The latest from Collins Lake: water levels are at capacity after recent storms, which pushed the lake up nearly 78 feet and caused significant debris and muddy conditions. Despite this, Cal Kellogg has been out guiding full-time and still putting fish in the boat. The water is cold, sitting at 47°F, and while the first day post-storm was tough with heavy rain and murky water, clarity has since improved.

Trolling has been productive using bright-colored 6-inch FishEye Dodgers in pink, chartreuse, and orange, trailed by threaded crawlers or gulp worms. The key? Slow speeds (around 1.5 mph) and heavy scent to get sluggish fish to commit. Trout are scattered, with some moving into unusual spots like the backs of coves and very shallow areas due to storm-driven currents. Fish are showing in big numbers on the graph—more than Cal’s ever seen before—but many are still semi-dormant. Once water clarity improves and temperatures rise, expect an all-out bite, making early spring a prime time for both trolling and bait fishing.

Checkout the video for his full Collins Lake report.