Little Summit Lake Fishing Guide, Plumas County, California

• Overview

  Little Summit Lake is a Plumas County water, California side. The bank is 5,853 feet above sea level. At roughly 11 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from Portola, 13 miles down the road. It is 52 miles to Reno, the nearest city. Not far off: Lake Davis 7.4 miles, Madora Lake sits 11 miles out, Eureka Lake 13 miles, Grizzly Ice Pond sits 13 miles out and Smith Lake 14 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Little Summit Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Plumas County cover rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker and brown trout. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Anyone new to Little Summit Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 29°F to 60°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Little Summit Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Lake Davis at 7.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Little Summit Lake if anything is unclear.