Pardee Lake is one of the motherlode string of Sierra foothills reservoirs. But although it is one of a group, it is also special in several ways.
First, because it offers consistently good rainbow trout and kokanee salmon fishing, and second, because it is a dedicated angler’s lake – no water-skiing or swimming is permitted. Large and smallmouth bass and panfish are also available at Pardee.
The waters of Pardee are clean and clear. It was built in the 1920’s as an East Bay Municipal Utility District Reservoir.
Facilities include campground, restaurant, store, launch ramp and swimming pool. This comprehensive guide will help you maximize your success at one of California’s premier fishing destinations.
Created in 1929 by the East Bay Municipal Utility District, Pardee Reservoir was built to supply drinking water to the East Bay, and it ties into the Mokelumne River watershed and hydroelectric dams, forming the backbone of the EBMUD system that stores Sierra snowmelt for urban use while also providing world-class trout and kokanee fishing. The reservoir’s dual purpose as both water supply and recreational fishery has shaped its unique character and strict regulations.
Rainbow trout respond well to trolling at 10–25 feet with evenly spaced two- and three-piece rigs. Try bright orange, chartreuse, or gold spoons and flashers when waters are clear, and switch to painted lures on cloudy days, especially from March through May when spring turnover concentrates fish near the dam.
Best season for rainbow trout is April through June with cooler water. Trout and kokanee anglers thrive on Pardee when they run light rods (6'6"–7'0") with sensitive tips, spooling 4–6 lb fluorocarbon or braided mainlines and pairing them with 1/8–3/8 oz leadhead jigs tipped with PowerBait, cured salmon eggs, or small soft plastics.
Trolling deep-diving kokanee rigs with 6–10 colors of gear and flashers near the thermocline often yields the best results, while drifting spoons in 3–8 foot depths catches happy rainbow trout on breezy afternoons. The combination of techniques gives anglers multiple approaches depending on conditions.
Kokanee salmon bite hardest mid-May through July when trolling between 50–90 feet with dodger/hoochie combos rigged behind 6–12 inches of leader, favoring silver, pink, or UV-green hoochies, plus add fish scent near the hook collar and keep your downrigger ball deep—often 65–85 feet—to stay in the thermocline. Kokanee peak in June–July but can stretch into August with late-season trolling.
Kokanee anglers score most action by running a single dodger/hoochie 15–20 feet behind the downrigger ball, using UV-tipped hooks and a dropper loop. Add garlic or anchovy scent to your hoochie, and adjust your downrigger depth daily by checking your fish finder for dense schools.
Keep leaders short (4–6 inches) to emphasize dodger flash and maintain a steady slow troll (1.8–2.2 mph), parking over the deeper basin off pallets and the dropoff near the dam where kokanee suspend. This precise approach maximizes hookups during peak season.
Largemouth bass thrive in spring and early summer near the steep dropoffs by the marina and around submerged structure. Work spinnerbaits, Flukes, or Texas-rigged soft plastics slowly along the Dike Road shoreline and use topwaters around sunrise and sunset.
Largemouths are most aggressive in spring prespawn and fall. The diverse structure at Pardee provides excellent habitat for quality bass year-round.
Smallmouths prefer the rocky points on the north end and the rocky shoreline near the dam, biting best with medium-diving crankbaits or tube jigs in July–September, and suspend baits close to ledges at depths of 15–25 feet during summer warmth. Smallmouths stay active into late summer when they chase bait near rocky blufflines.
Crappie and bluegill bite best near the upstream mouths of tributaries and the submerged trees off of the north shore, so pitch 1/32–1/16 oz jigheads dressed with marabou or small grub tails, or drop live mealworms under a small float around the riprap. Early morning or dusk is prime, and keeping the boat quiet near submerged vegetation avoids spooking the schooling panfish.
Shore anglers have reliable trout and kokanee opportunities by casting spoons or drifting PowerBait in the gravelly flats at the lake’s fingers, but for bass, walk the foothills around Silver Creek Park targeting rock piles with soft swimbaits. Boat anglers cover more water for kokanee and strike bass along ledges, using electronics to locate schools.
Wading at the eastern shore pays dividends early morning, while boat anglers should focus on the western coves and dropoffs, especially when currents push baitfish into tighter areas. Both approaches can be productive when matched to target species and conditions.
Lake Pardee Resort supplies boat rentals, a marina with fuel, a small store with tackle, and a restaurant for quick meals, plus a well-stocked launch ramp near the lodge and courtesy docks for easy access. Camping spreads across Pardee Reservoir Campground and Chabourne Park, both offering RV hookups, restrooms, showers, picnic sites, and hookups, while the nearby Pardee Recreation Area provides group picnic areas, playgrounds, and hiking trails.
The resort operates facilities at the lake which includes a 10-lane launch ramp, full-service marina, boat rental, 2 campgrounds with over 100 sites, a store and swimming pool. These comprehensive amenities make multi-day fishing trips comfortable and convenient.
Pardee strictly prohibits swimming and waterskiing, so stick to shore-based wading or fishing from a non-powered craft, obey posted “no swimming” signs, and keep your vessel under the EBMUD no-wake limit to protect the water quality and shoreline habitat that make the lake so productive. No waterskiing and no night boat fishing are enforced year-round.
These regulations help maintain the pristine water quality that makes Pardee such an exceptional fishery. Respect for these rules ensures the lake remains a premier destination for generations to come.
In the motherlode foothills off Hwy. 88, approximately 35 miles from Stockton. From Stockton take Highway 4 east to Valley Springs and follow Pardee Reservoir Road north, from Sacramento hop on Highway 99/50 to the CA-12 east connector and continue to Highway 49 south, and Bay Area travelers can use I-680 to Highway 4 east before jumping on CA-26 and 49.
Parking is available near Pardee Dam, but arrive early on weekends as the lot fills quickly. The convenient access from multiple urban areas makes Pardee an attractive destination for weekend anglers.
There are 2250 surface acre of water with about 43 miles of shoreline. Each of the two lake arms is about 5 miles in length.
The lake’s size provides ample room for anglers to spread out and find productive water. Rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegill all thrive in these waters.
Open from the second Friday in February until mid-November. This extended season provides excellent fishing opportunities throughout spring, summer, and fall months.
Plan your trips around the seasonal peaks for different species to maximize success. The varied season lengths for different species mean Pardee offers quality fishing for most of the year.
First-time visitors should bring layered clothing for chilly mornings, plenty of drinking water, and a basic shore kit with polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, and a small cooler of snacks, plus a valid California fishing license and a memo pad for recording depth, lure, and bite conditions to dial in future trips. Preparation ensures a comfortable and productive day on the water.
Study the lake map before arriving to identify key fishing areas. Talk to staff at the marina for current fishing reports and hot spots.
Pardee Lake Resort, 4900 Stoney Creek Rd., Ione, CA 65640, (209) 772-1472
Planning a multi-lake trip or looking for more Northern California fishing? Check out these nearby destinations:
See also, Pardee Fishing Tips
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