Lake Almanor Fishing

It appears February weather train keeps rolling on. The basin has received a mix of both rain and snow the last few days. The lake level currently sits at just under 4489 ft. up about foot in the last week. Water temperatures are running in the low to mid 30’s. Prior to the storm, the light winds and cold overnight temperatures had some surface ice forming on the lake. The wind associated with the incoming front pretty well cleared out the ice on the open water leaving some coves with an ice slush film. We had some beautiful, albeit cold, days on the water prior to the storm’s arrival. As referenced in the last report several areas along the lake’s east shore from the dam to Dorado had been giving up fish along with areas on both the east and west side of the peninsula like Rec 1 and A-frame as well as Rec 2. Slow trolled worms, plastics and trolling flies are the preferred baits in the 20-to-35-foot range. Hamilton branch has seen elevated flows and dirty water reducing water clarity the closer you get to the mouth.  In fact, the whole east basin is heavily stained with reduced visibility. The west basin along the peninsula had much better visibility. Traffic on the lake was very lite to non-existent. No word or sight of bank anglers but this is the time of year where fish will push into the shallows of the west shore. After today it looks like there are some clear days in the forecast for some winter-time trout action. The Canyon Dam Boat Ramp has been plowed and is currently open and useable. Always be prepared for winter conditions and be safe.