Lake Almanor Fishing Report 1/9/26

A few hearty anglers have been getting out between storms but traffic on the lake is very lite.  The water level is on the rise thanks to recent winter storms. Since the beginning of the new year the level has risen just over a foot and currently sits at 4487.25 just under 7 feet below full pool. Flows on all the lake’s tributaries are high and fast carrying silt and debris into the lake. Water temperature is now running in the low 40’s and trending down with the colder air temps. The trout are spread throughout the entire lake feeding on the pond smelt population. Not a lot of information is currently available, but fish have been caught by trollers from the dam to Prattville along the west shore and from the dam along the east shore. Watch for water clarity issues as you get closer to Hamilton Branch. Of course there are always a multitude of ways to catch fish, but this time of year, and with these conditions, most trollers agree that going slow is in your best interest. Slow trolled (1.5 mph or less) worms, plastics and trolling flies are all solid choices especially in baitfish patterns. The cooler water temps have opened up the entire water column to the fish which now can be caught at all depths. Recent outings have shown results with baits trolled in the 10-to-20-foot range with a few fish being seen at the surface.  The catch is a mixed bag of Rainbows and Browns ranging from small to large. Canyon Dam boat ramp is open and should continue to be available throughout the winter subject to access being blocked by snowfall.  The dock has been pulled at the USFS west shore ramp north of Prattville, leaving Canyon Dam as the only public access boat ramp with a dock. It looks like we are headed into an extended period of nice weather giving you a chance to head out to the lake. Stay tuned, we will bring you more information as it becomes available.

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