Deer Lakes in Mono County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Mono County entry here is Deer Lakes, in California. The land about it is mixed forest. At 8 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It sits higher than most water we list in California. Start from Mammoth Lakes, 6.2 miles down the road. Beyond it, West Bishop at 32 miles and Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek at 34 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Deer Lakes

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Records held for Mono County cover brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, owens sucker and california golden trout. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Deer Lakes a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 53°F at the top of summer and 22°F at the bottom of winter. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. After early June the shallows warm and the fish move up. Climate figures give an open season running early June to late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Deer Lakes by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Hammil Lake, 1.2 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Deer Lakes.