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Lake Almanor Fishing Report | July 21, 2025
2025-07-21

Lake Almanor Fishing Report | July 21, 2025

Plumas County
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Lake Almanor
Rainbow trout brown trout landlocked salmon

Water Conditions

Weather
Weather
Hot afternoons with little breeze; mostly flat surface conditions
Water Temp
Water Temp
Low to mid-70s at the surface
Water Clarity
Water Clarity
Excellent—downrigger ball visible 20–25 feet down in some areas
Water Flow
Water Flow
Stable; lake has only dropped about six inches in the past two weeks

Fishing Overview

Target Species
Rainbow trout, brown trout, landlocked salmon
Depth Range
25 to 45 feet
Presentation
Slow trolling with trout trix minnows
Best Time
Not specified
Successful Lures
White and baitfish-colored trout trix minnows treated with Brown Town scent
Other Techniques
Downsizing baits to match smaller Japanese pond smelt

Guide’s Tips & Notes

Advice for This Week
Focus on the minnow bite. Fish are aggressively targeting schools of Japanese pond smelt, especially in deeper, cooler pockets along the east shore, west shore, and peninsula. Load up your lures with minnow scent and match the size of the baitfish for best results.
Changes We’re Seeing
Bug hatches are tapering off, especially the famous hex hatch. Fish are transitioning from bugs to minnows as their primary food source.
Predictions for Next Week
Expect the strong minnow bite to continue through the rest of summer and into fall. Cooler weather may offer some relief, but fish will likely remain deep and aggressive.

Recommended Gear for This Trip

Trout Trix Minnows - 5 pack

Regular price $2.89 USD
Sale price $2.89 USD Regular price $3.85 USD

The Trigger Minnow by Catch America is a lifelike soft plastic minnow designed to mimic real baitfish with fluid, natural movement in the water. Whether trolled, cast, or drifted, this thin-bodied bait produces an irresistible action that triggers aggressive strikes from trout, bass, kokanee, and more. Works great in fresh and saltwater with or without additional rigging.

Includes FIVE 2.75-inch plastic minnows

Thin, flexible body mimics real forage
Pairs perfectly with an Action Disc for erratic movement
Excellent scent retention for prolonged effectiveness
Can be used for trolling, casting, or drifting
Available in five trout-teasing colors

Trout Trix Minnows Kit - 25 pack

Regular price $11.25 USD
Sale price $11.25 USD Regular price $15.00 USD

The Trix Minnow Kit by Catch America features lifelike, soft plastic minnows designed to mimic real baitfish. Perfect for trout trolling in fresh and saltwater, these thin-bodied lures deliver irresistible action when paired with an Action Disc, triggering aggressive strikes. Works for trout, but don’t be surprised if a lunker bass joins the catch!

Kit Includes:
25 Assorted-Color Trix Minnows (Natural Minnow, Bubble Gum, Translucent Pink, Hot Orange, Pure White)
Straight Shank J Hooks
Bobber Stops
Action Discs
Beads

Brown Town Scent by Bryan Roccucci

Regular price $7.96 USD
Sale price $7.96 USD Regular price $9.95 USD

Hooking Browns just got easier.
Thanks to Bryan Roccucci's Brown Town scent, targeting Brown Trout is no longer a guessing game. Packed with premium ingredients, this scent is designed to help you hit your limit faster and more often.