Don Pedro Lake Fishing Report | October 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
Run frozen shad early in the day. When the wind picks up, switch over to dodgers and trolling lures for steady action.
Lures and baits
Frozen shad early
Trolling dodgers and trolling lures once the wind picks up
Best time
Early in the day
Water clarity
Excellent; downrigger weight still visible 12 to 13 feet down
Water level
The lake continues to rise.
Weather
Wind has been a factor for the past three days.
Advice for this week
Switch to hardware when the wind comes up to keep the boat under control. Handle and release trophy fish quickly so they swim off strong.
What is changing
The lake continues to rise, and the Blue Oaks launch ramp is close to closing as the water nears the parking lot. Wind has been a factor for the past three days.
Next week
Kings are the story and the fishing is dialed in. Expect the strong bite to continue.
Notable catch
One three-angler trip landed nine king salmon, five rainbows, and a German brown over seven and a half pounds that was photographed and released.
Don Pedro Lake is on fire in October 2025 with excellent water clarity, you can still see the downrigger weight 12 to 13 feet down. Kings are the main target, running 1.5 to 5 pounds, with bonus rainbows and a few fat 14 to 15 inch kokanee. Capt. Monte Smith runs frozen shad early, then switches to dodgers and lures when the wind picks up for steady action.
What is biting at Don Pedro Lake right now?
Kings are the main event. Capt. Monte Smith says it is all about kings, running 1.5 to 5 pounds, with bonus rainbows and two to three kokanee per trip. The kokanee are 14 to 15 inches, fat and healthy. One recent trip landed nine kings, five rainbows, and a German brown over 7.5 pounds.
How clear is the water at Don Pedro Lake?
Excellent. Monte can still see his downrigger weight 12 to 13 feet down. The lake continues to rise, and the Blue Oaks launch ramp is close to closing as the water nears the parking lot, so check ramp access before you go.
What lures are working at Don Pedro Lake?
Monte runs frozen shad early in the day, which produced a 2.5-pound king on one trip. When the wind picks up he switches over to dodgers and lures to keep the bite going. Adjusting to conditions has been the key to steady action.
How big are the Don Pedro fish?
Kings run 1.5 to 5 pounds and kokanee are 14 to 15 inches, fat and healthy, including some next-year fish. Monte's group also released a German brown over 7.5 pounds, a beautiful fish that swam off strong after a few photos.
What is the outlook for Don Pedro Lake?
Really good. Clear water, a rising lake, and a strong king bite have Don Pedro on fire. Watch the Blue Oaks ramp, which may close as water rises. Exact depths and trolling speed were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
Don Pedro Lake October 2025 FAQ
King salmon running 1.5 to 5 pounds, plus rainbows and a few 14 to 15 inch kokanee.
Very clear, with the downrigger weight visible 12 to 13 feet down.
Monte's group released a German brown over 7.5 pounds.
Frozen shad early, then dodgers and lures when the wind picks up.
It is close to closing as the rising lake nears the parking lot, so check before launching.
A specific depth and trolling speed were not specified in this report.
