Folsom Lake Fishing Report | February 2026
The report at a glance
Water clarity
Water color is perfect right now.
Water level
Lake not fluctuating much right now; still needs water.
Advice for this week
Protect the kings. Two came around 14 inches, plus a 22-inch fish earlier in the week, and no kings were planted the last two years, so these are naturally spawning fish. Release the kings so they can spawn.
What is changing
The lake is not fluctuating much right now, unusual for Folsom and a help to the fishing. It still needs water heading into next month.
Next week
The rainbow bite has been really good and looks to continue. Folsom needs water. The return of naturally spawning kings is a positive sign for the fishery.
Notable catch
Two king salmon around 14 inches came to the boat.
Folsom Lake rainbow trout fishing has been absolutely epic for the last two to three weeks in February 2026. Jerry Lampkin of TNG Guide Service reports perfect water color and stable levels. King salmon are slow but two small kings to about 14 inches and one 22 inch king are a good sign that natural spawning kings are returning. He asks anglers to release the kings.
How is the fishing at Folsom Lake right now?
The rainbow trout fishing has been absolutely epic for the last two to three weeks in February 2026. Jerry Lampkin of TNG Guide Service says the bite has been really, really good. King fishing is slower, but he is encouraged by signs of natural king reproduction in the lake.
Are king salmon biting at Folsom Lake?
Not much, but the signs are positive. Jerry landed two kings to about 14 inches, plus one 22 inch king earlier in the week. With no king plants for the last two years, those fish show natural spawning is happening again, so he asks anglers to release the kings.
What are the water conditions at Folsom Lake?
Good. Jerry says the water color is perfect and the level is not fluctuating much, which helps because Folsom's constant fluctuations make it a hard lake to fish. He notes the area badly needs more water and is looking ahead to next month.
Should I keep or release Folsom kings?
Release them. Jerry encourages everyone he fishes with to return and release the king salmon so the naturally spawning fish can continue up the river to reproduce. Protecting them now is the best thing anglers can do while the natural run rebuilds.
Watch the full report
Folsom Lake February 2026 FAQ
Rainbow trout, with an epic bite for the last two to three weeks, per Jerry Lampkin.
Slowly, with a couple of small kings to 14 inches and one 22 inch fish showing natural spawning.
Perfect, and the level is not fluctuating much, which Jerry says helps the fishing.
Yes. Jerry asks anglers to release kings to protect the naturally spawning run.
Its water level fluctuates a lot with weather and river flows, though it is stable right now.
Specific depths and lures were not specified in this report.
