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This bass fishing jewel--a Feather River impoundment tucked away in Northern California--was built in 1914 and measures 13 miles long by six miles wide. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the smallmouth fishing is top-notch, too.

Calvin Fredrick, a longtime tournament angler who lives in the town of Almanor, has the bite wired.

"It's predominantly a smallmouth fishery," he says, "but does have some largemouths in it. I caught an 8-pounder myself about three years ago, and this year we've seen many 4- and 5-pounders. Overall, though, smallmouths are the main attraction. In fact, an 8-pounder was caught last February."

Anglers new to Almanor should start their summer search along the lake's many rocky points. According to Fredrick, "During August and into September, start off fishing rocky points with topwaters like buzzbaits, Spit'n Images, Pop Rs and so on. I use a lot of tubes along the shorelines and breaks, too--both brown and white work well. Try hitting the rocky points around the peninsula first, toward the north end of the lake, then those along the east shore, more down toward the dam. Also fish any blowdown trees and stump fields you can find."

Along with the recent introduction of Japanese pond smelt, smallmouths also gorge on the lake's heavy bug hatches. "Sometimes the bugs will littler the whole top of the water," explains Fredrick, "and the smallmouths start finning the surface out there. It's awesome, and when that happens you can catch 20 or 30 a night on topwaters."

Fredrick recommends the two public launches run by the Forest Service. One is closer to the dam; the other is closer to the central basin. The lake is surrounded by lodges and resorts, and Fredrick recommends the Plumas Pines, (530) 259-4343, and Dorado Inn, (530) 284-7790. For more information, contact the Plumas County Visitors Bureau: (800) 326-2247, plumascounty.org.