Plumas County
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Fishing Reports

7/21/2008  Fish Plants week of July 21, 2008:  Bucks Lake, Jamison Creek,
Spanish Creek, Feather River North Fork, Belden

7/11/2008  Fish Plants week of July 14,  2008:  Feather River North Fork, Almanor; Hamilton Branch Creek, Warner Creek

7/7/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Frenchman Lake was a very busy place this 4th of July weekend.  The best fishing is early morning or just before sunset.  Limits of rainbow trout were caught at the dam on Rainbow Glitter Power bait, and one fisherman reported catching fish all around the lake with night crawlers and green marshmallows. Trollers - Go at least 25 feet down with night crawlers and flashers.  Bank fishermen need to keep bait off the bottom.  Go deep. 

6/30/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Nice sized trout are being caught at Lunker Point.  6 year old Christian Arriago from Reno caught three 16 inch rainbows there this week.  He was fishing from the bank with night crawlers.  Chase Baro from Chilcoot caught his limit of rainbow trout with a Dick Nite lure while fishing the southeast side of the lake near the old boat ramp.  Trollers are going deep - about 25 ft down- troll night crawlers and flashers early in the morning or just before sunset. 

6/28/2008  Fish Plants week of June 30,  2008:  Feather River North Fork, Almanor; Feather River North Fork, Belden; Hamilton Branch Creek, Warner Creek, Spanish Creek

6/27/2008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327

The Hex Hatch is on!!!  Look for the fleet of float tubes on the west side.
Bank Fishing:  Try fishing the jetties in Prattville and Hamilton Branch with Kastmasters or with night crawlers with power bait  or crickets with meal worms. Also down by the dam for rainbows & browns.  Also little Tasmanian devils seem to do the trick.
Boat Fishing: More reports of the trollers taking fish with red/gold speedy shiners or pearl bikini #3 needlefish on the west shore.  Also #9 rapalas gold flour-scent red down 15 to 30 feet.  Try a Tasmanian devil for good size trout.  Some salmon 2-4 pounds being caught - try down by the dam with anchovy tails or white mini gitzits.  Some smallmouth bass are showing up on east & west shore - ripping rapalas or using gitzits - might try crickets with meal worms w/SZ 10 hook & BB or 3/0 shot 12" from your hook. 
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Dear Creek try pheasant tails or Butt Lake try streamer patterns.
River/Streams: Many trout plants.  Try by High Bridge Campground - Turn at the fire station and keep to the left about 5 1/2 miles - try crickets, salmon eggs, and Panther Martins.

6/23/2008  Fish Plants week of June 23  2008:  Echo Lake, Antelope Lake, and Bucks Lake.

6/23/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
There has been lots of activity at Frenchman Lake this week with many folks out enjoying the warm weather.  Limits of 15-17 inch rainbows are being caught on the west side of the lake where Frenchman Creek comes in. Catfish are plentiful at Lunker Point and Crystal Point. Night crawlers, Rainbow Glitter Power bait and a variety of lures have been working well. Fishing has been best in the early morning or evening.

6/16/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
We've had many reports of fish being caught on a variety of things this week at Frenchman Lake.  Jenea Logan caught a 19 inch rainbow with a purple wooly bugger while trolling the east side of the lake 18 to 25 feet down.  Bob Parry from Chilcoot says trolling is good with night crawlers and flashers at Big Cove.

On Saturday, 6/14/2008 Scott - a Loyalton resident- caught a 15 inch trout on a green Kastmasters lure.  Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tails and Black Midges are worth trying too. 

6/16/2008  Fish Plants week of June16,  2008:  Feather River North Fork, Almanor; Hamilton Branch Creek, Warner Creek

6/13/2008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Try fishing the jetties in Prattville and Hamilton Branch with Kastmasters or with night crawlers with power bait  or crickets with meal worms. Also down by the dam for rainbows & browns.  Also little Tasmanian devils seem to do the trick.
Boat Fishing: More reports of the trollers taking fish with red/gold speedy shiners or pearl bikini #3 needlefish on the west shore.  Also #9 rapalas gold flour-scent red down 15 to 30 feet.  Try a Tasmanian devil for good size trout.  Some salmon 2-4 pounds being caught - try down by the dam with anchovy tails or white mini gitzits.  Some smallmouth bass are showing up on east & west shore - ripping rapalas or using gitzits - might try crickets with meal worms w/SZ 10 hook & BB or 3/0 shot 12" from your hook. 
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Dear Creek try pheasant tails or Butt Lake try streamer patterns.
River/Streams: Many trout plants.  Might try crickets, salmon eggs, and Panther Martins.

