Gardisky Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  You will find Gardisky Lake in Mono County, California. What surrounds it is rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 18 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is high ground by California standards. Yosemite Valley is the closest place, 23 miles off. The nearest city of size is Clovis, 82 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Gardisky Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Mono County, recorded fish include 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. The shape of Gardisky Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 20°F in February and 51°F in August. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid June. Climate averages put the opening at about mid June and the closing near mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It holds true on Gardisky Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Shell Lake, 1.3 miles out. Check the position on Gardisky Lake before loading the car.