Fishing Big Marshy Lake in Siskiyou County, California

• Overview

  The Siskiyou County end of California holds Big Marshy Lake. The ground around here is rolling hill. About 6 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Head to Weed, 24 miles away, for anything you forgot. Chico is the closest city, 114 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Big Marshy Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Species logged across Siskiyou County include rainbow trout, brook trout and Chinook salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Big Marshy Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 57°F, with December the cold end at about 31°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. The season on Big Marshy Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. You can camp 130 yards off, which suits an early start. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Little Marshy Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. For Big Marshy Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.