FISHING AT LAKE ALMANOR, CA

About Lake Almanor

Lake Almanor, in California, is a beautiful place for family’s to enjoy camping, trophy fishing, boating and water sports, hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and more. It is the 8th largest lake in California, so it has plenty of space to roam out on the water. Lake Almanor has something to do in every season, with a beautiful backdrop of mountains and pine trees.

Lake Almanor Fishing

Lake Almanor is a trophy trout fishery, with both rainbow trout and brown trout to target, as well as landlocked king salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sacramento perch. Minnows and other fish include the sacramento sucker, carp, sculpin, tui chub, and pond smelt. Fishing really starts to pick up in the spring as the water starts to warm up. Some of the top spots to catch fish on Lake Almanor is along either side of the peninsula, or in Big Springs Cove. Another great bet if you plan to do some trolling is to troll along the east shore and by the dam, or near the jetties to the Forest Service boat ramp on the west shore. It is also good fishing by the powerhouse, in the Hamilton Branch, and around Prattville other water inlets. If you are looking to target the Smallmouth Bass, they hide out around the stumps on the south shore, as well as the rocky banks on the north side. A great spot for Catfish, perfectly named, is at Catfish Beach.

Lake Almanor Fishing Guides

There are many different fishing guides that offer guided fishing trips on Lake Almanor. FishingBooker is a service of local guides that you can choose from and schedule your next guided fishing trip. If you would like to learn the fishing secrets and tips from a local fishing guide, Book A Fishing Guide On Lake Almanor Today!

Lake Almanor Location and Directions

Lake Almanor is located in Chester, CA in Plumas County. The drive from Sacramento, California to Lake Almanor via Hwy 32 is 150 miles, and will take you about 3 hours. There are 3 routes into Lake Almanor, Hwy 32 , Hwy 36 and Hwy 70. If you are traveling from Reno, Nevada, it is about 125 miles and a little over 2 hours via Hwy 395.

Fish Planting Schedule For Lake Almanor

CDFW Fish Planting Schedule

Lake Almanor Map & Details

• Lake Size: 28,257 Acres • Max Depth: 90 Feet • Length: 13 Miles • Shoreline: 55 Miles • Managed By: PG&E • Lake Surface Elevation: 4,505 Feet Average High Air Temps • Spring: 57 Degrees • Summer: 80 Degrees • Fall: 63 Degrees • Winter: 42 Degrees • Average Summer Surface Water Temp: 75 Degrees

Lake Almanor Lake Water Level

Water Level

Fishing Regulations For Lake Almanor

California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations

Great Fishing at Lake Almanor

Fishermen can do very well fishing from a boat, as well as from the shore on Lake Almanor.

Fish Types at Lake Almanor

• Rainbow Trout • Brown Trout • Landlocked King Salmon • Smallmouth Bass • Largemouth Bass • Channel Catfish • Sacramento Perch

Rainbow Trout Fishing At Lake Almanor

Lake Almanor is a great trophy rainbow trout fishery. The best way to target trophy trout is to find them on your fishfinder, and start trolling on a downrigger with a Kastmaster’s, needlefish, wedding ring’s tipped with a minnow or a worm, trout spoons, small apex, small stickbaits that are silver or rainbow trout pattern, and small flatfish. The best fishing for rainbow trout is along either side of the peninsula, or in Big Springs Cove. Another great bet if you plan to do some trolling is to troll along the east shore and by the dam, or near the jetties to the Forest Service boat ramp on the west shore. It is also good fishing by the powerhouse, in the Hamilton Branch, and around Prattville other water inlets.

Largemouth Bass Fishing At Lake Almanor

In the spring and summer months the Largemouth Bass action picks up on Lake Almanor. The bass will get super hungry after their early summer spawn and will attack just about anything you throw at them. The best bets are spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, soft baits, and crankbaits. Best fishing areas would be around the boat docks, submerged structures, rocks, and submerged vegetation, and off the points.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing At Lake Almanor

If you are looking to target the Smallmouth Bass, they hide out around the stumps on the south shore, as well as the rocky banks on the north side.

Perch and Panfish Fishing At Lake Almanor

Perch can be caught around the docks, rocky areas, weeds, and submerged vegetation, as well as around under water structures using worms, crickets, live minnows, jigs, fly’s, small soft plastics, and small spinners and spinnerbaits will work best. Crappie can be found in the shallows.

Channel Catfish Fishing At Lake Almanor

Channel catfish are best fished in the summer. Catfish can be found in the coves and the rocks. Chicken livers, sardines, clams, catfish bait, and mini crawlers will do the trick. Catfish will bite during the day, and at night. A great spot for Catfish, perfectly named, is at Catfish Beach.

Bait and Tackle Shop by Lake Almanor

Sierra's Fly & Tackle 3820 County Rd A13, Westwood, CA 96137 Phone: (530) 596-3820

Lake Almanor Campgrounds

Lassen National Forest Lake Almanor Campground Rocky Point Campground Vagabond Lake Front RV Resort & Marina Wilson’s Camp Pratville North Shore Campground Lake Cove Resort RV Campground

Lake Almanor Resorts and Marina’s

Big Cove Resort Knotty Pine Resort and Marina

Cottages and Vacation Home Rentals At Lake Almanor, CA

Looking for a vacation rental on Lake Almanor, or any destination you wish to go? Vrbo has vacation homes, cabins, and cottages for many locations that would be great for your next family vacation. Start your adventures today. About The Author Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Mendenhall Outdoors. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase. The Best Lake Almanor Fishing Experience Awaits!