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Folsom Lake Fishing Report | February 19, 2026

Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg
Cal Kellogg is a Catch America captain who fished Folsom Lake with Capt. Jerry Lampkin of TNG Guide Service for a multi-species winter day. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle.
What is working right now

Folsom Lake turned on a multi-species winter bite in mid-February 2026. Capt. Cal Kellogg and Capt. Jerry Lampkin trolled fast at 2.5 to 3 mph on lead core, about 2.5 colors out and only 5 to 7 feet deep, and nailed rainbows on a bright pink Trix Worm. When it slowed they dropped speed behind a reggae Mini Willow Dodger with a nightcrawler. A Trigger Spoon, Junior Optimizer, and Trigger Scent added rainbows and a bonus king.

What is biting at Folsom Lake right now?

A multi-species mix. Capt. Cal Kellogg and Capt. Jerry Lampkin caught rainbow trout, a bonus little king salmon, and bass in one February day. The rainbow bite has been epic the last couple of weeks. Kings are around but not the large ones of years past.

How deep and how fast at Folsom?

Fast and shallow to start. They ran lead core about 2.5 colors out at 2.5 to 3 mph, which put baits only 5 to 7 feet deep. When the bite slowed they dropped speed and switched to a dodger and crawler, then sped back up to find more fish.

What lures are working at Folsom Lake?

A bright pink Trix Worm on lead core drew fast strikes. A reggae Mini Willow Dodger with a nightcrawler produced when they slowed. The Trigger Spoon, Trigger Spoon Junior, and Junior Optimizer all boated fish, sweetened with Trigger Scent.

How is Cal rigging at Folsom?

A hybrid lead-core rig, which Cal likes for its no-stretch, direct-drive hookset. Run a pink Trix Worm or a spoon fast at 2.5 to 3 mph, about 2.5 colors out. When the bite dies, slow down behind a Mini Willow Dodger and a fat nightcrawler and grind out more bites.

How do you fish Folsom when the bite is tough?

Move and adjust. Jerry's rule is do not be afraid to run around Folsom. They started fast, slowed when it died, ran up the North Fork toward Anderson Creek for a king, then sped up again. Changing speed and location kept the count climbing.

What is the Folsom Lake outlook?

The rainbow bite has been epic for a couple of weeks and Jerry hopes the next month holds, though it depends on weather and lake level. Folsom is a harsh mistress, great one day and tough the next. Exact water temperature was not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Fish on! On the bright Trix Worm, baby. And how fast were we going, Jerry? Right about 2.5, 2.6, maybe even a three. That was two and a half colors, so I would estimate that was five, six, seven feet deep. When the bite slowed down, we dropped our speed and got right back into the hookups on a mini willow leaf dodger in the reggae color.

Folsom Lake February 19, 2026 FAQ

What is the best lure at Folsom Lake now?

A bright pink Trix Worm trolled fast on lead core, plus a reggae Mini Willow Dodger with a nightcrawler when the bite slows.

How fast should I troll Folsom?

About 2.5 to 3 mph on lead core, roughly 2.5 colors out, which runs 5 to 7 feet deep.

What species are biting?

Rainbow trout, a bonus king salmon, and bass in a mixed February bag.

Where are the fish at Folsom?

They started at Folsom Point, then ran up the North Fork between the Peninsula Boat Ramp and Anderson Creek for a king.

What scent are they using?

Trigger Scent UV gel by Cal Kellogg, added to spoons like the Junior Optimizer.

Is Folsom Lake an easy bite?

No. Cal calls it a harsh mistress, great one day and a skunk the next. Move around and adjust speed to find fish.

Who guided this trip?

Capt. Cal Kellogg with Capt. Jerry Lampkin of TNG Guide Service.

Tags: cal-kellogg folsom-lake rainbow-trout
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Sacramento River Fishing Report | August 1, 2026

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