Lake Almanor, California, USA
One of the largest artificial lakes in the state, Lake Almanor lays claim to approximately 28,000 acres of northeastern California. The lake was created when Great Western Power built a dam on the North Fork Feather River in 1927. The dam currrently provides hydroelectric power under the ownership of Pacific Gas and Electric. The name “Almanor” combines the names of the three daughters of one of Great…
Keep scrolling to read more.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Almanor! Article topics include:
- All About Lake Almanor
- Where to Stay
- Vacation Planning Tools
- Things to Do
- Known Fish Species
- Lake Almanor Map
- Statistics / Weather / Helpful Links
- Lake Almanor Gifts
Looking for Lake Almanor cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.
All About Lake Almanor, CA
One of the largest artificial lakes in the state, Lake Almanor lays claim to approximately 28,000 acres of northeastern California. The lake was created when Great Western Power built a dam on the North Fork Feather River in 1927. The dam currrently provides hydroelectric power under the ownership of Pacific Gas and Electric. The name “Almanor” combines the names of the three daughters of one of Great Western Power’s vice presidents: ALice, MArtha, and ElaNOR. The lake’s beauty, recreational resources and excellent weather patterns have made Lake Almanor a popular weekend destination.
Safely snuggled between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Cascade Mountain Range, Lake Almanor offers its visitors and residents magnificent views and picturesque activities. Start your trip on the deep, crystal blue waters, indulging in some great boating fun. All kinds of boats dot the lake’s surface, from leisurely canoes to high-speed power boats. You can slowly and quietly investigate Lake Almanor coves in a canoe or kayak, cozying up to jutting rocks and getting up-close views of shy wildlife. If adventure is your game, a speed boat is the ticket, allowing you to visit all 52 miles of lake shoreline.
The water fun doesn’t end with a boat trip, as Lake Almanor is inviting to swimmers, water skiers, and wakeboarders alike. Hop behind a power boat and join in one of the lake’s favorite pastimes and, if you’re up for it, challenge yourself to drop a ski and slalom for a bit. When the sun has warmed your skin, find a quiet place to dive into the cool depths, refreshing yourself with a leisurely lake swim.
For anglers, Almanor Lake is an aquatic haven for brown trout, crappie, salmon, and smallmouth bass. Believed to be one of the lake’s best kept secrets, the trout and bass fishing are what anglers dream of, with great populations of large specimens. Fishing is best done in summer and fall, when the night air is cool and the fish are biting, though you can expect to get lucky any time of day or year.
A visit to Lake Almanor is not complete without a visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park, a 106,000 acre expanse of ancient and still-active volcanoes. The last eruption was on May 22, 1915, when Lassen Peak erupted with a vengeance, spreading ash over a 200 mile radius. Today, as you hike or horseback ride along the park’s 150 miles of trails, you’ll witness bubbling mud pots, boiling pools, and hissing fumaroles that all hint at the powerful natural forces that keep these volcanoes alive. Hike the “Ring of Fire”, ascending and descending the hilly terrain, and witness fields of wildflowers, a boiling coldwater lake, and spectacular panoramic views.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is truly a beautiful place, offering postcard-perfect views of cloudless sapphire skies, snow-covered mountains, and dark volcanic rock. Take advantage of your time here to go bird watching, keeping your eyes wide open for the 83 species of birds that make their homes here. Watch as hawks and eagles soar through the sky, their piercing cry echoing off the ridges. Try and catch a photo of colorful migratory birds, resting on their journey south. And when you’ve gotten a bit tired, hop in your car and take a scenic drive along the park’s 35-mile road that loops through some of the most interesting and unique terrain you will ever see.
Lake Almanor is an aquatic paradise of cool waters, warm sun, great fishing, bountiful nature, snowcapped mountains, and breathtaking sunsets.
Things to Do at Lake Almanor
These are some activities in the Lake Almanor, CA area visitors can enjoy:
- Vacation Rentals
- Water Skiing
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- National Park
What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Almanor?
Lake Almanor has been known to have the following fish species:
- Black Bass
- Brown Trout
- Smallmouth Bass
Find Places to Stay at Lake Almanor
If you’re considering a Lake Almanor lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.
Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.
More Sites to Book a Lake Almanor Vacation
Our interactive Lake Almanor lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:
Lake Almanor Statistics & Helpful Links
Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed
Water Level Control: Pacific Gas & Electric
Surface Area: 28,257 acres
Shoreline Length: 52 miles
Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 0 feet
Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 4,494 feet
Maximum Depth: 90 feet
Water Volume: 1,142,960 acre-feet
More local lakes to explore in this area:
We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.
Shop Lake Almanor Gifts
More Lake Almanor news from LakeLubbers.com
- Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
- The Lake Almanor forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
- New Lake Almanor photos coming soon!
- You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
- Share this Lake Almanor article with your fellow LakeLubbers: