Updated
← Back to mapCalifornia Rivers › Above Lake Almanor, North Fork Feather drainage
A small meadow stream above Lake Almanor, with small fish at the campground and quieter pools upstream.
Last Chance Creek is a small meadow stream above Lake Almanor, in the North Fork Feather drainage. Three spots reach it. Last Chance Campground sits on the creek above the lake, 2.8 mi along Juniper Lake Rd. Around the campground the creek winds through meadow, crowded by brush and fallen wood, and most of the fish are small. The better water is upstream. A dirt road runs north from the campground; in 1990 any vehicle could manage the first 0.7 mi, and only trucks went beyond. Pull off and walk to the creek, where you will find pools, shallow riffles and undercut banks, and very likely no one else. Farther up, a road off Feather River Dr, 4.4 mi along it and 1.9 mi from Benner Camp, took any vehicle in 1990, but the creek is a 1.5 mi walk from the road and the fishing there is poor. The view of Lake Almanor is the reward. Skip the campground water for anything but small fish, and spend your time on the undercut banks and pools north of camp. Regulations change and differ by section, so check the current California regulations before you go.
Best Season
Open season; check current regulations for dates
River Type
Meadow creek, brushy, with fallen wood
Skill Level
Beginner to intermediate
Best Techniques
Fish the pools and undercut banks upstream of the campground
Access
A campground on Juniper Lake Rd, a dirt road north of it, and a road off Feather River Dr with a long walk in.
Explore fish species associated with the Last Chance Creek. Each profile includes identification tips, habitat notes, and practical fishing guidance for anglers.
Review seasonal insect hatches on the Last Chance Creek, including timing windows and fly pattern suggestions for your next trip.
Check current seasons, limits, and special rules for Last Chance Creek before you go. Regulations change, so always verify with IDFG.
The latest fishing conditions and hatch notes for Last Chance Creek. Older reports live in the Last Chance Creek report archive.
These YouTube videos have been hand-curated by our team because we feel they best represent the Last Chance Creek fishery. Watch for river character, access context, and techniques that translate to your next trip.
No towns within 30 mi
Map data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
These YouTube videos have been hand-curated by our team because we feel they best represent the Last Chance Creek fishery. Watch for river character, access context, and techniques that translate to your next trip.
Review seasonal insect hatches on the Last Chance Creek, including timing windows and fly pattern suggestions for your next trip.
No data for this season.
Fishing guides, outfitters, shuttles, and shops that operate on the Last Chance Creek.
