Frenchman's Lake
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Tuesday, Sep 29 2026
Frenchman Lake can be a productive trout and bass lake, with trout generally being the primary target. The better trout fishing is usually during the cooler parts of the day, especially early morning and toward evening. As the sun gets higher, look for trout around deeper water, drop-offs, shaded shoreline, and areas where the bottom changes.For shore fishing, PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs are good choices. PowerBait fished off the bottom is a simple setup, but don't be afraid to change the leader length if you're not getting bites. An inflated nightcrawler can also be effective because it keeps the bait slightly above the bottom and gives it some movement.Small spoons and spinners are good for covering shoreline water. Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyants, Rooster Tails, and Panther Martins are good choices. Start with silver or gold and change to brighter colors if the water is stained or the fish are not responding. Retrieve slowly enough to keep the lure in the strike zone, especially during colder conditions.One thing to look for at Frenchman is the transition between shallow and deep water. Points, creek channels, rocky areas, drop-offs, and the edges of weed growth can all hold trout. Instead of making repeated casts to the same spot, work along the shoreline and fish several different depths until you find where the trout are traveling.If you're fishing from a boat or kayak, trolling is a good way to locate fish. Small spoons, trolling flies, and other trout lures can be worked at different depths. Start shallow in the morning and gradually work deeper if the action slows. Once you get a bite, pay attention to the depth and speed because trout are often grouped by depth.Fly anglers can try Woolly Buggers, leech patterns, Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, midge patterns, and other small nymphs. Streamers can be particularly useful around deeper water and structure when trout are actively feeding.Frenchman also has bass and other warm-water fish. For bass, try small swimbaits, plastic worms, craws, tubes, and small jigs around rocky structure, weed edges, submerged cover, and points. A slower presentation is a good starting point, especially when the fish are holding tight to cover.For a basic shore-fishing trip, I would bring PowerBait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, a few small spoons, and several small spinners. Start with a spinner or spoon early to locate active trout. If the lure bite is slow, move to deeper shoreline water and soak bait. The biggest adjustment to make throughout the day is depth rather than simply changing lures.
Tuesday, Sep 29 2026
Access Info
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) last stocked the lake with rainbow trout in September 2024. While this stocking supports the trout population, fishing success can vary based on seasonal factors and current conditionsClick here to unsubcribe from your fishing reports.
Frenchman's Lake
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Frenchman Lake can be a productive trout and bass lake, with trout generally being the primary target. The better trout fishing is usually during the cooler parts of the day, especially early morning and toward evening. As the sun gets higher, look for trout around deeper water, drop-offs, shaded shoreline, and areas where the bottom changes.For shore fishing, PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and salmon eggs are good choices. PowerBait fished off the bottom is a simple setup, but don't be afraid to change the leader length if you're not getting bites. An inflated nightcrawler can also be effective because it keeps the bait slightly above the bottom and gives it some movement.Small spoons and spinners are good for covering shoreline water. Kastmasters, Thomas Buoyants, Rooster Tails, and Panther Martins are good choices. Start with silver or gold and change to brighter colors if the water is stained or the fish are not responding. Retrieve slowly enough to keep the lure in the strike zone, especially during colder conditions.One thing to look for at Frenchman is the transition between shallow and deep water. Points, creek channels, rocky areas, drop-offs, and the edges of weed growth can all hold trout. Instead of making repeated casts to the same spot, work along the shoreline and fish several different depths until you find where the trout are traveling.If you're fishing from a boat or kayak, trolling is a good way to locate fish. Small spoons, trolling flies, and other trout lures can be worked at different depths. Start shallow in the morning and gradually work deeper if the action slows. Once you get a bite, pay attention to the depth and speed because trout are often grouped by depth.Fly anglers can try Woolly Buggers, leech patterns, Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, midge patterns, and other small nymphs. Streamers can be particularly useful around deeper water and structure when trout are actively feeding.Frenchman also has bass and other warm-water fish. For bass, try small swimbaits, plastic worms, craws, tubes, and small jigs around rocky structure, weed edges, submerged cover, and points. A slower presentation is a good starting point, especially when the fish are holding tight to cover.For a basic shore-fishing trip, I would bring PowerBait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, a few small spoons, and several small spinners. Start with a spinner or spoon early to locate active trout. If the lure bite is slow, move to deeper shoreline water and soak bait. The biggest adjustment to make throughout the day is depth rather than simply changing lures.
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