These three decent-sized lakes offer outstanding trouting just out of the Portala-Quincy area. Frenchman and Davis are to the east on the way to Reno, while Bucks Lake CA is to the west, heading towards Oroville.
Bucks has a good stock of rainbows, some big browns, and an occasional brookie. Lead core on downriggers are the preferred methods for consistent action. Work blades’n crawlers or jointed Rebels on these deep-water rigs. The areas around Haskin’s Cove and the mouth of Mill Creek should hold some fish. Lead core trolling using a Needlefish is the ticket for kokanee in the summer.
Frenchman has an incredible volume of 10 to 12 inch planter-sized rainbows. Blades matched with a few redworms for a trailer produce limits on a regular basis. Consider fan-casting small gold spoons such as the Phoebe or Kastmaster along with gold-bladed Panther Martin or Mepp’s spinners.
Bait chuckers at Frenchman will rack up their share of fish on Zeke’s floating baits, presented with a sliding egg sinker and light 2 pound test leaders. Ice fishing off the dam in the winter is another bait-dunking possibility here. Cheese, salmon eggs and redworms also get them!
Davis has been slowly garnering a reputation as a “ sleeper ” trophy fishery. There are substantial numbers of 2 to 4 pound rainbows in this lake augmented by a smaller amount of browns in double digit weights. Davis excels in the early spring. By mid-summer, extensive weed growth makes trouting tough, though not impossible. During the height of the season, top-line trolling is unquestionably the key method.
Pull lake trolls – especially those with prismlite finishes such as the Les Davis Bolo series around Camp #5, Lightning Tree and the island. Half a nightcrawler is the best all around trailer. The Needlefish fished “clean” or with a chunk of crawler laced on, will produce with lead core line behind a set of blades.
Rapalas and Rebels in both the floating and sinking models will take Davis trout on the troll. Fly fishers prefer to drift or slow-troll with Wooly Worms or Wooly Buggers. Brown, black and olive-bodied versions have traditionally been very effective.
Spring and early summer are prime for California lakes fishing, with Bucks, Davis, and Frenchman warming fast and seeing active trout and kokanee. Bucks Lake’s upper-elevation waters often hold cold until late May, but when the surface hits the mid-50s, kokanee and browns chase plankton near the surface—try early morning troll lines before the afternoon thermocline sets in. Lake Davis opens strong in May and peaks through September for trophy trout, especially during morning and evening temperature breaks. Frenchman Lake stays cooler, offering consistent trout action through June before summer algae blooms slow things down; fall sees a second rush when cooler air stabilizes the water column. Check lake-specific stocking reports and local weather before heading out, and plan flexibility around weekly weather swings for the best catch rates.
Outdoor enthusiasts can pair these California lakes with comfortable stays: Bucks Lake Resort offers cabins and tent sites a short walk from the water, plus a general store for last-minute gear. Lake Davis Campground (Portola area) is popular for RVs and tents, with potable water, picnic tables, and nearby bait shops; book early for July weekends. Frenchman Lake Resort provides camping, cabin rentals, and a marina, while nearby Quincy hosts motels, restaurants, and grocery stores for supplies. For a more remote vibe, explore dispersed camping in Lassen National Forest near Bucks or Frenchman, but pack in/out all trash. Keep a cooler for fresh trout and plan dinner around sunset shorelines. Use keywords like “California lake camping” and “fishing lodge California” when searching for reservations.
Access to these lakes is manageable with a vehicle, but some roads are narrow and winding. Bucks Lake is reached via Highway 70, then Bucks Lake Road; the main Bucks Lake boat ramp sits near the resort, and a secondary launch is available near the marina. Lake Davis is accessed from Highway 70 at Portola; follow Davis Creek Road to the lake’s public boat ramps at Diamond Point and East Side. Frenchman Lake lies off Highway 89 near Quincy, with the main ramp at Frenchman Lake Resort and a secondary ramp slightly downstream—arrive early in high season to avoid ramp congestion. Most ramps have ample parking for trucks and trailers, but double-check road conditions in spring for snow patches on upper-elevation drives. Map keywords: “Bucks Lake boat ramp,” “Lake Davis public ramp,” “Frenchman Lake access” to prep.
Trophy trout at Lake Davis and Bucks Lake respond to a methodical approach. Troll spoons like Luhr-Jensen Krocodile or Thomas Buoyant with light dipsy divers in 20–35 feet, targeting mid-water temperature breaks where trout gather. For Bucks, drag crawlers or soft plastics near submerged structure during early morning; Browns and rainbows cruise deeper midday, so switch to deeper-plunging spinners (e.g., Mepps Black Fury) around 40 feet. At Lake Davis, downsize to 4–6 lb fluorocarbon leader for spooky trout and pair with flashers loaded with PowerBait or cured salmon eggs for slow-rolling presentations. Night fishing can produce big trout—try a larger fly or beadhead nymph under an indicator near creek inflows. Rotate lures after a few casts; trophy trout often key on fast-reactive offerings before settling.
Light to medium-action rods with sensitive tips let you feel subtle strikes common on Californian lakes. For Bucks and Davis, 6–8 lb braid main line with a 4–6 lb fluorocarbon leader maintains sensitivity while controlling deep-diving spoons. Use inline spinners (Mepps, Rooster Tail) in rainbow patterns for shallow trolling at Frenchman, while horizontal jigs (Marabou, soft plastics) work great when vertical jigging near drop-offs. Suspended trout favor slow, consistent retrieves: allow a spoon to pause for 2–3 seconds, then reel slowly; trout often hit on the pause. Depth finders are invaluable—mark fish arches and then return later with the same setup. Don’t overlook live bait—nightcrawlers or salmon eggs on a slip bobber can trigger hungry trout lingering near inflows.
Before you cast a line, ensure you have a California sport fishing license with the trout stamp, available online or at local sporting shops near the lakes. Bucks Lake, Lake Davis, and Frenchman Lake fall under California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations: standard trout daily limit is five fish, except where special advisory boards set lower limits—always verify posted signs at ramp entrances. Lake Davis often has special salmon or trout retention seasons; review current regulation guides for any closure dates or gear restrictions (e.g., no bait in certain areas). Report any tagged fish per CDFW instructions. Keep formats for “California fishing regulations” and “trout limit Lake Davis” handy so you can confirm rules each trip before you launch.
Plumas County Chamber of Commerce, Box 1018, Quincy, CA. 95971, (916)283-2045.
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