Smallmouth Bass fishing at Cheesman Reservoir

Spring smallmouth bass on Cheesman Reservoir hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 45 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 48 ft of water that rates good for smallmouth bass in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Cheesman Reservoir

In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Cheesman Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Kokanee fishing at Cheesman Reservoir

Spring kokanee on Cheesman Reservoir hold shallow, usually 10 to 30 ft. By summer they slide out to 30 to 70 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 80 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 86 ft of water that rates good for kokanee in winter. Best bite is early morning. A dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn covers the summer program.

Brook Trout fishing at Cheesman Reservoir

Spring brook trout on Cheesman Reservoir hold shallow, usually 2 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 20 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated good for spring brook trout. 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.

Brown Trout fishing at Cheesman Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 3 to 25 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 25 to 60 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 48 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. Plan around after dark and early morning in the warm months. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.

How deep is Cheesman Reservoir?

Cheesman Reservoir is about 190 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 Cheesman Reservoir?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout, yellow perch, brown trout, brook trout, kokanee on Cheesman Reservoir.

Where is the best fishing spot on Cheesman Reservoir?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Cheesman Reservoir?

For smallmouth bass, 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.