Folsom Lake
Kings and Rainbows Are Hitting At Wide-Ranging Depths
FOLSOM - Despite windy conditions, the trout and salmon were hitting during the latest guided trip on Folsom Lake by Wes Ward of Angling Wes Guide Service.
“Today, the wind was blowing pretty good all morning, and the bite was on.,” reported Ward. “I couldn’t hit the area I wanted to start the day at due to the wind, so I headed toward Folsom Point to hide. The first trout hit the deck just a few minutes after dropping lines. A couple more dinks came quickly.”
“Hoochies, spoons, and apexes with a variety of attractors in different colors produced trout all day all over the water column from 15’-75’. Our best trout of the day was a Folsom Silver Bullet near the South Fork,” said Ward.
“Big fish of the day was a fat king hooked in open water in front of the Dyke that clobbered a green hoochie. We picked up another king as the wind was lying down in the early afternoon off the peninsula,” added Ward.
“The wind and waves made boat control challenging, but perseverance paid off as we worked thru it. Final count for the day was 10+ trout, mostly skinny dinks, 2 kings, a couple of bass, and a bonus pike minnow that fooled us as it was tearing line off reel.,” he concluded.
Jerry Lampkin of TNG Motor Sports Guide Service also reported topnotch fishing on his latest trolling adventure at Folsom.
“We had a pretty good day today,” said Lampkin. “We released 2 limits of rainbows to 20 inches and a 24 inch, 4+ pound king. We kept 2 bleeder bows for supper. All of our fish hit 360 flashers/hoochie combinations in green/green, chrome/pink and white, and chrome/purple UV.”
“The surface temperature is close to 80 degrees and all of our biters were down between 50 and 70 ft. First fish hit right at the tip of the peninsula on our way to the South fork, and the last one hit right in front of the dam on our way back, so they're spread out. We called it at 1 cause I didn't bring the roof, and it was getting hot,” he added.
Bass fishing is good and definitely worth the trip to the lake. “Fish are all over, shallow, mid-depth and deep. Top water baits are productive in low light conditions (early and late) . Or drag a worm or drop shot around,” reported Sportsman’s Warehouse in Rocklin.
Here are the new boating requirements:
Beginning May 14, vessels completing the 30-day quarantine may return to the two lakes, have the seal removed by authorized staff, and be allowed to launch. Boaters wishing to return to the lakes in the future will have the option to have their boat sealed upon exiting the water and will not be required to quarantine thereafter as long as the seal remains intact.
All trailered vessels are subject to the inspection, quarantine and seal program. Hand-launched, non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowing shells, outrigger canoes and rowboats are not subject to the inspection, quarantine and decontamination requirements. Hand-launched watercraft with electric trolling motors, such as fishing kayaks, are also exempt from these requirements.
As part of this new golden mussel prevention program, only hand-launched boats will be permitted on Lake Natoma. Trailered vessels will not be permitted. The existing 5 mph speed limit on Lake Natoma for motorized craft will remain in effect. All boaters, including paddlers and rowers, must arrive with their watercraft clean, drained, and dry.
DBW maintains a list of contacts at: https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/inspections.
Additional information on the golden mussel prevention program including inspection site locations, frequently asked questions and hours can be found at www.parks.ca.gov/FolsomLakeGoldenMussels.
Folsom Lake is holding 831,437 acre feet of water, 85 percent of capacity and 111 percent of average. The water level is 452.51 feet in elevation.
