Go up -- tout thrive in the higher elevations. Most of the foothill lakes I know have trout, and for sure the rivers feeding them do. As for advice on how to catch them -- that tends to be local knowledge, but there are many tried and true approaches. I like UL spinners and baits for lakes, and euro nymphing in the rivers. Of course, you can also use something like power bait to still fish lakes from the bank -- many trout have been caught on those sort of baits. I love pinched crawlers myself -- so easy to store and you can fish them lake or river very effectively.

That's a beauty -- well done.

Nice!

I was supposed to go today but had to cancel. But, I fish it a few times most years and historically have done well from the bank w/ power bait (i cast as far out as I can in summer), mouse tails, and minnow lures (e.g., countdown rapalas in small sizes). If the fish are there, those will work if they're hungry.

But for more current and expert advice, I would also check w/ ranger632 - he slays them there.

3 of us went up 2 weeks ago and fished solid 4 hours from the bank tossing 1/2 oz spoons and spinners. Zero bites - nothin. No one was catching from the bank that we saw. Just one of those days.

Turlock Lake inlet for trout on the fly (or UL spin).

Nice!

Never fished there, but windsurfed there a lot. I've seen people bank fishing in the area where the canal connects to the forebay, and I assumed they were targeting stripers and catfish. I'd use the standard baits -- anchovies, sardines, ... that's the stuff that works in the canal.

Good luck.

Rod manufacture should indicate lure and line weight for the rod. I use UL for everything trout *except* bait fishing in lakes -- there I use a L in 7ft for the range. UL is fun and great for delicate presentations of tiny lures -- can cast 1/32oz no problem for mid range.

That said, I'm w/ the person who said get a fly rod. ;) Catching them on the fly is a lot of fun, particularly when you tie your own flies. Your mileage may vary.

Truth is I grew up on UL spin trout fishing, and still love it. I fly fish mostly now but probably catch more on UL spin on any given day. UL spin is ultra versatile, and relatively easy. Use UL line -- like 2 or 4# for lures.

Good luck.

Could be. I know they call them steelhead there, and they sure look like steelhead to me. Big lake-run (it's basically a fresh-water ocean) rainbows. Dunno -- if they started out rainbows, got to be monsters in a huge lake, close enough for me! But really, can't say.

From quick google search:

Steelhead are also known as rainbow trout. However, they are typically called steelhead when they spend most of their lives in the open waters of the Great Lakes. Their life cycle is similar to that of Pacific salmon.

It might not -- I'm not sure either. It's an offshoot to the Moke, so fish might just pass by it w/o going into it. So, my previous comment is wrong -- they go by it, but not necessarily through it. Having been there a few times [to swim], sure doesn't look much like steelhead water to me.

But as to the basic question whether steelhead live in lakes -- oh hell yeah, just look at Lake Erie as an example. That lake of course is big enough to be called a sea -- it's massive, has waves, etc.

Steelhead run the Mokelumne River via Lodi Lake, so they're steelhead. But, better check regs -- might be C&R barbless -- that's how we fish them on the river upstream anyways.

Pics?

Good start -- think about fly fishing if you're going for trout. Can be fun and highly effective. C&R only, unless you're hungry!

Nice one Ranger!

Nice! Wish we were next-door neighbors. ;)