Don Pedro Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Deep, 55 to 93 feet
Presentation
A fast-trolling spoon bite with no dodgers. Optimizer Juniors produce whether you troll slow or really fast, and the good clarity lets the spoons shine on their own.
Lures and baits
Fast-trolled spoons without dodgers. Optimizer Juniors are a strong stand-in. Speedy Shiners and Excel spoons noted as fast-troll alternatives, though not Catch America products.
Water temperature
Around 80 degrees.
Water clarity
Excellent, about 10 feet of visibility.
Advice for this week
With water this clear, the fish sit deep. Work the 55 to 93 foot zone and troll fast with spoons. Skip the dodger, since these spoons run clean and fast on their own.
Next week
Monte expects the bite to stay strong. With lighter crowds after Labor Day, now is a great time to get out on Don Pedro.
Don Pedro is in great shape in mid-August 2025 with excellent 10 foot clarity and surface temps near 80 degrees. Capt. Monte Smith is trolling spoons 55 to 93 feet deep and boating 7 to 8 king salmon a day plus numerous rainbows. He runs his homemade spoons without dodgers, and recommends Optimizer Juniors as a spoon that works slow or fast.
How is the fishing at Don Pedro right now?
Very good. Capt. Monte Smith had a great early day in mid-August 2025, catching a lot of fish. He boated seven or eight king salmon and numerous rainbows, keeping only three or four and releasing eight or nine kings. He expects the strong bite to hold as summer crowds thin out.
What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro in August?
Deep. Monte is fishing 55 to 93 feet and catching kings, rainbows, a few bass, and an occasional kokanee. Surface temperatures are around 80 degrees, so he is not fishing up top. Water clarity is an excellent 10 feet of visibility for late August.
What lures work at Don Pedro right now?
Monte runs his own homemade spoons, which are not for sale, without dodgers because of the clear water. For anglers, he recommends Optimizer Juniors, which troll well slow or fast. He also mentions Speedy Shiners for fast trolling and Excel spoons as options, though those are not Catch America products.
What are the conditions at Don Pedro?
Excellent. Clarity is about 10 feet and the surface is near 80 degrees. Monte says the lake is in great shape, and with school back in and vacations over there is hardly anyone out. He expects the good fishing to continue right through the fall.
Watch the full report
Don Pedro Reservoir August 18, 2025 FAQ
King salmon, with seven or eight a day, plus numerous rainbow trout and a few bass, per Capt. Monte Smith.
From 55 to 93 feet deep in the warm August water.
Excellent, about 10 feet of visibility, which Monte calls great for late August.
Around 80 degrees, so Monte fishes deep rather than on the surface.
The Optimizer Junior, which trolls well whether you go slow or fast.
No. He runs his lures without dodgers because the water clarity is so good.
