Fishing | Plumas County California

Fishing in Northern California

Plumas County offers some of the best fishing in Northern California. With over 1,000 miles of streams and a 100 lakes, there’s a lot of water to fish. Plumas County is located in the Feather River Watershed, the largest watershed in the Sierra Nevada.

Several lakes in the county are known for trophy fishing. Some lakes are easy to get to and have many amenities, while others require hiking and have no amenities other than peace, solitude, and amazing scenery. The most common fish in the area are rainbow trout, but you can also find German browns and brook trout in many of the lakes.

Whether you are an avid fly fisherman or a family wanting to catch your supper, you can find the perfect lake or stream for your style of fishing. There are also numerous experienced local guides for both lake and stream fishing in the region. Time to plan your next fishing trip!

Photo by Taco Fly Co.

Lake Almanor brown trout

Photo by Eddy Mutch

Fly fishing on Lake Almanor

Game Fish

Native rainbow trout are the predominant game fish throughout the lakes in Plumas County. German Browns and Brook Trout are both well-established in many of the waterways.

Once only found in Eagle Lake in Lassen County, a special strain of Eagle Lake Trout is now found in many of the major lakes. Eagle Lake trout make for great fishing and are extremely tasty. Other common game fish include Mackinaw, Kokanee, and King Salmon, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and in a few lakes pumpkin seed.

Lakes are open to fishing year-round, while stream fishing usually opens the last weekend in April and closes in the middle of November.

Certain tributaries to Lake Almanor and Bucks Lake are not open until the end of May and close at the end of September. Some waters have special barbless catch and release provisions.

During the winter months, you can try your hand at ice fishing without having to travel out of California.

Check the current Department of Fish & Game regulations for specific dates and limits.

Son and Father holding fish on Lake Almanor

Photo by Chelsea Outland

Photo by Mario Guel

Smiles and small catch

Photo by Taco Fly Co.

Rainbow trout at Lake Almanor

Best Fishing Lakes

Lake Almanor -the largest lake in Plumas County, hex hatch in June
Bucks Lake – noted for trophy size Mackinaw. The current lake record is over 30 pounds
Antelope Lake – popular for trout, catfish, and Bass Fishing
Butt Valley Reservoir– noted for huge rainbow and brown trout
Lake Davis & Frenchman Lake – Excellent trophy rainbow trout
Little Grass Valley Reservoir – great for rainbow & brown trout
Round Valley Lake – a small lake with big bass, a great lake for children to fish

Three fishermen in boat fishing by Hamilton Branch

photo by Betty Bishop

Fishing Hamilton Branch

Fisherman with catch fishing northern california

fly fishing from rock at bucks lake. Great fishing in northern california

Fly fishing at Bucks Lake

Waypoint Charters Plumas County Fishing Guide Plumas County and Northern California

Best Stream Fishing

Deer Creek – natural flowing stream – special fishing regulations for parts of the stream.
Feather River North Fork – near Belden, great stream fishing option, heavily stocked early summer
Feather River Middle Fork – Fly fishermen consider this area one of the best trout streams in California. Federally designated Wild Scenic River
Jamison Creek – easy access from Plumas Eureka State Park – regularly planted by Department of Fish and Game
Little Chance Creek- flows out of Frenchman Lake
Nelson Creek– near East Quincy
Spanish Creek– small but exceptional brown trout – uncrowded trout fishing
Wolf Creek – near Greenville
Yellow Creek– easy access, close to Yellow Creek campground, special fishing regulations