Honey Lake
Lake Large shallow lake and wildlife area in California
A shallow basin lake in northeastern California’s Honey Lake Valley; visited by birdwatchers, hunters and anglers, and seen from regional roads near Susanville.
Honey Lake is a shallow terminal lake in the Honey Lake Valley in northeastern California, United States. It occupies an endorheic basin that collects local runoff and has no outlet to the sea.
The lake’s area and depth vary with seasonal and annual precipitation, and it often becomes marshy or partly dry in drier years. The basin and surrounding wetlands attract waterfowl and other wildlife seasonally.
Historically the Honey Lake Basin has been used for agriculture and grazing in the valley and has long been an intermittent lake and wetland habitat rather than a permanent deep lake.
Honey Lake lies in Lassen County in northeastern California. The town of Susanville is the nearest sizeable settlement and provides road access and services for visitors to the valley.
- Water levels: The lake is a shallow, seasonally variable basin; water extent can shrink considerably in dry years and expand after heavy winter rains.
- Nearest town: Nearest sizable town is Susanville, which lies on the lake's western side and serves as the main access point for visitors.
How to Get to Honey Lake #
Honey Lake lies off U.S. Route 395 near the town of Susanville. Access is by car; there is no formal visitor center, so use roadside pullouts and farm lanes with permission where necessary.
Tips for Visiting Honey Lake #
- Best birdwatching at dawn and dusk during spring and autumn migration.
- Roadside pullouts and verges can be soft - avoid parking on shoulders after rain.
- Bring binoculars for viewing shorebirds; much of the lake is best appreciated from the highway viewpoints.
Best Time to Visit Honey Lake #
A shallow, seasonal lake and wetland area - best for birding during migration seasons.
Weather & Climate near Honey Lake #
Honey Lake's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. The wettest month with 60 mm of rain.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 9°C. The driest month with just 7 mm.
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August
August is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 7 mm.
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September
September is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
