During the colder months, trout are found in the top 25 feet of water. Trollers find decent success pulling bright-colored minnow imitating lures (Needlefish, SpeedyShiners, Rapala's and Rebel's) or nightcrawlers behind flashers, out about 3 colors of leadcore line. As the water warms, the fish move to their deeper haunts. Slow trolling nightcrawlers behind dodgers will sometimes entice fish into striking. Trolling from the Dam to the Sheriff's Tower, and from the Boat Launch to Rocky Point are the more productive areas. Bank anglers can have success fishing these areas with Power Bait, salmon eggs, or nightcrawlers.

As with many other California lakes, the fishing comes on in early March and continues on through June. Although bass can be caught anytime during the year at Bass Lake, spring-time is the best time to catch bass. Crankbaits in shad or firetiger colors, spinnerbaits in white or chartruese, and plastic baits in browns or purple will all produce fish this time of year.

In the summer the bass get a little tougher to catch but top-water baits like the Pop R's and Zara-Spooks will find fish in the early morning and late evening hours. Fishing crawdads, crickets, and nightcrawlers in the dam area, around Lakeside, and the shoreline west of the Sheriff Tower will also entice bass into feeding.

Fall months put the bass back into a springtime type pattern, except the fishing is at its best after dark. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-water lures are most productive.

Early in the year look for running water, this is where the catfish will usually be hanging out. As the water temperature warms up, cats can be found in the backs of most any coves of the lake with evenings being the best time to fish. Anchovies, mackerel, chicken liver, or nightcrawlers are some of the more popular baits.

The crappie fishing starts picking up late February, and the bluegill and sunfish pick up soon after. Small minnows or jigs fished around any of the submerged brushy areas or fishing in the coves where there's underwater structure can produce some fish.