Plug Tuning For Salmon
How to tune and wrap plugs for river kings.
Fishing Reports
Reports From The Water
Find recent bite updates by water, species, and guide. Then jump into the gear and videos connected to those reports.
Latest From The Water
Recent Reports
Quick updates from guides and anglers, organized so shoppers can find the bite faster.
Browse By Water
Lake & River Reports
Start with where you fish, then narrow into the newest bite information.
Lake ReportsLake Berryessa
Kokanee, trout, dodgers, spoons, and guide updates.
Lake ReportsShasta LakeReservoir trout, landlocked kings, depth, and baitfish lanes.
Lake ReportsLake OrovilleOpen-water trolling updates for trout and salmon.
River ReportsSacramento RiverPlug tuning, wraps, scent, and river salmon conditions.
Browse By Species
Reports By Bite
Jump straight to the reports that match what you are chasing.
Species ReportsTrout
Spoons, minnows, flies, plastics, scent, and reservoir trolling.
Species ReportsKokaneeDodgers, hoochies, spinners, corn, depth, speed, and scent.
Species ReportsSalmonRiver and ocean reports with flashers, plugs, bait, and scent.
Species ReportsStriped BassDelta trolling, baitfish color, current, and water movement.
Browse By Guide
Guide Reports
Follow updates from the guides behind the gear and on-water programs.
Guide ReportsBig Nate
Lake Berryessa kokanee, trout, scent, and trolling updates.
Guide ReportsJeff GoodwinNorthern California salmon, trout, and kokanee reports.
Guide ReportsAustin MoserNorthwest salmon updates, flashers, plugs, and bait programs.
Guide ReportsDavid JohnsonOregon salmon reports and changing river conditions.
Gear From Reports
Shop What Shows Up
Find the tackle families most often connected to current reports.
Report GearSpoons
Search baits for trout, landlocked salmon, and open water.
Report GearDodgersFlash and kick for kokanee, trout, and light trolling spreads.
Report GearFlashersRotating flash for salmon and larger trolling presentations.
Report GearHard BaitsPlugs and bait profiles for trout and salmon programs.
Report GearScentsGuide-used scent options for trolling setups.
Watch In Page
Report Videos & Tutorials
Helpful videos stay on the page so shoppers can learn without leaving Catch America.
Salmon Gear Breakdown
Flash, bait, and hardware for big salmon water.
Kokanee Trolling Setup
Dodgers, scent, speed, and presentation notes.
Fishing Report FAQ
How To Use Reports
Use reports to understand conditions, then match the presentation to your water.
How often are reports updated?
Reports are added as new guide updates, field notes, and fishing conditions come in.
Why do some reports not show photos?
If a report does not have a useful image, the page shows the report without a blank or broken image area.
Where should I go after reading a report?
Use the gear links and species pages to find the tackle family mentioned in the report, then choose the setup that fits your water.
San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Roger George Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and targets striped bass on San Luis Reservoir. What is working right now San Luis Reservoir striper fishing is slow and in transition in late August 2025, rated about a two or three out of ten. Fish are holding around 70 feet. Troll stick baits like Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Rapala in shad colors, and work coves with rip baits in the afternoon. Wind, monsoon weather, and pumping water are moving fish daily. How is San Luis Reservoir fishing right now?Slow. Roger George rates it about a two or three out of ten. He caught a few fish in the morning near the dam, but 20 mph wind, shifting wind direction, overcast, and recent monsoon conditions with lightning have kept it tough. The fish are hard to pattern and require covering ground. What depth are San Luis stripers holding?The fish are holding at about 70 feet. Water is being pumped in and out day to day, which changes lake depth and affects where the stripers sit, so plan to search rather than expecting them in the same spot two days running. What lures work at San Luis Reservoir now?Troll stick baits from Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Rapala in shad colors, which are the colors to focus on. Anglers are also catching some from shore on bait, and throwing rip baits in the coves in the afternoon can produce if you are in the right place. These are not Catch America products. How full is San Luis Reservoir?The reservoir is at about 38 percent. They are putting water in on and off, pumping day to day, morning and afternoon, which is affecting both the fish and how deep the lake is. That fluctuation is a big