Folsom Lake Fishing Report 2024 [Tips, Fishing Spots, Pictures, and Everything You Need to Know]

It can be a challenge to break down Folsom Lake and decide to get started. 

Folsom Lake is regarded as one of the very best bass fishing lakes in California, as well as being an excellent fishery for crappie, rainbow trout and catfish. Bass in this lake can grow to immense size. 

Get your rods, reels, and lures ready, ’cause this lake is teeming with bass that’ll make your heart skip a beat!

Water Clarity

First things first, let’s talk about water clarity. Folsom Lake boasts some seriously clear water, with visibility up to 20 feet in some spots. That means you gotta be stealthy with your approach and use natural-looking lures to fool those crafty bass.

Cover & Structure

Now, let’s get to the good stuff – the types of structures and fishing cover you can expect to find in this lake. Check it out:

• Rocky points and drop-offs – These areas are prime spots for big bass to hang out and ambush prey. Use jigs or crankbaits to bounce along the bottom and draw out those lunkers.  Look for areas where the rocks meet the water and cast a crankbait or a jerkbait to entice a strike.
• Brush and weed beds – Bass love to hide in these areas, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. Try using a Texas-rigged worm or a topwater frog or popper to entice them out.
• Submerged trees and stumps – These structures offer cover and shade for bass to rest and feed. Use a Carolina-rigged worm or a spinnerbait to lure them out from their hiding spots.
• Points: Bass love to hang out around points, especially ones that have a drop-off or some type of structure nearby. Try fishing with a jig or a Texas-rigged worm around these areas if the bass are timid.  However, if the bass are active, throw a crankbait or spinnerbait.

But wait, there’s more! Folsom Lake also has a ton of boat docks, riprap, and other man-made structures that bass love to hang out around.

Springtime Fishing Update Fishing On Folsom Lake

This spring has been a bit unpredictable.  Folsom Lake can be a bit unpredictable when it comes to weather. But generally speaking, you can expect:

• Air Temperature: In the early spring, the air temperature can range from the mid-50s to mid-60s. As the season progresses, it can climb into the 70s and even low 80s.
• Wind Speed and Direction: Springtime at Folsom Lake can bring some windy days, with gusts ranging from 5-20 mph. Keep an eye out for the direction of the wind, as it can affect where the bass are biting.
• Precipitation: Spring is also known for some rain showers in the area, so make sure to pack some rain gear just in case.

As for the water temperature, you can expect it to be a bit chilly in the early spring, but warming up as the season progresses. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Early Spring: Water temps can range from the low 50s to mid 60s.
• Late Spring: As the weather warms up, so does the water. By late spring, you can expect temps in the mid to high 60s.

Most of us know,  spring gives us our best chances of catching the biggest fish of year?  Why?  It’s because those big ol’ mama bass and trout lay their eggs and start the next generation of fish… 

So here’s what you need to know:

Largemouth Bass:

• Spawning Season: I’ve noted that big’ol largemouths typically spawn from late February to early June at Folsom Lake.
• Where to Find Them: Look for the bass in shallow water, near cover like weed beds, logs, and rocks.
• Specific Locations: Some of the best spots to find spawning largemouth bass are Mormon Island Cove, Brown’s Ravine, and the North Fork of the American River.

Trout:

• Spawning Season: Rainbow trout and brown trout spawn from late February to early June at Folsom Lake.
• Where to Find Them: Trout will usually spawn in shallow, rocky areas with good water flow.
• Specific Locations: Some good spots to find spawning trout include the North Fork of the American River, the South Fork of the American River, and the Peninsula.

Salmon:

• Spawning Season: Chinook salmon and coho salmon spawn from late October to early December at Folsom Lake.
• Where to Find Them: Salmon like to spawn in gravel beds with good water flow.
• Specific Locations: Salmon typically spawn in the North Fork of the American River and the South Fork of the American River.

When it comes to water temperature, these largemouth bass usually start spawning when the water temperature reaches around 60-65°F. So keep an eye on that water temp gauge and get ready for some action!

After spawning, I’ve seen the bass and trout tend to move to deeper water, where they’ll recover and start feeding again. Here are some specific locations where you can find them:

Post-Spawn Largemouth Bass:

• Look for them in deeper water, near drop-offs or structure like points and ledges.
• Specific Locations: Try fishing around Dike 8, Rattlesnake Bar, and Granite Bay.

