Stampede Reservoir Fishing Report | July 21, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
45 to 65 feet at Stampede for kokanee. At Oroville, kings are running 75 to 110 feet. Bullards Bar fish roughly 85 to 95 feet.
Presentation
At Stampede, slow-troll T-Pex lures behind a 4-inch trolling dodger and tip with scented white corn. At Oroville, run Uncle Larry's hoochies, 360 rollers on hoochies, and minnows around the main body, Green Bridge, Bidwell Point, Spillway, and the dam.
Lures and baits
Stampede: T-Pex behind a 4-inch dodger, tipped with scented white corn
Oroville: Uncle Larry's hoochies with 360 rollers, plus trout minnows
Keep everything tipped with scent
Weather
Temps have been great with light fishing pressure.
Advice for this week
At Stampede, fish are right off the launch ramp, so you do not have to run far. Do not sweat lure color, since the kokanee are eating everything. At Oroville, stay tipped with scent and work the deeper column.
What is changing
Kokanee stacked right off the launch ramp at Stampede, with color not mattering much. Bullards Bar fish have pushed deep, around 85 to 95 feet, from water-ski pressure.
Next week
Brett expects the Stampede and Oroville pattern to hold for another couple of weeks. Bullards Bar should start to kick on, though water-ski pressure is pushing those fish deep. Fish the good bite while it lasts.
Stampede Reservoir kokanee are on a super consistent bite in late July 2025, stacked from 45 to 65 feet right off the launch ramp. The T-Pex is the top producer, and color barely matters since pink, orange, and purple all work. Run it behind a 4 inch dodger tipped with white Shoepeg corn and your favorite scent.
What is the kokanee bite like at Stampede Reservoir?
Super consistent. Capt. Brett Brady reports lots of fish right off the launch ramp, and they are all biters. The T-Pex has been knocking the crud out of them. Color barely matters right now, with pink, orange, and purple all producing on the same trip.
What depth are kokanee holding at Stampede Reservoir?
Kokanee are stacked from 45 to 65 feet deep, and a lot of them are right off the launch ramp. Drop your T-Pex into that band and expect steady action. There are just a lot of fish down there, so once you are on them the bite stays consistent.
What lures and colors work at Stampede Reservoir?
The T-Pex is the top producer. Pink, orange, and purple all work, so color is not the deciding factor right now. Run the T-Pex behind a 4 inch dodger and tip it with white Shoepeg corn scented up with your favorite scent.
How do I rig for Stampede kokanee?
Roll the T-Pex behind a 4 inch dodger, then tip the hooks with white Shoepeg corn that you have scented up. That simple setup has been working really well at 45 to 65 feet. Keep your gear in the strike zone and the consistent bite does the rest.
What is happening at Lake Oroville for salmon?
Brett is also fishing Lake Oroville for kings. The salmon bite is a bit tricky but steady, with 8 to 12 fish per trip and 15 to 16 hookups. Fish are deeper now, from 75 to 110 feet, mostly on hoochies with 360 rollers. Try Uncle Larry’s Hoochies tipped with scent around the main body and Green Bridge area.
Watch the full report
Stampede Reservoir July 21, 2025 FAQ
Kokanee are holding from 45 to 65 feet, with a lot of fish right off the launch ramp.
The T-Pex is the top producer, run behind a 4 inch dodger with white Shoepeg corn.
Color barely matters right now. Pink, orange, and purple are all producing on the same trip.
Tip the T-Pex with white Shoepeg corn scented up with your favorite scent behind a 4 inch dodger.
Tricky but steady, with 8 to 12 kings per trip. Fish are deep, 75 to 110 feet, mostly on hoochies.
Yes. It is super consistent, with lots of fish that are all biters right off the launch ramp.
