Lake Almanor Fishing Report | September 15, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Mid-30s to mid-40 feet on the slow troll; 35 to 40 feet on the spoons
Presentation
Running slow, pull Trout Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town at 1.2 mph through the mid-30s to mid-40 foot zone. Running fast, pull rainbow-pattern Trigger Spoons at 2.8 to 3.2 mph in the 35 to 40 foot range.
Lures and baits
Trout Trix Minnows on the slow troll and rainbow-pattern Trigger Spoons on the fast troll, both scented with Brown Town Scent.
Water temperature
66 degrees, down about 2 degrees from 68.
Water level
Lake level in good shape, dropping about a tenth of a foot a day.
Weather
Mostly mild with beautiful days; a few afternoon showers, and a warm-up on the way.
Advice for this week
Match the hatch. These fish feed on pond smelt, and Brown Town is minnow-based, so if you want to look like a minnow, smell like a minnow. Scent every offering.
What is changing
Water temperature slipping about 2 degrees to 66 from 68 a week earlier. Lake level dropping about a tenth of a foot a day, normal for the season.
Next week
This late-summer, early-fall bite looks like it will keep rolling at Lake Almanor. Bryan then heads to Eagle Lake for fly-trolling trips in mid-October and early November.
Lake Almanor is fishing well in mid-September 2025 with fall in the air and the water at 66 degrees. Capt. Bryan Roccucci finds trout in the mid-30s to mid-40 foot range feeding on pond smelt. Run Trout Trix Minnows slow at 1.2 mph or rainbow-pattern Trigger Spoons fast at 2.8 to 3.2 mph, both scented with Brown Town.
How is the fishing at Lake Almanor right now?
Good and cooperative. Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service reports a fun week under mostly flat, mild conditions in mid-September 2025. Fall is in the air, the water keeps cooling, and the fish are still spread throughout the entire lake feeding well on pond smelt.
What depth are the fish holding at Lake Almanor?
In the mid-30s to mid-40 foot range. Bryan targets that band for both his slow and fast presentations. The fish are keyed on the lake's pond smelt population, so he matches that forage. Water temperature is 66 degrees, down about 2 degrees from a week ago.
What lures and speeds work at Lake Almanor?
Two ways. Run slow at 1.2 mph pulling Trout Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town Scent, or run the fast hardware, rainbow-pattern Trigger Spoons, at 2.8 to 3.2 mph in the 35 to 40 foot range. Bryan scents both.
Why does Bryan use Brown Town Scent at Almanor?
Match the hatch. The fish are feeding on minnows, and Brown Town Scent is made from a minnow base. Bryan, a big believer in scent from his fly fishing roots, says if you want to look like a minnow, smell like a minnow. He scents both his slow minnows and his spoons.
Watch the full report
Lake Almanor September 15, 2025 FAQ
Rainbow trout feeding on pond smelt, per Capt. Bryan Roccucci.
In the mid-30s to mid-40 foot range, with spoons fished at 35 to 40 feet.
Slow, about 1.2 miles per hour, with Brown Town Scent.
Fast, 2.8 to 3.2 miles per hour, in the rainbow pattern.
About 66 degrees, down roughly 2 degrees from a week earlier.
Its minnow base matches the pond smelt the trout are feeding on.
