Little Grass Valley Reservoir: Trout, Kokanee & Camping Guide

Little Grass Valley Reservoir: Sierra Trout Fishing

History & Background

Little Grass Valley Reservoir sits on the West Branch of the Feather River in the northern Sierra Nevada. It filled after the Little Grass Valley Dam went in during the early 1960s. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) built the earthen dam to catch snowmelt, steady the flows for hydropower, and store water for nearby towns.

The lake also served irrigation and recreation from the start. Today PG&E and Plumas National Forest manage it together, so you get both a working reservoir and a quality fishery.

Five miles of shoreline hug thick cedar and pine forest, and the valley still feels like an old mining town. Nearby La Porte and Clipper Mills keep their gold-rush relics and abandoned logging roads. The lake itself offers paved launch ramps, ranger-led walks, and regular trout stocking that keeps anglers coming back.

Getting to Little Grass Valley

The reservoir sits about 80 air miles north of Sacramento and about 20 miles north of Quincy, California. From Marysville or Yuba City, take Highway 20 east to the Collins Lake/Little Grass Valley turnoff. Then follow Quincy-La Porte Road (County Road E-21) northeast for about 50 miles.

The last 10 miles climb into the high Sierra and the road narrows. Watch for marked turnouts and shaded bridge crossings. The road is paved and maintained all year, but snow and ice hit it from February through April.

From Chico and Oroville, follow Highway 70 to Stirling City. Take Forest Route 24 toward La Porte, then connect to Quincy-La Porte Road. Coming from Reno? Use Highway 395 to Susanville, Highway 36 west to Chester, and Highway 89 south to Quincy, then Highway 70 to Stirling City.

Check the Plumas National Forest conditions hotline and the Caltrans roads page before you leave. Conditions change fast at this elevation, especially in wet or snowy months.

Fish Species Profiles

Brown Trout

Brown trout are the trophy fish here. Fish in the 5 to 10 pound class show up often, and anglers have pulled double-digit browns from the deeper water.

Browns feed hard on kokanee and smaller trout. Baits that copy those baitfish — big minnow plugs, spoons, and hoochies — work best. The fish hold along the main-lake drop-offs from spring through fall, then run up the inlet streams to spawn in fall.

Fish early mornings near structure. In summer, use your electronics to stay on the thermocline. These wary fish demand stealth and a clean presentation.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbows thrive in the cold, oxygen-rich water fed by snowmelt. Stocking runs through spring and early summer. The fish cruise shallow water in April and May, then settle onto mid-depth flats and points (20 to 40 feet) as the season wears on.

Troll silver spinners, Kastmasters, and clear-colored soft plastics. Strikes come steadily when the water sits between 55 and 68 degrees F. Rainbows feed aggressively and give you reliable action all season.

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee offer the most consistent bite from late spring through September. These landlocked sockeye school near the surface in spring and early summer. Once the lake stratifies, they drop to 40 to 80 feet.

Run bright orange or chrome kokanee trolls with glow beads, or small hootchies tipped with anchovy, to copy the small forage they chase. Work the long shoreline near the inlet creeks and the main lake points during the July-August push.

Trolling Strategies

Trolling is the bread-and-butter way to reach the big trout here. The lake spreads into three large basins, so start with the depth chart on your fish finder. Find the thermocline and the submerged structure first.

Use this depth guide as your starting point. In spring (April to May), target 20 to 35 feet along the banks off points and creek mouths.

In early summer (June to July), fish 35 to 60 feet with downriggers or lead-core line over the deeper humps. From August to October, go 60 to 80 feet as fish drop to the cooler bottom water, especially at the main-lake drop-offs.

Stock your box with big minnow plugs like Rapala X-Raps, deep-diving Storm Thundersticks, and spoons such as the Williams Wabler. Add inline flashers ahead of hootchies for kokanee, or run a dropper rig with a small minnow fly for rainbows.

The water runs clear, so a touch of glow or UV paint helps in low light. When the wind comes up, slow to 1.5 to 2.5 mph to keep your lures in the strike zone.

Bank Fishing Hotspots

Bank fishing can be excellent in spring and early summer, especially along Little Grass Valley Road, which loops the whole shoreline. Start with the western access near Lakeview Campground. Shallow rocks and submerged stumps there hold trout when the lake is high.

The mouths of Indian Creek and Mine Creek on the eastern shore pull in feeding browns and rainbows. Cool, oxygen-rich water flows in at both spots. The long northern point near the main intake structure fishes well with spoons and buzzbaits in low light.

Pack a long rod (7 to 8 feet) so you can throw heavier lures, and bring waders to reach the gravel shelves. Night sessions from the bank pay off in mid-summer when browns cruise the shallows.

Boat Fishing Strategies

The lake has four paved launch ramps, so boat traffic gathers around the Blooms Lake area and near each campground. In calm weather, anchor off the main-lake humps and set a three-line trolling spread for browns and kokanee.

In spring, run a shallow plug ahead of a downrigger bomb to hold rainbows in the top 30 feet. Trail a mid-depth spoon 10 to 15 feet deeper. When the wind kicks in, tuck into the leeward coves and work the rocks with jig-and-plastic setups.

In fall, throw topwater chuggers during low light. In winter, when the surface freezes a few times, try ice blades or small spoons fished straight down under float tubes. Match your approach to the season.

