Lower Desolation Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In California, Lower Desolation Lake falls inside Inyo County. It sits at 11,171 feet above sea level. With some 25 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. By elevation it is in the upper part of our California listings. Nearest place of any size is West Bishop, 16 miles away. The big place round here is Clovis, 63 miles distant. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lower Desolation Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Survey and observation records for Inyo County include california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Read Lower Desolation Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 50°F and January near 18°F on the long-run figures. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid June. From about mid June to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. On Lower Desolation Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Mesa Lake at 0.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Lower Desolation Lake if anything is unclear.