Folsom Lake Fishing Report

Folsom is churning out some excellent fishing right now for both spotted bass and salmon, as they both key in on shad. Spots are still in spawn and shallow. Many are on beds, but some are easing off into post spawn behavior pushing deeper and following shad schools. Still, most fish are sitting in that 5-15 foot range, hitting dropshots, swimbaits, and small jigs.

The King salmon bite has been good as well for trollers running Apex lures or Speedy Shiners in the 20-30 foot range in the main body near the dam. A few shore guys have also hooked a few kings heaving out jerkbaits and large kastmasters off points into deeper water. The king bite should continue to improve throughout early May.

Folsom Lake is rising quickly, Granite Bay is dockless, and water temps are sitting 48 to 49 degrees with dirty water up the south arm and 6 to 8 feet of visibility on the main lake. Check out this latest report from RB Bass Outdoors as Chris Nelson breaks down ramp conditions, lake clarity, and how an A-rig and minnow-style baits are pulling spotted bass.

The trout bite at Folsom is wide open right now. Rainbows are roaming shallow in open water... a mix of smaller wild fish and hatchery fish pushing 18+ inches, and they’re feeding. Fish are moving between the river channel off Granite Bay and the open water in front of the dam. Bright worms and small shad-style lures toplined at roughly 2.3-2.8 mph have been working best in this area, running a wide spread to cover the most water. A few small kings are in the mix as well. Weather could shift things, but for now, it’s an excellent open-water troll bite.

Bass action is quiet, with a few being taken on Senkos and dropshots near rock. Water temps are hovering around 50, so bass are in their typical sluggish winter mode.