Don Pedro Reservoir Fishing Overview

With its winding lake arms and 160 miles of shoreline, Don Pedro Reservoir boasts nearly 13,000 surface acres at full capacity. The lake is known for its ever-changing dominant species, with bass, trout, and salmon taking turns each year as the main attraction. But one thing that remains constant is the abundance of fish in the lake. One of the lake's most sought-after catches at Don Pedro is the rainbow trout, which can grow to a formidable five pounds. The best trolling spots are found between Rodgers Creek and Jenkins Hill, as well as in...

One of the lake's most sought-after catches at Don Pedro is the rainbow trout, which can grow to a formidable five pounds. The best trolling spots are found between Rodgers Creek and Jenkins Hill, as well as in Middle Bay and around the Highway 49 bridge.

Bass fishing is also popular at Don Pedro, with the lake's natural production of largemouth bass augmented by a few fingerling largemouth bass plants. The fish grow quickly due to the abundance of forage in the lake, and anglers always have the chance to hook a double digit giant. Try fishing well up the lake arms and casting soft baits or minnow imitators.

King salmon weighing between 4-6 pounds can be caught by trolling, and the lake also boasts a healthy population of kokanee, which can rival those found in other renowned California fishing spots such as New Melones and Indian Valley.

Don Pedro is not only a fish haven but also a prime destination for boaters, campers or passerby visitors on their way up to Yosemite.

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Species:

Rainbow Trout, King Salmon, Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Channel Catfish, Bullhead, Crappie

Stocked Date:

Trout stocked 8 months ago - View Schedule

Trophy Fish:

Largemouth Bass: 18 lb 9oz - 2003

Boating / Access:

Open to all boating

Geography:

Max Depth: 400 ft

Surface Area: 13,000 acres

Surface Elevation: 830 ft

Fishing Reports

Log Report

Don Pedro Reservoir

May 30

Tuolumne County

Public

Hot Salmon bite

Bass, Salmon

71°F Clear

The salmon bite is on at Don Pedro. Guides are out there daily pulling quality Kokanee and Kings all around the lake. Pink hoochies with gold dodgers seem to be the money combination (tipped with scented corn), run between 45-60 feet. Early mornings have been the most productive, but guys are still getting fish launching their boats late. Reports mention the speed matters... so if fish aren't biting, switch it up quickly. There's no consistent speed pattern right now, so experimentation is essential.

The spotted bass bite has been awesome as well, as fish transition out of spawn and start keying in on shad. Any shad-imitation baits... underspins, A-rigs, jerkbaits... are all getting fish. The topwater bite is really firing off as well off points and backs of coves in the mornings. A few guys are still throwing big swimbaits with success... hitting those trophy bass still keyed in on rainbows and smaller salmon.

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4 anglers found this report useful

Don Pedro Reservoir

Mar 26

Tuolumne County

Public

Excellent Bass bite

Trout, Bass, Salmon

63°F Clear

The spotted bass bite at Don Pedro has been awesome over the last week as water temps push into the low-to-mid 60s. Drop shots, swimbaits, underspins, and small jigs are all pulling a good number of 1-2 pound fish, with the occasional 3-4 pounder. Some folks are targeting the backs of coves for the warmer water, although not many fish have been...

Kokanee season is just getting started, but trollers are already finding consistent fish near the dam. The trout bite has been quiet the last couple of weeks.

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2 anglers found this report useful