Green Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Green Lake in the Mono County part of California. It sits at 8,967 feet above sea level. Around 55 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The full circuit measures close to 1.0 miles on foot. On our Mono County list it sits near the top for size. 28 miles away sits Yosemite Valley, the nearest town. Further out sit Mammoth Lakes (35 miles) and Topaz Ranch Estates (46 miles). No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Green Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Survey and observation records for Mono County include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, owens sucker and california golden trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Green Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 55°F; by January the average is down near 23°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid May. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid May in spring and again near late November in autumn. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Time your trip to Green Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try West Lake, 0.8 miles away. Nothing here settles the position at Green Lake for certain.