Almanor Fishing Association:
The winter of 2022/23 is certainly one for the record books. March added 88 inches of snowfall to our already impressive snowfall totals, bringing our year to date to a whopping 306.5 inches (25.5 feet). Along with snow we experienced extremely cold temperatures as our average low for March was under 18 degrees, the cold temperatures resulted in very little snow melt and a minimal increase in lake levels. Almanor is currently sitting at 4482.88 (a foot higher than last year on the same date) and up a foot and four tenths for the month of March. Water temperatures remain in the mid-thirties.
It appears the worst of the weather is behind us. It’s time to get back on the water. Access to shore fishing will remain difficult until some snow melts, I have seen anglers at the branch and in the coves around the dam. As the snow melts and water temps rise, fishing will only improve. Trollers can target their efforts around the dam early in the morning and spread out as the sun gets on the water. You will need to cover water to find fish and fast trolling hardware, flies and Rapala’s will provide you with the best opportunity to find and catch fish. If the super ditch starts to flow there should be fish where it enters into the lake for shore fishermen.
Highway 70 through the canyon remains closed, there is a minimal delay on 32 and 36 is clear. You can expect chain controls at any time on all roadways leading to Almanor (for at least another week).