reason the stripers have been hard to pattern this year. What is the outlook for San Luis Reservoir?Roger hopes for stabilization soon so things start working more normally, and heading into fall the fishing could become awesome. For now, expect a new lake almost every day and be ready to search and cover water. Exact water temperatures were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Roger George): We caught a few fish this morning. It's been slow fishing, had a lot of wind this morning, 20 miles an hour. The fish are holding at about 70 feet. We're trolling everything from Lucky Craft, to Smithwick, to Rapalas, all of those types of things in shad colors. We're at about 38% right now. San Luis Reservoir August 25, 2025 FAQ How deep are San Luis Reservoir stripers now?About 70 feet. What lures work at San Luis in late August?Trolled stick baits from Lucky Craft, Smithwick, and Rapala in shad colors. How full is San Luis Reservoir?About 38 percent, with water pumped in and out day to day. How would you rate San Luis fishing right now?About a two or three out of ten, because it has been slow and variable. What is affecting the San Luis bite?Wind, monsoon weather with lightning, and pumping water moving the fish. What colors work best at San Luis?Shad colors on stick baits. Shop the Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear Shop Striped Bass Gear
Learn moreSan Joaquin River Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Cal Kellogg Cal Kellogg is a veteran Northern California guide and Catch America pro-staff captain, fishing the California Delta out of the Sierra foothills. Shop Cal Kellogg's tackle. What is working right now Stripers are moving into the California Delta in late August 2025, with good action in the west Delta and fish caught in the San Joaquin River. Surface temps are around 71 degrees. Cal Kellogg ran and gunned for marks, throwing a compact swimbait on an underspin head. Largemouth bass came on rattletrap-style baits. A fun fall striper season is shaping up. What is biting in the San Joaquin River right now?Stripers are moving into the Delta, with a good bite in the west Delta and fish caught in the San Joaquin River. Cal Kellogg ran and gunned for marks on his first exploratory trip and boated stripers, plus a bunch of largemouth bass mixed in.What baits are working for Delta stripers?Cal's top bait was a compact swimbait fished on a Blade Runner Tackle underspin head, a competitor product with a ton of vibration. For largemouth, a Rattle Trap style lure from Berkley produced well. Both were cast and retrieved on a run-and-gun search pattern.Where are the stripers holding in the San Joaquin?Many marks were fairly deep on the sand flats, with some sitting in holes. Cal thinks the fish went deeper because of the warm surface temperature and heavy sun that day. He plans to work those deeper marks with bait next time out.What are the conditions on the Delta?Surface temp was 71 degrees in the San Joaquin River, with hot air near 100 degrees and a lot of sun the day of the trip. That heat pushed fish deeper, but the west Delta striper bite has been very good for anglers throwing swimbaits.What is the outlook for Delta stripers?Cal expects a really exciting fall on the striper front for anglers who get out to the Delta. His next trips will add live-bait drifting and anchor-and-bait fishing to reach the deeper marks he found on the sand flats and in the holes.Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Cal Kellogg): Surface temp out there was 71 degrees in the San Joaquin River. I was throwing a little swimbait on a little underspin head put out by Blade Runner Tackle. Compact bait, ton of vibration, and it was working really well. The stripers are moving into the Delta. The bite in the west Delta has been very good for guys throwing swimbaits.San Joaquin River August 25, 2025 FAQWhat is biting in the San Joaquin River right now?Stripers are moving into the Delta, with largemouth bass mixed in and a good west Delta bite.What is the water temperature in the San Joaquin River?Surface temp was around 71 degrees, with hot air near 100 degrees.What baits work for Delta stripers?A compact swimbait on a Blade Runner underspin head was the top bait. Rattletrap-style baits took largemouth bass.Where are the stripers holding?Deeper on the sand flats and in holes, likely pushed down by the warm surface temperature and heavy sun.What tactics will Cal try next?Live-bait drifting and anchor-and-bait fishing to reach the deeper marks on the sand flats.Who guides the Delta for Catch America?Capt. Cal Kellogg. Shop the Tackle Shop Cal Kellogg's Tackle Shop All Tackle
