Collins Lake

Jerry Adkins of Penn Valley holding out his 5lb Rainbow Trout using Garlic PowerBait by the Beach!

We’ve been enjoying what feels like an early spring here at Collins Lake but the forecast for the week to come looks like winter again! The surface temperature is cool, around 52°F and the lake is still 100% full and gently spilling about an inch.

We haven’t had many windy days which means clearer water- and indeed visibility measures at around 5.5 feet. We had about 5 days where we didn’t see much trout action but after a little rain a day or two ago things picked up again, especially along the shoreline.

Mike Brown and Larry Ramirez caught seven trout including two lightning trout near the beach using Mice Tail lures and PowerBait! Elijah caught his 6.5 pound rainbow trout below the store near campsite #66. Freddie “the Fish Finder” loaded up a brag board with 3 fish and familiar face Trent Z showed off two big trout , a 7 pounder and a 6 pounder caught along the north campground shoreline using a spoon and a jig.

Matthew, Carl & Parker reeled in a big rainbow trout and a good sized crappie caught across the lake using Kastmasters.

We continue to plant trout every week- though DFW did reschedule one January plant for later this month. The smallest plants we receive are still 1000lbs of fish. Most of our plants are private trucks which means they typically include bigger fish than what the state drops off, and even lightning trout!

Steve Wyatt caught this colorful rainbow trout that weighed in over 4lbs at the south end of the campground using PowerBait.

Mitch Ralston and Steve Hulse of Foresthill caught 8 rainbow trout, the biggest weighing in at over six pounds fishing from a boat out near the buoy line along the main channel using orange trolling flies.

It looks like we’re in for a cold week ahead but after that keep an eye out for sunny days and low wind. There are plenty of fish to catch and if you can camp, especially mid-week this is a great time of year to enjoy a quieter and less crowded campground!

Collins Lake is open all year for camping, fishing, cabins, boat rentals, ice cream, espresso and more!