Lost River in Siskiyou County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lost River is a Siskiyou County water, in California. The setting is open valley. For a base, Altamont sits 22 miles out. The nearest city of size is Chico, 153 miles away. Nearby, in order: Capek Reservoir a shade over 9.3 miles, Grohs Reservoir out at 9.4 miles, Pope Reservoir a shade over 12 miles, Sheep Camp Lake out at 12 miles and McCoy Reservoir a shade over 13 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Lost River

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Wading opens water that no bank angler reaches. Log jams gather bait and everything that eats it. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, Chinook salmon and klamath smallscale sucker. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Lost River the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 66°F and January near 31°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Lost River runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Capek Reservoir sits 9.3 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Lost River as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.