Upland Natural Lake · Mixed · Northern California, US

Manzanita Lake

Manzanita Lake venue image

A little jewel of a lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park, sitting in clear water under Lassen Peak, and the kind of place that's worth the drive for the view alone.

Fair · Rainbow
Balanced Leech · 8-12
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
49% confidence
limited data

Manzanita Lake is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • Wind12 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Balanced Leech
Balanced Leech8-12
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
12 km/h
calmblown out
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp14.4°C
Air temp17°C
CloudBroken
Pressure—
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

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

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 4 with Pro.

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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
CH
Chironomid
12-16 · Pattern
Proven pattern for this period
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Lassen NP — barbless catch-and-release only
  • Verify NPS/CDFW rules.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
74%
Cloud100%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A good match for Manzanita Lake — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.

Other water nearby · 5
Pit River
50 km
20
Rainbow trout
Butte Lake
23 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout
Hat Creek
39 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout
Lake Almanor
44 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Baum Lake
45 km
Rainbow trout · Brown trout
Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

A little jewel of a lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park, sitting in clear water under Lassen Peak, and the kind of place that's worth the drive for the view alone. It holds wild rainbows and browns that have been caught and let go so many times they've practically earned degrees in fly recognition. It's strictly barbless catch-and-release, which is why the fishing stays this good. You work it from a tube with long, fine leaders and a quiet approach — Callibaetis and midges, sight-fished, on the calm mornings and evenings.

  • Lake
  • Mixed
Why this score
  • Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout Late May → 1 November
Related guides
Scotland Playbookloch & river fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts