Lower Salmon Lake in Sierra County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Sierra County, California, is where Lower Salmon Lake sits. Open valley runs right down to the water. The water covers some 32 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It ranks high for size among our Sierra County listings. Head to Portola, 14 miles away, for anything you forgot. East Quincy lies 24 miles off, Quincy another 26 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Lower Salmon Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and green sunfish. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Lower Salmon Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 62°F and January about 30°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Lower Salmon Lake fishes to that pattern most years. Weed growth peaks in late summer and changes where you can fish.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. A marina sits within half a mile of the water. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Upper Salmon Lake, 0.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Lower Salmon Lake.