(Oregon House) Big, bold rainbow trout can be found in abundance, now that the spring trout planting program is in full swing.
“We have been stocking every other week with 1,800 lbs. of fish, including some giant trophy sized ones,” said Kathy Hess at the Collins Lake Resort. “Our lake looks incredible; we are at 60% capacity already with more rain coming in the spring. Of course, our hope would be to fill up to maximum capacity, but even if that doesn’t happen we are already at the same level we were last year at this time.”
“Jason Whitten was fishing with his Papa and caught his first fish, a rainbow trout while trolling a flasher and a worm near the dam. Little Malia Jahnke from Jackson fished the shoreline and caught three amazing trout,” said Hess.
Two local buddies named Gary Skaggs and Tom Pickett of Yuba City trolled in the middle of the lake with Rapalas and took home 6 trout, according to Hess.
“Some bass have already been seen hanging around in shallow water on the east side of our lake, accessible by boat or walking across the dam,” noted Hess. “The lake’s surface temperature on this side has been running 52 degrees and add another five degrees if you are fishing on the east side which gets more afternoon sun.”
She added, “You don’t need a boat to catch fish at Collins Lake. Our shoreline fishing is ideal and parking is super convenient especially this time of year.”
Collins Lake has risen 47 feet since November. The lake level is now only 21 feet from full, coming up from a low of 68 feet from maximum pool.