Thermalito Afterbay Fishing
Butte County, CDFW North Central Region, 3,843 acres.
- 2launches
- 3,843acres
- 139 ftelevation
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Thermalito Afterbay from an angler’s seat
The reservoir called Thermalito Afterbay lies in Butte County and falls in the CDFW North Central Region. At 3,843 acres, that is the size CDFW publishes. Its elevation is roughly 139 feet. About 5 miles separate it from Biggs, the nearest town. Storage capacity behind Thermalito Dam (Feather River) is 57,041 acre-feet.
CDFW notes black bass and wild trout here. Launch records list 2 mapped launches for the reservoir, 2 of them named. Stocking stopped showing after 2025 on the CDFW entry.
For the black bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Where boats go in on Thermalito Afterbay
- Thermalito Afterbay (Monument Hill Boat Ramp)boat launch
- Thermalito Afterbay Boat Rampboat launch
Where to put in near Thermalito Afterbay
- Feather River BLFFeather River, 3 miles southeast
- Thermalito South ForebayThermalito Forebay-South, 4 miles northeast
- North Forebay Aquatic CenterThermalito Forebay-North, 6 miles northeast
- Gridley Feather River AccessFeather River, 8 miles south
- Lake Oroville SRA (Spillway)Lake Oroville, 11 miles northeast
- Lake Oroville SRA (Bidwell Canyon)Lake Oroville, 13 miles east
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways, checked October 2026.
Storage and elevation at Thermalito Afterbay
CDEC station TAB, reading for Oct 12, 2026 12:00 am Pacific. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026 6:32 pm ET. Station page with the chart.
Thermalito Afterbay species list
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; CDFW publishes no fuller species list for most waters.
What you may keep at Thermalito Afterbay
Thermalito Afterbay follows the default lake rules shown here.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year except closures in special regulations |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | no limit | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW places Thermalito Afterbay in the Valley District.
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026. All California limits.
Neighbor lakes compared with Thermalito Afterbay
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation (ft) | Launches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalito Afterbay | 3,843 | 139 | 2 | |
| Thermalito Forebay | 5 miles northeast | 563 | 225 | 3 |
| Bedrock Park Pond | 6 miles east | 1.5 | 137 | 0 |
| Thermalito Diversion Pool | 9 miles northeast | 226 | 0 | |
| Lake Oroville | 14 miles northeast | 15,378 | 900 | 10 |
| Paradise Park Pond | 19 miles north | 0.5 | 1,681 | 0 |
The ground around Thermalito Afterbay
More still water near Thermalito Afterbay
- Thermalito Forebay5 miles northeast
- Bedrock Park Pond6 miles east
- Thermalito Diversion Pool9 miles northeast
- Lake Oroville14 miles northeast
- Paradise Park Pond19 miles north
Where to stock up near Thermalito Afterbay
- Oro Dam Baitbait and tackle shop, Oroville, 5 miles
- Oroville Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Oroville, 6 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #362sporting goods store, Oroville, 6 miles
- North Valley Tackle & Pro Shopbait and tackle shop, Oroville, 7 miles
- Frank's Beaconbait and tackle shop, Oroville, 7 miles
- Feather River Fish Hatcherybait and tackle shop, Butte, 7 miles
License counters by Thermalito Afterbay
- Golden Feather Market Placelicense agent, 5 miles
- Maverik, Inc. #640license agent, 6 miles
- Walmart Store #1575department store, 6 miles
Towns ringing Thermalito Afterbay
- Oroville7 miles
- Gridley8 miles
- Live Oak14 miles
Counties holding Thermalito Afterbay
- Butte Countyseat: Oroville
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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The fish of Thermalito Afterbay
Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife from Sacramento, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Annie Spratt, CC0 1.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: William Rosmus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to know before Thermalito Afterbay
Where does Thermalito Afterbay lie in California?
In Butte County, about 5 miles from Biggs.
How large is Thermalito Afterbay on the CDFW entry?
The published figure is 3,843 acres.
Is Thermalito Afterbay open to trailered boats?
2 launches are mapped, starting with Thermalito Afterbay Boat Ramp.
What can I catch at Thermalito Afterbay?
Expect black bass and wild trout.
Are fish planted in Thermalito Afterbay?
No current plants are on record.
Do statewide limits apply at Thermalito Afterbay?
The default lake limits cover it.
Is Thermalito Afterbay open to anglers with no California license?
A California sport fishing license from age 16; resident annual is $64.54.
What is the water level at Thermalito Afterbay?
Check the CDEC reading on this page.
Is bait sold near Thermalito Afterbay?
Oro Dam Bait is closest, about 5 miles away.
Head up to Thermalito Afterbay
The license page lists every California limit.