Don Pedro Reservoir
Tuolumne County Salmon, Trout, Bass, Catfish, Bullhead, Sunfish
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Don Pedro Reservoir Bite Meter

2 days ago
King Salmon
Excellent
Kokanee Salmon
Good
Rainbow Trout
Good
Bass
Good

Don Pedro Reservoir Fishing Overview

Water Description

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...

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 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.

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
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Latest Fishing Reports

Excellent King Salmon bite
Trout, Bass, Salmon
77°F Clear

The king salmon bite is in a good groove... most fish running 14–17 inches with a few topping 20. Best depth has been around 75 feet, with chrome, red, and chartreuse spoons doing the work. Mornings and evenings are the prime windows, and the bite has been reliable in short bursts. Rainbows are mixed in, and kokanee are starting to show with some...

The king salmon bite is in a good groove... most fish running 14–17 inches with a few topping 20. Best depth has been around 75 feet, with chrome, red, and chartreuse spoons doing the work. Mornings and evenings are the prime windows, and the bite has been reliable in short bursts. Rainbows are mixed in, and kokanee are starting to show with some quality fish to 2 pounds hitting higher in the column around 55 feet.

Bass are active, especially early on flukes and topwater. Once the sun’s up, Keitechs off points and T-rigged craws in the brush are getting bit. Most fish are small, but there’s a steady trickle of 3-pounders. Focus on bluff walls and deeper structure as the day goes on.

2 anglers found this report useful
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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...

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 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.

9 anglers found this report useful
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Latest Stockings

Trout CDFW
Trout CDFW
Fingerlings
Kokanee Salmon CDFW

Other Nearby Reports

The kokanee bite at New Melones is about as good as it gets right now. Fish have pulled off the flats and are stacking along the edges of the main river channel in 40 to 70...

At Eastman, bass are hitting reaction lures like crankbaits and chatterbaits in the shallows during early mornings. As the day warms though, fish are pulling out to 20-40 feet...

Don Pedro Reservoir Weather

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Guides & Tackle Shops

Don Pedro Reservoir Map

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