Collins Lake

Not sure how long it will last but it’s been perfect winter camping weather out since Thanksgiving, daytime highs in the 60’s and nighttime lows in the 40’s. The lake surface temperature has been hovering around 55°F and the water has cleared substantially after the November rain that brought the lake up 10ft. Trout fishing had moderated considerably after that last big storm and it seem to just be starting to pick up now. The forecast is somewhat stable over the next week, which is usually a good sign, at least until Thursday when there is potentially some wind and rain. Here’s hoping!

Jason caught this Rainbow Trout in the first half of November on a black & pink lure. Great catch!

Dylan, Jackson and Steve from Grass Valley loaded up the bragboard including a 6 1/4lb Rainbow Trout, a 5 pounder and four others down at the south end of the park using a Kastmaster.

Tom, Frank and Bob brought in a haul of 12 trout including a 6.4 pound rainbow trout. Great Catch Guys!

Landon Kelly of Yuba City was casting Hammerdown lures on the beach when he caught a this beautiful 5.5lb lightning trout.

Just before Thanksgiving, Natalie Corn of Sacramento caught a late-season redear on the beach with night crawlers. Panfish had been hanging out near the rental dock and in the rocks at the dam but since then they seem to have scattered, or may be settled a little deeper. Jordan Cortez of Marysville caught a pair of lightning trout, one 6.25lbs and the other just over 5lbs, in addition to a rainbow trout while fishing from the shore near the dam using a white swimbait.

The day after Thanksgiving Mckenzie Giles reeled in her first fish using signature Pink PowerBait by the dam. She definitely wins the prize for most stylish angler, not to mention biggest fish relative to the size of the angler! Great catch Mckenzie, we hope to see you again soon!

Ray Fritz or Marysville and Sean Sadek of Yuba City had a great day on the lake, catching three trout including a lightning trout trolling spoons and Kastmasters only 5ft down. They worked the dam and Elmers Cove. The lightning tipped the scale at 6.5lbs and the rainbow over 5.5lbs.

The campground has been mostly empty during the week and it’s been a beautiful time to be up here. If you get a chance, stop by this week, grab a coffee (or Ice Cream) and go enjoy the beautiful winter quiet!