Stampede Reservoir Fishing Report

Water temps have jumped quickly into the upper 60s at Stampede. Kokanee are still biting extremely well, with limits coming on pink hoochies behind a dodger tipped with corn run 1.3-1.5 mph in 50ish feet of water.

Not a lot of rainbow reports, though a few giants were pulled out recently on trolled Rapalas. Water temps are now ideal for bass, with the smallmouth bite really picking up. Dropshots are always the go-to, but small jigs and tubes are also working around rocky structure.

Kokanee action is peaking at Stampede, with fish holding in the 55–70 foot range and feeding aggressively in the morning. The lake is full, with surface temps sitting in the lower 60s°F, and conditions are quite ideal.

Best concentrations are near the island and the Little Truckee inlet. Pink hoochies behind orange or pink dodgers remain the go-to, with shoepeg corn. Keep setbacks short (15–20 feet) and speed steady at around 1.2 mph. Many strikes are occurring immediately after resets, so fresh scent and clean presentations are making a difference. After 9am, expect fish to drop deeper. If you’re not adjusting, you'll be going right over the top of them.

Trout are still hitting early near coves and points, and smallmouth bass are holding around 15–25 feet, taking small jigs and plastics. But the kokanee bite is the main event right now.