Collins Lake

Collins Lake has been 100% full for just over two weeks. Currently we’re still gently spilling a couple of inches. Over winter, rain or shine we’ve continued our trout planting program with a bi-weekly cadence. Next week we’re returning to a weekly plant schedule which we’re hoping to continue through February, March, April and into the second week of May, provided the surface temperature permits.

Share your Collins Lake Catch with us, fishing@collinslake.com

Over winter, rainy, cloudy and foggy plant days with low fishing pressure means that the lake is well stocked for a great spring season. In spite of the winter norm there have been quite a few calm sunny days and the few who have made it up to toss a line in have had good results.

We’ll start with last week’s 8+ pounder which Trent Zizilueskas who caught his on rainbow PowerBait near the dam. Randy Suschnick who reported a 8.5 pound rainbow trout caught on a 3/8oz gold kastmaster- he said “just before the lake flipped” so maybe a while ago, but still definitely a notable catch!

Randy’s son also reeled in this beautiful lightning trout on green PowerBait. Tammie Gabrielson (above, right) caught that 6.5 pound beauty on worms fishing the shoreline north of the main marina.

Over the last two weeks the lake has just barely begun to settle after the heavy rain. It’s stained with visibility of only about 3ft. With visibility low, Powerbait is a good option or if you’re casting or trolling at least consider using something with a rattle to it. Temperature is down around 47°F so you’ll find trout right up to the shoreline.

On the 25th Sandy Wright of Olivehurst caught this 28 inch monster, reported as 9 1/2 pounds down by the dam using PowerBait- this would have been after the lake was spilling so I expect she reeled it in along the shoreline near the 400’s, (which are right on the lakefront at the moment). In addition to these lunkers we’ve had a number of limits and near limits, all within the last week:

Christ and Danny (above) caught nine trout using PowerBait from the shoreline. Brian Bender & Dan Lake did one better with a double limit using garlic PowerBait along the north end of the beach:

The biggest catch in one day was Craig, Kristina, Natalia & Mikayla who teamed up using PowerBait and PowerEggs to catch a Quad-Limit of trout, including a 5.5lb rainbow right there in the middle of Kristina’s brag board. Don’t worry folks, we are still stocking!

Finally we have Camilia who brought in a stringer of 4 trout, the biggest weighing in at 5.25lbs that she caught from shore below campsite #56 using green PowerBait and Juliana who caught her 5 pounder on a rainbow PowerBait nugget way up by the old submerged bridge (toward the powerlines along the north fork)

The weekdays have been mostly sunny which has been favorable- this weather will likely continue until late Friday when we have a quick shower rolling in. In any case, the fish are biting! It’s beautiful up here and the few that are camping are enjoying a special treat!

Share your Collins Lake Catch with us, fishing@collinslake.com