Bucks Lake Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Most fish came from 35 to 45 feet. When schools get chopped up mid-morning, slide deeper and work 55 to 60 feet to find eager fish.
Presentation
Slow troll a gold dodger ahead of your lures. A gold dodger in front of T-Pex lures produced almost every fish, with Pink Tiger Uncle Larry's Hoochies behind silver blades also getting bit. Run corn scented with tuna oil and a little Goomba Garlic.
Lures and baits
Gold trolling dodger
T-Pex lures (bulk of the fish)
Pink Tiger Uncle Larry's Hoochies behind silver blades
Corn scented in tuna oil and Goomba Garlic
Advice for this week
When the mid-morning schools break up at 35 to 45 feet, do not force it. Slide deeper to 55 to 60 feet and look for eager fish holding down there. Keep your corn scented to trigger extra bites.
What is changing
Fish are still in pretty good shape, with just a little gray starting on some and slightly longer noses on the males. The meat is still in phenomenal condition.
Next week
There are probably a couple more weeks where the fish stay in decent shape, so the rest of the month is worth chasing. After Kokanee Fest, Bryan heads back to Lake Almanor for trophy trout, with Eagle Lake trout trips starting in mid-September.
Notable catch
Somewhere between 20 and 40 kokanee a day, day after day.
The Bucks Lake kokanee bite is wide open, with 20 to 40 fish a day. Capt. Bryan Roccucci trolls 35 to 45 feet with a gold dodger and T-Pexes, sliding out to 55 to 60 feet mid-morning. Add Pink Tiger Uncle Larry's Hoochies behind silver blades, tipped with corn scented in tuna oil and Goomba Garlic.
What is biting at Bucks Lake right now?
Kokanee, and the bite is wide open. Capt. Bryan Roccucci has been taking 20 to 40 fish a day during what he calls Kokanee Fest in early August at Bucks Lake in Plumas County. The fish are still in good shape with excellent meat.
What depth are the kokanee at Bucks Lake?
For the last two weeks, 35 to 45 feet has produced almost every fish. When the schools get chopped up mid-morning, Bryan slides out into deeper water, 55 to 60 feet, and finds eager fish ready to bite down there as well.
What lures and colors are working at Bucks Lake?
A gold dodger in front of T-Pexes has been the main producer. He has also added Pink Tiger Uncle Larry's Hoochies run behind silver blades, and those are getting bit too. Corn on the hooks of both is key.
How is Bryan scenting his gear at Bucks Lake?
He runs corn on the hooks of both the Uncle Larry's Hoochies and the T-Pexes, scented up with tuna oil and a little Goomba Garlic to spice it up. That scent combo has been part of the daily program.
What is the outlook for Bucks Lake?
There are probably a couple more weeks where the fish stay in decent shape, with a little gray showing and longer noses on males. Bryan recommends the Bucks Lake kokanee bite for the rest of the month before he heads back to Lake Almanor for trophy trout.
Watch the full report
Bucks Lake August 18, 2025 FAQ
Mostly 35 to 45 feet, sliding out to 55 to 60 feet mid-morning when the schools break up.
A gold dodger ahead of a T-Pex, with corn scented in tuna oil and Goomba Garlic.
Pink Tiger Uncle Larry's Hoochies run behind silver blades.
Between 20 and 40 fish a day during the early August bite.
Probably a couple more weeks, with fish in decent shape through the rest of the month.
Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service.
