Big Horn Lake Fishing in Mono County, California

• Overview

  Big Horn Lake belongs to Mono County, California. It stands 10,883 feet above sea level. It covers about 5 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is a small entry by Mono County standards. Yosemite Valley lies 21 miles from the water. Mammoth Lakes follows at 27 miles, then Midpines at 44 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Big Horn Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Mono County, recorded fish include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, owens sucker and california golden trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The shape of Big Horn Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 20°F to 51°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid June. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid June and starts locking again about mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Big Horn Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Finger Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Big Horn Lake is worth confirming on the day.