Fish are moving deeper from shore

Donner Lake - Truckee, CA (Nevada County)

by Mountain Hardware & Sports
10-16-2026
(530) 587–4844
Website

Fishing at Donner Lake has slowed down a bit with the fish moving deeper from shore. Salmon eggs and worms have been the best choice of bait for getting the trout to bite. Boat anglers can find fish suspended at varying depths, with Mackinaw holding deeper around 110–140 feet and schools of kokanee around 60–80 feet. Kokanee have started to spawn, so look for the macks following them. The Donner Lake boat ramp is closed for renovations for the remainder of the season.

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More Reports

Mountain Hardware Reports

for Wednesday, September 30th

Donner Lake: Fishing at Donner Lake is improving
Boca Reservoir: Boca Reservoir continues to fish well
Stampede Reservoir: Water levels at Stampede Reservoir continue to decrease heading into fall
Prosser Reservoir: Prosser Reservoir is around 55 percent full and continues to provide consistent fishing
Jackson Meadows Reservoir: Providing excellent rainbow trout fishing from shore
Lake Tahoe: As Lake Tahoe transitions into fall, fish will begin moving closer to shore
Pyramid Lake: The fishing season at Pyramid Lake opens this weekend
Truckee River: Truckee River flows have dropped a good bit throughout the River
Little Truckee River: Flows on the Little Truckee River are low between Stampede and Boca

Mountain Hardware Reports

for Friday, September 25th

Donner Lake: Fishing at Donner Lake is improving as boating activity winds down and the water cools
Boca Reservoir: Boca Reservoir continues to fish well
Stampede Reservoir: Water levels at Stampede Reservoir continue to decrease heading into fall
Prosser Reservoir: Prosser Reservoir is around 65 percent full and continues to offer consistent fishing
Jackson Meadows Reservoir: Currently accessible Thursday through Sunday and is providing excellent rainbow trout fishing from shore
Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe Fishing Report
Pyramid Lake: The fishing season at Pyramid Lake opens October 1
Truckee River: Truckee River flows have dropped a good bit through Tahoe city and the Town of Truckee
Little Truckee River: Flows on the Little Truckee River are low between Stampede and Boca and are currently running around 47 CFS