Fuller Lake May 31, 2025
Fuller Lake in Nevada County is a 20 acre lake about four miles east of State Route 20 on Bowman Lakes Road. It is the perfect sized lake for small watercrafts like float tubes and pontoon boats. Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout can be caught in this PG&E managed reservoir. There are two access points. On the south end, the dam access has minimal parking, but it offers an access to the eastern side if one wishes to bank fish. On the northwest corner, the boat ramp access offers more parking and a picnic area. Fuller receives regular Rainbow Trout stockings throughout the summer months. This lake is popular with some FFS staff because the predictable fishing allows it to be a good place to test out new flies and stillwater techniques.
The fishing out of a watercraft at Fuller Lake is spectacular. The Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked the lake last week with Rainbow Trout, and there are still plenty of holdover Brown Trout, too. Don’t be surprised if you get multiple grabs within the first ten minutes of fishing. The trout are hitting brown flies well. Try a Byng’s Damsel Lite or a Hale Bop Leech. Without getting too specific about spots, stay in the northern third of the lake. Most of the time, fish are holding between three and eight feet. Fish the shallows in the morning. Fish deeper when the sun gets higher. And the witching hours are from 6:00 PM to sundown.
- Balance Leech – brown
- Crystal Bugger – olive, brown
- Hale Pop Leech – olive, brown
- Rio’s He Man – Pink Bead
- Yankee Buzzer – root beer
- Byng’s Damsel Lite – olive, brown
Fuller Lake will be going through its annual maintenance from June 2 to 16. The water level will drop two to five feet. The boat ramp will be closed although the facilities will remain open. Since Fuller fishes predictably, this report can be used as a guideline for a future trip after the annual maintenance.
