much higher than recent years... about 100 feet up from previous low marks... and it’s completely reshaped where and how fish are holding. Water temps are still a touch cool, but fish are active and staging, and the pre-spawn push is in...

Trinity is waking up big time. Both largemouth and smallmouth are starting to really chew. The lake’s sitting much higher than recent years... about 100 feet up from previous low marks... and it’s completely reshaped where and how fish are holding. Water temps are still a touch cool, but fish are active and staging, and the pre-spawn push is in full swing.

On the south end near the dam and tucked into coves, largemouth are hitting jigs, deep cranks, and more reaction stuff. Meanwhile, smallmouth are piled up in the upper northern reaches near downed logs and floating debris brought in by the high water. Swimbaits are also getting crushed. Trout-colored patterns are working best for higher-quality fish up to 4 pounds.

No solid kokanee reports yet, but the season’s technically underway. For now, all eyes are on the bass. With the high water and ideal conditions, it’s shaping up to be a monster June on Trinity.

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TroutCDFW
TroutCDFW
TroutCDFW

Nearby Reports

The McCloud is in excellent shape right now. Water clarity is ideal, and hatch activity is firing on multiple fronts. Golden Stoneflies are the headliner at the moment, along...

Shasta continues to fire on all cylinders with water temps now in the upper 60s. As one species' bite starts to taper off (though not much), another picks up... and right now...

Trinity Lake Weather

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