Lake Almanor Report – Joe Garza
Fishing at Lake Almanor has been good and continues to improve. A few thunderstorms passed through this week, but the fish didn’t seem to mind the rain or the cooler temperatures.
We’re seeing a shift in feeding behavior as fish begin turning their attention from bugs to a larger food source—pond smelt. Browns are starting to bulk up for their spawning run, while rainbows are feeding aggressively ahead of the colder months. As lake temperatures drop, overall fish activity is increasing.
Fishing should only get better as we move into September and October.
Stick with intermediate and Type III sinking lines—surface temps are still warming up by midday. Early in the day, use a #6–8 sinking pond smelt pattern, but keep an eye out for surface activity. When fish begin to rise, switch to a #6–8 floating pond smelt.
Lately, we’ve been picking up fish on sinking lines in the morning, with a few risers mixed in. By mid-day, the action transitions deeper—#6–8 balanced leeches and #10–12 midge setups have been effective.
This is a prime window for targeting big browns on the surface—you won’t want to miss it.
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