Learn moreDon Pedro Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing and guides trout, king salmon, and kokanee trips on Don Pedro Lake. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro is on fire in late August 2025. The water is perfect with a green tint, around 80 degrees on top and clear to about 10 feet. Capt. Monte Smith is trolling spoons fast for limits of rainbows and kings, plus next year's kokanee. Top spoons are the Speed Spoon, Optimizer Junior, and the Popped-Eyed Spoon, all with a touch of gel scent. Fish early, the bite is first thing in the morning. What is biting at Don Pedro right now?Rainbows, kings, and next year's kokanee. Capt. Monte Smith has had a tremendous three to four weeks, boating nice mixes of kings and rainbows and finishing with limits by late morning. The lake is loaded with bait, so the fish are chewing on a first-thing-in-the-morning bite. What are the water conditions at Don Pedro?The water is perfect with a green tint and clear to about 10 feet on a shark weight. Surface temperature is around 80 degrees, which just pushes the cold water deeper. Weekdays are wide open with only a couple of other boats after the holiday weekend. What lures are working at Don Pedro in August?Fast-trolled spoons. Monte is running the Speed Spoon, the Optimizer Junior, and the often-forgotten Popped-Eyed Spoon. He adds just a little gel scent to the back of each spoon so it bleeds slowly in the warm water. Do not overdo the gel or it weighs the spoon down. How do you fish the Popped-Eyed Spoon?It comes flat. Put a bend in it on the water and it will run at slow, medium, or fast speeds depending on how you bend it. Play with the bend and watch your speed. Monte says these will put fish in the boat, and do not overlook big baits in hot water. What is the best time to fish Don Pedro now?First thing in the morning. The bite has been the first few hours, and Monte gets off the water with limits before it gets too hot. Weekdays are ideal with almost no boat traffic, sometimes only two other boats in the area. Monte's outlook for Don PedroMonte calls this an exceptional time of year with the lake full of bait and an easy morning bite. Expect fast spoon action for rainbows and kings. Exact fishing depths were not specified in this report beyond fishing the cooler water below the warm surface. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): The water at Don Pedro is perfect. We can still see a shark weight about 10 feet. It's got that green tint to it, and we're running spoons, and we're running them fast. I'm putting my sauce on there, on the back of the spoon, just a little bit. It's a gel, and it slowly bleeds out a little scent. Don Pedro Lake August 25, 2025 FAQ What is the water temperature at Don Pedro in August?About 80 degrees on the surface, which pushes the cold water deeper. Clarity is around 10 feet with a green tint. What spoons work at Don Pedro?Speed Spoons, Optimizer Juniors, and the Popped-Eyed Spoon, all trolled fast with a little gel scent on the back. How much scent should I add?Just a little gel on the back of the spoon. Too much weighs the spoon down. A small amount bleeds scent slowly in the warm water. When is the bite best at Don Pedro?First thing in the morning, the first few hours. Monte finishes with limits before the day gets too hot. Are weekends or weekdays better?Weekdays. After the holiday weekend there is almost no boat traffic, sometimes only two other boats in the area. What species are in the mix?Rainbow trout, king salmon, and next year's kokanee. Who is the guide?Capt. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing, reachable at 209-581-4734. Shop the Tackle Speed Spoon Junior Optimizer Spoon Popped-Eyed Spoon Shop Monte Smith's Tackle Shop Trolling Spoons
Learn moreLake Almanor Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Bryan Roccucci Bryan Roccucci runs Big Daddy's Guide Service on Lake Almanor and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Bryan Roccucci's tackle. What is working right now Lake Almanor is on fire in late August 2025 with a multi-species bite. Bryan Roccucci had browns to 7 pounds, rainbows over 4, king salmon, and Sacramento perch in a day. Slow-troll a Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town at 32 to 41 feet on the pond smelt bite, or run red and copper Optimizer Juniors at 38 to 40 feet along the east shore. What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?A strong multi-species bite. Bryan Roccucci landed browns to 7 pounds, rainbows over 4 pounds, king salmon over 4 pounds, and Sacramento perch in one day, a four-species day plus the Almanor hat-trick. The late-summer bite keeps