Lake Almanor
lake in California
Fly anglers target cruising fish in shallower bays and along drop-offs, especially during cooler months and evenings.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Cooler
- 01Cooler, overcast weather is driving a strong fall bite.
- 02Trout are actively transitioning to pond smelt as their primary forage.
- 03Early mornings are seeing surface activity on floating smelt imitations.
- 04Subsurface techniques with intermediate lines are productive later in the morning.
- 05Focus on areas with cold water ingress and along the shoreline for aggressive feeders.
What to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Floating Pond Smelt
Trout are actively keying into floating pond smelt in the early mornings as water temperatures drop, a primary fall food source.
Sinking Pond Smelt
Brown and Rainbow Trout are actively feeding on pond smelt subsurface; intermediate lines are effective for getting this pattern to depth.
Milt's Pond Smelt
Trout are actively feeding on pond smelt, which is the primary food source in Lake Almanor during the fall.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
This versatile streamer imitates leeches and baitfish, a reliable food source for aggressive trout in colder fall waters.
Damsel Nymph (Olive)
Damsel nymphs are a substantial food source for cruising trout along weed lines and submerged structures in Lake Almanor.
Egg Sucking Leech
Excellent for Chinook Salmon and opportunistic trout keying into eggs during fall spawning activity.
Buy at AmazonBalanced Leech
Leeches are a consistent year-round food source in stillwaters like Lake Almanor, effective subsurface as trout feed aggressively in fall.
Buy at AmazonChironomid Pupa
Chironomids remain a consistent food source in stillwaters, effective subsurface with indicator nymphing for opportunistic trout.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Big Springs Cove
Shallow bay known for good insect activity and cruising fish.
Canyon Dam
Access near the dam, good for deeper water and trolling flies.
Hamilton Branch
The inlet stream to Lake Almanor, attracting trout and salmon.
Get Lake Almanor reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
California season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Lake Almanor.
What flies work best on Lake Almanor?
Our top scored fly patterns for Lake Almanor right now are Floating Pond Smelt (80% confidence), Sinking Pond Smelt (80% confidence), Milt's Pond Smelt (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Lake Almanor?
Lake Almanor holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, King Salmon. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Lake Almanor fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Lake Almanor each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.