Collins Lake

It’s not uncommon to see the same folks pulling up to shore with a full stringer and the longer I do this job the more I recognize the friendly faces of our frequent fishermen. Some of these people have been fishing this lake since I was toddler. When the guys who get skunked ask how’d they do that, more often than not to consoling comment is “sometimes its just the luck of the draw”. But there something much more than luck going on with Don Feryance from Woodland, who caught his limit for at least 8 days in a row.  Most days he brought up at least one trophy fish and flanked it with four others.

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That kind of consistency is proof that if you’ve got the right gear, knowledge of the lake and technique you can catch trout all day long. Don’s most used method? Trolling Kastmasters and spinners about 20ft down.  Don tells us he’s “been fishing Collins Lake for 50 years”, I don’t know if that is exaggerated  or not, but based on his fishing record I’m tempted to believe him.

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Scott & Tiffany also trolled Speed Shiners along the main channel

Don isn’t the only one pulling these stunts, Bev Mason & Pat Revello did as well with worms and PowerBait from their boat with 17 fish caught on the 19th and 21st.  

Mike Kelly with his 6 3/4lb trout caught on a BrokenBack Rapala

Pete Henderson caught his limit one day, including a 7 pound rainbow trout then went out with his friends caught 16 fish in next two days.  Most of his “luck” was dragging speedy shiners at low speed about 30 feet down sometimes adding a worm for flavor.

As the surface temperatures rise you’ll find that most trout are being caught from boats (if you don’t have one we can rent one to you!).  If you’re deadset on shore fishing you can still do well if you find the right spot.  Tyler Vang found a steep spot on the dam where he pulled in a limit including a 4 1/2 pound rainbow trout.  Around the same area Patrick Farley nabbed a 7 pounder fishing with green PowerBait.  Bill Munoz chose Cheese PowerBait off the dam and caught a 6 pounder.  

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Overall trout fishing is excellent!

I could keep listing catches for you and try to tell you what to do but the simple fact is the next few months are likely to be great for trout.  I can’t guarantee you’ll catch em, but I can say that a lot of folks will… And I CAN guarantee that you won’t catch anything without a line in the water.

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It seems however that bass are spawning.  Usually about this time of year the bass take  two or three weeks off and when they start biting again you may not find them around their spawning beds.  

Aaron Hopson with his 3 bass caught wandering mid-lake with spinners on the 24th he’s up here catching about once a week

Post-spawn bass can be just about anywhere in the lake although it’s not a bad idea to try the area around the spawning beds to start.  

A simple drop shot rig can help you test a lot of area quickly.  The trick is finding them.  Once I know where the bass are hanging out I like to use live crawdads–  We don’t sell them but you can find 2 inch crawdads right on the lake shore or get them at Johnson’s Bait and Tackle in Yuba City.  Something about post-spawn bass though, they don’t always hold still so a day or two later you might need to find them again.

As the bass move off the beds look for panfish to take over the shallows.  There’s numerous crappie, bluegill and redear patrolling the rocks by the dam and in the visible shallows around brush and habitat.  They’re a lot of fun, and they’ll latch on to just about anything.  It’s a great way to get your kids excited about fishing. 

Anakin Pochop the Bluegill he caught right in front of campsite #206 on a nightcrawler

I always look forward the pictures you all send in so if you’ve got a great catch or a great story please email me fishing@collinslake.com 

Go get your line in the water!