The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Frenchman Lake
Plumas County, California · about 1,300 acres (2 sq mi)
57°F water, windy Friday (30 mph S).
About Frenchman Lake
Frenchman Lake spreads over about 1,300 acres in Plumas County, California.
From end to end it runs about 3.3 miles with roughly 12.9 miles of shoreline. At about 5,580 ft above sea level, it is a high-country lake, cold for much of the year. Portola is about 15 miles southwest. Reno, the nearest city, is about 32 miles southeast.
- Size
- About 1,300 acres (2 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 12.9 miles
- End to end
- About 3.3 miles
- Elevation
- About 5,580 ft
- County
- Plumas County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Fair
- 6:00 am – 7:00 am bestsunrise
- 4:00 pm – 4:45 pmsunset, moon overhead · wind 15 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Frenchman Lake in California usually hold trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 57°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodTrout
Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- GoodYellow perch
Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
- FairSmallmouth bass
Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:43 am · sunset 4:45 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Frenchman Lake
- Portolaabout 15 mi southwest
- Cold Springsabout 18 mi southeast
- Lemmon Valleyabout 25 mi southeast
- Golden Valleyabout 27 mi southeast
- Renonearest city, about 32 mi southeast
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Questions about Frenchman Lake
What fish are in Frenchman Lake?
Lakes like Frenchman Lake usually hold trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Frenchman Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Frenchman Lake?
About 1,300 acres, with about 12.9 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Frenchman Lake?
Portola is about 15 miles southwest; Cold Springs is about 18 miles southeast.
What is the water temperature at Frenchman Lake today?
The surface was about 57°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Frenchman Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
