Lost Valley Reservoir Fishing Guide, Lassen County, California

• Overview

  Lost Valley Reservoir falls in Lassen County, part of California. The surface lies 5,131 feet up. This is a pocket water of some 9 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Burney is the closest place, 36 miles off. Susanville is 40 miles and Johnstonville 44 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lost Valley Reservoir

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Lassen County records list rainbow trout, tahoe sucker, Sacramento sucker, brown trout and brook trout among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Lost Valley Reservoir a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 64°F and January at 30°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Lost Valley Reservoir rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Buckhorn Waterhole at 2.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Lost Valley Reservoir before loading the car.