Marsh Lake in Inyo County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Marsh Lake belongs to Inyo County, California. The surroundings are pine and birch. At roughly 2 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Inyo County standards. West Bishop is the closest place, 17 miles off. After that come Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek at 19 miles and Mammoth Lakes at 20 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Marsh Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name california golden trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Marsh Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 50°F and February reads 20°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid June. The open-water window runs from around mid June to about mid November in an average year. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Marsh Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Overnight stays are possible 0.9 miles away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Heart Lake is 0.2 miles off. Treat access at Marsh Lake as something to verify.