Folsom Lake is 7 ft lower than a month ago: ramps and where the fish went

A month of water level

The chart shows the last month of daily readings, with the dashed line marking the normal level for this time of year.

7 ft in a month moves the water's edge a long way on flat banks.

For reference, the range we have on record runs from 370.3 to 464.4 ft.

Folsom Lake spreads over about 11,400 acres and roughly 75 miles of shoreline at full pool. The deepest water sits around 280 ft. Spotted bass, largemouth bass and trout are what most anglers on Folsom Lake are after. On a lake with that much shoreline, a few feet of water changes the shape of every cove and point.

How falling water moves the fish

Falling water pulls fish off the shallow banks toward the first drop-off, the old creek channels and the ends of long points, places where a short move keeps them close to deep water.

Do the math before you anchor: a spot that was 20 ft deep a month ago is about 13 ft now. Humps, stumps and rock piles that were safe to run over are that much closer to the propeller.

What's biting

Spotted bass and largemouth bass on Folsom Lake are worth a try. In the 50s bass still feed, but in shorter bursts, often on sunny afternoons when the shallows warm a little. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.

Expect trout to be a strong bet. Trout are comfortable in the 50s and cruise shallow, so shore anglers get their best shot. Near the surface and along shorelines.

A spot to start

The marked spot on Folsom Lake is a point drop-off that covers 6 to 16 ft. The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed. It suits trout and kokanee; try spinner or spoon, troll slowly. The best window there is 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm. Down at that depth the water is about 56°F, against 57°F on top.

DamDeepest water N 1 mile

50100150200Depth, ft Free spot todayPlace to stay

See this spot in 3-D

The seasonal picture

Where does November leave a lake like Folsom Lake? Late fall at this latitude is a season of short, strong feeding windows. Fish fatten up for winter, and they key on schools of baitfish that keep moving as the water cools. On Folsom Lake at 56°F, trout and kokanee fit that pattern best.

Tactics for this week

• Set your depth for 56°F water: The surface is 56°F (a few days ago). Work the middle of the range early, then follow the fish shallower as the sun warms the water.
• Tie on the right bait: At this spot, try spinner or spoon, troll slowly. Trout: near the surface and along shorelines.
• Work the edge, not the middle: Cover water with a moving bait first, then slow down with a jig or plastic where you get a bite. Position the boat in deep water and cast up onto the shallow side, so your bait falls down the slope the way fish face.
• Use the wind, carefully: Friday brings wind from the south-southeast with gusts near 22 mph: bait stacks up on the north-southeast side, and fish follow. Small boats should stay in sheltered water when gusts top 20 mph.

Know the water

With about 11,400 acres and roughly 75 miles of shoreline at full pool, Folsom Lake is a lot of water to cover. The deepest water sits around 280 ft. Spotted bass, largemouth bass and trout are what most anglers on Folsom Lake are after. Knowing which fish are comfortable at today's temperature narrows a big lake down to a few good spots.

The week ahead

For the calmest weather, Saturday is the pick of the next few days: partly sunny, wind around 7 mph and a high near 62°F. The wind builds to its strongest on Friday, out of the south-southeast at 22 mph.

The bite ratings peak on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday: 3 of the next 6 days rate good or better. On Friday the strongest window runs 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm, and on Saturday 3:15 pm to 5:30 pm. A good bite rating does not calm the water: on Friday, fish the sheltered side and skip long open crossings.