Don Pedro Lake Fishing Report | November 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Fish came all the way down to 75 feet, a sign the lake had not turned over and the thermocline was sitting deep. The bigger fish held down there.
Presentation
Lead core trolling was the program all morning. The star was the new Junior Optimizer spoon, roughly half the weight of the standard size, with the electric banana color drawing a lot of fish. The crew also switched to soft plastics.
Lures and baits
The Junior Optimizer in electric banana did the heavy lifting, backed up by soft plastics. The lighter Junior Optimizer trolls well from about 2 to 3 mph or a touch slower.
Water temperature
Cooled about 5 degrees down to roughly 60 degrees
Water clarity
Seriously clear
Water level
Recent storms had the lake rising, up a couple of feet.
Weather
Big puffy clouds, a cool start, and hardly another boat on the water.
Advice for this week
When the lake has not turned over, do not be afraid to fish deep. The bigger fish separate from the planters and hold near a deep thermocline. The lighter Junior Optimizer lets you cover water at different speeds until you dial the bite.
Next week
This is a great time of year on Don Pedro. Cooling water, clear conditions, and light crowds add up to a solid fall and winter fishery. Expect the deep trout bite to keep producing until the lake turns over.
Notable catch
A lot of fish on lead core through the morning, including plenty of planters and a bonus king salmon.
Don Pedro is a great fall fishery in November 2025, with the lake rising from storms and seriously clear water. Capt. Monte Smith caught fish down to 75 feet on lead core, biting nonstop on the new Optimizer Junior in electric banana plus soft plastics, along with a king salmon. Surface temps cooled about 5 degrees to around 60. Run the Optimizer Junior at 2 to 3 mph.
How is the fishing at Don Pedro right now?
Great. Capt. Monte Smith had a Catch America crew out and the fish were biting nonstop in November 2025. They caught a lot of fish on the new Optimizer Junior and some on soft plastics, plus a king salmon. There is hardly anyone on the water, making it a great time to fish.
What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro in November?
Down to 75 feet. Monte caught fish that deep on lead core, which tells him the lake has not turned over yet and the thermocline is still very deep. The bigger fish are down there, holding away from the smaller planters that make up much of the lake.
What lures are working at Don Pedro right now?
The new Optimizer Junior, which is half the weight of the original and really produced, especially the electric banana color. Monte also ran soft plastics for a few fish. He caught most of the morning's fish on lead core over several hours.
How fast should you troll the Optimizer Junior?
Monte says it is versatile: you can run it at 2 miles per hour, 3 miles per hour, or a little slower. There are also brand new colors out. He caught fish at a range of speeds this trip and calls the Optimizer Junior a must-have for the Don Pedro fall fishery.
Watch the full report
Don Pedro Reservoir November 2025 FAQ
Rainbow trout biting nonstop plus a king salmon, per Capt. Monte Smith.
Down to 75 feet on lead core, where the bigger fish are holding.
The new Optimizer Junior, especially the electric banana color.
Anywhere from 2 to 3 miles per hour, or a little slower.
About 60 degrees on the surface, down roughly 5 degrees, with seriously clear water.
No. Catching fish down to 75 feet tells Monte the lake has not turned over and the thermocline is deep.
