French Lake in Inyo County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  French Lake lies in Inyo County, in California. It stands 11,280 feet above sea level. Around 63 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Shoreline comes to about 1.3 miles, small enough to learn in a day. Size puts it in the front rank of our Inyo County list. West Bishop sits 15 miles from here and is the nearest stop. For a city, Clovis is 64 miles off. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on French Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Public occurrence data for Inyo County names california golden trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Work French Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 50°F in August and bottom out at 18°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid June. The season between ice runs from about mid June to mid November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. It holds true on French Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Little French Lake, 0.4 miles out. For French Lake in particular, ask before you travel.