Barrett Report 5/20/26

[Early release]

Hi all,

Headed out this morning to Barrett. Got there dark and early and was on the water before the sun was. Air was cooler, but water temp was 69-70F. The wind was pretty good from the North for a bit and then calmed down.

I had an early finish time so I didn't get too long on the water. The water is very bright green and there is a ridiculous amount of algae/moss/whatever on everything. I noticed some areas had that stagnant water smell also. Fishing had definitely slowed down for me. People I talked to also were not catching a lot. I managed to get my fish on a jerkbait, straight slow retrieve, a smaller chatterbait, strolled off the bottom and a couple on the popper. Water appeared to be down about a foot from last week also. Water clarity is 2 to 2.5 feet at most.

Zoom in and you can see the normal plants are being covered

Still a fun place to catch these fish.

This guy hit a 110 jerkbait. Angry fish.

Look beyond the fish for the green water.

[Johnnylh]

Thanks for the report. Any issues getting there with the fire out that way? The fish you caught looked twice as big as the dink fest I had on opening day as well as last Weds. I feel like the level will continue to dwindle as the season goes on, as no rain means Barrett will supply the lower elevation lakes.

[Osidecoffee]

Thanks for the report Dave. I’ll likely be out next Wednesday, so I’ll have to do some more bluegill testing and see if an ultralight dropshot can do the trick for me again. A bunch more of those would definitely make my day.

[Radar135]

The moss and algae seems normal for Barrett... just early this year.

[Early release]

Thanks for the report. Any issues getting there with the fire out that way? The fish you caught looked twice as big as the dink fest I had on opening day as well as last Weds. I feel like the level will continue to dwindle as the season goes on, as no rain means Barrett will supply the lower elevation lakes.

Hi, I take Lyons Valley Road from the 94, so no issues with the fire. I'm guessing you are right about the water level too.

[Early release]

Thanks for the report Dave. I’ll likely be out next Wednesday, so I’ll have to do some more bluegill testing and see if an ultralight dropshot can do the trick for me again. A bunch more of those would definitely make my day.

With the murky water, I didn't see the bluegill beds in the usual places really. The beds by pigs were also sparsely populated.

[JWall]

Thanks Dave! Good info.