Channel Lake in El Dorado County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The El Dorado County end of California holds Channel Lake. Beyond the shoreline you have open valley. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is one of the smaller waters we list in El Dorado County. 9.7 miles away sits South Lake Tahoe, the nearest town. It is 50 miles to Reno, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Channel Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Survey and observation records for El Dorado County include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, brook trout, bluegill and great basin cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Channel Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 58°F and January about 26°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Channel Lake that shapes the whole year. The first frost of the year slows things for a few days.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is American Lake, 0.3 miles out. Rules at Channel Lake are worth checking on the day.