getting better. What depth are the Lake Almanor fish holding?On the slow gear, the fish are 32 to 41 feet down where they are feeding on pond smelt. On the hardware, look 38 to 40 feet along the eastern shoreline. Put the baits right where you mark fish. What lures and colors are working at Lake Almanor?Slow-troll a Trix Minnows, the Pixie Trixie ones, scented with Brown Town. For hardware, red and copper Optimizer Juniors are getting smashed. Bright reds and coppers are best, though some anglers score on blue and silver cop-car colors. How is Bryan Roccucci rigging and presenting?Two ways. Slow-troll scented Trix Minnows at 32 to 41 feet for the minnow-eating fish, or put on hardware and go faster with red and copper Optimizer Juniors at 38 to 40 feet. Match the program to the day. Trolling speed was not specified in this report. What are the conditions at Lake Almanor?Flat water with good visibility and water temps still in the low 70s despite a heat wave. The lake has only dropped about a foot in 10 days as the fall drawdown begins, and it is in fantastic shape. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Bryan Roccucci): We had browns to 7 lbs today, rainbows to over 4 lbs, King salmon over 4 lbs, Sacramento perch. It was a four species day plus the Almanor hat-trick. We worked the Trout Trix minnows all day. The Pixie Trixies were the ones getting bit. We're scenting up those minnows with the Brown Town bait scent, running those down anywhere from 32 to 41 ft. The red and copper Optimizer Junior was just getting smashed, 38 to 40 ft down. Lake Almanor August 25, 2025 FAQ What species are biting at Lake Almanor in August 2025?Brown trout to 7 pounds, rainbows over 4, king salmon over 4, and Sacramento perch, all in one day. What depth are Lake Almanor fish holding?32 to 41 feet on slow-trolled minnows, and 38 to 40 feet on hardware. What is the best slow-troll setup at Lake Almanor?A Trix Minnow, the Pixie Trixie style, scented with Brown Town, run where fish are feeding on pond smelt. What hardware color is working at Lake Almanor?Red and copper Optimizer Juniors, with bright reds and coppers best overall. What is the water temperature at Lake Almanor?Still in the low 70s with good visibility, despite a heat wave. Is the lake dropping at Lake Almanor?Only about a foot in the last 10 days as the fall drawdown starts. The lake is in fantastic shape. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows 3 inch - 5 Pack Brown Town Scent by Bryan Roccucci Junior Optimizer 2.25 inch Shop Bryan Roccucci's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreRiffe Lake Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Pete Fisher Pete Fisher fishes Washington waters with the Gig Harbor Fishin Club. What is working right now Riffe Lake gave up five coho and one rainbow on a kayak trip in late August 2025. The water is low but great for kayak launching. Fish held deep, 100 to 150 feet, with the best hookups at 95 feet on the downrigger. Fish the dam area near Mossyrock Park over 200 to 300 feet of water. Pink Gulp Maggots and tuna Fire Gel added scent. What is biting at Riffe Lake right now?Coho salmon and rainbow trout. Pete Fisher caught five coho and one rainbow on a kayak trip on August 25, 2025. He normally targets coho here but the lake also holds big rainbows. The first rainbow came at 50 feet, then the action turned on once he dropped deeper to the fish.What depth are the fish holding at Riffe Lake?Fish were holding deep, 100 to 150 feet, over water 200 to 300 feet deep. Pete caught one rainbow at 50 feet, then dropped to 95 feet on the downrigger and hooked five more fish within an hour. That 95 foot depth was the key once he matched the marks on his sonar.What lures are working at Riffe Lake?Pete ran a Brad’s Moon Jelly Herringbone Dodger with a Mack’s Kokanee Pro spinner, then added pink Gulp Maggots and tuna Pautzke’s Fire Gel. Those brands are not products we carry, so match the moon jelly dodger and pink spinner presentation from your own kokanee and trout box.Where should I fish on Riffe Lake?Fish the dam area, just outside Mossyrock Park, over water 200 to 300 feet deep. Pete’s fish came in and around the dam and on the eastern shore. The water level is low but the Mossyrock Park boat launch is perfect for launching a kayak on this big 13 mile long lake.What are the conditions at Riffe Lake?The lake is low but great for kayak launching. It is a big body of water, 13 miles long and about a mile wide at the widest, an impoundment of the Cowlitz River. Fish were deep at 100 to 150 feet. Longer-term outlook and water temperature were not specified in this report.Watch the full report