Brown Trout fishing at Lake Almanor

Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 3 to 25 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 25 to 60 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 35 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 41 ft, rated prime for summer brown trout. Plan around after dark and early morning in the warm months. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) covers the summer program.

Rainbow Trout fishing at Lake Almanor

Spring rainbow trout on Lake Almanor hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Rock reef, a rock pile in about 9.108751514192804 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Lake Almanor

In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Lake Almanor

Spring smallmouth bass on Lake Almanor hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 45 ft. The spot to know is Rock reef, a rock pile in about 9.108751514192804 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.

Brown Bullhead fishing at Lake Almanor

Spring brown bullhead on Lake Almanor hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 3 to 12 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 25 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for brown bullhead in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

Channel Catfish fishing at Lake Almanor

Spring channel catfish on Lake Almanor hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 25 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 41 ft, rated good for winter channel catfish. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

How deep is Lake Almanor?

Lake Almanor is about 90 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Lake Almanor?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout, common carp, brown trout, brown bullhead on Lake Almanor.

Where is the best fishing spot on Lake Almanor?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Lake Almanor?

For brown trout, the summer bite is best in after dark and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.