Collins Lake Fishing Report | May 20, 2026
The report at a glance
Depth
15 to 25 foot column
Presentation
Troll soft plastic worms and a small spoon on leadcore behind a Sidewinder side planer, plus downriggers. Trout Trix Worms in pink and orange on an action disc with the hook set back near the tail. A small orange and silver micro spoon drew the big bites.
Lures and baits
Pink and orange Trout Trix Worms did most of the work. A tiny orange-silver micro trigger spoon triggered the trophy strikes. A small trolling fly rounds out the finesse spread.
Water temperature
70 degrees in the morning, down about 3 degrees after a wind event.
Weather
Glassy early, then a big wind event picked up.
Advice for this week
It does not take a big lure to hook a big fish in a neutral mood. Work the 15 to 25 foot column. Rig the worm hook back near the tail for tentative fish. Fish finesse gear and put in your time.
Next week
Big fish are still in Collins Lake in late May. It is a finesse bite, so work the active column, use small baits, and stay patient.
Notable catch
A 7 to 9 pound trophy rainbow landed after a long fight.
Collins Lake is in a late-spring transition on May 20, 2026, and the trophy trout are still here. Capt. Cal Kellogg is working the 15 to 25 foot column, running a micro Trigger Spoon in orange and silver on a side planer plus bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worms on downriggers. It is a finesse bite, and he landed a 7 to 9 pound rainbow.
How is the fishing at Collins Lake right now?
Slow but rewarding. Capt. Cal Kellogg calls it a late-spring transition on May 20, 2026, with a finesse bite. He worked all day for three or four trout and a bass, then landed a trophy rainbow of 7 to 9 pounds. The big fish are still in the lake if you put in the time.
What depth are the trout holding at Collins Lake?
In the 15 to 25 foot column. Cal ran a side planer with three colors of lead core out about 12 to 15 feet deep and downriggers down to about 20 feet. Surface temperature was around 70 degrees before a wind event dropped it three degrees, resetting the bite.
What lures are working at Collins Lake?
A micro Trigger Spoon in orange and silver, which Cal calls his secret weapon for big fish, plus bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worms. He also ran an orange fly and orange worms on divers. The tiny spoon produced several big hookups on the side planer.
How do you rig Trout Trix Worms when fish are tentative?
Cal inserts the hook into the nose of the worm, threads it about halfway, then slides the worm up and off the point so the hook rides just behind the bait. When a nipping fish grabs the tail, the hook loops around its lower jaw. Use plenty of scent.
Watch the full report
Collins Lake May 20, 2026 FAQ
Rainbow trout, including a trophy of 7 to 9 pounds, on a finesse bite, per Capt. Cal Kellogg.
In the 15 to 25 foot water column.
A tiny micro Trigger Spoon in orange and silver, fished on a side planer.
The bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worm, which Cal calls the best trout bait he ever pulled.
Around 70 degrees, though a wind event dropped it about three degrees.
Cal warns that fast, big lures like speedy shiners or big Rapalas may go without a strike. Fish finesse gear.
