Donner Lake Fish Report - Donner Lake - Fishing at Donner Lake has slowed as water levels continue to drop

Fishing at Donner Lake has slowed as water levels continue to drop

Donner Lake - Truckee, CA (Nevada County)

by Mountain Hardware & Sports
10-30-2026
(530) 587–4844
Website

Fishing at Donner Lake has slowed as water levels continue to drop and fish move into deeper water. Shore anglers are still finding some success using salmon eggs, worms, Kastmasters, and Rapalas, although fish are becoming harder to reach. Boat anglers targeting Mackinaw should focus on depths of 110–140 feet, while kokanee are schooling around 60–80 feet. With kokanee beginning to spawn, Mackinaw are following these schools in search of an easy meal. Anglers planning to launch a boat should be aware that the Donner Lake boat ramp is closed for renovations for the remainder of the season.

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Mountain Hardware Reports

for Friday, October 23rd

Donner Lake: Fishing at Donner Lake has slowed as fish move deeper and water levels continue to drop
Boca Reservoir: Fishing remains productive during the early morning and late evening hours
Stampede Reservoir: Water levels at Stampede Reservoir continue to decline as fall progresses
Prosser Reservoir: Cutthroat and rainbow trout are being caught near the north end and along underwater shelves
Jackson Meadows Reservoir: Jackson Meadows Reservoir is providing excellent rainbow trout fishing
Pyramid Lake: As temperatures continue to cool, fish should gradually move into shallower water
Truckee River: The flows are average for this time of year and the water clarity is clear
Little Truckee River: Flows on the Little Truckee River have increased between Stampede and Boca and are currently running around 80 CFS

Mountain Hardware Reports

for Friday, October 16th

Donner Lake: Fish are moving deeper from shore
Boca Reservoir: Water levels are dropping with them releasing more water
Stampede Reservoir: Water levels at Stampede Reservoir continue to decrease heading into fall
Prosser Reservoir: Prosser Reservoir is around half capacity and continues to provide consistent fishing
Jackson Meadows Reservoir: Providing excellent rainbow trout fishing from shore
Pyramid Lake: Most of the fish are currently deep, around 70 to 80 feet in depth in the thermocline
Truckee River: Depending on where anglers are fishing, multiple tactics can provide some bites right now
Little Truckee River: With the lower flows, most of the fish are hanging around the inlet to Boca Reservoir