Bridgeport Opener 2026

[CI_Seawolf]

Last Saturday in April (Fishmas) for the Trout Season opening.   
I went up to Bridgeport like I did last year.  Weather was better, although a threat of rain and snow on Saturday afternoon was reported.  I had used my repowered boat a few times last season, culminating in 3 days of fishing on Convict Lake in early November.  Changed the oil and filter at 19.2 hours.   I decided to fish Bridgeport Reservoir again, checked the water level at the ramp when we got into town. The water level was very high.  Arrived at the launch ramp at just after 5 am, first in line.  Took a few minutes to prep the boat and get ready.  Boat behind me was getting ready too, and one of the guys asked if they could launch ahead of me, I said sure, as I am by myself and it might take me a bit to get the boat launched.  They went ahead, and I slipped in just behind them.  With high water, the launch was way easier than last year, although I had brought a long line with me just in case.  Got the rig parked in a good spot and slid the boat out and it fired right up.  Temperature was about 34 degrees Fahrenheit.   I started by dragging big plugs at low light.   No takers and after the sun came up, decided to try smaller lures to see what would happen.  I had some new rods built last winter by my neighbor, Scott.   They were Mudhole 7'light action  2 piece blanks.   Trolling a small jointed Rapala on one, and of all things, a 1/4oz Jake's Spin a Lure on the other.   Slow trolled down to the area called Rainbow Point.  About 20 minutes after changing to the smaller lures, the rod with the Jake's bends sharply.  After a good battle, a nice fat Rainbow Trout is in the net, I estimate it went just over 4 lbs.  Nice to have a good one on the books!  I unhooked it and revived it in the net before sending it back into the lake.  I did that all day.  Nothing was hooked too deeply.  Weather did clear up and winds were light in the morning.  The jointed Rapala got hit next, another healthy fat Rainbow, about 19" and 3lbs guesstimated.   Action was a slow pick, no boats were anchoring in that area bait fishing so it seemed like trolling was the way to go.  I left the Jake's in the water after it got 2 fish and broke out my hybrid leadcore outfit that was rigged with a  Jay Fair trolling fly in Orange.   The hybrid outfit is built on an Ambassadeur 5500 line counter reel, with a Kokanee trolling rod.  Let out the leader, and 2 colors of leadcore for a total of 125 ft.  That got hit too!  Most all the fish that day were cookie cutters of fish 2, nice frisky Rainbows that fought hard on the light tackle.  Smallest trout was 14".  A lady in a small boat did come out and anchor in the area, I have seen boats in past years there clean up on bait fishing.  I hooked up a few times within her sight, and talked to her.  She hadn't even got a bite bait fishing.  I asked if she had any lures, but she didn't have any Rapalas.  I came by and gave her one of my Jake's and said to try that as it has been the hot lure for me that morning.  She slow trolled a while but the wind came up and she had to head back in her small boat.  I stuck one more, and called it a day with 11 total, all released.  Lure totals were 5 for the Jake's, 3 for the Rapala, and 3 for the trolling fly.


Sunday was a different game, cooler and windy.  Got a little later start, difficult to keep the boat working with the wind.  Ended up with 1 on the Rapala, and 1 on the Jake's.  Both around 3 lbs, feisty Rainbows.

[Brewcrafter]

Great report!  Not sure what a Jake's is, but that one nice trout looks like it is hooked on some variation of a Super Duper.  Is that a Jake's? - john

[foakes]

Thanks for the excellent report!

Bridgeport is my favorite large water on the Eastern side of the Sierras, and has been for 52 years.

Likely fished Rainbow Point well over 100 times.  Good drop off there, and the current comes around that point very well.

Trolling at Bridgeport Reservoir is always good from opener to about mid-June, when the algae bloom starts to grow in the lake.  After that, we fish the old underwater creek beds, since the snow run-off still follows those ancient channels that are only 10' to 20' wide —- and only about 8' deep.  We use a 10' bamboo pole to feel the gravel beds —- then anchor with (2) anchors above the target area and catch possibly 50 trout in a few hours.  Just catch and release for me.  The best spots are Walker River by the airstrip, plus across the South end of the reservoir to fish Buckeye, Robinson, and Sandy point. 

When trolling, I use Thomas Bouyants and Speedee Shiners with Leadcore, a Okuma Kokanee 7' rod, and Penn 9's.

When still fishing, it is pumped up night crawlers, velveeta cheese for Browns —- and salmon eggs or power bait for rainbows.

Wonder how the Twins fished on opener?  I'll check with Ken's.

Best, Fred

[CI_Seawolf]

Great report!  Not sure what a Jake's is, but that one nice trout looks like it is hooked on some variation of a Super Duper.  Is that a Jake's? - john

Hi John, yes that is a Jake's Spin a Lure in that picture.  They have been a mainstay in Yellowstone for trout fishing for years.  I had an old timer for a neighbor years ago that called them the "Golden Domino".  They recommended using a swivel with them.   

[reelynew]

I was on the other size of that hill and it was snowing on us when we were fishing.  Beautiful photos.  Thanks for sharing.