Stampede Reservoir is best known for its epic kokanee fishing. It also offers the patient angler the opportunity to catch massive mackinaw and brown trout.
Rainbows and good-sized smallmouth bass round out the cast, along with the occasional brook trout.
Located in the eastern Sierras, Stampede Reservoir is the perfect destination for an extended vacation. Use the campgrounds here as a base camp as you explore the lake and the other great fishing spots nearby.
There’s plenty to do in these parts, including a day trip south to Lake Tahoe.
The area has several renowned hiking trails to keep the family entertained, plus an abundance of wildlife.
Sit back in the evening as you grill up the catch of the day and watch the eagles soar above the lake and the deer and elk wander along the shoreline. It’s pretty close to paradise.
It’s also bear country, so be up-to-date on bear safety and plan accordingly.
Kokanee Fishing
Stampede Reservoir is most well-known for its great kokanee salmon fishing.
Every year the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) plants tens of thousands of fingerling kokes in the reservoir. They grow up pretty fast, and by the third year, average between 13-16 inches.
The bite starts at ice off, which generally takes place in April or May, depending on the weather.
The road in can get beat up throughout the winter season because this is a popular ice-fishing destination. Once the ice starts to rot, the road can become impassible until the snow melts and it gets repaired. There have been times that a 4×4 is required to get into the area, so check ahead before making the trip.
If you’ve made it to the lake and conditions allow you to get the boat on the water, start out trolling in 15-25 feet of water. The kokes are usually in this range early in the season.
Once the lake starts to warm up in June and through the remainder of the summer, you’ll need to set your downriggers to 50-70 of water.
Tie on a Father Murphy’s Kokanee Bug in pink or rainbow color. A variety of other small lures also get the job done, and many anglers tip the hook with a kernel of white corn.
Troll at around 1.5-2 mph, and when you find a school, stop and jig them or make several passes trolling in the boat. They are an active fish in Stampede, so the bite should be steady.
The fall keeps the bite going until October; then, it slows down until next year.
Trolling hot spots like the mouth of Little Truckee River, Sagehen Creek, the area near the islands around Captain Roberts Boat Ramp, and by the dam are great places to start. Hoke Valley and Sardine Valley Creek inlet are worth a shot.
You won’t be surprised to learn that we’ve included Stampede Reservoir among our all-star cast of best kokanee fishing lakes in California.
To make the most of the Golden State’s excellent landlocked salmon fisheries, check out our free guide, Kokanee Fishing: Simple Tips and Techniques.
Mackinaw Fishing
Mackinaw trout have a very healthy population in Stampede. Also commonly known as lake trout, they can range in size from pups in the 3- to 5-pound range up to 20+ pound monsters.
After ice off, you’ll find a lake full of hungry fish waiting to attack your lure. Troll in 15-25 of water early on, and keep the speed around 1.7-2 mph.
Equip a blue or chartreuse Sting Fish, Koke-A-Nuts or Matrix Minnows and tail them behind Sling Blades.
The spring finds lake trout in the flats snacking on kokanee. There might also be some browns in the mix, so toss some Rapalas out there while trolling.
During this early season, it’s possible to pick a few macks up on the surface. They might be smaller ones, but it’s still fun to catch one.
The summer sends them down to the 70-90 foot range, following kokanee schools around.
The mackinaw generally hold a few feet below the kokanee school so they can get a quick meal when they’re hungry. Take advantage of that with a blue Sting Fish.
The fall up until the lake freezes is a great time to fish for macks and browns. The fish are adding weight for the winter and will go crazy for salmon eggs.
You can find them holding in fall around the inlets, feeding on kokanee and eggs washing into the lake.
Once the lake freezes, drill a hole and jig with salmon eggs and a bit of crawler. Stampede Reservoir rates among the best ice fishing lakes in California.
Stampede Reservoir also has earned its place among the best lake trout (mackinaw) fishing lakes in California.
Brown Trout Fishing
Browns were the main predator in Stampede Reservoir for years. They’ve been knocked off the top tier by mackinaw but still have good numbers in the lake.
The brown trout population is still fairly good, and you can catch some giants here, so it seems they’ve taken to being the second-largest predators in the lake pretty well.
The areas to target browns depend on the time of year. In the spring, troll in 10-15 feet with Rapalas, Kazi Minnows and Smithwicks. Focus your energy near Sage Hen Creek, the islands around Captain Roberts Boat Ramp, and the inlets.
