Don Pedro Reservoir Fishing Report | September 1, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
50 to 75 feet
Presentation
Run spoons only: Optimizer spoons, Trigger Spoons and Speed Spoons with no dodgers. A dab of Kokanee Slammer scent on the back of the spoon has been key for the kings.
Lures and baits
Optimizer, Trigger and Speed spoons
Kokanee Slammer scent on the back of each spoon
No dodgers in the spread right now
Water clarity
Very good; 9 to 10 feet of visibility with a green tint
Weather
Air temps running near 100 degrees
Advice for this week
Keep it simple and let the spoons work. Scent the back of the spoon and stay on the 50 to 75 foot zone where the fish are feeding.
What is changing
The kings may have moved on a bit; Monte will check after the holiday.
Next week
After the holiday and a couple days of rest, the lake should settle and the fall fishery should be strong. Monte expects a great fall at Don Pedro and beyond as the weather cools.
Don Pedro has good water clarity, 9 to 10 feet with a green tint, and rainbow trout are biting 50 to 75 feet down. Capt. Monte Smith is running spoons only, Optimizers, Trigger Spoons, and Speed Spoons, with a dab of Kokanee Slammer scent on the back. Kings may have moved on, so watch for them after the holiday.
What is biting at Don Pedro Reservoir right now?
Rainbow trout are biting steadily, with king salmon also in play. Capt. Monte Smith had two anglers hook up instantly on a recent trip, catching all rainbows. He notes the kings may have moved on a little and plans to check again after the holiday.
What depth are the fish at Don Pedro Reservoir?
Rainbows are coming from 50 to 75 feet down. Water clarity is really good for this time of year at 9 to 10 feet of visibility with a green tint, which Monte says actually helps him catch these fish.
What lures are working at Don Pedro Reservoir?
Spoons only. Monte is running Optimizers, Trigger Spoons, Speed Spoons, and his custom spoons. He is not running dodgers. Speedy Shiners and Excels also get named but are not Catch America products, so we do not link those.
How is Monte scenting his spoons at Don Pedro?
He puts a little dab of Kokanee Slammer scent on the back of the spoon. It is designed to catch salmon, not just kokanee, and has been helping him put king salmon in the boat at Don Pedro.
What is the outlook for Don Pedro Reservoir?
Monte expects a great fall fishery at Don Pedro and beyond once the weather cools from the 100 degree stretch. He plans to hit it hard again after the holiday once the water calms. A specific trolling speed was not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
Don Pedro Reservoir September 1, 2025 FAQ
From 50 to 75 feet down.
Spoons only, including Optimizers, Trigger Spoons, and Speed Spoons, with no dodgers.
A dab of Kokanee Slammer scent on the back of the spoon.
Really good, 9 to 10 feet of visibility with a green tint.
The kings may have moved on a little, and Monte will check again after the holiday.
Capt. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing.
