Bishop Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In California, Bishop Lake falls inside Inyo County. The setting is lake country bush. It covers about 18 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is high ground by California standards. Big Pine sits 15 miles from here and is the nearest stop. For a city, Clovis is 67 miles off. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Bishop Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Bishop Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 50°F for August and 19°F for February. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid June. The open-water window runs from around mid June to about mid November in an average year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bishop Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Saddlerock Lake, 0.5 miles out. Treat Bishop Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.