Don Pedro Reservoir Fishing Report | August 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Around 75 feet, some higher, hitting before the gear reached 40 feet on the drop
Presentation
Power troll about 2.4 mph with gear set near 75 feet. A chartreuse spoon caught the last two fish. Run fluorocarbon leaders since kings have teeth.
Lures and baits
Chartreuse trolling spoon
Best time
Morning bite strong, heated up as the day went on
Weather
Wind was a factor
Advice for this week
Learn the prevailing wind direction, since it stacks plankton and bait. Look for grebes diving over bait and watch for bait balls on the graph. Use fluorocarbon leaders for toothy kings.
What is changing
The bite near the dam had dried up, so the crew moved to Middle Bay, which has been the hotspot.
Next week
With bait stacked and fish keyed on shad, the power trolling bite should stay strong.
Don Pedro Reservoir put out an epic power-trolling bite in August 2025. Fishing with Cal Kellogg, Capt. Monte Smith had kings and rainbows biting within minutes, often on the drop. He runs 75 feet down at 2.4 mph, using fluorocarbon leaders because the kings will saw through mono with their teeth. A chartreuse spoon caught the last two fish for limits.
How good is the Don Pedro salmon bite right now?
Epic. Filming with Cal Kellogg, Capt. Monte Smith had rods bending within five to ten minutes and kept the action going all day. King salmon and rainbow trout hit steadily, with the bite actually heating up as the day went on and the fish fighting harder and harder.
How deep and fast does Monte troll Don Pedro?
Monte power-trolls 75 feet down at about 2.4 mph, and several fish hit on the drop before the gear even reached depth. He moved to Middle Bay after the bite near the dam dried up, following the bait and fish there.
Why use fluorocarbon leaders at Don Pedro?
Because the kings have teeth and will saw through your leader with ease. Monte runs fluorocarbon to prevent break-offs. That confidence in the gear let the crew put heavy pressure on strong, acrobatic kings without losing them.
How do you find fish at Don Pedro Reservoir?
Monte reads the prevailing wind, which pushes plankton and threadfin shad into an area. He watches for grebes diving on bait and looks for big bait balls on the electronics. Where there is bait, the trout and kings are not far behind.
What lure produced at Don Pedro?
A chartreuse spoon caught both of the last two fish to fill limits. Monte tried several presentations, but the chartreuse spoon closed the deal on a strong finish, including a king Cal called nearly an ocean-sized keeper.
Watch the full report
Don Pedro Reservoir August 2025 FAQ
About 75 feet down.
Around 2.4 mph power trolling.
Kings have teeth and will saw through a standard leader, so fluorocarbon prevents break-offs.
Read the prevailing wind, watch for diving grebes, and look for big threadfin shad bait balls on your electronics.
A chartreuse spoon caught the last two fish.
King salmon and rainbow trout, with the bite improving through the day.