From the report (Pete Fisher): I was seeing a lot of fish at 100 to 150, and so I dropped down to 95 feet on the downrigger and started hooking up. Once I did that drop to 95 feet, it probably took me less than an hour to get the remaining five fish. All of our fish came over water that was 2 to 300 foot deep, in and around the dam. Today, we caught five Coho and one rainbow trout.Riffe Lake August 25, 2025 FAQHow deep are the fish at Riffe Lake now?Fish were holding 100 to 150 feet, with the best hookups at 95 feet on the downrigger.What species are biting at Riffe Lake?Coho salmon and rainbow trout. Pete caught five coho and one rainbow on his kayak trip.Where should I fish on Riffe Lake?The dam area outside Mossyrock Park and the eastern shore, over water 200 to 300 feet deep.Is Riffe Lake good for kayak fishing?Yes. The water is low but the Mossyrock Park boat launch is perfect for launching a kayak.What scent works at Riffe Lake?Pete used pink Gulp Maggots and tuna Fire Gel. Those are not brands we carry, so match locally.How big is Riffe Lake?It is 13 miles long and about a mile wide at its widest, an impoundment of the Cowlitz River. Shop the Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch Nate Kelsch, known as Big Nate, runs Big Nate's Guide Service on Lake Berryessa and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch's tackle. What is working right now Kokanee are the main event at Lake Berryessa in late August 2025, running up to 19 inches, with king salmon over 25 inches and some nice trout mixed in. Nate Kelsch runs Catch America 6-inch offset dodgers with T-Pex lures and his Chrome Killer Corn between 50 and 100 feet deep. It is the number-one kokanee setup up and down the state. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?Kokanee are the main target and running enormous, with fish over 19 inches. King salmon over 25 inches and some nice trout are coming in the mix. Nate Kelsch says fishing remains good, though anglers are fighting a bit more to get their fish now. What depth are the fish holding at Lake Berryessa?Fish have been between 50 and 100 feet deep. Kokanee, kings, and trout are spread through that band, so cover the column and fish where you mark them. What lures and colors are working at Lake Berryessa?Run a Catch America 6-inch offset dodgers ahead of a T-Pex lure, tipped with Chrome Killer Corn. Nate Kelsch calls this the number-one kokanee setup of the season. Specific colors were not specified in this report. How is Nate Kelsch rigging and presenting?Slow-troll a 6-inch offset dodger ahead of a T-Pex with Chrome Killer Corn on the hooks, working the 50 to 100 foot range. It is the same program he has run all kokanee season. Trolling speed was not specified in this report. What is the outlook for Lake Berryessa?Fishing remains great. Nate Kelsch plans to shift his focus toward king salmon and trout over the next two to three weeks as the kokanee season winds down. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch): Kokanee are enormous. We're getting fish up to over 19 inches. We got King salmon this week over 25 inches, we got some nice trout in the mix, all while fishing for Kokanee. Still using the same setups: our Catch America 6-inch offset dodgers with T-Pexes, by far the number-one setup this whole entire Kokanee season. The fish have been between 50 and 100 feet deep. Lake Berryessa August 25, 2025 FAQ How big are the kokanee at Lake Berryessa in August 2025?Kokanee are running up to over 19 inches, some of the biggest in the state, per Nate Kelsch. What depth are Berryessa kokanee holding?Between 50 and 100 feet deep. What is the best kokanee setup at Lake Berryessa?A Catch America 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex and Chrome Killer Corn. Are king salmon biting at Lake Berryessa?Yes, kings over 25 inches are coming in while fishing for kokanee, with some nice trout too. How is the trout bite at nearby Lake Camanche?Trout are still biting on PowerBait fished next to the river channel with long 7 to 10 foot leaders, and it looks to last through the summer. What is biting at Amador and Pardee?Warm-water species. Catfish on chicken liver, anchovies, mackerel, or squid, and bluegill or crappie on red worms under a bobber in 5 to 6 feet of water. Shop the Tackle Trolling Dodger 6 inch T-Pex 1 inch - Kokanee & Trout Lure Chrome Killer Corn Cure by Big Nate Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreKlamath River Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Jerry Lampkin Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service and chases salmon and steelhead across Northern California and Oregon rivers. What is