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Fishing Buck Island Lake: what the data says
54-acre lake near El Dorado County. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Brook Trout fishing at Buck Island Lake
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 2 to 15 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 3 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 17 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Brown Trout fishing at Buck Island Lake
In spring, brown trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 20 ft. Summer fish stay in 6 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 20 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for summer brown trout. Best bite is after dark and early morning. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 3 to 20 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Buck Island Lake
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 9 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 20 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 17 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 9 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 8 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 8 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Buck Island Lake?
Buck Island Lake is about 20 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Buck Island Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout on Buck Island Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Buck Island Lake?
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Buck Island Lake?
For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Rubicon Reservoir · Lake Aloha · American Lake · Lake Tahoe · Cascade Lakes, Upper · Scotts Lake
See how Buck Island Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in California · best brown trout lakes in California · best brook trout lakes in California
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