Jackson Lake Fishing in Los Angeles County, California

• Overview

  Out in Los Angeles County, California, sits Jackson Lake. The water sits 6,161 feet up. It covers about 6 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Piñon Hills lies 5.3 miles from the water. Wrightwood lies 5.7 miles off, Phelan another 9.1 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Jackson Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Nearby survey and observation records mention rainbow trout, bluegill and goldfish. Records show what people reported, so treat the list as a guide to what lives in the area. The near bank of Jackson Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 69°F and January reads 36°F. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Jackson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. A picnic spot sits 90 yards from the bank. There are toilets 150 yards off. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Pacific Crest Reservoir at 2.6 miles is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Jackson Lake in what we hold.