Fishing at Hummingbird Lake, Mono County, California

• Overview

  Set in Mono County, Hummingbird Lake is a California water. It sits at 10,279 feet above sea level. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our Mono County list. 23 miles away sits Yosemite Valley, the nearest town. Clovis is the closest city, 83 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Hummingbird Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Mono County: 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. On Hummingbird Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 20°F in February up to 51°F in August. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid June. The season between ice runs from about mid June to mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. That is the shape of the year on Hummingbird Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Fishing from a pier is possible half a mile away. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Z Lake, 0.4 miles out. Rules at Hummingbird Lake are worth checking on the day.