Finch Lake Fishing in Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Finch Lake is set in Inyo County, California. The bank is 10,745 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 2 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is a small entry by Inyo County standards. The nearest place of any size is West Bishop, 15 miles away. Further out sit Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek (18 miles) and Bishop (19 miles). There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Finch Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name california golden trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Finch Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 53°F in August and bottom out at 22°F in February. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late May. Climate figures give an open season running late May to late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Finch Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything 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. A phone call first saves an afternoon. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Bear Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the current arrangement for Finch Lake.