Golden Bear Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Golden Bear Lake stands in Inyo County, California. The ground around here is lake country bush. About 19 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It sits higher than most water we list in California. Lone Pine lies 18 miles from the water. Big Pine lies 31 miles off, Three Rivers another 36 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Golden Bear Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Inyo County include california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Golden Bear Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 49°F, with January the cold end at about 18°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid June. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid June and starts locking again about mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It sets the rhythm of the year at Golden Bear Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Robinson Lake is 2.4 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Golden Bear Lake.