There is a fee charged for boat launching. The lake is open to both power and sail boats. The park has over three miles of frontage on Donner Lake and Creek. Fishing is not usually spectacular, though there are trout and kokanee in the lake. The lake is planted with catchable trout and a fishing license is required.
Many fishermen prefer to use the park as a base to visit nearby lakes.
For suggestions ask a ranger. Maps are for sale at the museum. Also, located at Donner Memorial State Park is a campground of 150 sites and a day-use area along the lake with picnic tables, restrooms, a beach, fishing, and a lakeside interpretive trail that has 18 panels which discuss the nature and cultural diversity of the area. Pacific Time, seven days a week. On the first of each month, campers will have access to an entire month of available start-up dates up to seven months in advance.