Burger Reservoir, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Modoc County, Burger Reservoir is a California water. The surface lies 5,292 feet up. Lakeview sits 22 miles from the bank. The big place round here is Reno, 165 miles distant. Also on the doorstep: Lake Annie roughly 2.8 miles, Lily Lake (5.7 miles), Cave Lake roughly 5.9 miles, Ninemile Reservoir (6.2 miles) and Big Mud Lake roughly 8 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Burger Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Across Modoc County, recorded fish include Sacramento sucker, modoc sucker, rainbow trout, green sunfish and brook trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Treat Burger Reservoir as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 66°F and December reads 29°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. It holds true on Burger Reservoir more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. 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. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Lake Annie, 2.8 miles out. The position on Burger Reservoir is worth confirming on the day.