Lake Almanor Fishing Report 7/17/25

Jon Curnow of Quincy's Grocery Outlet, on his birthday, rocking his AFA gear with a nice Rainbow. John and his wife Amanda not only sponsored all of the drinks for this year's Veteran's Fishing event, but they also showed up and volunteered to help run the event. Thank you to Jon, Amanda and Quincy Grocery Outlet we couldn't do it without your community support.

To sum up the recent conditions here at the lake in one word, that word would be hot. Air temps have been running above average for the last week with not much in the way of cooling breezes. Traffic on the lake has returned to normal summertime levels, lighter on the weekdays with increases over weekends. The water level continues its slow decline currently sitting just above 4489.5 A drop of about 6 inches in the last several weeks. Flows on all the lake’s tributaries are at seasonal norms. Water temperatures are currently running in the low 70’s ticking up into the mid 70’s during the days. Bug hatches continue all over the lake, albeit at a slower pace, with the Hex Fly activity being all but finished for the year while a few stragglers continue to make it to the surface. Some fish including trout and Smallies have shifted their attention back to the lake’s pond smelt population. The trout are now widely spread throughout the entire lake. The recent spike in temperatures have the fish seeking the deeper cooler waters of the lake. Action for trollers is happening at a variety of locations, from the dam to Big Springs as well as the area around the mouth of Hamilton Branch. Both sides of the peninsula have also been giving up fish as are the deeper pockets of the west shore like Rocky Point giving anglers plenty of locations to visit. Trout have been caught on a wide variety of offerings recently. Slow trolled worms and plastics along with fast trolled spoons in bright as well as dark colors and bait fish patterns have all produced fish this week. 35 to 45 feet seems to be holding the bulk of the active fish. The catch continues to be a mix Rainbows and Browns along with a few salmon. Bait fishermen have been netting a few fish at numerous locations including the dam, east shore and Rocky Point. Suspended baits like worms, crickets and meal worms close to the bottom will get the job done. Fly anglers suspending nymphs under indicators are tempting the fish that are keyed in on the aquatic larvae. Bass anglers have been throwing jigs on rocky points and shorelines for smallies keyed in on smelt as their food source. We are currently seeing a welcomed cooling trend which will make things more comfortable out on the water, in the meantime pack plenty of water and sunscreen.  
Coming up on July 26 will be AFA’s 32nd annual Founders’ Family BBQ and Fundraiser. This is the most popular fundraising event held each year in the Almanor Basin. This is our one blow out fundraiser for the year and you support helps fund our programs like raising fish in our Fish Pens, Veteran's Fishing, Youth Fishing, Scholarships and our other community programs around the basin. The deadline to get your tickets will be when it is sold out or Monday 7/21 whichever comes first. Tickets are available at LACC Sugar Pine Lounge, Sierras Fly and Tackle at Hamilton Branch, AFA board Members and online at Founders' BBQ - Almanor Fishing Association

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