Fishing at Heart Lake, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Heart Lake sits in Inyo County, out in California. The surroundings are mixed forest. Surface area runs to about 7 acres — small enough to read in one session. The town to know is West Bishop, 17 miles out. Further out sit Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek (19 miles) and Mammoth Lakes (20 miles). Within a short run: Marsh Lake at 0.2 miles, Box Lake out at 0.2 miles, Mack Lake at 0.6 miles, Ruby Lake out at 0.9 miles and Long Lake at 0.9 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Heart Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Heart Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between February at about 20°F and August at about 50°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Ice-out usually falls in mid June, and the weeks after it fish hardest. The water is typically free of ice between mid June and mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Heart Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Marsh Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. For Heart Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.