Mud Lake Reservoir near Alturas: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In California, Mud Lake Reservoir falls inside Modoc County. It stands 4,790 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 59 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. There is roughly 1.1 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Nearest town is Alturas, 5.2 miles off. After that come Lakeview at 45 miles and Burney at 76 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. County-wide records name Sacramento sucker, modoc sucker, rainbow trout, green sunfish and brook trout. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Mud Lake Reservoir gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 67°F and January about 30°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. 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. It sets the rhythm of the year at Mud Lake Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Griener Reservoir is 0.7 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Mud Lake Reservoir.