Deer Lake in Trinity County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Trinity County in California is where Deer Lake sits. The surface lies 7,162 feet up. Surface area runs to about 4 acres — small enough to read in one session. Nearest town is Weaverville, 15 miles off. After that come Lewiston at 17 miles and Hayfork at 31 miles. Also worth knowing: Summit Lake sits 0.4 miles out, Diamond Lake after 0.6 miles, Luella Lake sits 0.7 miles out, Lake Anna after 1.3 miles and Billy-Be-Damn Lake sits 1.5 miles out. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Deer Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Trinity County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and brook trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Deer Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 57°F, the coldest about 30°F. In milder years the surface never sets. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Anyone fishing Deer Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. You can camp about 120 yards away, going by the mapping. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Summit Lake, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Deer Lake.