working right now The Klamath River is clear and cool in late August 2025 with lots of fresh fish moving in. Steelhead are coming on roe, B and R soft beads, and Mepps spinners right off the dock, and it is catch and release only here. On the nearby Rogue, jacks are hitting Shortbus half and half flashers with rolled anchovies, while the big salmon still hold west of the sandbar. How is the Klamath River fishing right now?The river is really clear and cool with lots of new fish moving in. Jerry Lampkin is catching most of his steelhead on roe and B and R soft beads, plus a lot on Mepps spinners right off the dock in camp. The Klamath is catch and release only. What are Klamath steelhead biting on?Roe and B and R soft beads are doing most of the work, with a lot of fish also coming on Mepps spinners fished right off the dock. Fresh, clear, cool water has fish spread through the system and willing to bite. What is happening on the Rogue River?Most big salmon are still holding west of the sandbar, so inside waters are producing mostly jacks. Jerry landed three nice jacks for the smoker on Shortbus half and half flashers with rolled anchovies. One buddy caught a 31-pounder on the north jetty. What colors are working for Rogue salmon?Most anglers are trolling pink hoochies, but Jerry's buddy's big fish came on a green hoochie. Bigger fish, including reported 38 and 40 pounders, are coming to boats willing to run outside the sandbar. What is the outlook on the Klamath?Jerry is watching how water released from the Trinity affects clarity. He hopes the river stays clear and cool. Those bigger salmon should be moving in any time, so contact a guide and get out there. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jerry Lampkin): We are catching most of our fish on roe and B and R Soft Beads, and a lot of them on Mepps spinners right off the dock here in camp. Right now the river is really, really clear and cool, and lots of new fish in the river. Since our home river here is all catch and release, we decided to head up to the Rogue and landed three nice jacks for the smoker on Short Bus Half and Half flashers and rolled anchovies. Klamath River August 25, 2025 FAQ Is the Klamath River catch and release?Yes. Jerry notes the Klamath is all catch and release right now, so he ran the Rogue to keep fish. What are Klamath steelhead hitting?Roe, B and R soft beads, and Mepps spinners right off the dock. Where are the big Rogue salmon?Still on the west side of the sandbar, so inside waters are producing mostly jacks. What hoochie color is best for Rogue salmon?Most guys troll pink hoochies, but Jerry's buddy's big fish came on a green hoochie. How big were the Rogue salmon reported?A 31-pounder came off the north jetty, and 38 and 40 pound fish were reported from boats fishing outside the sandbar. What is the Klamath water clarity?Really clear and cool at the time of the report, with fresh fish moving in. Shop the Tackle Shop Salmon & Steelhead Gear
Learn moreDon Pedro Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing and guides Don Pedro Reservoir for Catch America. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro is in great shape in mid-August 2025 with excellent 10 foot clarity and surface temps near 80 degrees. Capt. Monte Smith is trolling spoons 55 to 93 feet deep and boating 7 to 8 king salmon a day plus numerous rainbows. He runs his homemade spoons without dodgers, and recommends Optimizer Juniors as a spoon that works slow or fast. How is the fishing at Don Pedro right now?Very good. Capt. Monte Smith had a great early day in mid-August 2025, catching a lot of fish. He boated seven or eight king salmon and numerous rainbows, keeping only three or four and releasing eight or nine kings. He expects the strong bite to hold as summer crowds thin out. What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro in August?Deep. Monte is fishing 55 to 93 feet and catching kings, rainbows, a few bass, and an occasional kokanee. Surface temperatures are around 80 degrees, so he is not fishing up top. Water clarity is an excellent 10 feet of visibility for late August. What lures work at Don Pedro right now?Monte runs his own homemade spoons, which are not for sale, without dodgers because of the clear water. For anglers, he recommends Optimizer Juniors, which troll well slow or fast. He also mentions Speedy Shiners for fast trolling and Excel spoons as options, though those are not Catch America products. What are the conditions at Don Pedro?Excellent. Clarity is about 10 feet and the surface is near 80 degrees. Monte says the lake is in great shape, and with school back in and vacations over there is hardly anyone out. He expects the good fishing to continue right through the fall. