Russell Lake Fishing in Siskiyou County, California

• Overview

  In California, Russell Lake belongs to Siskiyou County. This is rolling hill ground. At 16 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Altamont lies 33 miles from the water. Chico sits 139 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Russell Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Siskiyou County include rainbow trout, brook trout, Chinook salmon and klamath smallscale sucker. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Treat Russell Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 30°F to 65°F. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Russell Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This one is mapped as intermittent, so a wasted trip is a real risk in a dry year. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Deyarmie Lake, 2.7 miles out. Nothing here settles the position at Russell Lake for certain.