Water clarity, fair about 6 to 7 ft. Surface temps 34.5 degrees. Lake levels are rising, but there's along way to go. Very cold north wind has much of Almanor iced over for the last 2 weeks. Lowest temperature recorded last week was 12 degrees with wind chill dropping it down to 8 degrees.

The only ramp that is useable is Canyon Dam. The USFS ramp is closed. Almanor West pulled the dock. Rec. 1 has ice inside the log boom while Rec. 2 is totally locked up with ice. Ice patches thaw and refreeze over night. Some areas are thick with ice while other areas are open water. Watch for hazards...thick chunks of ice are floating around and refreezing in with the thin stuff.

The east basin is your best bet for bait fishing or trolling if you can launch. Forget about the west basin, it's 60% covered in thin ice. A series of storms are due to roll in to the basin starting today. These are warmer storms and that should help melt off some of that ice.

We saw only 2 boats in the east basin this past holiday week and they were both trolling slow action rigs. With the cold water fish metabolisms have slowed down and slow action rigs are probably the way to go or at least try before switching out. Winter fishing can be excellent there at Almanor.

Attached to this report are a few photos of winter caught fish between Jan. and April when fish are hungry and fishing pressure light.

Check the road conditions before making the trek up here. Think safety, there no one around out there if you get into trouble.

Good luck to all and Happy New Year!