Fishing · Lake & gauges

Vallecito Lake Fishing Report

Lake level and inflows straight from the live gauges, plus a dated season outlook by species. For this week's actual bite, ask at the marina.

Read from the live USGS and USBR gauges, folded in with local reports · How we verify

Last updated October 1, 2026

Browns, trout, and pike on the fall feed. Go to bigger lures; the nights are cold and the color is at its best. As of Oct 1, the lake was 46% full, with about 1336 cfs flowing in and about 30 cfs going out at the dam. Check the forecast page for the week's weather and wind before you head up. Moon: waning gibbous. Lean on the low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Reminder: the Grimes Creek inlet is closed to fishing Sep 1–Nov 14. Built each week from live readings and the fishing calendar. For the day-of bite, ask at the Vallecito Marina or a local guide.

  • Kokanee SalmonSlowBetween seasons. The summer troll is over, and snagging opens Nov 15.
  • Northern PikeGoodWeedy north end, big baits: spoons, spinnerbaits, swimbaits. CPW asks anglers to keep what they'll eat.
  • Rainbow TroutGoodThe dependable all-rounder. Troll, cast spinners, or fish bait from shore.
  • Brown TroutHotPrime time. Browns turn aggressive ahead of the fall spawn; streamers and bigger lures near structure.
  • WalleyeGoodA low-light fish on structure. Work 10 to 40 feet from a boat at dawn, dusk, or under clouds.
  • Smallmouth BassFairOutside the June to August peak. Look on rocky structure and around the docks.
  • Yellow PerchFairEasy panfish off the docks on a worm and bobber.

— GoVallecito (auto)

The bite changes fast — for right-now numbers see live conditions; for this year's outlook ask at the marina or book a local guide. Full guide: Fishing Vallecito Lake

Recent weeks

The last four weekly lake snapshots, most recent first, each dated to the Sunday it was read.

Week of September 27, 2026

  • As of Sunday, September 27, the lake sat at 37% of full pool (7,629 ft) — up 6.0 ft on the week.
  • Vallecito Creek and the Pine River were running about 811 cfs into the lake.
  • The dam was releasing about 44 cfs to the Pine River valley.
  • Outlook: Sun high ~64°, low ~47°.
  • What's biting: browns, trout, and pike — the best all-around fishing of the year
  • Reminder: the Grimes Creek inlet is closed to fishing Sep 1–Nov 14.

Week of September 20, 2026

  • As of Sunday, September 20, the lake sat at 26% of full pool (7,623 ft) — up 5.0 ft on the week.
  • Vallecito Creek and the Pine River were running about 512 cfs into the lake.
  • The dam was releasing about 30 cfs to the Pine River valley.
  • Outlook: Sun high ~68°, low ~48°.
  • What's biting: browns, trout, and pike — the best all-around fishing of the year
  • Reminder: the Grimes Creek inlet is closed to fishing Sep 1–Nov 14.

Week of September 13, 2026

  • As of Sunday, September 13, the lake sat at 23% of full pool (7,618 ft) — down 1.0 ft on the week.
  • Vallecito Creek and the Pine River were running about 46 cfs into the lake.
  • The dam was releasing about 135 cfs to the Pine River valley.
  • Outlook: Sun high ~74°, low ~50°.
  • What's biting: browns, trout, and pike — the best all-around fishing of the year
  • Reminder: the Grimes Creek inlet is closed to fishing Sep 1–Nov 14.

Week of September 6, 2026

  • As of Sunday, September 6, the lake sat at 25% of full pool (7,619 ft) — down 14.0 ft on the week.
  • Vallecito Creek and the Pine River were running about 52 cfs into the lake.
  • The dam was releasing about 177 cfs to the Pine River valley.
  • Outlook: Sun high ~76°, low ~53°.
  • What's biting: browns, trout, and pike — the best all-around fishing of the year
  • Reminder: the Grimes Creek inlet is closed to fishing Sep 1–Nov 14.

How this report works

Every Sunday we read the lake's live gauges — reservoir level and elevation from the Bureau of Reclamation, creek inflows and dam outflow from the USGS — and pair them with the season's bite pattern and any word from local anglers and guides. When a hand-written report from the marina or a guide is fresh (within two weeks), that runs instead; otherwise you're seeing the auto snapshot, always clearly dated. Numbers here are a dated snapshot — for the current reading, live conditions is the source of truth. See also the full fishing guide, licenses & permits, and 85 years of lake levels.