6/9/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Fishing this week has been good for some and challenging for others.  Most of the action seems to be at the north end of the lake.  Bank fishing has been good at Turkey Point and Crystal Point.  Float night crawlers or try rainbow glitter Powerbait.  Red and orange Roostertails have been working too.
Catfish are plentiful at Snallygaster.  Trollers - troll slow, 2 to 3 colors out with night crawlers and flashers.

6/2/2008  Fish Plants week of June 2,  2008:  Feather River North Fork, Belden; Spanish Creek; Antelope Reservoir, Bucks Lake, Feather River North Fork, Almanor.

6/2/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Fishing from shore at Turkey Point has been very productive for many this week.  Float worms off the bottom for nice 14 to 16 inch rainbows.  Small green and white needlefish lures have been working great at Crystal Point.  This Saturday - June 7th - is Free Fishing Day.  No license is required.

5/302008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Try fishing the jetties in Prattville and Hamilton Branch with Kastmasters or with night crawlers with power bait  or crickets with meal worms. Also down by the dam for rainbows & browns.  Also little Tasmanian devils seem to do the trick.
Boat Fishing: More reports of the trollers taking fish with red/gold speedy shiners or pearl bikini #3 needlefish on the west shore.  Also #9 rapalas gold flour-scent red down 10 to 20 feet.  Try a Tasmanian devil for good size trout.  Some salmon 2-4 pounds being caught - try down by the dam with anchovy tails or white mini gitzits.  Some smallmouth bass are showing up on east & west shore - ripping rapalas or using gitzits - might try crickets with meal worms w/SZ 10 hook & BB or 3/0 shot 12" from your hook. 
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Dear Creek try pheasant tails or Butt Lake try streamer patterns.
River/Streams: Many trout plants.  Might try crickets, salmon eggs, and Panther Martins.

5/26/2008Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Unsettled weather conditions this Memorial Day weekend contributed to fishing being spotty at Frenchman Lake.
We had reports of a few nice rainbows being caught off the shore at Crystal Point and Lunker Point.  Most people are using night crawlers.  Use bobbers, marshmallow or inflate them to keep them off the bottom.

There is going to be a Free Fishing Derby for kids 15 years and under on Saturday, May 31 from 8 am to noon at Spanish Creek Campground near Quincy.  Good family fun for all.

5/232008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Try fishing the jetties in Prattville and Hamilton Branch with Kastmasters or with night crawlers with power bait  or crickets with meal worms. Also down by the dam for rainbows & browns.  Also little Tasmanian devils seem to do the trick.
Boat Fishing: More reports of the trollers taking fish with red/gold speedy shiners or pearl bikini #3 needlefish on the west shore.  Also #9 rapalas gold flour-scent red down 10 to 15 feet.  Try a Tasmanian devil for good size trout.  Some salmon 2-4 pounds being caught - try down by the dam with anchovy tails or white mini gitzits.  Some smallmouth bass are showing up on east & west shore - ripping rapalas or using gitzits - might try crickets with meal worms w/SZ 10 hook & BB or 3/0 shot 12" from your hook. 
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Dear Creek try pheasant tails or Butt Lake try streamer patterns.
River/Streams: Many trout plants.  Might try crickets, salmon eggs, and Panther Martins.

5/21//2008 Courtesy of Allan at the Sportsmen Den (530) 283-2733 
Bucks Lake:  Two 24 pound lake trout or mackinaw have been taken out by trollers using tomics, j-plugs and rapalas.
Streams:  The water is a perfect temperature.  Best places are from Nelson Creek throughout the wild and scenic part of the Middle Fork of the Feather River.  Nelson Creek is  great for fly-fishing. 

5/19/2008 Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Nice weather brought lots of folks out to Frenchman Lake this week and most did pretty well fishing.  Jeremiah Dupre from Reno, NV caught two rainbows - a 14 inch and a 16 inch - at Lunker Point with night crawlers.  Emily Lindop also from Reno, caught her first fish - a 16 inch rainbow - off the shore at Cottonwood Campground with chartreuse power bait.

