French Meadows Reservoir Fishing Report | September 29, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Just beyond the bank drop-off at French Meadows; scattered marks on the San Joaquin side
Presentation
At French Meadows, bank fish beyond the drop-off, work structure, and do not cast too far. Soak Berkley PowerBait, worms, Power Powder, and Trigger Scent. On the Delta, deep-running plugs and spoons work, with sardines and live baits when anchored.
Lures and baits
French Meadows bank fishing: PowerBait, worms, Power Powder, and Trigger Scent. Delta stripers: deep-running plugs, spoons, mud suckers, bullheads, shad, and sardines when anchored.
Water temperature
66 degrees on the San Joaquin side, down from about 74 in August.
Weather
A two-day storm moving in to drop water temps further.
Advice for this week
From the bank, work the structure and keep baits just beyond the drop-off. On the San Joaquin side, stay on the move, fish a bunch of spots, find the marks, then figure out what they want.
Next week
The fall trout bite is only getting better in the Sierras. On the Delta, the incoming storm and cooling water should push more west-side stripers over to the San Joaquin side.
The fall trout bite is underway at French Meadows Reservoir in late September 2025. Capt. Cal Kellogg smoked full limits off the bank by 10 a.m., with trout cruising just beyond the drop-off. Fish PowerBait or worms and scent them with Power Powder or Trigger Scent. Work the structure and do not cast too far.
How is the fishing at French Meadows Reservoir?
On fire. Capt. Cal Kellogg went up two days before this late September 2025 report and smoked them from the bank, landing full limits of trout by 10 a.m. The fall trout bite is underway in the Sierras, with fish cruising right out beyond the drop-off.
How do you bank fish French Meadows right now?
Set up and work the structure. Cal drops baits just beyond the drop-off where the trout cruise, and stresses you should not cast out too far. Get comfortable and fish the near structure. He had full limits before mid-morning doing exactly that.
What bait and scent work at French Meadows?
Bring PowerBait and worms, and add scent. Cal recommends Power Powder and Trigger Scent to boost your bank presentation. That simple setup put full limits of French Meadows trout on the bank for him fast.
When is the best time to fish the fall trout bite?
Now. Cal says the fall trout bite is underway across the Sierras and calls it epic. Cooler nights push the fish to feed, so get to your favorite high-mountain lake, set up on the structure beyond the drop-off, and you should have a smile on your face.
Watch the full report
French Meadows Reservoir September 29, 2025 FAQ
Rainbow trout on a strong fall bank bite, per Capt. Cal Kellogg.
Cruising just beyond the drop-off, within reach of bank anglers.
PowerBait and worms, scented with Power Powder or Trigger Scent.
Not too far. Cal says work the near structure rather than casting way out.
Cal had full limits of trout by 10 a.m. fishing off the bank.
Yes. Cal says the fall trout bite is underway and epic across the high country.
