At Lake Almanor in late spring, mix fast and slow. Captain Bryan Roccucci runs bright Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers fast and clean for reaction bites, then slows to nightcrawlers and soft plastic Trix Worms and grubs at 1 to 1.2 mph. The water is in the mid 50s to low 60s with heavy bug hatches around the whole lake. The hottest zone is 15 to 30 feet. Stay flexible, everything is on the table.
What lures work at Lake Almanor now?
A fast and slow mix. On the fast side, Trigger Spoons and Junior Optimizers in bright colors, run clean. On the slow side, nightcrawlers and soft plastic worms and grubs. Bryan Roccucci keeps both going because everything is on the table right now.
How deep are Lake Almanor trout?
The hottest depth right now is somewhere between 15 and 30 feet, and that holds for both the fast and the slow presentations. Set your spoons and your bait in that band across the lake.
How fast should I troll at Lake Almanor?
Two gears. Run spoons and Optimizers fast for reaction strikes, then drop to about 1 to 1.2 mph for nightcrawlers and soft plastics like Trix Grubs. Match your speed to the presentation you are pulling.
What are Lake Almanor conditions in late spring?
Water temperatures are up into the mid to upper 50s, topping into the low 60s on sunny days with light wind. Heavy bug hatches are going off on the east shore, the west shore, and the north end of the lake.
What colors catch Almanor trout right now?
Bright colors are getting most of the spoon and Optimizer bites, with a few on the darker colors. Keep some bright and some dark in the spread and let the fish tell you, since the bite is changing week to week.
Watch the technique
Trolling lake almanor for trout FAQ
Yes. With heavy bug hatches around the whole lake there are a lot of options, but you need to stay flexible because everything is on the table.
Mid to upper 50s, topping into the low 60s on sunny days with light wind.
Between 15 and 30 feet for both the fast and the slow presentations.
Bright trigger spoons and Junior Optimizers, run clean and fast for reaction strikes.
Nightcrawlers and soft plastic worms and grubs, trolled slow at about 1 to 1.2 mph.
Yes. Hatches are everywhere on the east, west, and north end, so the fish have plenty to eat. Stay flexible and cover both fast and slow options.
