Rollins Lake Fishing Report | March 2026
The report at a glance
Depth
Cal ran a hybrid leadcore rig down about 5 feet and a second rod on the top line near the surface. Casting, he counted the spoon down and worked it just under the surface. Spotted bass staged on an outer edge near wood, a drop off and a flat in early pre-spawn mode.
Presentation
Cal top lined and leadcore trolled the Trigger Spoon across a wide speed range, a good pond smelt imitation forgiving on exact speed. He then fan cast a Trigger Spoon Junior, counting it down and swimming it just under the surface, and slow swam a swimbait along the shoreline for bass.
Lures and baits
On the troll, a 24 karat gold and chartreuse Trigger Spoon and a silver and orange Trigger Spoon.
For casting, a red and silver Trigger Spoon Junior with a red treble, tipped with a dab of Winter Blend UV Gel.
A swimbait rounded out the bass work.
Water temperature
No gauge aboard; Cal assumed high 40s to low 50s.
Water clarity
Semi stained with decent clarity; Cal could see his spoon about 3 feet down.
Weather
A low pressure area moving out with no rain that day. Morning about 50 degrees, forecast to spike to 67 or 68, with little wind after 10 days of wind, rain and snow.
Advice for this week
Match the predominant forage. On a pond smelt lake a spoon that mimics smelt shines, and the Trigger Spoon trolls across a big speed range so exact speed matters less. When you switch a spoon to casting, add a treble for more hook points, and a dab of scent does not hurt.
Next week
Cal figured the bite would only get better with a little afternoon breeze and felt he could return to the same water later and catch more. He is heading into a very productive spring season, with pre-spawn bass staging up.
Notable catch
Six or seven fish to the kayak in under an hour, including rainbows and a spotted bass.
Rollins Lake near Colfax is fishing great in March 2026 for both trout and spotted bass. Cal Kellogg boated six or seven fish in under an hour trolling a Trigger Spoon on top line and hybrid leadcore about 5 feet down. He also cast a Junior Trigger Spoon with a dab of Winter Blend. This is a pond smelt lake, so match the forage.
What is biting at Rollins Lake right now?
Both rainbow trout and spotted bass. Cal Kellogg had a fast morning, boating six or seven fish in under an hour, including a big old rainbow and several spotted bass. Rollins is a strong crossover lake, so a pond smelt imitation appeals to trout and bass alike.
What lures are working at Rollins Lake?
Trolling a Trigger Spoon in 24-karat gold and chartreuse or silver and orange drew fast strikes. Cal also cast a Junior Trigger Spoon in red and silver with a dab of Winter Blend. Spotted bass hit a Keitech swimbait fished slowly along wood.
How deep and fast is Cal trolling at Rollins Lake?
He ran a hybrid leadcore rig down about 5 feet and a top-line spoon near the surface. Trigger Spoons troll across a wide speed range, which is handy since Cal had no sonar or temperature reading. He estimated water in the high 40s to low 50s.
How do you fish for both trout and bass at Rollins Lake?
Match the predominant forage. Rollins is a pond smelt lake, so a pond smelt imitation like a Trigger Spoon or a slow-swimming swimbait will draw trout, spotted bass, smallmouth, and more. Cal fan casts a Junior Trigger Spoon over concentrations of fish, counting it down to find the depth.
What are the conditions at Rollins Lake?
Semi-stained but improving, with visibility of at least 3 feet. A low-pressure system was moving out with temperatures rising from about 50 to the upper 60s and little wind. After days of wind, rain, and snow, Cal called conditions just about perfect for a productive spring day.
Watch the full report
Rollins Lake March 2026 FAQ
Rainbow trout and spotted bass, with a fast morning trolling and casting.
A Trigger Spoon on the troll and a Junior Trigger Spoon for casting.
About 5 feet down on hybrid leadcore, plus a top-line spoon near the surface.
Cal estimated high 40s to low 50s, with no meter reading available.
Pond smelt, so match a smelt imitation for both trout and bass.
A Keitech swimbait fished slowly along wood and drop-offs.
Semi-stained but improving, with at least 3 feet of visibility.
