Montana Fish Report

Surface temps are a t69.6 degrees with 9.5 feet of visibility.

Very cool mornings give way to warm afternoon October sunshine.

The moon is waning and the mornings have been free of moonlight this week, and everyday the bite just gets better.

Lots of good chatter on the marine band radio channel 69. Anglers are reporting good action from Big Cove to Rec.1, and the A-frame seems to be the hot place this year, several reports on the radio were right out in front of it.

Good reports coming in from all points around the east basin. Browns, rainbows and salmon are all actively moving and feeding on smelt. Huge clouds of baitfish are moving everywhere and the fish are pushing them all over the lake, especially the east basin.

Almanor West to the USFS ramp has been excellent this past week. Boats have been trolling  threaded crawlers slow, or Speedy Shiners fast, both have been producing clean rainbows up to five pounds working the top 20 feet of water early, and dropping down to 30 feet by mid-morning.

Good trolling action from Rec. 2 north along the Peninsula 25 feet down. Browns were averaging 2.3 pounds and hitting silver lures like Speedy Shiners, and Real Image #2 Needlefish.

Sea gulls hitting the surface along the west shore will tell you exactly where smelt are, and they are under attack.

Lots of big fish hitting the surface as these stunned minnows are barley kicking along on the top water. Bait balls along the east shore are everywhere, and are getting broke up into smaller schools by feeders, especially along the west shore.. Needlefish, Rapalas, Shiners have been the best fast action lures while dodger/crawlers combos have been getting fish too.

The east shore in close, ripping broken back Rapalas has also been effective.

Big fish are around Canyon Dam, They have been moving in and out of Geritol Cove all week.

A big 8 lb. Brown came out of there this week, followed by a 7.5 Brown on the next cast by the same guy, using roe.

Big Springs area to Big Cove: Too many small salmon. Plants from last month are more of a problem. Fun, aggressive little fish will keep you busy releasing all morning. Most of these smaller salmon don't even have enough weight to pop the release and you could be dragging one and not even know it.

Access accurate Lake Almanor data at http://www.project2105.org/lake_levels.htm.  Doug Neal (530) 258-6732 http://www.almanorfishingadventures.com