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Bucks Lake Fishing Report | July 2025

Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg
Cal Kellogg is a veteran Northern California guide and Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle.
What is working right now

Bucks Lake kokanee are running 13 to 14 inches in mid-July 2025, holding 30 to 45 feet, with a 10-fish limit boxed in about 2.5 hours. Cal Kellogg’s rig is a 6 inch 24-karat gold Catch America dodger trailing a purple and pink T-Pex with Shoepeg corn. Troll slow at 1.3 to 1.5 mph with a short 15 to 25 foot setback.

What is biting at Bucks Lake right now?

Kokanee, and they are good size at 13 to 14 inches. Cal Kellogg boxed a 10-fish limit in about 2.5 hours. Bucks also holds rainbows, browns, brookies, and mackinaw. Cal caught bonus rainbows too, including a big planter, while running a Trix Minnow and a tandem fly for trout.

What depth are the kokanee holding at Bucks Lake?

Kokanee are holding 30 to 45 feet. Cal hooked them at 40 feet the first afternoon, then found them shallower at 30 to 38 feet in the morning. Depth is critical for kokanee, so if you are 10 to 15 feet off you can go hours without a bite. Drop the T-Pex right into their zone.

What lures and colors work at Bucks Lake?

Cal’s rig is a 6 inch 24-karat gold Catch America dodger trailing a purple and pink T-Pex with two kernels of Shoepeg corn. He scented the corn with anise, which outfished plain corn. A brass and orange T-Pex and spinners did not produce, so color mattered.

How does Cal rig and present at Bucks Lake?

Slow troll at 1.3 to 1.5 mph with a short 15 to 25 foot setback off the downrigger ball, since kokanee are not line shy and have soft mouths. Run the big gold dodger for flash ahead of the T-Pex. Use a modern GPS sonar to find schools and drop a waypoint to stay on them.

What is the outlook for Bucks Lake?

Strong. Cal calls Bucks one of his all-time favorites, full of kokanee and three varieties of trout, and this year the kokanee are a solid size. He fished it against a bright full moon and still limited quickly. Longer-term outlook was not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): If you've been watching the channel, you're no stranger to this rig: 6-inch 24-karat gold Catch America Dodger, trailing a purple and pink T-Pex. I've been catching fish, hooking fish at 40 feet with that gold blade and that T-Pex. Kokanee trolling is a slow-speed sport, your best speeds are anywhere from about 1.2 to 1.5.

Bucks Lake July 2025 FAQ

How deep are kokanee at Bucks Lake in July?

Kokanee are holding 30 to 45 feet, shallower in the morning around 30 feet and deeper by afternoon.

What is the best kokanee rig at Bucks Lake?

A 6 inch 24-karat gold Catch America dodger trailing a purple and pink T-Pex with Shoepeg corn.

What trolling speed works at Bucks Lake?

Slow, 1.3 to 1.5 mph. Kokanee trolling is a low-speed sport, so do not go too fast.

How big are the kokanee at Bucks Lake?

They are running 13 to 14 inches, about three quarters of a pound, and all a similar size.

What is the kokanee limit at Bucks Lake?

The kokanee limit at Bucks Lake is 10 fish.

What setback should I use for Bucks Lake kokanee?

A short setback, about 15 to 25 feet off the ball, since kokanee are not line shy and have soft mouths.

Tags: bucks-lake cal-kellogg kokanee
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