The Almanor Fishing Association reports that the “February weather train” keeps rolling on at Lake Almanor. The basin received a mix of both rain, snow and nice weather in the second half of February. The lake level sits at 4,489 feet, which is up about foot from earlier in the month and about 5 feet under full. Water temperatures are running in the low to mid 30s. Absent any wind a small amount of surface ice continues to form then melt off once the sun hits it.
Several areas along the lake’s east shore from the dam to Dorado had been giving up a mix of browns and bows along with areas on both the east and west side of the peninsula like Rec 1 and A-frame as well as Rec 2. Slow-trolled worms, plastics and trolling flies are the preferred baits in the 20-to-35-foot range.
Hamilton Branch has seen elevated flows and dirty water, reducing water clarity the closer anglers get to the mouth. Most of the east basin continues to see reduced visibility. The west basin along the peninsula had much better visibility. Traffic on the lake has been very light to nonexistent, with a slight bump on the weekends.
The association says this is the time of year where fish will push into the shallows of the west shore. Bank anglers throwing lures, bait and flies have been working the coves of the west shore with some success, as is typical for this time of year. Fly anglers are getting grabs on slow stripped streamers in pond smelt patterns as well as cinnamon colors.
The Canyon Dam boat ramp is currently open and useable. The association reminds anglers to always be prepared for winter conditions and be safe.
Information provided by Almanor Fishing Association
