Round Valley Reservoir in Plumas County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Round Valley Reservoir is one of the Plumas County waters in California. It stands 4,472 feet above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 387 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. Shoreline length is close to 3.5 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. On our Plumas County list it sits near the top for size. For supplies, Greenville is 1.9 miles out. It is 53 miles to Chico, the nearest city. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Round Valley Reservoir

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Across Plumas County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout and Sacramento sucker. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Round Valley Reservoir fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 65°F on average, January about 33°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. At Round Valley Reservoir the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Homer Lake, 7.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Round Valley Reservoir.