A Lassen-region Wild Trout lake, in the same cluster as Manzanita, Baum and Hat Creek. A quiet high-elevation stillwater option rather than a big destination fishery — access season, wind and cold-water timing are the key reads.
- Lake
- Volcanic
Rules at a glance
- Free fishing
- Fly only
Head to
Wind driftSW wind
North-eastern end
A southwesterly has held for most of a day, running warmer than the water (9°C air against 5°C water). Expect fish at the north-eastern end — the bank it is blowing into — where the drift piles food, colour and warmth together. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
No strong hatch signals at the moment — general searching tactics should work best. The ripple is helpful — fish should move onto the feed and a slow-drifted team or single wet will cover water well.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
See the full sub-surface read with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 3 with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Flying AntsHatch
1
2
1
Gray DrakeHatch
1
1
CallibaetisHatch
1
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
12-16 · Pattern
Proven pattern for this period
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- CDFW Wild Trout designation; verify NPS and CDFW rules before launch.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
66%
Cloud25%
Wind100%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
About this water
Water quality · US Clean Water Act
- Aquatic life: Not assessed
- Fish consumption: Impaired
What this classification means
Fish consumption: Consumption advisory (Mercury) — fish for sport, not the table.
EPA ATTAINS assessment unit 'Butte Lake' (CAL5263601120111118145313), 2024 Integrated Report. Aquatic Life use: Insufficient Information. Listed impairment causes: Mercury. This is a Clean Water Act assessment-unit classification (the US analogue of WFD), not a live reading.
Status is for the Clean Water Act assessment unit covering this reach.
EPA ATTAINS (Clean Water Act) · CAL5263601120111118145313
Why this score
- Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout Late May → 1 November
Related guides
Booking & contacts
Butte Lake
A Lassen-region Wild Trout lake, in the same cluster as Manzanita, Baum and Hat Creek.
Head to
Wind driftSW wind
North-eastern end
A southwesterly has held for most of a day, running warmer than the water (9°C air against 5°C water). Expect fish at the north-eastern end — the bank it is blowing into — where the drift piles food, colour and warmth together. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
No strong hatch signals at the moment — general searching tactics should work best. The ripple is helpful — fish should move onto the feed and a slow-drifted team or single wet will cover water well.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
See the full sub-surface read with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 3 with Pro.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Flying AntsHatch
1
2
1
Gray DrakeHatch
1
1
CallibaetisHatch
1
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
12-16 · Pattern
Proven pattern for this period
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- CDFW Wild Trout designation; verify NPS and CDFW rules before launch.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
66%
Cloud25%
Wind100%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
About this water
A Lassen-region Wild Trout lake, in the same cluster as Manzanita, Baum and Hat Creek. A quiet high-elevation stillwater option rather than a big destination fishery — access season, wind and cold-water timing are the key reads.
- Lake
- Volcanic
Water quality · US Clean Water Act
- Aquatic life: Not assessed
- Fish consumption: Impaired
What this classification means
Fish consumption: Consumption advisory (Mercury) — fish for sport, not the table.
EPA ATTAINS assessment unit 'Butte Lake' (CAL5263601120111118145313), 2024 Integrated Report. Aquatic Life use: Insufficient Information. Listed impairment causes: Mercury. This is a Clean Water Act assessment-unit classification (the US analogue of WFD), not a live reading.
Status is for the Clean Water Act assessment unit covering this reach.
EPA ATTAINS (Clean Water Act) · CAL5263601120111118145313
Why this score
- Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout Late May → 1 November
Related guides
Booking & contacts