Dragon Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  You will find Dragon Lake in Inyo County, California. The country here is lake country bush. It covers about 24 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. By elevation it is in the upper part of our California listings. Lone Pine is the closest place, 22 miles off. Visalia is the closest city, 60 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Dragon Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Inyo County include california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Dragon Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 20°F to 52°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice-out usually falls in early June, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Averages place the thaw at early June and the freeze at mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Dragon Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Rae Lakes at 1 mile is the sensible second choice. Rules at Dragon Lake are worth checking on the day.