Folsom Lake Fishing Report | May 2026
The report at a glance
Depth
Early: top lines and lines set 150+ feet back, with deep lines around 40 feet. Midday Kings from deeper water, around 55 to 60 feet.
Presentation
Started fast at about 3 mph at first light, slowed to 2 to 2.5 mph with big flashers as the sun rose, then down to about 1.5 mph late morning for fish holding up top. Also fished sliders.
Lures and baits
Trigger Shad on the top lines
Trigger Spoons in chrome down around 40 feet
Watermelon Junior Optimizer spoons in the mid depths
Popped-Eyed Spoon in watermelon and a purple eyed spoon on the sliders
Pink Trix Worm on the top line late morning
Non-Catch America items: Rapalas, a Brad's cut plug behind 360 flashers, a Seahawk Hot Tail, a nightcrawler behind a willow leaf blade, a glow Thumper Hoochie, and GVF Dragons
Best time
First light to around 9 AM
Water level
Nearly full to the brim in May.
Advice for this week
Get out early, since the gates open around 6 AM and the bite is best from daybreak to about 9. Slow your troll speed as the sun climbs, and keep a slider in the mix.
What is changing
Fish starting to move a little deeper. Bigger Kings showing up, including a 24 inch fish in the three to four pound range.
Next week
Jerry planned to head to the Klamath in July for Kings and steelhead. He expected the Folsom Kings to only get bigger and encouraged anglers to keep hitting the lake.
Notable catch
A 24 inch King in the three to four pound range for one of Jerry's buddies.
Folsom Lake is full to the brim in May and the fish are dropping deeper, with bigger kings showing up. The best window is first light to 9 am. Fast-troll 3 mph with Trigger Shad on the top lines, Trigger Spoons in chrome down around 40 feet, and watermelon Junior Optimizers in the mid-depths. Slow down midday with big Brad's 360 flashers and a pink Trix Worm.
What is biting at Folsom Lake right now?
King salmon and rainbow trout, with the lake full to the brim and fish going a little deeper. Capt. Jerry Lampkin reports bigger kings showing, including a buddy's 24-inch, three to four pound fish. The morning bite from first light to about 9 am has been the best.
What depth are the Folsom fish holding in May?
It varies with the sun. Early, Trigger Spoons in chrome work down around 40 feet with Junior Optimizers in the mid-depths. As the sun climbs, kings come down deep around 55 to 60 feet. Top-line rainbows stay up high on the slow presentations.
What lures work at Folsom Lake in May?
Fast-troll Trigger Shad on the top lines way behind the boat, Trigger Spoons in chrome deep, and watermelon Junior Optimizers mid-depth. Jerry also runs the Popped-Eyed spoon in watermelon on sliders, plus a pink Trix Worm and big Brad's 360 flashers midday.
What trolling speeds work at Folsom Lake?
Jerry starts fast at 3 mph at first light with Trigger Shad and spoons. Once the sun rises he slows to 2 to 2.5 mph with big Brad's 360 flashers and cut plugs, then down to about 1.5 mph midday with a pink Trix Worm for rainbows hanging up top.
What is the outlook for Folsom Lake?
Good and improving. With the lake full, Jerry says the kings especially are only going to get bigger, so keep hitting Folsom. Get out early, as the gates open around 6 am and the best bite runs from daybreak to about 9. He heads to the Klamath in July.
Watch the full report
Folsom Lake May 2026 FAQ
King salmon and rainbow trout, with bigger kings showing as the lake fills.
First light to about 9 am, with gates opening around 6 am.
Trigger Shad, chrome Trigger Spoons, Junior Optimizers, and big Brad's 360 flashers down 55 to 60 feet.
3 mph fast at first light, slowing to 2 to 2.5 mph as the sun rises, then about 1.5 mph midday.
A pink Trix Worm on the top line and the watermelon Popped-Eyed spoon on sliders.
Capt. Jerry Lampkin of TNG Motor Sports Guide Service.
