Lake Almanor Fly Fishing

The cold springs that feed Lake Almanor help keep its waters cool during the hot summer months, making it one of Northern California’s most reliable year-round fisheries. Lake Almanor supports a wide variety of species including rainbow trout, brown trout, Chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, carp, bullhead, and channel catfish.

At JAG Fly Fishing, we primarily focus on the lake’s renowned rainbow trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass. Thanks to the fish-rearing program spearheaded by the Almanor Fishing Association, coupled with cooler water temperatures and an abundant population of aquatic insects, these fish thrive and grow quickly.

The average trout caught in Lake Almanor ranges between 18–22 inches, but it’s common to see fish in the 24–30 inch class. This consistency makes fly fishing Lake Almanor a top choice for anglers chasing trophy trout and hard-fighting smallmouth bass in Northern California.

We also offer guided trips to Eagle Lake in early winter and late spring, giving anglers even more opportunities to experience exceptional trout fishing in the region.

From late March through mid-May, as Lake Almanor’s waters begin to warm, the smallmouth bass bite comes alive. During this time, the “smallies” start staging on rocky points, preparing for the spawn. Males aggressively guard females and protect their redds with ferocious tenacity, attacking nearly anything that ventures too close.

This creates some of the most exciting Lake Almanor smallmouth bass fishing of the year. We target the far side of rocky points where bass move in to spawn, using proven fly patterns such as balanced leeches, pond smelt, PMDs, BWOs, caddis, and midges. Our approach often involves long leaders paired with indicators—similar to a float-and-fly setup—to present flies naturally in the strike zone.

As water temperatures continue to rise, attention shifts from bass to Lake Almanor’s trophy trout. Rainbows and browns move closer to shore and into coves, keying in on one of their favorite seasonal meals—the Hexagenia limbata mayfly hatch, also known simply as the Hex hatch. This transition offers anglers a unique chance to pursue both smallmouth bass and trout in one of Northern California’s most productive fly fishing lakes.

From early June through mid-July, Lake Almanor comes alive with the legendary Hex hatch—one of the most anticipated fly fishing events in Northern California. Beginning on the southwest end of the lake and progressing around to the northwest shore, this hatch draws anglers from all over the region in search of trophy trout and bass.

The Hexagenia limbata mayfly is the second largest mayfly species in the United States. Bright yellow to golden in color and just over an inch long, these insects emerge in staggering numbers. As they hatch, large rainbow trout, brown trout, Chinook salmon, and smallmouth bass move into the shallows to gorge themselves on this abundant food source.

The best time to fish the Hex hatch is from 5:00 pm until dark, when trout and bass feed aggressively on emerging nymphs and adults. Sunset to full dark often produces the most explosive dry fly action of the year, with opportunities to cast to rising fish that regularly exceed 10 pounds.

During the hatch, we fish Hex nymphs, Hex dries, blood midges, caddis, and pond smelt patterns to match what’s on the water. As the season transitions from mid-July into September, most trout retreat to deeper, cooler water or hold near the lake’s many springs. At this stage, our focus shifts to midges, balanced leeches, and pond smelt, while anticipating the cooler fall weather that sparks the annual pond smelt migration.

The Lake Almanor Hex hatch is a bucket-list experience for fly anglers—an unforgettable chance to target large trout and bass feeding aggressively in shallow water during one of the most unique hatches in the country.