Lake Almanor hosts numerous fishing tournaments
Compiled by Mari Erin Roth
Lake level continues to rise (slowly) and currently sits at 4,481.9. This is 12 feet below full and the lowest level at this time of year in the past 10 years. Warm weather is raising water temps to the low 50s. Visibility is between 8-12 feet. Snow is all but gone at lake level; with another beautiful week of spring like conditions on the horizon for Almanor. Overnight lows dip into the high 20s.
Canyon Dam is the only public boat ramp and parking (especially on weekends) has been a mess. “There was a 30 boat bass tournament yesterday and there are tournaments scheduled for at least the next two weekends,” said Almanor Fishing Association president John Crotty. “I have heard mixed reports of when the USFS ramp at Prattville will open, I will post opening date as soon as it becomes available, in the meantime be prepared for long lines at Canyon Dam.”
The bass are moving up into the shallows and the bite has improved. Trout trollers continue to catch quality fish and are starting to see more rainbows and salmon in the mix. Huge insect hatches are going off and fish are enjoying the dietary change. The fish are in great shape and hard fighting. As the fish migrate to the northwest portion of the lake in search of insects the fast action should continue to improve.
“Flies, hardware, crawlers and gulps will all catch fish,” said Crotty. “Arctic Fox trolling flies in hot orange and white trolled at 1.7 mph with or without a wiggle disc, speedy shiners at 2.5-3 (red/gold, red dot frog and wonder bread) and of course crawlers and gulps, at 1 mph are top choices.”
Bank fisherman continue to catch fish at Hamilton Branch, with the Hex Hatch still 6-8 weeks away.
Most businesses are open and/or will open in the next few weeks. Campgrounds currently remain closed and there are no major road construction projects underway on highways 32, 70/89 or highway 36.
