Elbert Lake in El Dorado County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Elbert Lake falls in El Dorado County, part of California. Everything around it is rolling hill. At roughly 6 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. You are 11 miles from South Lake Tahoe. After that come Kingsbury at 16 miles and Gardnerville Ranchos at 18 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Elbert Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. 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. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Read Elbert Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 58°F; the cold one sits at 26°F. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Elbert Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Dardanelles Lake at 1.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Elbert Lake before loading the car.