Rainbow trout are the main draw on Folsom Lake right now with spring pushing surface temps to 54 degrees, the reservoir level climbing, and choppy water making it fun to troll the main body and arms near the dam east of Sacramento. The foothills give the whole place that laid back vibe with rolling hills and oak trees, and the bite can go from nothing to hot in minutes if you hit the right spot.

Tom Mailey saw it firsthand when he finally got a day on the water with his big brother and the pattern played out just like so many spring days here.

“Don’t get to fish with my big brother nearly enough! Decent day on Folsom but weird- 1 takedown for the first 3 hours then bam, bam bam we hit these 3 all in the same area in front of the dam within 20 minutes. Then nothing for another hour and a half even though we stayed in and near that spot. 2 came on a green splatter sling blade with a white hoochie and Trophy trout scent at 13’ OTW. The other came on a cop car Speedy toplined back 135’ with about a half ounce of weight. White Trout trix on top got 1 strike but other than that it was throw whatcha got at em. Surface temp was 54 and the lake level is still coming up. Pretty choppy today too”

— Tom Mailey

It just proves why we keep pointing people toward Tom Mailey and his Get The Net Fishing Guide Service for Folsom Lake rainbow trout trips, because he knows how to work through the slow parts and capitalize when it fires. If you're itching to get after these fish, give him a shout and see about getting on the water while the bite's still going strong this spring.