TERRIFIC FOR TROUT

COLLINS LAKE REMAINS NORCAL’S PINNACLE OF GREAT RAINBOW FISHING

By Cal Kellogg

I’ve been fishing Collins Lake for 30 years and consider it one of Northern California’s premier foothill trout fishing destinations. Now, that statement says a lot when you consider the long list of trout fisheries that dot the north half of the state, but factor in the volume of trout and trophy sizes that Collins Lake boasts, the amenities the recreation area offers, the natural beauty of the lake’s surrounds, the opportunities to view a variety of wildlife species and the easy-to-access location outside Yuba City, and you start to understand why so many trout anglers and outdoor enthusiasts have a special place in their hearts for the Collins Lake Recreation Area.

Virginia Ranch Dam was completed in 1963, impounding a tributary of the Yuba River, and Collins Lake sprang to life. When at full capacity, the reservoir encompasses 1,600 surface acres and features 12 miles of shoreline.