Fall trout are biting at Lake Almanor, holding 32 to 45 feet on the lake's pond smelt. Match the hatch with a scaled-down Trix Minnow scented with Brown Town, or cover water fast with a Trigger Spoon or Junior Optimizer. Best bite runs late morning through early afternoon.
What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?
Fall trout action keeps rolling, with a great grade of mixed browns and rainbows, lately leaning more rainbow. Capt. Bryan Roccucci reports exceptional fishing in mild, flat conditions. Water sits around 67 degrees and the lake is about 10 feet from maximum pool on a slow fall drawdown.
What depth are the trout holding at Lake Almanor?
Run your gear 32 to 42 feet down, sometimes as deep as 45 feet. That low 30s to low 40s band is holding fish for both the slow and the high-speed programs. The bite really takes off from late morning through early afternoon rather than first thing.
What lures and colors are working at Lake Almanor?
For the slow program, run Trix Minnows cut down to match the pond smelt and scented with Brown Town scent. For fast trolling, pull Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers in darker greens or a baitfish rainbow pattern, also scented with Brown Town.
How is Bryan rigging and presenting at Lake Almanor?
It has been dealer's choice. Slow-troll a size-matched Trix Minnow on Brown Town, or high-speed troll spoons to cover water. The water has some cloud, so adding Brown Town scent helps fish track the lure down. A specific trolling speed was not specified in this report.
What is the outlook for Lake Almanor?
Bryan expects the exciting fall bite to keep going as the smelt-focused feed continues. Fish are healthy and the mix of browns and rainbows stays strong. Water clarity is a little cloudy but not bad. Exact water temperature trend beyond the 67 degree reading was not specified in this report.
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Lake Almanor September 22, 2025 FAQ
Fish are running 32 to 42 feet down, up to about 45 feet, in the low 30s to low 40s range for both slow and fast trolling.
A size-matched Trix Minnow scented with Brown Town for the slow program, or Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers for high-speed trolling.
Late morning through early afternoon has been the prime window. Mornings pick up a few fish, but the bite really turns on later.
They are keyed heavily on the lake's pond smelt, which is why matching the hatch with smelt-sized baits works.
About 67 degrees in the mornings, rising slightly under sunny, flat conditions.
Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service.
