Fishing at Arctic Lake, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Arctic Lake stands in Inyo County, California. It sits at 12,234 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 10 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Compared with other California water on our list, it sits high. Lone Pine lies 14 miles from the water. Three Rivers follows at 35 miles, then Big Pine at 40 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Arctic Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Inyo County records list california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The shape of Arctic Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 18°F in January to roughly 49°F in August. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid June. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid June and starts locking again about mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. At Arctic Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Guitar Lake, 0.9 miles away. Check the position on Arctic Lake before loading the car.