Collins Lake Fishing Report | May 2026
The report at a glance
Depth
12 to 20 feet, with many at 20 feet on the downriggers. Expect deeper as the water warms.
Presentation
Bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worm paired with an Action Disc, no dodgers and no flashers, trolled at 2 mph. Work different areas and be patient.
Lures and baits
Bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worm behind an Action Disc, run clean with no dodger or flasher at 2 mph.
Water clarity
Not crystal clear but not bad, with a few feet of visibility
Weather
A storm moving in that should knock the water temperature down and reset the bite
Advice for this week
Cover water and fish the structure. Cal found a good afternoon bite down by the dam late in the day and a solid early bite back in the cove some call the horseshoe. When the fish key on structure, stay patient and wait for the bunches.
What is changing
The trout dropped down a bit this weekend. A storm moving in should knock the water temperature back down and reset the bite.
Next week
The lake is full of trout with no end in sight. Fish will settle a little deeper as water temperatures climb, but the incoming storm should reset things. May is the time for lightning trout.
Collins Lake is loaded with trout in May 2026, including big Mount Lassen rainbows and lightning trout. Capt. Cal Kellogg dropped down to 12 to 20 feet on downriggers, with his hot rig a bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worm paired with an action disc, no dodgers or flashers, at 2 mph. May is prime time for lightning trout, so bring your boat.
How is the fishing at Collins Lake right now?
Strong. Capt. Cal Kellogg says the lake is full of trout in May 2026, with lots of nice rainbows and several lightning trout this week. Bites came in bunches when he was patient, with a good afternoon bite down by the dam and early action back in his cove.
What depth are the trout holding at Collins Lake?
Cal caught them 12 to 20 feet down, leaning on downriggers, and got a lot of fish right at 20 feet. He expects the fish to drop a little deeper as the water warms, but a storm moving in should cool the surface and reset the clock.
What is Cal's hot rig at Collins Lake?
A bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worm paired with an action disc, no dodgers and no flashers, trolled at 2 miles per hour. He worked different areas on the structure, staying patient until the bite turned on in bunches.
What kind of trout are in Collins Lake?
Big, hard-fighting Mount Lassen rainbows plus lightning trout, and Cal says May is the time for lightnings. He even hooked a fish he suspects was a channel catfish beyond 10 pounds. There is really no end in sight for the trout fishing right now.
Watch the full report
Collins Lake May 2026 FAQ
Rainbow trout, including Mount Lassen rainbows and lightning trout, per Capt. Cal Kellogg.
About 12 to 20 feet, with a lot of fish right at 20 feet on downriggers.
A bubblegum pink Trout Trix Worm paired with an action disc.
About 2 miles per hour, with no dodgers or flashers.
May, which Cal calls the time for lightnings.
They may drop a little as the water warms, though an incoming storm should cool it and reset the bite.
