Skip to content

Donner Lake

Donner Lake is a lake in California, near Nevada County.

Live lake forecast

Donner Lake Fishing Weather

National Weather Service
Loading current weather…

Fish species in Donner Lake

Donner Lake is a lake in Nevada County, California and covers about 830.8 acres, reaches about 55.1 feet at its deepest point and holds roughly 10,300 acre-feet.

There is enough room for fish to move at Donner Lake, so compare a protected side with a windblown bank before settling on one depth. Deep water at Donner Lake gives fish room to move away from shore as summer heat and bright light build.

Donner Lake FAQs

What is a simple way to start fishing for brook trout at Donner Lake?

Work a small spinner, spoon, fly, or natural bait around cool water and broken rock; separate open-water fish from bank fish.

What does the 55.1 feet deepest point mean when fishing Donner Lake?

Treat 55.1 feet as the deepest point, not the automatic fishing depth; start near cover and move deeper only when bites or bait give a reason.

What is the best reason to change spots at Donner Lake?

Move after checking the same useful feature at several depths without finding bait, a clean edge, or a bite; keep the first pass close to structure, then fish the same shape nearby.

Check the evidence

Sources and what they establish

Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.

  • Brook Trout — supporting source

    California Department of Fish and Wildlife High Mountain Lakes Survey

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Brown Trout — supporting source

    California OEHHA Fish Advisory

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Cutthroat Trout — supporting source

    California Department of Fish and Wildlife High Mountain Lakes Survey

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Sockeye Salmon — supporting source

    California OEHHA Fish Advisory

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Lahontan Redside — supporting source

    PISCES California Fish Data and CDFW Native Fish Ranges

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Mountain Whitefish — supporting source

    PISCES California Fish Data and CDFW Native Fish Ranges

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Steelhead — supporting source

    California OEHHA Fish Advisory

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Speckled Dace — supporting source

    PISCES California Fish Data and CDFW Native Fish Ranges

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Tahoe Sucker — supporting source

    PISCES California Fish Data and CDFW Native Fish Ranges

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Tui Chub — supporting source

    PISCES California Fish Data and CDFW Native Fish Ranges

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

✉Join the Fishing Tips Daily newsletter waiting list

Our newsletter is not sending yet. Leave your email if you would like to hear from us when it launches.

By joining, you agree to receive our newsletter when it launches. To request removal before then, contact us. Read our privacy policy.