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): We are fishing 55 to 93 feet deep, and we're catching kings, rainbows, and a few bass, and an occasional kokanee on my homemade spoons. You can run the Optimizer Juniors. That's a great spoon to use whether you're going slow or really fast. We're not running dodgers on our equipment. We had seven or eight kings today, numerous amounts of rainbows. Don Pedro Reservoir August 18, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Don Pedro in mid-August 2025?King salmon, with seven or eight a day, plus numerous rainbow trout and a few bass, per Capt. Monte Smith. What depth are Don Pedro fish holding?From 55 to 93 feet deep in the warm August water. What is the water clarity at Don Pedro?Excellent, about 10 feet of visibility, which Monte calls great for late August. What is the surface temperature at Don Pedro?Around 80 degrees, so Monte fishes deep rather than on the surface. What spoon does Monte recommend at Don Pedro?The Optimizer Junior, which trolls well whether you go slow or fast. Does Monte run dodgers at Don Pedro?No. He runs his lures without dodgers because the water clarity is so good. Shop the Tackle Junior Optimizer 2.25 inch Spoon Shop Smith's Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) Nate Kelsch runs Big Nate's Guide Service on Lake Berryessa and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)'s tackle. What is working right now Lake Berryessa is red hot in mid-August 2025, with limits of big kokanee the daily rule plus king salmon and trout. Everything is coming between 50 and 100 feet on T-Pexes run on offset dodgers. Tip them with Chrome Killer corn. Capt. Big Nate Kelsch calls the T-Pex the best lure on the lake right now. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?Kokanee, and it is red hot. Capt. Big Nate Kelsch is getting limits of big kokanee pretty much every single day, plus king salmon and trout. He is catching just about everything, with donkey-sized, fat kokanee the highlight of a fantastic mid-August bite on Berryessa. What depth are Berryessa kokanee holding in August?Everything is coming between 50 and 100 feet. Cover that band and watch your graph, since kokanee, kings, and trout are all in that zone. Once you are in the right depth, the T-Pex behind an offset dodger does the work. What lures are working at Lake Berryessa?T-Pexes on offset dodgers, plain and simple. Big Nate says the T-Pex has been the best lure and remains the best lure, and if you are not running them you are missing out. Tip them with Chrome Killer corn for the scent and cure that has been producing his daily limits. How is Lake Camanche fishing?Trout have slowed but are still available. Anglers are renting boats and reaching them at deep-water points near the river channel with long 10-foot leaders and PowerBait. From shore, warm-water species are readily available: bass on Senkos, Ned rigs, drop-shots, and small swimbaits, crappie on small jigs, and catfish on chicken liver and squid. No live minnows are allowed at Camanche. What is the guide's outlook for Berryessa?Big Nate says Berryessa remains hot with limits every day, and expects the strong kokanee bite to keep rolling. He is also running spoon kits for optimizers, trigger spoons, and trigger spoon juniors, and highlights Chrome Killer scent and the new Chrome Killer UV gel. Water temperature was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)): Fishing remains red hot out at Berryessa. Kokanee fishing, limits are the rule. Everything that we're catching right now is between 50 and 100 feet. You already know what we're using: T-Pexes. It's been the best lure, it remains the best lure. We're using the Chrome Killer corn that I've been telling you about. Lake Berryessa August 18, 2025 FAQ What depth are Berryessa kokanee in August?Between 50 and 100 feet, along with kings and trout. What is the best kokanee lure at Berryessa now?The T-Pex run on an offset dodger, tipped with Chrome Killer corn. Are anglers getting kokanee limits at Berryessa?Yes, limits of big kokanee are the daily rule. How is Lake Camanche trout fishing?Slowed but available, best from rented boats at deep-water points with 10-foot leaders and PowerBait. Can you use live minnows at Lake Camanche?No, live minnows are not allowed at Lake Camanche. What scents does Big Nate recommend?Chrome Killer corn, Chrome Killer scent, and the new Chrome Killer UV gel. Shop the Tackle T-Pex Kokanee & Trout Lure Chrome Killer Corn Cure Chrome Killer Scent Chrome Killer UV Gel Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn more
