Tips for fishing Folsom Lake?

Hey all,

New guy here. Just picked up a Redfish 10 and a Tamarack 120 and want to do some fishing. Since it's my first trip out I'm going to go somewhere close, Folsom Lake. Do you all have any tips on successful fishing on the lake? (i.e. location, bait, lures) I plan on being on the water at 0630-0700. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome to the madness!

Folsom lake can be hard but this is a good time of year to hit it.
First tip would be to launch and fish somewhere without a boat ramp since there's lots of boats out this time of year my fav place is beals point, no boat ramp, good structure along dyke 3 and submerged trees offshore.
Granite bay park has good fishing spots, just follow the road til it dead ends at Beeks bight, the cove right there us productive for bass and cats.
Also It can get crowded but browns ravine can be a great place to fish.

At this point the bass should be on a good post spawn bite, and will hit a variety of lures. I've had the best luck on yo zuri 3d minnows, bomber crankbaits in various size and color, and soft plastics. I don't use many soft plastics at Folsom but see lots of people utilizing a wacky rigged senko in smoke color sometimes with a chart tip.

Are you going this evening? If you post up where you'll launch I'll meet ya out there, it's been like three days since I've caught a fish, that's too long.

Joe

Oh yea, brokeback rip baits produce well also, in shad or pond smelt color.

Thanks for the tips! Really helpful! I am going out early tomorrow morning. A buddy of mine has to rent so we are going to Granite Bay launch area and hopefully from there we can find a good spot away from all the boating traffic. Is there anywhere close to the Granite Bay launch area?

Ya the whole area and cove to the left of where I think the rentals launch is fishy until boats start zippin through around noon, and about a mile and a half paddle to the left is Beeks bight. I don't know what the rules are but if they let you transport the kayak to somewhere else within the park, there's a parking lot in the back of Beeks that will save you guys the paddle and very few boats go back there.

Next time you go to Folsom let me know, I'd meet up with you and go
too. 

So we went out at around 0700. Launched at Granite Bay and headed south instead and hit up some random areas with submerged trees and a couple coves. No luck! At around 1130 the boats started coming out and it warmed up and we called it.

I will definitely let you all know the next time. I plan on going back pretty soon and actually going to Beek's Bight this time, around the time the park opens at 0600. I did see that parking lot by the trails up there, I will be sure to ask the park attendant the next time I go and will let you all know if you can park and launch there.