Fishing At Folsom Lake

Alright, mateys, gather 'round and listen up! Old Man Mike's gonna spin ya a yarn about Folsom Lake, a gem nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Sacramento. Now, Folsom ain't just a pretty face – she's a fishin' paradise! This ain't your average puddle, mind you. Folsom's got it all: Salmon (Kings, Kokanee, Coho – the whole royal family!), Rainbow and Brown Trout that'll give ya a fight, Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted – the trifecta!), Bluegill, Sunfish, Catfish… heck, even Crappie if you know where to look. And for the real die-hards, there's even some non-game fellas like the Sacramento Pikeminnow and Sucker – good for a bit of sport if nothin' else is bitin'. Now, I've pulled some beauties outta this lake. Spoons are my go-to for trout, bass, and kings. This lake's bottom is a real adventure, with rock piles, Christmas tree hideouts, and sneaky submerged islands. Gotta watch where you're castin', or you might snag more than just a fish! For bass, stickbaits and other hard bait lures are the ticket. Trout love spoons, Rapalas (F5 and F8 – remember those numbers!), flies, streamers, and Apex lures. Trollin' is the name of the game: top 15 feet for trout in the cooler months, down to 25 feet when it warms up. Kings? They like it deep – 35 feet in the cold, 75 feet and deeper when the sun's beatin' down. Spoons and rolled shad are their weakness. Soft bait lures are also a sure bet to catch bass on Folsom Lake. Shore anglers, don't despair! Crawlers, chartreuse PowerBait with a sprinkle of glitter (gotta add some flash!), and live minnows are your best friends. Now, listen close, 'cause here's a secret: when the lake turns over in the fall and spring, that's prime time! The water mixes, bringin' nutrients up from the bottom, the baitfish follow, and the trout are right behind 'em, chompin' at the bit. It's a feeding frenzy, I tell ya! Browns Ravine is a great spot for a family outing. Pack a picnic, bring the kids, and find a quiet spot to cast a line. And if you time it right with the fish plantin' schedule, you'll have those little ones hooked in no time! Now, about those King Salmon… There's a rumor they don't plant 'em in Folsom. Balderdash! They DO plant 'em, as fingerlings. They just don't shout it from the rooftops. But trust me, they're there, growin' big and strong. I've seen 'em, we even pulled a nine-pounder out ourselves! And this year, I hear tales of 13-pounders! Now that's a fish tale worth tellin'! Catfish? Coves and rocks are where they hang out. Chicken livers, sardines, clams, dough bait, mini crawlers – they'll gobble it all up. Find some submerged bushes, cast a chicken liver with no weight, and hold on tight! Old Salmon Falls is my favorite spot – less crowded, plenty of brush, and a great place for the kids to swim in the summer. Panfish? Worms, crickets, minnows, jigs, flies, small soft plastics, and spinners – that's the ticket. Kokanee are a bit trickier. Light dodger, shrimp fly in bright colors, snubber (don't wanna lose 'em!), and maybe a powerbait corn niblet. And remember – don't set the hook! Just keep reeling 'til they're in the boat! Folsom's got a marina, boat ramps, camping (tent and RV – check Reserve California!), and even RV rentals if you wanna try before you buy. Boatin' is big here, but mornings are best for fishin' before the crowds arrive. And if you're lookin' for a fishing guide, check out FishingBooker. They'll hook you up with a local expert. So there you have it, folks. Folsom Lake is a fishin' paradise. Come on down, cast a line, and see for yourself. Old Man Mike guarantees you a good time! Just remember to respect the lake, follow the rules, and most importantly… have fun!

