Lake Almanor 12/19

Looks like a possible window of good weather .
Staying in Chester. Boat launches near Chester ?

How is the fishing this time of year ? Considering taking a 13.5 aluminum boat to get my father on the water.

What side of the lake might have shelter from the wind this time of year?

Reading through some of the Lake Almanor archives. 

Not as easy a catch as Mr Mayes makes it out to be . 

Found a couple boat launches online. Wow ! 40 bucks to launch and terrible reviews for out of town'ers. Any places to hand launch ?


Thanks for any suggestions.



Alex

It's coming onto nearly two years since I fished up there, but IMO, December provides your best shot at catching a BIG brown trout.  They're in the spawn mode this time of year, and they can become reckless.

The closest public launch to Chester is at Almanor North Campground, a US Forest Service campground on the west shore near Prattville.  Trouble is, the access road for the ramp is only occasionally plowed.  If it snows a lot between now and then, it could be unusable.  The only year-round boat ramp is Canyon Dam, located at the south end of the lake and roughly 10 miles south of Chester.  If you're only launching kayaks, there's ample space on the beach along the west shore to do that, particularly just north of Plumas Pines Resort.

The winter storms generally come in from the west, but always check the latest wind forecasts the day before you launch.  If you're really in a pinch regarding wind, Geritol Cove is a good spot to retreat to and still have a good shot at fish (it's the big cove just south of the Canyon Dam boat ramp).

While you can get some fish trolling, jigs and bait really shine in December.  A 3 inch Berkley Gulp minnow in a "smelt" pattern, fished on a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce jighead, can absolutely slay fish in the winter.  A single mealworm or a nightcrawler suspended a foot or two off the bottom is another good bet.  Whatever you use, fish it slow and keep it near the bottom.

As for spots to fish, my old reports describe several of em, but I'm gonna PM you a few others to check out as well.  It's good to have at least a few spots to try in a given day, until you find some active fish.

I got a 16" yesterday, nothing to write home about, I released it.

It was quiet otherwise unfortunately...

  

Thanks for the reply and p.m.

I am already booked at the cedar lodge along with my Dad. Who is 75.

Looking forward to exploring this gem of a lake with my Dad.

Not sure if this look is good for me though ?

Alex

Not sure if this look is good for me though ?

Almanor's top anglers sport the golden locks and a straw hat.

-Allen

Not sure if this look is good for me though ?

Almanor's top anglers sport the golden locks and a straw hat.

-Allen

 waiting for it.........

Not sure if this look is good for me though ?

Almanor's top anglers sport the golden locks and a straw hat.

-Allen

 waiting for it.........

How's that?   

-Allen

How's that?   

-Allen

LMAO.

was up there a couple of weeks ago. I rented a cabin in Prattville for a week. I tried fishing Butt lake for a couple of days but bombed out, not a single bite. There is a ramp near the dam. Don't know about the road conditions this time of the year. It seemed like everyone was fishing around the dam. First time up there so I  really can't complain. If road/weather conditions allow it going to try it in March. It does get cold up there. Good luck in your fishing trip.

Not sure if this look is good for me though ?

Almanor's top anglers sport the golden locks and a straw hat.

-Allen

 waiting for it.........

How's that?   

-Allen

 

I was driving and pulling up my topic and thought it was an ad, not my Avatar. 

You know what pic im talking about Cabron.

Shut it Dustin.

Thanks for the reply Dogwood.

Alex

We are not worthy.

Just one baby !

I have to ask where did you catch it,and what time of the year.

I have to ask where did you catch it,and what time of the year.

That is a pic of Clayman. He is the fish whisperer  there. 

I have to ask where did you catch it,and what time of the year.

That is a pic of Clayman. He is the fish whisperer  there. 

I used to catch a few up there.  I've been gone a while, I'd probably suck now  .

Dogwood, that's a pic of a fish I caught in the spring on Almanor, an unusually warm February evening I believe.  That time of year is prime for toplining plugs close to shore.  Late February to April was generally the only time of the year I'd troll on Almanor.  As soon as that water warmed up to 42-43 degrees, it was game on!