Reservoir M Fishing in Modoc County, California

• Overview

  Reservoir M is a Modoc County water, California side. The bank is 4,967 feet above sea level. The water covers around 287 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The edge runs 2.7 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Size puts it in the front rank of our Modoc County list. The nearest town is Alturas, 21 miles away. For a city, Chico is 142 miles off. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Reservoir M

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Records held for Modoc County cover Sacramento sucker, modoc sucker and rainbow trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The shape of Reservoir M decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 29°F to 65°F. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan around that when you fish Reservoir M. Cool nights slow the mornings but sharpen the evenings.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Public mapping marks it as seasonal water rather than permanent. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Surveyors Valley Reservoir, 2.6 miles away. Rules at Reservoir M are worth checking on the day.