Don Pedro Reservoir Fishing Report

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.

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 surface temps hovering in the mid-50s.

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.

Fishing at Don Pedro is firing on all cylinders right now. Trout action has been consistent, with planted rainbows and holdovers up to 3 pounds biting in the top 20 feet. Kings are showing up in good numbers as well. Trolling with shad-patterned spoons, Speedy Shiners or Rapalas are getting fish. Colors and depths must be adjusted throughout the day to keep the bites coming, but limits have typically been the norm.

Bass fishing has also been excellent lately, especially on points in 30-40 feet of water with jigs, dropshots, or other finesse soft-plastics. There's a shallow bite in the morning on trout-colored reaction baits (glide & jerkbaits). The crappie bite is available too, although they're also deep. Use sonar.