Desolation Lake Fishing near South Lake Tahoe, California

• Overview

  California holds Desolation Lake, in El Dorado County. It sits at 7,986 feet above sea level. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is a small entry by El Dorado County standards. South Lake Tahoe is the closest place, 9.7 miles off. The big place round here is Reno, 50 miles distant. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Desolation Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. 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. Records held for El Dorado County cover 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. The shape of Desolation Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 26°F in January and 58°F in August. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Desolation Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Frata Lake at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. For Desolation Lake in particular, ask before you travel.