Best Times to Fish Folsom Lake: Spring & Summer Fishing Guide

* Largemouth bass: Pre-spawn and spawning season. Largemouth bass can be caught in the shallows near vegetation and structure.

* Striped bass: Stripers start moving into the lake from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Look for them in the main lake near shad schools.

* Trout: Trout fishing is excellent during spring, particularly for rainbow and brown trout. Trout can be found in the lake's tributaries and river arms, as well as the main lake.

Summer (June to August)

* Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass move to deeper water during summer, but they can still be caught in the early morning and evening hours in shallow areas.

* Striped bass: Striped bass move to deeper water, often near submerged islands or drop-offs. Trolling with deep-diving lures or bait fishing with live or cut bait is effective for striped bass in summer.

* Catfish: Catfish are active during summer and can be caught in various locations, including the lake's main body, tributaries, and river arms.

Fall (September to November)

* Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass start moving back into shallow water in preparation for winter. They can be found near cover and structure, such as weed beds, fallen trees, and docks.

* Striped bass: Striped bass continue to feed heavily before winter, and they can be caught in various locations throughout the lake.

* Trout: Trout fishing is good during fall, especially in the lake's tributaries and river arms.

Winter (December to February)

* Largemouth bass: Largemouth bass are less active during winter, but they can still be caught on slow-moving baits, such as jigs and worms.

* Striped bass: Striped bass move into the lake's deeper water during winter, but they can still be caught by trolling or bait fishing in these areas.

* Trout: Trout fishing can be good during winter in the lake's tributaries and river arms.