Don Pedro Reservoir Bite Meter

4 weeks ago

Trout

Excellent

King Salmon

Excellent

Bass

Hot

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 6 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

Latest Fishing Reports

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Don Pedro Reservoir

May 1

Tuolumne County

Public

Excellent Trout bite

Trout, Bass, Salmon

63°F Clear

Spring conditions are lining up nicely at Don Pedro, with the lake steadily rising and sitting less than 20 feet from full pool. The bite’s been consistent despite a short dip in temps from a recent north wind... water’s hovering in the mid-60s again and fish are responding. Anglers trolling between 55 and 65 feet are finding the best action, with...

Anglers trolling between 55 and 65 feet are finding the best action, with king salmon and rainbows both hitting. Some solid kings pushing 5 pounds came in this past week, and one crew even doubled up on limits before releasing extras. Frozen shad rigged on custom harnesses is the best right now, especially around bird activity where bait is stacked.

Don Pedro has also been very good for bass. Fish are on beds, and bigger fish lately have moved into the shallows to spawn. Those not locked on beds are holding a bit deeper, but are still aggressive. Soft plastics, blade baits, cranks... just about everything is working.

Kokanee aren’t far off either... expect them to start showing soon as temps keep climbing.

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9 anglers found this report useful

Don Pedro Reservoir

Apr 4

Tuolumne County

Public

Good King Salmon bite

Trout, Bass, King Salmon

56°F Clear

Things are picking up at Don Pedro with both trout and kings on the chew reports Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing. Kings are coming on corn-tipped lures run behind dodgers, anywhere from 20 to 70 feet down. Rainbows are up higher, usually between 15 and 30 feet, and chasing shad-patterned spoons. The water’s in great shape—clear with...

Bass are active too, with numbers on plastics and better size coming off swimbaits and umbrella rigs. A cold front could stall things a bit, but overall the lake’s fishing well.

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7 anglers found this report useful