Fishing at Donner Lake is improving as boating activity slows and cooler fall conditions settle in. Rainbow trout are being caught around the west end using PowerBait, worms, and spinners such as Kastmasters, while slip sinker rigs continue to produce the best results for shore anglers. Boat anglers can find fish suspended at varying depths, with Mackinaw holding deeper around 100–130 feet and schools of kokanee around 60–80 feet. Anglers planning to bring a boat should note that the Donner Lake boat ramp is closed for renovations for the remainder of the season.