Downey Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Downey Lake sits in Nevada County, out in California. What surrounds it is farm and woodlot. Small at around 13 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. You are 23 miles from Truckee. Beyond it, Nevada City at 24 miles and Grass Valley at 28 miles. Water in the same corner: Milk Lake 0.6 miles, Sanford Lake 0.6 miles away, Loney Lake 0.7 miles, Round Lake 0.9 miles away and Long Lake 1 mile. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Downey Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Reported across Nevada County: brook trout, rainbow trout, tahoe sucker and brown trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Take Downey Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 33°F to 63°F. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Downey Lake. After heavy rain, give the water a day to settle.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Milk Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Downey Lake before loading the car.