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Lake Almanor Fishing Report | October 19, 2025

Report by Capt. Bryan Roccucci
Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service is a Catch America pro-staff captain who guides Lake Almanor. Shop Bryan Roccucci's tackle.
What is working right now

Lake Almanor trout have moved shallow as water dropped below 60 degrees in mid-October 2025. The bite is now surface to 25 feet along the East Shore and the Peninsula, with downriggers set 3 to 7 feet down. Capt. Bryan Roccucci is slow-trolling Trix Minnows dressed with Brown Town scent to match the pond smelt the trout are feeding on.

What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?

Trout, and the fishing has been good despite wind and light rain stirring the water. Cooler temperatures have pushed a lot of fish shallow. You pick through some smaller fish along the East Shore and Peninsula, but there are plenty of nice ones mixed in.

What depth are the trout holding at Lake Almanor?

Shallow. With water temps below 60 degrees and in the mid to upper 50s, the bite is now surface to 25 feet, a change from the 35 to 45 foot depths of weeks past. Capt. Bryan Roccucci set downriggers 3 to 7 feet down for good action.

What lures and scent are working at Lake Almanor?

Bryan is pulling Trix Minnows set up with Brown Town scent, matching the hatch on trout that are feeding heavily on pond smelt. The slow game has produced the best results this week.

How should I present at Lake Almanor?

Stick with a slow trolling approach to match the pond smelt. Run the Trix Minnow shallow on downriggers set 3 to 7 feet down along the East Shore and Peninsula. Fast gear is always an option this time of year, especially in wind, but Bryan focused on the slow bite.

What are the conditions and outlook at Lake Almanor?

Water temps are dropping into the mid to upper 50s and the fall drawdown has stalled, so the lake level has held steady. Bryan expects the shallow pattern with fish in the top 10 feet to continue as the trout stay keyed on pond smelt.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Bryan Roccucci): Water temps are dropping, we are now below 60 degrees, hovering in the mid to upper 50s. It has actually brought a lot of fish more shallow. This last week has pretty much been a surface to 25 foot bite. We were setting some downriggers 3 to 7 feet down. We are pulling the Trout Trix Minnows, setting those up with the Brown Town scent, matching the hatch on the minnow-feeding fish.

Lake Almanor October 2025 FAQ

How deep are the trout at Lake Almanor in October 2025?

Surface to 25 feet, with downriggers set 3 to 7 feet down producing good action.

What lure works at Lake Almanor right now?

Trix Minnows dressed with Brown Town scent, matching the pond smelt forage.

What is the water temperature at Lake Almanor?

Below 60 degrees, hovering in the mid to upper 50s.

Where are the trout biting at Lake Almanor?

Along the East Shore and the east side of the Peninsula, close to the surface.

What are the Lake Almanor trout feeding on?

Pond smelt, so a slow minnow presentation matches the hatch.

Should I fish fast or slow at Lake Almanor?

Slow. Bryan focused on the slow game, though fast gear is an option in wind.

Is the Lake Almanor lake level dropping?

No, the fall drawdown has stalled and the level held steady this week.

Tags: bryan-roccucci lake-almanor rainbow-trout
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