Lake Almanor Fishing Report | March 2026
The report at a glance
Depth
From the surface down to about 25 and even 30 feet, depending on where the sport fish had the bait corralled. On flat, sunny days the fish slid a little deeper.
Presentation
Bryan prefers toplining this time of year, running plugs or trolling soft plastics up top. When fish slide deeper, he switches to deeper diving plugs or drops down on the downriggers. Watch the sonar to track the bait.
Lures and baits
Trix Minnows as the best pond smelt imitation, whether toplining plugs or trolling the soft plastics.
Set up with Brown Town scent by Bryan Roccucci to mimic the minnow.
Water temperature
Mid to upper 40s and rising
Water level
Climbing about a tenth of a foot per day, roughly 5 feet from maximum pool.
Weather
Warm, spring-like weather pushing water temperatures up.
Advice for this week
Match the pond smelt with a minnow profile and add Brown Town scent for the extra trigger. Watch your sonar and adjust your depth from the surface to 30 feet based on where the bait is stacked.
What is changing
Water level climbing about a tenth of a foot per day. The fish are feeding exclusively on pond smelt.
Next week
Bryan expects the spring bite to keep rolling through March. In April some rainbows will drop off to spawn, then return to the lake hot and aggressive. With the warm weather, do not be surprised to see aquatic bug hatches start up.
Lake Almanor is in fantastic shape in March, with fantastic numbers of browns and rainbows keyed on pond smelt. Capt. Bryan Roccucci is toplining from the surface down to 25, even 30 feet, running Trout Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town to match the bait. Water is in the mid-40s and rising, and the lake sits about 5 feet from full.
What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?
Browns and rainbows in fantastic numbers, from heavy browns and midsize browns to a lot of nice rainbows and some smaller ones. Capt. Bryan Roccucci says the lake is healthy and fishing as good as it gets for early spring.
What depth are the Lake Almanor trout holding?
Best target depths are the surface down to about 25 and even 30 feet, depending on where the sport fish have the bait corralled. On flat, sunny days the fish may slide a little deeper, so watch your sonar and drop down when needed.
What lures and scent work at Lake Almanor in March?
The fish are feeding exclusively on pond smelt, so there is no better imitation than Trout Trix Minnows. Bryan sets them up with Brown Town scent to mimic the minnow, whether toplining plugs or trolling the soft plastics.
How is Bryan presenting at Lake Almanor?
Toplining is his preferred method this time of year, running plugs and soft plastics up high. When fish slide deeper on flat conditions he switches to deeper-diving plugs or drops down on the downriggers, keeping Brown Town scent on everything.
What is the outlook for Lake Almanor?
Bright. Water is coming up about a tenth of a foot a day, sitting about 5 feet from full, with temps in the mid-40s. Bryan expects the spring bite to keep going, and once the rainbows finish spawning they come back hot. Warm weather may spark early bug hatches.
Watch the full report
Lake Almanor March 2026 FAQ
Surface down to about 25 and even 30 feet, depending on where the bait is corralled.
Pond smelt, matched with Trout Trix Minnows and Brown Town scent.
Toplining plugs and soft plastics, dropping to deeper-diving plugs or downriggers when fish slide deeper.
Mid-40s, rising with warm weather, with the lake about 5 feet from full.
Trout Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town to imitate pond smelt.
Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service.
