Anyone with experience fishing Lake Almanor?

I am blocking out some time to camp/fish at Lake Almanor in late April.  Is there anyone on the site with experience fishing this lake that can give me some info on how to fish this lake?

Thanks,

Doug

april should be good by the dam or trolilng the east side.Hamilton branch and big springs could be good too.Butt valley also has some nice rainbows. Almanor has browns rainbows,salmon,smallmouth bass.  There is largemouth in walker res.

Doug - the links below will get you some info on reports and techniques.  I have fished Butt Valley Res in the past. Now have work going on around Quincy and Chester so plan on fishing Almanor over the next few months when I'm in the area. Good luck - John


http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com/

http://www.bigdaddyfishing.com/

The Hamilton Branch is the honey hole.

Chill by the powerhouse....

S.

Have to agree with trying Hamilton branch for large trout.  On the west side there can be some great smallmouth fishing on the edges of the weed beds.  Dropshotting just about anything works if they are there.

Doug, just about what everyone else says. The dam area is good for trout, also Hamilton branch. The lake has a great smallmouth pop. with some trophy fish. There is also a good salmon pop. some soak anchovies for. let us know when you will be there.
  Randall

Thanks for the advice.  Randall I will be up there from April 23 to May 3rd. Let me know if you (or anyone else) wants to hook up during this time. 

I see that most of you said Hamilton branch is good.  So I am a bit worried where to go:  I talked with Barry (Big Daddy's Guide Service)  I was going to possibly go the prior week, but I have to reschedule fewer people at the office if I go at the end of April. I told him that I wanted to kayak fish and hoped to get a lake front campsite.  He said if I went earlier, I probably should try the eastern side of the lake.  But he said if I go the last week of April, he would recommend I go to the west side.  He said it's shallower and warms earlier and gets earlier fish action.  The PG&E campgrounds near the dam are not opened until Memorial day. So I'd have to stay at Camp Pratville, but it's seems like it's about 4 miles north of the dam. They have RV sites right on the shore for $40/day.  The owner Ken said they have 2 feet of snow now but he's sure it should be gone by the end of April unless there are some late storms.  He said I wouldn't have to paddle to the dam, that I could fish right in front of their site.

So if I go to the west side, doesn't seem like I can fish the Hamilton branch as it's clear across the lake.

Any further input from you vets?

By the way, Barry has sure gotten some people some big Macks at Bucks Lake

http://www.bigdaddyfishing.com/photo.htm

You'll be fine on the west shore. It would be a good paddle to hamilton, but doable. The dam is also reachable from there. The smallmouyh areas are close bye also. I will definately try and make it and see if I can get Ty's head out of his behind and come too. I miss that lake! My old place was 55 min away amd we use to go all the time. great place to beat the heat of Chico and awsome in the spring.
 Randall

Doug - If I'm up during that period I'll get in touch. I think there is a US Forest Service campground just north of Prattville that has a ramp, maybe some sites close to the lake(?).  Call the Lake Almanor Ranger District office in Chester for info on open dates, price, etc.  Might be a cheaper option.

Another option for fishing if your base camp is on the west shore in Prattville is to use your vehicle to drive to the dam or east shore for launches if the fishing is better in those areas.  The dam has a public launch, not as familiar with the east shore, I know there are several resorts, must be some other opportunities to dump a yak in as well. Some of the other folks may know the east shore area better and can give specifics. From Prattville, the one-way paddle distances are about 2 miles to the dam area and about 4 miles across the lake to the Hamilton Branch area.  If you decide to paddle across the lake just be careful of the wind forecast.  It can get nasty real quick, and a real PITA.

Good luck - John   

Thanks John,

As we get closer to the time, if anyone might be able to hookup, let me know and I'll post you my cell # so we can connect. On the 25th or 26th I might actually try to use Big Daddy's service to shorten my learning curve.

Doug

Big daddy does know that lake. Bird is right about the distance's and wind warnings. The lake is absolute glass in the early AM and 4 miles to Hamilton would not be bad, the trip back could be hard if you wait to long. Maybe a pick up rig on the east shore for the afternoon? I am really going to try and make it so we'll figure something out. Randall

hamilton branch is the go-to spot for hillbilly fishing

pack your foul weather gear!!!
http://weather.msn.com/tenday.aspx?wealocations=wc:USCA0209&q=Chester%2c+CA+forecast:tenday

My luck.

Maybe I'll be doing more exploring than fishing, at least in the first part of my trip