Grass Lake Fishing near Portola, California

• Overview

  California holds Grass Lake, in Plumas County. The bank gives way to open valley. The water measures roughly 20 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. The closest town, Portola, is 13 miles away. East Quincy lies 18 miles off, Quincy another 20 miles. Nearby alternatives: Rock Lake lies 0.8 miles on, Hidden Lake at 1.2 miles, Jamison Lake lies 1.2 miles on, Wades Lake at 1.3 miles and Smith Lake lies 1.4 miles on. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Grass Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Open biodiversity records for Plumas County list rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker, brown trout and green sunfish. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Fish Grass Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 30°F and August at about 61°F, the water has a wide range to work through. In milder years the surface never sets. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Expect Grass Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Rock Lake at 0.8 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing on Grass Lake should be assumed from this page alone.