Lake Almanor Fishing Report

From the Lake Almanor Fishing Association

​July 22, 2018  

Lake levels continue to recede slowly, and water level remains unseasonably high. Water temp is creeping up with surface temps reaching the mid 70’s. With another week of 90-degree weather in the forecast, temps will continue to rise. You won’t begin to see cooler water until the 35-foot mark.  Water clarity is holding steady at the 20-24’ mark. Fishing and boating pressure remains high and the boat ramps and parking lots are crowded in the afternoons.

The bite was inconsistent at best this past week, with more small fish caught than quality fish. Most of the smaller fish have copepods (a small parasite that attach to the fish) this time of year. The copepods will fall off as the water cools.
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Target fish in deep water up to 60 feet and go slow. Crawlers and Gulps continue to produce fish. Blades are an option and will assist in finding fish, start out running two rods with naked crawlers/gulps and two with blades and adjust from there. Rocky Point, A-Frame, Rec #2, Big Springs and the East Shore are great places to start fishing. Recently we have found small pond smelt in bellies, a great sign as the smelt are a diet mainstay for these fish.
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Anchor fishing has been tough as has shore fishing. As water temps rise fish will begin seeking comfort over springs and at the Branch.  

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