Lassen Volcanic NP and Lake Almanor questions

AK fell through for us this year for a number of reasons, and have cut my vacation back due to work.  So GF and I  were looking at places to go, and she really wants to Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lake Almanor.  Has anyone stayed at either, any places better or worse than others? Tips, baits, campgrounds?  All appreciated.

Lots of possibilities.  what's your timeframe?

The best place to camp at Lassen is manzanita lake.  We used to slay the trout, but now it's all artificial lure with single barbless hook.

I have caught fish outside the park at  Battle Creek Reservior, Hat Creek, Baum Lake, Cassel.  All trout fishing.  Power bait and salmon eggs are popular, some guys use mepps spinners

I don't have a lot of experience within the park, but Almanor?  Yeah  .  September is a good month to fish the big lake around springs and inflowing tributaries.  Upper End, Bailey Springs, Big Springs, and the mouth of Hamilton Branch would be the places to target.  Upper End has been on fire this year so I haven't tried the other spots yet.  The smelt are smaller this time of year, so you want to downsize your jigs and lures to the 2 inch or less variety.  1/8 to 1/4 ounce Kastmasters and 2 inch Berkley Gulp! minnows on leadheads are ideal.  As the weather cools the fishing on the main lake should really take off.  If you want to do some stream fishing, try the first 1/2 mile of Hamilton Branch, right above where it enters the lake.  Some toad rainbows move into that stream this time of year.  For campgrounds, you shouldn't have trouble getting a spot at either Almanor North (USFS campground near Prattville), or you could check out Rocky Point (PG&E campground closer to the dam).  Both of the aforementioned campgrounds are right on the lake.  With school back on it's been getting quiet up here.

If you're willing to hike, I hear Snag Lake in the park has some big trout in it.  I think it's about a 3 mile hike in though.  Manzanita Lake near the north end of the park is supposed to be good too.  You can drive to Manzanita, but it does have special regulations in effect.  It's basically a flyfishing mecca.

PM me and I can give you more info on Almanor if you like.

I don't consider myself to be a sheep, but I'd do what Clayman sayz! 

13-23 Sep is the target time frame, with half being spent in Lassen the other around the Lassen/Alamanor area.  Being a brook trout guy from back east I would love to hit up some of the smaller water for a shot at some trout up there.  Frying pan size works for me. Might have to break out the Popiels Pocket Fisherman (laugh all you want, I have slayed some serious trout and smallmouths on a PPF in my youth).   Good to throw in the back of the pack with couple of lures.

13-23 Sep is the target time frame, with half being spent in Lassen the other around the Lassen/Alamanor area.  Being a brook trout guy from back east I would love to hit up some of the smaller water for a shot at some trout up there.  Frying pan size works for me. Might have to break out the Popiels Pocket Fisherman (laugh all you want, I have slayed some serious trout and smallmouths on a PPF in my youth).   Good to throw in the back of the pack with couple of lures.

Nice.  If small water is what you want, then I'd follow rob102's suggestion about Hat Creek.  That stream is LOADED with rainbows and brookies.  CDFW throws some lunker brook trout in there.  Last time I fished there was 2009 near Cave Campground, and I pulled a 21 inch brookie out of Hat.  With the tight spacing between vegetation along the banks I bet the Pocket Fisherman will really shine on that creek!  Start from Old Station and work your way downstream (north) towards Cassel and Baum Lake.

Do the Bumpass Hell hike and if you have a second vehicle, stage one at each end so you don't have to retrace your steps.  Along the hike, past the Bumpass Hell mud pots, you'll see some small lakes off down in the valley. You can either hike to them or just enjoy the view.  I've spent many days backpacking into remote lakes in Lassen and it's all good! 

GF and I just read about some poor fool who went off trail on bumpass hell and got some 3rd degree burns when he went through the crust.  Ouch that had to hurt!

A couple suggestions for the area.  If you've never been to Burney Falls, go, it's really something to see. It's about an hour north of the Lassen entrance. Lake Britton is near the falls but I never fished it.  I did ask for some advice on that lake and it's buried here on NCKA somewhere.

Then if you want to yak some remote water look up Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park.  It's about an hour and a half north of the Lassen.  If you go be sure to take a close look on Google Maps on which road to take thru McAruthur to get to the launch.  The GF and I got as far as the launch but she said the place gave her the creeps.  But if you don't plan to yak it, don't waste your time to go look, it's a boat in only area and the drive to, and area around the ramp are really boring.

Enjoy the trip.