Angler's will find the trout in the top twenty feet of water during the winter months and through the early spring. Trollers do best this time of year pulling minnow imitating lures (Speedy Shiners, Rapalas, Needlefish, Kastmasters). Bank fishermen often use Berkley Power Bait up near the bridge and off the boat dock.

Starting in late spring and right on through the summer, the fish move deep. A couple of techniques for these deep fish is to troll nightcrawlers behind flashers, or rainbow patterned Needlefish in thirty five to fifty feet of water in the north channel of the lake on the eastside by the dam. Bait fishermen do well with green sparkle PowerBait in thirty to forty feet depths off the end of the boat dock.

The fall months are an excellent time for Collins' rainbows. The fish are chasing threadfin shad in the upper eighteen feet of water. Trolling flashers with crawlers or blue/silver Kastmasters and other similiar lures near the dam area, produces good catches. Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, or PowerBait at the north end of the open camping area, and off the end of the boat dock are often top spots.

Like many other California foothill lakes, Collins' bass turn on in March and continue on through June. Although bass can be caught anytime during the year at Collins, spring-time is the best time to catch quality bass. Crankbaits in shad or firetiger colors, spinnerbaits in white or chartruese, and plastic baits in browns or purple will all produce fish in good numbers 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 and off the boat dock 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.

You'll find catfish, after the water warms up. Live crawdads or chicken livers in the coves, the dam area, and out in front of the campgrounds are the areas to try. Fishing at night is the best time since the cats do most of thier feeding during the evening hours.

The crappie fishing starts picking up in April, and the bluegill and redear fishing heats up soon after. These fish can be caught anytime during the day at Collins, but the crappie seem to hit better at night. Look for these fish in the shallows and up to fifteen feet of water on the eastside of the lake, near the dam, and off the boat dock. Mini-jigs, minnows, nightcrawlers, and mealworms are the preferred baits.