Lake Skinner Fishing Report

Striper action has been good at Skinner, especially for folks soaking anchovies or sardines on a shorter leader, as most bites are coming tight to the bottom. Move around and check your bait often if the bite is quiet—active schools are definitely there. Swimbaits and shad imitations are getting bit, but not nearly as much as bait right now. Bass are up shallow and locked into spawn mode. Drop-shots and Texas rigs with green pumpkin plastics are putting fish in the net. Some of the bigger largemouth are also chasing trout, so don’t be afraid to throw a big swimbait. Speaking of trout, the lake got a hefty plant back in March. Those fish have spread out, but you can still pick them off near the ramp with light tackle—try micro spoons or mini jigs.

Lake Skinner kicked off trout season with its first stocking on December 18, courtesy of Riverside County Parks. Meanwhile, bass action has been steady as water temps dip into the high 50s. Anglers are finding most fish with underspins, smaller swimbaits, and dropshots. The bass are focused on minnows, so small minnow-style baits are a solid bet. Most fish have been in the one-pound range.

Also, the boat launch is currently closed until late summer 2025, and there are rumors the entire park will shut down in January and February for renovations. Nows the time to get your line in the water.

The largemouth bite at Skinner is really picking up right now. Water conditions are excellent, and anglers are seeing plenty of action with small swimbaits, flukes, and dropshotting Roboworms. Nothing huge—most fish are around 1 pound. Reports indicate the striper bite is improving, with most fish being caught on cut bait soaked in the back of coves (catfish, too). Bluegill action remains consistent.