Wake Boarder on Lake Almanor

Lake Almanor

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.

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.

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.

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

Know Before You Go

  • If renting or bringing your own boat be aware of any current low spots in the lake.
  • Be mindful of the weather, the lake can get white caps on it when the wind is present.
  • Keep all Quagga and Zebra Mussels out of Lake Almanor

Fun Facts

  • Lake Almanor covers part of the old town of Prattville
  • Lake Almanor is on the southernmost end of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
  • Lake Almanor is a reservoir created by damming the Feather River in Big Meadows by the Great Western Power Company in 1914
  • The reservoir was given the name Lake Almanor after the 3 daughters of Great Western’s project coordinator: Guy C. Earl, Alice, Martha, and Elinore. 

Other Resources

See information that needs to be updated? Please let us know!

Discover more of Plumas County
Places to stay nearby Lake Almanor
Canyon Dam

Rocky Point is a PG&E operated Campground Located on the West Shore of Lake Almanor just North of Canyon Dam

Westwood

True Lakeside Resort & Amenities. Full Kitchens, Smart TV's, Multi Bedroom Rentals. Lake outside your front door.

Mill Creek

Close to the SW entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park. A stay at the historic lodge includes full breakfast, option of dinner and a full bar.