2025-07-21
Lake Almanor Fishing Report | July 21, 2025
Plumas County
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Lake Almanor
Rainbow trout
brown trout
landlocked salmon
Water Conditions
Weather
Hot afternoons with little breeze; mostly flat surface conditions
Water Temp
Low to mid-70s at the surface
Water Clarity
Excellent—downrigger ball visible 20–25 feet down in some areas
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.