Lake Almanor Fishing Association:
Spring has finally sprung in Plumas County, we will see sixty-degree temperatures for the first time in months with overnight lows in the thirties a couple of days this week. While there remains large amounts of snow at lake level in the shaded areas, snow is beginning to melt. Lake level is up slightly currently sitting at 4483.14 up a foot from last year on the same date and fractionally from last week. Bayley Creek is picking up pace, the north Fork of the Feather through Chester has a solid flow and Hamilton Branch is depositing large volumes of water into Almanor. AFA volunteer Phil Datner has collected data from previous year’s and according to his calculations we should see water flowing into the Super Ditch by the end of the week.
After a slow start to the season, and water temperatures rise, we should finally start to see fishing pick up for trollers. Fish are beginning to move out of the south end of the lake. Fast trolling hardware, flies and/or Rapala’s remain your best shot at finding and catching fish. Cover ground until you find a concentration of fish (which has been tough to do). Begin your day at Canyon Dam and move around the lake as the sun comes up. Winds early in the week will make slow trolling difficult if not impossible. Bank fishermen are finding quality fish around the coves by the dam, the increased water flow down the branch is making for tough fishing conditions.
Highway 70 through the canyon remains closed, there are tree removal and construction projects on 32 and you can expect minimal delays, 36 is clear. Canyon Dam remains the only usable public boat ramp. All of our campgrounds remain closed, lodging options are limited, AFA supporters Cedar Lodge are open for business and conveniently located on the west side of Chester just before the 89/36 intersection and a short drive to the Canyon Dam boat launch.
