Lake Pardee generally operates as a put-and-take rainbow trout fishery. Each year the Rec. Area stocks around 90,000 pounds grown commercially and purchased with Daily Access Permit funds. Department of Fish and Game stocks about 9,000 pounds from February through April. The lake also hosts a self-sustaining population of wild rainbows. A few native brown trout also inhabit the lake. Stocked fish weigh from 3/4 pounds to a known 12 3/4 pounds. Methods used at Pardee to catch trout are as follows:
a. Baitfishing from shore or an anchored boat.
b. Spincasting from shore or boat with spin lures.
c. Trolling lures or bait with or without attractor hardware using leadcore line, monofilament rigs, or downriggers.
d. Flyfishing or spincasting from float tubes in designated areas.

Kokanee: This small landlocked specie of salmon is normally taken trolling from March through July. Most are caught on small lures or a nightcrawler behind attractor blades. In recent years, the specie has been self-sustaining, but since 1994 has been supplemented by Project Kokanee stocking of fingerlings. They are a schooling fish varying in length from 4 to 15 inches depending on age and conditions. In 1994, 95, and 96, three-year old kokes can reach 15 inches and 1 1/2 pounds.

Pardee certainly hosts a good poulation of self-sustaining smallmouth and northern strain largemouth bass. One may verify this in spring by viewing near-shore nesting areas and subsequent hatches.

Look for largemouth in the coves. Chartruese spinnerbaits, ripping lures and deep diving crankbaits in craw colors often produce. In the middle of the day, try Green Weenies, Gitzits, and plastic worms. Look for fish in the shallows all over the lake during the spawn. Find smallmouth bass in the main body of the lake around steep rocky points in up to 40 ft. of water. Throw spinnerbaits across points. In deeper water try jigs, and split-shotting plastic baits.

The crappie population declined drastically during the 80's but some are there, especially where cover exists. Most caught now come by accident to those trolling for trout.

Schools of bluegill are scattered over the lake. The few who fish for them find good numbers at the south end and off river arm slides.

Pardee hosts large self-sustaining poplations of channel and blue catfish some weighing over 20 pounds. Most are caught during daylight hours in the many main lake and river arm coves. (Pardee does not permit night boating). However, shore anglers in the Rec. Area take huge cats at night using traditional baits. The lake's super-clean water accounts for excellent eating fish.