Throughout the summer, browns follow the kokes around and will hang out where the CDFW plants the rainbows.
Focus your efforts around the area of a recent plant and toss rainbow-colored Tasmanian Devils or Kastmasters. Rainbow Rapalas will also do the trick.
The fall finds big browns hanging around the inlets. They follow the kokanee and feed on them as they head up the river to spawn. Salmon eggs do well around the shoreline this time of year.
Shore anglers have their best chance for browns in the fall. The northeast shoreline is particularly good this time of year. Lures and baits work equally well. Float some worm tipped with salmon eggs.
If you’re looking for more big browns, you’ll find them in the best brown trout fishing lakes and rivers in California.
Rainbow Trout Fishing
Rainbows are planted regularly in catchable sizes at Stampede Reservoir. Each year sees the CDFW introduce around 10,000 planters, and most are between 8-13 inches.
Rainbow trout are the primary target for shore anglers and can make a bad day of fishing for trollers turn around quickly by stopping and tossing some PowerBait or spinners.
Shore anglers generally report the best success for rainbows. Boaters are more focused on the kokanee, brown and mackinaw in the lake.
The lake has good shore access around most of its length, though the northeast shore is noted for being the best area for browns. Smaller rainbows tend to draw the browns in, so there should be good ‘bow fishing there as well.
Check out the best rainbow trout lakes in California, and then also see our easy guide to trout fishing techniques and tips.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Smallmouth bass of up to five pounds have been known to hold around Stampede Dam. Hit the area with Senkos or other soft plastics. They can be caught from shore and are a good target for those without a boat.
Spend a few hours around rocky points around the dam with the kids, and they’ll have a great time catching some decent-sized smallies.
The best part is the fight smallmouth bass put up. Three pounders are relatively common, so the kids will have a great time.
The bass bite is best in the spring through summer, when the higher water temperature put these aggressive fish on the feed.
Crankbaits, spinners and various soft baits imitating smaller fish or crayfish will usually get the job done, but check out our simple guide to catching bass for more lure and technique tips.
You might also like to see which lakes and rivers are among the best smallmouth bass fishing spots in California.
Planning Your Trip
Stampede Reservoir is located just off I-80 in Sierra County, about two hours northeast of Sacramento. Coming from Nevada, it’s only 45 minutes heading west from Reno.
Once you arrive from either direction, you’ll be glad you came. Stampede has everything you need for the perfect basecamp. There are plenty of campgrounds, hiking trails, three boat ramps, easy access to the water, and incredible scenery.
It’s also close to lots of other lakes, including top-tier fisheries like Donner Lake and Boca Reservoir, not to mention Lake Tahoe a little farther down the road.
There are towns within a few miles, so if you left something home, you could pick it up there.
The family can spend time hiking, mountain biking, swimming, water sports and watching wildlife. There’s so much to do here that you might consider planning an extended trip.
Boat and Shore Access
There are three boat ramps here, each with an accompanying campground.
The water level fluctuates frequently, with low water levels typical by late summer and fall, so make sure to check it before heading up there with anything bigger than an 18-foot boat.
When it’s full, the reservoir covers an impressive surface area of 3,400 acres with about 25 miles of shoreline, although remember that this reservoir is often NOT full, especially in the late season.
Shore access is everywhere, though some spots require a hike to reach. If you’re looking for solitude and don’t have a boat, that’s your best bet. Grab a pack, your gear, lunch, and head out for the day. Don’t forget the bug spray. And bear spray.
The shoreline is a gentle slope along most of the lake, so access is easy.
Where To Stay
Campgrounds are everywhere here. RV hookups are available, and some spots offer reservations. There are hotels of all types near enough that the drive isn’t too much of a hassle.
The lake is beautiful and camping really is the way to experience this place, if possible.
Towns are readily accessible and offer sit-down restaurants and fast food, along with markets and grocery stores.
If you’re looking for a change, Reno is 35 miles east and has anything you could imagine, including sneeze-guard-covered buffets, cheap prime rib late-night discounts, and a Cabela’s.
I’d recommend sticking with the Cabela’s. You’ll feel better in the morning.
Overall, this place is an amazing lake with beautiful scenery. It makes the perfect spot to set up and venture out to the surrounding area for fishing and other adventures.