The fish are also hitting on silver Kastmasters and rainbow spinners.  The creek below the dam is producing some nice fish even though it is running pretty fast.  A two pound German Brown and  3 1/2 pound rainbows were caught there on Saturday 5/17/08.  Fly fishing is good at the north end.  Try nymphs and red copper Johns.  Catfish are biting at Crystal Point.

5/19/2008  Fish Plants week of May 19, 2008: Feather River North Fork, Almanor

5/16/2008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  A lot of good reports at Hamilton Branch at lake level or the jetties in Prattville with night crawlers, turbo power bait or SW10 Kastmasters -might try crickets with meal worms down by dam for rainbows & browns.  Also little Tasmanian devils seem to do the trick.
Boat Fishing: More reports of the trollers taking fish with red/gold speedy shiners or pearl bikini #3 needlefish on the west shore.  Also #9 rapalas gold flour-scent red down 10 to 15 feet.  Try a Tasmanian devil for good size trout.  Some salmon 2-4 pounds being caught - try down by the dam with anchovy tails or white mini gitzits.  Some smallmouth bass are showing up on east & west shore - ripping rapalas or using gitzits - might try crickets with meal worms w/SZ 10 hook & BB or 3/0 shot 12" from your hook. 
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Dear Creek try pheasant tails or Butt Lake try streamer patterns.
River/Streams: Many trout plants.  Might try crickets, salmon eggs, and Panther Martins.

5/12/2008 Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Fishing has been good off the shore at Lunker Point as well as at Turkey Point.  Float night crawlers off the bottom or use rainbow glitter or chartreuse flitter power bait.  Wind can be a problem in the afternoon, so fish early for best results.  The stream below the dam is producing some nice rainbows.  Jen Martin from Chilcoot caught a 11/2  pounder there with a worm.  Dick Nites are also working well in the streams. 

5/9/2008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  A lot of good reports at Hamilton Branch at lake level or the jetties in Prattville with night crawlers, turbo power bait or SW10 Kastmasters -might try crickets with meal worms down by dam for rainbows & browns.  Also little Tasmanian devils seem to do the trick.
Boat Fishing: More reports of the trollers taking fish with red/gold speedy shiners or pearl bikini #3 needlefish on the west shore.  Also #9 rapalas gold flour-scent red down 10 to 15 feet.  Try a Tasmanian devil for good size trout.  Some salmon 2-4 pounds being caught - try down by the dam with anchovy tails or white mini gitzits.  Some smallmouth bass are showing up on east & west shore - ripping rapalas or using gitzits - might try crickets with meal worms w/SZ 10 hook & BB or 3/0 shot 12" from your hook. 
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Dear Creek try pheasant tails or Butt Lake try streamer patterns.
River/Streams: Many trout plants.  Might try crickets, salmon eggs, and Panther Martins

5/12/2008  Fish Plants week of May 5, 2008: Graeagle Mill Pond, Davis Lake

5/5/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Fishing continues to be good from the shore at Lunker Point and at the dam. On Sunday, 5/4/2008 Sean Williams, 8 years old from Reno, caught his limit of rainbows near the dam using night crawlers.  Float them off the bottom with bobbers or green glitter marshmallows.  Various lures such as Panther Martins, spinners and small frog lures are also producing well. 

5/1//2008 Courtesy of Allan at the Sportsmen Den (530) 283-2733 
Bucks Lake:  Some big mackinaws have been caught by fisherman (check out photo). The boat ramp isn't quite ready but the road is plowed to the lake.
Stream fishing:  Feather River Middle Fork is good between Karmac Mine (near Sloat) and Nelson Creek for rainbow and brown trout.  Feather River North Fork near Caribou is also good for rainbows. Good fishing near the powerhouses in the Feather River  Canyon where cold water is coming out. 

5/5/2008  Fish Plants week of May 5, 2008: Feather River North Fork, Belden; Spanish Creek; Feather River Middle Fork, Graeagle

5/1/2008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Reports on the east shore using night crawlers. Also try Hamilton Branch at lake level or the jetties in Prattville with  night crawlers and  power bait  or Kastmasters. Little Tasmanian devils seem to do the trick also.
Boat Fishing: Reports of trollers taking fish on the east shore with #9 rapalas gold fluorescent or silver down 5 to 10 feet.  Also might try trolls with Tasmanian devils, chartreuse red dot needlefish or speedy shiners for good size rainbows and browns. 
Not many reports of salmon being caught - might try down by the dam with white mini gitzits.  A few reports of the smallmouth bass are showing up in the stump areas - ripping rapalas and using various rubber worms.
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Warner Creek & Feather River (going into Lake Almanor) will open Memorial Weekend but Deer Creek will open April 26.
Butt Lake - Try streamer patterns.  Butt Lake try streamer patterns. 

