Fishing at Mott Lake, Mono County, California

• Overview

  In California, Mott Lake falls inside Mono County. Everything around it is mixed forest. Surface area runs to about 17 acres — small enough to read in one session. For supplies, Mammoth Lakes is 14 miles out. The big place round here is Clovis, 63 miles distant. Others within reach: Blue Jay Lakes within 0.6 miles, Rosy Finch Lake at 1 mile, Bighorn Lake within 1 mile, Laurel Lake at 1.4 miles and Little Grinnell Lake within 1.9 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Mott Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and owens sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Mott Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 52°F in August and bottom out at 21°F in February. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early June. Open water usually runs from early June until about mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. The season on Mott Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. 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. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Blue Jay Lakes is 0.6 miles off. Check the position on Mott Lake before loading the car.