Emerald Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Emerald Lake is set in Mono County, California. It stands 9,475 feet above sea level. The whole thing is a single swim; walk it in a minute. Most waters listed here for Mono County are larger. Nearest place of any size is Mammoth Lakes, 4.7 miles away. Then West Bishop, 33 miles, and Yosemite Valley, 34 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Emerald Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Mono County cover brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, owens sucker and california golden trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Emerald Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 53°F and February near 22°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early June. The water is typically free of ice between early June and late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan any trip to Emerald Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. There are toilets mapped about half a mile away. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Arrowhead Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Emerald Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.