4/28/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Lots of fishermen came out to Frenchman Lake for the stream opener this past Saturday. The fish are close to shore now so those fishing off the bank are having better luck than the trollers unless you troll near the mouths of the creeks coming into the lake.
Night crawlers and chartreuse power bait are both working well.  Small frog lures are good too. 
Zachary Azevedo and Cody Myers, two young men from Colfax CA,  each caught their limit of good sized rainbows at Frenchman Creek on Saturday. 

4/25/2008 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Reports on the east shore using night crawlers. Also try Hamilton Branch at lake level or the jetties in Prattville with  night crawlers and  power bait  or Kastmasters. A few reports by the causeway or by the dam for rainbows and browns.
Boat Fishing: Reports of trollers taking fish on the east shore with #9 rapalas gold fluorescent or silver down 5 to 10 feet.  Also might try trolling flies, chartreuse red dot needlefish or speedy shiners for good size rainbows and browns. 
Not many reports of salmon being caught - might try down by the dam with white mini gitzits.  A few reports of the smallmouth bass are showing up in the stump areas - ripping rapalas.
Fly Fishing: Best bet is hares and ear nymph. Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Warner Creek & Feather River (going into Lake Almanor) will open Memorial Weekend but Deer Creek will open April 26.
Butt Lake - Try streamer patterns.

4/24/2008 Tom Stienstra: SF Chronicle
Plumas County
Quincy: A series of small streams, all cold but with good clarity and moderate flow, makes this the choice for the hit-and-run angler, trying all of them in a weekend. The most enticing stretch is just outside of Quincy where Nelson Creek enters the Middle Fork Feather, with the best access on twisty La Porte Road. The safest bet is the North Fork Feather at Caribou below Belden Forebay, which is always stocked for the opener near the campgrounds (which are open). Indian Creek is low, cold but fishable (sound familiar?). Cold nights have inhibited snowmelt here, too. That's why the road to Bucks Lake won't open for a couple of weeks. In southern Plumas County, the Gold Lakes Highway also is still closed by snow.  The best trout fishing of the year in California is anticipated at Lake Davis this spring.
Info: Sportsmen's Den, Quincy, (530) 283-2733; Plumas National Forest, (530) 283-0555,www.fs.fed.us/r5.

4/21/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
Lake Fish:  To avoid the wind, fish especially between the dam and Lunker A.  Limits are being caught on night crawlers or chartreuse power bait, as well as with Jake's spin-a-lure's - the gold one with the red dots. 
Trollers:  Use night crawlers and flashers. 
Camping: Campgrounds should be open by this weekend. Until then dry camping is allowed in the unsecured areas.

4/14/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
It seems everyone is anxious to get out and go fishing.  Beautiful springtime weather brought many people out to Frenchman Lake this weekend.  Everyone seems to be catching at least a few with limits of good sized trout being taken at the dam and near Lunker Point.  Catfish are also being caught. 

Frenchman is free of ice  now, and boats are being put in at both boat ramps.  The road around the lake on the east side still requires a 4WD vehicle.  No word yet on when the campgrounds will be opening but dry camping is allowed in the unsecured areas. 

4/14/2008  Fish Plants week of April 14,  2007: Department of Fish and Game
Feather River North Fork, Belden, Spanish Creek

4/11/2008   Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Reports on the east shore using night crawlers. Also try Hamilton Branch at lake level or the jetties in Prattville with  night crawlers and  power bait  or Kastmasters. A few reports by the causeway or by the dam for rainbows and browns.
Boat Fishing: Reports of trollers taking fish on the east shore with #9 rapalas gold fluorescent or silver down 5 to 10 feet.  Also might try trolling flies, chartreuse red dot needlefish or speedy shiners for good size rainbows and browns. 
Not many reports of salmon being caught - might try down by the dam with white mini gitzits.  A few reports of the smallmouth bass are showing up in the stump areas - ripping rapalas.
Fly Fishing: Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Warner Creek & Feather River (going into Lake Almanor) will open Memorial Weekend but Deer Creek will open April 26.
Butt Lake - Try streamer patterns.