Post-Spawn Trout:

• Trout will move to deeper water, but can also be found near inlets and outlets of the lake.
• Specific Locations: Try fishing around the North Fork of the American River and the South Fork of the American River.

Summer Fishing Update

Alright guys, let’s talk about summer fishing.  Some hate it, while I love it. 

One thing about this lake is to understand weather patterns at Folsom Lake. We fish here in May, June, July, and August, so get ready for some hot weather and even hotter fishing action.

Weather Patterns:

• Air Temperature: During the summer months, air temps can reach well into the 90s and even low 100s, so make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated.
• Wind Speed and Direction: Winds can be a bit unpredictable during the summer, but you can expect some afternoon breezes ranging from 5-15 mph.
• Precipitation: The summer months are usually dry at Folsom Lake, so don’t count on rain to cool things down.

As for the water temperature, you can expect it to be pretty warm during the summer months, with an average temperature of around 70-75°F. This means that the bass and trout will be more active, so you’ll want to adjust your fishing presentations accordingly.

Fishing Presentations:

• Bass: With warmer water temps, bass will be more aggressive and will likely be looking for faster-moving baits like crankbaits and swimbaits. Topwater baits like frogs and buzzbaits can also be effective during low-light hours.
• Trout: Trout will still be in deeper water during the summer, so use jigs or worms on a drop shot to get down to their level.

As for the primary forage of bass and trout during the summer, you can expect to see a lot of shad and crawfish in the lake. Make sure to match your lures and baits to the forage you’re seeing in the water to increase your chances of hooking into some big ones.

Bass strategies during the summer

Some of the best techniques for catching bass during the summer months include:

• Cranking with deep-diving crankbaits
• Fishing topwater baits like frogs and poppers during low-light hours
• Using jigs and Texas-rigged worms to target fish in deeper water

When it comes to reaction style baits, some popular options include:

• Lucky Craft crankbaits
• Strike King square bill crankbaits
• Rapala X-Raps

For finesse style baits, you might want to try:

• Roboworms
• Zoom Trick Worms
• Yamamoto Senkos

When it comes to specific locations on the lake, here are some spots where you’re likely to find bass during the summer:

• Dike 8
• Rattlesnake Bar
• Peninsula
• Mormon Island Cove
• Brown’s Ravine

These locations are known for having good structure and cover that bass like to hang around, so be sure to give them a try.

Trout fishing summertime report

If you’re looking to catch trout and kokanee on Folsom Lake during the summer, here are some techniques and baits to try:

Techniques:

• Trolling with downriggers and leadcore line is a popular technique for catching both trout and kokanee.
• Fishing near the inlets and outlets of the lake can be effective, as these areas often have good water flow and plenty of forage.
• Drifting with live bait or jigs can also be a good way to target trout and kokanee.

Baits:

• Needlefish lures from Luhr Jensen
• Wedding Ring spinners from Mack’s Lure
• Berkley Gulp! Alive! Trout Nuggets
• Pautzke Fire Bait
• Nightcrawlers

Specific Locations:

• The North Fork of the American River
• The South Fork of the American River
• The Peninsula

These areas are known for having good populations of both trout and kokanee, so they’re a great place to start. Just make sure to adjust your techniques and baits based on the conditions and the time of day, and you’ll be well on your way to landing some tasty fish.

Other notes…

Folsom Lake is home to a variety of game fish besides bass, trout, and kokanee. Here are a few other species you can catch and how to do it:

Catfish:

• Catfish can be caught year-round at Folsom Lake, but they tend to be more active in the warmer months.
• Try using chicken liver, worms, or stink baits on the bottom near cover like logs or rocks.

Bluegill and Sunfish:

• These panfish can be caught using a variety of baits and techniques, including worms, small jigs, and spinners.
• Look for them near structure like weed beds or rocks, and fish with a slow, steady retrieve.

Striped Bass:

• Striped bass can be caught year-round at Folsom Lake, but they tend to be more active in the cooler months.
• Try trolling with umbrella rigs or swimbaits, or cast and retrieve with crankbaits or topwater baits.

Crappie:

• Crappie can be caught using small jigs, spinners, or live minnows.
• Look for them near submerged trees or other structure, and fish with a slow, steady retrieve.

These are just a few examples of the other game fish you can catch at Folsom Lake. Each species requires different techniques and baits, so make sure to do your research before heading out on the water.