Bucks Lake Fishing Report | July 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Kokanee 30 to 45 feet (30 to 38 early morning, 40 to 45 afternoon); bonus rainbows at 22 to 24 feet
Presentation
Slow troll 1.3 to 1.5 mph with a short 15 to 25 foot setback off the ball for soft-mouthed kokanee. For trout, a natural Trout Trix minnow with an action disc near 2 mph and a big white tandem fly on lead core.
Lures and baits
6-inch 24-karat gold Catch America dodger trailing a purple and pink T-Pex with two kernels of Shoepeg corn (kokanee)
Strong preference for anise-cured corn over the tuna cure
Natural Trout Trix minnow with an action disc (trout)
Advice for this week
Find the fish, then stay on them and work a small area rather than trolling long. Depth matters more for kokanee than trout, so if you are 10 to 15 feet off you can go hours without a bite.
Next week
Bucks was off to an outstanding start with robust kokanee schools and quick limits. It remains one of Cal's all-time favorite high country lakes.
Notable catch
Cal put a 10-fish kokanee limit in the kayak in about two and a half hours on day two, kokanee running 13 to 14 inches.
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
Bucks Lake July 2025 FAQ
Kokanee are holding 30 to 45 feet, shallower in the morning around 30 feet and deeper by afternoon.
A 6 inch 24-karat gold Catch America dodger trailing a purple and pink T-Pex with Shoepeg corn.
Slow, 1.3 to 1.5 mph. Kokanee trolling is a low-speed sport, so do not go too fast.
They are running 13 to 14 inches, about three quarters of a pound, and all a similar size.
The kokanee limit at Bucks Lake is 10 fish.
A short setback, about 15 to 25 feet off the ball, since kokanee are not line shy and have soft mouths.