4/7/2008  Frenchman Lake Report  Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post 
 (530) 993-4683
There was lots of activity at Frenchman Lake this past weekend.  There's plenty of open water at the dam for some good shore fishing now, but there is still ice here and there.
You can drive up around on the west side of the lake with a 4WD, but you will only make it a little further than the old boat ramp on the east side. No boats yet, but hopefully soon.
Floating night crawlers off the bottom is producing good results.  Green or yellow marshmallows are working well too. 

4/7/2008  Fish Plants week of April 7,  2007: Department of Fish and Game
Feather River Middle Fork, Graeagle, Lake Almanor

4/3/08 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Reports on the east shore using night crawlers. Also try Hamilton Branch at lake level or the jetties in Prattville with  night crawlers and  power bait  or Kastmasters. A few reports by the causeway or by the dam for rainbows and browns.
Boat Fishing: Reports of trollers taking fish on the east shore with #9 rapalas gold fluorescent or silver down 5 to 10 feet.  Also might try trolling flies, chartreuse red dot needlefish or speedy shiners for good size rainbows and browns. 
Not many reports of salmon being caught - might try down by the dam with white mini gitzits.  The smallmouth bass should start showing as the weather improves and warms up.
Fly Fishing: Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Warner Creek & Feather River (going into Lake Almanor) will open Memorial Weekend but Deer Creek will open April 26.

4/2/2008 Courtesy of Allan at the Sportsmen Den (530) 283-2733 
Bucks Lake:  Still frozen
Feather River Middle Fork from Sierra Valley to Mohawk Bridge is open for fishing but better fishing towards Quincy which is not open yet.

3/31/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
Fishing conditions are slowly improving at Frenchman Lake.  Water is opening up along the shore at the dam.  There is also some open water on the northwest side going up towards Lunker Point.  On Saturday, March 29 Mitch from Reno, a regular fisherman at Frenchman caught his limit of 16 inch rainbows at the dam by breaking thru the ice to open water.  He was using night crawlers.  You still cannot drive around the lake.  People are getting as far as Frenchman Campground, but not much further.  Call us for updates.

3/28/2008
Department of Fish and Game news release:  The trout season opens April 5 on the Middle Fork Feather River in Plumas County.  The open stretch of river is between the Union Pacific railroad bridge, just upstream of A-23 in Sierra Valley, and the Mohawk Bridge in Blairsden.  Trout limit is 5 per day and 10 in possession.

3/27/08 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Reports of a lot of fish being caught at Big Springs & Hamilton Branch at lake level using inflated night crawlers with power bait - also might try by the causeway with worms.
Boat Fishing: Reports of trollers taking fish on the east shore with #9 rapalas gold fluorescent or silver down 5 to 10 feet.  Also might try chartreuse red dot needlefish or speedy shiners.  Not many reports of salmon being caught - might try down by the dam with white mini gitzits.  The smallmouth bass should start showing as the weather improves and warms up.
Fly Fishing: Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Warner Creek & Feather River (going into Lake Almanor) will open Memorial Weekend but Deer Creek will open April 26.

3/20/08 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank Fishing:  Reports of a lot of fish being caught at Big Springs & Hamilton Branch at lake level using inflated night crawlers with power bait - also might try by the causeway with worms.
Boat Fishing: Reports of trollers taking fish on the east shore with #9 rapalas gold fluorescent or silver down 5 to 10 feet.  Also might try chartreuse red dot needlefish or speedy shiners.  Not many reports of salmon being caught - might try down by the dam with white mini gitzits.  The smallmouth bass should start showing as the weather improves and warms up.
Fly Fishing: Hamilton Branch at lake level using black woolly buggers.  Warner Creek & Feather River (going into Lake Almanor) will open Memorial Weekend but Deer Creek will open April 26.

3/17/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
Fishing has been slow at Frenchman Lake this past week.  The ice is beginning to soften and crack in several places but there is no open water visible yet.  Ice fishing is not recommended at this time - the ice at the dam is no longer safe and the road around the lake is not yet accessible, so conditions at the north end are uncertain.

3/10/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
Ice fishing is still going strong at Frenchman Lake.  The ice is beginning to thin somewhat at the dam, but it's still about 10 inches thick there, and well over a foot thick up towards Lunker Point.  You still cannot drive around the lake, so you will need to hike or use a snowmobile to get further than the dam.  We have had reports of limits being taken on the west side of the lake using night crawlers, marshmallows and jigs. 

