Lake Almanor Fishing Report 2026: Trophy Trout & Salmon Guide

Lake Almanor CA, Butt Valley and Upper Feather

Lake Almanor CA

Trophy German browns, rainbows, and king salmon are the draw at Lake Almanor CA. Popular trout spots ring the lake. Fish the shoreline near the A-frame, the east side of the dam, Recreation Area #1, Recreation Area #2, Old Crawford’s, and the Hamilton Branch. Big Springs Cove, Bailey Springs, and the Powerhouse area round out the list.

Still fishing with crawlers, salmon eggs, or marshmallows works well from bank or boat. A slide-float with native minnows fished 20 to 30 feet deep is also effective. Drifting or “mooching” a live nightcrawler around the deeper, cooler underwater springs can produce some stellar catches.

Day in and day out, though, most fish come on artificials. Trolling accounts for a lot of them. Try a jointed or CD-7 Rapala on a fast top-line troll. A fluorescent orange Flatfish is equally potent trolled by itself — or try the locals’ favorite, a silver or gold Speedy Shiner.

When the water warms, shift gears and run lead core or downriggers. Flasher blades teamed with lead core is a really hot combo. Drag these with a Needlefish, Super Duper, or a nightcrawler trailer.

Sometimes you’ll spot obvious surface-feeding action. A popular tactic is to work the strangely designed Z-Ray spoon through these trout boils.

Finally, take a shot with a small white crappie jig under a bobber or on the drift. Large rainbows cruising below the surface bushwhack these tiny lures, mistaking them for pond smelt or shad. You might even nail one of Almanor’s legendary smallmouth bass on the same crappie lure while fishing for trout!

Upper Feather North Fork

The North Fork of the Feather drains into Almanor at Chester. Starting right in town, the North Fork and its streams (Rice Creek, Warner Creek, Hot Springs Creek, Willow Creek, Brenner Creek, Last Chance Creek) offer good access, relatively low fishing pressure, and native trout.

The North Fork itself is a fairly large stream, even in autumn. Most of the feeder streams are spring fed, running clear and cold all summer. Each suits a different style. Willow Creek is very brushy and best for bait angling. Others, like Rice Creek, are good fly casting water. Campgrounds along the creeks provide access and overnighting.

On the northeast shore of Lake Almanor CA, the Hamilton Branch flows into the lake. It offers good fishing in a series of big pools separated by whitewater riffles in a scenic canyon. The Feather River flows out of Lake Almanor at its south end. Seneca Road parallels the river for about 10 miles and leads to Seneca Resort.

The Lake Almanor CA dam releases a regulated flow of very cold water into this stretch. The best access is where Seneca Road crosses the North Fork. Fish away from this access point, upstream or downstream, for the best results.

Butt Valley Reservoir

Butt Valley Reservoir, a fine trout and smallmouth fishery, sits just south of Lake Almanor CA. This 1,000 acre gem holds big brown trout, rainbow trout, and king salmon. Facilities are limited to a single lane launch ramp, two PG&E campgrounds, and a picnic area. Don’t let that keep you from trying Butt Valley Lake when you’re in the Almanor area.

Information:

Almanor Ranger District, Box 767, Chester, CA. 96020, (916)258-2141.

Upper Yellow Creek, reached from Humbug Road off Rte. 89 along the west shore of Lake Almanor, is a fine mountain-meadow stream. There is a PG&E campground in the east end of Humbug Valley.

The canyon below the valley also fishes well with flies or bait. A section in the valley runs under a 16 inch minimum size, 2-fish daily, artificials-only regulation. The browns in this restored native fishery are said to be the most beautiful of fish.

Seasonal Strategies

Lake Almanor’s seasonal rhythms shape the best California fishing days. Spring brings feisty trophy trout to shorelines warmed by early sun. Summer pushes them deeper until late afternoon.

Autumn clouds bring crisp salmon fishing, especially for king salmon heading toward tributary mouths. Winter’s clear, cold water tightens lines on both trout and salmon.

Depth Strategies

Trophy trout track the thermocline as it settles from about 30 feet in spring to 45-50 feet in mid-summer. Adjust your lead core or downrigger setup to intercept that narrow band.

When the thermocline drops below 60 feet, troll spoons or Speedy Shiners just above it. Switch to shallower drifting in the evening once the surface cools.

Bait and Natural Presentations

Natural presentations win when trout and salmon key on kokanee, shad, and mayfly patterns. Rigged nightcrawlers or segmented leeches fished near the bottom are reliable for trophy trout.

Chinook respond well to anchovies and small herring. Pair those baits with a slow troll or drift near the tributary mouths for the best California fishing success.

Trophy Fish Habitat

The trout and salmon that earn Lake Almanor’s “trophy” label favor structure-rich zones. Steep drop-offs by the A-frame, the dam, and submerged flats near springs are where oxygen and forage concentrate.

Salmon staging before their run up the Upper Feather tributaries linger near current seams. German browns and rainbows patrol shallow weed beds at dawn and dusk.

Access Points and Navigation

Launch ramps at Hamilton Branch, Butt Valley Reservoir, and the recreation areas give reliable boat access. The dam and A-frame areas offer quick entry to deep water.

Keep your GPS handy. Seasonal weed growth and changing lake levels can hide submerged hazards near the springs and recreation zones.

Conservation Practices

Respect Lake Almanor’s tackle and bait rules. Barbless hooks and no-live-bait zones keep the trophy trout population strong for future anglers.

Follow California fishing regulations on catch-and-release, size limits, and daily quotas for salmon. These practices keep this premier fishery thriving.

Trophy Trout Characteristics and Record Catches

Lake Almanor’s German browns and rainbows grow to exceptional sizes thanks to a rich forage base and cold, deep water. German browns over 10 pounds are not uncommon. Several fish over 15 pounds have been documented, which puts this lake among California’s premier trophy trout destinations.

King salmon provide summer action when the trout bite slows. These aggressive fish hit larger trolled baits and lures, offering an exciting alternative to standard trout techniques on hot days.

Successful Trolling Patterns

Trolling success at Lake Almanor comes down to depth changes and lure positioning. Speed is critical. Move too fast past the thermocline and you spook fish; troll too slow and you barely contact the forage.

Run multiple rods with different lures at varying depths to cover the water column. Many regulars match lure colors to the local forage species — the simplest way to draw more strikes all season long.

Related California Lake Guides

Planning a multi-lake trip or exploring more Northern California trout fishing? Check out these resources:

• California Fishing Guide 2026 - Complete guide to 60+ California lakes, rivers, and fishing spots with species info, seasons, and local tips.
• Lake Shasta & Keswick - California’s largest reservoir with trophy trout and bass, 90 minutes northwest.
• Manzanita Lake at Lassen - Catch-and-release trophy trout in stunning Lassen Volcanic National Park.
• Hat Creek & Baum Lake - World-class fly fishing waters near Burney.