Game Fish Species at Folsom Lake

Landlocked Salmon - Kings - Kokanee - Coho Rainbow & Brown Trout Largemouth, Smallmouth,& Spotted Bass Bluegill Redear Sunfish Green Sunfish White Catfish Channel Catfish White & Black Crappie Brown Bullhead Common Carp

Folsom Lake Non Game Fish Species

Sacramento Pikeminnow Sacramento Sucker California Roach Prickly Sculpin Riffle Sculpin Threespine Stickleback Threadfin Shad Wakasagi Smelt Mosquito Fish Goldfish Golden Shiner Bigscale Logperch

Folsom Lake Information

Web Cam - Live view of Folsom Lake at the Folsom Lake Marina California State Parks - Folsom Lake Launch Ramps - Folsom Lake Boat Ramps Marina - Folsom Lake Marina Website .Camping at Folsom Lake There are 191 sites for tent and RV at various locations around Folsom lake. For more information, and to make reservations, visit the Reserve California website. Directions to the Peninsula campground 80 east Reno - From Hwy 80 take the Elm St. exit out of the city of Auburn, at the 1st light make a left, at your very next light you will make another left that is High St. High St turns into Hwy 49 you will travel on Hwy 49 for 10 miles towards the city of Cool. You will enter a small town called Pilot Hill from that small town you will turn right on Rattlesnake Bar Rd. that road will dead end into the campground in 9 miles. Hwy 50 South Lake Tahoe - From Hwy 50 you will take the El Dorado Hills Blvd. exit go north on El Dorado hills for about 10 miles (at some point the road changes names to Salmon Falls Rd.) you will enter the small town of Pilot Hill you will make a left on Rattlesnake Bar Rd. which dead ends onto the campground in 9 miles. Directions to the Beal’s Point campground 80 east Reno - From Hwy 80 you will take the Douglas Blvd. exit out of the city of Roseville. Go east on Douglas for about 6 miles make a right on Auburn-Folsom Rd. go about 2 ½ miles until you come to a stop light the sign will say Beals Point and you make a left. Hwy 50 South Lake Tahoe - Take the Folsom Blvd. exit go north on Folsom for about 7 miles (the road will change names to Folsom- Auburn) you will come to a stop light, the sign will say Baals Point and you make a right.

Rent an RV For Camping On Your Folsom Lake Fishing Trip

Folsom Lake has some nice family camping areas. If you don’t want to tent camp, and you don’t own an RV, you can rent an RV from RVshare. They have really great prices, and it also gives you a chance to try a certain model of RV before you go out and buy your own. Rent one first, so you know it’s what you are looking for. Great opportunity to have a great fishing trip on Folsom Lake, while camping in the great outdoors for a few days.

Boating at Folsom Lake

All boating allowed, with a full service marina and five boat ramps. During times of drought and low water levels, there is sometimes a slow 5mph speed limit imposed on the lake for safety due to the large number of rocks and islands that start to pop out of the water during times of low water level. Folsom Lake is a very popular lake for boats for fishing, as well as for water sports. If you are fishing, the best time of day for fishing boats is very early morning, up until about noon, as the lake starts to get fairly packed with a lot of boats cruising around the lake. If you are just out enjoying the water, the lake starts to get a lot of other boaters to join in on the fun around noon. Folsom Lake is a great lake for both types of boating.

Fishing Guides

There are many different fishing guides that offer guided fishing trips on Folsom Lake. FishingBooker is a service of local guides that you can choose from and schedule your next guided fishing trip so you can catch some quality fish and learn about this excellent fishery. Shop for fishing tackle in our Fishing Gear and Tackle store that would be perfect for your trip.

Cottages and Vacation Home Rentals

Looking for place to stay near Folsom Lake, or any destination you wish to go? Expedia has vacation homes, hotels, motels, cabins, and cottages for many locations that would be great for your next family vacation, all at really great prices. Start your adventures today.

Shop for fishing tackle in our Fishing Gear and Tackle store.

About The Author Mendenhall Outdoors, founded by Mike Mendenhall, shares outdoor experiences and insights. Product reviews are unbiased, though we may receive free samples. Affiliate links may generate commissions at no cost to you. Enjoy your Folsom Lake fishing!