2/25/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
Frenchman Lake remains entirely frozen.   Fishing has slowed down some at the dam, but those who are willing to  hike up towards Lunker Point are catching some nice rainbows.  Use small jigs and night crawlers.  Call us for updates.  Winter can't last forever!

2/20/08   Best Fishing Spots in Northern California - next 5 years 
Bill Karr, Western Outdoor News Editor: Lake Davis, trout #1; Lake Almanor, trout, smallmouth bass #4.
Bob Simms, KFBK: Lake Davis, trout #2; Lake Almanor, trout,
smallmouth bass #7
Tom Stienstra, S.F. Chronicle: Lake Davis, trout #1; Lake Almanor, trout, smallmouth bass #8

2/18/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
The ice on Frenchman Lake is still good and solid - about a foot thick.  Most everyone is fishing at the dam or off the rocks to the left of the dam.  Those fishing early seem to be getting the best results.  Try night crawlers and jigs.  There still is no access around the lake without a snowmobile. 

2/4/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
We have had many good reports on the fishing at Frenchman Lake this week.  You cannot get around the lake without a snowmobile, so most everyone is fishing at the dam.  Don Whitebird of Chilcoot and a friend caught limits of nice sized rainbows through the ice at the dam using yellow crystal bullets and a piece of night crawler.  Hans Muhlgraber,  also from Chilcoot,  and a few friends, limited out off the rocks to the left of the dam near the shore with night crawlers.

1/28/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
Check out this link to an article in the Daily Sparks Tribune about ice fishing on Frenchman Lake. 
Most everyone is fishing at or near the dam where the ice continues to be about a foot thick.  One angler reported catching a limit of nice-sized rainbows off the rock island near the dam.  The best bait continues to be night crawlers. The road around the dam is still impassable unless you have a snowmobile.  Several people with 4 WD vehicles have gotten stuck trying to drive around the lake, so please use caution. 

1/21/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
The fishing at Frenchman Lake has been spotty this week.  Most everyone has been fishing at the dam.  The ice there is about a foot thick.  Late morning seems to be the most productive.  Try using night crawlers or wooly worms.  You still cannot get around to other areas of the lake without snowmobiles.  (Sounds cold to me)

1/14/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
Quite a few people have came up to Frenchman Lake for ice fishing this past week.  The standard baits - night crawlers and power bait - are working best.  The road is clear to the dam, but there is still no access to other areas around the lake unless you have a snowmobile.

1/7/08 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        
(530) 993-4683
Frenchman Lake received at least 2 feet of snow from the storms this past weekend.  The road leading to the dam is plowed, but you will not be able to access the rest of the lake unless you have a snowmobile.  Prior to the storm we had many positive reports on the ice fishing.  Call us for updates and current conditions.

12/31/07 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683
Most of Frenchman Lake is now frozen over.  We've had reports that the ice is 6 to 8 inches thick at the dam.  There are people ice fishing there.  There is some open water at Crystal Point and on the west side of the dam  near the narrows, but you'll have to hike in to reach it. 

12/24/2007 Frenchman Lake Report Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683
Ice has begun to form on Frenchman Lake.  It is about 2 inches thick at the dam.  The ice is not safe.  You should be able to get to open water if you are willing to hike into it.  The road around the lake is OK, but there may be ice in the shady areas so use caution.  Several nice rainbows were caught near the dam this past weekend with red power bait.  Call ahead for updates and creent conditions.

12/18/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683
Fishing from the bank continues to be good for those floating night crawlers off the bottom at Lunker point and at the dam.  We've seen some nice rainbows in the 2 pound range.  Frenchman Lake is not frozen over but there is some ice here and there.  You can easily cast out to open water from shore, or put a boat in.  Weather conditions are unpredictable this time of year so come prepared for winter weather.  Call us for current conditions. 

12/10/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683
We received many encouraging reports on the bank fishing at Frenchman Lake this past week.  On 12/09/07 George Martin from Chilcoot and a friend caught 7 nice rainbows off the shore at Lunker Point.  They were floating night crawlers off the bottom with bobbers.  The fish averaged 18 to 24 inches and weighed 2 to 3 pounds each.  An unnamed angler reported catching a 4 pound rainbow at the northwest end of Frenchman's this weekend with rainbow glitter power bait.  We also hear that some are getting good results near the dam with night crawlers.

