Long Lake Fishing Guide, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Long Lake is one of the Inyo County listings for California. Elevation runs to 10,561 feet. Small at around 23 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It sits higher than most water we list in California. West Bishop at 17 miles is the nearest place to stop. Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek is 19 miles and Bishop 20 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Long Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 48°F in August and bottom out at 18°F in February. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late June. Open water usually runs from late June until about early November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. The season on Long Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. You can camp about 0.9 miles away, going by the mapping. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Chickenfoot Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Long Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.