Lake Almanor Fishing Report

There's a solid trout bite at Almanor right now as water temps bump to the low 50s. Both rainbows and browns are moving up the water column feeding heavily on pond smelt from the surface down to 40 feet. Trollers are finding good numbers running needlefish, Speedy Shiners, and Rapalas either flatlining or using lead core line (or downriggers) to get in that deeper range. 1.5–2mph trolls have been most consistent. Shore guys are finding some big trout soaking floated nightcrawlers on a sliding sinker in the early mornings on the west side.

Almanor is still fishing well into December due to generally mild weather and conditions. Water temps have slid into the mid-40s, though trout are still roaming and feeding instead of tightening up in their winter pattern. Pond smelt remain the main driver, which is keeping fish spread through the water column from the surface down into the 30-foot range. The bite is increasingly number-heavy, with smaller aggressive rainbows showing up often and better browns and heavier rainbows mixed in. Trolling techniques remain the same as the last report... worms, plastics, trolling flies, and spoons in baitfish patterns. Calm conditions have pushed the bite toward slower presentations across the board, and anything rushed is getting mostly ignored.

Lake Almanor is fishing well heading into late November. Trout are pushing up throughout the lake feeding on pond smelt from the surface down to 25 feet. Plenty of action along the east shore, both sides of the peninsula, and select west shore zones from Prattville to Canyon Dam.

Trollers are picking up a mix of rainbows and browns on slow-trolled worms, plastics, trolling flies, and spoons in baitfish or bright patterns. Expect plenty of smaller rainbows in the mix. Shore anglers are getting bit on garlic-scented mice tails and inflated crawlers. Fly anglers are still getting fish with smelt patterns on sinking lines or under indicators.

Lake level is stable, and both ramps (Canyon Dam and the west shore USFS site) are open for now, though snowfall could change that quickly.