12/6/07 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank fishing:  Try down by the dam and Hamilton Branch using night crawlers with power bait or wooley buggers - also use Kastmasters or maybe  meal worms for rainbows and browns of decent size - Hamilton Branch at lake level.
Boat fishing: Reports of some trollers taking fish on the west side with fire tiger or red/gold speedy shiners, cop car and red dot frog #3 needlefish down
5 -15 feet in early morning.   Also Silver SZ 7 or 9 Rapalas. Reports of good fishing for some browns.  Also salmon by the dam use anchovy tails or white min gitzits. Meal worms are still working with size #10 hook for trout. 
Butt Lake:  Power house has been reported as on, which generally helps the fishing.  Might try white min gitzits or crappie jigs.
Ian Lee caught a 3 lb. trout on December 2nd in Lake Almanor.

12/3/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683
Fishing has improved at Frenchman Lake this past week.  Most anglers are having good luck floating night crawlers off the bottom.  Some powerbaits have been working petty well too - try rainbow or orange glitter. 
On 11/29/07 Randy Golden from Sparks NV caught a 5# rainbow from the shore (he wouldn't say where) with night crawlers. 
On Sunday 12/2/07, young Anthony Todd and a friend caught 10 rainbows while fishing off shore near the dam.  They were using night crawlers.  Each fish weighed between 1 1/2 to 2 pounds

11/29/07 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327
Bank fishing:  Try down by the dam and Hamilton Branch using night crawlers with power bait or wooley buggers - also use Kastmasters or maybe  meal worms for rainbows and browns of decent size - Hamilton Branch at lake level.
Boat fishing: Reports of some trollers taking fish on the west side with fire tiger or red/gold speedy shiners, cop car and red dot frog #3 needlefish down 12-26 feet in early morning.   Also GRF SZ 7 or 9 Rapalas. Reports of good fishing for some browns.  Also salmon by the dam use anchovy tails or white min gitzits.  The small-mouth bass fishing is just about done. Meal worms are still working with size #10 hook for trout. 
Butt Lake:  Power house has been reported as on, which generally helps the fishing.  Might try white min gitzits or crappie jigs.

11/26/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683
Bank fishing has been very good in the shallow areas around the lake - try Crystal Point or Snallygaster.  Use night crawlers and rainbow glitter power bait and keep your bait off the bottom.  Lunker Point has also been good off shore.  Trollers continue to do well from Spring Creek through the narrows up to the north end.  Use various lures or night crawlers.

11/19/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683 
Bank fishing at Frenchman Lake has been challenging lately.  Most anglers report catching one or two, but not many limits have been reported.  Trollers have been doing very well with small needlefish or Dick Nite lures.  Troll from Spring Creek up to the North End.  Trout are nice - sized - 14 - 16 inches and
1 1/2 pounds average. 

11/12/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683 
The fishing at Frenchman Lake has been a little spotty this week.  Some bank fishermen have reported doing well at the dam, while others report that the fishing is slow.  Most are catching a fish or two.  Float night crawlers for  best results.  The weather has been a little unpredictable so call ahead for latest info (530) 993-4685.

11/5/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683 
Bank fishing has been good at the dam as well as at Lunker Point and Spring Creek.  Most anglers are floating night crawlers - blow them up or use a marshmallow.  Fly fishermen have reported success with black wooly buggers at Spring Creek. 
On Saturday, 11- 4-07, Sean Williams, 8 years old, from Reno, caught a 5 1/2 pound rainbow near the dam with a night crawler.  Streams close in this area Nov 15th. 

11/7/07 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327 (Same as 10/30/07)

10/30/2007 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327 
Bank fishing:  Try down by the dam and Hamilton Branch using night crawlers with power bait or wooley buggers - also use Kastmasters or maybe crickets with meal worms for rainbows and browns of decent size.
Boat fishing: Reports of some trollers taking fish on the west side with fire tiger or red/gold speedy shiners, cop car and red dot frog #3 needlefish down 20-30 feet in early morning.   Also GFR SZ 7 or 9 Gold fluorescent Rapalas. Reports of good fishing for some browns.  Also salmon by the dam use anchovy tails or white min gitzits.  The small-mouth bass being caught all around the lake at the points & drop offs - crickets with size#10
Butt Lake:  Power house has been reported as on, which generally helps the fishing.  Might try white min gitzits or crappie jigs.

