Porter Reservoir near Alturas: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Porter Reservoir sits within Modoc County in California. It sits at 6,693 feet above sea level. About 9 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Our Modoc County list holds plenty of bigger water. Some 15 miles away sits Alturas, the nearest settlement. For a city, Reno is 135 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Porter Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Species logged across Modoc County include Sacramento sucker, modoc sucker and rainbow trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. The shape of Porter Reservoir rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 63°F; by December the average is down near 28°F. In milder years the surface never sets. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Porter Reservoir fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Cottonwood Lake, 4.6 miles away. Nothing here settles the position at Porter Reservoir for certain.