Camping Around the Reservoir

Little Grass Valley has four developed campgrounds, all run by Plumas National Forest and bookable through Recreation.gov. Each suits a different style of trip.

Lakeview Campground on the west shore has lakeside loops with shaded sites, picnic tables, bear-proof lockers, and flush toilets. Sites sit close to the paved ramp, so hauling gear between boat and camp is easy.

Indian Creek Campground on the east shore works for anglers who want quick access to the creek mouth and the deeper central basin. Rangers staff the site from March through October, and you get fire rings, drinking water, and a camp host.

Little Grass Valley Campground sits on the south shore near the dam. It has larger pull-through sites for RVs, amphitheater parking for groups, and a short trail down to the shoreline.

North Shore Campground is a smaller loop north of the main basin, built for paddlers and backpackers. It has vault toilets, tent-only sites, and easy access to the creekside picnic area. Pick it if you want quiet.

Book early for holiday weekends. Quiet hours run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. at every campground, and the forest service enforces no-wake zones beside the inlets to protect spawning trout.

Launch Ramps & Boating Regulations

Each campground has a paved ramp, plus three public launch sites spaced around the lake to spread out traffic. Boats are limited to 10 horsepower. Store gas in approved containers and bring portable fuel — there are no fuel docks on the lake.

You can anchor overnight in designated areas, but check for temporary closures or weed lines first. Carry a California Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing license, follow the special Big Fish Plan when you target trophy trout, and respect the catch limits.

Ask the Plumas National Forest ranger station about current advisories or no-motoring zones. The creek mouths matter most, since nesting waterfowl may be present there.

Seasonal Fishing Calendar

Spring (March to May) is best for rainbows and early kokanee near the creek mouths. Shore anglers score with spinners and nightcrawlers, while boats troll 20 to 40 feet down.

Summer (June to August) pushes browns and kokanee deeper. Troll 40 to 70 feet with downriggers, and watch for surface schools of kokanee near the main-lake points.

Fall (September to October) brings browns into the shallows to spawn. Calm mornings reward topwater plugs and spoons, and cool evenings pull kokanee and rainbows back up from the depths.

Winter (November to February) limits access after heavy snow. Hard-water anglers can still fish near the launch ramps when the ice allows. Work slow, vertical jigs near the dam wall where the water stays cold.

Local Bait Shops, Guides & Services

La Porte, just south of the reservoir, is the gateway town. The La Porte Store and General Market stocks live bait, ice, propane, and firewood for last-minute trips. Quincy, 30 minutes away, has several hardware and sporting goods stores with rods, reels, and tackle.

The Plumas County Chamber of Commerce keeps an updated list of licensed guides working out of Quincy, Graeagle, and Portola. Many specialize in kokanee trolling or trophy trout trips and bring their own boats and electronics. A good guide sharply raises your odds on a short visit.

For everything else, the La Porte Inn offers cabins, deli sandwiches, and a lounge for after-fishing meals. The Challenge and Oroville areas have full-service marinas, grocery stores, and medical facilities. Plan ahead for multi-day trips.

Wildlife Viewing & Other Recreation

The reservoir is more than a fishery. Mule deer graze the upland meadows in early morning, and osprey and bald eagles patrol the ridgelines.

Watch for black bears around the campgrounds and lock your food in the bear-proof lockers. Off the water, you can paddle the calm bays, mountain bike the old logging roads, hike the Little Grass Valley Trail, or pan for gold in nearby creeks.

In winter, snowshoe or cross-country ski the meadows around the lake. Something is going on here in every season.

Weather Patterns & Elevation

At 5,040 feet, the reservoir stays cool all year. Spring brings runoff and lingering snowpack, so pack rain gear and extra layers.

Summers run warm (65 to 85 degrees F) but can flip fast with afternoon thunderstorms. Bring a rain jacket and sun protection. Fall cools quickly — mornings often dip into the 30s — so keep a warm hat and gloves handy for dawn patrols.

Winter storms can drop more than 2 feet of snow and close access for a while. Check the forest service website for road and campground status. High-elevation weather changes fast, so come prepared.

Directions & Road Conditions

From Sacramento/Marysville take Highway 20 east to the Collins Lake exit, then follow Quincy-La Porte Road (E-21) north for 50 miles. The paved road climbs steeply after La Porte. Watch for blind curves and the occasional rockslide.

From Chico/Oroville drive Highway 70 north to Stirling City, connect to Forest Route 24/La Porte Road, and link to E-21 near Spanish Ranch. This rural route crosses several one-lane bridges, so be ready to yield and check for washouts after spring rains.

From Tahoe/Reno use Highway 395 north to Susanville, then Highway 36 west to Chester and Highway 89 south to Quincy. Take Highway 70 to Stirling City and continue on La Porte Road to the reservoir entrance.

Carry chains or traction devices in the shoulder seasons. Plow crews usually clear the road to the lake by mid-morning, but the last few miles can stay snow-packed until mid-May. Cell coverage is spotty, so download maps ahead and bring a printed copy of the route.

Information

Plumas National Forest, Challenge, CA 95925, (916) 258-6000 (call for current water levels, fire closures, and permitting).

Related California Lake Guides

Planning a multi-lake trip or exploring more Sierra Nevada 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.
• Bucks Lake - Trophy trout fishing nearby in the Plumas National Forest.
• Lake Almanor - Premier trophy trout destination with German browns over 10 lbs.
• Northern Sierra Fishing Guide - Overview of high-elevation Sierra trout waters.