Gilbert Lake near Lone Pine: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Inyo County, California, is where Gilbert Lake sits. Elevation runs to 10,436 feet. This is a pocket water of some 4 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. On size it sits at the modest end of our Inyo County list. Lone Pine lies 20 miles from the water. Beyond it, Big Pine at 28 miles and Three Rivers at 38 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Gilbert Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Read Gilbert Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 52°F at the top of summer and 20°F at the bottom of winter. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early June. The lid tends to go about early June and return around mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Gilbert Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. A campsite is mapped about 0.9 miles away, which makes an early start easier. There is a toilet block some 0.9 miles out. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Flower Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Where Gilbert Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.