10/11/26 - 10/17/26 | Central Sierra Fishing Report

Central Sierra Fishing Report | October 20th 2026

Shaver Lake • Huntington Lake • Wishon Reservoir • Courtright Reservoir • Pine Flat Lake • Kings River

As fall fishing conditions settle into the Central Sierra, anglers are seeing a shift in trout and kokanee activity across the region. Shore fishing continues to produce at Shaver Lake, while Wishon and Courtright offer promising opportunities for anglers looking to get on the water.

Shaver Lake

Fishing at Shaver Lake has slowed, following a typical seasonal pattern for this time of year. As third year kokanee prepare to spawn and second year kokanee begin showing up in smaller numbers, trout are moving closer to the shorelines, creating better opportunities for bank anglers.

Guide Joon Nguyen of Reel Time Guide Services has seen this pattern firsthand. During his most recent trip to Shaver Lake, his group landed a couple of still edible third year kokanee and a pair of second year kokanee, but no trout. Nguyen questioned where the approximately 5,000 trout planted just a few weeks earlier had gone.

Despite slower trolling conditions, some anglers are still finding success. Pine Ridge School teacher Lindsay Flannigan caught her limit of trout near the surface on Sunday.

As the season progresses, trout are expected to move toward Stevenson Bay to feed on kokanee eggs. Anglers should also keep in mind that fall marks the beginning of brown trout spawning activity.

Shore Fishing Report

Jarrett Watson, tackle manager of Shaver Lake Sports, reports that shoreline anglers continue to find consistent success.

"Shore fishing at Shaver Lake has continued to produce limits of trout, with Strawberry Limeade PowerBait or Natural Corn Powerbait being customer favorites at the store. Trout have been caught around the mouth of Dorabelle Cove, so i recommend continuing to fish outside of the cove, as the water is much too shallow.

For anglers planning a trip to Shaver, fishing from the bank may currently offer better opportunities than trolling open water."

Huntington Lake

Huntington Lake received a plant of approximately 5,000 trout a few weeks ago, and fishing pressure has remained relatively light since the stocking.

Anglers trolling should find promising opportunities between the boat launch and the dams, targeting depths of 15–25 feet.

Tackle and presentations similar to those used at Shaver and Wishon should be effective. Troutbusters tipped with a piece of nightcrawler are a recommended option for anglers looking to target planted trout.

With fish available and relatively little fishing pressure, Huntington could be a worthwhile destination for anglers heading into the mountains.

Wishon Reservoir

Wishon Reservoir continues to produce excellent trout fishing, with several anglers reporting impressive catches.

Part-time Shaver Lake resident Jay Irvine recently took Bert, Brodie, and Jace Wilgenberg to Wishon, where the group experienced an outstanding bite. They caught approximately 50 trout, releasing the majority of their catch.

In another boat, Lucas Wilgenberg, along with Henry and Jax Wilgenberg, landed three limits of trout using worms and flashers.

Productive Tackle and Techniques

The most successful colors were pink, chartreuse, and gold, with several trolling presentations producing consistent action:

• Downriggers: Dick's Jimbo Troutbusters paired with a gold and pink Paulina Peak dodger were effective at depths of 17–25 feet.

• Side Rods: Pink Mountain Hoochies and pink spinners produced fish when fished with 1-1/2 ounce weights approximately 115–125 feet behind the boat.

• Fish Depth: Trout were reported feeding primarily within the upper 20 feet of the water column.

• Water Temperature: Approximately 54°F.

Water levels at Wishon remain unusually high as water is being released from Courtright Reservoir to accommodate dam repairs. A dock was reported to still be in the water, although anglers should check current launch conditions before making the trip.

With active trout and multiple productive trolling techniques, Wishon remains one of the strongest fishing options in the region.

Courtright Reservoir

Courtright Reservoir is producing excellent fishing opportunities, but unusually low water levels are creating challenges for boaters.

Robert Porteous, an avid angler who has spent considerable time fishing both Courtright and Wishon this year, reported an outstanding bite at Courtright. However, ongoing dam repairs have resulted in significantly reduced water levels, leaving the boat ramp barely extending into the water.

Porteous humorously described the difficult ramp conditions as requiring anglers to be "a mountain goat" to navigate the steep incline.

He also reported encountering a submerged dock at Wishon on Saturday, where water levels were near full capacity.

Access Conditions

Anglers planning to fish Courtright should carefully consider the low water levels and potential difficulties with launching and retrieving boats.

Despite these challenges, the fish are still biting, making Courtright a possible destination for shore anglers looking to avoid the difficult boat-launch conditions.

Pine Flat Lake & Kings River

Pine Flat Lake

Pine Flat Lake remains extremely low, with reported storage levels around 15–17% of capacity. Some areas have taken on a narrow, stream-like appearance, and only a limited number of boat ramps remain usable.

No recent fishing reports were available for Pine Flat this week.

Kings River

The Kings River below Pine Flat Dam continues to provide opportunities for trout anglers, with reports of a few fish being caught per angler at various locations.

Although the California Department of Fish and Wildlife did not schedule a trout plant for the river this week, regular stocking has taken place over the past several months.

Anglers fishing the river may still find success in areas that have benefited from previous plants.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Stocking Update

Shaver Lake and Bass Lake have appeared on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's trout stocking schedule.

The size and number of trout have not been confirmed, but both lakes are listed for scheduled trout plants.

Anglers are encouraged to check the latest CDFW stocking schedule for updates before heading out.

Special Recognition

Congratulations to Garrett Phillips of Kerman, who won a fully loaded fishing boat at the Kokanee Power banquet this past weekend!

Enjoy the new boat, Garrett. We look forward to seeing you out on the lake!

Best Bets for This Week

As long as favorable weather continues and mountain roads remain open, Wishon Reservoir, Courtright Reservoir, and Huntington Lake are the top destinations to consider.

Wishon is showing particularly strong trout activity, while Courtright offers excellent fishing for those willing to navigate the challenging water levels. Huntington remains a promising option following its recent trout plant.

For anglers staying closer to Shaver Lake, shore fishing continues to be a reliable choice as trout move into shallower water for the fall season.