Activities at Lake Almanor
Family Fun
Lake Almanor is a fantastic lake to play on with your family for a day, a week, or even all summer. Summer water temperatures are perfect for swimming, water skiing, and jet skis, usually between 68 and 70 degrees.
Plan a day at one of the beaches located around Lake Almanor.
Both Major’s Outpost and Knotty Pine Resort offer a variety of rentals on Lake Almanor; including jet skis, fishing boatings, skiing boats, and pontoon boats.
Check out this list of private marinas and boat launches.
photo by S. Outland
photo by S. Outland
photo by S. Outland
Photo by Tandy Bozeman
Hiking and Biking
Lake Almanor Recreation Trail is paved and runs 19 miles along the lake’s west shore. The trail is 12 feet wide and suitable for hiking and biking in the summer. There are options to access the trail at several different locations.
Birding at Lake Almanor
Plumas County has many places within the county for bird watchers. The Lake Almanor Recreation Trail, Olsen Barn in Chester, and the Causeway are great bird-watching spots. Learn more about bird watching in Plumas County.
photo by Betty Bishop
photo by Betty Bishop
photo by Betty Bishop
photo by Betty Bishop
photo by Betty Bishop
photo by Betty Bishop
Where to Stay
Lake Almanor is lucky to have just about every kind of lodging available to you. Amazing vacation rentals right on the lake with direct access to lake and boat docks, RV parks, and camping along the lake’s edge. Additional B&Bs motels and resorts are a little further from the banks of the lake. Find the perfect place to stay at Lake Almanor!
Fishing
One of Northern California’s top places to fish
Lake Almanor is the largest lake in the county with 52 miles of shoreline. It is also one of the largest man-made lakes in California. Year-round fishing is available on the lake with spectacular views of Lassen Peak and Dyer Mountain.
Fishing is available from the shore from several places and by boat or float tubes. There are boat rentals both on the west shore and on the peninsula. Lake Almanor has two public boat launches, one at Canyon Dam open year-round and the Almanor Boat Launch on the west shore of the lake north of Prattville open seasonally. The scheduled open date for 2022 is May 20th.
Lake Almanor has made the list for both the best rainbow trout fishing and the best brown trout fishing spots in all of California, according to bestfishingamerica.com.
The lake is world-renowned for the hex hatch, which usually occurs in June and lasts one to three weeks. The Hecagena Limbata is the largest mayfly in North America. The Hecagena Limbata is like a floating filet mignon feast for trout. Stories of how breathtaking the site of this Hex Hatch is nothing compared to seeing and fishing when it is happening.
Lake Almanor is easy to fish on your own, but if you would like the inside tricks and best places to fish when you are here, consider hiring a guide.
photo by Bryan
photo by Betty Bishop
Photo by Eddy Mutch
photo by Betty Bishop
Programs Supported by Almanor Fishing Association
Fish Rearing Program
Lake Almanor has the oldest and the largest fish-rearing program in California. Operated by the Almanor Fishing Association and funded by membership dues and donations. The program starts with 50,000 Eagle Lake Trout each year. The program has released over 1.5 million fish so far.
Fish Tagging
The Almanor Fishing Association has a tagging program and asks for your help in reporting both fish you keep and fish you practice catch and release.
Free Fishing Day for Veterans
The Almanor Fishing Association also hosts an annual Veteran’s Fishing Day in June each year.
Basic Info on Lake Almanor
All have sandy beaches to spend the day relaxing and soaking up the sun. Suggested to have boat shoes it can be rocky walking into the water at several locations.
- Prattville
- Spirit Station/Pizza at the Branch along Hwy 147
- Lake Almanor Peninsula Wally’s Market
- Numerous locations in Chester
- Scenic picnic area on Hwy 147 about 1.5 miles from the intersection of Hwy 89 and Hwy 147, offers scenic views of Lassen Peak and Lake Almanor. No beach access or water is available.
- Westwood Beach
- Marvin Alexander Beach
- Almanor Beach
- Almanor Picnic Area
