Folsom Lake

CA

Sacramento's backyard lake. Ski boats, beaches and the American River trail.

38.720°N 121.120°W397 ft
BoatingCampingFishingPaddlingSwimming
Storage40%of capacity · California Data Exchange Center
Lake level401.9ftCalifornia Data Exchange Center · down · history
Today70°FMostly Cloudy · low 58°F
Wind3 mphNW · NWS

Photo: UncleVinny · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for Folsom LakePartner links · same price for you
Rent a boat on Folsom LakePontoons, ski and fishing boats from local ownersBoatsetter Stay near Folsom LakeLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Fishing charterHalf and full-day trips, gear includedViator Private campsiteWhen the public sites are fullHipcamp

Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.

Rent a boat on Folsom LakeBoatsetter · partner link→
Guides for Folsom LakeBoat rentals →Camping →Fishing →Water level →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP

Quick facts

Type
Lake
State
California
Elevation
397 ft
Boat ramps
1
Campgrounds
None listed
Fish species
1

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Boat ramp

· 1.0 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Marina

· 1.0 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Brownes Ravine Marina

· 1.2 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Boat rentals

Rent a boat for Folsom Lake

Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.

Affiliate link

Where to stay

Camp near the water

CampgroundsNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Folsom Lake

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

What's biting

Fishing by month

Native lives here naturallyWild introduced, reproduces on its ownStocked planted by the state
SpeciesOriginJFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow troutLast stocked Mar 15, 2026 Stocked

Lighter is slow, darker is peak. The outlined column is this month. "Reported" means only one verified catch record so far.

Guided trips

Book a fishing charter

Half-day and full-day trips with gear and local know-how.

Affiliate links
Recent stocking
  • TroutMar 15, 2026
  • TroutJan 18, 2026
  • TroutJan 4, 2026
  • TroutDec 14, 2025
  • TroutDec 7, 2025
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule

Gear for these fish

Partner links

Rainbow trout

Fly rods, reels and fliesTrident Fly Fishing→Fiberglass fly rods and kitsEpic Fly Rods→Spoons, spinners and minnow luresRapala→

For every angler

Landing nets and fly boxesEGO Fishing→Sun-protective fishing shirtsHook & Tackle→Fishing shirts, shorts and vestsColumbia→

Fishing rules · California

Limits & regulations

● Under review
Limits under reviewWe're confirming the current limits for this water. Until then, check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov) before you fish.
⚑ Check before you go.We update these weekly, but rules can change at any time. For the official rules, see the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov).

Off the water

Nearby trails

TrailheadsNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

  • ARCO 300 Green Valley Road, El Dorado Hills
    1.5 mi
  • Safeway Fuel Station 2207 Francisco Drive
    2.1 mi
  • Valero
    2.9 mi
  • Speedway 6990 Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay
    3.2 mi

Bait and tackle

  • REI 2425 Iron Point Road, Folsom · Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 10:00-18:00
    5.3 miCall
  • Bass Pro Shops 5472 Crossings Dr, Rocklin · Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-19:00
    7.3 miCall
  • Fly Fishing SpecialtiesBait 6360 Tupelo Drive, Citrus Heights
    10.6 mi
  • Sportsman's Warehouse
    10.8 mi

Groceries and ice

  • ampm 300 Green Valley Road, El Dorado Hills
    1.5 mi
  • 99 Ranch MarketIce Blue Ravine Road
    2.0 miCall
  • SafewayIce 2207 Francisco Drive, El Dorado Hills · 24/7
    2.0 miCall
  • Raley'sIce 25025 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom · Mo-Su 06:00-23:00
    2.2 mi

RV dump and fresh water

  • RV dump stationDump station
    2.8 mi

Hospitals and urgent care

  • Vibra Hospital 330 Montrose Drive, Folsom
    3.4 mi
  • Folsom Surgery Center 1651 Creekside Drive, Folsom
    3.6 mi
  • Mercy Hospital of FolsomEmergency 1650 Creekside Drive, Folsom · 24/7
    3.7 miCall
  • JB Wellness Clinic
    3.9 mi

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

Saturday71°FSunnyWind 2 to 6 mph S
Sunday72°FSunnyWind 2 to 6 mph ENE

National Weather Service forecast. Afternoon wind builds on big lakes; plan crossings for the morning.

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Good to know

Folsom Lake FAQ

Can you rent a boat on Folsom Lake?

Yes. Boat rentals for Folsom Lake can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Boat ramp, Marina, Brownes Ravine Marina.

Where can I launch a boat on Folsom Lake?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Boat ramp, Marina, Brownes Ravine Marina. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

What fish are in Folsom Lake?

Folsom Lake has Rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is stocked by the state.

Is Folsom Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. The most recent state planting report for Folsom Lake lists Trout the week of 2026-03-15. Sign up on this page to get an email when it's stocked again.

What is the water level of Folsom Lake today?

On 2026-10-19, Folsom Lake was at 401.92 feet, 40% of capacity. That's down 2.3 feet from a week earlier. Source: California Data Exchange Center, updated daily.

Is there gas near Folsom Lake?

The closest listed fuel is ARCO, about 1.5 miles from the water.

Where can I buy bait near Folsom Lake?

Bait and tackle nearby: REI (5.3 mi), Bass Pro Shops (7.3 mi), Fly Fishing Specialties (10.6 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Do I need a fishing license at Folsom Lake?

Yes. In California, anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license, and some waters need extra stamps or validations. Check the state wildlife agency for current rules before you fish.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

South Fork American13 miLake Berryessa58 mi · 83% fullNew Melones Lake59 mi · 63% fullLake Oroville63 mi · 44% full

Sources: USGS 3DHP, Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.