Shaver Lake Fishing Report

The Kokanee schools are there at Shaver Lake, as trollers are spotting fish consistently in the 40-60 foot range. But getting them to bite has been hit or miss depending on the day. Some folks are reporting limits coming on Trout Busters, TNK Hyper Bugs, and Dick's Silver Tigers... thought no setup has been consistent day to day. The best times have been when fewer recreational boats are on the water... early mornings or late afternoons.

The smallmouth bite has been firing at Shaver off points, rocky structure, or steep transition areas. Dropshots, ned rigs, and small swimbaits are getting plenty of action. Nothing giant, but a few solid 2-pound fish in the mix.

Water temps have jumped into the mid-to-high 50s, and the spring trout action has been excellent. The CDFW has made three separate plants since the start of March, but the real headline is a plant of big rainbows by the Trophy Trout Project, a group focused on building Shaver Lake into a trophy trout fishery. Trollers are getting limits of trout (and some kokanee) on orange or pink hoochies. Casters from are connecting on trout, kokanee, and even smallmouth bass throwing rooster tails off points and transition zones. The good bite should continue throughout the warmer months.

Shaver Lake is still producing solid kokanee and trout action, but it varies by depth and time of day. Water temps are holding in the mid-40s, and while mornings have been cold, afternoons are settling into the low 50s. Kokanee are showing well on electronics, coming most consistently in the upper 10-15 feet, but also down to 30 feet. Fish are running mostly 10-13 inches, with a few in the 14-15 inch range.

Trout action remains reliable and at times better than the kokanee bite, especially around Black Rock and the marina, where some larger trout have been taken trolling shallow passes in the top 10 feet.

Trolling speeds around 1.5 mph are producing on Wedding Rings, hoochies, and kokanee spinners for both kokanee and trout.