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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

Thermalito Afterbay

Butte County, California · about 3,100 acres (4.8 sq mi)

Caution

62°F water, windy Friday (21 mph S).

Water62°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today21 mphS
Best bite4:00 pmto 4:45 pm

About Thermalito Afterbay

Thermalito Afterbay is a lake in Butte County, California, covering about 3,100 acres.

From end to end it runs about 4 miles with roughly 27 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 130 ft above sea level. Biggs is about 3 miles south. Chico, the nearest city, is about 17 miles northwest.

Size
About 3,100 acres (4.8 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 27 miles
End to end
About 4 miles
Elevation
About 130 ft
County
Butte County

The lake from above

1 1 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Slow

  • 6:15 am – 7:00 amsunrise
  • 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 9 mph

Saturday Good

  • 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 8 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 Thermalito Afterbay in California usually hold largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 62°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Good
    Largemouth bass

    Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.

  • Good
    Walleye

    Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.

  • Good
    Crappie

    Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.

  • Fair
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.

  • Fair
    Catfish

    Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Point drop-off

    The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 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

62°F

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

Friday 58° / 51° 21 mph S Showers And Thunderstorms · 100% rain
Saturday 62° / 45° 6 mph S Partly Sunny · 3% rain
Sunday 57° / 47° 12 mph SSE Light Rain · 88% rain

Sunrise 6:48 am · sunset 4:52 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Thermalito Afterbay

  • Biggsabout 3 mi south
  • Thermalitoabout 3.6 mi northeast
  • Orovilleabout 5.2 mi east
  • South Orovilleabout 5.3 mi east
  • Chiconearest city, about 17 mi northwest

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Questions about Thermalito Afterbay

What fish are in Thermalito Afterbay?

Lakes like Thermalito Afterbay usually hold largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Thermalito Afterbay?

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 Thermalito Afterbay?

About 3,100 acres, with about 27 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Thermalito Afterbay?

Biggs is about 3 miles south; Thermalito is about 3.6 miles northeast.

What is the water temperature at Thermalito Afterbay today?

The surface was about 62°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Thermalito Afterbay on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

Get it on Google Play

Lakes near Thermalito Afterbay

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