The fishing is best in the mornings and evenings at Donner Lake. Shore anglers are having good success right now from the regional park to the boat ramp, specifically from pier 16 to pier 13 using powerbait and worms. In China Cove, shore anglers are fishing best from the beach. The best access to the beach is to pay the entrance fee to Donner Memorial State Park and drive to the end of the road. Anglers looking for Macks are doing well jigging the deeper spots first thing in the morning and anglers looking for Kokanee should fish the 40-80 feet water column using standard kokanee bugs behind a dodger tipped with corn.

Donner Lake is currently at 87% capacity.