10/15/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post        (530) 993-4683 
This past Saturday, October 13th, Tom Blackstock from Reno brought in a beautiful 3 pound rainbow trout that he caught at Lunker Point on a night crawler.  We've had several other reports of good fishing off the shore at Lunker using night crawlers and white marshmallows. 
The campgrounds are closed now but dry camping is allowed in the unsecured areas.

10/8/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post           (530) 993-4683 
Anglers fishing off shore at Lunker Point and the dam are reporting catching limits of rainbows 14 to 16 inches.  Night crawlers are working best or try various lures such as a gold Dick Nite.  Trolling continues to be good through the narrows with night crawlers and flashers.
The campgrounds will be closing this week but dry camping is allowed in the unlocked areas.

10/5/2007 Lake Almanor Report -  Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327 
Bank fishing:  Try down by the dam and Hamilton Branch using night crawlers with power bait or wooley buggers - also use Kastmasters or maybe crickets with meal worms for rainbows and browns of decent size.
Boat fishing: Reports of some trollers taking fish on the west side with fire tiger or red/gold speedy shiners, cop car and red dot frog #3 needlefish down 20-30 feet in early morning.   Reports of good fishing for some browns.  Also salmon by the dam use anchovy tails or white min gitzits.  The small-mouth bass being caught all around the lake at the points & drop offs - crickets with size#10
Butt Lake:  Level of lake had been reported as low.  Before that good size fish being caught ...but might try white mini gitzits or crappies jigs.

10/1/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post           (530) 993-4683 
Fishing has been good for the most part.  Those fishing in the early morning or evening are most productive.  Bank fish off the dam or at Turkey Point with worms and bobbers.  Trollers have been doing well through the marrows with large brown, yellow or olive colored flies. 
Deer season opens here October 6th. 
Chilcoot Campground and Spring Creek are still open and should remain open for the next week or so. 

Plants week of September 24, 2007: Department of Fish and Game
Feather River North Fork Almanor

9/24/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post           (530) 993-4683 
Lots of nice fish were caught at Frenchman Lake this past Saturday - CA Free Fishing Day.
On 9/21/07 Samantha Janssen and her dad John each got a limit of rainbows at Turkey Point while fishing with night crawlers.  On Saturday, 9/22/07 Chilcoot resident Bob Parry and friends each limited out off the old boat dock.  They were using night crawlers and bobbers.  Average size - 14 to 16 inches.  Good fishing  was also reported off shore at the dam and at Lunker Point.

9/22/2007 Lake Almanor Report- Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327 
Bank fishing:  Try down by the dam and Hamilton Branch using night crawlers with power bait or wooley buggers - also use Kastmasters or maybe crickets with meal worms for rainbows and browns of decent size.
Boat fishing: Reports of some trollers taking fish on the west side with fire tiger or red/gold speedy shiners, cop car and red dot frog #3 needlefish down 20-30 feet in early morning.   Reports of good fishing for some browns.  Also salmon by the dam use anchovy tails or white min gitzits.  The small-mouth bass being caught all around the lake at the points & drop offs - crickets with size#10

9/17/2007 Frenchman Lake Report- Courtesy of Wiggin's Trading Post           (530) 993-4683  (Saturday) California Free Fishing Day - no license required.
Bring the family and go fishing.  Bank fishing has been pretty good at the dam - night crawlers are still the best bait.  Cooler weather should be bringing the bigger fish up from the bottom.  Cinnamon olive, or black flies are working well too.
October 6th is deer season opener.  Campgrounds should remain open till around October 15th.

9/13/2007 Lake Almanor Report- Courtesy The Sports Nut
(530) 258-3327 
Bank fishing:  Try down by the dam and Hamilton Branch using night crawlers with power bait or wooley buggers - also use Kastmasters or maybe crickets with meal worms for rainbows and browns of decent size.
Boat fishing: Reports of some trollers taking fish on the west side with fire tiger or red/gold speedy shiners, cop car and red dot frog #3 needlefish down 20-30 feet in early morning.   Reports of good fishing for some browns.  Also salmon by the dam use anchovy tails or white min gitzits.  The small-mouth bass being caught all around the lake at the points & drop offs - crickets with size #10 hook with BB split shot 12" up from the hook.
Hunting: Mountain quail is open, C-4 deer hunting zone opens Saturday September 15th.