Murphy Creek, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  This water sits in Plumas County, California. The surroundings are pine and hardwood. For supplies, Quincy is 18 miles out. Chico is the closest city, 35 miles away. Close by you also have: Murphy Lake the better part of 2.1 miles, Chips Lake roughly 2.7 miles, Oliver Lake the better part of 2.7 miles, Mud Lake roughly 3 miles and Three Lakes the better part of 3.5 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Murphy Creek

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Where two currents meet, work the crease between them. The outside of each bend cuts deepest and holds the better fish. Species logged across Plumas County include rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker, brown trout and green sunfish. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The near bank of Murphy Creek is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 68°F and December about 36°F. Winter is a mild inconvenience here, nothing more. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Murphy Creek.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Murphy Lake at 2.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Murphy Creek locally before you travel.