Lake Almanor Fishing Report 3/5/26

The last significant storms brought low snow then higher elevation rain causing a large amount of runoff, bringing the lake level up about two feet in the last two weeks, it currently sits at 4488.25 or a little less than 6 feet below full pool. Flows on the tributaries are elevated due to snow melt; most have cleared but Hamilton Branch is still running extremely muddy bringing plenty of brown water into the lake. Areas from the mouth of Hamilton Branch all the way to the tip of the peninsula are impacted by this heavily stained water. (see the picture included with this report) Water temperature is now running in the low to mid 40’s depending on time and location. The trout are spread throughout the entire lake feeding on the pond smelt population. The east shore, from the dam to Hamilton Branch along with various spots along the west shore have been providing action for trollers. It has been a mixed bag of slow and fast trolling that has been yielding fish. Slow trolled (1.5 mph or less) worms, plastics and trolling flies are all solid choices especially in baitfish patterns. Running flies and Rapalas faster also brought fish to the net over the last week. Recent outings have shown results with baits trolled in the top 20 feet of the water column. The catch is a mixed bag of Browns than Bows ranging from small to very large. Some pockets between the dam and Lake Cove were kicking out good numbers of salmon from 13 to 17 inches. The coves of the west shore are providing shore anglers with some action. The top bait offerings continue to be crawlers and mice tails for a catch made up of mostly Rainbows and an occasional Brown. The Canyon Dam boat ramp is open and should continue to be available subject to access being blocked by snowfall.  In spite of recent cells that brought brief heavy downpours, wind, hail and lightning to the basin, the weather man indicates that we are entering a warming trend with more stable conditions which should only improve the bite here at the lake. 

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